Hi friends, 

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by and spend a few minutes of your day with me. I really appreciate it! 

I just returned from a Writers retreat for aspiring authors who are fairly new along on their writing journey—many just completing their first manuscript. Finishing a book is a MAJOR accomplishment and I was so very proud of them all. 

I love partnering with writes on their journey towards publication. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Seeing their excitement fueled mine for the written word. 

As I shared the importance of persistence, diligence and determination, it was a great reminder to me that God has called us to this path. He is the one paving the stones. He is the One walking beside us. And, our role is to be obedient. 

Showing up each morning and putting my rear in the chair. Typing or handwriting (most often in my case) or dictating (many of my friend take this approach) the words God supplies, even when we don’t feel like it, is an act of obedience to our Father. 

Here are some pictures of the amazingly beautiful home we stayed at in Bird In Hand, Pennsylvania. If you’re ever in the area, here’s the HomeAway listing: 

There’s something so soothing about being surrounded by rolling hills, Amish buggies, and fresh clothes drying on the line. The retreat was a time of learning, fellowship (I haven’t belly-laughed like that in years) and beautiful rest. Being away from TVs and the busy world that often surrounds us, it gave me moments of stillness in the Lord. 

Starting our day with worship and devotions really set our hearts in the right place to be open to the Lord’s leading and a time of learning. 

It was a privilege and an honor to lead these women who have now formed wonderful friendships and even our own private Facebook group dubbed by the ladies as Dan’s Darlings. I love it.

Question for you: 

What about you? Have you been to a writers, readers, or Bible retreat? What was your experience like? If not, which would you love to attend? 

As always, love hearing your answers. 

Let’s chat! 

Dani 

Hi friends, 

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by and spend a few minutes of your day with me. I really appreciate it! 

Readers are always curious what my office looks like and what I enjoy around me as I write. Writers are usually equally curious about other writers. We’re just a plan curious bunch. 

Today, I’m giving you an inside look at my wreck of an office. 

Here’s a picture of my desk, which is shockingly decently clean. Normally I have a little hole I can type on my keyboard in and see my monitor. The rest has stacks of paper, mail, research books, and the list goes on. I find it hard to work surrounded by clutter, so I sneak out to one of my sofas, curl up with a nice, hot cup of black coffee (the way nature intended it ☺) and some homemade trail mix (almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries and mini chocolate chips). Yum! It’s often my breakfast as I tend to be my most productive in the morning hours. 

A handful of years ago, everyone who knows me well would have laughed out loud at that statement. I was about as far from an early bird as you could get. I would stay up laid reading into the wee hours of the night and then sleep in as often as possible. For some reason, something shifted. Maybe it’s a sign I’m getting older. I am a grandma after all. Whatever the reason, I’m up often as the sun is rising. I have my first cup of coffee, read my Bible, grab my second cup and my snack and head for the couch to curl up and write. 

However, I do love my office space. It’s where I keep my research books, my story binders, copies of my books for giveaways, etc. It’s also where I keep the items that inspire and encourage me. 

My mug collection. As much of a coffee lover as I am, you probably figured I collected the cups that hold my favorite drink. 

A sign from my daughter that means so much to me. 

A letter from one of my all-time favorite authors—Sue Grafton. 

Killing Tide Influencers

I have some exciting news!

I’m looking for influencers for The Killing Tide. If you’d like to be considered for my Suspense Squad team fill out this application. 

Question for you:

What’s your favorite room? What do you love about it? Do you collect anything to make the space more special to you?  As always, love hearing your answers. 

Let’s chat! 

Dani 

Scenic Settings

Hi friends,

So happy to be back with you this week. Today, I’m going to be sharing about my favorite settings to write about. I adore Costal areas. The beach is my absolute happy place. I grew up a few hours away from Ocean City, Maryland and my family spent our summer vacations split between there and Hilton Head, SC.

As a kid through my teenage years, my family sailed often, and I spent lots of time in and on the water—wind surfing, white-water rafting, swimming, snorkeling, taking Scuba diving lessons, and the list goes on. If there’s water nearby, I’m in it.  We have our annual Fourth of July trip to the beach every year.

There’s something energizing yet soothing about being near the ocean, in particular, for me. I have a friend who is kind enough to let us use her ocean-front beach condo. Whenever I need some writing time away (a.k.a writing deadline) I head to the condo and love curling up on the sofa, no matter the weather, and writing away with the ocean in view.

Spending so much of my time in coastal areas is probably why they are my favorite setting to write about.

Yancy, Alaska

My debut series, The Alaskan Courage series, is set on the fictional island of Yancey, Alaska, which sits next to Kodiak Island.

Chesapeake Bay

My Chesapeake Valor series is set by the Chesapeake Bay where I grew up in Northern Virginia and where my family and I live in Maryland. It was so much fun writing about places I visit regularly.

Coastal North Carolina

My upcoming Coastal Guardian series is set along coastal North Carolina where we spend a good portion of our summer and fall vacations. It’s gorgeous down there and I’m having the best time describing all the beauty the area encompasses.

You can learn more about The Killing Tide by clicking the button below:

Question for you:

Do you have a favorite setting you like to read about? Coastal or mountain? Small town verses city? International or domestic?

I look forward to hearing your answers!

Have a blessed day!  

