December Treats!!! Got lots of free or inexpensive ebooks ($.99) on Amazon.com on December 4-8
Go to http://decembertreats.blogspot.com to look at the titles offered.
Also
The Kindle version of Some Happy Day will be free on Dec 6 & 7, 2012 at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=some+happy+day
Go to my website to get information on how to win the Christmas Kindle I am giving away. There is a tab at the bottom left that gives instructions. It is like a scavenger hunt. You will have a good chance of winning, so join in. http://elainelittau.com . That is the link. Go and see how your name can be in the drawing.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Chairs
Chairs
There is an ongoing dispute between me and chairs. When I
was a little kid of 4 years old Mama, Daddy and I had this old swivel rocker
that was a problem. It seemed that every time I sat in the thing, it went
backwards with me. It was quite the ordeal to get the thing set back to rights.
I remember that I had a very important job that involved
that chair. If a guest came to our house, it was my job to hurriedly be rude
and take the chair that looked to be the most comfortable in the house. Most of
the time I did pretty well at occupying that chair while guests visited.
One time, when I was around ten years old, about 1966, our new pastor came to visit us. He was a very
proper man. He was a painter when he wasn’t behind the pulpit. He wore a severe
black suit with pants about an inch or so too short. He wore shiny black dress
shoes, horn-rimmed glasses, a white shirt, and white socks.
His knock sounded on the door and I opened it. He walked
though quickly and spied the swivel rocker. He folded his lanky frame into it
and sat with his elbows on his knees.
Good. If he stays like
that, he won’t fall backwards.
Sure enough, after he made the point in his conversation, (I
wasn’t listening. I was worrying.) He stretched back and before Mama and I realized
what happened, his legs were pointed to the ceiling. He flipped the chair
backwards. His white socks and shins shined as bright as mayonnaise.
Mama looked at me and frowned. I knew I missed my assignment
that day. Each of us took one of his hands and pulled him and the chair to an
upright position.
I don’t know why, but it was years later before Mama and
Daddy replaced that chair with a Lazy Boy Recliner. I can’t tell you how glad I
was for that purchase.
That wasn’t the end to my chair problems. In 1975 Terry and
I got married and bought a brand new Great Lakes mobile home. It was beautiful!
Being built in the Spanish style of the day, it had dark brown paneling on
every wall except one wall in the living room. That wall had off-white paneling
with two wrought-iron keys that were about two feet high. We had red velvet
chairs and matching couch trimmed with black vinyl around the edges and
buttons. We had a big red glass based lamp with a big red velvet shade trimmed
in black lace.
Our dining room/kitchen was awesome in that it had a rectangle
table with wrought-iron swivel based velvet dining room chairs. Those things
were heavy duty. To top it off, we had a black metal chandelier. We knew we
were rich!
As the years progressed in living in the trailer house,
things sort of started to happen to the furniture. If you weren’t careful in
sitting on the couch, a spring might grab the calf of you leg and bite you. When
this happened to me, I got out the cutting pliers and cut off a length of it
and forgot it.
One day a friend of mine came over to visit Terry and me and
sat on that couch. The girl sat down carefully and the man plopped down
quickly. Before I knew what happened, the spring came out and grabbed his pant
leg along with a piece of his calf. We apologized and offered them alternate
seating.
After they left, Terry turned the couch over and clipped the
spring out. It was three years later that we moved from the trailer and left
the furniture behind for the renters to use.
One year, not long
ago, probably about 2010, we purchased a cheap chair and a half recliner. Our
kids like to sit side by side or on one another’s lap, so I thought it would be
a good thing. The thing wasn’t so good. During a Christmas visit, I walk into
the living room to find my son and daughter-in-law in the recliner with their
feet reaching toward the ceiling.
The story my son told me was that they lifted the foot rest
and when they were ready to get out of the chair, it wouldn’t budge. They
thought that if they rocked it a little, the catch would release and they could
get out. They rocked it a little and the back went down further and got top
heavy. The recliner flipped on its back.
The reason they were stuck in the recliner is that it is
nestled in the corner of the room. There was no room to get out the side. With
the help of a couple of brothers rescue mission, they were freed.
How lame was that!
I thought. Not but a month later I was
sitting in that big old chair and did the exact same thing. My head was wedged
in the corner of the room between the bookcase and wall. My feet were sticking
straight up. The left arm of the recliner was wedged next to a glass front
bookcase. The right arm had a glass topped table next to it. There was no place
to go.
I had my zip up robe on because it was nine A.M. and I
reached into my pocket. I dialed Terry and asked him how his day was going. I
then asked him what time he thought he would make it home. He said it would be
around eight P.M. I said okay and hung up. (You wonder why I didn’t tell him,
don’t you? Well, I didn’t want him to know about it and laugh at me.)
Since I seldom have drop in visitors, I knew it was up to me
to get out of this situation. I threw my legs up over my head, fuzzy slippers
and all, and somehow twisted myself into a knot. I was afraid I might break
some of the glass, so I was a tight little ball. I ended up sideways in the
chair and figured that if I stood on the back of it, I could climb over it. (I
tell you it was truly wedged!) I climbed over it and got myself a cup of
coffee.
Not long after that, the church women’s group needed
donations for their garage sale. You can guess what I put a price of $5 on. I
think they sold it for $3. I decided after I got rid of that one, I would get
quality all the way.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Marathon Cooking
I love looking at blogs and getting advise from sites like examiner and
pinterest. On one of these sessions I found a blog about preparing food ahead.
It was different than most of the advise from blogs like it because the writer
also included a shopping list as well as the receipes and order of cooking.
After a two hour trip to the grocery store (Thank God I had the strength that day.) I had a mountain of groceries to do something with! I almost cried. The notebook of instructions for this marathon cooking spree was on the table, so I proceeded to #1.
Get a piece of paper and note the servings you are making. How many twice baked potato servings are you bagging, the number of meat packs you are dividing out. You will use this information to write your menu on your calendar. Yes, you have to write down what you are going to have for dinner on the calendar. If you rely on yourself to do this day by day, you will forget what you have already used and what is available to use. If you write the meals down after they are cooked, you can plan your menus for a month or two and not have to think of "whats for dinner". If something comes up or you go out to eat, just draw a mark through that dinner and put it after the last date that has a menu. WARNING: MARK ALL OF THE FOOD YOU PUT IN THE FREEZER! The food plays trick or treat with you if you don't. I want to know what I am thawing out for dinner.
I put the perishable groceries in the frig and commenced. Filling my large sink with warm water, I poured 18 pounds of fairly large (not the baking size) potatoes in for a quick wash. I set aside 3 lbs for other dishes and put the rest in a 350 degree oven timed at 1 hr 30 min. (I didn't wrap the potatoes because I wanted crispy skin for the twice baked potatoes these would become. (I found it interesting that cooking 1 baked potato takes as long as baking 15 pounds...hmmmm)
After getting the potatoes going, I opened a small bag of pinto beans and poured them in a crock pot with half a piece of salt pork. I filled the slow cooker with water and plugged it in on high. These beans would be done after all the other things were cooked. One of my hispanic friends advised me not to salt the beans until they are almost finished. (I can't remember the reason, but she was very serious about it so I don't salt them until the end.)
I also put some northern white beans (a small bag) in a slow cooker with the other half of salt pork and covered with water and set it on high also. This is for the white chicken chili I will be making later.
Ground beef was next. I purchased 8 pounds. The hubs likes 90% or higher for our health, but I am a penny pincher and bought both 93% and 86% and mixed them together. I told him that it averaged out to 90%. I don't know for sure, but it is close enough.
I put the ground meat aside and chopped 8 onions and 6 bell peppers. 3 onions and 2 bell peppers were set aside for other recipes. I got a big frying pan out and put half the onions and bell peppers in and stir fried them. After that, I added the ground beef, a small can of jalepeno peppers, a tsp of chili powder, salt, pepper, minced garlic, (and other spices you like in Tex/Mex food). I stirred it over medium heat until all the meat was browned. I divided the mixture into quart sized bags that had the amount I need for the hubs and I. If you have a big family, you will need to adjust the amount you put in each bag. Tag them: Use for Tex/Mex dishes. Leave these bags on your counter until they cool off. It is terribly hard on your freezer and frig to put hot stuff in them.
Using the same pan, I put the rest of the onions and bell peppers in the skillet and added the beef, salt, and pepper. This will be a plainer mix that will be used for spaghetti, lasagna, and other dishes that require a meat mix. Divide,bag, and tag for your use. Set aside to cool. After things cool, put them in the freezer.
At this point, I take the remaining ground beef and form into patties, placing them on a cookie sheet. I put the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 20 min. After that time, the patties are semi frozen and can be placed in quart sized bags. The hubs and I use 3 patties at each meal. He has 2 hamburgers and I have 1....Divide according to your family.
If you have set aside any ground beef for a special recipe, put those recipes together at this point. (millionaire spaghetti...so good...look it up on pinterest)
After cleaning up the ground beef mess, I get out the steaks and roast that I purchased after the heart attack I had looking at the high prices. (I kid you not!) I divide the steaks according to what the hubs and I eat. The portions are a little smaller than we want to eat, but I am sort of looking out for our health here. I bag them up, mark them, and put them in the freezer.
Then I grab that lovely roast. If I am not planning for a dinner with friends, I divide it. I swear my hubs loves roast so much, he would eat the whole thing. (He isn't overweight...I wonder why. I am and I am the only one who thinks about these things in our house.) I grab some carrots (washed, peeled, and quartered), onions (chopped), a can of cream of mushroom soup, and an envelope of dried onion soup mix. I put all of it in a big cooking bag, tag, and freeze.
Chicken is next. I usually purchase 3. 2 are whole chickens and one is cut up. (Unless the hubs is home to cut it up for me, I get it already cut into identifiable pieces..I blame it on the fibro, but I am just not good at it.) Anyway, put the cut up chicken into a bowl of milk or buttermilk. While the cut up chicken is soaking in milk, I get out two big pots and put a whole chicken in each, cover with water, use 1tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper (hubs and I like pepper), several carrots, half a stalk of celery in each pot, a chopped onion in each pot. Set them on the stove and get them to boil. Boil for an hour and half. Turn them over half way through. You want them to be done to the bone.
While the whole chickens are boiling get a large skillet and put 1/2 inch vegetable oil in it. Wait to turn on the heat. Grag a gallon size zip lock bag and put a cup of flour, salt, and pepper, and any other spices you like to fry your chicken with. One friend said that if you use self-rising flour to coat the chicken, it makes a lighter, crispy crust. I have done this and she is right. Anyway, put about 3 pieces of chicken in the bag and shake. After the chicken pieces are coated, place them in the skillet. Start the burner to medium. Take another 3 pieces and coat them and place them in the skillet. Do this until the skillet is full. Fry chicken at medium heat for 30 min and then turn each piece over and fry for another 20 min. Do not turn a lot unless you don't like there to be a crust.
Put the fried chicken pieces on a wire rack that has paper towels under it. After the chicken is cooled, place half in a bag tagged 'fried chicken'. Then put them in the freezer. One chicken makes 2 meals for the hubs and I.
After the chicken is done, check on the whole chickens that are boiling. They should be done to the bone. Take a knife and cut into the thigh and look at the bone. There shouldn't be any blood. If it is done, then you need to get some tupperware or glad type containers ready. Lift the chicken out of the pot and place on a platter or dish to cool. Use a sieve and pour the water from the pot, which is now a great chicken broth, into small plastic containers. You can use this anytime a recipe calls for chicken stock or broth. Throw the vegetables that are in the seive with the roast in the package after it cools off.
I usually buy 2 cans of salmon and make salmon cakes as an option for dinner. There are some really fancy recipes for this dish online, but I alway go back to my mama's. This is her recipe, more or less:
1 can salmon with juice, 1 egg, crushed saltines, salt and pepper. Mash together and make patties. I have added some chopped onion to this.Form into patties and place on a cookie sheet to freeze individually and then tag and bag.
The boiled chickens should be cool enough to debone. After I take the meat off the bone, I put the chicken pieces in the bowl of my kitchen aide mixer. I use the paddle attachment and it shreds the meat perfectly. I divide the chicken into dinner size servings. I reserve 2 cups for the white chicken chili. The rest, I tag and bag to be used for chicken enchiladad, chicken and noodles, and bbq chicken.
I get the white beans out and proceed to make the white chicken chili. Great recipes for this are on the internet and pinterest. After assembline all the ingredients, I cook them together for 30 min and then tag and place in dinner size containers.
While the kitchen is a mess, I stir together waffles from a mix. I get out my waffle iron and put the setting on the lightest one. These will be toaster waffles. The hubs says these are sooooo much better than the standard frozen waffles. By this time, I am tired...really tired, so I only make one batch. I set them aside to cool and tag and bag. '
I get out the 2 lb bag of bacon and fry it up. Some of it, I have cut into 1 inch pieces for dishes like spinach salad. I take the full sized bacon out and cool on a rack. I divide them into portions for the two of us and place them in bags. I take the bacon pieces and divide them into those silly tiny containers that come with the handy food storage kits. I pour the grease into these containers with the bits. Dishes like spinach salad , and old fashioned green beans require the grease. I freeze all of these.
After everything is in the freezer, I sit with my calendar and list of meals. Last time I spent $300 for groceries. The hubs almost had a heart attack....I had already stressed out about this. BUT AFTER I wrote down a meal on each day on the calendar, we had two and a half or more meals already taken care of. That is really good for us. I am thinking it is a really big savings because every trip to the grocery store costs more than we ever expect because of the other items we purchase while we are there.
