I have been stuck in a bit of a creative funk lately.

I am a writer – but haven’t had enough time to really dig in to my manuscripts. And when I have, I got stuck.

I love photography, but haven’t had as much time as I’d like to take good pictures. The ones I’ve taken didn’t come out as I’d hoped.

I love playing guitar, but nothing sounds good to my ears. I can’t seem to get a good “feel” for the songs and they all sound out of tune.

SO WHAT DID I DO?

I tried something new!

I am NOT an artist by nature. But I confess that I have prayed (on more than one occasion) that God would give me that ability. My daughters draw and color with abandon – so I decided to follow their example!

As you can see… It is isn’t perfect or fit for the Louvre. But wow – it made me happy and was pure fun!

My oldest DD colored it in and made it even better.

And guess what? It made me want to draw more. And color! And paint! And…

WRITE,

TAKE PICTURES,

AND PLAY GUITAR.

Creativity begets creativity – doesn’t it?

God gave us the gift of creativity… and that gift manifests in many ways! Singing, writing, painting, baking, building, photography, dancing…and the list goes on!

So if you are stuck in a funk with the gift you KNOW of – how about giving yourself permission to try something new? You might find that you have a hidden gift.

So what are you waiting for? I want to hear all about it!

In my last post, I shared a poem written by my middle DD. I also shared how my mom encouraged me in my writing endeavors from a young age.

I believe that the Lord used my mom to help me get to where I am today. And He is STILL using her!

I want to be that type of encourager with all the young writers in my life, not just my own.

Every year, I take my oldest DD with me when I go to the Write2ignite conference. She attends the Teen Track while I’m busy working and enjoying the Adult workshops.  And every year, I tell other folks about it.

This year, the fabulous Vonda Skelton will be leading the TEEN TRACK along with graphic artist/cartoonist and writer, Chris Schweizer.

If you are interested in encouraging your young writer to grow in their skills, consider the TEEN TRACK at the Write2Ignite conference, March 16-17th. You can register HERE.

I believe in encouraging young writers to do just that… WRITE!

My mama did that for me.

A few years ago, she showed me a poem I wrote for her when I was around 6. (or was it 7? Maybe 8? Mom, I know you’re reading this, so let me know the right age and I’ll fix it!) Anyway… I digress.

The point is, my mom took great joy in my early attempts  at writing – and now I’m doing the same with my children.

And in order to carry on the family tradition, but in a more “techy” way, I am sharing a poem written by 9yo dd. It is one of those silly, funny, funky poems that make me laugh. And just like my mom, I take great joy in knowing my darling daughter wrote it.  (I’m proud of you, sweetie!)

THE SOFT TACO by Zee

This is my favorite, flexible food

I can put anything in it

No matter what my taste or mood

It’s ready… lickity split!

      Peanuts, plums, squish ‘em together

      Mixed with lemon and lime

      Add ostrich eggs, stir with a feather

      With just a pinch of thyme

Add in some ice cream covered in cheese

Some cucumbers tossed with mold

Throw in ranch dressing, I beg you please,

but no onions! They’re really too bold.

I have missed interviewing folks – and decided to get back in the swing of things. The first person in the line of fire is Kristi Johnson Marion, a sweet friend of mine who happens to be a kick-butt blogger and writer! After you read her interview, I hope you’ll take a moment to visit her BLOG . You’ll be glad you did!

As for her answers to my semi-deep questions, you’ll enjoy those, too. She has a fabulous sense of humor and a fabulous respect for God’s creation and fellow earthlings!

Ten Questions with… Kristi Johnson Marion

(photo courtesy Kristi Marion)

1. Why do you blog? What motivated you to start? I was inspired by a friend’s blog and I thought, “I could do that.” as well as a local blog that posts a photo-a-day from somewhere in our city and informs of cool events. I wanted to write more, express myself (with more characters than the status updates of Facebook and 40 characters Twitter allows) and highlight some of the many wonderful local offerings in my fair city of Winston-Salem, helping others become “locavores”.

2. You have a fantastic way of plugging local artsy-type events. How do you keep up with it all? I have a lot of artsy friends and I volunteer as Communications Manager for an outdoor arts festival where I’ve made even more talented friends. Honestly, I’m a wannabe artist. A closet painter. I’m hoping some of their talent will rub off. In the meantime, I enjoy helping get the word out about the great artists and crafters we have right here in our area.

3. Besides blogging, what other writing projects are you focusing on? Why? I write for two local magazines: “Forsyth Family Magazine” and “Forsyth Woman Magazine” for the same reasons, to highlight all the great talent in the area.  I also have a novel in mind that I’ve given a rough start. It deals with a young girl’s coming of age story in a small Bible Belt town.

