Pens of Praise Christian Writers July 18th Meeting

PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

 

July 18, 2016

Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 

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

 

We are in the thick of summer, time to go walking and writing WITH God! Inspired by a talk from Allan Arnold, former publisher for Thomas Nelson Fiction. Come and consider the amazing journey of writing with the pacing and rhythm that you were born to! We are a safe place to share. We invite you to bring your WIP (Work in progress!) for a five minute read.

 

The prompt for this July is…

Journal the Walk

 

Possibly use the notes you received from Becky’s last month’s teaching on Words!  

 

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!

 

Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! Our precious Kathy Leist brings treats—we all appreciate her so! J

 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or

Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com

 

 

 

The 4th of July

 

The 4th of July has always been special to me. Since I've been spending time researching our colonial history, this holiday has become all the more dear to my heart. We have much to be grateful for and yes, I'm referring to those who are fortunate enough to live in America.



 

My husband and I watched the history channel yesterday. The Revolutionary War played out on our screen and he talked to me about World War II, which is more his favorite time period. LOL! But it was good pausing and considering what it cost to procure our freedoms.

 

Thank you to all the brave men and women who served in the armed forces and those civilians who risked or gave their lives for our freedom! You are heroes extraordinaire!

 

God Bless America and those who stand and fight to uphold

our GOD given freedoms!

Amen!  

 

 

ATTENTION READERS

 

BOOK GIVE AWAY

 

Please leave your email in the comments so that I can contact the winner for their address so

that Kathryn Springer can send you this

wonderful novel!



The Hearts We Mend By Kathryn Springer

Hummmmm, that’s the sound of my humming heart, expressing gratitude for reading this novel deftly written by Kathryn Springer. Just when I thought I’ve read the best one she’s ever written— she writes again and wins my favor!

Evie Bennett’s experiencing the empty nest, because Cody, her son, is about to tie the knot! Then tattooed Jack Vale drops some sparkle dead center in her path and upends her world!

Evie, steps away from the pages of the first Banister Falls Novel, Dandelion Fields, to become this story’s heroine. She won my heart from page one. I found myself cheering her on! Come on Evie! Hang in there! Jack, the hero, peels off the page to stand before the reader in all his appealing qualities and faults. Who is that man??? Kathryn, can you write more like him?  Delightful people pulse off these pages that reveal such a unique and interesting plot. So much is at risk when hearts need healed. I love this second Banister Falls Novel and I dearly hope that it isn’t the last.

This author’s voice is one that pleases me deep inside. Just the mention of Kathryn’s name, and novels she writes, brings a smile! Thank you, thank you Kathryn for your excellence in writing and the depth of understanding you had for these human hearts involved. You bring a story that doesn’t leave me when the next read comes along. This novel inspires the best in me, because I’ve seen how the layers of excellence were wrestled with by your characters. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that this will become a favorite read for many, which will rouse individuals to step into a bit of heroic excellence themselves.

This is the perfect novel for young adult or middle aged reading groups because of the story content and discussion questions included.

The Hearts We Mend by Kathryn Springer was sent to me via Zondervan Publishers for my review. In turn, I provided an honest account of my feelings and insights about the quality of this novel.

QUESTION TIME!

Kathryn, what inspired you to write the story?

After The Dandelion Field (the first book in the Banister Falls series) came out last year, I got feedback from some readers who didn’t particularly care for Evie Bennett! I knew there were reasons why she reacted the way she did and I felt it was only fair to tell her side of the story!

How do you write such wonderful characters? Is character development your super power?

Thank you, Sue! Blushing hereJ I spend quite a bit of time getting to know my characters before I start writing but as the story begins to unfold, they always end up surprising me!

Please tell me there will be another Banister Falls novel!

I would love to write a third book featuring Maggie McClain and Officer Ryan Tate (I’ve been married to a police officer for 28 years so I totally have a soft spot for a man in a uniform!) But right now, I’m working on the second book in my “Bachelor” series for Love Inspired. The series is set in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and it’s about three brothers who run an outfitting business.

What kind of take-away do you hope your readers will get from reading this novel?

Jack Vale, the hero, lives his faith. He reaches out to people from all walks of life. I’m inspired by his example because I think there are a lot of people who are lost and hurting and need someone to show them that they matter to God.

Will you share one of your favorite recipes with us now? I was sneaky right here!