I can't tell you how great it feels to know that I am taking care of my family even while I am sick. Today was one of those days. I couldn't stand and make fried chicken for my husband, but I could reach into the freezer and get the chicken and oven fries that I already prepared when I felt better and put it on the counter for him to heat in the microwave for dinner. That means a lot to me.
Minced garlic - in jar
8 onions
6 bell peppers
several jaleneno peppers
fresh baby spinach (for the spinach salad)
16 pounds of large (not baking) potatoes (You can use baking potatoes, but I don't)
1 small to medium bag of carrots - (for roast and chicken stock)
1 bunch celery (for roast and chicken stock as well as to munch on raw while I cook)
salsa (We use Pace picante sauce)
BBQ sauce (I use mesquite in the cheapest bottle. Use what you like best.)
2 or 3 envelopes of taco seasoning
1 small bag pinto beans
1 small bag white beans
2 or 3 cream cheese - 8 oz(for the twice baked potatoes & other recipes)
shredded cheddar cheese and mexican mix cheese - lg bag
1/2 - 1 pound salt pork (for beans)
sour cream
milk
eggs
butter - a pound or two
steaks- however many you can afford and the kind you like to cook. You will just be separating these into the amount you will use for one meal. I purchase those that are grouped together and on sale.
roast- 1 or 2
8 pounds hamburger (2 lbs for patties, 2 lbs for meatloaves, 4 lbs for meat mixture for tacos, spaghetti sause, nachos, etc)
1 cut up chicken (or more depending on how much your family uses for a meal. One works for 2 meals for the hubs and I.)
2 whole chickens (to boil for chicken broth, and shredded chicken packets)
2 pounds bacon (to make bacon bits and also to separate out for meals)
2 cornbread mixes (I use Jiffy, but some of you may use cornmeal and assemble it all yourselves. Jiffy is super easy. It is up to you.)
1 box quick oats (for meatloaves)
1 box saltine crackers (for salmon cakes)
brown sugar
pancake/waffle mix
powdered sugar
granulated sugar
all purpose flour
self-rising flour (in case you want to try coating your chicken in it to fry)
2 cake mixes (white or yellow)
1 angel food cake mix (I am going to try that recipe on pinterest where you use an angel food cake mix and dump in a can of crushed pineapples with juice and bake. It sounds good. Look it up to be sure I got it right.)
vinegar (for the fresh spinach salad)
canned goods:
1 crushed pineapple
1 sliced pineapple (for pineapple upside down cake you will make with one of the cake mixes and divide up into meal sized portions)
1 or 2 diced tomatoes 8 oz cans
1 or 2 diced jalepeno peppers 8 oz cans (for tex/mex meat mix)
2 cans salmon (I use the pink because it is cheaper for salmon cakes)
2 large cans of cream of mushroom soup (1 for each roast and 1 for the chicken chili)
white corn (for white chicken chili)
frozen fruit for the fruit dump cake (1 white or yellow cake mix sprinkled over a package of frozen fruit with a can of sprite poured over the top and baked at 350 degrees for 30 min - divide into servings for several meals)
frozen broccoli - for vegetable chowder or vegetable soup (recipe is on pinterest)
1 can sprite
foil
gallon sized zip lock bags
quart sized zip lock bags
cling wrap
freezer containers
The last time I made these purchases, it was over $300. I was able to make meals for 2 for almost 3 months, give or take a day. I didn't include recipes because we all have our favorite ways of making dishes and also, I have to admit, I am a little lazy about doing it.
I have found a lot of freedom in doing cooking this way. Of course, the day I am cooking I am somewhat like Lucy in the chocolate factory, but the payoff is that I know what is for supper for weeks. I don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen for weeks...I am able to provide nourishing and tastey meals for us even when I am not feeling well. I am sure that you can adjust the list of food prepared to acomodate your food needs and concerns. This is just a blueprint. I tweaked the list that was on pinterest for the things we like to eat. You can do the same.
Happy eating and have fun on cooking day!
After a two hour trip to the grocery store (Thank God I had the strength that day.) I had a mountain of groceries to do something with! I almost cried. The notebook of instructions for this marathon cooking spree was on the table, so I proceeded to #1.
Get a piece of paper and note the servings you are making. How many twice baked potato servings are you bagging, the number of meat packs you are dividing out. You will use this information to write your menu on your calendar. Yes, you have to write down what you are going to have for dinner on the calendar. If you rely on yourself to do this day by day, you will forget what you have already used and what is available to use. If you write the meals down after they are cooked, you can plan your menus for a month or two and not have to think of "whats for dinner". If something comes up or you go out to eat, just draw a mark through that dinner and put it after the last date that has a menu. WARNING: MARK ALL OF THE FOOD YOU PUT IN THE FREEZER! The food plays trick or treat with you if you don't. I want to know what I am thawing out for dinner.
I put the perishable groceries in the frig and commenced. Filling my large sink with warm water, I poured 18 pounds of fairly large (not the baking size) potatoes in for a quick wash. I set aside 3 lbs for other dishes and put the rest in a 350 degree oven timed at 1 hr 30 min. (I didn't wrap the potatoes because I wanted crispy skin for the twice baked potatoes these would become. (I found it interesting that cooking 1 baked potato takes as long as baking 15 pounds...hmmmm)
After getting the potatoes going, I opened a small bag of pinto beans and poured them in a crock pot with half a piece of salt pork. I filled the slow cooker with water and plugged it in on high. These beans would be done after all the other things were cooked. One of my hispanic friends advised me not to salt the beans until they are almost finished. (I can't remember the reason, but she was very serious about it so I don't salt them until the end.)
I also put some northern white beans (a small bag) in a slow cooker with the other half of salt pork and covered with water and set it on high also. This is for the white chicken chili I will be making later.
Ground beef was next. I purchased 8 pounds. The hubs likes 90% or higher for our health, but I am a penny pincher and bought both 93% and 86% and mixed them together. I told him that it averaged out to 90%. I don't know for sure, but it is close enough.
I put the ground meat aside and chopped 8 onions and 6 bell peppers. 3 onions and 2 bell peppers were set aside for other recipes. I got a big frying pan out and put half the onions and bell peppers in and stir fried them. After that, I added the ground beef, a small can of jalepeno peppers, a tsp of chili powder, salt, pepper, minced garlic, (and other spices you like in Tex/Mex food). I stirred it over medium heat until all the meat was browned. I divided the mixture into quart sized bags that had the amount I need for the hubs and I. If you have a big family, you will need to adjust the amount you put in each bag. Tag them: Use for Tex/Mex dishes. Leave these bags on your counter until they cool off. It is terribly hard on your freezer and frig to put hot stuff in them.
Using the same pan, I put the rest of the onions and bell peppers in the skillet and added the beef, salt, and pepper. This will be a plainer mix that will be used for spaghetti, lasagna, and other dishes that require a meat mix. Divide,bag, and tag for your use. Set aside to cool. After things cool, put them in the freezer.
At this point, I take the remaining ground beef and form into patties, placing them on a cookie sheet. I put the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 20 min. After that time, the patties are semi frozen and can be placed in quart sized bags. The hubs and I use 3 patties at each meal. He has 2 hamburgers and I have 1....Divide according to your family.
If you have set aside any ground beef for a special recipe, put those recipes together at this point. (millionaire spaghetti...so good...look it up on pinterest)
After cleaning up the ground beef mess, I get out the steaks and roast that I purchased after the heart attack I had looking at the high prices. (I kid you not!) I divide the steaks according to what the hubs and I eat. The portions are a little smaller than we want to eat, but I am sort of looking out for our health here. I bag them up, mark them, and put them in the freezer.
Then I grab that lovely roast. If I am not planning for a dinner with friends, I divide it. I swear my hubs loves roast so much, he would eat the whole thing. (He isn't overweight...I wonder why. I am and I am the only one who thinks about these things in our house.) I grab some carrots (washed, peeled, and quartered), onions (chopped), a can of cream of mushroom soup, and an envelope of dried onion soup mix. I put all of it in a big cooking bag, tag, and freeze.
Chicken is next. I usually purchase 3. 2 are whole chickens and one is cut up. (Unless the hubs is home to cut it up for me, I get it already cut into identifiable pieces..I blame it on the fibro, but I am just not good at it.) Anyway, put the cut up chicken into a bowl of milk or buttermilk. While the cut up chicken is soaking in milk, I get out two big pots and put a whole chicken in each, cover with water, use 1tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper (hubs and I like pepper), several carrots, half a stalk of celery in each pot, a chopped onion in each pot. Set them on the stove and get them to boil. Boil for an hour and half. Turn them over half way through. You want them to be done to the bone.
While the whole chickens are boiling get a large skillet and put 1/2 inch vegetable oil in it. Wait to turn on the heat. Grag a gallon size zip lock bag and put a cup of flour, salt, and pepper, and any other spices you like to fry your chicken with. One friend said that if you use self-rising flour to coat the chicken, it makes a lighter, crispy crust. I have done this and she is right. Anyway, put about 3 pieces of chicken in the bag and shake. After the chicken pieces are coated, place them in the skillet. Start the burner to medium. Take another 3 pieces and coat them and place them in the skillet. Do this until the skillet is full. Fry chicken at medium heat for 30 min and then turn each piece over and fry for another 20 min. Do not turn a lot unless you don't like there to be a crust.
Put the fried chicken pieces on a wire rack that has paper towels under it. After the chicken is cooled, place half in a bag tagged 'fried chicken'. Then put them in the freezer. One chicken makes 2 meals for the hubs and I.
After the chicken is done, check on the whole chickens that are boiling. They should be done to the bone. Take a knife and cut into the thigh and look at the bone. There shouldn't be any blood. If it is done, then you need to get some tupperware or glad type containers ready. Lift the chicken out of the pot and place on a platter or dish to cool. Use a sieve and pour the water from the pot, which is now a great chicken broth, into small plastic containers. You can use this anytime a recipe calls for chicken stock or broth. Throw the vegetables that are in the seive with the roast in the package after it cools off.
I usually buy 2 cans of salmon and make salmon cakes as an option for dinner. There are some really fancy recipes for this dish online, but I alway go back to my mama's. This is her recipe, more or less:
1 can salmon with juice, 1 egg, crushed saltines, salt and pepper. Mash together and make patties. I have added some chopped onion to this.Form into patties and place on a cookie sheet to freeze individually and then tag and bag.
The boiled chickens should be cool enough to debone. After I take the meat off the bone, I put the chicken pieces in the bowl of my kitchen aide mixer. I use the paddle attachment and it shreds the meat perfectly. I divide the chicken into dinner size servings. I reserve 2 cups for the white chicken chili. The rest, I tag and bag to be used for chicken enchiladad, chicken and noodles, and bbq chicken.
I get the white beans out and proceed to make the white chicken chili. Great recipes for this are on the internet and pinterest. After assembline all the ingredients, I cook them together for 30 min and then tag and place in dinner size containers.
While the kitchen is a mess, I stir together waffles from a mix. I get out my waffle iron and put the setting on the lightest one. These will be toaster waffles. The hubs says these are sooooo much better than the standard frozen waffles. By this time, I am tired...really tired, so I only make one batch. I set them aside to cool and tag and bag. '
I get out the 2 lb bag of bacon and fry it up. Some of it, I have cut into 1 inch pieces for dishes like spinach salad. I take the full sized bacon out and cool on a rack. I divide them into portions for the two of us and place them in bags. I take the bacon pieces and divide them into those silly tiny containers that come with the handy food storage kits. I pour the grease into these containers with the bits. Dishes like spinach salad , and old fashioned green beans require the grease. I freeze all of these.
After everything is in the freezer, I sit with my calendar and list of meals. Last time I spent $300 for groceries. The hubs almost had a heart attack....I had already stressed out about this. BUT AFTER I wrote down a meal on each day on the calendar, we had two and a half or more meals already taken care of. That is really good for us. I am thinking it is a really big savings because every trip to the grocery store costs more than we ever expect because of the other items we purchase while we are there.
I can't tell you how great it feels to know that I am taking care of my family even while I am sick. Today was one of those days. I couldn't stand and make fried chicken for my husband, but I could reach into the freezer and get the chicken and oven fries that I already prepared when I felt better and put it on the counter for him to heat in the microwave for dinner. That means a lot to me.
Minced garlic - in jar
8 onions
6 bell peppers
several jaleneno peppers
fresh baby spinach (for the spinach salad)
16 pounds of large (not baking) potatoes (You can use baking potatoes, but I don't)
1 small to medium bag of carrots - (for roast and chicken stock)
1 bunch celery (for roast and chicken stock as well as to munch on raw while I cook)
salsa (We use Pace picante sauce)
BBQ sauce (I use mesquite in the cheapest bottle. Use what you like best.)
2 or 3 envelopes of taco seasoning
1 small bag pinto beans
1 small bag white beans
2 or 3 cream cheese - 8 oz(for the twice baked potatoes & other recipes)
shredded cheddar cheese and mexican mix cheese - lg bag
1/2 - 1 pound salt pork (for beans)
sour cream
milk
eggs
butter - a pound or two
steaks- however many you can afford and the kind you like to cook. You will just be separating these into the amount you will use for one meal. I purchase those that are grouped together and on sale.
roast- 1 or 2
8 pounds hamburger (2 lbs for patties, 2 lbs for meatloaves, 4 lbs for meat mixture for tacos, spaghetti sause, nachos, etc)
1 cut up chicken (or more depending on how much your family uses for a meal. One works for 2 meals for the hubs and I.)
