MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May you experience the JOY that Christmas brings today through the JESUS we celebrate.

In honor of Jesus' birth, we at the alley are "closed" for the day. We will reopen tomorrow with another excited blog post.

Be blessed and 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~ The Alley Cats

Whispers of Hope and A Giveaway!

             I write
                               and write 
                                                     and write.

Words spill forth, inspired by my God. Words pour out from the depths of my soul. But somewhere along the way, I squeeze words out from human expectation--from a desire to create without regard for the One who created me. Sometimes, I smudge that line between 'inspired by His word' and 'inspiring words that sound good'. I stumble and crash into a barricade of selfish desire to create words that manipulate hearts the way I want to.
When we're in the business of inspiring and creating as writers, sometimes, we should step back and make sure our hearts are in line with the Only One who can truly inspire. It is during my own season of stepping back to remember Truth in God alone, that I received Beth Moore's devotional, Whispers of Hope, 10 Weeks of Devotional Prayer.

Whispers of Hope has three major areas that offer hope to any woman of God, and definitely any writer longing for intimacy with the most Perfect Author of our stories:

1.  Scripture Focus:

For thirteen years, I have delighted in Beth Moore's studies because of the mere fact that I walk away from each amazed by the intricacy of exploring original meaning and divine connections among Scripture from Old to New Testaments. In typical Beth Moore fashion, her newest devotional does not disappoint with Scripture-laden application that doesn't skim the surface, but digs deep and often explores the original language to give greater understanding. 

2.  Deep Prayer Formula:
Since the book's main focus is on prayer, it has space for guided prayer journaling. This excites me. Before I ever sat down at a computer to write my first story, I wrote by hand...and I journaled. Using Beth's acronym has probably been the most eye-opening aspect of this devotional book. I have found that in using this acronym, my prayers organically flow and guide me in a thorough outpouring of my heart to the Lord, especially because Beth suggests thanksgiving should flow throughout each of the sections. This is where my selfishness flees and humility is given room to grow!

Beth uses P.R.A.I.S.E, to form the prayer.

First, P is for Praise. The best way to take the focus off of my stuff, is to reflect on Him and Who He is.

Next, R is for Repent. This is something I so easily forget to do, but it's vital to stepping forward in intimacy with Him. When I can ask for forgiveness, I feel like I can be used by God in more extraordinary ways since I don't have sin weighing me down.

A is for Acknowledge. Acknowledge his Authority in our lives. Beth says, "We can praise God all day long with our lips yet never deliberately surrender to His lordship with our hearts." This is something that made me take that step back in the first place. I was trying to claim authority over my life and my writing when it really is not mine at all.

I is for Intercede. To pray for those the Lord brings to mind. Another great way to get the focus off of me!

S is for Supplication, which is in perfect order in this acronym. My family always says, "I am third"--God, Others, then Myself. Once we've focused on God and others, praying for our needs and desires brings us to a deeper dependency and intimacy with God.

Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries

And finally, E is for Equipping. Asking God to equip us the rest of the day is a great way to close in prayer, and for us writers, look forward to God answering this specific part of our prayer!

3.  Christ-Centered Life Application: 

I picked up Whispers of Hope during a season of spiritual wrestling. My heart was heavy with lies uncovered, and truths yet to be found out. I was in a place where I had focused on myself, assuming my will could measure up to God's--especially when it came to my dream to seek publication. And when I discovered my self-centered way of thinking, I found refuge in sloughing away my fluffy self-talk and focusing back on the One who deserves all attention. Just a glimpse of how the devotional met me first off, see what Beth says after exploring the story of the tower of Babel on page 11 of her book:

"God's response? "If they're this foolish and self-centered, they'll try anything.' Brick after brick, we humans sought to determine our own fate. Despite all the efforts, we never imposed our will on God, but God imposed His on us." In every daily devotion, you can be sure to find poignant life application that will meet you where you are at. It is through Beth's examples and deciphering of Scripture, that the Word becomes alive and applicable to your own life in a unique way.

