Assistance for writers

I am always asked about writing tips & suggestions. The best tip I can give is to join a writer's group!

Nearly every town has one. Many times it is in connection with a local college. If you have a Barnes & Noble or a Borders, quite likely they have a group that meets there at least once a month.

There are numerous groups online, too. If you go to Yahoo Groups, you'll find many! There's also websites such as Urbis.com. (See links.) At DeviantArt.com, there are dozens as well - I even co-manage one called The Writer's Meow. (See Links.)

Whatever group you choose, it will be a great exercise for you to share your work with others and get feedback. Some have assignments or contests. But they will all force you to stretch a little and develop as a writer.

So happy writing!

More Love Languages

I am reading a really great book - The Five Love Languages of Apology. I'd devoured the original and found it to be the best book out there on dealing with people and relationships. This new one just came out last month and it explains in detail why apologies sometimes go unaccepted - they don't come across as an apology to the offended because they weren't spoken in the correct language. Really insightful!

I highly recommend everyone pick it up! And read the first book, The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, too.

Rewards Do Come

On Sunday, our pastor spoke about rewards in this world and rewards in Heaven. He said that those who do good in God's name do not always see their rewards here on Earth. That is a comfort to those of us who are working our guts out for a cause!

I did see a reward yesterday in this world, though, in the form of a very nice woman and her teenage daughters who were excited about what I was doing with my series.

Thank you, God, for that little affirmation.

That little reward should sustain my worldly ego for another week or so!

Christmas is approaching ...

Only a few more signings to go this year. It's been a very full, well traveled road for Book III. Today I had someone come out who had purchased my first book two years ago! It was a delight to speak with John again and he picked up a copy of JAMES for his travels. (Truck drive.) He'd also complete a book he was working on, so I prodded him to pursue publishing. Think of the fun he could have on the road with his book!

I am mostly done with my shopping, too. Hope everyone in my family wants books for Christmas! (Just kidding ... or am I?)

The TeensReadToo.com site starts their 31 Days of Giving soon - very exciting!

And I've got a lot of readers lined up to recieve advanced copies of Book IV soon!!