It’s Probably Early To Start This Thread – But That’s The Way It Goes.

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I’m sure you’re aware of the old expression “When it rains, it pours.” If not, that’s been my day for the last 48 hours. I have not taken so many phone calls, and had so many urgent emails in years.

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I know better than to whine about having too many jobs offered to me. I am truly blessed to have four streams of income. I’m not rich, but God periodically turns on the faucet and floods the room with blessings.

I have successfully fended off several offers of work, and succumbed to four others in the last 48 hours. I am in the process of evaluating/being evaluated for several more. In each and every case it’s been an unexpected bonanza.

I realize others are struggling in this economy. I’d love to say it was all an overnight wonder, and that I don’t deserve any of it at all. But that’s not the case. I have legitimate first world problems.

I keep my contacts open with agencies for whom I do commercial work. I go where I’m told and do what’s asked of me most of the time. I’m on time, I’m early, I’m in costume/wardrobe/makeup, and I know my lines. My personal appearances as Santa have built a solid reputation for many years. My writing is now about to pay off (more on that very soon, I hope) and I have actually made some money as an author – yes, I’ll be asking you to buy something very soon. Just waiting for the publisher to release the contents of their December output.

But it makes me a bit crazy at the same time. November 4th is really early to be wound around the Santa axle. I took several calls on the old fat guy’s behalf today. Some were job related, some coaching to a new Santa, and one was advice to a person in search of a Santa. I helped all of them in some way, and probably will book a visit with the business that called with questions about hiring a Santa. Instead they wound up with a lesson in planning a Santa event – for free. I’ll probably get the job.

Combine that with a sequel that’s due at the end of this month (I’m forcing myself to do it during Nanowrimo) and computer problems, internet issues (Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to wipe out your wireless network by doing that, Sir) and general stuff like laundry, shopping, home repairs, winterizing the house and patio, and you have a raging psychotic mess on your hands by 1800. I will be in bed by 2130 tonight (writing this the day before) and glad for the chance to rest.

If the winning streak continues, Stormy will jump on the bed and snuggle up again tonight. First time ever was last night. Hopped on the bed at 1:30 and stayed all night. I cannot tell you what bliss that was for me. I woke up several times and thought it was my old guy, Edzell. The two of them have similar coats, and it was so darned nice to have a dog curled up with me. Even though I get the tail in my face. Strangely, her butt matches my beard.

Well and good. I feel better just recounting a bit of the madness today. Tomorrow it’s auditions, real job, more writing, further adventures in laundry, Yellow Jacket venom injections, and whatever else God chooses to throw at me in the course of events.

In the meantime, I leave you with Don Novello doing Santa’s Lament. I love this video. Be blessed, pray for me not to blow a fuse too early in the season, and thank you for reading.

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I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

How I Spent My Saturday Morning.

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I celebrated a big event that we’ll talk about soon by helping serve lunch to the Good Neighbor Meal participants. Our guests come from a wide variety of backgrounds, as do our volunteers. Today I’m going with a blog that is mainly photos. Because if you are looking at the photos, you will see that our nation is not as badly damaged in the race relations department as some would like us to believe.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Don’t forget to subscribe (the box is on the right side of the page) to be eligible for free e-books and other benefits!

I’ll put it simply: we had just about every ethnic group represented today in the serving line. Strangely enough, nobody once mentioned race. But gravy, chicken, green beans, smiling guests, pots and pans, and God’s love and our need to serve were all topics.

I am so proud to know these people, and to be associated with them in these good acts, that I sometimes tremble a bit.

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I have a favor to ask of my readers: would you kindly share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues? We hit a million views in 2014, and while the readership continues a nice growth trend, it could be a lot better. Just hit the Facebook like button, share it on your timeline, tweet the blog with a link, and tell that person at the next desk that there’s this lunatic who writes about all sorts of stuff that they might like.

I appreciate your help. When we hit 2,000,000 readers I will give away something cool to a drawing from the subscribers (that’s the box on the right toward the top) who have helped promote this mess. No used sheets, probably not honey, more likely gift cards. Be a part of it. I’ll update from time to time where we’re at in the count. Thanks.

Please #prayforJayne

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My friends and colleagues, I come to you in search of prayer this evening.

My dear friend Larry’s daughter, Jayne, has been diagnosed with cancer in the last 36 hours.

I am humbly asking all of you to pray as hard as you can. Engage your friends to pray. Please spread the word. Tweet it, Facebook it, blog it, ask your church to aim healing prayers at her and her family.

She is a dear girl whom I have met and love as a niece.

Thank you in advance for lifting her up in prayer.

