Update: Winners for this week’s post is: Roberta –> winner of Louie’s BIG Day! Sheila –> winner of Your Life Still Counts
Congratulations to our winners and a BIG thanks to our fabulous guest authors and those of you who left comments. I wish I could give a book to every one of you!
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This week I’m participating in the Writer’s World Blog Tour and have two great giveaways to share with you.
I was invited to the tour by my good friend, Tina Yeager, who is an incredible writer of young adult suspense novels. Tina has won all sorts of writing awards and she’s one of the most caring women I know. Her heart is the size of Texas which explains why she’s also a professional counselor and personal life coach. Tina loves helping people.
Meet Tina Yeager
As a wife, mom, and latte junkie, Tina spends her free time working on young adult supernatural suspense novels. While serving as President of Tampa Word Weavers and a keynoter for Women of Destiny, she also runs a private counseling practice in Brandon, Florida.
The Florida Christian Writers Conference awarded her 2013 Writer of the Year. The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference honored her with three awards in 2014. Tina maintains a devotional blog, and appeared as an expert in Brandon Focus Magazine.
To find out more about Tina’s novels click HERE
As part of the tour, I’m answering four brief “interview” questions and then I’ll introduce you two other writers who have something special for you.
My Interview Questions
1. What are you currently working on?
I’m in the process of writing my first book which is a self help guide for women who struggle with anxiety, fear and depression. This a common issue and struggle among many women I meet. I wrestled for years with severe anxiety and depression, but not anymore. God healed me and now I want to help other women who have little hope and feel like anxiety and depression has to be a part of their lives forever. That’s not the case and my goal is to help them understand how they can experience freedom from it.
2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?
I’ve noticed that most books on this issue are written by men – doctors or counselors in the industry – which is great. I don’t consider myself an expert. Instead, I’m a everyday woman who has experienced the onslaught of severe (and I mean severe) anxiety and depression, to the point that I didn’t think I’d survive. Because of this experience, God has given me a unique ability to better understand what someone who suffers is going through. I’ve lived it and can say, “I completely understand …” when a woman shares her A&D struggles with me. I guess you could say I’m somewhat of an expert on the survival of A&D.
3. How does your writing process work?
It used to take me forever to get into the “writing zone”. I’d avoid it like the plague and procrastinate until I was touching noses with my deadline. Now I’ve developed a system that helps me catch the writing bug faster.
I have a cozy corner in my office which is designated for creative writing or reading and my goal is to write 500 words each day. I “stir up” my creativity by activating my senses. I’ll play ambient or piano music on Pandora, ignite a fresh scented candle (Limoncello from Bath & Body Works is the one I’m using now) and use the Ommwriter app to create a soothing color background to look at.
Before starting, I’ll listen to 2-3 of my favorite worship songs and oftentimes sing along. I turn off all social media and email on my laptop, close the door to my office and get started. If I get stuck in my writing, I’ll typically look out the window and gaze at the flowers on my front porch while simultaneously popping a Hershey’s kiss in my mouth. It’s amazing how chocolate can inspire me!
These simple techniques have turned my writing experience from a dreaded project to an enjoyable retreat.
Featured Writers & Giveaways
Here are two other talented writers I want to brag on. These women are powerhouses in the faith and lead thousands of women through powerful words: spoken and written. I’m thrilled beyond measure to introduce them to you today!
Meet Tracie Miles
Tracie Miles is a member of the Proverbs 31 Speaker Team and enjoys speaking at women’s events around the country. She also serves on the Writing Team for the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today daily devotions, which reaches nearly 1 million women a day with God’s Word. She is the author of the popular book Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World, and Your Life Still Counts:How God Uses Your Past To Create A Beautiful Future (releasing October 2014). Tracie is a contributing writer to Zondervan’s NIV Devotional Bible and Encouragement For Today Daily Devotion Book. You can connect with Tracie on Facebook, Twitter and her blog at www.traciemiles.com.
**Tracie has graciously offered to give away a copy of her brand new book, Your Life Still Counts
BOOK DESCRIPTION: God still has a plan for you–not in spite of your past, but because of it! Tracie helps you recognize that God not only has a purpose for you, but He has prepared you for your divine purpose based specifically on the experiences of your past.Through her own story and stories from other women who have discovered God’s purpose for their lives because of adverse experiences, Tracie helps you see how God can turn pain into purpose. You can pre-order Tracie’s new book HERE.
Meet Maria I Morgan
Maria I Morgan was born with an active imagination that shows up in her endearing stories for children. Originally an inspirational author and speaker for adults, Maria has widened her circle to include kids. She lives in the muggy South with her husband, two retrievers, and two Maine Coon kitties – the perfect mix to fuel her creativity for years to come! You can find her devotionals and download a free copy of her eBook, God Speaking, at www.mariaimorgan.com.
