This picture has nothing to do with my blog. I just like it. Indian Talking stick (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m not just talking about writing today. I’m talking to anybody that happens along this path. (That’s not new for me, anyway.)

You know how it is. You’re doing whatever it is you do, and one day you get a nagging feeling inside you that says, I’m tired of this. I want to try something new.

Or you wake up one morning, sit bolt upright in bed, and bam! Somethings got to change and you know exactly what it is.

However it hits you–in the head or the heart or just with itchy feet–I’m curious how your head or heart or feet work.

How do you decide what you’re going to do?

Do you look around, research the options, see what most people are doing these days? Find out what’s selling? What’s being worn?

Or do you pick up the first thing that looks vaguely interesting?

Like I said, I’m not just talking to writers today. I’m talking to anyone who does stuff. Quilters, crochet-ers, knitters, photographers, painters, golfers, vacationers– and writers.

Years ago, when I was a wee lass in junior high school, I wanted to knit in the worst way. I didn’t know any knitters, so I bought a book and some yarn and a pair of needles and set about teaching myself.

I didn’t do anything with my knitting back then. I don’t know if I ever completed anything, and I’m sure I never wore anything I made, but I learned. Sort of. Then I took a class and really learned how to knit.

I’m still knitting, all these many years later.

How do I find my projects?

Sometimes I wander into a knitting  store and look for a project to do. The trouble is, if I just find one and don’t have a real desire for it, I’m never really happy with it.

But sometimes I see a sweater in a magazine or on TV, and I get a burning desire to make it. Then, if I can find the pattern, think I have the chops and still believe it’s what I want, I’ll get the supplies, make it, and love the heck out of doing it.

If I know what I want to do, and I work to get whatever it is, I know I’m going to do it right. Even if it means ripping out and starting over a few times.

When I write, I’ve always just written what kind of leaked into my head. The characters that find their way in won’t leave until I write them out, so I do it.

This time, a whole crowd has leaked into my head. (Yes, it’s a little crowded in here.) I think it must be a Christian Women’s Fiction series. But how do I do it? Do I make them mysteries? Suspense? Paranormal (by adding angels)? Straight CWF?

Should I research to see what sells best? Or should I just write it, and find out what it is when everyone else does?

What’s the best way to decide what you want to do?

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For now, I’m calling it TEXAS HEARTS, but I’m always open to a better idea.

Do they still hang horse thieves in Texas?

Buck tensed his muscles in his ready-to-run dance. Jessie stroked his neck and murmured, “Hang on, boy. It’s nearly time.”

Focusing on the ride, she walked Buck into position. The excitement built, adrenalin shot through her muscles like lightning strikes. Tugging her Stetson low so there was no chance of losing it, she leaned into the saddle, took a firm grip on Buck’s reins, inhaled, blew it out long and slow and booted him in the ribs.

He took off in an explosion of energy; she leaned into the run. She concentrated on the first barrel, the cheers of the crowd dimming to near silence. Spectator faces blurred past as they rounded second. Yes! It felt good. This is where she belonged.

Buck ran flat out as they charged the third turn. Heading into the pocket, he dug in, and the world shifted. Dipped. She snatched a breath and held tight to the saddle horn, her heart pounding as he fought for footing. He slid in the loose earth. She gave him his head, praying, by some miracle, he could stay on his feet.

Buck’s back left leg disappeared from under them. Fear tore through her as they dropped, then slammed into the ground. The saddle horn jerked from her grip.

He floundered, trying to get up. She kicked her foot free and tried to shove away from the panicked animal, but she couldn’t move. Her other leg was under him. Stories of riders being killed from similar falls flashed through her mind.

Buck fought his way to his feet, yanking her leg high in the air with her foot through the stirrup and leaving her head on the ground. His shod hooves cut so close, he kicked dirt in her face as he danced with anxiety.

If she could catch her breath, make him hear her, he might calm. But she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find words to ease him.

He threw his head back, gathering himself as he looked for a way to escape the nightmare.

Slamming shut her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her head. God! Help me.

“Whoa! It’s all right, fella.”

The man’s soothing voice calmed her. Removing her arms, she was able to see a cowboy with dark red hair take his life in his hands. No! Getting in front of a panicked horse is suicide. She struggled to form the words, but he stepped in front of Buck and grabbed the bridle. “You’re all right, boy. Shhhh.”

Buck quivered all over, but the stranger in the black hat released one hand to stroke his neck.

