I feel so REAL! I’m on SEEKERVILLE!!! Someone pinch me quick! Ouch, okay, so I am here gazing at all the wonderful people who follow this blog and now I’m nervous. Am I dressed right? Is there spinach woven between my teeth? Quick—call in the makeup person please!
Never mind—I’m not in charge! God is and He’s chosen this time together to be an invisible gathering with you. How great is HE? His Plan B for today doesn’t require me to look fabulous, so I can relax in my frumpiness.
Today’s exciting topic is about those missteps we take in our lives and how God has other plans hiding behind the “OH NO!”
We have a lot of mole holes in our yard and if you don’t pay attention, you will be doing the Misstep Dance. Your balance is tipped, stability can’t be found in the surrounding air, and your ankle is a twisted mess. For the next six weeks you get to live with that one moment of making a wrong choice and wondering how soon you can recover from the plunge into a mole hole.
The answer is about six weeks to life depending on how much trauma that ankle suffered.
I don’t know about you but my life has been made up of many missteps that have forced me to look at Plan B options. Like my character, Louisa Copeland, in Mind of Her Own, I took the choice expected of me—get married and have a family. I put all creativity to sleep or tried to.
Instead of writing or following my love of photography, I chose to make clothes for my son, paint every room in our home, and create roads on huge sheets of cardboard for my son to use with his small cars. I took a cake-decorating class—BIG mistake! Icing tastes so good! That led to working out in my living room!
All of this frustrated creativity came to a boil. After all, little boys do not care much about clothing or how much time it takes to make it. Nor did they care to sit for photos—the cake, however, they did like.
So while I don’t feel being married and a mom was a true misstep, I’ve used it to illustrate how we can be led off the path God intends for us. Let me be clear! I do think He intended to me to marry and have my sons, but He had even more planned for me. I didn’t realize it until I stepped in a ‘hole’ and had to pay attention to what hurt.
My “hole” didn’t grab my ankle; it grabbed my spirit and my brother. When my last brother (I had 3) died, I was pregnant with boy number 2, my husband had a brain tumor, and I couldn’t find happiness anywhere. I took a misstep down the dark self-pity road.
God used that misstep to restore a lost gift. I used to write short stories long before the thought of marriage and children became my life goal. Did you see those words? LIFE GOAL? I bet God laughed at a 21-year-old stating her life goal as if it were set in granite.
One afternoon I offered my friend a few gazillion ideas to help her with the devotions she was writing (I’m helpful like that—not sure she thought so, though!). She suggested I write devotions for children, so I did, and suddenly , things didn’t seem as dark as I followed another path set in my heart by God. Despite losing my husband a year later to cancer, I persevered and wrote—a lot! I grew stronger, smiled more, and looked at each day with joy.
I’ve come to look at missteps as “not right now” advice from God. Like Louisa in Mind of Her Own, it wasn’t her time to be a writer. She had to wait until she faced some tough issues in her life before she could travel the other path God set before her. For me and photography, the time is coming. I may never be a professional, but I can learn to look like it by using Lightroom and Photoshop Elements.
Now you might be thinking, so what? I’m not a writer or a photographer—my misstep was much bigger than things I couldn’t control in life. Well, you aren’t alone. Everyone reading this blog has chosen the wrong thing on purpose at some point in their life. It may be as small as choosing to dye your hair red when clearly your personality is blond. Guilty!
Perhaps it’s so huge it hugs the sides of your throat, keeping you from speaking of it to anyone. God knows about this misstep and He cares. He has something great waiting for you behind that big OH NO! Reach out to Him and let Him help.
So just for fun, what are some of the missteps you’ve taken in your life and what excitement happened because of it? *Caution all material can or may be used in a future book by all writers who read Seekerville posts.
Mind Of Her Own
Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill fell out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who was this Collin fellow, claiming she was his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name couldn’t be Louisa. Why, she was the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.
Read first chapter: http://www.dianabrandmeyer.com/mind-of-her-own/
Or get your own copy:
Amazon
Nook
Chrisitanbook.com
About Diana:
Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. Author of Mind of Her Own, A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee and We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.
