Krista's Reflections

HOLIDAY BOOK GIVING GUIDE: Erica Vetsch's The Bartered Bride

2009-11-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

KRISTA'S HOLIDAY
BOOK GIVING GUIDE: 2009

Week 2: Category Historical Romance
Erica Vetsch's The Bartered Bride

I'm SO excited to introduce Erica Vetsch to you, fellow blogger and author extraordinaire! In exchange for a free copy of her book, I agreed to give her this glowing reviewing... (LOOK! I'm FTC compliant! WOOHOO!)

Now, on to the interview.

Erica, so glad you could join us here at Krista's Reflections (as kooky as they are sometimes.) Before we get into the book stuff, I have a question I'm dying to ask.

As a fellow twitterer, I’m sure you’re saddened as well by the lack of information (besides Sherrinda's vibrating bum...) we receive from our fellow twitterers. I mean, what happened to knowing “what you are doing?” We get quotes and links instead of “Using the ole electric toothbrush to polish my pearly whites” or “Playing scrabble with my kids” or “Putting my shoes on” then “now I’m tying them…” In this spirit, I think we’d like to all know something “twitter” worthy about you. Like, say, what you ate for breakfast this morning?

Erica's reply: Had Slimfast for breakfast. Milk chocolate. Got on scale right after. Slimfast Fail! Want refund.

Oh, I feel for you, girl. Once a year I go for a few weeks on a slimfast kick. *sigh* It's about that time of year, unfortunately. (and I stick to the bars... the shakes just don't cut it!)

So, a little bird told me you had a book published. Very interesting. What’s it about? (ahhh, elevator pitch memories!)

Erica's reply: A guy (handsome) a girl (pretty) a fortune (staggering) a ship (wrecked), a romance (smoochy!) :) Actually, it's the story of an arranged marriage, and how two people keep wanting God to change everyone else's minds, when it's the hero and heroine who end up changing.

Very nice. You are totally writing my next elevator pitch for me, kay? Thanks!

So, how long did you slave over said book?

Erica's reply: I wrote The Bartered Bride in about five weeks in the summer of 2007. The idea just hit me and WHAM! I was off and running. The editing took about a month more.

Do you see the jealousy dripping from my ears? Hold on while I get a napkin to wipe it off...

Okay, all clear! Now, I like to give my interviewees a pop brainstorming session. I’ll give you a topic, and you give me the first book idea in elevator pitch form that pops into your head kay? Good.

I know your book is called “The Bartered Bride” so give me an idea for a book entitled “The Barking Bride.” GO!

Erica's reply: A guy's dog bites a female mail carrier, and she goes all Shaggy D.A. on him. He doesn't know whether to rush her to the hospital or the vet. Hilarity ensues as she chases cats and he chases her.

I smell a bestseller!!!

I gotta tell you, we’re all so excited that you’re published! WOOHOO! Tell us about the moment you got the news!

Erica's reply: A phenomenal moment for me. JoAnn Simmons of Barbour Heartsong Presents announced the contract at the 2008 ACFW Conference at one of the general sessions. Soooo Coooool!

A wonderful moment I'm sure! CONGRATS again!!! Any other books coming out we might be interested in?

Erica's reply:
I've got six books coming out this year:

The Bartered Bride Nov 2009
The Marriage Masquerade Jan 2010
The Engineered Engagement June 2010

Clara and the Cowboy April 2010
Lily and the Lawman August 2010
Maggie and the Maverick Nov 2010

Seriously, I'm blown away. WOW! You are on a roll! Last very important question. Minty Fresh or Cinnamon Gum? Inquiring minds NEED to know!

Erica's reply: Always the mint.

GOOD ANSWER! Me too! Thanks, Erica, for joining us today! You rock big time!

Oh wait! I forgot the most IMPORTANT question.

BOOK GIVING GUIDE: Who should I buy this book for?

Erica's reply: Anyone who has ever been shipwrecked, or forced into marriage, or played the piano, or has gotten flowers delivered to them, or been in love, or had a fight with their mom, or has ever voted, or has ever thought about voting.... :)

Well, that covers, um, most people on our lists, me thinks! Thanks again for joining us Erica!

You can purchase a copy of Erica's book at Christianbook.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ERICA VETSCH is married to Peter and keeps the company books for the family lumber business. A home-school mom to Heather and James, Erica loves history, romance, and storytelling. Her ideal vacation is taking her family to out-of-the-way history museums and chatting to curators about local history. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Calvary Bible College in Secondary Education: Social Studies. You can find her on the web at www.onthewritepath.blogspot.com

Erica has generously offered to give an autographed copy of her book, The Bartered Bride, away to one lucky commenter on this post! You have till 11:59 tomorrow night (November 12th) to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. Winner to be announced on Friday!

And now the fun begins.

2009-11-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you who see me on twitter or facebook, you may already know, but on Saturday evening, I wrote the proverbial "The End" on my current WIP.

What a GREAT feeling! It was awesome when I finished my first book, but now that I've finished my second... I feel validated, like the first one wasn't just a fluke, a twist of fate, or just a "one time" deal.

I'm a writer!

But now... as we all know, the editing begins. I began this book mid-June, wrote the first 30k words easily in just a few weeks, then struggled for months to get the next 20k down.

In the last two weeks, I belted out the last 30k. So, in reality, it was a very quickly written book. So... I have a LOT to edit. I changed names mid-book and now have to go back and catch them all. I have plot elements I came up with mid-story and now have to go and thread them through the beginning. I am NOT a natural at description like some writers, so in editing I have to go back and make sure I've included all the needed details, especially regarding setting. And all that is in addition to my bad grammar due to quick typing, horrid spelling (I turn off spell check while I write because the lines annoy me and slow me down) and passive voice that I used while just trying to get the story elements down.

Needless to say... there's much editing to do.

But right now, at least for the next two weeks, I'm basking in the DONENESS of my rough draft. WAHOO!!

For inquiring minds, thought I'd also post my short-summary to give you a sneak peek at my "finished" book.

Love Finds You in Sandwich, IL (or another title that I still haven't come up with)

Sandwich represents hope for nineteen-year-old Maddie Buckner and her brother, until she loses her new job after less than an hour on the clock. It’s all Rueben-the-Jerk’s fault, and she’s determined to make him right the wrong.

He does so, however reluctantly, by giving her a job at his restaurant, The Sandwich Shop. What Maddie doesn’t count on is losing her heart to her boss. Her ENGAGED boss.

When her boss’s fiancée gets jealous and bad things start happening to sabotage the restaurant, Maddie must get to the bottom of the craziness in time to save her brother, her job, and her heart.

Discussion: Next week we'll discuss a little bit about transitioning from the "writing" phase to the "editing" phase, so in preparation, I'd love to hear how some of you accomplish this. Do you set it aside for a while before editing? Or do you dive right in? Do you have a "plan"? What's helped you in the past? Do you give yourself an editing deadline?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KARALYNN

2009-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

Before I get to my post, let me first say, I know you all want to know who won Kaye's awesome book, Ransome's Honor!

Drum roll please....

And the winner is..... Carla Gade!!

Congrats! You'll be getting an e-mail from me this morning!

Next, I'd like to say a big huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful daughter!! She's totally getting WAY too old and I don't like it one bit! I've told her time and time again that she's not allowed to grow up on me, but she's such a disobedient child and does it anyway! Totally deserves a few extra birthday spankings for it!

So, please please please join me in wishing my beautiful Karalynn Jean Abri Phillips a VERY happy birthday! (and she's a pretty darn good reader, so she'll read your comments too!)

And for her, I'm posting a special addition of Krista's top ten:

Top Ten ways you know your children are getting too old.

They ask for a cell phone for their birthday.
You hear the words, "But mom... all my friends have ____fill in the blank with just about anything ____
They stomp their feet and demand a facebook page and e-mail address.
They roll their eyes and walk off and do the opposite of what you just told them to do. (But Karalynn would NEVER EVER do this! *wink*)
You have very vivid memories of yourself when you were their age, and remember thinking, "Wow, I'm getting older now!"
They get more phone calls from their friends that you do.
Similar, their social calendar is booked and they have to pencil you in.
You turn around and look down at them, but then have to raise your gaze a foot because you under estimated their height.
They don't think boys are quite so ewwww anymore. (My wonderful, wonderful daughter still has them at the ew status, THANK GOD!!!)
They give you advice, and it's actually very, very good!

