Every Once in a While . . .

Well - what started out to be an easy flight from YFC to YUL to YWG to YEG got kicked around by a frezzing rain storm. (oh sorry - that last sentence translated to normal English is Fredericton to Montreal to Winnipeg to Edmonton). So, now I sit on the ground in Ottawa (yes, that was not one on the above list) having left Toronto (also not on the list). But, I will get there, some time, and my bus to my final destination does not leave until 5:30 am tomorrow. And, my brand new baby grandson will still be there.

And - it could be much much worse. I could be stranded in the Bangkok airport for days, I could be in Munbai, India.

Rain, freezing rain - still is not so bad. And, there will be a warm hotel room waiting for me some time tonight. And besides, just think of all the work I am getting done on my novel. Only 25,000 more words to go.

I hope to get some more out before Christmas. So, stay tuned. Gotta go - the plane is bording again.

If you are in the Fredericton area on Wednesday, Nov. 19, I would love to see you at the Book Launch of Northern Lights: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Writing in Canada. I'll be reading my short essay, "Celestial Navigation', which is about our first trip out on the Bay of Fundy in our sailboat. The launch starts at seven. Click here for details.

Well, another month is past. Time has been flying and I have been so busy I did not notice that nobody knew who I was standing with in the picture from last month. Bob is an author of seven books, the editor of the magazine called Latitudes and Attitudes and a truly "different" individual. If you really want to know about him - a brief bio can be found here (beware - he is very counter culture, very "not the person you would usually hang out with"). That said - we have enjoyed his magazine and he was a neat person to meet.

This past month has seen us busy working on our house - finishing the basement. Travelling to see the grand sons and writing (of course). And more writing. My editor just called and she wants the next three books in my contract "like, yesterday!". Well, not quite yesterday, but right away, if not sooner would fit their schedule.

I am really excited to be flying out west to see the newest addition to the Hall grand kids list. The "new kid on the block" should arrive in the next week or two and I will be with them the first part of December. Until then - its get those books written.

We spent the 13th (Canadian Thanksgiving / US Columbus Day) at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. For the first person that can identify who I am standing beside, I will send a copy of my latest book.

Well - it has only been one month - I know - way too long. I am crazy busy and have some kind of nasty flu bug as well. So - this will be quick:

1. I've just been offered a three book contract for a new series, my Whtisper Lake Chronicles series. Look for more information on that to come.

2 - My third Shadows novel Shadows on the River will be out April 2009.

3. Last Sunday night at the American Christian Fiction Writers big conference in Minneapolis, Black Ice was named Book of the Year for Suspense category! Pretty neat! You can see the list here:

4. Here is where I guest blogged about what it was like not to be able to write for seven weeks in a cast last winter: http://wetnoodleposse.blogspot.com/

We just got back from our annual denomination's convention. It was awesome - with some great speakers - more about that later...

But, the highlight for me was, of course, the music. Canadian singer/songwriter, Steve Bell presented a few concerts, and I - who adore folky accoustic music - don't know how I have managed to miss him all these years. Go into the iTunes store and listen to a few samples. I'm sure you'll agree.

A great website for finding out the best and newest in suspense fiction is the Suspense Zone, and this week, Shadows at the Window is featured. You can click here to read that review.

Well, we did it. We sold our beloved Gypsy Rover II, our 28' sailboat and have recently purchased a 34' sailboat which currently resides in Maryland. We'll be bringing her 'home' next May. She needs a lot of work, but we're looking forward to our new 'summer cottage.'

Here's the link to another review of Shadows at the Window. It was reviewed at Fresh Fiction.

We are down visiting my mother and looking at sailboats. We may have bought one. Pictures will follow.

Who’s Lilly Johnson, you may ask? She’s the main character in SHADOWS AT THE WINDOW, my July suspense which will be on bookstore shelves for ONLY two more weeks!

I also recently learned that my novel, Black Ice is a finalist for the Book of the Year Award sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

I’m surrounded by boxes as I write this. Last week my husband and I moved from the home we’ve lived in for thirteen years into a brand new and very lovely townhouse/condo about two blocks away. So, we are tired, but pleased!

We are now in Jasper visiting our beautiful four year old granddaughter. The weather has been beautiful and we’ve been mountain biking on the many trails around here and visiting.

