Continue reading »]]> Yes, it’s that time again! It’s Friday, and time to welcome the weekend with another Character Tour post. This week, it is my pleasure to invite Ada Brownell and her character, Joe, to our spotlight. I’ve started some of those “different” posts I’ve talked about. I asked Joe 5 questions that will hopefully help to build intrigue for you without giving away the anything. Enjoy!

RALENE: Who are you at the beginning of the novel?

JOE: Yo.  My name is Joe Baker. I’m age 14, going on 15, tall for my age, but if things continue as they have the last few days I’ll pass for an old man any day now.

I’m the son of Darin and Rose Baker, and they disappeared Monday evening. My little sis, Penny, and I waited and waited, but they didn’t come home. Pop, a computer software designer, and Mom, a buyer and fashion consultant at Vanby’s, a prestigious teen clothing store, left work to visit a friend at the hospital, and no one has seen them since.

RALENE: What is your biggest challenge?

JOE: My life is full of challenges. First, I need to find out how to believe in miracles so God will bring my parents home. In the meantime, I should learn how to live with Uncle Faulkner and Aunt Anna. But Faulkner, a powerful newspaper editor, is so full of himself I don’t know who will explode first–him or me. Anna is tied to that little glass of alcohol, and one little match could set her ablaze. But I love Aunt Anna. Can you believe Faulkner was going to send our black lab dog, Hefley, to the pound before Anna put him in his place?

RALENE: What is your biggest fear?

I thought my biggest fear was that my parents would be found dead. But now Pop has been accused of stealing priceless computer software to help control epilepsy. I think he designed it at home in his spare time. Why would he steal it? Then, every time I read the Bible, I dream I’m some great biblical hero and wake up shouting and screaming out, making Faulkner and his psychiatrist friend think I’m mentally ill, need medication and hospitalized.

RALENE: Who has been the most influential person in your life?

I always wanted to be like Pop and someday marry someone with beauty and character like my mom, but they aren’t here now. So, I let Gertrude, a wonderful, old, crippled lady, love on me and pray for me, but I also re-connected with my old neighborhood and joined a gang. Not just any gang, dude. The East Side Gallant Guardians. Christian teens who solve and prevent crime without guns or blades, using things like a pet skunk, sand, rope, noise, marbles. Centipede—he’s the leader–and his group of homies aren’t afraid of anybody or anything because they believe God is with them. Patrick—that’s Faulkner’s son—says we’re going to get ourselves killed, but so far amazing things are happening, and we discovered prisoners are being held at Sir Henry’s Castle in the mountains. I think that might be where Mom and Pop are, and we are taking a catapult and invading the castle.

RALENE: What is one secret that no one else knows about you?

Would you believe we’re even allowing Pete’s twin sister to go with us? I’ve known Petra for a long time and hadn’t noticed how pretty and talented she is until just a few weeks ago. I’m not spreading it around that I like her, you see, so don’t you go texting everyone you know. I hope when everything comes down she’ll hang tough with her karate moves and cut the timber out from under some of those guards—including their robot. Almost would make me grab her and plant a kiss on her gorgeous face!

If you want to know how all of this turns out, check out this link and the review where a teen said the book is “A tale of intrigue and faith; captures the reader from the opening page” JOE THE DREAMER: THE CASTLE AND THE CATAPULT http://buff.ly/XeqTvH

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ada Brownell, also writing as A.B. Brownell, has been writing for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a daily newspaper reporter. She has a B.S. degree in Mass Communications and worked most of her career at The Pueblo Chieftain in Colo., where she spent the last seven years as a medical writer. After moving to Springfield, MO in her retirement, she continues to free lance for Christian publications and write non-fiction and fiction books.

She is author of Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult, released Jan. 15, 2013; Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal, released Dec. 6, 2011; and Confessions of a Pentecostal, published by the Assemblies of God’s Gospel Publishing House in 1978, out- of-print but released in 2012 for Kindle.

Link to purchase Joe the Dreamer: http://buff.ly/XeqTvH

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries

Twitter: @adellerella

     Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com Stick to Your Soul Encouragement

Amazon Ada Brownell author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06

Continue reading »]]> Here we are, mid-May, and the weather is finally kicking up the heat a bit. Summer is on its way.

Growing up in the public school system, I am used to the 9 months of school, 3 months of summer. Though, in the middle of my sophomore year, we moved to a district that had more of a 10 months of school, 2 months of summer, with longer breaks during the year.

