Jun 14, 2014 |
Doing the Write Thing
Last month I was offered a scholarship to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference for 2015. This morning, I was asked to participate and present at a still-in-development women’s conference later this year, organized by one of my fellow Writer’s Club and critique group members.
Needless to say, both of these opportunities are attractive to me. Even necessary if I’m to be a more professional writer. Conferences offer the opportunity to share what we know, to learn more, to meet fellow writers. We nourish each other with different writing styles. We treat each other to new paper palates. Conferences give attendees and presenters a means to reach each other on a more personal, involved level. Sharing the knowledge of what we do and why we do it is fundamental to growing in the writing industry. Not just as a writer, but in all capacities: publishing, public relations, marketing, editors, and yes, readers.
I’ve dreamt about attending and making great connections as well as being able to learn how to better craft my writings. No, really. I’ve actually dreamt about it!
My particular dilemma is I’m not out of the financial hole that unemployment dug for me two and three years ago. I’m very happy to say that I’ve eighteen months at my “new” job and continue to grow in job security. The home finances are still underwater, but it’s not as murky as it was and I do see rays of light beaming into the rough seas. Okay, so that’s just a poetic way of saying, I can’t afford to go to the conferences.
This brings me to my knees for prayer and to my keyboard for typing. Two weeks ago I started thinking up ways to earn extra money. The truth is, I can’t do it alone. I could sell my cookbooks for higher profit, but it’s called The Unemployment Cookbook for a reason: I can’t justify raising the price on something I wrote to help get others through their own hard times.
So I’m taking a huge, humbling risk by writing this:
Will you help me?
Would consider donating funds to help me in these endeavors? Each conference requires tuition, transportation, food, and other sundry costs including but not limited to resource materials, snacks, personal items, and of course books!
In anticipation of some Frequently Asked Questions:
*WHAT IF I HAVE EXTRA FUNDS? Any extra funds will be invested in support of my writing career. This means attending other conferences, paying all related taxes and fees associated with your donations, and minor resource/networking costs (printing of business cards, purchase of a small calendar, etc). Now that’s exciting!
*CAN YOU SUPPORT MY FUNDRAISER WITH ANY DONATION? Yes, of course any little amount helps! Thank you! There is a “donate” button on my blog. You can just head over to the coffee cup icon at the end of this post or in the right side column of the blog page and it will take you to my PayPal site. In the message line, be sure to specify “Do The Write Thing”.
*HOW WILL YOU KNOW HOW I’M ACTUALLY USING THE FUNDS? I want to be very transparent with all donations. I’ll post my totals weekly (and if you want your name mentioned in big neon lights, I can do that, too!). I’ll let you know what I’m spending, when, how, and why. And I’ll let you know how much is saved and how much I still need. As soon as I get any donation, it will be earmarked and banked specifically for these conferences and, as previously stated, all associated costs. Every step of the way, you’ll be with me. If not in person, then definitely with my blog!
*WHAT IF I DON’T GET ENOUGH DONATIONS TO MAKE IT TO ANY OF THE CONFERENCES? Okay, that’s a really legitimate concern. Let’s be real: these things can be expensive. So if I get some money, but not enough to attend the two big conferences, I have a Plan B: There are plenty of local promotional events that require fees. Things like renting space at book faires or crafts/creative shows. Networking opportunities like mixers and drop-ins. And of course, the aforementioned marketing tools.
I hope this explains the who, what, when, where, why and how of this post. If you have any questions, just let me know.
Thanks to so many for your incredible support of my writing. The responsibility is not lost on me, and I strive to do justice to your faith in the talents God has given me.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
I am Defined. And I am a Mystery.
Life is Rough. I’m still a diamond.
Why I Write. Every Day.
Jun 8, 2014 |
Disclaimer: Aaron D. Gansky has been a friend of mine for many years. It is because we are both Christian writers (and he is married to one of my close friends which is how we met) that we get along well. These facts have in no way influenced this book review.
The Bargain is a Selah Award Finalist in Fiction novel. It is a suspenseful Christian fantasy story written by Aaron D. Gansky. It is available for purchase through Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Aaron D. Gansky
I bought The Bargain for my Kindle. I’m all about supporting local artists. I also like to read what others are writing, and learn from their style and format. The Bargain did not disappoint.
To be honest, I’m no longer much of a reader (I still haven’t finished the Louie L’Amour book I started two summers ago). I want to be. But I keep myself busy with the day job, home life with Dot at Bedford Manor, and writing my own stories.
But one evening I needed a break from all that. So I picked up my Kindle and decided to glance through the first few pages. The more I read, the more I understood the cover art. Can you see it? A pensive man, a train, and a desert. And oh, so much more!
