All posts for the month October, 2012

Being Me

by Kathryn  C. Lang

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . . I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

There is more to this poem – and the more I read the poem the more I realize just HOW much more there is to these words. My husband gave me a framed copy of the poem for our second year of marriage. Today it hangs in the bathroom next to the sink and I read it every time I stand in there brushing my hair, washing my face, brushing my teeth . . . you get the picture. I read those words a lot.

Even before he presented me with the gift, I was familiar with the words. Two roads – and I took the one lease traveled by. I heard the words as a battle cry for doing my own thing instead of following the beaten path.

The other day, the words that are in between those first well know words and those last just as well known words finally sank in. It was not so much about the one less traveled by as it was making a choice and moving on.

Grow to Being Me

– Review the situation. Each moment presents different opportunities unique to that moment FOR ME. Nobody else will ever experience that exact moment. I have to be willing to slow down and look around before I know how to move forward.

– Make a choice. Every journey begins with a decision. No decision means that – by default – there will be no trip. If I want to do anything then I have to choose to do something.

– Accept the journey. It is not about the path but about MY path. I have to choose to accept the path and not look back at what might have been – because one path will lead you to the next path that will lead you to the next path. Accepting the journey helps me to find a way to my peace and joy at that time.

Two roads . . . and the difference between each one of those is not as much where they will lead but what I will choose. I do have to choose . . . and THAT will make all the difference.

# # #

Kathryn C. Lang shares words of inspiration and encouragement. Learn more about her and her writings at http://www.kathrynlang.com/. You can also purchase her books through her website or through most major online bookstores. Share your comments and thoughts with Kathryn at kathrynlang@kathrynlang.com.

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by Naty Matos on October 31, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 31, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/being-me/

Christian Literary Tribute and Steampunk?

by Sophronia Belle Lyon

 
On October 30, 2012 a new book will launch, called “The Alexander Legacy, Book One: A Dodge, a Twist, and a Tobacconist.” Hope you aren’t lost already with such a long-winded title. Literary Tribute and Steampunk are pretty uncharted territory for Christian writers. In fact, some Christians will turn away because the title includes a “tobacconist”, and because it’s launching on October 30th, clearly a tie-in with that totally unchristian celebration known as Halloween.
 
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about Florizel, Prince of Bohemia in “The Suicide Club.” He righted wrongs, fought evil, and then retired to run a tobacco shop. In this story Florizel repairs a pipe, lights it for the owner, and there is brief mention of cigar smoking. Otherwise, he comes out of retirement to help form the crime-fighting Alexander Legacy Company, along with characters from Jane Austen, Rudyard Kipling, Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and others. A literary tribute takes classic literary characters and tells new stories about them.
 
Steampunk speculates on what life would be like in the Victorian Era if people had amazing steam and clockwork technology like airships, automatons (similar to robots) and other devices. Often it has dark or occult elements. That’s the Halloween connection. This is more of a Halloween alternative, like handing out tracts to trick-or-treaters. The characters fight human trafficking, protect traditional marriage and family, and confront situations common to the gothic horror and occult-obsessed modern culture.
 
Please visit Sophronia Belle Lyon’s Facebook page and give it a look and a like. Browse the beautiful 18th and 19th-Century paintings to help you visualize some of the story’s characters. Take a look at the full print version cover art and clothing of the Victorian era. and enjoy some samples of the story and the original artwork depicting the “gadgets” that steam through this tale, including clockwork bugs and a giant catfish submarine.
 
Put on your goggles and step aboard the airship of Oliver Twist, grown up to be a brilliant but eccentric inventor. Linger in a rooftop garden filled with moving bronze animals. Pin a fashionable clockwork bug to your lapel. Meet an Indian poison maiden and see what she does with her Khanda sword.
 
Most important, track a shadowy enemy organizing pickpockets, prostitutes, drug dealers and housebreakers into a slave army bent on seeing that no one comprehends or finds true freedom again. Watch redemption come out of enslavement and see the restoration of those the world thinks of as hopeless.
 
https://www.facebook.com/SophroniaBelleLyon

 

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by Naty Matos on October 29, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 29, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/christian-literary-tribute-and-steampunk/

Happy Birthday GNFA!!

