I am not a stranger to writing from a certain perspective. I have written stories from different points of view for a very long time. I remember writing the Easter story from different points of view- Mary, John, a Roman soldier, etc. I tried to imagine what it might have been like to be there. To be that close to Jesus and the cross. I actually thought I had done a pretty decent job...that is until Friday night.
I play the keyboard for the worship band at my church and had been asked to play for the Good Friday service. I didn't mind in the least and knew going into it that the Crucifixion would take place on the stage where the band was set up. At practice on Monday, it was a little uncomfortable being inches away from Jesus lying on the cross and the soldiers hammering the wood of the cross. I tried to ignore the cries of the man that was portraying Jesus as they did this. He did not have the fake blood smeared over his body and it still made me want to get out of there.
Friday night, things seemed rushed and the band did not even get to do a sound check together. I usually don't get too nervous before I play, but that night I was going crazy inside! We had an important service to do and I felt we might not be ready- and our worship leader was losing his voice. We gathered in the back room to pray and our leader prayed this awesome prayer all about how the focus was on Jesus not us or what we did. It was a good reminder that it was all about Him and not about me.
As the team took to the stage, I found my heart beat was more regular and I felt ready for the service. Everything seemed to go off well and I was preparing to play "How He Loves Us" by the David Crowder Band. It is one of my all time favorite songs and I love to play and sing it. But Friday night as Jesus was led to the stage with just a loincloth and a crown of thorns, bloody lines across his back and blood dripping down his face; I had a whole new perspective of the love that God has for me.
As I was singing the words: "And we are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn by redemption by the grace in His eyes, If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. How He loves us, oh how He loves us, ....." I was suddenly and violently reminded of God's complete and total love for me. I always say that I am not a rainbow and puppy happy person, but I think my view of Jesus's sacrifice might have been.
What I witnessed happening right in front of me was powerful-yes. But as I was listening to the hammer hit a large metal plate and Jesus screaming I realized that the cross experience was loud and messy and horrifying and bloody. I was looking at love in its most organic. Someone loved me enough to take this kind of torture to atone for MY sins. Not his. He didn't do anything!
There was just something about having Jesus hanging on the cross just inches from me that has changed my viewpoint of exactly what He did on the cross that day. It has changed from merely being a detached observer to being right there.
It was a view point I had never had. Until Friday night.
It made me think of my view points of my characters in my novel and for some reason and I know that the experience I had Friday will help with my character's perspective.
I challenge you to look at things from a different view point today. You never know what you may discover. Happy Easter!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Signs Along the Way
I have to say that the last two weeks have been very surreal for me. Just about every day I have run into a Bible verse, a person, a song, or something that has given me great encouragement as far as the novel is concerned.
Two weeks ago, I met Liz Curtis Higgs and she gave me great writing tips and she was just a wonderful lady to meet! Saturday I got to meet the Warden, whose writing is about as different from Liz's as can be- but when she talked to me, she also offered words of wisdom although a couple of those words would have to be censored! She told me to follow what my characters are telling me and write what I see and not to give a @#$% what other people think! And I needed to hear that- being the people pleaser that I am. It is funny that in the space of 10 days I had a chance to meet two authors. I could only think of two other authors I have ever met in person in my whole life!
So something is up. Today, when our special speaker that I thought was going to talk about Dinosaurs and Noah's Ark began to talk about dragons......well I knew it was yet another sign for me to keep going with this book idea. ( He had pictures of dragons on cave walls, in art, in sculpture.... it was crazy!) After that, I should have not been the least bit surprised when the speaker flashed a bible verse that had a raven in it on the screen. (I mean, if he was going to talk about two animals in my book those would be the two..)
I've tried a new brainstorming idea too. I have such a hard time visualizing things and thought that I would try index cards and put them on the kitchen table and when I am talking to Rich about concepts or characters, I could move the cards around and that would help. Turns out, not only does it help, but it has broken some things wide open! I am so glad I finally figured out what works for me.
I have been paying attention- the signs are everywhere! I told Rich last night that I feel a little like Elijah when God provided food for him in the wilderness. I keep getting what I need every day.
Oh- did I happen to mention that ravens brought Elijah the food? Yes- I said ravens.
