Love and Hurt

How many times do we love someone only to be hurt by some action? It can be a hateful comment, a lie or worse of all a death. This has been on my mind for several days. If we never hurt, we never love.

Through the years, two very close friends have died from cancer. We had a daughter who died at age six and then of course, parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. We were hurt by all of these deaths, but it seems the two that hurt the most were the cancer victims.

If we did not love these people so much, it wouldn't hurt so much. Then love heals our wounds. Can you really live without love? I don't think so.

Then I think about the love Christ had for us. He willingly went to the cross that we might have forgiveness of sins. That is love, the ultimate love. He hurt and suffered for our sins because he loved us so much. I'm sure He is disappointed when he sees the way we act here on earth, but he still loves us.

The love of my friends will remain deep and if I am hurt, that love will help me through it.

Interview with Janice Thompson

I’ve been reading books by Janice Hanna Thompson for several years and I’ve know Janice for that many years. She has edited my book and been an all over good friend. I just finished her latest novel, Stars Collide, and I loved it. I would like for Janice to first tell us a little about herself and then, we’ll ask the main character of this novel, Kat, to tell us a little of herself.

Janice, it’s all yours. Tell us something about yourself.

Hi everyone! I’m a full-time author and mother of four daughters (and six grandchildren). Goodness, I don’t feel old enough to be a grandmother. Not that my grandbabies call me “Grandma.” I’m “Nina” to them!

I spend my days writing books and teaching the writing craft. To learn more about my courses feel free to visit www.freelancewritingcourses.com. To learn more about my books, feel free to visit www.janicehannathompson.com.

I love my life! I’m blessed to be able to do what I love for a living. Writing books is my passion!

Thanks Janice, now we will ask Kat a few questions. First of all, I love your name.

Do you enjoy being an actress?

Kat: It’s funny you should ask. I come from a long line of actresses. My grandmother, Lenora Worth, was one of Hollywood’s most famous starlets in the late ‘50s and ‘60s. Like Grandma, I definitely love the world of acting, particularly on the Stars Collide set. My fellow actors and actresses are like family to me now.

Did the fact that your grandmother was a famous actress have any bearing on you becoming one?

Kat: How could I not give in to the temptation to be like my grandmother? If you could see her house, you would understand. The great room is filled with photos from the golden years of Hollywood, when she was a young star. Back in those days, she dated all sorts of handsome actors. Sometimes I just walk through the room and look at the pictures of Grandma with Dean Martin, Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Steve McQueen, and marvel at the fact that she knew them. Of course, I’m pretty blessed to know quite a few handsome actors, myself, including my co-star, Scott Murphy.

Scott is quite a hunk. Did you feel that sometimes you might not get together?

Kat: Is this a trick question? Secretly, I’ve always had a crush on Scott. And I guess some people might be surprised to learn that I’m really pretty shy when it comes to romance. So is Scott, ironically. So, I often wondered if either of us would ever work up the courage to tell the other how we felt. Thank goodness, we’re past that now.

Were you surprised how the wedding scene was arranged?

Kat: Actually, Scott and I worked a long time to set up that surprise, ourselves! We needed it to be top secret. My grandfather, Rex, was in on it, too, but we managed to surprise our cast, crew and audience! Oh, I’ll never forget that day! It was truly one of the most exciting in my life!

Thanks Kat and Janice for telling us a little about yourselves. I know it is a busy time of the year and I am so glad you took a minute to talk to me.

You’re so welcome! Thanks for the invitation!

New Knee

My new knee is wonderful. The week before surgery, I began to have some doubts. What if it was worse and didn't work? What if I died during surgery? You know, all those thoughts you have.

Number One, I have the best surgeon in these parts. He would not let anything happen to me. He gets to know the patient and the family before surgery and you feel comfortable with him. This knee is the cream of the crop. It is so good and if I didn't look at the scar on my left leg, I would not know I had already had a new knee there.

So far, on day nine, I am recovering nicely. The device says it will give you a 120 degree bend at the knee. On my left knee, I can bend it back 130 degrees. Yesterday, eight days after surgery, I bent the right knee back 84 degrees. That is very good.

I can walk with a cane, but I know at times I need to walker. I do walk with the cane when I am feeling stronger and if I don't have far to go. My right knee feels strong.

I know this is nothing about writing. I could write some really weird stories after they gave me pain meds. I seemed to hallucinate. That's over now and I plan to write or critique some today. I've finally caught up on the emails, so I feel more like getting to work.

I hope the sun is shining as brightly for you as it is for me. Have a wonderful day and thank God for it.