Dani

This post may contain affiliate links

Hi friends,

Welcome to The Blog. I took a blogging hiatus in 2018 but it feels so good to be back chatting with you all. I’ll be blogging here the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Hope you’ll join me.

Today is a special day! It’s release day for Deadly Isle, my first stand-alone story available in e-book from all your favorite retailers. I’ve included links below if you’re interested in grabbing a copy or sending one to a friend.

Deadly Isle’s heroine is Tennyson “Teni” Kent.

Teni is an underwater investigator with Maryland’s National Rescource Police. She adores swimming and what remains of her close-knit family, particularly her cousin Julia. Teni’s first love was Callen Frost and after a terrible split, she’s reunited once again with Callen—this time on case that just may end her life.

I’ve picked my top three favorite fictional heroines. I’d love to hear who your favorite fictional heroines are!

Elizabeth Bennet from

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

How can you not love fiery and spirited Lizzie Bennet? She’s intelligent, plucky, loyal and lovely. I love her wit and the sparks that zing between her and the frustrating, but lovable Mr. Darcy. This is my all-time favorite book. If you haven’t read it, you are definitely missing out.

Click Here to Purchase Pride and Prejudice

Krista Carmichael from

Terri Blackstock’s Predator

If you haven’t read this novel, the opening will grab you by the throat and not let up until the very last page. Terri is a master at suspense. I highly recommend her.

I love Krista because from the very first scene, she anchors in your heart. She’s kind yet fierce. She’s a fighter caught in a battle that tests the very fiber of her being and her reliance on God. She is an endearing and powerfully dynamic character who I think you’ll adore and cheer for.

You can find out more at www.terriblackstock.com

Click Here to Purchase Terri Blackstock’s Predator

Meredith Hayes from

Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Last, but certainly not least is Meredith Hayes from Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer.

Meredith is thrust into a marriage of convenience, but she works hard after a time to make the best of it. She’s another strong heroine, has a tremendous sense of humor and the banter between her and Travis Archer is delightful. It is a heart-warming story of two souls who are meant to be together, but it takes them a period of growth, sacrifice and faith in God, before they realize they are right where they are meant to be.

You can find out more at www.karenwitemeyer.com

Click Here to Purchase Karen Witemeyer’s Short Straw Bride

QUESTION FOR YOU…

How about you? Who are your favorite fictional heroines and what kind of heroines do you love to read about?

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate Deadly Isle’s release, I'm giving away a fun, reader's goody basket. Leave a comment below to enter!

Have a blessed week!

Dani

Hi friends, 

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's post. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, you can here.

Today, I want to share some news with you.

After a lot of prayer and time of reflection, I've decided in an effort to better communicate with all my readers in a more tangible way, and to share more behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing life and story worlds, I'll be communicating via monthly newsletters instead.

I've got some really fun peeks behind the creative curtain planned and I hope if you aren't already signed up for my newsletter that you'll take a moment to do so right here: Hot Mess Writing Newsletter

I look forward to sharing the first edition of Hot Mess Writing--A Peek Behind the Creative Curtain with you in January.

Along with sharing some wonderful sources of inspiration to me with interviews and visits with Wendy Pope and Suzie Eller of Proverbs 31, as well as an incredible interview you won't want to miss by my friend and mentor Dee Henderson. 

See you in early January! 

Happy New Year! 

Dani

Happy Tuesday, friends! I know I'm coming to you on a different day of the week, but I didn't want to share a post on Christmas. Which, brings me to..how was your Christmas? I pray it was a wonderful time of celebrating family and most importantly, our Savior's birth.

Today, we're on the last letter of the Alphabet. I can't believe we are at the end of a year and the end of Alphabet for the Soul. It seems not so long ago we were jumping in with A and now we are on Z. 

Years can be like that too. How fast did 2017 go by for you? For me it was a year of glorious blessings along with some very rough valleys. I received a health diagnosis that has really altered my daily routine and the time I'm able to invest in certain areas, but more on that in a separate post, which you can read about tomorrow.

Today, however, we're on the letter Z and for our word I've chosen zealous. I often think zealous gets a negative connotation, but if you are zealous for the right things, you can be nearly unstoppable. 

 
A zealous soul accomplishes more in brief moments than most do in a lifetime.

Think of those who have gone before us. Those who have been zealous for the Lord and who have made great strides in a rather brief period of years. Servants like Jim Elliot, Eric Liddell, and Derrick Bonhoeffer. They died serving God boldly and zealously. 

As we enter 2018, let's have souls on fire for the Lord and be men and women of zeal for God. 

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." ~Romans 12:11

Happy New Year! 

COLORING PAGE “Z” FOR ZEALOUS

Download PDF  Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover  Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Dani

Happy Monday, friends! I'm so glad you're here. For today's letter, I've chosen the word YEARN. Have you ever yearned for something? I imagine we all have. At this time of year, especially, a lot of kids (and maybe some adults) are yearning for some special Christmas presents. I'm yearning for more of Jesus. God has really been using my health issues to draw me closer into dependance on Him, and while I'd rather not be sick, I'm so very thankful for Him drawing me in even deeper. 

Yearn for Jesus today and always.

The thought of yearning for Jesus brings a song to mind for me. Can you tell I'm a fan of music. It speaks to my soul, and when I think of yearning to be closer to Jesus, I think of Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong. If you haven't heart this amazing song, you're missing out. 