It’s amazing to look back at all the accomplishments that we’ve had in a year. It’s amazing that what started with a handful of authors wanting to get together with one vision, working together to provide quality Christian books to the readers and support Christian authors throughout their careers, it’s now close to 200 authors and tons of books published all in one year.

The best way to celebrate all those accomplishments this group has had in the last year is to hear from some of the authors themselves about their experience with GNFA.

 

Mary C. Findley-“I wouldn’t know much of anything about Christian book promotion or have as many awesome fellow writer friends if it weren’t for GNFA.”


Ada Brownell-“I am thankful for GNFA because of how it has increased my horizons in marketing, camaraderie, support, and given me spiritual encouragement and blessings. What a blessing all of you have been to me!”

Precarious Yates-“I have had increased sales because of GNFA, that’s for sure! Also, the encouragement from fellow authors who ‘get’ the trials of an author–that is priceless!”

Mikayla Kayne-“Oh the things I would have done differently if I had GNFA in my life two years ago. It’s been an amazing resource for education, encouragement, and friendship. I especially love seeing the excitement and rallying around new releases and chart climbers.”

Lynnette Bonner“GNFA is a place where authors from all walks come together to support, encourage, uplift, and promote one another. It is also a place where those new to marketing can come to find fabulous tips and ideas for what works and what doesn’t work in promotion. I’m thrilled to be part of the group!”

Suzanne Williams”GNFA taught me how to market my books and provided encouragement to keep writing.I’ve made lots of great friends.”

Heather Hart– “I love the fellowship, encouragement, and advice offered here.”

Diane Lesire Brandmeyer- “GFNA has shown me how to focus on marketing in a small amount of time. The support of this group is priceless.”

Bev Schrader Nault-”When I felt alone and clueless, the GFNA community embraced me.”

April McGowan-”GNFA has taught me to push ahead and try–not to wait for someone else to market my book. They’ve been a place of encouragement, a place of celebration–a place of support and prayer. I’m so grateful to be part of the group!”

Shelley Hitz-“I love GNFA. Being part of an active community of Christian authors has been so encouraging for me. Writing and publishing can be very lonely at times and yet GNFA has provided the much needed camaraderie encouragement and support I needed during a difficult time in my life. Thank you Staci, Naty and every one of you…I’m so thankful to have found this group.”

God Bless you all and looking forward to another year of great writing! Stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter

Staci Stallings                                       Naty Matos

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by Naty Matos on October 26, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 26, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/happy-birthday-gnfa/

Princess-ly Conduct

By Jessie Powers

I grew up in a neighborhood with lots of kids, and a good mix of boys and girls. I tended to play more with the boys; their games were just more fun! It was a lot more fun to run around chasing a ball or other kids than it was to sit and make little plastic dolls move around the floor. I guess you could say I was a bit of a tomboy. You could easily say I was not a refined princess.

Yet, I am a princess. I am a redeemed daughter of the King of Kings and as such that makes me a princess. If you are saved you are also a prince or princess. This title is not something we should take lightly, it comes with responsibilities. For us princesses there are many things that we need to take into consideration as we conduct ourselves each day.

First, is our dress worthy of being called a Heavenly princess? 1 Peter 3:3-4 warns us that we should focus more on inward beauty than jewels and fancy hairdos. In Proverbs we are told that outward beauty is fleeting (Proverbs 31:30). So, as princesses we need to shine from the inside out.

Second, is our speech worthy of the crown? A woman that is vulgar is not acting like a princess (Ephesians 4:29). It isn’t just our diction that we have to watch, but the content of our speech. A Heavenly princess is honest and does not gossip. In Proverbs 16:13 we are advised that kings (including THE King) take pleasure in honesty. Proverbs 20:19 warns us to not even associate with those that gossip and slander.

A third attribute of God’s princess is her behavior. God’s princess can best be seen in Proverbs 31. She works hard every day to serve those God has put before her. She is wise and frugal, she is caring and thoughtful, and she is prepared for the unexpected. God’s princess is not lazy or ditzy but wise and lives to serve her King by serving others.

If you read my book Joyfully After All you will get to journey with me as God shows me just what it means to be His child and be worth of calling myself a princess.  You will see that no matter what life throws our way, no matter how dirty we feel because of life’s circumstances, we are still His beloved and we can still claim the crown and the title of Heavenly Princess!

