INTERVIEW WITH MISTY M. BELLER - INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHOR

Today I'm thrilled to welcome inspirational, historical romance author, Misty M. Beller to share about her writing journey.


How long have you been writing, Misty?

All my life, I've been a true book lover. Give me a good novel, and you probably won't see me again until it's finished. I've also always enjoyed writing, and tend to express myself best through my written correspondence. In high school, I had a poem published in a commercial poetry compilation book. But I never seriously thought about writing a novel, until about four years ago.

What/who inspired you to write?

I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, "Write a novel that's published" made it near the top! I decided, it's now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can't recommend it highly enough!

From there, I've soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I've spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. The Lady and the Mountain Man is my first release, but the second novel I wrote. My first novel is under contract with Prism Book Group to release in 2015. Writing is in my blood. It's my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.
You write Historical Romance.

What is your favorite time period to write about? What interests you about this time period?

I tend to be a bit of a sentimentalist, so Historical Romance is perfect for me! My favorite period is between 1860 - 1880, when the cowboy days were really ramping up. I love the simpler life, where there's no rat race. Just hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I'm an introvert?), and a strong family unit. My stories usually center around horses and ranching, which comes from my love for the animals. I was completely horse crazy growing up, and actually trained and showed horses professionally for a couple years after high school.

Your debut novel, The Lady and the Mountain Man came out in September, 2014. How’s that going? Can you share with us your experience thus far? Who is your favorite character? Why?

It's been such a blessing to see how God is using The Lady and the Mountain Man. Every book is a journey, and God used a series of closed doors to make it clear which publishing direction he wanted me to go with this book. I'm so thankful for the way he's blessing it!

I have to say my favorite character is Gideon, the handsome, quiet cowboy hero. He reminds me so much of my older brother, David! My brother was my best friend through my growing up years. When I started brainstorming Gideon's character, I kept coming back to David's personality. Maybe because I know him so well, I felt like I understood what made him tick. So, David, this one's for you…

You have a book coming out in December. Can you tell us a little about what we have to look forward to?

My next release, A Pony Express Romance, releases December 27th. Here's the blurb:

After growing up as an orphan, Josiah English wants nothing more than to have his own ranch and raise Arabian horses. Riding for the Pony Express seems like the ticket to his dream. And when he meets the stationmaster’s beautiful sister, it seems he may be within reach of the happy life he craves.
Mara Reid is thrilled to finally meet the man of her dreams, and the fact that they both want to raise horses in the Sweetwater River valley seems like confirmation straight from God. But when the Express shuts down and Mara's family home is in peril, the danger looming over Mara's life may not be half as destructive as that threatening her heart.

That sounds great. We'll definitely look forward to it! Thanks for joining us, Misty!

Connect with Misty at: www.mistymbeller.com or on Facebook & Twitter.

WAITING ON GOD'S TIMING AS WRITERS By Guest Blogger Sharon Rene

Sharon Rene joins us today with an important message for writers--the value of waiting on God's timing.

As a writer, I spend a lot of time in the “wait land.” Waiting for magazines to post their latest theme list, waiting for an editor or agent to read my submission and respond, waiting for the next great idea.

If you’re a writer you can relate, but I think everyone lives in the wait land. Students wait for grades to be posted, employees wait for raises and promotions, parents wait for the children to grow up, and grandparents wait for the little ones to visit. Waiting isn’t fun, and it’s not easy. Especially when we’re waiting for something life altering, such as a new job or the results of a CT scan.

Why does God make us wait? Romans 8:28 tells us that God works for our good, so He must have an important reason. The wait land is a good teacher. Delays, setbacks and disappointments build our hope, patience and faith. They draw us closer to God, and we depend on Him more and more.

What should we do while we’re waiting?

Be happy and celebrate with others. When a friend wins a writing contest, a critique partner gets published or finds an agent, cheer them on. Share in their victories with genuine joy. God says that love is not jealous.

