January FREE Book Giveaway-Enter Now!

Want to win a free book? If so, please e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com or post a comment below and let me know your name and the book you are interested in. You may choose from the five books listed below. I will put the names into a bowl and randomly draw the names on Jan. 31 and post the winners on my site! I will also personally e-mail you if your name is selected as a winner. 

 

     THIS MONTH'S NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY TITLES ARE:

     

     -Faith Tango by Carolyn and Craig Williford (an excellent Christian marriage book)

     -God's Message for Each Day by Eugene Peterson (daily devotional)

     -Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Chuck Swindoll

     -Middle East Meltdown by John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs 

     -Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

    

Please help spread the word about my book drawing. For each person you refer to the site, you will receive one additional entry to the book drawing for the book of your choice. Thank you for visiting! Happy New Year from Leap of Faith!

Some Food for Thought

A man asked his rabbi: "Why does God write the law ON our hearts? Why not IN our hearts? It's the inside of my heart that needs God."

 

      The rabbi answered, "God never forces anything into a human heart. He writes the word on our hearts so that when our hearts break, God falls in."

 

      Christmas time is a meaningful, special, beautiful time for most of us. But many people in this world have broken hearts. A lot of men and women are grieving the loss of a beloved spouse, parent, family member, child, or friend. Many people are depressed, sad, lost, hopeless, and desperately in need of a Savior. Let's remember to "be Jesus with skin on" and reach out to the brokenhearted this holiday. Here are some practical suggestions:

 

      -Invite your neighbors over for dinner one night before Christmas.  

      -Say "Merry Christmas!" to every salesperson you meet.

      -Have an "old Christmas movie fest" with friends and family. Break out "White Christmas," "Miracle on 34th Street," "The Grinch," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer," and some other fun classics. Make popcorn and hot chocolate and stay up too late! 

      -Give to the Salvation Army and encourage one of those people standing out in the cold! 

      -Buy a gift or donate a new toy to a needy child.

      -Keep your eyes open for needs within your own family.

      -Offer to babysit for a friend so she can do some Christmas shopping.

      -Make a gift or bake cookies for a lonely person.  

      -Call someone you haven't talked to for a while.

      -Turn off the TV and computer and spend some quality time with your spouse.

      -Take your kids someplace just for fun.

      -Have a birthday party for Jesus and invite family members, friends, and neighbors.

      -Send a special holiday gift to a missionary or a person in ministry who lives on support.

      -Invite a college or seminary student to your home for the holidays. At Dallas Theological Seminary, I knew many international students who had nowhere to go for Christmas.

      -Tell your children the REAL reason for the season.

 

      What other suggestions do you have for helping those with broken hearts this Christmas?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I just love Christmas time! I love to walk up the stairs and open the door to the warm, inviting scent of cinnamon spice candles and homemade cookies. I love setting out the pieces of my nativity each year, placing the delicately carved figures of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on the mantel with the shepherds, wise men and angels gathered around, gazing in awe at the Savior lying in the manger. 

 

I also love hanging up our stockings and buying little surprises to put in my husband's stocking. I love making gifts and have made quite a few this year. (I won't ruin the surprise in case I made one for you!) Making gifts is so much more personal, fun and rewarding. I'm blessed to have had the time to do that this year. And I love all of the greenery and the lights, the shopping and the gifts. Although trying to wrap gifts has been a bit of challenge this year with my kitties trying to shred the paper and unroll miles of ribbon from their cardboard spools!

 

Truly, this IS the most wonderful time of the year. A time to remember Christ and his sacrifice, Christ and the amazing Incarnation that we can never fully explain.

 

It's also a time to remember those who do not know Christ. 

 

As you may know, I am writing a book called Generation Hex (co-authored with my brother-in-law, Dillon Burroughs) and the Lord has really given me a burden this year for the many millions of people in the world who do not know God and are seeking truth in the wrong places. My concern was heightened this year by the following two things:

 

1. First of all, Christmas is becoming more and more secularized. We're beginning to see an emphasis on Pagan traditions such as Yule, and books like Pagan Christmas on the shelves. I also noticed that the window of our local Sephora store has a huge photo of a goth-looking model wearing heavy purple eye makeup. The caption says, "The Brilliant Sorceress." What does that have to do with celebrating Christmas? Pagan ideas and references to witchcraft are starting to become so commonplace that we hardly even notice them anymore. But we need to be able to identify these elements and separate them from our celebration of Christ's birth.  

 

2. I've also noticed a sad trend this year of stores emphasizing what people are going to buy for THEMSELVES for Christmas. The window of one store (I think it was The Buckle) had a caption about "what I'm getting myself this year." And I have heard countless radio ads with the following basic message: "You've bought a ton of gifts for other people. But what are you getting for yourself this Christmas?"

 

Is that the message of Christmas? I find so much joy in focusing on the birth of the Christ Child. I also really like to spend time with family, and to make and buy gifts for my family and friends. The gifts don't have to be expensive. They don't have to be extravagant. My strategy is just to NOT wait until the last minute, and also to observe people carefully to see what they like.   

 

So what's your news this Christmas? Any comments on what I've shared? Have you seen or heard any ads that have concerned you?

 

How can we help keep Christ in Christmas?

Falling In...

"Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?...

 

For how long will you continue to listen to those dark shouters, caution and prudence?

 

Fall in! Fall in!"

                                 -From a poem by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver

Poetry Contest - Enter Today!

Hello! The Writer's Digest Annual Poetry Contest is accepting entries from now until December 20th. It's an excellent venue for you to enter your work! You can enter online or via snail mail. Check out the guidelines at the following link:

writersdigest.com/contests/?goto=closead

Enjoy!

Congrats to My WINNERS!!!!!

Well, folks, I apologize for being a day late and a dollar short posting this. SO sorry about that! I just returned from Indiana this week. I did hold my super-awesome November book drawing on the 30th, and here are the winners:

 

KAIREYEH won the book Beloved!

HEATHER G. won the book The Nanny Diaries!

ELIZABETH M. won the book The One-Year Mini!

JOHN R. won the book What's the Big Deal about Jesus?!

 

Congratulations to all of this month's winners! If you see your name on the list, please e-mail me your mailing address so that I can send you your book right away. Enjoy your free books and please tell your friends and family members about my FREE BOOK DRAWINGS! Thank you and blessings to you.

I'm Back!

I just returned Tuesday night from Indiana. I had a fantastic time at home with family and friends. God's faithfulness is so evident!

 

I want to remind you that TONIGHT is the BIG FREE BOOK drawing!!! It's not too late to put in your name and tell your friends about the four new books that I will be giving away tonight at the stroke of midnight! Don't miss out!

 

The FREE BOOKS for the month of November are:

 

Beloved by Toni Morrison

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

The One-Year Mini Devotional by Jennifer King

What's the Big Deal about Jesus? by John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs

 

Post here or e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com if you would like to win a FREE book! Just let me know your name and which book you are interested in. Thanks and blessings! Good luck!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Expressing thanks has become a lost art in our culture. As we launch into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I walk into stores and see rows of big-screen TVs for sale, while the nativity scenes get relegated to the bargain bin in back of the store.

 

Do I get caught up in the hustle and bustle? You bet. In fact, I already decorated our home for Christmas. My husband and I are preparing to go to Indiana for over a week for Thanksgiving, and I thought it would feel great to have the house clean and decorated for the holidays when we return. I have so many writing projects on my plate that I knew I had better decorate early this year so I can just focus on my writing when I return from Indiana.

 

And I recently began my Christmas shopping, too. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a "gifty" person. I absolutely love to give gifts! To me, gift-giving is a way for me to express things to a loved one that I might not express in words. In the past, I've often gone overboard with my gift spending. I'm trying not to do that this year. In fact, I'm planning to do MANY things differently this year.

 

The main goal of my plan this year is to SIMPLIFY THE SEASON by FOCUSING ON THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST.

 

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm called to reflect on all that I'm thankful for. I have so much: my salvation, God's Word, an incredible husband, godly parents who pray for me every day, a brother and three sisters that I adore, friends that bring joy to my life. Love. Joy. Health. Freedom. A career that I truly enjoy. A beautiful apartment home. Two dependable cars. Two cats and four sweet kittens to care for. What more could I ask?

 

Peaks and valleys mark the lives of us all - good times and rough times when we may question God's goodness and His plan. But ultimately, we praise Him not for what we have or even for what He does, but for WHO HE IS. As Job says in the Bible, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."   

 

So how does gratitude affect our holidays? In many ways. I'm seeking to simplify my life, spend less, and reflect more. Make more gifts and make them more personal. Spend less time shopping and more time telling my family and friends what they mean to me.

 

Recently, at Barnes & Noble, I read a book called Debt-Proof the Holidays: How to Have an All-Cash Christmas by Mary Hunt. The book describes ways to keep from going into debt during the hoidays. I highly recommend it! Catalin and I plan to follow this strategy this year so we can maximize the joy and minimize the stress and materialism that seem to sneak in when we least expect them.

 

What are your plans for celebrating the Thanksgiving and Christmas season? Do you have strategies for spending less that you'd like to share? How do you make your holidays special? Please share your own traditions here. Thank you!

Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn

Today, I'd like to recommend a great new medical thriller, Informed Consent, by Sandra Glahn. Sandi is a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and has served as one of my greatest encouragers and mentors. Her ability to engage the postmodern culture as well as her positive spirit, enthusiasm and intuitive writing suggestions have helped me to sharpen my writing and to progress from the status of "wanna-be writer" to a full-time author! Thanks, Sandi. 

