Everyone's Story is pleased to host author Suzie Johnson this week. Ever feel as if you don't fit into a certain social circle because you're different from the rest? Or perhaps you are plagued with self-doubts? Do you know of someone like this that can use an uplifting word, but don't know how to help? Suzie blesses us this week with this special, lovely message. She starts off the segment with the public sharing of Mercy Me's Beautiful, followed by her special message. Plus, check out Suzie's Book Giveaway offer of NO SUBSTITUTE. How do you handle self-esteem issues? How do you offer a shoulder to lean on? We both look forward to hearing from you.
BookGiveaway:
Suzie is offering to one randomly chosen commenter a print or ebook edition of her novel NO SUBSTITUE. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 5th, between 4-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
You’re Beautiful by Suzie Johnson
There’s someone I know who is hurting in almost
every area of her life. She’s so deep in the pit of poor self-esteem, that my
heart is deeply troubled for her. God puts her on my heart almost daily and I
pray for her. I think about her often and I’ve tried to be a mentor to her.
I’ve never met her in person, but I’ve talked with her and texted with her and
I see her Facebook posts.
Those posts trouble me.
All she’s ever wanted during her young life is love;
the freedom to be herself and be loved unconditionally
for who she really is. But does she really know who she is? I think she’s still
finding her way.
And now she’s dealing with her broken heart.
My own heart breaks every time I encounter someone
experiencing self-doubt, low self-esteem, self-dislike, heartbreak. I’m shy,
and I have a tendency toward social anxiety, but dear friends and my faith in
Jesus have combined to help me through the worst of it. Sadly, not everyone is
as blessed as I have been in the friend department. But everyone can be blessed with Jesus and the promises he brings.
Sometimes I struggle with sharing God and the love
of Christ with people like my young friend who are so troubled. My struggle
isn’t that I’m ashamed to own my Lord, my struggle is that they won’t want to
hear it. That they’ll think I’m offering them pat answers and spouting
platitudes.
How then can we reach out to those who are hurting?
The first step, of course, is prayer. And I think it’s okay to let them know
that we’re praying for them. I think if we speak with a genuine heart, they’ll
know we’re sincere.
To everyone struggling with self-doubt and
self-esteem issues, you’re beautiful. He loves you.
“For
everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received
with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” ~~
1 Timothy 4:4
This is you. This is me. This is all of us. We
are created by God. We are good. We are consecrated by Him.
When you feel alone, like no one cares, don’t lose
hope.
“He was
despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.”
~~ Isaiah 53: 3
“Surely
he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” ~~ Isaiah 53:4
I’m praying that each of you who are suffering will
remember these truths and take them into your heart.
Suzie's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet author Susan Diane
Johnson on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet
This)
Win Susan Diane Johnson’s
novel, NO SUBSTITUTE. (Tweet This)
Susan Diane Johnson: you too can be blessed with
Jesus and the promises he brings. (Tweet
This)
Author Bio:
True North is Suzie Johnson’s second novel. Her first novel, No Substitute, a contemporary
inspirational novel, is out now from White Rose Press of The Pelican Book
Group. She is a regular contributor to the Inkwell Inspirations blog,
a member of ACFW, RWA, and is the cancer registrar at her local hospital. Suzie
and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest with their naughty little cat on
an island that is definitely not tropical. Together, they are the parents of a
wonderful grown son who makes them proud every day – even though he lives way
too far away.
Everyone's Story welcomes back Fay Lamb as its new guest this week. Through the years of blogging I've had guests thank me for hosting them and viewers that have thanked me for featuring a specific guest. Before I publish each new blog I pray that each feature pleases God, as well as blesses my guest. Publishing Fay's present segment is no exception. However, I must share that each guest and viewer has been a blessing for me. Until I read Fay's words below, I had no idea how God was working His marvelous ways to connect me and Fay at a time that we could benefit each other. That's why I'm pleased that Fay's piece shows that we can forever count on our mighty and ever-knowing God. So, heartfelt thanks, Fay, for this beautiful gift you've given me. Viewers, take a moment to view Fay's take on seeing His grace in action. And leave a comment to take a chance on winning Fay's current release, STALKING WILLOW. We both look forward to hearing from you!
