The Writer's Handbag

I tried. Really. Downsizing a purse is akin to squeezing my feet into size five shoes. Perhaps you'll have a bit of sympathy after you hear my story.

Once upon a time, yours truly threw out her back - that nasty sciatic nerve thingy. My chiropractor lifted my handbag and glared at me. "This is part of your problem." While my back cried for relief, my mind screamed, "Nooooo, not my purse!"

Many of my friends carry something the size of a credit card, but not me. Where would I put my driving glasses, reading glasses, the extra pairs of said glasses, my wallet (which qualifies as a mini purse by itself), my car and house keys, the extra set of each, assorted aspirin, cough drops, hard candy (for that dry throat), tissues, my smartphone, my digital camera (yes, I still use one), my Kindle, my notebook for church, and an assortment of odds and ends that would fill this page. Whew! Let me catch my breath.

Around Christmas, Sweetie Mom and I trekked through the mall, using her walker to carry our heavy purses. This worked great until I needed to go shopping for her Christmas gifts. Without the walker, that 15-pound monster threatened to double me over.

A brilliant idea struck me at that moment (did you hear the angels singing?). Carry a lighter version and put the remainder of the items in another bag. The tote could stay in the trunk when the contents weren't required, and the essentials could stay with me.

What I didn't count on was the tote bag acting like a bigger closet or an extra room in a house. More space? Fill it up. An umbrella, a sweater, a paperback book, a water bottle, an extra pair of shoes...you get the picture.

The recent addition of a tablet (the computer kind) now rests in the tote bag. If one of my characters gets chatty, I can whip it out and jot some notes.

I'm now lugging around a purse AND a tote bag (because I need everything in it). What's a girl to do?

Writing Gals:  Do you carry around more writing gadgets, etc. since you started on this journey?

Reader Gals:  Do you carry books with you? How do you keep your purse from becoming your home away from home? I need serious help here.

Hat tip to my blogger buddy, Rhonda Schrock, who adds a whole other dimension to this issue with a husband an four sons. Check out her post.

Photo Credit:  Brano Hudak

Mystery/Facebook/Creation Scientist/Devo/Recipe

1.  Heather Webb guest posts at Writer Unboxed. How do you keep someone reading? She says, "Every good book is a mystery even when it's not."

2.  Do you need suggestions on how to optimize your time on Facebook? Kathleen Gage talks about engagement and how to develop a following.

3.  Breaking Christian News reports the National Park Service has reversed its decision and will allow a creation scientist to study the Grand Canyon.

4.  Rhonda Rhea, at The Write Conversation, shares her thoughts on "Unforgetting." Yeah, that grabbed my attention as well.

5.  I saw this recipe for Chocolate Brownie Cake. You KNOW I had to share it. Enjoy!

Writers:  How much time do you spend on Facebook or other social media platforms? Do you have a plan or just wing it? Please share your thoughts.

Readers:  What was your favorite link this week and why?

Photo Credit:  Melodi2

On My Kindle - Healing Love by Jennifer Slattery

Brooke's dream of becoming a news anchor is a step away from fulfillment. So, why isn't she turning cartwheels? When her sister, Aubrey, begs her to go on a mission's trip to El Salvador, she envisions all kinds of disasters.

Ubaldo agrees to translate for another American mission's team. Past experiences have left him skeptical of their motives. They'll probably make promises they won't keep and break the orphans' hearts.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Jennifer Slattery is a new-to-me author, and I'm so glad I finally read one of her stories. Her skill drew me into the  lives of Brooke, Ubaldo, and the orphans. Their hopes for the future, fears, and growth as people inspired me.

Five Stars all the way!

Disclaimer: I can't recall how I got this book. I believe it was a freebie. Neither the author nor the publisher paid me to give a review. The opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  This book managed to capture me and turn off any internal editor. When was the last time you read a book for pure enjoyment? Title/Author? I'd love to hear about it.

Readers:  Do you enjoy books that take place in another country? What are some of your favorite titles?

Foil in Fiction/Permissions/Pro-Life/Tree Lessons/Boredom

1.  Zoe M. McCarthy talks about a foil in fiction - a character who emphasizes the protagonist's qualities. Check out this excellent article.

2.  Jane Friedman talks about Permissions and Fair Use. When is it okay to directly quote, excerpt, or reproduce someone else's work in your own writing?

3. Christian Headlines reports that the Oregon State House killed a bill that would have allowed mentally ill patients to be dehydrated and starved to death. Fortunately, strong pro-life members fought it and won. When we dehumanize the unborn, that attitude will extend to other "inconvenient" people like those with disabilities and the elderly.

4. Lynn Simpson shares the lessons of trees in a recent blog post. What a great analogy!

5. It's midsummer, and the excitement of summer break is wearing thin for both parents and kids. Here are some suggestions to fight boredom compliments of Wiki-How.

Writers:  Have you used a secondary character to highlight the good points of your protagonist? Please share.

Readers:  What are some activities you use to combat your kids'/grandkids' boredom?

Photo Credit:  Eric Pseja

I'm Back!

Blogging can drain the life out of you. I've had to rethink how I manage this task.

