Brand New Year
Author Update
Brand New Challenge
A very good friend of mine, Katy Houk, asked if I would be willing to help their “adopted” daughter write her story and how much would I charge? We’ve been friends for years, but I’d never met this daughter and didn’t realize she had no hands. !!!
After a few days of considering this, I had to know more. My imagination was probably worse than the real story, or so I thought. Anyway, I agreed to ghostwrite her account. (By the way, she had typed this novel without hands.)
Her book will be called Overcoming the Bitterness of War. We’d like to publish in early summer, 2025. I’ll keep you updated in the coming months.
About Isatu, Mariatu, now Maria ~
Maria Boyce shares her powerful journey of resilience and forgiveness after her hands were brutally taken from her. Her childhood experiences as a survivor of the Sierra Leone war in the 1990s form an inspiring narrative that encourages healing and hope for others.
Her big dream is to send some of the profits from the sales of her book to support the schools in her home country: Sierra Leone. She has first-hand knowledge of how important education is and wants to help these children succeed in life.
Eventually, Maria will enjoy speaking with church groups and others. Church communities and individuals alike are invited to discover the inspiring lessons that have touched her life.
Young Emeline: Progress Report
Since I’ll be working with Maria for a few months, I don’t expect to make much progress until my part in her story is complete—possibly April. However, I have been reading similar middle grade stories of the time period (1880s America) and making some preliminary notes of scenes to include.
If you’ve read Emeline’s story so far (A Journey and Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893) and you’d like to see a particular scene in the prequel, please drop me a line. I’ll definitely consider writing it.
Oakwoods Progress
I CAN SEE THE LIGHT…
This series is just about complete. Just waiting on the final illustrations for Nuts, then the last two interior files.
The whole series should be ready to print in February: right on schedule for the April Midwest Parent Educators conference in April, 2025!
Lifestyle Focus
This year my body demands some true commitments. I know, I know. New Year’s resolutions don’t last. Well, mine have to, or else.
Cut back on carbs and sugars (not eliminate, though). This includes some fruits I love. I’ll concentrate on eating berries in that category. Ice cream I’ll enjoy only on Chiefs game days or once a week. Diet Dr. Pepper 1x/week (paydays). Regular Coke 1x/month. I rarely drink soda anymore, so this will be easy.
Exercise. Work out with my personal trainer/physical therapist daughter, Danielle, once each week. Yoga for 15-20 minutes a day. Walk more. Sit less.
Sleep well. Go to bed by ten and get up by eight. Usually, it takes me a long time to get to sleep. I’m trying to figure out which bed (or chair) and pillow are best. We may need a new bed. Also, I’ve read that screen time (TV and computer) before bed is bad. So, I think I’ll try reading actual books around 8 or 9pm. My goal is to sleep better in less time. I’d like to get up earlier for Bible time and exercise before 8am.
These activities, plus moderation in food quantities, should result in weight loss and toning.
Drink LOTS of water. I already do that, so…
Fortunately, I’m on zero meds. I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.
January Giveaway Winner
This year, I’m doing something different for giveaways. Many of you already have the books you want, so that isn’t sustainable.
So, I’ve decided this year I’m giving away Chickadee Words branded 20 oz. mugs or other custom items. I’ll also carry these to sell in my shop and at in-person events. The first ones will feature my newest characters in the Oakwoods series. Here’s a sampling:
Which mug would you like to win (or buy)? Please click below and submit.
Congratulations to T. Warner. You’ve won the giveaway this month. YAY! Check your inbox for my email where you will provide your physical address so I may send you my gift.
Thanks for subscribing and reading my blogs. Hope you continue to enjoy and share them.
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