You can reach Diana here:
Her Blog
Twitter @dianabrandmeyer
Google+
Today Seekerville will be giving away an e-copy of Mind of Her Own to one commenter. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition. (P.S. ask her about gluten-free.)
OMG your book sounds like so much fun! Jazz Sweet, huh? Please put my name in the cat dish for it.
ReplyDeleteMy heart just broke reading about the tragedies in your life. But it sang for joy to read about how you picked up and have succeeded. I'm on Plan B too -- divorced, empty nest and just turned 62. But I have a wonderful supportive family and friends, two great sons, a super-duper daughter-in-law and the two cutest granddaughters in the world. I also have a God who has watched over me the whole time even when I didn't believe He was.
Thanks for sharing, Diana!
I'll put the kettle on. I have some work to do. I got my critique back from Audra and it totally rocks! She gave me great advice and I know it's going to make the story SO much better.
Marilyn
P.S. What's with the gluten-free? I've suffered from bloating and pressure for a year now. I've had an endoscope and don't have an ulcer. My gall bladder was removed about ten years ago. I'm on my 3rd medication after Prilosec gave me hives and Pepcid didn't work. Zantac isn't working either so I think it's back to the doc for me. I feel like the Goodyear blimp!
WELCOME TO DIANA!
ReplyDeleteI accidental stumbled upon a preview of her book on the ACFW Fiction Finder and so I had to get it. I love this book.
You will too!!!!
accidentally....sheesh.
ReplyDeleteUm, countless times I've chosen the wrong thing, do you have several hours to read my list? :)
ReplyDeleteLike right now, playing on the internet instead of writing.....
And good to see you too, Melissa. I wouldn't call visiting with you the wrong thing.
ReplyDeleteIf only all I was doing was commenting in seekerville....
ReplyDeleteI have made a lot of Missteps through my life. Some I'm still trying to dig out of but others did blossom at the end of the healing process. One such misstep was when I moved across country on my own when I was extremely shy. I became snowbound for two days and after that my shyness was no more. I either talked to strangers or I sat and did nothing. I look back now and appreciate being stranded those two days as I came out of my shell.
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
Welcome to Seekerville, Diana!
ReplyDeleteI've hit Plan B so many times in my life it's not funny.
Sometimes God showed me grace, and sometimes he taught me a lesson.
Every time I grew closer to God.
Isn't he wonderful?
I love the sound of your story, please toss my name in the drawing.
Gluten-free? My brother-in-law has Celiac Disease. I'm always nervous when he comes to eat. I usually stick with the basics and no frills.
Any advice?
Thanks so much for sharing with us today.
Jackie L.
Diana, you need to spill about being gluten free. I am gluten free and corn allergic. Talk about limiting.
ReplyDeleteOh, we do wonder about the roads less traveled, don't we? I wish I hadn't taken an eight year sabbatical from writing but I did. Now I appreciate it all the more.
Blessings to you and put my name in the cat bowl.
Peace, Julie
Oh, Diana, I liked your post. Thanks for the reminder that all missteps can be turned for good. As a recovering perfectionist, I need that reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the losses you've faced. I haven't lost siblings or my husband. I can only imagine the pain. I'm grateful for the way you shared how you came through that.
Let's see, my own missteps. I've had plenty. LIke the blind date that I took with a guy I was told was nice, but cussed like a sailor. Um, yeah. There was only one date with him.....
I've eaten gluten free since 2002. I feel so much better.
Oh, I would LOOOOVE to be in the drawing for your book. :)
MARILYN, you might consider asking your doctor to draw blood and see if it shows a gluten sensitivity or allergy. Sometimes it shows up in the blood work, and sometimes it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteAfter you see the doc, you can try cutting out gluten from your diet and see how you feel. If you do it before, nothing shows up in your blood, so you definitely don't know if you have a sensitivity or allergy.
It's much easier than it used to be to eat gluten free. :)
Sorry this is so long. :)
Missteps - we all got 'em. Think of all the miles I could have saved just by taking the right path. I grew up with a sibling with celiac disease. That was the 60s. Gluten free today is a piece of cake (pun intended) compared to then. If you choose or are forced to adopt a gluten free diet today your choices are abundant. Watch those missteps though - not everything gluten-free is healthy. Case in point, there is a plastic bag of brown sugar in my cupboard (for medicinal purposes of course) that proudly proclaims across the front that it is "Gluten-free" Hmmmm....
