The Me Project by Kathi Lipp

(we interrupt the regularly scheduled Moving Thoughts Friday to introduce you a stellar book from a stellar author)

Kathi Lipp’s book The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted is just what the doctor ordered. In January I poured myself out for others to the point of almost evaporating. Needless to say I’ve been craving something to help me refocus and reenergize in my passion and my calling. Last year I was honored to read and review Kathi’s The Marriage Project. That book positively influenced my marriage. The Me Project inspired me in similar motivating ways.

I enjoyed The Me Project so much I piqued the interest of my friend, the pastor’s wife of our church about how The Me Project would be an excellent selection for the church book club.

Here’s a taste of what the book offers:

Three Super-Simple Kick Starts to Living Your Dreams
– in the next 15 minutes
by Kathi Lipp

Is there a dream that God has given you, but you are waiting until the kids are grown and you have money in the bank before you get started? You may not be able to enroll in a month long pastry making class or take a week off of work to get started on your novel, but today you can take three little baby steps to making your dream a day-to-day reality.

1. Go Public with It

It’s a little scary to tell the world what you want to do when you grow up—but this is one little step could get you closer to living your dream than almost any other. Plus—it takes very little time and you don’t have to raid your kid’s college fund to make it happen. When you gather up all your courage and tell your best friend, “I want to learn how to paint,” suddenly she remembers an old art book she has laying around she would love to give you, or her friend from church who teaches art classes. The people you know and love want to be a resource. Give them the privilege of being a part of making your dream happen.

2. Join an Online Group

This is one of the simplest—and cheapest—ways to start exploring your passion. Find out who else is talking about restoring antiques and listen to their conversation. Start by Googling your interest along with the term “online groups.” You will be amazed with the number of people who want to talk about the proper way to care for 1950’s lunchboxes as much as you do.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Pray

I remember the first time I put an offer in on a house—I wanted it more than I had wanted almost anything else in my life. While I knew that I had dozens of other people praying on my behalf, I was too scared to pray. I didn’t want God to tell me no. I was afraid to pray until my co-worker Kim asked me (in a loving, kind way), why I didn’t believe that God wanted His best for me. Don’t be afraid to pray—as with anything amazing in my life, the path is never what I expected, but it has always been obvious that God’s hand has been on it the whole way.

Good stuff, right?

Let me know what you plan to do to pursue the life you’ve always wanted and your name will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous grand prize giveaway (Deluxe Starbucks Coffee Gift Basket, a $62 value)

Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. She is the author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, serves as food writer for Nickelodeon, and has had articles published in several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Discipleship Journal. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four teenagers and young adults. For more information visit her website: www.kathilipp.com

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review

Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Baart

Baart’s gifted command of language ascends from the page once again as she weaves the continuation of Julia DeSmit’s story. Julia, a single mother who fulfills a motherly role for her younger brother as well, prepares to share her life with one man when an unexpected email throws her vision for her future off course. Julia finds herself on the brink of marriage, but unexpectedly her son’s father slips back into the picture complicating all she’s known about love, forgiveness and trust. The medley of characters, Julia’s grandmother, the two boys and the men competing for Julia’s attention, add to the fast-paced plot of Beneath the Night Tree.

Even though I didn’t read the prior two books in the series, I found Beneath the Night Tree entirely enjoyable. It works well as a stand-alone novel. I found it difficult to put down.

Whenever I read of Baart’s books I’m immediately reeled in by her compelling, lyrical writing.

With lines like the following what’s not to love?

“I could feel the words like water on my tongue, liquid and heavy with all the emotion that sprang from the well of my doubt.”

“He still wore loss like a chain around his neck.”

“A string of unexpected thoughts wound themselves around my heart, binding my chest until it ached to breathe.”

Baart is an adept author, skilled at beautifully balancing plot with prose. Visit her website to read more!

