The Power of Words, The Magic of Story

A New Perspective

2011-10-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, how life can change in the fraction of a second.

For us, it came Tuesday night, when my wonderful dad almost fell. In the process of regaining his balance, he somehow fractured the metatarsal bones in his foot. So yesterday was spent in doctor's offices, then x-ray, then medical supply offices, and on and on and on. Now he's in a splint with orders not to put weight on that foot for six weeks.

SIX WEEKS!

Suddenly he's consigned to a wheel chair. But hold on, some of the hallways and doorways in our home are too narrow for the chair. And Dad's neuropathy in his feet makes using crutches hazardous, to say the least. When he told me this morning he almost fell twice last night while going to the bathroom, well, we were out the door shortly thereafter to find another solution. We went on what turned out to be a day-long quest for a knee walker, during which I discovered just how heavy a wheelchair is when you're lifting it to and from a van. And how hard the darned things are to steer! And how many doorways are just barely wide enough to get through. And how STEEP some ramps are--and don't get me started on the hairpin corners we had to navigate!

Found the blessed knee walker at last, but discovered using it makes Dad's thigh cramp. So he can only use it for a few minutes at a time--just long enough to make it to his bedroom or bathroom. But hey, anything that keeps him off of crutches is a good thing.

So, as you can imagine, the last two days have been exhausting, for both of us. And as I sit here, going through my email at 11:30 at night because it's the first I've been able to get to it, I can only marvel at the folks who have to deal with these kinds of mobility and access issues all the time. And I have a question for those of you in that camp:

How do you do it?

How do you deal with equipment that just isn't right? How do you handle people being ignorant and careless (like the nitwit who squeezed past Dad when he was trying out the knee walker and almost knocked Dad over. All I can say is that twit was darned lucky Dad needed me to steady him rather than go after the putz...) and seemingly BLIND to the needs of those around them? How do you stay gracious in the face of a world that's unbelievably dense?

The good news for us is that Dad's condition is temporary. But for so many, this is a day-to-day struggle. One they won't be escaping any time soon. So let me issue a challenge. To you. To me.

Next time you see someone in a wheelchair, pay attention. Do they need you to hold a door open? Hold an elevator until they get on? Lift the chair into their vehicle? DO it! Lend a hand, folks. Be aware of those around you who may need help. It doesn't take that long to respond, but it can make a huge difference. And let's remember to pray for those who deal with mobility and access issues. The tiny taste I've had the last two days of the struggles they face is enough to make me weep--did I mention how heavy that darned wheelchair is??--and to double the respect I already had for these folks. Let's support them in our efforts and our prayers, because folks, it's a whole lot harder than many of us knew.

Peace.

Karen

Letting Go...

2011-09-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

We had to say good-bye to our Siberian husky, Dasha, yesterday. A tumor took up residence in her brain, and the cost to her was too high. She was too noble a creature, too loving of life, to have her days stolen the way they were.

So we made the hard choice. Held her as the vet performed the horrid act that would set her free. It was the right and best thing to do for her. But how deep the void she has left!

I've struggled with expressing the tumble of emotions roiling through me. This "wordsmith" couldn't find a single syllable to embody the mix of loss and peace, sorrow and relief--relief not for me, but for my sweet Dasha. And then this morning, my husband shows me this note he wrote after we came home from the vet. It's simply beautiful.

So this is for all who have suffered loss, who have had to make hard decisions and hated the fact that it was necessary. Who know they've done what is right, though that doesn't take away the pain.

And it's for Dasha, who brought us such joy.

Her life lasted less than 4 years, but oh! How she lived every moment of that time!

May I face each day with such jubilance.

From Don...

I have been standing at the edge of a cliff for a very long time. It's a beautiful and desolate place. The view is spectacular. The hues and colors take my breath away. It's painfully beautiful and dangerous standing here looking out over the rim, the balls of my feet on the very edge of forever.

Would the colors be as vibrant, or the air as sweet, if there were a railing in front of me and a pass in my pocket?

I know my future. I has a purpose blessed by the Creator. Yet I grow tired. I long for a hand on my shoulder that gently turns me and lets me know with certainty that I can rest.

I long for a time I have no memory of. I longfor a time when I was innocent and could have played as a young child.

What is it like to not feel old? Is it possibleto go back and play like a kitten with a ball of string? Or to fallasleep exhausted from simply being me? The thought makes me weep. I do not know if I weep with anticipation or mourning. But to weep is to be alive.

And to be alive is to feel and to think.

And to think is to decide.

And so...I decide. I choose today with all itbrings and tomorrow with all its promise...

Sleep well.

And farewell, Dasha. We love you.

2011-09-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.
     ...even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
     You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
...So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil....As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.
  Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought...God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.
...love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life...That's why the prophet said,

   The old life is a grass life,
      its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers;
   Grass dries up, flowers droop,
      God's Word goes on and on forever.
This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.

(1 Peter 1, selected verses, The Message)

May God's peace, and the hope of the coming new life, be yours today.

How, Then, Shall We Live?

2011-09-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

The answer for me, at least lately, has been:

In anger.

Resentment.

Frustration.

Rage.

So many things have gone wrong in the last few weeks. Things that left me feeling God had stepped out and forgot to step back in. And so I raged. And whined. And kicked and screamed. And bit by bit, the anger simmered, then boiled over. My spirit turned black as tar and weighed me down until all I wanted to do was hide out, under the covers, not even peering at each new day that dawned. Because knew...

New day meant new struggles.

Even this morning, I crawled out of bed, fighting the weight of dread that clung to me like quicksand. What would come today? What new, horrid thing would slam into me, shattering my heart and hope, fueling the roiling, scorching anger within?

What came?

Words from friends, fellow travelers on this rocky, rugged path. Not platitutdes, but gut-level truth. Truth that rocked me, turned my angry, stiff-necked stance into wobbling rubber until my knees at last folded and I went down. Not to defeat...

But to surrender.

God hasn't stepped out. He's here. In the midst of every, ugly moment. In the face of every assault and strike the enemy makes to undermine, engrage, and debilitate. All of which he'd done oh-so-well in the last few weeks. Because instead of turning my eyes to the ONE, I focused on the one: me. On all I was losing. On the cost to me. And in so doing, I lost sight of what really mattered.

And so I start again. Today. This moment.

And God, who has never left me, not for a beat of hummingbird wings, opens His arms and wraps me in them, whispering forgiveness and peace.

My prayer today is this: May we find Truth in the trials. May we turn our eyes from outrage, anger, and fear and focus instead on Christ. Broken, bleeding, giving all for us. Dying, forgiving with last breath. Risen, restored, returned to the glory that is His--and ours, though Him.

Nothing that comes to us is a surprise to Him. Nothing is beyond His power and control. Nothing is greater than He, wider than His love, deeper than His will. We are His.

And that is enough. No, more than that...

It's amazing.

So how, then, shall we live? In wonder. In grace and peace. In the spirit of Charles Gabriel, when he penned these words:

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene. And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: "How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!"

For me, it was, in the garden He prayed, "Not my will, but Thine." He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine. In pity the angels beheld Him, and came from the world of light to comfort Him in the sorrows He bore for my soul that night.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: "How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!"

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own. He bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone. When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see, 'twill be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me!

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: "How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!"

God's Gift of Friends

2011-08-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

Have you considered how wondrous a gift friends are? How rare it is to find someone who is willing to let you into her life, and to be present for you through thick and thin? Scripture tells us that it's not good to be alone, that we all need fellowship, to gather together and encourage and exhort one another.

It's so easy today to let life fly by without stopping and celebrating those God has brought to us, those who share our journey. So I challenge you to stop, right now, and think about the friends you have. Those who have come alongside you, who have become a part of the fabric of your life.

I'm thinking of one such friend too. The amazing Julee Schwarzburg, who is celebrating her birthday today.

Or rather, those who know her are celebrating it. Because she's one of those rare people who warms and blesses everyone she meets. So this is for my pal, Julee.

A friend who speaks truth to me when I need to hear it, but does so with love and tenderness.

A heart-sister who God has used, oh so well, to bring me encouragement, wisdom, and laughter.

A fellow sojourner who has known me in my darkest moments and still loves me. Without reservation.

Julee, who shares my penchant for adventure, travel, deep conversation,

and moments of silliness.

Who has a powerful love for Scripture,

words and writing, for authors and readers.

Who knows what it is to walk a path of faith and obedience, even when it's terribly difficult.

Thanks, God, for the gift of Julee.

And thanks, Julee, for being who you are--and enriching my life in more ways than I can express.

Living on the Edge

2011-08-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

Life used to be so simple.

I had a job, Don had a job. Regular paychecks floated into our bank account. If we wanted to buy something, we did. (Though I confess Don wanted to do so far less than I.) We were, in a word, comfortable. And I knew we always would be. I was at the top of my field, Don was as good as it gets at what he does. We were set.

Uh huh.

Then came 2011.

January: I was laid off. BIG hit. Thank heaven for a generous severance package, but still. Laid off. So after 30 years working in publishing houses, building fiction lines, I decided to start my own

editing/writing/speaking/consulting business. And to join the Steve Laube Agency as a literary agent.

Jan-May: Things were going well. Editing work was lined up for the rest of the year. I'd already signed 8 wonderful clients. First proposals from them would be on their way to publishers in next few months. And though we were no longer comfortable, we were cautiously optimistic.

June: The security company Don worked for didn't get a big contract. The result? They laid off 7 people. Don among them. August 1st, he was out of a job. Another BIG hit.

Breathe in.

Out. Okay, no worries. Don had another job lined up already. With benefits! Yay.

End of July: The job Don had lined up? Didn't happen. Snafu on their end, but nothing they can do. Had to fill the job and Don's paperwork wasn't done. So no job, no benefits. That means an extra $850 a month for COBRA (health insurance). Uh huh. Okay. We can do that. Just one question:

HOW are we gonna do that??

Which brings us to today.

Comfortable? A thing of the past. Optimistic? Not as often as I'd like. Terrified? At times.

But here's the cool thing. As soon as I stop obsessing on all the worries and focus instead on the evidence of God's provision, peace arrives . For even as we've taken one hit after another, we've also been showered with one blessing after another. Unexpected encouragement. Serendipitous encounters. It's a kind of dance, and I'm trying to relax and let the Master lead, teach me the steps. His choreography isn't complex. "Follow Me," He says, and when I do, it's amazing how easily I sidestep the pits of fear and anxiety.

Life is no less complex. Or worrisome. But when my hand is in His, when I feel His arms around me, when I let my steps match His as best they can, I know we'll be okay. No matter what. Because it's not about security in things or finances or external circumstances.

It's about Him. And trust. And obedience.

No, life isn't simple any longer. But that's okay. Because I don't have to do this alone.

And neither do you.

Peace.

Karen

Get Ready to be Inspired!

2011-08-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Great blog by Xochi E. Dixon on why you shouldn't miss the Write to Inspire conference this weekend in the Sacramento area. I'm having great fun preparing the talks.

If you need a break from day-to-day life, if you love to write, and if you're looking for moments of laughter (and even a belly laugh or two), come join us!

Hope to see you there.

Karen

Don't Miss This!

2011-08-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Want to write a book? Learn the secrets to getting published? Refine your craft and respond to the call to write? Then you'll definitely want to attend

The 2011 Write to Inspire Conference in Elk Grove, California!

This is going to be a great time of fellowship and learning together. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, come join us as we explore:

Editor, Friend or Foe?
What's in an Agent?
Refine Your Craft
The Power of Storytelling
Taming Your Writing Dragons
Finding Your Voice
Marketing?? Yikes!
Write Your Passion

As an added bonus, the conference is running a contest where you can get the chance to pitch your project to me for possible representation! So take the time for you and your call. I'd love to see you there! Check out the details here.

Oh, and let me know you're coming so I can be sure to look for you.

Karen

2011-07-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, this just cracked me up!

Happy Monday.

Karen

When Fear Knocks, Who Answers?

2011-06-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

I hate to admit this, but I am, at the core, a fearful soul. I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember. I think part of it is having such a great imagination. I can "what if??" 'til the cows (and horses and piglets) come home. Have there been good reasons to fear? Sure. At least, what the world would call good. Stress with finances, relationships, health, and on and on. The list is endless.

I've always wished I were one of those courageous souls who never feels fear. Who trusts God so implicitly that fear just isn't part of the equation. Why, I've whined more times than I can count, can't I make the fear just go away??

Lately, it's the future that's become the drooling monster under my bed. It whispers to me when I first wake up. Low, snarling reminders that I no longer have a steady paycheck from an employer, that all it would take is one crisis to put us in the poorhouse, that disaster is perched on the edge of every day and we'll end up homeless, living in our car (because we'll have to sell the van) and there's NOTHINGYOUCANDOABOUT IT!

Thing is, there's an element of truth in all that. Always seems to be just enough truth in the enemy's lies to pierce the heart. After all, one crisis would put us in a serious bind. And it's true, I can't control what happens. So, for a moment, fear's tentacles snake around my heart and lungs, squeezing, squeezing, and I can't quite breathe...

Today has been a series of such moments. Though I know better, though I know God is in control of today and tomorrow, though the Bible's admonition to "Fear not!" rings in my heart, I still find myself giving in. If just for a moment.

But here's the cool thing: God understands. He knows my propensity for giving in, and He doesn't condemn me or criticize me. Instead, it's as though He's reaching out, taking me in His eternal Daddy arms, and soothing my worries. For example:

Today, as I was finishing up for the day, fear knocked on the door of my heart. Pounded, really. I started to look out the peephole, but TweetDeck chirruped, drawing my attention. I glanced down and saw this (courtesy of @revtrev):

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there. ~Unknown

I stopped. Read it again. And smiled. No need to answer the door. The knocking had stopped.

Yesterday, as I got into the car, fear tap, tap, tapped. I started to reach for the doorknob when the worship song on the radio caught my ear: "Be still and know that I am God." The song washed over me, and peace settled in. No need to answer the door. No one was there.

As I pondered these things, and numerous others that have happened over the past months, I realized something. Fear isn't going away. But that's okay. Because neither is God. And He trumps fear, every time. His provision, His power, His presence in my life are what control fear. HE controls it. I don't have to. All I have to do is keep my eyes on Him. Rest in the truth of who He is.

So let Fear knock. Let it pound and rattle and kick the door. I'm not answering. Instead, I'll let God do the honors. And lo...

No one will be there.

Peace, all.

Karen

Writing that Sings...

2011-06-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

As I've started the work of being an agent and building a client list, I've had a number of folks in different venues ask me what I'm interested in representing. So thought I'd address that here.

First and foremost, you need to know that I'm looking for books that share God's truth. I want to work with authors whose books will change lives. Who bring the depth and wealth of their own spiritual journeys to whatever they are writing. I long for books, whether fiction or nonfiction, that are filled with authenticity, vulnerability, and powerful truth.

Second, what I'm most interested in is writing, as the title of this post says, that sings. That calls to my heart and mind, that draws me in and, in the process, changes me.

FICTION

As a writer, editor, and now agent, fiction makes me dance. I love the power of story, the wonder of words that create a world and characters that transport me and leave me better for the journey. So I'm definitely interested in writers crafting wonderful novels. And I'm open to all genres.

NONFICTION

Yes, Virginia, I am interested in representing authors who write nonfiction. Especially what I call lyrical nonfiction. The kind of nonfiction with a lyrical, storyteller's narrative voice. Books that share the message as, say, Anne Lamott does in Bird by Bird or Mike Yaconelli does in Messy Spirituality. Nonfiction that captures our imagination as well as our intellect, as happens with Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz (which I mention not, as you might think, because it's a best-seller but because it's one of the few nonfiction titles in the last several years that captured me as a reader). Nonfiction that sings. Here, too, I am open to all categories.