Can't you just hear the longing in the artist's heart for God? It reminds me of this wonderful verse from Psalms: 

"My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." ~Psalm 84:2

As we draw closer to Christmas, make time to draw closer to Jesus. Yearn for Him and He will answer. 

COLORING PAGE “Y” FOR YEarn

Download PDF  Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover  Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings, 

Dani

Happy Monday, friends! I’m super excited to share today’s word with you. It was a little interesting come up with an applicable word for X, but I found one, and I don’t know about you, but it really speaks to where I am right now with my recent health issues and some other trials I’m facing. It’s a word that holds so much encouragement, I feel God whispering it to my soul as I type this out.

So, without further ado, x is for xerach! Yes, it’s a word. A wonderful word full of deep meaning.

Xerach is: Plant succession staring on bare ground or rock (an empty place or a hard surface) and culminating in a mature climax forest.

It is mature forest growing from the humblest of beginnings.  

A lone xerach flower blooming in the desert is a far mightier display of God’s might than a meadow full of them. If He’s planted you in a dry place, trust that He’ll bring you to bloom.

God says in His Word:
“For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” ~Isaiah 43:19

If you are struggling to grow in a dry, hard place, trust that God is at work and when you mature into full bloom, you will be a glorious reflection of Him to behold.

For Further Study: 

·      2 Corinthians 5:17 

·      Isaiah 66:22

·      Isaiah 11:1-9

·      Isaiah 41:18-20 (in addition to verse 19 above)  

·      Psalm 31:24

Here is a song that has spoken to me so much over the years when I’ve been in dry places. I hope it speaks to your heart today as well.

What song is speaking to you right now? Any that fill you with hope whenever you listen to it? I’d love if you’d share.

COLORING PAGE “X” FOR Xerach

Download PDF  Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover  Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Have a blessed Monday!
 

In Christ,

Dani

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I finished writing a novella project I’m really excited about that will be part of a compilation novella entitled The Cost of Betrayal with Dee Henderson and Lynette Eason. It will be available next fall. I hope you’ll all enjoy it.

Today we’re going to talk about waiting. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of waiting. Patience is not my strong suit, though God has been trying to get the concept through my thick skull for a while now.

I don’t know what you might be waiting for—the right guy or girl to come along, the right job, a publishing contract, the latest novel from your favorite writer, or something even more serious like news from a biopsy or the fertility doctor.

Waiting can be so hard. Trust me, I know. I’ve waited beside deathbeds. I’ve waited in delivery rooms and inside the NICU. I’ve waited for a publishing contract for seven years before receiving one. So much waiting, but you know what I learned? We might be waiting, but God isn’t. He’s always at work. Working for our good and His will.

I love this verse from Isaiah:

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

~Isaiah 40:31

Those who trust in the Lord (even in waiting) will find new strength. I don’t know about you, but it’s been in some of my deepest periods of waiting that God has done the most work in me and looking back, I can see the journey He’s with me on. So, take heart, dear ones.

Waiting is tough, but those God calls, He equips. You’re going to make it in splendid fashion. ~Dani Pettrey

Coloring page “W” for Waiting

Download PDF  Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover  Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

May God bless you in this time of waiting and may your trust in Him increase daily.

Blessings,
Dani

Hi friends,

Welcome to Writerly Wednesday. Today I have a very special guest--Susie Larson is joining us from Minnesota. If you aren't familiar with Susie, boy are you missing out. Susie is a radio host, writer, encourager and she runs a fabulous conference for Christian Writers.

The amazing thing about Susie is how you open one of her books and you feel like you've stepped in the room with her and are chatting over a cup of coffee. Her words speak deep to the soul and I'm honored to have her sharing with us today.

1) What Bible story are you most thankful was included in Scripture and why?

What a great question! Can I give you three answers?

Yes ma'am! 

My first choice would be the story of Joseph of the OT. His story of vision, hardship, training, trust, and breakthrough speak volumes to me. I’ve returned to this story time and time again as I’ve walked out my own faith journey. Second choice would be the story of Ruth. Her grit and courage and conviction to face the unknown and to follow a God she trusted but could not see…well, it inspires me to no end. And finally, the woman at the well constantly reminds me that Jesus changes us when we’re willing to be honest with Him. I love how most of the town was transformed because she was willing to be known as someone who needed to be saved. When saving grace upstages saving face, everything changes.

Amen to that! 

2) Who do you most want to reach through your writing?

I want to encourage and strengthen the Christ follower who is weary in battle and who wonders if God sees her. I have such a passion to see women healed, restored, and mobilized to live out their call in Christ Jesus.

Your heart for women definitely comes shining through in all your writing and in your awesome radio show! You are definitely an encourager. I've been so blessed by you! 

3) Is there a theme that carries through most of your books even though they are on different topics?

Wow, another great question! For me, yes! I didn’t set out to carry this theme throughout my books but it’s appeared enough for me to realize that it’s a part of who I am. If you read enough of my stuff, you’ll start to notice that I write a lot about how to stand in battle, how to contend for the promises of God, how to persevere when you feel like quitting, and the importance of physical disciplines to protect your health. I worked in the fitness industry for about 15 years and I’ve struggled with a chronic health issue. Though I’m a ‘doer’ and a get-er-done girl, I’ve had to come to grips with my limits. And in that place, I’ve learned afresh that I serve a God who has no limits. So I respect my limits and then I pray to the God of the impossible. I suppose that’s more than one theme. Is that okay? :)

Lol! Absolutely okay :) I also suffer from a chronic health condition and am very much like you--a 'doer' so it's been quite a challenge learning to accept my limits, but you are so right--God IS the God of the impossible.