      Sandi just released her fantastic new novel with Cook Communications. Check out the back cover blurb:  

      Jeremy Cramer, M.D., is the next Einstein of infectious disease research. While working on a way to revive water submersion victims, he makes a breakthrough discovery in AIDS research that thrusts him into the center of a media frenzy. But the publicity turns negative and his marriage reaches the breaking point when he accidentally infects a colleague and his negligence allows his son to contract a life-threatening disease. The viruses test the limits of his new formula and his ethics. In his frantic efforts to save his son and his marriage, he must decide whether to allow his child to die or violate the rights of a young transplant donor. The choice forces him to stand face-to-face with the unfathomable love required to sacrifice an only son. 



      Sounds fascinating, huh? Sandi has done years of research in the fields of bioethics, infertility, and medicine, as she and her husband struggled to conceive a child and went through many heartbreaking years of failed fertility treatments before adopting their beautiful daughter, Alexandra, ten years ago. Sandi infuses her writing with elements of her research and personal experience, using fascinating intrigue, plot twists and turns, complications, and great dialogue to create a book that you just can’t put down.      

      For more information on Sandi’s ministry or the book, please visit her website at aspire2.com. Read the book and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Questions to Ask before Entering an Intercultural Marriage

I’ve received several e-mails and encountered several friends lately who are considering entering intercultural marriage. They have questions like, Is this the right man/woman for me? How can I know what I’m getting myself into? What can I expect from intercultural marriage?
     
      Much of it depends on you, your background and beliefs as well as the other person's background and life experience. To help you make this vital decision, I’ll provide a few helpful questions that you can ask yourself before you take this wonderful “Leap of Faith”!  
     
      1. First of all, are you truly in love with him or her? Intercultural marriage does provide countless joys and benefits to your life. I can’t imagine life without my amazing husband, Catalin! But it can also be challenging at times. You need God’s hand in your life, plus a strong bond of love and commitment, to make it. Also, be sure that you are on the same page theologically. You may need to ask some tough questions about what your soon-to-be spouse believes on a wide variety of topics such as going to church, baptism, communion, salvation, etc. You might be surprised how much a person’s theology affects his or her practice. For example, his or her attitude toward child rearing, wearing makeup or jewelry, sickness and death, what he or she believes about birth control and a wide variety of other topics can be influenced by his or her spiritual and cultural beliefs.
     
      2. Talk to your beloved and come to a clear decision about where you are going to live, because you don’t want to have any surprises there, and where you live will have a profound impact on your life. Ask yourself whether you are willing - now or any time in the future - to leave your family and culture to live in your spouse’s home country or somewhere else. Also, do you want to raise your children in those environments? If not, you need to be sure that your spouse is fine - REALLY - with the idea of living in the States permanently. When my husband asked me to marry him, I thought I would be moving to Romania, and I was excited to do that because I loved the orphan ministry that we were working for. It ended up that he wanted to come to the States, though, to get an education and to work. Find out these things about your fiance, as well.    
       
      3. Have you been to visit the person and his/her family in their home environment? If not, definitely do this before you decide to get married. Go and see him/her interact in his or her home environment before you make the decision. He/she could act radically different or have different expectations for you in his/her home environment that he/she might not have in the States.
     
      4. Find out whether he/she plans to have his or her parents or siblings visit you (and stay in your home for long periods of time) or move in with you permanently at some point. This is very common among intercultural spouses, but it can cause stress, arguments, and marital strain for American spouses who aren’t used to living with other people or couples. If your beloved does plan to do this, you need to seriously consider whether or not you are okay with it! And if not, discuss your expectations and boundaries clearly with your spouse and stick to them. In May, my mother-in-law, Maria, came to the States for my husband’s graduation. She stayed for three weeks. We enjoyed her visit and it was good that we had set a specific time limit for her visit so that we were all on the same page. 
     
      5. Most important of all - PRAY. Pray for your beloved, pray for yourself and both of your families. Pray for wisdom about whether to “take the leap.” Gather a team of family and friends to pray for you! And definitely consider marriage counseling. Now would be a good time, even if you go by yourself for a few sessions to have the counselor or pastor help you decide whether or not you should marry him/her. Then I would go to counseling as a couple as much as possible, too. You most likely will need to go over the next few years as intercultural issues arise. It’s worth it to save your marriage!
     
      Let me know if this is helpful to you or if you have other specific questions/issues about intercultural marriage that you’d like me to address on Leap of Faith! Thank you.

NaNoWriMo!

NaNoWriMo!??? What could that be?

 

Actually, it stands for National Novel Writing Month. Yes, that's right - there is a group of us out there insane enough to actually try to write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. They do it every year! This is the first time for me to try it. I've got about 10,000 words so far, so I need to get cracking. My novel is currently called Sophia's Divine Summer. Stay tuned for more!

 

The amazing thing about doing NaNoWriMo is that you don't have time to edit yourself - you just WRITE. This has freed me to explore and just keep letting my thoughts and words flow onto the page without doing so much self-editing. It's such a rush when the Lord just puts the ideas there and I sit down and let it flow! I can't type fast enough!

 

I will keep you posted on the final result! For more info, see NaNoWriMo's website at nanowrimo.org. There's still time to sign up, and it's free! Even if you only get half of your novel written, that's a great start! And you can add me as a buddy. My login is leap_of_faith. Thanks!

 

Onward and upward!

You are the Champions, My Friends...

Happy November! I'm pleased to announce the winners of the super-awesome October book drawing! My husband kindly did the honors of selecting the names from the bowls last night.

 

The winner of the book Cold Mountain is TINA H. of Fort Worth!!!!

The winner of the book Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is COLLEEN S. of Frisco!  

And the winner of the book Why Johnny Can't Brand is T.J. W., also of Fort Worth!!!

 

Congratulations, friends! You will be receiving your books in the mail very soon! And now is the time to begin entering the drawing for November's books, which are:

 

Beloved
The Nanny Diaries
The One-Year Mini for Busy Women (autographed)
What's the Big Deal about Jesus? (autographed) 

Please just post a comment here or e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com if you are interested in winning one of November's books! Thank you.

Constructive Anger

Can anger actually be constructive? Yes, but it can be destructive, too, especially in a marriage relationship. Usually, our first response to a difficult or hurtful situation is our human response, and we must wait a moment until our godly response kicks in and we are able to take our thoughts and words captive. The best way to do this is to remind ourselves of what God's Word says about anger.

 

Is it okay to be angry? Sure; it's natural. But we must learn to express that anger in a way that is not sinful or harmful to those we love. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes:

 

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity."

 

Another of my favorite Scriptures on the topic of anger is James 1:19-20: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

 

Why should we control our anger? Because God does. He is gracious toward us when we make mistakes, and we should be gracious to others. Numbers 14:18 reminds us, "The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion."

 

Proverbs 22:24 says, "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered," and another verse in Proverbs (29:11) says, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

  

 

Author Gary Chapman, who wrote the #1 bestseller The Five Love Languages, recently released a new book titled Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Positive Way. On the Marriage Vine website, he shares these thoughts on anger:


 


     

       This week we have been talking about understanding and processing anger. Anger is always stimulated by an event. We don't sit down and say, "I think I will now experience anger." Anger is a response to some event in life that causes us irritation, frustration, pain, or other displeasure. He comes home late; she fails to record a check; he fails to take out the garbage.

       Thousands of events have the potential for stimulating anger. Once the event has happened, the emotions respond. Trying not to get angry is futile. Anger is your natural response when your sense of right is violated. Trying to control your anger is an absolute necessity. Uncontrolled anger makes things worse. Guided anger can make things better.

       "Honey, I love you very much. Would it be possible for you to call me the next time you are going to be late?" That is constructive action. If you say, "Don't expect me to be here the next time you get home late!" that only makes things worse. "Lord, help me to control my anger" is a good prayer.


 

What are your thoughts? How do you control anger and use it for positive purposes in your life and in your marriage?

Books-A-Million

A few readers have asked me, "Have you chosen the free books yet that you plan to give away in November?" Why, yes, I have!

 

Please keep in mind that you still have a few days left to enter and tell your friends about the drawing for OCTOBER'S FREE BOOKS, which are: 

 

COLD MOUNTAIN by Charles Frazier (paperback with gold seal)
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD by Rebecca Wells (paperback)
WHY JOHNNY CAN'T BRAND by Bill Schley (hardcover)

For the month of November, I have purchased FOUR exciting new books to feature in the giveaway. Two of them have already been autographed just for my readers by the authors! Keep in mind that even if you have already read some of these books, they make great gifts for friends and family members - and Christmas is coming right up! 

 

November's giveaway books are:

 

BELOVED by Toni Morrison (paperback with gold Nobel Prize seal) 

THE NANNY DIARIES by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (paperback)


THE ONE-YEAR MINI DEVOTIONAL FOR BUSY WOMEN by Jennifer King (autographed hardcover)


WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT JESUS? by John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs (autographed paperback)


For each person you refer to my site to enter the drawing, you will receive ONE (1) free entry to the drawing for the book of your choice. Just POST A COMMENT HERE or e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com and let me know which book(s) you are interested in, and I will put your name in the drawing. Thanks and blessings to you!

Our Marriage... Unplugged

Our household consists of my husband, myself, our six cats (!) and four computers.

