80 Acres and a Book

I’m the Harem story writer. At 80 Acres and a Book, sometimes I blather away about nothing. But I also talk about my HAREM & PIRATE GENRE CHRISTIAN FICTION BOOKS. I review Christian Fiction as well as nonfiction books such as cookbooks and craft-related books. I share my family’s remodeling ventures, recipes, decorating projects, and other adventures at our humble homestead, all through the eyes of faith in God. Blog Background by, http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Speaking of Writing: Lessons Learned

Speaking of Writing; my thoughts and lessons learned on all things writing.

As a writer I’m constantly learning, not only about the art of fiction writing, but also about marketing my work. Recently I changed the name of my author’s blog from Sand & Pearls to Arabian Gems. Why? Simply put, the name Arabian Gems better suits the genre I write about. As an author of Regency-set harem and pirate fiction (Inspirational fiction), I reckoned that using the name Arabian in the title of my blog might draw more readership. So there it is . . .

Arabian Gems, the new name for my author’s blog. Now I’ve got to get to work and update the name at my Web site and around the ‘net.’ Oh, fun!

See Arabian Gems by clicking on the name.

Blessings

Stephanie Boles
Author of the Called to His Purpose Series
Writing is my ministry, not my job

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

How I Learned to Savor my Two-year Hiatus from Writing

Today I write as a contributor to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. Our theme this month is “savor.”

As I thought about writing this post for the blog chain at ChristianWriters.com I pondered how to use the word savor. Should I write an exciting post about savoring my favorite foods, or express the joys I experience when I have a particularly good day? Perhaps, sharing the wonders of savoring my relationship with Jesus Christ would make an apropos post. But, as the day drew near for this post, the Lord impressed upon my heart to write something I, at first, did not care to share.
Defining savor as a verb I noticed that it’s, “to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life.” ~Dictionary.com
With that thought in mind, I write about a time in my life wherein circumstances forced me to learn to savor time lost writing. I hope that this post, in some small way, encourages, not only writers but all who read it.

Discouragement is a word we writers well know. Often we work late into the night, greeting the lonely dawn with weary eyes. Long nights of writing are very often my closest friend. During the past years having a family to care for, I found it difficult to set a regular writing routine, so I carved bits of time from my days to write. My writing is a ministry, more than a career. God has called me to write, you see. He has led me to implement this ministry in such a way that I hold the freedom to publish at my own pace. At this point in time, God hasn’t called me to make a living off of my writing, so this writing schedule worked fine for me.
But I did write. And I looked forward to the times when I sequestered myself alone in my tiny writing area and simply created. During the times I wrote I was adamant that the time was about me and my writing. I knew that was an entirely selfish outlook, but I wanted to write. Whenever I suffered interruptions, I felt great annoyance.

Then the day came when my father-in-law told us that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, and with treatment, the doctors offered him only five more years of life.

My family’s world ceased to exist as it once had, for we all lived and worked closely together on the family farm.
My life and my writing suffered a great and unexpected interruption.
My family focused solely on my father-in-law and how best to—we hoped—bring him through the cancer so he might enjoy an even longer life. Days were spent in doctor’s visits, tests, surgeries, terrible illness, well anyone who knows, knows. Cancer is a devastation of body, mind and often soul.

Admittedly, I tried to write some during the two years my father-in-law lived with the cancer, but with the constant worry about his health, added chores and interruptions, I found it difficult, so I made the decision to simply lie my writing aside and concentrate wholly on my father-in-law. I even had a major project go unfinished, but it seemed insignificant in the light of my father-in-law’s needs. With the decision to temporarily stop writing something in me changed. I thought I was helping him by giving of myself. Little did I know that he would help me. I began to savor my time with him, to savor each moment of life altogether. I was daily reminded of a basic Christian truth. Even when life’s circumstances overwhelm us with seemingly impossible situations, God has not left our side.

God tells us in the book of Hebrews in His precious Word that he will never leave us or forsake us.

