Tuesday, July 19, 2005

My Writing in Progess (WIP)

Don't give up on me. I am still writing, but editing the second draft of an old novel. Here's a snippet for your reading pleasure:

When Laurel awoke she found herself snug in her bed, safe in Oaks Grove, Georgia. Blue jays and cardinals chirping outside and the Easter morning sun lighting her entire bedroom.

She sat up and looked around the room. “Thank, goodness. It was just a dream.”

Then she let her eyes and mind clear for a moment. They stopped and focused at a glass and a wood frame mounted on her wall. The frame encased the American flag folded in a triangular shape with the field of blue and stars in full view.

Lord, please let me still be dreaming.

She felt two wedding bands dangling inside her nightgown.

"Ugh."

She looked down and reached for them. Observed them. One large enough for a husband; the other used to be her perfect fit.

Her jaw tightened. Her eyes burned. She snatched the necklace off her neck and threw it at the flag’s glass case.

Crack. Crack.

They missed. Fell on the bible lying in her rocking chair instead.

She cursed; then bowed her head.

A bubbling fury rose from her belly. “This is worse than a dream. It was my life…it is my life.”

Then she pulled her bed sheets tighter to her chest. And cried into them until her stomach emptied her heartbreak into the sheets, until she repented for the bad words she said, until her soul found a little peace. Until she saw a possible solution to this situation.

The answer sat on her night stand. It had been there for at least a week. Unopened.

Third Thursday's Reader Series: July Performers



You are invited to:
Third Thursdays House Readings Series
At Somethin's Brewin' Coffee & Tea
2133 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road (Kroger Plaza), Suwanee, GA. 678-377-0034
After work enjoy your favorite Christian artists in a cozy environment with refreshments and friends. Bring your listening ear, a taste for tea or Joe, and your love of the Lord.
*Coming up: Thursday, July 18, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

A reading by:

Author, Michelle Bailey Webster is a Suwanee resident, speaker and author of The Christmas of Miracles, the first book in the Miracle Series. She owns her own publishing company, Four Sonkist Angels.

Author, Tia McCollors is a Stone Mountain resident, a public relations professional and Essence Magazine’s bestselling author of her debut novel, Heart of Devotion.

Writer, Davidae 'Dee' Stewart is Third Thursdays host, and a Suwanee resident. She is an editor, book reviewer, speaker and writer. Her works have appeared in Gospel Today, SpiritLedWriter, Spirit Led Woman, Atlanta Christian Family, Precious Times, and Rejoice! Magazines.

Spoken Word/Poetry by:

Key Martin

Vanessa Madden is a Conyers resident, poet, and member of the Atlanta African American Christian Writers Group.

Fhena, Atlanta resident and a spoken- word artist, who has just completed her debut CD, “Beauty From Ashez.” She has appeared on “Spoken” – Black Family Channel (MBC,) Mira’s Garden, and theatrical play “When a Good Man Cries.”

A performance by:

M.A.J.O.R.S. (William Brown) is an Atlanta resident, music producer and holy hip artist. His debut CD, “Out Da Belly 2 Da World” was released in 2005.

A psalm by:

Singer, Traci Herron is a Lawrenceville resident.

Tenor, Brian Sanders is a Suwanee resident.


Directions:
You can map this event from this online location: http://mapquest.com

* this roster is based on confirmed performers as of Wednesday, July 19, 2005.

Click on title to get on the guestlist.

Book Review Tracking: Spirit Led Woman Magazine

I thought I worked hard at keeping up with all my book review submissions. But this morning I ran across my WomenRisktakers review in Spirit Led Woman magazine. Awesome!
Forgot about this book review submission for months. Remember getting paid for it, but forgetting to post the success. Harrison House has the article on their website now. Click on the title and it will link you there.

A snippet of my review that may minister to you, writers:

As a writer and speaker sometimes I find myself taking on projects without any monetary compensation. I agree to these projects not to exalt myself, but to evangelize God’s word. However, as a disabled, single mother I find myself struggling to make ends meet. For the past few months I strongly considering giving it all up, to find something more lucrative for my family.

However, this book has shown me that writing for God will always reward me. Whether I receive money or not, God will reward me for spreading his word and edifying the church. Not only will he reward me spiritually, but he will supply my daughter and me more abundantly than what we need.

I must submit, surrender to my fear and believe that our needs and wants will be met by God. Everytime I write I sow a seed, but my unwillingness to believe and my reliance on what others think of me will hold me back if I allow it. Just by reciting Bailey’s prayer on submission every time I felt discouraged, things have really changed for me overnight. I have received many paying projects and book offers this month alone. And I credit that to this book.

July's Celebration of New Christian Fiction: Art from the Inside Out

Paula, GraceReign Blogger hosts this month Celebration of New Christian Fiction and writes:

"Every third Tuesday of the month several of us writer types submit our blogs for a celebration. This time I'm privileged to host and we've got some great blogs. Of course I might be a bit prejudiced, since I selected the topic: 'Art can only be art by presenting an adequate outward symbol of some face of the interior life.' (Margaret Fuller)
"
I have an entry in there, so check it out.

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee

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