A Mom's Meltdown

One advantage writers have is that every situation is viewed through the eyes of our internal writer. Frustrations, heartaches, joys, and all other events of daily life find their places on our ‘to write’ list. The truth is, smooth sailing doesn’t make for good reading. So when someone tells me a frustrating story, internally I’m wringing my hands and saying, “This is going to be great on paper!” Not that I don’t feel sympathy, but it quickly fades when my devious writer begins to emerge.

Such a story crossed my path the other day. A friend we’ll call Jane had a difficult day not long ago. Jane drove down the road in her brand new SUV. The new car smell still hung in the air. Her three boys were cutting up in the back – as boys often do. One was eating hard candy. Knowing hard candy and whooping and hollering don’t mix well, she said, “You need to calm down while eating that. Or you’ll get choked.” Her warning held his attention for about twenty-five seconds.

Less than a minute later, she heard a gagging sound, and sure enough, her little boy was choking on the candy. Before she could respond, his internal bodily functions solved the problem. The candy was dislodged when he threw up all over the back seat of her new car. A new smell hung in the air. The neighborhood was now in view, so she rushed to get home to clean out her brand new SUV.

Jane’s second son suffers from a very sensitive gag reflex. The sight of his brother puking had a spontaneous response. You guessed what happened next. Just as Jane turned into her neighborhood, boy number two began to spew. Oh, if she hadn’t fed them a kids meal on the way home. Now Jane rolled down all the windows. Partly to clear the smell, and partly to give her boiling rage a place to escape.

While she shouted at her son for not listening and causing all of this, her four year old notified her of his eminent eruption. The sights and odors made him sick and he started to gag. That was it! Jane slammed on the brakes and skidded to a stop. Screaming like a woman possessed, she snatched her youngest from his car seat and deposited him on the curb. She reached in and jerked the other two out, shouting loud enough for the world to hear as she did. Then a wonderful idea hit Jane. She could just leave them where they stood.

Over the sound of her screeching tires, she could hear little voices crying, “Mommy, don’t leave me!”

The SUV whipped into the driveway, and she stepped out. Still screaming, she yanked open the doors of the vehicle to air it out. Then the world around her came back into view. Her husband was on the porch with a look that said, “Have you gone completely mad?” Curious neighbors stepped outside to see why three boys were wailing at the top of their lungs while running down the street toward her house. A house where mom stood outside of her car with two fists full of hair.

Well, there goes my Christian witness. This is how a real homeschool family works.

When I told this story to my wife, she laughed evilly. “At least it’s not just me,” she said. “And at least I’ve never left the kids on the side of the road.”

Yep, our nuclear meltdowns only happen indoors, and she just bangs their heads on the floor. Okay, not really. But I know she has thought it a time or two. And I just bang my own head on the floor. When the neighbors ask about that banging sound, I shake my hair out from between my fingers and say, “It’s just the sound of my Christian witness.”

If you have been moved with conviction by this testimony, feel free to confess in the comments below. We promise not to laugh. Okay, you’re right. We will laugh, but we promise to laugh with you.

Eddie Snipes

Author Interview - Erin Rainwater

How long have you been writing?

A girlfriend and I began co-authoring a book about twin girls and their horses when we were in grade school. We never finished it, and I have no idea what happened to it, although I’m pretty sure it ended up in the landfill. My next writing effort didn’t come until I was in my thirties when I began writing historicals set in the 1860s, my favorite time period in American history. But I was an ICU nurse with a husband and four kids, so writing wasn’t exactly a full-time profession. In two decades I wrote two novels. I self-published them in 2006, and am happy with how they continue to sell and with the extraordinary feedback I continue to receive from readers.

What challenges did you encounter in your journey to getting published?
I know someone who calls query letters “invitations for rejection.” I’ve accumulated TNTC (Too Numerous To Count) over the years. Another challenge is length. Refining Fires started out as a short story, but it seems I’m incapable of such a thing. “Short” and “story” constitutes an oxymoron as far as I’m concerned.

