An Open Letter to Winter
Winter;
No, I’m not even going to open this letter by calling you “dear”. Because you are not dear. Not by the end of March.
You’re hanging on too long. You need to learn how to let go. Land the plane, Winter.
You, my not-friend, are like a novel that I just wish would end. You started out okay with Christmas. Gave us a drama filled middle with all the arctic blasts and snow days. But then, you gave us way too many false endings. Too many unfulfilled teasers.
The problem? At this point, with a novel, I can skim to the end. Or donate the stinking thing to the library.
It’s time to wrap it up. Take your gloomy skies and frigid air (they weren’t likable characters, anyway). Give us a little resolution with the return of warmth and sunshine (they really should have been given larger parts).
Nobody’s impressed by how you’re going on and on, here. So. Just end it.
Love Sincerely
Susie…And most everybody else.
What about you? Are you sick of winter? Ready to get on with Spring? Ever read a novel that just would NOT END?
Life Trumps Blog
I fully intended to write a blog post last night.
But, instead, I sat on the couch with my hubby.
I planned to write one this morning.
But my in-laws are visiting from a couple thousand miles away. We sat at the table and worked puzzles with the kids. Then had lunch.
This afternoon seemed a good time.
But I collected documents and dropped them off at the school my kids will attend this fall.
Then, I got home. And emailed a few friends, a few editors, gave my kids some carrots.
And this. This post is short.
Because I need to work on my novel. Make dinner. Find the bottom of my sink.
Life trumps blog. Every time.
Do you ever have to put off a task so that you are able to live life? What are you glad to “back-burner” for the sake life?
Novel Matters
Today, I am so excited to be featured on the blog of 6 of my mentors. The ladies at Novel Matters have taught me so much about writing and life and family…I truly cannot thank them enough for it all.
I hope you’ll head on over to Novel Matters and read the interview (click HERE). Then, wander around the archives of their blog. They’ve got some really great posts. If you’re a writer, you need to hang out at Novel Matters. These ladies are skilled writer gardeners. They will water you with their wisdom and cheer you on as you grow.
Tool Belt of a Stressed Writer/Mama/Marketer
I’m just going to be real honest here today. I’m stressed out.
Big. Time.
I’m writing my second novel. I love the process, the words, the characters, the story. But even great jobs are stressful.
I’m 6 months into my first (and last) year home schooling. I love my kids. I wouldn’t trade them for all of Scrooge McDuck’s gold coins. But sometimes it’s stressful.
I’m marketing Paint Chips (pre-order the paperback! It’s only $10.11 on Barnes and Noble right now!!!). Marketing is VERY stressful.
I know. I know. We all have stress. And it’s all about how we deal with it, right?
Well, I have a De-Stress Tool Box. It’s full of different things this writer/mama/marketer uses to ease the stress. You wanna see what’s in it?
*GOOD MUSIC: Nothing sets my mood quite like music. When I’m stressed, Nirvana isn’t going to help. When I’m stressed, I need something soothing. Last week, I downloaded Ryan Apple’s album “Go”. It’s all beautiful classical guitar. It’s so good for unwinding my high-strung self. AND I know that what I paid for the music is doing good in the world. Ryan is giving away all the money he makes on this album to support G.O. Ministries, a mission in the Dominican Republic and Haiti (it happens to be the organization I did my internship with).
Give Ryan’s music a listen. Download it. You will LOVE it.
*EXERCISE: My daughter and I spend 15-30 minutes doing our little workout. I do squats while holding my boys (one at a time…I’m not Andre the Giant). Dance with all three of them. Get myself moving. It really works the nervous energy away. Even a few minutes throughout the day helps me!
*SUPPORT: I have good friends. Great family. A SUPERB hubby. They let me talk. That sure takes the burden off a bit.
*PRAYER: Yesterday, I was in the middle of writing a tough scene in my novel in progress. I asked God to help me through it. The prayer wasn’t an effort to get him to make the writing easy. It wasn’t to say, “Hey! Remember me? I’m right here!”. No. The prayer was a way to be reminded that I’m doing this for His glory. I relaxed, knowing that my writing/mama-duties/marketing is for Him.
So, tell me. What helps you de-stress? I’m always open to new suggestions!