God is not limited in the number of blessings He can bestow. Just because your friend is blessed by winning a contest doesn’t mean that’s one less blessing you’ll receive. We should never underestimate God.

We also need to explore other areas of writing. For example, if you only write fiction try a little non-fiction. Chicken Soup for the Soul’s website lists the types of articles they’re looking for, and this is a good way for writers to develop their skills and share inspiring stories with others.

If you typically write novels start writing short stories too. Short stories are fun and challenging, but can be written while you keep working on your full-length novel. I recently wrote a few flash fiction pieces, and one will be published in Splickity Love’s November issue.

Try blogging, twitter and Facebook pages. Attend conferences and workshops. Take advantage of the classes taught monthly on the ACFW loop, and never stop learning and growing as a writer and a Christian.

As rewarding as writing may be, nothing is as wonderful as a relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to rest in Jesus’s arms. It’s hard for me to rest and let God lead and direct, but I’ve learned through the years that things work much better when I let go.

I have to trust God to open the right doors and close the wrong doors. I have to believe that He has a perfect plan and a perfect will. Life in the wait land teaches us to count on God’s strength, not ours. His creative spirit, His desires, His purposes and His will for our lives are revealed in the wait land.

Life in the wait land is not so bad after all.

Sharon Rene loves to write speculative young adult fiction, children’s short stories, flash fiction, and devotions. Her short story StageFRIGHT was published in the September 2015 edition of the Kid’s Ark Magazine. The Sherriff’s Surprise will be published in the November 2016 issue of Splickety Love.  She is a member of ACFW and works as a legal assistant at a large corporation. Her Facebook page is entitled Creative Grace with Sharon Rene.

www.facebook.com/creativegraceSRD

FINDING TIME TO WRITE | EVERY WRITER'S STRUGGLE

"There is a time
for everything,
and a season for
every activity
under the heavens."

(Ecclesiastes 3)

No doubt about it. Our lives are BUSY! If we aren't careful, we can run ourselves ragged just trying to keep up. If you're like me, you can find yourself pulled in every direction, trying to balance family activities, work responsibilities, church and community functions, and household duties.

And I have to wonder, WHEN CAN I WRITE?! To be serious about writing, one has to be intentional these days. So, if you're struggling to find time to let your creativity flow, here's some suggestions to better manage your time.

START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER - Begin each day by asking for the Lord's blessing. Taking a few precious moments to pray can make all the difference. When you submit your day and your writing to God, you're placing it in His hands, and He's sure to honor your request.

SET GOALS - As a writer, it's important to set goals. Small goals as well as larger ones. On the larger scale, you may have a goal to complete a novel in a year, six months, or even three months, depending on your capabilities or time allowance. But smaller goals are also important. Try setting a word count goal for a week, or a day. Make it one that will require you to work to reach it, but one that is within your grasp to complete. Each time you achieve a goal, give yourself a pat on the back, and set a new and higher one.

BE FLEXIBLE - While goals are important, writers need to be able to bend schedules as situations require it. While you may feel it necessary to protect your writing time from minor interruptions, some simply can't be avoided. In offering up prayers for my day, I often pray the Lord will allow me to accomplish all that He has in mind for me to accomplish. If I'm honest, that may sometimes differ from what I wish to accomplish. So when interruptions arise, take a deep breath, reassess, and adjust your plans accordingly. Perhaps the Lord has someone in mind for you to encourage through that change in plans.

DEVELOP A ROUTINE - Like it or not, we're creatures of habit. Most of us do well to have a set schedule to work with. Setting up specific hours to write keeps us motivated and creates a standard of expectation to go by. When we're organized, we make better use of our time.

LEARN YOUR CREATIVE TIME OF DAY - When do your creative juices flow most freely? I find my biggest word counts come in the early afternoon. How about you? Are you a night owl? Do you do your best work in the wee hours of the night? Or are you an early riser who finds inspiration in the promise of a new day? Be attune to the time of day that best suits your creative flare and set that as your focal point.

