Prayers Going Up

Its times like this I’m thankful for the Lord in my life.

I’m just in shock over what’s happening down south. My heart goes out to all the people there. Life is so precious. Its times like this you realize how much.

Right now everything seems unimportant.

What can we do?

Pray

Christian writer – Kendra Norman Bellamy sent this link.

http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/breakingnews/slideshow/083005_dmnkatrina/1.html

Looking at these pictures I can't imagine NO every being the same. I pray everyone finds a safe place to lay their heads.

LITERARY EVENT - MARCH 2006

Come out and meet Face to Face
Authors to your favorite Novels!

On the night of March 31, 2006, the Writer's Achievement Award will be
presented to Jacquelin Thomas. Jacquelin Thomas is an award winning, best selling
author with eighteen titles in print including, The Prodigal Husband, Soul Journe
y and her recent celebrated novel Saved in the City. Other credits include
contributions to the Women of Color Devotional Bible and Brides Noir magazine.
Jacquelin Thomas will be the first novelist to be awarded with the Writer's
Achievement Award. The novelist will be participate in a discussion panel & later
book signing during the Book Extravaganza along with many other national
authors. Jacquelin Thomas will be presented with the First Annual North Carolina
Black Book Festival Writer's Achievement Award during the Opening Night
Literary Gala. The literary gala's keynote speaker will be author Byron Harmon. Byron
Harmon has been awarded eight Emmy’s for news excellence at WCBS Early
Morning Show in New York City.

This gala is a ticketed event. Click Here for more information.


Saturday, April 1, 2006 Workshops and Panels (Free to the public)

Invited Authors that will be in Attendance...


Stacy Hawkins Adams Vincent Alexandria
A.C. Arthur L.A. Banks
Cassandra Darden Bell Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Jamise L. Dames Angie Daniels
Collen Dixon Gywnne Forster
Nina Foxx Bettye Griffin
Vanessa Davis Griggs Linda Dominique Grosvenor
Felicia Madlock Brandon Massey
Tia McCollors Marissa Monteilh
Electa Rome Parks Eric Pete
Ryan Phillips Karen Siplin
Sybil Barkley-Staples Linda Hudson-Smith
Van Whitfield

For more information, visit www.NCBookfest.com

CONGRATULATIONS JACQUELIN THOMAS

Submitting To An Agent

If you're on the agent hunt, this is an article you might want to read.

Kristin Nelson gives the inside scoop. Thanks Ms. Nelson I appreciated your article.

http://www.bksp.org/articles_KNelson1.html

Hurricane Katrina

My prayers go out to those caught in this hurricane.

One of my co-workers has family in New Orleans and she is devestated bywhat has happen. My heart goes out to her and her family.

I have an aunt who has family there, but I can't get in touch with herto find out if they are OK. My prayers go out this family too.

These are the times I feel so helpless. I know the Lord is able and Ipray he surrounds these families in their time of need.

Submission Begins

I spent the afternoon, researching agents. Trying to find the ones who might be interested in my books.

I found nine. I queried five.

The submissions begin.

SORMAG is on HIATUS

I've decided not to shut down competely. We're going on hiatus, until I can locate some funds.

Here is the current issue.

http://www.sormag.com/28sormag.pdf

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

LITERARY EVENT - Romance Slam Jam 2006

Romance Slam Jam 2006

Shreveport, Louisiana

March 9-12, 2006

For more informationhttp://romanceslamjam.com/

Twenty Years

Saturday I celebrated twenty years out of high school. We had our class reunion, dinner/dance. It was nice seeing everyone again. Our class wasn’t that large about 150 people. We had 42 people participate. Many of the class didn’t want to.

I was surprised because those who participated in the 10 year reunion, didn’t come back for the twenty.

High school wasn’t a great time for everyone. Some said they didn’t care for the people in high school, why be bothered now.

I enjoyed high school. I wasn’t miss popular, but I didn’t let that stop me from knowing people.

I’m glad I went to the reunion. I’m thankful the Lord let me live to have a twenty year reunion. We lost four classmates over the years. They didn’t have the chance to attend the 10 year or the twenty year.

My ten year reunion, I reunited with an old friend, who became my husband. Now that’s what you call a good party.

I pray I’m here to celebrate the thirty years. Looking forward to it.

Are you a caregiver Part 2

I started a group online for caregivers. It’s a place to vent, because you need time to let it out. A place to encourage, because there are days you can’t go on. A place to know you’re not alone because there are days you feel like you’re by yourself.

Stop by and introduce yourself.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAREGIVERS1

Are you a caregiver?

