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How's that writing going?

     What do you mean you aren't done yet? Well, you are at least half way finished, right? (I'm laughing,  of course! I ever expected you to be that far along.) Did you pray before you started and allow God to bless you with all the words you needed? How'd that go for you? I sincerely hope it went better for you that for me. Somehow every time I do that it signals smoke signals to the opposition on the Horned One's side to bring on the warfare! Anything to keep me away from the keyboard...phones that keep ringing, kids with problems, bills not paid,  hey, who let the dog out??? Now where was I?
     Writing is a ministry, just as preaching, teaching, and missionary work.  If you do your job right, then you will leave your readers pondering the thoughts you planted in their minds long after that last page is finished. For some, it might mean making a decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. For others it might be the catalyst to wake their spiritual life up and get them on fire again. I remember when I read "Love Finds You In Paradise, Pa." by Loree Lough, I talked about it to everyone for weeks. There was an element to the story that challenged what I was willing to do for Christ. Where was I drawing the line? At what would I, and what wouldn't I do to be more Christ-like?  Could I have the relationship with Jesus that Loree gave her characters in the book? Or would I stay within my comfort zone?
     This really upsets the enemy and he wants to distract us from finishing, at any cost. Just like tonight...my keyboard refuses to type every letter I hit and has decided to pick and choose the ones that will work. Of course I need to clean it, but it is frustrating none-the-less.
     That is all trivial in contrast to the things I have received prayer requests for this week.  E-mail after e-mail has come through to ask for prayer for some of the hardest times these people have ever had to go through. Some have faced death in their family, and others facing foreclosure and loosing their homes.  For me it has mean my youngest son going through the worst rebellion in his 19 years and moving out of my home. The enemy has done his homework and knows our Achilles Heel.  Husbands have lost their jobs, and children have faced health issues that threatened their lives. But the true writer keeps on typing....believing this is their ministry. One precious writer, Sandi Rog, continues to blog from her hospital room as she fights stage four cancer.  Now that is a precious child of God! My own trials seemed so small next to hers...I signed in my blog and prayed that God would help me get through this day.
     These are just a few of the things that you have to face as you dedicate your talent to God and choose to write for Him. Today, would you take just a few minutes to lift up everyone who has made that choice? I will return soon with an inspiring interview with Laurie Alice Eakes, and a recipe for her favorite dish! The week of July 11, watch for an interview with another favorite of mine Janice Hanna Thompson and her newest release "Love Finds You In Groom Texas" and her recipe for Chicken Fried Steak (Hey she is a Texas girl!)...

Meet Thomas Smith, the author of "Something Stirs"

I am so excited to introduce you to Thomas Smith, the author of "Something Stirs" for my very first interview! I asked him some off the wall questions because I didn't want to sound like every other interviewer...and what I received back was a glimpse into the heart of someone who was born to be a writer. It isn't a hobby or a new career change...it is something that has flowed through his veins since he was in the third grade. I have always believed that we know at a very young age what we are "called" to do...and Thomas Smith is a testiment to that calling. So please join me now as I introduce you to someone you will be hearing a lot more about...Mr. Thomas Smith!

(Q) When you were young, what was the profession you wanted to do when you grew up? Did you know you had a calling to write? (A) Actually, I have wanted to be a writer since I was in the third grade. And even when I was serving churches as the pastor, I was writing stories, plays, essays, and doing freelance projects. So I have always written on some level my entire adult life. And now I am blessed enough that it has become my full-time job.

(Q) Can you foresee a time when you wouldn’t want to write?
(A) No. There may come a time when I can’t, but I would still want to.

(Q) Do you have a favorite spot to go to for your inspiration?
(A) I don’t really have a favorite place to “get inspired.” A writer writes. Period. If you have a deadline you can’t afford to rely on inspiration. The love of writing is inspiration enough. Often people who want to have written (which is much different than writing itself) look for inspiration or an inspirational place. But a working writer or those who are doing all the right things to become a professional writer, write because they want to write. The place doesn’t really matter. Spoken like a true writer with ink flowing through your veins!

(Q) Have any of your characters been written based upon you?
(A)One that I know of, but I’m sure there have been at least a few more. But one I am certain of. Hmmm, can we guess which one?

(Q) Who would you say, besides Jesus, influenced you the most? (A) My parents and my wife. I have noticed you give your wife credit for being so important in your life, and I would like our readers to know Thomas said his lovely and talented wife is Melanie, and she is a big part of his writing!

(Q) What is your favorite scripture?
(A) John 3:30 (“He must become greater; I must become less.”) is a constant reminder of how I’d like my life to be. That is a strong challenge to live your life by.

(Q) If you could live at any time in the history of mankind, when would it be?
(A) I’m pretty content with this time. Spoken like a truly contented man!

Now for something more personal and fun....
(Q)What is your favorite color and why? What do you visualize when you think of that color?
(A) My favorite color is red. I have no idea why. I think it may be because the inside of a watermelon is red and that is my favorite melon/fruit/whatever it is. They also say red is the choice of powerful and influencial men...just a thought!