In The Water
CONGRATULATIONS to my three lovely necklace winners! Wendy V, Aubrey M, and Kelley L! I’ll be in touch to get addresses and what letter you’d like on your necklace!
There’s just something about water. How it refreshes. That first touch of the lake on your toes after a long winter. The way a hot shower feels after a stressful day.
Something about water has the power to inspire.
This weekend, at my church, I had the blessing to witness four baptisms. They climbed into the mini-pool like baptismal as a lady read the testimony they’d written ahead of them. Then, after a few words from Jeff Manion (our teaching pastor), they were lowered into the water and brought back up. New.
This is the power of water.
I was moved by the stories of restored faith. Of redemption. Of excitement. Their baptisms brought tears to my eyes because they reminded me of my own. And they reminded me of the grace we have been freely given.
But then, something different happened. Someone else got in the water.
I don’t remember her name. But I do remember how scared she looked when she walked on that stage. And I remember a few words from her testimony…
“Mental Illness.”
“Alone.”
“I feel like I belong.”
She struggled to climb up the steps and over the edge of the baptismal. When she got in the water, she sat on the built in seat and trained her eyes away from the congregation.
Jeff Manion took her hand. And looked right into her eyes.
“We love you…we’re so glad you’re part of us…”
I wept. Right there in my seat. I’m crying now, at home in front of my computer.
Because she was alone. Now she’s loved. She’s part of us. Not because of her decision to be baptized. Not because Jeff Manion said so.
But because Jesus. Because Jesus.
Jeff lowered her into the water. He lifted her back out. She climbed awkwardly back out of the tub.
She was different.
Not because of the water. Or the words. But because Jesus.
She inspires me.
Because of her courage.
You see, I believe that the change in her began before she every stepped on that stage. Before her testimony was read. Before she stuck her toe in that baptismal.
The change happened the minute she decided to get in the water.
Tell me. What has inspired you lately? It can be anything. Let’s encourage each other with inspiration we’ve allowed to warm our hearts and minds. I love to hear from each of you!
Ask Susie – What Writers’ Spouses Must Know
Hey, howdy! Make sure you watch the video to find out how to enter to win a cool necklace (it’s customizable!!!)! Have a great weekend!
Beauty
I’ve messed up. Many, many times.
I suspect that you have, too. At least once.
Sometimes, when I think about what I’ve done, said, thought, felt,
I begin to think of myself as unworthy.
That I don’t deserve good.
That I don’t deserve happy.
That I don’t deserve beauty.
Some might say that’s the depravity of flesh.
The inability to do a good thing.
An acute case of unrighteousness.
I wonder, though, how the image of God fits in that depraved flesh.
Because I know I’m fearfully and wonderfully made,
I know that I’m not a lost cause. Neither are you.
I get a gift. And it’s free.
No strings.
Just grace and love and more chances.
I don’t deserve beauty. Maybe not.
But I get it.
He’s just good like that.
Never Again
Never again.
Have you said those words? Thought them? Hoped them?
Never again. I won’t let that happen again.
Won’t allow that person into my life.
Can’t let myself dwell on it.
Never again.
And have you turned from that person/place/thing that you promised would never again be? Have you let yourself forget it/him/her?
Stuffed down the memories/emotions/pain.
Then, one day, the barrier you think you’ve built up…well…it fails. And it all rushes at you.
Has that ever happened to you?
And, in that moment, you almost give in. Let that memory or pain or person destroy your joy. Stomp it. Twisting its foot to grind your joy into the cement like a cigarette butt. To extinguish it.
But then you remember. That one thing. The most important thing.
My grace is sufficient for you.
In your weakness, my power is made complete.
Toss this pain to Me. I’ll carry it for you.
You remember that God sees you.
That one thing. That most important thing is God.
You remember that He loves you.
That He isn’t insulted by your doubt.
Or faithlessness.
Or your inability to call out to Him.
You remember that, even in the pain. The fear. The weakness.
He IS.
And you know that it might not make sense. Why did that person/place/thing come back? Why now? Why didn’t God stop it the first time? Why do you feel He is so far off now?
You know that the answers aren’t easy.
But that never again will you be alone.
Never again will you be without hope.
Never again will you be unloved.
And that when our never again’s meet HIS never again’s. We are healed.
Ask Susie: Naming Characters
Don’t miss last week’s “Ask Susie” about finding time to write. Click HERE to watch it!
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