My season of stepping back from all that influence me, and the fleshy desires of my heart, is certainly not one of a backward journey from God. With this God-focused, Scripture-centered devotional from Beth Moore, my heart is filled with whispers of Hope from the One and Only Author of my story. And with a heart in line with His,
           I write
                               and write 
                                                     and write.

***Want the chance to win a copy of this amazing devotional?? Please let me know in the comment section!***

Please share of a time when you needed to just step back and return your focus on God, whether in writing or just in life!

***************************************************************************

Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Where is YOUR focus?

God's been dealing with me a lot lately on the issue of self-confidence.

After wrestling with Him about it for a few weeks, I posted a deeply personal blog on my own site that talked about my struggle from an early age with self-image and confidence issues.

My struggle, which I think many of us have to varying degrees, has a ripple effect over to my writing.

Am I good enough?
Does my writing really stink and everyone is just lying to me so I don't feel bad?
Will people like my book?
What if I don't sell enough? Does that make me a failure?
OHMAGOODNESS what if people write horrible reviews and HATE it?

And in another super honest confession... part of me feared greatly that people would "buy" my book, or "pretend" to like it only because I'd just gone through a terrible ordeal with my daughter's health that I dealt with very publicly, that it'd be for pity only.

Stupid, huh.

When we write a book, it's different than other "business" deals. Our writing is very personal and comes from a place deep inside us. Or at least, it is that way for me. So putting it out there for rejection or acceptance is a scary thing.

But BOTTOM LINE:

IT'S NOT ABOUT US!!

YES, some people will hate our books and trash them on Goodreads.
YES, some people will hate our books and trash them on blogs.
YES, our sales might totally flop and make us look completely inept.

All those things are totally possible (and honestly, probable.)

But God has a purpose for ALL things. And for me, my #1 purpose for my LIFE is to glorify Jesus. Everything else, my marriage, my writing, my children, my job, all falls under that. I want everything I do to be with the motive of glorifying the God who made me.

And that includes my writing.

I need to stop stressing about sales and start focusing on story. God gave me stories to tell, and EFFECTIVE marketing will happen when I focus not on "how many books can I sell" but on "How can I get my book into the hands of those God wants it to be in."

See that focus shift?

It's an important one.

One I feel like I failed MISERABLY with in my first go-around at this whole publishing thing.

I'm a numbers girl. It's how my mind works. But maybe I can start thinking about "number of lives touched" vs. "number of books sold" hmm?

And then there is that darn Amazon ranking I was addicted to for the first six months... I kinda just wish they'd take it away so I would stop obsessing over it!

Bottom line: Our writing isn't about us. To have a truly fulfilling publishing experience, I highly suggest you turn your eyes toward Jesus. Follow HIM, not the just trends. Follow HIM, not just the numbers.

Discussion: Am I the only one that struggles with self-confidence issues over books?? If you've got a grip on it, share some of your secrets!!

*************************************************

Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and author of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance. She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by the fab agent, Rachelle Gardner.

Time Management 101

I can't believe I'm having the audacity to write this post.

But I guess those who fail at time management.... teach time management?

Or, probably better said, those who have failed at it so many times knows really well what NOT to do!

Distractions are everywhere these days.

.


.


.

Oh, sorry, just had to check Facebook real quick.

What was I saying?

Oh yeah. Distractions are everywhere these days. From day jobs to kids to spouses to Facebook to Pintrest to Twitter to <<>> to crazy things like eating/sleeping to GREAT things like volunteering and church work.... life can be overwhelming some days.

So how do we manage our time so that we can hit that all important word-count goal if we want to be a successful writer?

Honestly, I've read a billion blog posts in my days about how to manage your time in order to write. And all of it is good advice. I've tried making a daily goal, I've tried scheduling a time and trying to protect it. I've tried turning off Facebook (well, I tried and failed...). I've tried leaving the house and going to a coffee-shop. I've tried to take advantage of the little bits of time I have by writing for shorter spurts like during a lunch break or while waiting for an appointment to start.