2 whole chickens (to boil for chicken broth, and shredded chicken packets)
2 pounds bacon (to make bacon bits and also to separate out for meals)
2 cornbread mixes (I use Jiffy, but some of you may use cornmeal and assemble it all yourselves. Jiffy is super easy. It is up to you.)
1 box quick oats (for meatloaves)
1 box saltine crackers (for salmon cakes)
brown sugar
pancake/waffle mix
powdered sugar
granulated sugar
all purpose flour
self-rising flour (in case you want to try coating your chicken in it to fry)
2 cake mixes (white or yellow)
1 angel food cake mix (I am going to try that recipe on pinterest where you use an angel food cake mix and dump in a can of crushed pineapples with juice and bake. It sounds good. Look it up to be sure I got it right.)
vinegar (for the fresh spinach salad)
canned goods:
1 crushed pineapple
1 sliced pineapple (for pineapple upside down cake you will make with one of the cake mixes and divide up into meal sized portions)
1 or 2 diced tomatoes 8 oz cans
1 or 2 diced jalepeno peppers 8 oz cans (for tex/mex meat mix)
2 cans salmon (I use the pink because it is cheaper for salmon cakes)
2 large cans of cream of mushroom soup (1 for each roast and 1 for the chicken chili)
white corn (for white chicken chili)
frozen fruit for the fruit dump cake (1 white or yellow cake mix sprinkled over a package of frozen fruit with a can of sprite poured over the top and baked at 350 degrees for 30 min - divide into servings for several meals)
frozen broccoli - for vegetable chowder or vegetable soup (recipe is on pinterest)
1 can sprite
foil
gallon sized zip lock bags
quart sized zip lock bags
cling wrap
freezer containers
The last time I made these purchases, it was over $300. I was able to make meals for 2 for almost 3 months, give or take a day. I didn't include recipes because we all have our favorite ways of making dishes and also, I have to admit, I am a little lazy about doing it.
I have found a lot of freedom in doing cooking this way. Of course, the day I am cooking I am somewhat like Lucy in the chocolate factory, but the payoff is that I know what is for supper for weeks. I don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen for weeks...I am able to provide nourishing and tastey meals for us even when I am not feeling well. I am sure that you can adjust the list of food prepared to acomodate your food needs and concerns. This is just a blueprint. I tweaked the list that was on pinterest for the things we like to eat. You can do the same.
Happy eating and have fun on cooking day!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Interview with Barb Malek, author
1. Your name, What is the title(s) of your book(s)? My name is Barb Malek and the title of my book is "Soft Like Steel" (hopefully just the first of many.)
2. What is your genre and why did you choose to write in this genre? The genre is a mix of narrative non-fiction and biography. I chose this because I wanted to tell my grandmother's story, but in order to bring it more alive I used a mix of narrative and historical fact. This way the reader sees the events through her eyes against a backdrop of the history of the times.
3. Is there a particular message you wish to transfer to your readers? I desire to inspire my readers with the message that there is always hope, even in the midst of the darkest situation. My grandfather came from a long line of families in which the fathers abandoned their children. By choosing to reject anger and bitterness and to cling to her faith, my grandmother broke that pattern with her family. I would love for her example to inspire others.
4. Did you find yourself researching information during the writing process? Yes, I did a lot of research for this book. First, I had to do a lot of digging into my family's history. We knew a lot about my grandmother's side, but not much about my grandfather. Fortunately, his extended family was able and willing to share key information with me. Secondly, I wanted to help my readers to understand the times in which my grandparents were living. I read a lot about the Dust Bowl, particularly in southern Nebraska; the sometimes dark history of my own community, Omaha, NE; and about life in the midwest during World War II.
5. Do you see yourself writing other types of books in the future? I loved the formula of taking one character in history and writing in a blend of narrative about their thoughts and emotions, placed against a background of historical facts. So, yes, I plan to do others. At present, I am researching my Mennonite history in France and Germany.
6. Do you speak to groups? If so, do you enjoy it? I have always loved speaking. I went to college on a speech scholarship, so it is one of my first loves. If I am passionate about the topic, it is a pure joy!
7. What have you found surprising since becoming a published author? I have been surprised by how much marketing I am expected to do, and how hard it is. I am not a pushy person, and resent others being pushy. So, I am trying to balance a low key approach with being effective.
8.Can you describe the day that you saw the first book you authored in your hands? It was amazing! It was the reality of a dream that I had, frankly, given up on. I will never forget it.
9. Is there any particular thing that you wish you had known before getting the book in your hands? Hmm... well maybe the difficult marketing road that lay ahead. I would have liked to have gotten more of a headstart than I got. However, maybe it was best I didn't know.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
2. What is your genre and why did you choose to write in this genre? I write in the Contemporary Christian romantic suspense genre. I chose this genre for several reasons. My main would have to be I wanted to give my children a love letter they would read and keep for the rest of their lives. I want to write books that are clean and spiritually uplifting and bring people closer to God.
3. Is there a particular message you wish to transfer to your readers? In my first book, The Price of Trust, I wanted my readers to understand that they shouldn't settle for abuse. Being in an abusive relationship is never good, and they're worth more than that. In Lonely Hearts, I wanted people to see the beauty in their children and not take them for granted. Only too often in today's world, children are either ignored or passed around because the parents don't want to deal with them. Children truly are a blessing from the Lord and I wanted my readers to be reminded of that.
4. Did you find yourself researching information during the writing process? Yes I did find myself researching a little for The Price of Trust, but not for Lonely Hearts as it takes place in a purely fictitious place.
5. Do you see yourself writing other types of books in the future? *Groan!* I never, ever thought of writing anything except Christian romance, and yet...I feel the dark side pulling me away to the non-fiction side. Mind you, it's not huge yet and so far I've been able to control those silly urges but it's getting more and more difficult. You may need to pray for me...
6. Do you speak to groups? If so, do you enjoy it? Yes and YES! I've been speaking to groups for twelve years and I enjoy every second of it. From the flighty butterflies attacking my stomach at the beginning to the emcee yanking the microphone away from me at the end. Totally fun!
7. What have you found surprising since becoming a published author? I've found quite a few things surprising since being published, but the most gratifying is when a reader will seek me out at a venue and gush over my book. There's really nothing that describes that feeling.
8.Can you describe the day that you saw the first book you authored in your hands? Actually, I guess I'm a little weird in this regard. I knew others expected me to be excited and thrilled (which I was to some extent) but I was really more ho-hum as it seemed surreal. Like at any moment I would wake up.
9. Is there any particular thing that you wish you had known before getting the book in your hands? Oh my goodness, there's a TON of stuff I wish I had known! I wish I had become a member of a group first, I wish I would have started building my platform, I wish I had a major in marketing, you get the idea. :)
10. What was your favorite childhood toy? My favorite childhood toy was a panda bear. I loved that silly bear I literally wore it out. My heart was broken the day I came home from school and it was nowhere to be found. (Even to this day no one has fessed up to murdering my bear...)
Monday, July 30, 2012
Interview With Loraine Holman
1. How long have you been an author and when did the desire to write (the writing bug) bite?
In the spring of 2007, I found myself unemployed, in an empty nest, with no church committments for the first time in my adult life. After seeking God's direction in this unusually quiet time, I felt Him leading me to write about being thankful in (and sometimes for) the trials of life. The result was two published books which were released in 2010.
2. Why did you choose the genre you write in? Are there plans to write in another genre?
While I was in a quiet, reflective time of my life, I was able to see how God had used all the trials of my life for my own good. Because of His faithfulness to me in each trial, I could see that my response to Him should be one of thanksgiving. And this puts me in the Christian Non-fiction category, where I plan to stay for future projects.
3. Please tell about each title here:
Trials: Thanks a Lot! answers the "Why me?" question that suffering people often ask by exploring why trials come into our lives. I then share ten of my own personal trials and explain why, in the end, I can say that I am thankful for what the experience has taught me.
Trials: Now What? is a play on the tone of this phrase. Rather than being a phrase of defeat, it's actually a plan of action. I share over forty practical things, based on Scripture, that a person in a trial can do to not only endure but emerge from the trial with a thankful heart. This book helps the suffering keep their focus on what God is doing and not on the pain of the moment.
4. Do you do speaking engagements? Tell about your subject matter.
Yes, I speak to Ladies groups and do Bible teachings on various subject matters, but I almost always include the topic of being thankful in the trials of your life.
5. What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?
The most rewarding part of being an author is when someone contacts me and tells me how my books have ministered to them and helped them get through a trial of their life. I give God all the credit and all the glory, but it sure makes me feel good to hear how He uses those books to touch lives.
6. Where can your books be purchased?
My books are available everywhere books are sold including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
7. How can readers reach you through twitter? through facebook? through your blog? through your website?
I can be reached through my website or my Facebook fan page which is Trials: Thanks a Lot (book).
8. What was your biggest surprise at being an author?
I was probably most surprised at the amount of work required AFER finishing the book. Turns out the writing is the easy part! Marketing is the hard part!
9. We all know that writing can be a lonely occupation, what do your family and friends do to lift you up when you are down?
My husband of thirty-three years is my biggest encourager. Anytime I'm feeling down in the dumps, he knows just what I need and he can make me laugh at myself!
10. What was your favorite toy as a child?
That's a tough question because several toys come to my mind depending on what age I was. Even though I had three sisters to play with, I liked playing alone, too, and so I'll say that JACKS was my favorite toy--if playing jacks is considered a toy! That was something I played with for most of my childhood.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Interview with author, Jordan Maxwell
1. Jordan Maxwell, What is/are the title(s) of your book(s)?
My first novel is titled “Dandyflowers”. My second, which continues the story, is called “Dandyflowers – Laura’s Diaries”.
2. What is your genre and why did you choose to write in this genre?
My books tend to cross over a couple of genres; those being Young Adult and Romance. I write for these two genres because they are the most popular and have the biggest audience. I also write in these styles because I have to children; a daughter and a son, who are both “readers”. I want to have stories available to them that I would approve of.
3. Is there a particular message you wish to transfer to your readers?
3. Is there a particular message you wish to transfer to your readers?
The “Dandyflowers” series; I am writing the third and final book in the series right now, has one core message that is: Love the ones you love with all you have all the time because you never know when your last goodbye will truly be your last goodbye.
4. Did you find yourself researching information during the writing process?
4. Did you find yourself researching information during the writing process?
Absolutely! The majority of my books take place between August 1962 and August 1969 and a lot of well known events took place during that time period i.e. John Glenn orbiting the earth, the Kennedy assassination, Bobby Kennedy’s murder, Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the Apollo 11 moon landing etc. To include these in the story line I had to do quite a bit of research to make certain I was being accurate. One of the hardest things I had to do was find the name of the man who did the countdown for Apollo 11; it took me weeks to find out his name. By the way, his name is Jack King and as of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing he was still alive and well!!
5. Do you see yourself writing other types of books in the future?
5. Do you see yourself writing other types of books in the future?
I am planning on writing a book about the Holocaust which has so much potential. I’m not sure what direction it will take, but we shall see. I have already adapted my first book into a stage play; that was an interesting process and quite a bit of fun too!
The script with limited production rights is available to any non-profit i.e. high school, college or community theater group at no charge; details can be found at: www.dandyflowers .com
6. Do you speak to groups? If so, do you enjoy it?
I have spoken to book clubs and groups such as that. I do enjoy it, but being in front of groups of people is an easy thing for me to do. My “day job”is a paramedic, but I am no longer on an ambulance every day. Instead, I teach the continuing education for about 1,500 EMTs and paramedics in the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department. If I can make it through that boisterous group, I can make it through anything!
7. What have you found surprising since becoming a published author?
Just how much fun book signings can be; how much of an upper it is when someone tells you how much they loved reading the books!
7. What have you found surprising since becoming a published author?
Just how much fun book signings can be; how much of an upper it is when someone tells you how much they loved reading the books!
8. Can you describe the day that you saw the first book you authored in your hands?
I really do not recall the day I got the first copy of my first book, but I do remember with great clarity the day my kids saw it for the first time in Barnes & Noble. It was January 27, 2007 at 1:32 pm; I know this because I still have the picture I took on my cell phone that is time / date stamped.
I knew ”Dandyflowers” was on the shelf so I slowly headed towards the aisle where it was and waited to see if my kids would notice it; they were oblivious. I finally put my hand on the shelf immediately underneath the book and drummed my fingers (yes, I’m subtle) when my then nine year old daughter finally saw it and pointed it out to my then six year old son. That day I got the best compliment from my kids. They said as they were holding a copy, “Daddy, we’re proud of you!” I will tell you I walked quite a bit taller the rest of that day!
9. Is there any particular thing that you wish you had known before getting the book in your hands?
I wish I had known about vanity vs. traditional publishing. Knowing the difference would have saved me quite a bit of frustration and three to five years of lackluster results.
9. Is there any particular thing that you wish you had known before getting the book in your hands?
I wish I had known about vanity vs. traditional publishing. Knowing the difference would have saved me quite a bit of frustration and three to five years of lackluster results.
10. What was your favorite childhood toy?
That is tough. I had a lot of toys that I enjoyed playing with while growing up. If I have to pick just one I’ll pick my snow sled. It’s about four feet long and has metal runners. It would scream down hills especially after you waxed the runners. It is nearly forty years old now and I still have it. I wish we would have had a good “sled snow” this past winter, my kids love riding on it almost as much as I did!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Murder in West Hollywood:The Dominique Dunne Story by Michael Eastman
This is an interview I did with a young man who has spent the last four years of his life investigating the death of Hollywood movie star, Dominique Dunne.