 

Yes, that's right. Each of us has a laptop and a desktop computer. In the past, my husband has spent much more time on his computer and watching TV than I have. However, on September 24, I launched a bookselling business on Amazon. (My seller ID is marlaa - check it out! :))

I absolutely love selling books, and it allows me the opportunity to make a connection with thousands of people all over the world, but I do spend more time at the computer than I ever have before. In addition to that, I work full time as an author, so I spend the day working on books and any other writing or editing projects that I've accepted. 

 

Funny thing is, I'm such an active person! I love to be outside, enjoying the gorgeous Texas weather. Nothing thrills me more than taking a brisk walk or run through a nearby park with my husband and examining the display of vivid autumn hues on the trees. We also enjoy playing tennis and hiking. So always being "artificially connected" can pose a challenge to our spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.

 

To be honest, sometimes my computer feels like a ball and chain. In the evening, I often find myself typing on my computer and I will look over at my husband and he's doing the same thing, and I think, "This is crazy! What's happened?" We love each other so much, and we want to spend time together. Yet sometimes it seems that each of us is living in our own bubble in this virtual world. Sometimes I get the urge to just scrap all four computers and the TV and say, "Let's get REAL! Let's get UNPLUGGED!" We've been married for only five years, and we don't have children yet, so this time is so precious for us. I don't want us to look back over our lives and realize that we missed out on so much because we were watching movies or surfing the net.

 

All of you couples out there, can you relate? If so, how do you deal with the feeling of always being "plugged in" to the computer and tuned out to each other? Please share some of your some creative ideas about how we can reconnect with our spouses. Blessings!

The Wisdom of Chipotle (!)

Yesterday I read a fantastic quotation on (of all places) my to-go cup from Chipotle. Wes Jackson, a plant geneticist and former professor, said, "If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough."

 

So true! I thought of Jesus and how His ministry of offering salvation, healing and grace to people continues to spread and radically change the world, transforming people's hearts and lives even today, over two thousand years after He lived on earth. It's amazing! It reveals that His ministry was different from the norm, that His love for people and His charisma were so great that He irresistibly drew lost, hurting and sick people to Himself.

 

When we seek to fulfill our calling and accept the mission that God has laid out for us, we will realize that our work, too, should be sustainable and should continue far beyond the span of our lifetime. 

 

What are your thoughts? What is your life's work, and how are you seeking to make it continue for generations to come? Please post a comment here. Thank you!

Frisco Clothe-a-Child

I had the joy of participating in the Frisco Clothe-a-Child Drive yesterday at Kohl's department store. We volunteered to help families shop for new clothes and add up the totals for them. I arrived at the store early (5:45 a.m.), but the parking lot was already brimming with cars! The leaders of the drive said that some families had been waiting in line outside since 1:30 a.m. to be sure they didn't miss out on getting clothes for their children.

 

My new friend Cindy Keys and I partnered together with a sweet single mom and her three children to help them shop for clothes. The drive provided $100 worth of clothes to every child participating. Helping out with this event was particularly meaningful for me because it brought back memories of the lean times my own family experienced after my parents got divorced. At that time, so many kind people helped us, and I felt that this was an opportunity for me to give back.

 

I was amazed to see the THOUSANDS of volunteers who showed up to participate in the event! Kohl's boasted camera crews, live music, face painting, balloons - they really went all out. It was such a joy to see the kids' faces light up as they selected new school clothes for the fall and winter. For some of these kids, it was evident that it had been a long time since they had shopped for new clothes.  

 

I enjoyed shopping with "our family" so much. I'd really enjoy getting together with them on a regular basis. I gave the mom my card; I hope she will call me so that we can get together! Have a blessed Sunday.

Ah... October!

Falling leaves... Cozy sweaters... Football games... Bonfires... Homecoming... My best friend's birthday... Columbus Day... Oktoberfest... I just love October; don't you?

 

True, October in Dallas is not quite the same as it was in Indiana. Temperatures here soared to almost 100 degrees yesterday, so that meant no sweaters and definitely no bonfires to speak of! The Cowboys did win last night in an amazing upset over the Buffalo Bills, so at least we had the football thing going on. Though I have to admit that I'm still a Colts fan... Go Super Bowl champs!

 

Here at Leap of Faith, we're making October FREE BOOK MONTH. Please e-mail me a quick note at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com if you'd like to be in a drawing for one of the following three books: 

 

Cold Mountain
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Why Johnny Can't Brand

 

Next month, I will host a giveaway of at least TWO NEW CHRISTIAN BOOKS. Please sign up and tell a friend! If you want to be entered to win a book, let me know by POSTING A COMMENT HERE or E-MAILING ME AT marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. Thank you and have a blessed October!

More FREE Books!

Let's spice things up a bit in celebration of Rock-tober! I've decided to offer a total of THREE FREE, BRAND NEW BOOKS to my readers during the month of October. For each person that you refer to my site to enter the contest, you will receive ONE ADDITIONAL ENTRY to the book prize drawing of your choice.

 

This month, I'm offering a selection of books so that everyone reading this should find at least ONE BOOK that they would love to have. Here are the available books:

 

COLD MOUNTAIN by Charles Frazier - This is probably the most extraordinary first novel I've ever read. A #1 national bestseller, it was also a National Book Award winner. It has a gorgeous cover with a gold seal on the front. FUN FACT: The movie Cold Mountain was filmed in Romania, the homeland of my amazing husband, Catalin.   

 

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD - What a fun book! Hilarious and touching, it will make you laugh and cry - sometimes in the same paragraph! The dialogue is extraordinary. Every writer has much to learn from Rebecca Wells!

 

WHY JOHNNY CAN'T BRAND - One of the best new books on branding available, this is a must-read for any author or businessperson. It's written in a clear and easy-to-understand format and gives you tips to help you select a powerful brand and tagline. I bought a copy for myself and learned so much that I thought I would share the wealth! (For more info on this book, please scroll down to my October 3 post.)

 

HOW TO ENTER: If you would like to be entered in the contest to win any of the above books, please post a comment here or e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com with your name, address, and the book you are interested in! The drawing will be held on October 31. Please send your friends and family members my way. Thank you and I look forward to awarding a book to you very soon!

Your Book Party!

I read a great article today on the We CAN Promote Our Books! site from an interview with author Maureen Lang. Here are some tips she shared about hosting book launch parties:

 

It's great to see such enthusiasm for book launch parties - they ARE fun! But I do have a couple of things for you to consider. First, consider your location. If you hold yours at a local bookstore, it could be beneficial for you and the store. They can help with advertising, they'll take care of ordering your books, and their store will be the party location so you won't have to a) clean your house ;-) or b) pay a room rental fee either at a hotel for a hostess room or a local civic center, park district or other public facility.

 

The problem might be finding a book store willing to host your book launch, unless you want it to be a standard book signing - or you provide the food or pay for them to provide refreshments. (They may not let you bring in food from an outside source, even if you offer to bake/cook it yourself. Many places, including hotels, won't let people bring in food for fear of litigation if someone gets sick).

 

If you do choose to host your party privately and you sell your books at a profit, you're subject to paying income tax. States vary as to the rules about this, so check with a local accountant.

 

The general public needs a reason to come. You might consider a gift raffle - perhaps a basket of goodies that relate to your book, along with a free copy of your book. The downside to offering a free copy of your book is that many people will only sign up for the possibility of winning a free book and not BUY one. If you can come up with an appropriately related give-away that doesn't include your book, all the better.

 

Get free advertisement in your local paper by having a local interest story. Contact an Entertainment or Local People-You-Should-Know reporter who can do a story about you, the local resident who has a book coming out. Make sure it's coordinated as close to your party as possible, so people won't forget about it.

 

Depending on the time of day, you might call a nearby restaurant and ask them if they would give a 15% discount on a meal - brunch, lunch, or dinner to anyone who comes to their restaurant that day and brings in one of your fliers or invitations (or books!). If your location is somewhat remote, or if it's in a Mall and there is a popular restaurant willing to do this, it'll give people two reasons to leave their house and come to your party that day.

 

Invite anyone who has a natural interest in your book. This includes library patrons, local writer's groups, book clubs and any group that might have a special connection to the subject of your novel. In my case, my book The Oak Leaves revolves around a family learning their child has a disability, so I invited all of the therapy groups, special ed school staffs, drs., etc.

Keep in mind that the percentage of people who respond to cold-invites (i.e. people who don't already have a connection to you) is very small. You can leave fliers at your local library to invite people, hang a poster (you can have one made for a couple of bucks at Office Max) at your local grocery store, put in a paid advertisement in a local paper, but the percentage of those who respond to this sort of advertising is small. Which means the majority of people who attend will have a connection to you - yep, friends, family, business acquaintances, neighbors, etc. For them, you might consider a personal invitation, either handmade and fancy or at least personalized in some way so they know how important this event is to you.

 

A few days before your book launch, call people to remind them to come. You might ask a friend to do this for you, someone who is excited about your book and the party. Not a lot of people get to come to book launches in their lives - and enthusiasm is contagious, so make the most of that. My friend Julie Dearyan suggested this to me, and I thought it was a GREAT idea!