My buddy, Karen Lange, over at Write Now, gave me some wise advice. (Thank you, Karen!)

Instead of three posts per week, I'm cutting back to two. The Monday posts will be a mix of book reviews, writerly thoughts, and some devotionals. I'll continue sharing links on Friday.

What would you like to see here? After all, this blog is about connecting the dots between writers and readers. Now that's a catchy phrase - connecting the dots between writers and readers. I'll be adding it to my header soon.

I'm looking forward to a fresh start.

Writers and Readers:  What changes have you made in your lives to spark your creativity/interests?

Photo Credit:  Janusz Hylinski

We Interrupt This Blog Break...

I'm guest posting at Elaine Stock's blog from 9/8 - 9/15/17! GIVEAWAY.

God has a plan for us - a good one. I hope you'll stop by and comment.

Dual Timeframe/Chapters/Former Terrorist/Defeating Fear/Re-Purpose

1.  I saw the phrase, "dual timeframe book," the other day. I did a search and found this article by K. M. Weiland. It's a technique I've seen in a few books and thought you might want to give it a try.

2.  Greer Macallister guest posts at Writers in the Storm on, "The Art of Chapter." She gives spot-on advice regarding length, powerful opening sentences, and the need for mini-closure for the reader.

3.  Julianne Hale wrote a novel based on the real-life transformation of a former terrorist. This is a perfect example of how fiction can impact and inform readers. Check out this article at Christian Headlines.

4.  Lynn J. Simpson posted, "The Call - Part 2 - The Present." It spoke to my heart.

5.  Susan, at Writing Straight From the Heart, talks about new uses for old things. Hmm, what can I do with some of the stuff I have around my house?

Writers:  How do manage your chapters? Do you have a particular plan you follow?

Readers:  Have you ever re-purposed an item in your house? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo

On My Nightstand - Come to the Table by Neta Jackson

Come to the Table is the second book in Neta Jackson's new SouledOut Sisters series. She introduces new characters to the cast from her previous books.

Kathryn "Kat" Davies and her friend, Nick, are the focus of this book. Both get involved in SouledOut Community Church. Nick is doing his internship as a pastor, while Kat desires to feed the hungry.

I always enjoy Neta's characters. They're so realistic you almost want to visit their Chicago neighborhood and pop in for a cup of tea and a friendly chat. The love story adds a sweet touch to their growth as believers.

Five stars for Come to the Table. If you like character-driven novels, you'll love all her books.

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid for a favorable review. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  How do you make your characters unique and interesting?

Readers:  Do you like books with a large cast of characters or do you find it confusing? Please share.

Summer Fun

Unlike last year, I'm enjoying the summer. My flowers provide a splash of color, making me smile every time I look at them. Neighbors hang out on their porches or in their backyards and chat. Being outdoors is the order of the day.

My heart simply wants to drink in the beauty of God's creation and share the lives of the people I love. I need to regroup and be refreshed. After the post on July 28th, I'll be taking a break until Monday, September 18, 2017.

Have a wonderful summer!

Writers and Readers:  What are you doing for fun this summer?

Photo Credit:  Aki_fukaki

Settings/Parallelism/Prayer/The Call/Glass Blowing

1.  Creating settings challenge me. When I saw this article at Writers in the Storm, I jumped on it. Tasha Seegmiller gives some excellent advice.

2.  Zoe M. McCarthy talks about Faulty Parallelism. Yes, that's a mouthful, but it's simple to fix.

3.  Breaking Christian Headlines ran an article on Science and Prayer by Dr. Don Colbert. Did you know that folks who pray for as little as 30 seconds a day, acknowledging God and giving thanks for their blessings see a powerful effect on their mind, body, and spirit?

4.  Lynn Simpson shares The Call on her life and relates it to Abraham. I especially liked the part about Abraham being 75 years old at the time God told him to leave his country and all he knew.

5.  A post at Colonial Quills caught my attention because my cousin is a glass artist. Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor shared, "The Art of Glass Blowing at the Jamestown Colony." If you're a history buff, you'll enjoy this fascinating story.

Writers:  What part of writing is difficult for you? Setting? Characterization? Dialogue or some other facet?

Readers:  What effects has prayer had on your physical body?

Photo Credit:  Wrhoana R.

On My Nightstand - The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

Noelle and Eli Hueston deal with their grief and lose their relationship in the process. An accident causes her to lose all memories of the last 25 years. She struggles to relate to the man and the children that say she's their wife and mother.

Eli sees this as an opportunity to repair their marriage and be the kind of husband Noelle needs. As she discovers pieces of the past, will it destroy their new beginning or will they deal with the problems the right way - together?

Susan May Warren once again nails the story. She's not one to offer platitudes or gloss over problems. The situations are real-life, and I could relate to the characters' struggles.

This is a Deep Haven novel and well worth your time and money. 5 Stars!

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  Do you tackle difficult relationship issues in your writing? Please share.

Readers:  What is your opinion of Christian Fiction? Do you relate to the various themes? Please share.

Ebooks vs. Print - Fast Food or Fine Dining?

