Monday, April 25, 2011

The Author Post: Blog #5, "God, the Author of Your Life"

Well, it's Monday night, the day after Easter.  I hope everyone had a chance to reflect on beginning again with a new YOU!  Easter is a very humbling day of rest, knowing that on this day, all those hundreds of years ago, Jesus died on the cross for you and I, taking all the sins of the world on His shoulders so that we could live a free and cleansed life.  What will you do for Him today in return?  Do something personal for the Lord today..something He would be truly proud of, and make this an exciting habit.

God is the Author of your life, of all our lives, for that matter.  He has already written the book of your life and He's watching you play it out.  He knows that you'll make mistakes and blunders, but He also wants you to learn from them.  Try your best now to be smart with your decisions and always ask yourself in every situation, "What would Jesus Do?" Make Him proud and you will be blessed beyond belief!

Let the Spring bring about wonderful new beginnings. Writing about things in your life is a great way to start your career.  Keep a journal of all your thoughts.  This could, indeed, help you decide what you could put into a book.  Keep a clear conscience and a clear mind for some awesome ideas!  Until next time...thanks for reading!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Author Post: Blog #4, "Maundy Thursday"

Just wanted to write a quick note on this Maundy Thursday of Holy Week.  I hope you've been enlightened so far with my posts and that they have helped some.  After reading them, now go have fun with your life!  Become aware of every moment of each day.  Don't get caught up in all the busy times, but stay focused in all the beautiful moments you can create by simply being yourself!  Notice things around you that you haven't noticed before and SMILE!

Reflect this weekend on the goodness of God.  Recognize deeply what Jesus took on the cross with Him on Good Friday all those many years ago so that we would live a life free from sin.  Have a wonderfully blessed Easter everyone!  Bless you all.


Monday, April 18, 2011

The Author Post: Blog #3, "Steps"

Hi again and welcome to my third post!  I'm staying in Faith that several of you will see my blog and want to be a part of it!  I have so much to tell you all!

The other day I spoke of my story and now I'd like to continue on with the steps before resubmission of my manuscript.  There are many pages to work on besides the Main Text.  Below, you will see what they are, in the order they are to appear in your book with descriptions of each:

Title Page- Includes the Title, any Subtitles and your name.
Dedication- To whom your book is dedicated to, usually someone near and dear to you who has touched your life and has been a source of encouragement.
Acknowledgments- Anyone whom you want to acknowledge as being a major influence in your success.
Table of Contents- All the Chapters are listed here.
Foreword- Often, a foreword will tell of some interaction between the writer of the foreword and the writer of the story.
Preface/Prologue (Introduction)- A short introduction of your book, promoting excitement to the reader, and a description of yourself. A preface generally covers the story of how the book came into being, or how the idea for the book was developed.
Main Text- All the story text in your book.
Epilogue- A piece of writing at the end of your story's text to bring closure to your work.
Afterword- Placed at the end of your book describing how the idea for your book was developed.
Appendix- Added at the end giving reference to any related material used.
Index- A list of words or phrases as to where useful material relating to that heading can be found in document.
End notes-  End notes are collected under a separate heading at the end of a chapter in a book or a document.
Bibliography- Works sited.
Biography- About you, usually on the in-covers or back cover.
Endorsement- A testimonial written by a professional, famous person or public figure endorsing or promoting your book.  One who would have good appeal to the marketing of your book. Found mostly on the back cover of your book.  (You must go out on a limb with this one..write a letter to someone in the public eye!)

These are important steps in order to maintain the flow of your book into production!  Of course, all of the above pages may not pertain to your book, or are not necessary.  Therefore, you are to choose which ones you'd like to include in your book.  Title Page, Dedication, Preface, Main Text are essential, however.

The above pages must be edited until you are completely satisfied.  Remember, they are to be put into your book for millions to view!

I hope this helps you begin the final process before production.

Remember, also, that all this information is written not only to inform you of the steps for a possible future book you may be working on to be published, but it is also meant to motivate you into getting the work accomplished, too!  Until tomorrow...bless you all!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

The Author Post: Blog #2, "My Story"

Well, here I am again, and as promised, here is my story..

Actually, I didn't try that hard to succeed, banging my head against the door..I simply spent my time wisely, little by little persevering.  I began writing my manuscript about 3 years ago, however, I put it on the back burner so many times, that I forgot how much I wanted to be an author!  Something always got in the way, something called LIFE.

Out of the blue one day while visiting with my sister, she handed me an advertisement from a magazine for a writer's aptitude test as part of a promotion from a literature school to draw more students.  I was intrigued and gave it a shot.  I wrote a story of a funny childhood experience, and was accepted to enroll.  I took the 12 month course online, with a leave of absence for a few months when my Mom passed away.  I graduated the next year, with high hopes of beginning a writing career. 

On and off I worked on my manuscript, putting it down for a week or two, picking it back up as time permitted.  Then, one day I got a sudden urge to finish it once and for all...and I did, revising it over and over again until I was satisfied. I should mention, right here, that when God shows His favor, things begin to take root.

I then began to research Google to find the perfect Christian Publishing Company and clicked on the first one that came up.  (God's favor!)  I researched their web site thoroughly and loved them!!  I had heard, as told by my course instructor, that no one ever gets published after submitting their very first manuscript, but rather you'll have to submit it up to 20, 30 or more times!  They didn't want to get anyone's hopes up!  When I heard that, I didn't believe it.  They couldn't make that determination, I thought. I could make anything come about with prayer..after all, that wasn't God's rule!  I GOT my hopes up!