The Bargain by Aaron D. Gansky
It took just seven days for me to finish the story. I haven’t read that fast since I was pregnant with Dot . . . and she’s 19. I found myself irritated that my aforementioned life responsibilities got in the way of reading more, say at 3 o’clock in the morning or during office hours. I made Starbucks staff look at me funny as I gasped, frequently. (Note to self: stop emoting in public.)
The Bargain tells the story of international reporter Connor Reedly, in his own voice, as he struggles to find meaning and make sense of his dying wife, Nadine, and a town the world wants to forget. They arrive in Hailey, home of Nadine’s sister, Aida and her friend Mason. Mason is tasked with offering Connor $250,000 if he writes ten articles in eight days. Mason hints that to refuse means certain death for Nadine, and all of Hailey.
Connor has to choose between spending his wife’s dying days at her side making her comfortable, or talking to strangers in hope of saving her. What secrets does he uncover? In the end, is Hailey really worth saving?
The Bargain, although written by a Christian author and containing Christian themes, is not only for Christian readers. It’s not an in-your-face sermon. The characters are hardened, tough, bitter. They are criminals telling their stories. They are victims sharing their loads. They are a collection of folk who are nitty-gritty in a place that no one wants to visit, let alone live.
And it’s up to Connor, a non-believer, to find out if there are any redeemable qualities, not only in Hailey, but in himself as well.
Okay. That’s the synopsis. Here’s what The Bargain did for me personally:
- It made me cry. It really did. Aaron’s characters are true, honest, not polished or cleaned up. The reality that life sometimes sucks invades this book not with a depressing countenance, but with a breathless, there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-I sort of reading. I found myself nodding in understanding at each interaction, with all of Connor’s thoughts, and even in the solitude faced by the characters and Hailey as a whole.
- I saw much of myself in this blend of people. From those who make no sense of their struggles, to those who justify their wrongdoings, to those who question everything, to those who just accept the world as it is. From the hopeless to the hopeful, there is a bit of each of us in each of the characters.
- It left me wanting more. I’m a sucker for ongoing stories and I was sad when I reached the end. I like the continuing soap operas, trilogy movies, etc. So if you’re reading this, Aaron (and I know you are!), please tell me you’re writing more. If not these characters, then more like them. Please. Thank you.
- It changed my perspective. Life isn’t always pretty. That doesn’t mean it has to be hell on earth. It’s not always about me (or Connor) and sometimes the choices aren’t easy. But they are choices. Sometimes, what you think will work, doesn’t. But sometimes, just sometimes, what you have no hope for actually happens. Or something completely different. This book affirmed it’s okay to just close your eyes and say, “What’s next?”
There’s so much more I want to tell you, but I don’t want to give away the ending. I will, however, share my short interview with Aaron for this giveaway:
- Mojo: Is this your first suspense novel?
Aaron: Yes and no. My first novel was also suspense, but, like most first novels, it wasn’t good, and hasn’t been published.
- Mojo: How long did it take you to write it once you had the idea?
Aaron: It was the matter of about eight months from concept to the end of draft one. Tack on another couple of months for editing, then a lot of years shopping it to publishers. Once it was published, we worked on edits for another couple of months. I’d estimate, conservatively, it was a little under two years of active work (most in revisions and edits).
- Mojo: What was the hardest part about writing THE BARGAIN?
Aaron: That’s a good question. For me, the writing isn’t the hard part, it’s the shopping and waiting for publication. But, because I wrote it when my kids were young, I’d say the hardest part was waking up early to write before my kids got up. I kept Starbucks’ pockets well lined in those thin hours of the mornings. In context of craft, I struggled to keep the quality high throughout the novel. My challenge was to make each “article” stand up to the last. I had the first few in mind, but coming up with the others that would be as equally as compelling gave me a lot of trouble.
- Mojo: It’s a fast paced read, and at times volatile and emotional. Did you ever find yourself getting caught up in the story instead of writing it?
Aaron: I did. I think, more than anything else, the final scene in Veronica’s story is what really got me. I won’t spoil it, but if you’ve read it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It was a chilling scene to write. I knew exactly how I wanted to handle it, and it came pretty naturally, and the words fell into place, and horrified me with each letter that dropped. My hope is that my readers have a similar experience when they read it—a chilling terror that washes over a subtle, quiet hope.
- Mojo: What is your writing process (outline v. discovery)? I learned those terms on your podcast.
Aaron: I’m a die-hard discovery writer. It’s how my mind works. I can outline, but I’ve not had nearly as much success with that strategy.
So. Are you intrigued enough to read The Bargain? Do you want to win your own autographed copy? Then look no further and enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 16, 2014 |
Five Things Friday at Frankly, My Dear…
This week’s Five Things Friday is all about experiences. Those moments that are more than moments. Those times that leave more than memories. This week’s post is about the whole kit-and-caboodle.
