Author Archive

Posted on May 18, 2012 - by Kav

Keeping Faith Simple

I think we are all kindred spirits when it comes to having stress-filled lives that need to be simplified. It’s the nature of the beast otherwise known as the 21 century woman. I love all the ideas that have been shared thus far and feel a gentle nudge to share how I have simplified my spiritual life.

I know – that doesn’t sound right, does it? Simplify the most important aspect of Christian living? I feel the stress already building, the tension mounting, the blood pressure rising…but wait! Seriously – I’ve taken a real eye-opening journey over the last couple of years and I’ve found that simplifying my faith has actually grown it into something much more complex and deeper than I ever imagined it could be.

I don’t know how many times I have started in on one intensive devotional or other. You know the kind that requires you to answer a myriad of questions, assigns prayer challenges and makes you set goals and generally requires well…time for starters. Which I don’t have a lot of. So usually about a week into the program I find that my devotional time has whittled itself down to…zero. A lot of good that’s going to do me, eh?

Then I chanced upon Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. A gem of a book with a short devotional for every single day of the year. Who knew that two paragraphs and two scripture references a day could change a life? Written as if the words are directly from the Lord to you personally (and I’m betting that they are because Sarah Young definitely wrote this on inspiration), the impact is immediate and deep and not easily forgotten. One simple concept settles into my heart and burns there the entire day. It’s like those words were written just for me because I needed them NOW.

How did God know that today I needed to be reminded of His abundance? That His resources will never run out, even though mine do again and again? How did He know that today I needed to ponder the unlimited blessings he has in store for me?

As I let these simple concepts seep deep into my soul I can physically feel my faith being replenished. My initial investment? Two minutes first thing in the morning. But the crazy, wonderful thing about Jesus Calling is that what I read sticks with me for the full 24 hours no matter what else I am doing during the day. That’s the kind of simple that makes sense to me.

I also start my day with a Christian women’s talk show, Full Circle.  It airs at 5:30 a.m. and I try to have my breakfast ready so that I can eat and watch and subsequently be lifted up by these wonderful women and their inspiring guests. They’re fun and trendy and frank and honest and always leave me feeling like I’ve just had a sit down gabfest with some of my best girlfriends.  This is another simple way I find myself directed to scriptures and gospel messages that can make a difference in my life. You can check out any of their episodes online here: http://www2.crossroads.ca/fullcircle/

And then there’s Simply Amish – the toginet online radio show hosted by author Suzanne Woods Fisher. I’ve mentioned the program before in another blog but I think it’s worth mentioning again because it’s a wonderful (and simple) way to get inspired and motivated. You can check it out here: http://toginet.com/shows/amishwisdom

I guess the message I’m trying to convey is that, by thinking outside the box, I’ve found ways to marry my not-so-simple-life with some simple faith practises and come out blessed for it.

Posted on May 4, 2012 - by Kav

Believe

I think we’ve covered every possible item we can put into our writer’s survival kit. Chocolate would be at the top of my
list every time, but Kim’s ladder is high on my priority list as well. And that brings me to what I want to talk about.

Believing.

Why is that so hard to do? Why are we so hard on ourselves? So relentlessly unforgiving of our mistakes and short comings? I bet we are all kinder giving a critique to a friend then we are at critiquing our own work. And cheerleading on the sidelines of another’s victory seems much easier than mustering up the same enthusiasm for ourselves.

This believing stuff is hard work, especially when it comes to writing. At least it is for me. Hard to sustain. Harder still to apply in steady doses. I’m fickle when it comes to believing in myself. I have highs and then lows and lots of meandering in the middle ground. That’s why I need to remind myself every day. The words from Believe (from the movie Polar Express and sung by Josh Groban) might have a Christmas connotation to most, but this is my anthem song all year round. I especially love this stanza:

 

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly.

You have everything you need

If you just believe.

 

I don’t really need a fancy writing survival kit. I don’t have to lug that ladder or break the bank on chocolate purchases. Not if I believe.

And because no day is really complete without a serenade from Josh Groban, here’s a link to Believe.

Listen and “believe in what your heart is saying.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoZsS0zq1hs

JUST BELIEVE.

 

Posted on April 20, 2012 - by Kav

More Books!!!!!

More Books!

