What Kind Of Toy Are You?

The Li'l Princess has this book. It's super cute, and not just because Humphrey's body is all velvety fur so he's very soft.

The story goes like this:

Humphrey is the new toy in the bedroom. All the other toys crowd around, wondering what kind of toy he might be, and what sort of things he can do.

Humphrey thought even harder. 

"Something good," he said, "but I don't know what it is yet."

So the toys all decide to help him find out what kind of toy he is.

But his tummy doesn't squeak like the mouse, and he can't growl like the bear. He can't wiggle or waggle his tail like the puppy can...he just wibbles and wobbles and falls over. And he even can't tinkle a puddle on the floor like the baby doll. 

"I must be a 'doesn't really do anything' sort of toy."

But since he's stripey, well, maybe he's really a bumble bee.

The bed was very high and the floor was a very long way down. His knees started to shake and his tummy felt all wibbly. 

"I'M NOT A BEE!" he cried, "AND I DON'T THINK I'M SUPPOSED TO FLY!"

When the mouse falls off the bed, Humphrey rushes to help her, and discovers his gift...for hugging. 

And although Humphrey still didn't know what sort of toy he was, he knew it must be something very special indeed!

It's a cute kid's story. And all that to say, sometimes we feel like we might be 'doesn't really do anything' sort of people. Maybe, like me, there's something you're trying to do or be. Easy to get discouraged, isn't it? We get in a spiral of thinking we're not good at anything, or never going to get to where we wish we could be. 

Sometimes we get tempted to try and be what other people are, we emulate them. Maybe we think their journey is the only way to get to whatever 'destination' is where we want to be...a job, an achievement.

Maybe you don't know what you're supposed to be yet. 

But I bet it's something very special indeed.

Why Church is like an AA meeting.

Is it? You tell me.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a mutual aid movement. Meetings are designed for members to encourage other members in the fight against being an alcoholic. Whether you agree that it’s a disease or not.

But let’s say for argument’s sake, it is. So what’s the disease people who go to church have? Well, they all have something in common (provided they’re all human beings – you never can tell).

They’re SINNERS.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom 3:22)

And church is nothing if not fundamentally about, ‘mutual aid’. Christians are there to encourage one another, to build each other up in what they believe. It’s called fellowship.

Alcoholics Anonymous members help each other to live without drinking. To not do all those destructive things they used to do back when their lives were under the control of alcohol.

Sinners have a similar issue. When you’re trying to not be one, it’s a great help to know other people struggling with the same problems. You encourage each other to not do those things you used to do.

There’s another key point that Alcoholics Anonymous understands. In order to see change in your life, you have to acknowledge that you have a problem.

Christianity is the same. You can visit church at Easter and Christmas—or even every week faithfully—and still not see one whit of change in your life.

           

Until you recognize that you have a problem/disease/sickness/infirmity, however you want to label it.

           

The cure? Jesus.

“…reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:7-11)

Interview with author Pamela S. Thibodeaux

1.       What made you become a writer? (I KNOW there are easier jobs out there!)

            PST: Unlike most, being a writer was not my lifelong ambition, nor something I aspired to do. As a child, my greatest desire was to be a wife and mother. Other than being a homemaker, I had no goals or dreams of a career or anything resembling one. I’ve always been an avid reader but one day after reading one-too-many disappointing books, I thought I could do better. I picked up a notebook and started penning stories. For eleven years I did this, although I told very few people. One day, after I purchased my first word processor, I printed out a story and let my mom, brothers and sister-in-law as well as a couple of friends read it. Their responses were what encouraged me to continue and become a writer.

"even a glimmer of light can overcome 

a lifetime of darkness" 

2.       Every author has a story of how they got to publication—what’s yours?

            PST: My journey is filled with potholes and nuggets of gold. My first publication was in the newsletter for the writers group I belonged to. Then I found out about sites that paid for those type of articles, and uploaded many to receive pennies - but hey, I was published and paid! My novel, Tempered Hearts came next and was E-published in 2000. Six months later, book 2 in the series, Tempered Dreams followed. Then I fell into a pothole -- pulling those two books and signing with an “up and coming” publishing company which never got off the ground. That decision cost me nearly 3 yrs out of my career. However the Tempered series was revived when I signed a contract for all 4. The first 2 were re-released in 2005, book 3 Tempered Fire in 2006 and Tempered Joy (book 4) in 2008. In 2006 I signed my novel The Inheritance with White Rose Publishing who subsequently accepted and published several short story/novellas also. In 2010 I signed my debut women’s fiction novel, The Visionary with Five Star Expressions. There are still potholes along this journey - rejections are more frequent, writing is sporadic, acceptance and publication takes longer, but those nuggets of gold make it all worthwhile.