* Tyndale provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for this honest review

**check out my interview with Nicole on the sidebar link

8 Ways the Grocery Store Checkout Resembles the Publishing Journey

I have my entire grocery shopping experience down to twenty-two minutes point four seconds. By that statement alone you should be able to tell I’m not a huge fan of aisle grazing. I charge through grocery stores (unless I’m at Trader Joe’s. There, I take my time).

Recently I started thinking about all the ways standing in line at the grocery store is like the waiting game in the publishing industry.

And now you have the immediate pleasure of reading my thoughts. :D

The Comparison Trap
While standing in line we face the temptation to study how fast the person in line next to us is moving. Is she buying healthy? How much will she spend? Will she give her kid candy when they beg for it? All the equivalents of will she be published before me? Do I believe she’s a better writer and how much has she invested in the process? Will she finally get that editor she’s been contemplating?

To Self Checkout or Not
Somewhere along the writing journey we need to decide whether we’re open to self publishing. Will you wait in potentially long lines or check yourself out? (Some people love to check themselves out…sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Follow the Light
We scan which light comes on so we can hop over to a new aisle with a shorter line. Same goes for watching for new agents and editors who show interest in our genre. We study the trends, faithfully read Writer’s Digest and Publishers Marketplace. (It’s worth it to network on Twitter and through blogs.)

Coupon Central
We put in the work ahead of time (clipping and cutting) hoping it will pay off when it comes to the final sale.

Avert Eyes & Focus on the Prize
Whether its Hollywood gossip or glossy magazines donning stick thin models in swimsuits decorating the checkout aisle, we’re bombarded by similar distractions in this industry. Best-sellers, vampire crazes, this genre rules, this genre is out…we need to write what we’re called to write. Keep our eyes on the prize.

Paper or Plastic?

Every day we make choices about how resourceful we are—how many books about the craft we read, if we seek help from critique partners or editors, etc.

How You Treat the Checker Matters
Relations with agents, editors and fellow authors impact our journey. If we’re courteous and thoughtful, we won’t find our eggs smashed. We won’t have to deal with ripped bags and tumbling groceries upon noticing the heaviest boxes and jars of spaghetti sauce shoved in one.

Dress Etiquette
Performing our duties in our pajamas or sweats isn’t all that unusual. In fact, we might make most surrounding stressed out moms feel more comfortable than if we were dressed to the nines while buying grapefruit. Whatever works, but in this business, while getting the words down it doesn’t matter what we wear.

~~~

Can you think of any more ways checking out at the grocery store resembles the wait in publishing?

*photo by flickr

Sad People Don’t Always Act Sad

I don’t listen to songs like Coldplay’s Fix You anymore to motivate my tears to start flowing. I don’t click through picture after picture of my dad saved in our online files, trying to remember the exact sound of his laugh. I still miss him. I recently booked a flight to be with my mom during the anniversary of his death. I’m fully aware the loss etches deep, but I’m finding (what my mom and I call) my new normal.

I want to share something about his death I neglected to mention before. I want to tell you about those first few moments I arrived at the hospital and I want to do this because I think there’s an important lesson for writers in these minutes of disbelief and coming to terms with personal loss.

Sometimes sad people don’t always act sad.

My dad was hooked up to all kinds of machines in the hospital and my flight had landed last. My other sisters were in his room waiting (all but one, but that’s a whole other story for an entirely different time). I needed to say my good-bye. After thanking some wonderful family friends for picking me up from the airport and driving me to the hospital, I bolted for the entrance. I attempted to mentally erase the name they kept calling their GPS. I had a bone to pick with Bertha (or whatever her name was) because she’d steered us the long way.

My suitcase bumped awkwardly along behind me until I finally left it for the wonderful couple to bring in. My clothes were the last thing on my mind. I had to see my father, brain dead as he was.

As soon as the elevator door opened, I raced in the direction of his room. My mom and my oldest sister caught me in a hug after I walked through the glass doors to the ICU.

Just as I planned to break out in a sprint to my dad’s room, I got held up. We got held up.

A petite lady cornered us. My mom introduced me to this small, leprechaun wife. A member of her church…details…her husband…in the room next to my father…basic introduction kind of details…sunk in about as well as a bobber on the end of an inactive fishing line.

I ached to anchor all my attention on my dad. Here’s where I acted a little weird. I shifted my head from my mom to my sister, then back again to my mom and motioned to the leprechaun wife (who couldn’t have been any more mild-mannered and sweet, but also a great deal in my personal space).

Then I said the unthinkable.

I said, “Say hello to my little friend.” (And yes, I used the accent.)

I did. I did say that. And it sank in with her about as well as a bobber on the end of a fishing line. (She didn’t seem to register my comment—thank God!)

I like this memory. It distracts me from all the heart-wrenching stuff to follow. I like thinking about quoting Scarface to a dainty, dear member of my mom’s church. Not because I’m malicious or because I get my kicks from making inappropriate comments, but rather because I understand I didn’t know how to act any other way. I was in shock. And sometimes shock shows itself in odd ways, disguising itself as humor or sarcasm. I like the memory because it helped get me through the next few minutes—some of the hardest I’ve ever lived.

So writers, remember this when you write a sad scene. People will likely surprise you in their grief, their shock, and their reaction to tragedy.

Tears hide until they know it’s safe to come out. Until then Scarface might just make a mess of the place.

Can you think of a time when you or someone you know felt sad but a surprising emotion showed up instead?

*photo by flickr

Moving Thoughts Friday

Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.

 

It’s my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.

At the first heart clenching realization you are stranded on an exotic island alone, what’s the first thing you’d do?

*photos by flickr

**notice the name name for Fridays. Thanks for voting! I may change it up every so often.

The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson

I’m not pregnant. I promise. (The only babies I’m having from here on out are book babies.) But if I were pregnant I’d want MacPherson’s book.

