Archive | January 2013

Encountering the Written Word

Jan28

Words, writing, and books….these are topics I can talk about for hours, and typically do with a friend who is as into these topics as I am. Recently, this friend and I were talking, trying to determine if we could live one day without encountering the written word. Not necessarily in book format but in any form. We decided we couldn’t but to help us reach that decision, we walked through a “normal” day. Below is a sample of a normal day for me and as you’ll see, I could not avoid the written word all day (of course this makes me happy).

A Normal Day:
I wake up and start journaling my dreams and thoughts. Words. Before I finish journaling, I want coffee. So off I stumble to the kitchen to make a few cups. Since I’m a coffeeholic, there’s no bumping into written words since there’s no need to read directions. All that’s required is action (an aspect of writing that we’ll leave for another day) and barely any thought.

Resettled in my favorite chair, the bed or the sofa, I sip coffee, finish journaling (is one ever finished journaling?) and decide to catch the morning news as I wait for my computer to boot up. Turning to a local channel, I see words on the screen. Did you catch that? …words on the screen.

My cell phone dings and by the sound I know it’s an incoming email—words. I turn off the TV and turn toward the computer to check email and then write, write, write. Nothing but words. (Okay, so maybe that’s cheating since I am a writer and that’s what I do most days.)

Some hours later, it’s errand-running time. I turn off the computer and dash out of the house. Again no words, but lots of action. As I’m running errands, I read billboards, road signs, traffic alerts, etc. Words, words, with a few numbers thrown in (yuck to numbers!). I sign my receipt at the grocery store (one of my errands) and see enticing words offering me a percentage off of this, a percentage off of that, words and numbers (yuck to numbers!).

Back at home, I settle back into my work, writing, which is not work at all except when it comes to editing (yuck to editing!). My stomach growls and it’s getting dusky outdoors so I know it’s time for dinner. But it’s also time to exercise so I grab a quick snack and off I rush to the gym or track. No written words required. Just action and sweat. In an hour, I am back home and seriously scouring the fridge for a real meal. I throw one together which does not require written words except when I decide to try a new recipe, then it would be an encounter with written words. But trust me, that doesn’t happen often. I try to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen.

To end the day, I watch TV–no words unless I accidentally hit the subtitle button or view certain commercials such as those featuring class action law suits against drug companies or Meow Mix or the starving artist art show. Finally, after the evening news, it’s time to read myself to sleep–words, words, and more words. Hmmm…are there words in my dreams?

What about you? Can you make it through a “normal” day without encountering any written words? If so, how in the heck did you do that?

Three Wise Men – Three Wise Books

Jan18

As I packed my Christmas decorations to store for another year, I unintentionally spent a few extra minutes staring at the three wise men in my nativity set. For some reason looking at those characters brought to mind the titles of three books: the Holy Bible, the Weight Down Workshop, and the Artist’s Way. Knowing this was not a coincidence, I sat down and waited for the connection between these two seemingly unrelated things. Here’s what came to mind:

The three wise men presented valuable gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold to baby Jesus.—
I consider the three mentioned books valuable gifts to me (and others of course).

The three wise men spent time with the holy family.
I can’t begin to tally the number of hours I spend reading these books.

The wise men’s lives were no doubt transformed by the holy experience.
My life was transformed by these books.

And that is the crux of the matter. Just like the three wise men were transformed by their experience with Jesus, so too was I transformed by Jesus through these books. Let me explain more fully, starting with my first gift—the Holy Bible.

I was introduced to the Bible at a young age. Through my attendance at Sunday school, worship service, and special programs, I learned scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This gave me a clear understanding of how I was supposed to act (even though I didn’t/don’t always act right), a strong moral foundation (even though my foundation cracked/cracks from time to time), and a sense of belonging (as a member of the family of believers). I also think the Bible was one of the original books that stirred my creative nature. Have you noticed how many great stories are in the Bible? …the wise, colorful parables? …the beautiful language, poems, and words? It truly is an amazing book and I am forever grateful to my elders for introducing me to it.

As I matured, I continued my Christian walk, engaging in ministry work, tithing, and attending Bible study. In one particular Bible study group, I was introduced to the Weight Down Workshop (WD). WD is a weight loss program that marries faith with dieting. I joined the program expecting to shrink in dress size and grow in faith, which I did. But the most amazing outcome was I met God face-to-face. What do I mean? I learned that after all those years of going to church, studying the Bible and more, I only had head knowledge of God. I didn’t view God as “real,” as someone with whom I could develop a deep, intimate relationship. To me, God was a symbol, a concept, an unattainable entity. WD revised my view of God. One of the exercises in the workbook challenged me to select a task for God to perform and to make that task so specific that I would know without a doubt it was Him. So for my task I said, “Okay God, if you’re real, you’re going to make my Bible fall open to a specific passage that will not only prove you’re real but also prove you love me.” I picked up my Bible and let it fall open. My eyes went straight to a passage that met my criteria. I was blown away! I remember crying and praising God. It felt like my heart grew four times larger…and warmth; I felt such warmth. And here it is years later and I’m still so very grateful to WD for my second, life-changing gift–making God real to me so that I could begin a heart relationship with Him.

