Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day Nine

Day 9. The Letter I.

Today I’m thankful for Inspiration.

WRITER’S MYTH: If you just wait for inspiration, it will come, and the words will flow like molten lava onto the page, igniting the world with your brilliance.

Oh, if only that were so. The truth is writing is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. It’s hard work. And sometimes grueling. As nice as it would be, an author doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike. The writing chair and keyboard await. Deadlines lurk. Books (and blog posts!) don’t write themselves. There are, however, some things that just by nature are inspiring or which I’ve found helpful to jumpstart my brain. Oddly enough, these ten things are also things which bring me joy and contentment.

Maui, June 2011

1. Books – Reading great novels not only satisfies my need to be drawn into fictitious story worlds, but also challenges me to be a better writer.

2. Music – Jazz, doo-wop, gospel, and golden oldies are regular choices for me. I can’t imagine a world without music.

3. Sunsets – There is nothing quite so breathtaking as a sunset on the prairie, especially the shifting colors as evening slips into night. The ones in Maui are pretty incredible too.

4. The smell of new rain – I never tire of this smell, and coupled with it, the patter of rain on the roof as I settle in with my computer to write plays its own kind of music.

5. Coffee – Oh sweet Sumatra, vivacious Verona, eloquent Espresso, friendly Folgers, capricious Columbian. You make my mornings brighter and my heart happy.

6. Laughter – Grandkid giggles. Belly laughing that makes tears run down my cheeks. The world needs more laughter.

7. Change of scenery – Weekend getaways. Exotic vacations. Visits with friends. All are inspiring in their own way.


8. Reading the inspirational stories of others – I’m a Guideposts reader and happy to be part of a new website that brings inspirational stories every day.

9. Prayer – A day bathed in prayer makes all the difference in my outlook and my writing output.

10. God’s Word – So many scriptures inspire me, but here’s one that helps me keep my focus as I’m writing:  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

I’m feeling inspired – how about you? Do you have any special places or rituals that help stir inspiration in you?

Inspire a Fire Update

Inspire a Fire has been up and running several weeks now. I hope you've been able to read some of the inspirational posts there. Some have made me cry, others have given me goosebumps, all have given me determination to be a better person, to pursue with greater fervor my walk with Christ. I'm really glad for the small part I've had in bringing a couple of those stories to readers.

The truth is, I'm blessed by knowing some incredible people, people who've touched me and been great examples of service, of hope, of encouragement. So those are the people I've asked in this first month to share their stories.

Elsie Cowan is the mother-in-law of one of my best friends. She's the epitome of giving to others. I've never seen her when she didn't have a smile on her face. If you missed it, here's the story about making quilts for Boys Ranch - Quilted With Love. 

Miranda and Jesse Lewis live in a small town outside Oklahoma City. We've known Jesse and his family for years and years, though, and we grieved along with others about the loss of their home in a tornado last May. Miranda tells of her experience in What The Wind Blew In. 


Inspiring stories everyday. That's what our goal is at Inspire a Fire.

We believe one person has the power to make a huge difference in the world and eternity. Sometimes it only takes one match, one spark, to ignite an inferno of change.

Hope you'll stop by and be inspired, too!

Reading in 2010 - What a year it was!

For a few years now, I've kept a running list of the books I've read throughout the year, and it's always a pleasure to read back over it and remember the wonderful hours when I've been swept away into another world. This year had a different mix than in years' past. Not sure why as my tastes haven't changed - I still LOVE a good story, and I base my "favorites" list on the books which had great writing and characters who've become my friends - friends who still stop in for a mental visit now and again.

That said, I'm splitting my faves into three groups: Memoirs, Debut Novels, and All The Others. There's no top pick and I listed them in the order in which I read them.

MEMOIR: Is it just me or are there more people writing Memoirs? My hat goes off to these authors for their courage to examine their lives and give the world a peek at their hurts, their joys, and their heart-stirring stories. My top five for 2010:

• To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller. Just love this guy and his writing. 
• Thin Places by Mary DeMuth. My friend and one of the dearest people I know. If your life is scarred from a terrible past, this book offers hope. 
• Without a Word by Jill Kelly. Also my sweet friend who has written a touching account of her son who changed the lives of many though never able to speak a word in his eight short years on this earth.
• The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life by Kathy Patrick. This is like a breath of fresh air as Kathy shares her passion for literacy and making people feel good about who they are.
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This book rendered me speechless, and even now I'm still processing the lovely writing of this heart-wrenching, but amazing story of love within a totally dysfunctional family. I will read this book again and again.

DEBUT NOVELS: This is always a favorite category for me. Knowing how hard it is to finish a book and the get it published makes me want to champion debut authors everywhere. Holding your "firstborn" in your hands is an experience like no other - Hmmm, I wonder how I know this?? Nevertheless, there were some really amazing debut books this year, and all these authors are dear to my heart. Bravo!

• Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allen. Christa's voice sparkles in this book about alcoholism and the road to recovery. 
• A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin. Oh. My. Stars. I loved this book and the second in the Wings of Glory series which also released this year, A Memory Between Us. This is historical romance done right. Authentic with just the right amount of detail and characters that I simply adored. A Distant Melody has already been named to the Booklist Top Ten for 2010.
• Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes. A tender story of the love between a dying mother and her young daughter. Gina has captured the right balance between angst and tenderness, but with touches of humor that keep it from spilling into melodrama. Lovely prose.
• Snow Day by Billy Coffey. A series of vignettes that combine into a simple, but profound story about what matters most in this world. 
• Someone to Blame by CS Lakin. A psychological mystery that at times reads like true crime with deep exploration of both the primary and secondary characters. I enjoy a book I can really sink my teeth into and this one's a delight.

ALL THE OTHERS: I'm faithful to my favorite authors which I just realized when I was pondering this list. They shine through book after book inspiring and giving me that rush of adrenaline because of beautifully wrought prose, story depth, and as always, unforgettable characters. Only one new author (to me) this year. No explanations forthcoming as these authors are in a class of their own.

• Where the River Ends by Charles Martin.
• The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. 
• Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson.
• Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner.
• The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. This is the only author that I hadn't read before, but I already have three more of her books lined up waiting for 2011. 

How about you? What was your favorite book this year? Do you keep a log of what you've read?

Here's to a great look back at 2010. May 2011 be The Year of Reading Pleasures for you!

Happy New Year!