Because I write (or perhaps influencing the way I write), life is more than just passing time. I love to absorb everything about everything. I want to relive it completely: the look, the feel, the sight, the smell, the sound. I enjoy watching strangers and making up stories about them. I like discovering the nitty-gritty of what makes people tick.
And while I’m healthiest when I’m writing, there are a handful of experiences I would love to be able to write about but haven’t yet.
These are my Five Things Friday Experiences.
1. National Police Week. My good friend Danny lost his brother nearly two years ago. [Read Dear Amy, I’m Just So Sorry For Your Loss.] Pat’s wife, Amy, and their four children continue to be a strong public symbol of faith and forgiveness. This last week, Danny was a part of the Police Unity Tour. He rode nearly 300 miles on a bicycle to draw attention to our fallen officers. While much pedaling isn’t on my Bucket List, doing what I can to support police officers and their families is a big deal. I’m proud of our selfless heroes, proud of Danny, and proud of Amy for continuing to show her strengths and vulnerabilities to the world. We need all the heroes we can get, and they need our support.
2. The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference. Conferences are a great place to make connections and share writings. Several of my friends and colleagues speak at the BRMCWC and I’m hopeful to attend next year. Between now and then, I’ll do whatever I can to raise the funds necessary to get there. I’ve yet to attend any writer’s conference, and I can think of no better way to start than by going across the country to meet up with people I know and admire.
3. Book Tour. What kind of writer would I be if I didn’t rehearse television interviews and plan my agenda years in advance? Once NOLA is a best seller (think positive!), I’ll start in New York and travel my way around the United States with stops in Michigan, North Carolina, New Orleans (of course!), Texas, Arizona and wherever else I can land.
NOLA Inspiration
This is all actually just a clever ploy to meet up with family and friends. Selling books is secondary to my wish to see all my loved ones again.
4. Last Resorts. I’m not shy about admitting that I like to taste the finer things in life. Last week I was delightfully treated to my first dining experience at Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, the elegant restaurant at my most favorite place, The Mission Inn in Riverside. It was beyond my expectations. It was magical. And yes, it was worth it. I’ve stayed at the Mission Inn once and would love to do so again. The Keeper of the Inn Suite, if you please.
Peaceful Morning
There, and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. As a child, we would drive up to Mackinaw City each summer. Driving across the bridge was always so adventurous.
Mackinac Bridge [Photo by Danny O’Rourke; used by permission.]
5. Italy. My second home will be in Italy. Tuscany. Rome. Venice. It doesn’t matter. Italy is small enough that I can easily get from one place to another in a reasonable amount of time. Until then, my house will continue to look like an Italian countryside coffeehouse.
My Favorite Coffee Mugs
There are many more experiences on my Bucket List. But these are my top five.
What are yours?
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote.
You may also enjoy reading:
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: Everything Old is NEW Again
2014: BETTER.
I’m Afraid of My Own Success
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: The Big Easy
Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Jul 25, 2012 |
I don’t care if Chick-fil-A supports Biblical marriage. I don’t care if Henson Productions supports homosexuality. I don’t care.
I do care that people are being legalistic instead of loving, and people are being bullies. I do care that social media is jumping all over it as if we’re sending Earth’s orbit straight into the Sun.
I don’t care if someone is gay any more than I care what color their eyes are. If they aren’t willfully hurting someone, or if they aren’t blindly acting out of ignorance, I don’t care. Why? Because they don’t care who I do (or don’t) sleep with. I do care if someone is being abused or taken advantage of. I do care that too many people find a reason to say someone else hates them instead of taking the High Road and just letting everyone get along peacefully.
Call it sin, lifestyle choice, or what-you-will. Nobody’s perfect.
Nobody.
And I’m okay with that. I don’t want people judging my entire existence based on one aspect of my life. I’ve been served enough mercy and grace to share! Haven’t you?
Why does one person’s belief have to alienate another’s? If someone wins the Big Lotto some people are happy, some say he’s a gambler. If someone drinks too much some say he’s an addict, some say he’s a party dude. There are two sides to every story. And I don’t believe that just because someone is gay, they’re going to hell any more than I would believe that just because a person says he/she is a Christian that means they’re going to Heaven.
I’m a Christian, and I know my views are controversial. The liberals will say I’m too conservative, and the Conservatives will say I’m too liberal. But here’s my take on the whole social situation.
IT DOESN’T MATTER.
It’s not my place to judge anyone. It is my place to love them, no matter who they are or what they do. Christ didn’t set Himself up in the Courts. He ate and talked and stayed with prostitutes and [gasp!] tax collectors.
