Sushi for One?

Remember that GREAT book I was telling you about? Yep, it's Camy Tang's Sushi for One?

I'm going to really try not to give to much away in this post, as if you haven't read it yet, I don't want to spoil anything for you. However, I will say that there is a sports-related injury in the novel. Camy was kind enough to advise against my reading it until after surgery. A very nice girl, that Camy. The only reason I'm giving this much away is because knowing there was an injury brought in a whole level of foreshadowing that only added to my reading experience.

Quite often, as a must-be-published-soon-or-I'm-going-to-die-but-it's-all-in-God's-timing writer, I struggle with reading debut novels that contain beginner's mistakes that I believe I've conquered. Notice the loophole in that sentence? That's to cover me when my debut novel comes out and drives all the other desperate-to-publish authors crazy because it's full of amateur mistakes!

Camy's writing was tight and clean. It's only the second chick lit book I've read and reading out of normal genre is always an experience for me. On the professional side, I could see exactly what market the book was targeted for: an active woman about my age, Asian or not. I could also see how readers outside of that target audience might not connect with the book as much. Happily, being a member of the target audience, I was able to really, really enjoy the story.

Another problem I tend to have is if I happen to know Author Soandso and she writes a book and I read it, I can only hear Author Soandso's voice and only see Author Soandso playing the lead in my head. Camy succeeded in bringing Lex to life. In fact, I so deeply understood Lex and her battles I had to double check twice--does that make it quadruple-check?--that Sushi for One? was written in third person, not first.

Near the end of the book, there is a time when I thought another character was interacting with Lex only to continue in the scene and be surprised to find it was NOT another character, but the Lord making Himself real to Lex. A powerful moment in the story and the point where I shed tears. So many of Lex's struggles come from financial, familial, physical, and spiritual limitations. Don't you relate to that? Being hurt, feeling weak and unsure about my physical abilities instead of strong and confident, chiding myself for not being able to mother or spouse the way I want to, feeling like my world isn't moving as fast as I want it to, ... there were quite a few things that really struck me.

If you're in the mood for a fun read with a deep message, pick it up!

Comfy and Cozy

I've just spent the last hour reading all the blogs I was behind on. I'm on the couch, leg properly braced and elevated. How can I be writing this while I'm reclining under four blankets in the living room and my computer's in the office? Let me tell you how!

First, you go to a country dance back in 1992 and ask a cute cowboy to dance. Then you marry him a few years later, bide your time until you get injured and he cares for you like a princess, and then open your Christmas present--the one you each promised was going to be very inexpensive because of the remodeling--to find a new laptop! With a wireless card!

I'm really SO happy. Now I can blog while he's watching football ... um, like right now. Neither of us feel cut off or stuck in a room alone. I love my office, but it really needs a good organizing/cleaning and I'm not physically up to that yet. So now I can focus on my online activities without feeling depressed that I've lost control of my desk.

Who knows, you might hear from me more often. In fact, I hope my next post will be about a GREAT book I just read. Even teared up while reading the end last night at 1 AM. Here's the only hint I'm giving you: my current situation has tons of similarities with the protagonist. Just so happens that the author stops by this blog from time to time. Any guesses?

I've Been Carded

Ronie Kendig altered this CARDED meme to include a Spiritual Wish list so we can know how to pray for each other, both spiritually and physically. Isn’t that a great idea?

THE RULES:

1. Each player starts with 5 gifts that they would want for Christmas.
2. People who are "CARDED" need to write their own Blog about their 5 things & post these rules.
3. At the end of your Blog, you need to choose 5 people to get "CARDED" and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a COMMENT telling them they're "CARDED", and to read your Blog.

My Materialistic Gift/Wish List:

1. A book contract! Since the days are slipping away and 2007 has almost disappeared, I'll settle for a copy of Ron Benrey's newest book. BTW, he'll be at the OCW Summer Conference!



2. A new lamp for my office. I came to this realization during one of the fifty or so hours I've spent watching HGTV this week. A few designers labeled a lamp identical to mine as the "every college dorm in America has this" one.

3. Knitting needles of my own so I don't have to sneak my daughter's anymore.

4. The cat declawed. During one of my many drugged-out naps, he actually jumped from behind onto my face as I reclined on the couch and scratched just above my eye! You don't want to see what my hands look like ...

5. What I don't want? To buy a new van. Hopefully, this one can make it through it's latest hissy fit and start running normally!

My Spiritual Gift/Wish List:

1. My prayers to be more heartfelt.

2. Set better boundaries around family time.

3. Wisdom to know how hard to push my body as it heals.

4. Discipline to connect an everyday event to a specific Bible verse for my kids at least once every week.

5. To involve God more in my writing time.

The people I have carded (in alphabetical order):

Sherrie Ashcraft
Tammi Bowers
Donna Fleisher
Sandra Glahn
Jennie McGhan

Surgery Kneecap

I'm emerging from my drug-induced fog long enough to give you a kneecap, um ... recap, of the whole ordeal.

