See You in September!

With the exception of posting on the MBT Ponderers blog on August 6th, I'm taking an online/social networking/blogging break for the month of August. I'm taking that time to renew my weary spirit and to write the rough draft of my next novel that I'd like to pitch at the ACFW Conference.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the MBT Ponderers blog for the newest contest and writing-related posts.

See you in September.

Writing to Music

Photo courtesy of www.istockphoto.com

Our boys have a musical ability that does not come from their parents. Our oldest son sings, plays trumpet, tuba, and plans to learn the piano. Our younger son sings in the a cappella choir and an elite choir at school where students are chosen based on their auditions. Hubby has a pleasant voice, but he’s tone deaf due to pneumonia as a teenager. I, on the other hand, make a joyful noise. No kidding. I love to sing. I just don’t do it well.

I love music. Different styles--everything from children's songs (some of my favorite) to classical. Well, rap and twangy country aren’t high on my list. I grew up listening to twangy country such as Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. 

When my friend Keli Gwyn interviewed me for her Romance Writers for the Journey blog, she asked what five items I had at my fingertips when I'm writing. One of the five items was my earbuds. I need music to write. My iTunes writing music playlist showcases such artists as Norah Jones, Rod Stewart, Jeremy Camp, Todd Agnew, Secondhand Serenade, Emmy Rossum, and even a little Lady Gaga tossed into the mix.

Sitting in the living room while the rest of my family watches TV or plays on the Xbox, I can put in my earbuds and drown out the rest of the world to focus on my writing.

Music creates a mood—not only for me, but also for my characters. Different types of scenes need different styles of music. While writing a break-up scene in my last novel, I listened to a lot of Secondhand Seranade. The mellow, heart-yearning sound helped me to capture the emotions of my characters. Also, listening to the same music my characters enjoy helps me to dig deeper into their POVs.

Music stimulates my creativity and provides inspiration when I’m struggling with a plot point or a scene. Lyrics can trigger ideas and take my story in an unexpected direction.

Music draws me closer to God and reminds me to keep my focus on Him as I write each scene. 

Even if you need solitude to write, consider listening to different styles of music to stimulate your creativity. You may be surprised where the notes lead you. 

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." ~Author Unknown

Share Your Thoughts: Do you listen to music while you write? Why? What type of music?

Head over to the MBT Ponderers blog and read what Ponderer Ginger Takamiya says about procrastination being an action verb. 

Roommates for a Weekend; Possible Friends for Life

I'm posting as part of the ACFW Conference Blog Tour. To read other posts regarding the ACFW Conference, visit the blog. 

 ~*~

We’ve heard them—the horrible roommate stories. Thankfully, I don’t have any stories to share. I’ve been blessed with having terrific roommates, who were friends, or who have become friends.

I attended my first ACFW Conference in 2005. I walked into that gorgeous hotel in Nashville and didn’t know a soul, except for the friends I made online through my critique group and forum discussions.

One person I was excited to meet was my roommate, Kathleen Atwell. We had yet to meet in person. I had responded to her roommate request, and we connected through e-mail. By the time I hugged her in person, I felt like I had known her for years instead of months. We roomed together the following year, too, and now she is a friend for life.

Attending conferences is expensive. One way to shave expenses is to share a room. If you are a private person who needs personal space to unwind, snore, or need to get up several times during the night, budget for a private room. However, if you don’t mind sharing a room and saving money, consider a roommate.

If you’re new to the ACFW conference and haven’t met any members in person, visit the forum and put a request for a roommate. Once you and another member agree to room together, spend time getting to know one another via e-mail or phone conversations. Decide who is going to reserve the room. Make sure payment arrangements are worked out in advance. Most hotels will bill roommates separately.

Before you agree to room together, consider discussing important issues to make sure you’re compatible:

• Sleeping patterns—early bird or night owl
• Entertaining friends in your room
• Need for alone time
• TV/radio preferences
• Shower times
• Wake-up calls
• Room temperatures
• Together time at conference
• Smoking vs. non-smoking room
• Allergies

Once you decide to room together, consider these suggestions to maintain a good roommate relationship: 

• Not required, but I bring my roommate a small gift, usually something handmade or from my area of the country.
• If your roommate is an early bird or light sleeper, don’t entertain friends in your room without her permission. If returning to the room after she is asleep, be as quiet as possible.
• If you do snore, bring earplugs for your roommate, or let her know in advance so she can pack her own.
• Keep your clothes picked up, and don’t leave your toiletries and makeup scattered all over the bathroom counter. Share your space. Respect personal boundaries.
• Consider packing warmer pajamas if your roommate needs a cooler sleeping environment. 
• Limit TV time and be aware of your roommate’s preferences to how much television is watched while in the room together. Ask your roommate what makes her uncomfortable. Be flexible and willing to compromise to avoid offending her.
• Consider sharing a meal together, but don’t monopolize her time. Don’t expect to be best friends. Respect each other’s obligations.
• Pray for each other, especially before those nerve-wracking editor/agent appointments.
• Be cognizant of your roommate’s need for down time. Respect her privacy.
• Have a positive attitude and show plenty of grace.

