30 March 2011

Hello everyone. This past holiday season was very stressful for me. We have a house full here and it just seemed like a long winter. Spring is upon us and things are brighter. I am much happier and feeling very blessed. The taxes are done and the dog is house broke, things are looking up! :o) I invited a couple women from the former Defining Moments Writers Group to the Novel Group, I'm in. Tara came once and Lynda has been twice. I truly value the Scribes online writers critique group I joined through the ACFW site. Those are a great group of people. I also entered the Gennesis Contest. I certainly don't expect to win in my catagory but I believe it will be an excellent learning opportunity. The stories I'm reading in Scribes are awesome. I don't know how some of these people aren't already published. REALLY! And then there's me.... *haha* ok, and a couple others like me. But not too many like me. And it's a good thing. Because I need all the help I can get. I'll keep trying and continue to pray. :o) I've found it easier to comment and make observations on others work when I pray before reading each chapter. Prayer WORKS. Pray and dream. ~Susie

More thoughts from ACFW Conference 2010

24 September 2010.

I sit here thinking of what Tim Downs, the keynote speaker, said. Jesus spoke in parables, stories (fiction - if you will) for a reason. Because people will listen to stories with a message more so than a list of rules or laws or someone preaching to them. We, as writers, are to use our God given gifts to write stories, fiction to glorify God and pass along His message whenever and however we can. I was happy to hear this confirmed by someone. *smile* :o)

A song played and sung during the praise and worship time was a song I'd heard before. It was a song from the movie "Fireproof". I didn't remember it though. But in this case, it touched me and it really made sense to me as a struggling (wannabe writer) writer. I'm waiting for my break. I'm waiting for my chance to be noticed by someone in the industry. I'm waiting for something to happen with my writing. The song is - While I'm Waiting - by: John Waller. I'll post the link. I hope it inspires you as much as it did me. While I'm waiting, I will praise Him! :o)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-M7oGrOaI&feature=related


I will serve Him while I'm waiting. I will worship while I'm waiting.

I'll keep writing while I'm waiting. :o)
~Susie

2010 ACFW Conference was AWESOME!

20 September 2010. I've just returned from the ACFW conference in Indianapolis Indiana. I didn't know there could be so many like minded Christian writers in one place at one time. It was an awesome experience. I pray I will be able to afford to go again next year. I hear it is to be in St. Louis, Mo.


I wish my whole church family could have gone with me. I wish my whole family could have gone. I wish Terri could have gone and all my friends and relatives. I know they would have loved it as much as I did.


Tim Downs was a great key note speaker. The work shops and classes were great. The staff and volunteers of the hotel and the ACFW were super.


I need to give a SPECIAL thank you to Fay Lamb. THANK YOU! Her husband couldn't attend and she had an extra awards banquet ticket. She gave it to my husband allowing him to attend. Again, Fay, thank you so very much! HUGS.

More on the conference later when I've wrapped my head around it some.
Don't let your dreams die. ~Susie

Frankie's Vet Visit

Hello Everyone.


Frankie went to the vet this week. He will be 13 weeks old tomorrow and he already weighs 20 pounds! WOW. I knew he was a hefty little guy. He will be much larger than Danny was.


I'm trying to diet. The main reason is because the doctor told me I have fatty liver and I need to lose weight before it becomes NASH. (some sort of non alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver - which can be fatal) Another reason is because Chrystal Miller posted on her blog it is good to lose around 5 pounds before conference so we can enjoy the good food at conference and not feel guilty. :o) I'm all for that!


I hope to go meet our new great nephew tonight. :o) Congrats to Justin and Kerri.


I've joined yet another critique group through ACFW. It's a small group. I hope to get some good feedback from the others.


Dreaming of conference,
~Susie

Thoughts on ACFW Conference 12 August 2010

Hi Readers.


I think I might begin putting a title on my blog posts, instead of just the date. I've noticed other bloggers doing this and it helps when I want to go back and look at a particular post.


I've been reading loads about the ACFW conference. Visiting may blogs and web sites. I'm really getting excited. All the "Godliness" I'm getting is a blessing. I am truly looking forward to the conference. I've also realized, the conference isn't just for me to pitch a story to an editor or agent. It's about making friends and relationships with other writers. I sort of thought I was going to be in competition with all the other writers. This is NOT true. They write what they write and I write what I write. We don't have the same background or experiences to draw from. My writing is mine. I'm unique and so are you. God makes us all a little different so we can compliment each other. Not compete with each other. Many writers are on the mail loop encouraging and blessing others with advise and what to expect at conference.


I am looking forward to the conference in Indianapolis now more than ever!

Keeping my dream alive. ~Susie

10 August 2010

Hi Everyone,

I read something on the email loop that said we needed to also have some marketing ideas for our book when we pitch to an agent/editor. I had no idea what they meant. So I asked. :o) Seems they will want to know I will maintain a blog and a web site. Also be willing to go to book signings and meetings and such to speak about my book to promote it.

Well..... YEAH! Who wouldn't want to do those things? I dream of book signings and going places to do it.


I got the business cards in the mail.
Frankie is a typical puppy. He chews everything. :o)


I went to the doctor about elevated liver enzymes. He wants me to lose weight. He suggested weight watchers. I might try weight watchers, but first I want to try this on my own.

Which brings me to a couple of stories. Joe and I went to an anniversary party on Saturday. I saw a woman there I haven't seen in probably ten years. She hugged me and said, "Why aren't you in a wheelchair yet?" I said, pointing to my husband, "Because he won't let me." I should have said because God has other plans for me. :o) THEN.... when I was at the doctor's office he asked when I was diagnosed with MS. I told him January 1991. He was surprised I am getting along as well as I am for being diagnosed so long. :o) I told the doctor I've had a lot of help. I said the ankle braces help and I know some doctors don't like to hear this, but PRAYER helps a lot. He agreed saying he thought mind body and spirit work together.

I think my having Multiple Sclerosis is a super testament to the grace of God in my life. God showers me with grace each and every day. Praise the Lord!


Don't stop dreaming,
~Susie

8 August 2010

WARNING: I am about to NOT be politically correct.

Hello all.


Have you seen those commericals about someone saying something is gay? When they mean something is weird?


Maybe I'm OLD. Maybe this post is showing my age. But..... When I was a kid, when we were happy we were gay! When I was a kid, if something was queer, it was strange or out of the ordinary, or weird. I am all of these things, strange, weird and out of the ordinary. And what's with a rainbow being an emblem for homosexuals? When I was a kid a rainbow was a beautiful promise from God that He will never again send a flood to destroy the whole earth.


So.... Call me the next time you hear of a GAY Pride parade. I want to join in. I'll wear my rainbow shirt with the Bible verse on it and be darn proud that God has given me joy and made me feel gay! AND - If that makes me queer - so be it. I already know I'm out of the ordinary, weird and strange!


~Susie