3 Tips to Spark a Novel in 30 Days – Campfire Style. Guest Blogger Michelle Lim

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We’ll get right down to the mugshot first. This is Michelle, and she’s driving the blog today:

Michelle Lim

Michelle Lim

I’ve known Michelle for years. She’s not just funny, but she’s brilliant as well. I’ve brainstormed with her on books and it’s a total blast (she’ll have to tell you that inside info later on, but no investigation by law enforcement thus far…) She’s also fun to just hang out with, as she’s a strange woman who writes. I am a strange man who writes. We are kindred spirits.

Today I’m turning the ranch over to her so she can talk to you about something very cool that happens in November, and a book she’s written to help you do just that one, singular task.

Ladies and gentlemen, give her a hearty welcome and read on. Michelle, It’s all yours.

3 Tips to Spark a Novel in 30 Days – Campfire Style.

Have you ever gone camping or trekking through the wilderness? If so, chances are you’ve had to start a fire. One of the most basic survival techniques becomes essential when left to your own devices in the wild.

To start it is essential to pick the right kind of materials. Dead tree wood is easier to ignite than the wood from a living tree. Small tree shavings or a scrap of paper can help the sparks ignite into flame. Flint produces sparks more quickly and eases the whole process.

Just as starting a fire requires certain materials and flint (if you aren’t amazing at rubbing sticks together), Idea Sparking a novel in 30 days requires the right materials and something to facilitate the sparking.

Writers who challenge themselves with the thirty-day novel have entered the writing wilderness and need to spark a story out of only what surrounds them. Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month is designed to help writers in the writing wilderness come out with a finished novel.

3 Tips to Spark a Novel in 30 Days:

1. Pack the right materials. Getting ready for NaNoWriMo, or the thirty-day novel journey takes purposeful planning. Pack all of the best snacks (some healthy ones for sure), get a water bottle (stay hydrated), and have a resource that gets your ideas flowing to propel you forward each day of the journey.

2. Gather a Support Team. Find encouragers to inspire you along the way. Someone who will keep you accountable for your goals, someone who will praise your efforts, someone who will watch your kids, someone who will cook dinner, and someone who believes in you no matter what. This team is super important if you plan to success. Let them be there for you. Lean on them. Return the favor next time.

3. Pack Flint. The flint is simply a resource that gets your ideas flowing and helps you to stay on track each day of the journey. It provides the spark that catches fire in your ideas and makes them come to life on the page.

My newest release: Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month is a great way to help you spark your novel. Why? For starters, it’s only $.99 on Kindle!

Idea Sparking

Idea Sparking

Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month accompanies an author on a thirty-day novel journey. Daily idea prompts assist authors in finding the inspiration to write. With personal experience insights and goal setting reflections, this book is the perfect resource for the writer who wants to write a novel in a month, or the author looking for a resource for their everyday writing journey. What you will find in this incredible resource:

*A weekly inspirational focus to get you ready to write
*Daily Idea Sparks to spark your creativity and get you writing
*Mini writing craft tips that enhance your writing
*Daily Mid-day Milestones with thought-provoking questions to improve writing habits
*Weekly Check-Ups to retune your process to set you up for success

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo or written a thirty-day novel? What did you find the most helpful?

Author Michelle Lim is the Brainstorming/Huddle Coach with My Book Therapy Press and the Midwest Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. Michelle’s Genesis winning romantic suspense is represented with Books & Such Literary Agency. Michelle’s New Release – Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month releases October 27th. Since her nonfiction book release, Idea Sparking: How To Brainstorm Conflict In Your Novel, through public speaking and online chats Michelle helps writers discover the revolutionary power of brainstorming to bring new life to their stories.

So, if that’s not enough, here’s some more about her:

Michelle Lim
Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month
Romantic Suspense Author – Genesis Award Winner 2014
Represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Agency
Brainstorming Mentor at My Book Therapy
ACFW Midwest Zone Director
www.thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com/
@MichelleLim24

Roaming Freely About The Cabin.

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I would like to announce that effective immediately I am without literary representation. I am striking out on my own. I am acting as my own agent. If it works for so many others, perhaps God will bless me as well.

I am not currently seeking an agent, but would gladly chat with you if you are an agent interested in me.

If you are a publisher, editor, or someone in need of top-shelf graffiti with semicolons, contact me directly, as I ‘m not bound by any previous negotiations and have a free hand with my novels (yes, plural.)

That is all. Have a blessed day.

Joe

I do want to remind you all to play nice with others and refrain from speculation and comment. If you wish to send me a message, put it in the comments, subject “message” and I’ll see it and delete it without publishing it.