~~~

In The Christian Mama’s Guide, MacPherson shares a refreshing and honest perspective of what housing a baby in your belly really feels like. Her wisdom is spliced with humorous accounts and a realistic approach to each of the three trimesters.
~~~

MacPherson addresses every possible detail I recall wavering about during my own pregnancies. From choosing a doctor or a midwife, to appropriate exercise, to naming the baby, the extent of her research is evident when it comes to providing insight on the medical world and every other aspect of living with a baby bump. MacPherson even includes a chapter written by dads. But I have to say one of my favorite lines in regards to having sex in the second trimester is, “Get all Song of Solomon on him.”

The Christian Mama’s Guide was a comprehensive, enjoyable read even for this non-pregnant woman. I highly recommend it (a great early baby shower gift). MacPherson brought me down memory lane, a road I gladly travel with sentimental smiles and great fondness.

I loved being pregnant and I love that this book reminded me of each of my pregnancies.

Erin MacPherson lives with her husband and their two adorable children in Austin, Texas. She was an editor and staff writer for a popular parenting and pregnancy Web site for years, where she spent hours each week researching pregnancy, talking to obstetricians and midwives, and giving out tips and advice to new and pregnant mamas. Visit Erin at christianmamasguide.com.


*I received this book in exchange for my honest review

8 Reasons I Love Being a Writer

On this I 8 Wednesday I’m going to continue the conversation of love. It’s all we need, right?

Why I love what I do…

1. I never get bored.



2. I set my own schedule. I can write in the morning. I can write in the night. I can write on a mountain or while flying a kite. (Thanks Dr. Seuss. You were fun!)



3. Writing enables me to grow intellectually as I research and create plots. Reading profusely = education. I’m like good Will Hunting. ;)



4. I get to wordsmith or wordscythe and delight in the results. I’m a puppeteer planting characters on the page and playing origami with my words.



5. Showing up does not require that I’m dressed in anything other than my pajamas.



6. Often when people discover what I do we are led into a delicious conversation about books.



7. It’s a wonderful excuse to over-caffeinate and frequent book stores.



8. As I forge ahead in this industry I teach my children about endurance and discipline, all the while pouring passion into what I love.

Do you love what you do? Tell me more...

*photos by flickr