Awww, I have lovely friends

My sweet friends Tonya and Jan both nominated me for the “Nice Matters Award.” They’re both my “in person” friends as opposed to my online friends. Actually they’re my Starbucks buddies.

“This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

Hmm, send it to seven other wonderful bloggers. My nominees are:

Jenny: I met Jenny at the 2005 ACFW Conference. We bonded over socks at Wal-Mart. The rest is history.

Darcie: Darcie’s a new friend from the CCWC. I was immediately attracted to her sweet, loving spirit.

Marion: My pal Marion is one of my true blue crit partners. The kind you can’t live without.

Kay: Kay is a writer after God’s heart. She’s so transparent in her faith.

Michelle: Michelle is a sweet follower of Jesus. She also throws an awesome chocolate party.

Rachel: I met Rachel at an ACFW conference too. She has an amazing way of ushering you into the presence of Jesus when she leads worship.

Marilynn: Marilynn makes you feel welcome whenever you’re with her. And her books delight the senses.

Check out my nominees' blogs. They're all delightful women of God.

Play along!

I apologize for not letting all you playful folks know where to go to Simpsonize yourselves. Here's the address: http://simpsonizeme.com/.

Now, I expect to see your simpsonized versions on your blog. :)

Thanks to Angie Hunt for this fun game.

I Simpsonized me!

So, here I am--trying to be a good writer and finish the chapter I'm working on. Unfortunately, my attention span is lacking so I did the only thing one would do in my situation. I surfed the web and found a program that will take an image of me and translate it to a character who would live in the land of the Simpson's, in Springfield. Isn't this a riot? I think I look cool enough to pass for a neighbor of Marge and Homer's.

Rock-Solid Writing at the Castle Rock Writers Conference

Yesterday I was on faculty for the 1st Castle Rock Writers Conference. Kudos to Alice Aldridge-Dennis, conference director, for pulling it all together. It’s always wonderful to spend time with other writers.

Also on the faculty were some of my talented friends: Sharen Watson, Kirsten Lasinski and Darlene Franklin. It was a delight to run into Sara Megibow an agent with the Nelson Literary Agency whose blog I enjoy daily. It was also a pleasure to meet Chris Ransick, Denver's Poet Laureate.

If you’re serious about finding success in publishing you need to learn the craft, spend time with other writers and attend conferences for instruction and encouragement. Local conferences are a great way learn and grow as a writer.

I've got a bookmark!

Woo hoo.

My talented friend Tash has created a beautiful bookmark for me. It's 99.9% finished, we just need to insert the Tyndale House logo on the bottom of the front.

A special thanks to Paula Moldenhauer for her wonderful endorsement.

This journey just keeps getting better and better. Thanks for sharing it with me.

PS My website's not up yet. I'll let you know when it goes live.

Be Encouraged

Listen, no one knows better than I how discouragement can creep up on you and squeeze the life out of your dreams. But if the Author of dreams has planted one in your heart, then don't give up because of temporary circumstances. Like they say, "Writers don't fail, they quit."

Today I received two emails in my inbox that each had such a cool quote, I felt that I just had to share them.

This is a quote from Jodi Piccoult, who is one of today's most successful authors:"The writers who succeed are the ones who refuse to buckle under the failures that are heaped upon them; who reject the notion that they aren't as mediocre as industry professionals say they are."

This quote was on a church sign:
"Persevere. Even the snails made it to the ark."

Hang in there, friends.

TEN THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR ME SAY!

Sorry to bore you with another me-me, but Jan tagged me, and it sounded like fun.

1. Please, please let me go to Wal-Mart for you.
2. No, don’t pick up the dog poo from the lawn, I want to do it.
3. I love argumentative people, they stimulate my brain.
4. Can we eat Pennsylvania Dutch food every night? Especially chicken hearts?
5. Read a novel? I’d rather watch the movie.
6. Don’t make me go to the Caribbean and sit on a beach!
7. Tomorrow’s Saturday, let’s set the alarm for 6:00 a.m.
8. Pass the pork.
9. Forget the writing, I’d rather enjoy a two hour lunch and a 90 minute visit to Starbucks. (Sorry, girls. I couldn’t resist)
10. Hang out with writers? Naah. I don’t want to.

The picture is of one of my favorite places to hang out in the summer and my little Jack Russell Terrier, Belle.

Friends

Yeah, I think God’s at work. He brought five strangers together a few months ago and has knit our hearts together. It excites me to think of what may come of our beautiful friendship.

This picture was taken at Jan’s son’s wedding. Heather and Tonya (on the left, were assistant and photographer for the affair), Jan’s in the middle, then Sharen and me.

During the reception, Jan toasted to her son and new daughter-in-law. She wished that they would always dare to dream. How lovely is that?

Beautiful

I am blessed with beautiful, talented, exciting, Godly friends. One of those is Tonya Vander, a photographer/writer who sees God in the tiniest details of our world. The following video is a result of a tea party Tonya photographed. Enjoy.

Castle Rock Writers Conference 2007

Click on a document to enlarge it.

If you're in the area, join us!

Joy

My sweet friend Tanya has tagged me to list 15 things that bring me joy. Here they are, not necessarily in any special order:

1. Laughing with my family.
2. Watching my children lovingly banter back and forth with one another.
3. Talking to my husband’s parents and telling them I love them.
4. The first part of each day that is spent with my Lord in prayer.
5. Dappled sunlight on freshly cut grass.
6. The fragrance of lilacs.
7. Writing a great scene for a novel.
8. Spending time with other writers.
9. Working at my day job with beautiful, strong, creative women.
10. Hanging out with my girlfriends.
11. Praying with my girlfriends.
12. Knowing how well loved I am.
13. Helping a friend.
14. Being a part of something bigger than myself.
15. Getting together for a blizzard party with my marvelous neighbors.