So since the world is still here and us with it, we can still look forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior four days from now, which is a pretty great way to party for not being swept away in an apocalypse. For your viewing pleasure, I’d like to present you with this adorable video. It will make you smile, laugh, and be joyful at a time when joy is so needed…
I’m not sure why I find dystopic novels and movies so compelling. When I ponder the reasons why I want to know what it’s like to live in a world that is the opposite of utopia, where everything familiar is inverted and what you used to love about living is gone, I can only imagine it’s because I want to see if we change for the worse when circumstances do. I guess I want to believe that even when the horizon looks hopeless, resiliency, compassion, and love still rise up out of our souls, despite everything.
This must be why I read Karen Thompson Walker’s Age of Miracles in two days when I was crazy busy. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it, and when I was done, I was still thinking about it. Even a week later I still find myself grateful for simple things like fresh grapes, twilight, the sun on my skin, Jupiter’s shimmering presence in the night sky, birds, gravity, and the steady circle our planet makes without us even feeling its movement beneath our feet. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone — or until you read a book that whisks you away to the place where the awful subtraction begins.
Here’s the premise for the book: “On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life—the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.”
The story is about the people, to be sure, not the planet. It is as compelling a read as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Hollywood’s, The Book of Eli. If you want the fairy tale ending, you might want to stick to fairy tales. But if you want to imagine what it would be like – what you would be like – in a world where everything material is disappearing, then pick this one up.
You will be glad there is a Creator who holds the world in his hands.
A big thank you to everyone who bid for critiques for Write Now Relief! Your generosity added up to $2,400 for the relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy! Well done! Congratulations to all the winners! If you are the high bidder or think you might be, please check the blog where you were bidding to get your marching orders. Your first order of business is to donate your bid amount to Samaritans Purse. Then email a copy of your donation receipt with your 50 pages to the author who will be critiquing you. Again, thanks so much to everyone. And if you didn’t win the critique please consider giving to Samaritan’s Purse for your year-end giving. The need back East is huge.
Here is the link to donate online. The GIVE link is located just below the photo gallery link. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/
Have a blessed week of thanks, readers. On Friday my review of Age of Miracles – A Good Reads contender for best books of the year!
It’s the last day to reach out to the victims of Superstorm Sandy by bidding on a 50-page critique of your novel! You have until midnight tonight EST (Friday, Nov 16) to bid the amount you will donate to Samaritan’s Purse relief efforts for Write Now Relief by one of the eleven authors listed below – you pick the author that suits you best! The highest bidder at midnight tonight will send their bid amount to Samaritan’s Purse.
Here is all you have to do. 1. Just head to the blog of the author you’d like to have critique your 50 pages. 2. Find their Write Now Relief blog post and place your bid in the comments section of that post. 3. Monitor it closely today so that you can re-bid! Check back on this Facebook page for updates on all the bids. 4. If you are the high bidder for the author you’ve chosen, make your donation and email a copy of your receipt to the author with your 50 pages. It’s that easy.
If you are the winner, the author you choose will read your fifty pages with an eye to giving you insights and feedback on all aspects of your story excerpt, including plot, character, story arc, mechanics, pacing, and reader appeal.
What is Samaritan’s Purse? Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Here is a video from Samaritans Purse on their efforts to help Sandy’s victims.
How do I donate to Samaritans Purse? You can head to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage on Hurricane Sandy http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/ and click on the GIVE link imbedded on the page. Whether you are the highest bidder or not, do consider donating to this effort.
AND NOW THE PARTICIPATING AUTHORS!
Susan Meissner Women’s fiction, historical, contemporary http://susanlmeissner.com/write-now-relief/
Ginny Yttrup Women’s Fiction, Contemporary http://ginnyyttrup.com/words-for-life
Hannah Alexander Contemporary romantic suspense, Christian romance, both contemporary and historical http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
Rachel Hauck All genres http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com
Jill Williamson Middle grade, and YA or adult for spec fiction (fantasy, science fiction, etc. http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/
Gayle Roper Romantic suspense, suspense, mystery and romance. Hosted by Nancy Mehl www.nancymehl.blogspot.com
Miralee Ferrell Historical romance, women’s contemporary fiction, romantic suspense www.miraleeferrell.com
Donita K. Paul YA, Fantasy, romance http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com
Ruth Axtell Historical Romance http://ruthaxtell.com/blog
Kathy Fuller Amish, contemporary, historical, screenplays www.amishhearts.com
Missy Tippens Contemporary category romance, anyone targeting Love Inspired. http://lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/
When I saw what happened last week to the East Coast – the flooding, the burned homes, the newly homeless – I knew I wanted to do something more than just feel sad for hurting people. Writing a check is a quick way to help but I felt bad that I wasn’t able to write as big a check as I wanted. Then I realized I do have something I can give, and that’s my time and expertise as a writer. I saw on Twitter that another writer had offered a 50-page critique to the highest bidder, who would then send that amount to a designated relief effort. That critique, last time I checked went for a thousand dollars! That tweet is where the idea for Write Now Relief came from.