As my heart relationship with God grew so too did my faith, and the biggest boost to my faith came through the Artist’s Way. This workbook/journal liberated me to pursue a life of purpose. But how did that increase her faith? you may be thinking. Can I tell you the fear I felt at giving up a steady paycheck and benefits? Can I tell you the monumental faith that is required to live day-by-day? It’s been almost two years since I left the path of the “tried-and-true-and-dissatisfied” to follow the path of purpose. And even though there have been many rough patches, I can honestly admit I would make the same decision if I had a do-over. Want to increase your faith? Step off the path of the tried-and-true and live day-by-day, following God’s commands. Talk about a faith walk but oh what a transformative gift!

So there you have it. The connective link that ties the three wise men to three wise books–being transformed into a better Ann. What about you? What three books, songs, poems, people, lessons, etc. have been especially transformative in your life?

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Jan8

A number of authors are participating in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. What’s that, you ask? It’s an opportunity for readers to learn about an author’s next big thing–a book, movie, research trip, conference, etc. by hopping from blog to blog. On participating sites, readers, writers or literary followers can read interviews, book excerpts, interesting facts, and more. Join the blog hop by reading my comments below concerning my next big thing, Fuller’s Curse, which will be published in April 2013. Then, blog hop by clicking on the other author links that I have presented below. At their site, you can learn about their next big thing.

What is the title of your next book? Fuller’s Curse

Where did the idea come from for the book? Fuller’s Curse is a fictional horror story based on the Biblical scripture about generational curses and blessings. At the time that that scripture was floating around in my head (July 1999), John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s plane went down and I remember asking myself, Are they cursed? And that was the start of Fuller’s Curse. But let me be clear. I am NOT saying the Kennedys are cursed. I wouldn’t presume to label any family as cursed or blessed. All I’m saying is those two incidences converged to form the idea for the story.

What genre does your book fall under? Horror, which I never thought I would write in a million years even though I am a Stephen King fan. Actually, I thought Fuller’s Curse was a mainstream or literary story but the market dictated otherwise.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? What a fun thing to think about… I think the young actress Keke Palmer would do a bang-up job as Hope. I really love her work. She’s dynamic. I would choose Alfre Woodard as Deborah. She’s another actress who always shines and turns in outstanding performances. Louis Gossett, Jr. as Governor is a must. I think his body build and demeanor is so Governor. And for Mattie…well, I have no idea. How about a casting call for an elderly, small, short, feisty African American woman?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A mother discovers her family is cursed and must commit the ultimate sacrifice to rid the family of the curse.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Fuller’s Curse is published by A New Thing Publishing, my publishing company, which is another thing I thought I would never do–form and run a publishing company. But, I am learning through maturity to never say never.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? The first draft took eleven months to write. I started the book at a writer’s retreat in Hawaii in the fall of 2000 and finished it the following summer after unplugging the phone, disconnecting the doorbell and parking the car in the garage. I told my family and friends I was dead so don’t call or visit. That’s the only way I was able to finally finish the first draft. The second draft, which I thought would be the final draft, took five months to complete and I tell you by the end of that draft I didn’t want to write anything else about the Fuller family. But then, we made some book cover decisions which forced me to re-write a few scenes. Aaaauuuugggghhhh! I thought I was going to lose my mind. But luckily those rewrites only took a few weeks. I am currently reviewing the ARC (Advanced Reading Copy), looking for typos and any glaring errors. The ebook will be available to readers April 23, 2013; the print/hard copy version a month later.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? My first thought is I haven’t a clue, but as I think a bit more, I’d have to say The Living Blood by Tananarive Due. She is a master story teller and an excellent writer. I wouldn’t mind being compared to her (smile!).

Who or what inspired you to write this book? The short answer is the Bible and the Kennedys. The long answer is presented above under the question, “Where did the idea come from for the book?”

What else about your book might pique the reader interest? For those who refuse to read books with violence or stories set in Dallas, don’t buy or read this book. For everybody else, regardless of whether you read horror or not, buy and read this psychological and emotional thriller that follows Deborah Fuller-King as she tries to discover why so many of her family members are dying accidentally. She’s heard rumors of a curse but really that’s just her crazy cousin talking, isn’t it? Besides curses aren’t real, right? At least that’s what she thinks until another family member comes up dead.

Ready to blog hop? Here are a few authors with big things to read about.
www.goldiebrowning.com
www.kat-smith.com
www.nikkicoe.com

By the way, if you don’t have time to blog hop now, come back later. We’ll be here!