My Church teaches us to love the sinner but hate the sin. And we are all sinners. Period. There is but one way to Heaven: Salvation through Jesus Christ.
And it’s not up to me to decide for anyone else what that salvation looks like or acts like or what it is. I know what my salvation is. And I know how I’m supposed to act.
Matthew 22:37-40 [NIV] states
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
So Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, says his company supports Biblical marriage. Why is that “hate-mongering”? He didn’t say, “We refuse to serve gays.” He didn’t say, “Let them starve.” He said, “Hey, this is what we believe.”
So why are supporters of the Gay/Lesbian community not considered hate-mongers for bashing Chick-fil-A? Why couldn’t they just agree to disagree, instead of starting a social free-for-all?
How is it okay for one group of people to loudly voice their opinions and beliefs nearly everywhere they can, but when others do the same, it’s “wrong”?
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
It should be as simple as that. Some people think homosexuality is okay. Others don’t. I’m not going to condemn anyone for their beliefs, unless they’re abhorrently evil. Some people think even one sip of wine is one sip too many. That wearing any kind of jewelry is excessive. That owning two cars in a five person family is greed.
It still tastes like Chicken.
Chick-fil-A made a statement. It doesn’t change the restaurant recipe. They didn’t suddenly add pepper instead of bread crumbs. It’s not a political statement. It wasn’t a challenge or an ultimatum. Cathy simply voiced his belief. Now, Chick-fil-A is a Christian company. Why does it suddenly surprise anyone that their beliefs are dictated by the Bible? I’d be more surprised if the head of Chick-fil-A was a Wiccan.
I’m sad at the condition of the world. I’m sad not because there are Gays and Lesbians. But because there are
Bullies!
In all communities.
And I’m sad because people just don’t listen to each other any more. They’re too busy trying to be recognized. Trying to be right. Trying to point out how the other side is intolerant. But in doing so, aren’t they just as intolerant?
My name is Molly Jo. I am a Christian. I am also a Sinner. And I love you.
Because you are a Person. Period.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post is linked up with Frankly, My Dear…’s “What’s the Word?” Wednesday
and Pour Your Heart Out With Things I Can’t Say
Apr 12, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
[Originally published on blogspot on Saturday, April 2, 2011]
1. When a guy hangs up on you, it’s okay to never call him back.
2. Don’t spill your guts on the first date, or in the first month, or even the first six months. Guard your heart!
3. People put tons of research into buying a new house, getting a new job, even seeing a movie. Why don’t they do that with PSO’s (Potential Significant Other)?!
4. “Christian” means different things to different people. Speak up!
5. Don’t let bad memories scare you away from new experiences. Go to that same old place, and make new ones!
6. When in doubt, talk it out.
7. Men…. are strange creatures who will never be fully understood by women. Stop trying!
8. Nobody’s perfect. Ever. Once in a while, you may have a perfect moment. You may even be perfect together once in a while. But nobody’s perfect. Stop expecting that, especially of yourself.
9. Once in a while, it’s okay to SHUT UP and listen. Just listen. Don’t process, don’t analyze, don’t fix… just listen. Pay attention. But don’t act.
10. Be honest, but for goodness’ sakes, don’t be brutal! There are some things that just don’t need telling… even if you want to “clear the air”…
11. He is not Norman Bates, and I am not Mother Theresa. Ever.
12. If you don’t care if your family and friends like him… keep looking. You’re just kidding yourself if you think their opinions don’t matter.
13. The clothes DO make the man. I prefer mine to NOT have “tattoo sleeves”, thankyouverymuch.
14. Stop crying. Move on. Get stronger. Find someone better.
15. It’s okay to not be okay… sometimes. It’s okay to be a little weak, and let him be a little strong.
16. Don’t expect him to always be strong. That’s like him expecting you to always be June Cleaver.
17. Listen to music. Lots of it. Find the lyrics that fit you. Sing them to yourself. Often. Find strength and comfort in your own voice.
18. Share. Share your ice cream. Share his umbrella. Share the food bill. Share your joys. Share the blame. Share your life. Share.
19. If he’s not good for you now, don’t think he’ll ever change. He wants you to think that so you’ll stick around. You’re better off being single and able to hold your head up high, than to be with him and under his feet.
20. Never stop learning. Never. About each other. About the world. About yourself. Never, ever stop. Ever.
21. Always believe in yourself, and what you know is right. Don’t compromise that. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Love is give-and-take, that doesn’t mean full-on alterations.
22. Be good to yourself. It’s okay to buy yourself jewelry now and then. It’s okay to go out alone. It’s okay to smile at strangers.
23. Don’t forget to breathe. Regularly.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
