Give Thanks by Susan Tuttle

Hey all! It’s November! I can almost smell the turkey and pecan pie. My mouth is wateringJ What’s your favorite food to have on Thanksgiving day?

I absolutely adore Fall. It’s my favorite season and part of that reason is because of the holidays. Thanksgiving is right up there with my favorites, and it’s not simply because of the food—though that’s a huge part. But it’s because this entire month reminds me to pause, look around, and rediscover things I’m thankful about.

This writing world is hard, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons to be thankful. So I wanted to take a moment today and give thanks for all the ways God has blessed me on this journey. And I hope you’ll chime in!

• A family who supports me even when I’m unpublished. Who cheer me on and believe in me even when I don’t always believe in myself.
• Friends both inside and outside the writing community who understand my heart and desire to share God’s Word through crafting words, and they champion me to do just that.
• An amazing agent who keeps persevering even when it’s a tough climate out there.
• My own little corner in my house to write.
• My first time published in a book was this year! I had the privilege of retelling the story of my mom’s healing in a compilation of stories from Bethany House called Gifts From Heaven.
• God’s continual provision of story and devotional ideas. None of it comes from me!

So what about you? What are your thankful for as a writer this year?

 

Susan L. Tuttle lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of three. She’s firmly convinced that letters were meant for words, not math, and loves stringing them together into stories that inspire, encourage, and grow women into who God created them to be. Romance, laughter, and cookies are three of her favorite things, though not always in that order. You can connect with Susan at her blog, Steps, Facebook, or Twitter.

Giving Thanks by Terri Weldon

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m enjoying good food and company with my family today and I hope you’re doing the same. Our home is full of the smells of our favorite dishes, flowers grace the table, and candles flicker in the room. Thanksgiving is one of the most relaxing holidays of the year. 

 

Later this afternoon while I’m watching a favorite movie – a tradition at our house – I may pull my laptop out and do a little work. Then again there is just as good a chance I’ll lean back in my chair and pet one of my Westies. Either one is okay. 

 

The important thing today is to thank God for our blessings. I’m thankful I have a home, a family, people to spend the holiday with, my two furry little friends, a job, and for the Christmas novella I have releasing the end of this month. Most of all I’m thankful for the saving grace of Jesus. I pray you know Him too. 

 

Here at Seriously Write all of us are thankful for you. While our desire is to encourage and equip Christian writers we want you to know that you do the same for us. There are so many things vying for your time and we’re thankful you read our posts, cheer us on, and leave us comments. 

 

I hope you’ll share a few of your blessings with us. What are you thankful for today?

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or

Blog: Seriously Write

The Christmas Bride Wore Boots

 

Widowed Pastor Jacob Thompson had vowed to never remarry, but that was before he met Veterinarian Molly Kincaid. Could this unlikely duo be a match made in heaven?

 

Available 30 November!

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward

By Mary Manners

 

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

~ Colossians 3:12 ~

I have been writing since I was old enough to know that words tell a story…about four years old. I have such vivid memories of standing in my basement in Chicago, leaning against the washing machine, and scribbling across a notepad because I had a story to tell. Of course, the scribble was just gibberish, but the story was clear in my mind.

My primary school librarian read wonderful stories from picture books. One of my favorites was Sam, Bangs and Moonshine. I loved the wonderful tale of the inquisitive girl and her cat, and the father whose love was overshadowed by grief over the loss of his wife…so many powerful emotions interwoven with haunting illustrations. As you can guess, library hour was my favorite time of the week.

In sixth grade, I had a wonderful teacher who nurtured my writing. She came to school early in the morning and worked with me, and I completed my first full-length novel that year. I will never forget this wonderful woman. We corresponded through my college years before losing touch. I will never forget her, though, or the boundless encouragement she gave me.

In high school, I had an English teacher who loved books as much as I did. He understood my passion for words, and encouraged me to read books with more depth and to appreciate their beautiful imagery. He also began a writers’ group, and published some poems I wrote in a school anthology. It was thrilling!

Without these dedicated teachers, I may not have pursued my love of writing…and might very well not be where I am today. I remember them as I teach my middle-school students, and try to ‘pay forward’ the encouragement I received.

So I ask…has there ever been a teacher who impacted you with compassion, dedication, or encouragement? If so, how did this teacher help you to get where you are today…and what would you say to him or her if given the opportunity?

~~~~~

 

Mary Manners is an award-winning romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and the cherished cats they've rescued from local animal shelters...Lucky and Gus. She loves swimming, running, flavored coffee and Smoky Mountain sunsets.

Mary was named Author of the Year by Book and Trailer Showcase. She writes inspirational romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels—something for everyone.

Learn more about Mary Manners at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.

~~~~~

Wisdom Tree

Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned. ..

After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.

Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a man...especially a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.

But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan for them.