 

If you decide to host the party yourself in some public place (I rented my local Civic Center), make sure you have enough food and beverages. I kept things simple and held mine on a Sunday afternoon and offered only coffee, tea (hot and iced) and a wide variety of home made cookies. I based how many cookies I made (and my sisters contributed) by how many cookies I WOULD EAT - which was of course way too many. Most people are more polite about cookie eating, at least in public, than I am, so I had lots of leftovers. But no one around here complained. My publisher (Tyndale) is local to me so I brought most of my leftovers there.

 

Most of all, enjoy the process. Enjoy making and distributing the invitations, planning your menu, working with the people who will help you. No matter how many books you sell, if you have fun with your book launch party, it'll be a success.

 

I hope this article was helpful to you! If you have other tips, please post a comment below. Thank you!

FREE Books!

Hello, friends. I am going to start hosting fun book giveaways on my site! Please send your family, friends, colleagues, and writerly pals my way! I would really appreciate it. This month, I am giving away a fantastic NEW bestselling marketing book called WHY JOHNNY CAN'T BRAND. If you want to be in the running to win the book, please post a comment below or e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com and say, "Add my name to the drawing!"

 

We've been talking a lot about branding lately, so let's take a short branding quiz. Check out the following three phrases. Can you tell what product/brand they fit?  

     Just do it.
     Ain't nothin' like the real thing.
     _____ can save you 15% or more on your car insurance.  

 

The first tagline is, of course, Nike's. The second is for Coca-Cola Classic (which, by the way, is the WORLD'S most-recognized product). The third is GEICO's tagline. Can't you just picture the funny little British-speaking gecko mouthing off about something? :)

 

There's so much buzz now about branding, but what exactly IS it? How does it tie in with our mission and purpose as Christians? How do we choose a brand and tagline that fit us and our business perfectly and also succintly communicate the core of our calling?

 

In order to help you answer these questions, I am going to make available this amazing book called WHY JOHNNY CAN'T BRAND. It changed my perspective on branding by offering a variety of fantastic business tips on how to combine your NAME with your DOMINANT SELLING IDEA (the dominant focus of your personal ministry/writing career). According to the book, your dominant idea and tagline must be:

 

      1. Superlative

      2. Important

      3. Believable

      4. Memorable

      5. Tangible 

   

The book analyzes each of these points in detail and helps you choose a brand and tagline that fulfills them. Whether you are an author, a businessperson, or a professional in any other field, this book will be invaluable to you! 

 

If you are interested in winning the book, please post a comment here explaining why you should be the one to get the book! You can be straightforward or creative - write a funny post, a limerick, a poem, whatever. I will put all the entries into a bowl and choose one at random to win the book. I will contact the winner! I will accept entries throughout the month of October and will draw the name on Halloween. Thank you! Blessings on your branding success!

ACFW Conference in Dallas

Several of my author friends recently attended the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas. I stopped by at the book signing on Saturday to chat with some of the authors and to support my friends who were there. It was a blessing to visit with Mary DeMuth, Sandi Glahn, Randy Ingermanson, Susan Meissner, Camy Tang, and others. The conference was a phenomenal success! I definitely plan to attend next year.

 

Agent Chip MacGregor shares some of the highlights of the conference on his site on his blog. Read his post "The Best Conference Ever" at chipmacgregor.com. Chip also explains what he, as a literary agent, looks for when reviewing a manuscript. Here are some of his useful comments:

 

"As I've said before, every book should have great writing expressing a great idea, and be supported by a great platform. But on that first page, I'm not looking for platform yet. I may not even be looking at the quality of the idea. On the first page I am looking for great writing. Does the author know his or her voice? Do they have something to say? Is it interesting? Does it sound natural? Is it larded up with adjectives and adverbs? Does the author speak directly? Do I get a strong image? Is the presentation strong? Above all, do I want to continue reading past the first page? Those are the questions rattling around in my head at the start of a submission review."

 

Great points! Do any of you readers out there have other suggestions for budding writers? If so, please share your comments here. Thanks!

More on Brands

I've been reading a lot about branding lately and am finding it quite intriguing. I discovered some great writers' brands/taglines and thought I would share them to help us get our "creative juices" flowing.

 

I met yesterday with "Mad Genius Writer" Randy Ingermanson. He's such a gifted, humble, kind person who really has a heart to help young writers achieve success. He told me that he's been working on branding himself for many years, and this is the brand/tagline he has chosen: "THINK FAITH." Don't you love it?

 

Author friend Mary DeMuth has chosen the tagline "Turning Trials into Triumph." I love that, too. It defines Mary's personal story and her writing ministry so well.

 

I've been thinking about what characterizes my ministry. Faith is vital, as it's part of my ministry title: Leap of Faith. Part of my passion is to help people break out of ruts and follow their dreams. For so much of my life, I lived in fear, afraid to take risks. But now that I am doing what I love, I feel so much more fulfilled. 

 

Maybe "Risky Faith"? Or "Faith Makes It Possible"? Or "Making Space for Grace"? Let me know your thoughts.

 

Camy Tang, whom I just met last night for the first time, has been hugely successful with her line of Asian-inspired Christian chick lit. Her tagline for her new book, Sushi for One?, is "Romance with a Touch of Wasabi." Very fun! Cami won the Genesis Award for a new writer at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. Congrats!

 

Camy features lots of great writing tips and exciting giveaways on her blog, including new books and iPods. Check out her website at camys-loft.blogspot.com. Blessings!

Finding Your Brand

"Branding" seems to be a popular catchphrase among 21st-century authors. The term tends to make me feel like a box of Milk Duds; stick me in a box with a gaudy label, stash me on a shelf, and hope someone buys me!

 

But branding represents a vital part of marketing. As Christian authors, each of us has been granted an individual message to communicate to the world. If God has given you a message, shouldn't you communicate it as clearly as possible? Shouldn't you focus on getting your message out to the maximum number of people in your target audience? That's what branding is all about: helping people "get a handle" on your message and your ministry.  

 

I'm still working on developing my brand and my tagline. It's amazing how your concept of your ministry, your writing and your brand can morph over time. One of my "branding struggles" has been to find a brand that encompasses all of my books and my ministry interests without sounding too vague. I had chosen the tagline "Redemptive Writing and Speaking," but that's probably not focused enough. So I'm still searching for the perfect brand.  

 

Author and writing mentor Mary DeMuth has written one of the best articles I've read on branding. If you need help choosing a powerful brand, please read Mary's article by clicking the link below:  

canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/2007/09/how-i-found-my-.html

 

I've love to hear your own brands and how you came up with them! Please post a comment here. Thanks!

Great Quote

J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, wrote, "The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he hoped to make it."

                             

I just read this quote in a curriculum I am editing and found it poignant and apropos for this time of my life. What are your thoughts, fellow writers?

A Friendly Push: Get Your Work Out There!

Consistency is one of the keys to great writing. I have been helping a friend with the business of submitting his poetry and nonfiction to writing contests. I recommended that he schedule one hour of time per week to send out a poetry or prose entry. That’s a manageable goal, and if you do this EVERY WEEK, you will definitely get results.  



       Here are the addresses for several Christian literary journals that are currently accepting submissions: 

  

       1. Three One Six, P.O. Box 79, Westville, NJ 08093 or submissions@the316journal.com      

       2. IMAGE, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119 

       3. Rock & Sling, P.O. BOx 30865, Spokane, WA 99223 

      

      One of the best poetry books out there is the 2007 Poet’s Market. Another resource that I use is Poets & Writers magazine. The new issue just came out, and it contains some great lists of new literary journals and magazines that are currently accepting submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and artwork. Definitely check it out!                              

      Also, for any poet seeking to improve his or her work, I must recommend the fantastic book The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo. It will free you to move outside your boundaries and create work you never thought possible.                              

      Calling All Poets Under 40: Now is the time to start working on your poems to submit to the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg competition by Nov. 6, 2007. Check out their website at dorothyprizes.org to read the submission guidelines and also to see what types of poems won last year. This will be useful for you as you craft your work. Onward and upward!

Digging Deep Foundations

Hello, friends! I was so impressed by author Mary DeMuth's last e-zine, titled "Writing: Dig Deep Foundations Today." Mary offers some excellent advice for authors and also touched on some vital issues -  many of the same issues that I have been dealing with in my own writing life.

 

I have learned so much from reading Mary's book Authentic Parenting. It's excellent! I plan to apply many of her principles when I become a parent. I discovered when I taught 8th grade English last year that today's kids and the school environment are radically different than they were when I was in school. It was quite a rude awakening! :) But I loved my kids, of course, and I also coached girls' volleyball, which was really fun.

 

I also think what Mary said about celebrating accompishments and milestones is really important. I had always thought I would be on cloud nine and celebrate for weeks after I had signed my first major book contract. I WAS absolutely thrilled, no doubt! My husband and I praised the Lord for His goodness. However, then I had to move onto the next thing. I think a lot of writers find themselves in a constant search for the BBD... (the bigger, better deal). Instead of doing that, we need to take time to celebrate each door that God opens.

 

When you have a number of writing and editing projects on the table at any given time, it can be difficult to focus on celebrating the positives of each one, because you also experience struggles with some of them. Oh, the ups and downs of the writing life! I see why God made me such an "even keeled" person. I think being positive, maintaining a sense of humor and clinging to the ability to see the glass as half full are absolutely crucial to our success as writers. First and foremost, we must trust the knowledge that God has given us a unique message (and, hopefully, at least a smidgen of giftedness at writing) that He wants us to offer the world. I might be tempted at times to give up on MY message, but I will never give up on HIS message.

