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God’s Personal Pep Talk

November 10, 2017 by Patti 34 Comments

 “I really dislike my book.  My character is an insipid female with no strength of her own,” I typed in a text to my-friend-with-the-big-publishing-house-contract.

Which friend you might ask, and you’d be right in asking, because I have several friends who have contracts with major publishing houses.  I’ve seen these friends rise to the top of their game with #1 ratings on Amazon, calls to speak hither and yon, and multiple future book deals even now in the works.  I’ve had the privilege (and it has been a true privilege) of being there with them through beta reads, pre book launch discussions, launch team insider groups, and finally, sharing in the excitement of BOOK LAUNCH day!

I know, I know, I may be doing a little comparing of myself to others, and comparison is the thief of joy, right?  I’ve preached that with the best of them.

Here I sit with my little blog, occasionally checking in with y’all, while working on my own book on the side.  The book that alternately consumes every waking moment or lies dormant and forgotten under the other demands of life.  Namely, this “staging to sell” mode I’ve been in.

With all in order here on the home front I picked up the book writing again this week and began skimming through the pages to remind myself of where I was, and after reviewing only a few chapters, I came to the conclusion that I dislike my book.  Yup, if I were to pick it up in a bookstore and read the first few pages I would realize right away how beginner-ish it is and lay it right down again without giving it a second thought.

Y’all!  Fiction writing is H.A.R.D.! 

Making likeable characters is hard.  Showing instead of telling is hard.  Drawing readers into the story with all of their senses is hard.

I’m sure my husband does some inner cringing every time I tell him that I don’t know how to write good fiction and that I don’t know if I’ll ever get the hang of it (this has been an off-and-on theme in our household by the way).  He looks especially dismayed when I question whether or not I should give it all up.  After all the money invested in classes, conferences, computers, and tech help?  Not to mention the bazillions of hours of pouring my heart out on the keyboard, only to go back and realize that what I’ve written simply won’t make the cut.

How do I know?  Because I’m a reader.  I know good writing.  And I know that really good writing is kind of a rare thing.  But that’s what I want my writing to be!

So am I giving up?  No, not today.   Let me share with you some things I’ve learned in my QT this week (a week of extreme frustration and discouragement) that have caused me to determine to press on.

  • Monday, at my ladies-of-the-lake Bible study we had to fill in the blanks of the following statement:  “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me ____________.  And when I do ______________, I feel His pleasure.”  You might guess that the answer to this was writing.  Writing is frustrating at times, but I do feel God’s pleasure when I know that the words He’s given me have touched the heart of someone else.
  • Tuesday, in my quiet time I was reading a passage in the book Chase the Lion, by Mark Batterson. Here are some key thoughts I wrote down in my journal: 
    • God-given dreams are more about others than they are about me.
    • The goal of a God-given dream should be to honor the God who gave it to me in the first place.
    • Am I living to make Him famous?
    • On the days when I feel like a no-name I must remember that if my dream is to honor God it doesn’t matter.
  • Wednesday, I wrote this quote, also from Chase the Lion: “If you stay humble and stay hungry [for God], there is nothing God cannot do in you or through you.”
  • Then Thursday: “In every dream journey there comes a moment when you have to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. You have to go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.”
  • And today, Friday, my quiet time brought me to Psalm 63, A psalm of David, when he was hanging out in a desert.  I wonder if his desert was anything like this writing desert of mine?

You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you,

my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and parched land

where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary

and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,

my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

I had to ask myself what I wanted more, for this book to come to fruition or God Himself? 

Down on my knees I confessed and repented and declared my choice out loud, “I choose You God.” Click To Tweet

And I am humbled.

This week has been five days of God pouring encouragement into my heart every time I’ve turned to Him with my complaints and inadequacies.  Do you know what the meaning of the number five is in the Bible?   The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor toward humans.  Isn’t God good that He spoke to me each day this week? 

Side note:  If I weren’t in the habit of journaling I might not have heard God’s message to me.  In truth, my journal often turns out to be God’s Personal pep talk to me.

So back to the writing table I go.  At least until I hear the Lord say it’s time to lay it down.

Maybe you too, are in a place of discouragement as you pursue your own God-given dreams.  If so, I hope the words that encouraged me this week might also encourage you.  

