Hello!
Welcome to my wing of the ACFW conference tour. Here is a link to the conference page:
I can't wait to see you in Minneapolis, and meet some of you for the first time! Be sure and come up to introduce yourselves.
I'm going to take this opportunity to share some conference experiences I've had (some REALLY EMBARRASSING and funny). That will hopefully ease your jitters, especially if you are a first time conference goer.
My first conference, I went with my own agenda. I felt I had to fill every minute with activity. And by the second day, I was SO tired and had sensory overload. Brain felt like a soppy sponge that couldn't hold another drop of water.
So I recommend you leave time for rest. Yes, I know how much money you're spending to go. I also know you can purchase the CD afterward if you happen to miss a workshop. Hit the gym. Take a nap. Lounge by the pool. Sit in the lobby and talk to people, especially someone from ACFW that you don't already know.
Don't know anyone? Join the club. Seriously, look around and ask the Lord to highlight someone who's feeling just as out of sorts as you. No matter how brave we look on the outside, many ACFWrs are terrified and anxious on the inside. Some have never met published authors before, or editors, agents or other industry professionals.
Speaking of....it's easy for us to get stars in our eyes. But remember, they're people too. They need naps. Rest. Downtime. Respect that if you approach an agent or editor and they seem scattered or tired or rushed. Like you, they're human. BUT, they came there for you. They're looking for new talent. So don't be afraid to talk to them if you see one. They don't have sharper teeth than the rest of us. Honest, even if you don't have a book to pitch, ask them about their hobbies or what kind of books they love to read during their downtime. You might find things you have in common. And the pressure will be off of both of you the moment they realize you're not trying to pitch. More often than not, the conversation will veer toward your writing, but let them take that lead. No matter what their level of interest in your work, thank them for their input.
Bring business cards and a One Sheet. But....never, I repeat, never put your room key in the same neck pouch slot as your business cards. I accidentally (PROMISE!) handed a MALE AND VERY MARRIED industry professional my room key at the end of a pitch session rather than my business card and didn't figure it out until much later. He'd figured it was a mistake and turned in my key to the desk, thank goodness. I didn't want to come out of my room for DAYS after that. But, it's something to laugh about now.
Speaking of coming out of rooms...every year I hear of conference goers who are so terrified to be in a crowd or so nervous, they cancel their appointments and stay in their rooms and don't come out the entire conference. I've heard of people throwing up in the bathroom before their pitches. If this is you, you're not alone. But don't waste your money or the opportunities by letting fear get the best of you. Head to the prayer room or pull someone aside and ask them to pray for you. I am always willing to pray for anyone at the conference and in fact that is the main way I volunteer.
Speaking of volonteering...DO IT! :-) Anyone can volunteer, even first timers. It is a great way to meet people and form friendships. Fine someplace to help. Or be on the lookout for someone who looks on the fringes or lonely. Pull them into your group if you are "known" at ACFW. Be sensitive to others and especially to first timers.
Leave God room to work. Don't fill your schedule up too much. Go trusting that God has His agenda for you and be obedient and receptive to that. His agenda is much better than ours. Ask and trust Him to set up divine appointments for you.
Go expecting to come back spiritually refreshed. If you've never been to an ACFW conference, boy are you in for a treat. God has great things in store for you. He knows the sacrifices of time and money and time away from your families that many of you are making to be able to go. But He will honor that.
Lastly, I'd like to offer some of the best conference advice I've ever received:
Go praying like breathing.
Go with a heart to serve others.
And I'd add to that:
Give God's agenda more attention than your own.
Okay now, so let me turn the tables, what is the best conference advice you've heard?
Come on folks...talk away!
Cheryl Wyatt
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Snip! Snip!
Blogging here in Seekerville tomorrow about how to bring word count down without stripping threads when you're over your word count parameters.
Drop by and say hey if you get a moment.
Cheryl Wyatt
Drop by and say hey if you get a moment.
Cheryl Wyatt
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Psych Saturday-CAT CHRONICLES
Welcome to our weekly reporting of the goings-on in Refuge...the town that claims to live up to its name. And being one of Refuge's residents (albeit a furry one) I can vouch for that being true.
This week's updates:
FRONT PAGE NEWS:
Manny took Javier to visit an Air Force recruiter. He came home with enlistment papers. Amber took Celia to visit a doctor. She came home with Valium.
SPORTS SECTION:
Yawn. Nothing to report here. Except I think maybe Enrique is thinking about joining the Refuge Community Church's softball team. Hey, whatever keeps the kid comin' to church, right?
FROM THE DROPZONE
Manny is back in action! He has gone on two missions and performed six training exercises since his hip surgery following a crash. Word has it he never jumps without a hook knife and a double reserve chute. I didn't even know they made those. He must have had it special made.
Manny and Joel and the rest of the PJ team (Chance Garrison, Vince Reardon, Brockton Drake, Ben Dillinger and Nolan Briggs) took Javier and his new best friend Enrique tandem jumping!
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Refuge Firefighters had to get a cat out of a tree...not that big a deal except that it was a BOBCAT.
Also on Haven Street, Refuge city workers cut down a 200 year old tree that was as big around as Amber's Yellow Mustang...yes, the one she drove into the local Bed and Breakfast last year. The B and B owner reportedly named a street after Amber and her mishap. Mustang Lane. Half the town showed up to watch the tree come down. How's that fur small town excitement?
Oh, one more thing...d'ju know cats are better gamers than dogs? Seriously, put a cat and a dog together side by side. Scratch your fingers back and forth on the carpet in front of both of them...and see which one has the better eye-paw coordination. Cat'll get-cher fingers every time.
So, uh, yeah, Javier, Bradley and Enrique have been teaching me how to use the controllers and stuff... Vid games are da bomb dudes....and dudettes.
Smirks and slinks off to nibble on some svelte tuna...
That's all this week from the CAT CHRONICLES. Tune in next week for the latest Refuge News from your fuzzy neighborhood reporter aka Psychoticat.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Visit Debut Love Inspired Historical Author Janet Dean on Running with Quills
Hey all, my good friend and fellow Seeker Sister, Love Inspired author and all around great gal Janet Dean is blogging at Running with Quills today.
I have read Janet's work prepublished and she is an OUTSTANDING author. I can't wait for the rest of the world to know it too.
Her Love Inspired Historical release Courting Miss Adelaide releases SOON! You can preorder it now on any online bookseller.
In the meantime, please drop by the Running with Quills blog and leave a comment. She's talking about pursuing dreams and dreams coming true. You will enjoy her insightful, interactive post, and Running with Quills is a FABU blog that you won't want to miss.
Running with Quills
Hope to see you there!
Cheryl Wyatt
I have read Janet's work prepublished and she is an OUTSTANDING author. I can't wait for the rest of the world to know it too.
Her Love Inspired Historical release Courting Miss Adelaide releases SOON! You can preorder it now on any online bookseller.
In the meantime, please drop by the Running with Quills blog and leave a comment. She's talking about pursuing dreams and dreams coming true. You will enjoy her insightful, interactive post, and Running with Quills is a FABU blog that you won't want to miss.
Running with Quills
Hope to see you there!
Cheryl Wyatt
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Cat Chronicals-Psych Saturday
PSYCH HERE: Obviously a human came up with this. Psych.
Toilet Cleaning Instructions:
1. Put seat and lid of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to
the
water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the
bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid.
You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises
that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash'
and
'rinse'.
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there
are
no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can and quickly lift the seat
and
lid.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom,
and
run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.
Sincerely,
The Dog
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
July 2008 Prompt Contest
July Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “July Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
July Prompt Words
1. Crime
2. Scene
3. Seen
4. Seer
5. Sear
6. Print
7. Flag
8. Wound
9. Meditate
10. Patriot
July Scene Starter Sentences:
“That’s a very dangerous thing to assume.”
“Same M.O.?”
“They recovered it.”
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “July Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
July Prompt Words
1. Crime
2. Scene
3. Seen
4. Seer
5. Sear
6. Print
7. Flag
8. Wound
9. Meditate
10. Patriot
July Scene Starter Sentences:
“That’s a very dangerous thing to assume.”
“Same M.O.?”
“They recovered it.”
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Cat Chronicals-Psych Saturday
Hey people,
My news...rump still in a cast thanks to expert swords-things of the feathery sort. So I've made a New Week Resolution...I'm NOT going to be terrorizing birds any time soon. I have learned my lesson.
I've decided to terrorize fish instead.
REFUGE NEWS:
The PJs just got back from a successful mission. Did they rescue a pilot who ended up down behind enemy lines? Or was it a more humanitarian mission, oh say, helping to rescue flood victims from the overflowing Mississippi?
Both actually. Sometimes the best way to rescue someone from the pitch of their roof when water's lapping their ankles and they're standing on the highest point, is to hover a helicopter there and hoist extract them. Very dangerous for the rescuer, but sometimes the only hope for those in need of rescue.
Would you be willing to risk your life to save someone else?
Do you know a rescuer? Honor them by telling us about them in the comments section.
The PJs live by the same creed as the Coast Guard....they risk their lives so others may live.
On a serious note, pray for the rescuers of today. Firemen, PJs, Coast Guard, and the list goes on and on. Pray for our deployed troops as well, because in Iraq this week, it is 120 something degrees and our soldiers are there defending your freedom. Pray for them and their families who've sacrificed them for the good of mankind. Tough on a family, especially pray for the wives and children of those deployed.
Yeah...yeah...I'm a sappy cat today...but hey...we can't be sarcastic all the time.
True to me though, here's the picture of my next victim....not gonna eat it. Just, freak it out a little by watching it swim in the little tank.
GGG
Until next week...
Psych
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
CHECK OUT THIS FUN RELZ REVIEW INTERVIEW!!!
Check out this REALLY FUN interview with me, via Relz Reviews...awesome site BTW!
Back from the deadline dance soon...PROMISE!
Thanx 4 hangin' in,
Squirrel aka Cheryl
Back from the deadline dance soon...PROMISE!
Thanx 4 hangin' in,
Squirrel aka Cheryl
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Psych Saturday-The Cat Chronicals
CLICKA-CLIK-CLIK-CLICKA-CLICKA-CLIKY-CLIK-CLIK-CLIKA-CLICK....
What may you ask, is that?
Cheryl Wyatt plunking out her deadline novel...which is why she's been MIA from posting. BUT, hey, you have ME here today to bring you up to speed on the latest happenings in Refuge-the fictional town in her Wings of Refuge Series from Love Inspired.
Do you know how much I hate robins? Not Cheryl's friend Robin Miller. I'm talking about robins of the feathered variety.
Do you also know that I have a bandage on my butt?
Yes. It's true. A troop of militia-minded birds caught me stalking starlings by the birdhouse.....
and they launched a full scale attack....
Do you know how many robins speared my rump yesterday before I could skitter away to cover beneath said birdbath?
So anywho, that's my catty news for the day.
Here's the latest from Refuge:
Javier and Enrique are regularly tandem jumping. Not with each other of course. But with the PJ dudes. Not dudes wearing pajamas either. PJs are Pararescue Jumpers and Cheryl is featuring an entire team of them in her Wings of Refuge Series.
I think Javier is sweet on Enrique's sister. They keep making googly eyes at one another when they think their moms aren't looking. Hmmm...we will see how this pans out. Apparently Javier told PJ Manny, his step dad, that he wasn't going to focus on getting girls...but on getting a career. More on that as the story develops.
Bradley had a cancer check. He's still in remission! Looks like the bone marrow transplant was successful! That's great news all the way around.
Dean and Millie eloped. Just like that. No warning. No one knows if they went to Vegas or what, but Joel has a new stepmother...or step aunt...or whatever she'd be to him. Confused? Read A Soldier's Promise to find out.
That's all for this week.
C U Next week.
Same time. Same place.
Psych.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Talking Alphies at Seekerville
BLOGGING HERE TODAY:
Seekerville
Drop by and say hey! We're talking Alphasmarts...