With both fiction and nonfiction, I'm happy to consider proposals from new, unpublished authors, so long as you've done your homework (meaning you've been to writers' conferences, had your work critiqued, done the work of revising and refining so that the craft is as good as you can get it).

So...comments and questions?

I'm all ears.

Karen

What Makes an Agent Great?

2011-05-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

As I get started in this new venture of being a literary agent, I'm wondering what writers really want in an agent? Someone to give you career guidance? Someone to negotiate the best possible deal? Someone to be a first reader for your work? A cheerleader? A kick in the pants?

So tell me, all you writers out there...

What qualities do you think are most important in an agent?

Can't wait to read your thoughts.

Karen

Exciting News!

2011-05-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Changes are afoot, my friends. And I'm delighted. Check out the details here, at the Steve Laube Agency blog, and feel free to let me know what you think.

Blessings.

Karen

Alaska--The Hidden Glacier

2011-03-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

The second day of our Alaska trip dawned bright and early. Our plan was to visit nearby Exit

Glacier. Unfortunately, it was April. Break-up hadn't happened yet. So when we reached theroad to the glacier, this is the sight that met us.

Notice how the road kind of disappears? Yup, it was buried. And the snow justgotdeeperaround the curve. A LOT deeper. I have to say this for Kimberley Woodhouse--she has a pioneer spirit!She wanted to give it a go. Now, I grew up in Oregon, so I'm no stranger to snow. And Ilivedoutside of Chicago for 20 years, so I've driven through some serious accumulation. However, when I see warning signs like these, I've learned to pay attention. It took someconvincing, but I finally got Kim to agree to it probably wouldn't be a great idea to try. I mean, research for a novel is great. But getting stranded on a remote road in Alaska with little hope of being found?

Yeah. Not so much.

SO, here, for your viewing pleasure, is what we would have seen had we made it to the glacier.

Pretty amazing, huh? I guess I'll just have to go back some day to see it for myself.

Though we didn't get to see the glacier, we got some great pix of the mountains near the glacier.

And we had fun skipping rocks at the Cook inlet in Seward.

What's more, a happy otter watched us from the water.

As did the seagulls, who were convinced we were there to feed them.We drove through Seward, where we saw interesting buildings

and signs (yes, it was upside down...I think I'd find my own evacuation route, thank you) to head back north, past Fairbanks, up to the Denali area where we would stop for the next few nights. It was on this long drive that the sky started to clear, and some of those promised mountains made their appearance. It was, in a word, stunning.

A sign along the road gave me great hopes for seeing my moose, but nary a one came out to play. I was disappointed, but figured

we had plenty more time for one to show.

We arrived at our destination just before sunset. Kimberley wanted to see if Denali (also known as Mt. McKinley) was out, so we drove to a spot where we'd be able to see the mountain.

Kimberley explained to me that there are three mountains/ranges made up of Denali, Sultana, and Begguya. It was fascinating to listen to her explain that Denali is the native name for the mountain, and it means "Great One

." To the left of Denali rests "Denaili's wife," or Sultana (also known as Mt. Foraker). In front of them is "Denali's child," or Begguya (also known as

Hunter mountain). Sultana is the setting for No Safe Haven, Kimberley and Kayla's newly released novel. It's not as high as Denali, but it's steeper and more hazardous.

The only one we could see that night was the child, Begguya,

but that was impressive enough. As

was the beautiful sunset.

Before long it was too dark for pictures, so it was back to our cabins, dinner, and another

night's rest.

More to come soon!

Karen

Alaska--Adventure of a Lifetime

2011-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Alaska. Just the name of the state stirs imagesof wilderness, vast mountains, wildlife everywhere,and stunning scenery. I've always wanted to go there. And last April, I got to do just that. I'd signed mother-daughter writing team, Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouseto do asuspense series for B&H PublishingGroup. The setting of theseries? Alaska, where they'd lived for a number of years. So when they asked me to accompany them on their research trip, I was happy to say yes.

Well, the first book in that series has just hit the stores!

No Safe Haven is a marvelous debut novel for these two writers. And it's a landmark event, because

Kayla is the youngest novelist ever to sign a contract with a royalty paying publisher! Very impressive.

So to celebrate the release of their first book together, I thought I'd share some of that research trip.

My buddy and fellow editor, Julee Schwarzburg, went along as well. She and I flew from Oregon together. When Julee and I arrived, we knew we were in Alaska because there was a polar bear at the airport!

Okay, it was stuffed, but still!

We met Kimberley,

Kayla,

and Josh Woodhouse

at the airport in Fairbanks. Outside it was rainy and overcast; but inside our vehicle warmth and excitement radiated. I told everyone I had two goals: to see a real moose and the Northern Lights. Hey, it was Alaska, right?

We started driving south. Any mountains on the horizon were covered up by the clouds. I told Kim I hoped it wasn't like the first few times I visited my younger brother in Seattle. My bro kept telling me Mt. Rainier was out there and that it was beautiful. All I ever saw was clouds. No mountain. I was almost convinced the mountain was a myth perpetrated for tourists. Of course, then came the day I finally saw it, and yes, it was gorgeous.

Kim promised there were lots of mountains out there, and they were stunning, though I only caught glimpses the whole drive to Seward. Even so, we had a wonderful time talking,

brainstorming, taking pictures, and generally having fun. You know you've clicked with people when you can ride in a car for hours and not be bored (or irritated). Kayla and Josh were great traveling companions. They get along so well together, and the love and respect between them and their mom

reminded me of my own childhood and the trips we took as a family. It was a joy to be part of the Woodhouse family dynamic, even for a short time.

Finally, after several hours on the road, we reached our destination: a log cabin just outside of Seward, Alaska. I wasn't sure what to expect--I mean, a log cabin in Alaska could be pretty...rustic--but this place

was wonderful--warm and inviting.

Just like the fellowship we all enjoyed.

As I crawled into bed that night, I knew the adventure had just begun.

So stay tuned for more memories and pix!

Sometimes You Just Have to Have Fun

2011-03-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

Nothing serious today. Just a little something that makes me smile.

Simon's Cat.

My favorites? Sticky Tape. Santa Claws. And Snow Business.

Hope you enjoy!

Karen

Japan--You Can Help!

2011-03-18T01:04:00.000-07:00

Japan is a place of great beauty. There's so much in that country to amaze. Which makes the recent devastation there all the more tragic. It's been all over the news. The destruction and death after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan. The most severe quake in the country’s history--and the ensuing tsunamis--resulted in thousands of deaths, with more missing and hundreds of thousands without homes. If you're like I am, you sit there, watching all the reports, and wonder, "What can I do? I'm just one person." Well, here's one thing you can do.

According to their website, World Vision is sending emergency relief staff to assess and respond to the immediate needs of survivors. They will distribute relief supplies to meet the daily needs of quake and tsunami survivors. And to help respond to the emotional needs of children, who are the most impacted after such a traumatic event.

As Kenjiro Ban, World Vision’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager has said, "[Japan] is now facing the most tragic disaster in our country’s history.”

Let's all do what we can to help. And let's especially keep this country, and all the people affected by this newest disaster, in our prayers.

Peace, all.

Karen

2011-03-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Prepare.

That's my word for 2011. It's been big and bold in my mind and heart. A sense that something is coming. Something big and powerful. I can't explain it, but deep within is the certainty that it's time to get ready. It's been confirmed over and over. When I lost my job in January. And again, a few weeks later, when I was in Colorado Springs to visit my friend Kimberley Woodhouse and her family.

I went to church with Kim on Sunday morning. It was one of those beautiful old churches. The look and smell of the building all reminded me of my childhood as a pastor's daughter and granddaughter. It had the feel of home.

We arrived to discover there was a guest speaker. A police officer--a criminal investigator, to be precise. His message was titled "Live Courageously, Believe Courageously, Die Courageously." Interesting, but I confess, I didn't expect a lot. Can't tell you why. I was just...uninspired.

Then the man started speaking.

He shared that his life had been hindered by two deep fears: the second coming (because he knew he hadn't lived the life God wanted him to live), and sharing his faith. Then, 7 weeks earlier, some traffic mishaps told him there was something wrong. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed, out of the blue, with an inoperable brain tumor. With radiation/chemo, he'd have a year. Without, 3-5 months. He and his wife and kids prayed, and they chose without.

I have to confess, that took my breath away as he shared their decision. I had to ask myself what I would do. Would I go for the treatments, though they promised only a little more time? Would I want to spend my last days dealing with the effects of the treatments, which could be as devastating as the disease? I just didn't know.

This man went on to say that very day, once the decision was made, he knew what he wanted to do with his final days. They contacted area churches, asking if he could come speak, to share his story. And that's what he and his family have done, every weekend since the diagnosis. His wife goes to the podium with him, steadying him, keeping him on track. And he shares, as he did with us, how this death sentence has saved his life, here and in the eternal.

You see, this man is no longer afraid. God has come upon him and he's living his life according to what God deems right, not what he or his fears dictate. He said that while he regrets leaving his wife and his kids, his trust that God will meet all their needs is soul deep. He spoke with such...joy. And conviction. And since the diagnosis, he's shared Jesus with others. In churches. At work. In the line at the grocery store. As a result, he's led countless people to the Lord since his diagnosis, including a close friend, another detective, who was completely shut off to God. And then he asked us a question. He said, "Are you ready? Are you prepared for what God has in store for you?"

There it was again: Get ready. Be prepared.

As I listened, I wept. And the certainty inside just grew and grew.

Something's coming. I don't know what. I don't' know when. But I know that it's coming. And like this amazing man, I need to prepare myself, my heart and spirit, my life and activities. I need to seek God's path and leading in deeper ways than ever before. I need to prepare. My mind and my heart. For what God has planned.

Peace, all.

Karen

2011-03-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

So there I was, sitting in Nashville, when it came to me: My word for 2011. The word I was to focus on and learn about. The word God breathed into my heart and mind.

Prepare.

I didn't have a clue what it was about, but that was okay. I knew the meaning would become clear as the year unfolded. What I didn't realize what that clarity would begin the next day.

I'd come to Nashville for meetings at the publishing house where I worked. Prepare echoed in my mind as soon as I woke up on Friday. It resonated through me as I drove to the office. It undergirded me when I walked into my boss's office, saw her face--and knew. The economic downturn was about to hit close to home. In fact, home was the Bull's-eye. I was laid off. In 30 years in publishing, I've never lost a job. I've changed jobs, even left publishing houses to go freelance, but never lost a job. As I absorbed this new reality, I waited for the anger, the panic to hit. It never did. Instead, one word echoed through me:

Prepare.

As I've gone through the following weeks, that word is always there. As is an amazing sense of peace. And I've realized something. Being prepared isn't just about me doing what I need to do. It's about God working within me. He was preparing me without my even knowing it. He breathed His word--and His peace--deep inside me. I don't know what's going to happen. Don't know what the future holds. But I know God is here, walking beside me. I feel His hand on my shoulder. In those moments when fear seeks to break through, I am enveloped in His arms. I feel His breath on my face as He whispers "Peace, be still."And that is enough.

He is enough.

He confirmed that in the most amazing way. Through a man I'd never met before. I'll tell you all about that, too.

Until then, let me leave you with this thought: Nothing that happens to us is a surprise to God. You will never hear Him say, "Oh, wow. Didn't see that coming." I can tell you, from the midst of a detour I wouldn't have chosen, that you don't need to be afraid. The God who created the world is present, and He is in control. The peace that has settled over me these last few weeks is not the norm for me. But it is the norm for God.

Peace.

Karen

Get Ready--and Hang On!

2011-03-10T04:58:00.000-08:00

Each year a group of friends and I seek a word or phrase from God to focus on during the next year. It's a kind of theme, if you will, that we hold in our hearts and minds. My words have varied. One year it was Rest. Another, Integrity. Sometimes I know why my word is what it is. Other times, not a clue. But always, by the end of the year, the word's meaning has become abundantly clear. It's like a puzzle revealing itself piece-by-piece. And when the last piece is fit in place, what what may have seemed like random bits of chaos during the year crystallize into clear, wondrous focus. And what remains is truth. Beauty.

I started seeking my word toward the end of 2010. I usually have a sense of it by December. This time, though, I came up empty. No word. No phrase. I prayed and listened, read Scripture and devotions, talked with friends and family, and...nothing. I've learned over the years that there are times that God is silent for a reason, so I just waited.

Then, in late January, I was in Nashville for meetings at the publishing house where I've worked the past 5 years. One night, as I sat in the hotel room watching TV, something whispered through my heart.

Get ready.

I actually looked around to see if someone was there. Finding no source of what I was sure I'd heard, I turned back to the TV. And it came again.

Get Ready. Prepare.

It was so clear, so definite, that I turned off the TV and closed my eyes. Waiting. Those two phrases echoed through me, over and over. And when I opened my eyes, I knew. I had my word for 2011.

Prepare.

I had no idea for what, but I knew, as well as I knew anything, that was my word. I had such...peace about it. Such certainty. "Okay, God, let's go." I wasn't even sure what I meant by that. All I knew was I was ready to follow. To be prepared.

Good thing, too. Because the ride was on. Started the very next day, in fact. I'll tell you all about it.

Soon.

Peace, friends.

Karen

A New Start

2011-03-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

There is someone close to me, someone I love deeply, who is hurting today. He longs to reconnect with a family member who, many years ago, walked away. My loved one has felt the loss ever since, as though a part of him was ripped out, taken away to a place always just out of reach. Though he seldom talked about it, I knew he never gave up hope of a one-day reconciliation. Of relationship restored, hearts healed and forgiven. It's been a dream, a prayer, because he hasn't known where his beloved family member is. Not for years and years.

Until this weekend.

When my loved one told me what happened, I could only listen, amazed. He'd been at work, walking along, when he "heard" a voice whisper to him: "Today, you'll see her." He had no idea what that meant, and yet, deep within, he knew it was important. When he was able, he started searching the internet, not sure at first what he was even looking for. But the urging was there, to look for the one lost to him so long ago. He'd done that often, searched for this beloved one, always to no avail. But that night it was as though Someone had His hand on my loved one's fingers, guiding the search. And then...

The lost was found.

Right there, in front of him, a picture of his family member.

I don't know where all this will lead, if reconciliation is even possible. I pray it is. But regardless of what else happens, this truth has struck me deep:

God is at work.

Whatever longing dwells in our hearts, whatever hurts and regrets, whatever deep need pulls at us--He knows. And more than that, He's at work. For my loved one. For me. For you. He is, ever and always, concerned with whatever concerns us. Because we are--as inconceivable as this may be--precious to Him. To the God of the universe. The Creator of all.

And that, my friends, leaves me awestruck.

Peace to you.

Karen

Nature is Amazing!

2010-10-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

Love slushies and slurpies? Well, here's a slushie to beat all slushies!

Enjoy.

Karen

Understanding Men

2010-07-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you all know I write fiction, yes? And that I head up a line of fiction for a publishing house? And that one of my favorite lines is, "My whole life is make-believe"?

Just like the title of this post!

Understanding men. It shouldn't be that hard. Men are wonderful, protective, strong, funny, mesmerizing, tender-hearted, surprising, loving--SO many good things.

Then there are the other things:

Frustrating

Infuriating

Confusing

Confounding

and, most important of all...