I've also tried managing the "non-writer" time in my life better too. Tried to put my family on a good schedule. Tried to limit Facebook/email/online time to a specific time/time limit every day. (I, um, failed at that.) My kids are REALLY tired of Mommy's schedules that end up going in the trash a week later.

Nothing was this magic key for me that solved it all.

Because I still struggle daily with how to manage my writing time.

This is turning into a pretty hopeless blog post, huh... but then again, I warned you from the get-go that I am FAR from an expert on the matter.

Here is the thing that I'm realizing, though. The thing I want to share with you, what I feel like God is laying on my heart to implement into my own life, and maybe, just maybe, it might help you too?

No schedule will be perfect. Doing these tips we read are all really good and perhaps even God-sent at times. But no one thing is going to work for everyone at every time in our lives. Life for ME is totally different than it was, say, 2 or 4 years ago. What worked for me then does NOT work for me now. And what doesn't work for me might be the perfect advice you need.

So there is value in being flexible and testing methods to see what WILL be beneficial.

But there is one thing that does NOT change. Ever.

And that is Jesus. Through all the sifting sands that is this life, through all the times that I get so frustrated about not having enough time or not being able to write like I need to, God puts his strong hands on my cheeks and lifts my gaze to meet his shining, love-filled eyes and says, "Keep your eyes on the prize, my love. Remember WHY you do what you do, and follow ME."

Its amazing... because when my eyes are focused on Jesus.... my feet tend to stumble less. My schedule seems to be a little more easy to handle... words tend to flow better out of my heart.

So yeah... that is my odd, unconventional time management tip for the day.

When all else fails (and maybe even BEFORE all else fails...) follow Jesus.

Are You Lighting the World? How About Your Stories?

photo by sommai
freedigitalphotos.net

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." -Jesus (John 8:12)

This is the second "I AM" statement by Jesus and it is one that we have all heard before. It is one that we gloss over, because we know it and believe it. But have we really looked at it for what it is?

Light was the first thing God created. It was necessary not because God needed to see, but because the earth and all that was created on it needed the light for life. It gave warmth. It gave the plants needed nutrients. It even gives humans needed vitamins to keep us healthy (Vitamin D!)

And what is darkness? It is the absence of light. When we follow the light of the world, Jesus, we don't walk in the darkness, because His light dispels the darkness.

When exposed to the light, we see ourselves for who we are and the darkness in us flees. We see the life of His light and become lanterns for His light to shine through. Or you can look at it like we are mirrors, reflecting the light of Jesus for others to see. Whether we are vessels or mirrors to His light, we are to shine for Jesus in this world.

A Note To Writers:

As a writer in the CBA market, we write to glorify God. The words we put on the page should ultimately let the light of Jesus shine through. Whether it is through redeeming a rogue, softening a hardened heart, or saving the life of a sinner, your stories should always reflect the grace and mercy of God through Jesus. 

How are you letting the light of the world shine through your manuscripts? How are you weaving the light of life throughout your stories?  

****************************************************************************

This post is brought to you by

 Sherrinda Ketchersid

Sherrinda is a minister's wife and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.

Divine Inspiration

I'm sitting at Starbucks... supposed to be using a brief amount of kidless time I have to get some massive word-count down.

But every word I write, it's like this massive struggle. I've done all the things I've always told people to try when experiencing writers block.

I've set it aside for a time.

I've gone back and read what I've written to try and re-attain my inspiration.

I've kept writing, even if it was crap. (and believe me, IT WAS!)

I've tried a twist in plot, although I haven't killed anyone. I don't really write suspense, so it might be frowned upon... but I'm keeping it in my back pocket.

So, I'm sitting here, trying to figure out that one little magic key that I need to "unstick" me.

And it hits me.

A little whisper in my heart that hits me with the force of a load of bricks being dumped on me.

Jesus.

