1) I wrote my story, leaving the critical mind on the shelf and letting the creative heart and soul have control.
2) I hired my editor to engage her critical mind and make my art professional.
3) I hired an illustrator to make my words come to life. First, she and I would read the story and write the descriptions of what I wanted the illustrations to be for each scene. Then she would sketch them and ask for my approval. After that, she would bring them to life with amazing color and emotion. Take a look at what an amazing evolution these images underwent:

She would start with a rough draft of each scene.

Sketch of Joseph teaching Mary how to skip rocks.

Then she would fill in the sketches with color and detail.

The finishing touches would then bring the whole picture to life.

After all the illustrations were complete, my illustrator laid out the book with the designated script and the file was uploaded for publishing. There are a lot of little boring details that I’ve left out, but I won’t tire you with those. The birthing of a book is a labor of love. I hope you love the treasures hidden in every book just for your sheer delight.

Q: Is there a book that you can say changed your life, and how?
A: To Kill a Mockingbird created more awareness in me about civil rights and love of fellow man. Even though I already practiced those values, I became more compassionate toward others of all walks of life.

Q: What was your favorite childhood book?
A: Heidi.

Q: Who is your favorite hero or she-ro?
A: Condoleezza Rice.

Q: If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be, and what would you say to that person?
A: Laura Bush. I would tell her that I would like to have had her as one of my childhood friends.

Q: Is there any book out there that you just have to read next?
A: The Help is the next book on my list to read.

Q: What inspired you to become a published author?
A: I wanted to tell my story to the world, and what better way would there be?

Q: In a sentence or two, make me want to read your book.
A: My story is a passionate one, filled with both joy and sadness. It will help you heal from any hurt you may have experienced throughout your life.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Never, never, never give up.” — Winston Churchill

Q: Where can others purchase your work and find out more about you?
A: Black-eyed Susan among the Roses is available on Amazon.com. I plan to open a Facebook page soon.

So I am going to try the portable Neat Desk (Click Here Now to read more about it)

I will let you know what I think. If you have used it please comment below and tell us if you like it. The reviews on Amazon are pretty good and I have a friend who loves it too.

Here goes.

Oh no! Not tax season again.

2. What really matters is what you think about yourself. Put on the mind of Christ–or in other words, think as he does. 1 John 3:20-21 states, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence in God.

3. You have heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds.” Well, God says that he is time. He is the alpha and the omega; the beginning and the end. Trust in Jesus, for he is the king of the brokenhearted, and he cares for you personally.

4. When you judge others, you are setting yourself up for the same treatment. Rather, when you see someone who is doing something that you do not approve of, realize that that person was sent into your life as a warning to open your eyes to your future.

Jesus himself prayed that we would all be one. If you believe he will have all of his prayers answered, then treat others as if they are already one with you. Pray for others and yourself. Realize that others are your mirror. The Book of Matthew tells us that by the same measure we judge others, we will also be judged. Jesus later said that your own words will judge you. Ouch. Wouldn’t you rather be judged through eyes of mercy than eyes of disapproval?

5. Trust that God has a plan for you and is working everything out for your good, even when it does not look or feel like it. In the Book of Jeremiah, he said he has plans to prosper us and plans for our future. The Book of Romans also tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

6. Your understanding will affect your happiness. Joy is found in knowing the truth. God is truth. He is speaking truth through all that has been created. Seek understanding, and know this as well: Opposites attract. So if you have a negative thing in your life at the present, that negative is your evidence that a positive is on its way to you.

7. In all of this you can rejoice. So smile and remind yourself that all is well; this too shall pass. Life is a circle. It is bittersweet. So have a cup of coffee or a piece of chocolate, and be reminded how wonderful life is even in the midst of hard times.

Dare to dream

Dreams are great, but until I decided to act on them, that is all that they were: just my dreams. For much of my life, strangers, customers and sometimes acquaintances would often ask to purchase my books. It always came as a surprise; I did not realize they thought I was a writer. You see, they knew before I did that I was a writer. They could see my passion and my dreams when I spoke. My problem was that I never had any books to sell them. I was not living my life to the fullest, so I would answer, “Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t have any books.”

“Well, you should,” was typically their reply.