ReplyDeletemy goodness! You all are up bright and early! It's storming and lightinging here so hoping I don't lose power.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start at the top and start replying to you all.
First up--thank you so much Tina Pinson for asking me to post today. A goal has been reached by being on Seekerville.
Blessiings,
Diana
What an inspirational post! Diana, God bless you in all you do...
ReplyDeleteand thank you so much for being here in Seekerville with us today!
Why is it that even the very well-traveled among us... those who spend years doing road-trips... are surprised by God's bends in the road? You'd think we'd be better prepared but we're kind of blithely traipsing along, and WHAM....
And we scramble to pick up pieces... or we take a long while to heal and THEN pick up the pieces.
Your story is beautiful and I wish you every happiness.
Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteFirst please forgive any typos I'm using my ipad until the storm passes and the print is so tiny in this little box.
Plan B can be tough especially divorce coupled with the empty nest. I'm happy to hear you have friends surrounding you.
ah the gluten free thing you might be intolerant. The blood test is only good if you have celiac. Try going without wheat, rye, and barley for a few weeks and see how you feel. Sounds like you have acid reflux too? I do as well but as yucky as it tastes I've found swallowing apple cider vinegar chased by water to work the best.
Blessings,
Diana
Good morning Diana...
ReplyDeleteSeveral spots made me LOL! And others made me reach out in a virtual hug...
You've had a few mountains along with those mole holes.
May the K9 Spy uses Plan B (by name!)frequently... It does make for good stories!
As a funny, George F. was a client of my Dad's. I was there one time when he came in. He was SO nice, but wow - he filled the doorway to the exam room. Don't remember what kind of critter he was bringing in though.
Dad who STILL weighs what he did in college was about 1/3 the size - or so it seemed to me.
Sounds like a fun read and with a Tina recommendation - well... There you go. Yes please!
may at maythek9spy dot com
Melissa,!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I really want to read your list!
Blessings,
Diana
Interesting...Plan B! Lots to think about. Time waisted is not waited if you enjoy it...mostly. I enjoy the Internet, but some of that is truly waisted. Not when I'm on Seekerville with my friends, though!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm back in Alberta, and my bro graciously had a better Internet service installed for me while I was in Arizona. The only drawback was that it hadn't been completely finished and I was without it completely till last night...imagine my in box after 5 days? Got a lot read though, as we still have winter here!!!!
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYou are do brave to move where you didn't know anyone--wait book idea just flashed, did you say snowstorm?---okay back
That's quite a step of faith to move someplace new. I admire your willingness to step forward when called.
Blessings,
Diana
Diana, thank you so much for sharing your story with us in Seekerville today!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the mole hole photo! Our backyard is riddled with mole tunnels! I think they are trying to get the birdseed that falls from the feeders. All the tunnels & holes seem to converge in those areas. So between the birds, squirrels, and moles, our backyard wildlife is well fed.
On the gluten-free subject, one of our daughters is gluten intolerant, along with having dairy and other assorted allergies. A couple of her sons have similar issues. Makes cooking interesting when they come to visit!
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteYes, there is often a lesson with that plan B. As long as I look at it as a learning expericence I can handle it.
hmm, I know we gluten free people are scary to have for dinner. Just make sure your cooking utensils are really clean-run them through the dishwasher (even the pots) If you start off planning a totally GF menu it will be easier--Simple menu would be:
chicken breasts
smashed potatoes
salad
vegetable
If you search gluten free on google you'll find so many yummy recipes.
Look at the labels for wheat, rye, barley, malt, malt flavoring and you'll be safe.
OH and King Arthur makes the most yumilious brownine mix that's gluten free. So there's dessert. :)
Blessings,
Diana
Julie,
ReplyDeletePop up one comment to read somethings I've written about gluten free and please add what could be served a gluten free guest. I feel your pain I can't imagine taking corn out of my diet too.
Eight years is a long break but perhaps it's all been simmering in the book pail and you'll have best sellers flowing from your fingers soon.
Blessings,
Diana
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteOh my that is book material! Did that guy have your friends fooled or did they not know you well enough when they set you up with him?