I've been writing this book for Jesus, but somewhere along the way, I got this crazy notion in my head that it was my job to make this book good. That it was all ME who write well and all ME who should come up with fantastic plot twists and tantilizing dialogue and intriguing characters.

ME ME ME ME ME!

But Jesus says... it's not all about us.

EVERYTHING we do should be for HIS glory. And if it is going to be for His glory, seems to me he'd want a part in it, ah?

So... I took a break to write this blog. To remind myself that my purpose is not JUST to entertain people, although I want to do that too. But in the end, I want my book to be an offering of love to my Savior, to bring him honor and glory, and to bring others closer to His throne.

I'm not saying that it's time to whip out the Bible and start preaching. (although I probably DO need to whip out my bible and start READING more.)

But.... just like I dedicated my life to Jesus so many years ago, I'm dedicating my writing, my words, to Jesus.

What he does with my gift is up to Him.

But I'm changing my focus. I'm praying for words. I'm praying for wisdom. I'm praying for HIS glory.

Discussion: What is the inspiration of YOUR books? Is it, maybe, perhaps, time for a re-dedication?

What Are You Hungering For?

There are seven "I AM" statements of Jesus in the book of John. These statements are reminiscent of God's proclamation of Himself in Exodus 3:13-15, when he declares to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM". These seven statements reveal the very nature of God, embodied in His Son, Jesus.

Today I want to focus on the first of these statements.

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."  John 6:35

I don't know about you, but I love bread. Soft yeasty bread. Crusty bread. Wheat. White. Rye. I just love it all. So when Jesus says he is the bread of life, my mouth goes to watering.

So what's so important about bread? Well, it has nutrients the body needs. It provides fiber. It fills the stomach and satisfies. And we will die without food. Our body needs some kind of sustenance for life. The same is true for water. A human body can only go about 3 days without water, then the kidneys begin to shut down. We must have water.

Now Jesus is not claiming to give us living bread and water. He claims he IS the bread of life. He IS the living water. He is the way of salvation. Jesus is the path to real living and to living real.

While Jesus tells us we will never go hungry if we come to him, he means we will never starve to death...we will never die in our sin. Once we believe in Jesus and follow Him...taste Him...we will hunger for the real bread that gives life. That hunger is a GOOD thing, because we will always run to Him for the sustenance that only He gives.

But sometimes we let life get in the way. Times get tough. Life gets hard. Our focus slips and we lose our way. Our spirit begins to atrophy without the bread of life, Jesus. We hunger for relief from our pain instead of the presence of Jesus. So let me ask you...

What are you hungry for?

A Note to Writers:  So often writers who are seeking publication tend to focus on that one thing: Publication...that elusive goal of getting your work on bookshelves across the nation. You hunger for it, don't you? 

Well, let me tell you. If your focus is not on God and His mission in this world, then you are missing the mark. It could be that writing that book really is His mission for you in this world, but if you are solely focused on finding the right agent, finding the right editor, finding the right publishing house, you are hungry for the wrong things.

Hunger for God. Hunger for Jesus' words of life. All else will come into play in His time.

What are you hungry for?

Taking the Jesus out of ACFW.....

SO COOL seeing my books
in the conference bookstore...
even cooler on Saturday seeing them
SOLD OUT!

... (continued from title) would totally stink!

I wrestled with going to ACFW this year.

I'd gone in 2008 and 2009 and LOVED IT. Granted, I'd had frazzled nerves each time, trying to pitch to agents/editors etc. But they were wonderful times of learning about writing craft and networking with authors.

2010 and 2011 I missed because I had a very special little girl at home who needed her mommy much more than mommy needed ACFW.

But 2012 came. And I wanted to go SO INCREDIBLY BAD.

Caramel Mousse Cheesecake. *swoon*

After much fretting about money and praying, my husband and I both decided it'd be best for me to go. It's my first year with a book out. My first year not having to pitch to an agent and editor.

And honestly, the last two years have been brutal. This Mommy needed time away.

