Updates

Everyone is always asking me, “Are you still writing?” To that, I like to say, “Still writing? I haven’t stopped.” :) Read on, and you’ll see what I mean.

Growing up, I had a habit I want to tell you about. During a boring class, such as math, instead of doing the work assigned to me, I would make up stories in my head and write them on my braille writer. Needless to say, I had lots of homework to do in order to keep up. Today, when my students, AKA my daughters are busy doing math, I open the Mac book and write. Something about math, any school subject, actually, brings out the writer in me, which brings me to my first update.

For the past three years I have been working on a historical fiction novel. It takes place both in the present and the past. A wounded soldier returns to her old hometown to keep a promise she made to her best friend. While there, she finds a book about her ancestors, who fought at the battle of Shiloh in the American Civil War. The book is in the editing stages, and I will be putting together a cover in a few weeks. I’m thinking of having a contest on Facebook, so you all can help me choose which cover you like best, so stay tuned for that. As for a publication date, I don’t have one nailed down yet, but I’m thinking September. The book is called, “His Yankee Wife”, and I’ll be talking more about it as publication day draws nearer. Keep watching my FB page for updates.

Now, what’s this talk about nonfiction? Well, I’m gonna tell ya. :) My good friend, Anita Adkins, author of "A Brother's Love" has written a book to teach Unified English Braille, the current standard for braille in the US called, “Ducking into UEB”. It is for children in grades 4-12 and older readers. She asked me several months ago if I could provide any fictional material for children. I had a story laying around, so I gave it to her. She incorporated it, and suddenly, we are collaborating. In order to establish an online platform, we started a blog back in January 2017. We take turns writing articles for it, and we have a lot of fun over there, so we’d love for you to come over and check us out. The blog is found at adkinsandwells.blogspot.com. We’re also on Facebook.

And, while I’m on the subject of the writing team of Adkins and Wells, I want to announce that we will be presenting at the WV chapter of the National Federation of the Blind conference in Charleston, WV on Saturday, Sept. 9. More details about that to follow, but we will be speaking about our books, about writing, blogging and what life is like as authors and educators who are blind. We will also be selling some books.

As if those projects aren’t enough, I am writing the story of a man who broke his neck while diving several years ago. He is a quadriplegic, and not only does he go to the movies, the mall and to the pool with his family, he paints with a brush held between his teeth. A truly inspiring individual, I can’t wait to share this book with you and desire your prayers while I am writing it.

So, that about wraps it up as far as updates go. Busy? Yes, but I’m loving it. Always enjoy hearing from my readers, so feel free to get in touch. Fill out the contact form on this blog, or send an email to oldtimechristian@gmail.com. You can also come over and “like” my Facebook page facebook.com/sjwellsauthor.

Praying you are spending more time smiling this summer than ever before in your life. Take care and catch ya next Tuesday. Just now, I got some runnin' to do and friends to visit. :)

Blessings.

From The Crazy Writer

You don't think writers are crazy? Well, you'd better take a closer look, 'cause I'm here to tell ya, I'm as crazy as it gets. Keep reading; I have proof.

Proof number 1.
During the day, I can't stop talking to my characters, thinking about my characters and writing about my characters. I'm working on a new project, and so far, my momentum has not slowed down. At night, I think about them, pray for them and even hear them talk to me in my sleep. This would naturally sound crazy, but no more crazier than I've ever been. But, you see, this time the characters aren't of my own making; they are real people. Yep, living, breathing people who probably thought I was a weirdo stalker at first. Hey, they might still think it, but at least they aren't treating me like it to my face. LOL

Proof number 2.
If there is something I don't understand that pertains to my characters, I will research that something to death. Yesterday, my daughter and I were looking up "football for dummies" on Youtube, just so I would understand the significants of a 90 yard touch down. My other daughter hears us and comes running into the living room, hollering, "Why are you two talking about football, when you aren't into sports what so ever?" Thankfully, do to my daughter's eye sight and Youtube, I got it. Now, all I can think of is wow, I sure could have acted more impressed when he told me about his 90 yard touch down. LOL

Proof number 3.
This evening, I sent a portion of today's writings to one of my best friends who is also my editor. She hadn't had time to read and comment, by the time I contacted her. You know what I almost said? Ahem, I almost said, "I don't need to hear whether it is good or not; I already know it is good." Yeah, if that isn't crazy, ain't nothing crazy. LOL

See what I mean? I just gave you 3 good reasons why I might be "off my trolly" as they say in England. There is hope, though, and knowing this, I have confidence that all will work out in the end. The story will get written, because it's the Lord's will, and He will make sure His will gets done. There will be another project for me to obsess over, when this book is finished. I know this because there is one waiting in the wings, already.  And, lastly, the New Testament is full of verses that begin with the phrase, "And it came to pass". Notice, it did not come to stay. It came to pass. This crazy season will not last forever. Just gotta work while it is day and pray all night long. :)

Now, I know last week I promised a post about what is going on around here, and I will write that post. But, since I have been writing so much...like as in seven pages since Saturday morning...I can't put together anymore than what I'm putting together right now. Not real sure, but I'm thinking those seven pages equals about six thousand words. So thankful for you, faithful readers for sticking with me. Hopefully, I will be able to put together a more coherent post next week. Until then, keep praying, keep reading and gear up for an awesome story based on a real life hero.

Be blessed.

Advice From Master Yoda

Disclaimer: The quotes in this post may not be completely accurate.