This interview will give you a glimpse into the work of a dedicated author who wants to get the facts straight for this non-fiction book because it deals with domestic violence and the ultimate crime of murder at the hands of the abuser.
Elaine Littau
Please tell me your author name and the genre you prefer to write.
Michael J. Eastman
I’m Michael Eastman, I hail from Houston, Texas, and I am currently writing a true-crime, non-fiction book about the tragic story of the late actress, Dominique Dunne. The book is called Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
When did you know that you were a writer?
Michael J. Eastman
It all goes back to the 8th grade, from what I remember. It was English class; I don't recall the teacher's name, but I suddenly went from getting Ds in English to getting pretty good grades because I found I could enjoy writing and expressing myself. This teacher would always let us write stories in addition to doing the required work. I found it to be a lot of fun, and using my imagination. What was the most rewarding, however, was being accepted as a writer, however much in "infancy" I was at that time. It gave me a sense of something I could do, and be accepted at it. Self-worth really helps a child at that time in their lives.
Elaine Littau
I felt the same way about Jr. High and High School English class. It was something I never let on about lest the other students stone me to death.
Michael J. Eastman
When you come from a dysfunctional background as I did in my formative years, it was important to find something to get me though my life at that time. I wanted to be a football player, and I did play, but was not very athletic, so I found writing was for me, and I enjoyed it.
Elaine Littau
Tell me about your first writing experience.
Michael Eastman
Well, I am a two-time award-winning published poet, but that was mainly just for fun, but as far as anything professional, Hollywood is Dying was the first manuscript. Hollywood is Dying isn't actually about stars dying, but more about the industry itself seemingly dying due to running out of story ideas, lack of acting talent, etc. However, there is a chapter in it which covers those Hollywood stars who died tragically.
I began to write about Dominique's story, and then found that there was so much to tell, that is just simply had to have its own book. Her father, the late author and journalist, Dominick Dunne, had written about his daughter’s tragedy, but this will be the first time anyone has ever written a full book about it in much detail.
Elaine Littau
So, Hollywood is Dying was your first book?
Michael J. Eastman
Yes. A fun book, for the most part, whereas the Dominique Dunne book is a sad one. However, that book is still unpublished and is on hold until I finish my current one. Have some issues with that one, legally and financially, that still need to be worked out, because of all the copyrighted photos I need in it.
Elaine Littau
So what was the hook that got you started on the Dominique Dunne story?
Michael Eastman
Let me preface my comments here, Elaine, by saying that doing a book such as one where a Hollywood star - or any celebrity such as Elvis, Michael Jackson, etc. - can be very, very tough for the writer, especially if the author is an unknown commodity.
I had read Dominick Dunne's story about his daughter's death and the travesty that went on afterward in the courtroom where her killer went on trial, and basically walked away with a slap on the wrist.
I became emotional and angry over it, like many people have, and still are today. I said, "This just has to be told and looked into before this happens again to some poor woman!"
As I mentioned, I was working on my first book at the time and wanted to do a chapter on those Hollywood stars who had died tragically, and Dominique was one of the ones I was looking at to include in that book. Others were Natalie Wood, Mariska Hargitay's mother, Jane Mansfield, etc., but when I came upon Dominique's story, I just felt it needed to be told further than what her dad had mentioned. The more I read about it, the more intrigued and upset I became over the injustice that took place.
Elaine Littau
In telling a true story that is tragic and emotional, have you found that there are mountains of obstacles in getting the information about the circumstances of a victim’s death?
Michael J. Eastman
That is a huge understatement, yes indeed! And there are many reasons for that. Now, I can only speak for myself, and what I have experienced, but again, one is being an unknown author, where respect can be hard to come by. Locating the facts in a case can be a huge obstacle, also. You can get the basic facts from the internet that everyone else already knows, but you really have to dig deeper to find “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say.
Other major factors for running into obstacles are that the family does not wish to be disturbed over it, nor reminded, so therefore, they want no part in helping you; plus there are privacy issues you try to not to invade, but at some point, you inadvertently do.
Another factor is that there are so many who have come before you with sleazy, tabloid intentions, that they have nearly ruined it for any good-intentioned authors who come along later.
Elaine Littau
How long ago was the murder?
Michael J. Eastman
1982. The trial took place in '83. Now, I want to say one thing more about Dominick Dunne...Nick, as he was called by his friends, did catch wind of my writing of his daughter's tragedy. And before he died a few years ago - August 2009, I think it was - he basically gave me his blessing via a friend of his, who forwarded me his e-mail.
Nick Dunne told his friend to tell me he appreciated what I was doing, but that he was too sick, too old, and didn't want to hurt all over again. Nick Dunne was dying of pancreatic cancer by then.
Mr. Dunne was very generous to have given me his approval, permission, or whatever you want to call it. That meant so very much to me!
Elaine Littau
For my readers and I, could you remind us of the movies, etc. that Miss Dunne appeared in.
Michael J. Eastman
Well, her most famous role was as the older daughter, Dana Freeling, in Poltergeist, but she also turned a memorable performance on TV's Fame, among her many other television appearances. She was an up-and-coming actress, so she really was just getting started in the business, but had a promising career. I feel her future, after all my research, would have been more in television than in films, but that's just my opinion.
Her brother is actor/producer/director, Griffin Dunne. Her aunt is author and playwright, Joan Didion, and her uncle, the late author and screenwriter, John Gregory Dunne.
Elaine Littau
Did you have to become part detective/part author in your research?
Michael J. Eastman
Indeed I did! You have no idea. And part archaeologist, too, recovering all the records and all the names of those involved; we’re talking hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles to comb through, as well as official court documents. And it was very frustrating at times, too, because of either the lack of information, wrong information, or lack of cooperation. For example, it took me a good six months before I found out the name of the priest who did Dominique’s funeral. It was very difficult to find because it had never been published, to my knowledge, and the church refused to help due to privacy issues, I presume. Her dad kept this priest’s name out of any write ups he did about the case, and I think I know why, but because of necessary detective work, I have uncovered this, as well as many other names and details never before revealed, including all the way down to the alternate jury members in the case.
Elaine Littau
When you began writing the story, where did you start?
Michael J. Eastman
At her grave, as morbid as that sounds. I mean, if you are going to do this, you really have to involve yourself, emotionally, and what better way to do that than to start there at reality 101?
Elaine Littau
In addition to locating all the information about the case, what other hurdles might you have had to clear when writing about this case?
Michael J. Eastman
When you do a story such as this one, where there are feelings to consider of the family, you want to do it the right way, and respectfully. So, you have to keep the family in mind, but this book is “pro-Dunne family” anyway, so I don’t think I did too much to offend her brothers or relatives. It is basically an unauthorized biography of Dominique and her case, but that doesn’t mean when you write an unauthorized version of someone’s life you have to offend the family.
Elaine Littau
Despite not getting all the help and cooperation you needed, you have kept yourself going with your goal of getting this story told. Have you reached your goals you set out to accomplish?
Michael J. Eastman
Although I've gotten little help or respect, I walk on, and you have to, because you know despite all, you are doing the right thing in telling this story.
You see, my intentions are two-fold:
To, in some way, help prevent this thing from happening to another woman. It's a story about a domestic abuse case turning deadly. If in the end with this story I can help save even ONE life, then it will be worth it.
I also wish to educate potential future jury members on what to be on the lookout for in cases such as this one, where the sleazy defense attorneys will turn the tables on the victim and put her on trial instead of the guilty party, as if she deserved what she got. So, this is what has kept me going with this story, keeping those goals in mind. And it’s not entirely a negative story; you get to see the good side of Dominique Dunne’s life, as well. I did not write solely about her death and the trial.
Elaine Littau
Those are angles I hadn't thought of.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes...You must have a goal if you are going to write about a true story, and if you are not a sleazy tabloid writer, than you need to have positive goals that many can benefit from.
I have spent thousands of my own dollars going back and forth to Los Angeles for this story, as well as spent countless hours in research, so one would have to really believe in what one is doing in order to spend the money and the time and the effort on a project like this.
Elaine Littau
It seems to be a true calling.
Michael J. Eastman
Just to elaborate some more on what I said, I’ve spent countless hours telling this story in writing; traveling to locations having to do with this tragedy; interviewing people that really do not want to be interviewed about this; making cold calls to places such as courts, hospitals, studios, ambulance companies, homes of people who knew her, etc., so it is not easy at all - I do not want to paint a false picture here.
Writing fiction is so much easier than doing a non-fiction story, because of the aforementioned reasons I listed, but also because you had better have your facts in order, because I guarantee you someone will come along later to correct you, if not sue you!
Elaine Littau
This is true.
Michael J. Eastman
I wanna tell ya, that is one of an author's biggest fears is being sued. You must retain a copyright attorney, and if you're writing about a celebrity, find one who has experience in that field, as well, an entertainment lawyer. I got lucky and found one who does both.
Elaine Littau
Those steps are vital. The copyright attorney, etc.
Michael J. Eastman
You bet! Now, don't let those obstacles prevent you from doing your story if you really believe in it, and are searching your best to find the facts.
Elaine Littau
Were you surprised with any of your research that was easier than you thought, or was it all difficult?
Michael J. Eastman
Well, I was pleasantly surprised at times when those few people stepped up to the plate for me. Like for example, one of the witnesses to the assault on Dominique, six weeks before she was murdered. That woman's name is Denise Dennehy, and she was actually there, so I got a star witness, if you will, to help me out and tell the story with facts! Very important, and gives your story much needed credibility.
Also, I am grateful to the Los Angeles County courts for keeping great records on microfiche after all this time passed. The personnel there at both the courthouse and the archives building were very, very helpful to me! Then there are the public libraries in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and in Houston that were really wonderful. There were also some that weren’t so wonderful, like the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, or the Schaeffer Ambulance Company, who transported Dominique that night to Cedars-Sinai.
Can I tell you real quick about meeting the jury foreman in the case?
Elaine Littau
Sure, please do.
Michael J. Eastman
I tracked down the jury foreman from the trial in 1983, and he was shocked to hear from me and that a book was being done about the case. He was a real jerk, for the most part, but he did give me some insider information about what went on in the jury room during the trial, and also how it effected him, etc. We were supposed to meet at L.A.X. in person for an in-person interview, but he failed to show. I called him later, but he said he was busy. I've never attempted to call him back. You see, I am of the attitude that I will take help from anyone who wishes to, and brush off any who don't. The story is going to be told, either way, but it sure is nice to get the cooperation when I can get it.
Elaine Littau
How long have you been on this project?
Michael J. Eastman
Four years now. I am finding new info. all the time, but then again, most of my research work is done now.
Elaine LittauIt takes a lot of courage to write on this subject matter. Thank you for your work.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes, it does. But, again, an author with the right heart is the only one who should be writing a book like this. It's shameful that tabloid writers have come along prior to make it tough for legitimate writers, but it can be done!
You gotta have a tough, determined attitude about you when you write non-fiction, realizing that you may not get the cooperation from many people. Do it anyway - write the story! Put your heart into it, make your readers feel the same emotions you do, or those of the victim’s family!
Finally, Elaine, I want to tell those authors wishing to write a story like I am this: be ready for false accusations or assumptions made about you as to what your intentions are. For example, people, even the media, may rip you for trying to make a buck off a tragedy, dead celebrity, or whatever, but if that is not your mission, than ignore it and carry on.
Elaine Littau
It is too bad that many women have died by the hand of an abuser even since Dominique's death.
Michael J. Eastman
Sure is, but the system is getting better, and women are becoming more educated as to what to do. I am not an expert in the field of domestic abuse, but I have called in some who are in my book. I have interviewed a couple, or quoted them from their own books.
Elaine LittauHow on Earth do you find a way to put an end to a story like this one?
Michael J. Eastman
With hope, you know, that’s how I want to end it; hope for those domestic abuse victims still out there. It’s also important to remember the victim, Dominique Dunne, and what a wonderful person she sure seemed like.
I wish to have all this done by the end of this summer, and self-published soon after.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your interest in this book, and helping to get the word out! Again, the book is titled, Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
Thank you, Michael Eastman. May your efforts be rewarded with lives saved and changed.
Michael Eastman
Thanks, and may God bless your work as an author, as well
This interview will give you a glimpse into the work of a dedicated author who wants to get the facts straight for this non-fiction book because it deals with domestic violence and the ultimate crime of murder at the hands of the abuser.
Elaine Littau
Please tell me your author name and the genre you prefer to write.
Michael J. Eastman
I’m Michael Eastman, I hail from Houston, Texas, and I am currently writing a true-crime, non-fiction book about the tragic story of the late actress, Dominique Dunne. The book is called Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
When did you know that you were a writer?
Michael J. Eastman
It all goes back to the 8th grade, from what I remember. It was English class; I don't recall the teacher's name, but I suddenly went from getting Ds in English to getting pretty good grades because I found I could enjoy writing and expressing myself. This teacher would always let us write stories in addition to doing the required work. I found it to be a lot of fun, and using my imagination. What was the most rewarding, however, was being accepted as a writer, however much in "infancy" I was at that time. It gave me a sense of something I could do, and be accepted at it. Self-worth really helps a child at that time in their lives.
Elaine Littau
I felt the same way about Jr. High and High School English class. It was something I never let on about lest the other students stone me to death.