Conference without the pressure of pitching was, in one word, AMAZING.

And it wasn't just about not pitching.

Look! We are stair-steps! :-)

It was seriously about Jesus. About being around a group of people who love Jesus and want to write for Him. It was about seeign people stop and pray for each other in the middle of a room without any concern over what others thought. It was about listening to workshops on not being so scheduled that you schedule Jesus into a box. It was remembering that while publishing IS a business, taking Jesus out of your writing equation is counter-productive.

God wants to use our fiction. But He won't if we take Him out of the picture and let all business override our brains.

That's what I learned at ACFW this year.

Casey the... reindeer?

In a way, I rededicated my writing to the Lord who gave me the talent in the first place.

I've rediscovered the JOY in writing/editor/selling books for Jesus. Without Him and without that purpose, it falls pretty flat.

Another thing I learned at ACFW:

Alleycats ROCK.

Seriously. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it was to spend time with these incredible women that I've been privileged to become a part of. It's odd to walk into a room of strangers and instantly feel this thick-corded connection. To be able to be yourself, drop all pretense, and just relax in your differences.

Oh yeah... and we were crazy a few times too.... we MIGHT have done an extreme amount of laughing.

Discussion: Have you ever rededicated your writing to Jesus? What part does God play in your writing equation?

Know Thyself - a Devotional to Battle Fear in Your Writing

For the past two months, I’ve been moving at speeds nearing overload. It’s been pretty crazy. From full-time work to five kids (with massive science fair projects) to a new house which needed some major cosmetic renovations, there hasn’t been a lot of time to write. It doesn’t make for a very productive wordcount…I can tell you that!


In the middle of all of this, there has been a struggle with my writing-calling. A struggle to even consider the Genesis again. A struggle to daydream about my wip. A real struggle to take my smallest moment of mental solitude and dance around the idea of ‘what if’.

Interesting enough, my fellow AlleyCat, Julia helped tag one of my main problems in her post last Tuesday.

So, I want to chat a little today about what FEAR does to our writing and how we can dissipate those fears. It really all comes down to KNOWING Thyself.

I’ve come up with 5 things that fear does.

1. Distracts – The first whispers of fear bring with them one thing for certain: distraction. It’s the little niggling of uncertainty just before the self-examination begins. This hint of fear begins the unhealthy spiral of distraction away from our creativity and writing-purpose, and if fed, will lead to #2.

2. Discourages – If we remain distracted by our fear long enough, the questions begin. Is this story really good enough? How can I ever write as well as Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, Denise Hunter, Liz Curtis Higgs, or Robin Jones Gunn? I'm stuck in chapter 2 and will NEVER write my way out!

3. Distrusts – With comparisons comes distrust. We don’t ‘measure up’, so we begin to lose faith in our calling. The discouragement builds to such proportions it blinds us from the Truth, which then leads us to #4.

4. Distance- We distance ourselves from the Source of our calling and sometimes from the ones He’s placed in our lives to encourage us. It makes it easier not to have to face people who are going to ask us about our writing, so we don’t have to admit to our many failings (we’ve convinced ourselves of in numbers 2 & 3). We might also distance ourselves from our writing, making excuses to do anything else but open up that document. (Been here more times than I care to admit). At the very end of this long and painful battle, we fall into the pit of DOUBT.

5. Doubt – Am I called to write? Will I ever learn? Of course the judges made those kinds of comments! I’m such a failure.

Oh, how we listen too much to the wrong voice! What’s happened when we make it to this point in our 'fear downward spiral'? We’ve lost sight of something vital.

WHO. WE. ARE.

I don’t mean:

Single, white, female

Or

Middle-aged, married male

Or

30-something soccer mom

Nope – I mean even more intimate and foundational than any of those things.

We are God’s kids.

HE HAS CALLED US HIS!!!!

He has NOT given us a spirit of fear. He has given us the power of his RISEN Son – power strong enough to shake the dead, and that kind of power is much greater than any doubt.