DEAF!

I mean, really. How many times must one ask for trash or recycling to be taken out?

Observe a snippet from my life.

Monday, after returning home from yet another business trip and spotting the three recycling containers--one for pop cans and such that you get deposit back on, one for aluminum and cans with no deposit back, one for paper goods--filled to overflowing.

Me: Hey, hon, the recycling needs to go out. (Notice I didn't say all three containers are overflowing and threatening to overtake the kitchen? Huh?)
Darling Hubby: Yup, just saw that. I'll take care of it.

Tuesday, as we're getting ready for bed.
Me: Sweetie, the recycling is still--
DH: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll take care of it.

Wednesday, as I'm fixing dinner and find NO ROOM for the cans in the no deposit recycling bin (and decide against tossing them on top of the ever growing pile that now seems just inches from the ceiling).
Me: Hon, come on. Recycling.
DH: I haven't forgotten it.
Me: THEN WHY IS IT STILL THERE?? HOW HARD IS IT TO TAKE IT OUT???
Okay, so I didn't really say that. But I thought it as I chomped on my tongue to keep from saying it.

Wednesday, later in the evening.
Me: Don. Paper recycling.
DH: I know, I know. I'll get it. Don't worry.

Thursday. Joy and jubilation! The recycling container for cans with deposit is empty! Progress! However, goopy can recycling and paper recycling still overflowing. After a day of staring at the growing piles--which now resemble dual volcanoes about to spew enough goopy cans and old newspapers to bury the house--and fuming. Yes, I could have just taken it out myself. But it's the principle of the thing. Ladies, you KNOW what I'm talking about.
Me: Don. (fixed stare)
DH: (eyes wide and innocent) What, love of my life?
Me: Don. (glare sweeps to the recycling container and its towering load)
DH: (indignation in his tone) What? I know it's there. Sheesh, I don't know why you get so frustrated with me.
Me: clenching teeth and turning away, wrestling the urge to throttle the man I love with all my heart. Gee...what could POSSIBLY frustrate me about him?

Friday. 102 degrees outside. 101 inside. I've been working and cooking all day. Double Potroast, some for meat, some for stroganoff. Lovely fragrances waft through the kitchen...tinged by the sour smell of spoiling crud from Mt. Recycling (Yes, I rinse stuff out before putting it in. He, on the other hand...).
Me: (peering at him where he's plopped in his recliner) Don. No kidding. Recycling. Paper. Cans.
Him: What? I'll take care of it.
Me: Donald Vincent! I've asked you every day this week--
Him: Not every day.
Me: (rolling eyes to the heavens, praying for patience). You're right. How about every day I've been home this week. Tuesday through Friday.
Him: On Tuesday you said recycling, right?
Me: Right.
Him: So on Wednesday I took out the pop cans.
Me: Thursday you took out the pop cans.
Him: Which was recycling. I did what you asked.

At this point, my father, who has been watching this little drama all week, starts chuckling. Deep in his chest.

Me: You're not helping, Dad.

Chuckles switch to laughter.

DH: TODAY you said paper recycling. So now I'll take care of--

Me: AAARRRGGGGHHH! Recycling is recycling! All three have been overflowing! You KNOW they have!

DH: (cheeky grin on his face) Well, now that I know what you want, I'll take care of it.

And as I sit here, sharing this bit of joy with you, guess what STILL sits in the kitchen, trembling, threatening to fall over and bury us all alive.

Ah, men. Love 'em to pieces. Respect 'em. Wouldn't want to do this gig without them. But understand them?

That's the biggest fiction of all.

Peace, friends.

Karen

Speaking of Parents...

2010-06-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

81 years ago today Frederick Olan Sapp, Jr. made his entrance into this world...

...and boy! Is the world richer for it.

I freely admit it: I'm biased. But that doesn't change the fact that he's the best dad ever. His devotion to our family has always been his first priority.

I got my sense of humor from Dad...

...and my love of God, family...

...church, and music...

nature and animals.

Dad taught me the value of work and play,

and to savor friendships...

...shared laughter...

...and food!

Together, Dad and Mom taught me that marriage

is about respect and kindness, service and surrender.

That marriages last when built on a solid foundation of faith in God...

...and that love means not only saying you're sorry,

but being willing to be the first to say it.

So here's to Dad, to 81 years of life well lived, love well loved, and lessons well learned. Here's to a man of God and faith, who has enriched all who know him.

Happy birthday, Dad.

I love you.

Karen

Love is Ap-parent

2010-06-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Day 10 of 30-Day Challenge to Be Grateful to and Pray for Our Military

I was just talking the other day with my dad about the times my younger brother and I headed off for college and when older brother joined the Marines. He was saying how he hadn't been ready for any of us to leave. That for all that he and Mom knew we'd be okay, that God was with us, he hadn't wanted us to go. Nor had Mom. Gave me a glimpse into just how hard parenting is. How difficult to do all you can to make your child into a young man or woman of independence, and they, one day, to have to let them go their own way. I could tell how hard that was for Dad.

And it got me thinking...

What must it be like for parents today whose children are in the military. To know your son or daughter is headed into the path of danger. For some, danger in the extreme. To know this may be the last time you see this child you love more than even you can fathom. The men and women who serve, now and in the past, show great courage and fidelity to their country. But it seems to me there are other warriors right here at home, warriors we don't think of often enough.

Today, every time I see my dad's smile, hear his deep voice, savor his laughter, I'm going to pray for the parents of those who are in harm's way. And right now, I just want to say to that mom or dad whose child is deployed, thank you. Thank you for raising a son or daughter of honor and courage. Thank you for letting them go to do what they feel called to do. God bless you, each and every one. And please know there's someone in Oregon praying that all your sons and daughters return home safe and sound.

Peace, all.

Karen

K-9s on the Home Front

2010-06-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Day 7 of the 30-Day Challenge to Show Gratitude to and Pray for Our military

Those brave men and women who've chosen to serve on our behalf in the military leave so much behind when they deploy. Today I want to remember certain family members who can't express their sadness, the depth of how they miss the one who is gone. And yet, they wait with quiet devotion and, when at last the beloved one returns, their joy is total.

This video says it all...

Today, I'm going to remember these faithful ones left at home, and the soldiers they love so deeply. And I'm going to pray that every returning warrior has a homecoming this joyful!

Peace, all.

The Dogs of War

2010-06-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Day 5 of the 30-Day Challenge to Be Grateful to and Pray for Our Troops

You know the old saying, "A picture's worth a thousand words"? Well, here are a few such pictures...

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows how much they add to our lives. For those in the military, dogs are more than just companions. They are protectors, comforters, fellow soldiers. They give their all to ensure our soldiers' safety, and they do so with complete devotion.

Sean Hannity spotlighted these K-9 Soldiers, not only for all they do, but to encourage folks to consider adopting these dogs when they've finished their tour of duty. Today, when you see a dog, when you pet your own dog, when you hear a dog bark, remember these K-9 soldiers and the men and women they protect and serve. And, should you be so inclined, considering donating much needed supplies or even giving one a home. You'll be--and receive--a huge blessing.

Peace.

P.S. In her comment to this post, wonderful novelist Ronie Kendig mentions a picture of a puppy sleeping under a hat and weapon. Here's the picture. How's that for peace in the midst of chaos?

Weep with Those Who Weep

2010-06-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of the 30-Day challenge to be grateful to and pray for those in harm's way.

As I sat in my home last night, safe and warm, I watched Courage Under Fire. Now, I know that movie is pure Hollywood, but it still impacts me every time I watch it. Impresses on my heart all that is given for my freedom. All that is lost by those who serve.

And by their families.

A moving article in the Washington Post brings the struggles of these families home. So today, let's remember those--overseas and right here at home--who are paying the price for our freedom.

In the old Jimmy Stewart movie It's a Wonderful Life, Clarence the angel says that every time a bell rings it means an angel has received its wings. Well, being a "bear of little brain," and even littler memory, I've decided that every time I hear the wind chimes harmonize outside my window, I'll pray for the families of fallen soldiers.

How will you remember these brave Americans today?

Peace.

Karen

Thanks to Those Who Served

2010-05-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love Memorial Day. Love seeing the flags flying, seeing all the movies on TV, seeing the Air Force doing fly-overs at the Veteran's cemetery. I love the fact that for an entire long weekend, the focus is finally where it belongs: on those who have fought and died to give us the freedoms we take for granted.

Too bad that focus doesn't last longer.

I know we're living in precarious times. And I know there are many who hate the war that we're in. But nothing gets me steamed faster than hearing people trash talk the military. Because these are amazing people. People who leave home and family and everything they know behind to put themselves on the line. For you. For me.

So in honor of our troops, I want to issue a challenge. For the next month, every time you hear mention of the war, political or religious views aside, take a moment to remember--and be grateful for--these people who are in harm's way. I plan to do exactly that, and to offer a prayer for their protection. May they all come home. Soon. And may they find, when they do so, a country that treats them with respect, gratitude, and admiration.

Oh, and if you feel like doing something more, here are a few sites to check out.

Soldier's Angels
Help a Military Family
Any Soldier

Peace, all. And God bless America and her troops.

Ah, the Writers' Life

2010-05-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

A writer friend, Lissa Halls Johnson, sent this to several of us writers/editors. Totally cracked me up. Not, mind you, that I'm like this. Not at all. Not even a littl-

Hey! An email!

Peace, all.

Spring!

2010-03-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

I woke this morning to a symphony beyond compare.

Birds of all sizes and songs inhabited my budding trees and clung to the newly filled feeders,singing out their jubilation
as morning dawned. A gentle rain fell, tapping a call to come outside and play, to drink in the beauty of rebirth. Armed with a cup of Cocoa Chai tea, flanked by my 3 all-too-exuberant shadows
(don't my own dogs know I'm not a morning person??)--I stepped outside to greet the early morning.

And stopped in my tracks.

The fragrance of the rain, the earth, the budding flowers
was heady. No bottled attempt could ever duplicate the wondrous aromas that met me. I closed my eyes and drew it all in. As the cool air filled my lungs, I felt myself smile.

Good morning, Lord. What a beautiful day You've made.

Now I was as exuberant as my three shadows, and down the stairs I went, straight to the bulbs waiting to be planted. Within minutes they were all nestled in the damp earth, soaking up the rain and nutrients. I pulled off my gardening gloves, reclaimed my still-hot mug of coffee, and headed to the office, ready to tackle whatever awaited.

I don't know what magic Spring works on our hearts and spirits, but I'm grateful for it. And I pray you, too, will feel that magic today, wherever you are. May the beauty of God's creation, and the wonder of renewal, bless you richly.

Peace.

Karen

The Premiere Writers' Conference

2010-02-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! It's almost here. That event I anticipate all year long!

The Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference.

If you've attended, you know exactly what I mean. If you haven't, well...DO SO! This conference not only has the best and biggest faculty and staff every year, but it's situated in the middle of the California Redwoods. From the first day to last, you're surrounded by a community of people who are passionate about words and writing, and by some of God's greatest beauty.
And the music! Oh, friends, the music is glorious. Just take a listen to David Talbott's talent, and imagine an auditorium ringing with the sound of David's music and voices lifted in praise to God.

What's not to love?

Yes, it's an expense, but one well worth the investment in your writing craft and career. Whether you're published or unpublished, if you want guidance, feedback, and encouragement Mount Hermon is the place to find it. In spades. But you'll find something else there as well.

Hearts dedicated to serving God and one another.

It's that spirit that makes this conference truly special. The sense that while we're working to refine writing, to build our careers, there's something deeper underlying every workshop conversation, and gathering. Something good and godly. Something that knits us together, brings us joy and laughter as we learn and share.
Something that stays with you long after you leave.

I've heard it over and over from folks who've attended: what they found at Mount Hermon was far more than they imagined. Yes, they found help for their writing. But more than that, they found friends. And nurture for their souls.

And that, friends, is what it's really all about.

So come join us this year. You won't regret it.

Peace!

Anonymous Woes

2010-02-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been spammed, big time. Or, more to the point, this blog has.

"Anonymous" is posting a gajillion comments to my blog posts, and they're all ads for SPAM. Most of them, anyway, I think I actually rejected/deleted a comment from a real person who was comment as Anonymous this morning. For that I'm sorry. So please know that if you post anonymously, there's a chance I'll delete you along with the blasted spam. And accept, ahead of time, my apologies.

I've discovered that the only way to head these creeps off is to require word verification, which means if you comment, you have to type in that weird symbol/word in a box. I'm so sorry to have to do that, but at this point don't see any alternative. Thanks for understanding!

Have a great, spam-free day.

Karen

Are Print Books Dead??

2010-02-15T10:04:00.001-08:00

Remember the musical Oklahoma? Gordon MacRae singing to, of all people, Rod Steiger: "Poor Jud is daid, poor Jud Fry is daid..."

Well, the way folks have been talking lately, I'm waiting for the new musical, "Digital World," where a Gordon MacRae-esque editor will stand next to a book and sing out, "Poor print is daid, poor print books is daid, they're lookin' oh, so tattered and passe..."

Seriously, I keep hearing the rumblings:

Digital is taking over.
No one is buying print books.
Brick-and-mortar bookstores are closing every day.
The future of publishing is uncertain.
What does this mean for authors?
How will this change our contracts?

And on and on the questions go. The person sitting next to me on my flight to Nashville last weekend even asked me about this when she found out I was in publishing. We had an interesting conversation about it all, especially I heard some of these same doom-and-gloom thoughts from her.

I just smiled, and pointed to her lap. "What are you reading there?"

She held up her book--not her Kindle, mind you, her BOOK--and we talked about the author. Halfway into a sentence, she stopped, looked at the book, then at me.

And then she smiled.

"Now, look around us," I said. "How many Kindles do you see?"

She hopped up and, on pretext of heading to the oh-so-spacious bathroom on the plane, took an informal poll. Upon her return, her smile was even broader. "Two. On this whole plane, only two."

"How many books did you see?"

Smile shifts to grin. "Too many to count."

"So is print dead?"

She settled back in her seat, hands caressing the cover of the book in her lap. "I don't even think it's sick!"

Agent Steve Laube brings a voice of much-needed reason to the whole discussion. Be sure you read the comments, too. Good stuff.

So no, print's not dead. It's not even on life support. In fact, as my friend on the plane finally concluded, it's not even sick. Sure, things are changing. That's the one constant in life: change. But we authors and editors and publishers need not fear those changes. Far wiser to understand them, what's behind them, and how we can take them in stride.

Peace, all.

Karen

Coffee, Anyone?

2010-02-11T04:15:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make:

I'm a coffee freak!

Few things make me more content than the feel of a coffee mug in my hands. The warmth of the liquid seeps into me, easing whatever tensions may be assaulting me. I lift the steaming mug and let the fragrance of that wondrous elixir enfold me with the sure sense of home, family, and friendships shared.(Yes, I inhale. Especially when a bag or can of coffee is first opened. Ah, heaven!)

So in the hopes that some of you, too, share this predilection, I must tell you of a wondrous tool I've discovered. It isn't new, not by a long shot. But in this world of drive-up coffee windows (which I'm not knocking, trust me!), it's growing ever more rare. And that's sad. What, you ask, is this enthralling device?

The French coffee press.

Oh, friends! I have found few devices that so honor the total coffee experience. Elegant in design, magical in effect, the French coffee press is a delight. Yes, they take more time than brewing a pot of coffee. But those few minutes are SO worth it. Not just for the drink, but for the momentary pause in a hectic day, the chance to sit and savor.

