Lady of Devices

I recently checked my 2015 reading plan on Goodreads and realized that I'm five books behind schedule. Yikes! This summer, I'm hoping to make some extra time to get caught up and hopefully find some good books to indulge in. I also am making a goal of writing and sharing more reviews of the books I enjoy. I recently finished 'Lady of Devices' and decided to share my thoughts on the novel.

I have never read any books from the steampunk genre, so when I found out about Shelley Adina's 'Magnificent Devices' series, I became curious and decided to give the first book a go. I am pleased to say that 'Lady of Devices' was a delightful read, and I look forward to digging into the rest of the books!

My Review:

Lady of Devices 

by Shelley Adina

The story takes place in  London, 1889. Seventeen year old Lady Claire has always had an interest in experimenting with chemicals in the lab at school, or learning how to drive her family's Landau. After graduating high school, she has high hopes of furthering her education in engineering. However, her mother has different plans. While Claire tries to persuade her mother into letting her attend University, her mother forbids it, hoping instead to find Claire a suitable husband.

But after Claire's father dies, their family discovers he had gambled their estate away on the combustion engine, leaving his company bankrupt. As Claire's mother and brother move to the country, Claire stays home, hoping to find employment. But when an angry mob who had invested in her father's company, riots her home, she is forced out on the streets. She soon encounters a gang of thieves, no older than children, and ends up caring for them, all the while, hoping she might still find employment somewhere, and eventually attend University.

She uses her knowledge with devices and also her training in etiquette, to turn around the lives of these children who had never been taught the difference between right or wrong.

This story was really fun and exciting to read! I absolutely love Claire and her spunky personality. She has a mind of her own, knows how to look out for herself, and doesn't give up on what she believes in. While there wasn't exactly romance in this, I believe something might blossom between her and a young scientist in the next books. The writing was well structured, the plot exciting, and as I said before, I can't wait to begin the next in the series!

Dealing With Unexpected and Unavoidable Distractions

My day was off to a great start! I woke up before 6:00 and had my schedule all planned out. It was the beginning of a busy week and I wanted to get as much writing done as I could on Monday, since I knew I wouldn't be able to later in the week.

I sat up in bed and stretched, then Gigi, our silky terrier, crawled over to cuddle with me. I let her snuggle for a while, and just before I was about to get up, I felt a small bump on her head. Cringing, I brushed her hair away from the little bump and found what I feared. A tick.

I grumbled as I found a tweezers and pulled it off. Then to be safe, I checked for more. It didn't take long to find another...and another...and another. (Yuck!) After the twelfth one, I will not lie when I say I was freaking out. I really can deal with most bugs...but ticks? They are disgusting little creatures who refuse to die! (Not to mention, they carry lime disease!)

After thoroughly checking Gigi, one more time, my sister, Leah, and I put Frontline treatment on her (apparently no one had done that this month...). We figured that Gigi had gotten the ticks from our backyard. We still had a lot of firewood that was still underneath the deck from the winter.

Well to make a long (and gross) story short, I found dead and alive ticks around the house all day. So instead of sending out emails and writing 5,000 words as I had planned...I spent the day flushing ticks down the toilet. To say I was not happy is an understatement.

When all of this was happening Leah tried to remind me that it could be a lot worse. At the time I didn't appreciate her telling me this, but when I look back now, I can't help but be very grateful that it wasn't worse! For instance, it could have been fleas!

What I learned from that day, is that sometimes in life we have to deal with the unplanned. We have to set aside everything we had planned to get done, and deal with unexpected and sometimes unpleasant interruptions.

I think the best way to respond to these kind of days, is to simply accept that we didn't get done what we had hoped, but it couldn't have been helped. Then to take advantage of the days that do run smoothly.
But...what if every day is hectic?

I really admire writers who are young mothers and still manage to write. They somehow find time, whether it's during the children's nap time, or movie time, or evening, they get their work done amidst the craziness of life.

What I've learned from other writers, is that if you truly have a passion to write, then you must make time. Even if it's just a little bit in the morning each day, that's better than nothing.

I didn't get much written during the week of the tick situation. But the following week, I picked up where I left off and set goals. But this time, I set goals, knowing that I might not reach them. Something unexpected might come up again. But I'd work hard and make the best of the time that I did have.

