Can I ask you something?

As I work on learning what readers want, some questions come to mind. It would mean a lot if you could give me some feedback.

• How often do you read a novel? Daily? Weekly? 
• Do you love reading a series? Or would you rather read a stand-alone book?
• What is your favorite series so far?

It's not fair to ask you to do something I haven't done; so here are my answers to those questions.

• I love novels and for big parts of my life, I'd read a full novel at least once a week, often reading on my lunch hour. Nowadays, the schedule is too full to read as much. On my recent vacation, I was able to read 5 full novels in one week. I was excited!
• I love me some series. I get highly invested in book characters and I always want to know more. I'm here for the next book delving into each character's story. That being said, I will read a stand-alone book as well. Shout out to Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. A character like Theo is unforgettable.
• I love two different series that are my favorites and have reread them multiple times: The Father Tim series by Jan Karon, and The Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

What do you think? I would really appreciate your feedback!

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This is Day 19 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

Knowledge is Never Wasted

One thing my readers may not know about me is that I and my husband were once Amway Distributers. Yes, we once sold soap. No, we did not make any money during those years; but perhaps the lessons we learned were more valuable.

We attended a lot of conferences that included some great teaching that not only applied to the business but to life. The downline distributors that we were involved with believed in motivating their people. So, as young twenty-somethings we learned about organization, positive thinking, reading to always be a learner, dressing for success, and never giving up.

We did wash out of the soap business, but many of those lessons stuck. 

After all, a writer that needs to also work a day job must be organized. Any creative must think positively when outside forces are constantly whispering words of negativity. I've mentioned before that writers need to be readers; and we absolutely must learn to never, ever, give up.

All those books I read and motivational speaches I heard are still in my brain and the knowledge shows up at the most surprising times. Learning is priceless, and knowledge can open doors.

What is something I don't know about you? Inquiring minds want to know!

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This is Day 18 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

Tools for the Job

 Are you a digital  or an analog person?

I'm both! As a wife, mom, MiMi, ministry assistant with 2 churches, and bible study leader, I live by my to-do lists. There are just too many details whirling around inside my brain to rely on memory. I must write it down. In fact, I have 2 to-do lists that live side by side on my desk - one for work and one for everything else.

But, as a writer, my favorite tool is a word document and a portable hard-drive. I carry them around with me wherever I go in case inspiration strikes. Because my handwriting is so atrocious, once it gets cold, I can't read it anymore, so I must type the thoughts that are most important.

Something new I've learned to do is to use Voice Memos App on my smart phone while I'm driving. I have Siri send the Voice Memo to myself. (Does anyone else get mixed up in telling Siri or Alexa what to do?)

It's great to live in 2026! I have the best of both digital and analog worlds.

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This is Day 17 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Music to Type By

Are you like me? Sometimes, I need a little inspiration. I need some music to type by, something calming and soothing and faith-building. I usually open up my Spotify app and play some music. 

Lyrics can be distracting, so if I really need to concentrate, I will play instrumental music. I'm crushing on Josh Snodgress and his worship guitar music currently. You can click on the link and download for yourself, if you would like.

But there are times, when I need enthusiastic worship songs to build my faith and help me remember who my God is! Here is the writing playlist I've created. (I also have to be real - I play this in the car when I'm on my way to work and I'd rather be home writing!)

I call it my Warfare Playlist. Go check it out!

What do you like to listen to when you are working?

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This is Day 16 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Grandparents make memories

Memories are priceless.

Most of my character, Morgan Ford's, childhood memories are sad, but a few stand out like a shining light. Here's one:

... I saw myself as a skinny, scraggly-haired kid, jumping with enthusiasm and talking a mile-a-minute. My grandma Rose was always encouraging me.

"My Morgan, you are SO smart," she'd say. "You are going to do something awesome someday. I just know it!" Her beautiful brown eyes would sparkle with delight every time she looked at me. Even though my ice-blue eyes and almost-black hair looked out of place next to her glamorous auburn curls, she seemed to think I was so adorable. 

She would hug me so tightly and kiss my cheeks until they tingled. I loved it because I sure didn't get affection from anyone else.

 

Grandparents can make such a difference in the lives of their grandchildren which is why I chose to create a special bond between my characters, Rose and Morgan, in my novel.

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In my own life, I remember my Granny Violet standing in her driveway, waving good-bye to us with tears in her eyes, as my dad backed the car out and we headed home to Florida. There was no doubt how she felt about us, and we knew she would always welcome another visit from us.

Do you have a special memory from a grandparent? Please share in the comments and uplift grandparents!

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This is Day 15 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy

Sharing Good Books

My goal as a writer is to encourage my readers, so I like to share resources I have found that also encourage them.

Today, I want to give a shout-out to Eva Burkholder, whose book, In Every Moment: Recounting God's Goodness in Overseas Life released in May of this year. 

Eva's book is both a memoir and a devotional relating her experiences as a missionary overseas. If you are thinking about going into missions, or love and support someone who is walking down that path, this book is for you.

One of the stories Eva told in her book was about moving into their apartment close to a mosque in their new country. They were so tired and so she, her husband, and their baby had just got settled in bed for the night when an overwhelming noise woke them all up and their baby started screaming. It was the Muslim's call to prayer over a loudspeaker that seemed to blare into every corner of their apartment. The call to prayer happened five times a day lasting for about 15 minutes at a time, Incredibly, after a while, they did get used to the daily interruption.

I highly recommend reading Eva's book. You will definitely gain specific ways to pray for the missionaries you support.

Also, I want to highlight the Hope-Book authors of the collaborative book, Brave Faith: Trusting God Through Life's Transitions, that launches today. These authors share their hard stories with us letting us know God will show up when we keep trusting in the midst of difficulties.

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As I said in my earlier post, "What are you reading?", writers are readers. Even though I'm busy working to improve my book, I do take time to read, learn and grow.

This is Day 14 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

We need reminding

Do you sometimes forget the good things God has done for you lately? If so, you are not alone.

In my bible study class, we are doing a deep dive in the Gospel of Mark. Something I noticed was how quickly the disciples forgot about Jesus supplying needs. 

In Mark 6:30-44, Jesus feeds the 5,000 (plus women and children) with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Then  in Mark 8:1-9, he feeds another huge crowd, This time, 4,000 men (plus women and children) are fed from 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish.

The time period between these two events is thought to be as little as a couple weeks up to two months apart.

I find it incredible that the disciples seemingly forgot about the feeding of 5,000 in less than 8 weeks time, When Jesus said  He had compassion for the crowd because they'd been with Him so long without eating, the disciples response was:

“How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” (Mark 8:4)

Duh! You are with Jesus who spoke creation into existence as well as multiplying bread and fish the last time the audience was a humongous crowd.   

Maybe we shouldn't be too hard on the disciples, because I have forgotten plenty of times how God has shown up in the past for me. Haven't you?

Truth is, we need to be reminded often of the goodness of God.

As writers, we must continually get the message of hope out to the world in whatever ways we can because our readers need reminding of God's goodness.

• If you are overwhelmed, there is peace through Christ.
• If you have a prodigal, remember the Great Shepherd will search for that one lost sheep.
• If you are tired of falling in the same pit over and over, the Rescuer, Jesus, will get you out if you ask.

My book is being written to remind you there is no one too far gone for redemption. As long as there is life, there is hope.

This is Day 13 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy