Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Blessings Keep Pouring In

I can not tell you how many times in my life I can honestly say "it was only by the grace of God that this has happened." I am so privileged to be a child of God a professed Christian. What God has done for me and is doing for many others who choose to put their lives in His hands is amazing.
As I am putting all the finishing touches on my debut novel I am currently working with two other magazines; relatemag.com and suite101.com. I enjoy writing for both. The freedom to write on my topic of choice is both a blessing and a joy. I am so enthusiastically happy and was wowed when I received a note from the editor in suite101.com informing me that he had featured my article.

Honestly I have to tell when I wrote this article I had no idea it would be featured but am so glad. The message in the article is priceless because it explains how to come to the saving grace of Christ and the importance of His word in your life. I can honestly attest to God's favor, grace in goodness in my life. If it were not for Him I would not have this amazing opportunity to write. It has been a desire long in the making and God has opened every door possible to make this happen for me.

I invite you to read the article and share it with others as well http://crystalkelly.suite101.com/reading-vs-studying-the-bible-a403562

Friday, February 17, 2012

In the Meanwhile

As you all are eagerly waiting to see the final phases of CHANCES come to its completion I want to point your attention to writings of mine that may interest you. I also write for a magazine entitled relatemag.com. This online magazine is geared to the fashioning of young women from the ages of twelve to twenty three in a positive light.

Relatemag.com is an alternative read for young women who are trying to venture out into their own skin all the while feeling comfortable. In our society today there are so many things screaming for their attention that will distort their self perception in a disastrous way. Let us as their parents or just as influences in their lives direct them to reads that will build their self perception.

Relatemag.com covers popular topics such as fashion, beauty, relationships, health, the ever famous 'boys' section, movies, books, celebrity news as well as many other topics that interest our youth today. Introducing your young women to relatemag.com will be a great part of impacting their lives and allowing them to see they are not alone in their struggles. Check out my latest article at http://www.relatemag.com/2012/02/give-up-the-pattern-to-receive-the-promise/ This article deals with giving up the pattern of yielding to the pressures they experience allowing them to receive the wonderful life God meant for them to have.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

I've Made a Decision

Dear Friends I am so happy to have received valuable advice from many in regards to the publishing of my book. I have received advice and personal experiences from many individuals in regards to their publishing experiences and success. Although I am well aware that a great book can and will generate great success I  needed a little direction as to which way to go.

I am so pleased to have confidently come to the decision of going with a traditional publisher. Self-publishing would allow me complete and absolute control over my project as well as generate a higher profit. This is a really good thing. But as it is I am a first time novelist. I have no imprints in the industry. I am well-aware that marketing will be a responsibility of mine on either end but I feel as though direction through a publisher will guide me in the way I need to go.

I currently putting the finishing touches on my debut novel CHANCES and putting it through a very thorough editing process. I have several publishers in mind and will be submitting very soon. The next post I hope to write is my novels acceptance to one of these publishers. As always I am so grateful and honored that you have chosen to be a part of this journey with me.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Amazing Opportunities

I am many things and among them you can count a writer at heart. There are skills one learns and others which come naturally. I believe if allowed I would have been born with a pen and paper in hand. This craft is where I feel most at home. I enjoy and welcome every affordable opportunity I can can to write. After completion of any project I am working on I feel such an overwhelming sense of of satisfaction and accomplishment.

As you all know I am currently working on completing my debut novel CHANCES, which is very very near completion. At the same time I have been given an amazing opportunity to write for suite101. Suite101 is an online magazine that engages the reader in topics of every imaginable issue, advice, direction or entertainment. It is definitely an amazing read. I have already written and published two articles.

The feedback I have received from the editors has been nothing but golden. I find myself shaping into an even better writer. I would encourage you to stop by http://www.suite101.com/ and find a topic of your choice and be informed and inspired. If you would like more information on the articles I have written please leave me a comment or drop me an email and I will respond back with updates when I publish new articles.