Michael J. Eastman
When you come from a dysfunctional background as I did in my formative years, it was important to find something to get me though my life at that time. I wanted to be a football player, and I did play, but was not very athletic, so I found writing was for me, and I enjoyed it.
Elaine Littau
Tell me about your first writing experience.
Michael Eastman
Well, I am a two-time award-winning published poet, but that was mainly just for fun, but as far as anything professional, Hollywood is Dying was the first manuscript. Hollywood is Dying isn't actually about stars dying, but more about the industry itself seemingly dying due to running out of story ideas, lack of acting talent, etc. However, there is a chapter in it which covers those Hollywood stars who died tragically.
I began to write about Dominique's story, and then found that there was so much to tell, that is just simply had to have its own book. Her father, the late author and journalist, Dominick Dunne, had written about his daughter’s tragedy, but this will be the first time anyone has ever written a full book about it in much detail.
Elaine Littau
So, Hollywood is Dying was your first book?
Michael J. Eastman
Yes. A fun book, for the most part, whereas the Dominique Dunne book is a sad one. However, that book is still unpublished and is on hold until I finish my current one. Have some issues with that one, legally and financially, that still need to be worked out, because of all the copyrighted photos I need in it.
Elaine Littau
So what was the hook that got you started on the Dominique Dunne story?
Michael Eastman
Let me preface my comments here, Elaine, by saying that doing a book such as one where a Hollywood star - or any celebrity such as Elvis, Michael Jackson, etc. - can be very, very tough for the writer, especially if the author is an unknown commodity.
I had read Dominick Dunne's story about his daughter's death and the travesty that went on afterward in the courtroom where her killer went on trial, and basically walked away with a slap on the wrist.
I became emotional and angry over it, like many people have, and still are today. I said, "This just has to be told and looked into before this happens again to some poor woman!"
As I mentioned, I was working on my first book at the time and wanted to do a chapter on those Hollywood stars who had died tragically, and Dominique was one of the ones I was looking at to include in that book. Others were Natalie Wood, Mariska Hargitay's mother, Jane Mansfield, etc., but when I came upon Dominique's story, I just felt it needed to be told further than what her dad had mentioned. The more I read about it, the more intrigued and upset I became over the injustice that took place.
Elaine Littau
In telling a true story that is tragic and emotional, have you found that there are mountains of obstacles in getting the information about the circumstances of a victim’s death?
Michael J. Eastman
That is a huge understatement, yes indeed! And there are many reasons for that. Now, I can only speak for myself, and what I have experienced, but again, one is being an unknown author, where respect can be hard to come by. Locating the facts in a case can be a huge obstacle, also. You can get the basic facts from the internet that everyone else already knows, but you really have to dig deeper to find “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say.
Other major factors for running into obstacles are that the family does not wish to be disturbed over it, nor reminded, so therefore, they want no part in helping you; plus there are privacy issues you try to not to invade, but at some point, you inadvertently do.
Another factor is that there are so many who have come before you with sleazy, tabloid intentions, that they have nearly ruined it for any good-intentioned authors who come along later.
Elaine Littau
How long ago was the murder?
Michael J. Eastman
1982. The trial took place in '83. Now, I want to say one thing more about Dominick Dunne...Nick, as he was called by his friends, did catch wind of my writing of his daughter's tragedy. And before he died a few years ago - August 2009, I think it was - he basically gave me his blessing via a friend of his, who forwarded me his e-mail.
Nick Dunne told his friend to tell me he appreciated what I was doing, but that he was too sick, too old, and didn't want to hurt all over again. Nick Dunne was dying of pancreatic cancer by then.
Mr. Dunne was very generous to have given me his approval, permission, or whatever you want to call it. That meant so very much to me!
Elaine Littau
For my readers and I, could you remind us of the movies, etc. that Miss Dunne appeared in.
Michael J. Eastman
Well, her most famous role was as the older daughter, Dana Freeling, in Poltergeist, but she also turned a memorable performance on TV's Fame, among her many other television appearances. She was an up-and-coming actress, so she really was just getting started in the business, but had a promising career. I feel her future, after all my research, would have been more in television than in films, but that's just my opinion.
Her brother is actor/producer/director, Griffin Dunne. Her aunt is author and playwright, Joan Didion, and her uncle, the late author and screenwriter, John Gregory Dunne.
Elaine Littau
Did you have to become part detective/part author in your research?
Michael J. Eastman
Indeed I did! You have no idea. And part archaeologist, too, recovering all the records and all the names of those involved; we’re talking hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles to comb through, as well as official court documents. And it was very frustrating at times, too, because of either the lack of information, wrong information, or lack of cooperation. For example, it took me a good six months before I found out the name of the priest who did Dominique’s funeral. It was very difficult to find because it had never been published, to my knowledge, and the church refused to help due to privacy issues, I presume. Her dad kept this priest’s name out of any write ups he did about the case, and I think I know why, but because of necessary detective work, I have uncovered this, as well as many other names and details never before revealed, including all the way down to the alternate jury members in the case.
Elaine Littau
When you began writing the story, where did you start?
Michael J. Eastman
At her grave, as morbid as that sounds. I mean, if you are going to do this, you really have to involve yourself, emotionally, and what better way to do that than to start there at reality 101?
Elaine Littau
In addition to locating all the information about the case, what other hurdles might you have had to clear when writing about this case?
Michael J. Eastman
When you do a story such as this one, where there are feelings to consider of the family, you want to do it the right way, and respectfully. So, you have to keep the family in mind, but this book is “pro-Dunne family” anyway, so I don’t think I did too much to offend her brothers or relatives. It is basically an unauthorized biography of Dominique and her case, but that doesn’t mean when you write an unauthorized version of someone’s life you have to offend the family.
Elaine Littau
Despite not getting all the help and cooperation you needed, you have kept yourself going with your goal of getting this story told. Have you reached your goals you set out to accomplish?
Michael J. Eastman
Although I've gotten little help or respect, I walk on, and you have to, because you know despite all, you are doing the right thing in telling this story.
You see, my intentions are two-fold:
To, in some way, help prevent this thing from happening to another woman. It's a story about a domestic abuse case turning deadly. If in the end with this story I can help save even ONE life, then it will be worth it.
I also wish to educate potential future jury members on what to be on the lookout for in cases such as this one, where the sleazy defense attorneys will turn the tables on the victim and put her on trial instead of the guilty party, as if she deserved what she got. So, this is what has kept me going with this story, keeping those goals in mind. And it’s not entirely a negative story; you get to see the good side of Dominique Dunne’s life, as well. I did not write solely about her death and the trial.
Elaine Littau
Those are angles I hadn't thought of.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes...You must have a goal if you are going to write about a true story, and if you are not a sleazy tabloid writer, than you need to have positive goals that many can benefit from.
I have spent thousands of my own dollars going back and forth to Los Angeles for this story, as well as spent countless hours in research, so one would have to really believe in what one is doing in order to spend the money and the time and the effort on a project like this.
Elaine Littau
It seems to be a true calling.
Michael J. Eastman
Just to elaborate some more on what I said, I’ve spent countless hours telling this story in writing; traveling to locations having to do with this tragedy; interviewing people that really do not want to be interviewed about this; making cold calls to places such as courts, hospitals, studios, ambulance companies, homes of people who knew her, etc., so it is not easy at all - I do not want to paint a false picture here.
Writing fiction is so much easier than doing a non-fiction story, because of the aforementioned reasons I listed, but also because you had better have your facts in order, because I guarantee you someone will come along later to correct you, if not sue you!
Elaine Littau
This is true.
Michael J. Eastman
I wanna tell ya, that is one of an author's biggest fears is being sued. You must retain a copyright attorney, and if you're writing about a celebrity, find one who has experience in that field, as well, an entertainment lawyer. I got lucky and found one who does both.
Elaine Littau
Those steps are vital. The copyright attorney, etc.
Michael J. Eastman
You bet! Now, don't let those obstacles prevent you from doing your story if you really believe in it, and are searching your best to find the facts.
Elaine Littau
Were you surprised with any of your research that was easier than you thought, or was it all difficult?
Michael J. Eastman
Well, I was pleasantly surprised at times when those few people stepped up to the plate for me. Like for example, one of the witnesses to the assault on Dominique, six weeks before she was murdered. That woman's name is Denise Dennehy, and she was actually there, so I got a star witness, if you will, to help me out and tell the story with facts! Very important, and gives your story much needed credibility.
Also, I am grateful to the Los Angeles County courts for keeping great records on microfiche after all this time passed. The personnel there at both the courthouse and the archives building were very, very helpful to me! Then there are the public libraries in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and in Houston that were really wonderful. There were also some that weren’t so wonderful, like the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, or the Schaeffer Ambulance Company, who transported Dominique that night to Cedars-Sinai.
Can I tell you real quick about meeting the jury foreman in the case?
Elaine Littau
Sure, please do.
Michael J. Eastman
I tracked down the jury foreman from the trial in 1983, and he was shocked to hear from me and that a book was being done about the case. He was a real jerk, for the most part, but he did give me some insider information about what went on in the jury room during the trial, and also how it effected him, etc. We were supposed to meet at L.A.X. in person for an in-person interview, but he failed to show. I called him later, but he said he was busy. I've never attempted to call him back. You see, I am of the attitude that I will take help from anyone who wishes to, and brush off any who don't. The story is going to be told, either way, but it sure is nice to get the cooperation when I can get it.
Elaine Littau
How long have you been on this project?
Michael J. Eastman
Four years now. I am finding new info. all the time, but then again, most of my research work is done now.
Elaine LittauIt takes a lot of courage to write on this subject matter. Thank you for your work.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes, it does. But, again, an author with the right heart is the only one who should be writing a book like this. It's shameful that tabloid writers have come along prior to make it tough for legitimate writers, but it can be done!
You gotta have a tough, determined attitude about you when you write non-fiction, realizing that you may not get the cooperation from many people. Do it anyway - write the story! Put your heart into it, make your readers feel the same emotions you do, or those of the victim’s family!
Finally, Elaine, I want to tell those authors wishing to write a story like I am this: be ready for false accusations or assumptions made about you as to what your intentions are. For example, people, even the media, may rip you for trying to make a buck off a tragedy, dead celebrity, or whatever, but if that is not your mission, than ignore it and carry on.
Elaine Littau
It is too bad that many women have died by the hand of an abuser even since Dominique's death.
Michael J. Eastman
Sure is, but the system is getting better, and women are becoming more educated as to what to do. I am not an expert in the field of domestic abuse, but I have called in some who are in my book. I have interviewed a couple, or quoted them from their own books.
Elaine LittauHow on Earth do you find a way to put an end to a story like this one?
Michael J. Eastman
With hope, you know, that’s how I want to end it; hope for those domestic abuse victims still out there. It’s also important to remember the victim, Dominique Dunne, and what a wonderful person she sure seemed like.
I wish to have all this done by the end of this summer, and self-published soon after.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your interest in this book, and helping to get the word out! Again, the book is titled, Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
Thank you, Michael Eastman. May your efforts be rewarded with lives saved and changed.
Michael Eastman
Thanks, and may God bless your work as an author, as well
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Opportunity to Win a Kindle and Interview with Katy Williams
I want you to enjoy the interview with Katy Williams. After reading it, you will see how to get in on the opportunity to win a Kindle on May 15, 2012.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Katy Williams – Where’s My Cowboy Hat
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
The first heifer I ever showed, Nikki, was a handful. I sang jingle bells to her every time we stepped in the show ring to calm us both down.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
When reading to my children I realized there were not enough books that told the daily story of ranch life. And through our everyday activities I knew people could learn more about agriculture through children’s books.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
Short stories are my favorite but I always want to include a hidden lesson.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes, I love to read more now than ever, but it’s finding the time because I never want to put a book down.
6. What are you reading right now?
Waiting for it to come in the mail!!! Winners Don’t Whine, They Hustle by Chris Boleman
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I have several stories written and lots of titles for future books. One of my future books is about the ranch dog that was lost in town!!
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Time. I stay organized by writing down my thoughts and keeping up with the general idea of a story until I get a chance to sit down and write the whole thing.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
What was a boy to do without his cowboy hat? It just wouldn’t feel right doing my chores without it.
Sam wears his cowboy hat every day as he helps out around the ranch. But he can’t find it this morning! Where could it be? Follow Sam around the ranch as he retraces his steps to find his missing cowboy hat.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I can be reached by email at katyleewilliams@gmail.com or at 806-202-3925.
The book can be purchased through:
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61862-208-2
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
...as well as myself for autographed copies.
A Request from Elaine Littau- You can be in a drawing to win a Kindle
You reader friends are so encouraging to me. A lot of you have sent me emails and mailed me notes to tell me that you appreciate my books and the other writing I do. I keep all of it. The emails are in a folder on my computer and the letters and notes are in a couple of boxes. This encouragement goes a long ways.
My first three books were published by a partnership publisher. This means that they put in their efforts and resourses and I had to contribute almost $4000. The contract said that when I sell 5000 copies of Nan's Journey, they will send me a refund of the $4000. Since 2009 I have sold 1785. I still need to sell 3215 copies.
It can happen. I believe that Nan's Journey is something that God wanted me to write. It might have been for my own heart. I had to learn to forgive and how to be forgiven and believe that I could have complete forgiveness. That is the main theme of Nan's Journey.
I have been trying to figure out how to get those 3215 copies sold. I did have an idea for groups and individuals to request copies to sell for a percentage of the sale. (Sell the book for $10 and you will get $3. I provide the books and there is no minimum order.)