Cowboys who’d been watching from the nearby arena fence surrounded her, released her foot from the stirrup and helped her to her stand. Weak as water, she stiffened her knees so she could walk.

She had to see about Buck. What would she do if she’d seriously injured him? Had she stolen him just to have to put him down?

Quelling the sobs gathering inside her, she dragged in a rough breath and stumbled to the man at Buck’s head. “Is he okay?”

He kept stroking Buck’s neck, the fabric of his crisply starched shirt sleeve pleating rather than wrinkling like hers. “He’s skittish as a green-broke colt. Can you take his head?”

With a nod, she threaded her fingers through the bridle. The man moved to Buck’s side, the fringe on his chaps swinging with each step. He ran his hands down each of Buck’s legs. “I think he’s all right.”

Her frozen insides started to melt at his words. As she blew out her pent up breath, a knife jabbed her in the ribs. The fall must have been harder than she realized. She slid her fingers over the hurt. No blood. That was a good thing.

The man took his gaze from Buck for the first time to glance at her with eyes as green as tree leaves. “You all right?”

The inspiration came when G-Man and I went to the Jim Shoulders Rodeo in Tulsa a few years ago. They had cameras and a big screen showing closeups of all the action in the arena.

Even when one girl’s horse went down with her on the third barrel, we saw it all. Almost as soon as they were down, they were surrounded by fence sitting cowboys, who quickly got her and her horse on their feet.

So that’s the beginning of my first nearly finished Christian Women’s Fiction. Thoughts?

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Growing up in church, the minister’s daughter, is supposed to mean you are protected. Sometimes, it only means you are accessible to the wrong people.

“At dinnertime she and I would stand side by side in the kitchen. He would walk in the back door, both of us turning to see this giant in our lives, holding both of us prisoner with the bigness of him being a man and us being only women. No words, only a nodding of his head, a walking away from us to other rooms filled with silence that killed and feelings left unspoken, unnamed. And he would pray that same prayer every night – calling on God to bind the devil, keep him out our house, our lives. The devil – keep him out – what a joke. What a laugh. Me and mama . . . we never talked about it. And that silence, it was death to us – kept us dead and always dying. Kept us with no comfort to give; none to take.”

“There’s lot’s of us – folks hurt by parents, uncles, pastors, good every Sunday go to church, jump, shout, and holler church folks. Some even speak in tongues, see visions, feed the poor.”

“Like Corns on My Toes” could be the story of any other girl, in any other church

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About the Author:

Ashara

Writing – not just an art, but a spiritual connection to those you know, those you wish to know, those you create; to . . . whatever and whomever you wish.

When not writing, I knit, watch old movies, read loads of fiction, political satire, and anything that strikes my fancy, and I sing all the time.

Agents interested in my work, Like Corns on My Toes, or who may want to see other things I’ve written, may contact me at: kstafford at live.com (all lowercase letters)

Author’s favorite  books:

My All Time Absolute Favorite work of fiction: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
ALL Dickens – since I was 6 – LOVE his work
Absoluely adore Shakespeare
Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Jane Austen stories
The Holy Bible – my preference, The King James Version
Anthology of Negro Poetry 1768 – 1949
Beloved – Toni Morrison
Of Mules and Men – Zora Neale Hurston
Jonah’s Gourd Vine – Zora Neale Hurston
Tell My Horse – Zora Neale Hurston
Poetry by Margaret Walker, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Countee Cullen
Agatha Christie Mysteries
Sherlock Holmes – all of the stories

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Reviews:

I love your descriptions of the devout and decent Henley. His behavior stands in stark contrast to the behavior of Mr. Sorley and Mae Lou and the Preacher. I’m really impressed at the complexity of the characters you’ve drawn as you share this real-life story. Reverend Donovan, particularly, has tremendous depth.
Taking me from the finding of Marvin’s body to Ernest’s childhood! Shame on you, woman. I’m going to keep reading but will close my review now. This is awesome!!~ Audrey Bennett, Forgiveness Fits

Powerful writing! Great dialogue.~Sue50

This is exceptionally good. I would echo every compliment (others) have showered upon you. I’ve read many novels of the Deep South by James Lee Burke and others and this is right up there. Top level! Six stars.

