YULE Be Blessed by Patti Jo Moore

As the Seriously Write Blog comes to a close, I want to say how very blessed I’ve been getting to know so many of you in this community. Yes, we may have only met online, but I consider you a friend nonetheless.

When Terri Weldon (waving at this precious lady!) asked me to be a regular contributor, I was humbled and honored. I know I still have much to learn on this writing journey, yet if I can offer even a bit of encouragement to one person, I’m happy to do so. And so, in my final post of Seriously Write, may I offer encouragement to you today. Please don’t give up---no matter where you are in your writing journey. If things are going well for you, be thankful, celebrate, and try to bless others with what you’ve learned along the way. If things are not going well, don’t despair! If you’ve prayed and genuinely feel called to write in this season of your life, keep writing. Many authors go through a “dry season” and go for months (or years) with no writing contracts. Some authors feel the sting of a poor review, while others start second-guessing their writing career. Then, just like the first twinkling lights on a Christmas tree, things begin to look brighter. Maybe a new contract is offered, a writing contest win gives a boost, or readers eagerly ask for more books - - all giving much-needed hope to the author.

Just as with any career, the writing journey is not always smooth or easy. But if you seek the Lord’s guidance, work hard, and are willing to share what you’ve learned with others, your blessings will abound. Even in a challenging year like 2020, when many are wondering if they’re having a bad dream and will suddenly wake up to a “normal” year, there are still blessings. Lots of them.

Since Christmas is just around the corner, I want to wish each of you a happy, healthy Christmas - - no matter how different your celebration might look this year. May you feel the joy and peace that comes from being truly thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ. Because if you have Jesus in your life, you are blessed beyond measure.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

I know I still have much to learn on this writing journey, yet if I can offer even a bit of encouragement to one person, I’m happy to do so. And so, in my final post of Seriously Write, may I offer encouragement to you today.

SCROOGE'S HOLLY DAZE

Holly Sims loves Christmas and children, so when she’s asked to help plan a Christmas festival for foster children, she’s thrilled. As a newcomer to Pine Valley, North Carolina, Holly is eager to become involved in church activities and meet people. When she continues seeing a handsome but sullen man in town, she’s curious about him. Why does he appear so unhappy?

Rick Bates is fine with being an introvert. After being shifted from family to family throughout his childhood, he knows he cannot depend or trust anyone and must guard his heart. Running his small business and taking photographs of nature scenes are all he needs in his life. So why does he continue thinking about the auburn-haired woman he keeps seeing?

When Holly asks Rick to take photos at the Christmas festival, he’s ready to decline—until he learns it’s a festival for foster children. When he arrives at the event, Rick is in awe of the decorations, including countless twinkle lights. But the joy on the children’s faces stirs his heart even more. With help from a Christmas-loving lady, a friendly town, and a kitten named Taco, Rick knows the ice around his heart is melting.

Patti Jo Moore is a retired kindergarten teacher and lifelong Georgia girl. She loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee, and is blessed to be published with Forget-Me-Not Romances. When she’s not spending time with her family (including her two sweet grandbabies) or writing her “Sweet, Southern Stories” Patti Jo can be found feeding cats—her own six and local strays.

She loves connecting with readers and other writers, and can be found on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore or her personal blog at http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com

Friendship by Laura V. Hilton

I’m reading a book for review called “Never Unfriended” by Lisa Jo Baker. I thought at first, “Nah, not interested,” then the cry went out that they were low on reviewers and I thought, “Okay. I’ll read it.” 

LAURA V. HILTON

My mom used to complain that she never had any friends. I watched her visit with her neighbors for hours, drive to people’s homes for visits, and have people in for “coffee” or “tea” on a regular basis. I told her she was silly. She had a lot of friends! But she was basing her description of friends as the ones like her school friends. Going out to dinner, going to each other’s home, and basically hanging out all day long. Based on that, I can understand why she didn’t feel she had friends, but she was in a different stage of life then, as were her friends.

Now, I look at Mom’s friendships with her friends. They made an effort to visit each other in their homes at least once a week. They talked on the phone two or three days a week. They sent each other cards and notes in the mail. And they talked at church on Sundays (if they went to the same church).

When I was young I had friends the same way. We hung out in school, at church, went to camp together and talked on the phone when we weren’t together. And then we grew up, married and moved away. I made new friends in the area I lived in. We lived in the same neighborhood or attended church together and we visited each other in our homes. It was great.

And then women started working outside the home (or even at home) when their babies started school (and yes, this was the 90’s; some moms DID stay home until their kids started school). When we all got jobs, the phone calls stopped. Visits in each others homes stopped. We didn’t even have time for home cooked meals for our families! Grabbing something from the drive-through window at a fast food restaurant became the rule. Family time was more often than not shared with television sets and cell phones. Relationships—even family ones— disintegrated.

And everyone wants to know “What’s in it for me?” They don’t have time to reach out and care for others. Taking five minutes for a quick phone call is something we are too busy for. Lunch, maybe, if they are at the same time. Visits in each other’s homes? Forget it. Not happening.