Interview with Golden Keyes Parsons

It is my pleasure to have Golden Keyes Parsons as our guest today. I had seen Golden in 2009. We both attended the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Convention in Denver. My friend, Sandi Rog, pointed her out to me. They sat at the same table at the Awards Banquet. Golden was a finalist in the historical genre that year. The first thing I noticed about Golden was her name and then her beautiful smile. 

Golden, I know from loops we are both on that you live in Texas with your husband. Would you tell us more about yourself?

My husband and I retired from the pastorate about two years ago and moved back to Texas to be near our daughters and grandchildren. We have three grown daughters and eight grandchildren. We are loving being back “home” again.

When did you begin to write?

I grew up writing as my father and grandfather were writers and newspaper editors. Manuscripts and books were all over our house. It was a natural part of life to me.

How did it affect your life?

It instilled in me a love for books and literature and the written word.

Are you a plotter or a seat of the pants?

Well, my first two books were written from the “seat of the pants,” but the last two books I have felt the need to outline and plot the story. It’s very difficult and tedious in the beginning, but it really helps the story move along and keeps one on track.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Of the series that is out right now, I would say “In The Shadow Of The Sun King.”

Why did you write these books first set in France?

The books are based loosely on my family heritage of Huguenots (French Protestants) who fled France in the early 1700’s. My books are set about 50 years earlier so we could incorporate the very colorful character of King Louis XIV.

What can you tell us about future books?

My next book, His Steadfast Love, which is set during the Civil War in Texas will be released in the Fall of 2011. Incidentally, 2011 is the 150^th anniversary year of the beginning of the Civil War.

What are you working on now?

We are in the editing phase for His Steadfast Love.

Thank you so much for talking to us. We all look forward to read more of your books.

It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Golden sent beautiful picture of  the book, but my mind is still not working completely after surgery. I lost it, but I did get the one of you. Sorry, Golden. If you want to know more about Golden and her books, go to www.goldenkeyesparsons.com. 

Procrastination Is Over

That's right, I will no longer procrastinate. I am going to face the bull and bite the bullet. My WIP is finished and I'm going to finish my proposal TODAY!

When I began writing, the question of an agent had been on my mind. Some authors said, "No, why give someone 15% of what I make." Others said to get an agent that it would help in the selling process. After meeting several agents and talking to acquisition editors, I decided I needed an agent. It's not the commission they receive, it's the ability agents have to place your book in publishers hands that will not even look at you. Okay, it's not that I want a New York City publisher to buy my book, I want a good Christian publisher to buy my book.

I think I have a good story and I would love to have it published in a series. It is a little scary to try to sell part of myself. My book is part of me, like a baby. It has been being born for too long and at one time, I thought it might be a stillbirth. It struggled and finally made it. It has been edited by two editors and I have read it, edited it, and prayed for it. I'm ready for it to face the world.

This has been a long learning process for me. At times, I felt I was a slow learner, but I persevered. So, today I finish my proposal and I plan to send it out tomorrow. I can go to the hospital Wednesday without worrying about that book.

Wednesday, I will have my right knee replaced. My left one has done so well and I'm praying the right one does as well. I'm glad I didn't have both of them replaced at the same time. This has given my left knee time to heal and get stronger. I will try to get back on this blog when I get out of surgery. If I wake up as well as I did before, I'll be happy.

Slow New Year

Yes, it seems 2011 has started out slow for me, or maybe I'm procrastinating. Anyway, it's taken me five days to get on my blog. This is not good.

I'm finishing my WIP and getting ready to finish my proposal. Really, my manuscript is finished. I'm reading it out loud and I am a slow reader. I hope to finish it tomorrow. That's my plan anyway. When I read anything, I get sleepy. You know what I have to do then, take a nap.

Does everyone dread proposals? I do. I cringe at the thought of finishing this one. An agent has asked for the full manuscript and I am terrified to do the proposal. I want it to be good and catch an agent's eye and a publisher's eye. I feel like I am bragging and that's not me. Okay, I'll give myself another pep talk and get to it.

I had a friend, who reads a lot, read my book. She said it was good. I know she was honest. Good friends don't lie. She didn't say it sounded like a second grader. I am so scared that it sounds like something a child would write. I'm not one to use fancy words, and words I have to look up the meaning. I'm very common and I've read some books that I do have to look up the meaning of a word to know what the author was talking about.

I read Randy Ingermanson's blog first thing this morning. I need to do a little more planning and organizing. If you haven't read it, go to www,AdvancedFictionWriting.com. Today's e-zone was very good.

It's time for me to get busy. I'm trying to get as much done today as I can. It's one week until my knee replacement. I'll have a set of matching scars then.