What ignites your creative flow? I'd love to hear from you.


Read more of Cynthia’s writing at: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/

View Cynthia's full website at: http://cynthiaroemer.weebly.com/

Or follow her on: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/

                         https://twitter.com/cynthiaroemer

FINDING THE REAL YOU by Guest Blogger, CHRISTINE LINDSAY

Today, Christine Lindsay shares an unforgettable message of hope and restoration within herself. Thanks for joining us.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” Isaiah 49:15, 16a

How many of us keep secrets from our nearest and dearest—secrets that could reveal the very core of our soul, the real us? How many of us go through life not knowing who we really are?

For 20 years my precious children had no idea they had a half-sister. In 1979, a year before I met my husband, I gave birth to a baby girl whom I named Sarah. Wanting to do the best for my child I relinquished her to adoption. For the next 20 years as God blessed me with a wonderful husband and our 3 kids, I prayed for the reunion with Sarah when she became an adult. But the reunion was not the joyful reunion that I had always envisioned. Our adoption reunion marked the beginning of my long emotional breakdown.

Here is an excerpt from Finding Sarah Finding Me that portrays the beginning of my search for myself.

~Just as I’ve done for the past eighteen years, I lift down the box from the back of my closet, feeling all the stealth of a Cold War spy. The box might as well be marked TOP SECRET. Few people know of the contents: my journals from my pregnancy with Sarah, the two hospital ID bracelets, mine and the tiny one that clasped around her baby ankle, and fragments of dried pink flower petals almost gray with the passage of time. Clues to that secret me, mother of a secret child.

~The reunion with my birth-daughter underscored that I had no idea who I really was. Was I wife to David, Mom to Lana, Kyle and Robert, but not to my firstborn whom I could never stop thinking of as my child? My heart cried out in this next excerpt from my book:

~Dear God, who am I? . . . Hagar dashing out to the desert? Naomi who whines in her alter ego of bitter Mara? Hannah who also gave up her baby and has been blessed with more children? Digging for myself in God’s Word isn’t a bad place to start as I unearth parallels to my own life in those ancient and messy biblical lives.

~*~

Then later in my emotional journey I learned: (Also from Finding Sarah Finding Me):

My love for my kids beats so strong at times I swear it will burst my heart. And I’ve been unable to cut my maternal ties for Sarah, though I tried for a short time. If I can’t forget Sarah, but actually pine for her still, how much less can God forget me? My besotted love for my kids is often marred by my own neediness and grief, but it remains by human standards a powerful, primal devotion that will never cease. Yet this very pulsing of my maternal heart is a smaller picture of God’s great love . . . . We find ourselves in the face of Christ.

Look for the true image of you in the palm of His hand. He keeps it safe there for you to discover.

Finding Sarah Finding Me:

Sometimes it is only through giving up our hearts that we learn to trust the Lord.


Adoption. It’s something that touches one in three people today, a word that will conjure different emotions in those people touched by it. A word that might represent the greatest hope…the greatest question…the greatest sacrifice. But most of all, it’s a word that represents God’s immense love for his people.

Join birth mother Christine Lindsay as she shares the heartaches, hopes, and epiphanies of her journey to reunion with the daughter she gave up...and to understanding her true identity in Christ along the way.

Through her story and glimpses into the lives of other families in the adoption triad, readers will see the beauty of our broken families, broken hearts, and broken dreams when we entrust them to our loving God.

Click HERE to read Chapter One of Finding Sarah Finding Me

Irish-born Christine Lindsay is author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. Christine’s ancestry inspires her writing, but it was her experience in relinquishing her baby girl to adoption that inspires all Christine writes and speaks on.

http://christinelindsay.org/

Author’s Website for New Non-Fiction Release Finding Sarah Finding Me

5 WAYS TO DRIVE OUT DISCOURAGEMENT | A POSITIVE APPROACH

"Therefore encourage

one another and

build each other up."