I want to help the victims of Sandy, and I can actually do that by helping up-and-coming novelists. Here’s how it will work:
WHAT: Bid on a 50-page critique of your novel by one of the Write Now Novelists (listed below). Highest bidder will send their amount to the designated relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, for their relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
WHEN: Begins Friday, November 9, ends Friday midnight EST November 16.
HOW: Head to the blog of the author you’d like to have critique your 50 pages (that list is below). Find their Write Now Relief blog post and place your bid in the comments section of that post. Monitor it closely so that you can re-bid! Check back on this Facebook page for updates on all the bids. If you are the high bidder for the author you’ve chosen, make your donation and email a copy of your receipt to the author with your 50 pages. It’s that easy.
What will the critique entail? The author you choose will read your fifty pages with an eye to giving you insights and feedback on all aspects of your story excerpt, including plot, character, story arc, mechanics, pacing, and reader appeal.
What is Samaritan’s Purse? Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Here is a video from Samaritans Purse on their efforts to help Sandy’s victims.
How do I donate to Samaritans Purse? You can head to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage on Hurricane Sandy http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/
and click on the GIVE link imbedded on the page. Whether you are the highest bidder or not, do consider donating to this effort.
AND NOW THE PARTICIPATING AUTHORS! Choose the author who suits you best, head to their hosting blog and find the post on WRITE NOW RELIEF. Place your bid in the comments section of that blog, starting Friday, Nov 8. Check back often!
Susan Meissner (me, so comment on this post) Women’s fiction, historical, contemporary
Ginny Yttrup Women’s Fiction, Contemporary http://ginnyyttrup.com/words-for-life
Hannah Alexander Contemporary romantic suspense, Christian romance, both contemporary and historical http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
Rachel Hauck All genres http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com
Jill Williamson Middle grade, and YA or adult for spec fiction (fantasy, science fiction, etc. http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/
Gayle Roper Romantic suspense, suspense, mystery and romance. Hosted by Nancy Mehl www.nancymehl.blogspot.com
Miralee Ferrell Historical romance, women’s contemporary fiction, romantic suspense www.miraleeferrell.com
Donita K. Paul YA, Fantasy, romance http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com
Ruth Axtell Historical Romance http://ruthaxtell.com/blog
Kathy Fuller Amish, contemporary, historical, screenplays www.amishhearts.com
Missy Tippens Contemporary category romance, anyone targeting Love Inspired. http://lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/
Happy bidding, everyone!
When I saw Florence the first time, it was just for a day. My husband and I were on a 7-day cruise of the Mediterranean and the ship was only docked in the closest port to Florence for twelve hours. We arrived at the port in Livorno at dawn and we left at dusk. In the in-between were the hours allotted to us to get on a coach, get to Florence, and get back.
There was so much to see in such a short amount of time. How can you possibly see it all?
You can’t, of course. You have to look at your map and look at your watch and make choices. I didn’t see the real statue of David on that first trip. I saw the copy that stands outside in the sunshine of a very busy piazza. And I thought I was okay with that since I saw so many other amazing things that day, including the Florentine skyline from the tippy top of the Duomo.
But when I went back three years later with my mom, daughter and other female members of the family (girls cruise!!) we stood in line to see him. And I realized I hadn’t really seen Florence until that day…
Intrigued? Read more in my article at Novel Crossing.
And do make sure you enter to win the drawing of the gorgeous print of Florence. You’ve got one more week to enter!
WaterBrook Press and I are celebrating the release of The Girl in the Glass with a giveaway of this lovely, framed watercolor print of Florence’s beautiful Duomo and Arno River. Not only that but there will be a second prize for a basket of Italian yummies! You just need to head over to the special web page right here and enter sometime between now and October 8. Both winners get a signed copy of the book, but I of course suggest you don’t wait to read it. Buy it today and if you happen to win a copy, Christmas is coming. I saw the decorations already in Costco…
It’s always a great day when a new book hits the streets and shelves! Today is the official release day of The Girl in the Glass and I am celebrating by taking a little trip to Florence (see the video below) in my mind – the place where I sent my main character, Meg, to gain a new perspective on life. I have an amazing giveaway coming up next week so today’s a bit of a soft launch until I return home from ACFW next weekend. So stay tuned. The giveaway is awesome! In the meantime, enjoy the the sights, sounds and jaw-dropping beauty of Florence!