Are you paying attention to the signs all around YOU? I encourage you to look for them and see how you are being provided for and sustained. It just may be enough to get you through another day. Your signs may not be ravens or dragons or authors; but you will know them when you see them.
Open your eyes!
Two weeks ago, I met Liz Curtis Higgs and she gave me great writing tips and she was just a wonderful lady to meet! Saturday I got to meet the Warden, whose writing is about as different from Liz's as can be- but when she talked to me, she also offered words of wisdom although a couple of those words would have to be censored! She told me to follow what my characters are telling me and write what I see and not to give a @#$% what other people think! And I needed to hear that- being the people pleaser that I am. It is funny that in the space of 10 days I had a chance to meet two authors. I could only think of two other authors I have ever met in person in my whole life!
So something is up. Today, when our special speaker that I thought was going to talk about Dinosaurs and Noah's Ark began to talk about dragons......well I knew it was yet another sign for me to keep going with this book idea. ( He had pictures of dragons on cave walls, in art, in sculpture.... it was crazy!) After that, I should have not been the least bit surprised when the speaker flashed a bible verse that had a raven in it on the screen. (I mean, if he was going to talk about two animals in my book those would be the two..)
I've tried a new brainstorming idea too. I have such a hard time visualizing things and thought that I would try index cards and put them on the kitchen table and when I am talking to Rich about concepts or characters, I could move the cards around and that would help. Turns out, not only does it help, but it has broken some things wide open! I am so glad I finally figured out what works for me.
I have been paying attention- the signs are everywhere! I told Rich last night that I feel a little like Elijah when God provided food for him in the wilderness. I keep getting what I need every day.
Oh- did I happen to mention that ravens brought Elijah the food? Yes- I said ravens.
Are you paying attention to the signs all around YOU? I encourage you to look for them and see how you are being provided for and sustained. It just may be enough to get you through another day. Your signs may not be ravens or dragons or authors; but you will know them when you see them.
Open your eyes!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
To Risk or Not to Risk....THAT is the Question!
One story that Liz Curtis Higgs shared at her presentation the other night was her desire to write a children's book. She already had written non-fiction books (Bad Girls of the Bible) and her publisher told her no. She said that she tried to let it go- but that desire kept coming back. She finally told her publisher that she would pay for the artist herself and buy the first 5,000 copies.
The publisher agreed and Liz paid the artist $12,000 and signed the agreement to buy the first 5,000 copies. When "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" came out- in the first two weeks 50,000 copies were sold! Liz and her husband were stunned! (Her husband had joked with her that they would be eating books for the next several years when he heard the deal Liz had made with her publisher!)
She went on to say that her children's books, including the "Parable of the Sunflower" and others about Easter and Christmas have gone on to sell more than 1.4 million copies. I know the books well, I have read them to my own children!
Liz went on to say that if you believe in something, there may be times that will be tested and you will have to take a risk. In that moment she pitched the deal to her publisher, she had no idea how the book would be received and she took a substantial risk to get the pumpkin book published.
Risk- the possibility of loss or injury. Peril.
After looking up that word in the dictionary I am no closer to being comforted by it- but the word possibility gives me a glimmer of hope. When you take a risk, you have the possibility of losing something or injuring yourself. It's not a done deal.
I just asked my husband what word he thought of when I said "risk". He said, gamble. I think he's on to something there. Liz believed in her story so much that she was willing to gamble her money on it.
Hang with me as I make a connection. Another thing Liz talked about was having your own writing space. I have a writing desk and a chair that sit in our living room. It's not much of a space-but it's mine. We have a mostly unfinished basement and there is a room that I would love to make into my writing room. It has windows and I love where it is. The problem is that it needs walls, a ceiling, doors, carpet, etc. I have gotten to the place where I can visualize it....a nice desk, my pictures and RED memorabilia on the walls, one wall for my character pictures and the map of my kingdoms, french doors, and a small couch. My hubby even gave me electrical boxes and switches for Christmas and I have Home Depot cards to help with a few expenses....
Here's the challenge....my husband lost his job in early January and I stopped talking about the writing room. We are in this place of not knowing what is going to happen with us and if we have to move it would be foolish to finish my writing room only to leave the house. But after listening to Liz I realized that I could take a risk and do it anyway. Or could I? I came home and talked to Rich and told him I really wanted to do this.