I'm amazed at how many GF people I run into!
And you are right about trying the blood test first. I didn't do that and went on the elimination diet. Then 8 months later I had an endoscope so I don't know if I'm intolerant or celiac. My reason was insurance cost, but since I feel so much better I'm sticking to the diet. When I get slipped gluten wow is life miserable.
Blessings,
Diana
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteThat's so true about gluten free foods. Cotton Candy is gluten free (good for me becasue I love it) and nothing but sugar.
You have to read the calorie counts while searching out ingredients because you can gain weight fast! For instance 1 piece of my gf bread is equal to 2 pieces of the non gf bread.
Blessings,
Diana
Ruth,
ReplyDeleteFunny you should write that...I've been pretty much on my couch for 6 weeks no one could figure out what was wrong a Plan B for sure. I went from working out 5 days a week, marketing my book and writing to sleeping 18 hours a day.
Turned out to be my cholestorl medication.
What did I learn? I have a lot of things in my life that are not important that I was trying to do.
I had time to consider if I wanted to continue writing ( I do!) or look for a job. (I don't!)
I had to lean on others and I discovered people like to help those in need. Sadly I didn't see anyone volunteer to clean bathrooms. :) Which has taught me when I help someone I can do that for me.
Blessings,
Diana
Mary K! That is so awesome. I have never met the man but imagined he would be huge. I always loved that he named all of his kids George. So much so that all of my sons answer to that name even though they are named, Ben, Andy and Josh.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Marianne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet thing for your brother to do-faster internet. If mine goes down for an hour I feel so lost. I can imagine your email inbox. You may get carpal tunnel from all the deleting.
Blessings,
Diana
Hi Myra!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how those critters can take over the yard.
Adding dairy issues to gluten free wouldn't be easy either. I've made this a recipe a lot no dairy!
http://www.lillianstestkitchen.com/episodes/chocolate-mousse-pie-with-strawberries/
Blessings,
Diana
Diana, tell us about how you got involved in the Digital First program.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, what else you're working on.
Thanks for the recipe link, Diana! I just sent it to my daughter. I wondered about it when I saw avocados as an ingredient, but apparently that's the substitute for dairy. Looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteIt was a God thing. I had A Mind of Her Own completed and Tyndale needed a book to fill an slot. I thought Digital 1rst would be a good fit for this book because it's so 'today' as is reading on a kindle or nook or iPad.
The exciting thing that came from this experience was meeting Pam Hillman and Johnnie Alexander Donely. We formed a quick team and helpe each other promote our books since they released at the same time. So if you need something to read Pam's Claiming Mariah and Johnnie's Where Treasure Hides are excellent books.
What am I working on now. Six different books. :) Historical and contemporary at the same time. I'm totaly losing my mind. I use Scrivener which helps keep me focused.
Then of course yesterday I read an article at the doctor's office which sparked yet another idea. Good thing I'm feelilng better because I have a lot to write.
Blessings,
Diana
Myra, it is soooo good! I don't like avacodos ( I Know! I'm a picky eater!) but this is so good I didn't want to share. I don't even bother with the crust, just make the mousse!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article, Diana! I really loved it...and it helped put things in perspective for me. What I loved most was that the loss of a husband and three brothers brought you closer to God, in the long run, not farther!
ReplyDeleteI had a mistep experience recently. A project with four friends went sour and caused quite a bit of grief...but the result was that what was accomplished of the project was mainly on email...and is now turning into the YA novel series I am writing. I don't think I could have done it if I didn't have all the emails, and the emails would not have been there if the original project had worked out.
All things do work together for good for those who love Him!
Arhyalon, (Jaggi!)
ReplyDeleteOH that is so sad when freindships turn sour, but I love the plan B of using the emails for a YA book. I have a feeling it will be a great book.
Yeah, it's much better to run to God not away when things go wrong.
Blessings,
Diana
The friendships are fine, Diana! Just the project went sour. ;-)
ReplyDeleteJagi, missed that part. So glad the friendships survived!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Welcome to Seekerville, Diana!