Holiday Book Giving Guide: Kaye Dacus' Ransome's Honor

2009-11-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

KRISTA'S HOLIDAY

BOOK GIVING GUIDE: 2009

Week 1: Historical Fiction
Kaye Dacus' Ransome's Honor

I'm so excited to host author Kaye Dacus on my FIRST EVER Holiday book giving guide blog post! There will be a new different author/genre each week through December 16th, and every week, one lucky commenter will win a signed copy of the featured book (and in some cases, book(s) and other prizes TBA)

Without further adieu, I'm pleased to introduce to you multi-published author KAYE DACUS.

*applause* *applause*

Krista: Kaye, I'm so glad you joined us today! I know Ransome’s Honor is your first published historical novel after two contemporaries (Stand-in Groom and Menu for Romance.) Personally, the thought of writing both gives me a massive headache. I’m curious. How is writing historicals different than contemporaries?

Kaye:As a singer, the easiest way for me to describe it is that it's a lot like the difference between singing in a classical style (not operatic, but close) and singing Southern Gospel music. I can do both of those, but the practice and warm-ups it takes for each is different. Same thing for writing both historical and contemporary. It's still my voice---but it just takes a slightly different approach. Different planning, different word choices, different sentence structures. And, of course, there's the research---and access to an additional vocabulary of words that aren't in common usage in my contemporary settings (the naval terminology, the fashions, and so on). But because I love history so much, and because I chose an era in which I was already well-versed, it's a little easier. It's more about going in and filling in gaps in my knowledge (just like I had to do when writing a chef or lawyer in the contemporaries) than it is researching something totally unfamiliar to me.

Krista: I got a solid B in History back in my school days... guess that's why I write contemporaries:-) Speaking of Ransome’s Honor… tell us a bit about it. What’s it about? Where did you get the idea from? Did you fashion a character after me???? (Oh, wait… you wrote it before you knew me. Never mind!)

Kaye: Actually, the character of Julia's best friend has some of your fun/funny personality traits!

Ransome's Honor all started because I fell in love with an actor/character in the BBC/A&E productions of the Horatio Hornblower films. The character (and the actor in the role) struck such a chord with me that he started becoming a new character in my head. The main thing that set off my imagination: the original character's statement that it's never a good time for a naval officer to marry. Because I had a crush on him (which is how all of my hero-characters develop), I started thinking up scenarios to put a man like that into in which he couldn't help but fall in love and be forced to eat his words.

What started as a simple, one-book romance novel turned into a trilogy when I started writing it and I realized these two characters, William and Julia, had far too much backstory together and way too much about to happen to them to fit into one book. Especially when other characters started coming in and demanding their own scenes. (My favorite being the villain, Sir Drake Pembroke.)

Krista: My romantic heart sighs at the thought of the handsome captain. *sigh* See??? I must say, you’ve had quite a year, Kaye! If I’ve counted correctly, you’ve had three… count them THREE… books released this year. I need to sit down and rest just thinking about how busy you are. So, after having such a banner year… tell me… what will we see next from Kaye Dacus?

Kaye: You counted correctly--I had three books come out in 2009. And I'll have three books out in 2010 . . . and three books in 2011! The third book in the Brides of Bonneterre series, A Case for Love, releases February 1, 2010---just in time for Valentine's Day!---and I just signed a new three-book contract with Barbour for another contemporary romance series called "The Matchmakers," which will be set right here in Nashville (and, no, it won't have anything to do with the music business). Ransome's Crossing, book two of the Ransome Trilogy, comes out in July 2010, and the final book in the series, Ransome's Quest, will be out in 2011.

Krista: You're a busy woman!!! For those of you who don’t know, I’m in a local writer’s group where Kaye serves as President. She’s pretty much awesome, and teaches our wee little writer minds a ton of stuff each month. We’re forever appreciative of this. However, *ahem* there are a few times that I’ve been, uh, caught, um, twittering… while she’s enlightening us. A heated, er, friendly conversation follows. In this light, I have a fun Krista “Pop-Plot brainstorming” quiz for Kaye.

QUIZ: Give me a story idea in elevator pitch form that involves Twitter, Panera Bread, and Taxes (I’m the treasurer after all…) GO!

Kaye: Professional chef Daria Ryan may never live down the humiliation of taking a job making sandwiches at Panera---but a failed restaurant and a pile of back-taxes mean she has to take whatever she can get. Her only source of joy is her alter-ego on Twitter--and the following she's gaining that leads her to believe she might someday have the successful restaurant she dreams of. But when a mysterious follower starts hinting that he knows more about her real life than she's ever revealed online, Daria is drawn into a game of intrigue and subterfuge to try to discover the identity of her cyber-stalker before he reveals her secrets to the world.

Krista: Very nice! I expect the book to be dedicated to me, kay? Thanks! *grin* Speaking of twitter… you know that I’m a fellow twitterer and I’m always lamenting about the absence of “real” information from people. You, on the other hand, recently tweeted that since being on the twitter, you’ve gained a new understanding of the bathroom habits of the people you follow along with their pets/children etc. I… personally… have not experienced this phenomenon yet. In light of this… tell us, Kaye. Do you prefer Cottonelle, Quilted Northern, Angel Soft, or whatever’s on sale?

Kaye: I'm an Angel Soft girl. Not really sure how I settled on that---maybe because I can usually pick up a 4-pack at Kroger for around a dollar. Let me ask you this---when it comes to TP, are you "over" or "under"? Everyone in my family is "over."

Krista: Wow... an ask the interviewer question! Personally, I'm a "However it lands on the dad gum holder" kinda girl. Although I do hate it when you twirl and twirl and can't find the end of it. Am I the only one???

One last question as we conclude our time with Kaye.

GIFT GIVING GUIDE: Who should I buy this book for?

Kaye: Well, of course this book is for everyone! Though people who like historicals, and especially Regencies, will enjoy it the most. I've had feedback from people of all ages---from as young as fourteen all the way up to people in their nineties---who've enjoyed reading of the romantic adventures of Julia and William. And with a light inspirational message to it, it's a great book to give someone who may not like "Christian" fiction because they don't want to be preached at.

KAYE DACUS of Nashville, TN is a graduate of Seton Hill University and an active member of American Christian Fiction Writer's. Visit her website at KayeDacus.com You can purchase Ransome's Honor or any of Kaye's other fabulous books on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com, or at your local bookstore.

About Ransome's Honor: When young Julia Witherington doesn’t receive the proposal for marriage she expects from William Ransome, she determines to never forgive him. They go their separate ways—she returns to her family’s Caribbean plantation, and he returns to the Royal Navy.

Now, twelve years later, Julia is about to receive a substantial inheritance, including her beloved plantation. When unscrupulous relatives try to gain the inheritance by forcing her into a marriage, she turns to the only eligible man to whom her father, Admiral Sir Edward Witherington, will not object—his most trusted captain and the man who broke Julia’s heart, William Ransome. Julia offers William her thirty-thousand-pound dowry to feign marriage for one year, but then something she never imagined happens: She starts to fall in love with him again.

Can two people overcome their hurt, reconcile their conflicting desires, and find a way to be happy together? Duty and honor, faith and love are intertwined in this intriguing tale from the Regency era.

REMEMBER: Everyone who leaves a comment before midnight tomorrow (Thursday, November 4th) will be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of Ransome's Honor! Please remember to leave your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win!

R.U.E.

2009-11-02T02:00:00.000-08:00

A popular acronym used by writers/critiquers is R.U.E.

Resist the Urge to Explain.

Example: Krista balled her fists and punched a whole the size of a watermelon in the wall. She was officially ticked off.

Well duh. We can see that she's ticked off by the large whole in the wall. No need to explain her actions. Let them speak for themselves. It's a micro-version of the "show don't tell" and relates specifically to "explaining" something that a normal reader should already have figured out. We do this "just in case" the reader doesn't get it.