I stayed up until 3 the night before getting things done as I knew I wouldn't be functioning for quite a time. Plus, I'd have the chance to catch up on my sleep within a matter of hours.

Originally the surgery had been scheduled for check-in at 7:30, procedure at 9:30. They called a week before and moved it to check-in at 9:30, procedure 11:30. The Lord was surely with me as I remained calm and cool as a cucumber--not one left out in the hot garden, but one fresh from the fridge--as we checked in. Kevin noticed the time on my chart before I did. 13:30 ... pushed back another two hours!

They were very nice and tucked us away in our own little room. ( I made Kevin behave himself.) They even gave me a fashionable gown and stylish socks to keep me warm. Each time they offered me a heated blanket, I took them up on it. By the time they came to prep me for surgery, I had four blankets on! It was like the Princess and the Pea, but in reverse. :-)

The last time I had an IV put in was during preterm labor with Joshua and they spent literally three minutes grinding the needle around, trying to find the vein. This time I asked them to numb it first. My first nurse--I had three I was there so long--wrapped a wet, heated towel around my arm for a few minutes to loosen my veins up, numbed, and got the IV started first try. Kind of funny, too, as she's squeamish and couldn't go into the operating room with me or she'd pass out.

We passed the time watching TV shows, cracking each other up, and counting how many hours since I'd last eaten. The last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist talking to me about starting the femoral block. I came to in the recovery room a few minutes before they brought Kevin in and showed us the pictures of the new ACL graft.

I was free to go home as soon as my nausea would allow. Despite the Prilosec the night before, a Tagament before surgery, and two doses of anti-nausea meds in my IV, I felt sick. They ended up taking me out in a wheelchair. Kevin propped me in the middle seat of the van with my leg up and we made it home by 9ish.

The days have flown by since then because I've slept through the majority of them. Once Kevin filled a prescription for anti-nausea pills in the middle of the second day, I was able to keep food down and my strength returned. Not too bad a deal, right? A mini vacation at a spa. Kevin and Mom have taken great care of me and the church provided four meals. Yippee! When can I do this again?

Seriously, thank you for ALL your prayers. Enjoy this most wonderful holiday with your families. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Headed to Surgery

I love my friends! I know you will all be praying. Here's a couple of word pictures to help you remember to, 'kay? If you drive past a construction site, think of them drilling into my bones. :-) Or having an iced drink could remind you of the super cool machine I have to reduce the swelling of the knee and speed healing. If you're feeling sleepy, picture me snoring on the operating table.

(Would it be in bad taste to write my website in permanent marker near the surgery site asking everyone to sign up for the infrequent, humorous newsletter?!?)

All the presents are wrapped, the birthday invitation is made, and I guess I should get an hour or two of sleep before we leave. I'm not even going to list all the things on my list that aren't done!

BTW, I'm so proud of my daughter. She turns nine on January 5th. Instead of having a traditional party, she's sharing the special day with her best friend of the last 7 1/2 years. We've rented a HUGE play structure at a nearby church. I had to have the invitation made up by tonight so the other mother could make copies and distribute them to 2/3 of the elementary school! Yes, we're crazy, but it's for the most wonderful cause. The girls don't want any presents. Instead, they want people to make a donation toward an item from the World Vision gift catalog!!

See you on the flip side ...

Nobody Wants to Read about My Medical Problems

... at least that was one comment left on a friend's blog when she asked what people didn't like to read about. For those of you who do care why I've been absent from the online community for the last few weeks and why I really, really want you to pray when you eat lunch on Monday, I'll have an update at the bottom of this. And my take on a controversial film.


Before we get to that tantalizing bit of info, I want to post the blogs of all the kind folk who've helped spread the word about our Huge Fiction Giveaway. Note: I'm not linking to their post about the contest as you already know about that if you're reading this blog. Instead, I'm linking to their newest blogs. Broaden your internet circle and check out some new places.


Rel Mollet at http://www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com/


Carla Stewart at http://www.carlastewart.blogspot.com/


Camy Tang at http://www.camys-loft.blogspot.com/


Laura Williams at http://www.laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/


Ernie Wenk at http://www.ernsblog.blogspot.com/


Michelle at www.shoutlife.com/michellesutton


Jennifer AlLee at http://www.jenniferalleeblogspot.com/ and www.shoutlife.com/jenniferallee


Camille Eide at http://www.camillecannon.blogspot.com/


http://www.abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/


Naomi Douglas at http://www.naomis-noise.blogspot.com/


Audra Silva at http://www.adashofsassitude.blogspot.com/


Angela at http://www.contestaddict.blogspot.com/


Elizabeth Bussy at www.shoutlife.com/artnsoul


Tina Helmuth at http://www.tinahelmuth.blogspot.com/


Jennie McGhan at http://www.jenslifejourney.blogspot.com/


Title Trakk at http://www.titletrakkbooknews.blogspot.com/


Cathi at http://www.cathischatter.blogspot.com/ and www.shoutlife.com/cathikin


Audra Elizabeth at www.shoutlife.com/katielynnsnyder


Jennifer Griffith at http://www.gumboya-ya.blogspot.com/


Ane Mulligan at http://www.anemulligan.blogspot.com/


Dana McCall at www.johnathananddana.com/dana


Rachelle at http://www.zyphe.blogspot.com/


Donna Fleisher at http://www.donnafleisher.typepad.com/


Novel Journey at http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/


and Tammy Bowers at http://www.writesteps.blogspot.com/


Mom and I can't thank you all enough for helping us out. The new contest has been a huge draw and we've added 113 subscribers! We only need 80 more to hold the drawing!


