Craving the Supernatural

Okay--anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I adore Tricia Goyer's writing. I've promoted two of her books here and will continue to do so as long as she lets me. :-D When the offer came along for her non-fic book, Generation NeXt Parenting: A Savvy Parent's Guide to Getting it Right I hesitated for as long as it takes to blink. I mean, come on--she's a brilliant writer, she has three kids, and Hello! What parent of this generation wouldn't want help. :-D

However, what surprised me is how kewl this book is. The back reads: This book is designed like a magazine (not because you miss reading Seventeen, but because no parent has time to read a book cover to cover)... How right they are!! I guess I shouldn't have been. After all, it's Tricia. But man! This book is chocked-full with suggestions, encouragement, quotes, and TONS of practical advice. My eldest daughter is 13, and I'm so relieved to have this book to turn to in helping me rear my children. Look at some of these chapter titles:

• Automatic Man: Making Room for Daddy - can you resist a title like that?? :-D
• I Don't Know Much: Parenting Advice Overload
  
• Sun Always Shines on TV: Tackling the Media Monster
  
• Danger Zone: Organized Activities: How Much Is Too Much?
  
• In My Dreams: To Compare or not compare (rk here: OUCH! LOL)
• I Wanna Break Free: Freeing Your Children from the World's Idols

Okay, I *hate* that picutre of me--but this isn't about me. It's about my gorgeous friend there, ROBIN MILLER who has just sold her first book -- BAYOU BURNING. I'm so excited for Robin--no, BEYOND excited. THRILLED! GIDDY!! She's worked so hard and been through so very much. This is just a small reward for her diligence and brilliance. Bayou Burning, a Cajun romantic suspense sold to Steeple Hill and is represented by Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Literay Agency. Let me tell you--this is one book you'll have to read! Robin is an amazing suspense writer and a fabulous friend. Please take a moment and send Robin congrats on this splendiferous news!!

How I pondered weak and weary...lol...ah, Edgar Allen Poe had it down pat, didn't he? :-D Well, yesterday was a head-stomping day. Mine got battered, but I kicked back. Then this morning, on the way to the track, a thick haze filtered around us. It was quite creepy, I'll readily admit. :-D I'm a big chicken despite writing thrillers. LOL Anyway, as we pulled up and parked by the track, I could feel the chill of the early morning seeping into the truck. When I climbed out, I shuddered. Not only did thick fog hang around us, the dampness made the early morning frost seem that much heavier. Walking the track, one of my favorite things to do is to look up. On most mornings (we're talking 6am), it's still dark and the stars are brilliant. I was disappointed this morning, thinking with this fog, no way will I see the stars. WRONG. I looked up--straight into a clear-blue/black sky with star glistening back at me. It was astounding, because all around me, I could barely see a few feet in front of me...then above, beautiful blue-streaked dawn. And God seemed to speak into my heart right then saying, "that's just like yesterday. Oppression and assault from every side, but when you looked up, you saw Me." How kewl is that??? I love it when he uses creation to speak to our hearts. And it's so true of our lives--if we look at the circumstances, we might be thinking we're dead meat. But if we look to God, we know we already have the victory in HIM!

So, I did my laps, then it was time to clock my hubby's run times. I stood on one side of the track, he was way around on the other side (doing 200 meters this time). All of a sudden, I hear this screeching in the sky. I sort of freak...okay, no, I REALLY FREAK. :-D I can't see a single thing, but I can HEAR it getting closer and...closer...until I swear whatever it was sailed right over my head. Still couldn't see the blessed thing. Yeah, my heart was pounding, especially when it happened again. but then I saw it--streaking over the football field. Two bats. BATS!! Holy batfield!! :-D (sorry, couldn't resist!).

Anyway, so I'm off to do the last of my rewrites on Midnight Zone. Have less than 60 pages left. Woo-hoo!!! Let's just pray it's read-worthy. :-D So, what're y'all up to?

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Gina Conroy is launching the first edition of her CARNIVAL OF CHRISTIAN WRITERS, and she's looking for submissions. In particular, she's looking for posts by writers about writing. Check out the guidelines here if you're interested--deadline is October 28th.

Wow, what a crazzzeeee two weeks since conference. I've had to write a research paper, read a half-dozen chapters in my physiology book, start an online discussion--and that was just with my college. LOL I've also drove to Arkansas for my hubby's grandmother's funeral (it's just so hard to believe Grandma Robertson is dancing with Grandpa in heaven, now. *sniffle*). In the midst of that, some great news has happened. My twin/clone, Dineen Miller, has an agent!! Neen signed with Mortimer Literary Agency and is busy getting her manuscript completed and edited to send off. I'm elated for Neen--she's worked so very hard and is such a fabulous writer! And this story she's working on--heavens! It's awesome!!!!! The photo to the side is of me and Neen at her house this past summer. (Isn't that quilt behind us gorgeous??)

On top of all that, I've been working like a madman to get my edits and rewrite of the ending of Midnight Zone done. right now, I have the interest of three publishing houses and two agents. I'm so very excited and hopeful--not in my abilities, but in the move of God. since my healing at conference, I've been balanced and focused. Moments of doubt have tried to grip me, but God has ever-so-gently pointed and said, See? See what this is really about? It's been so freeing to get His perspective on things.

My darling hubby rounded up the kids and let me have the day "off." Which meant I was at the library for 3.5 hours writing, and then on to Starbucks/Barnes & Noble (where I bought this really kewl spy book!! LOL). There, I wrote for about an hour, then headed home when hubby called and announced they were going to a movie. :-D At home, I wrote for another two hours and am finally nearing the last 1/4 of the book. It's been amazing doing these rewrites. I've felt so clear-minded. God has showed me where I held my characters back and where a scene needed an overhaul. It's great to be back!! Oh--and thanks to Shannon, Beth, & Jane for your crits. I sooo needed them and appreicate your help. You gals are great. And Robin--thanks for chatting with me on the phone the other day. Talking with you helped spawn a firmer ending.