Writing Sabattical

November brought a big silent pause to my life. Even more than the busyness of Christmas preparation, and the need to find a job outside the home for the first time in a decade, I found that rejections and disappointments had sapped my desire to write. I was ready to call it quits.
My devoted friends and critique partners all encouraged me, but there was no returning in my mind. I said goodbye to a few writing groups, including an invaluable critique group full of very talented and dear folks. I would have left the rest, too, except I found my time consumed to the point of being unable to go online to do so. I grieved the loss of more years than I could count writing. I wondered what had it all been for?
I thrust myself into my retail job, working 38 hour weeks and desperately trying to keep up on my kids' homework and my housework, all the while dying to my dearest dreams and deepest desires. It was over, and I couldn't figure out why. Had God told me I was done, or had fatigue?
Then January came after the Christmas rush and my hours slackened off at work. I could breathe again. I dreamed a new story and woke to write it down in detail. I wanted to write, and the grief was gone.
My friends were right. God hadn't given me a moratorium, He had given me a sabbatical. And my head is clear enough again to love weaving words and story once again.
Thank you, John, Debbie Lynne, Leann, Suzie H, Suzanne C, Scribes 213, Barb, Tina P, crazy-hair Diane, MaryAlice, Nancy, Payton, Matt, Tracy, James, Gordon, Grace, Linore, Melanie, Laurie Alice, and my countless friends in this crazy writing world. You have all blessed and touched my life with your courage and tenacity.

Some words to ponder by a great Christian music artist, Jason Upton

No Sacrifice

To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to
To you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures that you've designed for free?

Because
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is staronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give my future
As long as it may last
To you I give my present
To you I give my past

Because
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog--Emergency Update

The Master's Wall officially debuted this first week of November. For a proud new author who has waited for so long to show off her baby to the world, this should be a very exciting and happy time. Normally it is. All things being equal, it would be, except when something else happens out of the blue that is so huge and catastrophic that it takes breath away.

On November 2, the day when Sandi was supposed to celebrate her new release, she found out that there is a tumor in her brain. Her biopsy today revealed that the form of cancer is very aggressive. She needs the writing community's support.

Having gotten to know Sandi this past year on various writing loops, I have learned how tenacious and resilient she is. She's a fighter. She's battled MS during this past year, and probably years prior to that. She's overcome setbacks and disappointments like any writer. And she's earned the respect and admiration of all who know her for her generosity of spirit and go-out-of-her-way kindness, not to mention professionalism. In short, she's the kind of friend everyone loves to have, writer, or not.

She sounded very upbeat on her last Facebook post and on the email loops. She is confident that the Lord is with her and will fight for her. She has even been gracious enough to thank all those praying for her, and they are an army of prayer warriors, to be sure. But this leaves her no time to spread the word about her wonderful ancient Rome historical novel.

Here's where you can help. Either order it for your own reading pleasure, for a Christmas present for someone else, or help spread the word about this great book and its wonderful author. Here are a couple of links where it can be found: www.deward.com
http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Wall-Sandi-Rog/dp/1936341026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288994723&sr=8-1
You could also write a note on Facebook to encourage Sandi and tell her you are praying. Let's help Sandi fight this thing so she can get back to her keyboard and share her gift with the world for many books to come.

Thanks, everyone!

And a big hug to you, Sandi. We love you! Get well soon.