A French Press is so simple to use--just put the coffee grounds in the bottom, pour in hot water, then wait 3 minutes. Then comes the fun: Press. Not too hard, not too slow, just enough to milk every drop of liquid from the saturated grounds. Pour the black gold into your cup, doctor as you see fit (Torani chocolate and fat-free 1/2 & 1/2 for me!), and voila!

Heaven.

I've taken to carrying mine with me when I travel, because as hard as travel is, as unappealing as it may be to spend day after day in hotels, the knowledge that my mornings will boast the robust fragrance surrendered by those grounds as the hot water devours them, by the rich flavor of the fruits of their labors...oh yeaaaaah. And then there's decaf for late in the evening, as I'm finally unwinding, trying to convince my body it's time to sleep...

If you haven't tried one, do it. If you have and gave up in favor of the more expedient, go back! You've got enough in your life that pushes and stresses and adds pressure upon pressure. Give yourself this time, these few moments of bliss, to rest, recharge, regroup. Scripture is clear that Jesus knew the necessity of resting. He went away by himself often to rest. He said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." He knew. You can't keep pushing.

So give yourselves a break. Even if it's just a few quiet moments each day. And, if you're so inclined, give the coffee press a chance to make those moments rich, robust, and full of flavor.

Peace.

Karen

I Thought This Was the South??

2010-02-08T21:10:00.001-08:00

The publishing house I work for, B&H, is based in Nashville. That's the South, right? And what do you think of when you think of Nashville?

*Music
*Sunshine
*Flowers
*24-syllable words (the same words that in other states are one syllable..."Waaayyyyllll, how 'bout thaaaayaaat?"

What I DON'T think of is the very thing that met me as I walked out of the office around 7:30 to jump in my car and go visit that electronic mecca (which we don't have in my town), Best Buy...

Snow.

Not just snow, but heavy flakes pummeling the earth with total glee and abandon.

I texted a Southern friend: "What gives?? I thought this was the South!"

Her reply: "Be careful out there. Us Southerners don't know how to drive in snow."

Thus forewarned, I set Best Buy firmly on the back burner and headed back to the hotel. I'm not crazy about driving in snow. (Back home in Oregon the snow is far more well behaved. Stays up in the mountains rather than invading the valley floor.) But after living in the Chicago area for 20 years, I can do it. With my friend's warning ringing in my mind, I watched the drivers around me. A couple crept along like snails with a sprained back. A few sailed on by like the roads were dry as dust--either that or they're part cat and have spare lives in the wings. But most of them drove with care. What's more, I saw drivers being courteous to each other, leaving plenty of room between cars and letting folks merge without crowding them.

I stopped at Hardees (something else we don't have back home) and got my dinner. As the young man at the window took my money, he thanked me for coming by. He must have seen the surprise on my face, because he went on: "It's a bad night, so it means a lot that you came to visit us." I smiled, and he handed me my bag with a "Be careful out there, Miss. Get yourself home safe." (The fact that he called me "Miss" and not "Ma'am" made my smile even bigger!)

I sighed my relief when I got to the hotel. As I slushed my way to the door I felt my paradigm shift.

The South IS sunshine and flowers and all that...part of the year. And it's snow and cold and ice in the winter. But there's something you can count on year round: folks do what they can to be kind and helpful to each other. I've seen it over and over. That underlying courteous nature that leaves you feeling like even strangers care that you're around.

That's really, really nice. And that, my friends, is the South.

Peace.

Karen

Tim Tebow--Class Act

2010-02-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I admit it, I rolled my eyes when I heard the reactions to the fact that Focus on the Family was putting an pro-life ad on during the SuperBowl. I mean, you're telling me it's fine and dandy to show scantily clad big busted women hawking beer, but show a commercial that celebrates the decision to choose life, and suddenly civilization as we know it is coming to an end?

Please.

Then the commercial aired, and I gotta say it: What is wrong with people? This ad was gentle, humorous, and well made. So what on earth is the big deal? Seems to me the detractors need to get a life.

Oh, wait. That's what they're protesting. Life.

Silly me.

You can watch the ad here. And read a thought-provoking article, written from someone who disagrees with Tebow's stance but supports the ad, here.

And when you're done, go give your folks a big hug for supporting life.

Peace, all.

Karen

Happy 2010

2009-12-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

Amazing, isn't it, how quickly days...months...YEARS go by? I can't believe we're on the cusp of another new year. It's so easy to get so involved in the day-to-day "stuff" that you miss the days going by. I've been guilty of that this last year. Right up until the week before Thanksgiving, when I ended up in the ER with what doctors thought was a "cardiac event." Tests showed I had a aneurysm forming in my heart, and that I'd had a "silent" heart attack at some point in the past. So they set up a heart cath test to see what would need to be done to fix whatever damage was there. It was unexpected news, but oddly enough I wasn't upset or frightened. I had the strongest sense of peace. Of certainty that I was in God's hands and all would be well.

Sure enough, as soon as the heart cath was completed, the cardiologist leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Karen, your heart is beautifully perfect!"

He was amazed. My GP was amazed. All the tests showed damage. Showed I was heading to probable open-heart surgery. My GP just shook his head. "When I think someone has heart issues, I'm 99.99% right," he said. Thing is, I don't doubt him. I believe the tests and all of that were right. I felt what they showed: that my heart wasn't right. So what happened? Well...

Ever seen open-heart surgery on TV? You know that moment when they turn off the bypass machine and the surgeon uses his finger to give the heart a thump, and the heart jumps back to life? That moment has always fascinated me. And now, Don, my sweet hubby, and I believe that, for His purposes, God did that for me. That He reached down and gave my heart a little thump--and fixed the problems. In fact, since I came home from the hospital, I've had the distinct sense of something being different. Like sunshine emitting from the inside out. And I've felt better than I have for years. And you know something, that's changed me.

I'm seeing things again. Delighting in little wonders, cherishing moments of joy and laughter, living each moment with a sense of gratitude. Because when you've been given a gift like this--especially when you know you don't deserve it--you can't help but open your eyes every morning with a sense of gratitude and joy.

So as we come to the end of 2009, this is my prayer for you: that you will find new wonder, new gratitude, in every day. That you will SEE life, not just go through the motions. And that you will find yourself trusting in the One who holds not only you and me in His hands, but who holds eternity.

Peace, friends.

Karen

Some Christmas Fun, Just for You

2009-12-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

Only eight days to Christmas! Can you believe it? How have you been handling the holidays? Are you having fun? Stressed? Wishing it were all over?

Well, whatever your state of mind, stop what you're doing. Right now. I said stop. STOP!

Okay, deeeeeeep breath. Draw it in. Now let it out, nice and slow. Once more, this time with your eyes closed, but only long enough to breathe in and out. Goood. Now, gently roll those shoulders, forward....now backward...and once more. Don't worry about the snap, crackle, and pop--that's supposed to happen. Another deep breath.

Very good. See how easy it is to stop for a moment? To give yourself the chance to slow down and relax? Make sure you give yourself that at least once every day. Yes, I said every day. But that's not all. You need to take a little time to just have fun, too. And I don't know about you, but one of the things I love to do is watch Christmas videos, especially the classics: Rudolf, the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Muppets Christmas Carol,

The Charlie Brown Christmas,

Christmas in Connecticut(the Barbara Stanwyck version), and on and on. And just in case you feel you don't have time to set up the TV and watch these wonderful movies, here's a place to go where you can watch some of them online.

So give yourself a break. Brew a cup of hot chocolate or tea, and settle down. Just for a little while.

You deserve it.

Peace, friends.

Karen

Holiday Home Tours with Authors!

2009-12-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome! We're so glad you've decided to drop in. As you may know, a number of novelists have gotten together to wish you a warm and blessed Christmas season, so come on over to my house, then come back here to visit the lovely Maureen Lang, the next stop on the tour. But don't stop there. You've got Angela Elwell Hunt, Robin Lee Hatcher, and a host of others to visit. So have fun!

God's best to you this wondrous season!

Karen & Don...and the doggies!

Finding New Wonder in Christmas

2009-12-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

As you saw in my last post, childhood Christmases were a delight for me. But here's the thing. For too many years as an adult, I wanted Christmas to be the same as when I was a kid. I wanted the same wonder, the same memory-making moments, the same events. But, as much as I hated to come to this realization, that's not possible. And, really, when it comes down to it, it shouldn't be. Yes, there are traditions I can hold onto, like the family playing Christmas carols as we decorate the tree together. But I also need to build new traditions, the kind my husband, for whom Christmas often was the polar opposite of my childhood holidays, can embrace and enjoy.

I had to rediscover the wonder of Christmas. To find that wonder not in what made it wonderful when I was a kid, but in what makes it wonderful now: the reality of God's unfathomable love for us. It's taken a lot of years, and a lot of trying to shoehorn my poor hubby into what I wanted Christmas to be, to just let go. To accept what is, not long for what used to be. And in that letting go, I've discovered new wonders. LIke watching Don's favorite Christmas movie--Ernest Saves Christmas--every year. Yeah, it's not Miracle on 34th St., but hey, Don loves the thing. And seeing his delight in watching that movie brings me joy.

We've found other new traditions, too. Don helps me put up Christmas decorations and lights after Thanksgiving so we enter Advent with Christmas beauty all around the house outside. Don, Dad, and I go find a tree together, and while we head for a Christmas Tree farm rather than up into the mountains, we still celebrate the event with hot chocolate and donuts. Sure, the donuts are store-bought, but they're yummy. Our tree will wear decorations from the past--including my mom's first two ornaments from her childhood--but those are mixed with ornaments Don and I have made or bought lo, these 30 years we've been married (Dec. 21 is our anniversary).

So here I sit, this first week of December, with Christmas carols playing in the background, looking out at our home so beautifully adorned with silk Poinsettias (no real ones for this doggie household!) and evergreen swags and garlands. And, of course, Don's plastic Christmas snowman. The one he salvaged and fixed years ago, and that he's kept going for all these years.

No, it's not the Christmas I knew as a child. But it's just as much Christmas. And I've found that in simplifying a bit, in not having so many expectations of Don and myself, it's closer than it ever used to be to those childhood days. Because it's no longer about disappointment, but it's about sharing the season together. About celebrating in our way, not my way.

So here's my Christmas challenge to you. Let go of what used to be, what you wish was, what Christmas ought to be. Instead, find joy in simple moments. A cup of cocoa or coffee. The sweet smell of cinnamon as you walk through a store. The sound of laughter as children play in the snow. A quiet moment. Even the chaos of family. Let each of those moments permeate, soaking deep into your spirit. Let Christmas make itself known in new ways. Simple ways. Single moments...

...like that one moment so long ago, on a star-strewn night, The Savior of mankind come to earth. Yes, the angels heralded that birth, but I believe there was a moment--one, simple moment--when those new parents watched in wonder as their tiny newborn opened his little mouth and uttered his first, fierce cry. The voice of God, sent out into the world...and only those two to hear it.

Listen. Watch. Wonder. Christmas is upon us again. Hallelujah!

Let's celebrate!

Karen

Don't Let The Wonder Escape You

2009-12-04T11:16:00.001-08:00

Christmas. Just the word brings images to mind. For some, those images are precious and filled with joy. For others...not so much. For me, Christmas and Advent have always been a source of great joy, wonder, and delight. My mom was the queen of celebrations, and her talent for making every day special really shone this time of year. From the decorations and carols playing to the yearly "Christmas shopping night", where she took each of us 3 kids out on our own night to walk from one end of town to the other, helping us pick the perfect gift, then letting us choose where to eat dinner (oh, all those years she sat at the soda fountain at Newberry's with us!), she imbued our days with the purest sense of celebration in Christ's birth. Of course, my dad performed acrobatic feats extraordinaire to decorate the outside of the church, climbing ladders to the tippy-top to hang lights. The final effect was breathtaking!
Then there was the church family, with whom we shared such memorable times that they still make me smile today. The annual Christmas tree trek into the mountains. First we gathered at the home of Willard and Marie Clark,where hot chocolate and Anita's homemade donuts waited. Thus fortified, we loaded up in a flatbed wagon pulled by a bulldozer, ready for the slow ascent up the narrow mountain road. (That's my mom, in the picture below, with the blue scarf on her head.)

Laughter and singing joined the ever-present winter fog all around us. I still remember the feeling when we finally climbed above the fog and could look out at that thick, fluffy blanket cloaking the valley in Winter mystery. When everyone had found the perfect tree--including one for the church, often topped by the intrepid Clark brothers from a towering evergreen--we made our way back down the mountain, embraced by sweet friendships and the anticipation of decorating our beautiful trees. That's your's truly below on the right with Ann Clark Barnes. Clearly we were ready for hot chocolate! The next Sunday, after the service, we all gathered for decorating the sanctuary and church tree...

So many memories. Advent wreaths (okay Anita, which comes first, the Angel or Shepherd candle?); wrapping gifts; the sweet smells of cookies, oranges stuck with cloves, and pine swags; Christmas sharing night; Christmas Eve carol sing when the sanctuary was lit only by candlelight...I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. I can honestly say I have no negative childhood memories of Christmas. That's been such a gift, one I cherish.

How about you? What the things that say to you Advent is here? What fragrances, sounds, sights speak Christmas to you? What carols bring Christmas to life for you? What tradition says to you that Advent and Christmas are well and truly here?

Look forward to your thoughts!

Karen

A Shining Example

2009-11-18T04:35:00.000-08:00

If you haven't done so already, watch this amazing video of a soldier being greeted by his dog when he returns home from Afghanistan. And take a lesson on exuberance, love, and gratitude.

Watch now.

Peace, all.

Karen

Happy (?) Holidays

2009-11-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is here! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's. I loved this time of year as a child.

My mom made everything about it so special. From Halloween to New Year's, she created little celebrations that filled me with joy and anticipation. I still enjoy the holidays, but I have to confess that the holidays I knew as a child aren't the same now that I'm an adult. A part of it is because Mom's gone--she entered eternity 7 years ago. That loss has left a huge hole in my heart, one that seems even more bottomless this time of year. Then there's the stress. As a child, you can sail into the holidays with excitement and wonder. As an adult, you can do the same, but too few of us do so. For me, the challenge has been that I've wanted to recreate those childhood days, to bring out all those wonderful traditions, the memories of which still bring me joy, and put them into practice. But here's the thing: I'm not my mom. Not by a long-shot. I'm more driven and--big surprise--more stressed. She had a sweet, giving spirit that permeated all she did. I aspire to be like her in that, but more often than not I fail. Which only ushers in more frustration, more stress, more disappointment.

I don't want to do that any more. I want to rediscover the joy of the holidays, but that's going to mean finding what works now rather than what worked then. The Bible tells us to come together and reason things out, so, of course, I thought of you.

What do you do to ensure as peaceful a holiday as possible?
What traditions have you kept from childhood?
What new traditions have you established?
What's your favorite holiday activity?
And last but certainly not least, what's your favorite holiday memory?

Come, friends, let's share and reason together. I can't wait to hear what you have to say.

Karen

The Beauty of Words--Integrity

2009-11-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

Wonderful definitions everyone. Here's what Webster's has to say about Integrity:

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

Incorruptibility. Now there's a word you don't hear often in today's world. And one we see lived out even less often.

Here are some synonyms for Integrity:

honor, good faith, sincerity, dependability, trustworthiness; authenticity, genuineness; credibility, goodness, probity, purity, righteousness

Wow. That one could could contain such richness of meaning, such depth of impact. Imagine it. This one word, if lived daily, could change so much of our world! No wonder the very speaking of it fills my heart with longing...