But... well... we're underestimating the reader.

In this theme, I share with you a few explanations that probably weren't needed. (I've seen and heard these many places... but they're still funny and reinforce the idea: PEOPLE AREN'T THAT STUPID.)

"Caution: The contents of this bottle should not be fed to fish." -- On a bottle of shampoo for dogs. Duly Noted. Thanks!

"For external use only!" -- On a curling iron. Darn! My tongue seriously is way to straight!
"Do not use while sleeping." -- On a hair dryer. I've told hubby a billion times not to dry my hair for me while I sleep. See... now I have proof!
"Do not place this product into any electronic equipment." -- On the case of a chocolate CD in a gift basket. So that's why my CD player broke!
"Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking." -- On a toilet at a public sports facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan. *gulp*
"This product not intended for use as a dental drill." -- On an electric rotary tool. Ouch!
"Do not drive with sunshield in place." -- On a cardboard sunshield that keeps the sun off the dashboard. I wondered why it was so dang hard to see...
"Do not eat toner." -- On a toner cartridge for a laser printer. Pay no attention to the black powder dripping from my mouth...
"Not intended for highway use." -- On a 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow. Now that would be a fun ride. Kinda like the flintstones... but Krista in the wheelbarrow... Scott running on I-65 pushing me along... WOOHOO!
"May irritate eyes." -- On a can of self-defense pepper spray. I sure hope it does! If not, I totally want a refund!
"Caution: Shoots rubber bands." -- On a product called "Rubber Band Shooter." Really?? I thought it shot bullets. Go figure!
"Do not use orally." -- On a toilet bowl cleaning brush. again... *gulp*
"Do not use for drying pets." -- In the manual for a microwave oven. Sorry, Fido...
"Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you." -- On a motorcycle helmet-mounted rear-view mirror. For the directionally challenged I guess??
"Warning: Do not climb inside this bag and zip it up. Doing so will cause injury and death." -- A label inside a protective bag (for fragile objects), which measures 15cm by 15cm by 12cm. I would say I wished I was small enough to fit inside the bag... but 15 cm is tiny.
"Do not use as ear plugs." -- On a package of silly putty. What'd you say??
"Please store in the cold section of the refrigerator." -- On a bag of fresh grapes in Australia. As opposed to the heated section I presume...
"Fragile. Do not drop." -- Posted on a Boeing 757. But this plane is so heavy....!
"For indoor or outdoor use only." -- On a string of Christmas lights. I see this almost every year and wrinkle my nose. Really? I SO wanted to use them on my spaceship in outer space.
"Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly." -- On a child sized Superman costume. Poor kids... they had such hopes!
"Warning: do not use if you have prostate problems." -- On a box of Midol PMS relief tablets. *raises eyebrows*
"Do not attempt to stop the blade with your hand." -- In the manual for a Swedish chainsaw. OUCH!
"Do not dangle the mouse by its cable or throw the mouse at co-workers." -- From a manual for an SGI computer. I was so going to do that too.... My co-workers will be thrilled that I found this out!
"Warning: May cause drowsiness." -- On a bottle of Nytol, a brand of sleeping pills. Is that, um, not the point?
"Do not put in mouth." -- On a box of bottle rockets. Okay, now I have a few cousins that need to read this one. Just sayin'
"Not dishwasher safe." -- On a remote control for a TV. Um, I found mine in the freezer one time. Not too far off.
"Do not put lit candles on phone." -- On the instructions for a cordless phone. Happy birthday to.. POOF
"Warning! This is not underwear! Do not attempt to put in pants." -- On the packaging for a wristwatch. Some of them are funny. This one is just... weird.

Discussion

Okay, now that I've done all my bold comments, I'm realizing that those are all just RUE too. I'm explaining the joke by making one of my own! GEEZ!

Anyone have any examples of funny RUE's they've seen? Or... examples of ones you've had to fix in your manuscript?

Fat Friday is boiling in a pot of goo...

2009-10-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I'm the stupid one who came up with the Fat Friday/lose weight idea.

I'm right about even. I just want Halloween and all the candy to be OVER! Then I have almost a whole month until Thanksgiving.

I think part of my problem is that I've been trying my best to finish my current WIP before "year-end" officially starts. Well, it's here, and I'm not done, and that isn't acceptable to me! So I've been putting a ton of effort into knocking out this last 20k of word count, which leaves zero time for exercise and a ton of time to sit by my laptop, drink coke to keep my brain cells zipping along, and eat chocolate to make me feel all gooey and ready to write.

Dumb, I know.

And as I type (Thursday night) I have brownies in the oven baking... the smell tempting my stomach and making my fingers shake with their ooey gooey goodness. And I haven't even eaten any yet!!! In my defense, these will be taken to work tomorrow to add to our Halloween party. But you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be having one... or two.

Speaking of Halloween... anyone dressing up? If you are, do share!

Me? I'm going to be a lottery winner. (I'm trying to convince my payroll specialists they should be too... I mean seriously. What is more scary to a company then your ENTIRE payroll department winning the lottery at the same time?? We'll pin lotto tickets to our shirts and come dressed as beach bums--tasteful beach bums:-))

**Anyone lose weight this week??**

*Note: I totally respect those who don't like the whole Halloween thing, OR the whole Lotto thing. LOL. I don't like the whole lottery thing either... but you gotta admit. It IS funny!

Tis' the season!

2009-10-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

I'm VERY VERY excited to announce that Wednesdays during the months of November and December, I'll be featuring a "gift giving" guide for book lovers!

Each Wednesday until Christmas (minus the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas) will feature an author interview by yours truly, and I'll have a variety of genres represented to give you PLENTY of gift ideas for your Christmas shopping list! (or ideas to put on your Christmas wish list too!) Also, many of these weeks will have a special book giveaway too for one lucky commenter, so make sure you stay tuned!

All this said....

I AM SO READY FOR CHRISTMAS!

Yes, Yes, I know it isn't even Halloween yet. But for some reason I'm in the Christmas spirit all ready. Maybe because it's been colder here than usual for October. I don't know.

Am I the only one though, that has on and off years? Sometimes I get to December and I'm totally unfilled with Christmas cheer. Other years, I'm singing carols at the top of my lungs mid October.

In honor of my pre-pre-pre Christmas mood: Let's share our FAVORITE Christmas tradition!

I'll go first:

Okay, never mind. I can't think of just one, so... drum roll please...

Krista's Top Ten Favorite Christmas Traditions

Decorating the Christmas tree. Especially at the end... turning off all the house lights, and plugging in the tree lights. For some reason the beautiful lights shining out of the darkness just makes me sigh.
"Dad" reading the Christmas story before opening presents. A great reminder of why we celebrate and a moment basking in the wonder of what God really did for us.
Opening presents Christmas morning in our PJ's. It's a rule. No one's allowed to get dressed first!
Day after Thanksgiving Shopping. YES! I'm a 5 am girl. It's the thrill of the hunt!
Prime Rib for dinner on Christmas day. My mouth is watering at the thought!
The Johnson family Christmas carols... we don't remember half the words and a good many of us sing off key. Fun stuff!
Stealing kisses from my hubby under the mistletoe:-)
Hounding my hubby to put up the lights outside until you can see our house from space (slight exaggeration... and I make it up to him with the whole mistletoe thing!)
Making my ooey gooey chocolate caramel sugar cookies... Um, yeah, might have to make those early.
Candlelight Christmas Eve service. There's nothing like singing with a group of believers in Jesus and celebrating His birth together. It's always a precious moment when we get to do it.

So what is YOUR favorite Christmas tradition?

Forgiven

2009-10-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

WIP update:

My sandwich story is coming along nicely! I'm currently at 58500 words, with a goal of 80k. It's so fun to be on the final stretch!!!

LOL: Mission Jack is in the hands of two agents who have requested the full manuscript. It's funny. I thought I'd be totally out of my mind with impatience during this time, but God has calmed me. I have this huge peace knowing that His will is perfect, and He knows what he's doing. Even if I get two rejections, God took me this far and had a reason for it.

I'm SO excited too, because the other day, God allowed this absolute flood of ideas to pour over me for my 2nd and 3rd books of the cyber-love series. They are mostly snippets but I'm so anxious to get back to writing them I can hardly stand it.