4) What would you say helps you stay focused on what matters most in a world that’s so distracting?

I spend a significant time with the Lord every morning because He’s my safest place, He knows me best, and He’s the Source of everything I do. And as silly as it sounds, I get to bed on time every night. We lose perspective quickly when we’re under-rested and overworked.

That is so true. Rest is so important as is that start-of-the-day time with our Lord. 

5) What do you do to prepare your heart or still your soul for celebrating Jesus’ birth at Christmas?

I do what I do all year long (guard that morning time with God), and I block off nights on my schedule to just sit by the tree with music on. I recall the ways God has been faithful. This reminds me that I have a history with God. And I thank Him ahead of time for the ways He will continue to be faithful. I know I have a future with Him. And I remember that Jesus was born during a time of great injustice. It may have been a silent night but it was a turbulent time. It helps me remember that though we will have trouble in this world, we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world.

Amen! How about you all--how do you prepare your heart or still your soul for celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas?

Everyone who answers or leaves a question or comment for Susie will automatically be entered to when a copy of Your Sacred Yes! Trust me, you want to win this fabulous book. 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Susie. It was an honor and a pleasure.

Susie and I would love if you'd join us THIS Thursday at 8pm EST for a Christmas Celebration. There will be caroling, Christmas memories, FB LIVE videos from us both, not to mention fabulous Christmas giveaway bundles. Hope to see you there! Be sure to RSVP today.

Susie Larson is a talk radio host, national speaker, and bestselling author of fifteen books and many articles. In both 2016 and 2017 Susie was nominated and voted into the top ten group for the John Maxwell Leadership Award. Susie has been married to her dear husband Kevin since 1985 and together they have three wonderful sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and one adorable pit bull named Memphis. Susie’s passion is to see women everywhere awakened to the value of their soul, the depth of God’s love, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus.

To learn more about Susie visit her at SusieLarson.com.

Blessings, 

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We spent Thursday with our family. Friday we put up our tree and decorate our house with the kids and grandkids. Saturday we went to the tree farm with the gang and our kids cut down a tree for their house, and we got a second tree for out on our back deck. We set it up on a table and strung it with colorful lights. Now,  everyone driving up our hill at night can see it, and I get to look at it out my office window while I write.

Speaking of writing...I'm on 10-day sprint to my novella deadline. Prayers that God would let the words flow--the words and story He intends--would be wonderful! I've had so much fun writing this story and I can't wait to partner with my amazing friend and mentor, Dee Henderson, and the amazing Lynette Eason. The Cost of Betrayal is set to be released in October of 2018. I hope you'll all enjoy it.

Next up, I'm finishing up my line edits (the post-revision stage of fine-tuning line by line) on Dead Drift. It's been really fun to see how the Chesapeake Valor gang is going to wrap up....at least for now.

Today's letter is V and I chose the joy-filled word Victory to go with it. Victory and joy-filled? Yes, when it comes to Christ and what He's accomplished for us, nothing could be more joy-inducing. Christ's victory over death, on our behalf, is the greatest gift we will ever receive.

As we move into this Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of Christ, but let us not forget his death as well. Every day of our life can be filled with joy that is unshakable and deeply ingrained in our souls.

Because of Christ's victory and, our salvation in Him, we can live a life of boldness and freedom--all rooted in Him and His great love for us. What a glorious reason to celebrate this Christmas season.

I pray you have a joyful, victorious, Christ-focused week!

Download today’s Coloring page

“V” for Victory

Download PDFDownload JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front coverBack cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

I was on an author panel a few years—the kind where I don’t remember much of what we discussed, but I do remember that someone asked us, “What kind of books do you read to prepare yourself for writing?” My friend Tracy Groot said Steinbeck, I think. Someone else said they read John Ashbery.

I said I don’t read anybody. I watch an episode of Breaking Bad. And I have a cigar and a cup of coffee. Then I’m ready to write.

I should have felt silly about that, but I didn’t. I know what triggers get my mind in the right head-space to write what I need to write and I’m very intentional about using them. I know that I do my best writing on a particular bench overlooking the Capitol building and the Lansing skyline (you may never have heard of Lansing, which is weird because it’s the capital city of Michigan) while writing on this decade-old word processor I bought on eBay. It’s called a “Dana” and it has no internet, e-mail, twitter, or anything like that to distract me. I know that music and surroundings tend to affect how I write.

I like to have a playlist for each novel I’m writing, that evokes the mood I want to tap into, but also one particular song for each book that I can play to sort of Pavlov’s Dog myself into the right head-space in under a minute. For my book The Last Con, the song was “Crystalize” by Lindsey Stirling. I heard that song in a bookstore a couple weeks ago and immediately (involuntarily) started concocting new scenes. The problem is, that book came out in 2015. For42 Months Dry, it was all about Matisyahu—frantic, urban, and Hebraic.

For Playing Saint and the sequel that just came out, Playing Saint: All Souls’ Day, watching a little Breaking Bad was the thing that chambers a round for me, creatively speaking. Not that I wanted to copy Vince Gilligan’s style; just that I found myself wanting—needing—to be creative in a sort of uncharted way after forty minutes of consuming that brand of narrative. The writing flowed better when I crank-started the process that way (there’s a pun in there somewhere).