You can never have enough of them, right? Which is a good thing since my favourite authors keep writing more and new authors keep getting discovered. I don’t even mind that my bookshelves are stuffed to the gills. I just pile one book on top of another as I contemplate how to creatively store even more! No e-readers for me (sorry Regina!) – I’m a paper and glue and stitched binding kinda gal. And because of that you would think that my day would be a dream since I work in school libraries but alas, it has become a nightmare. Why?

No books!

My position in a new school library is a challenge because the principal doesn’t believe in them. Yep, you heard me right. In this technological age she’s all about the gadgets and not so much about the books. That translates into zero funding. I was horrified, the parents were aghast and there I was in September with a cavernous room full of empty shelves.

The parents rallied though and donations started pouring in and then they had a fundraiser before Christmas and I got to buy some brand-spanking-new books, which was such a blessing. But no matter how hard and fast I catalogued those books just seemed to disappear on those empty shelves. I didn’t have enough to circulate until two months ago. Imagine that! Half the school year without a single visit to the library! I shudder at the thought.

I set up a calendar for class visits and teachers eagerly signed up for their weekly biblio-fix. The principal couldn’t understand why. The students were bouncing off the walls with excitement that first week as they filed into the library. The principal was perplexed. Weren’t library visits a waste of time and a distraction from the real work of learning? Then I started reading to the kids. Oh my – how archaic! (this writer exclaims sarcastically.) Why would I read to a class when a computer can do it just as well?

Not!

I stood my ground and fought the good fight. I hold a class hostage until they’ve got a story under their belt. A live story, read by someone who looks them in the eyes and delights in their rapt expressions. A living story read by a real person with an animated voice who understands the importance of the pregnant pause. That’s what D.E.A.R. means to me. It’s not some fleeting holiday we celebrate once a year but rather a way to celebrate books every day of the year! I know I’m better for it and so are the kids but my principal still doesn’t get it.

Thankfully the kids do. I have waiting lists for every single book I’ve read to them. I like to pick humourous stories or…as one child pointed out to me recently…books where people or animals are eaten. Hmmmm…perhaps my inner resentment towards my principal is coming out in my reading selections? I may need to study that and repent. In the meantime here are some great read-alouds whether you’re reading to one or thirty!

 

More Bears by Kenn Nesbitt

This is a story of an author who sits down to write a book that has absolutely no bears in it at all until some children keep clamoring for ‘more bears’. Bowing to the pressure of his eager audience he adds more and more until they completely take over the story. Kids love to join in with the lusty refrain “More Bears!” and they get louder and louder as the book goes on. Tremendous fun and it has a great surprise ending. I have a grade two student who is writing a sequel for me. Book trailer coming soon, she promises!

The Book That Eats People by John Perry

A bit carnivorous and not for the faint of heart and it might just scare a few away from books for life but it’s still a fun read about…well, a very nasty book that…eats people. It even has it’s own website – if you dare check it out!

Wolves by Emily Gravett

Speaking of being eaten…this poor rabbit is in for a rude awakening as he learns about the habits of wolves from a book he checks out of the library. Thankfully there is a vegetarian friendly alternative ending for the sensitive reader.

Snip Snap! What’s that by Mara Bergman

Alas there’s an alligator loose and three children left unattended and…well, were the children scared? “You bet they were!” This is another book that has a refrain that repeats page by page and kids love to holler it out. All round good fun unless you are the alligator.

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Seriously funny. It’ll make you never want to vacuum up another dust bunny again! Which is perfectly fine because it will leave you plenty of time for D.E.A.R.

Posted on April 6, 2012 - by Kav

Ed-Shaddai : The God of the mountains; God Almighty

El-Shaddai means “The God of the mountains or God Almighty” Gen. 17:1; Ps. 91:1

One thing I know about mountains is that they are immovable. I’ve never seen one up close though. I have to rely on beautiful images like this one to get a sense of their magnitude and grandeur. Interestingly enough, the dictionary definition of the word ‘mountain’ includes one word descriptors like elevation, relief and continuity. Now doesn’t that speak directly of the God of the mountains? The Almighty One; El-Shaddai?

I have been so very grateful for these two weeks of devotions. Each one has touched me and brought me closer to my understanding of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Isn’t it interesting that we can intellectually know something for years without fully embracing it in our hearts? I’m like that with spiritual things and I realized as I read the posts each day that I’ve been trying to get around the mountain instead of living in its shadowed protection.