Book Giveaway: Fay is offering to one randomly chosen commenter a print or ebook edition of her novel STALKING WILLOW, book #1 in the Amazing Grace series. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 28th, between 4-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Fay Lamb
You’ve written a manuscript. The editor loved the
story, and contracted the work. Preliminary edits and galley edits have been
completed. The story has gone to print, and you’re holding a copy of your baby
in your hand.
Now, the real work begins.
Maybe you haven’t planned ahead and prepared for
the marketing aspect of your career, or perhaps, while living in the pages of
your novel, you failed to realize that publishers depend upon its authors to
market their work. Could be, like me, you did think about promoting your story,
but you’ve been busy working on other projects.
Recently, when my writing track intersected with
marketing, I realized I didn’t have time to seek for and find avenues to tell
others about the stories I’ve written. I couldn’t plan a launch party. I had no
time to contact fellow writers seeking a chance to guest on their blog, and
forget setting up book signings.
Guilt wrapped a heavy blanket around me. Stress sat
on my shoulders like a herd of elephants. The weight pushed me to my knees and
while there, I found that my strength lies not in myself, but in the arms of
the One who gave me the desire to write and the stories to tell. I begged God
to help me. I asked Him to send opportunities for me to connect with potential
readers. With a boldness born from my desperation, I asked God to further my
career. Only then did I realize if He isn’t ahead of me on the path I’ve
chosen, I shouldn’t be on it. In other words, my marketing plan became very simplified:
a daily conversation with God, down on my knees, where I request His guidance
through the doors He opens.
Instant relief.
Instant results.
My wonderful guest host for this blog, Elaine
Stock, was one of the first of many contacts that came my way prior to the
release of my current novel, Stalking
Willow. My editor announced an opportunity to attend the International
Christian Retailer’s Show in St. Louis at the end of the month. She has also
arranged radio and face-to-face interviews, and other events are in the works.
My fellow authors and friends have interviewed me for their blogs and allowed
me to guest post. From several of those venues, I’ve had readers ask to review
the book.
Since I’m daily on my knees, leaning on God’s
everlasting arms, when opportunities come my way, I don’t have to weigh them or
worry that they aren’t right for me. I can take on the interview, the blog, the
travel, and any other unique opportunities God sends my way, with the assurance
it is in His strength that I move forward. I also have the joy of knowing as I
work to promote my stories, God is allowing me to minister to others. That
knowledge makes the marketing track of my chosen career just as exciting as the
writing track.
Fay's Ah-hahs To Tweet: Meet author & editor
Fay Lamb on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet
This)
Authors: does your writing
time clash with marketing time? See what Fay Lamb did. (Tweet This)
God helps author Fay Lamb
balance writing & life. He can help you too. (Tweet This)
Author Bio: Fay Lamb is an acquisition editor for
Pelican Book Group. She also provides freelance fiction edits.
Her emotionally charged stories remind
the reader that God is always in the details. Fay has recently contracted with
Write Integrity Press for two four-book series. Stalking Willow, the first in the Amazing Grace romantic suspense series is currently available for
purchase, and Charisse, the first
release in her The Ties That Bind
contemporary romance series will be available in July, 2013. The second story
in the Amazing Grace series, Better than Revenge, is set for release
in September 2013.
Fay is a past-secretary for American
Christian Fiction Writers. She served for four years as the moderator for
ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For her volunteer efforts for ACFW, she
received the Service Members Award in 2010. She was also a semi-finalist that
year in the ACFW Genesis Contest.
Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in
Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The
legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren (with the
sixth on the way).
Everyone's Story warmly welcomes Celeste Vaughan. When I first came across Celeste's personal story and triumph, and how she gave the credit all to God's glory, I had to ask her to be my guest. And, here she is. I hope that her story moves you as it has me, lifting you in spirit and heart. Celeste shares her story, answers a few questions, and now awaits to hear from you. An Unexpected Friend
by Celeste
Vaughan
Addiction is
the best thing that ever happened to me.
Nine years
ago, when addiction unleashed The Beast in my brain, I’d never
have uttered those words.
When this Southern-Baptist-sheltered-only-child-goody-two-shoes girl
grew into a successful pharmacist, wife, and mom of three, life
was perfect.
