Lines in the Sand

This blog is dedicated to the idea of a refuge. There are as many different types of refuges as there are people and places. Ideas can also be a type of refuge. I, personally, find my values are a refuge. There are certain things I will never do, like cheating, stealing, lying, or murder (although I have come close to that when my dog Toby tears the screen out of the porch for the umpteenth time!) There are other things I TRY not to do, like judging, or hurting people’s feelings by being insensitive, or gossiping (if you can’t say something nice, come sit by me?!). I don’t always do so well, but I try. Being a good person is a challenge, but I find safety in being obedient to the laws of the land as well as to the laws of God. Knowing there are limits on how we behave is important not only for children, but also for adults. Sometimes we stretch those limits. Like I don’t believe in cursing, but when someone cuts me off in traffic, I come real close! Still, my conscience pricks me when I get too near to crossing the line and I’m grateful for that. I can then reflect on how I need to change, how I can do better. That inner communication is as sweet a refuge as my partially-screened porch on a beautiful spring day.

Hallelujah!

I didn’t think I could get nearly as excited about good news from an agent or publisher as when I got my contract offer, but I was wrong. When my friend Jenny called and told me she got a request from not one, but two great agents for her manuscript, I seriously almost cried. She’s worked so long and persevered against so much rejection, and now finally, she has some good news to celebrate. Can I have a hallelujah? Hallelujah! I hope there’s an all-out bidding war and she lands an advance in the six figures. No, it’s not about the money—it’s about the validation. This girl can write! (Hang on; I just have to eat a mini-Hershey’s bar to celebrate even though I’ve sworn off chocolate. I’ll swear off again tomorrow.) I’m anticipating her nervous jitters when she hits the send button, when her stomach drops to her toes, and she wonders what will happen next—and when. Ah, the waiting game begins. I’m pleased also that I met one of the agents. She critiqued my manuscript at the SCBWI conference back in September. She said it was perfect, except for the plot. She said this in very short clipped sentences, as if she wasn’t just flushing my dreams down the toilet. BUT, I trust her intuition—she’s looked at hundreds of manuscripts and had some best sellers and Jenny and I had a blast plot-hashing that night into the wee hours. Meanwhile, hooray for The Perilous Journey of the Not So Innocuous Girl! It’s started on its own journey now with lots of good wishes to send it on its way.

Driving Miss Carole

E.L. Doctorow once said that, "Writing is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." Those of you who know me well know that I can’t drive well at night. I have to stick to city roads where the street lights counteract my night blindness. Even so, this quote appeals to me, especially right now. I can’t see the end of the journey; geez, I don’t even know for sure if I’m making the journey! The publishing world is a fickle friend. There are obstacles and road blocks in my way that weren’t there before. For the first time ever, I have a bit of a writing block, perhaps from a lack of confidence. But like the driver, making her way through the dark night, I don’t have to see the end of the road. I can summon enough courage and determination to go to the end of my headlights by opening my computer and plodding along until the ideas that need to come, do come. I have people all along the way (with flashlights) cheering me on as if this was a marathon—and it is! But I can treat it as a sprint. Just go to that corner. Okay, now to the next watering spot. Head around the curve and enjoy that spot of shade. Onward! Ignore the runners passing you all around and run your own race. Hmmm, somehow this has turned into a foot race instead of a night time cruise! I’m not a runner either! But the truth is that the journey is the same whether on foot or in a car. You have to keep going, a little bit of the time, slowly but surely, if you want to get to your destination. When I drive at night, I’m really, really slow. I don’t usually subject passengers or other drivers to the torture of that unhappy circumstance. I stay in town or catch a ride with a fellow traveler. This time, however, I think the situation calls for a more adventurous spirit. I’m going to get a monster truck with giant wheels and the latest headlight technology. That way if I can’t see, I can just run over whatever obstacles are in my way! How do you overcome discouragement? Other than by consuming massive amounts of chocolate :) Do tell…

Do We Really NEED libraries?!