This, friends, is the power of words. Not just that they are a beautiful experience on the tongue, or, at times, a magnificent symphony to the ear. But rather that, when truly understood and embraced, they hold the power of transformation. So today, this is my prayer for all of us. That we may shine the light of Integrity in this sorrowing world.

Please, God, may we be known for Integrity. May we savor not only the word, but absorb all its multifaceted meaning. Let it seep deep into our hearts and spirits that each of us may, with God's help, act and speak and think with Integrity as a guide.

Let us treat those around us with honor. Let us show good faith in all our dealings. May our sincerity shine in a world tarnished with falsehood. May those around us know they can depend on us, that our word is, indeed, our bond. No matter what. May we seek, in all our ways, to prove ourselves trustworthy, to be authentic in our faith and genuine in our service. May we give no cause for any to doubt our credibility. May we exercise goodness in actions, big and small. May probity marry with purity in our lives, that we seek to do right not because of acclaim or gain, but simply because it is right. And may we exercise righteousness in all we do, but not a righteousness based on self. May our righteousness stem from the only One who is truly righteous, from Him who created us all, who whispered His very breath into us that we might live.

And on that day we finally depart this world for the next, may those testifying to our lives say, without hesitation, this was rare and beautiful person, a person who lived and loved well...a person of true Integrity.

Peace, friends.

Karen

A Beautiful Word

2009-10-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the beauty of words. How some words create images in and of themselves. And as I looked over the list of 100 Beautiful Words (see my previous blog), I realized there are words that speak beauty and nobility to me, words that contain so much meaning and emotion that I'm moved or challenged or convicted when they whisper through my mind and heart. Lately, one word has been doing all of that:

Integrity.

Even as I write it, I feel my heart move. So much is contained in that word. So much that has blessed people, so much that seems lost on today's world.

Before I go any further, though, I want to know what that word means/says to you.

What is integrity? Where do you see it? What does it mean to the world today?

Look forward to your thoughts!

Karen

Beautiful Words...100 of Them!

2009-10-02T03:27:00.000-07:00

I'm still pondering the article on being purposeful in our word choices and use. As someone who has studied other languages (French, Spanish, and Russian), I love the physicality of words.When you speak either French or Russian, your whole lower face gets a work out. It's as though you're tasting the words as well as speaking them.

Happily, English has words like that as well. Consider the following:

impecunious
circuitous
mellifluous
exsanguinate
ebullient
flummery

Words like these are not only fun to use, they're fun to say. The feel of some even reflects their meaning. Impecunious has a tight, stingy feel to it. Mellifluous rolls off the tongue. Flummery feels a bit foolish as it escapes you.

I was trolling the internet, just looking for articles on felicitous (there's another one!) words, and came across a delightful site: The 100 Most Beautiful Words in the English Language.

Writers, Readers, Word Lovers, do yourselves a favor and check it out! I had a blast just trying to pronounce some of them. And I thought there were several that should have been on the list. How about you? I'll share my words after some of you share yours.

Blessings--and beautiful words--to you today.

Karen

The Beauty of (True) Words

2009-09-30T02:45:00.000-07:00

I was challenged a few days ago to read an article by Marilyn McEntyre entitled "Letting Words Do Their Work." Because I respected the fellow editor who made the recommendation, I hopped right on over the the link.

Oh. My. Golly.

So much powerful truth contained in this article. If you're a writer, speaker, reader, or simply one who loves--truly loves--words, you've got to read this article.

Here are a few salient points that resonated:

"It is hard to tell the truth these days, because the varieties of untruth are so many, so pervasive, and so well disguised."

"Imprecision had become acceptable in the interests of generalized good feeling—and perhaps in the interests of forestalling some critical scrutiny."

"The practice of precision requires not only attentiveness and effort: it may also require the courage to afflict the comfortable and, consequently, tolerate their resentment."

"The discourse of the church, the subtleties of biblical language and the nuances of translation, the ear for poetry and care for theological distinctions may be eroded when the language of popular media is allowed to overtake the dialect of worship and conversation among believers."

"We can practice noticing how words are used and considering how they may be heard; we can pick them up from the dusty corners where most of the good ones have been consigned to disuse and reintroduce them, hoping to ambush the careless listener contented with cliché."

Check out the article and let me know what you think.

Karen

Got News?

2009-09-27T04:13:00.000-07:00

I found an interesting report that shows the public today thinks the media is more wrong than right. You can review the report yourself, or listen to an interview about the report.

I remember the days when media reported news. When they dug in and found the facts, then disseminated it to us without bias. Walter Cronkite is still, to my mind, the quintessential reporter. He gave us the facts. Plain, simple, and powerfully true. And as a result, he was named in a poll as the "most trusted man in America." I can't think of anyone in the media today that I trust that much.

So what do you think? Where do you get your news and do you trust what you hear? How do we find journalists who report news rather than twist and turn it with commentary until you're not sure what's real and what's clearly bias? Is that even possible in today's abundantly opinionated world?

Let me know what you think.

Karen

A Magical Friendship

2009-09-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

I've always considered friendship--true friendship--a gift. Something heaven sprinkles into our lives here on earth to enrich and encourage. You can't manufacture or fake true friendship. It's almost a little bit of magic that comes into your life, usually when you least expect it.

Well, here is an example of exactly that! My brother, Kevin, directed me to this video, and I'm still smiling.

Enjoy!

Karen

Princess Bride--Perfectly Paced Pt. 2

2009-09-22T01:21:00.000-07:00

I could wax eloquent on this, but there's no need. The marvelous writer, Vicki Hinze, has done so already. (Check it out here.)

But I can give you a couple of tools to try. Or, as Inigo put it so well, "Let me 'splain. No, there ees too much. Let me sum up":

Have your computer read your scene to you. I find that listening to my story reveals a great deal, especially where the pacing is too laborious or too frenetic.
If you don't have a good voice program on your computer, read it out loud and record it. Or have a friend do so. Then listen to it.
Keep an eye out for scenes that lose your interest as the writer. If you're in the middle of a scene and suddenly realize you haven't a clue why you're there, or what you're hoping that scene does, take a look at pacing. It could be you've been, to follow Vicki's comparison, yelling or whispering too long. Too much of either can lose readers.
Finally, pull out one of your own favorite movies. Watch it once, all the way through, so you can remember why you love it. Then watch it again and evaluate the pacing. Notice what they use to speed up the pace and to slow it down. See what you can learn from it.

Hope that helps!

Karen

Princess Bride--Perfectly Paced

2009-09-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

You know, one of the most common mistakes we writers make is the dreaded sagging middle. No, I'm not talking about what happens after years of sitting at a computer, but about what happens when your story seems to run out of steam halfway through. We do pretty well at beginning and ends--heck, we work on those like crazy. But that darned middle can be so deadly.

Therein lies yet another reason I love The Princess Bride. The pacing is brilliant. We ease into the story, and then it's off to the races. But moments of humor and romance are all brought at just the right time to give us a rest. Consider the fire swamp scene.

Here Westley & Buttercup are, heading into the dreaded fire swamp. We know something bad is coming...just listen to the music! (You know, I've often said if life only came with a soundtrack, we'd know when to watch out for things!) Sure enough, the fire spurt erupts, as does Buttercup's dress. But Westley's calm as he puts the fire out, and his confident smile as he says, "There now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" brings the tension down. Next, the lightning sand swallows Buttercup, and the tension soars. Westley cuts a vine loose and dives in after her. Following are seconds that seem like lifetimes (and that allow the ROUS to come snuffing about), but then, music swells as Westley pulls them both free. We lie on the ground, gasping along with them, grateful for the few moments to recover. Finally they walk along, calm, in good humor, talking about how they've overcome the hazards even as Westley gracefully lifts Buttercup over said hazard. It's a lovely walk in the forest now. Until (ominous music, please), the ROUS attacks! Tension sky rockets as the beast sinks his overbite into Westley's shoulder! We're on the edge of the seat until that final jab of the sword and the end of the hideous ROUS. Westley and Buttercup hang on to each other, then rise and walk from the fire swamp, a bit bloodied but alive. Ahh...time to relax.

Oh, wait. Here comes Humperdink!

And on it goes, ebbing and flowing, just enough to keep us both engrossed and relieved. Of course, one of the greatest pacing tools is the scenes between the grandpa and grand son. (Remember, "Hold it! Hold it! Is this a kissing book?")

So how do we, as writers, ensure the right pacing in our books? Well, I have a few ideas. But first, let's hear from you.

ACFW--Checking In!

2009-09-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

We'll get back to Princess bride in a few days. Thought I'd fill you in on the ACFW conference here in Denver.

I'm sitting in my hotel room in the Denver Marriott Tech Center, looking out over the city. What a beautiful view. The weather's lovely--80s. MUCH nicer than the triple-digit weather I left back in Southern Oregon. The hotel is hoppin' with ACFW activity. It's so neat to walk into the lobby and hear the chatter and laughter, and to see all the hugs going round. A number of folks are in an early bird seminar with Donald Maas--which I'd planned to attend but can't because of work I need to get done. Waaahh! Oh well, I'm sure "the Don," as he's called, will be marvelous!

Got here late last night--plane was delayed in Portland, and then my trusted "Lucy," my name for Hertz's NeverLost, led me wrong! Couldn't believe it. Kept saying, "You have arrived," but the place I'd arrived at was a big office building. I told Lucy, "No, I HAVEN'T arrived," but she was no help. Finally texted Robin Caroll Miller: "HELP!!" Happily, hotel staff helped her lead me in. Turns out the driveway I wanted was the one just before where I'd turned. Sigh...

No sooner reached the hotel than I was met by the wonderful Robin Caroll Miller. Walked in the lobby door and there familiar faces everywhere. What fun! Didn't get dinner until 9 pm, but the company, as you can see, was a delight. Started out with just me and Robin Caroll Miller, then we were joined by Mary DeMuth, Randy Ingermanson, Tosca Lee, and Meredith Efken. The conversation was decidedly lively!

Mary, Randy, & Meredith

Robin, Mary, Randy, Meredith, Tosca

Anyway, will try to keep you posted as the conference goes on. Allen Arnold of Thomas Nelson and I are co-teaching the continuing education class for published writers: The University of Fiction. Can't wait!

Peace, all.

Karen

Princess Bride--Favorite Lines!

2009-09-15T02:53:00.000-07:00

I love doing this! Just thinking of these lines makes me smile. You guys already listed some of my all-time faves, but here, in the order they show up in the movie, are the rest of my favs:

Inigo (to the man in black): "You seem like a decent fellow, I hate to kill you."
Man in Black/Westley: "You seem like a decent fellow, I hate to die."

Westley (to Fessik, whom he's just knocked out): Rest well, and dream of large women.

Westley: I told you I would always come for you. Why didn't you wait for me?
Buttercup: Well... you were dead.

Westley (to Buttercup when they enter the fire swamp): "It's not that bad." Buttercup gives him an "HUH?" look. "I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely."

Miracle Max: "Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world. Except for a nice MLT: a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe. They're so perky, I love that."
(I like this one so much because many years ago when I worked at Multnomah publishers, the leadership team was called...wait for it...the MLT. So these lines from Max always made me giggle.)

Inigo: "Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

Westley: My brains, his steel, and your strength against sixty men, and you think a little head jiggle is supposed to make me happy? Hmmm?

Clergyman: Mawwidge. Mawwidge is whut bwings us togevah todaay. Mawwidge, dat bwessed awangement, that dweem wifin a dweem... And wuv, twoo wuv, will fowoh you fowevah... So tweasha your wuv...

Thanks, everyone for playing.

Peace, Karen

It's Our Nature...

2009-09-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

I'm heartsick.

A couple of mornings ago as I came to my office I noticed him. He was beautiful. Solid black fur, golden eyes that seemed to contain the knowledge of the ages. I shooed him away because I know what happens if the dogs get to a cat. They killed one last year, and I didn't ever want that to happen again.

Last night I noticed that Dad's shepherd, Kodi,

had scratches on her nose. None of us could figure out where they came from. As I doctored her up, she leaned her chin on my shoulder. I hugged her tight, this gentle, loving dog, and told her to try and stay out of trouble. She gave me a doggie grin and trotted off to follow Dad to bed.

This morning Dad came into the office and called me out to the yard. The look on his face made my heart race. I hurried to follow him, and he pointed to the yard. "Is that a cat?" I turned, and there, lying motionless in the grass, was the black cat.

Suddenly the scratches made terrible sense.

I wanted to hit something. To weep. To rage at the dogs. But even as I turned to Kodi, who was there with the other dogs, Dad stopped me. "It's in their nature, Karen. You can't change that."

He's right, of course. Certain dog breeds are hunters, and any small animal that moves quickly will trigger that instinct. Siberians are notorious cat killers. Shepherds, when not raised with cats, can be as well. But I had such a hard time reconciling that fact with these dogs I know and love. These dogs who are so funny and loving, who like nothing more than to crawl up into my lap (yes, even the 75-lb shepherd) and lean against me, all hugs and cuddles. How could these normally sweet-natured dogs have done this? Yes, I know they're animal, they work on instinct, and dogs are, first and foremost, hunters. Still...

I struggled with these questions as I lifted the cat from the cold, wet grass. I found myself apologizing. Weeping. Overwhelmed with sorrow that such a beautiful creature could be reduced to this... When I stood, I saw Kodi there, watching--and in a flash of anger, I almost did it. I almost kicked her. Hard.

That's when it hit me. It's in our nature, too.

The urge to strike out. To attack. To hurt without thinking. To destroy even something beautiful because, when the baser nature takes over, we don't see things like beauty or innocence. We just react. And in that reaction, heinous acts are committed. Innocence destroyed. Beauty ravaged. Lives shattered. All you have to do is watch the news or read the paper to know that's true.

With dogs, they're operating on instinct. No amount of reasoning can change that. But thank God, for us, it's a different story. The apostle Paul said it better than I ever could:

"I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me [my sinful nature] that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Message puts Paul's words this way:

"I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

"I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?... The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different."

How do we overcome that dark nature within us? How do we keep ourselves from giving in to those urges to strike out, to hurt, to embrace revenge and retaliation when we're wounded and heart sick. We don't. But Jesus Christ can and does. His death on the cross brings us forgiveness, redemption. His resurrection restores us as God's very own. We're cleansed. Set free. Given a new way to live. And here's the best news of all: though we will always, always fail in our efforts to do what's right--that, too, is in our human nature--God's grace is there for us. We have but to ask, and that grace will cleanse us anew. Set us free. Make us blameless in His sight. Because He loves us. Unconditionally.

And that, my friends, is His nature.

Karen

Princess Bride--Perfectly Worded

2009-09-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so part of the reason we love Princess Bride is the characters, and the actors who brought them out on the screen. But there's another reason I love this movie: The Words.

The writing in this movie is simply outstanding. It's perfect in tone and word choice. And the characters' voices are so unique to them. How often have you read a book or seen a movie and felt as though you couldn't really distinguish one character from another? The writing in Princess Bride delivers on every front. Which is why so many of us can quote so much of this movie! When I worked at Multnomah Books, which is now part of Random House publishers, we book editors used to love to get together and quote PB. Didn't matter what we were doing--meetings, brainstorms, sharing a meal. At some point in a gathering you could count on a PB line popping out. Of course, we had to respond in kind. It was a blast!