Does it make sense? No.
Do we have the money for it? No.
Do I believe it can become a reality? Yes.
Do I take the risk? That's the question isn't it?
I honestly cannot answer it right now. Remember, I am the planner, not the risk taker. Although now that I think about it, I may be more of one than I first thought.
1-Four years ago we said good bye to friends and family and moved 1600 miles away where we knew NO ONE.
2-We did two years of fertility treatments.
3-I interviewed for a job teaching middle school after I had a horrible student teaching experience.
4-I showed up at tryouts for a play at the museum here in town.
5- I decided to teach piano lessons.
Here's how those risks panned out:
1-We have many dear friends here and cannot imagine life without them! We love Southern Indiana and the people here! (accents and all!)
2-Kendall was born in Feb. of 2002.
3-I have taught upper grades for a total of ten years and love teaching! I can't imagine not doing it.
4-I have been in several productions of the Museum Theater Company and have made some great friends!
5-I have taught piano in three different towns and have had well over 100 students.
Hmmm, maybe I am more of a risk taker than I realized.
Now where did I put those Home Depot cards?
The publisher agreed and Liz paid the artist $12,000 and signed the agreement to buy the first 5,000 copies. When "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" came out- in the first two weeks 50,000 copies were sold! Liz and her husband were stunned! (Her husband had joked with her that they would be eating books for the next several years when he heard the deal Liz had made with her publisher!)
She went on to say that her children's books, including the "Parable of the Sunflower" and others about Easter and Christmas have gone on to sell more than 1.4 million copies. I know the books well, I have read them to my own children!
Liz went on to say that if you believe in something, there may be times that will be tested and you will have to take a risk. In that moment she pitched the deal to her publisher, she had no idea how the book would be received and she took a substantial risk to get the pumpkin book published.
Risk- the possibility of loss or injury. Peril.
After looking up that word in the dictionary I am no closer to being comforted by it- but the word possibility gives me a glimmer of hope. When you take a risk, you have the possibility of losing something or injuring yourself. It's not a done deal.
I just asked my husband what word he thought of when I said "risk". He said, gamble. I think he's on to something there. Liz believed in her story so much that she was willing to gamble her money on it.
Hang with me as I make a connection. Another thing Liz talked about was having your own writing space. I have a writing desk and a chair that sit in our living room. It's not much of a space-but it's mine. We have a mostly unfinished basement and there is a room that I would love to make into my writing room. It has windows and I love where it is. The problem is that it needs walls, a ceiling, doors, carpet, etc. I have gotten to the place where I can visualize it....a nice desk, my pictures and RED memorabilia on the walls, one wall for my character pictures and the map of my kingdoms, french doors, and a small couch. My hubby even gave me electrical boxes and switches for Christmas and I have Home Depot cards to help with a few expenses....
Here's the challenge....my husband lost his job in early January and I stopped talking about the writing room. We are in this place of not knowing what is going to happen with us and if we have to move it would be foolish to finish my writing room only to leave the house. But after listening to Liz I realized that I could take a risk and do it anyway. Or could I? I came home and talked to Rich and told him I really wanted to do this.
Does it make sense? No.
Do we have the money for it? No.
Do I believe it can become a reality? Yes.
Do I take the risk? That's the question isn't it?
I honestly cannot answer it right now. Remember, I am the planner, not the risk taker. Although now that I think about it, I may be more of one than I first thought.
1-Four years ago we said good bye to friends and family and moved 1600 miles away where we knew NO ONE.
2-We did two years of fertility treatments.
3-I interviewed for a job teaching middle school after I had a horrible student teaching experience.
4-I showed up at tryouts for a play at the museum here in town.
5- I decided to teach piano lessons.
Here's how those risks panned out:
1-We have many dear friends here and cannot imagine life without them! We love Southern Indiana and the people here! (accents and all!)
2-Kendall was born in Feb. of 2002.
3-I have taught upper grades for a total of ten years and love teaching! I can't imagine not doing it.
4-I have been in several productions of the Museum Theater Company and have made some great friends!
5-I have taught piano in three different towns and have had well over 100 students.
Hmmm, maybe I am more of a risk taker than I realized.
Now where did I put those Home Depot cards?