Until it
wasn't.
The words,
“Celeste, are you okay?” became my last memory. I'm told that I fell,
wiping out the "P" through the "T" sections of the
pharmacy shelves, leaving me with a badly broken nose, a
broken tailbone, and quite a few bruises.
I’d had a
grand mal seizure.
After a
confusing ambulance ride and visit to the E.R., the hospital released me
with a prescription for Keppra to prevent seizures, Lortab for pain, and a
referral to a surgeon for my broken nose.
During the
two months following, Lortab became my “friend.” The soreness
slowly dissipated from my muscles, and the bruises on my body faded away. The
bruises on my soul, however, were growing.
Once my
nasal nightmare ended, I stopped taking the Lortab. Within a day, I
started throwing up constantly. My body ached and I couldn’t remove the
ice pick that was apparently lodged in my head. “Stomach flu?”
I thought, "Well, I have this Lortab. I'll just take it for the
aching while I'm getting over this." Within an hour I stopped
throwing up. My heart fell to my stomach when I realized narcotic
addiction had unleashed The Beast within, constantly wanting
to be fed. My "friend" had now become my enemy and the key to my
normal.
The
Beast that morphed from my brain was
relentless. It ravaged my body with constant nausea, migraine headaches,
insomnia, and The Great Depression.
For the
fourteen years I’d worked as a pharmacist, I dispensed medications for
pain, sleep, depression, and anxiety every day, and could never understand
the desperation people felt for these drugs. I now found myself in
their shoes.
It took
seven years, nineteen seizures, three head gashes, one split top lip, two
slipped discs, a twice broken tailbone, a twice broken nose, one broken
eye socket, constant headaches, insomnia, and The Great Depression for
me to get it.
God was
working on my soul.
I’m pretty
hardheaded, but after seizure nineteen, something clicked. I stopped
praying for healing. I stopped praying for the rapture. I started praying
for God to show me his purpose for my life.
Seven weeks
later, on Saturday, September 25, 2010, I woke up happy, excited, and
energetic for the first time in seven years.
God had
given me a miracle.
My need for
any pill vanished right along with my seizures. Unbeknownst to anyone, I
weaned off my seizure mediation. By January 1, 2011, freedom was my new
best friend.
Modern medicine could have healed
my body, but only God could heal my soul. Addiction was hell; but
without it, I’d never have experienced the slaying of The Beast by
my Savior. I can now say, “Addiction saved my life.”
Questions for Celeste:
Your story, despite a grueling
illness, is nothing short of miraculous. Have you had to deal with naysayers?
Unfortunately, there are always people that want
to see you fall. It's mostly those who are not believers and don't believe a
miracle from God is possible. Last year we had a carbon monoxide alarm go off
in our house and ended up with a fire truck and ambulance in our driveway.
Neighbors flocked over, assuming I'd had another seizure. Most were obviously
relieved, but there were some that seemed to want to have the satisfaction of
saying, "I told you so." People also always ask me how I know it was
a miracle. Waking up that Saturday morning feeling the energy and joy I hadn't
experienced in seven years was miracle enough for me. And it stuck. My children
and my husband are probably better qualified to answer that question since they
actually enjoyed living with me again! Lastly, I'm pretty much a sap. I cry if
something is sad, happy, sensitive...whatever, and can't get a word out without
getting choked up. But since God intervened in my life on that Saturday in
September, I've told this story time and time again without shedding a tear.
That, in itself, is a miracle!
Any tips on how family and friends
can offer help during a crisis such as yours?
That's probably one of the most frustrating
questions to answer, because every addict is different. For me, support was
what I needed the most. Addiction is not something I chose. I was not seeking a
"high." I was trapped in it before I knew it. That being said, it did
change who I was, and my family and friends could clearly see that I wasn't
myself, but they could not understand. In my opinion, family and friends who
have not been through addiction can offer little help other than support, and
try to get the addict to seek help. Get them in contact with someone who has
been there and has overcome, so they can see that it's possible to beat
addiction.
With your returned health, do you
want to try anything new that you hadn't dared to do previously?