Don't know what that is?
Come on over to Seekerville and find out!
Cheryl Wyatt
Seekerville
Drop by and say hey! We're talking Alphasmarts...
Don't know what that is?
Come on over to Seekerville and find out!
Cheryl Wyatt
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Psych Saturday-The Cat Chronicals
Howdy doody dudes.
I spent the weekend at Amber's pond. Remember her? She's the heroine of this blog owner's debut novel.
Cheryl is MIA at MIS this weekend... Michigan International Speedway. SO while she's been surrounded by all kinds of campers and fast cars zooming around a two mile track at speeds that make my eyes cross, I've been prancing around the banks of a pond, scaring all the minnows. He he. Terrorizing fish is much more fun that terrorizing birds. Except I got my paw wet which put me in a bad mood.
AND...Celia forgot my tuna. But I have the perfect retaliation. Soon as she lets me out of that pet carrier I'm gonna slip past her and....er....shall we say fertilize her flower gardens?
Okay, 'nuff of that.
Here's the latest, greatest Refuge news:
Enrique told Javier that he wants to join the Air Force with him. Both teens are trying to gather the nerve to tell Trina Pallazio, Enrique's mom. She's been sober since befriending Celia, the woman her ex-husband widowed in a drug bust. Celia's husband was a cop. If this isn't sounding familiar, then chances are you haven't read Cheryl Wyatt's second book, A Soldier's Family.
You can still purchase it at any online book store.
Joel and Amber are moving forward with plans to adopt international orphans. Yes, that's plural. They don't want siblings to have to be separated, so they're looking for a set and praying God leads them to the right ones. Bradley is excited to be getting siblings. Of course, don't expect him to share the good game remote.
Celia and Manny are looking into fostering troubled teens.
Dale and Millie have set a date. They're getting hitched for sure. Love can happen at any age, folks.
More news next week.
Until then....enjoy the pic. But just know that if anything looking like that shows up at my pad, its corneas are gonna get slashed. No woofers allowed. Celia has enough fur to deal with and she's not all that keen on vacuuming. Plus, one of those could turn me into a snack and, well, who else would keep you up to date on the happenings in Refuge, the fictional setting for Cheryl Wyatt's Wings of Refuge Series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired?
Adios!
Psych the cat
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
ACFW CONFERENCE BLOG TOUR KICKS OFF
Big thanks going out to American Christian Fiction Writers' publicity officer, Cara Putman, for compiling this list.
6/11/2008 Chip MacGregor http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/11/2008 Cara Putman http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
6/12/2008 Pamela James http://pammer.blogspot.com/
6/12/2008 Wanda Dyson http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/13/2008 Ane Mulligan http://anemulligan.blogspot.com
6/13/2008 Jennifer AlLee http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Christina Nelson http://christinanelson.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Robin Miller http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/
6/17/2008 Annette Irby www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Sharon Hinck http://sharonwriting.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Martha Rogers www.marthawrogers.com
6/19/2008 Susan May Warren scribbles.susanmaywarren.com
6/20/2008 Camy Tang http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
6/23/2008 Ronie Kendig http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com
6/23/2008 Deb Raney www.deborahraney.com
6/24/2008 Colleen Coble http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/25/2008 Rachel Hauck http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog.htm
6/26/2008 Brandilyn Collins www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com
6/26/2008 Cathy West http://writersrest.blogspot.com
6/27/2008 Jill Elizabeth Nelson
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml
6/28/2008 Gail Gaymer Martin www.gailmartin.blogspot.com
6/28/2008 Eileen Watson http://eileenastels.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008 Lynette Sowell www.lynettesowell.com
6/30/2008 Sue Brower http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008 Julie Carobini http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Mary Connealy http://www.mconnealy.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Gina Conroy http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
7/1/2008 Steve Laube http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/2/2008 Rachelle Gardner http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
7/2/2008 Lena Nelson Dooley http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com?-
7/3/2008 Linda Fulkerson http://scrivenings.com
7/4/2008 Terry Burns http://www.terryburns.net/
7/4/2008 Rebecca Yauger http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Carla Stewart http://carlastewart.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Susan Downs http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Leanna Ellis http://www.leannaellis.com/news.html
7/9/2008 Rebecca Germany http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Rose McCauley www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
7/10/2008 Sharon Dunn http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/
7/11/2008 Pam Meyers http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
7/11/2008 JoAnne Simmons http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/14/2008 Celia Tomer www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com
7/14/2008 Janice Olson www.janiceolson.com
7/15/2008 Angie Bredenbach http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com
7/15/2008 Cheryl Wyatt www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
7/16/2008 Christina Berry http://authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com
7/17/2008 Roxanne Rustad http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com;
http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/22/2008 Pam Hillman http://www.calicotrails.blogspot.com/
7/28/2008 Virginia Smith www.virginiasmith.org/funstuff.html
7/30/2008 Cara Putman http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
8/1/2008 Christa Allen www.cballan.wordpress.com
8/3/2008 Deborah Vogts http://www.deborahvogts.com
8/4/2008 Michelle Sutton http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
8/6/2008 Tiff Stockton http://www.ambermiller.com
Drop by these as you can! And drop by here on 7/15/2008 for my contribution for this tour to help promote the ACFW conference.
Until then, let me know what kinds of questions you have about the ACFW conference.
Toodles!
Cheryl Wyatt
6/11/2008 Chip MacGregor http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/11/2008 Cara Putman http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
6/12/2008 Pamela James http://pammer.blogspot.com/
6/12/2008 Wanda Dyson http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/13/2008 Ane Mulligan http://anemulligan.blogspot.com
6/13/2008 Jennifer AlLee http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Christina Nelson http://christinanelson.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Robin Miller http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/
6/17/2008 Annette Irby www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Sharon Hinck http://sharonwriting.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Martha Rogers www.marthawrogers.com
6/19/2008 Susan May Warren scribbles.susanmaywarren.com
6/20/2008 Camy Tang http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
6/23/2008 Ronie Kendig http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com
6/23/2008 Deb Raney www.deborahraney.com
6/24/2008 Colleen Coble http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/25/2008 Rachel Hauck http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog.htm
6/26/2008 Brandilyn Collins www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com
6/26/2008 Cathy West http://writersrest.blogspot.com
6/27/2008 Jill Elizabeth Nelson
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml
6/28/2008 Gail Gaymer Martin www.gailmartin.blogspot.com
6/28/2008 Eileen Watson http://eileenastels.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008 Lynette Sowell www.lynettesowell.com
6/30/2008 Sue Brower http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008 Julie Carobini http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Mary Connealy http://www.mconnealy.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Gina Conroy http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
7/1/2008 Steve Laube http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/2/2008 Rachelle Gardner http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
7/2/2008 Lena Nelson Dooley http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com?-
7/3/2008 Linda Fulkerson http://scrivenings.com
7/4/2008 Terry Burns http://www.terryburns.net/
7/4/2008 Rebecca Yauger http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Carla Stewart http://carlastewart.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Susan Downs http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Leanna Ellis http://www.leannaellis.com/news.html
7/9/2008 Rebecca Germany http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Rose McCauley www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
7/10/2008 Sharon Dunn http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/
7/11/2008 Pam Meyers http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
7/11/2008 JoAnne Simmons http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/14/2008 Celia Tomer www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com
7/14/2008 Janice Olson www.janiceolson.com
7/15/2008 Angie Bredenbach http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com
7/15/2008 Cheryl Wyatt www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
7/16/2008 Christina Berry http://authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com
7/17/2008 Roxanne Rustad http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com;
http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/22/2008 Pam Hillman http://www.calicotrails.blogspot.com/
7/28/2008 Virginia Smith www.virginiasmith.org/funstuff.html
7/30/2008 Cara Putman http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
8/1/2008 Christa Allen www.cballan.wordpress.com
8/3/2008 Deborah Vogts http://www.deborahvogts.com
8/4/2008 Michelle Sutton http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
8/6/2008 Tiff Stockton http://www.ambermiller.com
Drop by these as you can! And drop by here on 7/15/2008 for my contribution for this tour to help promote the ACFW conference.
Until then, let me know what kinds of questions you have about the ACFW conference.
Toodles!
Cheryl Wyatt
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
When was the last time . . .
you just played with the crazy abandon of a child?
This weekend, my family had a mudfest. Not kidding. And why?
Just for the fun of it. I will post pix as soon as I have them.
It all started when my cousin and his wife-to-be tried to talk their son into playing in the mud like the other kids. LOL!
Not kidding. Something about that cracked me up. I mean, usually it's the kid trying to talk the parents into letting them play in the mud and the parents trying to talk the kid out of it.
Not in this case. The kids all were playing on this seven dollar Slip-N-Slide. The grass at the end of it became excavated to the point a huge mud hole formed there. So when the kids started pulling each other across the wet material, one accidentally fell face-first in the mud. She came up totally brown and dripping with muddy water.
Absolutely hilarious sight to behold.
So the rest of the kids started splashing in the mud. Except one. His parents tried to goad him into it but he wasn't so sure. So he challenged his mother, "If you think playing in the mud is so fun, why don't you do it?"
So she did. Tromped right over there and flopped down in the muddy hole and rolled around until she was caked from head to toe in moist, gooey brown clay.
Then chaos erupted. Everyone started chasing and dragging everyone else (adults included) through the mud. My family hasn't had that much fun in I don't remember when. And we always have fun and laugh a lot when we're together.
Cars driving by were hilarious. People would just slow down and s-t-a-r-e.
My husband pulled up and my dad and cousin and all the kids chased him and my brother-in-law up a tree because they had no intention of getting muddy.
So they got the water hoses after him.
My husband jumped out of the tree and ran his legs off, threatening that if anyone dragged him through the mud, they'd better know how to swim because he'd toss them in the pond.
And he would too.
I'd know. I had found out the hard way. Not that day, but when we were engaged eleven years ago. But that's another funny story for another day.
So, my faithful blogees quit lurking. Let's have an interactive blog.
Tell me about the last time you and your family had some crazy outlandish fun. When was the last time you acted as carefree as a child?
Talk-talk-talk people! I wanna hear your stories.
Post them by this time next week and I will draw names of everyone who comments on this post. One lucky winner will receive a "Summer Fun Mystery Gift" from me.
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
This weekend, my family had a mudfest. Not kidding. And why?
Just for the fun of it. I will post pix as soon as I have them.
It all started when my cousin and his wife-to-be tried to talk their son into playing in the mud like the other kids. LOL!
Not kidding. Something about that cracked me up. I mean, usually it's the kid trying to talk the parents into letting them play in the mud and the parents trying to talk the kid out of it.
Not in this case. The kids all were playing on this seven dollar Slip-N-Slide. The grass at the end of it became excavated to the point a huge mud hole formed there. So when the kids started pulling each other across the wet material, one accidentally fell face-first in the mud. She came up totally brown and dripping with muddy water.
Absolutely hilarious sight to behold.
So the rest of the kids started splashing in the mud. Except one. His parents tried to goad him into it but he wasn't so sure. So he challenged his mother, "If you think playing in the mud is so fun, why don't you do it?"
So she did. Tromped right over there and flopped down in the muddy hole and rolled around until she was caked from head to toe in moist, gooey brown clay.
Then chaos erupted. Everyone started chasing and dragging everyone else (adults included) through the mud. My family hasn't had that much fun in I don't remember when. And we always have fun and laugh a lot when we're together.
Cars driving by were hilarious. People would just slow down and s-t-a-r-e.
My husband pulled up and my dad and cousin and all the kids chased him and my brother-in-law up a tree because they had no intention of getting muddy.
So they got the water hoses after him.
My husband jumped out of the tree and ran his legs off, threatening that if anyone dragged him through the mud, they'd better know how to swim because he'd toss them in the pond.
And he would too.
