Susan May Warren

My hubby had a big meeting this week. He runs a hotel, and despite the national recession of hospitality properties, his property revenues were up some 30% from last year. Good news, right? Apparently, that good news sort of slid right over the heads of the investors. Instead, they spent time haggling over housekeeping budgets, missing completely the big picture.

I have a theory. When we're overwhelmed, we can stir up even more gloom by keeping our eyes cast on the shadows.

It's a grey day in Minnesota. A fog has drifted in off the lake, a blanket of shadow pierced only by the ragged, spindly limbs of the black and white birch, or dark shaggy fir. No color, no light except that which is trapped in the layers of mist. It's a day of gloom, and if I wanted, I could stare at the puddles, and see the mud my children will track in when they return home, wish to live in Florida where I could be laying out in the sun, and go back to bed.

Or, I could wrap up in my blanket and have my devotions, listen to the new Casting Crowns Christmas album, light a few smelly candles, and spend time pondering the things I am thankful for.

I think a grateful spirit is the key to seeing the light inside the gloom. Phil 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I love this scripture. It reminds me that thanksgiving, and turning my heart toward God is the key to keeping my mind free, my heart unbound by gloom. On this drizzly day, I'm thankful for my amazing family, my home that I can pay for, a job I love, readers who encourage and read my books, the ability to move and breathe and most of all, my salvation and a Savior who reminds me every day that this is not all there is.

There is more, so much more to be thankful for. Ah, see, there's the sun.

I pray this Thanksgiving, you too, can see the Son. *g*

Pressing on, in His grace,

With a grateful heart,

Susan May Warren 

Come visit Cathy's Word Vessel blog for the latest Susan May Warren interview…

What is a typical day like for you?

Get up at 6 a.m., have my QT while I intermittently harass my children to get out of bed and into the shower. They’re out the door by 7:30, and then I throw in some laundry and hop on the treadmill, reading a good book while I walk 1-3 miles depending on how much I have to get done. (Or how good the book is.) Then I hit the showers. I spend the rest of the morning answering email, working on blogs, or Book Therapies. Then, I lunch break with a Tivoed show (Prison Break/NCIS/Friday Night Lights/Terminator/Chuck) After lunch, I return to my office, and write like crazy, or sometimes just WISH I were writing like crazy and not surfing the net reading my friends’ blogs. But no one knows, because, well, the door is CLOSED. I do try to write 3000-5000 words a day. I take a break around 4 p.m. to greet my children, and hear the latest gossip, and then do the daily Homework Harassment before retreating to the office for more writing/procrastination. Which brings us to the moment when my husband is pulling into the driveway and I’m looking at the fridge wishing I had a cook. The rest of the evening is spent with the fam…

Read the rest here!

Sheesh…time flies when you're having fun!

You may or may not know, but I am Pearl Girl (find out more here) and the Pearl Girls support a charity called Hands of Hope! They do AMAZING work, find out more here, and if you are looking for inexpensive BUT meaningful gifts this year for your friends, family and co-workers, consider buying Hands of Hope gift cards.

A Chicken Card will purchase a gift of twelve chicks and be given to an impoverished family in Africa. As the flock multiplies, a struggling family will be given the hope to survive. Your gift will help those in need for generations to come.

A Goat Card represents an actual goat being purchased for a needy family. Beyond providing much needed milk, a few goats can quickly become a herd, providing sustenance and additional income that can make the difference between whether a child goes to school or not.

A Well Card will go toward funding a well in the Western Province of Zambia. Statistics show that nearly half of all people in developing countries suffer from health related problems caused by unsafe water. In addition, African women and children spend several hours every day collecting water which is often miles away and may or may not be contaminated. This well will provide clean and safe drinking water and will go a long way to ease a heavy burden for hundreds of village people who struggle daily with basic physical needs.

Order the cards here

Hands of Hope helps mobilize communities to respond to the needs of women and children around the world. They are working to raise community awareness regarding poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa and its relevance globally. We are confident in the integrity of the channels we have established so that contributions provide the highest possible impact for the most critical needs.

For more information, please visit the Hands of Hope website www.handsofhopeonline.org

I just wanted to let you all know that FABULOUS interviewer Lena Nelson Dooley has posted our latest interview…she has some skilz! In-depth, thorough, and FUN!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Author Susan May Warren – FINDING STEPHANIE – Free Book

I’m happy to welcome Susan back with the third book in this series. I’ve loved all three, and I know you will, too.

Susan, I love your new photo. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

This life was something that took me by surprise – I had always thought I’d be a missionary. And I’d like to think I still am. *grin* So, my only goals are to write the best books I can, to the best of my ability. I’m so blessed that God gives me some excellent stories to write. So, I hope He takes them and does amazing things with them.

Tell us a little about your family.

Oh, I’m so biased…I have four amazing children who are now teenagers. I think the teenage era is when you reap the rewards for all the runny snot years. (Although those are fun, too, just in a different way). I love seeing my teenagers discovering the people God created them to be, each with their own interests, from drama and singing, to sports, to reaching out into the community. My husband runs a posh hotel, and I am so blessed to be able to stay home and write.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

It’s sort of wrecked them, honestly. I am SUCH a picky reader now, and hate that about myself. A great book is one where I turn off my editor and just enjoy. I do like series, and when I find an author, I tend to buy everything they have. I try to read widely, also, from secular fiction to biographies and literary fiction. My favorite book recently has been Marley and Me. What fun!

read the rest here!

This month's article for Christian Fiction Magazine…

When you’re plotting a book, think about the character flaws…

When I plot a book, I always start with a hero’s greatest dreams and greatest fears. Getting to the bottom of what my character dreads the most is a great way to develop the ultimate black moment.

But it’s not the only way. What if, in fact, you started with a character’s greatest FLAWS…and wrapped the black moment and the entire plot around your Character’s foibles? This is exactly the kind of plotting technique used in one of my favorite series of movies – National Treasure. And most specifically, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.

Benjamin Gates. National Hero. Treasure Hunter, Historian and adventurer. He’s a guy with a long family history, and a firm belief in the secrets of our country. But Benjamin has a few flaws.

First, he has an overabundance of family honor. It’s a classic case of “Pride goeth before the fall.” Not saying that a person shouldn’t have pride in one’s family, but Ben’s so convinced of his family’s honor that he’s certain his great grandfather could never have planned the assassination of President Lincoln. This family pride conspires to drive him into proving the innocence of his family name. Like he says to his father, “We’re crazy, but we’re not liars.”

Read the rest here! And be sure to check out the Magazine's GREAT content!