Camac Johnson, Hemingway Quest

Love always transforms the demons.
It is surely not what happens to us in life that defines us – but how we decide to relate TO it. Your story demonsrated it so beautifully. Higly starred. Leela Saachi, When fear comes home to Love

What a scorcher! I don’t know who to hate more, Anna Mae or that uncle Marvin! And the father is pitiful too…I don’t know how Shena forgave him in the end. I’ll be recommending this to a few friends, Ashara, this really should be published!~Derek Zee

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An edge of your seat page turner that begs to be checked out @

http://authonomy.com/books/43400/like-corns-on-my-toes/

Read it for FREE and then drop me a line about it!

Georgina reaches a crossroad in her life and needs to make changes; will her decision act as a catalyst for change within her family?

There has to be more to life; I am alive, but not living – these are the thoughts that torment Georgina as she prepares to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. Taking stock of her life would require challenging some of the Greek values and traditions she has been raised with.

‘Georgina’s Family’ is a novel which centres on Georgina and her eldest sister, Katherina. Professionally they are both doing well – one as a teacher, the other as a City broker, but on a personal level they need to resolve inner conflicts if they are to find happiness.

Katherina’s life changes as a new broker enters her team and she is forced to face a secret that she has kept buried for many years. Their younger sister, Sophia, is regarded as the rebel of the family and life in the Andreou household is full of love, conflict and laughter.

Relationships are challenged and secrets revealed as the sisters go on holiday to Greece. Georgina needs to find the courage to lead the life she wants to lead as opposed to the life she is expected to lead.

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MARIA CONSTANTINE

Favourite past times include learning foreign languages, travelling and experiencing different cultures. I have yet to visit a country that has not inspired me in one way or another.
I am currently revising ‘Georgina’s Family’… I have learned that the journey is just as important.

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Reviews

I absolutely love this book. It has broad universal appeal that I think would be of interest to adult men and women of all ages. I did not previously know anything about Greek family culture. I can see some wonderful positives to it but some negative restrictions as well. That is part of the appeal of the book…you take me into an interesting world that is foreign to my Southern California diluted German/Scottish/English/Norwegian/American roots. Your characters, dialogue, and plot are first-rate, and the story has a very wholesome feel to it but with a lot of depth to consider in the issues covered.~Bart Jahn, The High Standards of God in the End Times

This is a lovely family story made up of a strong plot, interesting characters, and good food. The imagery of the food is so good that I broke my reading up into two settings in order to go to a local Greek restaurant – wow, was that good! smile. Seriously, you do an awesome job of describing a family party: all the anticipation, tension, good times, and great food that were a part of it.

Wonderful characters in Sophia, youngest sister; Georgina, middle sister; Katherine, eldest sister; Dimitri, brother spoiled by all the women in the family, and the mother, Christina. Great imagery of many aspects of the life of this family: shared meals, “broxenia” or “the Greek version of a blind date with marriage being the expectation.” (I laughed out loud at that). Beyond the family, I enjoyed the description of Georgina’s day at school – as the teacher. It reminded me a lot of my own public school teaching days.

Marvelous story of the glorious, colorful, full-of-life, participants in a Greek family drama. I hope this finds a publisher soon. This is a delightful, charming look at a warm, loving domestic culture and customs with which most of us are unfamiliar.~Patricia A. Johnson-Laster, Break Free!

I really enjoyed reading what you have here. You are most certainly a very talented writer!
What a story! Even your pitch had me!
“Alive but not living…” Wow! Just wow! That is only a sample of the MANY unique and well turned phrases that just flow throughout your work! I only WISH I had HALF the talent that flows from your pen! Highly starred.~Laura A. Diaz, They Call Me Blanca, Come What May

Checkout this unique voice in Christian women’s fiction @ http://authonomy.com/books/39347/georgina-s-family/

Then drop a line and let me know what you thought of it.

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON

A devotional collection of short story and poetic musing geared to Women’s fiction.

Check it out at: http://authonomy.com/books/29889/-come-what-may-/read-book/#chapter

In life, we face a multitude of crossroads and choices.
Choices that leave in their path “what-if?” And once we choose a path, we can rarely go back to see where the other would have lead.

The story “Come What May” is the first in this timely collection. It introduces us to Cayla .
As a college student, Cayla met with a crossroad-choice that would haunt her and leave her wondering ‘what-if?’
And with ‘what-if’ dogging your steps like a tired pack mule, does anyone really get a ‘what-if-free’ happy ending this side of heaven?
This is one woman’s struggle with ‘what-if,’ and how she has dealt with it.
Or has she?

This whole collection is full to overflowing with moments that will make you laugh-out-loud and nod your head. It is topped off, like icing on a cake, with a poem that wraps up the whole ‘what-if’ theme and a concluding chapter that gives you a glimpse of the author’s take on this.