(I Thessalonians 5:11)

You don't have to look farther than the 5 o' clock news to become depressed. Senseless shootings, political unrest, threats of war, natural disasters. The list goes on and on.

Discouragement can hang over us like an ominous cloud. It touches each of our lives through financial strain, unexpected illness, job stress, or relational conflict.

Writers face times of discouragement when our careers don't take off like we hope, or we face writer's block or other obligations pull us away from our time to write. 

So what can we do to counteract this onslaught of discouragements? Here are 5 ways I've found that help pull me out of the doldrums.

Seek Out Positive People - When we're discouraged, it's so tempting to just hibernate in our own little corner of the world and not want to interact. But doing so, breeds discontent. Instead, we need to saturate ourselves with positive people who'll do their utmost to encourage us. If you're looking to expel your negative outlook, find someone with an uplifting attitude to help send your negativity reeling!

Treat Yourself - Sometimes we just need a breather, something that refreshes us and can get us back on track. When you're at your wit's end, take time out to do an activity you enjoy. It can be something as simple as going out for ice cream with your family or friends, taking a trip back in time thumbing through old photo albums, or sprawling in a lawn chair in your back yard with a good book. A bit of relaxation can go a long way!

Give of Yourself to Others - Nothing takes our minds off our own troubles than doing something nice for someone else. Do you have an elderly neighbor who'd be blessed by a visit? Is there someone who could benefit from a RAK (Random Act of Kindness)? There are myriad of ways you can give of yourself to others. (see my blog: Making the World a Better Place One Kindness at a Time). Reach out and touch someone's life, and in the process, you'll find your own cares lifting.

Take a Prayer Walk - What's a prayer walk? It's a walk where you commune not only with nature, but with God. While exercising your body, you exercise your spirit as well. Find a place that inspires you and drink in its beauty. (Sorry, city-dwellers. You'll have to search out a park or lawn.) Begin by thanking God for the richness of His creation. Soon you'll find yourself pouring out your heart to Him. And as the prayers go up, the burdens rise with them.

Just Keep Going! - Some days we just want to call it quits. Nothing goes right, and we feel like a hamster spinning his wheel. That's when we most need to rely on the Lord's strength to carry us through. Faith is believing what we can't see. We don't know what the next day will bring, but we do have the promise, that if we're Christians, the Lord's Spirit is within us and will guide us where we need to be. When we can't see what's ahead, we can trust God to gently nudge us in the right direction.

Do you have an idea you'd like to share that helps pull you from the pit of discouragement? I'd love to hear it.

Read more of Cynthia’s writing at: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/

View Cynthia's full website at: http://cynthiaroemer.weebly.com/

Or follow her on: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/ or

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynthiaroemer

LIFTING OUR EYES ABOVE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES by Guest Blogger Angela Meyer

 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

(Psalm 121:1-2)

The first time I saw a windmill farm, I was visiting my cousin in California. From a distance, they seem quite small, tame even, yet they are huge. I read an article about a Benedictine monk enjoying some sun and solitude on top of a windmill situated on his abbey’s school grounds. Though not the purpose of the machines, it fit the bill for this man. In the old west, settlers erected windmills to ensure clean water. Today, they generate energy. In the old west, settlers erected windmills to ensure clean water.

There are lots of things I don’t understand about the modern windmill and how it works, but two facts I know. The windmill has to stand higher than any obstacles that would interfere with the blades catching the wind and the windmill must face directly into the wind.

With these two factors in place (and all those other workings I don’t understand), the windmill pumps water and generates power.

The tendency of man is to attempt to supply his own need. All in his own effort. In a manner of speaking, turning the blades of his windmill to pump his own water, turn his own mill wheel, and generate his own energy.

But God has a different plan.

When we lift our eyes above the obstacles and face directly the One who is in control, HE will provide what quenches our (spiritual) thirst, satisfies our deepest (spiritual) hunger and fill us with the power to live life to His glory.