What I want to talk about today is the revelation God gave me for my second book. Okay, that might sound hokey... "GOD GAVE ME...." but seriously? He does. He gives us ideas at the perfect time, and when it's from him, we know it. There is just this huge assurance and confirmation.

For me, it was a song. God uses songs so frequently to whack me over the head, and I was driving home from work, listening to WayFM, and FORGIVEN by Sanctus Real came on. As the lyrics were song, my heart started to stir. This bubble of excitement came over me and it was as if God was pointing his finger at the speakers and saying, "Listen, Krista."

What I heard was Paige, my heroine of book 2, singing this song. Okay, I didn't like HEAR her singing it, but the song was totally for her, guys. The message is exactly what she needs to hear, it's what she is struggling with throughout the whole book. My writer brain started to churn, and I saw all the little odd ends of my story wrapping up so well with this.

You see, Paige is pregnant. During a "low" point in her life, she gave in to temptation to allow someone other than God to comfort her, and didn't feel worthy to go back after her fall. She alienated herself from her family, her best friend, and found comfort from the one place she should have fled.

But now, that one place has shown its true colors, and Paige is alone and desperate. Previously, I had her "mad" at God, but something just didn't jive. She wasn't really mad. She was hurting. In pain. Alone.

She needed to be forgiven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flT5aIN-XqU

Discussion:

Has God ever used something, a moment, a song, a word from someone, to reveal your story to you?

or

Have you ever felt unforgivable? If you feel that way now, well, *hugs* and *love* coming your way. Know that you ARE forgiven in Jesus if you but ask. For the rest of us, wow, isn't it wonderful that God HAS forgiven? That we don't have to carry the weight of who we've been, what we've done? SO many times we beat ourselves up about the past, but wow, we're forgiven, y'all! How awesome is that!!!

Fat Friday: Top ten reasons to lose weight

2009-10-23T02:00:00.000-07:00

I failed this week. But things are looking up. After gorging and saying, "what the hay" the first part of the week, I tried to redeem myself with exercise the last two days. Unfortunately, from the last two weeks I'm up about 2 pounds as a result of my love affair with pre-Halloween candy and the McDonald's Monopoly game.

So, in honor of my failure, I give you:

TOP TEN REASONS TO LOSE WEIGHT

To make the little guy on the Wii shrink when I step on the scale instead of expand like a helium balloon.
To be able to breathe when I wear the pair of jeans 1 size smaller I have waiting for me in my dresser
So I can change these posts to "Skinny Friday" or at least "normal-sized Friday"
No more sucking in when people take pictures!
Being able to weigh anytime I want... instead of just in the morning, right before I shower, right after I pee, so I get the smallest weight possible (Don't tell me you all don't do this too!)
So I can watch biggest loser and be proud of the contestants, instead of green with envy.
No more kids looking at my wedding picture then at me and saying, "Mommy, how'd you get so big?" (I remind them that it's all their fault of course!)
No more prayer of repentance after I curse at the dressing room mirrors (okay, fine, I don't really swear, but I want to. I really really do!)
No more tummy-sucker-inners when wearing a nice dress. Seriously, they should be banned.
A serious one: To be healthy, and a good example for my kiddos. I don't aspire to be a size zero (or, to be realistic, even a size eight with these child bearing hips) but to have a healthy, normal body weight so my children don't think it's normal to grow up and be fat:-)

Discussion:

Do you have any reasons to add to the list? Let's motivate each other today! Those of you on the Fat Friday challenge... how'd you do this week???

Oh, and am I the only one addicted to McDonald's Monopoly game????

*sigh* Sorry. The spirit is willing but the body is so, so, so weak. Chicken Nugget anyone?

Answered prayer... or is it?

2009-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

Some of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know that my kiddos were sick on Monday. All three of them by days end were running 102+ fevers, and I myself was at 100 and had a splitting headache. Two of my Three kids were coughing, so the presumption was that the flu bug had hit us.

This morning, when I left, my eldest daughter had a temp of 104, and the other two were asleep. I doped up the one on medicine, then went to work, praying that Jesus would make my kiddos better and would give my husband patience to make it through the day.

When I called a few hours later, Scott said that no child registered a fever, and only my oldest one was really acting like she felt bad. *Phew* I thought... must not have been the flu, just a little bug, because the flu hangs on there for a few days.

On my way home, I was thinking again about how weird it was that they seemed to be getting better so fast.

Then it hit me.

Well, more than likely, God slapped me over the head and said, "Um, Hello? Over here?"

Krista: "Yes God?"

God: "If you recall, you prayed for your children to get better, right?"

Krista: "Yes, I did. I thought they had the flu, but evidently it was just a little 24 hour bug or something. Thanks anyway, though."

God glared at me.

Krista: "What?"

God glared some more.

Krista: "Ohhhhhhhhhhh. I get it."

God: "Do you?"

Krista: "I prayed... people I asked to pray did... and... you answered?"

God: "Darn tootin', I answered. Why is it, whenever someone's prayers get answered, they think it was of their own strength... or fate... or nature... or a mistake? They tell me, 'Never mind, didn't need you after all.'"

I realized after my conversation with God how much I do this. I pray because I'm supposed to, I really WANT God to answer my prayers, but in the back of my mind I don't think that I expect something big to happen. Puts "Oh ye of little faith" into a whole new perspective for me.

Ugh, I'm so glad God has patience!

Bringing it back to writing

I honestly try to give God the glory in my own writing. I KNOW I'm not good enough, that I can't come up with ideas, and find the time to write. This whole thing is so much bigger than I am. If I succeed, it will be a TOTAL God thing.

But I'm constantly reminding myself of that, because I know how EASY it is to take credit for the good things that happened. It's in our nature.

Discussion:

How do YOU keep everything into perspective? Am I the only one that gets reprimanded by God when He answers prayer and we realize it too late?

A new use for twitter

2009-10-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Market your books.

Keep up with friends.

Get referrals to good blog posts.

Keep up with celebrities.

Get news.

Get traffic updates.... and....

Find your lost phone!

Kay, so stupid me, Saturday morning, got home from garage saleing (probably the last Saturday of the season!) to find that my phone was nowhere in sight. I searched high and low, but to no avail. A sinking feeling started in my belly. What if I left it on some table at some house while sifting through their junk?

And... we turned off our landline months ago because we never use it, so I couldn't try to call it.

AND my phone was on it's last bar, so if I didn't find it in the next few hours, all hope was lost, because no one would hear it ring.

In my despair, I lamented my frustration on twitter.

Moments later, I had a DM tweet from Lynnette, offering to call me. My first thought was, um, no. I have a little too much pride for that.

Then I realized, hang pride, I'd just announced my stupidity to all of twitter- and facebook-ospheres. And... I'd been praying for God to help me find it. Maybe he chose to use twitter?

So I DMed my number to Lynnette, sent my daughter out to the car to listen while I listened in the house.

Two minutes later, Karalynn runs inside. "I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT! And someone from, um, Washington? tried to call"

It had fallen inside a bag that I'd looked UNDER but not in.

I'd just like to take this moment to say... THANK YOU... to Lynnette, for helping this poor twit out! You're a lifesaver!

*side note* Just thinking about how funny it would have been if I HAD left it at a garage sale, and someone from there had answered it, and Lynnette would have been like, "Um, yeah, this lady on Twitter said she lost her phone, so I offered to call it for her. Can I have your address so she can come and get it?"

That would have been TOTALLY classic.

Thankfully, it didn't come to that.

Discussion: Has God ever "provided" for you in a seemingly strange way? Let's share!

The anticipated return of... FAT FRIDAY

2009-10-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm sure few... even myself... are anticipating it.

But I NEED it. Seriously. From October to December are horror months for me. First, we have Halloween. Can we say CHOCOLATE EVERYWHERE? It's all you see, smell, and unfortunately, all I taste sometimes. My belly is mad at me for my recent chocolate intake. Bad, Krista, Bad.

Then we have November, bring on the turkey, folks! Gobble Gobble! Turkey, really good bread, and PIES galore! Oh me, oh my!