Summer was always a favorite time because it gave me an opportunity to pursue things I was actually interested in. Art, writing, reading, sports (although I wasn’t very good). Summer meant fair season for 4-H, swimming lessons, and usually a trip or 2.

Now that I’m an adult, summer doesn’t quite hold the same allure. I’m not the fan of hot weather that I used to be. I still love fair season, even though I’m not in 4-H (nor are my kids).

Also, our school doesn’t follow the public school schedule. We school year round in a more literal sense. Our new school year starts in July, and then we have school 6 weeks on, 1 week off, with an extended break over Christmas. Then we take the entire month of June off so I can plan the next year.

This year, though, we’re actually having to move our ending date to the 2nd week of June. With the moving and craziness, we got a bit behind.

I see a trip to my parents sometime over the summer. And our homeschool co-op has some day trips planned. There’s talk of visiting some friends in Tennessee. Otherwise, there’s plenty to do around here!

What about you? What are you doing this summer?

Continue reading »]]> I’ll admit it right here, up front–I have not been sticking with my goals very well at all. There’s really no excuse for it. I did have a spring cold last week, and those are no fun. But for my May goals, I didn’t really have to be feeling well to work on them. It pretty much came down to laziness and mixed priorities.

At least I realize my issues, though. May is only half over. I still have 18 days to change things around. There’s still time to rearrange my priorities and develop better habits.

So, how are my goals looking so far?

1. Reading my through the New Testament for 30 minutes a day: I have not been consistent with this at all. However, I have been doing it more often than I had been before. Progress is being made–but I can do better. Part of my problem has been that I haven’t been getting up at 5:30, which is the time I set aside to read. Illness and fatigue has had me not getting up until 7 or later. I need to work on that.

2. Praying: This one I have been doing better at. Prayer is becoming an intricate part of my daily life–from time spent praying when I wake up and when I go to sleep, to short prayers said throughout the day. The thing that I would like to work on now is learning to cultivate deeper prayers and praying God’s word.

3. Making up menus and sticking with them: Menu what? FAIL! I haven’t even tried planning this month. I seem to be waiting for that perfect time. That time that just doesn’t seem to happen for whatever reason. I need to quit putting it off and get stuff done!

How about you? How are you doing with your goals this month?

Continue reading »]]> We live in a world driven by technology, a society inundated with new toys on a daily basis. I look out at all the changes and wonder where I stand. I want to be an author, to see my novel on a shelf in the bookstore (or at least on Amazon), but with the ebook and self-publishing revolutions, how do I stand out? As a mother, I see my husband and my children drawn to TV and video games (myself to, in some cases), but whatever happened to spending time together as a family—quality time?

What happened to relationships?

In today’s world, relationships seem to be a dying breed, but they are more important to our well-being than we realize. A person cannot live a fruitful, full-filling life without them. Granted, some of us need more than others, but the fact still remains that we need that bond for everything from personal fulfillment to business.

Of course, the most important relationship we can have is with God and His son, Jesus Christ. Realizing that we are imperfect, and that we need a Savior, is an important step, but that’s not where the relationship ends. God desires a close, personal relationship with us. We need that relationship to sustain us in a fallen world. Through prayer, Bible study, and just sitting in the quiet, God communes with us, and our cups are filled.

Ideas for building this relationship:

1. Resolve to spend 10 minutes in the morning and at night with the Lord.

2. Read the Bible with purpose.

3. Pray continuously throughout the day. When you would normally count to 10, say a prayer instead!

Family is the second most important relationships we need. I’m not talking just blood here. Family is that close-knit relationship that loves through the wrongs, bears with the pains, and survives no matter what. Close friends, church families, blood relatives—it doesn’t matter. We have to take the time to cultivate these relationships. If God sustains us, family fortifies us.

Ideas for building this relationship:

1. Take the time to write someone a real letter or send them a card for no reason at all.

2. Schedule at least one day a month to enjoy a meal with nearby family members.

3. Trust begets trust, sharing with others will help them to share with you!

You would think in the world of business, things would be different—but they’re not. In business, the latest hot button topic is “networking.” How do you get your name out there? Well, you know, there are hundreds of people doing the same thing you’re doing. As a writer and editor in the digital age, I’m just a name. Why would an agent/editor/reader care to pick up my book, or a writer enlist my services? What makes me stand out from everyone else? It’s all about relationships—it’s not about what they can do for me, it’s about what I can do for them. Personal interaction, favors, going the extra mile, making each person feel just a little more special each time they talk to you, that’s what keeps them coming back.