Today I am pleased to have my good friend, Debbie Ness, here on the blog with her guest post about life, love, bucket lists, and joy. Enjoy…
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| Debbie, third from left |
My boss once told me I was a cultural wasteland!! Hmmm…just because my favorite travels include McDonald’s, Disneyland and Las Vegas? I thought that just made me a cheap date. Actually, I love Vegas. I come by it genetically. My Mom loves Vegas! As a kid, I saw both The Muppets and Elvis in Vegas! Now how cool is that? My husband Tee and I honeymooned in Vegas thirty-seven years ago and I even have fond memories of “Thanksgiving Dinner” in Vegas as our daughter’s soccer team always had a tournament there over the holidays. I thought it was GREAT!
I birthdayed there in May with my sister and a couple of wacky friends, saw two shows and had a spa day. And in July, our best friends, Jim and Leslie became re-newlyweds after 40 years of marriage. Tee and I were in their wedding party both then and now. The renewal ceremony was performed by Reverend Thompson in the Drive-Thru Tunnel of Love at the famed Little White Wedding Chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard. That’s the one where the fight scene was filmed in “The Hangover.” And just to add a little flavor to the sweet occasion, we witnessed a rear-end collision at the Chapel curb then topped it off with lunch and shopping at Bass Pro! All cultural considerations aside, that’s good living.
Speaking of culture, we always say,” Who needs world travel anyway?” We’ve seen the canals of Venice at The Venetian, the Eiffel Tower at the Paris, the Statue of David at Caesars and the quaint villages of Lake Como, Italy, curbside at the Bellagio, fountains and gardens to boot! As Jim would say, “We don’t need to go to no stinkin’ Italy!” Around a table full of food and friends and laughter is where we want to be, talking the usual talk…death, dying, hospitalization, surgeries past, present and future, politics, kids, grandkids, travel, bucket lists, bunions and waitresses we’ve driven crazy over the years!! We like to laugh till we cry…or one of us wets our pants. A trip to Banff and Lake Louise always seems to be at the top of someone’s Bucket List; who knows if we’ll ever make it. No matter. We tend to tell the same stories over and over because we don’t remember having heard them the time before. If there are two things I know…it’s that laughter truly is the best medicine and friendships are golden.
Earlier this summer Tee and I were travelling a lot. By the end of our fourth or fifth trip away, I was dying to get back home to our simple routines. Friday night dinners with Jim and Les, Sunday lunches after church with Barb and Dave, lunches with friends and the kids, Book Club get-togethers, being with the adorable seniors at The Villa, movie nights, foot rubs and what-not with my Lovebug, morning walks and breakfast at McDonald’s with the dogs and church. How I missed all the things I love so much! Actually the landscape of my life is far from being a wasteland; it is rich and deep and fertile in the relationships I have cultivated. They bring me PURE JOY! We’ve travelled a bit over the years and I’m sure we’ll visit a few more places before we call it a day, but we could travel the world over and find no greater treasure of more lasting pleasure than what we enjoy every day with family, friends, food, fun, laughter, and the knowledge that all good gifts are sent from Heaven above. It’s such a GRAND LIFE! Who needs a bucket list?
I always find it interesting when Merriam-Webster Inc announces new inductees into the Big Book. As a connoisseur of words, I like to see what’s new in the “food” aisles. I saw in the Sunday paper that the new list is out and here’s the interesting thing. The list is full of two-word words. You heard me right right. Two-word words. Like these:
I am happy to say I know what all these things are, but still amazed that the dictionary that used to define words is now needed to help us define us. The word “man” (an adult male human) coupled with “cave” (a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff) is NOT defined as “a dwelling in the side of a hill for an adult male human.” This is what it is defined as:
a room or space (as in a basement) designed according to the taste of the man of the house to be used as his personal area for hobbies and leisure activities.
The dictionary is now a place to record cultural phenonema! (Cultural: of or relating to culture + Phenomena: an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence!)
The idea that a “bucket list” is defined as a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket (come back Friday for a special guest post by a good friend of mine on this very same subject) is remarkable to me. Because there is nothing about a bucket list that involves a real bucket. Look up “bucket” in a dictionary and you will see what I mean.
I just find that very interesting.
But I have to say none of these word words are my favorite for 2012. This one is my favorite: Earworm – “a song or melody that keeps repeating in one’s mind.”
Gotta love it.
And it’s exactly seven letters long. Can’t wait to play it on a Scrabble board and get that bingo.
See you Friday. Bring your bucket list.