Writing for the Soul

I attended the Writing for the Soul Conference sponsored by the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild February 19-22. I highly recommend it. I went as a 'student' this time--to learn and grow, to be inspired and educated to be a better writer, and to relax and spend time with God alone in prayer and quiet. I received all this and more. Jerry and Diana Jenkins (see them with the little old lady--me--in the photo) were great hosts and have become dear friends. I also spent a few minutes with students Cleveland, Bill, Rene (in photo with me) and Loralee. I loved meeting them in person. I hope you will consider adding this event to your list of things to do in 2010. It will take place in Denver next year. See www.christianwritersguild.com for more details. And if you'd like to order CDs of the various programs, you can do that too--on the CWG web site.

Reflections on Valentine's Day

I stood in front of the greeting card section at the local variety store, looking for a 'just right' Valentine for my sweetheart husband, Charles. I found one--but it was nearly $6.00. I'm not paying that for a card he'll read and then toss or put away I told myself. I think I'll just bring him to the store, let him read it, and then return it to the display. Sounds a bit tacky and cheap, but hey, we're all living in tough times! I returned home and told Charles what I found and how I felt about it. I told him I loved him and I looked forward to spending the weekend in South San Francisco with him at a Goal Setting workshop. He said he wasn't going to buy me a card either. We decided to 'be' love messages for each other in actions and words. I liked that. So off we went for our getaway. Saturday night after the first half of the workshop, we sat across the table from one another to order dinner. The restaurant was offering a Valentine's Day Special--$50 a person (who'd want to eat alone on such a day?) and $90 a couple--for five courses, including dessert and beverage. "No way," I proclaimed. "Everyone is out to gouge us on this commercial holiday." We decided to SHARE a $23.00 meal, thus keeping the calories and the expenses under control. We had a wonderful evening of dining, talking, and then dropping off to sleep at 8:00 p.m. in our lovely hotel room. Probably doesn't sound very romantic by convention's standards but it suited us perfectly. We did what we wanted to do--not what the world suggests or even expects. What a freeing moment. Charles and I had our own version of a romantic weekend of learning and loving and we came home happy--and with a few unspent dollars in our pockets.

From Lemons to Lemonade!

My friend, Jim Watkins has written a great new book--which I just read. The title: Squeezing the Good out of Bad. If you need a lift, help with overcoming a challenge, a way to make lemonade out of the lemons that are falling into your life, Jim has some humorous, helpful, and inspiring advice!

Here's more info if you'd like to be among the first to buy this great book.

Author

James N. Watkins is an award-winning author of fifteen books and over two thousand articles including a column each issue for Rev. magazine. He serves as an editor with Wesleyan Publishing House and instructor at Taylor University, as well as popular conference speaker. His most important roles, however, are as child of God, husband, dad, and "papaw." Read more than you’d ever want to know at: www.jameswatkins.com/bio.htm

Publisher

XarisCom
112 pages, softcover, trade size (6 x 9 inches)
$12.99 paperback edition, $5.00 download at http://jameswatkins.com/bookstore

Books will be available nationally through amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, etc. March 1, 2009.

Crossing the Bridge

My latest and last book in my popular "Wimps" series is now in print! It has been a long, delightful and profitable ride and I'm so thankful to everyone who has made it possible. But now I'm ready to cross the bridge from nonfiction humor to humorous romance. I'm not all the way to the other side yet, but I'm moving. I hope to continue writing nonfiction books but my heart is turning toward fiction. If you'd like to see my other titles in my Wimps series, please visit my web site: www.karenoconnor.com. I'm excited about the possibilities that are open to anyone at any age for anything! All we have to do is cross that bridge from here to there to find out what's on the other side. I'm ready! Let me know where you are in your journey.