Reviews:

It is rare that something touches me this closely. I cried with Cayla, and laughed with Cayla, and felt the butterflies in my stomach as Cayla remembered everything her and Daniel had and then again as she saw him walking towards her. I was there I saw her and her granddaughter is beautiful. Bless young Kelly, I’m glad she didn’t succeed with the cord, but I can see why she thought of that. I hurt for her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and tell her that it’s ok, but GOD did and he is so much better than I would have been. Tears come into my eyes as I write this. I have never before seen a book so very unique, and your talent for storytelling, I am in awe of. By the way– “It’s all good!!!”~ Bethany Anne

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I have tremendous admiration for (this) work, as well as a special fondness for (the author’s) story-telling gift. This is a story that is truly woven, not simply told. As Cayla and Art unravel bit-by-bit, I am drawn to them– even befriending them. (The) word pictures are amazing… and so outside the typical, usual descriptions (“cheetos-orange mug,” “bunny-slippered feet,” and “ever-unruly curly bob”). There is such an authenticity here as well, with REAL happenings that make me smile, such as: “junk click delete.” From the chapter titles like ‘Classy Ties and Oodles of Time,’ to the refreshing word choice, to the story line itself, this piece oozes with imagination, creativity, and love. This is the kind of story I would truly read from cover to cover… the kind of book I would undoubtedly purchase and put on my personal bookshelf one day. A lovely piece.~ Faith Rose, Now To Him

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Come What May I think taps into a thought that every single person on the planet has had at one point in their life, “What if I had taken the other path life set out for me?” Our lives are like branches on a tree, and once you choose to move down one, you almost never can go back and see where the other one would have lead. On that count, author Laura A. Diaz has brilliantly found a way to write a book that will appeal to everyone regardless of where they are on the road of life. While that alone makes this book extremely marketable, the style will make readers glad they picked it up.

It’s also interesting to make the main character 62-years old. It reminds us that the human animal is not that different from generation to generation. We all question what we’ve done with our lives, and the fantasy that someone in their sixties must be content and living with no regrets is an illusion crafted by people who aren’t likely that old. But Cayla Lysander’s concerns are the concerns of us all.

I can’t imagine this book not being successful… Very few titles can legitimately claim such a large potential reading pool. And anyone who picks it up won’t be disappointed.~John Breeden II, Old Number Seven

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I could not stop reading this! Cayla is such a lovable character. I love (the) attention to detail, and smiled when Daniel described her feet on the seat opposite her when they met. The love that she has for both Daniel and Arthur is heart breaking, endearing, and completely relatable! As I am reading I have this weird feeling in my tummy, almost as though I can feel how they are feeling.~Luciana House,Burning Angel

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I came to read the first chapter to give me an indication of how long it would take me to read your book–or even if I wanted to read past the first chapter. What happened was that I read all twenty-five chapters in one sitting. (well, I did get up a couple times.)  I can tell you what my experience and thoughts were with reading it. Chapter Seven was the break-through chapter for me and hit home. How close your feelings of wondering match my own and probably hosts of others. How few have the courage to confront and verbalize to the world their deepest thoughts. All I can say is ‘I know what you mean.’ Your poetry at the end made me think, made me smile, and made me laugh. Thank you for sharing your work.~Roy Belletete, In Search of a Memory

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Click the link and leave a comment!

The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom,in the heart.
William Hazlitt

Meg Marks is a young lawyer raised off the coast of the Carolinas. An anonymous client hires her to arrange his will, and sends her to meet his estranged family at their lake home in northern Michigan. After a shocking discovery, she finds herself caught between his suspicious family and a deathbed promise her conscience demands that she keep. Will she sacrifice her own dreams for revenge, or will she choose something more?

I’m excited to read this book, and I know you’ll want to add it to your TBR list too! I’ll explain the giveaway rules at the end of the post, but for now, let’s welcome Jennifer Fromke...

Hello Jennifer. Welcome to my blog! Can you share with my readers how came to be a writer? Was this something that you always knew you wanted to be or did you arrive at this point later in life? It was always a dream, but never part of the plan. I was pre-med in college until I realized I was pursuing that goal for all the wrong reasons. I changed to a Literature major, following my heart, but only used it peripherally in my work. After I had kids and they grew old enough to be a little self-sufficient, the writing bug returned and four years ago I began to pursue this dream.