Ideas for building this relationship:

1. Excellent customer service is key–go the extra mile whenever you can.

2. Start a Christmas list–send cards to customers/colleagues that you have engaged with on a regular basis.

3. Sharing gets the word out! If you have colleagues that you can brag about–do! If you’re spreading the word about them, they may spread the word about you!

It seems the more access we have to each other, the weaker relationships become. We need to make that conscious effort to build those relationships just a little more each day. A personal note to a friend or colleague. A call “just to chat” with a family member, or standing at the fence to exchange pleasantries with a neighbor.

Relationships matter.

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As a writer, I often have to reflect on the goal, motivation, and conflict (GMC) of my main characters. These are the things that drive the characters in the story, give them direction, and affect how they act and react.

These character concepts can be compared to real life. To discover how, we must first understand what GMC is (especially those of you who may not be writers).

CHARACTER GMC:

Goal: What is the character’s goal in the story (and there can be more than one)? In the TV show, Smallville, Clark’s goal was to keep his abilities a secret while protecting those he loves. In the movie, She’s the Man, Viola’s goal is to prove that she can play soccer as good as the boys.

Motivation: This is what keeps the character going. It’s why their goal is so important to them. It affects the choices they make, and their reactions to conflicts. 

In Daughter of Light by Morgan Busse, the main character’s motivation for hiding her abilities is that she fears the same humiliation she faced in her hometown, not to mention that her abilities are pretty scary. Her fear keeps her from touching people as much as she can.

In the Disney favorite, Enchanted, Giselle wants to get back to her realm because she wants to marry the prince. While she’s looking for happily ever after, she can’t help but get involved with other people to help them find their happy ending as well, whether it is the soon-to-be-divorced couple at Robert’s law firm, or the somewhat superficial relationship between Robert and Nancy.

Conflict: With every goal, no matter the motivation, comes conflict. After all, it couldn’t really be a goal if it were easily achievable. Conflicts are big and small and can come from outside forces. Sometimes our worst enemy is ourselves. 

In Lord of the Rings, Frodo faces everything from weather, orcs, lava, Golem, and not to mention his own inner strength (or lack thereof at times).

Pretty easy to understand, right? (Not necessarily so easy to apply in a story!) In real life, we are the same way. We make our goals, search for motivation, and face conflict. And just like the characters in a story, the GMC gives us direction and affects the way we act/react.

REAL LIFE GMC:

Goal: We discover a problem in our lives, and we resolve to change it. That change is the goal. Sometimes they’re life-changing, other times they are simply adjustments to habits already in place.

Motivation: One important step to true, lasting change is realizing our motivation. Why is this goal important? What will it change? How is it for the better? The more personal the motivation, the more we will do what is necessary to enforce the changes.

Conflict: No matter the goal and the motivation, life happens. Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight has heard the deafening call for “just one more.” The more we can anticipate these conflicts, the better we can prepare ourselves. Of course, we can’t see the future, but we know ourselves and our lives well enough to brainstorm at least a few.

As an example…

I am a mama with 3 young children. It is my GOAL to homeschool them for as long as God sees fit (hopefully, all the way through high school!). One of my MOTIVATIONS to homeschool is that I want to instill a love of learning and develop independent learners that I think the public school system can’t provide (there are other reasons, but that’s another post). Some of the CONFLICTS I face lie in finances, time management, and health.

Take some time this week to jot down some ideas for the GMCs in your life. What goals do you have for yourself? What are your motivations and the conflicts that you might face? Feel free to share with us!

Next Monday, I’ll be sharing how to write your SMART goals based on your GMC.

Continue reading »]]> I hear it all the time. “How do you do it all?” “Don’t you ever get tired?” “You know, you could make things easier for yourself if…” Truth is, I don’t do it all, I get tired all the time, and, yes, I could make my life easier (in some ways), but life isn’t supposed to be easy.

Truth is, there are times I’ve pretty much given up. There are times I haven’t only thrown in the towel, but burned it as well.

But I still keep truckin’ on, doing what God called me to do.

Yes, I’m a wife to a disabled veteran.

Yes, I’m a mother to three kids, 7 and under, which I homeschool.