Oh, I’ve always known that the mountain was a good thing. A vital thing. A Halleluiah thing. But in some areas of my life I wasn’t ready to face it head on, you know? Like I’d close my eyes and start running, picking up speed and only stopping when I crashed into the side of that mountain. Those were the times I was busy telling God just how things were going to be from now on.

Or when I make the futile attempt to make my way around the mountain – that’s a never-ending journey on some of the most rockiest and treacherous paths. That’s all those times I’ve turned tail and run, sure that while God was immovable, I surely wasn’t. He might be able to stand through the storms of life, but I’d much rather crawl away from them, thank you very much.

I am ever thankful that my God is a patient God. That He holds all the characteristics of a loving Father that have been discussed these past two weeks. I am convicted anew of the power and glory of my Creator and would like to share a special song that I’ve loved for a long time. It’s appropriately called El Shaddai and is sung by Amy Grant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy5XA4SwuPg

 

Posted on March 23, 2012 - by Kav

Trailers…the New Book Cover?

We have had an in-depth look at book covers over the past two weeks and I thought it would be fun to explore the next step in publishers’ attempts to entice new readers. These days it’s not enough to have a flashy book cover (though we’ve found that it certainly helps!) Book trailers are the cutting edge of the industry. The goal – to captivate fans with sound bytes and images. The end game – to make that all important sale.

Here are a few books that I found proved to be as delectable as their covers – both real and virtual.

The Key on the Quilt

by Stephanie Grace Whitson

I am just coming to the end of this book and all I can say is run don’t walk to your nearest bookstore! The premise is unique and the inspirational depth fathomless. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! The book cover is understated but elegant and holds some key elements to this incredible tale. It soothes even as it intrigues me.

The use of real period photographs give an air of authenticity to the images in this book trailer. Check out the ambiance and the story and see if it captivates you as much as it did me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGNtoU66BA

 

 

The Irish Healer

by Nancy Herriman

Exquisite debut novel. If you love Julie Klassen and Laurie Alice Eakes, you will adore The Irish Healer. It’s hard to tell by the photograph, but the book cover is all decked out in soft greens. Subtle yet eye-catching and brings the freshness of the Irish countryside to mind.

The soft, lilting voice backed by a haunting Irish melody sets the scene for this book trailer and promises a delightful read. It definitely doesn’t disappoint!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxLa0YILakE

 

The Guardian Duke

by Jamie Carie

This book cover screams “Notice me!” And I did. That swatch of red had the same effect on me as a matador’s cape does to a bull. I zeroed in on the target and scooped it up.

The trailer exudes an air of mystery and put me in mind of a Jane Austen movie. Everything from the cultured British accents to the detailed costumes exude authenticity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyTk2MQw04s

 

Now it’s your turn. Have you seen any memorable book trailers? Are they taking the place of book cover browsing when you’re shopping online?

 

Posted on March 9, 2012 - by Kav

National Keep It Simple Day

My turn to blog and I’m pooped. Frazzled to the bone and nearly out for the count. My eyes always seem to be half-mast these days, my feet feel like they are full of lead and my brain has been replaced by cottonballs. In short, I’m a mess.

Once I dragged my sorry carcass home last night after a mere two hour ordeal on city buses (more like standing on hard pavement waiting for city buses that never came), I realized that I still had a blog to prepare. Did I rush eagerly to the computer with a lightness in my step, my mind a whirl with the myriad of possible blog topics?

No. I sat down and had a good cry instead. After which I went into full Scarlet O’Hara mode and declared, “I won’t think about it today. I’ll think about it tomorrow” and I soaked in a hot oatmeal tub while listening to my favourite podcast instead. And that’s when inspiration struck. Thank you Suzanne Woods Fisher!!!!!

You see, the podcast that I LOVE to listen to is called Amish Wisdom and hosted by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Christian author of many Amish novels. But don’t be alarmed — the podcast isn’t all things Amish — in fact sometimes the Amish don’t figure into it at all. But simplicity does and that’s what I need a huge dose of right about now.

Suzanne’s program is dedicated to exploring ways that us ordinary folk can “slow down, de-clutter, find peace, and live a simpler life.” So, my special holiday for writers and readers and everyone who fits in between is National Keep It Simple Day.

When is the last time you enjoyed a sunrise, or a sunset? When you just sat and absorbed the beauty of God’s creation without your mind running in a thousand different directions while your body twitched with the urge to get up and do something productive? Well, on National Keep It Simple Day you could do that in relaxing calm.