I read something this morning on Facebook posted by Book Riot that has me thinking dark thoughts. They quoted a rant against libraries by children’s book author Terry Deary. ( http://bookriot.com/2013/02/19/when-authors-attack-libraries-a-gif-response/) He spoke out in favor of closing libraries in order to save money. He declares that no one expects to be given a free ticket to the movie or a concert or any other form of entertainment, so why should books be free? He says authors and agents and publishers have to eat. He also points out that bookstores are going under because “libraries are cutting their throats.” And authors who support libraries are helping them do it. Wow. Even though some of these things are true, I can’t imagine a writer feeling this way. I was as excited that my book was going to be on the shelf in the library as I was for it to be on the shelf at Barnes & Noble! Yes, my last post was a farewell to the bookstore where I worked for fifteen years because they’re going under—but mostly because of online sales, not libraries. Libraries and book stores have coexisted happily for decades. Maybe it’s silly nostalgia, but I still remember getting my first library card. Back then they were paper instead of plastic, but the material doesn’t matter—it’s the feeling of walking in and being surrounded by all those WORDS and SENTENCES and PARAGRAPHS and PAPER and INK! It was carrying out a pile of books in the form of fuel for my imagination and letting it soar. To me libraries are practically holy places—with a little “h”. Even though I can relate a bit to Mr. Deary’s pain, I can’t agree with the idea of closing libraries to save money. Let’s just close minds to ideas while we’re at it, and we can all think alike, think what we’re told to. Then we won’t even need books at all! What do you think? To borrow or not to borrow—this is the question.

There’s a bit of a bird theme in UNITY, the second book of the Dark Light Dance Trilogy. This is probably because I love birds and often watch them outside my window while I’m writing. One thing I’ve noticed is that birds eat in groups. One chickadee lands on the feeder. Within seconds, there’s another. Then a cardinal. Then a titmouse, a sparrow, a wren, a finch... Before long they’re swooping and diving, taking turns at one feeder or another, or having a sip of water at the bird bath. How like birds we are at times—we wait for someone else to try something first. When it looks like it’s safe, we venture out. There’s safety in numbers. Yet, writing is a solitary quest. Sometimes, we can hash out ideas along the way if we have someone patient enough to put up with our mental meanderings. Most of the time, though, we go to the feeder alone. We carry off a seed of an idea, crack it open, munch on it awhile and digest it. Sated, back in our nest, we sink into the refuge of creativity, feathering our nest with made up characters that seem just as real to us as our family and friends. Then when those family or friends interrupt us, it’s a bit of a shock reentering the real world. Ah, that literary refuge of writing or reading books! I love analogies. What is yours about the writing refuge?

Endings and Beginnings

Line Upon Line, the book store where I worked for fifteen years, is closing its doors forever in February. I worked at this store from its very early beginnings when it was located in the attic of a garage contractor, then moved with it to an actual store that was so tiny you could see all the stock from the phone. If someone called to see if you had something, you didn't have to leave the desk! Then we moved to an old house. We thought it was absolutely charming with its fireplace and warped old floors--and so did the mice and other varmints. Since the owner couldn't bear to hurt the little darlings and they wouldn't leave, eventually we moved out instead. We had more space and a great new location-we had arrived! Independent religious bookstores have never made their owners a lot of money, but LUL had owners (several of them) willing to sacrifice profits for the chance to serve their loyal customers. Until, they couldn't do it anymore... Alas, these days, small independent brick and mortar bookstores are closing their doors left and right. It's sad in a way--I love meandering through off-the-beaten-path bookstores and finding the perfect book, like a shiny treasure. However, the old adage, whenever God closes a door, he opens a window, is true in this case too. LUL filled a special place in the market and now those products are available online for those who want to let their fingers do the wandering. Still, nothing will quite replace the feeling of enlightenment that browsing in Line Upon Line Bookstore offered, with its wide selection of religious books, clean fiction, art, and accessories--not to mention the chance to meet and greet old and new friends. Some of the best people in the world worked and shopped at LUL. I will miss them as well. It's a mixed blessing that I quit a year ago to pursue my goal of writing books, rather than selling them. Without LUL, I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to chase that dream. It's there that I found the perfect publisher for the kind of general market young adult fiction that I write. LUL stayed open long enough to launch my career with a lovely signing party when REFUGE came out, something for which I'll be forever grateful! Part of me is a little sad though, that I missed the day-to-day journey of their last year of operation. All the owners from the beginning until now, and all my favorite fellow employees and customers--you know who you are--thanks for the memories! They are sweet. And who knows, maybe there will be a book about it someday!