ReplyDeleteI had no clue you'd been widowed. God bless you sister...and He has. I read your post on Melissa Finnegan's Genesis 50:20 blog, so I know the rest of the story now. :)
I didn't know Diana very well until we both had Digital First books that released in January from Tyndale House. And when Tyndale offered our books for $1.99 for one week, Diana, Johnnie Donley, and I banded together and SHOUTED it out to the world.
And shouted.
And shouted...
I'll just flat-out tell you...there is NO ONE I'd rather partner with than Diana Brandmeyer when it comes to promoting and marketing. She's just about as OCD as I am.
Ahem.
We just about killed ourselves that week, and I think Johnnie is traumatized for life. We worked like MAD with very little sleep for about a week. It was crazy fun, though. Like a week-long slumber party without the slumbering part.
Ready for another go at it, Diana??? lol
And, PS, Mind of her Own is a great read. Part romantic comedy, part drama (is there such a thing as Dramedy?), part romance.
Plan B?
ReplyDeleteI went with plan A - I always wanted to be a wife and mother, and I loved those years. But, gosh darn it, children grow up and for some reason they want to do things like go to college and buy their own clothes.
So now I'm on my second plan A, and I'm loving it, too. There's something about being where God wants you to be that makes even missteps part of His plan.
No gluten free for me - I love my whole grains :)
Pam! I'd do it again in a heartbeat with you two. It was fun, carb and caffeine loading, up all night tweeting back and forth. So fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, God has blessed me, He took John home (to early!) but gave me an amazing husband not as a replacement but for a whole new life.
Blessings,
Diana
Jan, God Bless you for Plan A. It's a grand plan, but that empty house well...it's just so empty isn't it? Plan A take 2 coming up for you with God's blessings all over it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those whole grains...I miss them.
Blessings,
Diana
LOL, Diana! We have two Tina's in Seekerville. I'm Tina Radcliffe your hostess who writes for Love Inspired.
ReplyDeleteTina Pinson is a dear friend of Seekerville and talented author who writes for Desert Breeze.
We do call ourselves the Tina Twins. First we both lived in Colorado. Now we both live in Arizona. We have never met. She is blonde and I am a natural brunette. (!!!!) But we are certain we are twins separated at birth.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. I'm sure I've had missteps, but can't think of any right now!
I know my writing journey is filled with missed opportunities and missteps, but I figure there's a reason for everything and I'm where I should be!
Your book looks like fun!
CHeers,
Sue
sbmason at sympatico dot ca
Hi Diana, Welcome to Seekerville. So happy to have you and no there isn't any spinach in your teeth.
ReplyDeleteI was interested that you wrote children's devotions during a difficult time. Me too. I still write them and publish them on my childrens website under Sandy Wardman. And like you, they saved me. That closeness to God brought me through the difficult time. I have no idea if anyone uses them, but they help me. So I write them. smile
I'm thankful Tina Radcliffe scheduled you for today. Have fun.
Great post! Yes, I've had to move on to plan B. I thought I would take the natural route to motherhood, but God had different ideas. All three of our children are adopted, but His plan was so much better than mine! I can't imagine my life without them.
ReplyDeleteI listened to people who said I could never be a successful writer. It took until I had taught school for several years and worked as a copywriter and secretary that I rediscovered my true passion. My first novel releases in August! His ways are always better than ours.
Thank GOD For missteps! I love knowing my Heavenly Father is ready to take me by the hand when I've wandered off.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to learn more about you and your writing journey, Diana!
SIX BOOKS AT ONCE??
you win. I thought three was bad.
That's funny you are Tina2 (squared-I don't know how to do that on the keyboard)
ReplyDeleteIn that case-- Thank you Tina Radcliffe!
Blessings,
Diana
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteSmart girl keeping those missteps quiet--so many writers here just waiting to find the one that would make a good story. :)
On writing missteps-we all make those.
Blessings,
Diana
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting that you find solace in writing children's devotions. Perhaps it's becasue one has to think like a child to write them bringing you back to the childlike faith?
I'm sure they help others!
Blessings,
Diana
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting that you find solace in writing children's devotions. Perhaps it's becasue one has to think like a child to write them bringing you back to the childlike faith?
I'm sure they help others!
Blessings,
Diana
Debra,
ReplyDeleteoh, you are good! I'm haven't reached the point of thanking God for missteps that haven't happened yet. I worry way to much.