Yes, I participate in church, community, and homeschool activities (not a lot, but some).

Yes, I am taking classes.

Yes, I am growing an editing and writing career.

And yes, the authorities have not declared my home unlivable…yet.

I am no superwoman, I do not possess any magical powers, and I definitely do not keep it all together all the time.

There is only one reason I do not crumple under the weight of so many hats.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13 NKJV)

Yes, it is a familiar verse that we are beat over the head with from the time we are fledgling Christians. I think, too often, we become so used to hearing it that it loses all meaning. But there is little in the Bible more important for us to understand.

Life is hard. We are fighting an uphill battle. Bad things happen.

But we have nothing to fear–we can handle anything that comes our way. Anything.  A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G. We can handle anything as long as we trust in Christ. He is our salvation. It is through him that we are imbued with the Holy Spirit–a constant guide. It is through him that we are given the gift of prayer, of an open connection between us and the Creator of Heaven and Earth. It is through him that we are given purpose, strength, and reinforcement.

When we pray, our cup overflows. When we breathe in God’s word, we find an oasis. When we settle in the peace and joy that comes with such a precious relationship, we find the strength for the next day, the next hour, the next minute.

I can do ALL THING through Christ who strengthens me.

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I am one of those people who needs support to change. I have very little will power, but a lot of hope. It leads to a lot of disappointment and frustration on my part. I want to change. I want better health, better habits, better family life…but why can’t I seem to change?

Part of it is because I don’t have much of a support system. My husband is supportive, but forgetful and often just as little will power as I have. We say we’re not going to eat out for a month, the next day I don’t feel well and can’t make lunch, he goes to Sonic. We just don’t always make good partners for change.

But it’s not about him, or anyone else for that matter.

It’s about me and the most important supporter I have–God. How often do I rely on Him in the short term, but not in the long term and not in those crucial moments of weakness. The most important thing for me to fix is my relationship with Him. How can I expect to accomplish anything outside His strength?

These thoughts lead me to my May SMART goals…

1. Read my Bible for at least 30 minutes every day. I’m just going to start with the Gospel of John and read through the New Testament, see how far I get. The best time for me to do this is first thing in the morning. I usually get up at 5:30 in the morning (or that’s the plan), so spending 30 mins. there would be most efficient. I think I’ve avoided this because I feel like I’m being cheated out of 30 mins. of writing time. But how much more efficient, how much more inspired, would that time be if I started it with God?

2. Continue my Prayer trek. My word for 2013 is prayer, and I’ve been studying up on it, but not with as much vigor as I should be. Prayer cultivates a relationship with God. Prayer focuses our attention where it should be. Prayer is key. I haven’t figured out quite how to track this one. I’m thinking, I know I’ll be praying each time I read the Bible and before I go to bed, so maybe I’ll just put a check mark on the calendar when I do. But having to report here will also help keep me accountable.

3. Create a menu plans–and stick with it! I’ve done the whole menu planning thing the last 2 or 3 months, which is great, right? But you know what works even better? FOLLOWING THROUGH! Yes, another pitfall of mine. So, my goal is to plan out the menu about 2 weeks in advance, but in a flexible way. I may schedule a meal one day that would take too much time or work than I feel like doing that particular day, but I shouldn’t feel guilty about switching up days with something similar so that I can stay on the menu plan.

I think these goals might be a stretch for me, but if I can stay on track, I will be developing some great habits. What about you? What are your goals for May? Let’s keep each other accountable!

Oh, and before I forget, I’m also over at NAF today asking about what you wish your superpower was. Come join the discussion!

Continue reading »]]> I can’t believe how this week flew by! This has been an interesting week to say the least. I’m glad the weekend is almost here, though. I’m ready for an entire day of revising my own novel, as well as editing one for a friend. The weather has been absolutely beautiful–all is right with the world. Or at least with my home.

Continue reading »]]> This week, I’d like to welcome Laura V. Hilton. Laura is sharing part of the first chapter of her latest release, Surrendered Love, an Amish romance. Stay tuned at the end for giveaway details!

The police officer sorting though the Gala apples reminded Janna Kauffman of Hiram Troyer, but this Englischer  couldn’t be her teenage crush. With a sigh, she focused at the display in front of her. Cabbage. She picked up a head. Homemade coleslaw sounded good to go with the hamburgers and baked beans she planned for supper. She put the cabbage in the cart, but couldn’t keep from glancing at the gut-looking officer again. Dark blond hair, cut in a fancy hairstyle, a trim build…Ach, she shouldn’t be noticing things like that about an Englischer.