Are you reading your scriptures with one ear tuned to what the kids are up to and half your mind planning supper and another quarter of it laying out everything that needs to be done that day in bullet-punctuated exclamations? Not on National Keep It Simple Day. You can spend as long as you want in whole-hearted devotion. Nothing else matters but the peace of that moment. It’s that simple.

Is your family scattered in a hundred different directions every waking hour? Can’t keep track of them — or worse, can’t keep up with them? No worries on National Keep It Simple Day. Family time abounds in harmonious accord hour after hour after hour. What bliss!

And all those edits and muddy-middles and empty pages that cause the blood pressure to rise in every writer? Gone on National Keep It Simple Day. Words flow free, pages practically fill themselves and you have plenty of time left over to  enjoy the activities I mentioned above. It’s that easy on National Keep it Simple Day.

Doesn’t that sound like a dream? I’m getting mellow just thinking about it! But if you tune in to Amish Wisdom, you might discover that every day can be National Keep It Simple Day. It airs at 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursdays, but I’m never home in time to hear it live. I listen to the podcasts later and there’s weeks and weeks and weeks of them.

Last night I listened to Suzanne interview two authors — Battling Excess with Jen Hatmaker and Almost Amish with Nancy Sleeth. Suzanne has an easy, friendly, let’s-sit-down-over-coffee-and-chat kind of interview style which exudes calm in and of itself. But both Jen and Nancy made great points about taking baby steps towards a simpler life. See — even the process is simple! Gotta love that. One of the suggestions I found quite brilliant was to place a basket in your front foyer by the door. When family and friends arrive, they deposit their cellphones in the basket so they can really be present in the home. How simple is that?! Just pick a night, invite some friends over and hold their cellphones hostage for a couple of hours and watch magic happen!

Here’s a link to Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Amish Wisdom:

http://toginet.com/shows/amishwisdom

You’ll find hours and hours and hours of programming pleasure. Pick a topic that tickles your fancy, or an interview with your favourite author and sit back and relax. Your life will be the richer for it. Alright, if you’re a multi-tasker and you can’t help yourself, listen while you’re sorting laundry or preparing dinner or some other mundane chore — you’ll still reap the benefits of a simpler life.

 

 

Posted on February 24, 2012 - by Kav

Doggone Good Movies

Simba B. DeMille here – your canine Hollywood reporter filling in for Kav. Poor thing’s fighting some nasty bug that I can’t herd away for her so she’s gone to bed. I thought she’d sleep right through the night but she keeps tossing and turning and moaning about this blog so I figured the only way to give her rest…and guarantee my beauty sleep…is to just go ahead and do it for her. So here I am – Arrroooooooo!

No offence to any of you two-leggers who have already posted, but I noticed a definite flaw in all of the blogs over the past two weeks.

No dogs.

Seriously – you think anyone wants to sit through a movie without a canine hero in the starring role? I think not! Consider these epic flicks and then tell me you don’t agree (if you dare…grrrrrrrr.)

Lady and the Tramp

Tail feathers and toenails but I LOVE that spaghetti scene. You know the one I’m talking about! It’s a classic. Just look at that picture. Doesn’t it set you to drooling? Hmmmmmhmmmmmm…I do love a good spaghetti dinner!

Because of Winn-Dixie

Take a look at that smile. Who could resist that furry face? There’s humour in those eyes and intelligence in those sharp pointy ears – puts me in mind of our ancestors. Nothing wrong with a little lupus lovin’ worshipping, you know what I mean? And this movie never ceases to choke me up. I mean how one dog can singularly change the lonely, desperate lives of an entire town – well, that’s masterful storytelling, isn’t it? I dare you to name a c-a-t with that kind of empathy!

Lassie Come Home

She’s my kissing cousin you know. Notice the family resemblance? (the dog, not the girl) Rippled ruff, long, lean nose and those ears with the cute floppy tips – scroll up and take a look at my picture again and you’ll see what I mean. And Lassie and I have the same high standard of loyalty. Kav’s always asking me, “Simba, if I fell down a well would you come and rescue me?” And I’m like “Woooooof! You betcha! Rescue is my middle name. Just show me that well and I’ll take it apart with my incisors. I’ll sharpen my toenails on it; I’ll grab it by the scruff of the neck and shake it into kingdom come. Arooooo….uh, what’s a well?”