I had a rough day. Stressed because I’m always stressed when the teacher reviews my girls’ homeschool portfolios, I did not sleep well last night. Nervous, I couldn’t eat much except a peanut butter and jelly sandwich this morning. We were getting the books put into the waiting bag, when my oldest spills water on her science notebook, pretty much ruining it. Then, I cut my finger on the end of my mandolin string while hurrying to put it back in its case. Wrapping a bandaid around it, I hurried to grab my bags, when my aunt says, “Aren’t you going to change your shirt?” It is certain I would have walked right out that door with a stained up shirt, if she had not stopped me. The first book the teacher opens shows correct answers but no proof that those answers were not obtained by cheating. My youngest was put on the spot, something that freezes her up. All was cleared up, yet, I knew, somehow, I had failed. Afterward, I thought to buy milkshakes to celebrate finishing the school year. But, since I didn’t buy what my oldest wanted from the place she wanted it from, she wouldn’t take anything from anyone or from anywhere. Once again, I failed. We came home and began clearing out the cabinet where I keep school supplies, only to realize we can’t find the book I purchased a month ago. Failed, again. I despaired that this day would ever be redeemed.

During supper and subsequent dish washing, Star Wars played on the TV. I prayed, kept reminding myself it would all be OK, and sat down with a second glass of sweet tea. Then, I turned my attention to the current movie and found some encouragement.

I am not an avid fan, and I don’t have the script memorized, but what I heard was this…if I remember correctly.

Luke Skywalker says, “Well, I’ll try.”

Yoda replies, “No. Do. There is no try.”

A conversation takes place where Luke says it’s too big of a job, and Yoda says something about size having nothing to do with it. Then, Yoda raises the spaceship out of the water. I know this, because I asked my husband what happened. LOL Anyway, at the end, Luke says, “I can’t believe it.” Whereupon Yoda replies, “That is why you fail.”

Suddenly, it hit me. Exactly who is living in me, seeing as how I call myself a Christian? If the force within me is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, BTW has no dark side, then why am I calling myself a failure? I had just been telling myself during dish washing that I would try to do better next year. But, according to Master Yoda, “There is no try.” And, the reason I fail is because of unbelief.

I will not try to do better next time. I will do better, because I know how to fix this year’s mistakes. I will not fail, because I am not trying to make my kids perfect students. I will succeed, because I am teaching them how to be lifelong learners. Besides, the Lord didn’t tell me to make my children happy or make them smart or even make them good at a particular subject. Nope. He told me to teach them. He told me to present the gospel to them. He told me to love them. As long as I do that, I am a success.

On this day twenty years ago, I donned a cap and gown and walked across a stage to receive my high school diploma. I was salutatorian, which is a fancy way of saying my grade point average was the second highest in my class. I had to give a speech, I remember, and it’s topic was success. Yeah, like I knew anything at eighteen, but still… LOL I can’t help but look back over the years and wonder at how far I’ve come. Part of me wants to smack that girl up side the head for being so arrogant. Then, I turn around, look at my own two girls and think, “Wow, how can I be the best mom to them?” Once again, Master Yoda’s words come back to me. “There is no try.” So, here’s to Yoda, my merciful heavenly Father and a good batch of homemade pizza cooked by my amazing husband. I’m going to be all right.

Tomorrow, I’m going to pick up that mandolin and work on those tremolos. I’m going to work on the fiction story I started a few months ago and the nonfiction story I started a few weeks ago. I’m going to love my family, come up with an inexpensive way to have a good supper when my man comes home, and I’m going to work on the blog post for my other blog. BTW, if you want to read it, you can find it at adkinsandwells.blogspot.com.

So, until next time, keep on keeping on, and when life gets tough, eat some pizza and watch a Star Wars movie. :)

You Got to Give Them A Turn

Today, while sitting in a Wendy's parking lot, my mom slid her key into the ignition and tried to start the car. Once, twice, three times and nothing happened. The key would not turn. We made sure doors were shut, the trunk and gas cap were shut. We each took turns trying, thinking that surely one of us had to be doing it wrong. Not knowing what else to do, I called my husband who is a parts manager at a Mitsubishi dealership.

"Is the car in park? he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"What about the brake?"

Being blind, I thought, well, good grief what's that got to do with it, but repeated what my mom said about how it wouldn't move very much.

"What about the steering wheel?" my husband asked, next.

"It's not straight," I said.

"Ok," he told me, "you got to put some muscle into turning the wheel and turning the key at the same time."

I tucked the phone against my shoulder, grabbed the steering wheel with my left hand and gripped the key in between my right thumb and first finger and gave them both a turn. With little effort at all, both the wheel and key turned, and we were able to leave the Wendy's.

It's a little sad how proud of myself I was. But, then I got to thinking, that life is kind of like that. We can try to steer all we want, but if the key to life hasn't been engaged, we are going nowhere. We can engage the keys to life, but if we never use the steering wheel, there will be no control. Until we put both hands into it and give both a turn, we will be forever sitting in the parking lot, watching others come and go.

It's been a long day. Took my girls to a museum, shopping, out for lunch and then came home to gather up some things to give to a friend. My man brought pizza home for supper, the girls went to Vacation Bible School, and I talked on the phone a bit then washed up the dishes. I'm tired and so ready for bed. Then, I remembered my blog. :)

So, is there a Bible lesson here? Sure. But, it's up to you to find it, this time and let me know what you come up with. The brain stopped working a while ago.

However, before I go, I just want to let y'all know I am coming up with a post to let you in on what's happening around here. Got a presentation coming up in September, a couple new books on the horizon, and who knows what else. Good stuff that I am excited about. So,, stay tuned. That post will most likely be up in a couple of weeks. Next Tuesday is portfolio review day, so I'll be running around like a crazy person until then. :)

Take care, sorry this post is so late, and keep the faith.