I'd know. I had found out the hard way. Not that day, but when we were engaged eleven years ago. But that's another funny story for another day.
So, my faithful blogees quit lurking. Let's have an interactive blog.
Tell me about the last time you and your family had some crazy outlandish fun. When was the last time you acted as carefree as a child?
Talk-talk-talk people! I wanna hear your stories.
Post them by this time next week and I will draw names of everyone who comments on this post. One lucky winner will receive a "Summer Fun Mystery Gift" from me.
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
Monday, June 09, 2008
Want a little whine with that cheese?
Okay...I'm bummed.
My statcounter says I'm getting several thousand legit hits a week (sometimes 1000 in a day!) on this blog.
AND NO ONE IS TALKING. Well hardly. Just a few of us.
So....from here on out...let's make this an interactive blog.
I recently had a live chat on the ACFW Bookclub chatroom and had an absolute blast.
So from here on out, this will be an interactive blog. You comment and I'll check in and comment back and answer questions.
I feel lonely talking all by myself.
Speak up y'all! I know you're there.
Ready...set...don't by shy....DELURK! :-)
The rest of you, who faithfully comment...THANK YOU! Your readership is a tremendous blessing!!!!
Cheryl
My statcounter says I'm getting several thousand legit hits a week (sometimes 1000 in a day!) on this blog.
AND NO ONE IS TALKING. Well hardly. Just a few of us.
So....from here on out...let's make this an interactive blog.
I recently had a live chat on the ACFW Bookclub chatroom and had an absolute blast.
So from here on out, this will be an interactive blog. You comment and I'll check in and comment back and answer questions.
I feel lonely talking all by myself.
Speak up y'all! I know you're there.
Ready...set...don't by shy....DELURK! :-)
The rest of you, who faithfully comment...THANK YOU! Your readership is a tremendous blessing!!!!
Cheryl
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Psych Saturday-The Cat Chronicals June 7, 2008
Welcome to Psych Saturday!
Your weekly news source for the latest happenings in Refuge, Illinois--the fictional setting for Cheryl Wyatt's Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired.
***Joel, Manny and the rest of the pararescue team were tasked to the shuttle launch. Did you know that PJs have that responsibility? They're ready and waiting to rescue astronauts during shuttle landing and launch. Pretty cool, eh? The guys like hanging out at the space center.
***PJs Nolan Briggs and Ben Dillinger have been venturing around Joel and Manny's Bible studies. But don't expect Vince Reardon or Brockton Drake to show up quite yet. Chance Garrison is thinking about it, not that he'd admit that to Brock or Vince. So it seems something finally has divided the PJ team. Vince says Christianity is seeping in and breaking the close bond between these rescuing brothers. But could it really be that God is pursuing Vince with the same stubborn, relentless love that drew these other warriors into Godly surrender?
***Joint task force leader Aaron Petrowski is busy with his twins after the death of his wife. He pulled out of doing missions when the tragedy struck. But word has it, he's been coming around a little more these days? Will this loyal leader find a way to be able to care for his boys AND return to pararescue? We'll keep you posted on that developing story the next few months.
***In other news, the tooth fairy still visited Bradley. He got a dollar...whatever that is. Must be a good thing because they trade it for my tuna...and that, my friends, is all that matters.
***Enrique and Javier are now employed part time at Refuge's DZ (Drop Zone). Word has it the PJ team is pitching in and teaching them how to rig chutes. Celia would rather not know. I'm sorta with her on the deal. Why on earth would supposedly smart humans jump out of million dollar airplanes when they don't even have wings? And these parachute things they concoct? Sorry to say but they look NOTHING like bird wings. Speaking of birds....there are a few outside in the bath that I'd like to go terrorize now...
Later dudes and dudettes.....
Psych
Your weekly news source for the latest happenings in Refuge, Illinois--the fictional setting for Cheryl Wyatt's Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired.
***Joel, Manny and the rest of the pararescue team were tasked to the shuttle launch. Did you know that PJs have that responsibility? They're ready and waiting to rescue astronauts during shuttle landing and launch. Pretty cool, eh? The guys like hanging out at the space center.
***PJs Nolan Briggs and Ben Dillinger have been venturing around Joel and Manny's Bible studies. But don't expect Vince Reardon or Brockton Drake to show up quite yet. Chance Garrison is thinking about it, not that he'd admit that to Brock or Vince. So it seems something finally has divided the PJ team. Vince says Christianity is seeping in and breaking the close bond between these rescuing brothers. But could it really be that God is pursuing Vince with the same stubborn, relentless love that drew these other warriors into Godly surrender?
***Joint task force leader Aaron Petrowski is busy with his twins after the death of his wife. He pulled out of doing missions when the tragedy struck. But word has it, he's been coming around a little more these days? Will this loyal leader find a way to be able to care for his boys AND return to pararescue? We'll keep you posted on that developing story the next few months.
***In other news, the tooth fairy still visited Bradley. He got a dollar...whatever that is. Must be a good thing because they trade it for my tuna...and that, my friends, is all that matters.
***Enrique and Javier are now employed part time at Refuge's DZ (Drop Zone). Word has it the PJ team is pitching in and teaching them how to rig chutes. Celia would rather not know. I'm sorta with her on the deal. Why on earth would supposedly smart humans jump out of million dollar airplanes when they don't even have wings? And these parachute things they concoct? Sorry to say but they look NOTHING like bird wings. Speaking of birds....there are a few outside in the bath that I'd like to go terrorize now...
Later dudes and dudettes.....
Psych
Thursday, June 05, 2008
JUNE's PROMPT CONTEST aka STORY STARTER
June Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “June Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
June Prompt Words
1. decree
2. Prints
3. Princess
4. Stadium
5. Gladiator
6. Journey
7. Hand
8. Joust
9. Victor
10. Play
June Scene Starter Sentences:
“She hit town yesterday.”
“What category?”
“How long you figure we got?”
HAPPY WRITING!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “June Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
June Prompt Words
1. decree
2. Prints
3. Princess
4. Stadium
5. Gladiator
6. Journey
7. Hand
8. Joust
9. Victor
10. Play
June Scene Starter Sentences:
“She hit town yesterday.”
“What category?”
“How long you figure we got?”
HAPPY WRITING!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Title Ideas Chosen
Okay all...here were the final ten titles chosen. I will send these to my editor when they ask for titles for book five...which is almost complete by the way!
If your title wasn't chosen, know that it was a hard choice. I chose titles that were similar to Ready-Made-Family and also titles that weren't already Steeple Hill titles in the past. And titles that denoted the hooks of the book and still sounded like Steeple Hill Titles. I appreciate all who sent ideas! It was SO hard to narrow it down to ten because ALL of your ideas were GREAT.
Without further ado...here are the final ten:
1. Nanny-Made-Family
2. Nanny to the Rescue
3. More than Duty
4. Nanny No More
5. More than a Nanny
6. Au Pair for a Pair
7. As if they were my Own
8. As Though They Were Mine
9. Double Devotion
10. Double Duty
I also have an alternate list of about ten, in case none of the above work. If, after I turn in the first ten to my editors, they ask for another 10-15 titles, I will turn in these: (and at that time contact those of you who offered up the ideas):
11. Double Duty Dad
12. Twin Duty
13. Twin Tasks
14. Twice Upon a Prayer
15. Duty of Love
16. Freefall into Family
17. Pair o' Chutes
18. Falling for the Nanny
19. A Time of Their Own
20. Family for Hire
21. Duty Divided
22. Recovering Hearts
23. Recovered Family
Cheryl
If your title wasn't chosen, know that it was a hard choice. I chose titles that were similar to Ready-Made-Family and also titles that weren't already Steeple Hill titles in the past. And titles that denoted the hooks of the book and still sounded like Steeple Hill Titles. I appreciate all who sent ideas! It was SO hard to narrow it down to ten because ALL of your ideas were GREAT.
Without further ado...here are the final ten:
1. Nanny-Made-Family
2. Nanny to the Rescue
3. More than Duty
4. Nanny No More
5. More than a Nanny
6. Au Pair for a Pair
7. As if they were my Own
8. As Though They Were Mine
9. Double Devotion
10. Double Duty
I also have an alternate list of about ten, in case none of the above work. If, after I turn in the first ten to my editors, they ask for another 10-15 titles, I will turn in these: (and at that time contact those of you who offered up the ideas):
11. Double Duty Dad
12. Twin Duty
13. Twin Tasks
14. Twice Upon a Prayer
15. Duty of Love
16. Freefall into Family
17. Pair o' Chutes
18. Falling for the Nanny
19. A Time of Their Own
20. Family for Hire
21. Duty Divided
22. Recovering Hearts
23. Recovered Family
Cheryl
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
JUNE CHRISTIAN FICTION RELEASES
This list is composed by Jill Eileen Smith:
You MUST check out her spotlight with my good friend and fellow author, Robin Caroll.
We've got 13 new Christian novels this month - a wide variety of choices and I can see my to-be-read pile is going to grow bigger still! Also, don't forget to check out my new Spotlight on author and ACFW President Robin Caroll!.
1. Allison's Journey, Book 4 in the Brides of Webster County series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Allison Troyer feels as faceless as her tattered doll, but a trip to visit her aunt in Missouri could change Allison's life forever.
2. Final Justice, Book Six in the Reunion Revelations Continuity series by Marta Perry from Love Inspired Suspense. To protect an innocent child, teacher Jennifer Pappas must risk everything--her job, her love, and even her life.
3. Florida Weddings by Lynn Coleman, Kristy Dykes, Kathleen E. Kovach from Barbour Publishing, Inc. The past casts a shadow upon the lives of three Florida women.
4. Jewel Of The Adriatic by K.M. Daughters (Pat Casiello and Kathie Clare) from The Wild Rose Press. A village where millions believe the Mother of God appears becomes a haven where two souls find faith and love.
5. Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink from Love Inspired Suspense. Maria de Silva and Cy Sheridan face danger and death when they stumble upon a lethal package.
6. New Beginnings, Book 4 in the Rachel Yoder Always Trouble Somewhere series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Spring has sprung and ten year old Rachel Yoder is filled with the hope of good things to come, but things go sour when she learns that her best friend is moving.
7. Out of Control, Book 3 in the Rachel Yoder Always Trouble Somewhere series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Despite Rachel Yoder's need to take control of her troubling situations, she needs to learn that there are some things she just can't control.
8. Picture This by Nancy J. Farrier from Barbour Heartsong Presents. When Jason and Maddy are sent on a photography assignment in the Arizona desert, Jason's Christian ideals collide iwth Maddy's questionable past to threaten any future they might have together.
9. Prodigal in the City by Louis N Jones from Conquest Publishers. He abandoned his Christian faith. Now, his life and his God-given destiny hang in the balance.
10. Suspicious Minds Squeaky Clean Mysteries #2 by Christy Barritt from Kregel. A dead Elvis impersonator and a rival turned wooer are just a couple of crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire's problems in this thrilling sequel to Hazardous Duty.
11. The Hunted by Mike Dellosso from Realms (Strang Book Group). A town's deadly secret will drive one man to the edge of his faith.
12. Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas from Moody Publishers. A grieving mom discovers the child she lost was switched at birth, but can she risk loving an angry stranger?
13. Washington's Lady, Book 2 Nebraska Brides by Nancy Moser from Bethany House. It is said that without George Washington there would be no United States, but without Martha, there would be no George...
Happy reading ~
Cheryl
You MUST check out her spotlight with my good friend and fellow author, Robin Caroll.
We've got 13 new Christian novels this month - a wide variety of choices and I can see my to-be-read pile is going to grow bigger still! Also, don't forget to check out my new Spotlight on author and ACFW President Robin Caroll!.
1. Allison's Journey, Book 4 in the Brides of Webster County series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Allison Troyer feels as faceless as her tattered doll, but a trip to visit her aunt in Missouri could change Allison's life forever.
