The Mirror

One of my gifts to myself this year is to “Ignore the Mirror.” Sounded like a good idea at the time.

Actually, for me, it’s a really good idea. I don’t like seeing the acne scars. I don’t like seeing the excess weight. I’m not a particularly stylish dresser, though I used to tease my friend Flo (too long gone from this world) about being a clothes horse. She dressed well. I blessedly ended up with her coat, which still keeps me warm in the winter, and some other clothes. I can’t wear them because I’m too heavy.

And we’re back to despising the mirror. I need to stop. It isn’t worth the energy.

What do I want?

I want less awareness of my appearance, in particularly my flaws. I’m not blind, but I give it far too much attention.

The purpose of a mirror is to make sure everything is in order, nothing showing that shouldn’t be showing, everything hanging right, stuff goes together in a flattering manner, hopefully. The makeup and hair are neat. End of purpose.

What a mirror is not for: Noting flaws. The only flaws that are truly worth noting are the ones on the inside that need to change. Judging beauty. If you’re ugly on the inside, it doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside. Determining worth. The mirror only reflects what it sees.

The mirror feels nothing, knows nothing, intuits nothing. It’s a reflecting surface.

It is the person standing in front of the mirror that assigns value or the lack of it.

What do I want to see?

I want to see a beloved daughter of God.

I want to see a body God gave me to help me accomplish everything He wants me to accomplish. A body worth caring for.

I want to see my beautiful eyes and not hear the words said to me to explain why I was abused as a child: “You have bedroom eyes.”

I want to see the light inside me, the one God expects me to share with the world.

How am I going to go about this?

First, it’s going to take practice with my self talk.

Second, losing weight will allow me to wear clothes I like that I already own.

Third, I will remember that the mirror is not my enemy. Neither is it my friend. It’s neither right nor wrong. The mirror doesn’t care.

Fourth, the mirror is a tool for fine-tuning, not a source of punishment.

Fifth, I decide how I feel about myself, and it has nothing to do with a mirror.

Wordless

Saturday Link Sharing...

Chris McMullen gave a great review on book reviews:
https://chrismcmullen.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/what-to-do-about-reviews-disappearing-from-amazon-proactive-solutions/

Donna Hatch shared why she reads and writes Regency:
http://donnahatch.com/why-i-read-and-write-regency-romance-novels/

Sarah from Paper, Words, and Coffee was a guest at A Writer's Path with a post about writing a fight scene:
http://ryanlanz.com/2016/01/08/how-to-write-a-great-fight-scene/

God bless.

What's Your Word for the Year?

In the past, I've chosen Create, Happy, and Hope.

The idea is to make the word the theme for the year. The year I chose Create I created a number of stories. It felt like a success. The years I chose Happy was a bit of a struggle. I am choosing to be Happy more often, so it was successful. Last year, was the year of Hope. It was a rough year. I did, however, make it through. Success.

This year, I debated between several words. Things I want to improve in my life. Things like Trust. However, one thing kept floating to the surface, over and over.

Consistent.

I want to be more Consistent. More consistent in my routines. More consistent in my writing. More consistent in cultivating healthy habits.

It's going to be a busy year.

Christmas Present is in the editing process.

Errant Knight is facing my new writing style.

Four Days and 21,000 words later...

Christmas Present is done. Now, it's off to the editor.

One of the goals of this novella was to see if I could turn the story over to God. The last day was the toughest as I've battled a cold. Fortunately, this is what editing is for.

Next on the list is Errant Knight, Fitzgerald's story. It's currently written in bits and pieces. I'm going to see if the same technique works on a longer novel. I'm praying it does.

The stories are so thick in my head, I have trouble concentrating on much of anything else. I believe they're God given, and it is my responsibility to share them. I can't if I keep doubting myself.

This year, my word is Consistent because this is what I want to be in writing. The interesting thing about this one is that everyone will be able to see whether I succeed or fail.

Giving the battle to God. He's the only One who can win it anyway.

Saturday Sharing Links...

A Writer's Path shared a post by Jacqui Murray about "How Not to Write a Book Review" I thought interesting as I realized I do not know how to write a book review:
http://ryanlanz.com/2015/12/15/how-not-to-write-a-book-review/

Donna Hatch shared a recipe for fudge and the blurb to her latest book:
http://donnahatch.com/christmas-fudge-a-hatch-family-favorite-recipe/

June Stevens Westerfield shared a blog on Writers In The storm about Branding:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2015/12/22714/

God bless.