My number one priority is to be the mom and wife
that I couldn't be during the seven years I was sick. My youngest daughter was
born shortly before that first seizure, so she only knew me as sick and
depressed. I am doing everything I can to create memories for them that don't
relate to my illness. However, I don't ever want them to forget the miracle God
gave me and the transformation they saw because their faith skyrocketed. As far
as me personally, I've been running for almost 2 years now—something I'd never
before done. Also, after not wanting to leave my house for seven years, in two
weeks I'm going on a trip out of the country for the first time in my life. I'm
headed to Prague, Switzerland, and Germany with a friend to see a mutual friend
who is a missionary in Prague. The freedom of not being tied to pills or the
fear or having a seizure is amazing.
Celeste's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Celeste
Vaughan shares her path to addiction recovery on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Celeste
Vaughan: Can addiction recovery be a miracle? (Tweet This)
Celeste
Vaughan: “…only God could heal my soul.” (Tweet This)
Author Bio: Celest Vaughn graduated from the USC College of Pharmacy and settled comfortably into her life as a pharmacist, wife, and mom of three children. After 14 years working as a pharmacist, she found herself on the other side of the counter and suffered for 7 years with seizures, depression, and prescriptions drug addiction. On September 25, 2010 God intervened in her life and changed her forever. He has now called her into a ministry of writing and speaking using her story to reach others for Christ by sharing Heavenly prescriptions written by the one physician who can truly save your life. You can find Celeste on: Website Facebook Twitter
Everyone's Story warmly welcomes author Elizabeth Ludwig. I became acquainted with Elizabeth a few years ago through her fabulous blog, The Borrowed Book. Elizabeth is not only a fine author, but a woman of patience when it comes to answering my how-to blogging questions. Thanks again, Elizabeth! Please join Elizabeth Ludwig, an author whose career is growing by bookshelves, as she answers a few questions and shares plenty. Also, check out the video and the nice book giveaway Elizabeth is offering.
Book Giveaway: Elizabeth is offering to one randomly chosen commenter a paperback edition of her novel NO SAFE HARBOR, book #1 of the Edge of Freedom series. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 14th, between 7-9 AM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks! Check out Elizabeth's video:
Questions for Elizabeth Ludwig:
Elizabeth,
I’ve watched you blossom as a debut author writing cozy mysteries and novellas
to a multi-book author for Bethany House. Congratulations! Has your publishing
journey been as easy for you as it looks to us?
Oh,
my…no. Writing is never easy. There have been many pitfalls along the way, some
of which made me question if I was really doing what God intended! For example,
I wrote for nearly 7 years before I landed my first contract. Then, there was a
long stretch from 2009 to the early part of 2011 during which I was unable to
land any new contracts. God carried me through those months and years with bits
of encouragement planted along the way, but the main thing I had to keep going
back to was His initial command and His promise, which came to me long before I
sold my first book. It’s from Habakkuk and it says:
2 Then
the Lord
answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run
who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and
it will not lie.Though it tarries, wait for it;
because it will surely come, it will
not tarry.
God’s
plan for my writing did tarry, but in the end, He proved He is faithful!
Why
the switch from contemporary to historical fiction?
Actually,
I started out writing historicals (seven manuscripts total) but I was unable to
sell them, because publishing—like so many other industries—follows trends. I
was told repeatedly by different publishing houses and editors that historical
fiction just wasn’t selling well. Faced with this dilemma, I had to reevaluate
what I was doing and whether or not I was willing to write for the current
market. Shortly after, I learned that Barbour Publishing would be venturing
into the cozy mystery market, and that a friend and colleague of mine would be
stepping into the role of acquisitions editor. Now, there may be differing
opinions on this, but I believe publishing it just too competitive not to take
advantage of every opportunity. I saw this new cozy mystery line as a chance to
get my foot through the publishing door, and I jumped at it! Though it wasn’t
my first love, writing the cozy mysteries taught me a lot about
plotting—something which I wasn’t familiar with and never really enjoyed—but
something I needed to learn in order to write longer, more complexly developed
novels. This is just my opinion, but I believe nothing is ever wasted, so long
as I learn from the experience.
You
also do speaking engagements. Peeking at the topics listed on your website, one
has me curious: overcoming page fright. Can you share what page fright is?
LOL!