2. Final Justice, Book Six in the Reunion Revelations Continuity series by Marta Perry from Love Inspired Suspense. To protect an innocent child, teacher Jennifer Pappas must risk everything--her job, her love, and even her life.
3. Florida Weddings by Lynn Coleman, Kristy Dykes, Kathleen E. Kovach from Barbour Publishing, Inc. The past casts a shadow upon the lives of three Florida women.
4. Jewel Of The Adriatic by K.M. Daughters (Pat Casiello and Kathie Clare) from The Wild Rose Press. A village where millions believe the Mother of God appears becomes a haven where two souls find faith and love.
5. Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink from Love Inspired Suspense. Maria de Silva and Cy Sheridan face danger and death when they stumble upon a lethal package.
6. New Beginnings, Book 4 in the Rachel Yoder Always Trouble Somewhere series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Spring has sprung and ten year old Rachel Yoder is filled with the hope of good things to come, but things go sour when she learns that her best friend is moving.
7. Out of Control, Book 3 in the Rachel Yoder Always Trouble Somewhere series by Wanda E. Brunstetter from Barbour Publishing. Despite Rachel Yoder's need to take control of her troubling situations, she needs to learn that there are some things she just can't control.
8. Picture This by Nancy J. Farrier from Barbour Heartsong Presents. When Jason and Maddy are sent on a photography assignment in the Arizona desert, Jason's Christian ideals collide iwth Maddy's questionable past to threaten any future they might have together.
9. Prodigal in the City by Louis N Jones from Conquest Publishers. He abandoned his Christian faith. Now, his life and his God-given destiny hang in the balance.
10. Suspicious Minds Squeaky Clean Mysteries #2 by Christy Barritt from Kregel. A dead Elvis impersonator and a rival turned wooer are just a couple of crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire's problems in this thrilling sequel to Hazardous Duty.
11. The Hunted by Mike Dellosso from Realms (Strang Book Group). A town's deadly secret will drive one man to the edge of his faith.
12. Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas from Moody Publishers. A grieving mom discovers the child she lost was switched at birth, but can she risk loving an angry stranger?
13. Washington's Lady, Book 2 Nebraska Brides by Nancy Moser from Bethany House. It is said that without George Washington there would be no United States, but without Martha, there would be no George...
Happy reading ~
Cheryl
Monday, June 02, 2008
LIVE CHAT WITH AUTHOR CHERYL WYATT TODAY
FEEL FREE TO STEAL THIS POST AND PASTE IT TO YOUR BLOGS:
**************Permission to forward****************
The ACFW Book Club is having two live chats this week. The first one is Monday (that's TODAY), so don't miss it!
Date: Monday, June 2nd
Time: 8:00pm EST (7pm CST, 6pm MST, 5pm PST)
Who: author Cheryl Wyatt
Book: A Soldier's Family
Where: Cheryl Wyatt's ACFW Chat
~AND~
Date: Thursday, June 5th
Time: 8:00pm EST (7pm CST, 6pm MST, 5pm PST)
Who: author Amber Miller
Book: Promises, Promises
Where: Tiff Miller's ACFW Chat
Everyone is welcome to chat. Just log in with your name. You don't need a password at all.
Cheryl
**************Permission to forward****************
The ACFW Book Club is having two live chats this week. The first one is Monday (that's TODAY), so don't miss it!
Date: Monday, June 2nd
Time: 8:00pm EST (7pm CST, 6pm MST, 5pm PST)
Who: author Cheryl Wyatt
Book: A Soldier's Family
Where: Cheryl Wyatt's ACFW Chat
~AND~
Date: Thursday, June 5th
Time: 8:00pm EST (7pm CST, 6pm MST, 5pm PST)
Who: author Amber Miller
Book: Promises, Promises
Where: Tiff Miller's ACFW Chat
Everyone is welcome to chat. Just log in with your name. You don't need a password at all.
Cheryl
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Psych Saturday-One day late!
PHOTO CAPTION:
"JUST GO GET MOM, OKAY?"
Kay people...here's the deal...
I know the second edition of The Cat Chronicles is a day late but...I have a good excuse:
Hailstorm knocked the power out
So, without further ado, here's this edition of The Cat Chronicles...your best news source ladies, gents and furry creatures of all kinds...for the newest goings on in Refuge.
If you haven't ordered Cheryl Wyatt's (the human owner of this blog) first two books in Wings of Refuge (A Soldier's Promise and A Soldier's Family) they're still available on SteepleHill
Amazon
Eharlequin
ChristianBooks
Barnes and Noble
Borders and all other online booksellers.
REFUGE WEEKLY NEWS
-------
***Bradley lost a tooth yesterday. Which wouldn't be that big of a news deal except for the fact that the kid got so excited he swallowed it.
Psych's Editor note: if humans would start politely lapping their food from floor-bowls like us socially-mannered cats instead of jabbing the insides of their uncivalized mouths repeatedly three to six times a day with sharp metal-pronged instruments, maybe their teeth would stop falling out.
-------
***Joel's pararescue team is officially settled in Refuge. Most of the guys are staying at Refuge's sprawling Victorian Bed and Breakfast. It's located on Mustang Lane (yes, rightly named after Joel's wife Amber who crashed into it with a car.)
Editor's Note from Psych on that: If humans would just walk on all fours like we do, maybe these collision things wouldn't happen.
-------
I've heard rumors that a local police officer has his sites set on Trina Palazzio. If you have read A Soldier's Family, you know what semi-shocking news this is. Of course, he's a new guy on the force and just moved from the police academy. So he might not know Trina's family history.....yet. Will he still be interested once he learns?
Psych's Editor note: And yes, he is bound to find out. I'll tell you about the gossip tree next week.
-------
Javier's friend Enrique has been leached to the PJs like crazy. Rumor has it he has been watching the Pararescue Recruitment Videos and drooling all the while. Manny asked him to go tandem diving...but Trina (his mom) is not so sure she's ready to let him try. Celia (Javier's mom and heroine for A Soldier's Family) is reportedly trying to (miracle!) talk her into it.
Psych Editor note: That way they can freak out together.
-------
***For those of you who've been writing the blog owner, asking if there will be more PJ stories...a big, furry Meaw-YES!
Pararescuers Ben Dillinger, Nolan Briggs and Aaron Petrowski all have stories slotted to release from Steeple Hill publishers in 2009. If you would like reminders, join Cheryl Wyatt's newsletter on her Web site www.CherylWyatt.com and input your e-mail address in the space provided that says, "Join Cheryl Wyatt's Author Mailing List". She respects your privacy and will not share your e-mail address with anyone.
-------
That's about it for this week...tune in next week for more news...
Oh...and if you have questions about the books....let me know and I'll try to dig up the scoop.
-------
I'm going to add some pictures of my animal buddies here to The Cat Chronicals each week. They're sure to make you go, "Awwwww...." or bring a chuckle. (Whatever that is. I think it makes humans sound like they're trying to hack up furr balls with no success...but hey, that's just me.)
Until next week...Psych
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Enchilada Pie Recipe
Someone on the Steeple Hill message boards mentioned that they wished I'd put Celia's Enchilad Pie recipe in A Soldier's Family.
And actually...I'd intended to but forgot. So here it is: (You can replace the hamburger meat with leaner cheese and lower in fat ground turkey, chicken or pork if you like).
This is my mom's recipe. Her name is Lois Blankenship.
ENCHILADA PIE
For 9 by 13 pan
1 package corn tortillas * 4 lbs ground chuck * 1 large onion * 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese block or shredded * 2 small cans of red enchilada sauce (Old El Paso tastes best imho) or Or 1 large 19 ounce can * Garlic *salt * pepper * tomatoes * lettuce
Brown hamburger meat. Season with salt, pepper and chopped garlic.
Spoon a light layer of enchilada sauce on bottom of 9 by 13 pan. Layer corn tortillas, 6 in two rows fits best. There will be a little overlapping. Spread a layer of cooked ground chuck on top of tortillas. Sprinkle some finely diced onions on that. Use half of your cheese on top of that. Pour enchilada sauce about 1/2 the can. Then repeat these steps for second layer (sort of like making lasagna). Put it in the oven for about 30 minutes for 1/2 hour enough to melt the cheese and brown the top a little. Then you can shred lettuce and diced tomatoes and put that on top, or put in a bowl on the side in case you have to heat up the leftovers. It goes well with a side dish of corn or refried beans. And of course some deep fried sopapillas with honey to drip on them once done never hurts either. LOL!
Hope you enjoy it. It is VERY rich as far as meaty/cheezy. Probably high-caloric, high-fat too. But oh so good!
And actually...I'd intended to but forgot. So here it is: (You can replace the hamburger meat with leaner cheese and lower in fat ground turkey, chicken or pork if you like).
This is my mom's recipe. Her name is Lois Blankenship.
ENCHILADA PIE
For 9 by 13 pan
1 package corn tortillas * 4 lbs ground chuck * 1 large onion * 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese block or shredded * 2 small cans of red enchilada sauce (Old El Paso tastes best imho) or Or 1 large 19 ounce can * Garlic *salt * pepper * tomatoes * lettuce
Brown hamburger meat. Season with salt, pepper and chopped garlic.
Spoon a light layer of enchilada sauce on bottom of 9 by 13 pan. Layer corn tortillas, 6 in two rows fits best. There will be a little overlapping. Spread a layer of cooked ground chuck on top of tortillas. Sprinkle some finely diced onions on that. Use half of your cheese on top of that. Pour enchilada sauce about 1/2 the can. Then repeat these steps for second layer (sort of like making lasagna). Put it in the oven for about 30 minutes for 1/2 hour enough to melt the cheese and brown the top a little. Then you can shred lettuce and diced tomatoes and put that on top, or put in a bowl on the side in case you have to heat up the leftovers. It goes well with a side dish of corn or refried beans. And of course some deep fried sopapillas with honey to drip on them once done never hurts either. LOL!
Hope you enjoy it. It is VERY rich as far as meaty/cheezy. Probably high-caloric, high-fat too. But oh so good!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Welcome to Psych Saturday!
Meaw-lo! (That's "hello" in domestic cat language)
My name is Psychoticat. I know-but, hey, (presses paws to indignant chest) I am not the despicable human who came up with it, a'right? Gimme a break...though not in the tail. That hurts. I know by experience since Bradley closed my tail in the refrigerator crisper once.
Talk about MEOwUCH!
Wonder who Bradley is? If you've read the first two books of debut novelist Cheryl Wyatt's (this very peculiar blog owner) Wings of Refuge Series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, you know just who I'm talking about.
In case you haven't read them (Just why not? Hmmm? After all, the books feature ME!) let me tell you about Bradley...
He was one sick puppy...errrr---scratch that. I don't much care for puppies, or floppy eared creatures of any sort for that matter. (Flicks tail) Only stiff and stately-eared pets such as cats have the dignity required to keep their ears poised at all times.
But I digress...Bradley is a charming little boy who wrote to a fictional "sick kids' wish foundation" called Dream Corps. He wanted to meet a real special ops soldier before he kicked off in book one (A Soldier's Promise). The soldier comes to the town of his most painful childhood memories to pledge allegiance to a promise he made to the little boy.
SPOILER: If you haven't read the first book and plan to...SKIP THE ITALICIZED PORTION or the story will be ruined.
Well, in book 2...Bradley is still alive and kickin' and though I felt kinda miffed that the kid was adopted by Amber and she moved me out because of the little guy's allergies, it's not so bad living with Celia. She doesn't forget my tuna as much as Amber did.
Here's the latest news this week from Refuge:
*I hear wedding bells are on the horizon for Millie and Dean!
**I also hear Trina Pallazio has ventured back to Refuge Community Church. I've also heard most of Refuge police force attends there....all four of them. Being a divorcee after her incarcerated and abusive husband murdered a town cop, that's saying somethin about this gutsy woman's courage.