Okay, I’m going to be sneaky right back! I always post my favorite

recipes in my quarterly newsletter so stop by my website at kathrynspringer.com and sign up! It’s confidential and it’s free!

How long have you been writing?

I was about ten years old when I wrote my first “book” about a talking horse (I was a huge Marguerite Henry fan!) I was the kid who actually liked writing essays in English class but even though I dreamed about becoming an author, it didn’t seem like something a girl from a small town could achieve. It was definitely a step of faith to respond to God’s nudge and submit that first manuscript!

Where is your favorite place to write? A coffee shop or at home or on the beach?

I REALLY wish I could say a coffee shop or the beach. Those sound much more romantic and “authorish” (I just made up a new word!) But I’ve always done my best writing at the computer in my office. My best “plotting”, however, happens when I take a long walk in the sunshineJ

How do you want readers to connect with you?

I love to hear from my readers! You can visit my website for a complete list of my titles (and sign up for my newsletter!) or LIKE my Facebook Author Page at kathrynspringerauthor. I post updates on new releases and offer special giveaways on both sites, so check in often! My next giveaway will be “Christmas in July” and you could win a copy of all my Love Inspired books that have a Christmas theme! Watch for it!

Pens of Praise

Christian Writers Group

   Monday, June 20th - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

 Faith Church

     (next to Festival Foods, 2201 42nd Street, Manitowoc)

       

Greetings to you all!

Are you ready for the next Pens meeting?

We will meet on Monday, June 20th and hope to see you there.

Becky McLafferty will be teaching!

We will be talking about a writers' favorite thing...WORDS...

...and not just any words...

No matter what genre you write, this lesson is for you!

If you have time to write to a prompt, tell us about something you enjoy doing in the summertime...

or maybe something you would like to do in the summertime.

This doesn't have to be in a special format. 

We enjoy sharing.

 

                    

You are welcome to bring your ‘work in progress’ to share a (5-minutes or less) portion if you would like feedback from our group.  

We hope to see you on June 20th. Please plan to come and learn along with us.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Becky McLafferty at RebeccaMcLafferty@gmail.com or Susan Kinney at susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com

May God Bless you - richly and always!

Beth Ziarnik's "Acquiring The Right Agent Pens Meeting

PENS OF PRAISE

CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

Let us know if your attending so we can save a seat just for you!

May 16, 2016

Monday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Free Church

2201 42^nd St.

Manitowoc, WI  54220

 

Wisconsin published author, Beth Ziarnik, will share “Acquiring The Right Agent” this Monday night! Beth will present an interactive talk and questions will be allowed! Beth’s novel, Her Deadly Inheritance, was published this past January and has been floating around on the best sellers list for Amazon since then! There is no fee for those who wish to attend. Beth will have some copies of her novel available for those who would be interested. Contact Beth Ziarnik at www.bethziarnik.wordpress.com.

Prompt for this month is “The Mysterious Agent” so have some fun. Write in the genre of your choice and share/or don’t share if time allows. We are a safe group and for the last—8 or is it 9 years— no tomatoes have been thrown at the speakers or those sharing their latest work in progress!

Stop at a local coffee shop or bring your own coffee or soda and relax with us a while.

May the Lord bless your writing endeavors as you write for Him! Any concerns or questions feel free to contact susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com or rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com

 

Blessings!

RHYTHMS OF RENEWAL BY LETITIA SUK

RHYTHMS OF RENEWAL

By Letitia Suk

Speaker and writer Letitia Suk encourages women with humor and insights for personal renewal and family bonding. I met Letitia at Write To Publish conference and she generously handed me a copy! Personally, she is a delight and as a writer she is a gifted encourager. I have to admit that I’ve been running and racing and panting along my busy schedule. I would glance at Rhythms of Renewal and think, ‘I need that!’ And keep running. That is a bad habit for me, I confess!

But, as this year has drawn on, I decided to stop and drink in the humor woven into these pages. How pleasant and calming it has been for me to reconsider the restoration of peace and how powerful His pace is compared to mine.

Letitia also touches on being intentional about how one renews themselves. She offers helpful lists and interviews with people who have had experiences that relate to the topics she addresses in the chapters of this book. 

I enjoyed Letitia’s walks down memory lane, as she connected with me through ink on the page. I laughed out loud when I related to her stories and took note. Have I totally decluttered my thoughts and made peace with my schedule? No, but I’m in the process and Letitia has assisted my journey, which will have less bumps in the road, because she has made me reconsider or consider afresh! I definitely desire to walk in the balance each season that my life holds. Thank you Letitia for this wonderful and inspiring book.