 

If you would like to sign up for Mary's e-zine mailing list, click on the following link and enter your e-mail address: visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101740695204. Enjoy!

Marketers R Us

Yes, that's right; if you're a writer, you're also a marketer. I read a great marketing article this morning on the We CAN Promote Our Books! Web site. It's called "The Power of Gimmicks." While I'm not crazy about the word "gimmicks," tying gifts and small products to your book is always a wise idea. The point is to choose an item that is both useful and desirable to the reader and that also is closely related to the book's theme, message and/or design.  

 

At the International Christian Retail Show this year, I saw several excellent examples of marketing at work. One was a group of darling Amish children passing out flyers and postcards to advertise Wanda Brunstetter's novels. They also helped advertise the free showing of the movie "The Redemption of Sarah Cain." Another favorite was a group of people dressed as football players gathered around the entrances and exits of the escalators, passing out packages of Kleenex wrapped with information advertising Karen Kingsbury's new novel Between Sundays.

 

For more fun ideas for giveaways you can relate to your books, check out Gail Gaymer Martin's helpful article at canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/2007/08/the-power-of-gi.html.

 

Also, please let me know your own ideas for marketing the books you're working on! Thanks!

Need a Creative Boost?

Recently, a friend who works as an acquisitions editor for a Christian publishing house recommended that I read Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way. I've been so moved and challenged by Cameron's insights and by her perspective on the importance of creativity in every arena of our lives, including the spiritual arena. I highly recommend her book!

 

I've been gathering and reading books that focus on the relationship between creativity, theology and Christian spirituality to help me as I write my new devotional, flow. Here are some of the best I've found:

 

-The Artist's Way and The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart by Julia Cameron

-A Room Called Remember by Frederick Buechner

-Creativity: When the Divine and the Human Meet by Matthew Fox

-The Reflective Life by Ken Gire  

-Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

-Writing for the Soul by Jerry B. Jenkins 

-Bird by Bird; Traveling Mercies; Plan B; and Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott

-Writing to Change the World by Mary Pipher

-Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle (recommended by my author friend Jennifer Lyn King)

 

Please make it a goal to read at least one of these during the month of September. I promise that you'll be highly motivated in your creative endeavors and rejuvenated in your faith as a result!

Authentic Parenting: Relevant Hope for Parents

I returned yesterday from a relaxing, enjoyable trip home. I drove to Indiana and spent over a week with family and friends.

 

During that time, I spoke with several teens and young adults who are struggling with tough issues: sexual immorality, the struggle to recover from painful and unexpected divorces, one young man's bitterness and anger over the death of a parent, and the hurts a college-age girl has experienced from rumors within the church. All of these young people have amazing parents who truly love their kids and love the Lord with all their hearts. So what has gone wrong?  

 

The fact is that most Christian parents desperately want to be godly, loving leaders and mentors to their children. And their kids want to serve God and experience His blessings and favor in their lives. But there's a disconnect. Why are so many teens getting bogged down in sin and shame? Why are parents not able to connect with their struggling kids?

 

Part of the problem is the difference in the modern generation (including the Builders and the Baby Boomers) and the postmodern generation (including Generation X and the Mosaics, or Generation Y). The values, belief systems, and technological advances available to today's youth make this a vastly different culture from that of the Builders and Boomers. 

 

If you're a parent seeking wisdom for parenting in this postmodern era, look no further than Mary DeMuth's excellent book Authentic Parenting. Mary offers a simple, easy-to-understand guide to postmodern culture. She does an excellent job of demystifying what's going on in your child's mind and explains how to engage your child or teen in meaningful conversation rather than alienating them by just giving orders. This book will help you understand not just the postmodern culture but the modern culture and the differences in values and attitudes between the two. Authentic Parenting will equip you to build a solid relationship with your kids by being authentic and loving, yet firm, and by capitalizing on "teachable moments" to illustrate biblical principles.

 

To order an autographed copy of Mary's excellent book, click on this link: relevantblog.blogspot.com. It will radically shift your understanding of what your kids want and need from you as a parent - and of what God requires of you as a communicator of His truth to the next generation.

Funds for Writers

Hi, friends! To find some ways to supplement my income and attain my writing goals, I recently began researching writing grants, research grants, and other sources of funds for writers. I will list some of these opportunities below. I hope they will be useful to you!  
 
1. Sign up for the free Funds for Writers e-zine at fundsforwriters.com. Funds for Writers offers writing tips, lists of upcoming contests and grant deadlines, writing positions available across the country, and more.  

 

2. The Elizabeth George Foundation offers grants to unpublished fiction writers, published or unpublished poets, emerging playwrights, and organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth. Elizabeth George is a fiction/mystery writer (see elizabethgeorgeonline.com). The application deadline for the first stage of the grant is June 15, 2008. 

  

To request guidelines, write to: Elizabeth George, Elizabeth George Foundation, P.O. Box 1429, Langley, WA 98260. 
 
3. The Puffin Foundation offers grants to emerging writers and artists in the fields of art, music, theater, dance, photography and literature. You may request an application beginning on September 1, 2007. The foundation will accept completed applications and proposals from October 1, 2007, to December 30, 2007, postmarked midnight.  
 
To receive an application packet, write to: Puffin Foundation, Ltd., 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, NJ 07666-4111.
 
4. The National Endowment for the Arts offers annual $25,000 Creative Writing Fellowships. The fellowships alternate between prose and poetry. The website is arts.endow.gov/grants/apply/Lit/How-G.g.html. Applications will be accepted online beginning on January 1, 2008, for the 2009 Poetry Fellowships. Applications will not be available until January 1, 2008, for the March 1, 2008, deadline. (You may need to wait to apply until the new funding number for 2009 is available.)
 
To contact the NEA by mail, write to: National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20506-0001.
 
Please help spread the word about these excellent sources of funding for writers! Let me know if you know of other useful grants or fellowships for writers. Thank you!

Life Lessons from Mom

Today's my mom's birthday, so I thought I'd share a few of the life lessons I've learned from her. 

 

I remember my mom telling me that Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of legendary pastor Billy Graham, always keeps an open Bible in her house. My mom began to do the same, and once I began following her example, I realized how much easier it is for me to skim a chapter or two when I have an extra few minutes or pick up the Bible and look up a certain meaningful passage or phrase. It really helps me to stay in the Word more regularly. Try it!

 

My mom has always been a miracle worker with money. Although my parents have never been wealthy, they have always found a way to give generously and manage their finances wisely. I respect that about them.

 

My mom is a fantastic cook. She taught me to cook early on, and I appreciate that so much! My love of cooking has served me well. Who would have known that I would marry a young man from Europe???? :) God did. You gotta know how to make bread and other treats if you marry a European.

 

My mother is also the greatest prayer warrior I know. When she prays, things happen. She wakes up before sunrise every day and prays through notebooks and journals full of prayer requests. (Yes, I did say BOOKS.) She is so faithful.

 

When my mom prays for rain, you take an umbrella with you. That's the kind of prayer I mean.    

 

Most of all, my mom has a solid, yet childlike faith in God. She truly believes His Word and fully trusts that He will keep His promises. She believes the best about people, and has taught her children to do the same. God and His Word are more real to her than anything else.  

 

Thanks, Mom! You and your awesome legacy of faith are such a blessing to me.  

 

Friends, what do you appreciate most about your mom? Please leave a comment here.

The Simple Life

A God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

           -Proverbs 11:28, The Message

 

What does it mean to live a God-shaped life? I believe that simplifying our lives and prioritizing the Lord's purposes are vital. I recently attended a Summer Writing Seminar and had the privilege of meeting "The Organizing Pro," Marcia Ramsland. Marcia wrote the bestselling books Simplify Your Life, Simplify Your Time and Simplify Your Space. She's also a "marketing maven" and shared some great principles for book marketing. Some of her recommendations include:

 

-Read The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and How to Build an Empire Around Your Book by Tom Antion.

-Begin immediately to compile an e-mail list of your contacts.

-Start writing and sending out a monthly e-zine. You may use one of the following services to help you send it out and keep track of your readers' contact information:

 

     organizingpro/kickstartcart.htm
     constantcontact.com
     greatinternetmarketing.com

 

You may also sign up for FREE organizing tips on Marcia's website at organizingpro.com.  

 

     Simplifying our lives can be so refreshing! In his bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life, pastor Rick Warren writes: "Nothing matters more than knowing God's purposes for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing them - not success, wealth, fame or pleasure...

     You have just enough time to do God's will. If you can't get it all done, it means you're trying to do more than God intended for you to do (or possibly, that you're watching too much television). Purpose-driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule.    

     You become effective by being selective."

 

How is God refining you today, helping you become more purposeful and selective in your daily work?

FLOW Devo for Creative Christians

Wow! Speaking of "going with the flow," God has been faithful to do more with this project than I ever could have asked or imagined! Here's a list of just some of the people who have already written guest devos or have committed to contributing:  

 

Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the Left Behind series, Writing for the Soul, and other books
Sandra Glahn, author, speaker and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary
Dillon Burroughs, musician and author of Middle East Meltdown and other books 
Anne Jackson, staff member of LakePointe Church, author of Mad Church Disease, and blogger extraordinaire  
Jeanne Damoff, author, dancer and choreographer
Jennifer Lyn King, author and photographer
Daryl Rodriguez, pastor, teacher, fine artist and musician
Colleen Rodriguez, fine artist, nurse and musician 
Dorothy Martin, pianist, writer and fantastic mom!
Tina Howard, writer and blog queen
T.J. Wilson, writer, blogger and Mount Hermon friend
Andrea McCarthy, writer
Alyssa Jurek, writer
Michelle Hurst, writer

 

Several others plan to send their devos within the next 2-3 weeks. If you would like to contribute to this exciting creative project, please send your 1- to 2-page creative devo to me via e-mail at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. (If possible, please use either The Message or the NASB version of the Bible. Both may be accessed online at Bible Gateway -biblegateway.com.) More info is available below; simply scroll down to the bottom of this page, click the "Next Page" link, and the article "Go with the Flow" will appear. Thank you!