More Refuge Happenings next week....every Saturday, here at Squirrel's Treehouse. I'll be reporting live, so tune in each week.
Psych
My name is Psychoticat. I know-but, hey, (presses paws to indignant chest) I am not the despicable human who came up with it, a'right? Gimme a break...though not in the tail. That hurts. I know by experience since Bradley closed my tail in the refrigerator crisper once.
Talk about MEOwUCH!
Wonder who Bradley is? If you've read the first two books of debut novelist Cheryl Wyatt's (this very peculiar blog owner) Wings of Refuge Series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, you know just who I'm talking about.
In case you haven't read them (Just why not? Hmmm? After all, the books feature ME!) let me tell you about Bradley...
He was one sick puppy...errrr---scratch that. I don't much care for puppies, or floppy eared creatures of any sort for that matter. (Flicks tail) Only stiff and stately-eared pets such as cats have the dignity required to keep their ears poised at all times.
But I digress...Bradley is a charming little boy who wrote to a fictional "sick kids' wish foundation" called Dream Corps. He wanted to meet a real special ops soldier before he kicked off in book one (A Soldier's Promise). The soldier comes to the town of his most painful childhood memories to pledge allegiance to a promise he made to the little boy.
SPOILER: If you haven't read the first book and plan to...SKIP THE ITALICIZED PORTION or the story will be ruined.
Well, in book 2...Bradley is still alive and kickin' and though I felt kinda miffed that the kid was adopted by Amber and she moved me out because of the little guy's allergies, it's not so bad living with Celia. She doesn't forget my tuna as much as Amber did.
Here's the latest news this week from Refuge:
*I hear wedding bells are on the horizon for Millie and Dean!
**I also hear Trina Pallazio has ventured back to Refuge Community Church. I've also heard most of Refuge police force attends there....all four of them. Being a divorcee after her incarcerated and abusive husband murdered a town cop, that's saying somethin about this gutsy woman's courage.
More Refuge Happenings next week....every Saturday, here at Squirrel's Treehouse. I'll be reporting live, so tune in each week.
Psych
Friday, May 23, 2008
Love Inspired Authors and Steeple Hill
Shelley of Webcrafters has updated the "Love Inspired Authors' Web site". It is really cute!
Check it out here:
Love Inspired Authors
This site is separate from the Steeple Hill Web site (which is another MUST visit).
Steeple Hill Web site
Put these on your favorites and learn more about Steeple Hill's fabulous authors!
Hugs,
Cheryl
Check it out here:
Love Inspired Authors
This site is separate from the Steeple Hill Web site (which is another MUST visit).
Steeple Hill Web site
Put these on your favorites and learn more about Steeple Hill's fabulous authors!
Hugs,
Cheryl
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Please Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman Family
I just heard the sad news about singer/songwriter Steven
Curtis Chapman's five-year-old adopted daughter Maria. My heart goes out to this family, who has done so much for orphans.
If you haven't heard, Maria was struck and killed by a vehicle her teenage
brother was driving in the family's driveway with other family members looking on.
My prayers and condolences are with this family. I hope you will bouy them up in prayer as well.
Visit Steven Curtis Chapman's Web site to learn more about their ministry to orphans and those who want to adopt them. There is a place there to leave words of kindness to the family in their time of loss.
Cheryl Wyatt
Curtis Chapman's five-year-old adopted daughter Maria. My heart goes out to this family, who has done so much for orphans.
If you haven't heard, Maria was struck and killed by a vehicle her teenage
brother was driving in the family's driveway with other family members looking on.
My prayers and condolences are with this family. I hope you will bouy them up in prayer as well.
Visit Steven Curtis Chapman's Web site to learn more about their ministry to orphans and those who want to adopt them. There is a place there to leave words of kindness to the family in their time of loss.
Cheryl Wyatt
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
ACFW BookClub Discussion
Hey bloggees,
A Soldier's Family, my March release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, is being discussed on American Chrisian Fiction Writers BookClub AS WE SPEAK!
We're also discussing Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.
Discussion will continue until the end of the month. Then we'll have a live, author chat in the BookClub's chatroom.
Joining is easy and FREE!
If you've read this book, or are interested in what others are saying about it...I hope you will come join the fun! :-)
Here is the ACFW BookClub link.
Once there, simply follow the prompts to join.
Please pass the word along and post this on your blogs! Yes, that means you can STEAL this post! LOL!
If you need the URL to cut and paste, here is is: http://www.acfw.com/bookclub.shtml
Cheryl Wyatt
A Soldier's Family, my March release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, is being discussed on American Chrisian Fiction Writers BookClub AS WE SPEAK!
We're also discussing Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.
Discussion will continue until the end of the month. Then we'll have a live, author chat in the BookClub's chatroom.
Joining is easy and FREE!
If you've read this book, or are interested in what others are saying about it...I hope you will come join the fun! :-)
Here is the ACFW BookClub link.
Once there, simply follow the prompts to join.
Please pass the word along and post this on your blogs! Yes, that means you can STEAL this post! LOL!
If you need the URL to cut and paste, here is is: http://www.acfw.com/bookclub.shtml
Cheryl Wyatt
Critique Auction! Help Fellow Author
Would you like to participate in an auction to help a fellow writer?
Literary agent Kelly Mortimer is coordinating ebay auctions to help fellow author Robin Miller with desperately needed finances while her husband is unable to work.
I have donated a 1 chapter critique, up for bid THIS WEEK. Right now in fact. I am very thorough and very honest but gentle. The bid for my critique is here.
In addition, Tracy Ruckman, editor of Pixs-N-Pens has up for (bidding or buy now) grabs a 3-chapter-critique.
You can also bid on a professional one-sheet/bookmark design by Dineen Miller. I use her for my design services and she is OUTSTANDING. She's a top notch designer whose portfolios include such clients as Time Magazine, etc.
Please feel free to steal this post (LOL!) via cut and paste and spread the word to help my friend and fellow author. Robin is an amazing Godly woman who would do the same for you were you in her shoes and she able to help.
THANK YOU!
Cheryl Wyatt
Literary agent Kelly Mortimer is coordinating ebay auctions to help fellow author Robin Miller with desperately needed finances while her husband is unable to work.
I have donated a 1 chapter critique, up for bid THIS WEEK. Right now in fact. I am very thorough and very honest but gentle. The bid for my critique is here.
In addition, Tracy Ruckman, editor of Pixs-N-Pens has up for (bidding or buy now) grabs a 3-chapter-critique.
You can also bid on a professional one-sheet/bookmark design by Dineen Miller. I use her for my design services and she is OUTSTANDING. She's a top notch designer whose portfolios include such clients as Time Magazine, etc.
Please feel free to steal this post (LOL!) via cut and paste and spread the word to help my friend and fellow author. Robin is an amazing Godly woman who would do the same for you were you in her shoes and she able to help.
THANK YOU!
Cheryl Wyatt
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BLOGGING IN SEEKERVILLE TODAY
I'm blogging here in Seekerville today about characterization.
It is an interactive blog, so drop by and bring us your thoughts on what makes movie and book characters memorable.
Reminder--
ACFW's 700 or so member Bookclub, we begin discussing my March Steeple Hill novel (A Soldier's Family) today, along with Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.
Don't forget to drop in for the discussion over the next two weeks for that. I will post reminders. Anyone can join the American Christian Fiction Writers book club for free. www.acfw.com Simply click the ACFW Book Club link on the first page.
Warmly,
Cheryl Wyatt
It is an interactive blog, so drop by and bring us your thoughts on what makes movie and book characters memorable.
Reminder--
ACFW's 700 or so member Bookclub, we begin discussing my March Steeple Hill novel (A Soldier's Family) today, along with Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.
Don't forget to drop in for the discussion over the next two weeks for that. I will post reminders. Anyone can join the American Christian Fiction Writers book club for free. www.acfw.com Simply click the ACFW Book Club link on the first page.
Warmly,
Cheryl Wyatt
Monday, May 19, 2008
Cease (title idea) Fire!
WOW! You guys are AMAZING in your title creativity. I now have sufficient ammo to choose from for my book title arsenal. You may now stop the book title barrage. :-)
Thanks everyone!
If I choose your idea, you will hear from me by this time next week.
Cheryl Wyatt
Thanks everyone!
If I choose your idea, you will hear from me by this time next week.
Cheryl Wyatt
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Need Title Help---Prizes Involved! LOL!
Okay Bloggers, I'm writing a story with no working title and that bugs me.
Here are the hooks:
Inspirational Romance
Nanny heroine
Airman hero (US Air Force Pararescue Jumper)
Single dad
Nanny with a secret past (recovered alcoholic with history of DUI)
Age gap between hero and heroine (he's ten years her senior)
Widower hero
Twin sons--Two rambunctious two-year-olds
Hero is a commander of two special ops PJ teams
subthread of PJ teams in danger of being disbanded
Nanny wants a family...THIS family
Hero also wants another family but his duty is divided between his sons and his PJ teams due to pressure to disband=difficulty pursuing romance
Second marriage for hero. First wife killed by drunk driver when babies two months old.
This book will be part of the Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. What links each standalone book together is 1. The setting (small fictional town of Refuge, Illinois) and 2. The PJ (Pararescue Jumper) team. Each guy has his own story. All Inspirational Romance.
Other titles in Wings of Refuge:
A Soldier's Promise-Book 1
A Soldier's Family-Book 2
Ready-Made-Family- Book 3
A Soldier's Reunion-Book 4
Not Yet Named-:-(-Book 5
I need a working title for Book 5. As you can see, "Soldier" doesn't need to be in the title and in fact I'd prefer if it weren't so Ready-Made-Family won't feel so lonely. LOL! Plus these guys are more airmen that soldiers anyway, not that it matters to anyone outside the Air Force. LOL!
If I pick your title to turn in to my editor (the first ten or so people whose ideas I use), you'll each receive one signed copy of all five books when the rest release in 2009. If your title idea gets picked as the print title, you'll receive a mystery thank you gift from me as well as the five books AND your name in the acknowledgements if you wish.
Ready? Set? Send me those titles! (In the comment section of this post, along with your e-mail address so I can contact you if I use your idea/s. Be sure to put a space somewhere in your e-mail address so internet spiders don't getcha.)
Cheryl Wyatt
Here are the hooks:
Inspirational Romance
Nanny heroine
Airman hero (US Air Force Pararescue Jumper)
Single dad
Nanny with a secret past (recovered alcoholic with history of DUI)
Age gap between hero and heroine (he's ten years her senior)
Widower hero
Twin sons--Two rambunctious two-year-olds
Hero is a commander of two special ops PJ teams
subthread of PJ teams in danger of being disbanded
Nanny wants a family...THIS family
Hero also wants another family but his duty is divided between his sons and his PJ teams due to pressure to disband=difficulty pursuing romance
Second marriage for hero. First wife killed by drunk driver when babies two months old.
This book will be part of the Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. What links each standalone book together is 1. The setting (small fictional town of Refuge, Illinois) and 2. The PJ (Pararescue Jumper) team. Each guy has his own story. All Inspirational Romance.
Other titles in Wings of Refuge:
A Soldier's Promise-Book 1
A Soldier's Family-Book 2
Ready-Made-Family- Book 3
A Soldier's Reunion-Book 4
Not Yet Named-:-(-Book 5
I need a working title for Book 5. As you can see, "Soldier" doesn't need to be in the title and in fact I'd prefer if it weren't so Ready-Made-Family won't feel so lonely. LOL! Plus these guys are more airmen that soldiers anyway, not that it matters to anyone outside the Air Force. LOL!
If I pick your title to turn in to my editor (the first ten or so people whose ideas I use), you'll each receive one signed copy of all five books when the rest release in 2009. If your title idea gets picked as the print title, you'll receive a mystery thank you gift from me as well as the five books AND your name in the acknowledgements if you wish.