Yes, six at once I'm a little 'off' these days.
Blessings,
Diana
Debra,
ReplyDeleteHow many are you working on?
Blessings,
Diana
SIX at once. Yes. That's pretty amazing. Or not. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your writing day like normally.
Although normal is really a nasty word.
Tina Radcliffe,
ReplyDeleteThere is no normal--ever. I do tend to write more in the afternoon. Mornings I'm just not creative so I do online stuff, or editing --creating settings things like that.
Six is to many. I don't recommend it!
It gets confusing. I'm at a place now where I'm going to let 5 sit and simmer and work on one--just not sure which one!
Blessings,
Diana
>> We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families <<
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book title!
Plan B. Oh, yeah, I've experienced plenty of them. To quote John Lennon's song, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." :-)
Nancy C
Chill N--
ReplyDeleteThanks on the title, felt like my family was in that blender quite often!
Love that quote.
Blessings,
Diana
I suppose my misstep was assuming that I was a writer of analytic writing (research papers, critical analyses, book reviews) but never creative writing.
ReplyDeleteI loved to read, but never had any inkling of writing. Until one day driving down the road listening to Johnny Cash, the song grabbed me and dragged me in begging to become a novel. Then one Sunday, years later, listening to my husband preach an excellent message about Moses and his stick, I prayed, "Lord what is my stick." He whispered the name of that story in my ear. I could hardly believe it.
That was probably four years ago, and I'm still trying to get that story written. I have misstepped and just stopped stepping many times along the way.
As my daughter's favorite song says,
How loving and patient He must be. He's still workin' on me.
Diana, your story is very touching and encouraging to me, and A Mind of Her Own sounds wonderfully original, I'll have to add it to my "to buy" list. Thanks for a great post today.
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI love how God puts things on our hearts and minds and waits patiently for us to act. Mind of Her Own came to me like that, I could picture Louisa and she wanted me to tell her story and I had no idea what it was. It took me several years to figure it out.
I hope you complete your 'stick' soon.
I love the song your daughter quotes and now I can't think of the name of it.
"How loving and patient He must be. He's still workin' on me."
Blessings,
Diana
Thank you for sharing your life story, Diana. My heart went out to you.
ReplyDeleteAt this stage in my life, it's hard to know which are missteps and which are plan B. :) The best I can do is ask the Lord to redeem my mistakes and failures and somehow use them for His purposes and pray I learn something in the process. Not always easy for a pre-menopausal woman who has trouble remembering things from moment to moment. Hence why I can't give you a concrete example.
Blessings,
Jodie Wolfe
Digging for Pearls,
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. God's grace is sufficient hang on to that.
Post menopause oh yeah, so get that --what were we talking about anyway?
:)
Diana
Wow, beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your husband.
And I suppose one of my major missteps would be to take my theoretical linguistics degree (focusing on Eastern European languages, which I loved) and move to Warsaw, Poland.
I was accepted to the Warsaw School of Economics (prestigious... in certain circles) and I flew off to live in a city, sight UNSEEN.
This was before Google. A simple search for WARSAW WEATHER would have told me this was a bad idea. Eight months of -25 degree weather later, I gave up. -25 here is bad, in 3rd world countries (which Poland still was, coming right out of Communism then) it was downright horrifying.
Anyway, I slunk back to the States and went to grad school here for a while. But I'd lost my mojo.
And then I met my husband and things changed. I saw the world differently. Not as an academic but as a human being. Sad to say, that was a new experience. :D
Fifteen years and 6 kids later, I can sorta laugh about Warsaw now.
But I still don't like the cold!
Hi Diana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post today. It was a great comfort. Like most, I've made some missteps like abandoning my fiction writing for far too long, but I am grateful for a place like Seekerville to help me focus on it again.
Thank you for visiting!
Piper
SERIOUSLY?? VIRGINIA??? Warsaw????
ReplyDeleteI'm only working on three, Diana, it's all the trips in the time machine that are making me dizzy. Er... dizzier.
ReplyDeleteDiana, thanks so much for being with us today! I can just feel your fun spirit and positive attitude in your post. I'm sure your stories must feel the same! I'll be sure to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI'm an afternoon writer, too, Diana. Mornings are better for busy work and errands so I get them behind me and don't think so much about what's left undone. After lunch I settle in with the wip for several hours.