Finding Refuge

In the first book of the Dark Light Dance Trilogy, REFUGE, the main characters meet and fall in love at a wildlife Refuge. Hence the name of the book has a double meaning—the place they meet, and the feeling of security they have when they're together. But the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is also a place each of them goes to retreat from the world. Laney has just lost her parents and little brother. She goes out to the Refuge to walk. It is a private place, away from kind but curious eyes, where she can commune with nature, enjoy the wildlife, and come to terms with her loss. In its quiet beauty, she hopes to find courage to begin again. Gabe goes to the Refuge to paint. He finds pleasure in capturing the images of wild creatures he sees in his sketchbook, later to turn them into beautiful art. This process of creating helps him forget the tragedies in his young life and the uncertain future he faces. Just like Gabe and Laney, we all need to find places of refuge in our life. No matter how good our life is—how full and busy—sometimes we may need to retreat from even our blessings, especially if they’re small people! Our refuge can be as simple as sitting in a porch swing with the scriptures or a good book (my favorite!) Or sometimes we need to get clean away and visit a new place (or a beloved familiar one), in order to restore our equilibrium. Many of my friends take refuge in running or walking. That devoted time fuels their creativity while it tones their bodies. Your refuge can be a place, an activity, or both. This year, if you don’t have one, find your refuge. Let it fuel your creativity, give you peace, and restore your soul.

Thanks Jenny Holt (a.k.a. Leigh Statham) for inviting me to be part of the The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. Thanks also for being patient while I met deadlines and celebrated the holidays :) Yes, I would LOVE to discuss my work-in-progress! Here are the answers to the tantalizing questions you sent me... Q1: What is the working title? The title is UNITY. It is the second installment in the Dark Light Dance trilogy. Just like the first book, REFUGE, the title has a double meaning. (Chords of anticipatory music here...) Q2: Where did the idea for the book come from? Since it's the continuation of the series, I'll tell you where the idea for REFUGE came from. I heard about the movement to save the practically extinct red wolf here in North Carolina. My husband and I went to see what it was all about, visiting the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. Although we didn't see the wolves that day--we did hear them howl--the atmosphere was rich with story material. A girl loves wolves, wants to save them, meets a boy with a mysterious secret...VOILA, the book is born! Q3: What genre is your book? It is young adult fantasy/romance. Q4:Which actors would play your character in the movie rendition? Sighs...wouldn't that be lovely? I think Liam Hemsworth (Gale/Hunger Games) would be awesome for Gabe, and Anne Sophia Robb (Soul Surfer/Bridge to Terabithia) for Laney. I am not technically adept enough to figure out to wrestle the pics from IMDB and paste them here : ) Q5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Tricky, since it's a number 2...Hmmm. Okay: Finally reunited after Gabe is cleared of murder, Laney looks forward to a peaceful, happy senior year, but Gabe's secret comes back to haunt them, and this time it is Laney's life that is in danger. Q6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? It will be published by Cedar Fort/ Sweetwater Books imprint. Q7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Off and on, about a year. I worked on other projects between drafts. Q8: What other books would you compare this story to, within your genre? I don't think there's anything quite like it out there :) Q9: Who or what inspired you to write this book? Without giving too much away, there was a certain subplot in Harry Potter that inspired this story. I took that, gave it a contemporary southern twist, and there you have it... Q10: What else about your book might pique the readers’ interest? If you like sweet romances with a paranormal twist, you will like the Dark Light Dance Trilogy. Thanks so much Jenny/Leigh for inviting me. I am officially tagging Heather Macbeth. http://benheatherandlily.blogspot.com/