Ready? Set? Send me those titles! (In the comment section of this post, along with your e-mail address so I can contact you if I use your idea/s. Be sure to put a space somewhere in your e-mail address so internet spiders don't getcha.)
Cheryl Wyatt
Friday, May 16, 2008
Remembering Judy
Bereft but not--Remembering Judy
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)
Cheryl here.
You know how you have those moments where you are just sad and need a lift? So sad that you are sure God is going to send something to bouy you because His compassion is great and his mercy mighty? I just returned from the memorial service of a family friend. A dear woman named Judy Robison. It's almost as if God is clanging her voice in my ear going, "Well, Cheryl! What-n-the-WORLD are you mopin' around the house for?"
That's exactly what Judy would say if she were here. And you know, it makes me laugh. And after saying that to me with a sarcastic glint in her eyes as she's rolling them, she'd rear her head back and laugh at me again with the boisterous chuckle exquisite to her, and then she'd laugh with me. Then she'd share some of the deep wisdom that she was full of. She never ran out of the right thing to say even though she always gave and gave and gave it. Words of wisdom and always laced with compassion and Judy's special kind of humor. As the pastor said today, "Judy always gave words of encouragement and deep knowlege that only comes from spending time with Him and in His word."
Now she is completely in Your presence, isn't she Lord? And I'll bet you're laughing together about a lot of things.
Judy.
A woman of greatness who loves God with all of her heart. She's with You this moment, probably picking Your brain about something in that Bible of Yours that she loved to read and knew like the back of her hand.
She loved her family and she loved life and she loved to create things. I still have this beautiful picture frame she made my husband and I when we got married. She used a dinner napkin from our wedding and our engagement announcement and our wedding invitation to create the most beautiful collage...a reminder forever of that special time in my life between my husband and I ten years ago.
And now that frame is a beautiful reminder of the woman of God who spent time crafting it with generous care and creative skill. She was a woman who thought of others. She had a sense of humor like no one else on earth. I wish you'd known her if you never met her. The way she talked. The way she held herself. Humor and sarcasm in the most loving way. How a person could be so delightfully gruff and determinedly tender at the same time...I don't know but she was. She could pick the humor out of any situation.
I know for her family, and especially for her husband, God is the only person big enough and special enough to fill the empty space left by her passing.
She is not gone. She's just in a different place. But to her family, it sure feels like she's gone.
And "gone" is a horrible word to have to experience and live day after day when all you long for is to hear their voice one more time. To be able to talk to them. Hug them. You miss everything about them, long for everything they were because there is no one else like them in the world. Irreplacable.
I'm thankful for the hope of Heaven that Jesus birthed when He died. When He rose, hope for humanity rose with Him. And it's available for all of us. Part of the hope of Heaven is that we WILL get to see our loved ones again. Another part of the hope of Heaven is there will be no more death. No more tears. No more deep, dark oceans of missing. No seas of pain or mountains of suffering or sickness or struggle. And never, not for one moment goodbye. That word won't grace Heaven's dictionary because it will no longer exist.
Death touches every one of us in some way sooner or later. I hope you know Him. I hope you hold the hope of Heaven in your heart. It comes from a relationship with Jesus. It begins with two words..."Yes, Jesus."
Judy would have wanted me to tell you that. So this one's for her and all that she stood for. All that she believed. All that she would hope and pray for FOR YOU were she here.
Please keep the Robison family in your deep prayers today and beyond as you think of it. Grief is crushing but God will sustain them.
Did I mention that I had just returned from the memorial service? Yes, and deeply sad for the family's loss. But Heaven's gain. And rememember how I said that I knew God would know how to bouy me? In my Inbox, from a devotional I receive from Misty Taggert http://www.ordinarywoman.com/ was the above bolded scripture.
I miss Judy and so I can't imagine what her family and close friends must feel right now, the ocean of missing they must be floundering in.
Have you lost someone close to you? Can you relate to grief? Are you more acquainted with sadness than you'd like to be? Lonely beyond words after losing a spouse or loved one?
Then I think His promise bears repeating:
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)
I am encouraged for her family and close friends thanks to this scripture. I know God will bring them comfort during this very difficult time.
This post is in loving memory of Judy Robison
Cheryl
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)
Cheryl here.
You know how you have those moments where you are just sad and need a lift? So sad that you are sure God is going to send something to bouy you because His compassion is great and his mercy mighty? I just returned from the memorial service of a family friend. A dear woman named Judy Robison. It's almost as if God is clanging her voice in my ear going, "Well, Cheryl! What-n-the-WORLD are you mopin' around the house for?"
That's exactly what Judy would say if she were here. And you know, it makes me laugh. And after saying that to me with a sarcastic glint in her eyes as she's rolling them, she'd rear her head back and laugh at me again with the boisterous chuckle exquisite to her, and then she'd laugh with me. Then she'd share some of the deep wisdom that she was full of. She never ran out of the right thing to say even though she always gave and gave and gave it. Words of wisdom and always laced with compassion and Judy's special kind of humor. As the pastor said today, "Judy always gave words of encouragement and deep knowlege that only comes from spending time with Him and in His word."
Now she is completely in Your presence, isn't she Lord? And I'll bet you're laughing together about a lot of things.
Judy.
A woman of greatness who loves God with all of her heart. She's with You this moment, probably picking Your brain about something in that Bible of Yours that she loved to read and knew like the back of her hand.
She loved her family and she loved life and she loved to create things. I still have this beautiful picture frame she made my husband and I when we got married. She used a dinner napkin from our wedding and our engagement announcement and our wedding invitation to create the most beautiful collage...a reminder forever of that special time in my life between my husband and I ten years ago.
And now that frame is a beautiful reminder of the woman of God who spent time crafting it with generous care and creative skill. She was a woman who thought of others. She had a sense of humor like no one else on earth. I wish you'd known her if you never met her. The way she talked. The way she held herself. Humor and sarcasm in the most loving way. How a person could be so delightfully gruff and determinedly tender at the same time...I don't know but she was. She could pick the humor out of any situation.
I know for her family, and especially for her husband, God is the only person big enough and special enough to fill the empty space left by her passing.
She is not gone. She's just in a different place. But to her family, it sure feels like she's gone.
And "gone" is a horrible word to have to experience and live day after day when all you long for is to hear their voice one more time. To be able to talk to them. Hug them. You miss everything about them, long for everything they were because there is no one else like them in the world. Irreplacable.
I'm thankful for the hope of Heaven that Jesus birthed when He died. When He rose, hope for humanity rose with Him. And it's available for all of us. Part of the hope of Heaven is that we WILL get to see our loved ones again. Another part of the hope of Heaven is there will be no more death. No more tears. No more deep, dark oceans of missing. No seas of pain or mountains of suffering or sickness or struggle. And never, not for one moment goodbye. That word won't grace Heaven's dictionary because it will no longer exist.
Death touches every one of us in some way sooner or later. I hope you know Him. I hope you hold the hope of Heaven in your heart. It comes from a relationship with Jesus. It begins with two words..."Yes, Jesus."
Judy would have wanted me to tell you that. So this one's for her and all that she stood for. All that she believed. All that she would hope and pray for FOR YOU were she here.
Please keep the Robison family in your deep prayers today and beyond as you think of it. Grief is crushing but God will sustain them.
Did I mention that I had just returned from the memorial service? Yes, and deeply sad for the family's loss. But Heaven's gain. And rememember how I said that I knew God would know how to bouy me? In my Inbox, from a devotional I receive from Misty Taggert http://www.ordinarywoman.com/ was the above bolded scripture.
I miss Judy and so I can't imagine what her family and close friends must feel right now, the ocean of missing they must be floundering in.
Have you lost someone close to you? Can you relate to grief? Are you more acquainted with sadness than you'd like to be? Lonely beyond words after losing a spouse or loved one?
Then I think His promise bears repeating:
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)
I am encouraged for her family and close friends thanks to this scripture. I know God will bring them comfort during this very difficult time.
This post is in loving memory of Judy Robison
Cheryl
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Prompt Addendum
To answer some frequently asked questions regarding my prompt contests:
Who can enter? Absolutely anyone!
How do I determine the winner? It has nothing to do with level of skill. I pick stories that stay with me. Writing that is unique and moves me emotionally. Memorable characters. A story premise that makes me sit up and go, "WOW" and characters that I can't stop thinking about days later. That's what I look for MOST OF ALL in a winner. A story that stands out.
On a side note, I had hoped to be able to start offering feedback to all monthly entrants, no matter the placement of their story. But alas...the wreck happened and then surgery and then I got two new book deadlines and then one of my children was bit by a poisonous spider (Brown Recluse) and a gazillion things in between and well, you get the picture. It may be a few months before I can do the story prompt critiques. LOL!
Hope this helps!
Thank you all for supporting my blog with your readership despite my infrequent posts as of late.
Things'll get back on track soon. Promise! :-)
Cheryl aka Squirrel
Who can enter? Absolutely anyone!
How do I determine the winner? It has nothing to do with level of skill. I pick stories that stay with me. Writing that is unique and moves me emotionally. Memorable characters. A story premise that makes me sit up and go, "WOW" and characters that I can't stop thinking about days later. That's what I look for MOST OF ALL in a winner. A story that stands out.
On a side note, I had hoped to be able to start offering feedback to all monthly entrants, no matter the placement of their story. But alas...the wreck happened and then surgery and then I got two new book deadlines and then one of my children was bit by a poisonous spider (Brown Recluse) and a gazillion things in between and well, you get the picture. It may be a few months before I can do the story prompt critiques. LOL!
Hope this helps!
Thank you all for supporting my blog with your readership despite my infrequent posts as of late.
Things'll get back on track soon. Promise! :-)
Cheryl aka Squirrel
Saturday, May 10, 2008
MAY PROMPT CONTEST aka STORY STARTER
May Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “May Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
May Prompt Words
1. Range
2. Buffalo
3. Rifle
4. Bunkhouse
5. Appaloosa
6. Mustang
7. Fence
8. Chop
9. Wood
10. Petticoat
May Scene Starter Sentences:
“How long’s she worked here?”
“Who’d he sell it to?”
“That our new boss?”
HAPPY WRITING!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “May Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
May Prompt Words
1. Range
2. Buffalo
3. Rifle
4. Bunkhouse
5. Appaloosa
6. Mustang
7. Fence
8. Chop
9. Wood
10. Petticoat
May Scene Starter Sentences:
“How long’s she worked here?”
“Who’d he sell it to?”
“That our new boss?”
HAPPY WRITING!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
Friday, May 09, 2008
Giveaway of A Soldier's Promise and A Soldier's Family!
Forgot to mention on the link I provided yesterday that Eileen is hosting a giveaway on her blog. Go here Giveaway and leave a comment for a chance to be entered to win autographed copies of the first two books in Wings of Refuge from Steeple Hill publishers.
If the above link doesn't work, click the header link above.
Warmly,
Cheryl
If the above link doesn't work, click the header link above.
Warmly,
Cheryl
Thursday, May 08, 2008
FEATURED ON AUTHORS-HELPING-WRITERS
Check out this FABULOUS blog for an exclusive interview with me.
Eileen Astels' Fabu Blog
I hope you will add her blog to your favorites. It has excellent content.
Be sure and leave a comment, thanking Eileen.
Hugs all!
Cheryl
Eileen Astels' Fabu Blog
I hope you will add her blog to your favorites. It has excellent content.
Be sure and leave a comment, thanking Eileen.
Hugs all!
Cheryl
Friday, May 02, 2008
May Fiction Releases and Author (me!) Spotlight
Jill Eileen Smith 's May 2008 Christian Fiction Releases List. She's also spotlighting me this month. Hope you check it out.
I'm pasting Jill's list here.
*******Permission to forward********
We've got 20 new Christian novels this month - the perfect accompaniment to backyard lawn chairs and glasses of iced tea. I hope you'll find one or more (more is better) from this list to suit your reading fancy. And don't forget to check out my new Spotlight on author Cheryl Wyatt!.
