Pens of Praise

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Monday night on June, 15^th at 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Teaching: June’s teaching will buzzzz with inspiration from some writing tips gleaned from the excellent Write-To-Publish conference! DiAnn Mills taught a class on Writing Fiction, which we will talk about. We will peruse the benefits of attending a conference with the focus of publishing in a variety of ways.

Prompt – Hooks. We have been researching hooks—all kinds, types, and placements. Now it is your turn to write. Choose one sentence below and write 4 different unexpected hooks, which you may share with the class! (If you need my notes on hooks don’t hesitate to request them from me.)

1. Sally made lasagna again.
2. It was a brick house situated on the corner.
3. The Bible listed a family tree.
4. It was another peaceful day by the seashore.

Okay, if you are adventurous and have time to burn—go ahead and write to all of the above prompts! I dare you to be spectacular!

You may bring your WIP (Work in Progress) to share a five minute read. We are a safe place. No tomatoes are allowed past the door. Plus we are an encouraging group, who desire a fun successful writing journey for you. You are welcome here.

Disclaimer: Warning you may end up loving to write!

Visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending. We will save a seat just for you!

God’s blessings upon you as you write for His glory!

Room - For An Excellent Book!

Tea Time Ladies - Some of us have read this book and others are planning to! 

Pen's of Praise Writers Group have read it and enjoyed it also! 

We are all looking to read more from James L. Rubart! 

Need I say more...Well, okay, let me just tell you this...

ROOMS

A novel by James L. Rubart

James Rubart’s tale reaches the very heart of the reader. It is smooth, seamless really, in his delivery of an unforgettable story. You will either love Rooms or not, but I must say there is no middle ground. How does this sound for an intriguing plot…

Seattle software tycoon, Micah Taylor, discovers that the house of his inheritance, left to him by an uncle he never knew, is a physical manifestation of his very soul.

Micah Taylor’s life takes on twists and turns, which never left me stranded or confused.  But I was very curious throughout Micah’s story. The richness of Rubart’s characters, setting, and mystery kept me ever unbalanced and groping for that next turn of the page. I’ve never encountered a novel that caused me to examine myself so deeply and one that softened my heart so gently as this one did. In my opinion, this is the epitome of what fiction should be.

Rooms—should you read it or shouldn’t you? Is it a novel for anyone? Yes, read it and yes, if you give room to Rooms you will never be the same…in a good way! When I contacted James Rubart and asked if he would allow me to interview him and offer a book give-a-way, he was most gracious. I had already loaned my copy to a young man, so I mentioned that I’d send him questions after the holiday. Easter vacation came and went and I’d asked the young man if he’d read Rooms or if he was in the process of reading Rubart’s story. He’d not started the read yet, so I said to him, “Don’t crack that book open—if you do you won’t give it back to me  to do this interview/report/give away!” He laughed…he didn’t realize how serious I was!

I’ve told my friends and Pens of Praise Writer’s and Reader’s Group about this novel. Many of them have now read Rooms and I’ve not heard anyone say that they didn’t like it. One friend’s husband couldn’t put it down and yes, he read it straight through. Once a person discovers the curiosity of this read, the sheer delight, or heart pounding concern for the characters…especially Micah Taylor…I imagine they will put it on their re-read shelf and write it in their ‘tell the world about it list’…just as I have.

I’ve never read a novel like this one…and yes, I do hope to do so again.

Rooms is most definitely one of my favorite novels of all time and I know it will always be so. How do I know this…I know it because I gave it a chance and I was delightfully pleased at time well spent. Thank you James L. Rubart for this amazing read!

At the end of this novel are fifteen discussion questions, which would be a wonderful tool for a reading group to enjoy.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing my mothers on earth the best ever day! Mom Kay Bryan Hugs galore! Mom Kinney hugs to you also! I love you both and wish you happiness and joy-filled memories to grace your day!