What motivates you to write?

I have only one motivating factor, and that is the story itself. When an idea comes, and grows, and I can’t stop it, and it simply must come out, that is my motivation. I’m not what other authors would consider “disciplined” in that I don’t write at the same time every day. Sometimes I don’t even write for long periods at a time, because I don’t write unless I have that spark inside that says I must. I’ve never written under a deadline. I once met with an agent at a conference, and we discussed my novel about a nurse during the Civil War. He wasn’t too interested, and asked if I’d be willing to write about a nurse in the Iraq War. I said no, because I had no passion to do that. I love historicals, and that’s what I write. Some might say I was stupid to say I won’t write a certain setting or time period if someone like an agent shows interest in it, but I believe that if I write something I have no passion for, my stories won’t come across as powerful and personal as readers are telling me they do.

I understand you had a book released recently. Tell me a little about your book.
It’s titled Refining Fires. It’s unique in that it’s in three parts, each with distinct main characters, although God weaves their lives together into a tapestry that glorifies Him. The first story, “Refining Fire,” is a love story between a disfigured veteran and a nurse with a ruined reputation. He tosses her out, but his anger is no match for her pluck, and her determined efforts elicit renewed life from his body while evoking a raw yearning in his soul. “Blind Courage” introduces a young girl who must act courageously in the face of tremendous challenges and overwhelming fear to save her mother’s life. The third is the story of a “Kept Woman,” of how she got to that point, and of “Who” has been keeping her all along. Paths cross and lives intertwine, showing how God’s hand is ever on us, leading and refining.

What do you hope the reader takes away from your book?

The title, Refining Fires, is taken from a verse in Isaiah that says:“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”  The characters each go through a refining process in their own particular furnace of affliction. My desire is that these stories will show how when our faith is tested, God provides the courage and tools we need to persevere, achieve victory, and come out refined.

 
What was your best decision as a writer?
I have two really. One was joining a critique group, who’ve turned out to be invaluable to me, and I hope I have been to them. I’ve heard crit group horror stories, but mine is the best. My other great decision was joining the Military Writers Society of America. The Society members are such a supportive bunch, and there is a camaraderie there you only get among military-connected folk. Not to mention they awarded my Civil War-set novel, True Colors, the 2009 Gold Medal in Historical Fiction.

What is your greatest success?

Always, always I feel great success when a reader says they loved my stories and gained courage or hope from them, or that my characters were inspirational to them. Nothing like it.

You can purchase Erin's book, Refining Fires by clicking below.

Book Review - Written in Blood

If you are a true crime fan, Written in Blood is a good read. Diane Fanning has a very clear and thorough writing style.

Michael Peterson was a very successful novelist. As the drama of two suspicious deaths unfold, people begin wondering if Peterson’s ability to spin a story also applies to his real life dramas.

Peterson was a decorated Vietnam veteran, multi-published author, father, and respected member of the community. When his wife has a tragic accident, the pieces don’t add up, and soon a similar death from his past emerges. With little physical evidence, no witnesses, and high powered lawyers, investigators fight through the confusion to determine the evidence. Add to this, his ex-wife gives a positive testimony on his character, and one of the world’s most respective forensic blood analysis experts testifying on his behalf. Yet each one has inconsistencies which convolute the case. It all adds up to a real world story with all the makings of a fiction novel.

Diane Fanning does an excellent job of bringing all the history, testimonies, and events together so the reader can digest it and follow this complicated case.

On the Word Turnings scale of 10,

Readability and reader interest – 9

Content – 8

Plot or Book Theme – 9

Overall Word Turning Value: 8.7

You can buy this book at Amazon by clicking here.