Friday, April 1, 2011
Doing Things At the Last Moment Can Be a Plan Too!
Here's the thing about me....I like to plan. I'm a planner and a processor, so I like to know where I am going and it takes me some time to think about what happens after the fact. I suppose those things make me the teacher and writer that I am. I don't do "spur of the moment" things well. For example, I had two months to plan when I met the guys in RED. I agonized over what I would wear, what I might say, etc. I knew it was coming so I was comfortable with that. It was something on my bucket list- so I had plenty of time to think about that.
Yesterday, I came home from school and got on Facebook and noticed that Liz Curtis Higgs (Christian Historical Fiction Writer) was going to give a free presentation at a library 20 miles from me in less than three hours. She has been one of my favorite authors for many years, ever since I picked up the book "Thorn in my Heart" which is the story of Jacob, Rachael and Leah from the Bible- but set in 18th Century Scotland. She was talking about writing, especially those who are writing their first book.
The moment I read the post, I knew I had to go. Yes, I had other commitments last night- and I prayed they would understand, but I had to get to that library! You see, five years ago I made a "Possibilities" notebook where I put people I wanted to meet, places I wanted to go, and things I wanted to do. I hadn't looked at it in years, but I know Liz's picture was on a page in between George Lucas (creator of Star Wars) and Emeril.
Here I was, with another opportunity to do something on my bucket list- but I had no time to plan! How would I handle it? I started by taking a few deep breaths and tried to pick out something to wear. I didn't have much time to agonize over it so I chose a royal purple shirt that I feel good in. I quickly got ready and two hours after I read the post- I was in the van driving to Jeffersonville. 40 minutes later, I was in a conference room in the library wondering how in the world I ended up there!
When Liz came into the room, the first thing I noticed was that she had an outfit on that was the same color as my shirt! It was a quiet confirmation that I was supposed to be there. Liz is a great speaker and had many good tips for aspiring writers. One thing she talked about was that if you want to get published....you need to have you back end in a chair! She basically said the same thing that Stephen King is quoted for-but she said it a little nicer!
Most of what she said, I already knew. It was again, confirmation for me. At the break, I took my book for her to sign and a picture of Ian. I had emailed Liz years ago when Ian was a baby to let her know that one of the reasons I named my son Ian, was because of the baby Ian in her book. As she was signing the book, I got up my courage and told her about the emails, and gave her Ian's picture. She said some nice things, and then I blurted out that meeting her was something I had in my Book of Possibilities and that I had it with me. She stopped for a moment and said she wanted to see it after the presentation if I didn't mind sharing it. I was stunned. I went back to my seat and she finished her presentation.
Before I left, I stopped by the table where she was signing books and showed her my Possibilities book. She looked at her picture and then at George Lucas and Emeril and asked, "So how are you doing on the other two?" We laughed and then she began to turn the pages of the book. On the next page I have some pictures of the two places I have always wanted to go....Australia and Scotland. She commented that her daughter is in Australia and that she has been to Scotland 12 times. I talked about wanting to go there some day and she suddenly asks me my name and I see her writing in a book. I said my name- then explained to her that I wasn't buying another book.
Liz looked up at me and said, "I know. I'm giving this to you." It was her non-fiction book on Scotland. Tears flooded my eyes as I told her that my husband was out of a job and other things I cannot even remember now. (Hopefully nothing too embarrassing !) As I swiped the tears from my eyes I realized that I was in the middle of a God moment. That God had somehow honored the fact that I did this spontaneous thing and trusted Him....so He was giving me the chance of a lifetime to talk to this wonderful lady.
I had my picture taken with her and we both commented on the color of our outfits! As I got into my van, I had to take a moment and try and process.....and did that all the way home. When I came through my front door, I looked for my husband and when I found him I launched myself into his arms and bawled like a baby!
This week I had been thinking about Joseph from the Bible and how God orchestrated his life so that he could be at the right time and place to save his family. I told the kids in chapel at my school that God had a bigger dream for Joseph than he had for himself. I discovered yesterday that God feels the same way about me. That His dreams for me are far larger than I ever imagined.
Something I realized while I was crying in my husband's arms was that both meeting RED and Liz was that they have happened less than two months of each other and both while Rich has been unemployed. I still don't know why all of this is happening the way it is...but I do know there is a reason for it all. And for right now.....that is enough.