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

My best friend, Abbi, is quite the adventurer! She just climbed the 20,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro. Located in Tanzania, it's the tallest mountain in Africa and one of the most massive extinct volcanoes on earth. Amazing how our perspective on God, ourselves, others and this exquisite planet changes when we see the world from a different vantage point.

 

      I can't wait to get a photo of Abbi on the mountain! Makes me want to take a mission trip or an exotic vacation, too. (Not that climbing a mountain is much of a vacation!) If you've been on an exciting adventure lately and have some great photos to share, let me know at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. Thanks!

17 Simple Steps to Surviving a Writer's Conference

Friend and fellow author B.J. Hamrick has written a funny article on how to survive a writer's conference. Check it out on The Master's Artist by clicking this link:

tpr.typepad.com/themastersartist/2007/07/17-simple-steps.html

Enjoy!

FLOW Devo

Hello! I'd like to send out a hearty "Thank you" to those who have already contributed to my new devotional book, flow. If you would still like to contribute, please scroll down to the article "Go With the Flow," (posted on July 19), which contains guidelines for your submissions.

 

      NOTE: Please use The Message or the NASB (New American Standard Bible) for your Scripture verses if possible. You may easily access these versions online and do searches on Bible Gateway at biblegateway.com. I look forward to reading your inspired, creative musings! Thanks, friends! Blessings.

Free Books!

Hello! I would like to make available to you some FREE books. Each book contains over 200 pages of excellent health and lifestyle advice, as well as over 60 simple and delicious recipes. The books are an especially useful resource for caregivers, but are available to all of my wonderful readers!  

 

To receive a book, simply e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com or post a comment below. Please include the book title you have selected as well as your name and mailing address. I will send out your FREE book right away!

 

The available book titles are:

 

-The Recipe to Women's Health 

-The Recipe to Men's Health

-The Recipe to Healthy Weight

-The Recipe to Healthy Aging

-The Recipe to a Low-Allergen Life

-The Recipe to Pain Management

-The Recipe to Healthy Living with Diabetes

-The Recipe to Mental Health 

-The Recipe to Digestive Health

-Dr. Mollen's Anti-Aging Program (by Dr. Art Mollen, board-certified osteopathic physician and renowned health and fitness expert; Director of the Mollen Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona)

 

Enjoy your FREE book and please pass the word on to your friends! Thanks.

The Power of Gratitude

In her incredible book Radical Gratitude, Ellen Vaughn describes what it may have been like to be healed of leprosy:
      One day about two thousand years ago, Jesus was on the outskirts of a village… As he’s on the road, ten tattered lepers call to Him from afar. They dare not draw nearer.
      “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
      Jesus’ heart moves for them. He tells them to go show themselves to the local priest.
Off they go. Faltering but hopeful.
      And as they are going, the Scriptures say, they are healed.
      The ten stumble along the road, ragged robes flapping. Bystanders scurry away as they see the lepers coming.
      As the men hurry, the dirty rags fall from their faces. I can imagine what happened next.
      “Hiram!” shouts one. “Your nose!”
      “What do you mean, my nose?” says Hiram, bustling along.
      “You’ve got one!”
      “Aaugghghh!”
      Piling to a stop, slamming into one another like clowns at the circus, they stare at each other’s faces, mouths wide open. They unwind the rags from their hands, shouting because they have fingers again. They leap into the air; they land, sure-footed. They strip off their bonds and clap their arms around each others’ shoulders, laughing with joy. They can’t wait to find their families. They sprint toward town.

      But one whirls and turns in the other direction, back toward Jesus. He runs fast with his new feet. Weeping, he falls and kisses Jesus’ perfect ones.
      “Thank You!” he sobs. Thank you. Thank you.


      Ten were rescued, cleansed, given a brand-new beginning. Yet nine ran the wrong way. Only one ran for Home base, where Jesus was.
      Friends of our have a family mantra. “Be the one!” they tell their kids and each other. “Be the one who thanks Jesus. Let others go where they may. You be the one who is grateful.”
 

      Be the one!



      What are you grateful for today? Please post a comment here.

A Promise Kept

Today I read A Promise Kept, the remarkable true story of Robertson McQuilkin's journey as a husband and caregiver. He left his high-profile job (he served for 22 years as the president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary) and withdrew from public ministry in order to stay home and care for his wife, Muriel, who had Alzheimer's disease.

 

McQuilkin describes one particularly compelling incident that occurred during his caregiving years:

 

      Once our flight was delayed in Atlanta and we had to wait a couple of hours. Now that's a challenge. Every few minutes, the same questions, the same answers about what we're doing here, when are we going home? And every few minutes we'd take a fast-paced walk down the terminal in earnest search of - what? Muriel had always been a speed walker. I had to jog to keep up with her!

      An attractive women executive type sat across from us, working diligently at her computer. Once, when we returned from an excursion, she said something, without looking up from her papers. Since no one else was nearby I assumed she had spoken to me or at least mumbled in protest of our constant activity.

      "Pardon?" I asked.

      "Oh," she said, "I was just asking myself, 'Will I ever find a man to love me like that?'"

 

Robertson McQuilkin kept his promise to Muriel: to love her for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He cared for her for over twenty-five years until she passed away on September 20, 2003. His extraordinary testimony of faith has inspired millions of people to love their spouses extravagantly, kindly, selflessly, and compassionately. I pray that I would be able to do the same for my amazing husband.

 

Kindness is so important in any caregiving relationship, whether we are providing for a spouse, a parent, a child, or another loved one. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon exhorts us:

 

      Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

      Bind them around your neck,

      Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3) 

 

What do you think of McQuilkin's decision and his sacrifice? Please post a comment here.

The Grace of Catastrophe & The Catastrophe of Grace

I recently had the privilege of meeting Jan Winebrenner, who graciously gave me a copy of her book The Grace of Catastrophe. In addition to being an extraordinary woman and the author of seven books, Jan serves as the director of the Dallas Christian Writers’ Guild.

 

I love the title of Jan's book. I keep mulling over the paradox of it: the grace of catastrophe, and the catastrophe of grace.  



          





Through eyes of faith, we can see God’s grace at work even in our lives’ most excruciating catastrophes. And, by the same token, God’s grace - both to us and to others -  is a catastrophe, in the sense that its extravagance causes a crisis for us as human beings. In fact, this catastrophe is what causes so many to doubt God.



            





We Christians (and I’m preaching to the choir here!) say that we want grace, but what we really want, deep down, is justice. We want the so-called “good people” of the world to be rewarded and the “bad people” to be punished. When we see God’s grace poured out like streams of cool water to the deserving as well as the seemingly undeserving, many of us act like the miffed older brother of the prodigal son or the laborer who worked the entire day for a denarius and grew disenchanted when he saw another worker receive the same pay for one hour’s work. 

 





The catastrophe of grace is this: For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9













     





But the grace of catastrophe teaches us that God is greater than our circumstances. It demonstrates that through our weakness, He is strong. It affirms that we can consider it pure joy that we are facing trials of various kinds, knowing that this testing produces ENDURANCE and ENDURANCE leads to SPIRITUAL MATURITY (James 1:2-4).  

 

What are YOUR thoughts on grace? Please post a comment here.

The Golden Age

On January 1, 2011, the first of all the Baby Boomers will turn sixty-five. Before long, people who are sixty-five will be caring for parents who are eighty-five and grandparents who are 105.

 

Our parents’ golden years were meant to be just that: golden. This period of later life is not simply a "waiting station" between this world and the next. As children and caregivers, we can encourage our parents and grandparents to live with purpose, passion, and prayer. We can listen to their teaching and their wise advice. We can help them get outdoors more often, eat healthfully, interact with friends and family, tell their stories, record their memories, and create a powerful legacy to pass on to others. Most of all, we can communicate God's love through our own love and care for them.

 

If you're a hardworking caregiver who needs a dose of spiritual refreshment today, please take a few moments to meditate on this uplifting passage of Scripture:

 

      My son , do not forget my teaching,

      But let your heart keep my commandments;

      For length of days and years of life

      And peace they will add to you...

      Trust in the Lord with all your heart

      And do not lean on your own understanding.

      In all your ways acknowledge Him,

      And He will make your paths straight.

      Do not be wise in your own eyes;

      Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

      It will be healing to your body

      And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:1-2, 5-8)

 

For a list of excellent resources on caregiving, please click on the "Parenting Your Parents" link at the top of my front page. I'll include many more tips and resources for caregivers in the forthcoming book Parenting Your Parents with Grace: The Christian Caregiver's Compehensive Guidebook, coauthored with Darlene Ankerberg. More information will follow soon!

Go with the Flow...

I'm working on a book called flow that contains inspired devos for creative Christians. I'm excited about this project! God truly has opened the floodgates of blessing when it comes to this book.