The ACFW Conference thrums with excitement, energy, and anticipation. You’re greeting old friends, making new ones, honing your craft, and revitalizing your faith. Roommates are terrific allies. Willingness to compromise and respecting each other’s boundaries is one less stressful thing you will need to worry about. Focus on the positive. You never know what relationships you may be forging.

Share Your Thoughts: Are you attending the ACFW Conference? Are you rooming with anyone? Have you met the person? What are your expectations? 

Cultivating Spiritual Growth

Image courtesy of www.photobucket.com

My brother and sister share a trait that skipped over me in the family line. They have the Midas touch when it comes to houseplants. Unfortunately they are related to a botanical felon. I'm a plant killer, you see. If the botanical police were real, I'd be doing time. Possibly even a life sentence.

I received a plant for my birthday in March. I tried to remember to water it. As I prepared breakfast this morning, I realized another leaf had dropped. Sigh.

If it weren't for my green-thumbed hubby, our flower beds would be nothing but attention-starved, weed-infested beds of dirt. Every spring he invests time and money to create lovely beds. In fact, one year our neighbor asked if our flowers were plastic because he had never seen blooms so huge for that particular plant. Hubby shared his secret ingredient to growing vibrant annuals.

Ironically enough, I have a nurturing spirit. But I guess if it doesn't cry, whine, or make its needs known, I tend to forget about it.

The same can be said for our spiritual growth. When we take our eyes off God, a part of us withers and dies. He is our life source. His Sonshine and Living Water quench our thirst and help us to grow in a dry, thirsty world. God's spiritual feeding comes in the form of prayer, daily Bible reading, and gathering together in His name.

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32: 1-4 NIV

Share Your Thoughts: Do you have seasons when you feel your faith wilting? How do you cultivate your spiritual growth? 

Inner Tranquility

While doing my morning devotions the other day, I came across the following sentence, "Even in the worst of times, we have inner tranquility because God is in control." ~Albert Lee, Our Daily Bread, 7/20/2010

When things aren't going the way I want or plan, I tend to internalize the anxiety and fixate on my problems. What good does holding onto my troubles serve? Is it the fear of the unknown, fear of what's to come, or fear that I won't be able to handle it? I serve a mighty God who is faithful, even when I'm not. When I have inner tranquility, I'm releasing control of my problems and giving them to God. Releasing my internal anxiety allows me to have that inner tranquility because God gives me what I don't deserve, but He does it because He loves me.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Epiphany

I've been struggling with my current novel. Several times I've stopped working on it to focus on something else, but the pesky characters just wouldn't hush inside my head, so I'd pull up the story again. This has been going on for several months. In fact, I could've had the dang thing written by now.

I know what the story needs--more tension. I really struggled with figuring out how to add the tension in a believable way. 

Saturday evening I walked through my kitchen to go to my bedroom for a minute. As soon as my hand touched the doorknob to my bedroom, I had an epiphany--a sudden revelation--about my novel. I did a little mental brainstorming asking questions of my characters when I realized I had a completely revised story line with a lot more tension and drama than my previous plot. I have a renewed passion for this novel and wrote over 1000 words in an hour before church yesterday.

Doncha just love those Aha! moments? 

I have been praying about this story, but it seemed like my prayers grazed the tree limbs and settled there. I'm not the most patient person, but I believe in a Most Patient God. He answers prayers in His own time, according to His will. Yeah, that's hard for me at times because I'm like a toddler at times--I want it now.

I've learned a few things about myself during this process:

1. I'm a terrific whiner. Okay, so that may not be the most positive trait, but I'm trying to be transparent here...work with me.

2. I believe in my characters. They have a story to tell. Someone, somewhere may be able to relate to my characters' situation and be blessed with hope. If a reader is drawn closer to God through one of my stories, I'll consider that story a success. 

3. It's hard for me to give up. Perseverance is a necessary trait in the writing industry. If I had given up at the first sign of struggle, then how could I handle the really tough stuff that comes my way.

4. Most importantly, I knew this epiphany came from God. My prayers have soared higher than the treetops. I know He answers prayers. I just need to be more patient and wait on His timing. 

Why do I feel this was a complete God-thing? I have peace about this story line. In the small amount of research I've done, I've had questions answered quickly. The words are flowing from my finger tips. If I hadn't stopped to get ready for church yesterday, I could've written several thousand words. I'm not saying they'd be great words, but rough drafts don't have to be great--they just have to be written.

Share Your Thoughts: Have you struggled with a plot issue? How did you get over it? What epiphanies have you had for your stories?

Stop by the MBT Ponderers blog and read how Ponderer Amy Lindberg parallels writing and running marathons. Be sure to check out the MBT Ponderers contest. 

