Friday, May 10, 2013

Using Gifts For His Glory



Once again I find myself busy working on a couple of new projects.

One is about a young Jewish girl who survives the Holocaust at all costs.  I won't go into two many details into the plot line and such because I really don't want to give something away.  As I said I am in the process of writing Where is G-D, the fact of the matter is this is a difficult work to write, that takes grueling and painful research.  Studying the Holocaust is not a pretty thing, but we should not try to sugar coat it either.  What was done to so many during the Holocaust, not only the Jews, but many others.

I am also working on a mystery novel, and liking the way it is going so far.  This work is a little more fun, and less grueling.  I truly enjoy writing Christian Mysteries.

I love the way the Lord blesses us with gifts, gifts that we can use to glorify him, if we chose to do so, and if it is the good Lord who gives us the gifts, shouldn't it stand to reason, that we would want to use his words for his glory.
12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Whatever I write, I try to do so for his glory.  If I fail that is not the Fault of the Lord, but my fault.  I am imperfect in my flesh, but the good news is a serve a perfect Lord, who gives us wonderful gifts.



Monday, May 6, 2013

Books, Writing, and Life



Writing has been a part of my life since I was fourteen, well I wrote a song in third grade, but it took me a few more years to really realize that this was my calling, but even now, Twenty One years later, at the age of thirty five, I am finding my voice.  I think that this is a process that is constantly taking place, we find out by trial and error what works for us and what does not.  I have found a voice as a Christian Mystery Novelist, as well as in historical, in fact I am working on a Holocaust Novel Where is G-D!

First and foremost I want my words to focus on the Lord.  I want what I write to bring glory to him!  He gave me the gift for words, and I am so thankful for that.

http://www.amazon.com/God-Armor-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00CF4FH34/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367822406&sr=1-1&keywords=Michelle+Kidwell

I have been working on my Kindle Sales.  Reading as much as I could on building a name for myself, as a Christian Author. 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Nearly-Forgotten-Children-ebook/dp/B009YCRFL2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367822406&sr=1-2&keywords=Michelle+Kidwell

I had a bad experience with my first publisher, but being an author is a learning experience, and you learn from your mistakes. 

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Yellow-Star-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B008OO3HDQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367822406&sr=1-3&keywords=Michelle+Kidwell

I am going to chock it up as a learning experience though.  I can not sit and dwell on the bad experiences, and the mistakes I made.  Living life is part of growing, but it is my faith that sees me through, and my writing helps me express my feelings.

 http://www.amazon.com/Missing-at-Midnight-ebook/dp/B00AUDQ25O/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367822971&sr=1-5

I am going to continue writing, and doing what I am being called to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Against-All-Odds-ebook/dp/B00AL3IOAY/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823044&sr=1-7

 http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Girl-Flower-Children-ebook/dp/B008PZA28W/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823044&sr=1-8

http://www.amazon.com/When-To-Hold-Let-ebook/dp/B009Z9332E/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823044&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Stand-Articles-Essays-ebook/dp/B00CC56RS0/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823208&sr=1-10


 http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Is-the-Road-ebook/dp/B00C83PY4E/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823228&sr=1-11

 http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Young-Adult-Novel-ebook/dp/B008PIM5V6/ref=sr_1_14?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823254&sr=1-14

 http://www.amazon.com/Write-Die-Serial-Novel-ebook/dp/B00B42HUBU/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823281&sr=1-13

 http://www.amazon.com/To-Write-Die-Episode-ebook/dp/B00CNGULFS/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823299&sr=1-2

 Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.
Graham Greene

 http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Updated-Baxter-Family-ebook/dp/B00BTNH7XK/ref=sr_1_12?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367823682&sr=1-12

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Don't Let Your Dreams Shoot You Down

What is it about some people that like to make assumptions or simply jump to conclusions...

You know the type right?  The one's you tell your dreams to and then they shoot them down...

I have been blessed by people in my life who listen to my dreams and encourage them, but once in a while I will run into someone who gets the idea that I am lazy, that being a writer is a lazy profession, that is so far from the truth it makes me laugh.  I am a writer, because I have a passion for words.

Writing is more than simply putting words to paper, it is research, it is observation, it is a lot of leg work.  It does not simply involve sitting at your desk all day, and staring at a screen.

I am proud to be a writer, proud of what I do, and whether I am at my desk writing, or out in about snapping pictures, that can and are often used for writing inspiration I remember that God gave me this gift for a reason and I am more than thankful for that.  I am more than thankful that I have the gift of words.