Joy to the World

Anne Frank said, “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Such wisdom indeed for a fourteen-year old girl, and how she captured the essence of writing. This is food for thought. Stop reading now if you’re put off by Christian beliefs :). If you keep a journal, part of the joy is looking back and seeing how much growth you’ve achieved as you recorded your sorrows and found your courage. Writing fiction isn’t that different. I look back at my earliest efforts to tell a story and think, “Wow.” Of course, I also think “Thank goodness no one published that!” It gives me hope because if I have grown a bit, I know I will grow some more and I look forward to it. It will be painful and I’ll groan and moan and love every minute of it. I find that writing is very cathartic. You put people in trouble—characters you grow to love—all the while knowing you can get them out again. You know just what is going to happen, what lessons they need to learn, and what growth they’re going to experience and then voila! Happy Ending. Okay, I'm writing a trilogy, so the reader might have to wait a while for the happy ending, but still…there will come a time when I will write, “And they lived happily ever after.” Whether it’s writing in my journal, or writing a novel, the process reminds me that there is One who is doing the same for us. He knows we’re going to get in trouble down here and He lets us. He knows we’re going to suffer sorrows and disappointment as we learn by our own experience. He knows how much we can take, what lessons we need to learn, and then exactly how to get us out of trouble--because He loves us. He especially knows all about the Happy Ending, because He made sure we would have one by suffering and dying for it. At this time of year, we celebrate the beginning; the little Savior born in a humble stable. We know it sets in motion the greatest story ever told. We know, thanks to those who lived and loved Him and told the story, of all He went through, not for His growth and learning, but so that we might have our Happy Ending. Joy to the World! Let’s remember, we can shake off all the sorrows, let our courage be reborn, as we contemplate the miracle of Christmas.

Just Five More Minutes...

When we were traveling with our small children—this was long before auto DVD players—and we’d played every car game known to humankind, we would hear endless questions about “how much longer ‘til we get there?” It did no good to say, “Just enjoy the journey. Sit back and relax.” Not to the restless, active kids WE had. So, our reply would be, “Just five more minutes.” Of course, eventually the kids figured out that we were just telling them that to hush them up, but it bought us about twenty more minutes of peace and quiet as they anticipated our arrival and before we got called out. “Hey, it’s been more than five minutes!” A little dishonest? Sure. Necessary for our sanity? Oh definitely. I think sometimes this is how the writing life is. Like restless small children we want to know, how much longer until we arrive? Telling someone who is pouring their heart and soul into their work to “Just sit back and relax and enjoy the journey,” doesn’t really help—not right then anyway. It didn’t for me, but I can, gratefully, say that I have enjoyed every part of this writing journey. I loved finding an idea. I loved interviewing the people who could give me the details that would make my fictional story seem authentic. I loved immersing myself in another world, very different from my own real one. I loved getting to know the people who became my main characters. Once I did, I knew what they would say and do and how the story would go which was fascinating. I enjoyed sending off my manuscript with high hopes. Screech to a stop…I did NOT enjoy the rejections! However, the criticism that went along with them was useful and eventually led to acceptance, so I could compare it to a blown head gasket. (Why yes, I am married to a mechanical man!) It took some time to absorb and move on, but I was on the road again eventually. So is being published arrival? Maybe. A lot of people think so. For me, it’s been wonderful, exciting, nerve-wracking—a huge learning experience. BUT, I know I have so much more to learn. I hope I have a better book in me to write. I know I will keep trying until my dying breath. For me, arrival will be when I know deep down in my heart that I have truly written something that will change someone’s life for the better—not just entertained them for a few hours. So, five more minutes—at a time-I'm on the road for the whole trip.

Taking It Up a Notch

I think it was a good thing I'd posted my "positive thinking" blog right before I went to the writer's conference and had a critique on my work-in-progress. The agent said some really good things about style and voice and characterization--right before she told me (in no uncertain terms) my plot basically wouldn't work! At first I was a bit put out but then I took my own advice and let it kick my b--- into high gear. Can I just say I LOVE what's happening in my story now? This is what an editor or agent does best. She gets a writer to take his/her writing to the next level. The agent, Jennifer Rofe from Andrea Brown Literary Agency, didn't give me any specific advice. It was more the authority and expertise she brought to the conference that let me know that if she said it wouldn't work, it really wouldn't work. Back to the drawing board! My friend with the crazy creative brain and I bounced ideas back and forth that night until we were both really excited about the whole new direction the plot would take. I spent the week after conference hashing out the details, at least up to a point. I really like to leave some open ends and see what the characters want to happen. As long as they know where they need to end up, I let them have some leeway: ) This might be a job at times--and it definitely is--but it sure is a job I love!

