Hearts of Fire, Feet of Lead

Lord, grant that the fire of my heart may melt the lead of my feet. -- Unknown

I love this quote of unknown origin. It's short. It's simple. It's easily understood. And, for me, it packs a dynamite punch.

Because let me tell you, if my dragging feet ever caught up with the dreams in my head and the hopes in my heart, nothing on this earth or beyond could stop me! And I'm fairly certain that's true for you, as well.

I long to regain my youthful body, and I look into this diet and that fat burning plan. But my leaden feet (ahem!) simply refuse to follow through with the calorie counting, excercise and water consummation that I know is necessary for weight loss.

I turn the pages of decorating magazines, absolutely green with envy of all those spotless homes. Almost always, I determine to do something about de-cluttering my own. But keeping a very much lived-in house neat as a pin takes a whole lot of commitment. Before long, that little burst of "flame" flickers and dies, lacking the oxygen of consistency and determination.

Oh, these heavy feet! They slow me down and douse the flames of my burning heart.

In the spirit of new beginnings (it's still January, after all - just barely), I shall add these words to my daily prayers. And in the spirit of faith and trust that my prayers will be answered, I'm off to buy new shoes - ones more accomodating to feet less coated with lead.

Lord, grant that the fire of my heart may melt the lead of my feet.

A Thousand Story Ideas

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any. -- Orson Scott Card

Wow.

When I first read this quote, I almost stopped breathing. Seriously? A thousand story ideas every day? Good writers see five or six of them? Really? Every day?

Wow.

I almost hurried past Scott's words with the intention of deliberately burying them so far in my subconscious that I would never remember having read them. Because now that I have, I can never again consider myself a "good" writer if I don't see five or six ideas within the course of a day's events - at least, on a good day, an active day. (Let's face it, it's hard to spot five story ideas on the day you never poke your head outside the door of your home.)

But then I decided to emblazon those words on my mind and try to never forget them. Because if I keep them in mind, I'll be looking for ideas every time I walk through the local Wal-mart ... eat out in a new restaurant ... attend a church service ... take a walk through the neighborhood ... visit a friend in the hospital ... go to a baby/bridal shower ... step outside to feed the cats ... and on ... and on ... and on.

I'm actually feeling a little sheepish, because not so long ago, I wrote an article about ideas, and I quote myself here: "Ideas are like chameleons - they blend into their surroundings, and it takes a sharp eye and intentional observation to pick them out. Honing the skills to spot those hidden gems should be a deliberate daily effort for any writer."

Card's words helped me remember something I already knew. Ideas are all around us, but they're not likely to jump out and bite us on the rear. They play hide-and-seek, and they do it well. If we really want to find them, we'll have our eyes peeled, ears open and minds alert.

And we'll remember that a trip to Wal-Mart is never just a shopping excursion. It's an opportunity.

10,574 words

My word count goal for this past week's BIAW challenge was 6,000 words. I have to confess, I had serious doubts about whether I could do it or not. My house is full and often chaotic, with six adults and two children milling about all day, every day. Of those six adults, four (sometimes five) of us are constantly vying for computer time.

Naw, I didn't think I'd make it. But I knew, having committed myself and made myself accountable to my writing group, that I would TRY.

Amazing what you can do when you really, truly try.

Thank God for like-minded writers who help each other along the journey - through the frequent road blocks, over the pesky obstacles, and past the diversions that are always hitching a ride!

I think I can, I think I can...

You don't have to get it perfect – you just have to get it going. Babies don't walk the first time they try, but eventually they do. - Mark Victor Hansen

That's what I've been working on. Getting it going. And in the words of everyone's favorite little choo-choo train, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..."

Over 2,000 words written yesterday. Coming on the heels of a long dry spell, that ranks somewhere right near "miraculous."

Why am I saying all of this here, on this blog? To make myself accountable. If I know you expect a thing of me, I'm more likely to deliver it. So...I may not do it perfectly. I may not do it every day, at first. But my aim is to "get going" toward my goal of 1,200 words a day.

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can...

Review: The Raven Saint

by M.L. Tyndall

Grace Westcott has spent a lifetime caring for the poor, the sick, the less fortunate. She’s the epitome of chaste womanhood and righteous living. So when she’s kidnapped by the mercenary French sea captain, Rafe Dubois, she immediately begins to search out God’s reason for allowing her to be put in such a dangerous and compromising position.

Perhaps she’s there to bring salvation to the captain and his disreputable crew. Or her task could be to reach Nicole, the unwed mother and surprisingly caring woman of the night who helps Grace when no one else will. But then, maybe she’s been sent to save the captain’s beautiful, abused young stepmother. So many possibilities…so few answers.

The only thing absolutely certain in Grace’s mind is her unexpected and ridiculous attraction to Captain Dubois. He kidnapped her, subjected her to the leers and bawdy comments of his ungodly crew, and intends to sell her to a Spanish don. Yet something about Rafe Dubois draws her like a moth to flame. Despite his desire to appear cold and uncaring, Grace catches glimpses here and there of a softer, more tender man…one she could love and respect, under different circumstances.

Captain Dubois holds a personal grudge against Grace’s father. Selling the Admiral’s youngest daughter into slavery seems only just and fitting, given what the man took from Rafe. A painful past has left its mark. A childhood scarred by his hypocritical father’s cruelty and deception…the violent death of a beloved mother… betrayal by the woman he loved. Rafe has no use for religious Pharisees and trusts no woman.

Then he forces Grace Westcott aboard his ship, and even his own heart proves traitorous.

The Raven Saint is an exciting tale of high seas adventure, love and betrayal, faith and trust, spiritual deception and revelation. The heroine—after looking in every possible direction in search of a reason for her abduction, discovers the answer within her own soul. The captain must decide whether to risk his heart, his ship, and all that is dear to him to save his beautiful, captive saint.

M.L. Tyndall delivers yet again. This third book in the Charles Towne Belles series does not disappoint. Every page adds something new and unexpected, holding the reader captive until no page is left to turn. Packed with pathos, adventure, humor, and an intricately woven spiritual message, it fully satisfies, yet leaves one longing for more. Don’t miss The Raven Saint.

Back in the Saddle ...

Well, maybe not entirely in the saddle, but I have one foot in the stirrup and one leg halfway across the horse's back. Which means I'm writing ... something! Once I get myself pulled up and firmly seated on this buckin' bronco, I'll be making the rodeo rounds again. Yeah, baby!

I have a couple of articles floating around the web. Below are a few links. Hope you enjoy my determined attempts to re-enter the arena.

The Heart of a Christian Writer

A Dozen Ways to Put Off Writing a Novel

Writing the Line

Also, don't forget to visit My Book Bag. I just posted a review of Mary DeMuth's beautiful story, A Slow Burn. Within the next few days, I'll be adding more reviews, so if you're looking for a good book to help you while away the cold winter days, check in every now and again.