Last week I wrote a blog post on distractions that you can avoid while writing. If you have not read it, please do, and let me know what helps keep you focused while you write. You can view the post Here. 

Rooglewood Press Short Story Writing Contest

I am very excited to share that Rooglewood Press has recently announced the cover reveal to their third fairy tale short story contest!

 

Five Magic Spindles

a collection of Sleeping Beauty stories

The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Sleeping Beauty,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!

Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Magic Spindles collection, which will be packaged up with the phenomenal cover you see here. Maybe your name will be one of the five listed?

All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.

Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers, is available for purchase, and our second collection, Five Enchanted Roses, is scheduled to launch on July 27, and is currently available for pre-order. Be certain to get a copy of each and see what previous winners did with their wonderful retellings.

 

Cover Illustration Credit:

This cover illustration was rendered by Julia Popova, “ForestGirl.” You can find out more about this gifted artist on her website: www.forestgirl.ru

Distractions and How to Avoid Them

I think distractions might just be a writer's worst enemy. It's important for a writer to have complete focus over their work. And distractions such as the internet, cell phone, TV, music, a grumbling stomach...you name it...can make it difficult to reach goals and really write your very best.

I've done a lot of research about what has helped writers and authors stay focused. A lot of them use the same techniques and I have found that just simple actions of discipline can make a huge effect on how much writing I get done in a day.

I'd like to share some of the biggest distractions I deal with each day, and a few ways that have helped me stay concentrated on my writing.

Fear

 To be honest, the biggest distraction and obstacle that I face every day, from the moment I wake up, is fear. What if I can't do this? What if my writing is horrible? What if I'm doing this all wrong? What if people won't like this? Sadly, if your mind is constantly filled with all these 'what ifs', then it will be much easier to put off your goals and not even try.

How to avoid it...

The only way I can rid myself of these negative thoughts is to question myself why I am doing this. Why am I pursuing this path? Why do I want to be an author someday? Why am I a copywriter? The answers are always the same. Because I love it and I can't ever imagine myself doing anything else. The more I write, the more I grow as a person. Because God has given me this gift and opportunity, and I shouldn't waste it.  I may still have a few of those 'what ifs' in the back of my mind. But because I have good reasons to continue writing, then it's much more worth the risk of failing, than just giving up. 

Internet, Cellphone, and TV

So...while researching all the common distractions that writers deal with daily, I found that the above are probably the most common. I think it's a no-brainer that all three will make it difficult, sometimes impossible to not only write, but focus on any type of job or project you're working on. It would also seem like common sense to simply avoid the internet, cellphone, and television while writing.

But it's amazing what a big temptation it is to open up Facebook or Twitter (Pinterest is my biggest weakness), or quickly respond to a phone call or text. Or sometimes even quickly just flip through the channels on TV to see what's on, then end up spending all day watching episodes of your favorite show.

How to avoid it...

Sometimes I only turn my phone on silent and that helps keep way the temptation to look over at it when I have a notification. But not always. I have found that I can completely divert my attention to my work, when my phone is completely powered off, and my door shut. I've read that other writers will turn their internet off while they write as well, getting all their research done beforehand. 

Writing by hand is another way to keep away any sort of distractions the computer will provide. Sometimes during my lunch break, I'll read an hour in a novel. I need to be careful though, because once I'm comfortable and into a good story, it can be hard to get back to my writing. 

I think you just need to know what works for you. Figure out the best way to rid yourself of these distractions, then reward yourself afterwards. When the day is over and you've reached your writing goal, then maybe that would be a good time to pin some fun pins, read a novel, or text your friends, and spend time with your family. 

Scattered Thoughts

When I was a little girl, I had a huge tendency of daydreaming during school. My mind would wander away instantly from mathematics to stories I made up in my head. I'd create characters and worlds instead of paying attention to multiplication. Thankfully, the older I got, I learned how to self-discipline myself a little.

But...I'm not going to lie...I still have a difficulty with day dreaming. While I'm supposed to be writing a chapter, researching, or marketing...my mind will wander to all the other books I want to write someday. Or I'll think about some fun event I just attended and how awesome it was. Or a good book I've been reading. Then my mind will move on to all the things I need to be getting done in the week and I end up stressed...especially since all I've been doing is sitting here thinking about everything except for my writing project!  