Then, sigh. December ushers in Christmas. Not only is there the anticipated *day* in which we have fifteen billion meals at different relatives houses... but we also have everyone and their brother making Christmas goodies and bringing them to work (including myself!) Christmas parties for schools, stocking stuffer candy, and well, tis' the season!

All this to remind you, IT'S HARD TO LOSE WEIGHT! Especially in the next three months.

But...

WE

CAN

DO

IT!

Personally, I don't try to lose weight from Thanksgiving to Christmas. My goal is to STAY even. To portion control.

Then January, New Year's Resolution, here I come.

But... from now until Thanksgiving, there's no reason we can't shed a few pounds right?

**for those who don't need to lose any weight, we that do request that you eat an extra serving of pie at Thanksgiving for us. Thanks!**

For all the weary weight loss that the next few months hold, I have GOOD NEWS to announce.

We had our annual Health Risk Assessment at work this week, and guess how many pounds I lost since last year?

13. WOOHOO for that right? Personally, I don't wonder if their scale isn't off a teensy bit because it weighed me a few pounds lighter than my one at home, but hey, beggars can't be choosy!

For those who are trying to lose weight with me, let's set a goal. We're at zero today. By Thanksgiving, what number can you commit to to be in the negative?

I want to give some big awesome number, but that would be foolish of me and I'd end up giving up. SO I'm going for 1 pound a week. There are 6 weeks left, so that's 6 pounds.

For those you aren't, feel free to cheer on us future skinny-minnie's kay? We need it!

OH OH OH! One more thing I encourage you to do, which I'll be doing. Take a picture of yourself. You know those before and after pictures you see on biggest loser? Okay, you don't' need to go spandex and sports bra, but push that belly out as far as you can and snap a picture. Then, later, when we've lost a good bit of weight, take a picture of your new self all dolled up (feel free to suck it in just a little in that picture... you know they all do it!) Before and after pictures are ALWAYS encouraging!

Happy weightlossing!

We ain't seen nuthin'

2009-10-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. The subject is totally grammatically incorrect.

But it's true.

In the last few years that I've been writing, I've read tons of blog posts about rejection. They talk about "getting use to it, it only gets worse when you're published," "It's just one step closer to publication," "Most all famous writer's were rejected multiple times."

These things are SO true and reminders that I needed at the time. But I'm going a little different route today.

I've been rereading Francine River's A Voice in the Wind, and finished last night. Can I say WOW? If you've never read it, regardless of your choice of religion/usual taste in fiction, I'd highly recommend. It's life impacting. So over my next couple of Monday/Wednesday posts, I'm going to focus on a few things God reminded me about life/writing through reading it.

So as I read the book, it hit me how much we complain about the "rejection" of our books. How dare someone not like our brilliance? We've worked so hard, sweat, taken time to pour our souls into our books, and some editor would have the audacity to reject us? Okay, so maybe we don't say that. We demurely say, "This must not have been the right publisher." But inwardly it stings. It pours salt on an open wound that is our pride.

But can I just say? How arrogant, prideful and selfish of us. We have the freedom to write fiction of our choosing. We have the freedom to worship and serve God through our writing. We aren't whipped and beaten and used as human torches for the delight of Pagan worshipers, or used as food for lions at the enjoyment and grotesque delight of thousands of people looking on, cheering for the beasts.

So I ask you this today. Who do you write for? If God called so many, many early Christians to serve him, be obedient to him, and still allowed them, in his loving-kindness, to be murdered in so awful a way, wouldn't He call some of us to toil over our books, to put our heart into writing something that would please him, and then say, "Good, now I have something else for you." or "Good, but I'm not ready for you to be published yet."

We can't know what God's ultimate plan is. He only gives us footsteps. I pray that we all follow God's footsteps and lean on him, trusting him no matter what comes. Rejection isn't the end. It's a step in God's plan, and He knows. He knows everything. Trusting in him through rejection won't necessarily bring us a book contract, but it will bring us closer to the Savior who gave his life for us. Because God refines through fire. He burns off the chaff until only the beauty within remains.

Tell me, what would you rather have? A book contract... or a closer relationship to Jesus? For you non-writers, this applies to every area of life where you fear/face failure. No job right now? God is bigger and more powerful than any job we might need. Fed up with your job? God has placed you there for a purpose for such a time as this. Serve them with Love.

But above all, trust God, and (pointing the finger at myself too) stop belly-aching.

Discussion:

Would love your thoughts on rejection, oh, and if you've read the book, your thoughts on it as well. I'm reading book 2 now... if you don't have it handy when you finish the first one, better make sure you finish it at a time when you can run to the store and buy the other immediately. Trust me!

Are you a KIA or a Pansy?

2009-10-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

I have sticky note on my desk at work that states:

“A confident tone states everything as a matter of fact, without qualifiers.”

This came from a business course I took on effective communication for leaders. At the time, it was a completely new concept for me because I am a HUGE user of qualifiers.

Examples:

I usually get to work on time.
As long as everything goes as planned, I should have the report to you in the morning.
I could be wrong, but I think the answer is ______________.
Oh, you want to read a sample chapter? Well, keep in mind I’m not a huge published author so I probably have a lot of work to do, but here, you go. Let me know what you think, seriously, be brutally honest.
I’m no expert, but it sounds like to me you might be using just a few too many adverbs.

See what I mean?

I was/am the QUEEN of qualifiers. Some of you are probably (there’s another one) thinking … “Um, so what? I do this all the time!” and still others are thinking, “Geez, what a pansy!”

I think the root of my “qualifier” use lies in the fact that I don’t want to be viewed as a liar. If I say, “I am punctual with my arrival time at work.” And then I am late one day because of traffic/weather/screaming kids at home, then AHHHH. I’ve lied! OH NO!

If I state something as fact, then later find out I’m wrong, then I feel like a complete failure. However, some weird part of me feels a little better if I’ve given a disclaimer about what I’m saying, kinda like I forewarned the person that I could be wrong so if they take my advice, then it’s at their own risk.

So back to the course. I thought about it for a while, and decided they were right. I sound like a fish out of water when I qualify everything I say. If I want people to respect me, to value my opinion, I need to be confident, to exude confidence in my speech.

The result?

I know feel like I come across as a know-it-all (kia) person who thinks she’s better than everyone else. And… I REALLY am bothered by those types of people. I know you know them. They are the people that say, “I’m right, you’re wrong, LIVE WITH IT!”

The only one who can really say that, who I love with all my heart, is God. Because… he IS right… we ARE wrong… and we just gotta live with it.

So now I’m reassessing. How can I be confident without coming across as a know-it-all, full of her self person?
I think part of the answer lies in what you are talking about and where you are. When I’m speaking as a “manager” at work, I need to use a more confident tone, yet be able to admit my failures and short-comings when needed (unfortunately, I have many!) When I’m speaking with peers, it can be mixed. A few qualifiers aren’t going to hurt anything, but going overboard will cause me to lose their respect.

In my writing world, well, this is where I struggle the most. Because I recognize that I’m a “beginner.” Well, I hope I’m a little above the beginner level, but I am still learning. That said, aren’t we ALL still learning? Even published authors?

Blog Question of the Day

How do you balance sounding “confident” but not coming across like a stuck-up know-it-all? Or… are you a stuck-up know-it-all and really don’t care how you come across? *grin* Or… are you a wishy-washy qualifier and really don’t care that you sound like a pansy? *double-grin*

Krista turns Thriller/Suspense writer...

2009-10-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

In Wednesday's post, I presented to you a nugget of information in which I asked for you to drum up some possibilities for book ideas from it.

The nugget? A car that I saw driving down the road with the words, "I HAVE NO FRIENDS" painted in large letters on the back.

You all rocked at brainstorming. Here are some of the ideas you came up with:

The dude was drunk... little scary since they were driving but totally believable!
Lottery winner that no longer has friends
Mean teenage girls being their bratty selves to the class "misfit"
A rich dude incognito was tired of the lack of compassion on the lonely and wanted to test out what people would do.
Attention getter
A lonely man crying out for friends
A status statement, "I may not have friends... but dude I got a cool car!"
The driver was going through a "hazing" initiation
The driver was proud of the fact he had no friends
The driver thinks friends are overrated and would rather have his car as a friend.
It's opposite day!
A social experiment, a way to make people feel sorry for him and lure them into his evil world
Originally said "I have nice friends" but a jealous coworker changed "nice" to "no" and the guy didn't notice yet.