 

I am currently accepting submissions of creative devotionals for possible inclusion in flow. If you would like to write a devotional for consideration, please let me know by e-mailing me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. You may send your devo to me as an e-mail attachment. I have eleven sample devos written and can send you those at your request. I'd like to receive your devo submissions by AUGUST 17, if possible. 

 

I've already received quite a few submissions, and they're amazing! I love seeing how the landscape of each person's spiritual walk combines with his or her life experiences and writing style to produce a completely unique, thought-provoking devotional.

 

Structure: Begin with a Bible verse or a creative quotation. Then expand on that in 3-4 paragraphs. You may also use a personal story or an illustration from a book in the body of the devo. (Please be sure to send me all bibliographical information from any books, websites, or other sources used.) Then, tie it all up with a compelling ending, which could include a powerful application point or quotation, a short writing exercise, or a thought-provoking question.    

 

If possible, please use the NASB (New American Standard Bible) or The Message. See biblegateway.com to access these versions online.  

  

Thanks, creative friends and colleagues! I look forward to reading your submissions. Blessings!

Pottermania Redux

I received an official invitation to the "Grand Hallows Ball" at Borders bookstore, which was held on Friday, July 20. The ball was a celebration of the midnight launch of the so-called "Biggest Book of All Time" (!) - the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series.  

 

I also noticed a sign yesterday at a different bookstore that asked, "Will you be with Harry in the end?"

 

Actually, my hope is to be with God in the end. How 'bout you?

Are You Sandwiched?

America boasts almost 80 million Baby Boomers, a group otherwise known as “the sandwich generation.” Rather than having the empty nests they expected, many of these adults have found that their responsibilities have doubled; they are still rearing their young adult children as well as caring for their parents.   

       



“Sandwich” caregiving presents a Herculean task for even the most loving son or daughter. Many caregivers agonize over such important questions as, “How will our marriage and family dynamics change if Mom moves in with us? Will we be able to support Dad financially and still pay our own bills? What about our kids? What about our jobs?” 



  





If you or someone you know is “sandwiched,” I‘d like to recommend an excellent resource for caregivers—a ministry called SomeOne Cares, which was founded by author and caregiver Carmen Leal. Carmen began this ministry after spending twelve years caring for her husband, who suffered from Huntington’s disease.













SomeOne Cares holds an annual conference hosted by LifeWay Christian Stores. This year’s conference features a variety of amazing speakers who are also caregiving experts, including Robertson McQuilkin, Cecil Murphey and Cheryl Kuba. The conference will be held from October 25-28, 2007, at the LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, North Carolina.    



     

The conference schedule is split into two parts. The first portion is a caregiver symposium that provides focused training for church, staff and lay leaders. The second portion of the conference is for Christian caregivers themselves. Because there are over 52 million caregivers in the U.S. today, wouldn’t it be an excellent idea to receive training on this topic for yourself and your church leaders?











Believe it or not, the cost for each portion of the conference is only $69 ($138 for the full weekend conference). I am planning to attend the full conference if possible. For more information or to register for the conference, please see someonecaresonline.com. Blessings!

Pottermania

Evidently, the fifth time is a charm. The fifth Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," released recently to huge audiences, conjuring up a total of $140 million during its opening weekend. The seventh and final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is set to be released on Saturday, July 21.

 

CNN.com asked readers and viewers to submit their comments and photos on the new movie and on the Harry Potter craze in general. Check out this comment from the article:

 

"Michelle Hillison of Cary, North Carolina, compares the books' current popularity to the timeless appeal of author Roald Dahl's classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She said she enjoys seeing her daughter interested in reading these books, adding that with all of the distractions available to today's kids, Harry Potter stands out from movies and other forms of entertainment they are exposed to. 'You just don't see a lot of dark mystery in movies these days,' Hillison said. 'It's all animated and chipper. It's all so sanitized. ... You don't inspire imagination if you lay everything down in front of kids.'"

 



As a child, I loved books like A Wrinkle in Time, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Little Princess, The Secret Garden, Oliver Twist, and the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery series. Yes, they were "magical," in a sense, but not in the same dark way that the Harry Potter books are.

 

Are “dark mystery," demonic power and the casting of spells what today's kids now need to inspire their imagination?

 

I'm also troubled by the article's mention of Harry Potter Easter baskets containing magic cloaks and "cockroach clusters," supposedly brought over from Merry Ol' England by the Easter Bunny himself.

 

What do you think about the whole Harry Potter gig? Is Harry Potter harmless for kids or not? Let me know your opinion by posting your comments here. Thanks!

 

My brother-in-law, Dillon Burroughs, also posted some comments on the CNN.com site. To view them, please click on this link and then check out “Sound Off" at the bottom of the page. Read the article!

Smart Marriages

Got a message yesterday from Deb Strubel, the Director of Foundation Relations for the Institute for American Values. She found out about Leap of Faith and wanted to recommend several sites for my readers. 

 

One is smartmarriages.com. This website contains a wide variety of excellent resources! SmartMarriages is dedicated to helping strengthen marriages of couples around the world. They also hold an annual conference. Check out their website for more info. 

 

Deb also recommended the following sites:

americanvalues.org

center.americanvalues.org - This site contains free family-oriented materials for download. 

familyscholars.org

betweentwoworlds.org - This site includes research by Elizabeth Marquardt on the negative effects of divorce on children's moral and spiritual development. She has published a book on the subject titled Between Two Worlds. Her findings are both fascinating and sad. I'm a child of divorce myself, and I still experience the painful aftereffects. Thankfully, God's grace is sufficient! One of His Hebrew names is Yahweh Rophe-"The Lord is My Healer."

 

I hope these resources are a help to you. Blessings!

This One Goes Out to The One I Love...

Great R.E.M. song. One of my favorites!

 

However, today's post is actually about us being "the ones God loves." About you being that person. About me being that person.

 

Author Philip Yancey writes: 

 

"I know how I respond to rejection letters from magazine editors and to critical letters from readers. I know how high my spirits soar when a larger-than-expected royalty check arrives, and how low they sink when the check is small. I know that my self-image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbors, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers...

 

If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, and apostle, and evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'  

 

What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as 'the one Jesus loves'? How differently would I view myself at the end of the day? How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"*

 

For many writers, artists, musicians and other creative types, life seems like a roller coaster. When others are applauding, publishing, reading, and admiring your work, you're on cloud nine. You feel encouraged, blessed, and happy. But when you receive a rejection or a project doesn't turn out the way you had hoped, you feel discouraged and may even question your giftedness and calling.    

 

Thankfully, God isn't a roller coaster God. He loves us because of who He is, no matter what we say or do. He doesn't love us more when we get the big book contract. He doesn't love us less when we read a negative review of our work in the paper.

 

It's time for us to get off the spiritual roller coaster and say, "I am the one Jesus loves."  

 

*From What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997, 68-69).

Create a Rejection-Proof Pitch!

I recently finished reading a fantastic writing resource called Making the Perfect Pitch, which features the collective wisdom of a plethora of well-known literary agents, editors, and publishers. The chapters on "pitchcraft" and "nichecraft" are particularly insightful. Editor Katharine Sands writes, "Your pitch is the passport that you carry into the literary marketplace... It's the pitch and nothing but the pitch that gets an agent's attention."

 

One agent, Sarah Jane Freymann, offers writers these excellent tips:

 

1. Write, don't call. Pitch your work by way of a query letter.

 

2. Do your research first. Read Literary Marketplace or Jeff Herman's Guide to Literary Agents to see which categories each agent represents before you query an agent. Some accept only certain genres of fiction; others accept only nonfiction.

 

3. Don't use gimmicks. This would include sending ostrich feathers, scented candles, cute stationery, snake oil, magic wands, cat pawprints, dried flowers, family photographs, potpourri, or artisanal cheeses.

 

4. Be confident and personable, but not boastful. Make your query powerful, and the agent will ask for your manuscript; then, let him or her tell you how wonderful your book is.

 

5. Seek a powerful one-liner that encapsulates your idea. These can be especially evocative for a work of fiction. Let your imagination run wild.

 

6. Be authentic. Authenticity is the assurance and dgnity that comes from being genuinely knowledgeable and truly intimate with the subject you are writing about.

 

7. Be honest. (However, if your book has been rejected by other agents, you don't have to mention this.) Be professional and positive with each new agent that you address.

 

Fellow writers, I hope these tips will be as helpful to you as they were to me. (I promise they'll work better than snake oil, a magic wand and artisanal cheeses!)

Authentic Parenting Blog Tour

It's here, folks! Mary DeMuth's long-awaited book Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture has just been released by Harvest House Publishers. 

 

All of you parents out there will definitely want to snap up this insightful book to help you in your quest to raise godly kids in a culture that's decidedly "ungodly." Mary approaches the topic as a hardworking author-mom who was not raised in a Christian family. She's honest, funny, spiritually grounded and authentic in her approach as she explains how she and her husband, Patrick, have struggled to raise kids that know and love God. 

 

This excellent book is only $13; pick up one for yourself and a few as gifts for friends and family. On Mary's website, relevantblog.blogspot.com, you can order the books and have them personally autographed by Mary at no extra charge!

 

I'm thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for this book. My week for posting further info, reviews, detailed info on the book, and interviews with Mary will be August 18-25. Please stay tuned! Thank you for your support, and enjoy the book.

