Open Mic Wednesday 11/24/10–The Thanksgiving Edition
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
It’s Open Mic Wednesday.
What are you thankful for this year?
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Books by Kaye Dacus
Novel in Progress
Follow the Heart*
Book 1 of The Great Exhibition Series
Due May 1, 2012
first draft completion goal date: 01/31/12
*working title
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Middle Tennessee Christian Writers
That the year is almost over.
The Lord has blessed me beyond measure, and I am so thankful to Him! This past year has been quite “eventful” for my family, as 2 of my kiddos graduated in May, I had 4 spinal surgeries in late June (in an 8-day period), and this past Saturday (Nov. 20) my middle daughter was married in the “wedding of her dreams” (it was truly a perfect day—Praise the Lord!!!). Of course, these were all very emotional times for me personally (including the surgeries*sigh*) but as I look back I see the Lord’s hand at work in everything—even the rough times. And one of my GREATEST blessings came at my daughter’s wedding the other day, as my son escorted me to my seat and I was finally able to walk “straight and tall”! God is soooo GOOD!! ~ Happy Thanksgiving Kaye (and everyone!).
So many things!
I am thankful:
*That I have met some wonderful folks this year, like YOU.
*That I have friends and family who love me and want the best for me.
*That I have a great God who has great plans for me, even when I can’t figure out what they are.
*That your surgery went well, and you’re with your parents.
*That I was able to attend ACFW this year. It was a goose-bump experience.
*That I have a husband who, in the midst of job change and chaos, said I was GOING to ACFW. And that was that.
*That it’s finally raining.
And so much more …
I’m thankful that God has forced me to slow down and take the time to seriously reflect on and pray about my writing career and in what direction I’m supposed to be taking it—and that I’m very close to seeing what that direction is. I’m not thankful that it took a broken ankle and surgery (with no insurance!) to get me to the point at which I would slow down and take the time to do this. But I am also thankful that I discovered just how wonderful the friends and family He’s given me are through this process, which has kept me positive and cheerful throughout the past seventeen days since the injury occurred.
So if you feel a little urging, like God wants you to slow down and listen . . . do it! Because you don’t want Him to have to take drastic measures to make you slow down and listen like He did with me! (No, I’m not really blaming God for this, I know it was just an accident; but I also know He’s already been working on redeeming the situation for His glory.)
Just like a true writer…give us a lesson and still throw in enough of a teaser to hook us to see what’s next.
This is wonderful, Kaye. I’ve been praying for you for provision and direction, especially since your injury, and that this would be a time of reflection and insight and revelation of whatever God might want to speak to you, but particularly as it concerns work/writing. So sweetly encouraging to hear these prayers are being answered. His mercy endureth forever! Psalm 136
Kaye,
So glad things are going well for you. I like knowing you’re with your folks and that all is going better than expected to downright well:) Reflection is such a good thing. Sometimes we writers have precious little time for that. I’m thankful for having met you and for the ways you mentor me without even knowing it. I consider you the authority on the writing craft. Since I’m more of an instinctive writer than anything else, I am always aware of what a gift it is to be able to write well AND also teach writing as you do, something that I cannot. Recently I was asked to write an article on narrative. The first place I turned was your archives to get me going. Only I got stuck as there were so many great posts on so many aspects of the craft! Long story short, I would love to hear your thoughts on what makes narrative effective in fiction. If you have a minute, it would be an honor for you to drop in to Keli Gwyn’s blog where I’m guesting today and add your thoughts (the link is on my blog post today). Or just write them here. Or, if you’re busy, do neither! I’m so thankful for writing mentors like you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Amen, Laura. You and I are so alike. Instinctive writers. Makes it hard to share writing craft knowledge in a coherent way sometimes, doesn’t it? I manage it every now and then. I ran into this issue in college, as a Fine Arts major. We had to stand before the class each week and explain our projects, why we did what we did to fulfill the requirements of each project, and I found this quite difficult. I learned to do it (since I wanted good grades!), but my mind isn’t wired that way. Perhaps it comes from having been a serious artists since my earliest memories, and having written my first novel without ever cracking a writing craft book or knowing a published author. I decided to do it one day, and all I had were the models of the novels I loved. I looked at what I liked in them, whether sentence structure or pacing or whatever, and tried to imitate it, in draft after draft of trial and error and without any reference to the correct writerly terms for what I was trying to do.
Anyway, your post at Keli’s is a good one. Hope folk here will come on over.
http://romancewritersonthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/wow-narrative-friend-or-foe/
I’m thankful you are okay! It’s not fun when we’re forced to slow down sometimes, but oh, we need it so very much! Life is so crazy and we are just not meant to live like we do…schedules piled up with no time for reflection and life sharing.
I’m also thankful that this year I am in charge at Thanksgiving! Not that I want to be bossy, but that I get to have my own family Thanksgiving. My kids will all be here tomorrow and it should be a blessed time. I can’t wait!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kaye! Feast well, and nap splendidly!
I am grateful that you are here at home.
I am grateful that you have very little pain.
I am grateful that you have a cheerful attitude.
I am grateful that you try to do as much for yourself as you can.
I am grateful that you can get your own coffee in the mornings.
I am grateful that you sleep in so I can, too.
I am grateful that you are willing to go shopping with me.
I am grateful that you are healing so well.
I am grateful that you laugh so sincerely.
I am grateful that you have an interest in so many topics that we never lack for something to discuss.
I am grateful that you picked the best ankle doc in town without even knowing he was.
I love you!
Now that just made me cry. How blessed you are, Kaye! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!