I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed. You all did amazing!!

So, as promised, here is my paragraph (okay it's really a scene... I decided to have a little fun with it!)

Genre of choice: Thriller (not your typical Krista scene, let me tell ya!)

Jake struggled against the weight of the bag. The chloroform would wear off soon and she needed to be in the trunk before then. He wanted her to suffer, to feel his pain, his loneliness. She'd looked down on him, rolled her eyes at his advances for the last time. No longer would she tip that cute nose of hers up as she strode by his cubicle, stand there with her friends and talk about him when she thought he couldn't hear, or parade the sickening picture her with her husband and little brat around the office just to make him jealous.

She was no different than all the rest. And she would be treated the same as the other tramps who didn't appreciate him.

He dropped the bag on the concrete garage floor and thought he heard a moan. Better hurry. He punched a button on the keyless remote to the late model Mercedes and lifted the trunk. As he bent to pick up the bag, a kick caught him in the ankle, and he swore under his breath.

"Don't worry little lady. You'll be where you belong soon." Struggling against the fighting woman, he heaved the bag into the trunk and slammed the lid. Now for the fun part. He grabbed the white paint stick from his pocket and climbed atop the trunk, ignoring the pounding beneath him. His hand was steady from practice as he scrawled out the now familiar words.

After the deed was done, he climbed down and patted the trunk with his gloved hand. "No worries, hun. It'll all be over soon enough. They'll know the truth about you, that you're really not much different from me."

###

"What have we got detective?" Sadie Powers stood behind Detective Winters, but even while she asked, deep down she knew the question was unnecessary. The words "I HAVE NO FRIENDS" on the back of the car told it all.

"Female vic, I'd say late twenties. My guess is it's no different than the rest. Her own car, no finger prints except the vics. Looks like she was there for a few days. Lots of bruises, probably from the car ride. Autopsy will tell us the cause of death, but I'd bet a million it's suffocation, just like the rest."

"Have you located next of kin?"

"There's a missing persons report files yesterday, but they haven't been notified. Thought you'd like to do the honors. She was married and has a small kid."

Sadie blew out a breath. What a way to start a Monday morning.

###

Okay, so there you go. I went a wee bit overboard... sorry! My idea was, "What if it's a psychopath who has no friends and wants to make all the 'popular' people friendless like him, and hides a dead body in the trunk and "announces" to the world through the sign on the back that the person in the trunk has no friends... just like him."

Let me just say... I write romantic comedy... the above is NOT the type of story you'll see in my books (although, if I were to write the above book, Sadie would go tell husband, husband will go ballistic and want to help every way with the investigation, and Sadie and husband end up together in the end... See? Romance makes every story better!)

And two, the above is fiction. I don't have some secret vendetta to kill people because I'm friendless. Just want to make sure that's known (this is why I don't write suspense... I'd be afraid people would think I'm crazy!)

On that bright note... HAPPY FRIDAY!!! Fat Friday, BTW, will return again in full force next week. So dust of that scale folks! I, personally, am starting at ZERO today. Let's see who can lose the most weight this next week shall we?? Ready... set... GO!

I Have No Friends :-(

2009-10-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

No no, I'm not really saying that I have no friends... although I always welcome followers (I'm due for another welcome post next week!) Facebook friends, Twitter followers and the like.

But seriously, I was driving the other day and passed a Mercedes, probably late 90's grey model, with "I HAVE NO FRIENDS" painted in big white letters on the back of their windshield, kinda like they do to say (GO TEAM--#1 rules!) before a big high school game or something.

As I sat in the busy traffic, my mind starting to turn. What would possess someone to write that on the back of their car? I mean, what circumstances brought it about? The writer in me had a billion different possibilities run through my head... but everything seemed too predictable. But then I got to really thinking...

So here's my challenge to you: Write either a.) a paragraph from an imaginary novel showing us how this sentence came to be on this dudes Mercedes or b.) A short elevator pitch (aka a few sentences giving the plot of the book) that centers around this sentence being on the dude's Mercedes.

What's the purpose of this? It's to remind ourselves that stupid, little things that we see in our every day life, if we use our imagination, ask the "why" questions... that's where truly great (okay and sometimes just really silly) book ideas come from!

Let's have fun and use our imagination! Think of it as a creative exercise. I'll chime in tonight with one of my own... so stay tuned:-)

**For you non-writers... come on! You can try it too! It'll be fun, I promise!**

My surprise!

2009-10-05T02:00:00.001-07:00

So... I think I might have mentioned on Friday that it was Scott and I's 10th anniversary... Not sure if I made that clear or not though. *grin*

My husband and I have this ongoing "discussion" that has lasted a whopping ten years... that fact that neither of us like the other to "make" decisions.

Krista: "Where do you want to go eat dear?"
Scott: "I don't know. Where do you want to go?"
Krista: "You pick."
Scott: "No, you."
Krista: "Seriously, I'll let you pick this time."
Scott: "Fine, what about Mexican?"
Krista: "But I hate Mexican."
Scott: "Then you pick."
Krista--who knows that she's now been tricked: "Seriously, that's not fair."
Scott: "Fine, we'll go to Mexican."

Then we end up posing the question to our kids who pick either:

McDonalds
Pizza buffet
A steak house that has "cinnamon" butter.

So, Friday night we'd talked about it BEFORE to decide where we wanted to eat, but my husband insinuated he had "something else" planned as well. I had NO clue what it could be. My husband, bless is heart, has issues sometimes making decisions and more oft than not ends up just not making ANY decision because he can't decide... In his defense, I don't make it easy for him, in fact probably make the matter worse.

So, him announcing that he had "something" planned was HUGE for me. This was my wonderful, sweet husband, PRE-planning something without asking for my input, just to make it special for me. The whole day Friday I felt on top of the world. I really didn't care if it was just that he'd picked the restaurant and pre-bought tickets to a movie via Fandango. It was the thought that counted.

We went out to at the restaurant we'd decided on, and that's when he let me know where he was taking me afterwords.

Would you like to know where?

Of course you would! See, you're as impatient to know what my wonderful, handsome, thoughtful, sweet husband came up with as me! To make matters worse, he'd told me "It's starts at 9:30 so it will be a really late night." Now, I'm thinking, he wouldn't be making this big of a deal out of it for just a plain ole' movie. But what could start at 9:30???? That he had to like, plan, before hand?

Okay, fine. I know you're about ready to clobber me if I don't tell you.

My husband took me to the Grand Ole' Opry. They were hosting "Opry goes Pink" in support of Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. Singing there were a whole host of different country artists including Jo Dee Messina, Terri Clark, and Carrie Underwood. Now... HOW COOL IS THAT! I was completely blown away and so very very proud of my husband to think of something like that! We were dressed up pretty fancy for our date... so it was fun to go to the concert all decked out and, well, I had a grand time. The concert was great, my husband was fabulous and I am pretty much the luckiest woman alive to have married such a thoughtful man.

Oh, and he also sent me a dozen long-stem roses to work and gave me a necklace and earrings as my present. I told you he was wonderful!!!!!

Here are some fun pictures from our evening and the concert.

Me and my honey!

Forgive my messy dining room table, but these are the flowers my cute hubby sent me!

Little Jimmy Dickens-- look at that pink suit!

Jo Dee Messina... she just had a baby--early summer maybe? Everyone say... AWWWWW!

Hilarious guy! Bill Richards if I remember correctly.

Song he sang: If you can't make money.... make out... with somebody.

I seriously had tears rolling I laughed so hard.

Can't remember this dude's name, but did an amazing version of "Be thou my Vision" on the harmonica.

Horrible... don't recall her name either (will look it up and plug it in here later) but a wonderful tribute to her mother who died of cancer.

Picture of the "Opry goes pink" stage!

Lorri Morgan

Terri Clark--sang some oldies but goodies!

The Whites

A Yodler! She did a wonderful job, not something I'm usually "into" but it really was fantastic!