I’m learning I’m not alone when it comes to taking care of a parent. I always knew that I would take care of my mother when the time came. However I assumed it would be when she was in her eighties and not in her fifties.

My mother is on dialysis and it has been a roller coaster ride. A scary one. Right now she’s in the hospital because of a low heart rate. The doctors can’t figure out why its low or what to do.

Its hard being a caregiver of a parent because they are adults and sometimes they act like kids. They especially resent being treated as a kid when they acting like one.

I’m in constant prayer because I don’t have a clue. This is one of those being GROWN things.

If you’re a caregiver how are you handling it? Let’s talk, maybe we can start an online support group.

Being Grown

Twenty years ago I graduated and joined the Navy. I was on my way to being grown. I thought being grown would be GREAT. No more parents telling me what to do. I could eat ice cream for breakfast if I wanted to.
Why didnt’ they tell us being grown isn’t a piece of cake. That you always feel 18 and you wish your parents would tell you what to do. OK eating ice cream for breakfast is good. LOL

My first experience as a grown up, I was surprised by what other grown ups did. They were like kids in grown up jobs. The cliques were still there as it was in highschool. The he said she said still exist. The I like you do you like me didn’t fade away.

When did we become GROWN?

I think that’s the joke, you never grow up. If you’re lucky you mature with age and you learn from your mistakes.

I tell my children and others who are eager to be grown. Its not all that great. Its hard work.

You beome somone's spouse or parent. There is no book to let you know if you're doing it right. If your parents live long enough you become thier care taker. Its an never ending circle.

Yeah being grown is GREAT!

What do you think?

80s Child

I admit it, I’m a child of the 80s. Over at Monica Jackson’s blog she has as a quiz.

I love 80s music. Give me Hall and Oates and I’m in heaven. In two weeks I celebrate 20 years out of high school. I can’t believe its been 20 years. Where did the time go. Last night I was making a collage of things that happen in 1985, what we ate and listen too. I was huge fan of Madonna. She was different and I so loved to be different.

The eighties were fun. We didn’t seem to have as much trouble with the world as we do now. People knew how to have fun and be friends.

I went to some great concerts. I’ll have to say the two best were the Hall & Oates Big Bam tour and Prince’s Purple Rain tour. Those concerts were priceless.

I was in love with Bo Brady from Days of Our Lives. I judge a many men based on this character. Yeah I’m sick lol!

Who did you love in the 80s?

Blog of the week

I stop by about fourteen blogs each day. Its refreshing to check out what others have to say. I learn a little bit, get a laugh or get encouragement.

I thought I’d introduce you to a few of the blogs I visit.

I’ll start with one of my favorites, Rhythms of Grace – Marilynn Griffith’s blog.

http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/rhythmsofgrace/


Marilynn is a Christian writer, who incites about life make me crack up because I so can relate. She will debut next year with a book I highly recommend. Stop by and tell her I sent you.


Do you have a blog and would like me to visit, send me an email – sormag@yahoo.com and I’ll stop by.

John H. Johnson

To my surprise I opened the paper to see on the front page the announcement of John Johnson’s death. Who is John Johnson you’re wondering? If you’re a black magazine reader you know who he is. If not, he was the publisher of Ebony and Jet magazine.

When I decided to become a magazine publisher, I did my research. I found he had written a book about his life. It inspired me because he had nothing but a dream and he stepped out with the help of his mother and started a magazine. There were hard times, but he kept going. Eventually building an empire.

The world was blessed in knowing Mr. Johnson. His magazine touched many lives and his legacy continues through his daughter.

If it wasn’t for his dream, I don’t believe I could of dreamed of my magazine. For that I’m truly grateful.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I also send out my prayers to Peter Jennings family. He is another legend who had his homecoming this weekend.

Favorite Words

Thank God for the find function. I’m in revision stage and looking up redundant words. I’ve learned I have favorite words (really, definitely, and that) I’m sure I would be rejected just because I have a million and two of these words in my manuscript.

What is your favorite word?

Prayer Helps

I’m one of those who believes prayer helps. I’ve been trying to be a better Christian. One of my goals is to pray for five different people each day. I thought this would be a piece of cake. However its not. Especially when you’re trying to pray for different people. After I’ve crossed off my family and friends, the list became hard.

I also realized how important it is to pray for others. Sometimes I get caught up in my own life, that its easy to say God bless the world. However I believe the Lord wants us to think of individuals not just the world. He wants to hear that you have compassion for your fellow man.

Now I look forward to picking my five people to pray about. It helps me become a better prayer and it lets me know that others need prayer too.

Have you prayed for someone today?