3.       How would you describe your book – The Visionary?

            PST: The Visionary is a contemporary women’s fiction novel with true-to-life characters in real situations that meet a Supreme God who proves even a glimmer of light can overcome a lifetime of darkness. Written in an engaging style that mixes Truth with fiction and the ordinary with the supernatural, this book is sure to entertain while it enlightens.

4.       What kind of reader will like it?

            PST: From teens to seniors, people of all ages will not only enjoy, The Visionary, they will gain insight into the hideousness of child abuse and a deeper understanding of the ability of God to save and heal His children.

"Let me tell you - be careful what you pray!"

5.       Why write a book about child abuse?

            PST: Trust me, this was not my idea. When I started writing The Visionary I thought it would be my ‘light’ romance. After all, my books had dealt with issues like domestic violence (Tempered Dreams), widowhood & betrayal (The Inheritance), tragedy & grief (Tempered Joy). However when I shared the first couple of chapters with critique partners, they pointed out how close the twins were and suggested since these were m/f twins and I write inspirational, I needed to be careful with their relationship. Back in 1989 I recommitted my life to Christ and committed my writing to HIM - praying I never write “just another romance.” Let me tell you - be careful what you pray!

            After the comments about my twin characters being “too close” I began asking those questions....you know, the infamous what and why questions. What happened to or between them? Why did they cling so tightly to one another that no one else could get close? Then one day I walked out of my office to find my husband watching a popular TV talk show. On the stage a young man was crying and apologizing to his sisters because he couldn’t stop the abuse they suffered. He couldn’t protect them.

            I tell you every ounce of blood drained from my body and in that moment I knew what had happened to my characters. Of course I had no idea how to write such a story! So, I argued with God -- yeah, literally - for three days.

            At some point in every Christian’s life we hear and know the voice of God - whether audible or a distinct impression - we know what HE is asking or telling us. This was one of the times HIS voice was distinct, clear and very audible.... “Who are you writing for anyway?”

            I surrendered, repented and sat down to write.

            The Visionary was completed in four months, between Jan. & April (the busiest months of the year) while I held down 2 part time jobs as a book keeper and tax preparer!

"Of course I had no idea how to write such a story!" 

6.       What is the message you want readers to take away from your work?

            PST: That no matter what you’ve done or what you’ve suffered, the Blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse the ugliest of sinner and heal the most wounded of soul.

7.       What other books do you have out there for readers?

            PST: My 4 book Tempered series (Hearts, Dreams, Fire & Joy), my debut single title, The Inheritance and five short story/novella’s (A Hero for Jessica, Choices, Cathy’s Angel, Winter Madness & In His Sight).

            All except The Visionary are available for Kindle & Nook. Full length novels are also available in print through Amazon, my website and my BluJay store. I also contributed to anthologies such as The Dog Next Door, Deliver Me & Words to Write By.

8.       Where do you see your future as a writer taking you?

            PST: Currently I have 3 active WIP’s (one in submission, one I’m writing and one that needs fleshing out and character building to re-submit) and several other ideas that need to be developed including a 5th Tempered book, so I hope to continue to write and be published. I also own The Wordsmith Journal Magazine which keeps me busy and I hope to venture more into my speaking ministry as opportunities arise.

           

"...the Blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse the ugliest of sinner and heal the most wounded of soul."

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com  

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Bayou Writers Group: http://bayouwritersgroup.com  

Face Book: http//facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib

Spotlight: Author Pamela S. Thibodeaux

I had the pleasure recently of reading The Visionary by Pamela S Thibodeaux:

Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s society.  Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the power of God's love heals the most wounded of souls.

This story has two romantic threads, as both Taylor and Trevor fall in love. All the while they are still healing from the abuse they suffered as children. Taylor is a Christian, and has found healing and freedom in Jesus. Trevor, however, has not. This book is journey to healing and faith.

The Visionary blew me away. I haven’t read a book that did that in a while. Pamela has a fantastic gift for descriptive prose. Probably a lot of why I was so sucked in was because the subject matter is so intense. Child abuse is prevalent in our society, and while I’ve read books where it’s a struggle of the characters it still leaves me feeling somewhat hollow. This book is different – it points the characters (and ultimately the reader) to the healing that can only come when the healer isn’t just time, or your soul mate… its Jesus.

Check out this Barnes and Noble review:

“Having worked for over two decades with abused children and adults, and in particular sexually abused children and adults, I can say with assurance that this author portrayed it well. The portrayal of their enmeshment, their fear, the clinging behavior toward each other, the inability to separate emotionally and trust people other than themselves, was all evident in their portrayal. And anger doesn't begin to touch on the feelings of the victims, especially when they felt helpless to protect not only the other person, but were made to participate in the abuse as well.