He also says that, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.” ~New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Since my father-in-law’s death in December of 2011, I began, slowly at first, now with more rapidity, to write again. But I think of my father-in-law often and all that he taught me both during his life and through his dying. I now, gladly say, I thank God for that two-year hiatus from my writing, not because my father-in-law was ill and died. Never! But because, I learned to remind myself that even when my life doesn’t work according to my plan, I should never waste time longing for what I cannot or do not have. I ought to savor every part of my life.

Thank you, dear father-in-law, for sharing your life with us. He danced through life with a smile. We miss him dearly and look forward to our reunion in heaven.

Have you ever taken an unexpected hiatus from writing? Did you resent the time or learn to savor it?

Bible Text:
Hebrews 13:5-6
⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
⁶So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
~King James Version

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.”
~New International Version (NIV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
~King James Version

Blessings,
Stephanie Boles
Author of the Called to His Purpose series
Writing is my ministry, not my job

March’s blog chain theme at ChristianWriter’s .com is, ‘savor’, so why not savor these posts throughout the month?

3/1: Chris Henderson, TheWriteChris

3/2: Bill Jones, I Was Thinking the Other Day About

3/3: Mike Johnson, The College Field Manual

3/4: Scott Fields, Dead Man Writing

3/5: Lynn Mosher, Heading Home

3/6: Chris Vonada, I'm Just Thinkin'

3/7: Carol Peterson, From Carol's Quill

3/8: Jacky Brown, JayBees Blog

3/9: Tracy Krauss, Expression Express

3/10: Steve Olar, Snickerdoodles

3/11: Cindee Snider Re, Breathe Deeply

3/12: Terrie Thorpe, Light for the Journey

3/13: Nona King, Spirit Driven Fiction

3/14: Edward Lewis, Sowing the Seeds

3/15: Pegg Thomas, The Sheepish Scribe

3/16: Kristena Tunstall, Mommy’s Angel In Heaven

3/17: Debra Ann Elliott, Words are Timeless

3/18: Adam Collings, The Collings Zone

3/21: Victor Travison, Lightwalker's View

3/22: Samuel R. Choy, Samuel R. Choy

3/23: Nona King, Word Obsession

3/24: Deborah K. Anderson, target="_blank">Faith, Fiction, and Unvarnished Truth

3/25: Pauline Creeden, Hosanna's Christian Reader

3/26: Joseph Lalonde, Joseph Lalonde

3/27: Stephanie Boles, 80 Acres and a Book

3/28: Carol Peterson, From Carol's Quill3/30: Traci Bonney, Tracings

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Six Word Saturday

Rain makes grass GROW; we mow.

Add Six Word Saturday to your site by clicking the button on the left side of this blog or by following this link. Six Word Saturday

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Book Review: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

ISBN-10: 1595549633

ISBN-13: 978-1595549631

Number of Pages: 352

Publication Date: April 2012

Publishers: Thomas Nelson

This book was unlike the books I usually read. I prefer, in fact I love Regency and Regency-set historicals. But the concept of this story fascinated me so I asked to review this book.

The Wedding Dress paints a picture of Charlotte’s life as she discovers an antique wedding gown in an old trunk and searches for answers to the history of the dress. Charlotte soon discovers who owned the dress. The three women who previously donned the dress share their struggles to find lasting love, permitting Charlotte a glimpse into her own heart.

Emily in 1912. Mary in 1939. And Hillary in 1968. The reader is privy to each woman’s story. The wedding dress? Well it’s a character in itself. The wedding dress journeys through time, lending its beauty to all the women. And Charlotte learns more about herself through each woman’s experience.

I liked traveling through time and reading the stories of each woman. The Wedding Dress was different, somewhat reminiscent of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.

The characters are true ‘characters’, especially the men. But true to life characters create conflict. I won’t read a book that gives me insipid characters. I won't hang around to the end of a book with boring characters. Would you?

This story shines a spotlight on the character traits of some not-so-good men. I imagine the author might have had a difficult time writing about such fellows. It’s not easy creating characters that hurt others. But I say too much. I do not want to spoil the story.