(Q) What are your favorite foods? (A)Homemade cornbread and field peas. I also love the Wonton Soup Deluxe at Wang’s Kitchen in Raleigh. It is a clear broth wanton soup with 5 different fresh vegetables, shrimp, chicken, and mushrooms added (OK, I know mushrooms are considered vegetables, but I really like mushrooms). It is the best soup I’ve ever had anywhere in the world.

(Q) Do you like to cook? What is your specialty?
(A) I do like to cook. I don’t really have a specialty, but I love to cook Chinese dishes. Especially dishes with a lot of different vegetables. I suppose as a guy I should love grilling and be bragging about my secret homemade rub and special sauce, but my bar-b-que sauce is pretty average.
That's very interesting, since you live in the South! I thought all Southern men were required to excell in BBQ!

(Q) Where would you vacation if you could go anywhere?
(A)I’d go back and take another ATV trip through the Puerto Rican rain forest, then come home and spend Christmas in Williamsburg, VA.
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas! I love the duel sides to it.

(Q) Lots of our readers have furry family members. Tell me about your favorite pet you have ever owned, or pets.
(A) My favorite pet is our dog Arde (pronounced Ar-Dee). She is 13 years old, has a sweet face, and she makes my wife happy. I’m not sure she’s not people in a dog suit (Arde, not my wife).
Is that like "Chef Boy Ar-Dee?" Yes, exactly! What kind of dog is she? Arde is a springer spaniel.


(Q) Can you share a favorite family recipe with our readers, and tell us a little something about it?
(A) I remember my mother and my grandmother taking old bread and making bread pudding. They often put raisins and nuts in it (especially around Christmas). My mother usually puts in some chocolate chips. Sometimes they’d make a lemon sauce or put a little vanilla ice cream on top. Bread pudding always makes me think of home.

Thomas Smith's Family Bread Pudding

2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 (1 pound) loaf sliced white bread (or whatever bread you have handy), toasted
12 eggs
3 tablespoons vanilla extract
5 cups half-and-half
3 cups sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter each slice of bread on both sides. Tear buttered bread into little pieces, and put into a very large mixing bowl. Beat eggs with vanilla, and then pour over bread. Stir in half-and-half and sugar. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool. Serve hot or cold.

Thank you so much Thomas! Bread Pudding is one of my favorites, too. I had never tasted it before moving to the East Coast, and the little deli I worked at made it fresh every morning.No one told me how fattening it was, and I ate a ton of it before my boss suggested I slow down a little, lol! Now I save it for special occaisions.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting Thomas as much as I have, and be sure to read "Something Stirs" available at amazon.com today!

This just in from Thomas...

If this helps, the book is available everywhere but the best online places to order it are Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I've added the links here in case you want to use them. B&N has the best price. Better than Amazon.

B&N -
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/something-stirs-thomas-smith/1031416715?ean=9780982577349&itm=1&usri=something%2bstirs%2bthomas%2bsmith


Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/Something-Stirs-Thomas-Smith/dp/0982577346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307464135&sr=1-1

What makes you want to leave a comment about something you like or hate?

     There has been a lot of talk lately about reviews people leave on commercial sites, so today I would like to ask you what prompts you to forever record your opinion of someone's labor? We are a very opinionated society, and for the most part we usually only voice those thoughts if we are unhappy for some reason. I didn't like the service I received from that vendor, or I hated the food in that restaurant, so lets tell the whole world. We rarely take time to go out of our way to say nice things, even though we should. 

     But what happens when you are talking about writers? These are people who have devoted a HUGE chunk of themselves, their time, and their heart into birthing their creation. For most of the people I know that means dedicating long hours everyday to the keyboard, writing, re-writing, and editing...then submitting it for critique to a group of peers and professionals, then starting the NEW rewrites and edits. Once that part is finished, there is the hard part of writing the synopsis, preparing the necessary presentations for agents and publishers, and all the stuff most people are unaware of, to find someone willing to make a commitment to publish your heart's work. Most writers are always attending conferences to improve their craft, and writing blogs and independent pieces to keep their name out there in the public's mind. We wont even go into the promotion of the book once it is published.

     Finally! It is finished! The book hits the shelves and the book signings begin. People begin to read the intimate results of your labor. You rush to read the reviews...and you either die inside or are encouraged...they like you!

     The real test of your strength is when your readers begin their reviews. I have seen a number of excellent writers fall to pieces over a bad review that was written not to encourage improvement, but to tear down the author to tears! Mean spirited, hateful reviews over things like "it was too preachy" or "I didn't like that she/he wrote....." and "I wouldn't waste my money again!"  Even for free downloads on kindle, people complain. They weren't aware it was a christian book and found it too religious, and that upset them because they weren't believers. But they write in bitterness and sound so angry as they stress that they DIDN'T LIKE THE BOOK! And would never read anything written by this writer again. I even read one review that said a book wasn't realistic...that's because it was a parody! It was meant to be funny. It was written with wildly colorful characters you fell in love with.  Apparently they didn't get it.

     I remember my grandmother always saying, "If you can't say something good..." (Come on, you know it, lets say it together) "DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!" You can leave constructive criticism without being mean or hateful. You don't have to say you loved the book, but you don't have to say you hated the writer. We all have different tastes, so let the next person decide for themselves.

     That said, I will now jump down from by little wooden soap box and go find some April Fools pranks to pull on my children...