Speaking of writing, and books today I offer one of my Kindle Novella's for free Missing at Midnight, it is Christian Suspense, and I hope you enjoy it...

http://www.amazon.com/Missing-at-Midnight-ebook/dp/B00AUDQ25O

And check out my latest collection of poetry only 2.99 or a Holocaust Fiction Short story for only 0.99

http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Is-the-Road-ebook/dp/B00C83PY4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365382738&sr=1-1

 http://www.amazon.com/The-Nearly-Forgotten-Children-ebook/dp/B009YCRFL2/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365382803&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Yellow-Star-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B008OO3HDQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365382803&sr=1-4

Happy reading all and don't let anyone tell you your dreams aren't worth reaching for or you can't do something.  The good Lord knows what you are capable of, so dream big, and reach for those dreams...

To Be Continued

Monday, February 25, 2013

When One Door Closes


You know how they say when one door closes, God opens another, well I can say for certain this is true, because I have experienced.   A few months ago the church I was working with the kids at closed it doors, truth be told I think we all saw it coming, but it left me with the ability to go back to Harvest, the church I felt was my home church, and it also left me with more time to focus on Finding Star, which I did, and I even found an amazing editor to look over, Finding Star and after two years of work, on a rather short manuscript, but one with an intense subject matter I finally have put Finding Star, to bed, I am hoping to have it published later this year, as soon as I figure out what cover artist I would like to use LOL...

Finding Star may be completed, but the Baxter family saga is not over yet, I am currently working on the second book in the series called Searching for Hope, and so far it is going pretty well.  I find myself surprised at the direction this book is going, because I asked the Lord's hand to guide me in this one, and I think amazing things are going to happen with Finding Star, and Searching For Hope.  I want my writing to reach others for the Lord in any way possible.

I am also currently working on getting the first segment of Sweet Like Chocolate Up on Amazon, and working on the second Segment of To Write or Die so my writing is keeping me plenty busy.

I am just continually amazed at how the Lord works when we give our lives to him..

God Bless
Michelle

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Writing Life...

“Write the kind of story you would like to read. People will give you all sorts of advice about writing, but if you are not writing something you like, no one else will like it either.”
― Meg Cabot

It's been a busy February so far, and that is okay with me.  I received the corrections for Finding Star from my editor, thank you so much for your awesome work Patty Stout Gammons, and now I am looking for a cover design artist, and then I can get Finding Star on the market.  I must say this is a book I am passionate about, and I felt God's hand in this novel.  I could not have written without the Lord's hand.

I have been dealing with Carpo Tunnel Syndrome the price I pay for being an author but I would not change anything.  I am simply going to keep writing, just trying to do it a little more carefully.  I am glad that I have the gift of words, and I am not about to give up on that.  I know the good Lord gave me this gift for a reason.

As a writer I have been doing a lot of reading, and I have come across some awesome books, Candace Calvert, Tricia Goyer, Nancy Mehl, Tedd Deeker and so many other awesome authors.  I am grateful that I have been able to read such awesome books.  I could not be the writer I am if I were not a reader too.

May God Bless You
Michelle!

Friday, January 25, 2013

The Joys of Being A Writer...



I am a writer first and foremost, so I guess it should not be surprising that off and on I have had issues with Carpo Tunnel, but after the pain became so bad I could not tolerate it, I decided it was time to take a more proactive role in dealing with it.  I can't exactly just forget about it...I mean the pain is very real, and it affects the function of my dominant hand...Still I would not change what I do for anything.  I am a writer, and the pain in my wrist, literally is not going to change that...

I love what I do and despite the pain I am still writing though not as much as I would like I just can't stay at the computer as long as I would like, but I am going to work on Finding Star in the next few weeks, final edits, and I am going to do my best.

I can say one thing I must admit I would like to spend more time boosting sales on my print books and my Kindle books though truth be told my Kindle books seem to be selling better than my print books, but I am going to do my best to keep the sales going on both...

I have discovered too that the Baxters story, will not be done with Finding Star, it seems Hope has her own story to tell and in the next few weeks I will start working on her story as well...

To Be Continued....

Monday, January 14, 2013

A Day of Sorrow



My heart breaks today, it is hard to put words into the tragedy that is today.  So many are asking why God wasn't there, but I believe he was, and he is hearing us, it is just a tragedy we can't figure out.

Twenty innocent children dead, several teachers, the shooters own Mother, and the principal of the school.

This is supposed to be America, Kindergarten classrooms are supposed to be safe, but not today, and it has us all wondering, and praying.

My hear and prayers go out today, for all the innocent lives taken today, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton Connecticut, and for the lives taken by those affected by the school stabbing in China.


What is this world coming to?

Lord we need you now more than ever...