Rage describes the emotion better and the author did an excellent job showing how rage, bitterness, and distrust were slowly destroying their lives. She also showed how this kind of intense pain cannot truly be repressed for long. It still leaks out and severely damages whatever it touches, like battery acid. It makes the sufferer feel crazy and irrational at times. But there is healing that can be found at the foot of the cross. 

I was blown away by the realism of the emotion in this novel and am thoroughly impressed with this author's ability to capture restrained passion and the fear of that very same passion because of how it had been expressed in such a twisted way when they were victims. I loved the message that they weren't to blame. That was so true. Sibling sexual abuse isn't as uncommon as people would want to believe. I've known at least twenty cases both personally and professionally where this has occurred. It hadn't been forced in those cases, but it still caused a lot of damage. At the same time the abused siblings (even when they were sometimes the abusers) caused an inseparable trauma bond between the kids. It's profound, deep, and difficult to address in therapy. Trust is difficult to earn in these relationships. “

It’s so tempting to dismiss books like this with, “I don’t want to read about that.” We like to live in our nice cushioned lives and pretend nothing is wrong with the world. But that’s not reality. This book doesn’t glory in the abuse of children. It’s about adults struggling to heal from the horrific things that have happened to them. It’s not comfortable to read, but it sucks you in.

I love authors not afraid to push the boundaries, so long as they’re not just doing it for the sake of it. There has to be hope. If that makes this ‘edgy Christian fiction’ then fine, I guess I’ll be reading more of it in the future, and making a lot of recommendations.

I can’t begin to imagine even half the things people I know have been through. I can’t begin to meet them where they’re at if I don’t try to understand. Books like this do that. They give us a glimpse into that pain and leave us with the hope that healing CAN be found—through the ultimate healer, Jesus.

           

Kudos to you, Ms. Thibodeaux.

To check out this book, visit amazon or barnesandnoble.  Pamela Thibodeaux can be found on Twitter, and her blog and website.

Join me Thursday for an interview with the author herself! 

Women’s Retreat round-up

Last weekend was our church’s women’s retreat. I can’t count the number of conversations I had with women I only see in passing usually. Lovely ladies who teach my kids in Sunday school, sit in the row behind or in front of when I’m listening to the sermon, or who I see lifting their hands in worship when I’m up on the stage singing my harmony’s.

               

I led worship for the retreat, and they were all gracious to put up with my less than perfect strumming. It was the first time I’ve led for a group that size and I’m glad we figured out another mic so I could rope my worship team friends into singing with me.

Not only that, but the ladies sang SO LOUD that apparently they drowned me out, even with my mic. What a blessed time!

God really does fill in the gaps of what we’re able to do—I saw the evidence of that first hand.  I saw Him touch hearts, speak a Word into lives, and a lot of tissues get used up.

There’s something you get at a retreat you don’t get anywhere else. Not the free popcorn with purchase at the gas station on the drive up, or the shopping in town during free time on Saturday, or someone making you a cup of tea (actually, it was me doing the making for my British friends who were there), or even the distinct lack of sleep. Although I probably got about the same amount of sleep I get at home with baby waking up.

What you get at a retreat is that ‘soaking it up’ feeling of recharging your spiritual life. God can do something at a retreat that He can’t do when we’re at home running after little ones, at work, homeschooling, or generally swept up in the business of life.

                               

Psalm 119:162 (NKJV)

"I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure."

That’s why I’ll keep going to retreats. Because even though I led worship all weekend it didn’t feel one bit like work, or ‘serving’. It was just me singing the songs of my heart.

Once I was lost, now I am found.

Once I was blind, but now I see.

Once all alone, then you found me.

Once I was bound, but now I’m free.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found

I was blind, but then now I can see

I’ve been saved by your amazing Grace.

Spotlight: Author Sarah Witenhafer

      Today I get to introduce you to the lovely Sarah Witenhafer. Here's the blurb on her first book, Tamed.

Reign Phillips has just earned her PhD in ancient languages when her Professor returns from Greece with treasure for the University of New Mexico; fifty-six mummified remains and a puzzling sealed gold casket that doesn’t seem to fit any time period.

Accompanying him is the man responsible for brokering the deal with the university, Damon Sarantos. Unknown to anyone, Damon himself had buried the casket almost two thousand years before.

A little more or less than human, Damon Sarantos avoids people, not wanting to strengthen their evil desires with his presence. But Reign is a woman he wants close. As she decodes the mysterious writing on an ancient casket, Damon must work to gain her trust and win her heart. Can he be the man she wants him to be? Or will they be eternally separated by his partly demonic nature?

The casket holds the answer, but opening it will bring peace… or a darkness that will engulf the world.