Secondhand Samhain is available today on Amazon

The seventh novella in the series is here...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Jan Connor, the new manager of the secondhand shop Vintage Holiday, loves her job, her town, and her life. She doesn't need anything except a little bit of help. Her annual Halloween birthday party isn't coming together, and her antiquated computer system is only making it worse.

Trent McDonald, computer guru extraordinaire, is looking for a place to call home. His brother, Cowboy, suggested Holiday might offer what he needs but never mentioned Vintage Holiday's pretty shop manager.

Between one breath and the next, God changes everything...

http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1

Holiday USA update and cover reveal

Secondhand Samhain is in final edits. I still need to write the blurb. Not my favorite thing to do but a necessary bit of work. Today's project while I wait for the final read through by my editor. I hope you love this story as much as I do. I had such fun writing it.

My Holiday, USA series cover artist, Ruth Mower, created a delightful and fun cover

Isn't it fun?

Christmas Present is also well on its way to being finished. It won't be published by Thursday, but I anticipate it will be soon after. Then the 2015 anthology, with the last 4 novellas, will be published in paperback, in February. Errant Knight is due and will fully occupy January.

Conversation between Heroes 24 December

Jack: Calling the meeting to order.
Leo: We have meetings?
Jack: We do now.
Richard: What has brought this about?
Jack: Nefarious social media hides our lady's communication.
Leo: Bah! We must not allow this to continue.
Fitzgerald: Shall I challenge them to a dual?
Trent: Wrong century.
Fitzgerald: How do we right this wrong?
Carson: Stand down, gentlemen.
Leo: We can't allow this to continue.
Trent: Not a problem. She's appearing again.
Leo: Excellent.
Fitzgerald: I do not trust this social media.
Carson: A wise man.
Leo: If all's well, why are we here?
Jack: An event worthy of notice.
Richard: The most important day of the year.
Leo: Easter isn't for a few months yet.
Richard: Without the birth, there would be no Atonement.
Carson: The calm before the storm.
Trent: Merry Christmas.
Jack: Happy Christmas.

Merry Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

The birth of Jesus changed everything.

I bought the above Christmas cactus a few years ago. I named it Chris. Not particularly clever, I know. It broke my heart when it died off, bit by bit. A few segments dropped off in my hand. I figured, "Why not? It was dead anyway." I planted them. They're growing. So now I have two of Chris. I don't think they're concerned about sharing the same name. :-)

(in)courage shared this and encouraged sharing it:

Wordless

Sharing Links Saturday...

Over at A Writer's Path, Kate M. Colby shared her perspective on long term goals:
http://ryanlanz.com/2015/12/06/how-to-approach-your-long-term-goals/
And Meg shared how to add a time jump:
http://ryanlanz.com/2015/12/09/how-to-add-a-time-jump-to-your-story/

Give Her Wings posted a list of what is normal in a Christian marriage and what isn't:
http://giveherwings.com/differences-between-an-abusive-marriage-and-a-healthy-one/
I endeavor to create relationships like this in my stories. A part of me hopes that I'll learn to be "normal" despite being raised in "not normal."

Donna Hatch shares the history of "Kissing Under the Mistletoe."
http://donnahatch.com/kissing-under-the-mistletoe/

God bless.

Reluctant Knight in paperback...

For those who prefer paperback, Reluctant Knight is now available, along with all the other Laurel Hawkes titles.

http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Knight-Endless-Knights-2/dp/1682949877/ref=sr_1_2

The Rebellious Damsel

A baron's spoiled daughter, Cassandra Treyman's plans to escape her parents goes awry, and she determines to burn the Bible of the maid who ruined everything. One word captures her attention: Forgiveness. Is it too late?

The Reluctant Knight

Heir to his father's shipping empire, Richard Carrington's wealth fails to make a tradesman's son suitable for a baron's daughter. Her parents prefer to bargain her to an unknown suitor in India, a man Richard suspects may not exist. Why pursue an unattainable woman?

The World

Unscrupulous men and women conspire to gain what they desire no matter the cost to anyone else. Honorable men and women do what they may to follow God and aid in His work to save souls. Follow the world or follow God. Which will they choose? The consequences may cost more than they can afford.

Not on Pinterest...

I know, difficult to believe what you need can't always be found on Pinterest. It's true.

