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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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Gone to Mt. Hermon

Captain’s Log, Stardate 04.05.2006

Blog book drawings:
My Monday book giveaway (ALONG CAME LOVE) is here.
You can still enter. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Wednesday, April 12th, I'll draw the winner for ALONG CAME LOVE, and on Thursday, April 13th, I'll post the title of another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.

Mt. Hermon: Well, my friend Meredith Efken is staying with me tonight and tomorrow, and then we’re heading to Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Hence, tomorrow is a shopping day. At the very least, I have to pick up Trader Joe’s dark chocolate for the conference. Survival food, you know.

I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Meredith and I were talking about this today, how there’s something about being the company of writers that just invigorating. I might even get writing done this weekend, who knows?

If you think of it, say a pray for me: That I would listen and obey God’s voice in my ear, absorb His peace, trust Him to have His hand over my time at the conference. Praise God from whom all blessings truly flow!

Bible in 90 Days: Day 78. I haven’t read today yet, but I will right now. I’m in 1st Corinthians. I’m realizing the power and influence of God’s Spirit on His church. We tend to un-supernaturalize the Holy Spirit, I think, but the early church relied on His presence in each of us. I need to trust His voice speaking to me more.

Writing: Hm...Does brainstorming with Meredith count?

Diet: Did okay today despite Frankie, Johnnie, and Luigi’s Too for lunch and Krung Thai for dinner. Ate smaller portions, especially at Krung Thai, and we went for a short walk this afternoon, too.
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Comments

Unknown said…
I'm praying for you Camy. I wish I could be there too! But maybe I'll see you at the ACFW conference?
Have fun.
Thu Apr 06, 06:46:00 AM 2006
Lynette Sowell said…
You're in my prayers! :) Can't wait to see you and Meredith. ~~
Thu Apr 06, 08:33:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
I can imagine that being with writers can be very invigorating. I'm sure that that will help you in many ways. I'd definitely say that brainstorming is an important part of writing. It's great when you can talk to someone about your ideas and get feedback about what works and what might not from someone who's in the same business.

I always felt the Holy Spirit in any Christian conference I went to and I'm sure this will be an aspect of the ACFW conference too. I'll pray for you as well all the other writers, that His work will be done through what He gives you to write.

I can remember the days when reading, and writing, fiction was a no-no for Christians. It was all supposed to be the Bible only and any serious book on how to live the Christian life. I'm so glad that those legalistic ideas aren't taken that seriously anymore. After all, God did give us imagination and why not use it to His glory. Sometimes what I've read in fiction has really hit home and got me thinking about things I do or don't do.

I also think that Christian fiction can be a great outreach tool. But we have to pray for the people that *read* the books, too, so that the ground can be prepared to receive the seed. My mother was often very annoyed when at church there was prayer for the missionaries but never any for the people they were ministering to. Does not the Holy Spirit prepare the ground for the seed?

I experienced it recently with the other Christian writer I mentioned to you. When her book went to the publisher, she wrote a e-mail to her newsletter group asking us to pray that the book would be used for God's glory. Since the book was released, she has received letters that she has shared with us from people who were particularly blessed or convicted by what she had written. It's gone into it's 3rd printing. That has really stuck with me and it makes sense that we should pray for this.

May God bless all of you at this conference and through you and the outreach you'll have, bless others too.
Thu Apr 06, 10:01:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
P.S.

You won't believe how much trouble I had posting my comment. This is the first time that has ever happened to me. I don't know what's at fault but it kept being rejected even after I redid the verification a total of 5 times. Finally, was completely gone and said "Can't find server". Luckily, I had saved at least a part of the comment because I had turn off the pictures which--ahem--also turns of the "word verification". So I had to go through the process of saving the comment, turning on my "show pictures" and redoing the comment before I actually ran into the word verification problem. I wonder who was trying to get me from posting my comment? I know it's pretty long but I felt it was somehow important. Who knows?

I hope you even have time to read it.
Thu Apr 06, 10:08:00 AM 2006
Southern-fried Fiction said…
You have a ball out there, girl. I'll bet it's a lot more fun once you have that contract under your belt. I'm, so happy for you! Bring back lots of good info and share it. :o)
Thu Apr 06, 11:32:00 AM 2006
Pammer said…
Learn lots and absorb the atmosphere! Soak in God's presence and hear His quiet voice.

Praying for you.

Hugs!
Thu Apr 06, 03:53:00 PM 2006
Kaye Dacus said…
I'm so happy you're getting to go to Mt. Hermon! I'll miss all the Christian writing conferences this year due to its being my last term of graduate school and having to pay tuition out of pocket!

Bring back lots of info to share. I'll be remembering you to the Father that He will illuminate your path and you'll be open to His leading.
Thu Apr 06, 09:26:00 PM 2006
Anonymous said…
Have fun at the conference. I'll be praying for you.
Fri Apr 07, 08:06:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
Well, I would think that blogging counts as writing, doesn't it?
Fri Apr 07, 06:40:00 PM 2006
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