Janna looked away but not before he glanced at her. She did a double take. She thought his eyes were blue, like Hiram’s, but she didn’t get a good view before he turned his back and walked away. Probably headed for the doughnuts. She smiled and turned her attention to her shopping list. Ten five-pound bags of carrots…

When she put the carrots in her cart, the hair on the back of her neck tingled as if someone were watching her. She turned, and caught the policeman’s glance just before it slid away. A thrill shot through her, that an Englischer might be attracted to her, an Amish woman, but she stifled it. His interest was a moot point. Of course, he might have just been curious about why she’d loaded so many carrots into the shopping cart.

He disappeared around the corner of an aisle. She turned her attention back to her list. A bag of oranges for Emma Brunstettler. Emma believed an orange a day kept sickness away. It seemed to work for her. Janna selected ten ripe ones and put them in Emma’s mesh bag. The hair on the back of her neck rose again along with her pulse. Her breath hitched.

She wouldn’t look. Instead, she turned to put the oranges in the cart, but missed the edge, and they went rolling all over the floor.

“Klutz.” A woman carrying a hand basket stepped over them and hurried away.

As Janna bent to pick up the first of the escaped fruit, she noticed a man wearing blue pants approaching. She hoped it wasn’t the store manager coming to yell at her. Or even worse, it might be the police officer witnessing her klutzy humiliation. She didn’t know which would be worse. She dared a glance up as he crouched and helped her pick up the oranges. The police officer. He grinned as he handed her the ones he’d collected. She stretched out a shaking hand for the fruit while trying to keep her burning face averted as she stuffed the fruit back into the bag.

His smile would have made her weak in the knees, if she weren’t already squatting. Even so, she put one hand on the floor to keep her balance. He stood, picked up his few grocery items from the edge of a display, and turned to go.

She found her voice. “Danki.”

He glanced back at her and winked. “Careful with those oranges. They’ll get you every time.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura is an award winning author, a pastor’s wife, married over twenty-five years and has five children. She homeschools, writes book reviews and books, Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another.

Continue reading »]]> What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

A few weeks ago, the director of our homeschool co-op asked if I could teach a class on creative writing for the fall semester. A few days later, another lady from the co-op suggested that, since I’m the editor for our newsletter, I could offer a class on putting the newsletter together next semester.

Me? A teacher? Of other people’s kids? (What were they thinking?)

My hands got clammy. I struggled to smile. Surely I’m not capable enough with journalism and writing to teach a class. I mean, who would want to listen to me? Except for a couple of articles, I’m not even published yet! I’m definitely no expert. Not to mention how would anyone understand me with my raspy voice and slight lisp?

Isn’t that just typical of us? Fear, self-doubt, anxiousness–those feelings have a way of worming their way into our minds. They destroy our plans, our goals, and our dreams. They leave us curled up in the corner of a dark room, eating our hair, and wishing we had the strength to put ourselves out there.

The devil really does know where to strike.

But what are we afraid of?

Disapproval?

Failure?

Being alone?

Being different?

Why do those things matter?

We were made for something more. We were made for a purpose. When will we break the self-imposed shackles that hold us back? When will we embrace our God-given talents and use them for the betterment of ourselves and those around us?

Why are we standing around, arms hugging our body, avoiding eye contact?

Life is about living, growing, and seeking out God in everything we say and do.

Is it living if we’re boarded up in our own little worlds?

This is something I struggle with often. One of my biggest fears is failure. I’ve put so much time and effort, not to mention money, into both my career choice (writer/editor) and homeschooling–what if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if everything I’ve done is for nothing?

Well, of course I know it’s not for nothing. Even if my goals are not fully accomplished, something will come of it. Only God knows. I’m still not sure how I would react if I couldn’t cut it as a writer/editor and had to put my kids in public schools.

Even more than failure, though, I fear being alone. I fear being alone so much at times, that I purposely push people away so that I don’t get too close and then end up alone.

What could I do if I wasn’t afraid?

What if I knew that failure was possible, that being alone was probably, but pushed off those fears and just went for “it”?

I could move mountains. I could affect change. I could maybe, just possibly, make a difference in the life of one person.

You know, maybe I’ll take a chance with those classes next semester.

What could you do if you weren’t afraid?