1. Anathema by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson. An Amish woman who fled after a murder is drawn back to her peaceful community--and a spiraling danger.
2. Bayou Judgment, Bayou Series book 3 by Robin Caroll from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Crisis hot line counselor finds herself in the midst of murder and mayhem, and tough-guy preacher must fight to keep her safe.
3. Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky from Multnomah Books. A woman going blind, a man who loves her but can't tell her so, a crash, a hospital room, and an ending that must be experienced to be believed.
4. Blood Brothers by Rick Acker from Kregel Publications. Sibling rivalry, black market deals, and a dangerous new wonder drug interrupt Ben Corbin's plans for early retirement in this riveting sequel to Dead Man's Rule.
5. Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White from Zondervan. Matt Hogan and Natalie Tubberville compete to find a missing mail-order bride, with Matt's detective agency in the balance--or is love the ultimate prize?
6. Deadly Exposure by Cara Putman from Love Inspired Suspense. With a stalker closing in, will television journalist Dani Richards trust her former love and police investigator Caleb Jamison to help her and God to rescue her?
7. Divorcing the Devil by Dwan Abrams from Urban Christian. Drama, heartbreak, violence, and redemption. Will anyone be spared when trying to divorce the devil?
8. Flame From Within by Shirley Kiger Connolly from Vintage Romance Publishing. Amethyst Rose, inflamed by the devastating war flees her beloved Vicksburg and becomes entangled with two passionate and enamored Yankee warriors and a deceitful Frenchman determined to steal her heart...perhaps her soul.
9. Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson from Tyndale House. A Christian paleontologist makes a dangerous discovery -- a fossil that doesn't seem to fit current evolutionary theory.
10. It's All About Us All About Us book one by Shelley Adina from FaithWords. Can a Christian teenager stay true to her faith and still get the most popular guy in school?
11. Journey to Judah "Born for India" series Book One by Eileen Rife from Capstone Fiction. In an exotic culture of 7.5 million people and over 3 million gods, one woman resolves to follow her heart.
12. Leave it to Chance by Sherri Sand from David C. Cook. After three long years of single motherhood, Sierra Montgomery can finally stand on her own two feet—until a gift horse threatens her finances, her family, and her budding relationship with a handsome landscaper.
13. Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner from Waterbrook Press. Sometimes the key to your future lies in someone else's past. Ruby Among Us is a stirring story about faith and mother-daughter love.
14. Sandhill Dreams, Book 2 Nebraska Brides by Cara C. Putman from Heartsong Presents. With her dreams shattered, will Lainie Gardner allow God and a soldier at Fort Robinson to breathe life into new dreams that will bring her more joy than she imagined?
15. The Black Cloister by Melanie Dobson from Kregel Publications. When Elise Friedman travels to Germany to research her family's mysterious past, she uncovers a chilling secret and a man who threatens to destroy her.
16. The Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie from B&H Publishing. A passionate duke meets a lovely Quaker girl and finds it was worth losing everything to have her.
17. The Taste of Good Fruit by MaRita Teague from Walk Worthy Press and Harrison House Publishing House. A tragic loss, a devastating secret, and a seductive mistake are insurmountable challenges that take close friends, Sydney, Chanel, and Sherese, on a journey towards self-discovery, strengthened friendship, and renewed faith.
18. Trion Rising, Book one in the Shadowside trilogy by Robert Elmer from Zondervan. What would it be like if Jesus had come to another planet?
19. Wagered Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher from Zondervan. Bethany Silverton can't resist the challenge of charming a rough cowboy, but when she makes an innocent wager, unexpected results could turn a little flirtation into a lifetime of love.
20. With Endless Sight, Crossroads of Grace #3 by Allison Pittman from Multnomah Waterbrook. When disaster strikes her family, fourteen-year-old Belinda finds herself alone until God delivers her to the unlikely sanctuary of a brothel in the Wyoming mountains.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Editor Melissa Endlich featured on Writers at Play
Okay...I'm being a little partial here..but you must go check out this interview with MY editor. This blog is another great industry blog too.
Melissa is a wonderful fantabulous editor and an amazing and fun person. Go see for yourself. Her passion for her work shines through.
<A HREF="http://www.writersatplay.com/wordpress/?p=206">Writers at Play</A>
Cheryl
A Soldier's Family in the ACFW Book club for May
The ACFW Book Club gives fans of Christian fiction the opportunity to communicate with each other, chat with ACFW authors, and discuss books.
Book Club participants are invited to join an e-mail group set up to facilitate announcements and host discussions about the current reading selection. Members will be eligible for monthly free book drawings. To join, send a blank e-mail to acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit ACFW Book Club and click "join this group." You will receive a confirmation e-mail after joining. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail to complete your subscription to this e-mail list.
Each month, club members have an opportunity to participate in an on-line chat with an ACFW published author. Chats will be announced in advance so Club members have the opportunity to read the featured book. Book Club chats will be held on the ACFW website in the chat room at 7:00 p.m. CST on the first Monday of the month following the month the book is read.
A Soldier's Family, my second book, is one of May's featured books. The other book is my friend and web designer, Tiff Miller's Promises, Promises. I hope you will join us in May where we'll have a ball discussing the books.
Here are links to purchase the books if you'd like. I hope you will take part in one or the other or both. THANK YOU!
A Soldier's Family by Cheryl Wyatt
Promises, Promises by Tiff Miller
Have a great day!
Cheryl
Book Club participants are invited to join an e-mail group set up to facilitate announcements and host discussions about the current reading selection. Members will be eligible for monthly free book drawings. To join, send a blank e-mail to acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit ACFW Book Club and click "join this group." You will receive a confirmation e-mail after joining. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail to complete your subscription to this e-mail list.
Each month, club members have an opportunity to participate in an on-line chat with an ACFW published author. Chats will be announced in advance so Club members have the opportunity to read the featured book. Book Club chats will be held on the ACFW website in the chat room at 7:00 p.m. CST on the first Monday of the month following the month the book is read.
A Soldier's Family, my second book, is one of May's featured books. The other book is my friend and web designer, Tiff Miller's Promises, Promises. I hope you will join us in May where we'll have a ball discussing the books.
Here are links to purchase the books if you'd like. I hope you will take part in one or the other or both. THANK YOU!
A Soldier's Family by Cheryl Wyatt
Promises, Promises by Tiff Miller
Have a great day!
Cheryl
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Still time for April's Prompt-Deadline Extended
Hello all,
Someone (thank you, Anita! :-)) brought to my attention that my Cheryl[at]CherylWyatt.com box was full...so I'm extending April's Prompt Contest into May. I'll take April entries until May 5th.
My apologies! I have only been online a couple times since my wreck because my fingers/hands hurt from bending backwards in the steering wheel and I jammed/dislocated three fingers. LOL! Typing is mega painful, so I hadn't cleaned out my mailbox.
It's cleaned out now and you can send in entries. Looking forward to reading them!!! :-)
Cheryl
Someone (thank you, Anita! :-)) brought to my attention that my Cheryl[at]CherylWyatt.com box was full...so I'm extending April's Prompt Contest into May. I'll take April entries until May 5th.
My apologies! I have only been online a couple times since my wreck because my fingers/hands hurt from bending backwards in the steering wheel and I jammed/dislocated three fingers. LOL! Typing is mega painful, so I hadn't cleaned out my mailbox.
It's cleaned out now and you can send in entries. Looking forward to reading them!!! :-)
Cheryl
Friday, April 18, 2008
Southern Illinois Earthquakes
Quakes! What a way to wake. Loud rumbling and our house shimmying back and forth jolted and jittered us out of bed this morning. We're having earthquakes here in Southern Illinois ranging anywhere between 2.5-5.2 magnitude. The one around 4-5 am seemed to go on and on and on.
What makes me nervous is we live on the New Madrid Fault. Yikes! No property damage...but if you all could pray that things settle down...we'd appreciate it. I don't like being separated from my children with this seizmic activity going on. And I'm not exactly mobile enough to be able to rush out of the house.
Not only that..I dreamed about an earthquake two weeks ago and because of the stupid dream I'm feeling panicky. In the dream there was an earthquake and the ground split and opened up and there was this huge chasm between my children and I. So of course, with my writer's vivid imagination, I'm a little fearful to have my children not with me.
Prayers are appreciated.
Cheryl
What makes me nervous is we live on the New Madrid Fault. Yikes! No property damage...but if you all could pray that things settle down...we'd appreciate it. I don't like being separated from my children with this seizmic activity going on. And I'm not exactly mobile enough to be able to rush out of the house.
Not only that..I dreamed about an earthquake two weeks ago and because of the stupid dream I'm feeling panicky. In the dream there was an earthquake and the ground split and opened up and there was this huge chasm between my children and I. So of course, with my writer's vivid imagination, I'm a little fearful to have my children not with me.
Prayers are appreciated.
Cheryl
Thursday, April 17, 2008
I'm having entirely too much fun
On this Darvocet....
LOL!
Actually...I'm kidding. I've only had two in 24 hours and before that I was having to take them every four hours. So prayers are working! Keep at it!
And keep sending thanks His way too. Some friends from church came by tonight...brought me THE best grilled burger and other awesome food. Told me an awesome joke. Wish I could remember it...something about geese. Tim and Lauren and her brother. And of course Lauren looks so beautiful pregnant...she's one of these thin women who look like an olive on a toothpick. Very glowing. She's going to be a great mom. They had me laughing for at least an hour. And my MIL has lunch for me in the fridge for tomorrow. My lifesaver Aimee came today and cleaned the guinea cage after her lovely mom brought some bedding from the store. Aimee also did my dishes and laundry. YAY! And straightened my kitchen and vacuumed. My sister and BIL are watching the kids and my house is QUIET for the first time in nearly a decade! Granny Veda got moved from Intensive care to a regular room..PRAISE GOD! And granny Nellie called to chat and she always cheers me up. Debbie called from the Carolinas and I lost my balance while talking to her and bumped my foot...OUCH! She lovingly scolded me and told me to sit down I was out of breath. Or maybe that was the voices in my head. LOL! I had six uninterrupted hours to read my Bible and pray. SIX!!!! WOW! That hasn't happened in years. My cousin from across the street calls once an hour to check in on me. My SIL and niece came by for coffee and a chat. Folks have been calling. Cards have come in the mail and well-wishes through e-mail from all over the world. I tell you..I should crash my car more often....HE! NOT! I know I'm forgetting stuff too.
I truly feel loved everyone! THANK YOU!
Hugs,
Cheryl-more and more on the mend.
--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~
Pouring my vial of words over Him.
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008 RT Top Pick!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT Top Pick!
--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~
Pouring my vial of words over Him.
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008 RT Top Pick!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT Top Pick!
GREAT GOBS OF TURKEY
I have to brag on my Seeker sisters today... Seekerville
They sent a huge ham and a turkey from Harry and David's gifts.
How awesome is that? And so practical too. Not like I can eat flowers. LOL!
Hope you'll zip over to Seekerville and tell them how great they are.
I definitely feel enormously loved by all the well-wishes and prayers you all are sending.
Hugs,
Cheryl
They sent a huge ham and a turkey from Harry and David's gifts.
How awesome is that? And so practical too. Not like I can eat flowers. LOL!
Hope you'll zip over to Seekerville and tell them how great they are.
I definitely feel enormously loved by all the well-wishes and prayers you all are sending.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Still on the mend
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
My hands aren't hurting as much and I'm slowly but surely feeling better. Your prayers and well-wishes have uplifted me and I am grateful most of all for the outpouring of thankfulness heading God's way that He protected us from greater harm.
Keep sending those prayers for healing up, and also please continue to bombard God with thanks on behalf of myself and my children.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
My hands aren't hurting as much and I'm slowly but surely feeling better. Your prayers and well-wishes have uplifted me and I am grateful most of all for the outpouring of thankfulness heading God's way that He protected us from greater harm.