Wishing my mom in heaven a hug and smile! I miss you mom! I look forward to seeing you someday in the by and by! J

I appreciate Mother’s everywhere who have selflessly given of themselves and loved their children through thick and thin! 

What’s For Dinner, Lunch, or Breakfast? Smoothie!

THE EVER-CHANGING SMOOTHIE!

If I were to write a book about food, I think it would have to tell about my journey of what 

or how 

I come up with breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the first place. 

So for this first post I will start with what I've been enjoying for BREAKFAST! I wanted 

something fun, healthy, and less fattening! 

So, starting with a tablespoon of PB2,  a powdered peanut butter, 

which has 85% less calories

--Woo Hoo!--

 I added 1 tablespoon of Jello pudding mix...today's flavor was vanilla. Placing 

some ice cubes and frozen banana chunks in the Ninja.

 I then collect my other ingredients! 

My stomach starts to grumble in 

anticipation...

Today's fruit included what was left over in the frozen blueberry bag and some 

strawberries. I pour around a cup of purified water--give or take a little and 

also some Almond Milk. 

Talking with Kristin at work... I took her advice and added some Flax Seed. 

This pouch is a mix, which included dried berries...how much you ask? 

Well, this is my first time and I do have 

an event to plan for today, so I put in a teaspoon! 

LOL! 

Yes, I'm being careful! 

I like mine thick. 

This tricks me into thinking that I'm eating something luscious like 

ice cream!

I top it off with purified water chilled with ice cubes and frozen strawberries! 

So what are you having for breakfast?

Mother's Day Dessert & Jewelry & Fashion Show at Manitowoc Coffee

MOTHER’S DAY DESSERT & FASHION SHOW

SATURDAY, MAY 9     AT  6:30 – 8:30

*MANITOWOC COFFEE’S BACK ROOM *

SONGS BY THE UNDERWOODS

Bring your mom, daughter, sister, aunt,  friend, husband, son, or son in law or

 just yourself…we have all had a mom! Let’s celebrate!

Sample many homemade

desserts!

$10.00 a seat—proceeds go to support the adoption of two Haitian children.  Speakers will highlight an adoption journey. Ashleigh Becker’s jewelry and a children’s’ fashion show are featured . You may purchase jewelry if you’d like.

Raffle, door prizes and fun!

The Largest Fish Story...(No Fish Included)

By Susan Marlene Kinney

     The earth tilted excessively, upon the great sphere’s axis, while winds sped into near tornado proportions.  Oceans sloshed over the pebble-divoted beaches, smoothing every ripple and sandcastle, as though they’d never existed. Waves swallowed up boardwalks and small inlet towns as they tossed ocean-going vessels like kindling one flings into a bonfire. The force of which smashed ships and homes as though the rooted trees they’d been built from revealed no history and had never supported life with broad leafy branches.

     Once the earth opened exposing jagged teeth from its very depths and spewed fire and molten rock with terrifying fireworks, never to be equaled, humanity began to tremble. And more than that, cry out—screaming for aid and pity.

     But, God shrugged His great shoulders, whirling compassion away with an uncaring jerk of His chin. Back turned, heart of stone…

And in the end times, when the earth groans with violence and misery and nothing pure and merciful exists upon mountains, valleys, or wind tossed seas…a lie will be believed that is even now permeating society. The heartless words declared will squelch that last ray of hope from those tumbling into eternal darkness, because their great shoulders and stubborn chins jerked away from His outreached hand. His tender heart provided all anyone ever needed to be enveloped into His embrace. 

But they will believe that He never cared.

PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITER’S GROUP

Next meeting -- Monday 6:30—8:30 p.m.  April 20^st

at

FAITH CHURCH

2201 42^ND Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

Our teaching for April is called “Hooks” and we will explore how to recognize them and where oh where to put them!

The prompt you are invited to write to is…What is your favorite fish story or shall we say—fishy story? (It does not have to include a fish.)

Disclaimer: Warning you may end up loving to write!

Visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so that we can save a seat just for you.

God’s blessings upon you as you write for His glory!