I called the publishing company I was interested in submitting to so I could find out more about them.  Personal contact is so much better than email or letters for a first impression---remember that!  The girl on the phone was so enthusiastic and told me to personally send my manuscript to the Acquisitions Editor, rather than going through the web site!  (God's favor!)  God directed my steps all the way, as I remained totally faithful to Him, and He kept His promise of success to me, that I knew would be just a matter of time--His Time!  Remember, there are two kinds of time...our time and God's time...and ours doesn't count!

This is the most important part and the key to my success...just before the time came to submit my manuscript, I got down on my knees in prayer, asking God, intimately, to bless my manuscript and to guide it into the right hands and to also bless everyone at the company.  I felt so confident.

I submitted it and waited.  About a week later, I got the response that my manuscript was directed to an editor that had been assigned to me.  I waited again, this time for about 2 more weeks, until I received another email from my editor that she was in the process of review and would be contacting me within one week.  This was it, I thought.

At 7pm on a Tuesday night the following week, the doorbell rang.  I was baffled as to who it could be.  Going toward the door, I heard a truck's engine start up and drive away.  I opened the door and a Next Day Air Package fell inside the door.  I looked and it was from my publishing company!  I knew, right then, that it had to be a contract.  If it were refused, I would have gotten a simple email.

My heart was in my throat as I opened it and read an incredible letter accepting my manuscript, and saying that it would be an honor for them to make it into a book!  I was speechless.  I ran into my daughter's bedroom with an astonished look on my face.  She panicked thinking something was wrong.  Then, I began screaming and jumping around as I handed her the letter.  She immediately stood up and we danced around her room for awhile, yelling and screaming in excitement.  Then the phone calls began.  She began calling people, because I was crying so hard in joy.

Picture a similar circumstance in YOUR life.  Picture how you want it to play out, making it happen little by little with prayer.  God listens to our hearts and knows what our dreams are.  He wants to bless us if only we'd ASK...Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and you shall find, knock, and the door shall be opened to you. ~ Matthew 7:7 (NIV)...words to live by!

Let your excitement rise now.  Tomorrow, I will tell of my progress getting my manuscript ready for resubmission,  and preparing it for production.  By the way, for all of you who have already succeeded beyond your expectations, I'd love to hear your stories, too!  Please share them, responding  right here so you can also inspire others to improve their lives and get out of their comfort zones, feeling comfortable in other places and loving it!  Tune in tomorrow...thanks for reading!  "How do you change the world?"...One Act of Random Kindness at a time!"



The Author Post, Blog #1 OK, Here I go..my first blog.

OK, so this is my very first blog ever!  So, WELCOME! 

I just want to say that, if you have been waiting for a really long time for things to start happening in your life, rest assured.  I think that when you here my story, you'll begin to feel a hopeful sense of relief come over you, and when you let your belief take affect, you'll begin to have an assured feeling of renewal that your life, as you knew it yesterday, is gone.  A new beginning is about to take shape.  See it, feel it, imagine it, taste it, pray for it and BELIEVE it!  Yes, if you can imagine it, that's the first step in making it happen.  

I want this blog to turn into all kinds of successful stories from all of you telling me how, step by step, you are accomplishing your dreams.  I want a day by day or week by week account of each of your accomplishments as they happen...and they WILL happen.  I want to get you so psyched up for your future that you will keep pressing on, as you begin to see miracles take root in your life.

If it can happen for me, a single mother, living on my own income as a web designer and raising two teenage girls, it will also happen for you.  So, I chose to explore other avenues.  Don't get me wrong, my web business is going strong and it pays the bills, however, I didn't want a life of just enough, but, I wanted a life of more than enough.

That is one reason I began writing.  I've always loved to write, ever since I was a little girl growing up in the country.  There were so many interesting things to write about, and so many fun things to do.  It was peaceful, pleasant, intriguing and the perfect place to let your mind wander.  This is your first step.  You can use your mind to think anything you want!  Let it flow freely with ideas, notions, wholesome fun!  Direct your mind to the beauty in life, and you, too, can come up with a simple thought.  Then, center other thoughts around that one thought.  Soon, you are orchestrating all kinds of cool thoughts that begin to transpire into actions and happenings. 

Whether you are a writer and want to become a published author, or an engineer wanting to invent something, or a stay at home Mom wanting to seek out a creative way for a tremendously advanced income, it all begins in your mind.

Sit down by yourself for awhile in a quiet place where you enjoy being and close your eyes, letting your mind take over.  Think of what your passions are in life that you would really love doing.  Then, think of all the exciting ideas as happening, and you CAN make them happen!  You may not think you are capable of anything BIG.  But, I am here to tell you that "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!"...and that, my dear friends, is where my story begins.

Now that I have your attention, and have gotten your heart beating a little bit faster and your pulse rising some, I want you to walk with a skip in your step tomorrow, hoping, thinking and knowing that you are a child of the most high God and that you will have a true, rewarding life.  It is God's promise to you.
Read me tomorrow and I'll tell you my story of how I have become a signed author.  Have a wonderfully blessed night!