If you want to do this, I would appreciate it. Another idea is that if you want to purchase them to give to prisons, rest homes, anyone you think could benefit from it, I would sell them for $7 each. There would be a charge for mailing if they would have to be sent out from Perryton. (It costs about $3 to mail a book. I could send it directly to the person of your choice with a note indicating it was from you.)
I don't know. The task is daunting. I still go to bookstores, homes, craft shows, other events...and sell as many as I can. If you would like to have a home show, I will come and give a humorous speech or topical speech to your group. I just charge travel expense and ask that I can sell books. (or you provide books (Nans' Journey) for everyone at the cost of $7 each. (I am open for rates on the other books as well.)
I know this sounds like a televangelist pleading for support. I am sorry about that. I also am open for suggestions you might have about increasing sales of Nan's Journey.
If you respond to this email, even if you don't request a book or event, your name will be in a drawing for a Kindle on May 15th. I also ask that you pray for me. This author business is a hard, but rewarding road. I dont want to do anything that is offensive, so if you are offended by this email, know that it was not my intention. I do pray for you and love you. - Elaine
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Katy Williams – Where’s My Cowboy Hat
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
The first heifer I ever showed, Nikki, was a handful. I sang jingle bells to her every time we stepped in the show ring to calm us both down.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
When reading to my children I realized there were not enough books that told the daily story of ranch life. And through our everyday activities I knew people could learn more about agriculture through children’s books.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
Short stories are my favorite but I always want to include a hidden lesson.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes, I love to read more now than ever, but it’s finding the time because I never want to put a book down.
6. What are you reading right now?
Waiting for it to come in the mail!!! Winners Don’t Whine, They Hustle by Chris Boleman
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I have several stories written and lots of titles for future books. One of my future books is about the ranch dog that was lost in town!!
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Time. I stay organized by writing down my thoughts and keeping up with the general idea of a story until I get a chance to sit down and write the whole thing.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
What was a boy to do without his cowboy hat? It just wouldn’t feel right doing my chores without it.
Sam wears his cowboy hat every day as he helps out around the ranch. But he can’t find it this morning! Where could it be? Follow Sam around the ranch as he retraces his steps to find his missing cowboy hat.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I can be reached by email at katyleewilliams@gmail.com or at 806-202-3925.
The book can be purchased through:
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61862-208-2
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
...as well as myself for autographed copies.
A Request from Elaine Littau- You can be in a drawing to win a Kindle
You reader friends are so encouraging to me. A lot of you have sent me emails and mailed me notes to tell me that you appreciate my books and the other writing I do. I keep all of it. The emails are in a folder on my computer and the letters and notes are in a couple of boxes. This encouragement goes a long ways.
My first three books were published by a partnership publisher. This means that they put in their efforts and resourses and I had to contribute almost $4000. The contract said that when I sell 5000 copies of Nan's Journey, they will send me a refund of the $4000. Since 2009 I have sold 1785. I still need to sell 3215 copies.
It can happen. I believe that Nan's Journey is something that God wanted me to write. It might have been for my own heart. I had to learn to forgive and how to be forgiven and believe that I could have complete forgiveness. That is the main theme of Nan's Journey.
I have been trying to figure out how to get those 3215 copies sold. I did have an idea for groups and individuals to request copies to sell for a percentage of the sale. (Sell the book for $10 and you will get $3. I provide the books and there is no minimum order.)
If you want to do this, I would appreciate it. Another idea is that if you want to purchase them to give to prisons, rest homes, anyone you think could benefit from it, I would sell them for $7 each. There would be a charge for mailing if they would have to be sent out from Perryton. (It costs about $3 to mail a book. I could send it directly to the person of your choice with a note indicating it was from you.)
I don't know. The task is daunting. I still go to bookstores, homes, craft shows, other events...and sell as many as I can. If you would like to have a home show, I will come and give a humorous speech or topical speech to your group. I just charge travel expense and ask that I can sell books. (or you provide books (Nans' Journey) for everyone at the cost of $7 each. (I am open for rates on the other books as well.)
I know this sounds like a televangelist pleading for support. I am sorry about that. I also am open for suggestions you might have about increasing sales of Nan's Journey.
If you respond to this email, even if you don't request a book or event, your name will be in a drawing for a Kindle on May 15th. I also ask that you pray for me. This author business is a hard, but rewarding road. I dont want to do anything that is offensive, so if you are offended by this email, know that it was not my intention. I do pray for you and love you. - Elaine
Monday, April 16, 2012
Interview with Darlene Shortridge, author of "Until Forever"
Darlene Shortridge has written a wonderful book. "Until Forever" is the kind of book that the reader can invest himself into. I found myself wondering how I would react in the same circumstances. Would I hold onto grief in the same way, or would I be able to move on with my life? How would I handle forgiveness? I think it is the mark of a good book when the reader is able to move past the story and make life decisions for himself. "Until Forever" is a thoughtful book with a great message. The storyline is compelling, and I found the book hard to put down. I recommended that you add "Until Forever" to your reading list - Elaine Littau, author of Christian Western Fiction
Darlene Shortridge
Contemporary Christian Fiction/Women’s Fiction
Until Forever
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
1. How long have you been an author and when did the desire to write (the writing bug) bite?
I cannot remember when I started to write. I remember creative writing being my favorite class in both high school and college. I love to read and the desire to write came naturally from that love.
2. Why did you choose the genre you write in? Are there plans to write in another genre?
Ah…well, it seems as if the Lord has implanted a strong desire to minister and encourage women and families within me. There are so many issues, both in the church and without, that keep us from becoming everything God has called us to be. I would love to see Christians walking in the freedom and the power that Christ provided for us at the cross.
My husband and I are going to be writing a non-fiction book together that focuses on living in the here and now. First, I must finish book two in the Women of Prayer Series, titled, Forever Blessed.
3. Please tell about each title here:
I seem to be a issue driven author, at least at this point in my career. Until Forever tells the story of a young family torn apart by alcoholism. Mark, a young dad, is involved in a car accident after drinking and driving. Unfortunately, he has his young son in the back seat at the time of the accident. How do you forgive someone when they commit the “unforgivable” sin? That is the question that Mark and Jessi ask, of themselves, each other and of God. Their journey is one of healing and forgiveness, though not always in ways expected.
4. What are you working on now?
I am super excited about book two in the series, Forever Blessed. Forever Blessed is also an issue based story. The focus of this tale is domestic violence, both in and out of the church. After living a life full of pain and laced with fear, Laney is on the run with her three children. Paul, her husband, is fueled by his rage and stops at nothing to find her. Does her natural fear of men keep her from developing a relationship with her heavenly Father? Does she keep Him at arms length, only trusting in her own power and what she can control? What happens when she stops running and starts trusting God? Find out summer of 2012 when Forever Blessed will be released.
5. Do you do speaking engagements? Tell about your subject matter.
I love to speak to groups. It is one of my favorite things to do.
Currently I am working on a three part series:
“The past: Often our downfall” “The present: Where we ought to be” “The future: Heaven is knocking.” This series focuses on how we allow our past to dictate our present and our future. When God says it is done, why do we insist on bringing it up over and over again?
Another favorite is:
“Naomi, pleasant and full of grace.” I love teaching on this subject. Often times when we walk through the valley, it’s to get to the place that is full of the goodness and mercy of Christ. He has so much for us. Our goal should be to walk through every circumstance, pleasant and full of grace, in anxious anticipation for what is to come.
I also love speaking at schools. What fun to encourage students of all ages to “Be what God has called you to be.”
6. What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?
I truly enjoy hearing from readers, especially if their relationship with Christ has grown because of something I penned. If someone who has no relationship with Christ hears the salvation message through one of my books, then everything is worth it. Every seed planted, every seed watered is one step closer to the harvest. This is one way I can reach people that I may never meet in person and I don’t take that lightly.
7. Where can your books be purchased?
I am happy to say that Until Forever has just been re-released at much lower prices. You can now get a copy for your Kindle for $2.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TXXNOQ
It is also available in paperback form on Amazon as well for $14.97. You can also find Until Forever at Smashwords.
8. How can readers reach you through twitter? through facebook? through your blog? through your website?
I love to interact with readers. You can find me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/darlene.shortridge
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/ShortridgeD
My blog:
http://www.darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/
And my website:
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
9. What was your biggest surprise at being an author?
I think the first time I was asked for my signature it threw me for a loop. The other thing I find very interesting is how most people automatically think if you are an author, you are financially well off. People have no clue about the work involved to become a success at this career called “author.”
10. We all know that writing can be a lonely occupation, what do your family and friends do to lift you up when you are down?
From my hubby, a hug. From my son, a hug. And from my daughter, a hug. LOL…I guess a family group hug is in order when I am down. And, they are very talented in the hug department. Aren’t I the lucky one?
Darlene Shortridge
Author, Speaker, Singer
For updates on the publishing of "Until Forever" visit:
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
www.darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/
Darlene Shortridge
Contemporary Christian Fiction/Women’s Fiction
Until Forever
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
1. How long have you been an author and when did the desire to write (the writing bug) bite?
I cannot remember when I started to write. I remember creative writing being my favorite class in both high school and college. I love to read and the desire to write came naturally from that love.
2. Why did you choose the genre you write in? Are there plans to write in another genre?
Ah…well, it seems as if the Lord has implanted a strong desire to minister and encourage women and families within me. There are so many issues, both in the church and without, that keep us from becoming everything God has called us to be. I would love to see Christians walking in the freedom and the power that Christ provided for us at the cross.
My husband and I are going to be writing a non-fiction book together that focuses on living in the here and now. First, I must finish book two in the Women of Prayer Series, titled, Forever Blessed.
3. Please tell about each title here:
I seem to be a issue driven author, at least at this point in my career. Until Forever tells the story of a young family torn apart by alcoholism. Mark, a young dad, is involved in a car accident after drinking and driving. Unfortunately, he has his young son in the back seat at the time of the accident. How do you forgive someone when they commit the “unforgivable” sin? That is the question that Mark and Jessi ask, of themselves, each other and of God. Their journey is one of healing and forgiveness, though not always in ways expected.
4. What are you working on now?
I am super excited about book two in the series, Forever Blessed. Forever Blessed is also an issue based story. The focus of this tale is domestic violence, both in and out of the church. After living a life full of pain and laced with fear, Laney is on the run with her three children. Paul, her husband, is fueled by his rage and stops at nothing to find her. Does her natural fear of men keep her from developing a relationship with her heavenly Father? Does she keep Him at arms length, only trusting in her own power and what she can control? What happens when she stops running and starts trusting God? Find out summer of 2012 when Forever Blessed will be released.
5. Do you do speaking engagements? Tell about your subject matter.
I love to speak to groups. It is one of my favorite things to do.
Currently I am working on a three part series:
“The past: Often our downfall” “The present: Where we ought to be” “The future: Heaven is knocking.” This series focuses on how we allow our past to dictate our present and our future. When God says it is done, why do we insist on bringing it up over and over again?
Another favorite is:
“Naomi, pleasant and full of grace.” I love teaching on this subject. Often times when we walk through the valley, it’s to get to the place that is full of the goodness and mercy of Christ. He has so much for us. Our goal should be to walk through every circumstance, pleasant and full of grace, in anxious anticipation for what is to come.
I also love speaking at schools. What fun to encourage students of all ages to “Be what God has called you to be.”
6. What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?
I truly enjoy hearing from readers, especially if their relationship with Christ has grown because of something I penned. If someone who has no relationship with Christ hears the salvation message through one of my books, then everything is worth it. Every seed planted, every seed watered is one step closer to the harvest. This is one way I can reach people that I may never meet in person and I don’t take that lightly.
7. Where can your books be purchased?
I am happy to say that Until Forever has just been re-released at much lower prices. You can now get a copy for your Kindle for $2.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TXXNOQ
It is also available in paperback form on Amazon as well for $14.97. You can also find Until Forever at Smashwords.
8. How can readers reach you through twitter? through facebook? through your blog? through your website?
I love to interact with readers. You can find me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/darlene.shortridge
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/ShortridgeD
My blog:
http://www.darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/
And my website:
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
9. What was your biggest surprise at being an author?
I think the first time I was asked for my signature it threw me for a loop. The other thing I find very interesting is how most people automatically think if you are an author, you are financially well off. People have no clue about the work involved to become a success at this career called “author.”
10. We all know that writing can be a lonely occupation, what do your family and friends do to lift you up when you are down?
From my hubby, a hug. From my son, a hug. And from my daughter, a hug. LOL…I guess a family group hug is in order when I am down. And, they are very talented in the hug department. Aren’t I the lucky one?
Darlene Shortridge
Author, Speaker, Singer
For updates on the publishing of "Until Forever" visit:
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
www.darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Voice New Testament, by Thomas Nelson
The VoiceNew Testament, by ThomasNelson is a modern version of the Bible. I have read a number of translations and versions, but this one was difficult for me to read. The verses are sometimes out of order. I believe the compilers felt that it would help with clarity.
I believe that those who have not read other translations may benefit from The Voice. While I appreciate the efforts of those involved in this project, it wouldn't be a version that I will turn to.
I believe that those who have not read other translations may benefit from The Voice. While I appreciate the efforts of those involved in this project, it wouldn't be a version that I will turn to.
Monday, April 2, 2012
I Don't Have All the Answers and Thats Okay
I have been a Christian since I was six years old. While this is a good thing, sometimes it makes it difficult to understand those who do not wish to be a Christian. I know this sounds hyper-spiritual, but Jesus has always been my best friend. Most of my life I haven’t been good at making friends so I held onto Him tightly every day.