As a writer, I can't help but be delighted when the words in a story are so perfectly chosen. And every time I watch this movie or read the book, I'm inspired to higher excellence in my own writing. Many novelists write to meet a daily word count, which is a good plan. But there is a drawback. Sometimes we slip into the habit of writing for the sake of words, rather than words for the sake of writing. We need to be purposeful about the words we put on the page. You can tell the difference between authors who are purposeful and those who aren't. The words of the puposeful come alive, sing off the page, resonate deep within long after the book is read. Words such as:

"In the deceitful calm of the days preceding disaster, while Rhoades still glittered like a white jewel in the Aegean, Tessa of Delos planned to open her wrists. The death of her body was longoverdue. Her soul had died ten years ago." Shadow of Colossus, T.L. Higley

"The unicorn lived in a lilac wood and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea."
The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle

"It's Nathan's fault that I became God. It is, as I would learn, hell to be God. Nathan, to begin with, is as close to a genius as anyone I ever expect to know. If this story has any moral at all, it is that you should stay away from geniuses." The God Game, Andrew Greeley

"The first time I saw the Sin Eater was the night Granny Forbes was carried to her grave. I was very young, and Granny my dearest companion, and I was greatly troubled in my mind. "Dunna look at the Sin Eater, Cadi," I'd been warned by my pa, "and no be askin' why." Being so grievously forewarned, I tried to obey. Mama said I was acurst with curiosity. Papa said it was pure, cussed nosiness. Only Granny, with her tender spot for me, had understood." The Last Sin Eater, Francine Rivers

These books, and the wonderful Princess Bride, move me to long for excellence in my writing. Because that kind of writing sticks with the reader. For a long time.

So, I have my favorite lines from the movie, but I want to see what lines you recall. Come on, many of you are writers. I KNOW you remember lines from this movie. So share.

As Vizzini was so fond of saying....

Karen

Princess Bride--Perfectly Peopled

2009-09-09T04:56:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I were sitting up together last night, flipping through TV channels, trying to find something we'd both enjoy watching. We'd gone through almost 200 channels with no luck, and then...we hit paydirt.

Princess Bride.

Some of you who know me know I love this movie. Big Time. I own it in VCR and 3 DVD versions. As Don and I watched it for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but wonder why men and women both love this book/movie so much. My insightful hubby made a comment that explained part of the movie's lasting appeal: it's perfectly cast. Seriously. Can you imagine anyone else playing

Westley and Buttercup,

Fezzik, Inego, or Vizzini,

or Miracle Max and his wife, Valerie?

How about Grandpa or his grandson?

See what I mean? Perfect choices.

I owe a debt of deep gratitude to whomever did the casting in that movie, because that person gave me, as a write, a valuable lesson: I need to be as purposeful in crafting the characters in my books. I need to build my characters with excellence, to ensure the characters personalities, voice, descriptions fit them to as perfect a "T" as they did in the PB movie.

So how to do that? My first step is to write a few scenes from that character's POV. To let that character speak as freely as possible. The second step is to search magazines and the internet to find my characters. Getty Images is a great place to do this. I've found a lot of my characters there. Faces that, that moment I see them, I know are my characters. And even as I study their features, I find the characters starting to breathe, to come to life, to resonate in my mind. They tell me their stories, and I discover their backgrounds, their family stories, their likes and dislikes. It's pretty cool, actually. And loads of fun.

How about you? When you're writing, how do you bring your characters to life?

Karen

Edgy Fiction Redux

2009-09-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

As we discussed way back in June, a number of publishers and novelists are making "edgy" their focus for fiction. And that's fine, so long as we do it with skill and craft. Without using easy outs. Yes, expletives can be powerful. And yes, people use them all the time. But in our writing, we have to be better than that.

I've been hearing more and more lately about books--yes, Christian fiction--that employ graphic descriptions or language. Not one of those conversations have been about how much the readers enjoyed the story. Rather, it's as though the story was forgotten, pushed aside by language or scenes that so disturbed readers they couldn't receive the intended message of the book. And I'm not talking about readers who are older. I've heard this from twenty-somethings and my generation alike. As I've seen the impact on these readers, it's confirmed my "vote," so to speak, on all of this.

That kind of edgy fiction--the in-your-face, I-can-swear-if-I-want, who-cares-if-this-explict-sex-or-violence-isn't-necessary-to-the-story writing--crosses a line. And it seems (dare I say it?) arrogant. As if the author puts those things in to stick it to those readers who, in their opinion, aren't "facing real life as it is."

If you've ever read Francine Rivers's Redeeming Love, you've seen the perfect example of evocative, edgy writing. The prologue to that book shows innocence destroyed in the depths of depravity, and does so with eloquence and grace. (And, may I point out, not a single obscenity.) And when you hit the last line of the prologue, you know exactly what's happened and are sickened by it. But what sickens you is man's depravity, NOT the writing.

While many don't like to read about how deep human evil is, some stories have to be told. Stories like Redeeming Love. The beauty of that story, and the way it's written, is that when you reach the end of the book, you're encouraged. Inspired. And more aware than ever of our world's need for a Savior. I don't think the book's message would have been as powerful without that dark prologue setting the stage. But I'm bettering if the prologue had crossed the line, that very message--a message that has brought prostitutes to Christ because they saw in Angel's story that God does, indeed, love them no matter what--would have been lost. Short-circuited by language or scenes that were more concerned with being "edgy" than with moving and transforming readers. And those women who were saved from the very darkness the protagonist faced? None of them missed the obscenities or said the book wasn't real life. In fact, they've said the opposite, that Angel's story was their own.

So yes, let's be authentic in what we write. Let's show life and faith and humanity in all its gory, glory, and substance. But let's also be "wise as serpents, and innocent as doves" in how we do it.

That's my vote, anyway.

Karen

A New Publishing Model?

2009-09-04T02:31:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me an interesting article from Forbes Magazine. Before you read on, hit the link now and read the article.

Crazy, huh? Who's got an extra $60K stashed away to get a book printed? Even so, I can tell you mainstream publishers are taking note of these kinds of successes. Why? Let's consider a few things:

Nowdays, many publishers are (as a writer friend put it) "bleeding red ink" financially. No way around it: the tough economy has hit publishers. Hard.
Advances for authors have already fallen. But then, there are those who say they needed to do so, that advances had gotten out of control and were based more on getting an author than on the belief said author's books would ever earn out. Which could explain some of the bleeding taking place now...
Publishers' willingness to take risks, especially on unknowns, has taken a dive. Some say it's never been harder for a new author to be published--or for a midlist author to get a new contract.
Readers' discretionary funds are dwindling, and while fiction readers in particular are still spending, book buyers on the whole aren't buying near as much as they did a few years ago.

So, with all that in mind--and with the success of Greenleaf's publishing venture--what do you think that means for publishing? Anything? Everything? Nothing? And how do you think publishing will have to change to not only survive, but thrive?

Enquiring minds want to know. :)

Who Let the Dogs Out?

2009-09-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

I just read a fascinating--and beautifully stated--blog from LaVonne Neff. I've known LaVonne for years, and know she's as much a dog lover as I, which is saying something! Which makes her thoughts that much more powerful.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Oh, and here's the song she's talking about. Nice voice, sweet sentiment...but, methinks, not quite right.

What say you?

Edgy Writing: Conclusion, pt. 1

2009-06-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Love reading your thoughts, all. Thanks so much for taking part in this discussion.

As some of you know, I've been in Nashville this last week for sales conference and meetings. Guess what was a hot topic? Yup, "edgy" writing. Especially when my fiction team and I met with the buyers from one of the top bookstore chains. Even more amazing? One of the buyers recently asked managers of stores across the country what they liked and disliked in Christian fiction. Guess what the most often mentioned "dislike" was? Books that are edgy for edgy's sake. Because when it comes down to it, you don't have to use the world's tools to write authentic, powerful fiction.

So how do we show all of life in our fiction? All the ugly, beautiful, uplifting, degrading aspects of life? Tune in to the next installment and I'll give you my thoughts.

Peace all.

Karen

Note to Anonymous (whose response I didn't publish): I appreciated what you had to say and felt you made some good points. But when we're discussing issues like this, I won't publish comments that are anonymous. I've always believed that if you're going to make a point, especially one that criticizes others, you need to stand behind what you say. And that means using your name. Thanks.

The Meaning of Edgy

2009-06-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

Great thoughts on edgy writing. I looked up some definitions of edgy.

The Free Dictionary online says edgy means having a sharp or biting edge and Daring, provocative, or trend-setting.

The Online Slang Dictionary gives the following definition: Socially dangerous or daring; intellectually provocative; tending to induce unease or stress in viewers. Especially used to describe artistic and intellectual work.

Webster's defines the kind of edgy we're talking about as follows: having a bold, provocative, or unconventional quality.

Bold. Provocative. Unconventional. Trend-setting.

Those all sound like good things, especially for fiction. I want the fiction I write--and the fiction I acquire and edit--to be those things. That's edgy fiction I can support. That's edgy fiction that raises the bar. That kind of edgy is evocative. That's what I want to see from the writers I work with. Writing that moves and draws emotion from readers, but without slipping into the explicit. Evocative writing is powerful, emotive, and life-changing. Explicit writing is taking the easy out.

I hear over and over how villains, to be real life, need to use that kind of language. Or how that's the way people today talk, and to not have that in our fiction makes it less. And more often than not, that's one of the earmarks of what I'm seeing when someone calls their writing edgy. These manuscripts seem to fits the other descriptions of edgy:

having a sharp or biting edge
tending to induce unease or stress
socially dangerous or daring

What do you all say? How do you feel about Christian fiction where the writer has used obscenities? How do you feel about writing that's explicit rather than evocative? Is that edgy...or over the edge?

Karen

Edgy Writing: What Is It Really?

2009-06-12T01:08:00.000-07:00

As an editor, I'm constantly wrestling with the issue of so-called "edgy" writing. It used to be called "pushing the envelope." Now, it's edgy. I hear it all the time from writers or agents:

"This is one is bit edgy."
"This may be too edgy for the Christian market."
"Are you open to edgy fiction?"

I'm always interested to find out what that means. Before I jump in with my thoughts, though, I want to know what you think. What does it mean when someone says a Christian novels is "edgy"?

Look forward to your thoughts.

Karen

P.S. Yes, we'll get back to first lines. I promise...

The Envelope: To Push or Not to Push, That is the Question

2009-06-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Read an excellent post today from CJ Darlington on the age-old issue of "pushing the envelope," or writing edgy in Christian fiction. Let me know what you think. I'll let you know what I think in my next post.

Karen

Time is Tickin' Away...

2009-06-03T22:04:00.001-07:00

Remember that song by DC Talk? I loved it. Still do. And it's especially apropos for me right now. I'm a slave to time constraints since returning from NYC. So much so that I haven't been able to get back to the titling discussion. But I will soon. I promise.

Until then, here's the song for your enjoyment.

Be back soon.

I hope...

Tick.
Tick.
Tick...

Karen

New York, New York

2009-05-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

We'll get back to first lines soon, but I'm winging my way to New York tomorrow morning and most likely won't have much time to be online or write posts. So stay tuned!

Until then, here are some New York tidbits for you:

Grand Central Freeze

Subway Hero

Extreme Sightseeing

New York, A Wonderful Town!

Peace.

Karen

Fantastic First Lines: Why?

2009-05-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so some of you shared your favorite first lines. Now I want to know one simple thing...

Why?

Why are those your favorite first lines? What about those line captured you? Drew you into the story?

Here's my analysis on the first lines I listed:

"It was Nathan's fault that I became God. It is, as I would learn, hell to be God." The God Game, Andrew Greeley (okay, that's two lines, but even just the first line is great.)

Line: "The city was silently bloating in the hot sun, rotting like the thousands of bodies that had fallen in street battles." A Voice in the Wind, Francine Rivers
Why I Like it: The drama and powerful word choices caught me. And stirred a question I wanted answered. What had happened? Thousands of bodies? Why?? I could tell as soon as I read this that someone monumental had happened, and would likely continue.

Line: "This is my favorite book in the world, though I have never read it." The Princess Bride, S. Morgenstern
Why I Like it: Intrigue! The protag's favorite book, but he's never read it? How is that possible? And, too, this has a kind of playful tone to it that I loved.

Line: "A storm struck on the night Laura Shane was born, and there was a strangeness about the weather that people would remember for years." Lightning, Dean Koontz
Why I Like it: This line stirred my curiosity right off: Who is Laura Shane, and what's the significance of the storm? And why are people still remembering that night?

Line: "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson
Why I Like it: Hyperbole at it's best. This was a kind of challenge: the worst in the history of the world? Oh yeah? Let's see you prove that. And the author did. Admirably!

Okay, so what is it that captures you about first lines?

Karen

Fantastic First Lines

2009-05-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

During my earlier posts about coming up with terrific titles, someone asked me what makes a strong first line. Oooo...now that's something I've never explored! I've appreciated them. Tried to develop them in my own books. But I've never really studied what it is about fantastic first lines that makes them stand out. So no time like the present, right?

I figured a good place to start would be with a few of my favorite first lines:

"It was Nathan's fault that I became God. It is, as I would learn, hell to be God." The God Game, Andrew Greeley (okay, that's two lines, but even just the first line is great.)

"The city was silently bloating in the hot sun, rotting like the thousands of bodies that had fallen in street battles." A Voice in the Wind, Francine Rivers

"This is my favorite book in the world, though I have never read it." The Princess Bride, S. Morgenstern

"A storm struck on the night Laura Shane was born, and there was a strangeness about the weather that people would remember for years." Lightning, Dean Koontz

"The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson

So, now it's your turn. What are some of YOUR favorite first lines?

Karen

Amazing Minds

2009-05-21T04:01:00.000-07:00

I've always loved art. Loved the creative process, love seeing how others interpret and view the world around them. One of my favorite things to do is visit art galleries when I'm traveling. (One of the best? Mountain Trails Gallery in Santa Fe, NM, which features artist Dale Terbush. Stunning!) So when someone shares a new art form with me, I'm not only delighted, I want to share it with others. So that's what I'm going to do!

My friend, Shannon, sent me an email about Emily Valentine's "feather" dogs. What a fascinating and beautiful mix of mediums. Now this is creativity!

Hope you enjoy it!

Karen

Moments to Savor

2009-05-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

I heard a quote in a movie yesterday that I've always liked, that always makes me stop and think:

"Live for today, for yesterday is gone forever, and tomorrow may never come."

Do you savor today? Do you take time each day to stop, even just for a moment? To look--really look--at the world around you?

To recognize the gift of each day?

I can't say I always remember to do that. But today, I did. Today I stopped. Not for long. Just for a few moments. I sat in our yard swing and looked around. And saw so much beauty!

In case you didn't get a chance to do the same today, here is a taste of what I encountered. May you find in these snapshots what I did: a reminder that the God of the universe loves beauty. And He loves to share that beauty with His favorite creation of all time: you and me.
Peonies, in all their splendor!

A peony visitor, and Columbine

Last year the woeful lack of honey bees meant almost no peaches or cherries. This year, the honey bees are back! And with them, our peaches and cherries! Yippee!

Don't know what the red flower is, but love it. And aforementioned honey bee visiting the lavendar.

California poppies went to town this year! Along with most of our other flowers. SO pretty!

Peace, all.

