Kristen Ethridge: Books and a Blog

This morning, I had the opportunity to do a little freelancing for a charity started by a friend. My friend Amy looked at all the socks in her laundry which were missing their mates and combined that with memories of barefoot children from mission trips, and decided to put her time and talents to work making a difference for others. Click on the link and find out more about her charity, The Sock Orphanage.

I love the can-do spirit, don’t you? Someone gets an idea and RUNS with it. I think everyone comes up with great ideas, especially those of us who work in the creative arts. If we didn’t come up with big ideas, we wouldn’t have any material with which to create. But too often, we stop at the first stumbling block we hit. We shelve that idea far too easily.

Instead of just throwing them away, Amy wanted to pair up these mis-matched socks and donate them to people in economically disadvantaged places who had none. But then she hit a stumbling block. She discovered that agencies who work in this area only want new pairs of socks. But instead of quitting and saying her idea wouldn’t work, Amy expanded her vision. She’s now collecting the gently used socks AND new socks. She’s making sock puppets and other toys out of the orphans and sending the new pairs to ministries and shelters all over the community and the world.

My friend Courtney did the same thing. After multiple treatments for an aggressive form of cancer, she saw a need for patients to have something to love on during treatments. Remembering how much her own Humpty Dumpty doll meant to her as a child, Courtney began to make dolls she called “Dundy” and partnered with an organization called Lifeline Chaplaincy to donate them to cancer patients. When customers buy a Dundy of their own (my daughter LOVES hers!) or any of Courtney’s beautiful embroidered products, they help more Dundies to go straight to cancer patients. And now, Courtney’s not just giving Dundy dolls to patients in Houston. Dundy is national! She’s been able to expand her vision. Even a diagnosis of advanced-stage breast cancer at only 29 years old did not deter her from helping others. Instead, it inspired her vision.

It’s almost Easter, a time when we remember God’s expansive vision for us. Sin didn’t stop God from loving us. He expanded His vision to include Jesus Christ and our redemption. You can’t get much bigger than that.

What is God calling you to do today? Maybe it’s something as simple as inviting a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker to hear about God’s giant vision at an Easter service. Make a point to bring someone with you. And listen to that small voice of inspiration. You never know who you can touch by following your dream.

Question for You: Do you work with a charity you love? How do you show love to those in tough situations? Is there someone on your heart who needs to hear the love of God and see your own friendship and support more clearly?

For the next few Writer Wednesdays, I want to talk about marketing yourself as an author. To do that, we’re going to have to begin at the beginning: believing you ARE an author.

I know a lot of writers struggle to define themselves. They’ve got a regular 8-5 job (and in this economy, they may even have part-time work on the side.) They write when they can, minutes and hours sandwiched around breaks, weekends, late nights or early mornings, and in between goals at Junior’s soccer games. So, when someone asks what they do, they are more likely to define themselves by their reality–that 8-5 grind–than by their dream–to be a published author.

But in the world of writing, you have to believe in what you’re doing. You have to set it up front and center. Being an author is about taking action and owning that action. You have to write it. Then edit it. Then submit it in order to find someone to produce it. Then you have to market it. And then you have to do it all over again.

No matter where you are in the cycle, you have to own the fact that you are a writer. No more putting it in the back closet with your hobbies.

Even God and Jesus wrote –and declared their actions. No, it wasn’t a book, but instead, parts of the story of their love and redemption of humanity. They talked about the writing they’d done in the greatest story ever told. They knew the action of writing made an impact. It had value.

In Luke 22:20, Jesus said, ”This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.” He wrote the story of salvation in the ink of His blood. He’s a writer.

In Isaiah 49:15, God describes His never ending love for us in purely authorly terms: “I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.” He took the action to write down the names of those He loves. He wasn’t shy about telling us he’d done it. He’s the author of our names.

This week, practice saying “I am a writer. I am an author.” When someone asks you what you do, tell them. You have to believe in yourself and the dream God has set in your heart.

Question for you: What keeps you from speaking up about the dreams God has placed in your heart? If you don’t think you qualify to call yourself a “writer” or “author” at this stage in your career, why not? If you do proudly call yourself a “writer” or an “author,” when did you get comfortable with that?

This past week has been strange. A door I thought was open in a  big-giant-huge-gargantuan kind of way seems to be shutting. And as I’m watching it swing on the hinge, I’m forced to evaluate my future. When I got the first notice that the door was closing, I didn’t think much of it. I still had options–and better ones, at that. That notice was obviously God saying He had something better for me. When I got the second notice, I was almost relieved in a way. I’d pursued it because it was sensible, not because it was something that made me excited about the possibilities beyond. God had me excited about other possibilities. So this was a good parting, I thought.

But when I got the third notice, I was in the car, heading for some family pictures. You know, those things where you have to smile and look happy? And happy I was not. I cursed the fact that I did not have on waterproof mascara. I needed a moment. I needed a good cry.

I still needed to look good in those pictures, darn it all.