When I have tried to talk to those who don’t know Him, I have come up short in giving an answer for what I believe. As a child Ididn’t have to have it all mapped out to me. I just believed. Jesus never gave me any reason to not believe, so I stayed in my comfort zone.
I stayed in church, my husband was a believer, I had my church friends, my church schedule, and my church secretary job. There were challenges in my life, but I never came to a crisis of faith.
One day things changed. Something happened. I left my job and had to come face to face with the reason I am a Christian. People had hurt me and I was bleeding inside. I wanted people to know that I was hurting, but I soldiered on. I had always been a ‘church girl’. I had to decide if I was just a church girl or if I was God’s girl. Did I still love God even without church and the Christian trappings? Was there a place for me?
This trial took a year to work through. Jesus never left me. He remained my best friend. He showed me that it didn’t matter what happened to me, He was the same that He had always been. I had to lean on Him more because my friends were gone, I no longer had ‘my church’, my job, or my health.
I remember not having an answer for people when they would say something like, “When I stand before God, He will weigh all the good things I have done against all the bad things and I believe that I have been good enough to make it in.” When I tried to explain that the only way to ‘make it in’ is through the Blood of Jesus and asking Him to forgive their sins, they were sure I was wrong.
In the book, I Am Second, by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett, close to the last page there is something that really stood out to me. It said that when a person is brought to trial for a crime, the judge doesn’t weigh all the good things against the bad thing the person is accused of doing. The good things don’t matter. The thing that matters is whether he did the crime. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all need a Savior. We have all done the crime. We all deserve the punishment...BUT GOD...made a way for us. Jesus took the punishment for our crime. Freedom from sin is ours if we just ask Him.
I have found a church home, begun taking my writing as a serious occupation, and found that when everything I have known has been stripped away from me, Jesus is still there. He will never leave me or forsake me. I must walk more closely to Him.
When I have tried to talk to those who don’t know Him, I have come up short in giving an answer for what I believe. As a child Ididn’t have to have it all mapped out to me. I just believed. Jesus never gave me any reason to not believe, so I stayed in my comfort zone.
I stayed in church, my husband was a believer, I had my church friends, my church schedule, and my church secretary job. There were challenges in my life, but I never came to a crisis of faith.
One day things changed. Something happened. I left my job and had to come face to face with the reason I am a Christian. People had hurt me and I was bleeding inside. I wanted people to know that I was hurting, but I soldiered on. I had always been a ‘church girl’. I had to decide if I was just a church girl or if I was God’s girl. Did I still love God even without church and the Christian trappings? Was there a place for me?
This trial took a year to work through. Jesus never left me. He remained my best friend. He showed me that it didn’t matter what happened to me, He was the same that He had always been. I had to lean on Him more because my friends were gone, I no longer had ‘my church’, my job, or my health.
I remember not having an answer for people when they would say something like, “When I stand before God, He will weigh all the good things I have done against all the bad things and I believe that I have been good enough to make it in.” When I tried to explain that the only way to ‘make it in’ is through the Blood of Jesus and asking Him to forgive their sins, they were sure I was wrong.
In the book, I Am Second, by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett, close to the last page there is something that really stood out to me. It said that when a person is brought to trial for a crime, the judge doesn’t weigh all the good things against the bad thing the person is accused of doing. The good things don’t matter. The thing that matters is whether he did the crime. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all need a Savior. We have all done the crime. We all deserve the punishment...BUT GOD...made a way for us. Jesus took the punishment for our crime. Freedom from sin is ours if we just ask Him.
I have found a church home, begun taking my writing as a serious occupation, and found that when everything I have known has been stripped away from me, Jesus is still there. He will never leave me or forsake me. I must walk more closely to Him.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Need You Now by Beth Wiseman
Beth Wiseman is mostly knows as a best selling author of Amish Fiction. In her new book, Need You Now, she tackles life in a small Texas town located a little over an hour away from Houston. The family dynamic is believable to the reader. Darlene and Brad are parents of three children ranging in age from twelve to seventeen.
I appreciate that the author brings out difficult situations like raising and caring for a special needs child and balancing that care with looking out for teens and their issues. The family is not portrayed as a perfect Christian family although they call out to God in prayer for their daily trials as well as heart breaking events.
Many things that parents are concerned about are also dealt with such as: teen friendships and dating, drinking, drugs, and 'cutting'. The 'cutting' issue hits home with many teens and parents who do not understand the thought process behind the actions. Mrs. Wiseman offers up a storyline that is helpful to readers who are currently dealing with this.
Darlene and Brad are so busy providing for the family and being parents, that they forget to be a couple. The story brings to light how couples must guard their hearts and spend time together. This is a great read.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Covenant of War by Cliff Graham
Covenant of War by author Cliff Graham is well-written. While men will be the most to appreciate this book and the detail of hand-to-hand combat of 991 BC, women will benefit from reading it. The author was able to write into the pages bravery,courage, strategy, danger, brutal strength, loyalty, faith and a myriad of other words that evoke strong emotions and word pictures.
It is written as a fiction based on the biblical accounts of David and his mighty men. Reading of the victories over the foes of ancient Israel from the pages of the Bible, it is easy to scan the facts and miss the finer points. In this book Cliff Graham has given careful consideration and research to the battles and life of this warrior-king. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.
It is written as a fiction based on the biblical accounts of David and his mighty men. Reading of the victories over the foes of ancient Israel from the pages of the Bible, it is easy to scan the facts and miss the finer points. In this book Cliff Graham has given careful consideration and research to the battles and life of this warrior-king. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Daily Devotional-Gospel of John
Review for The Daily Devotional-Gospel of John by Kristi Burchfeil
This devotional on the Gospel of John focuses on the nuggets of truth found in this book of the Bible. The reader will appreciate the fact that in mining the nuggets, the passion of the book was left intact. This is not a book that disects every word of each chapter and because of this the reader does not get bogged down. The purpose of this devotional is to give the reader a thought each day to mull over and perhaps apply to his life. Each chapter has a Scripture verse from the Gospel of John, a truth from that verse, and a response. The response is the part that makes the verses come alive in the reader's life. It becomes clear that the reader is not to just read, but to put the truth learned into practice. The Daily Devotional-Gospel of John is a devotional that will be useful to both seasoned Bible scholars as well as those who have never attempted a study in the Word.
This devotional on the Gospel of John focuses on the nuggets of truth found in this book of the Bible. The reader will appreciate the fact that in mining the nuggets, the passion of the book was left intact. This is not a book that disects every word of each chapter and because of this the reader does not get bogged down. The purpose of this devotional is to give the reader a thought each day to mull over and perhaps apply to his life. Each chapter has a Scripture verse from the Gospel of John, a truth from that verse, and a response. The response is the part that makes the verses come alive in the reader's life. It becomes clear that the reader is not to just read, but to put the truth learned into practice. The Daily Devotional-Gospel of John is a devotional that will be useful to both seasoned Bible scholars as well as those who have never attempted a study in the Word.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
More Book Marketing Tips
7 Weekly Book Marketing Goals You Can Adopt Today - (original post from Marketing Tips for Authors.)
Sometimes it seems like there are so many tips and suggestions for building sales of books that it is difficult to focus on anything. Several years ago this post arrived in my email inbox. When I have a great email like this, I usually put it in a folder in my email account marked as "best of marketing tips".
I know that I rarely open that folder, so I make myself write it down in a journal where I keep all things that are book related. That way, there is a chance that I actually will stumble upon it when I need a refresher course on what I need to be doing.
I suggest that you practice doing a few things well, before you try to tackle a whole book of things. The things that were suggested in the previous posts that I have written here are things that need to be done (website, postcards, relationships with authors and bookstores, etc) so don't throw those suggestions out. Theses are ideas that must be attended to each week:
1) Have a guest on your blog or be a guest on another blog. (This can be an interview of someone or an article someone writes for you.)
2) Comment on 10 blog posts. ( 10 different blogs) You only have to do 2 per day for 5 days.
3) Subscribe to 1 new blog per week to expand your knowledge base.
4) Implement 1 SEO strategy into your blog or website.
(SEO=Search Engine Optimization. It is important to make sure you are giving your blog or website the best chances at feeding the search engines. This is important to make sure searchers find your site when they are using keywords.
You don't have to be technical expert to implement simple SEO techniques. A quick visit to Google, YouTube, or even the search feature on your blog will give you easy things you can do each week for SEO.
This past week, I wrote an article for The Amarillo Christian Life Examiner. They were wanting content about people who are preparing for the end of the world in 2012. They said that writers didn't have to believe that the end was coming, but to do an article on your observations or beliefs...just something to do with this. The keyword they wanted us to use was 'preppers'. This would be a SEO. People who are looking for this kind of thing will see this article in the list of sites that have to do with this subject. Also, when I do an author interview, some of my keywords for the article to be found are always the author's name and titles as well as my name and genre. I will also include the words that describe the main points of the interview. This drives readers to my blog.
5) Help one author promote their book. (Share their book content on facebook, retweet a post about their book on twitter, do an interview, or do a review of their book on major book sites on the web.)
6) Introduce yourself to one new leader in your book's nich topic or genre.
Sometimes it seems like there are so many tips and suggestions for building sales of books that it is difficult to focus on anything. Several years ago this post arrived in my email inbox. When I have a great email like this, I usually put it in a folder in my email account marked as "best of marketing tips".
I know that I rarely open that folder, so I make myself write it down in a journal where I keep all things that are book related. That way, there is a chance that I actually will stumble upon it when I need a refresher course on what I need to be doing.
I suggest that you practice doing a few things well, before you try to tackle a whole book of things. The things that were suggested in the previous posts that I have written here are things that need to be done (website, postcards, relationships with authors and bookstores, etc) so don't throw those suggestions out. Theses are ideas that must be attended to each week:
1) Have a guest on your blog or be a guest on another blog. (This can be an interview of someone or an article someone writes for you.)
2) Comment on 10 blog posts. ( 10 different blogs) You only have to do 2 per day for 5 days.
3) Subscribe to 1 new blog per week to expand your knowledge base.
4) Implement 1 SEO strategy into your blog or website.
(SEO=Search Engine Optimization. It is important to make sure you are giving your blog or website the best chances at feeding the search engines. This is important to make sure searchers find your site when they are using keywords.
You don't have to be technical expert to implement simple SEO techniques. A quick visit to Google, YouTube, or even the search feature on your blog will give you easy things you can do each week for SEO.
This past week, I wrote an article for The Amarillo Christian Life Examiner. They were wanting content about people who are preparing for the end of the world in 2012. They said that writers didn't have to believe that the end was coming, but to do an article on your observations or beliefs...just something to do with this. The keyword they wanted us to use was 'preppers'. This would be a SEO. People who are looking for this kind of thing will see this article in the list of sites that have to do with this subject. Also, when I do an author interview, some of my keywords for the article to be found are always the author's name and titles as well as my name and genre. I will also include the words that describe the main points of the interview. This drives readers to my blog.
5) Help one author promote their book. (Share their book content on facebook, retweet a post about their book on twitter, do an interview, or do a review of their book on major book sites on the web.)
6) Introduce yourself to one new leader in your book's nich topic or genre.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Interview with Felecia S. Killings
Fear, Faith Patienceby Felecia Killings
About the Book
We often wonder what it is like to be a teacher in today’s time. With so much happening in the public schools, it seems any wonder how it is able to function given all the atrocities that go on in the system. But this is the story about a young, beautiful teacher named Felecia Killings.
As a child, she dreamt of the opportunity to be what many call one of the most admirable professions in society: an educator. And when her father witnessed this aspiration in her, he did everything in his power to protect it and to ensure that she fulfilled her mission.
Yet, like so many countless individuals who enter the public school system, Ms. Killings was met with tragedies and struggles. But through it all, she allowed her faith to keep her strong, even in the midst of hell.
This book is one to be commended, for it takes what we think we know about the public school system and brings to light another side that is never talked about. Through this text, you will learn about the power of unconditional love and personal sacrifice.
For every teacher who chooses to stand up for what’s right, even when everyone is against you, this book will minister to you in ways that even you could not imagine. You WILL be inspired.
Purchase book at: Amazon.comhttp://tinyurl.com/7dbrtcv
Author website: http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com
Fear, Faith and Patience
About the Author
Felecia S. Killings is a quintessential educator and promoter of change, transformation, and innovation within the educational field. Her years of dedicated service to education, and ascribing to the motto that “Learning is a Lifestyle,” has resulted in extensive years of training and preparation in the educational spectrum.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis in 2005 with double majors in English and African and African American Studies. She also obtained her Master’s Degree from UC Davis’s School of Education in 2007. She has received preliminary Doctoral of Education course work at Argosy University from 2008-2010; and will complete her Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with emphasis in Organizational Leadership at Northcentral University in Arizona.
Felecia has provided her community with five years of service as a public-school English instructor. She has also created educational programs that help minority youth reach their full potential through excellence in education, job training, and college and career preparations.
Felecia is also an author and publisher, and founder and CEO of Power, Faith, and Love Ministries, which oversees seven organizations. Commitment, dedication to service, and a desire to help others become successful and prosperous are her driving force. Furthermore, her unconditional love for the things of God, and expanding His Kingdom in the earth serve as the foundation for the ministry that God has placed in her spirit.
Visit Felecia at: http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com
Author Interview
What inspired you to write your first book?
My desire is to ignite a fire within God’s people to become active in earthly affairs inspired me to write this book.