No wonder we need a book about how to be friends! We don’t know how any more! Now, I don’t even know who my neighbors are, let alone know everyone in the neighborhood. I’ve never been in their homes. They’ve never been in mine.

My friend list consists of mostly complete strangers on Facebook and Twitter. We know nothing personal about each other. Most of them wouldn’t have a clue what my favorite color is, or if I what I would order if we were to go to Sonic. They don’t know or care that I may or may not be struggling with something in my day or life (unless they read this blog). Or that I maybe ready to shout, “I quit” and run for the hills. They don’t even know that I wouldn’t have to run very far, since I live in the hills. (Ha.)

So today, my challenge is to reach out to someone in friendship. Say “hi” to that overworked clerk at Walmart and ask her how her day is going. Do something nice for someone. Maybe even shut the phone off and have a conversation with your family. Or call a friend you haven’t made time for. And leave a comment telling me what you did and for who (names can be changed to protect the innocent).

And maybe, I’ll do a kind thing too and send someone a copy of one of my books. Signed, of course. To a friend…

Jesus, teach us to be a friend of people as You are with us. Give us eyes to see others and their needs and to take the time to listen. Help us to take them to You, the source of life. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom, and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015.

See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Amish Wanderer
by Laura V. Hilton

AMISH WANDERER
by LAURA V. HILTON

Desperate for a Ticket Out
Bethany Weiss is ready to leave town. Tongues haven't stopped clacking in Jamesport, MO, since her daed, the bishop, was admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community. But her sharpest wounds Bethany hides from prying eyes, quietly biding her time until she can take a chance at a new life—away from Jamesport and away from God.

Searching for a Home
Silas Beiler was kicked out of his own family's home. Dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, he begins hitchhiking across the country, sleeping in barns where he can, working for food when possible—headed for Pennsylvania, in the hope of some stability.

A Memory of Lemonade
When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Now, however, those months of bliss seem naïve and idyllic. Will their old love overcome new pain? Or will hurt and rejection continue to haunt their path?

Would you like to read the first chapter? Click here.

The Writer in the Mirror by Betty Thomason Owens

No one knows a writer like another writer, and it's important to have those relationships as author Betty Thomason Owens talks about today. -- Sandy

Betty: Not long ago, I discovered a general truth: one of the best ways to encourage yourself as a writer is to encourage other writers. I suppose it’s true about life in general, but I’ve found writers to be especially vulnerable, sensitive creatures. Why is that? For one thing, writing is an artistic pursuit. Artists tend to be extremely fickle. They love what they’re working on today, but despise it tomorrow. Degas said, “Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.” The same could be said about writing.

One thing I’ve learned about the craft—you can never stop learning—the rules keep changing. So it’s an ongoing, continuing education kind of existence, which can cause discouragement. You think you know what you’re doing until you submit a story somewhere. I have a friend who goes through agony with each rejection. She told me it’s like they keep moving the finish line. She’s ready to quit forever. I just let her talk it out, because I know she’ll never quit. Writers are like that. If you’re called to write, you can’t not write. Having someone to talk to when you’re down is one of the best ways to overcome your anxiety. Another writer knows exactly what you’re going through. Calming your fear, and your discouragement not only helps you, but also builds strength in the one giving you support. Think about it, when you reach out to others and help them, doesn’t it make you feel really good inside? Not that you should only do these things for your own satisfaction, but if you’re down—feeling like quitting—maybe you need to reach out and help someone else. Perhaps this will get your mind off the writer in the mirror. 

Do you have someone who can provide the support you need when things aren't going as planned or hoped?