This is a quick read for those who enjoy romance novels. And really, all I have time to read these days are quick reads, so thank you, Rachel Hauck, for creating an enjoyable quick read for this reader. Great job!

Be sure and complete the discussion questions and author’s note at the end of the book as they add closure to the story.

I would recommend this book to readers without hesitation. It’s a good read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Organizing Tips: Office Area and Daily Mail

File Items Daily

Having Fibromyalgia I often suffer from ‘brain fog’ where I forget everything. Keeping my home and life organized really helps on those days. Keeping up with my filing is just as important as keeping up the house.

There’s a rule in filing. Touch it once and file it. First make a place to keep files if your filing system isn't already in place, then when papers, whether it’s mail or work-related, cross your desk act on them right away if you have the time. After acting upon the mail and work either file items or toss them out. Doing this daily in the office area as well as with the mail helps keep the 'piles' of papers at bay. Remember mom telling you to put things away? Well? Do so. Now, if I can only remember to do this on those brain fog days.

Happy Organizing

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Six Word Saturday

Bathroom remodel and raqs sharqi today.

Thanks to sideshowmom at MorgueFile.com for use of the free public domain photo.

Add Six Word Saturday to your blog by clicking the Six Word Saturday button you'll find at the left side of this blog or by clicking this link. Six Word Saturday. Have fun.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Six Word Saturday

White slavers run amuck, oh my!

What is this Six Word Saturday post about? Fiction writing, of course. In book 2 of my Called to His Purpose series (set in 1813, England and North Africa) the white slavers are not who you might assume.

Book 2
Sahara Dreams, coming soon!
Souls Harbor Publishing

Monday, March 5, 2012

Walk In The Light Of Your Fearlessness by Clarissa Shepherd

One of the Facebook groups I belong to is a support group for sufferers of chronic pain. Called Fellow Travelers Support and Chat (FMS CFS/ME), the group is a place of positive-minded leadership, offering encouragement and education about the process of chronic pain associated with FMS CFS/ME.

Recently the founder of this group, Clarissa Shepherd, posted a few words. I found her words, not only encouraging, but beautifully written. I asked her to share herself here at my blog by allowing me to repost what she shared at the group. Below, you’ll find it.

I pray Clarissa’s words encourage you as much as they do me. She’s a precious lady and the author of Find Your Way: A Guide to Healing While Living with CFIDS and Fibromyalgia.

Thank you, Clarissa.

Walk In The Light Of Your Fearlessness

Many times we feel disconnected from everyone because of our illness.

We can't always express how or what we feel to others. This leaves us frustrated and alone in a room filled with people. Those who want to know, cannot and those who don't know, will not. We reach deep inside to see a part of us that many people never need to find. We hold on tight to places in our mind that many people never need to go. Survival is a daily task and peace, can many times, be a stranger to us.

As I think of those surviving chronic illness, I am reminded of how brave that you are. You are not your illness. You are a mighty sword, of a warrior, going to battle each day for your life. You're not your harmful thoughts, for they are imposed onto your mind. Yet, as a mighty sword, you are greater than those awful thoughts that enter the mind and effect your body and life. Together we stand, for apart we fall. We each give to the other the strength to move forward even when we would rather lay down and quit.

You show your strength and courage with each breathe you take, every obstacle you overcome, each time you learn new ways to cope. You are fearless, even in your pain, for you move ever forward, despite of it.

All of your adversity has rebuilt you, mind, body and spirit. Allow the reality of this truth to wash over you. To fill up your innermost being, bind you, hold you, carry you and settle inside you. You are heroes of a unique kind, taking a journey down a very winding road. With uncertainty around every curve, you rise to the occasion with grace.

Walk in the light of your fearlessness, for you are the description of courage.

~Clarissa Shepherd

If you’d like to join the group follow this link. Fellow Travelers FMS & ME/CFS support and chat Facebook group.

“Founded May 2010
Support group for those who are survivors of FMS, MCS, CFS/ME. Sharing help , hope and chat to those who are fellow travelers on this our journey. A place to find comfort from the storm.” ~Quoted From the Facebook Group Page