Sweetie Mom and I grab our purses and fly out the door when an opportunity to eat out comes along. To a great extent, our level of enthusiasm depends on where we're going. Friday night means Wendy's. We've become regulars, and the staff knows us. It's fun when they plug in my name for the order without asking who I am.

A special dining experience for a birthday, Mother's Day, or to use a gift card (love gift cards!) results in discussions on what to wear, as well as what to eat. Certain restaurants have menu items that make us salivate thinking about them. I'm not a fan of sweet potatoes, but drowning a baked one in honey butter and maple syrup makes me swoon.

Reading an ebook or a print book are like selecting between fast food or casual/fine dining. Lately, I've been reading a lot of books on my Kindle Paperwhite. The last two books I've read, however, are print versions. Here are some of the pros and cons of each:

1.  Fast food places don't require a lot of thought, while other restaurants take more planning. A print book takes up a lot of space, while you can carry around hundreds of books in a Kindle or other e-reader.

2.  Seeing the percentage finished in an ebook doesn't give the same perception as looking where your bookmark sits in a print version. Like fast food, there isn't the savoring of the overall experience.

3.  With an ebook, I sometimes forget the title and/or author of the book I'm reading because it's not on every page. With a print book, I see the title and author. They become linked with the story in my brain because of the repetition. The ambiance of a more formal restaurant creates a memory not easily forgotten.

4.  When I order an ebook, there's no waiting. Zap! It's in my Kindle in a flash. By the time my print books arrive, I've sometimes forgotten what I ordered. The positive side is the excitement of opening a box of books. Fast food is - fast. When you're hungry and you've got a ton or errands, it's the way to go. Casual/fine dining takes planning and more time.

5.  The cost factor plays a big part in this equation. I can afford a lot more ebooks than print books, and the way I blast through them that's a big deal. Library, you say? Our local library doesn't have the kind of selection I can find online. Fast food restaurants don't cost as much as casual/fine dining. I can go there once a week, but my purse can't handle higher-end eateries that often.

So what do I prefer? I love the whole print book experience. The ebook is an economical and convenient choice. It depends on what I need at any given time.

Writers and Readers:  What are your preferences and why?

Photo Credit:  Susan J. Reinhardt

Description/Blogging/China/Motivation/Dispose

1. Les Edgerton posts at Writers in the Storm about character descriptions and the lack thereof. I'll have to pay closer attention to this when I'm reading a book.

2. Wow! The Write Conversation has a super post on 7 Things to Remember When You Host a Guest on Your Blog. For anyone who blogs, this is a keeper.

3.  Christian Headlines brings us an interesting article on the state of religion in China.

4.  How do you handle disappointment? Andy Lee shares her mother's wisdom on the subject.

5.  Do you want to get rid of some stuff, but don't know how to dispose of it? I discovered this post that will tell you.

Writers:  How do you handle character descriptions in your writing?

Readers:  Do you like detailed character descriptions? Why? Why not?

Photo Credit:  Ned Horton

On My Nightstand - The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish

Molly Fisk cannot bear to go outside. She views the world from the windows of the wax museum she  and her mother run for a local businessman.

Although she longs to be free from the fears that hold her prisoner, it seems impossible. Even the handsome young man, Tobias, can't break through her fears and coax her outside. One day, a woman arrives at the museum with her family. It's the beginning of a new life for Molly.

Christa's books have a depth that's rare in most fiction. She digs deep into her characters' innermost thoughts and motivations. I ached for the terrified little girl, closed off from the world around her. I grieved with the woman, who filled her life with crossword puzzles and avoided love. This story got inside of me.

5 Stars all the way. This book and any of Christa Parrish's books are highly recommended.

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  How do you get inside your characters' hearts and heads?

Readers:  What's more important to you: characters or story? Or both? Please share.

Built-In or Add-Ons?

Houses that have built-in bookcases or cabinets attract me. They're a permanent part of the architecture. Sure you can add on these things with free-standing items, but there's something special about the seamless construction of built-in units.

We're a lot like houses. God builds into each person certain gifts, so they can fulfill their purpose in life. They're not add-ons or after thoughts. No, they are original construction and essential to the structure. Whether or not we discover our purpose or use those gifts properly, they are part of us.

We recently had a special speaker at church. He'd done numerous things in life, but he always ended up teaching others. He pointed out God put leadership within Joseph. He had charge of Potipher's household, then the prison, and finally the entire nation of Egypt. No matter what you do or where you go, your gifts will help point you to your purpose.

Gifts are not your purpose but rather the equipment to fulfill your destiny. Joseph didn't learn how to lead, it was part of him. Yes, he still had to do the work, but it brought satisfaction and joy.

Throughout my life, writing and teaching have popped up wherever I go. Operating in God's purpose has never been easy. The enemy of our souls will do everything to stop us from succeeding. Paul often became discouraged, but he was following God's plan for his life.

Whether you're a writer or a reader, ask God to show you His plans and purpose. Are you a whiz at organization? Are you an encourager? Does writing seem as important as breathing? He wants you to know why He gave you these gifts.

Writers and Readers:  What are some of the gifts God has built into you?

Photo Credit:  Iraine

Special thanks to Pastor Noel Willis for inspiring this post.