ReplyDeleteHi, Diana! I've missteped so many times I can't remember all of them. I sent a lot of time in school learning things I didn't need or ever use.
ReplyDeleteVirginia! Warsaw? Crazy town! Just the cold weather would be a nightmare for me!
ReplyDeleteThen I read you had 15 kids--lol reversed the numbers, six seems like not so many after reading 15!
Blessings,
Diana
Hi Piper,
ReplyDeleteSeekerville is an awesome place to learn and get support. I'm glad you found it.
Blessings,
Diana
Wow, what a great post. I'm going through a Plan B right now, so it is very applicable to my situation. Long story short, my dad has had a stroke and my siblings and I have to take over the family business. For a while, I thought my writing was going to be on hold indefinitely, but I have been told in several ways that I need to keep writing when I can. So, I'm going to do my best. :) Thanks again and have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteDebra,
ReplyDeleteYou're right the time machine makes me nuts too! Am I in the 1800s or is it 2013 or wait....maybe it's just real life time. So confusing. You can do three I'm sure of it. :)
Blessings,
Diana
Hi Missy! I know you from 'around' ACFW and othr places.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteYou're an amazing person. The love you give your kids and the time I admire you.
Liz has a book coming out soon called Snow on the Tulips I was fortunate to be one of her critique partners. It's a book not to miss.
Blessings,
Diana
Myra, there's something about the afternoons that work well. Maybe I feel like I've put out enough fires or at least started the laundry so I can relax and get into the story.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Cara,
ReplyDeleteDon't be so sure you won't use what you learned in school. :) I thought that once I married I'd never use what I learned. Turns out I had an ADD child oh and husband. :) That knowledge became useful.
Blessings,
Diana
Anna! Hugs, girl. It's tough to write when you're going through so much. I know that people told me to write when during those bad times but I couldn't. If you can't then don't make yourself sick by trying to do it. Maybe keep a journal a record thoughts as they occur. I'm probably one of the few that will tell you not to force it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Virginia, Moving away from -25 degree weather is an act of intelligence that any advanced degree should REQUIRE!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would add that it's COOL you lived so far away, but that just seems WRONG.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteYou always make me laugh.
Blessings,
Diana
Virginia I love that story. You were a real-life heroine in an international novel.
ReplyDeleteWe get kind of used to being able to be warm... fed... clothed... and transported here in the U.S. I was amazed when I researched post-Cold War USSR countries how rough and tough the day to day life might be.
We kind of assume that major cities will be equivalent. Of course they're not.
I like having you HERE!!!!
Diana, we need to bottle you and just sprinkle your warmth and attention to detail ALL OVER. Seriously, girl, you are a blogger extraordinaire.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you've been sick, though. Nothing is as much fun when you feel bad.
Well. Making fun of Mary is kinda fun, even when I'm SICK.
A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
;)
Ruth, you mean not everyone is being flooded with rain today? I'm stunned. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Diana- And yes, 15 kids would be.... very .... wild!
ReplyDeleteI hear it's better there now. Running water every day. Electricity when you need it. Not as much frostbite. No need for bribery to make your way around. Not as many people starving on the streets.
Still. I like it here. With Ruthy.
Oh, well, I guess I should also mention the university and city libraries had CLOSED STACKS.
The librarians among us will know what that means and will clutch their heads in anguish.
For the rest of us, it means no browsing. You come prepared with a title and an author- hand them the slip and they retrieve your book.
I'd never worked like that ever. I could see the books, but I couldn't get to them. HA!
Oh my! No browsing? How very sad.
DeleteBlessings, Diana
Diana, I read your post before I left for work this morning but didn't have time to comment.
ReplyDeleteOne very long day of state testing later, I wanted to come back and thank you for your wonderfully inspirational post.
Mary, thank you for taking time to tell me that. Testing day is a long and tiring day as I remember.
DeleteBlessing's
Diana
Hi, Diana! Your post touched me. I'm a part-time photographer and piano teacher, full-time PK, writing when I get the chance.