Keep sending those prayers for healing up, and also please continue to bombard God with thanks on behalf of myself and my children.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Monday, April 14, 2008
Recouping and Thanks
Hey all
Some of you know by now I was in a MVA Saturday night.
Posting quick to say I'm all right and my family is all right. Car didn't make it and the can of bisquits I'd just bought from the store definitely didn't make it. :-)
I'm sore but recouping. The driver who ran a stop sign and caused the accident is being evasive and cavalier. Please pray she does the right thing and cooperates with police so we can get insurance stuff pushed through.
In addition, thanks you to all of you who came out to my booksigning and found out the hard way that I wasn't there. Many of you found out about the wreck from the librarians. I am sorry I wasn't able to notify you and I know many of you drove long distances to get there.
I appreciate you and will answer all of the e-mails and letters when some of the swelling and pain is out of my hands. Right now it hurts to type. I did break my foot/ankle in several places but that seems to be the worst injury I received...THANK GOD.
Even the police and EMS mentioned that the way both vehicles were totaled (because we also hit a tree after colliding with the vehicle that caused the wreck) and that my family was uninjured except for my fractures and whiplash is a real miracle.
So if you would please join me in praising God that this wasn't worse.
I'll start posting more when my hands and fingers get back to normal.
Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes and prayers.
Recouping and exceptionally thankful my family is okay,
Cheryl
Some of you know by now I was in a MVA Saturday night.
Posting quick to say I'm all right and my family is all right. Car didn't make it and the can of bisquits I'd just bought from the store definitely didn't make it. :-)
I'm sore but recouping. The driver who ran a stop sign and caused the accident is being evasive and cavalier. Please pray she does the right thing and cooperates with police so we can get insurance stuff pushed through.
In addition, thanks you to all of you who came out to my booksigning and found out the hard way that I wasn't there. Many of you found out about the wreck from the librarians. I am sorry I wasn't able to notify you and I know many of you drove long distances to get there.
I appreciate you and will answer all of the e-mails and letters when some of the swelling and pain is out of my hands. Right now it hurts to type. I did break my foot/ankle in several places but that seems to be the worst injury I received...THANK GOD.
Even the police and EMS mentioned that the way both vehicles were totaled (because we also hit a tree after colliding with the vehicle that caused the wreck) and that my family was uninjured except for my fractures and whiplash is a real miracle.
So if you would please join me in praising God that this wasn't worse.
I'll start posting more when my hands and fingers get back to normal.
Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes and prayers.
Recouping and exceptionally thankful my family is okay,
Cheryl
Saturday, April 12, 2008
BOOKSIGNING BLUSH AND CRINGE
I have my very first book signing tomorrow. Last night...not only did I get sprayed by a skunk in my garage...I found out the hard way I'm still severely allergic to tomatoes.
Not only do I have a pleasant aroma following me and my blotchy neck hives around...my eyes, lips, face and hands are badly swollen and I'm not sure how I'll even sign books. LOL! Febreez and Benadryl here we come......
PS...tomato juice DOES. NOT. WORK.
Cheryl "Hives" Wyatt
Not only do I have a pleasant aroma following me and my blotchy neck hives around...my eyes, lips, face and hands are badly swollen and I'm not sure how I'll even sign books. LOL! Febreez and Benadryl here we come......
PS...tomato juice DOES. NOT. WORK.
Cheryl "Hives" Wyatt
Thursday, April 10, 2008
CONGRATS ANITA DRAPER-March Prompt Winner
Congrats to Anita Draper for winning March's Prompt Contest!!!
Anita has her choice between several new Steeple Hill releases.
Way to go, Anita!
All the entries this month were so great...it took me awhile to choose!
Keep at it everyone! April's prompt was posted. Just scroll back until you find it...or look at the sidebar to the right.
Cheryl Wyatt
Cheryl Wyatt
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Steeple Hill on My Space!
Exciting news! Steeple Hill now has a MySpace page. So if you're on My Space, be sure to zip over there and view their profile. Send 'em a Friends Request while you're at it. I think Dream and the team did a fabulous job with it.
http://www.myspace.com/steeplehill or click the header link above.
Cheryl
http://www.myspace.com/steeplehill or click the header link above.
Cheryl
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Eldorado Book Signing
Just letting folks know I will be signing the first two books in my Wings of Refuge Series from Steeple Hill (A Soldier's Promise and A Soldier's Family) this Sunday, April 13th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Eldorado Library in Southern Illinois...the setting of Wings of Refuge.
The address is:
Eldorado Memorial Public Library
1001 Grant St.
Eldorado, IL 62930
Call 618-273-7922 for directions.
Hope to see some of you there!
Cheryl Wyatt
The address is:
Eldorado Memorial Public Library
1001 Grant St.
Eldorado, IL 62930
Call 618-273-7922 for directions.
Hope to see some of you there!
Cheryl Wyatt
Monday, April 07, 2008
eHarlequin.com Issues 100,000 Book Reading Challenge
*****Permission to forward*****
eHarlequin.com Issues 100,000 Book Reading Challenge
National Center for Family Literacy to receive up to 100,000 books with estimated valued of $700,000
Toronto, (February 11, 2008)—eHarlequin.com (www.eHarlequin.com), the online site for Harlequin Enterprises Limited, is challenging its community members to read an astounding 100,000 books in one year in the 2008 eHarlequin.com 100,000 Book Challenge. When the reading challenge ends on December 31, 2008, Harlequin will make an unprecedented donation of an equivalent number of books to the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). The estimated retail value of a 100,000 book donation to the NCFL by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. is $700,000 U.S.
The stated mission of NCFL is to create a literate nation by leveraging the power of the family. Family literacy helps parents and children form a learning partnership that ends the cycle of poverty and low literacy. NCFL works to find solutions to the literacy crises that build on the family by creating a new cycle of ongoing learning and mutual support. Since its inception in 1989, NCFL has provided leadership to solve the national literacy problem. Through groundbreaking initiatives, NCFL fuels life improvement for the nation’s most disadvantaged children and parents. More than one million families throughout the country have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers.
“Recent studies show that people are reading literature less and less,” said Sharon Darling, president & founder of NCFL. “This reading challenge not only will provide an important incentive for everyone to read more, it also will greatly benefit the millions of adults who have low literacy – 34 million in the United States alone and 771 million globally.”
In addition to promoting literacy, the 2008 eHarlequin.com 100,000 Book Challenge encourages readers to discuss the titles they have read on the eHarlequin.com website in their own blogs. Those participating in the challenge share their thoughts, reviews, opinions, recommendations and progress. Another remarkable and unforeseen aspect to the challenge is that many people who were not bloggers—or who even knew what a blog was—are now passionate blog hosts and are spearheading online discussions in the forums.
“Our readers are very passionate,” says Jayne Hoogenberk, community manager for eHarlequin.com. “They read, talk, think and dream about books 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The median number of paperbacks read in one year by Americans is 12. The median for Harlequin readers is 30. Since we’re always looking for ways to inspire and challenge our community members, we wondered if, as a group, they would be able to read 100,000 books in a single calendar year and through our donation of 100,000 books, share that love of reading with others who don’t have such easy access to entertaining and engaging literature for women.”
The original book challenge was laid down on eHarlequin.com in January 2006 and challenged community members to each read 100 books. Seventy-five community members took up the gauntlet. By the end of the year, 55 of those people had read or exceeded the goal. In 2007 eHarlequin.com challenged its members to read 10,000 books collectively. By year end they had read an astounding 24,440 books. To date 350+ participants have accepted the 2008 100,000 Book Challenge. In one week they have already read some 1,000+ books.
“The response of the past two years was so overwhelmingly positive that we had to keep going,” states Hoogenberk. “We also knew that we had to up the ante. And so the 2008 eHarlequin.com 100,000 Book Challenge for literacy was born. Last year we capped the number of participants and still easily surpassed our target. Since the event has generated such positive feedback, and in order to reach our goal of 100,000 books read, we’ve decided to leave registration open-ended this year.”
There are no hard and fast rules other than participants being asked to have at least 50% of their list be novels published by Harlequin. This allows readers to discover the outstanding breadth of editorial Harlequin has to offer. The other 50% of books can be any genre by any publisher. Likewise, all formats—print, eBooks, audiobooks, etc.—are acceptable, and readers are encouraged to seek them out and give them a try.
The range and diversity of Harlequin readers is not confined solely to the type of books they read or the medium in which they enjoy them. The online nature of the eHarlequin.com community illustrates the significant power of books to unite readers in a global way. Geographic boundaries have become meaningless in this venture as the challenge brings together readers from countries as varied as Germany, France and the Philippines, as well as Harlequin editors in Toronto, New York and London and Harlequin authors from around the world.
The 2008 eHarlequin.com 100,000 Book Challenge is taking place right now at eHarlequin.com.
About Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Harlequin Enterprises Limited is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 25 languages and sold in 94 international markets. The company releases over 115 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.nv.b). Harlequin's website is located at www.eHarlequin.com. Harlequin has offices in 18 countries, including offices in Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.
About National Center for Family Literacy
The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) is the worldwide leader in family literacy, an intergenerational approach to help families escape poverty through education. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. Educators, policymakers and philanthropists rely on NCFL to mobilize family literacy efforts, conduct research and develop new, effective tools to leverage the learning relationship between parents and children. Family literacy, pioneered by NCFL, is a powerful community strategy for raising educational levels, improving workforce skills and breaking the cycle of poverty. Visit www.famlit.org to learn more, make a donation, locate a literacy program in your area or find out how to become a volunteer.
Media Contacts:
Don Lucey Carla Blanton
Asst. Mgr., Public Relations Communications National Center for Family Literacy
Harlequin Enterprises Limited 859-608-4850
(416) 391-7094 cblanton@famlit.org
don_lucey@harlequin.ca
Friday, April 04, 2008
CONGRATS ONLY UNI WINNERS
Congrats going out to
Windy City and Christy Jan who won the drawing for a copy of Camy Tang's Only Uni!!!
Cheryl
Windy City and Christy Jan who won the drawing for a copy of Camy Tang's Only Uni!!!
Cheryl
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Prehistoric Blush and Cringe
Well...
Every single member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW now knows I'm suffering from PMS (Prehistoric Monster Syndrome) this week, thanks to the fact that I sent a very soul-baring prayer plea to THE WRONG E-MAIL ADDRESS yesterday. Not only that, I'd mentioned in the request that I needed prayer for my speech because I couldn't stop being mean to my husband. (Anyone read Celia in A Soldier's Family? Yeah...she's a lot like me in the mouth department.)
On the upside...I had about 115 people e-mail me within an hour, telling me they were lifting me and my granny Veda and my neice Bridget up in prayer. :-)
Today I can finally laugh about it.
Of course, when I tearfully told my husband that thousands of people now know how mean to him I've been this week...he jerked forward, spewed Dr. Pepper all over the coffee table....and laughed his head off for the next twenty minutes.
Uh..maybe he feels vindicated...ya think?
LOL!
What else is there to do besides laugh?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Cheryl aka Chief Red Cheeks
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
APRIL's PROMPT CONTEST aka STORY STARTER
April Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “April Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
April Prompt Words
1. sill
2. seal
3. SEAL
4. Navy
5. train
6. base
7. bass
8. basket
9. story
10. storey
April Scene Starter Sentences:
“That’s the worst excuse for a pushup I’ve ever seen.”
“Whadda ya mean you can’t breathe?”
“We’ve got a situation.”
Happy Writing!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “April Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!
April Prompt Words
1. sill
2. seal
3. SEAL
4. Navy
5. train
6. base
7. bass
8. basket
9. story
10. storey
April Scene Starter Sentences:
“That’s the worst excuse for a pushup I’ve ever seen.”
“Whadda ya mean you can’t breathe?”
“We’ve got a situation.”
Happy Writing!
Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel
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