Monday, January 09, 2012

A2Z Take 2: Antidote for a Neglected Blog



a2z: Take 2. Patty Wysong Helping bloggers blog.
I took a break from blogging during November and if I'm not careful I could fall back into the very long apart, random blog posting that does not happen more often than it does. But what is the sure antidote for a neglected blog? A meme, of course! My friend Patty Wysong talked us into doing the A 2 Z 4 U & Me meme last year and I managed to post for all 26 letters. It worked so well we decided to do it again this year.

I've got some exciting posts planned, starting next week with an interview with one of my favorite authors, Brandilyn Collins. She kindly answered some questions about writing which I think we'll all benefit from. I think I'll play around with vlogging a little this year, too, and even do some fun story performances and the like.

Drawn by Amanda Morris
For this first post, I'll just give a quick update of the exciting things that have happened since I posted last. I was able to accomplish NaNoWriMo with just barely over 50,000 words. I fought a lot of fatigue that month, so I wasn't completely happy with my shambles of a disorderly manuscript, but I'm hopeful I have some good scenes to work with. A local lady in my area, Amanda Morris, is an artist and participates in NaNo by drawing character sketches for writers. This is one she did of my neglected child character, Renee. Isn't it great?

But for now Voices of the Dark is set aside to finish polishing up last year's novel. Which brings me to the exciting news that a publisher has requested the full manuscript of Reaching Sky! I'm excited to have that confirmation that someone else thinks my story and at least the chapters they saw have potential. I still have some work to do before I'm ready for them to see the whole thing, and the publisher generously gave me some feedback on something specific I can improve before I send it back. Now just to pray for energy to get it done, especially since I started back to work on Monday (even if it is only a couple hours a day).

Another exciting thing that recently happened is that one of my good friends, Jess Capps, finally got an answer to prayer and received a heart transplant. However, things got a little scary as the heart apparently went into shock and took ten days to recover. It was really hard being on the other side of the U.S. and not knowing much about what was going on. I'm praising God now that the heart did start working last week! I'm looking forward to chatting with Jess soon. I've missed her. [Added update as of the morning of Tues the 10th.] Looks like Jess's body is still having a lot of physical hurdles and is struggling. Please keep praying for her!


On New Year's weekend I got to teach my church congregation a song in sign language for our Worship topic. It was so awesome to see the whole church worshiping in ASL together. Many people told me they were amazingly blessed to be able to praise God with their whole body that way.

It's been a great start to 2012. Here's to many more blessings!

Check out more A posts at http://www.pattywysong.com/

13 comments:

Julie Arduini said...

Great post, Amy. I love reading the Jess updates, and seeing God at work. He's simply---amazing!

Sparrow said...

Thanks, Julie! I just got an update that Jess's heart is still weak and they are fighting really high blood pressure and it's causing some other problems with her kidneys and pressure in one of her legs. Let's keep praying for miracles!

Yvonne Blake said...

Still praying...

Joanne Sher said...

Definitely praying for Jess - and so glad to hear about all your good news/updates.

Rita Garcia said...

Super post!!

Can't wait to read your interview Brandilyn Collins!

Love the sketch of Renee!!!!

Praying for Jess!!

AND I am SO looking forward to seeing your novel in print!!!!!!!

Love you! Hugs!

Shelley Ledfors said...

Great post! I also fall easily into the "whenever" blog posts, so am glad this meme's going again, too. I'm continuing to pray for Jess, of course. And I really look forward to reading your interview with Brandilyn. Love her books! I also look forward to following the progress of your novel to publication! God bless!

Melissa Henson said...

I'm new to the group but not to prayer so I will add mine in for your friend Jess. I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to your interview. :)

Unknown said...

Enjoyed your post and all the exciting news, will also be praying for your friend.

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Your faithfulness to your calling is inspirational, Amy, and in the face of so many obstacles. Praying this will be an easier year for you. Also praying for Jess and her loved ones.

Barbara Lynn Culler said...

So excited for you!

Remember, you also moved during this period, so that is good reason for not attending to a blog.

dandelionfleur said...

Hoping this year brings you wonderful things, Amy. Still praying for Jess.

Niki Turner said...

Congrats on NaNoWriMo! I failed... well, I started, but failed to finish. Again. *sigh*

Patty Wysong said...

So good to see you posting again! =] Missed you! =]