A Single Footstep

A friend gave me a quote a few weeks ago that I immediately put on my inspiration board. (This is a bulletin board with quotes, pictures, and memorabilia that will hopefully spark a visit from The Muse.) The quote says: “A single footstep will not make a path on earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kinds of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” This is something I need to remember because it is true. Whenever I get into a negative frame of mind, and bombard myself with the idea that I am not a good enough writer then, naturally, I have writer’s block. Something snaps me out of that way of thinking and I realize…Of course I’m not—YET—but I’m just getting started! Then the ideas begin flowing and I feel ready to tackle this hard, wonderful job once more. I feel joy in writing—whether it’s pounding away on my work-in-progress or making up a story for my grandchildren. A fellow writer said to me the other day that she thought that one of the hardest things we have to learn is what to internalize and what to ignore. Rejection letters or criticism can be valuable if they’re meant constructively or even if they're not. They can demoralize us or challenge us. It’s up to us to decide. After taking a hard (calm) look at the situation, then we can decide how (or if) we can use it to improve. Making a positive path is my goal. Here’s how it looks in my imagination: It has lots of interesting bends and curves, is lined with big ol’ trees, and is floored with fragrant pine needles. Right now, the leaves are changing, some whirling down delightfully, catching my eye. It’s cool and misty, promoting a sense of intrigue. I’m ambling along, kicking those negative thoughts out of the way like so much litter and collecting the optimistic ones in my Sweetgrass basket! I’d love to hear from others. Favorite quotes about staying positive, ideas to spark creativity, whatever!

My Precious

I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the new Hobbit movie. The fact that there will be THREE movies only adds to the excitement, and if I could, I would sign up for the extended version films already. I was flipping through the book the other day, enjoying Michael Hague’s excellent illustrations, when I saw one titled “The Precious.” I’ve been thinking about that a bit since then. Don’t we all have something, a material item, which is so precious to us that we would get slightly hysterical, i.e. turn into a raving lunatic like Gollum, if it were taken from us? Yes, we do. Right now, my precious is my Kindle. Since I get a little (okay, a lot) antsy if I don’t have a book waiting for me to read next—this is not counting the one that I am currently reading—my Kindle has eased my troubled heart. A push of the button… and I can get a book. No long uphill half-mile journey to the library in all kinds of weather. (Yes, we moved to our house because of its proximity to the library—it’s all about location, people.) No browsing for hours to find the true and living NEXT GOOD READ. Many times, these days, I let my fingers do the walking, right into the e-book section of the lending library or on over to Amazon.com. That’s not to say that I don’t still have an on-going love affair with the crisp feel and smell of ink-laden pages, or simply love the anticipation of shelves of books stretching out in front of me in the library—that will never change. I resisted having a Kindle because of those very things. Bah humbug, I said. No electronic reading device could ever intrigue ME. I am now eating my words. But at least I haven’t succumbed to the I-phone craze yet. All those boorish people who jump to look at their phones as soon as it beeps while you’re in the midst of a conversation! So rude. No, when I get mine on October 5th, I will definitely NOT do that. So there.

Delayed Dreams

When I look back, I find it so interesting that I spent the years between fifteen and fifty not writing a word since I feel so restless these days when I’m not writing something. I didn’t even keep a decent journal during that time. As a child and a teenager, I wrote stories—mostly silly stories about girl crushes on rock stars—and then had my self-confidence, which was shaky at best, quenched by a critical creative writing class. In spite of being an avid reader, I ignored my love affair with books and words and became a nurse instead. Then a wife. Then a mother. Then a home-school teacher. Then a bookstore clerk. It wasn’t until I was fifty that I pulled a book off the shelf in that bookstore, a book about writing, and felt the first stirrings of the old passion. I had convinced myself long before that I couldn’t really write so it took a while for the dream to take hold. Now on the eve of having a book published (two and a half months, people!), I feel like it’s still a bit of a dream. My first book is not a great book. It’s not even a really, really good book, although I love the story and the characters the way a mother loves her children—wholeheartedly, in spite of all the faults. But it’s a start and the path stretches in front of me in such an inviting way. Wendell J. Berry said, “I am discomforted by the knowledge that I don’t know how to write the books that I have not yet written, but that discomfort has an excitement about it, and it is the necessary antecedent of one of the best kinds of happiness.” So completely true is this statement that I have it on my inspiration board by my desk. I can’t wait to discover the stories and meet the characters that wait just around the bend! I feel a little impatient to uncover the skills and talent that will help me tell those stories better—but being patient is the key there, and being willing to work hard. I can do that. I will do that! We had a funny quote on the refrigerator for a while (purchased by my husband) which said, “When Mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Now it should read, “When Mama ain’t writin’, nobody’s happy.” Lucky for me—and for my family—my writing refuge is only a few steps away. Please share any sage advice or inspirational stories with this newbie that you might care to!