What about you? Do you have a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket?" or a Book of Possibilities? If not, I encourage you to start one today. You never know what things to cross off your list if you don't have them! Dream big!
Yesterday, I came home from school and got on Facebook and noticed that Liz Curtis Higgs (Christian Historical Fiction Writer) was going to give a free presentation at a library 20 miles from me in less than three hours. She has been one of my favorite authors for many years, ever since I picked up the book "Thorn in my Heart" which is the story of Jacob, Rachael and Leah from the Bible- but set in 18th Century Scotland. She was talking about writing, especially those who are writing their first book.
The moment I read the post, I knew I had to go. Yes, I had other commitments last night- and I prayed they would understand, but I had to get to that library! You see, five years ago I made a "Possibilities" notebook where I put people I wanted to meet, places I wanted to go, and things I wanted to do. I hadn't looked at it in years, but I know Liz's picture was on a page in between George Lucas (creator of Star Wars) and Emeril.
Here I was, with another opportunity to do something on my bucket list- but I had no time to plan! How would I handle it? I started by taking a few deep breaths and tried to pick out something to wear. I didn't have much time to agonize over it so I chose a royal purple shirt that I feel good in. I quickly got ready and two hours after I read the post- I was in the van driving to Jeffersonville. 40 minutes later, I was in a conference room in the library wondering how in the world I ended up there!
When Liz came into the room, the first thing I noticed was that she had an outfit on that was the same color as my shirt! It was a quiet confirmation that I was supposed to be there. Liz is a great speaker and had many good tips for aspiring writers. One thing she talked about was that if you want to get published....you need to have you back end in a chair! She basically said the same thing that Stephen King is quoted for-but she said it a little nicer!
Most of what she said, I already knew. It was again, confirmation for me. At the break, I took my book for her to sign and a picture of Ian. I had emailed Liz years ago when Ian was a baby to let her know that one of the reasons I named my son Ian, was because of the baby Ian in her book. As she was signing the book, I got up my courage and told her about the emails, and gave her Ian's picture. She said some nice things, and then I blurted out that meeting her was something I had in my Book of Possibilities and that I had it with me. She stopped for a moment and said she wanted to see it after the presentation if I didn't mind sharing it. I was stunned. I went back to my seat and she finished her presentation.
Before I left, I stopped by the table where she was signing books and showed her my Possibilities book. She looked at her picture and then at George Lucas and Emeril and asked, "So how are you doing on the other two?" We laughed and then she began to turn the pages of the book. On the next page I have some pictures of the two places I have always wanted to go....Australia and Scotland. She commented that her daughter is in Australia and that she has been to Scotland 12 times. I talked about wanting to go there some day and she suddenly asks me my name and I see her writing in a book. I said my name- then explained to her that I wasn't buying another book.
Liz looked up at me and said, "I know. I'm giving this to you." It was her non-fiction book on Scotland. Tears flooded my eyes as I told her that my husband was out of a job and other things I cannot even remember now. (Hopefully nothing too embarrassing !) As I swiped the tears from my eyes I realized that I was in the middle of a God moment. That God had somehow honored the fact that I did this spontaneous thing and trusted Him....so He was giving me the chance of a lifetime to talk to this wonderful lady.
I had my picture taken with her and we both commented on the color of our outfits! As I got into my van, I had to take a moment and try and process.....and did that all the way home. When I came through my front door, I looked for my husband and when I found him I launched myself into his arms and bawled like a baby!
This week I had been thinking about Joseph from the Bible and how God orchestrated his life so that he could be at the right time and place to save his family. I told the kids in chapel at my school that God had a bigger dream for Joseph than he had for himself. I discovered yesterday that God feels the same way about me. That His dreams for me are far larger than I ever imagined.
Something I realized while I was crying in my husband's arms was that both meeting RED and Liz was that they have happened less than two months of each other and both while Rich has been unemployed. I still don't know why all of this is happening the way it is...but I do know there is a reason for it all. And for right now.....that is enough.
What about you? Do you have a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket?" or a Book of Possibilities? If not, I encourage you to start one today. You never know what things to cross off your list if you don't have them! Dream big!
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