Scooby-Doo

This one’s kind of scary, but you can always snuggle up with your human for moral support. And it’s howling funny as well! Arroooooo! In fact, I do a pretty mean Scooby Doo impression and I’ve noticed that when I Scooby Doo a squirrel the two leggers think it’s funny and I don’t get into trouble. See? Watching movies is educational too.

 

 

 

Simba is a Shetland Sheepdog entering his senior years. He enjoys lazy days snoozing on the sofa and catching the latest canine flicks with his human of choice. He loves a warm lap and a good massage and believes that the only good squirrel is a dead one.

Make Simba’s day (it can get boring home alone) and let him know your favourite canine movie.

 

 

Posted on February 10, 2012 - by Kav

God is Good

 I commute between two schools over my lunch hour every day. It’s a bit of a hike to the bus stop, then a quick ride and another, longer hike to the second school. Surprisingly that short bus ride shaves off about 45 minutes of walking time so I am grateful for the 168. I have a friendly bus driver and intriguing fellow passengers so I actually enjoy my mid-day commute.

Two of the passengers that I see on a regular basis are an elderly Japanese couple with limited English. For some unknown reason we connected the first time I stepped onto the bus. Their faces wreathed in welcoming smiles and they bowed their heads in greeting. I smiled and bowed in return and we continued that ritual for a few weeks.

I walk with a cane and I found it ironic and somewhat embarrassing, that this elderly couple would defer to me as we got off the bus at the same stop nearly every day. The man would steady my arm as I made the descent, the woman would watch carefully to make sure that I had secure footing. “Okay?” she would ask. When I nodded and smiled, she’d beam back and then wave the bus on with a hearty “Okay!” They would walk on ahead of me, but frequently turn back to assess my progress. If I was slower than usual, they’d call out, “Okay?” and I would wave them on through a grimacing smile. “Okay!” though it wasn’t. Why were these elderly people marching way ahead of me at a brisk pace, backpacks swinging jauntily when I was decades younger? I used to grumble to God about that, though I couldn’t begrudge them their health and vitality.

As the weeks passed we learned a bit about each other. They were taking English classes three mornings a week. “I practice for you?” The husband asked about a month into our acquaintance, clearly feeling he had mastered enough vocabulary to brave a conversation. I learned they had moved to Canada from Japan and were living with their grandson  and his family. Through contorted mime I managed to make them understand that I worked in a school. The man lit up. “I teach! “ He said, thumping his chest. “Before…” he broke off, clearly at a loss for words. “Before you retired,” I finished, smiling and nodding in understanding.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to rid myself of the long commutes. I’d never thought of retiring before. But now I seem to be dreaming of the day.

Once they found out I worked in a school they treated me like a visiting dignitary. The smiles grew wider, the bows deeper and they were ever considerate of my disability. I quite basked in the attention, though it lasted only a few short minutes a few days a week.

The weeks turned into months and we eased into pleasant exchanges about the unpredictability of the weather. Sometimes, like a true Canadian, I could get quite passionate about the topic. Negatively passionate. The woman would cluck in sympathy, understanding the precariousness of icy sidewalks which had to be navigated with a cane, but her husband would smile gently. “It’s okay,” he’d say, as if there were more important things to worry about in this world then the state of recent ice formations on city streets. Of course he was right.

 Recently there’s been a delightful warmth to the air, the sun is shining more and the heat radiating from it seems hotter than a month ago. Is that possible? I tried discussing that with my friends, but I think it was beyond their comprehension. Sun and warm, they got though. “You see?” the elderly gentleman beamed. “It’s okay.” He looked up at the sun as his wife took my arm and eased me over an icy patch. Once I was settled on the cement sidewalk, wet with water not ice we performed our “Okay? Okay!” ritual before they turned to walk on ahead but this time the man turned and saluted me. “See?” he said, pointing to the sky. “Okay! God is good.”

It was the first time he had mentioned God and it startled me. I didn’t know their religion. I assumed they weren’t Christian – likely Buddhist and it gave me a bit of a chuckle to think that I was conceited enough to imagine that Christians had cornered the market on the concept of God being good. But I reflected on the truth of that statement the rest of the walk to school, and since then, ‘God is good’ has become a kind of mantra for me – even though at times I nearly snarl it.

 One day I ran into the bus driver on the way home from work and we struck up a conversation that led to my intriguing Japanese friends.