Karen

Tips for Terrific Titles #3

2009-05-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

Tip #4: Remember Your Audience! Novelists do a great job, on the whole, of keeping their audience firmly in mind as they write. But sometimes when trying to come up with a catchy title or cover image, they go a bit far afield of that audience. The result is that readers who would love the story won't even pick it up. And those who do pick it up may not find what they expected inside. So as you work on your title, remember who your reader is. For example:

Age range. If your book would appeal mostly to Christian women in their 40s and up, then don't use a trendy title that will appeal to the twenty-somethings. And watch out for technology phrases. Unless your certain your core audience is familiar with both the meaning and use of something technologial, steer clear. For example, using RAM, bits, bytes, and bauds as words in your title may work for a younger audience, or one that's technologically savvy, but for older readers? Odds are good you'd lose 'em. (Or have them writing you letters scolding you for misspelling bites.)
Region. If your book is set in a particular region, are there phrases or even familiar sayings you can adapt to a title? Or, as we discussed in the character tip, are there landmarks that will position your story in a readers' mind? In the Northwest, using words such as Cascade, Siskiyou, Sun Valley, and Snohomish create an immediate image in our minds.For example, the publishing house I work for, B&H Publishing Group, is based in Nashville. Can you guess the phrase that I hear ALL the time...and now say on a regular basis? Yup: Bless yer heart!
Education levels. This has nothing to do with your readers' intelligence, but more with the fact that what appeals to those who've gone through advanced levels of education often is different than what appeals to those who finished their formal education in high school. And studies have shown that reading tastes of those with different educational backgrounds often differ as well.
Married and family status. Are your readers married? Single? Do they have kids or not? Are you readers of an age where their children are toddlers, teens, college-bound, etc? All of these factors come into play with what appeals. For example, I've been married almost 30 years, but my hubby and I never had children. So while I'm drawn to titles focusing on love or relationships, I'm not inclined to pick up a book that, by its title, is aimed at either someone single or someone with children. Unless, of course, the children are in jeopardy! Then that moves it from relationship into suspense, and I love that!
Gender. Yes, it does make a difference! Not that women aren't drawn to guy titles, or vice versa, but you do need to remember your core consumer and how the title will both sound and feel to them. For example, the title and cover below has its strongest appeal to men. Yes, we anticipate women will like it as well, but it was designed to appeal to men first.

Whereas I'd guarantee you this title/cover is geared to women. :)

Tastes in music. Song titles can be great book titles, or great springboards to a title. And every generation has universally known titles. Think about it: Leader of the Pack, Close to You, Great Balls of Fire, Hotel California, Billion Dollar Babies, If God Was One of Us, and so on. Also, consider hymns. There's a wealth of beautiful imagery in hymn titles. (note: you can't copyright a title, so no worries about copyright infringement.)

Also, keep in mind what may be uppermost on your readers' minds. What are they feeling, struggling with, fearing, anticipating? For example:

Economics (is your audience made up of those who are most likely hit by the current economic issues such as job and retirement loss?)
Issues with children
marital struggles
struggles with organized church
faith crises
Emotions (for example, with all the job and retirement loss in the last year, fear is a huge factor for many people. Titles that offer hope and peace, or a respite from the struggles, would draw readers' attention)

Remember, good titles--combined with good cover art--create an image or mood and garner a visceral response from the reader. It's my hope these tools will provide you with some assistance in coming up with two or three good options to send to you publisher when the time comes to do so.

So have at it--and happy titling!

Peace.

Karen

Tips for Terrific Titles #2

2009-05-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

Tip #3 for crafting strong titles? As USA puts it, Characters welcome! Ever and always, Keep Your Characters in Mind. Sometimes the best title for a book focuses on the character. But not just on the name, though that can work well. You can also base a title on your character's:

Personality
Personal struggle
Conflict with other characters
Lesson learned
Nickname
Nationality
Flaw
Physical characteristics
Occupation or calling

...and so on. Look at all the facets of your character to see if there's something that would lend itself well to an eye- and imagination-grabbing title. Also, remember that these kinds of titles can often lead to wonderful designs.

Also, remember that your location can be considered a character as well. Certain regions, states, or countries tend to have personalities, so to speak. Build on that for a title that creates the image of your story before the reader has even hit page one.

Some examples of character-based titles:

Name
Magdalene (interesting that they chose Magdalene rather than Mary Magdalene. Used the far more negative/emotional portion of the name for the title)
Rachel's Secret
Here Lies Arthur
Ruby's Slippers (outstanding cover art enhances the name and tongue-in-cheek connection to Wizard of Oz. See below!)

Physical Characteristic
The Eye of Jade (cover design played off this title beautifully. See below.)
The Face
The Bluest Eye

Character's struggle or "state"
A Bride in the Bargain
Daughter of Liberty
Deceived
Snow Angel

Personality
The Duchess & the Dragon (gives you a strong sense of the heroine and hero, right up front)
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes (this title uses location as well)
That Certain Spark (the cover art is what makes this title so effective! See cover below.)

Location as a character
The Shack
What the Bayou Saw
Savannah from Savannah (wonderful mix of name and location)
Texas Angel

Occupation/Calling
Guardian of the Flame
The Alchemist
The Night Watchman

Any others you can think of to illustrate this tip?

Karen

Tips for Terrific Titles #1

2009-05-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

As promised last week, here are the first two Tips. (If you haven't read the discussion on titles, check out the blog entry on 5/4/09.)

1. Tone. Be sure your title reflects the tone of your story accurately. A whimsical title on a book that is dark and tense will leave the reader feeling suckered or betrayed. Avoid disconnects, so that when the reader is drawn by the title, what they find on the back cover and in the content will only make that draw even stronger. Be sure the title creates a sense of whimsy, tension, danger, romance, mystery, fantasy, the future...whatever best reflects the tone of your story.

Okay, so ready for a challenge? Based on the titles below...

Name That Tone!
The Boneman's Daughters
Redeeming Love
The Shunning
The Riddlemaster of Hed
A Vase of Mistaken Identity
Without a Trace
Three Weddings & a Giggle

2. Genre. This goes hand in hand with tone. While it's important to reflect the tone of your book, you also need to be sure the title fits the genre you're writing. For example, many contemporary novels have a strong thread of romance in them, but you don't want to put a title that focuses too much on the romance element. Those who read romances have specific expectations, some of which won't be met by a contemporary novel. The beauty of genre, though, is that we often mix genres. Cozy mysteries, for example, mix mystery with a bit of a whimsical tone. Romantic adventure--self-evident. So you can use that interplay in titles. One caveat: you can offset the genre focus with the cover art. For example, a title like The Longing Heart could be romance, could be contemporary. How the designer treats the cover will clarify genres for the reader.

Name that Genre!
Kidnapped
Sister Chicks Down Under
Wormwood
Nothing But Trouble

Part two coming soon!

Karen

Here's to Moms!

2009-05-10T01:25:00.000-07:00

Offered for your enjoyment, moms! First the sweet, then the silly, and--last but not least--my all-time favorite quote about mothers.

The Sweet

“My mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart--a heart so large that everybody's joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.” Mark Twain
“Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” Billy Graham
“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” Abraham Lincoln
“I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”Abraham Lincoln“
She who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages…deserves the highest honor that man can give.” David McKay
“The real religion of the world comes…from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother.” George Washington
“There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness.” Andrew Jackson
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” Washington Irving
“The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.” Henry Ward Beecher
“I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” Honore De Balzac
“A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.” Victor Hugo

The Silly

“I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.” Phyllis Diller
“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.” Spanish proverb
“There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life.” Author Unknown
“My mother's menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it.” Buddy Hackett
“Spend at least one Mother's Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate for a flu shot, dump him.” Erma Bombeck

And my all-time favorite quote about mothers?

“Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young.”
Author Unknown

Happy Mother's Day!

Karen

Ideas for Celebrating Mom!

2009-05-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

You've read my thoughts about my mom, now it's your turn. Share your thoughts about your mom, or about mothering with us. Sweet, tender, working through issues...whatever your "Mom" relationship is, I'd love to hear from you.

And for those looking for new ways to say "We love you!" to the mom in your house? Check out this site--and enjoy!

Peace.

Karen

The Gold Standard of Mothers

2009-05-07T02:35:00.000-07:00

Seven years.

2555 Days.

61,320 hours.

That's how long it's been since I heard her voice. Felt the soft touch of her hand. Felt her laughter lift my spirit. Let my head rest against her shoulder.

Seven years since my mom, Paula Ann Sapp, left us for eternity.

I can't believe it's been that long. It seems like yesterday...it seems like forever. The good news is that I can talk about her now--most of the time--without breaking down. In fact, as often as not I end up laughing because the thoughts and memories of her are steeped in joy and love. The bad news? The void deep inside that mawed into existence the day she left us is still there. Will be until I see her again in eternity.

I think about Mom a lot, but most especially this time of year, as Mother's Day approaches. Part of me doesn't like that day anymore. All the flowers and cards and even the sermon at church just amplify the fact that Mom's not here. But at the same time, Mother's Day reminds me how blessed I was to have the mother I did. She was the Gold Standard of Mothers. Here's why:

She loved without reserve. I saw it every day in her eyes, felt it in her touch, heard it in her voice and words.

She believed in my brothers and me. Big time.
She knew the value of laughter, and let it become the music that rang freely in our home.

She liked us, and loved spending time with us. Picnics, playing games at home, trips...it didn't matter what we did. It was a joy just to be together.

She always knew the right thing to say--and when not to say anything at all.

She nurtured us and our passions with love and tender humor.

She directed us to God. Unfailingly. Her rock-solid faith in God was evident in the way she lived.
She loved Dad. I mean...LOVED him. Admired and respected him. Found no other's company more delightful or desired.

She taught us how to celebrate both the big and little in life. And that the little celebrations are often most important.

People have told me I have Mom's hands or her smile. I love that. And I pray I exhibit her spirit and heart as well. I want to be a reflection of this woman who was such a beautiful reflection of God.

So as Mother's Day approaches, be mindful of all your mom has done for you. Good, bad, or indifferent, our mothers are a part of the fabric of who we are. If yours is still living, cherish her. Let her know you love and appreciate her. Ask her to tell you stories about her childhood, about her growing up. And capture those stories, her voice, her laughter, on video. Take the opportunity to hug her or hold her hand. Because the day will come when you can no longer do that, and--and trust me on this--you'll miss it. Like you never knew you could miss something.

If, like me, your mom has entered eternity, know I'm thinking of you. And I'm praying for you. That God will fill your heart and mind with wonderful memories, with the sweet sound of your mom's voice, with the music of her laughter, the warmth of her hug. And celebrate with me that one day...one glorious day!...we'll see them again. These women who birthed and cared for us, who nurtured and encouraged us, who blessed our lives in countless ways. We'll see them again.

And oh! What a joyful reunion that will be!

Karen

Tips for Terrific Titles

2009-05-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

One of the questions asked in the comments on my 5/4 blog was: What tips do you have for creating a good title for a novel? Based on the discussion and on my experience in publishing, I've come up with 4 top tips to titling. And I'll jump right into them...after Mother's Day. So stay tuned!

Until then, here's an exercise for you. Come up with titles for the following novels:

Romantic Suspense--woman discovers wolves on her Wyoming ranch, and fights to keep them hidden from ranchers. Wildlife biologist is sent in, under the guise of taking a job on her ranch, to determine if reports of wolf sightings are true. Behind the scenes, someone is out to kill the wolves--no matter who gets in the way. Elements of story: suspense, danger, wildlife, romance, time running out.

Thriller--woman computer whiz discovers a hidden website--one belonging to a vicious serial killer. She goes to the FBI, but they don't think it's real. The killer, however, knows he's been hacked, and backtracks to find the culprit. When the woman's friends start disappearing, then turning up dead--killed in horrific ways--she takes control and emails the killer through his website, telling him she's going to find him and kill him. He tells her there's no way she can do that. She grits her teeth and sends her response: "Just watch me." And proceeds to do exactly what she said.

Contemporary--Older woman with macular degeneration starts having hallucinations. She knows that a symptom of her disease, but this hallucination is different from the others she's had. It's Huck Finn. And it does more than just show up. He starts talking to her. Through struggles to repair broken family relationships and personal epiphanies, she and Huck discuss life, family, and faith--and she discovers that God's truth sometimes comes in very surprising packages.

All three are actual books. So share your titles, and then I'll tell you the real titles.

Have fun!

Karen

What's in a Title?

2009-05-04T01:35:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been pondering the importance of titles on novels. Did you know that most of the titles on the books you read are developed by a group of people in the publishing house? And believe me, it's no easy task! We have to consider author's wishes, content of the story, the market (what will resonate, what won't), marketing angles, design elements, if the title's been used before, and on and on. Sometimes all that comes together and the title is magic. Other times...

Not so much.

The best thing is when an author comes to us with the perfect title. I love it when that happens. But usually we have to wrestle for awhile, sometimes even against each other. Mostly because, like any reader, we all see different things in the story. And whatever strikes us is what we want emphasized.

So here's what I'm wondering. How much impact does a novel's title have on you and your decision to purchase it? Can you name some novels that, when you read the title, your reaction was, "Wow!" or "How cool!"? Are there novels you've read and loved that you felt the title didn't fit or didn't do it justice?

This is your chance to let a publisher know just how much importance that perfect title really has.

Thanks!

Karen

May Day!

2009-05-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

It's May Day! Do you remember what that means?

Yup, time to go pick flowers. Not just that, but time to pick flowers and share them with others. Anonymously.

I loved May Day as a kid (though I'm sure our poor neighbors weren't as fond of it seeing as I usually pilfered their gardens!). When I looked at the calendar a few weeks ago and realized it was almost May, then saw May 1, I grinned. I may be nudging 52, but this May Day I'm letting the kid run free. I'm going to pick flowers, put them in a paper vase, and hang them on someone's door.

Because every day deserves a touch of beauty. And the reminder that people think of us.

So here's the deal. STOP what you're doing. Stop it, right now. Ready? Okay, follow these steps:

1. Wet down 3 or 4 pieces of paper towel.
2. Take your paper towels and go outside and find some flowers. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just flowers.
3. When you have your bouquet, wrap the stems in damp paper towel.
4. Choose a house on your block, lay the flowers on the stoop, ring the doorbell, and run! Don't worry who might be watching, just let yourself be a kid again and bless someone's day.

Now, since I can't come to YOUR doors, here are a few flowers from my garden, just for you!

Lessons from the Raft

2009-04-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

As promised...

Lessons from a Raft of Sea Lions

We all need a haven from the world, a place we can float and rest and lean on each other.
Everyone needs people they can be just a little crazy with.
Let someone lean on you when they're weary. Odds are good you'll have someone to lean on when you need it!
Floating in the world by yourself is risky and lonely. We're bigger and stronger and happier together.
Go ahead and bark! Those who care about you won't mind--and they may even join in.
The ride seems shorter when you share it with someone.
Even the coldest times in life are made warmer when we let those who care about us stay close.
Relax! You've got friends and family to hold you up. Just rest in God and know He's in control.

So now that you've heard the lessons and seen the pictures, here's a final treat: a video of the raft! You'll hear how windy the day was, but you can also hear the sea lions barking from time to time.

Enjoy!

Karen

A Raft of Sea Lions

2009-04-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

While I was in California a few weeks ago for the Mount Hermon writers' conference, I took a side trip to Santa Cruz. I've loved going there since I was a kid to watch the sea lions around and beneath the pier. What I saw this year, though, was completely new.

Rather than floating about around and beneath the pier, the sea lions were gathered in huddles, floating together, some resting their heads on the others as they snoozed, some holding up one flipper. And as they floated there, they were barking and calling and having all kinds of fun. I found out later that what they're doing is called "rafting." Appropriate term, huh? They look like a big raft.