 

~~~~~

Betty Thomason Owens writes historical fiction, fantasy-adventure, and romantic comedy. She has contributed articles and interviews to various blogs around the Internet and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), where she leads a critique group. She’s a mentor, assisting other writers, a co-founder of a blog dedicated to inspiring writers, and serves on the planning committee of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference.

Her writing credits include Grace Award-winning Annabelle’s Ruth, Book 1, Kinsman Redeemer Series (2015), Amelia's Legacy, Book 1, Legacy Series (2014), and Carlotta’s Legacy, Book 2 of the Legacy Series (2016), from Write Integrity Press. She writes contemporary stories as a co-author of A Dozen Apologies and its sequels, The Love Boat Bachelor and Unlikely Merger, (2015). She has two fantasy-adventure novels, The Lady of the Haven and A Gathering of Eagles, in a second edition published by Sign of the Whale BooksTM, an imprint of Olivia Kimbrell PressTM.

Amazon Author Page

http://bettythomasonowens.com

https://twitter.com/batowens

https://facebook.com/betty.owens.author

https://pinterest.com/btowens

https://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com



Carlotta’s Legacy

Her life is in a downhill plunge. Will marrying an Italian count bring Rebecca the love she’s dreamed of?

Rebecca Lewis is a reluctant bride-to-be. Marrying Riccardo Alverá, a young Italian count, may seem like a dream come true—an instant answer to her family’s dire straits. But it also means she must leave American soil, possibly forever.

Riccardo is relentless in his pursuit of Rebecca. After her father’s death, she and her mother set sail for Italy. Though Rebecca is still plagued by doubt, Riccardo’s warmth and humor soon melt the icy frost encasing her heart. But as Rebecca settles into his Italian villa, her questions and fears return.

His mother, Carlotta Alverá, is dedicated to strict Roman Catholic beliefs. Will she ever accept Rebecca, who has no real faith? After Rebecca’s mother decides to pursue life on her own terms, peace comes to the villa. But not for long.

Trouble finds Rebecca, even in the tranquil heart of Italy. As political unrest shakes the core of Italian society, a dark shadow falls over Riccardo’s beautiful estate. In her deepest despair, Rebecca confronts her past, finds forgiveness, and finally … the love and acceptance she’s always longed for.

A Tribute to Sandie Bricker

Sandie Bricker

Our hearts are saddened this weekend. As many of you know, the writing community lost a beloved friend, editor, and writer Saturday when Sandie Bricker graduated to heaven.

Sandie was our dear friend here at Seriously Write. She contributed regularly, on the first Monday of the month, encouraging and coaching writers. Many of your hostesses here also knew her as a friend. She is already sorely missed.

I first learned of Sandie when her 2009 book came out with Summerside Press: Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas. What an enjoyable and humorous story. Soon after I read, we connected online. Then, I met her in person at an ACFW conference. She was a delightful friend and most recently, a source of personal inspiration to me.

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Sandie’s family and friends at this time. 

Grief is a heavy burden. But it’s made lighter by the love and support of many friends together. I invite you, our readers and friends, to share your thoughts and memories here as we celebrate Sandie’s home-going and hold each other up. Do you have special memories of Sandie you’d like to share? Please do so below.

Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars by Cheryl Wyatt

Author Cheryl Wyatt has gracious agreed to run a series on Seriously Write over the next several Fridays. She has provided encouragement and advice to me (Annette) on several occasions, cheering me on. I'm thrilled she can visit Seriously Write.

So, this Fortifying Friday, please welcome Cheryl with the first part of her Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars series.

Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars
By Cheryl Wyatt

Day 1-Friendship

At a writers’ retreat, well-known authors spoke about the importance of maintaining hometown friendships. I want to share their advice.

Writers are strange. Who else stands in elevators with “normals” aka non-writers and argue over the best place to hide a weapon? Or walk into police stations and blurt, “I need to know the best place to hide a decomposing body so it won’t be found for three weeks.”

Yes, I know suspense writers who’ve done it. LOL! Shocked the officers on duty.

Because writers are wired weird, we tend to clump together. As our life becomes more grounded in the publishing industry, we accrue more online friends than hometown buddies.

But what happens when something hard comes? We need people geographically close. Most of our writer buddies won’t be able to physically help us through a taxing ordeal. Life spits storms at all of us.

I don’t want you to be bereft of friends when yours blows to shore.

After a 2008 car accident, I required surgeries. It’s hard to take care of a family when both feet can’t bear weight. Try to hop, crutches under arms, to a stove with a pan. By the time I reached the stove, all the water sloshed from the pan. Menial tasks became monumental. A dear writer friend, Camy Tang, flew from afar to stay with us during one of my surgeries, days apart from another. I can’t enunciate the tremendous blessing and relief she was to my family during that time.

But, she couldn’t obviously leave her own family for the entire ordeal which lasted months. It was people from my church, close-by family and neighbors who came bearing meals, wheels, and mops who got us through the long haul. It’s really hard to have to depend on others but at points in life we’ll all be in that position. People will be more apt to pitch in and help if we’ve remained active and interested in them and their lives.

No matter where we are in our publication journey, let’s not neglect our friendships. People matter more than things. Cultivate hometown friendships. Hardship passes over no one. Sure, our writer friends will send cyber hugs. But there’s nothing more comforting than sharing a warm cup of cocoa with a face-to-face friend who can hug us in person on a truly blue day. I’ve learned not to neglect friendships for the sake of story. Nor be such a deadline-driven recluse that I pull away from those who love and care about me.

When we enter hard seasons, they’ll be there. They’ll also cheer as our life crawls from winter’s cold ashes into new seasons of hope reborn. Good friends will be there in hard times and happy times. I encourage you to nurture nearby friendships. You have no idea how much you need them and they need you. Keep close and hold dear the family and friends around you.

~ Cheryl Wyatt

Born Valentine’s Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Check out her Web site.

Her latest book, Soldier Daddy, a Steeple Hill Love Inspired title, released in October, 2009.

U.S. Air Force commander Aaron Petrowski leads pararescue teams, yet can't find one nanny for his three-year-old twins?

The widowed father is returning to duty, but not without the best care for his beloved boys. So when Sarah Graham applies, the young woman surprises everyone by passing inspection. Until Aaron discovers Sarah has a secret tied to a tragedy in his past.

He can't keep her in his employ—or in his heart. Until his brave little soldier boys teach him a thing or two about love.