I’m not the type of person who can idly sit back and let injustices go on without speaking up, because I realize that my silence, and that of others, gives license to ungodly, destructive behavior.
I have learned over the last few years that my words, when enveloped in God’s anointing, have the power to bring forth the change that is necessary in public schools. Thus, publishing a book that accomplishes this very task is my driving force.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The message that I want readers to grasp is that we all have an obligation to get active in earthly affairs for the sake of the next generation. If we remain silent about issues that plague our schools—issues such as racism, sexism, discrimination, and sexual abuse (especially from students to teachers)—then we cannot expect any change for our youths.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
My advice for other writers is to simply share whatever God places on your heart, and trust that the words He gives you is exactly what the people need to hear in order to bring them out of a terrible situation.
What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?
As a novice publisher, I knew that in order to get my book out there, I would need the help and expertise of one who has gone before me. My mother, Paulette Harper-Johnson, was just the person because she had already established herself as a prominent Christian author.
After discussing with her my vision of this book ministry, she gracefully accepted the role as my publicist and marketing supervisor. I cannot emphasize enough how much of a help and support she has been to me; and I would highly recommend her services to anyone, especially new authors.
Why should we buy your book?
Purchasing this book is especially important for parents and families that have an investment in the public school system. Anyone who sends their children to these schools needs to understand what is going on in it, and to learn that they have rights that entitle them and their children to receive better and equal education.
This book is also important for educators who feel trapped in a system that commits serious offenses against them. It is an eye-opening text, one that many will find difficult to believe because it is so atrocious. In spite of what goes on there, the book (and the subsequent books to follow) provides hope and encouragement for all those who are facing tough challenges.
Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?
For me, I love writing in the comfort of my home.
What projects are you currently working on?
This book is one of a three-part series; so I am currently finishing the other two books that will provide a conclusion to the stories presented in the first book.
In addition to working on my book ministry, I am in the process of licensing my first non-profit organization that works with adolescent females who are caught up in prostitution within the Bay Area, including Fairfield, CA.
Readers wishing to purchase this book can find it on Amazon.com and other online book stores. They can also visit my website at http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com to receive a copy.
Purchase book at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7dbrtcv
About the Book
We often wonder what it is like to be a teacher in today’s time. With so much happening in the public schools, it seems any wonder how it is able to function given all the atrocities that go on in the system. But this is the story about a young, beautiful teacher named Felecia Killings.
As a child, she dreamt of the opportunity to be what many call one of the most admirable professions in society: an educator. And when her father witnessed this aspiration in her, he did everything in his power to protect it and to ensure that she fulfilled her mission.
Yet, like so many countless individuals who enter the public school system, Ms. Killings was met with tragedies and struggles. But through it all, she allowed her faith to keep her strong, even in the midst of hell.
This book is one to be commended, for it takes what we think we know about the public school system and brings to light another side that is never talked about. Through this text, you will learn about the power of unconditional love and personal sacrifice.
For every teacher who chooses to stand up for what’s right, even when everyone is against you, this book will minister to you in ways that even you could not imagine. You WILL be inspired.
Purchase book at: Amazon.comhttp://tinyurl.com/7dbrtcv
Author website: http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com
Fear, Faith and Patience
About the Author
Felecia S. Killings is a quintessential educator and promoter of change, transformation, and innovation within the educational field. Her years of dedicated service to education, and ascribing to the motto that “Learning is a Lifestyle,” has resulted in extensive years of training and preparation in the educational spectrum.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis in 2005 with double majors in English and African and African American Studies. She also obtained her Master’s Degree from UC Davis’s School of Education in 2007. She has received preliminary Doctoral of Education course work at Argosy University from 2008-2010; and will complete her Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with emphasis in Organizational Leadership at Northcentral University in Arizona.
Felecia has provided her community with five years of service as a public-school English instructor. She has also created educational programs that help minority youth reach their full potential through excellence in education, job training, and college and career preparations.
Felecia is also an author and publisher, and founder and CEO of Power, Faith, and Love Ministries, which oversees seven organizations. Commitment, dedication to service, and a desire to help others become successful and prosperous are her driving force. Furthermore, her unconditional love for the things of God, and expanding His Kingdom in the earth serve as the foundation for the ministry that God has placed in her spirit.
Visit Felecia at: http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com
Author Interview
What inspired you to write your first book?
My desire is to ignite a fire within God’s people to become active in earthly affairs inspired me to write this book.
I’m not the type of person who can idly sit back and let injustices go on without speaking up, because I realize that my silence, and that of others, gives license to ungodly, destructive behavior.
I have learned over the last few years that my words, when enveloped in God’s anointing, have the power to bring forth the change that is necessary in public schools. Thus, publishing a book that accomplishes this very task is my driving force.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The message that I want readers to grasp is that we all have an obligation to get active in earthly affairs for the sake of the next generation. If we remain silent about issues that plague our schools—issues such as racism, sexism, discrimination, and sexual abuse (especially from students to teachers)—then we cannot expect any change for our youths.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
My advice for other writers is to simply share whatever God places on your heart, and trust that the words He gives you is exactly what the people need to hear in order to bring them out of a terrible situation.
What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?
As a novice publisher, I knew that in order to get my book out there, I would need the help and expertise of one who has gone before me. My mother, Paulette Harper-Johnson, was just the person because she had already established herself as a prominent Christian author.
After discussing with her my vision of this book ministry, she gracefully accepted the role as my publicist and marketing supervisor. I cannot emphasize enough how much of a help and support she has been to me; and I would highly recommend her services to anyone, especially new authors.
Why should we buy your book?
Purchasing this book is especially important for parents and families that have an investment in the public school system. Anyone who sends their children to these schools needs to understand what is going on in it, and to learn that they have rights that entitle them and their children to receive better and equal education.
This book is also important for educators who feel trapped in a system that commits serious offenses against them. It is an eye-opening text, one that many will find difficult to believe because it is so atrocious. In spite of what goes on there, the book (and the subsequent books to follow) provides hope and encouragement for all those who are facing tough challenges.
Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?
For me, I love writing in the comfort of my home.
What projects are you currently working on?
This book is one of a three-part series; so I am currently finishing the other two books that will provide a conclusion to the stories presented in the first book.
In addition to working on my book ministry, I am in the process of licensing my first non-profit organization that works with adolescent females who are caught up in prostitution within the Bay Area, including Fairfield, CA.
Readers wishing to purchase this book can find it on Amazon.com and other online book stores. They can also visit my website at http://fearfaithpatience.weebly.com to receive a copy.
Purchase book at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7dbrtcv
Friday, March 9, 2012
Family & Interview with Diane Head
This year so far has been challenging for a lot of my family. My sweet niece and her husband have spent many hours in hospital waiting rooms. My heart is with them even when I cannot be.
It has been a comfort for this family to have so many people praying for them and giving them support through this terrible time. I am reminded that when it comes to the end of life, relationships are the thing.
We must realize that those around us are what makes up our life. It isn't the toys and trappings of life. It is the conversations, laughter, concern, tears, and love that matters. Somehow, at a death bed, we don't feel the need to send meaningless texts or play yet another game.
When we know this person will not be with us any longer, we call to mind the last words spoken, the last smile, the last hug. These are the important things.
I love my family and it hurts to lose one of those near to my heart, but I know that my great-niece, Tonya, is walking into the arms of God.
All of us are on borrowed time. Each of us will meet our Maker. The questions are: What kind of relationship do I have with Jesus? Do we talk often? Do I know what is on His mind? Do I tell him my concerns? Am I ready to meet my God? All you have to do is reach out to Him and tell Him you want Him. He will do the rest.
I would like to introduce you to an author friend of mine, Diane Head.
Juvenile Non-Fiction – emotions & feelings, social issues.
“Grammy Dee Solves the Case of the Red Hot Screamies”
Dianehead.tateauthor.com
1. When did you get the urge to write?
I’ve been a published author since my teens when the New Haven Register printed a couple of my poems. I’ve had some success freelancing articles over the years, but this is my first book in print.
2. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve taught classes and counseled adults on anger management, but as a parent & former teacher, I saw the need to bring this teaching to kids while they are learning how to deal with their emotions.
3. Please tell a little about your books.
Grammy Dee is planned as the first in a series of books to help kids ages 4-9 develop a strategy for dealing positively with their emotions. The young reader is reassured that feeling anger is okay; it’s a warning signal that something needs to change.
Grammy Dee cares about kids and encourages them to be detectives and follow clues to decide what needs to change. Then she shares her super tips for setting behavior and expectation boundaries, talking out problems and making plans for change.
Readers get to solve problems, practice communicating their feelings and learn how to react when others are angry around them. This upbeat, practical guide is both instructive and entertaining.
Included is Grammy Dee’s Marvelous Mad Meter – an illustrated chart of the spectrum of angry feelings that an facilitate a helpful dialogue with a caring adult.
4. Do you speak to groups?
I enjoy speaking to church and school groups about how adults can help children not only cope with the complex feelings of anger, but use anger to fuel change.
5. Would you share something about your experiences of being an author?
My most rewarding experience as an author thus far, (aside from my Grandchildren being proud of me), has been my interaction with a local 5 Grade class. They were studying authors and I was asked to answer their questions about the writing process. This grew into an on-going correspondence with several students that has been very rewarding. Nothing like being told “You Rock” by very savvy kids.
6. What is the best response you have received with your books?
Just last week I heard from a woman who had bought Grammy Dee for a grandchild. She reported that her granddaughter loved the book and had learned many lessons from it. The highlight for me was when this child overheard her Grandpa sounding angry with someone on the phone, she ran to give him the book and told him he needed to read it. Now they wanted to buy more books for other grandchildren.
7. Where can your books be purchased?
My soft-cover book is widely available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Anyone wanting a signed, hardbound copy can purchase one directly from me at the “author’s specials” button on my website: dianehead.tateauthor.com
8. How do you battle the times when you are down in the dumps as a writer?
I have friends who know how to make me laugh. Truly the best medicine – along with great hugs and kisses from 3 darling grandchildren. They are my joy and delight.
9. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I really didn’t have a favorite toy as a child. I loved books. I loved the escape – especially into pioneer days.
It has been a comfort for this family to have so many people praying for them and giving them support through this terrible time. I am reminded that when it comes to the end of life, relationships are the thing.
We must realize that those around us are what makes up our life. It isn't the toys and trappings of life. It is the conversations, laughter, concern, tears, and love that matters. Somehow, at a death bed, we don't feel the need to send meaningless texts or play yet another game.
When we know this person will not be with us any longer, we call to mind the last words spoken, the last smile, the last hug. These are the important things.
I love my family and it hurts to lose one of those near to my heart, but I know that my great-niece, Tonya, is walking into the arms of God.
All of us are on borrowed time. Each of us will meet our Maker. The questions are: What kind of relationship do I have with Jesus? Do we talk often? Do I know what is on His mind? Do I tell him my concerns? Am I ready to meet my God? All you have to do is reach out to Him and tell Him you want Him. He will do the rest.
I would like to introduce you to an author friend of mine, Diane Head.
Juvenile Non-Fiction – emotions & feelings, social issues.
“Grammy Dee Solves the Case of the Red Hot Screamies”
Dianehead.tateauthor.com
1. When did you get the urge to write?
I’ve been a published author since my teens when the New Haven Register printed a couple of my poems. I’ve had some success freelancing articles over the years, but this is my first book in print.
2. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve taught classes and counseled adults on anger management, but as a parent & former teacher, I saw the need to bring this teaching to kids while they are learning how to deal with their emotions.
3. Please tell a little about your books.
Grammy Dee is planned as the first in a series of books to help kids ages 4-9 develop a strategy for dealing positively with their emotions. The young reader is reassured that feeling anger is okay; it’s a warning signal that something needs to change.
Grammy Dee cares about kids and encourages them to be detectives and follow clues to decide what needs to change. Then she shares her super tips for setting behavior and expectation boundaries, talking out problems and making plans for change.
Readers get to solve problems, practice communicating their feelings and learn how to react when others are angry around them. This upbeat, practical guide is both instructive and entertaining.
Included is Grammy Dee’s Marvelous Mad Meter – an illustrated chart of the spectrum of angry feelings that an facilitate a helpful dialogue with a caring adult.
4. Do you speak to groups?
I enjoy speaking to church and school groups about how adults can help children not only cope with the complex feelings of anger, but use anger to fuel change.
5. Would you share something about your experiences of being an author?
My most rewarding experience as an author thus far, (aside from my Grandchildren being proud of me), has been my interaction with a local 5 Grade class. They were studying authors and I was asked to answer their questions about the writing process. This grew into an on-going correspondence with several students that has been very rewarding. Nothing like being told “You Rock” by very savvy kids.
6. What is the best response you have received with your books?
Just last week I heard from a woman who had bought Grammy Dee for a grandchild. She reported that her granddaughter loved the book and had learned many lessons from it. The highlight for me was when this child overheard her Grandpa sounding angry with someone on the phone, she ran to give him the book and told him he needed to read it. Now they wanted to buy more books for other grandchildren.
7. Where can your books be purchased?
My soft-cover book is widely available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Anyone wanting a signed, hardbound copy can purchase one directly from me at the “author’s specials” button on my website: dianehead.tateauthor.com
8. How do you battle the times when you are down in the dumps as a writer?
I have friends who know how to make me laugh. Truly the best medicine – along with great hugs and kisses from 3 darling grandchildren. They are my joy and delight.
9. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I really didn’t have a favorite toy as a child. I loved books. I loved the escape – especially into pioneer days.
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
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