What is your favorite part about the writing process? Least favorite? Love getting a scene from my head onto the page. When I know what I need to say, I love throwing it down for the first time. I also love editing – I could tweek forever.

Hate solving a plot problem. When I’ve written myself into a corner or I’ve made something happen that isn’t realistic or feasible, it’s very frustrating to throw it out and start over, or to try to fix something that I don’t want to fix, even when I know it needs fixing.

I agree with you, Jennifer! By the way, I am so excited about your debut novel. What was the inspiration behind A Familiar Shore? Two things brought it together for me. The first thing was a photograph taken by a friend of mine. It depicts the bow of a yacht, the bowlines swooping toward the dock, and a sunset behind it. This photo inspired my character “Popsie,” who is a bit of an “old salt” at 80 years old, and he’s feeling trapped by decisions he’s made in the past.

The second inspiration came to me when I was studying the book of Joseph. I wanted to take that moment when he stands before his brothers with the power to exact revenge or to restore their relationships . . . and see what it would look like in a contemporary setting. I don’t think the Joseph story is recognizable in my story without a little prompting, but that’s how it all started.

Ooh, I love it! Speaking of books, what is your favorite book in the Bible?

That’s a toughie. I love Revelation. It’s future history and that fascinates me. I’ve taught Bible studies on that book for years, even wrote my own (never published) on the topic. And my favorite verse is when God says, “Behold! I’m making all things new!” What a promise!

I agree. Revelation is a fascinating book! I’m going to switch the subject on you now…if you suddenly were given one million dollars to start a new charity, what type of charity would you launch and why? I have a real heart for two different people groups. 1. Young moms 2. Women in ministry positions/missionaries or married to ministers.

These two groups of women need enormous support systems and oftentimes end up with the slimmest pools of helping hands or sympathetic hearts. I like the idea of ministering to those who do “front-line” ministry to others.

Very cool. Can you share with us something silly about yourself that your readers might like to know? I’m a horrible singer, but I sing all the time. I like to sing messages to my kids just to see them roll their eyes in pain – especially when I’m singing about getting out of bed in the morning or packing up their stuff for school. It’s especially fun when I’m able to slip in ridiculous rhymes.

Jennifer, that is hilarious! Can you share with my readers what project(s) are you currently working on now? I have another novel in the works, but there’s miles to go before I sleep on that one. It’s about two life-long friends who make promises as girls they find difficult to keep as women.

How can readers connect with you?

http://www.jenniferfromke.com

http://www.facebook.com/jenniferfromke

Twitter: @jenniferfromke

Thank you, Jennifer for being my guest. It is an honor to have you here!

********************************************************************************************************************************************************** And now, here are the super-easy details on how you can enter to win a copy of The Familiar Shore (and two copies are going to be given away – a paperback and an ebook, so international readers, be sure to leave a comment to win the ebook version!)

Here’s all you do…leave an encouraging comment for Jennifer (and yes, anyone can enter, but confirmed subscribers receive two entries, so be sure to sign up to follow this blog, then check your email and confirm your subscription to be added to the subscriber list!) Giveaway ends on May 3, 2012. A winner will be chosen at random.

Thank you, my awesome readers, for taking the time to enter this giveaway.  Be sure to join me each Thursday for special giveaways and be sure to stop by on May 3 when I’ll have a very special giveaway in honor of my blog’s anniversary and Mother’s Day. Until then, have a fantastic rest of your week!

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I’m not sure why we hate show-offs so much. Maybe it’s linked to not being truly happy for other people’s successes. Because if we’re not happy for someone it means we’re mad we don’t have something ourselves.

When I was in Grade 8 we did a gymnastics rotation in gym. Each girl had to come up with a floor routine. I had done gymnastics for years and although I wasn’t fantastic, I was probably better than everyone in my class. I could do flips and walkovers and I was really bendy. But you know what I did? I performed a lame-ass routine that didn’t showcase any skills at all. I didn’t want to bring attention to myself. How pathetic.

A friend of mine is always saying what a disservice it is to not bring attention to your strengths. And he’s right. We don’t have to be arrogant about it, we just have to be appropriately proud of our accomplishments.

I have written a book. It is very hard for me to put it out there for everyone to see like this. Not only does it give readers a glimpse into my mind, but it opens me up to be hugely criticized. Some people will like my book, some people will dislike it. I just hope people understand how much work it takes to finish a book, and how embarrassing it is to put something subjective like this out there.

Enjoy.

To buy the book, click here (for Kindle users) or here (for other ereaders).