      Now let's meet the woman behind this exciting paranormal romance novel:

1.       Every author has a story of how they got to publication—what’s yours?

My personal story, like my novel, is one big romance. My husband and I had already been through 3 years of a grueling trial when we lost our business, our savings, our church folded, and our friends left town. I was at my end and all I could see ahead was losing my marriage and my faith. But I had this story running through my head about grace. I started writing it – cos I had nothin else to do – and then my husband got interested in what I was doing. He fell in love with the story and became my first fan. Through the time he invested in the book, our marriage started improving and then I started realizing God was working all along through my trials. I started seeing Him loving me through my husband and learned that incredibly powerful lesson others have testified to: I wasn’t holding on to God. He was holding on to me. By the time the book was done both my faith and my marriage were much stronger.

2.       How would you describe your book, Tamed?

A mixture of everything I love – action, history, romance, suspense, the supernatural, and God’s grace. Kinda like HBO’s Rome, meets Laura Croft in C.S. Lewis’s library.

3.       What kind of reader would like it?

Smart, romantic fools who aren’t afraid of a vivid imagination. Haha. I wrote it for women ages 17 – 40, but I’ve been shocked by the wide range of readers I have. I get letters from teen girls and boys to senior men and women. I have a lot of male fans. They like reading about Damon’s years as a Roman Centurion and I think they like that he’s a man’s man.  But then again, every man has said they really fell in love with Reign! That always cracks me up.

4.       What other books (if any) do you have out there for readers?

The sequel to Tamed is out. Anointed follows Damon back to Greece, back to the family he left 2000 years before. He has lots of struggles trying to navigate his way back into the clan.  Let’s just say his family has issues.

5.       What made you become a writer? (I KNOW there are easier jobs out there!)

This question makes me laugh. I had a pastor ask me if I had ever thought I would be a novelist. I blinked. Up until that moment I had never thought of myself as a novelist! All I know is the story makes me want to write. In fact, I can’t wait to get done here so I can get back to writing a scene in my third book, Deception’s Tower. Raheil is such a devil.  

6.       What is the message you want readers to take away from your work? 

It’s simple. God is beautiful – and His love makes us beautiful. 

      Wow, thank you so much for being here today, Sarah. 

      Sarah would love to connect with you. You can follow her on twitter @SarahWitenhafer, Facebook, or on her blog SarahWitenhafer.com.

Pick up your copy of Tamed for your Kindle… only 99 cents for a short time longer! http://www.amazon.com/Tamed-ebook/dp/B004MYFNKC

Revamping your fight scenes

Saturday morning I took a self defense class.

When my friend asked me if I wanted to do it, my immediate reaction was, of course, the same as any other self-respecting writer:

“I’ll use it in a book!”

So off we went to the karate place to learn how to defend ourselves from malicious attackers who might want to murder us for our stylish shoes.

Two hours later I had punched, kicked and slammed my way to knowing the best places to strike…throat, eyes, groin.

Did you know eyeballs pop like grapes?

That’s the amount of force you need to squish those babies. Sure, they roll around a lot, but get a decent grip on your attacker’s whole head and your thumbs can do some serious damage.

Gross, right? But fun.

Our instructors also insisted on shooting down that movie myth…you know, the one where the damsel’s being strangled and instead of fighting back she hangs limp and makes choking noises. Or maybe, maybe she grabs her attacker’s hands. (Is she trying to help him choke her?)

What we learned in class is to work past fear by concentrating on what you have to fight for, be it your husband or your kids or your killer CD collection. There’s something in you that can fuel you as you poke out some eyes and aim the heel of your hand at your attacker’s throat.

The thing that stuck out in my mind as far as a tactic was this: go ballistic.

Because hey, what self-respecting unhinged abductor wants to kidnap someone who’s equally unhinged? Am I right?

Fiction corner:

In my current WIP, geared for Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line, my lead female is a butt-kicking, name-taking CIA agent. Early on in the story she comes home to find an attacker in her house…cue fight scene.

After taking self-defense I realized my CIA agent would have trained herself to not even acknowledge the fear. Not that she’s a machine, but that the fear would come later…probably with the dissipation of her adrenaline.

A few months back I read a blog done by a guy actually trained in fighting  who wrote to dispel rumors and common mistakes writers make regarding fighting. For example, one point was that a direct shot to the groin—which is incredibly hard to hit dead on—will incapacitate your opponent, totally and completely. Not only will he not get back up, he’ll probably need surgery.

Do you write fight scenes? Where do you get your material from? Movies? Because you know the Mythbusters killed a TON of those tricks, proving they were fake. Sure, most readers won’t care if you dispense with reality to a point. But are you willing to settle for adequate?

What can you do to make your fight scenes the best they can be? How do you show detail without being graphically violent?