I think this is a fairly pervasive phenomenon. When I read 17th Century Puritans for half an hour (which I do frequently; see also, pastor), I find myself speaking and even thinking in more archaic language and with way more complex sentence structure than normal. Seriously.

Or I remember one week in college, I went with some friends to see Good Will Hunting (saw it again a few months ago—it still holds up, by the way). When we got back to our suite in the dormitory, I realized that my roommates and I were talking to each other in the same sort of quick, sarcastic, reference-heavy cadence of that film. The next night, we rented Bad Boys, and I noticed that we were all kind of gangster-leaning into our jokes and comments—much more laid-back and cool (or, ya know, as cool as dorky students at a Baptist college can be). We were being us both nights, just us percolated in a particular vibe.

Watching Jerry Maguire makes me want to write a mission statement, even though I think mission statements are usually stupid. Reading Stephen Lawhead makes me want to write a 200,000-word epic, until I remember how much research that would involve. What I’m saying—and I don’t think I’m alone here—is that interacting with a particular type of creativity really revs up my own creative engine.

So what gets you into the head-space you need to inhabit in order to write what you’re writing now? Is it TS Elliot? Awesome! Chuck Palahniuk? Even better! Phileas and Ferb? No judgment here… Just like a smoker trying to quit needs to identify his triggers and avoid them, a writer trying to write needs to identify her triggers and use them.

We’re two thirds through NaNoWriMo; maybe you need to find that shortcut that turns on the word-flow like a faucet in order to catch up! Just like that guy trying to quit smoking, maybe you need to think back to when you did your very best writing and reverse-engineer every variable at play. What did they have in common? The same setting? The same soundtrack? The same brand of tea? The smoker trying to quit needs to avoid those cigarette triggers; the writer needs to put them in her hip pocket and use them as a secret weapon.

Happy writing!

Zachary Bartels

Giveaway

Zachary is giving away a copy of his latest book, Playing Saint: All Souls' Day. 

All you need to do to enter is answer the following question:

What do you do to prepare yourself to write or get into the "writing mood"?

Happy Monday, friends!

The unknown can be scary, but at the same time, it's how we think about it and react to it that makes the difference. I know, I'm one to talk. I'm the 'what if?' girl. You know that girl? The one always fretting whether something bad is coming around the bend. Not sure why I choose to be that way.

Could be I had a rough upbringing (won't go into details), but I was scared a lot as a little girl and honestly a lot of that carried over, but I recently did Lysa Terkeurst's Uninvited Bible Study and it was revolutionary in my life.

Lysa--though I don't know her personally--shared so openly and honestly in her book how she shared so many of the same emotions growing up and how it affected her as an adult until she focused on Jesus. On His love for her.

God tells us in His Word:

If God knows the unknown and He promises to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future, then surely we can trust the unknown ride to Him because it's not unknown to Him. He sees it all, and knows what's coming around the bend and knows it's for our good. And, even more comforting is the fact that He's sitting right next to us on the ride. We can let go of our tight control on the bar and let our hands wave high in our deep trust in our Savior. He's got the ride so enjoy it!

How about you? Do you hold the bar tight or waves your hands in the air? While we're on the topic of roller coasters, favorite ride? Mine would have to be Griffon at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. Talk about a steep drop...

Download today’s Coloring page

“U” for Unknown

Download PDFDownload JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front coverBack cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Hi friends,

Thanks for joining me and the lovely Becky Wade over the past few months as we've video chronicled the Creation of a Novel. If you've missed any of the posts, you can find them on my sidebar and I hope you'll take a peek.

Today, however, we're talking about the most exciting part (well, one of them)....Publication. The stage where your novel is finally in print and available for readers. It's a wonderful, exciting, fulfilling nerve-wracking stage where you wonder how your readers will enjoy the story you just spent anywhere from six months to a year working on. Hope you enjoy the video!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSM2nHnAMvE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

What about you? Did anything about the Creation of a Novel surprise you? If you're published, what emotions do you feel when your first hold that bound-book in your hands?

Giveaway

Everyone who leaves a comment or a question will be entered to win an autographed copy of one of Dani's books (reader's choice). Thanks so much for joining us on this journey!

Best,

Dani and Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you had a good weekend. I spent mine sick with a head cold, sinus infection and fun upper respiratory infection. But I was happy to catch a cold if it meant spending a few days up in Hershey, PA with my awesome gal-pal and fantastic fellow author (if you haven't read her, you MUST check her out), Kathryn Cushman.

Why did I share that? Because, I don't about you, but when I'm sick (which, unfortunately, is a lot of the time of late), I feel very vulnerable. I'm not able to do all the things I want to do and I feel like it's a great lesson in humility. I realize the truth that I don't, in fact, run my own little world.

I don't control the universe. I can't do it all. In fact, I can't do anything (that's right, anything) without God's enabling. When I'm sick I realize how fully dependent I am on God for the breath in my lungs (particularly when I'm stuffy and struggle to breathe), and the gift of waking up every morning (even if it's with coughing).

I am fully dependent on God.

Why am I such a slooowww learner and it takes me getting sick to get it through my thick skull to trust in Christ?

I'm currently participating in a fabulous Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study with Max Lucado based on his amazing book, Anxious for Nothing, along with their companion series Be Still and Know. Today's message was shared by Whitney Capps. I'm shocked to say this is my first time listening to her teaching, but it was incredible. She talked about all the striving we do and how it's a compensation for either insecurity or the need to feel 'in control.'