 “You know about their history, right?” the driver asked even though he knew I didn’t – eager to let me in on some friendly gossip

 He’d heard the story first hand from the grandson who plotted out the bus route his grandparents would take to school each morning. As luck would have it, the 168 runs a circular route so the same bus and driver would pick them up from both home and, several hours later, school. The grandson was understandably concerned about his grandparents setting out on their own in a foreign country with hardly a word of English between them. He appealed to the driver to watch out for them and the driver agreed. I wondered aloud what could have prompted them to make such a major move at this late stage in their life.

The driver looked at me askance. “That old couple – they lost everything in the tsunami. They didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

 Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth…” 1 Cor. 13:7,8

 “God is good,” that poor old man said in order to comfort me. To bring me hope, to encourage me to bear up and endure for the better days that would surely come ahead. That thought still sends chills down my spine. I think of my petty complaints compared to what they have endured and am humbled by the simple faith of a man who can still see the goodness of God’s never-failing love in the shining warmth of the sun.

Posted on January 27, 2012 - by Kav

More Love and Laughter from N.Y. Times Bestselling Author

Margaret Brownley

 I ‘discovered’ Margaret Brownley when I picked up a copy of A Lady Like Sarah at my Christian bookstore. I took a gamble and won. What a gem of a book and I eagerly awaited the next two in the series. Now I hear she is embarking on another series, releasing in March and I’m tickled to death to be able to introduce y’all to one of my favourite authors. So without further ado, here’s the interview.

 Think back to when you were 11 years old. What did you think your future would hold? Any truth to your childhood prophecies?

 First, thank you for letting me visit today.  To answer your question: Oddly enough I wrote my first novel when I was eleven years old and in fifth grade. Talk about childhood prophecies.  The book was a mystery that I didn’t know how to end. Still don’t.

 That’s great! I wrote my first book when I was eleven too! As I recall it involved aliens and a mystery and there might have been a bit of time travel in there as well. Clear to see why you’re the published author!

 When you embark on a new writing project what comes first — characters or plot?

 It’s different with each book.  Sometimes characters spring up and lead the way. At other times I have to chase after them with a hatchet.

 BTW: The idea for Brides of Last Chance Ranch series came to me after reading an old newspaper article in the New York Times dated 1891. A group of fifty ladies of the First Church of Millford formed a society of old maids in 1861. Each member vowed she would not marry.  Each woman paid five dollars on admission with the principal going to the one who remained unmarried the longest.  Thirty years later all but fifteen of the original had married. I was never able to find out who won the prize—and sincerely hope no one had— but the concept intrigued me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

 I love when real life inspires fiction! A church I went to a while back had a group of elderly unmarried women, though I’m not sure they took a vow! They called themselves The Unclaimed Treasures. How cute is that?!

 You are known for your spunky heroines who dance to a different drummer. Do you have any tips you can share with hopeful writers about how to flesh out memorable characters?

 For me it’s all about voice.  If a character isn’t waking me up in the middle of the night to chat than I know he or she isn’t fully developed.  I start by having each character say the same sentence in their own unique way.

 In Dawn Comes Early I asked my characters to introduce themselves.   My heroine Kate Tenney said “How do you do.”   The hero said, “Howdy ma’am.”   That’s when I knew that Kate was college educated and Luke was not.  In fact he’s a blacksmith with little formal education. This makes for an interesting conflict between them.  Half the time he doesn’t even know what she’s talking about. 

 Note to self: it’s okay to talk to characters in the middle of the night.Phew! Love how they become such a part of you. That really reflects in your writing.

 I love all the historical details you add to your books — from the chapter quotes to stories seeped in history. I feel transported back in time when I’m ‘reading Brownley’. Are you a history buff with tons of information at your fingertips or do you have to work at your research. You certainly make it seem easy!

 At last count I had 1500 research books in my library and I’m always on the lookout for interesting tidbits and unusual facts.  Since the heroine in Dawn Comes Early is a dime novelist I read a bunch of them.  When things like “Curses, foiled again” started popping out of my mouth I knew it was time to stop.  

 The trick is to slip historical facts into the story naturally as part of dialogue or action and not narrative.  Historical details are best served in little doses.

  1500 hundred books! A woman after my own heart (says the librarian who collects books the way other women collect shoes.)  What aspect of being a published writer surprised you the most?

 After having published more than twenty-five books the thing that surprises me the most is that I’m not rich. 

 If you had one piece of advice to pass on to an aspiring writer, what would it be?

 Enjoy the ride.  Unpublished writers have a luxury not accorded those of us published; you can spend as much time as necessary writing the book and giving it all the loving care it needs. The rest of us have deadlines to meet. 

