Book Review Thursday

Well, take a look at the left sidebar. Deirdra Eden Coppel gave me an award. I'm pretty excited about that. She has a great blog and does lots of interviews with authors. You can click on the award image to learn more about that and then take a look at her blog.

As for the book review, it's going to be late. Hopefully the baby will let me get to it tomorrow. I'd do it now, but I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open. So . . . I'll be reviewing John Grisham's Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer next. Have a good one!

Work In Progress Wednesday

I had a concert last night and forgot to post. Sorry! The packet I sent off to the agent . . . I got a reply. She's not offering representation *pause* gotta save the baby from rolling into the bird dropping paper *unpause* but gave me some feedback as to why. So the question of the day is What makes it so you connect with the voice of a character? Discuss. Have a good one!

The Specifics

by Bonnie Harris

So my mom retaught me something these last few weeks. I think I've shared before my struggle to balance life with a new baby. My biggest complaint has been that my writing time has become basically nonexistent. This past week or so I've been vocalizing my frustration with this fact and my wonderful, sweet mother said this to me. "As a Mom, I depending too much on myself. Don't forget to get on your knees and ask for help. Be specific with what you are asking and let the Lord help you."

Being the wonderful daughter that I am *wink* I immediately tried it. Ha, ha. It took me a little bit longer to digest and remember what she said, but the important part is, I did try it. I asked more specifically for help in finding/making time to get my writing done. It worked. The next day in fact. I shouldn't be surprised. I have a testimony in prayer and getting answers to prayer, but I found myself very surprised and grateful and humbled for not thinking of doing that sooner.

Since that experience I've tried to remember to be very specific in my prayers. Specific in my gratitude as well as my requests. When I actually do it, I am seeing the tender mercies in my life. Thanks to the extra help, I am about 20,000 words into a new novel, The Black Orchid, I've been trying to get under way on for awhile now. (No this is not a shameless plug, but I am really excited about it!)

Now I find myself looking for those tender mercies along the way as a direct result of my specific prayers. It's amazing what has been happening. How grateful I am for a mother who was inspired to reteach me, for my Heavenly Father who is willing to forgive and help me despite my stubbornness in thinking I can do it on my own, for His willingness to entrust me with one of His precious spirits, and for the lessons I'm continually learning.

With Easter being tomorrow I'd also like to add my testimony of the Savior. He lives. He loves us. We need Him and He is always willing to help no matter what we have done or how long it's been since we've talked to Him. I know that I can always turn to Him and He will be there, I just have to remember to ask. How wonderful it is that we have a friend and brother in Jesus Christ. :)

Book Review Thursday

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison is a fantastic book for anyone. I loved the lessons learned. The conflict was real and I'm sure many people have been through what Annika had to deal with. I firmly believe in the power of positive thinking. One never knows what will and can happen with it. Here's a blurb about it. Let me know what you think! Take a look at Janette's website and blog too.

Annika wants to help her cancer-stricken little brother believe he can survive surgery. But her plan to convince Jeremy that a genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his TV idol would visit him.Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman will do anything to fulfill her little brother’s only wish before his frightening cancer surgery. The trouble is, he wants a certain superstar actor to pay him a visit. Annika has only a few days to drive to California and convince the celebrity to come home with her. On a seemingly impossible adventure that includes paparazzi, bows and arrows, and one enormous snake, Annika learns a few lessons about family, love, and having her own wishes granted.

Work In Progress Wednesday

So I just realized it's Wednesday and this post is late. Oh well. Life goes on. I got of my submission packet for Encoded Secrets this week. Now we wait and hope for good news. I've taken a different approach to The Black Orchid and reworked the beginning. I like it. How do you feel about a story told from two different people's views with the chapter indicating who's speaking?

Book Review Thursday

My Double Life by Janette Rallison is such a fun read. I love Janette's whit and humor. She really portrays the characters well, sucking the reader into each scene. I enjoyed everything about this book and would recommend it to anyone. Here's the book trailer and for the life of me I can't find the back cover blurb! It's driving me crazy, but I loved the book. You should really read it. :)

Work In Progress Wednesday

This is going to be short again, but I do have some exciting news. Along with some more rejections, I had one agent ask for the full manuscript for Encoded Secrets. So I'm busy putting that submission packet together and still sending out a few queries here and there. Needless to say, work on Black Orchid is not happening as fast as I'd like it to, but we'll get there!