How to Avoid It

I'm still working on this one...how to avoid daydreaming. First of all, I really hope I'm not the only one that struggles with this one. And second, I would love to hear different advice on how to keep your mind focused on one thing at a time. I have realized that when I get up right away, have my devotion, and get an early start to my day, I can concentrate way better. That way, my mind is clear and fresh. When I start in the middle of the day, it's much easier for my thoughts to stray into five different directions.

I concentrate a lot better after I run as well. Exercise is a great way of clearing the mind. Also...I totally cannot think when my room is a mess, or my desk is untidy. Staying organized is vital for me to stay focused on my work.

I have read other ways of avoiding distractions while writing, such as: finding your 'writing place', picking out and sticking to a time to write each day, not comparing yourself to others so you won't feel overwhelmed or discouraged, etc. It's all about finding what does and doesn't work for you.

I would absolutely love to hear different ways that have helped you avoid distractions! Please comment and let me know. 

Next week I will write a post about unavoidable distractions. When your day or week does not turn out as expected, and learning how to react and still reach goals amidst the craziness of life. 

Happily Ever After...A Romance Greater than All Others

"Real life is not a fairy tale." Did anyone else constantly hear this growing up and feel...I don't know...kind of depressed? What little girl wants to hear that there are no happily ever afters, no adventures, or danger, or no handsome brave prince who will save you from  "evil dragons and witches"? No happy endings? Dreams don't come true? That rather puts a damper on the whole idea of life, doesn't it?
  Anyone who knows me well might be rolling their eyes at me at this point just by knowing that I am a sucker for Disney movies. I believe when people say that life isn't a fairy tale they are mainly referring to the animated films where the prince and princess fall in love at first sight and break into song right away. And as awesome as I think it would be to be able to suddenly break into song with music magically playing in the background, I have to agree that real life isn't exactly like a Disney movie.
  BUT, I do believe in a way that life can be very much like a fairy tale. I do believe in a happy ending and it has nothing to do with wishing upon a star. It has everything to do with a loving Prince. Every girl I've ever known including myself has grown up with a dream of meeting a handsome young man who will love her no matter what. Someone who will bring her flowers and chocolate, call her beautiful, protect her, and honor her.
  When I was younger, I was constantly taught how strong God's love is. But I had a hard time understanding Christ being referred to as the Bridegroom of the Church. Only later, when I started to grow deeper in my relationship with Him, did I start seeing Jesus as not just my Savior but my Prince who loved me so much He laid down His life. Not for anything special I did. In fact, He died for all the awful sins and things I would ever do. He loves me simply because He chooses to. Because of Him, the enemy has already lost!
  During Easter service last week I remember tearing up while reflecting on how forgiving, how brave, and how strong and loving my Prince is.
  God, who is the true author of romance, loves deeper than anyone can possibly fathom. Whether you have someone special in your life or not, a relationship with Him is a romance greater than all others. He paints beautiful sunsets for us, sends us reassuring signs of His presence through soothing breezes in the air. He always protects and watches over us. Always forgives. Always keeps His promises. And He never ever leaves.
  He places desires and dreams in our hearts when we seek Him, and guides us through the adventurous journey of life. Through prayer and His Word, He gives us what we need to battle of the enemy. And in the end, when the trumpets sound, and He calls His bride home, never again will we suffer pain or heartache. For then on, all we will know is bliss and happiness in the presence of our King. I don't think you can get anymore 'happily ever after' than that!
  As a writer and reader of romance stories, I love this story the best; The love story between Christ and His church. So this is why I believe, though life as trying as it is, is in fact a fairy tale. God doesn't tell us life will be easy. Just as every princess has faced danger or grief so will we as Christians. But with Him on our side, we will win! And when He calls us to be with Him for eternity, then we will live our happily ever after.


Saving us is the greatest and most concrete demonstration of God’s love, the definitive display of His grace throughout time and eternity.  ~ David Jeremiah

A Writer's Prayer

Anne Elisabeth Stengl, author of the 'Goldstone Wood' fantasy series posted this prayer on her Facebook page about a month ago. I found it very encouraging and it reminded me of what really matters. 