 Sage advice that puts a whole new perspective on playing the waiting game. Savor the moment. Thanks for that!  Can you tell us a bit about your new book coming out in March?

 Dawn Comes Early

 Looking for woman

of good character and pleasant disposition

willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona Territory.

 Must be single and prepared to remain so

now and forever more.

 Will be given ownership of ranch.

                                    –Eleanor Walker

 Her latest dime novel banned, twenty-nine-year old KATE TENNEY finds herself without a publisher or other means of support. An advertisement for a woman willing to learn the ranching business seems like the perfect solution for a displaced western writer who has no intention of getting married—ever. 

 Trouble begins the moment she steps foot in Arizona Territory. The west is nothing like she wrote about in her books. Not only does she have to deal with a hard-nosed ranch owner, and nefarious outlaw, but a traitorous heart.  Deserted as a child by her father, grandfather and others—even God— Kate does not trust men and has no intention of falling for LUKE ADAM’S charm.  She’s determined to learn the ranching business and prove to the doubting ranch owner that she’s up to the task—if it kills her. Her faith tested by the harsh realities of the desert, Kate battles to hold on to the one thing that promises permanence—land.    

 If only she could stay away from a certain handsome blacksmith and his two matchmaking aunts.

 Okay – I’m hooked and already stomping at the bit for a chance to read another Brownley gem and I bet our blog readers are too. So, if you would like a chance at winning a copy of Dawn Comes Early, please leave a comment below. Be sure to include your email address so I can reach you if you win. But remember to disguise it from spammers by using AT and DOT instead of @ and . Winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday January 29^th. Oh – and since the book doesn’t release until March, your copy will be pre-ordered and shipped when ready. Just think of the extra joy you’ll get anticipating its arrival!

 And if you would like learn more about Margaret Brownley and her books you can contact her here:

 www.margaretbrownley.com

 You can also find Margaret on Facebook and Twitter

Thanks for stopping by inspirationalmessages, Margaret! I’m glad we got to know you better!

Posted on January 13, 2012 - by Kav

Upcycle Your Writing

Have you heard about upcycling? It’s the new recycling. It was our grandparents way of life but after the Depression our affluent lifestyle created a throw-away society. Now we’ve come full cycle. We want to reuse and repurpose things just like our grandparents did. Waste not want not for the environment and our pocketbooks. What does this have to do with writing, you ask?  I can answer that question in one word:

Organization.

Plain and simple. Can a writer live in chaos? Not for long — I know, I’ve tried. With my life a blur of work and transport to and from my housekeeping skills slid just a bit over the autumn months. Okay, alot! And believe it or not, I found my ability to hold a thought long enough to write it down was compromised by my chaotic surroundings. I madly scribbled clever quips and heart-rending prose on anything at hand — strips of toilet paper, napkins, the grocery receipt. At least I was writing, I reasoned, until my break at Christmas arrived and I tried to piece together a story from the pile of scraps. That’s when I knew I needed an intervention. A New Year’s Intervention.

It happens the last week of every year. I get the hankering to spruce up and clean up and throw out and just plain organize myself from stem to stern. This year when the urge hit I decided to throw in an extra challenge. Organize without buying anything new. I had to use what I had around the house and it turned into a very satisfying upcycling event. take a peek!

Okay — this is sheer brilliance (and no, it isn’t an original idea. I read it in a magazine years ago. I had this big old cookie pan — so large in fact, that it wouldn’t fit in my teensy oven — added an extra cookie cooling wire rack and voila, the perfect boot tray. The wire rack keeps the boots raised up off the tray so the soles actually have a chance to dry, which means that I don’t mess up the floor when it’s time to put my boots on.  It’s small things like this that make my heart sing.

How about this for a new desk? Take two stools gathering dust in the basement, add the middle section of my dining room table (which I only use about once a year) and voila, a simple, functional desktop for my laptop. And bonus — I even had two pieces of shelving that fit across the bottom rungs of the stool. And notice the gnome. Every computer needs one.

Is it a dish drainer or an office organizer? You be the judge!

Found on the side of the curb on garbage day, this little bookcase wasn’t worth the rusty nails barely keeping it together. With a little hammer finesse and some paint it came back to it’s glory and holds my overflow of inspirational fiction. And looks — there’s still room to grow!!!!!

So, do you have any upcycling wonders to share?