Vintage Holiday, the secondhand shop in Holiday, has a dancing flower that is activated by motion. Jan, the heroine in Secondhand Samhain, uses it instead of a bell. No surprise, since she's a bit unconventional.

I know what it looks like, but readers might not. My books aren't picture books, so I have to hope readers are able to see what I do by my description alone.

However, enter Pinterest.

I took a picture of the infamous flower. I'm able to post it here and pin it on my Holiday USA board.

 For the record, I set it outside so I'd have enough sun. Sorry, no video to show it dancing.

Fun.

Wordless

Links to a few of my favorite...

...Christmas songs.

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTSkS0Abas4

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg

Mary, did you know? by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN70R-3ao0U

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I

Josh Groban's O Holy Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU

A Soldier's Silent Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4cJdN-Q8o

Pinterest

Another blogger declared Pinterest a waste of time in regards to advertising and promoting. They saw no value of any kind for writers.

Yes, Pinterest can make time disappear. However, so can many other pursuits.

Pinterest offered a couple of benefits.

*I learned to manage my time when I visit. I allow myself to pin 15 items, and then I'm done. This keeps me from losing hours.

*I used to save links to pictures and articles in email drafts. The problem was that I had trouble finding some of them later. Enter Pinterest. Now, I'm able to save pictures and articles to particular boards. I didn't create boards for particular stories, at first. I was so excited when I figured out I could pin inspiration to particular story boards. Sometimes, as I'm writing, I'll open the accompanying board to help me describe particular places or things.

Added Bonuses:

*Sometimes, I need inspiration or a break.

*Sometimes, I'm looking for something particular. For example, I wanted an example of the MacDonald tartan for Secondhand Samhain. Yep, others have pinned it.

*Sometimes, I browse cookbooks like others browse magazines. I enjoy cooking and experimenting with food and recipes. I actually do try some of the recipes I pin. Some of the recipes have been good enough to keep. In order to make it easy to find them again, I have a board for pins I've tried.

Granted, many of the pins I'll never look at again. This does not diminish the value of a moment of inspiration, a smile, a laugh, a moment of awe, the birth of a dream, even a small one.

https://www.pinterest.com/lhawkes/

Saturday Sharing Links...

Yes! This! Writers In The Storm's Kathryn Craft shared "I am a Writer - Own it!"
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2015/11/i-am-a-writer-own-it/
And Fae Rowen gave some encouraging advice for those times when writing is a struggle:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2015/12/when-writing-every-day-isnt-producing-the-results-you-want/

Armand Rosamilia is gearing up for "Authors Supporting Our Troops 2016."
http://armandrosamilia.com/2015/12/01/authors-supporting-our-troops-2016-asot2016/

 Donna Hatch is preparing for the release of her newest Rogue Hearts series:
http://donnahatch.com/new-release-announcing-the-suspects-daughter/

God bless.

Sunrise a month or two ago. Interestingly enough, what I saw was a pink/peach color. The camera interpreted it as this beautiful gold.

Before "Reluctant Knight" was "Tarnished Knight"

The Distressed Damsel

In 1817 England, Abigail Stewart is not the appointed estate manager. Her father, who was, is dead. The position should have been hers if not for the fact she's a woman. She's willing to go to any lengths to protect all she loves, including incur the wrath of the owner.

The Tarnished Knight

Jack Roper knows espionage and intrigue. Protecting King and country is his life, until a woman he's never met sets about demolishing everything he's worked to build for the purpose of attaining her own ends, regardless of what happens to him.

The Roper Estate

Without the baron present, Castle Sugan, the surrounding land, and the people living on it struggle to survive. All is not lost. God turns evil for good and changes hearts, but will Abigail and Jack choose to be a part of it...

New Releases from DBP... Reluctant Knight

The Rebellious Damsel

A baron's spoiled daughter, Cassandra Treyman's plans to escape her parents goes awry, and she determines to burn the Bible of the maid who ruined everything. One word captures her attention: Forgiveness. Is it too late?

The Reluctant Knight

Heir to his father's shipping empire, Richard Carrington's wealth fails to make a tradesman's son suitable for a baron's daughter. Her parents prefer to bargain her to an unknown suitor in India, a man Richard suspects may not exist. Why pursue an unattainable woman?

The World

Unscrupulous men and women conspire to gain what they desire no matter the cost to anyone else. Honorable men and women do what they may to follow God and aid in His work to save souls. Follow the world or follow God. Which will they choose? The consequences may cost more than they can afford.