Hmmm. Sounds like exactly what I needed to hear today. And, if that wasn't God's voice echoing in my ear enough, this week Alistair Begg has been sharing fabulous images and quotes about trust. I'm sharing one here and giving all credit to Alistair Begg from his Truth for Life ministry.

Two fabulous ministries (Proverbs 31 and Truth for Life), two whispers from God when I most needed to hear the reminder--"Trust in Me." That's my paraphrase of this wonderful scripture verse:

Repeat this verse every day this week and I bet it'll change your outlook. It'll remind you that God is trustable. He has us. And, what a wonderful reminder it is.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope this post has been helpful. Let me know how God reminds you to trust in Him. Do you ever read a verse or participate in a Bible study that really speaks to your heart and deepest needs.

Download today’s Coloring page

“T” for Trust

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

Blessings,

Every November I’m convinced the holidays won’t down slow my writing.

Every year I’m wrong.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are all joyous celebrations, but they come at the end of the year when I’m already struggling to meet my annual writing goals. Add the colder weather, a wide array of Christmas movies, and all the fun holiday activities in our area, and it’s mind-boggling I get any work done in November or December.

Taking extended time off is rarely an option for me. I do have writer friends who through careful planning manage to take December off, but I’ve never been able to do this. I have found ways to meet my writing goals and enjoy the holidays, though, and you can too!

Here are my top 4 tips.

1. Assess your current writing goals.

- Are you under deadline?

- If yes, when is the manuscript due?

- If no, how important is it to you to finish the draft/revisions before January first?

- How much of the book is finished?

- What other deadlines or writing-related projects do you have coming up right away in January or February?

2. Prioritize your list.

- Based on the above, what absolutely has to get done between now and the first of January? Be specific and write everything down. This is your Must-Do list.

- What can wait until after the holidays? This is your Upcoming list.

Now, look at the Must-Do list. Ask yourself if you had nothing on your schedule, could you get everything done on time? If your heart is tapping out Morse code at warp speed, you’re probably being too ambitious. Did you sneak a few items on there that aren’t absolutely essential? Move them to the Upcoming list. If not, don’t panic. We’ll come up with a strategy to tackle them in the next section.

Don’t be tempted to push through on your current project if you have an upcoming deadline on a different one. Even if you think you can handle both, it’s better to focus on the one with the most pressing deadline. You might get sick. Family might show up on your doorstep. A natural disaster could occur. The best case scenario? You’ll finish early and enjoy some time off.

3. Get out your calendar.

It’s time to merge your home life with your writing. Hold on, this could get bumpy! I don’t know what kind of calendar system you use. Paper? Day planner? Your phone? Whatever your preferred method, review your calendar and add any upcoming parties, kids’ sporting events or performances, family gatherings, meetings, and church events.

Now look at each week and figure out how you can fit your Must-Do writing list in with the other essentials on your calendar. Set realistic writing goals and give yourself a cushion. How? Instead of deciding to write 1200 words every day for the next three weeks, aim for 1400 words each day. Then, if something fun comes up or you get sick, you’ll have three buffer days.

Obviously, if you usually squeeze out an hour of writing every weeknight and your calendar now has two holiday events each week, you’ll have to make a decision. Skip some of the events? Lower your writing expectations? Or increase your writing on the other nights. It’s important to soak in the Christmas season, so I recommend cutting yourself some slack.

*Important: If you have a book due soon and you’re stressed about meeting your deadline, do the BARE minimum of holiday prep. Say no to any holiday gathering that isn’t essential or the highlight of your year. Ditch the Christmas cards and pare down or eliminate baking seasonal treats. If the thought of figuring out the “perfect gift” for each person on your list is eroding your stomach lining, grab the TUMS, take a deep breath and either buy gift cards or premade gift baskets. Hey, I personally love getting a gift card, and I haven’t met a gift basket I haven’t adored.*

4. Go big on lighter-workload days.

See that Tuesday when you have the entire evening clear? That’s going to be pizza night, and you, my friend, are going to make some serious progress on your book. Think of this as a gift to yourself. The sooner you knock out that Must-Do list, the sooner you can breathe easy and relax. An extra two hours here or there can make all the difference in reaching your goals.

As I made the transition from aspiring writer to full-time author, I’ve had to make some tough decisions about the holiday season. Last year I skipped sending out Christmas cards, baked two types of cookies instead of six, and ordered 75% of our Christmas gifts online. I also left about half of our decorations in the basement. Will I do this every year? I don’t know. But I refuse to feel guilty about scaling back. My writing goals are important to me, and I’m willing to sacrifice to meet them. I still enjoyed the holiday season and felt less frazzled.

The above tips can be useful for writers either on deadline or who need that extra push to stay on track with their goals. If you’re worried about losing momentum this time of year, try my method! I hope it works for you.

Do you write through the holidays? What is your top tip?

Thank you, Dani, for letting me be your guest today!

Giveaway

To enter for a chance to win a copy of The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride, simply leave a comment answering the following question: What is your favorite tradition during the holidays?