Flopping out?

As the time gets closer for my book to be published, I am facing the fear of failure. There is a possibility that my book may flop. In spite of my friends’ and families’ affirmations—they love me, after all—it might not be all that good. My publisher believed and took a risk, but there are no guarantees. I spent some time thinking and worrying about this yesterday and came up with the following: It is okay. True, it will be hard to face the embarrassment. It will hurt and sting when I read the reviews and people have nothing good to say about something I poured my heart and soul into. But I’m tough and I can take that. What I can’t face is the possibility that I might never have tried. What would be really hard is not having had this experience, no matter how public the humiliation. Life is meant to be lived with our hearts wide open, not avoided, and I truly can say that the joys of this journey outweigh any future distress. Mahatma Gandhi said: “My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay both at his feet.” The only true failure in life for me would be not to know Who to turn to when things get rough. I mean really, when all is said and done, what matters most is if this experience is making me grow and learn to be a better person, not just a writer. And I hope it is! I’ll close with a more humorous quote, not only because it’s so true, but because I love to laugh. “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.”

Medal Meanderings

Like everyone else, I’ve been watching the Olympics this week. I’ve especially been interested in gymnastics because my daughter competed in gymnastics for years. I could relate to Aly Raisman’s parents as they clinched their teeth, hid their eyes, moved back and forth in their seats, and put a death grip on the arm rests. I did all that trying to hold my daughter on the beam or making sure she didn’t miss the high bar on a release move! I could relate to the “mom” stories as I remembered long hours spent driving to and from the gym while juggling other children and trying to maintain a happy home. My daughter had her share of wins and I had more than my share of proud moments. The point of all this is, one day she decided that there was more to life than gymnastics. She might have gotten a college scholarship, but the Olympics were out of reach. She decided there were other goals to reach besides standing on the top of a podium in a smelly gym, and she moved on, putting her whole heart into other pursuits. Now, even though she does coach gymnastics part-time, (she’s a really strict coach, which I find hilarious since she bitterly complained that her own coaches were so hard on her)her heart belongs to her family. Sometimes we have to decide that enough is enough and move on. The book of our heart, no matter how well-written, will not be published, at least not with a traditional publisher. We can find a new story, throw ourselves into it wholeheartedly, and be happy. It doesn’t make us losers if we’re not published right away or even at all. Yes, we need to be goal oriented, but not at the expense of our mental health. Marriage counselors tell us to look back and remember why we fell in love with our husbands. As writers, we need to remember falling in love with writing and let those happy memories fire our enthusiasm and our creativity. Is the gold medal of writing a publishing contract or the soaring feeling you get when a plot falls into place and you’re thrilled with your characters? You decide! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

It Ain't Just the Heat

One hot day after another has me longing for fall. But it’s not just the heat and the fact that I’m tired of cowering inside my cool cave of “bought air.” The lure of a more organized schedule, the sense of excitement in the cool snap of morning air, the tantalizing aroma of wood smoke, the hope of the holidays—Halloween with its sense of fun and mystery, Thanksgiving and the opportunity to reflect and be grateful, Christmas with its sweetness and the overwhelming-but-delightful family gatherings...the anticipation for all these things have me pining for a new season. I can’t wait for the steamy hot days to melt into cooler nights and invigorating days. I love the rustle of leaves blowing in a breeze and the way they swirl around catching our dreams and carrying them aloft. I even love the really-chilly, murkier fall days that chase me inside—where I curl up on the couch and ponder the mysteries of life. Somehow these misty days create a sense of expectation, an inexplicable lure of hidden treasures right around the corner. We call them “Secret Garden Days” in our family. It seems perfect that my first book will come out in the fall, my favorite season. But for now, summer still holds more than a few pleasures. Cicadas sing and birds splash in the birdbath and teach their babies how to eat from the feeders. Long summer afternoons lure me out to the shady screen porch, ceiling fans on high, with a good book and a bowl of ripe watermelon. Grandkids splash in the pool, and me along with them ‘cause it’s too darn hot not to get wet. Maybe I’m not quite ready to be done with summer yet, now that I think about it. Still, a few days with the temperature under ninety degrees might be nice! What is your favorite season and why? I’d love to hear about it!