I think it does aid me in my creative writing. It was such a vibrant moment, full of sound, smells, colors and joy, that it not only touched my senses, but it also touched my heart. The memory reminds me to write moments the same way. The story also reminds me of who I am and where I came from — a humble, yet beautiful country beginning rich in family — and to be true to that in my writing.

10. Last question and the most important: Do you believe in Bigfoot? Yes, because foot binding is disfigurement for the sake of fashion. I’m a size 8.5 myself, and a firm believer that big is beautiful.

Kristi – thank you for being my guest today! Your answers made me smile, giggle and want to know more! And I like the way you sidestepped my Bigfooot question. I’m going to take that as a yes.  So when I go on my next Sasquatch watch with one of my other writing/blogging buddies (Hi Laura!), you’ll have to go with us! (I have the same size foot – so we’ll all fit in!)

1. Okay, so a few months ago, I had a book giveaway and then announced it here. My friend Jean Matthew Hall provided the fab prize. Our winner, though, never emailed me with her physical address. Matter of fact, I never received indication that she saw she won. And we want her to have her prize. That being the case – we’re going to announce the winner ONE MORE TIME! (cue the winning music and confetti!)

If, at that time, she doesn’t come forward (we’ll give her a one more week), then we’ll host another giveaway.  But this giveaway will include a book, a free critique (from me) and a well, a surprise!

So Lynne Lepley – if you are reading this – Come on down! You’ve won the book you asked for!

2. In the next week or so (I hope!), I will have more info on the Write2ignite conference (March 16-17, 2012) and a really cool interview with a blogging maven who just happens to my a sweet college friend of mine!

3. I will be posting new photography every week. If you like the pic, feel free to share on any of your social networks. If you do share, though, please redirect folks back to this site at some point in the share. I appreciate it!

I’m so excited I’m about to burst!

My editor shared some great news with me today.

We have an illustrator for my picture book, BEING FRANK!

ANDREA CASTELLANI!

You can see him here on the Flashlight Press website: HERE

And you can see some of his work HERE and on his blog HERE  .

Are y’all dancing with me yet?

Resolution or Revolution?

RESOLUTION – Synonyms: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, determination, stick-to-itiveness

If you haven’t been under a rock, you’ve probably been asked about, read about, heard about or even made your own New Year’s Resolutions.

We resolve (decide to):

Lose weight, exercise every day, read our bible more, write more, eat better, be a better WHATEVER!

And for most of us who make resolutions every year…we make ‘em. Then we break ‘em.

Over time, our resolution becomes a type of revolution.

One simple definition of REVOLUTION is this: NOUN – a single complete turn (axial or orbital).

In other words – Round and round we go – and end up right where we started. And much of the time, we end up WORSE than when we started. So why do we keep going round and round with that cycle? Is there no way to end it?

BUT WAIT!

There are other definitions for the word REVOLUTION.

According to Websters:

Revolution (noun):

a: a sudden, radical, or complete change

b: a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

c: activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation

d: a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm <the Copernican revolution>

Focusing on definitions A and D… That’s a totally different way of thinking and doing things!

When we “resolve” to do things differently, we are deciding we are going to make a change.

But when we REVOLT against the old way of doing things… THERE IS AN ACTUAL CHANGE… A REVOLUTION.

It wasn’t the American RESOLUTION, was it? No.

It was the American REVOLUTION.

It wasn’t the French RESOLUTION.

It was the French REVOLUTION.

Nations were forever changed.

Lives were forever altered.

Kingdoms were upheaved from their foundations and life as it had been… was no more.

Sounds scary, doesn’t it?

But new life sometimes is.

If we are stuck in a cyclic revolution – we are just that. STUCK.

But if we move into the next definition of the word “REVOLUTION – then everything changes. We don’t have to “resolve” to make change happen – we just need to follow the greatest Revolutionist in history. And in so doing, several things will happen:

1. We will be changed by Revolutionary Love.

2. And that Revolutionary Love will change the world.

ROMANS 12

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c]Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

When we write the first word in a story, most writers are well aware that the story will go through many edits before it is ready for public consumption. As a newbie photographer, I am finding the same thing applies to most of my pictures.

So here, in an effort to improve my own photo editing, I’m sharing the “before and after” pictures of the birthday girl. Hopefully, the end result is a better picture than I shared originally.

*additional info* if you notice, in the first pic, there is a yellow hue. That is b/c of my camera setttings and the really awful lighting in my house. As I desaturated the photo, you can see the color change and improve.

Original Pic

The Final Edit. (so far!)