As a writer working in the middle of a novel, whether it be their first or seventh, it's easy to lose confidence and focus. But with God, all things are possible and ultimately, bringing Him glory through our words is most important. 

I hope this will be a blessing to you as it has to me!

"A Writer’s Prayer" 

by Margaret Realy

Heavenly Father,

Help me to trust that the words You encourage me to write meet the needs of those You guide to read them.

Let me continue to delight in the beautiful words written by others and not despair in the simplicity of my own. Help me remember always to thank them and encourage them in their work.

Guide my thoughts and my hands to express Your Holy Word in our lives. Allow me to follow Your will, to trust Your ways, to be unconcerned with how I write but that I write in the light of Your Light.

Lord, send me peace of heart so that envy and disparaging does not constrict my work for your glory.

Amen.

How One Light Can Make a Difference

As I've been in the process of writing content and samples for my copywriting website, I've been getting really giddy and excited at this next step in my life. It's been a lot of work studying, practicing and getting ready to land clients. Though it seems like these last six months of AWAI training feel more like two years, at the same time I feel as if I had only discovered their programs just yesterday. 

I am so excited to announce that my website will be up this week! 

Anyway, as I've been writing up samples and practicing, I wrote up this article that I'd like to share here. I hope it will be an encouragement and blessing to you!

How One Light Can Make a Difference

It’s easy to sing, “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” over and over again cheerfully clapping along…without really reflecting on the actual message of the song.

I’m afraid it’s also easy to hide the light God gave us. Living in a world that is so full of darkness, it’s hard not to let that darkness discourage us from standing out from among it. It’s hard to believe that just one person can make any difference in such a large world.

I admit, there are times I get so discouraged with all the suffering and sin going on today that I honestly don’t know how I can possibly do anything to help. I know a lot of people who get really down when they watch the news channel. It’s difficult to hear of shootings, terrorists, disease, etc.

But I think what discourages me even more than ‘bad news’ is when I turn the TV channel to shows that make some sin look appealing and in fact not bad, but right. I am not saying that any sin is worse than the other. Sin, is sin. But in our world, some things that go completely against Scripture and the way God designed are viewed as anything but wrong. And this has made me so down and discouraged at times I feel hopeless.

But every time I start to think that way, I come to God and ask His forgiveness for my lack of faith. Because if I’m believing that I cannot make a change, I am forgetting His promise to use me.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." –Matthew 5:14-16

We are here to let our lights shine so through us, the world will see the love and light of God. And just how do we let our lights shine? Well, I think the obvious answer, is simply by surrendering to God and trusting Him to use you in unique and wonderful ways. Here are some ways I believe God uses those who are willing and have a desire to live for Him.

•         Through our gifts and skills—God gives each one of us different gifts and skills. Not everyone is meant to go live in Africa or become a pastor. But as believers, we are all missionaries no matter where we are or what we do. And through our God given talents, whether it be writing, teaching children, playing in a symphony, or even driving a mail truck, God can use whatever gifts He’s given you to witness and share His love and grace to others.

•         By bravely standing up for Christ—There are times when we are meant to speak and times we should keep silent. Unfortunately there are too often too many times that pass by where we keep silent when we should speak up. It’s common to feel too shy or scared to stand up for the Truth, especially if it’s to someone who is close to us. But if we ask God for strength and the right words, He will give us grace to stand out as His light in darkness.

•         By setting ourselves apart from the world—When the world sees we are different, they will be curious to find out what it is. They will be wondering, “Why does she always have a radiant smile on her face?” “Why is he so calm when he’s going through such health issues?” By living in obedience to our Heavenly Father, we are setting ourselves apart from the world. Christ should be seen in the way we speak, the way we dress, and the way we act and respond. And people will see that we have the one thing that will give us constant joy and satisfaction. And when they see that, they will want it too.

 

So, don’t lose heart! As one light, you can make a big difference, whether it be in thousands of people or even just one person’s life. If God has created you to minister and be an encouragement to just one person right now, it is much better than sitting around feeling discouraged about the sin in the world.

Don’t hide your light under a bushel! And don’t let the darkness in the world blow it out. For, when God shines through us, there is no putting the Light of the world out.

From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. –Psalm 50:2