This is my honest and heartfelt review of Rhythms of Renewal and I extend the invitation for you to read this book and discover your rhythms with the Lord and life and family!

QUESTINS FOR LETITIA:

1)      Letitia, you are a life coach. How did you take that path for a career?

      I like to think of myself as a Renaissance type of woman who reinvents her work path at regular intervals! I taught childbirth classes for many years then the market changed as epidurals became more popular. Along the way I had been mentoring many women and loved helping them set agenda and goals for their lives. When life coaching became more mainstream in the early 2000's, it was an easy shift for me to become certified and do professionally what I had been doing all along. In addition to coaching, I am also a hospital chaplain. Speaking and writing are my first loves!

2)      It is obvious that you share from your heart. Was there someone or a situation that inspired you to write books that build women up, so that they can become stronger?

      When I was about nine years old, I had a strong sense from God that I was to be an influencer for women. That sense of calling has influenced all my endeavors.

3)      What is your favorite chapter in Rhythms of Renewal? Why?

      Chapter Five: Rituals. I love creating life giving practices to flow through the day and calendar year. Elevating the ordinary tasks through simple rituals is very satisfying to me.

4)      What was the funniest experience that you ever had during a speaking engagement?

     The funniest thing that happened was that I was speaking to a group in the community and I pulled out my notes and I had forgotten to bring them. I  never said a word and just kept going ad-libbing the whole talk! 

5)      What is your favorite scripture? Why?

     John:10:10 I love the idea of accepting Jesus' offer of the abundant life or "life to the full." My mission statement is to invite women into an intentional life centered in Jesus.

6)      Okay, now I’m going to get nasty! What is your favorite recipe and will you share it?

      I don't know if I have a favorite recipe! We have been making pizza on Saturday nights for a long time :)

7)      If there is anyone in particular who has influenced your writing who is it?

     Edith Schaeffer and Anne Ortlund planted my vision seeds that have been growing ever since.

8)      In what way do you want your readers to follow you? (FB, email, or other social media addresses.)

      Facebook and email ( Letitia.suk @gmail.com)are great. Both are accessible through my web site LetitiaSuk.com. I never remember to tweet!

9) Do you have any new books coming out ?

       My next book, "Getaway with God: The Everywoman's Guide to Personal Retreat" will be released at the end of the year.

GRACE, GRACE, GOD’S GRACE

Susan Marlene

Pens of Praise April 2016

 Once Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.  John 8:12

Such grace as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost can give…the light of the One. Life in Him!

When reading the passage written long ago, inside the pages of John, the eighth chapter, I come across a desperate individual. A woman who choose to step away from decency, not only from the Pharisees laws, but also from Elohim, the great and mighty authority over Israel.

What lured her away from the coveted acceptance that the boundaries of law and tradition provided? Who knows, and really, does it matter? Don’t we all slip up when we think, say, and behave in ways that offend the God of grace?

Observing the men who dragged this woman right from the center of her sin, to expose her with such harsh and deadly intent, catches my breath. Makes me pause—with what—shock? Fear of such extreme authority? They made several mistakes. Some of which were groomed inside them for years, from example, and expectations from others and themselves. They’d not shown grace because that would have challenged their traditions. Graciousness, an unknown face among their powerful connections. They’d manipulated people’s opinions and expectations for years. This is what they knew. Now, when they come before Jesus, they test and try to trip Him up. But the test backfired.

All because Jesus emulated grace and love that was strange to this people—though they were the barriers of His message. His love was genuine, heart-felt and so full of authority. He wrote in the dirt and the Pharisees still peppered Him with questions. I believe their attention stuck on their anger and motivation to stir Him. He stood and said those profound words that even some modern day sinners may recall, “Let he who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” I believe He did so to draw their attention to what He would write next. Even one stone was too great a burden for them to heft and toss in light of the truth Jesus wrote before them. Though they walked away, probably angry and feeling like failures, He touched them with grace that provided the choice to leave…this woman, their sin, and their horrific tradition that had always been necessary. Until He who embodied grace and life walked among them. Their eyes were muddied with traditions and power seeking, so they saw a problem and not their solution, their grace bearing Lord.

For I have said, Mercy and loving-kindness shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness will You establish in the very heavens [unchangeable and perpetual]….The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all that is in it, You have founded them. Psalm 89:2 and 11