Monday morning I go in for knee surgery to replace my torn ACL. I've chosen to use a cadaver's tendon because the healing time is faster and I won't have a huge scar. (Remember how attractive my legs are, right?) I have one more day to have EVERYTHING done for Christmas. Right after church and before AWANA, there will be a wrapping frenzy going on. Normally I would feel a huge amount of stress right now, but I've been praying and the Lord has been keeping me calm.


I've been too busy to blog because of physical therapy appointments and doing my exercises five times a day and pretending that Christmas falls on the 17th this year. If you're curious, which the aforementioned commenter would insist you're not, I had to have PT before the surgery to restore full range of motion and build the quad muscle in my left leg back up. Between the injury on Nov. 3 and the first PT appointment, I lost a full inch of muscle. I couldn't even raise my leg if I sat with my feet straight in front of me.


But the PT worked and I feel strong and energetic, which makes it that much harder to know I'll be in a horrible amount of pain on Monday afternoon and be out of commission for a week or two. (I'm trying to add feedburner to my blog so you won't have to check to know when I'm back.) I'll try to get a picture of my brace--which Kevin says makes me the Bionic Woman but the kids argue makes me a transformer--and the ultra-high tech cooling and compression machine they prescribed for me.

Kevin and I got in the last date of this year by having dinner and watching I am Legend last night. Our Portland film critic had rated it a C+ and ripped into it. I thought he was completely wrong. It is an intense movie--Kevin showed me where I bruised his arm while cowering by his side and clenching his bicep--but is incredible art as storytelling. The spiritual takeaway still has me thinking. But it was terrifying. I would have left the theater for a moment or two to give my nerves a break but the place was packed. Don't even get me started about the two young boys sitting on the other side of Kevin! I kept praying for them during the worst parts of the movie. If any of you watch it, I'd love to chat with you!

Kim Vogel Sawyer's Beginnings

(An interview follows the review.)

Having read one of Kim Vogel Sawyer's historicals, the fantastic book Waiting for Summers Return, I admit it took me a few pages to adjust to the contemporary setting of Beginnings. Though the backdrop is the Mennonite community, the protagonist, Beth Quinn, encapsulates a very modern, headstrong woman of the outside world.

Once I became accustomed to Sawyer's descriptions of travel having to do with a motor instead of a team and wagon, and despite not having read the first book in the Sommerfeld series, I fell into the story.

I found myself caring about Beth's aspirations as much as she did, even to the point of worrying over them. With two men wanting her attention, a new stain-glass art business to get off the ground, and the ever-present questioning of her place in the community, Beth must turn to the Lord to make her dreams come true.

Gentle strings of faith ran throughout this well-written novel and left me with a fresh perspective on the importance of family, community, and trusting the Lord to direct our lives.


I'm so grateful that Kim is stopping by to answer a few questions:

1) What drew you to writing about the Mennonite community?

Actually, I was contacted by an editor from Barbour who had discovered I have a Mennonite background. Knowing of the interest in the Plain groups, she asked if I would be interested in submitting a story that could juxtapose the Mennonites with the Amish. When I prayed about it, these characters sprang to life. I really appreciated the opportunity.

2) How did you research the stain glass art business? Have you ever done this yourself?

I did quite a bit of on-line research and also communicated with Joyce Livingston, an author-friend who is a stained glass artist. Joyce was a lot of help. After writing about it, I'm ready to dabble in it myself...when I have time! :o)

3) How many books are planned in this series?

There will be three books in the Sommerfeld Trilogy. Bygones released in April of 2007, and Blessings will be out in February of 2008.

4) Anything else you'd like to say?

These stories are special to me, and God has used each of them to minister to me while writing them. I truly hope they will touch the hearts of readers. Thanks for the opportunity to share with you!

Thank you, Kim. Everyone, go buy this book!

I'm on the Christian Authors Network Blog!

Jill Elizabeth Nelson asked me to guest blog over at the Christian Authors Network. Years ago a group of published authors decided to combine their resources and work on marketing together. What an honor for me, as an unpubbed, to make an appearance.

Please go read it and leave a comment. I wrote it quickly and proofed late at night, which means humor crept its way in. If you can figure out which line I am most proud of, you will win ... ? Maybe I'll make up a lovely poem about you and post it here. Maybe you can write a poem about me. Who knows? We'll come up with something.

So go read the article. Leave a comment. Then come back here and tell me what my favorite part was. The first person to get it right wins the mysterious prize.

Have fun!