Mad Church Disease

One of my best-loved "blog friends" is Anne Jackson. Even though I've yet to meet Anne in person, I'm always moved by her authentic, funny, compelling writing. Her blog, flowerdust.net, is one of my absolute favorites. And she posts every day - what an inspiration!

 

Now, Anne is launching a blog tour for her new book Mad Church Disease: The Church-Wide Burnout Epidemic. As a staff member of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Anne understands that the hard work, responsibilities, and disappointments of ministry (combined with the sometimes-impossible expectations of others) can cause severe spiritual disillusionment and burnout among Christian ministry workers. In her book, Anne gives an honest assessment of this problem within the church and what we can do about it.  

 

As someone who has been active in church ministry since I became a Christian at age 11, I understand the desperate need for the message of truth that Anne shares in this book. Would you like to help Anne spread the word about her book? If so, you may find more info at flowerdust.net.

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction!

I just had to make a quick post and add a link to a fun article that my husband e-mailed me today. It's about an armada of yellow rubber duckies (yes, that's right!) that fell off a ship 15 years ago and have been sailing the high seas ever since. They're now "swimming" toward the coast of Britain. 

 

Check out the article at timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1996553.ece!

Hook, Grab & Pull - Tips for Fiction Writers

Hook, grab & pull - that's how we reel in our readers and keep them engaged in our stories. Of course, like many things in life, doing this sounds easier than it actually is!    

 

The August issue of Writer's Digest magazine contains an excellent article on this topic by Les Edgerton. He writes:

 

"The opening of your story carries an awesome responsibility. Consider this: The goals of your opening scene are:

 

       1. To successfully introduce the story-worthy problem.

       2. To hook the readers.

       3. To establish the rules of the story.

       4. To forecast the ending of the story.

 

If your opening fails to accomplish any one of these elements, then guess what - your opening will fail."

 

Wow! If you sit there and ponder these four points for a moment, you will realize just how much skill is required to write a compelling story opening.

 

These four points were especially enlightening to me because I've just begun plotting out two novels. I went back and read the opening lines of several of my favorite novels to see how each author accomplishes these four objectives in his or her writing. Try it; it's fascinating!

 

Questions? Comments? Tips for other fiction writers? If so, please post them here. Thank you!

National Novel Writing Month

What? Write a novel in a month?

 

Yep. You're not in need of LASIK (at least, I hope you're not). You read that correctly. It's otherwise known as "NaNoWriMo."

 

Writing a book in a month sounds crazy, doesn't it? I know it does, but I REALLY want to try it this year. Those who "do" NaNoWriMo write an entire novel during the month of November. For someone who self-edits as much as I do, I'm hoping that it will provide an impetus for me to just write with total abandon and surprise myself with what spills out onto the page.  

 

To help me prepare, I've been conversing with the "Mad Genius," fiction guru Randy Ingermanson, about the "snowflake method" that he developed for novel organization. I want to have my story plotted out, my ideas sorted, my characters developed, and my outline complete before I begin.

 

Yes, the fact that I also have four nonfiction books on the table can be daunting. But I have always wanted to write fiction, too, and I have recently had two well-respected writing mentors and friends recommend that I start now. So I am! Wish me well!

 

If you're planning to do NaNoWriMo this year, too, please let me know! If you have done it in the past, please share your wisdom and advice with me. Thank you!

The Secret - And the Hype!

Well, people are finally admitting that The Secret isn't all it's cracked up to be. While faith and a positive outlook on life are certainly wonderful attributes to have, they don't have any power unless they have their basis in God and the truth of His Word.  

 

The Secret is based on the law of attraction - essentially, the claim that we have the power to draw wealth and material blessings to ourselves and to create our own destiny. The Secret encourages people to take the God-ness from God and apply it to themselves. The only problem is, that's impossible. 

 

Yes, the issues with The Secret begin when people start to realize that they aren't God. We don't control everything about our lives. Yes, God does bless His people in extraordinary ways, but the Scriptures also say that every person will face some trials and temptations in this life. Pain and disappointments humble us, mature us, make us appreciate all that we have, and force us to depend on God. They make us realize that life is both beautiful and tragic. The beauty is part of what makes it tragic, and the tragedy is part of what makes it beautiful.    

 

Living the Christian life is amazing; I have peace, joy, and freedom that I wouldn't trade for the world. But I don't believe that my faith in God entitles me to have everything I want. My goal is not to become as wealthy, famous or powerful as possible. My goal is to love God, love people, and faithfully serve both to the best of my ability.

 

As believers, we have the HOPE THAT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT - our hope in salvation through Christ. That's our secret!  

    

For more information on The Secret and varying attitudes toward it, check out the informative article "Critics of The Secret Bemoan Claims" at news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070623/ap_en_ot/books_the_secret.

Compelling Marriage Memoirs

Today, I'm recommending several marriage memoirs for you to read. Pick up one today - I promise that it will radically change how you view your relationship with your spouse, and it will remind you of what is truly important in your marriage!

 

-My favorite is A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. It's exquisite! In this book, Vanauken tells the story of his love for his wife, Davy, and how they grew to know the Lord at Oxford through the influence of Vanauken's mentor and friend, C.S. Lewis. This book also contains the text of the letters from Lewis as well as Sheldon and Davy's poetry. Their lives and their love for each other were truly exceptional.

 

-Another fantastic memoir is The Best Day the Worst Day by prizewinning poet Donald Hall. Hall married Jane Kenyon, another extremely talented poet. This is the story of their life together and Kenyon's long, hard-fought battle with leukemia. 

 

-Another is The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, winner of a 2006 National Book Award. Following her husband's death, Didion published this personal account of how she dealt with the crushing grief while also caring for her daughter, who was in a coma in a New York hospital. 

 

If you have other excellent marriage memoirs to recommend, please let me know by posting a comment here. Thank you!

A Wee Bit of Cultural Wisdom

Hello, fellow Leapers! Today, I'm going to take you on a "magic carpet ride" (à la Steppenwolf) and give you a peek into some funny and interesting traditions and practices of other cultures.

 

-Did you know that in Albania and Bulgaria, people nod their heads up and down to mean "No" and shake their heads back and forth to mean "Yes"?

 

-There's a culture in Brazil, the Pirahã tribe, that lives only in the present. Their language utilizes absolutely no past tense verbs and no subordinate clauses. For instance, instead of saying, "When I have finished eating, I would like to speak with you," a Pirahã would say, "I finish eating, I speak with you." The Pirahã people also have no words to refer to numbers or colors. Linguist Daniel Everett explains the core of Pirahã culture with a simple formula: "Live here and now." In their culture, the only thing of importance that is worth communicating to others is what is being experienced at that very moment. "All experience is anchored in the present," says Everett.* 

 

-In Asian cultures, white is the color of mourning. Red, rather than white, is the color traditionally worn by brides. In addition, sending white flowers to a loved one for any occasion other than a funeral is considered very offensive because white flowers are associated with death and mourning.  

 

-In many cultures, objects are considered to have a certain inherent life or energy. Some objects are "hot"; some are "cold." Some are considered "clean"; some are considered "dirty" or "unclean." I recently read an example in which a Canadian woman (married to an Indian man) was cleaning her house and placed a pair of shoes neatly atop a pile of her husband's books. When he returned home from work, he was horrified and immediately removed the shoes. He explained to his wife that in India, books were considered "clean" and "sacred" because of the wisdom they contained. Shoes, on the other hand, were considered to be some of dirtiest objects in the Indian culture. Under no circumstances would an Indian person have put the shoes on top of the books.

 

Wow! Who knew? I do understand that, though, because books are considered sacred in our home, too.

 

I learned a pretty funny cultural lesson myself when I went to Romania in November of 2001. I had bought clothes, accessories, bath products, and other gifts to give to Catalin's family. One of the gifts I had bought was a bottle of Curve perfume by Liz Claiborne, which was popular at the time. When I gave it to Andreea (now my sister-in-law), you would have thought it were a grenade from the way everyone stared at it. 

 

Years later, my husband finally told me that "Curve" in Romanian means, well, let's just say, "women of the night."

 

Whoops!    

 

Anyone else out there have some "cultural funnies," mishaps, or interesting social or cultural taboos that you want to share? Please post a comment here! Thank you.

 

*For more info, see Spiegel Online, "Living Without Numbers or Time," by Rafaela von Bredow, available at this link: spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,414291,00.html

Poets, Here's Your Chance!

Hello, fellow poets and writers! I recently discovered a great writing and publishing opportunity that I'd like to share with you. During the months of June, July and August 2007, POETRY Magazine (which is THE foremost poetry journal in the U.S.) is accepting submissions from writers who have never before been published in the journal. The competition will still be intense; however, during these three months, the editors will be open to work from poets who are new to its pages.   

 

For more information, please see POETRY's Website at poetrymagazine.org. They also offer half-price subscriptions to their magazine, and it's an excellent value. As far as I know, POETRY is the only literary journal that prints and mails an excellent, full-length subscriber issue every month. I read it from cover to cover as soon as I get it in the mail, and then I continue to read and refer to it at later points. Some of the best poets in the world are published in POETRY. I've learned so much from the poetry, essays, letters, and comments contained within its pages. The new editor, Christian Wiman, is doing a phenomenal job!  

 

If you'd like to submit your own work during this open submission period, the address is:

 

POETRY Magazine

444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1850

Chicago, IL 60611

 

Definitely let me know if you have work accepted! Thank you!