Cardiac Restoration

I haven't posted in a few days...I was planning to do a writing exercise on Friday but I think, if I want participation, I need to get more traffic!

I am hoping to do a few book reviews soon...

But, right now, CurlyQ is sound asleep so it's time for me to get a bit done.  The list is always long...

I had a friend stop by for a quick lunch and she got some tough news while she was with me.  It was good for us to have the time together to process the information. 

I am reminded of this:

"The Lord is my Shepard
I shall not want,
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
HE RESTORES MY SOUL..."

Even on a Monday, let Him restore your heart and soul...

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Before and After...

You know how life TOTALLY changes when you become a parent.  Even your writing changes.  No, seriously...it does. 

Don't believe me?  Watch...

Before:
Sarah relaxed in the bath with a good book.  She nearly dropped it in the water when she fell asleep in the calming scent of lavender.

After:
Sarah hadn't showered in four days and finally when she had 3 1/2 minutes to herself she turned on the shower only to realize that her sweet boy, Mark, had thrown her new Betsy St. Amant book in the tub. 

***

Before:
The scent of balsamic vinegar wafted through the air as Melanie flipped through her Style magazine, leaning over the island in the kitchen.  She peeked over and noticed that the water was a nice rolling boil and swiftly  added the basmati rice.  Her husband walked in with a dozen roses and kissed her soundly.

After:
The scent of vinegar and urine stung Melanie's nose as she sprayed Lysol behind her with one hand and threw in the 5 minute rice away that she'd burned because she hadn't removed it from the burner.  But on her way to the trash she slipped on the soiled undies that she'd forgotten to pick up.  Just then her husband walks in with a dozen kids hanging off of him, giving kisses all around.

***

Before:
She crawled into bed and made sure her alarm would not sound off in the morning.  She loved Friday nights with a Saturday free to sleep in.

After:
She crawled into bed after two in the morning completely drained of any energy after having a toddler with croup.  It seemed she fell asleep for only about seven minutes when she heard the barky cough hacking through the monitor.  In her sleep even the tired mom was up and rushing to the bedside of her two-year-old.  She gave her a drink and the mixture of honey, apple juice, and lemon juice that had been helping then gathered her curly-topped little girl in her arms and brought her to the master bedroom.  Though comfortably curled up the family still didn't sleep like babies, but at least they were together.  No matter the lack of sleep, Elizabeth loved being Mommy.

***

Yeah, writing does change.  Life changes.  FOR THE BETTER.

Boy, do I ever love being a mama to my sweet Curly-Q!  She really does bring out the best in me.

What's your BEFORE and AFTER?  Share!!!

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Wordless Wednesday

Story Starter...

Leave a comment about how you'd start this story!

{This is my daughter Curly-Q and my Amish grandma.}

Cheers,

Elizabeth

Writers are cool...

I'm so in love with the fact that when I go to writing group I not only get to be around really cool and great writers...but also sisters and brothers in Christ!


Last night 3 of us ladies went out to a nearby coffee shop and had such a wonderful time in conversation about writing, church, politics, family...just so many different things. We laughed...I almost cried...and we laughed some more. Not because I almost cried but because Allison & Brenda are really funny!


Christian Writing so very much transcends just "writing". The whole rest of the writing and publication world just can't hold a candle to knowing that not only are we writing about the Message of Christ but we get to link arms with other amazing men and women out there with the same goal in mind.


Life. Long. Friends.


Eternal, actually...

I am so thankful that God called me into Christian Fiction.


Blessings,
Elizabeth

...you have to start somewhere...

I saw this neat writing exercise over HERE and thought...Oh, fun!!!  And, since I'm a fun girl, I had to join in...clearly!

While the hype about first lines is way over rated I don't think that the 1st line is a total make it or break it...I do think it's important to have it well-thought-out.  I've always loved writing the first lines to my manuscripts (I won't go into detail about how many line my dusty shelves).  {clears throat}

I digress...though the special first chair spot is so temporary and it's just a space keeper waiting to be booted out by better wording, thoughts, and typically something vastly different from where it started.  When you first fill that beautiful thick parchment paper with your flowery calligraphy, ahem, I mean when you have your fingers paralyzed at ASDF JKL; ... suddenly the right words will come.  Not without being forced, man-handled, chocolate eating, and, let's be honest, a little rocking back and forth that may or may not include banging your head on the edge of your desk...for better or worse mostly worse they will be written.

