What Frustrates You?

Now honestly, I can't believe how hard televisions are to work nowadays. Why does my TV have four different remote controls? My husband was gone on a Harley ride for a couple of days. All I wanted to do was to watch an old classic--Gone With the Wind. But do you think I could figure out how to play a simple DVD? No!

I called my husband and interrupted his "guy time", but no help on a long distance phone call. Then I called my son, certainly he could help me. But not even my TV savvy son could seem to steer me through all the right buttons. To make matters worse, the TV was stuck on the rolling TV Channel rolling through the times and shows. Even worse, the set wouldn't shut off. The screen just kept scrolling, scrolling, and scrolling . . .

Finally, after two hours of pushing buttons, I gave up. So then I thought, "I'll just watch the DVD on my computer." Now at least it played on the computer, but I couldn't hear it very well. I even grabbed my i-pod ear buds. However, the sound barely projected. Sigh.

I know this is a small thing in the whole scheme of life, but let me tell you, I was one frustrated woman, But even as I write this I smile inside; what a silly thing to upset me. I know and understand the terrible blows that life deals on a daily basis. But even in the most terrible of crises it seems that the small things can tip the scale in an emotional crisis. Why is that?

One thing I can't figure out is why such little things throw me into such a tizzy? But reality check, I was one frustrated woman. What are the little things in life that make you a crazy woman?

By the way, does anyone know how to work the four TV remote controls?

Friday--The Writers' Porch--Wretched Rejection

"A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit."—Richard Bach.

One of the most difficult things we experience as a writer in process of publication is the rejection letter. One of the analogies of writing is that it is similar to having children. We labor over our words and we protect our creations. Then whammy—someone rejects it. We feel hurt personally. We become discouraged and want to quit writing. We wonder, “Why?”

The truth of publication is almost every writer experiences the “rejection letter.” Here’s my thoughts on the ominous rejection—rejoice. If you have received the “No” letter, then at least it means you have send out your baby for review. Here’s the choice— if you don’t send it out you’ll never be rejected, but you’ll never be published, either.

There are several reasons an editor sends a rejection letter for our precious manuscripts. The reason could have nothing to do with your writing. It might be the wrong type of project for the publisher, or perhaps they recently purchased something similar. Unfortunately, rejections usually do not include the reason for rejection, so we assume the worst—they didn’t like our baby. But wonder if they liked it, but just couldn’t publish it? There’s no way to know.

So, I suggest you send out the manuscript and give it wings to fly. Keep writing, in the meantime, with new ideas and projects. If you get a rejection letter, so what? Keep writing, collect the rejections and wallpaper the room where you write.

Don’t take rejection personally, use it as a springboard. Use it as part of the writing process and learn from it if you can, but don’t quit writing. Writers write, published writers submit and experience rejection. Remember, authors like John Grisham and Stephen King were rejected multiple times, but look at ‘em now. Perseverance in writing, submitting and publication is the key to a writer’s success.

Until Monday,

Babbling about Books--Thursday--Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner

Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner
By Wendy Blight
Non-fiction
(2009)

Today I have the honor and privilege of highlighting Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, written by my friend and colleague, Wendy Blight. I serve alongside her in Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When I first met Wendy, I knew there was something special about her. Her spirit shone brightly, and she carried herself with a simple grace and quiet self-confidence. Later, I discovered that she was a former attorney. “But she’s so quiet!” I thought, dispelling my notion of loud mouth lawyers.

I had never heard her “story” until she became a published author. After reading her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, I understood why she was able to carry herself with such assurance—it is her complete trust in Jesus. I will not give away her harrowing story, the fear and the emotional struggles that she faced for years. However, I will tell you it has a happy ending—the Wendy Blight that I now know. I highly recommend the book. I couldn’t wait for it to be released and I could not put it down once I started. Plus, if you are a Kindle reader, it is available on Kindle.

Wendy is holding an online Bible study for her book this summer. Check it out at http://www.wendyblight.com/.

Until tomorrow,

Summer Time Bible Study

For several years I attended Bible Study Fellowship to learn about the Bible and fellowship with friends. This program runs from September to May every year. Every summer I would determine to keep on with some type of Bible study, but usually about the third week in June it would fizzle.

By the time September rolled around, I was out of sorts with myself and feeling spiritually dry. Over the course of about five years, I finally found the answer. Stay plugged into some type of organized Bible study or small group.

So how do you find one? I have the answer. I would like to share with you an online study starting on June 17th. The leader will be Proverbs 31 Ministries own Wendy Blight. The study will be on her new released book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. Check out her blog (http://www.wendyblight.com/) to find out all the details. It's the perfect place to land for the summer until your regular Bible study returns in the fall.

On Thursday I will be highlighting Wendy's book on Babbling about Books. Hope to see you then to learn more about Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.

Memorial Day in Minnesota!

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise!
Popcorn popping right before my eyes.
I can take a handful and make a treat.
A popcorn ball that smells so sweet.
It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

After the Happy Birthday song, this is the first song I remember learning as a child. Well, this morning, I looked out my window and this is what I saw!

Remember those who gave their lives for our country. Celebrate our national freedom.

Friday--The Writers' Porch

The Wonder Words

Writers love the wonder of words and ideas. One of the best tips I can give on the path to publication is for the writer to keep a notebook or file folder (that’s what I use) with great words, ideas and Scriptures. Although you think you will remember—there is a good chance you won’t. My favorite way to record those “unforgettable moments” is on an index card. I carry them in my purse and my Bible case. But the most important place is on my nightstand. Because for some reason, those moments, minutes, or hours before I fall asleep seem to be my most creative. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I am relaxed and my to-do list is put to bed. Whatever the reason, I come up with my best writers’ thoughts at night.

After I scribble down the overheard conversation, the perfect verse, or just a wonderful word, I put it in a file folder with a topic heading. When I wrote my Bible study, Perplexing Proverbs, I had 12 fat folders stuffed with ideas, stories, etc,--one file folder for each chapter. I do this for my devotionals, articles and books.

I even jot down great words that I hear or read. Author Brandlyn Collins posts a creative and intriguing word each day, complete with definition, on Facebook. Fun stuff. (Also, find a great thesaurus to help you discover the perfect words as you write.)

I am not the only one who says so. Here’s a quote to substantiate today’s view of wonderful words.

"I keep little notepads all over the place to write down ideas as soon as they strike, but the ones that fill up the quickest are always the ones at my nightstand. " ~Emily Logan Decens

Babbling about Books--Thursday

March
Geraldine Brooks
Fiction (2006)

One of my all time favorite books is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it as a young girl and several times since. Of course, I related to Jo March, the young aspiring writer. I so wanted to be like her when I grew up—I still do. (Smile).

Because of my well-known love for Little Women, a friend recommended that I read March. It is the story of the elusive Mr. March. The book March chronicles the missing information and history of the father of the little women, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

Geraldine Brooks makes this book come to life with the Civil War details and the emotions that Mr. March experiences. It is evident that Ms. Brooks did her research for the era. Her imagination created a character that is complex. As the reader, at times I liked him, at other times I did not.

I must warn potential readers that it is not a sweet follow-up to the classic of Little Women. It deals with racism, cruelty, and the loss of idealism of Mr. March. The book explains the cause of the March family poverty. It also may change your view of the sweet and noble Marmee. It is a gritty, moving novel intended for adult readers.

So on that note, I am off to sharpen my own writing skills. I do not think I will ever write the next breakout novel, but I sure am going to have fun trying.

See you tomorrow on The Writers’ Porch,