Just Sayin'

It seems like everyone is making lists these days on their blog. Top ten things to do this summer; top ten things NOT to do this summer; top ten things to see when you go to (fill in the blank), top ten recipes to try this summer, top ten things you need to take on summer vacation, top ten restaurants to go to while you’re traveling, or hotels to stay in, or parks to camp in, etc. They’re all fascinating and I feel the need to read every one of them, even if I’m not going on a road trip or to a restaurant or to a campground. Nor do I need advice with what to do with my summer—I have my own list which I have mostly ignored, thank you very much. Still, I can’t resist the lure to make my own list. But I think I’ll stick to five. So here goes. Five Things To Do In Your Life (Is that a BIG enough topic? Ha!) 1. Reach a goal: reaching one goal leads you to take risks, try harder, and learn more. Start small and work up. Dream Big and then share what you’ve learned. 2. Conquer a fear: doing something you are afraid of builds your confidence like nothing else. Picture yourself with arms outstretched flying high on the prow of a boat: I can conquer the world! Again, start small, and then take a leap of faith. Hold someone’s hand when they leap. 3. Nurture a child: if you’re not a mom or dad, get involved with children somehow—children slow us down and force us to notice the small stuff, teaching us about joy. Don’t worry about the messy house or serving leftovers--or even writing (did I just say that?). Consider the lilies of the field… 4. Learn to be grateful: for the bad days as well as the good. Each day teaches us something and appreciating and reflecting on lessons learned brings a sense of peace. Remember, sometimes God calms the storms; other times he lets the storms rage and calms His child. 5. Be rather than Do. Having a daily to-do list and checking things off gives us a sense of accomplishment. But, we need to be more concerned with who we are becoming rather than what we are doing each day. Sometimes, you gotta throw the list away and listen to a friend. (But not this list. Keep this list :-D) Now, if I could only say that I’ve truly accomplished all these things, I could sign off with a flourish. However, since I’m still living, I’m still learning. As soon as I make a little progress in one area, I slip up in another. Ah well, each new day brings opportunity! I’m just sayin’… Maybe the need to read Top Ten lists comes from our need to know what is important to someone, to know them a little better, part of our need to connect. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Have a need to share a list? Please, go for it!

Memories and Mayberry

Being a native born North Carolinian, I’ve been feeling sentimental since Andy Griffith died. I grew up with the Andy Griffith show and the days of my childhood weren’t so very different from the ones portrayed in the show, although I grew up in a much bigger town. It would be easy to say that those days were better times, but in many ways they were not. Mayberry was a delightful place, but the show didn’t delve very far into its shadows and dark corners. There was a lot of intolerance in the l960’s and ignorance that has finally, hopefully, been laid to rest. We have a ways to go, but we’re getting there. People say, “Those were friendlier times. People sat on their porches and talked to their neighbors more.” True; in my neighborhood we mostly go about our business until there’s a natural disaster or critical need and we all turn out and pull together. These days we have Facebook and social media where people find long lost friends and post things that make us laugh or cry or think hard. Sometimes they also post malicious rumors or lies, or scathing remarks when someone’s political or religious views differ with theirs. But back then, folks gossiped over the back fences and fed the rumor mill and shunned those that were “different” and that was just as hurtful. More so, because it was very personal. So we have to remember—I have to remember—that even though times have changed, and it’s tempting to think about how much we miss those times, there’s also much to be grateful for. We can feel sentimental and reminisce about the “good ol’ days” with friends who grew up in the same time period, while remembering the good things that have happened since 1960. We can, and should, hang on to our determination to teach our kids and grandkids the same good lessons Andy taught Opie about bein’ kind. Do you have a favorite memory of Andy and the Mayberry crowd? Well, Shezam! Please share!

A.W.O.L.

I’ve been absent from the blogosphere for a while. Between vacation and revisions, I’ve been really busy. Vacations are the great kind of busy, but you know, so are revisions. There’s something extremely satisfying in taking on the challenge of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g oneself creatively to try to find a better way to tell parts of a story. And it’s also extremely satisfying to delete large chunks of “phew-eee stuff” (saving it, of course, in case I need to rescue a bit of it later) and replacing it with new and better stuff. Okay, new and hopefully better. Anyways…back to it, got a ways to go still. What’s been your experience with the revision process? Any good stories or advice out there?