Page fright is just another term for writer’s block—something I think afflicts
every author at one time or another. But since I also do a lot of drama and
theater, I couldn’t resist the urge to use a play on words.
I
enjoyed NO SAFE HARBOR, Book 1 of the Edge of Freedom Series. Does this
historical novel have any links to your own family’s history or did the impetus
to write it come from your love of the era?
Hmm...I think I would have
to say both. To start with, family members on both my side and my husband’s
emigrated from Europe in the early 1900’s. Some of my ancestors were from
Spain. My husband’s ancestors were from Holland, Ireland, and Germany. These
brave men and women who risked everything in search of a better life were the initial
inspiration for this story, but aligned with that was a love for the period,
the history, even the city and setting.
Did
you originally write the first book of the Edge series as a stand-alone,
followed by cultivating it as a series with Book 2, or did you sell it as a
series to begin with?
It’s
funny that you ask this, because initially, Edge of Freedom was a two book
series. It was only after some in-depth conversations with David Long, the
Senior Acquisitions Editor at Bethany House, that I expanded the idea into a
three book series. I’m so glad I did, because of the three, TIDE AND TEMPEST,
the third and final book, was the most fun to write!
Will
there be a Book 3 that follows DARK ROAD HOME, the 2nd Edge series
book releasing this August?
Oops…I
think I answered that in the previous question. LOL! Book three is titled TIDE
AND TEMPEST, and it follows the story of Tillie McGrath, the youngest boarding
house resident. Along with telling her story, TIDE AND TEMPEST finally resolves
all of the unanswered questions regarding the mysterious Celt, and brings to a
close the conflict between the Turners and the Hamiltons.
Now
that you are a multi-book author, do you approach your writing and promoting
from a different perspective compared to a debut author? Any advice to share
from that hindsight knowledge?
I
absolutely do. In fact, I would say changing my perspective on marketing and
promotion has been a must! I really had no idea how much work was involved in
marketing a new book, or that all of that had to be done while I was working on
other things. For me, discipline has been the key. I’ve had to approach my
writing responsibilities much like I would any other career—with dedication,
commitment, and ingenuity. While there are many things that are outside my
control—like sales numbers or book reviews—some things are not. I made a
decision, therefore, that while I can’t control sales number, no book of mine
would ever fail because I didn’t work hard enough. There may be other authors
out there more talented or more creative, but I can’t control that. What I can
say is nobody out there is willing to work harder.
In
addition to writing you’re also a freelance editor, host a successful blog, The
Borrowed Book, speaker—and all this on top of family responsibilities. What’s
your balancing trick?
Are
you ready for this?
I
wake up around 6:00 or 6:30. I feed my dogs, and get ready for work all within
an hour. If I have time, I throw in a load of laundry before heading out the
door.
From
8:00-4:00, I work as a superintendent’s secretary at a public school. I have an
hour off for lunch, so I try and answer email, write blog articles, and make
changes to my website during that time.
Once
I get home, I usually have two or three chapters to critique. I try and do
those before starting supper, unless I’m on a deadline. In that case, I work on
my own stuff first. After that, I clean up in a hurry and either cook (or buy)
something for the family to eat. Then it’s back to the computer for an hour or
two more. Usually, I try and split that time between writing and
marketing/promotional obligations.
Bottom
line: housekeeping doesn’t carry the same urgency it used to.
For
fun: want to share what you enjoy the most during downtimes?
Well,
let’s see…aside from reading and writing, I love to ski and I have a ridiculous
number of dogs. Someday, I’ll write a book about my life and call it Downhill Dachshunds: Keeping up with the
Pack.
Thank you so much for
hosting me, Elaine! Readers can find me at:
I’m also on Facebookand on Twitter. Stop on by! I’d love to have you visit.
Elizabeth's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet
author Elizabeth Ludwig on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
God’s
plans for your writing? Elizabeth Ludwig wondered too. See what happened. (Tweet This)
The
key to writing, promo, outside job, and Life 101? Elizabeth Ludwig shares on
Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Author Bio:
Elizabeth Ludwig is the award-winning author of No
Safe Harbor, Book One in the Edge of
Freedom series. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoys a
wide readership. Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often
attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction
writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful
editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her
home in the great state of Texas.