Carrie Underwood--fantastic as always! LOVED her pink dress.

Still love kissin' him after 10 years! That's good right?!?

TEN YEARS!!!!

2009-10-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take this blog post to wish my wonderful wonderful husband a happy TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

My hubby is so sweet! I love him more than the day I married him! We've been through a ton, 3 kids, 1 miscarriage (waiving at Abigail in heaven), a brief stint at foster parenting for 3 wonderful... but trying... kiddos, 5 moves in 4 cities in 3 states, and a ton of personal high's and low's. He's my biggest cheerleader in my writing career, I would have quit a long time ago had it not been for his "You can do it!" attitude. He puts up with my slight bossiness sometimes (only slight of course...) and my need to correct his driving habits (You're going to slow!! Make the dadgum yellow light!) He gives me the bestest hugs both when I'm sad and need to be held, and when I'm happy and need to celebrate. He's a good kisser... but whoops, that TMI!

And with that, I'd like to leave you with the "cuppycake" song... IF you don't know our story, Scott and I met on an Internet chat-room when I was 17 (and married a year later...) One of the funny, cute things I remember was there was a "song" file you can send over the chat... and we used to send this to each other to be silly!

So here it is! I love you, Scott!! MMMMMMMMMMPMMMMMMMMMMMM! (inside joke...)

Drama, drama, drama!

2009-09-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

In November, I'll be part of a "drama" dinner theater thing at my church. In one of the "skits" I play a whacked out lady getting ready to go to a "paranormal" conference, and am into all the sci-fi, alien sightings, "get in touch with the cosmos" kinda stuff. It's fun to do, but serious at the same time, because so many people DO search for things in all the WRONG places when the answer is so simple: Jesus.

I think sometimes the simplicity of the answer is what trips people up. And really, Jesus and God are pretty big and enormous... I don't like I'd title them "simple" either. But the way to accept them is what people tend to complicate sometimes.

The other thing we discussed is that even in the "Christian" realm there are many different views on the paranormal. I've spoken with many dedicated Christians that totally believe in Aliens/UFO's and the like, or that are intrigued by Astrology and "reading" signs.

I really really don't want to get into a debate about this on my blog, so don't view this as a place to "persuade" others to your side, argue, or bicker. Mean comments will be deleted immediately. But curious as to my readers thoughts on this.

Do you think we are "alone" in the universe? Do you hold any credence to horoscopes or the like? Are you convinced that Elvis is still "alive?" *grin*

If you're wondering how this is writing related.... well, I can make it, let me tell you. I saw a skeleton walking down I-65 Monday night and THAT is so going into a book. Contemporary romance will never be the same!

Oh, and if you're in the Nashville area and want to come see me make a fool of myself (what's new???), tickets will be on sale in a few weeks for $5.00... Includes a "coffee house" type atmosphere with drinks and finger foods, and all proceeds go toward feeding families in need over Thanksgiving.

BOOK POLL: What are YOU reading?

2009-09-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd have a fun book poll today! I'm always interested to see what other's are reading and why. Call me nosy, crazy, manic, weird, or whatever, but inquiring minds want to know!

What are the last FICTION book you read (excluding ones given to you as an influencer)?

What is the last NON-fiction book you read?

What made you decide to purchase/read this book?

I won't ask you to tell me if you liked it or disliked it. But... tell me one thing you LIKED about the book... one thing you'd give a thumbs up to.

To answer my own poll... here goes.

Last fiction book non-review related: Cowboy Christmas (finished today) by Mary Connealy and Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh... finished while at ACFW.

Last non-fiction book: Um... I don't remember. I rarely read non-fiction... Yes, I'm a fiction snob. This is why I listed 2 fiction!

Why did I purchase/read? I've read a few of Mary's books lately and enjoyed them all... so when I saw this one at ACFW bookstore and had the chance for her to sign it, I took her up on it! What did I like about it? I like buying her books because I can TRUST her. I've never read a book of hers I didn't enjoy, and they have that *sigh* awww feeling at the end. I loved the characters, even though I wanted to slap some sense into the heroine a time or two. *grin*

Tamara's I bought because I am a member of the TAMARA LEIGH FAN CLUB as I've noted in previous blogs. If you haven't read a Tamara Leigh book... you're truly missing out! Leaving Carolina was great, and I'm already miffed that I have to wait till next year to read another one! What did I like about it? Um, everything. I love her crazy sense of humor, I loved the characters, I loved that she made me laugh but at the same point and time want to slug a few people.

BLOG TOUR: The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry

2009-09-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a rare Saturday post in honor of my friend, Christina Berry, so I can tell you about her AWESOME new book, "The Familiar Stranger."

Short blurb about Christina--my fellow super spy woman!:

As a single mom and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time out of her busy schedule to write about the heart and soul of life. She lives with her family in rural Oregon. The Familiar Stranger is her debut novel. Get to know her better at www.christinaberry.net

And now a short blurb about her rockin' awesome new book:

The Familiar Stranger—formerly known as Undiscovered—is about a couple going through a really rough patch in their marriage. When an accident incapacitates the husband, their relationship must be redefined. Which would be a lot easier to do if BIG secrets from his past didn’t raise their ugly heads. Despite the upheaval, the choices they make involving forgiveness and trust might allow a new beginning. Or … they might not. You can see the back cover copy and what other authors have said about The Familiar Stranger by going to http://www.christinaberry.net/books.aspx

And finally... my killer interview with her. *grin*

Christina... first, this is an important question. You see, I like twitter. And when I started on there I felt SURE I would find out all sorts of wonderful information about people, like if they preferred skim milk to 2%... Ate dry cereal or preferred scrambled eggs... if they used Crest or Colgate. But alas, no one tweets about these things! So... in interest of full-disclosure.... what type of toothpaste do you use? Inquiring minds want to know!

Colgate Total Whitening Paste. Not gel. I strongly dislike gel. I dislike it so much, I'm sure all my characters use Colgate paste as well. If I were to follow Donald Maass' advice and have my character do something he or she would never do, it would be for him or her to use Crest gel toothpaste.

Phew. Glad we have that out in the open, although I'm a gel girl myself. So... tell us... how did you come up with this idea for a book?

In the summer of 2006, two stories appeared in the newspaper. One was a huge, national story; the other a smaller, local-interest item. I wondered what it might look like if those two stories conceived a child. Boom! I had the entire plot for The Familiar Stranger. It will be interesting to see if readers can figure out which stories inspired the book.

Ohhhh, anyone want to take a guess? Now, next question. What's the BEST piece of advice you've ever gotten about writing?

(If you've been writing for years and have yet to get published, this is especially for you!) To start a new novel.

I'm a stubborn girl—just ask my parents. My mother and I reworked and reworked a co-authored story for eight years, each time putting our newly acquired writing knowledge/skills to use. We were determined that it wouldn’t end up in a box in the closet or shoved under the bed. I still love that manuscript, and it's actually very close to selling as I write this, but it wasn't until I took the advise of others far sager and experienced with writing to start a new novel that I finally made my first sale.

That's good... now what about your worst?

At a Christian conference, I met with a New York agent. The conference doesn't require the faculty to sign any kind of statement of faith, though it is blatantly Christian in tone. The man actually told me replacing "Jesus" with "God" would make an easier sale and not offend as many people.

With all due respect, excuse me? The very Cross itself is offensive. (See Galatians 5:11) I'm going to use the name of Jesus because in His name dwells power and glory and honor. And really, because when you love Someone, even His name is beloved.

I love your "excuse me?" note. I so picture you with your hands on your hips, givin' a little attitude. LOVE IT!

Next... another twitter question... which I'm truely interested in because I just got a pedicure the other week and I'm not crazy about the color I picked. Favorite toe-nail polish color??

Silvery blue. The only color that doesn't make me look even whiter than I am.

So... we are lovin your toes... your teeth.... and your book. Where can we find this awesome book for purchase?

Here are two links:

Christianbook.com
Amazon.com

You can also have any bookstore order copies for you if they don’t have any in stock.

Last question. This is a THINK fast one. Okay, you're plotting a book about Christina and Krista, world-renowned super spy women. Give me the elevator pitch. GO!