Blessed Be the List Makers For They Shall Organize the Earth

My name is Lisa and I'm a list maker. I've been making lists for as long as I can remember. One Post-it pad created a craving for another one--this time in a different color, shape, or size. Now I can't pass an Office Max, or even the office supplies aisle at Walmart without taking a peek. I breathe in the scent of paper, finger the textured grips on the pens, and try oh so hard to defy temptation.

I make lists for everything from my daily to-do list, grocery list, prayer list, and even listing craft projects I need to finish. Sticky notes line the edge of my computer and the board on my desk. I keep a small Post-it pad in my Bible case, my purse, and in almost every room of the house. 

I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but lately, I feel like I've been the reigning Queen of Digression in the land of Tangents and Bunny Trails. 

When Laura Numeroff wrote the If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Pig a Pancake books, I think she must've known there are adults out there who have attention spans like the moose, the mouse, and the pig and could relate to the stories. 

For example, I made a to-do list yesterday with five things of high priority on them. I came home from church and wanted to sit for a few minutes to check emails before diving into my to-do list. Well, one email led me to a website on digital scrapbooking--my latest creative endeavor. And then, I received a TweetDeck update where a writing friend posted about The Brainstormer app for iPhone. Naturally I was curious and decided to check that out. This happened all afternoon. By bedtime, I had completed one task on my to-do list. Regardless of the list, I had a productive day and checked off things on my mental list. After all, there's always today to finish those tasks. 

Blessed are the list makers for they shall organize the earth. 

Photo credits: www.istock.com

Head over to the new MBT Ponderers blog and read Jenness Walker's post about Creativity and the Soul. Leave a comment for a chance to win a fun prize basket filled with autographed books, chocolates, and Starbucks gift cards. 

Share Your Thoughts: Are you a list maker? Paper or electronic organizer? Do they help you stay organized, or do they add stress to your life when your list isn't complete? How do you stay focused and productive? 

Created For Dreams

Knitting has been on my to-do list for years. Having learned to crochet at a very young age, I really struggled with handling two knitting needles versus one crochet hook. Finally, last November, I grabbed needles and a ball of yarn, watched online knitting tutorials, pulled out stitches, and tried again until I completed a basic garter stitch scarf. 

Multi-published and award-winning author Debbie Macomber presented the keynote addresses at the 2009 ACFW writers conference in Denver, CO. Many of Debbie’s bookshave permanent places on my keeper shelf, but I appreciate another talent Debbie shares with her readers on her site and in her novels—her passion for knitting.


I'm blogging today at The MBT Ponderers. To read the rest of Created For Dreams, visit our new blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a chance a wonderful prize basket filled with books, Starbucks gift cards, and chocolates. 

Be Still

I have a confession to make--I am not a patient person. 

Those who really know me are scoffing and muttering, "No kidding." But, I'm learning to wait--to wait for small children to do things for themselves even though it's much easier and faster for me to do it, to wait on finances to become available for major household projects, to wait for my boys to become self-motivated to get decent educations, to wait for the next step in my writing career. 

Right now, I'm waiting for a yes or a no. Small one-word answer that will change my life. My manuscript is on an editor's desk or in her e-mail inbox, waiting to be read and a response given. 

The waiting is hard. Every time the phone rings, I wonder if it's Rachelle with news. Nope, so far, she hasn't called...but she will call...someday.

Yesterday, during worship service, we sang I Love You, Lord. Following the song, our pastor prayed and asked that not only our voices be lifted up, but also, our hearts. As I sang, and then listened to his words, I felt wrapped in God's peace. 


I write to honor God and to touch hearts through my characters and their situations. In my head, I substituted and I lift my voice with and I lift my words. At that moment, I felt God telling me to surrender the antsy feeling, the wondering, the nerves jumping every time the phone rings, and to just be patient. 

A scripture from Psalm 46:10a NIV has been kicking around in my head for the past week or so: 

"Be still, and know that I am God." 

Be still. Wow, that's a tough request for this multi-tasker. Oh, and have I mentioned I'm not the most patient person? But, I'm learning. 

I need to be still and know He is God. Everything works out according to His timetable. No surprises are in store for Him. 

No matter what we may be going through, whether it's waiting on an editor's response, a healing miracle for a loved one, finances to pay the bills, or even a job to earn money for those piling bills, we need to keep our faith and trust in God because He does know what's best for us. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. 


Share your thoughts: What's going on in your life that has you waiting, wondering? How are you dealing with it? 


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.

The Ponderers are here!

Sometimes you meet people with whom you connect immediately. Eighteen of us connected at the My Book Therapy retreats, becoming fast friends who pray, encourage, and support one another. We decided to branch out into the blogging world.

Visit our new blog, The MBT Ponderers, and see what we're all about. Leave a pondering comment and win a chance at a terrific prize basket! You can follow us on Twitter, too: http://twitter.com/MBTPonderers