ReplyDeleteMy short experience has been the opposite of yours in that my dearest dream was to be married and have a family (at least by age 20 for crying out loud, lol), but I'm four years past that mark and God's still saying "wait" while I write and pursue photography.
One misstep I made when going through Wedding Planner school online. At the first hands on opportunity, I knew it wasn't for me, but the classes taught me much about the wedding business that helps me in photography. It's like Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good..."
On the gluten-free thing... I tried a friend's gluten-free lasagna a couple months ago. One of the best things I've ever eaten.
Natalie,
DeleteI hope you find your price soon but no worries you have time! I didn't know there was a school for wedding planners. That's my book 6 in a twisted universe.
Yum! Lassagne now I'm hungry!
Blessings,
Diana
Diana, you've been a wonderful guest today. Thank you so much. We wish you continued success!!!
ReplyDeleteTina,
DeleteIt has been a dream come true for me. Thank you for having me today.
Blessings,
Diana
Hi DIANA, You did great today. I'm so happy you joined us. And yes, I think you're right. Getting childlike is essential. I think that is why we have to come to our knees so much. :)
ReplyDeleteVIRGINIA, I'm with Tina. WARSAW? What an amazing woman you are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post on missteps, poor choices and Plan B! I can't begin to count the poor choices I've made in life, but like you said, God knows all about them and still loves me. Whew! What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pick-me-up, Diana!
Hi Diana, thanks for your thoughtful post. It SO hit home with me today. Lately I feel like I am saying yes to everything but the one thing I truly believe God wants me to do--finish my novel. I babysit for my neighbor, direct VBS, say yes to reviewing yet another book on my blog....while nothing is wrong with this things I find myself resenting them. They are the mole holes I have created for myself, each one inhibiting my progress towards becoming a published author.
ReplyDeleteMy husband said if I had my WIP ready, we could consider putting out the dough for me to attend ACFW conference in the fall. I want it so badly and still my WIP is nowhere near where it should be. I feel out of focus and keep changing my mind about the story line. How do you get back on track when so many missteps have held you back?
Sara,
ReplyDeleteGood question.I took it one hour at a time, then one day at a time. I couldn't even plan a week ahead because I was so unsure life would be 'right.' After I while I regained my trust with help from friends and family-asking me, "What are you doing today, tomorrow, next Saturday."
Maybe you can find an accountablity partner to do the same for you? One that you would hate to dissappoint so much that you don't dare miss your wriing time.
Maybe smaller goals would be better. Instead of thinking this has to be done perfectly before the ACFW deadline for the conference--think:
By April 30th I will have written XX words or chapters, map it out on paper so that you will end up finished before the conference deadline. Again it doesn't have to be perfect. A finished first draft is what you are going for here, right?
When you're working on that draft and something stops you such as what is she wearing? make a comment on the side --fill in clothing details and then move on.
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Diana
Thank you Audra, it's been good for me to hear how the words given to me helped others.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
I can relate to this on many levels! I wanted to be a writer since I was 11 years old, but found myself a teen mom at 18 and within ten years, a mother of 5 kids (still married to their dad for almost 20 years)... the last two with health problems that made it impossible to focus on writing. Long story short, I self- published a book based on my youngest son's medical condition last year and now--over 25 years after God placed the passion to write on my heart--am I finally writing my first fiction novel. The crazy thing is I started the novel when I was 15 years old, but had to experience many "missteps" and living by faith for the story to transpire into the inspirational piece it is today. This also comes at perfect timing as I have not had any time to read emails for weeks. I just love how God knew I needed to read this today! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteMissteps? I waited until the last minute to apply to Grad schools so I didn't get in to the one I wanted to attend. I ended up going to a different school that was closer to home. I met a lot of great people. I was in a lot of plays. I discovered my talent for playwriting. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteharnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
Welcome Roanne and Rose!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRoanne,
ReplyDeleteFirst I love your name!
It sounds so odd to me know to read mom at 18 and yet at 18 that's what I wanted so much. Guess I thought I was 'older' at 18. I'm so glad you found your way back to writing.
Congratulations!
Blessings,
Diana
Rose,
ReplyDeletehmm, sounds less like a misstep and more like a God placement. :) Playwriting has always interested me. My favorite part of writing is dialogue--the settings don't come easy for me.
Blessings,
Diana