So, I delicately dabbed at my eyes with an old Wendy’s napkin from the back of my glove compartment and tried to make sense of the messages I was receiving. How could this whole big door be closing? It seemed like such a sure thing not too long ago. There were options, accord, enthusiasm. And then fell the silence. After the tears dried, I realized I wasn’t mad that the door did close. I was genuinely hurt by how some of it happened.

But regardless of all that, I needed to start asking God what path I’m supposed to be on. And I needed to open my eyes and ears to hear the small responses He was putting out there for me to see and hear. One friend posted a Facebook status about a current event but her words “God’s will is the only thing that matters” hit me. Yes. Okay. That’s right. I don’t ever want to be anywhere except in God’s will for my life. So, I put one searching foot in front of the other and kept looking.

A note in my Twitter feed said “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Heb 13:6 Fear! Yes! I had been living with the fear of how could anything work out if this sure-thing didn’t? I WILL NOT FEAR.

Shortly thereafter, another Facebook status that leapt off my little phone screen: ‎”And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.” Ruth 3:11 NIV More about fear. And more about His ability to do more than we could ask or imagine if we just don’t fear.

And for some reason, I woke up this morningwith a snippet of a U2 song (“Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” from Achtung, Baby) in my head, and I knew it was all part of the message He was sending:

So, God’s will is what matters. Don’t fear. Trust. Don’t look back. I’ll be completely honest with you that I still don’t know what God’s will in this situation actually is. But I do know what He originally tasked me to do: be a writer for Him, be a wife and a mother. It shocked me when I realized that NOTHING has changed about that. His original guidance to me three years ago didn’t change. The door closed on a change to that plan. Not on the plan itself.

As I write this very blog, I just looked at the coaster on which my glass of apple juice sits. It says in bold print across the bottom “Wherever you go–go with all your heart.”

I’m going where God leads, with a willing heart, not a spirit of fear. I’m staying on His path until he shows me a fork in the road I need to take.

Question for you: Does God use others to speak into your life? How has someone done that recently?

U2: “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?”

A few months ago, I got a phone call that literally knocked me down. I hung up the phone, leaned over the island in my kitchen, and broke down. My feet weren’t holding me up–only the granite-topped counter kept me from sliding down to the floor. And for the next week and a half or so, the phone calls kept coming. Every day, I picked up the phone to a new round of conversations I did not want to have. The days became an emotional exercise in UFC fighting.

Generally, when the enemy throws arrows my way, my natural reaction is to pray for God’s protection and His peace. But for the first time in my life, I found that I couldn’t. It wasn’t a conscious decision. It wasn’t a denial of my need of these things. My emotion was poured out there on the countertop. I didn’t have enough inside to ask God anything. The writer no longer had any words.

But I had to function. In the middle of all of this, my autopilot pushed me into the shower. But before I got in there, I flipped on my iPhone and sat it on the ledge outside of the shower, tuned to the Chris Tomlin Pandora station. And “Our God” came on.

Our God is greater

Our God is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our God is healer

Awesome in power

Our God

I let the words wash over me like soapy bubbles. And, just like the shampoo directions say, in the days and weeks to come, I lathered-rinsed-repeated. As the mother of a small child, about the only 5 minutes I have to myself is in the shower. And so, every single day, I put on my praise music when I got in the shower. I still couldn’t form prayers of my own, but I had years of practice at singing in the shower. I could praise along with Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, and others. I made their words the words of my heart.

And if our God is for us

Then who could ever stop us

And if our God is with us

Then what could stand against?

In the middle of the worst season of my life, I chose to praise. I chose not to accuse. I chose not to rant. I chose not to argue. I chose simply to praise God who knew this was happening and who allowed it to happen. I made a choice to ask him to use the dark hours for my good and His glory. And He has been faithful. We have been singing this song in church recently, and every time I hear it there or on the radio, it reminds me again how great is His faithfulness.

Someday, if I’m ever ready to talk about what went on, I’ll have a heck of a testimony to His amazing plan and faithfulness.  But even if I don’t get there, I can still share the most important lesson with you–even when you feel like you can’t pray, don’t stop talking to God. He’s created shoulders for us all to stand on in the times when our view is blocked.

“The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings.” –Malachi 4:2 (MSG)

Watch this great video set to Chris Tomlin’s “Our God” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op4n0EF3PdU

Question for You: What songs are speaking to your heart these days?

Last week, I decided today would be the day I’d settle back into blogging. I knew I’d been on a break. But it wasn’t until just now that I realized how much of a break I’d taken. I haven’t been around here since August. Wow. That’s seven-and-a-half months. More than half of a year has passed.

In that time, we’ve closed our small business, moved across the state, settled in, and celebrated a few birthdays. I’m glad to say that all the changes have worked out for the best. (Even the fact that I turned 29 again…) And I’m back here and on Twitter with a renewed sense of purpose.

I didn’t intend to take this long of a break, but I think it’s what I needed. Sometimes, we have to step back from things–even useful and good and enjoyable ones–to prioritize, to rest (even God took a break on the seventh day, and we don’t do it enough in our microwave-speed society), and to gain perspective. Sometimes a break helps us see things with fresh eyes.