**Maria has graciously offered to give away a copy of her new children’s book, Louie’s BIG Day!
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Louie is a bright red lawnmower who used to live at the hardware store with his friends: Ruthie Rake, Eddie Edger, Bobbie Blower, Terri Trowel, and Henri Hose. Recently he was purchased by a man and his wife and now he’s on his own. Louie misses his friends, but it’s time to find out if he can do the job he was made to do. Join Louie for his BIG adventure and discover the surprise that awaits him at the end of the day! This special book concludes with questions to engage parent and child in conversation and help re-emphasize biblical truths.Louie’s adventures are just getting started. Keep your eyes open for the second book in the Louie the Lawnmower series: Louie & the Leaf Pile, due out early next year! Louie’s BIG day! is available on HERE.
To enter the drawing for either of these two books just leave a comment below as to which book you’d like to have and why. Plus, share this post with you friends (see social buttons below) in order to be eligible for the drawing.
I’ll announce the winners on Monday.
Until then, stay in the Word and stay awesome!
Roberta says
Wow, it was really hard deciding which book I wanted more but I chose the children’s book because I love reading stories to my grands. I think that the message is really important to share with them especially now after just losing my husband and their grandfather in August 10th 2014. We are also coming up on the 2nd year anniversary of their mother’s death as well and I believe that they need to know that God has designed them for a specific purpose and that with His help, we can do anything. I want to teach them the Word so their faith will continue to grow and they will learn at their young ages of 7& 5 to trust Him completely.My husband was their “Daddy” and they miss him so much as we all do. Thanks for letting me share my dear sweet sister.
Donna Collins Tinsley says
I would love to win the book about depression so I can give it to one of my daughters who has had severe depression for years although she is only 26. It sounds very encouraging.
Peace and blessings,
Donna
Needing Encouragement says
Hello,
I would really like a copy of Tracie Mills book your life still counts. Well because its a battle for me right now between knowing God can use me and actually believing it. I have four children all outside of wedlock, while being saved.
My last child was fathered by a married man. I feel like even though I’ve asked God forgiveness my past can’t really be used for him but only against me. The moment I open my mouth up and proclaim I am saved by grace and washed by his blood am being judged because I have four kids and no husband.
I feel like no godly man would want to marry a woman like me. Maybe the answer isn’t in the book. But I’m trying to continue to read my bible daily and put my faith and trust in God.
I would like to read a book about someone’s experience and modern day one and how God saw them through.
If I don’t win am still grateful that at least I entered and it felt good to just share my heart.
Becca says
I would be delighted and thrilled to receive a copy of Tracie Miles’ book, Your Life Still Counts. Even though I know that God still has a plan for me and my life I am having such a difficult time finding it. I need to be able to recognize that God does indeed have a purpose for me and has been preparing me for that divine purpose through all of my life experiences (both the good and the bad). Perhaps in reading how Tracie and other women have discovered God’s purpose for their lives, I can discover my own purpose. The past 7 years have been filled with tremendous pain, suffering, disappointment and disillusionment – I am looking for insight into learning how to turn all of that pain into God’s purpose. I deeply appreciate the opportunity you’ve provided. Thank you.
Linda N says
Your Life Still Counts by Tracie Miles! Forgiving myself for past mistakes, poor choices, errors in judgement is an ongoing challenge – two steps forward, one step back. And as I get older, I regret more and more the things I haven’t accomplished with my life. Knowing that my life does still count would be so encouraging & uplifting. Thanks for the chance to get the book.
Amanda says
I wouldbeinterested in Tracie’s book Your Life Still Counts. This year has been a long one of remembering a difficult distant past. This book sounds like it would give me some additional resources as I sift thru these events and from a Biblical/Christian perspective what it all means for me & Godliy effectiveness today. Thanks for the opportunity.
Courtney J says
Leah, I would LOVE to win Traci’s new book. I am often haunted by my past, and sometimes need reassurance that God can use all the pain, all the shame, and all the mistakes that I have made (and still make) to still create something beautiful.
Janice says
I would like to get the children’s book , Louie’s Big Day. I have 8 grandchildren 10 and under and they love for me to read to them. I am always looking for ways to talk about the Lord with them..
Maria I. Morgan says
Thanks for stopping by Janice. What a fantastic opportunity you have to impact your grand kids for Christ! You’re welcome to sign up for the free audiobook (Louie’s BIG day!) too: http://www.mariaimorgan.wix.com/louie-the-lawnmower
Best wishes and God bless you!
Tina Yeager says
Wonderful post, Leah! Those fabulous ideas could help revitalize my writing space, too. I can’t wait to read the book, because I know it flows from a sincere heart to encourage those who are suffering.
Leah says
Thank you, Tina. Implementing just a few little tricks has made world of difference in my approach to writing. 🙂
Maria I. Morgan says
Thank you so much for the opportunity to feature my children’s book, Louie’s BIG day! on your beautiful site. I look forward to checking out Tina and Tracie’s books! God bless you ladies as you continue to write as He leads ~
Leah says
Maria, it’s a joy to have you on the blog today! I love that you’re now writing books for children. Young hearts are always so open to receiving God’s message. What a beautiful thing to embrace as a writer.
Tina Yeager says
I’m honored to share cyberspace with such amazing women of the faith! May the Lord bless you with joy and abundant fruit in your writing!