So what do we do to battle the evil doubt monster?

Remind ourselves to whom we belong.

1. If we get distracted, we fill our minds with the truth of God. We were created for a purpose, and within the folds of that purpose is the call to write.

2. If discouragement comes, we build our COURAGE with the truth of Scripture. Romans 8:31-32, 37 “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, give us all things?...In all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.” Are you getting the hint yet? Who are you?

3. If you begin to distrust yourself, trust in the One who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light! Proverbs 3:4-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” The One who never fails and is steadfast will make the way clear. He has called. He will equip.

4. If you feel the impulse to distance yourself, remember His GREAT love for you. So safe within his hold you will find strength, encouragement, and faith to fight against your fears. Hebrews 10:21-23 “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” It’s all about HIS faithfulness! We have no need to run away, but we can find hope in His love and in the love our fellow writers sprinkle on us because they know Him too :-)

5. If we counteract all of those fears with the word of God, then (even if the doubt comes) we have all the truth necessary to counteract its influence. The powerful message we received in church yesterday was the story of Thomas, who declared that he needed to touch Jesus’ wounds to believe he had risen. What did Jesus say to him? “Stop doubting and believe.” Doubts may come, but through Christ we have the power to vanquish them with the TRUTH of his love.

Fear cannot win against Jesus. He’s conquered it all – so the next time fear starts to nimble at your mind and scratch at your heart, remind yourself WHOSE you are!

And the battle is over, before it begins :-)

How do you battle your fears in writing or in life? What words of wisdom or Scriptures encourage you to wage war against doubts?
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pictures courtesy of:
http://www.thechoicedrivenlife.com/seven-thoughts-on-prayer
http://eafromtheheart.blogspot.com/2011/09/jesus-i-want-to-trust-in-you.html

Mentored: Water to Wine

Our mentor today is Jesus:

Sit back a spell and enjoy this telling of a real event by John.




On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.


When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come."


His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."


Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.


And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it.


When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." 


This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.


John 2:1-11 ESV

**The Best--Even For the Last**

The road to publication is like an expressway with many rest areas. Rest areas afford opportunity for edits, conference/training, contests, critiquing, networking, marketing, proposals, queries, and a myriad of other needs prior to publication. 


Generally speaking, time at these rest areas is spent on the first chapters of our work. Writers toil over each page, paragraph, line, sentence, and word of those golden first chapters hoping to push their manuscript to the publisher's desk. 


The focus on the beginning is good. But the last chapters hold the same importance. (Of course the middle is important but that would be another post)


**Satisfying Endings: 
The master of the banquet expressed his pleasure and satisfaction of the wine served at the end of the banquet.


Endings need to not be abrupt. Following the climax of a story, readers like a satisfying ride to the end. They want to savor the closing pages of a well written story. Sometimes stories have one to two pages following the climax. This jerks the reader to a screeching-slam-on-the-brakes ending. Despite how wonderful the rest of the book may be, the reader is not likely to read the book a second time, pass the book along, or recommend the book.


**Quality Endings:  
The master of the banquet honored the bridegroom by expressing his satisfaction to all who attended.


Readers notice the grammar problems and other editing faux pas in the ending chapters. While he/she enjoys the content, their satisfaction wanes because of errors. These errors reflect on the quality of future stories by the writer.


**Respectful Endings:
Sufficient portions of the excellent wine was available for all.


Every word, sentence, line, paragraph, page of the book's ending needs to respect the reader and God. Pack these pages with power. Take the time to entice the reader to buy another copy of this and your book.

Our focus needs to not only 

be on the first chapters of our book, 

but also on the last chapters.

What tips do you have for writing endings?

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Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

This blog post by Mary Vee

Mary lives in Montana with her husband and loves to hear from her three college kids. She writes Christian young adult fiction (pirate tales, missionary and Bible adventure stories).

She thinks of writing as: Stepping into Someone Else's World.

To learn more about Mary, visit her blog http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/