Blessings friends,

 

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

SundaysAtHome, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired,  InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends, InspireMeMonday, GodSizedDreams

 

Tuesday:

TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles,  Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story

Wednesday:

SavvySouthernStyle, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday,  WriterWednesday

Thursday:

ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner,  Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday

Friday:

FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration,  Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday

Saturday:

FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet

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Filed Under: Books, Christianity, Fall Decor, Fall Porch, God's Grace Tagged With: Books, Christianity, Faith, Fall Decor, Fall Porch, God's grace, Writing

What I Learned in August

September 1, 2017 by Patti 22 Comments

When I turned over the rumpled and coffee stained page of my calendar to reveal a great big SEPTEMBER 1, it was at first shocking, and then sad, to realize that Summer really is drawing to a close.  Where did the long, hot days of Summer go?  They didn’t seem so long to me at all.  What happened to all those days I’d planned to spend relaxing on the screened porch with a good book?  And when did the trees start littering my yard with cast off leaves and the flowers in my garden start losing their glory?  Last week was full-on Summer and this week a change is in the air.

… 

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Filed Under: Blogging, Books, Christianity, Lakeside Living, My Home, My Yard, Photography, shopping, Southern Living, Summer, What I Learned Tagged With: Blogging, Book Review, Books, Dreaming, Lakeside living, Launch Team, Shopping, Thankful, What I Learned, Writing

What I Learned in April

May 8, 2017 by Patti 15 Comments

Let me start off by saying that the biggest thing I learned in April is that I’ve become very, VERY lazy about carrying my “real” camera with me and I’ve relied on my iPhone way too much.  While this is good for Instagram, it is not so good for blog posts 🙁

Caution:  Poor quality pictures ahead!!! 

It has been another busy month, filled with ups and downs and everything in-between.  Isn’t that just how life is?

Early in the month I had the chance to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in California.  It was a huge opportunity for which I’m extremely grateful and I owe a debt of gratitude to my husband for making it happen. 

These conferences aren’t cheap by any means and the fact that Mr. OTN was willing to spend his hard earned money to send me caused me to realize (I learned), once again, that my husband believes in me and supports this writing journey of mine.  For better or for worse 😉

The setting of the conference in the California Redwoods was amazing, but so was the chance to spend time with my beautiful friends:  Debbie Kitterman and Michelle Bengtson – Las Tres Amigas! 

I learned, (though I already knew) how much I miss the company of my writer friends when we are apart.

I sent a portion of my book manuscript ahead for review and went in a little fearful of what they might say about my writing.  After meeting with the reviewers I was very encouraged and felt ready to push forward with greater intensity.  After thinking about their suggestions I also realized that I need to change up my story quite a bit.

I was encouraged to use my life experience when writing this story, but not to think about it as our story (hubs and mine), as doing so will keep me from allowing my characters to step outside of my life own experience. I’ve learned that this has freed me to become much more creative in my writing.

I am having so much fun!

We were invited for Easter dinner to the home of Greenville friends, Mark & Leslie Hoyt.  This is the most fun-loving couple I know!

Here’s Leslie after testing the cheesecake.  LOL!

In the interest of saving a friendship I’ll share with you a more flattering picture of this lovely lady. I’ve learned through experience that it is always best to share the most flattering pictures of your friends.

I’ve learned, during my third Spring here in SC, that April is my favorite month in the Upstate.  All of the trees are so green and the flowers are at their peak.  Here are a few pictures from my yard.

Another thing I’ve learned is that I never grow tired of spending time in downtown Greenville and it is also most beautiful this time of year.  Hubs and I took an entire Saturday and spent it downtown at Fall’s Park on the Reedy River.  Writing, napping, and snapping photos with my iPhone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a day in the park and dinner at Pomegranate – a local restaurant with Fabulous Mediterranean cuisine – we went to see our local hockey team, the Swamp Rabbits, play game 5 in the playoffs.  I learned that sitting iceside can be a scary place to be!

 

I accomplished quite a bit of writing during the month of April.  I’m writing in my dining room now, which is nice because I can spread out all my books and papers and leave them there (until I have company – then I stash them under the table).  I’ve learned that the only problem with writing here – well, anywhere in my house really – is that I get distracted with decorating and wanting to change things up for the seasons. 

 

Case in point:  As my eyes wandered away from my computer they were drawn to this plain frame.  Very soon it was bedecked with Spring flowers.

 

 

April included a Celebration of Life for me.  I learned quite a lot in the months leading up to this celebration and one day I will write about it here.

 

 

 

Our month ended with a rockin’ concert by The Newsboys.  This is Michael Tait, their lead singer, pouring his everything out on the stage.  I learned, that this is one band that does not disappoint 😉

That almost wraps up my April except for:

We’ve had a few dogs in our lives and in the past two years both of our Beagles have passed on.  We still have our ten-year-old Boxador Sasha, but things have been a little quiet around here with all us seniors!  In April we learned that a dog we’ve been waiting for would soon be ours.