Moms by day, but what by night? Slipping soundlessly through the darks and lights, secretly doing the laundry of America under the cover of midnight, winning the undying gratitude of every overwhelmed parent everywhere ... Krista and Christina--the Laundry Ladies!! [Insert picture of us in tights and with big "L"s on our chests. ;)]

***A few notes***

As part of her blog tour, Christina will be picking TEN people that comment during the month of September on any of the blogs featuring her book to get a copy of The Familiar Stranger, with the process repeated in October. So comment for your chance to win!

Also, she has a wonderful newsletter you can subscribe to as well on her website as well... (with a chance to win other stuff too! See her site for details!)

AND! Don't forget to visit the next stop on the tour...

A New Resolve

2009-09-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back home, I'm somewhat rested, and I'm de-stressed.

All of these things are VERY VERY good and much needed, and I'm so thankful that God granted me the time away to wind-down and feel like a normal human being again... whatever that is!

So now that I'm getting back into the swing of things, I had this burst of "fix everything" energy. Not like in... fix the toilet (my WONDERFUL father-in-law did that while we were gone... WOOHOO!) but more like fix the broken parts of my life. The things that got me to the point of wanting to pull my hair out piece by piece. Well, maybe not THAT bad.

But I was very stressed, very overwhelmed, and in much need of change.

So today, as I got back into the pattern that is my day job, I found myself mentally organizing my life to figure out how to cram EVERYTHING in there that I wanted to do so I wouldn't get overwhelmed and to the point of "I CAN'T DO IT. SHOOT ME NOW!" again.

But... it was like God pulled up a chair beside me, sat down, shook his head and said, "You're doing it again, Krista."

I glared at him out of the corner of my eye as I worked. "Doing what?"

"Trying to one-up me."

A chuckle escaped my lips. "Whatever, I was not."

"Were to."

"Was not."

He hunched over, his elbows on his knee, and poked me in the side. "Were too."

I tried not to laugh, but dog gone it, God so knows where I'm ticklish. "Seriously, how was I trying to one-up you, Lord?"

"Remember, I can read your mind, Krista. You were sitting there thinking, 'Oh, I can do EVERYTHING, and it will be perfect and wonderful.'"

Okay, so maybe I'd been doing that. "And why is that bad? Don't you want me to succeed God?"

He shook his head. "Nope."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, posh. Yes you do."

He smiles. "Well, yes, I want you to succeed, but I want to succeed for you. I want to be your God. I want you to depend on me. If you are out there slaying all the dragons and being super wonder woman, where does that leave me?"

"Well, I'll give you all the credit. Does that help?"

He scooched closer to me. "See, here's the problem with that."

I'm all ears. "Yes?"

"You can't do it, Krista."

I fold my arms over my chest. "What do you mean, I can't? I feel much better now. I'm ready to take on the world."

"That's what you said the last time. Then you tried and tried and tried, and you got burnt out, and ended up leaving out some of the most important things you needed to do. You see... I want to save you from that, sweetie. I want you to lean on me, I want you to use MY strength, I want you to depend on me for EVERYTHING. I am your everything, Krista. You can do all things through ME... not through yourself. I'm here to give you peace and rest, if you'll let me."

"But...."

He gives me that look.

"Okay. You're right. But God, everything on my list is so important..."

"More important than me?"

I shake my head. I know it's not.

"Then trust me, Krista. And lean on me. Draw close to me and I will carry you."

And then he hugs me as I cry, because as good as God carrying me sounds, it isn't easy to give up control.

I write this because I'm sitting here tonight, itching to write a list. I want to schedule EVERYTHING, I want to organize me life and prove how I can do it all, but God is shaking his head and telling me to give it to him.

Not that lists and organization is bad. Because it's really good. But... I think at the moment it symbolizes my lack of trust in Him.

This said, I am making changes to my life so I can give GOD more time, my husband and kids more time, my job more time, my writing more time. But.... mostly God. One of those things is blogging. I'm still going to blog, but am scaling down to 3 times a week as I know other bloggers have been obedient and done. (I argued with God about this for oh.... about the last month or so)

I'm also going to limit my "checking" of other blogs too. I LOVE reading people's blogs and communicating with everyone... but once I get reading I'll spend literally HOURS online reading all the wonderful blogs. So I'm limiting myself to 15 minutes every morning, and once a week taking a little longer to indulge. So... I apologize now if I'm not visiting/commenting as much as I used to.

Discussion:

What changes has God asked YOU to make lately? Any that you're being stubborn about?

Our dinner experience

2009-09-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Where we went for dinner:

Me giving Cookie the trail cook some love:

Scott chattin' with the Indian Chief:

Me getting on the good side of the Sheriff.

We did not dance... but it would have been fun had we gone on a "dancin' night"

The slide.... oh so tempting!

And as you can see... we couldn't resist the temptation!

Time to stop playing and start eatin'!

Cute Scott!

YEEHAW!

Ahhh... So much love! Two kids at heart... even after 10 years of marriage!
This is us!

I'm.... on vacation!

2009-09-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take the week off of blogging. Mostly because....

I'M ON VACATION.

Until Thursday anyway, then I'll have a TON to catch up on!

So... please forgive my absense from the blogosphere this week! Will return on Monday, rested, and ready to chat!

In the mean time, if you went to ACFW, what was your FAVORITE part?!?

ACFW Days 3 and 4

2009-09-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

So... I'm late posting this but my valid excuse is that I'M ON VACATION!!!! So I'm sure you'll forgive me:-)

Saturday dawned bright and early, and that's when the nerves began, including churning stomach, shaky fingers, and plenty of deep breathing exercises. Agent/Editor appointments are not my forte, and my two were scheduled that day.

I skipped out on morning worship/devotions because my stomach was not cooperating... and I'm HIGHLY disappointed in that since everyone said how GOOD it was. I also missed half of the Continuing ed session with SMW and RH because I had my first, *gulp*, appointment.

It went well, and I was invited to send a proposal and sample chapters. WOOHOO for that.

Lunch was yummy (roast beef croissant sandwich, YUM YUM!) and then I skipped yet ANOTHER worship (was not happy as it was one I really wanted to go to!) but alas, I had another appointment. And that one went REALLY well. It was with an agent and she said she was definitely interested, and I was invited to mail my full manuscript to her. YEAH!!!

Went to the last workshop with Camy Tang on the Heroine/Hero journey, and got some great materials to take with me for reference. Then, it was off to the booksigning. Here are some fun pictures from the signing!
Christina Berry and I... normal.

And... now us as SUPER SPY WOMEN!

THEN it was time for the banquet! Congrats, btw, to all the winners/finalists!!! You all rock! (list of winners can be found at Cathy's blog ... I'm too lazy to type it out myself!) And GRRRR I accidentally deleted the ONLY pictures of Scott and I at the banquet together. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT! If anyone else took one of just us, let me know!!! I want it!!

I wanted to get a silly picture of Jody... but this is as silly as I got!!! Next time, Jody... I'm SO making you climb a tree! *grin*

Katie and I.... Seriously, I'm really not THAT short!
Jeannie and Erika.
Jessica with her yummy dessert!
Avily Jerome, Lynn Rush, and yours truly!
Me with MY dessert.
The blogger group! Jody, Katie, Jessica, Jeannie, Reanne (HELP! Not sure if I got that name right... in fact am SURE I got it wrong. Someone correct me!), Eileen, Krista (me), and Cathy.
Jeannie in the corner... For shame, for shame!

Sunday morning was sad, saying final goodbyes. But then Scott and I had a blast riding the train downtown, then coming back, taking a MUCH needed nap, then walking to dinner/movie about a mile away, praying that it wouldn't rain during our walk. God is good... it only sprinkled!

Here are a bunch of fun misc. pics...

Hubby and me downtown in front of Union Station.
The hazy mountains!
Erica and Genesis award winning Lisa!
ACFW president Cynthia Ruchti.
Keynote speaker and author Debbie Macomber.
Early bird session with Agent and author Donald Maass
Cara and Annalisa
Brandilyn Collins

picture of the atrium at the hotel

Next year... INDIANAPOLIS here we come!!!