Out of Sight: How Finding Your Focus Can Beat Your Fears

Out of Sight: How Finding Your Focus Can Beat Your Fears

The nurse removed her gloves and smiled down at me. “You’re at a two. Did the contractions just start?”

“I’ve been having these since church was over.” I had sat in my gazebo all afternoon timing the irregular contractions, thinking how sweet it would be to have a baby on Mother’s Day.

“We’ll wait and see if you’re really in labor before we call the doctor.”

“I’m sure. I’m in labor.” I looked to my husband.

“You know this is a VBAC, right?” My husband asked.

“Right.” My previous incision could rip open and I could die on the table. My other doctor had hooked me up to monitors at every appointment. “Where are the monitors?”

“VBAC’s are no problem. Is this your first labor?” The nurse glanced down at her clipboard as though searching for the answer. Though, I suspected she already knew and intended to point out I didn’t know what to expect.

Due to my first child being breach, I’d had a scheduled C-section bypassing labor.

Oh God, she’s right. I have no idea what I’m doing.

And this hospital was much smaller hospital than the one where I delivered my first baby. My heart beat faster. I never should have changed doctors at the last minute. What had I been thinking? Nobody did that.

Another contraction seized me, and I gripped the side-rail while pain racked my middle. A cry escaped from deep inside. It had been so important to me to have a vaginal labor. But the OBGYN I trusted wouldn’t allow it.

“Insurance,” she’d said. “Can’t do procedures my insurance doesn’t cover.” Then she’d laughed. “I guess you could go somewhere else. Though there’s not another hospital that allows it in this area that I would trust.”

How could I dismiss her warning? God had blessed me with an awesome doctor who had walked me through miscarriages and a successful birth. And I’d rejected the blessing. I’d found someone who would allow the VBAC I wanted. Doing things my way hardly ever worked out. I’d put my trust in this new doctor after meeting him once, and he wasn’t even the one on call.

And this hospital didn’t even recognize a woman in labor!

Click here to read the rest of my guest post on author, Jerusha Agen’s Fear Warrior Blog.

Out-of-sight-blog-title-graphic (1280x853)

New Writer Advice & Author Interview

New Writer Advice & Author Interview

This week I’m sharing about my writing on Amanda Wen’s blog. I hope you’ll check out the author interview here, and let me know what you think! For those of you just starting your writer journey, here are a few things I’ve learned.

Tips for New Writers

  1. Get involved with a professional organization. If you’re a Christian writer then check out American Christian Fiction Writers and get involved! So far, the best thing about my writer journey has been making new author friends like Amanda. We first met online when we made the finals together in several writing contests. Then we had a great time rooming together with Laurie Germaine at the 2017 ACFW conference.
  2. Join a critique group even if you think you don’t need the help. It’s impossible to identify the mistakes you don’t know you’ve made. Besides, if you happen to already be an amazing writer then helping someone else learn how to improve their skills is a great way to give back and strengthen your editor-eye. Through ACFW’s Scribes online critique group, I’ve connected with dozens of other writers and many have become close friends.
  3. Writing Contests are a great way to get anonymous feedback and see how your manuscript holds up among other authors. Amanda beat me in the First Impressions contest and even landed her agent after receiving a request for her full manuscript from a contest judge. Even though I didn’t win that year, I figured I was in good company!

Don’t forget to check out the interview, and if you enjoy reading contemporary or historical inspirational romance, be sure to sign up for Amanda’s newsletter and stay connected. She has written an incredible time-slip novel you’ll love!

 

Author Spotlight: Robyn Hook

The online writing community is fabulous and supportive, but there’s just no substitute for knowing someone in person! Today’s guest is one of those precious writer-pals who’s become an in-person friend as well, thanks to being my roomie last year at ACFW. It gives me great joy to welcome today’s guest, Robyn Hook!

Hi, Robyn! Thanks for hanging with us!

Thank you so much! It’s wonderful to be here!

What inspired you to start writing? What are you working on now?

Read more on Amanda Wen’s site. 

 

 

 

 

Write Realistic Foreign Characters: Six Tips

Write Realistic Foreign Characters: Six Tips

 

When a member of my writing group asked how to make her British character authentic, I knew just who to approach. My good friend, Rebekah Millet, has done an amazing job creating a genuine, foreign hero. And I’m thrilled to share her advice with you here!

Continue reading “Write Realistic Foreign Characters: Six Tips”

Do You Have Fiddler Faith?

Do You Have Fiddler Faith?

I’m excited to share a devotional thought set in one of my favorite places—the beach! Many of you will remember the author from my post titled, Wasted Time and God’s Blessings: The Writing Dream I Ignored. In addition to his historical novels, Jack has a new devotional book out and was kind enough to allow me to share an excerpt here.

Continue reading “Do You Have Fiddler Faith?”

Self-Editing: Three Quick Tips

Self-Editing: Three Quick Tips

I’ve invited my friend and fellow contemporary inspirational author, Rebekah Millet to share some editing tips. Get to know Rebekah because you’re in for a treat when her novel is released! So be sure to sign-up for her newsletter and enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card before you go.

Continue reading “Self-Editing: Three Quick Tips”

Child of God: Facing Illness Without Fear

Child of God: Facing Illness Without Fear

I have stage two breast cancer. Now is the time to decide if I want to do chemotherapy because there is no turning back after this procedure.

I lay on the pre-op cot awaiting the surgery to insert a port below my collarbone. The device will permit powerful chemotherapy drugs to be administered directly into my heart so my blood can dilute the chemicals enough to prevent them from burning my blood vessels.

My brain’s foggy from lack of sleep, and my thoughts whirl with the sentiments of the anti-chemotherapy crusaders whose words kept me from sleeping the night before. They tell me I’m young, and there’s still time to undo my cancer with healthy foods and herbs to allow my body to heal itself. The medical professionals say they have a treatment with a high success rate.

A treatment that could kill me, give me a different cancer, leave me damaged and unable to raise my three boys.

The confusion swirls in my mind. Who do I trust?

Please go to http://jerushaagen.com/child-of-god-facing-illness-without-fear/ to continue reading my guest post on author Jerusha Agen’s Fear Warrior Blog.

Indivisible: Learning to Recognize God’s Love in My Cancer Journey

Indivisible: Learning to Recognize God’s Love in My Cancer Journey

The nurse squeezed my arm before rolling me into the MRI machine. I hadn’t missed the pity in her warm brown eyes. She’d read my chart. Stage 2 breast cancer at 39.

But breast cancer wasn’t a death sentence anymore. Unless my tumor hadn’t responded to the Chemotherapy and God chose not to heal me. Sweat broke out on my brow. The machine clanked over the foam headphones I wore. Soon I would know the answer.

I closed my eyes. Please God. Heal me. Allow me to raise my boys. Be David’s wife.

I swallowed and tried not to move. Or will I be meeting you soon?

Continue reading “Indivisible: Learning to Recognize God’s Love in My Cancer Journey”