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?

Are We Obligated?

Book signings are an important part of a writer’s career. I’ve attended many book signings. It always amazes me how many people show up and don’t buy a book. One book signing a person in the audience harassed the writer so and had the nerve to ask for an autograph on a newspaper she brought in. I thought how rude.

It has me thinking. Are we obligated to buy books at a book signing? I think its common courtesy to buy a book. No you’re not obligated, but you have to think what is a book signing? An event to sell books.

Should you hold up the line if you don’t plan on buying books?

I’ve seen people stand in line with no intentions of buying a book, they just want to pick the writer’s brain. Ok you’ve received all this free advice, buy a book. No they say, I would love to buy a copy, but I don’t have any funds to day.

The only time I don’t buy a book is if I come across a book signing while in the mall. I’ll pick up a bookmark, if I don’t have any extra funds. Or I’ll sign my name to their guestbook, to get more information.

When I attend a book signing, I budget to buy at least two copies of a book. I like the idea of being a part of the book signings success.

It does make you think though, are we obligated?

What type of writer are you?

Plotter / Pantzer / Scene-er?

I think I’m a little of all. I like to plot sometimes. I enjoy sitting down with a pad of paper and seeing were my thoughts go. Sometimes my stories come to me in scenes.

I use to think I had to be one type. It drove me crazy. Now I know that there is no right or wrong to write as long as you write.

I received this quote today and it was perfect.

The Written Word -- Quote a Day

7/26/05: Secret Formulas

"Books don't get written by talking about them, by looking for a 'secret formula' or by agonizing over them. Books get written by gluing one's behind to the chair and writing them." --Mercedes Lackey


The Written Word (http://www.topica.com/lists/TheWrittenWordEZine) is a daily source of inspiration for writers, editors and publishers. If you would like to submit a publishing-related quote, please e-mail the quotation with the accurate source to Maidenfate@aol.com. Use the subject heading "The Written Word." We do not accept anonymous quotes.

If you’re like me thinking of a millions things to do instead of writing. DON’T, just WRITE.

What type of writer are you?

LaVena L. Johnson

I joined the Navy fresh out of high school. I expected to see the world and make a little money. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine we’d go to war. While in boot camp, we had some problems overseas and a few of our shipmates where shipped over there. It scared me a little, but not enough to want to get out.

Tuesday our community lost a young lady who just like me joined the military right out of high school. Her name is Army Pvt. LaVena L. Johnson. She was 19. In this time an age you wonder why would someone join the military with everything going on in the world. You have to admire the young lady for having the courage to defend our country.

While I was in the Navy I didn’t think about defending the country. I was doing my job. After I was out, I realized how serious the job was. Joining the military means signing up to defend your country. If you’re lucky you never have to take up arms. Sometimes you do.

It always surprises me to hear people dog out our country. Yes we have our issues. What country doesn’t? However all you have to do is live in another country and you can see how privilege we are here.

My prayers go out to LeVena's family. Losing a love one is hard. However losing one because of their job is even worse. You know what their job means, but you respect their wishes for wanting to do it.

I’m one of those who believes everyone should do two years in the military. It will make you appreciate your country.

I salute Army Pvt. LaVena L. Johnson and I thank you for risking your life, so I could stay home safely with my family. May the Lord wrap his arms around your family as they grieve. May many other young ladies and men, take up the torch you left and continue to defend our country. As one who did, its an honor.

Today they announced LaVena was promoted to the rank of Private First Class.

Favorite Invention

On the Today Show they were discussing their favorite inventions.

For me, my favorite inventions is the internet. This invention has changed my life.

I’ve learned a lot by visiting other websites and taking online classes. I can do research for my stories. I can visit other countries without leaving my home. I can communicate with old friends and make new friends. I can share my wisdom with other people. I can even be an entrepreneur.

What invention is your favorite?