13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage Trailer

What if?

How many decisions do you make a day? Hundreds, thousands? Some are business decisions, but some are personal. What if you take a different way to work? What if your vacation was spent in a mission field? What if you took two years and volunteered to feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and devote yourself to the work of Christ?

We make so many decisions that we don't even notice anymore. Some life changing and some are not. What if we decided to set aside time to meditate each day? What if we decided to fast? to confess our sins to another?

Take some time with the what ifs in your life. It may just change your day or even your future.

Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

Sometimes writers wait until they have a spark of inspiration or an incident that prompts them to scribble ideas, plans, plots or thoughts. For me inspiration comes with a bird song, my puppy tugging the leash, or that bit of scripture that I am struggling to memorize. Inspirational thoughts are everywhere and like a child with a butterfly net it is our job to catch them and weave them into a poem, song, essay, or story. I am so blessed to have friends who do this on a daily basis. They will tell you that inspiration is how you look at the world not what the world drops in your lap. My mini sermon for the day.

13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life

Wow - no one ever told me that publishing a book would change your outlook on everything. When I want to focus on the 2nd book - 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage - I have to go back to Book Number One to figure out what I said so I don't repeat myself. Also there's the marketing thing. I just want to write and publish and turn it over to someone else. Unfortunately that is not today's publishing mecca.

The big publishers won't invest in marketing for you and the small ones can't afford to invest. Neither can I but that is entirely beside the point. My niche seems to be the world of churches, small groups, women's ministries, etc. That is fine with me but there's no universal way of reaching out and touching a large number of them at once.

I have to hope my pool of faithful followers will read, review, and spread the news so that my sphere of influence, writing, and opportunities to speak will grow. That's where you come in.

Help me make this dream come true of spreading what I know about God's part in decision making to others who may be struggling with some of the same things I did.

Until next time. Sheila

THE BABY IS HERE!

If you are an author then you will identify with what I am saying. Writing a book - any kind of book- is like being pregnant and finally delivering. You go through all the aches and pains, changes to your lifestyle, and fears.
There are some days you are delighted others you are depressed. Some months are hope-filled, lovely with butterflies and bluebirds. Other had hopeless, dark and gloomy when the negative editor within you wails that 'you will never get this done,' it is impossible and senseless.

But all that changes with the first galley proof. You see the errors but you forgot how good it sounds. Did I really write this? Is this my book-child that I envisioned? Where did this knowledge and wisdom come from?

If you think I sound a little crazy, maybe I am but the blues I have are not the depressing kind. (see book cover) Thank you to all those who never gave up on me, those who challenged me, who supported me, who listened to me whine, and kept me going. Love you all, S

For a look at the cover, pricing, and mailing information: visit www.13decisions.com

Writing is a Decision

Writers make many conscious decisions every day.  Will I write today? What will I write?  Who is my audience?  Will my words be uplifting and helpful?  How much of myself will go into the work I produce? 

The tough thing is that once the words are in black and white - they are harder to recall, edit, or correct at least when you push the print or send button.  Creating is only the first step.  Editing, reediting (multiplied by10) and the final draft come later.  Writers decide to allow fresh eyes view the piece or put it in the drawer until we have recovered from it.

Until this year I never realized how much writing is like giving birth.  You have the conception, the idea for a narrative, an essay or a book.  Then there are further steps of nurture where you design, lay out, outline, or cluster ideas for your masterpiece.  You draft, redraft, query, write, and do it all again.  You pray and worry.  You plan, change your mind, and return to the draft.  Then a miracle occurs when an agent, editor, or publisher says yes and you give birth to that little darling that has made you so miserable but now gives you so much joy.

My little darling is due out this month.  Watch for 13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life.  I believe this book will be a blessing for you to read as it was a blessing for me to write.

Sheila

Decisions that make a Difference

There are times in our lives when we wonder, what difference does it make?  When this happens to me I ruminate about "the road not taken."   What if I had gone to college here?  married this person?  Had more children?  Joined the military?  And on it goes.

Just one glance around my office lets me know that what I have is precious.  I can't imagine any other life than this one.  With my loving spouse, wonderful children, and extraordinary grandchildren I can only say thank you to the One who entrusted me with this gift.

13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life will only enrich your circumstances.  Look for it to challenge, uplift, and maybe even help you decide to take that risk or change that behavior.