A week ago Rik and I left Fredericton and flew out west to the southern Okanagan to visit Rik’s sister and her husband. We’ve been having a splendidly relaxing time driving around and sightseeing. They happen to live in Oliver, BC which is called the Wine Capital of Canada, so of course, visits to vineyards and wine tastings are very much in order!

It's very warm here, a desert climate, and so much different than what we’re used to back home in the maritimes.

In one month SHADOWS AT THE WINDOW, second in my romantic suspense ‘Shadows’ series will be in bookstores everywhere, and to honor, that I am giving away a signed copy to two people who can successfully answer a skill-testing question.

In SHADOWS AT THE WINDOW, main character Lilly Johnson studies music in Boston. All you have to do is to come up with two places where one may study music in Boson (and yes you may Google), and get these answers to me at Linda@writerhall.com by July 1 and you’ll be entered in the draw. Just put the word CONTEST in the subject line of the email.

I’m part of a group called Loveinspiredauthors.com. We have a brand new, newly designed website with the blog (and so a place for your comments), a place where you can find out what books are coming next, a place where you can find out what’s out now, and most of all another CONTEST. In honor of the new design were giving away lots and lots of books. Be sure to visit the website and enter your name.

Tomorrow my husband and I are off to the west where will be visiting our four-year-old granddaughter (and her parents too, of course.)

Getting boxes of one's books is always exciting! And today I received two lovely boxes of my July release - Shadows At the Window. It's a gorgeous cover, and I'll be posting it on my website here soon. (But you can get a preview here.)

I'm enjoying my voice recognition software, but this computer needs a bit more RAM to be able to run a bunch of programs at once. My good husband ordered more ram, and it arrived by courier this afternoon. We were out, unfortunately, so we'll get it tomorrow. Then, all will be well.

My husband and I, like a lot of people in my community, spent a whole bunch of time today walking through the downtown core of my city which has been flooded like I’ve never seen it. Schools were shut down, along with most businesses in the downtown core. The only traffic were rubberneckers like us. We even found a parking place!

This morning the news was advising everyone to avoid the downtown core, but of course everyone went anyway armed with cameras and camera phones. We joined the many TV cameras and vans. This is something that only happens every 30 or 40 years, although with global warming this may be more frequent now. The last big flood here was 1973.

This past winter we had record snowfalls, and now it's melting.

Here are a few links with the rest of the story:

CBC, CTV

Tune in this Satuday, April 19 to Poe’s Deadly Daughters where an interview with moi will be posted.

Also, my publisher, Steeple Hill is doing great things on its website. There are community forums, a free book to read online, plus a lot of other things. Click here and then scroll down the side and click on ‘Read’ (for a new historical to read free online) and ‘Talk’ to get involved in the Steeple Hill forums. Great fun.

Yesterday my cast was removed and now I’m slowly trying to work those non-used muscles back into shape. I’m still struggling with a bit of pain. I thank so many of you who sent me emails and cards. I really appreciate your prayers.

It has been three weeks since I broke my arm. I would be lying if I told you it hadn't been frustrating and that I’ve been sailing along and happily learning the lessons God has for me.

It hasn't been that way. I've balked at every turn. I still don't have the strength in my right hand to hold a pen, and I'm one of those strange breed of writers who writes most of her manuscripts in long hand. My journals remain empty and I plunk this out slowly with my left hand.

In my more 'angry at God' moments I've screamed at him, "You had to take my right arm, didn't you? It couldn't have been my left, it had to be my right. After all I've been through, this is a low blow, this is really low."

I was telling my husband today that I feel like a bag of jangling bones - all broken up inside and I never know what part of me is going to hurt next.

But I will not always be like this. And on this Easter weekend that fact comes to me in crystal clarity. I think about the trinity in a dance of love, as C.S. Lewis describes it - from all eternity past; loving each other, praising each other, worshipping each other, giving glory to each other - Father, Son and Spirit.

Then, for one horrid moment on Good Friday all of that ended. The Father's love was removed from the Son. Jesus Christ endured shame, pain, and the horrifically total absence of every shred and semblance of love - so that I would never have to.

And even though it may feel as if I've been abandoned, broken and left, I have not been. Underneath it all I am held by the One whose body was broken so that mine someday will be whole. And I can trust Him, and so can you.

A week ago at this time I was sitting in the Emergency Room of the hospital waiting for my right arm to be casted. I fell on the ice and ended up breaking both of the bones in the lower right forearm.