*International entries eligible for an eCopy

The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride

Coming Home for Christmas

Wedding planner Lexi Harrington needs a manager for her inherited Wyoming ranch. Clint Romine is the perfect man for the job, but the ruggedly handsome cowboy soon presents a new dilemma—distraction. Lexi can't fall for a small-town rancher when she's planning to return to her big-city career after the holidays. Home has always been elusive for former foster kid Clint. Working alongside Lexi at Rock Step Ranch feels too cozy—and too risky. Opening up to her means revealing a secret about his past that could jeopardize everything he holds dear. This Christmas, can Clint learn to trust Lexi with the truth…and with his heart?

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iBooks

Jill Kemerer writes Christian fiction and nonfiction. She is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels for Harlequin Love Inspired. Jill's essentials include coffee, M&Ms, books and magazines, her miniature-dachshund, and taking long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

Happy Monday, friends!

You may have noticed we went from Q last week to S this week. That's because I made an oops and skipped Q and went from P to R. If you missed the R post, you can find it here. Phew. Glad to be caught up.

I don't know about you, but I like to be in control. Well, at least think I'm in control, but the fact is I'm not. God is, and He knows best. I don't. I can't see the big picture or the front of the tapestry. I can only see the back, which at times looks messy, complicated and incomplete. God sees the final image. He sees, from eternity, the plans He has for us, and knows what our lives will look like when He takes us home to Heaven--when we'll be complete in Him.

The Unseen

To be perfectly honest I struggle with this a lot. I mean really struggle. I like to know how everything is going to unfold. I don't like what appear to be unpleasant surprises or bumps in the road. And, believe me, my road is full of speed bumps I can't foresee.

Life is full of unforeseen speed bumps, as I like to call them. You know the struggles that jar us, that seem to pop out of nowhere, that jolt us and slow us down. Those struggles. They hurt, and we're often left wondering 'why?' Why couldn't God let us at least see it coming, but then that's the thing. Would it hurt less if we saw it coming? I doubt it.

In fact, I think just the opposite would happen. I think it would hurt more because we'd see all the bumps ahead on the narrow path and fear we'd never make it through. But God knows we will with His grace. He's got us. He carries us over those bumps and knows it's the path we need to take. He keeps us in suspense to protect our hearts from needless worry and fretting. He says in His Word:

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs." ~Luke 12:29-30 NLT 

He knows what we need. He sees the path. The bumps in the road, in our lives, don't surprise Him. I love the Message's translation of this same verse:

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself."

~Luke 12:29-30 MSG

Enjoy the Moment

God provides for all our needs. Most especially, I believe, for our struggles. He keeps us in suspense because He loves us and because He knows He has us. I believe....

If we could see the future we'd lose the joy of the moment.

It's why God keeps us in suspense.

So, take a deep breath and relax. He's got this. He's got you. Please don't think I'm saying this lightly. I need to remind myself of this daily. Multiple times a day in fact. It's one of my speed bumps. A recurring one. How I wish I was a fast learner, but I trust God will carry me through this season, through this struggle. I simply need to rest in Him.

For Further Study:

• Psalm 46:10
• Isaiah 41:10
• Philippians 4:6
• Psalm 62:1-7

How about you? Do you struggle with worry, the need to control, or are you entrusting your life to your Savior--all of it, even the messy, bumpy bits?

Download today’s Coloring page

“S” for Suspense

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

It’s no secret that the writing life isn’t necessarily an active life. Being a writer means sitting in a chair for hours on end, staring at a computer screen and typing until your eyes blur and your wrists hurt. Not to mention the caffeine and sugar needed to inspire great literary works.

As an author and wellness coach, I’ve learned it takes intentionality to care for myself in the midst of the writing life.

Today I want to share 4 specific ways writers can stay healthy while typing away.

1. Understand your personal health goals.

Why exactly is it important to you to be healthy? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to be able to concentrate during your marathon writing sessions? Are you trying to avoid, reverse, or ease the symptoms of a diagnosis? Do you want to be more at peace with yourself emotionally and spiritually?

By asking yourself these questions, you can pinpoint your personal goals for being healthy. This will then allow you to filter your next decisions accordingly.

2. Give yourself healthy fuel.

As much as caffeine and sugar may fuel your creativity – and might be okay in moderation – they’re not the best solution for long-term energy.

One of the easiest strategies for success is to have pre-prepped healthy snacks on hand that you can grab during a quick writing break.

My favorite options include pre-cut fruits and veggies, cheese slices, Larabars (apple pie is my personal favorite), or dried veggie chips.

3. Stand up and move.

When you’re in the midst of a writing session, it feels counterproductive to step away from the computer. But sometimes that’s exactly what your brain needs for a fresh burst of creativity.

You might want to set a timer every hour or 90 minutes as a reminder. When it goes off, you could take a short walk, do some stretches, or whatever else you enjoy. (If you’re looking for simple, energizing stretch routines, I offer options HERE and HERE.)

4. Protect your schedule.

This might be one of the hardest things to do, especially if you’re squeezing your writing into a full list of commitments. But stress management is just as important as diet and exercise when it comes to staying healthy.

If every hour of every day is committed somewhere, you’re missing out on the physical and mental fuel your body needs from relaxation.

Take a hard look at your schedule and ask if it’s realistic to continue at your current pace. Is there something that needs to be released? Where can you block off time to rest or have fun with friends and family?

These activities are crucial not only for a healthy body but also to keep your creativity alive.

The writing life may be sedentary, but it doesn’t have to keep you from taking care of yourself. By understanding your goals, giving yourself the right fuel, moving more, and protecting your time, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your physical and writing goals.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Prayers for Hope and Healing, leave a comment below answering: What's one thing you do to stay healthy?