Review of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

It’s not often I give five star reviews, but this book is well deserving of it. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is a must read for every Christian. I was struck by the similarities between the path of compromise, which the church took in the 1930s, that opened the door for Hitler’s rise, and the similar thought among liberal theologians today. While Hitler probably would have come to power without the church’s cooperation, he clearly would not have had the influence among the German people without the endorsement of the German Church. The spiritual void left in the hearts of the people when the church abandoned the foundation of scripture was quickly filled by the Reich doctrines that were introduced by the church. Without a solid spiritual foundation, the people had little discernment by which to identify the errors being propagated by the Nazi regime, and there were few willing to make a stand in the church.

Many of the misconceptions about Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life were cleared up by this book. Much of the book quoted directly from the letters of Dietrich and those close to him. Bonhoeffer’s love for the scriptures and unwillingness to abandon the truth made him an effective minister to the few people willing to acknowledge the dangerous path the nation was heading down. It also gave him the wisdom to accurately predict the actions of Hitler and the Nazi’s long before they openly made their plans known. His words, teachings, and lifestyle gave me a new found respect for this man.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is a lengthy book, but never once lost my interest. This book is a MUST read, and for those who will heed its warning, it serves as a reminder not to repeat history. The church is the gatekeeper of the culture, and if she doesn’t stand true to the Bible, there is little to restrain evil.

On the Word Turnings scale:

Readability and reader interest – 9

Content –10

Plot or Book Theme – 9

Overall Word Turning Value: 9.3

 

Eddie Snipes

To buy this book, click on the link below. If you are a Kindle user, the book is only $9.99.

Funny and odd newspaper headlines

1. Autos killing 110 a day, let's resolve to do better

2. Blind woman gets new kidney from dad she hasn't seen in years

3. Child's stool great for use in garden

4. Cold wave linked to temperatures

5. Dealers will hear car talk at noon

6. Death causes loneliness, feeling of isolation

7. Drunk drivers paid $1,000 in 1984

8. Enraged cow injures farmer with ax

9. Eye drops off shelf

10. Farmer Bill Dies in House

11. Grandmother of eight makes hole in one

12. House passes gas tax onto senate

13. If strike isn't settled quickly it may last a while

14. Iraqi head seeks arms

15. Is there a ring of debris around Uranus?

16. Lawmen from Mexico barbecue guests

17. Man is fatally slain

18. Milk drinkers are turning to powder

19. Miners refuse to work after death

20. Never withhold herpes from loved one

21. Nicaragua sets goal to wipe out literacy

22. Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers

23. Quarter of a million Chinese live on water

24. Queen Mary having bottom scraped

25. Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted

26. Smokers are productive, but death cuts efficiency

27. Something went wrong in jet crash, experts say

28. Squad helps dog bite victim

29. Stiff opposition expected to casketless funeral plan

30. Two sisters reunite after eighteen years at checkout counter

31. Two Soviet ships collide - one dies

32. War dims hope for peace

33. William Kelly was fed secretary

Really Dumb product Warning labels

1. Do not allow children to play in dishwasher.

2. On a carpenter's electric drill: "This product is not intended for use as a dentist drill!"

3. On a baby stroller: "Remove child before folding."

4. On a handheld massager: "Do not use while sleeping or unconscious."

5. On a laser print cartridge: "Do not eat."

6. On a household iron: "Never iron clothes while they are on your body."

7. On a fireplace log: "Caution, risk of fire."

8. On children's cough medicine: "Do not drive car or operate machinery."

9. On package of peanuts: "Warning, contains nuts."

10. On a chain saw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands."

12. On new camera: "This camera only works when there is film inside."

13. On can of self-defense pepper spray: "Warning do not spray at people."

Letter from a marine recruit

 (NOW AT San Diego MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING) 

 

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well.  Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and 

Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile.. Tell them to join up quick before all of
the places are filled.

 

I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things.  No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

 

 Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc.., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant,pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

 

We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us...  If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different.  A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home.  Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

 

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

 

 This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home.  All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it.  You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

 

 Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy.  It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake ... I only beat him once..  He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.

 

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

 

Your loving daughter,

  Alice