You’ll have to wait until next month for the full reveal of our new CharliGirl!

Until then, blessings y’all 😉

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, Making Your Home Sing Mondays, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, SmallWonder, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends

Tuesday:

TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles,  Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story

Wednesday:

SavvySouthernStyle, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday

Thursday:

ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson,MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner,  I Choose Joy,   Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday

Friday:

FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With JesusFreshMarketFriday

Saturday:

FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet

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Filed Under: Easter, Flowers, Friendship, Gardening, My Yard, Southern Living, Spring Tagged With: Flowers, Friendship, Gardening, my yard, southern living, Spring, Writing, yeahthatgreenville

What I Don’t Want in a Friend & a REAL Friends Podcast

August 15, 2016 by Patti 25 Comments

This is what I DON’T want in a friend:

I don’t want friends who wear only the latest fashions and walk boldly through life with nary a trip in their stilettos.  I don’t want friends who are up on all the latest gossip and eager to hear what I have to share so they can run off and tell others.  I don’t want friends who know how to put on the perfect face – whether that is with loads of makeup or a fake smile to hide the pain that lies beneath.  I don’t want friends who rock the latest hairstyles without one ounce of wilt – EVER – and look sexy in selfies taken when they first wake up in the morning.

Fourfriends

Now while all that is a bit of an exaggeration it’s no secret that over the years I’ve had my share of rejection and betrayed confidences that kept me leery of developing deep female friendships.  Part of the rejection I felt was real because, let’s face it, there are real cliques among women – even The Women of The Church . . .EEEK!  But part of my feeling of being left out was my own insecurity and belief that I was “not enough.” 

Those of you who know my story know that God has done a great work of healing in my life.  He has erased the shame, guilt, and condemnation that I carried with me daily and set me free to tell others who I really am instead of hiding behind my “Perfect Patti” moniker.  He has restored me to being the person He first created me to be – before the mistakes of a life (not so) well lived.  Hallelujah!

The purpose of today’s post is to share a Podcast that my friend Holly recently taped.  It is a conversation between four friends.  Two of us, Debbie and I, have been friends for years.  The other two, Holly and Mary also have a long standing friendship.  The four of us together have been developing a bond ever since we met ten months ago at the Allume writer’s conference. 

Together is a Beautiful Place to Be 001

Together is a Beautiful Place to Be

This Podcast was taped last month when we had a REAL LIFE meetup in Pigeon Forge, TN.  In it you will hear a bit about our time together, what we’ve been reading lately, and how Mary loves to get her dancin’ feet on.  You’ll also hear about other Podcasts we’ve been listening to and the experience of hearing for the first time the voice of someone you’ve admired as a writer and saying, “Awww . . . that’s just the way I thought she’d sound,” -OR- maybe, simply, “Oh MY!”

I hope you’ll take the time to turn up the volume and listen while you go about your daily chores.  It will make the time fly and possibly give you a much needed chuckle today.

Click on Holly’s picture below to listen to the Podcast! I’ve also shared links below to Mary and Debbie’s websites.

HollyHolly Barrett – Living a Redeemed Life

These friends are truly for me and for one another - Holly Barrett Click To Tweet

Mary2Mary Geisen – Passage Through Grace

I see redemption in the beautiful gift of grace - Mary Geisen Click To Tweet

SONY DSCDebbie Kitterman – Dare 2 Hear

We have to be for one another - Debbie Kitterman Click To Tweet

After you listen I hope you’ll take the time to visit and share the love.

Blessings friends, because you ARE my friends, and so very dear to my heart,

My Signature

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired,  InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStoryMaking Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking,SmallWonder, LifeGivingLinkup, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends

Tuesday:

TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles,  Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story, IntentionalTuesday

Wednesday:

SavvySouthernStyle, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday

Thursday:

ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty,  The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy,  Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, PartyAtMyPlace, 100HappyDays, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays

Friday:

FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme,  TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration,  Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus

Saturday:

FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet

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Filed Under: Freedom, Friendship, God's Grace, Inspiration Tagged With: Dare 2 Hear, Freedom, Friendship, God's grace, Inspiration, Living a Redeemed Life, Passage Through Grace, Women, Writing

OldThingsNew

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two grown daughters, a great son-in-law, and companion to two spoiled dogs. At Old Things New I share DIY’s, budget friendly home transformations, as well as posts about how God transforms our souls. I myself have been made new and I love to share what I’ve learned through WRITING and SPEAKING. To view a short Vimeo of “Our Story” (Mr. OTN and I) please follow the link at the top of the page.

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