They busyness of our days can distract us from looking to Him. I long for routine for spiritual disciplines, but any schedule I set up for myself seems to be ruined by interruptions. I have found two things to be helpful to stay connected to God.

1.When I establish spiritual discipline routines based on events rather than time, I am more likely to attend to them. For example, instead of attempting my Bible reading at a certain time of the morning, as soon as everyone is out the door to work and school, before I sit down to write, I make time to be with God.

2.On those days when life catches me off guard (oversleeping, sick child, power is out, etc.) I try to have a few minutes of MITs. That’s what my pastor’s wife calls Most Important Things. Those disciplines I will get done no matter what. For example, copy down one verse to carry with me and think about throughout the day, say a prayer of surrender (and plea for help) for the day and a sing a song of worship.

What actions do you take to be sure you are facing directly the One who is in control?

Angela D. Meyer, author of The Applewood Hill Series, lives in NE with her husband of 24 years and their high school age daughter. Their son serves our country in the Marines. Angela enjoys hanging out with her family, reading, connecting with friends and encouraging women to grow in their faith. One of her dream spots to vacation is next to the ocean and someday she wants to ride in a hot air balloon.

Connect with Angela:

Website

Facebook 

Pinterest 

Google+ 

Twitter 

Joanna, full of bitterness over the past, can no longer ignore the growing storm inside her and is bent on self-destruction as she seeks to ease her pain. But the refuge she seeks is always out of her reach.

Her brother Blake must choose between what has always been safe and what he has always wanted. One mistake after another leads him down a dangerous path.

The one for all, all for one sibling bond can’t help them now. They are both determined to hang onto their anger, never forgetting. Never forgiving. They see no reason to trust God.

After so many years of turmoil, will the Hannigan siblings find refuge in the God who loves them? Or will they get lost along the way?

To get the latest news about Angela D. Meyer’s newest release, Where Healing Starts, sign up for her Newsletter .

While you’re waiting, pick up the first book in the series, Where Hope Starts, at Amazon 

Read more of Cynthia’s writing at: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/
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TRUSTING GOD WHEN TROUBLES RAIN DOWN

"I will send down

showers in season;

there will be

showers of blessing."

(Ezekiel 34:26)

A farmer’s life has its definite challenges. As August nears, there’s still mowing around fields to be done, repairs to make, a combine to ready, and harvest is fast approaching. Generous amounts of rain this summer have forced us from the fields periodically. And yet, we count ourselves blessed, considering the drought out west and the floods in other areas of the country.

As farmers, we continually watch the sky and keep tabs on chances of rain and rainfall amounts. Too little moisture in the soil causes young plants to shrivel and die. But too much rain will stunt the crops and turn them yellow.

It seems rain can come as both a blessing and a curse. If it falls gently and at the right time, it nurtures growth and vitality. Yet, if it pours down heavy and harsh when it isn't needed, it brings destruction and ruin.

We all have rain that pours into our lives in the form of trials and troubles. At times these difficulties spur growth in our lives and cause us to deepen our relationship with Christ. Other times, adverse circumstances threaten to pull us away from God. It’s up to us how we respond. 

Our troubles vary. Some struggle with relationships, others finances, illness, or tragedy. But we all have them. The important thing is what we do with them. Do we allow them to get the better of us, or do we rise above them by depending on the Lord to help us through?

Scripture says our lives are like a mist or vapor, here today, gone tomorrow. (James 4:14) That being the case, we need to make each day count for Christ by letting the rain that falls produce blessing in our lives. When the storms of life blow harsh, call out to Jesus, the anchor of our souls. He’ll always be there to lift us up and pull us through.

What struggles have drawn you closer to the Lord? I'd love to hear your story.

Read more of Cynthia’s writing at: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/cynthiaroemer/

View Cynthia's full website at: http://cynthiaroemer.weebly.com/

Or follow her on: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/ or Twitter:
https://twitter.com/cynthiaroemer