Thanks again so much for being a part of this exciting and amazing journey with me.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Busy...Profitable

I can look back on this week and say with a smile it has been both busy and profitable. I began a great new study on the book of James in the new testament. I have already been extremely blessed by the teaching. I love learning new and insightful things. In addition I have been sailing smoothly along with my book CHANCES. I usually wait until the end to do all of my editing but this time around I have found myself editing as I go along. I have been editing chapter by chapter, which I am very pleased with.

I have been working nonstop on CHANCES that I am almost near completion. I am so thrilled about this. I cannot wait to let you all in on more details of the story. I have my mind set on submission to two publishers, so will see how that goes when the time comes. I am also considering self-publishing as well. I am currently weighing the pro's and con's of it and will make a decision soon. I still have time but like to be prepared and know what my action will be when the time comes.

In the midst of all this my daughter starts school this year. My husband and I will be making a move to live in the most preferable school district. It is getting harder and harder to have your child attend school out of their zone district. I am very thrilled about her starting school. We have worked so hard on her grasping the foundations of all the basics ABC's (writing, sounding and recognition), counting 1-15 (after that she gets a little confused, still working on it), shapes, colors, matching, opposites, days of the week, month, year, the state she lives in as well as all of her personal info that we have now progressed to reading. As a parent I am super excited about this milestone. Although I am not sure if I am more excited with myself for meeting the challenge (because it can be) or with her for soaking it up. All in all I am proud that we a little one ready to tackle kindergarten.

In essence I have plenty to be thankful for and proud of this week. Now its time to get back to writing. I will be checking in soon with more updates. Thanks so much for taking this journey with me.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Progress Update

My week has been very profitable. I have been working nonstop on creating a romance novel that is sure to open your heart and mind to explore the questions of "why" and "what now" in your own life. The inspiration behind my book "Chances" comes from the emotional roller coaster people experience from tragedy trying to find their way back to love. This is not a journey that has a smooth road ahead yet it is one that is worth the travel. I am more than halfway through the story and am feeling really good about the impact of the outcome.

My hope is "Chances" will become a part of a movement that will inspire people to deal with unexpected tragedies in their lives by not giving up on what gifts and dreams they have been left with. Tragedy is not something we want but it sometimes happens. How we deal with it in the midst of our everyday will determine our mindsets for our everyday. Tragedy does not have to ruin our lives. Instead we can take the pain of tragedy and trade it for the joy of Christ. Everyone looks for something to hope or believe in. Is what you are looking for the hope that will bring you peace in the midst of your tragedy or storms in life? Will it ensure the condition of your heart and mind is strong and ready for the next wind life may blow? or is it temporary and unyielding in results of peace of mind? These are things "Chances" addresses in a way that will move you.

"Chances" is not a religious read but a real story about real people searching for real solutions. I am so glad that you are taking this journey with me as I continue to bring the story together. I will be posting more updates soon.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Romance in the Making

This week has been amazing for me. I was able to spend time with some very lovely ladies who had nothing but encouraging words. There is nothing better than being in the company of great people. I was able to manage my time in a way where everything seemed to fit. Sometimes I find myself running out of time or maybe I should say it seems as though the hands on the clock seem to speed up LOL. I'm sure that's not the case. I am happy that I was able to manage my time much better this week and get more accomplished.

I am very excited to already be on chapter two of my new romance novel. The novel is actually derived from the script that I am working on. This may be a little backwards, I know, usually scripts are derived from novels. As I was working on my script I just felt the need to include more detail so as to give the audience more insight into the characters. These characters mean so much to me and I want them to mean just as much to you. Yes, the script is still in the making. I plan on finishing both. Pretty adventurous tackling two projects and still have the business of life going on, I know, but I'm up for the challenge.

I will be working pretty long and hard throughout the weekend so as to make some deadlines. So I may not post as frequently but don't worry I'm sure I will manage a post here and there. I want to keep you all updated on the progress of both projects. I'm so excited right now. I better get back to work.