I need to add that I’m right-handed. I’m very right-handed. I’m one of those people who can’t so much as pick up a toothbrush with her left hand. And so here I am without the use of it. I’ve put my mouse and mouse pad to the left of my computer keyboard. Go ahead. Try it. It’s unbelievably awkward.

It goes without saying that this has been a week of pain and frustration and questions. Someone asked me how I was managing and I answered that if they put themselves in my position and lost the use of their dominant hand, that’s how I feel.

Plus, I’m a writer. And I can’t so much as add a word to my grocery list. I also can’t blow dry my hair, so it’s flat on my head. I can’t floss my teeth or undo jar lids or file my nails.

I spent part of today sitting at my kitchen table writing out my ABC’s with my left hand. It was slow going and clumsy, and I felt like my 4 year old grandson – but his printing is better than mine.

But my condition is temporary. In six weeks or two months I’ll probably be pretty much back to normal.

There are plenty of people who won’t be – people who suffer strokes or do irreparable damage to their spinal cords. I think of Joni Eareckson Tada who had to train herself to hold her paintbrush between her teeth. Stroke victims must relearn the pathways and learn to use their non dominant hands for dominant activities.

A friend of mine just emailed me that there was a sign in her doctor’s office stating that the way to keep the brain from aging is to occasionally switch hands. So, I did a Google search. Click here to see what I found.

Who knows? Maybe when this whole thing is over I’ll keep my mouse pad on the left side. Meanwhile, I’ll keep you informed of my progress.

A few weeks ago my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. We stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King gave his memorable ‘I have a dream’ speech. We looked out over the reflecting pool – even though at this time of year it was only half filled with water. We walked and walked. We walked past the Korean war monument, and took a moment to talk with a mounted police officer who was patrolling the ground on his very large horse.

But I think the thing that moved me the most was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The names of the 58,000 men and women who died in Vietnam are inscribed on the wall. Along the wall volunteers with books and brochures stand ready to answer our questions.

The one we spoke with said that there were still more than 5,000 who are still missing in action. As the bodies of these soldiers are uncovered and identified now that relationships with Vietnam are what they call ‘normalized,’ the symbol beside these names are changed on the memorial.

I stood there, silently, crying. It was like prayer. 58,000 young men and women dead.

Since we're still at the beginning stages of 2008, I thought I would share with you a neat Bible resrouce. A resolution of many of us is to read through the Bible in a year. I have done this in the past, always charting my progress in my Bible on sheets of paper that get lost along with last week's bulletin.

When I finish reading my passage for the day, I update my progress in my online calendar. I get to choose from dozens of translations. This year I've decided to read through the Bible using The Message paraphrase.

Also, if I'm reading along and a particular verse jumps out at me, I can click on it, and look it up in many different translations (my own 'parallel' Bible). I can also read about the verse from a number of commentaries.

More later. I'm racing toward a deadline, and when that is over with I plan to write more about giving, living simply, missional living and who I'm reading these days.

But for now, it's back to the computer as I finish up Shadows on the River, the third in my Shadows trilogy for Steeple Hill.

Last year Marilyn Smith, Director of Justice Initiatives of our Baptist denomination spoke at our church. Smith said something that I cannot stop thinking about. She said that if the entire world were to live according to North American standards it would take six earths. Think about that – six planet earths to bring everyone in the world to the level that we take for granted here.

Please click here for more information about what my denomination is doing for world hunger.

I begin this year thinking about greed, and wondering if we have gotten this all wrong. In our Christian circles we have almost justified greed, made it holy, made it part of who we are. Do this good thing (whatever that is – giving money, giving time, praying more, etc.) and then God will ‘owe you.’ He’ll be forced to open up the 'Windows of Heaven' and shower you with cars and iPods and boats and shoes.

Our nation consumes most of the world’s resources, and so we call ourselves ‘blessed’ by God. God has ‘richly blessed’ us here in Canada, we say. And I’m just not so sure. Maybe this is really a curse, since it's so easy to turn things into idols.

Greed is such a subtle thing and it becomes so easy to justify. I deserve the best. I’m worth it. God thinks I’m worth it, too.

I don’t know how my husband and I are going to do it, but we’re determined to live a little differently this year.

As we begin a new year we want to live more simply, give more generously, and practice more hospitality. Here’s a link to the blog by that name sponsored by my denomination.

Another blog I would like to draw your attention to is one that just came to a writer’s group I belong to. It’s all about living simply and getting out of debt. Click here for a link to that one.

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; anpd when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48