As a writer, I’ve taken a few breaks. I even sat aside a manuscript for more than a year while I figured out how to be a new mom. Before that break, I plugged along at the book because I knew the plot was good. But every word was like a root canal. I struggled to get into the characters and to move the story along. After my break, I flew through the book. I had a new perspective. I realized that I liked these characters and what they needed to say. I heard their voices loud and clear. And now, I’m excited to say, the book has gone through several revisions (most of that “root canal writing” got cleaned out) and is with an agent who is considering it. And just last week, I put fingers to keyboard on that next book.

Sometimes, just like an ice cold Dr Pepper, a break hits the spot. In the case of blogging and Twitter, I’m glad to be back with you. The new blog schedule I’m proposing for myself is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday–the heart of the week. I’ll be talking about the things that matter in this corner of the world: faith, friends, family, and a few words on the page (aka the writer’s journey). I hope you’ll join me.

See you tomorrow for a few words on praying when you can’t find the words.

I’m so excited to have another author with us for an interview this week. Today, I’m chatting with author K. Dawn Byrd, whose latest release is out this month. You’ll want to pick up this page-turner.

Your second book, Killing Time, is releasing in August from Desert Breeze Publishing. It looks like a page-turner, with a wrongfully-incarcerated heroine trying to unravel a crime while she’s behind bars. Where did you get your inspiration for the story?

I’ve always been an avid reader and planned to write a book “one day.” When I began work as a counselor in a jail, I thought that would be a neat setting for the book. I began to jot down notes about the environment such as sights, sounds, and smells. Before I knew it, my heroine had formed in my mind, begging me to tell her story.

We all come to love our characters as we write them. What stands out to you about Mindy and Drew, and without giving the whole plot away, what do you hope your readers take away from their story?

My hero, Drew Stone, is a counselor at the jail where Mindy is incarcerated. He’s still grieving the death of his wife when he meets my Mindy and after falling for her, back away because of guilt of doing a disservice to his wife’s memory and because dating an ex-inmate could cost him his job. Even though he’s a Christian, he’s dropped out of church and knows that he needs to get back in.

Mindy, who was raised by her grandfather preacher after the death of her parents in an automobile accident, is a very strong Christian. However, being incarcerated tests her faith to the limit. Even though she becomes angry with God, she retains her faith, realizing that He’s with her even in her darkest hour.

What is your favorite part about writing romantic suspense?

I love romantic suspense because the suspense keeps the plot moving and the romance is just icing on the cake.

This is your second book with Desert Breeze Publishing. Can you talk about your journey to publication?

My journey to publication wasn’t all that long. I started writing about three years ago and Killing Time was my first novel. I must have edited it a dozen times as I learned the craft. I was told by an agent that Killing Time might be hard to sell because she wasn’t sure if many women would want to read a book partially set in a jail. Desert Breeze loved it and I hope my readers do too.

What’s your advice to writers pursuing publication? For example, what’s the one organization they should join? The one blog they must read? Who should they follow in social media?

Learn everything you can about the craft (I’m still learning!) and don’t ever give up. Write something every day and you’ll be amazed at your word count at the end of the month. If you have a story on your heart, write it and revise as often as is needed to get it to publishable quality.

Anything else? You’re e-published…maybe something about e-publishers?

I believe ebooks are the wave of the future. Since I’ve learned how to read them, I seldom buy print. I read them on my netbook and my Blackberry. I think they’re changing the publishing industry forever. I don’t fear print books disappearing. I believe there will always be room for them and I’m glad for that because occasionally a book comes along that I love so much that I must have it in print.

Want to buy your own copy of Killing Time and find out all about Mindy and Drew? Click here.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

I’ve never been a morning person. I can wake up early. I just prefer not to. And in fact, I find I do a lot better if I don’t have to listen to the squawk of an alarm clock, so my clock wakes me up to the peaceful sounds of a stream or birds chirping.

But then I had a child. She’s been my alarm clock since before she was even born, waking me up at all sorts of random hours. Lately, she’s settled into a routine of waking up around 8:30, which is perfect for me. But no one’s accused me of being a fast mover, even after I get up. I like my routine and I don’t consider myself fully awake until after my shower. This is three-fold. One, I do my best thinking in the shower, so I get my thoughts in order for the day. Two, I like being clean. Three, I don’t drink coffee, so the shower is my Starbucks. (For the record, I like to do my quiet time in the evenings.)

God’s wakeup call for us is even better than a warm shower or a gently chirping bird. He brings His glory to rest on us. Why do we get up in the mornings? To shine. To reflect His light throughout the day to a world which needs His love. To further His kingdom and His purposes in our lives.

What a different perspective than the usual “I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go” or “Is it Friday yet?” that most of us wake up thinking. We are given another day to reflect God’s glory. WOW.

Could you hop out of bed for that?

Added bonus: Friend my fellow Galvestonian “Billyblues G-townsurf” on Facebook. Billy Hill is a local Realtor here in Galveston who posts the most amazing pictures of early morning on Galveston Island on his Facebook feed. You will totally be blessed by his pictures of God’s glory here on the Island. You can also find his pictures and surf reports on his website.