• M is for Manafest


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yJseemI5P4

    I found this song a couple of months ago. It really rocked my world with its intense message of HOPE.

    This video is powerful. I mean, wow, this guy was in a bad place, but the point is, you can get out of whatever you’re in. I love that message because it’s true. No matter what…even when it doesn’t feel like it, there is always HOPE.

    What’s a favorite song of yours that always gives you a sliver of HOPE when you hear it?

  • This Writer’s Journey…Sandy


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~~~~

    Now Sandy isn’t a writer or author, but knowing her has truly enriched my life. She was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer (about a month after my sweet mother in law, Lynn, died of liver cancer). With everything still so raw from Lynn’s death I wasn’t sure how I could handle going through this with my dear friend, Sandy.

    The picture above is of Sandy receiving one of her chemo treatments. She’s since finished her first round of chemo and is currently in a five-week, five days per week radiation cycle. Once she’s finished with radiation, she’ll do another cycle of chemo.

    What has inspired me the most is her attitude through all of this. Such a steadfast faith. She didn’t ask for this journey. Doesn’t really want it, I’m sure. Yet she remains positive. Her smile is simply dazzling, and she’s never short of an encouraging word despite the mountain she’s climbing.

    I’m so glad our paths crossed.

  • Movie Quotes…Inspiration Style


    When I started out on this writing journey, it felt like such a far away dream. I constantly asked myself, “Really? Me? A writer?” Then when I was published I still asked, “Really? Me? An author?”

    Along the way things inspired me, obstacles shot up, and doors both opened and closed…but through my faith, family, and friends, I found motivation to continue on my dream. So, I wanted to find a few movies that dealt with dreams.

    Dreams of something bigger than all of us. Whether it’s writing, music, dancing….oh, but that’s all the hint you’ll get from me today…Try these quotes on for size.

    Recognize any? Have any of your own quotes from movies that inspired you that you want to share? Leave them in the comments and we’ll give a guess!

    1. …I found something that I truly love, that truly makes me happy. That’s a million times better than something that makes you rich.

    2. Put some pepper spray in your purse. Even if you’re not sure, just start spraying.

    3. You can do it. Sara, you were born to do it.

    4. You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars.

    Have a super day. I’ll be back later with the answers…

  • The New Year Approaches…


    Can you believe Christmas is only a week away?

    I’m still getting used to the idea that it’s DECEMBER 2011 already. Soon we’ll be ushering in a new year.

    Are you ready?

    Are you one to make a list of goals?

    I’m usually not, but I have a few things in mind I hope to see happen in 2012. One thing I learned in 2011 is that you can plan, but you never know what life will throw in your face. Thankfully I have a rock-solid faith, rock-solid hubby, and rock-solid friends/family!

    Photo Credit HERE

  • Kind words…


    One morning over the weekend, I woke up to the most beautifully written email from someone who was reading Wasteland. As I read the note, I cried.

    And I mean cried.

    I’m not going to post the note I received, I’ll keep that for myself, near and dear to me. But to read that something I’d written impacted someone in a positive way…well, it really just made me smile. Made my heart smile.

    It’s amazing the power of a kind word. An encouraging word. It can lift someone up so high they have to look down to see heaven.

    Now, did that person know her email would affect me so profoundly?

    Probably not.

    Did she know that I’d been feeling a little anxious about the upcoming release of Wasteland and how people would receive it?

    Probably not.

    Regardless. She took the time to send a letter of hope and encouragement, and it was at exactly the moment I needed to read it.

    Then I started thinking, when’s the last time I encouraged someone? Took the time to send someone a special note?

    Too long.

    Don’t wait another minute, you just never know how much that person might have needed to hear an encouraging word.

    ~~~

  • I’m at Charlie’s Place….


    I’m gearing up for the Wasteland blog tour, which starts September 7th, with a warm up blog stop atSmart Girls Love SciFi. I did a little post about Hope.

    It’s kind of a theme of mine, considering I have Hope, Faith, and Love tattooed on my arm. And really, when I got to thinking about it, those themes pop up in most of my books. I’ve always been a die-hard, “There’s always hope!” with almost everything that’s happened to me in life.

    And my character, David, well, he faces some pretty big obstacles…didn’t always trust the Hope thing…

    So, I figured it’d be a fun thing to blog about.

    I’m giving away an autographed cover flat, too, so come on over and share a little bit about where your Hope comes from. You might win a prize!