So, here are 10 first liners...no rewriting, editing and no not really too much thinking...

1-For most of my life I was considered the girl next door.
2-My mouth went dry when I looked down and realized that my husband was divorcing me.
3-I think I actually remember my first cry in the doctor's arms.
4-Where were you when your parents fell in love; I was sleeping in the bedroom next door.
5-The drive too forever this time, not just because of the icy roads but also because the book I was reading was so boring.
6-Lincoln grabbed at his wrist when he realized he couldn't stop the bleeding.
7-Military decorum meant everything to Raphael but now he was being dishonorably discharged.
8-Malinda heart pounded as she swung around in circles looking for Jayden, who had been swallowed up in the crowded sidewalk.
9-The last thing Joy remembered was the ribbon hitting her chest as she ran through the finish line.
10-Lola looked up and saw the doctor from across the hall. 

Okay, that's a lot harder than I originally thought.  Really, you should try it!  Maybe it should be a regular on Mondays.  The "work" week has to start somewhere...so does a novel...

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Oh Goucho, My Goucho

I love going to a place, having an experience, or meeting a really cool person and knowing...just knowing, it'll make into a book some day.

Last night my husband The Captain, my daughter Curly-Q, and 2 of our close friends went to a Brazilian Steakhouse.  Truly an experience...14 different meats, 30 items on the salad bar, a great staff and atmosphere.  Oh, and a little pricey...

We were celebrating the sale of our home...YE-HAW! 

If I were writing a romance the hero would maybe be a "goucho", one of the guys who bring the meat flying across the room on sharp skewers "rodeo" style,...he'd see a lovely young woman eating with her uninteresting, pompous parents...and when he asks her "medium or rare"...oh, it's love at first sight...

If I were writing suspense/mystery one of the goucho's accidentally stabs one of the regulars right through...but really he wasn't a goucho but an under-cover bad guy...bom-bom-bom...

Or maybe the goucho could dub as a tour guide in an action/adventure series...

Okay, sorry, bad premises on all counts.  I think gauchos should stay far away from romance, suspense, and adventure...as far as my cheesy storylines would go.  {clears throat}  Part of the problem is, I'm sure, that I don't write romance, suspense, or adventure...thus the not so good story-starters.  {grin} 


I do write contemporary women's fiction....good at it or not, that's where God's landed me.  So perhaps it would just simply be a passing conversation or where the girls go out together and get away from their problems for a few hours then wake up in the morning with a meat hang-over...oh, the deliciousness is all worth it...trust me...

I think I have meat hang-over this morning...but I do have to admit, those gouchos are my heroes.

Elizabeth

Stealing Home: Book Signing

What a book!  If you haven't read this yet...you should!

You can buy it HERE and HERE and HERE!  And a lot of other places!

I read this almost immediately after it came out and it was the 4th book of Allison Pittman's that I read.  I loved her historical Crossroads series and was a little afraid I wouldn't like this one as much...as it was a deviation from what she'd done in the past.  BUT...I can honestly say...I LOVED IT! 

The writing was beautiful!  The characters were well-rounded and so well-written.  Allison has quickly become a favorite of mine as a writer learning the craft and as a reader who is in puffy-heart-love with historicals...even though I write contemporary.

Allison has a book signing TOMORROW!  I am really looking forward to it...even though my book is already signed.  Allison is as good a friend and mentor as she is a writer.  She is sweet, loyal, and honest!  She will help brainstorm...give great advice...and has a terrific laugh that is contagious.

HERE is the Facebook link to her signing.

If that doesn't work...here's the info:

Saturday, August 22, 2009
10a-1p
Lifeway Christian Store (The Rim)
17802 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 115

If you're not in the San Antonio area...go buy the book anyway.  You'll love it!

by Elizabeth