It was so neat to watch, to see these animals I've loved watching all my life in a new way. And as I watched, as I studied their peaceful demeanor and relaxed manners, as I saw how they held each other up, I started realizing a few things.

Which I'll share in the next post. So stay tuned!

Peace--

Karen

Journal of a Writers' Conference

2009-04-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I've been over at my friend, Lori Benton's, blog, Kindred. I read her blog often, as I love the way she writes. But it's been especially fun because she journaled during her first time at the Mount Hermon Writers' Conference a few weeks ago! I've been going so long, and always as a teacher/editor, it was great to read about it from a newbie writer's POV. Lori's a marvelous writer and you feel as though you're right there with her. So go check it out. (One warning, the days are out of sequence for some reason, but it's not hard to figure it out. So give it a try!)

Her conference journal begins on April 10, so you'll need to start on that entry.

Bonus: great pix of the Mount Hermon grounds--especially the flowering cherry!

Have a great weekend.

Karen

Mount Hermon Delights

2009-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you're a writer, there's nothing more fun and uplifting than a writers' conference. Being surrounded by people of like minds (and insanity) is such a delight! So nice to not have to explain yourself when you say things like, "My hero won't get out of my head!" or "My antagonist just won't shut up this morning." Or to have people's eyes widen when you ask, "Are tarantulas poisonous? I'd like to kill a guy with one, but not quite sure if that will work."

My all-time fav writers conference is Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference. Happens every year, Thurs. to Tues., the week of Palm Sunday. Wonderful writers come, from attendees to faculty and staff. The setting--in the midst of the California Redwoods--is stunning. The spirit is powerful--so steeped in honoring God and each other. And the training that's available is unmatched. Plus it's the only conference (as far as I know) where there's a conference within the conference--the Career Track for published writers.

But most of all, I love the fellowship. So thought I'd share some pix to give you a taste. And if you're thinking about attending a writers' conference next year, make it Mount Hermon. You won't be sorry!

One more thing: why not make today Pray for Christian Camps day? It's been a tough year on them, too. Maybe tougher than a lot of us realize. Too many camps are closing down due to financial issues. So as God brings it to your mind, please offer a prayer that He will be with those camps still making it and help them to endure. Especially places like Mount Hermon, that have been around for so long, blessing people in His name!

Peace all!

Karen

Lori Benton and Marion Stroud, two dear friends

A panel of publishing pros fielding questions

The majestic Redwoods

Writers in the Career Track

Listening and learning!

Sally Stuart, Wendy Lawton, Yours Truly, & Janet Grant

Passion Nurturing Activities, Pt. 4

2009-04-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

We've talked about words and how they can stir our passion, but how about time? How much time to you give to your passion? If you're not happy with your answer, here are some things to try:

Take a Time Out. Remember how that works? Time outs? When you were a kid and got a little out of control, Mom sent you to the Time Out chair to cool off. Well, this is a similar principle. Take time to play. Get out of the house, away from your everyday life. Get out in nature. The woods, the ocean, a local park. Go to the library. Go to a playground and watch the kids. Go to a museum and let the beauty of other people's passions wash over you. Go to the gun range and, as my hubby calls it, "plink." Watch cartoons. Take a break from being an adult. Getting away from "it all," at least once in a while, is restorative.

Spend time with people who are living their passion. You know who they are. You know the people in your life who are immersed in doing what they were made to do. Ask to spend a day with them, and watch their faces. Ask them how they stay focused. What they do to refill and rejuvenate. Let those who have gone before you help you on your journey.

Take a 15-minute vacation. Can't get away for a whole or even half day? No worries. Take 15 mintues. Close the door. Sit in a comfortable chair. Close your eyes. And let your imagination take you wherever you want to go.

Let yourself laugh! I've seen the restorative power of laughter over and over again, how it brings healing and even health. I have a whole shelf of videos and DVDs I watch to laugh. Doris Day movies. Red Skelton and Victor Borge comedy routines. The Dick Van Dyke show. And on and on. One of my all-time favs is a video of NFL snippets, set to ballet music. Hysterical! Laughter is a powerful force, friends. Give it full rein as often as you can.

Time. Words. Friends. Laughter. Or something completely different. Find whatever it is that works for you, and do it. Don't let your passion be consumed by day-to-day stresses. Don't let the fire God breathed into you be quenched.

Never forget, passion is a precious gift. One a loving Father has given to bless you and those around you. Cherish it. Express it. Let it bless your world.

Peace.

Karen

Passion Nurturing Activities, Pt. 3

2009-04-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Silence, music, counselors...these are all great helps for stirring creativity and passion. So, too, is the written word. May seem like a no-brainer to some; for others may seem impossible. But I'm not talking about being a writer. I'm talking about the power of writing down what you know. Think. Feel. And letting that action show you things about yourself. And God.

Here are some simple things you can do, even if you hate to write:

Keep an Evidence Journal. Write down your God Stories. The times you saw God act. The times you felt His touch and presence. Do it with story or just key words. But get it down on paper. When God moves in your day, write it down. When someone speaks truth to your heart, write it down. When you struggle, write it down. Remember the children of Israel were told to write these truths on the doorposts that they might not forget all God had done for them. Then, when you've done that for awhile, go back and read what you wrote. It's so easy to forget God’s faithfulness. What a blessing to have solid, firm evidence of His action, His presence in our lives, in our passion.

Read the Scriptures. Whether you believe in God or not, you'll find beautiful, powerful writing in the Bible. If you do believe in God, then I challenge you to spend as much time in the Word as you do in reference and research books. Don't leave God out of the equation when seeking to rejuvenate your passion, or you may not like the final product.

Share words with others. In other words, encourage! Being encouraging encourages us.

Read. Immerse yourself in words, gloriously written words. Think about it. If you were stranded on a desert island what 4 books would you want with you? Read them. Read kids books, too. (Anything by Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstine is a joy.) Whatever books speak to your soul. Block out time each day to read. And do it someplace that you love. Your favorite chair, with the lights perfectly adjusted, the fire going in the fireplace, music floating around you…or not. Do it however you enjoy it most. Every day. It's important. If you want to find your passion.

Okay, almost done with activities. Last installment coming soon!

Karen

Passion Nurturing Activities, Pt. 2

2009-04-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ready for more? Then here we go. But prepare yourselves. This next one is hard:

* Accept the delays. I know, I know, we want to keep going. Progress. Reach the goal. But here's what I've learned in the midst of my journey: the detours ARE the journey. All those things getting in your way, those obstacles keeping you from accomplishing your goals? Maybe they're God's way of putting the brakes on what you're focused on so He can get you refocused. On Him. And His plans for you.

This lesson was especially hard for me to learn, but through it I discovered my life verse: Habakkuk 2:3—"Slowly, steadily, surely, the time is coming for the vision to be fulfilled. If it seems delayed, do not fret. It won’t be overdue even a single moment."

* Listen to the voice of the One who breathed your passion into you. Remember Elijah and his trip up the mountain? (If not, check out 1 Kings 19, 9-13). There was a mighty windstorm, and an earthquake, and a fire, but where was the voice of God? In “the sound of a gentle whisper.”

So how, you say, do I do that? How do I hear God's voice more clearly? Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Silence. Yeah, that's right. Silence. How much time do you spend in silence? Odds are good we all could use more. Try going on a silent retreat, either an organized one or one you set up yourself. Go away from everyday life, leave all the gadgets and technology at home, and spend time--real time--in silence. What's that? You'll fall asleep? Okay, so do so. Who knows? Maybe that's exactly what God is calling you to so He can speak to your heart while you're at rest.

Use Music. Find time to sit and just listen to music you love. Close your eyes and focus on the lyrics. Let music speak to you, draw you out of yourself and into God. (Want a suggestion for a great CD? Streams. Outstanding music, stirring lyrics.)

Next installment to come soon! Promise.

Karen

Passion Nurturing Activities

2009-04-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Great discussion, all, on nurturing passion. Here are some other things you can do to rejuvenate that creative, passion-filled part of your spirit:

1. Surround yourself with friends who encourage your passion. Remember, "a wise king is surrounded by wise counselors." Share your passion, what you think God's planted inside you, with those who love you, with those with whom you’re safe. With those who keep you accountable. Seek their guidance. And listen to them!

2. Disconnect from technology. Okay, don't hyperventilate. But think about it. We have to be the most connected, available, interruptable people ever! Give yourself a break--literally. Shut off the phone, the computer, and anything else with an on/off switch. Focus on the silence. And what God has to tell you in the midst of it.

3. Regain Perspective. Remember, it's not about you. Sure, it feels like it is, but it's really not. It's about what God wants to accomplish. So step away from yourself. Got mountains close by? The ocean? Anything bigger than you? Look at it. Let the sight of something truly huge and majestic remind you of your place in the world. Then look to Scripture. And let that remind you of your place in God's economy.

Okay, that's enough for today. More to come soon!

Karen

Nurture Your Passion

2009-04-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Bet you thought I wasn't going to finish this up, huh? Well, guess again.

So, we talked about what kills passion, but what can we do to nurture it? Before I give you my thoughts, I want to hear from you.

What to you do to stir that sense of creativity within yourself? To remind yourself what it is you're passionate about? To honor the passion God's planted deep within?

How do you create an passion-nurturing environment at home? At work?

Where do you go--or what do you do?--when you need your passion restored?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Karen

True Confessions

2009-04-12T21:09:00.001-07:00

Okay, time to 'fess up.

I've been struggling with blogging. Yes, I know. You're stunned. Amazed. Shocked.

Okay, not really, seeing as I haven't blogged in what? A MONTH?? More? So I've been wrestling with myself over this whole thing. I mean, I hate quitting something I've started. Feels too much like failure. And really, I do enjoy it. But with all the travel and workload and yada yada, blah blah blah...

I just couldn't make myself take the time.

Enter the Mount Hermon Career Track. That's where I was last week, at the Mount Hermon Writers' Conference, helping lead the Career Track for published authors. One of the panels I was on was about social networking: Twitter, blogging, Facebook, et al. And the inimitable Camy Tang, who is the blogging queen, says this: "If you're not blogging at least three times a week you're not a blogger." Ouch. Three times a week? I'm lucky if I make it three times a month!

Happily, she didn't stop there. She went on to help us understand where most bloggers go wrong, and I was guilty of a number of the mistakes she mentioned.

Especially posts that are too long.

WAY too long.

So I decided to give blogging another try. But this time I'm going to take a page from Twitter and limit my word count. No, not to 120 words per blog (I mean, let's be real, folks!) But I'm going to try to stick to 250-300 words a blog entry. Which means this entry is about done!

Hey, that wasn't so hard.

Peace, all.

Karen

Let's Explore Together: Passion Killers

2009-02-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! What a great day to be talking about heart passion, huh?

Thanks for all the comments on what passion is to you. Great response, very thought-provoking. Generally speaking, then, True Passion is:

Something you care deeply about
Your burden
What drives you—and what drives you nuts. Like a terrier puppy with a sock. Need a crowbar to pry it loose.
Something that costs you. There's wonderful Scripture that Angie Hunt quotes that goes something like this, "I will offer my God nothing that has not cost me." Real passion calls for sacrifices.
A compelling urge. (Such as...hmm...dark chocolate!)

I think another sign of your deepest passion is that when you actively do something work in the area of your passion, you feel God’s glory. His delight.

Years ago Francine Rivers gave my family a movie (on VCR...tell you how long ago that was). She said the main characters reminded her of my mom and dad. The movie was Babette’s Feast. I was excited 'til I saw it was a foreign flick. Danish, to be exact. Much as I love languages (my college double-major was journalism and multiple languages--I studied French, Spanish, and Russian), I'm not crazy about watching movies with subtitles. But this was from my dear friend Francine, and she said we like it. So we all sat down and watched.

Within seconds we were captured. Drawn in to the story of two daughters--both with amazing talents--each who gave up their dreams to stay at home first to serve their pastor father, and then to serve his community. Humbly. With love. Then a woman comes to town, sent by a friend of theirs to be the sister's housekeeper, which she does for 14 years. When she wins the lottery. So what does this woman do with all that money? She prepares a meal
for the sisters and their community, her offering to honor them for their lives spent for each other and God. (The movie is so much more than I can relate here, and if you haven't seen it I urge you to run, don't walk, to the nearest video store and rent it.)

But what struck me most deeply in this moving film was one line Babette spoke to the sisters: "How the angels must delight in you." That, I think, is what it's like when you're given to your God-breathed passion. When you live and act and move in concert with passion, when you nurture the seed of passion planted within you when God breathed you into existence...

...The angels delight in you.
And so does God.

Whatever your passion is, then, you need to cherish it. To help it's roots grow deep and sure, and the blossoms to stretch to the skies until they bloom in all their glory. (Can you tell we're heading into gardening season?) And that means you need to be aware of things that keep you from you passion.

Namely, Passion Killers.

What do you think kills passion? What steals your delight in what you do, in who you are. What blocks out God's whisper? What wraps itself around you and puts a barrier between you and the passions God has poured into you?

I've got two Killers that I wrestle with regularly: Grief and Fatigue. Grief was for a season. But fatigue, well, I fight with that a lot. Both drain you, hinder your ability to think and even, at times, feel.

How about you? What are the passion killers you fight with? Share them here, and in the next installment, we'll explore how to deal with those killers, and how to nurture that wonderful passion within.

Peace.

Karen

Let's Explore Together: Passion

2009-02-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of teaching at writers' conferences and leading retreats, that kind of thing. One of the workshops I've been doing for a number of years is a joint exploration on something that I've been thinking a lot about lately: passion. Not necessarily the romance kind of passion, though that's always nice to think about. Especially when you've got a hubby you think is pretty wonderful. (Which I do...Love you, Don! ) Mostly what I've been thinking about is deep-in-the-core passion. Life passion. The kind of passion that drives you; gets you out of bed in the morning; gives the good, bad, and even ugly of life meaning.

And though I've taught this workshop on passion a number of times--most recently at the Pacific Bible College One-Day conference in Medford, Oregon--I've learned that it's never the same. Because passion is alive and active, it's different things to different people, and sometimes it even changes. But through all, it's deep within us. It's a part of the fabric of who we are.

So since we're heading toward Valentine's Day, I thought I'd see if you wanted to go on an exploration with me. To discover passion.

Real passion.

Ruling passion.

Life passion.

First, we'll explore what it is. And what YOURS is. Then we'll figure out what hinders passion, and what nurtures it. Sound good? Okay.

The more I've pondered the whole idea of passion, the more one question kept rolling around in my brain: What exactly is it? So I went to a source I love to explore, one where I can get lost in the pages (which shows one of my passions is definitely words): Webster's. Here's what my dear ol' dictionary had to say about passion:

a (1): emotion passion is greed> (2)plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason b: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction c: an outbreak of anger5 a: ardent affection : love b: a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept c: sexual desire d: an object of desire or deep interest

Hmmm...intense, driving, overmastering...ardent...strong...devotion...deep desire or interest.

Okay, that rings true. But what do others have to say about passion?

German poet and dramatist, Hebbel, once said: "Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion."

Joss Whedon, a man who understands witty, passionate writing, said: “Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... Waiting... And though unwanted... Unbidden... It will stir... Open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... Guides us... Passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... The clarity of hatred... And the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace... But we would be hollow... Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly dead.”

Wow. I like that. A lot.

So how about you? What do you think passion is? And what do you think YOUR passion might be?

Can't wait to read your thoughts!

Peace, friends.

Karen