Have fun, and stay the course!

Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves inspiring others toward their full potential. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing (Harvest House, October 2017), her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahForgrave

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/SarahForgrave

Instagram: www.instagram.com/SarahForgrave_Author

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahForgrave

Dani: Could you take a minute and introduce yourself? Chris Ann: Sure! I live in a southern suburb of Minneapolis, MN with my husband, Todd. We have 4 kids. Our oldest kids are in college and we have a high schooler and middle schooler at home. Besides being an entrepreneur, I love to travel, garden, decorate, and paddleboard. I am also recently a new puppy mom.

Dani: How did LoveFeast get started? Chris Ann: I started LoveFeast, in 2008, with my best friend, Kristin. We first launched a lifestyle blog, LoveFeast Table(www.lovefeasttable.com) with the dream of having it grow into a platform that would help us reach an audience we could inspire to live a beautiful life. That blog helped us launch our first online shop with our favorite, velvet pumpkins.  About a year ago, I opened the first LoveFeast storefront in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Dani: What’s your inspiration for LoveFeast? What keeps you going on the hard days?

Chris Ann: My inspiration for LoveFeast is found in discovering unique, artistic and beautiful things to curate in both the online shop and my local LoveFeast boutique. I love the connection I have to the LoveFeast shopper and how much they appreciate quality and something special to give or for their home. Finding enough time to do all the things I want to do with my business is the biggest challenge.

Dani: For years you were solely an online boutique, now you also have a brick and mortar store. What’s that like? Do you enjoy seeing customers on a daily basis? Decorating the shop? Having a concrete place to welcome folks?

Chris Ann: I love having a brick and mortar store. It is one more space to fulfill the vision I have for LoveFeast. It's wonderful to get customer's feedback face to face. And, to help people choose a special gift for special events. I love helping people mark their occasions with something thoughtful, even if it is a special gift for themselves. It's nice to be a part of making someone's day.

Dani: LoveFeast focuses a lot on hospitality and inspirational items of beauty. How do you decide which items to carry, and do you design any of the pieces yourself?

Chris Ann: I choose items first of all that I like, or would want to give or have myself. I love a handmade item, in soft neutral tones, that is high quality and therefore can be enjoyed for years. Sometimes it's nice to have something whimsical thrown in the mix for some fun. I don't design any of the pieces myself, but it is something I think I might like to try someday.

Dani: What’s your favorite part of owning your own business?

Chris Ann: It's a part of who I am; to create, dream, and start. Owning my own business has given me the opportunity to see my creative idea, hard work, and determination create a tangible space where other people can experience finding beautiful items. Having your own business doesn't mean you work less, but it does mean you can work on your own time.  Like anything that has value, there has been sacrifice and hard work.  I look back in a bit of awe at how, one step after the other, the vision of LoveFeast has continued to grow.

Great questions! It's fun to reflect on where I started and how far the LoveFeast journey has taken me!

We would love to give your readers 15% off their purchase at LoveFeast Shop using code: 17DP15

LoveFeast is a boutique of filled with unique, high-quality, hand-crafted and artistic items to inspire the giver and charm the receiver. Shop our hand-picked selection of home decor, tabletop, and gifts, such as our beautiful velvet pumpkins, bedding & pillows, artist-created jewelry. These beautifully curated finds will make thoughtful gifts and inspiring additions to your beautiful life!

The store: www.lovefeastshop.com

LoveFeast Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovefeastshop

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovefeastshop

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm embarrassed to say I clearly forgot my ABC's last week by putting R before Q. Thank you to everyone who emailed to let me know. I appreciate it. It was such a nice encouragement to know how much you are all enjoying this series. I blame my oops on my recent hospital stay, but really my forgetfulness was far more likely due to my hectic schedule right now. I'm juggling a lot,  and in all honesty I believe God used my hospital stay (for low sodium of all things--doing well now, thanks) to remind me of the importance of slowing down and simply being still.

In our rush around society we often forget to take a deep breath, to look out at the horizon, to soak in God's majestic creation surrounding us. To listen to our babies or grand babies (in my case) laughter, to watch a butterfly fluttering around the bush in the back yard, to enjoy the scent of fresh tomatoes and spices wafting off the stove from our cooking dinner. There are so many nuances in the quiet moments of life I fear we miss (I know I do) because we are racing around trying to check things off our To Do List for the day. But even more frightening, is....

Without quiet, how will you hear God's whispers? 

God says in His Word:

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." ~1 Kings 19:12

God came in a gentle whisper. A gentle whisper. How often are we quiet enough and still enough to hear that whisper? I admit in my case, not very often. And I worry what am I missing by staying so busy? What could God be whispering to my soul if I just slowed down long enough to hear Him?

I don't know about you, but it is in my quietest moments in which I hear God the loudest--during my quiet time with Him in the morning as the sun is rising in the sky, as I'm still and writing, as I sit and watch the ocean tides. He comes and calms my soul in a way I can't describe when I take time out and simply listen.

How about you? When do you hear God speak the loudest?

I pray you have a blessed Monday and I challenge you to take five minutes after reading this (and printing out your coloring page, of course :)) to simply sit and be still. Shut off your phone. Close your computer. And, just listen.

Download today’s Coloring page

“Q” for Quiet

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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