At first I would feel honored and flattered, but then I would feel disappointed in myself. I was never moved enough to actually accomplish anything that I dreamed of doing. So I continued serving as a speaker when asked, and co-hosted women’s retreats whenever and wherever I could. I did write some articles and a homemade manual for these retreats, and I started a book about money matters, but I never actually followed through to the end. I would work on them in my spare time or when I needed last-minute resources for my role as a guest speaker. Again and again I would suffer this disappointment when an interested, enthusiastic participant asked to buy my book, and I would have to repeat that I was sorry, but I had not completed my work. It was a dream, but not a priority.

That was until last year, when my husband Michael began to prompt me to publish “that book” I was working on. As you can imagine, I had so many that I had started that I did not know which one he was referring to. “You know, the one that everyone needs,” he said. “You have to finish it. People need it.” Well, as a writer, I felt like everything I wrote was needed by my readers–whoever they were.

I often hear people ask, “Where do you get the energy? What makes you think you can do this? Who do you think you are?”, while others say, “Please write more! Your book changed my life! Oh . . . you are a self published author? Where can I buy your books? What else are you writing?”

Hot air used in the right way can lift you up

As you can see, I have those who are my encouragement, while others seek to tear me down and are actually insulted that I had the audacity to believe in my work.

What I have come to realize is that my work is valuable. I do have stories, and lots of them. I find joy in telling them and I find more joy in hearing what others have to say about them. It is simply rewarding to accomplish my dreams. We all have them, or at least we’ve had them at some point in our lives.

I want to encourage you to live your dreams. If you have lost them, ask God to resurrect them or to birth in you a new dream. Reach deep inside of your heart and discover what it is in life that makes you tick. What brings you joy? What puts a kick in your step? Then talk about it, write about it, brainstorm about it and then act on it. When you encounter resistance or are discouraged by those who tear you down, remove yourself from those influences. Find people who will support you. There are plenty online who will offer encouragement and inspiration by way of blogs, Facebook, websites, etc. Look for us. We are here, just waiting to share our dreams and to help you to believe in yours.

Resistance can make you stronger. That is why lifting weights is such a popular form of exercise.

Strengthen your dreams

Failure, on the other hand, is just learning what not to do next time. Everyone falls down. That is how we learn to walk.

I will be story-telling and signing books with two other Louisiana authors on November 16th at the Hammond Downtown Development District’s 8th Annual Starry November Night. This event is scheduled to run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center, located at 113 N. Cypress in Hammond. For more information, visit the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center website or call (985) 340-9150.

Ariane O’Pry, who illustrated “Mary’s Christmas”, is the official artist of the Starry November Night festivities. Ariane will be drawing caricatures, so come out and bring the children for lots of family fun.

On Saturday, November 17th, I will be at the New Orleans Bookfair & Media Expo from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The fair will be held at 725 Magazine St., across from the Farmers Market.

I will be appearing at the Largest Kids Event Ever at the Baton Rouge River Center from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 1st.

A release party for “Mary’s Christmas” hosted by the Creative Minds Writers Group will be announced soon.

Where is the real you? Take a deep look inside and find out.

Have you ever asked, “Why all this suffering? How can God be a loving, compassionate God and yet allow all this suffering to exist on the earth?” Well, I have.

You see, I know and hear his voice and my life is mostly happy and joyful, but when I see others suffer it breaks my heart and my soul cries out for mercy on all mankind.

One day while I was lying on the floor and weeping over the atrocities that happen in this place we call Earth, I asked God why. Why did he allow such horror?

I do not like to admit that I questioned God, but he knows my heart and knows that I long for the peace on Earth and good will toward men–all men and women all over the world.

Well He did give me an answer. I am not sure I like it, but it did give me hope and a sense of peace.

Let the darkness in me be transformed into a glorious light.

“The farmer knows that if the grapes are not transformed from grape juice to wine, they will rot and will no longer be useful. The corruptible grapes become incorruptible through the process of being crushed and then aged. Wine is also called strong drink or spirits. Likewise, mankind is being transformed from corruptible to incorruptible. If you look at all that is around you, the answers are there for you to behold. Wisdom waits and even cries out to you. Seek to understand and truth will be revealed in all that you do. I have given you faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. In time you will see, understand and behold true love. In that day peace and joy will abound. Take courage and remember I am with you and even in you.”

I still cry over the suffering, but I do know and feel His love. I am able to remember this story and find trust in knowing that God’s love is greater than anything. I must remember that I lack knowledge and understanding, but I do have his love and I must trust in him. I hope that I can make a difference in this wounded world and I hope that you will do the same. Be you, be true and be courageous. Let love rule in you.

For that which is corruptible cannot hold back that which is incorruptible.