Jessie Lee is the author of Joyfully After All (on sale on amazon.com in paperback and EBook formats). She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t busy writing or at a speaking engagement  she can be found volunteering with her church, watching football, working in the family garden or playing with her family and friends. To learn more about Jessie lee you can visit www.victoryoverrape.blogspot.com or visit her Facebook page (search Joyfully After All).

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by Naty Matos on October 24, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 24, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/princess-ly-conduct/

Interview with Sharon Srock

Welcome to Grace & Faith for you Sharon. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Believe it or not, I went to bed one night, a normal person, and woke up the next morning determined to write a book. I know, now, where that came from. It was more than a little weird at the time.

I totally understand, tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love a good courtroom drama. Fantasy when it’s well done. By well done, I mean it has to completely draw me into a different world. Mysteries, and Romantic suspense are devoured at my house like chocolate covered cherries.

How do you keep your sanity in this crazy fast paced world of ours?

I guess I’m a product of our environment. I like being busy. Even on a vacation I have to consciously tell myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. Sanity…I’m a writer, that option took a hike a few years back.

What is your favorite food?

I have two rules when I cook. If it’s sweet add chocolate. If it isn’t sweet add cheese.

I totally agree, I’m a chocolate and cheese person myself.  So, If you could invite a fictional character to dinner who would it be and why?

Oh, can I pick two? Merlin and Spock. Merlin because I’m captivated by the whole knights in armor, Arthur, slaying the dragon thing. Spock because…well…because the idea of extraterrestrial life interests me. If we ever find life out there, I’d hope they would be wise and beneficial sort like Vulcans. Not the I’ve come to destroy your world we see portrayed 99% of the time.

Haha! I like that. So now that you have released Callie, What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That sometimes we spend too much time beating ourselves up for something God has already forgiven and forgotten. That we do a disservice to ourselves and others when we indulge in those feelings.

Where can our readers find you online?

Sharon Srock
The Women of Valley View. Ordinary women using their faith to do extraordinary things.

Thanks for your time Sharon, it has been a pleasure having you with us.

You can obtain Callie at:

And here’s the chance to win a huge basket of gifts. Keep reading

A copy of Callie’s story
A certificate for Terri’s story when it releases in April
A 6 piece Cherry blossom bath set
A cosmetic bag
A Bath Wrap
A Cozy pink eye mask
A Pair of aloe infused booties
A Hair Turban
A Tennis Bracelet
A 25.00 Amazon gift card
The rules are easy. For every reader that comments on this post, you get an entry into the drawing. A winner will be drawn Monday November 19th. The items add up to well over 100.00 in value.
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by Naty Matos on October 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 22, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/interview-with-sharon-srock/

All I Want

Author  Chanz’e Witcher presents us with her new book, “All I want”

 

 

All I Want just took center stage and was released on October 16, 2012.  The ultimate mission behind this spiritual children’s series is to show the children the way to overcome the challenges they find themselves surrounded by today.  As I look back and vividly recall how it came about, I dissected what was meant by life.  After hearing countless heart-breaking stories of the youth falling prey to the ways of the world and ending their lives, I knew it was time to go to work.  This empowering first book in the series set the foundation by introducing the scripture of Psalm 23:1 and allows the children to go straight to the bible to learn more.  It’s inspiring and it’s here ready to reach the young people of today.

 

So who is Chanz’e Witcher?

Chanz’e Witcher, an American author was born in Dallas, Texas. The second oldest child out of nine children, Chanz’e was always determined to rise above her circumstance. Her parents instilled morals, family values, and the love for Christ in all of their children. Chanz’e from a very young age was taught that reading the Bible would answer all of her questions about life and give her purpose. Her love for reading grew into a desire to read more. Eventually, her library of books grew from one to stacks of books. As a young child, her passion for reading books led her to create her own books from newspaper. The newspaper would be gathered and bounded with paste to create an illusion of a book.

After graduating from high school in 2001, Chanz’e went on to become a highly sought after court reporter once she graduated from the Court Reporting Institute of Dallas. Because of her desire to be the best, Chanz’e was able to transcribe verbatim word by word testimony of depositions, trials, hearings, and other litigation cases. Court reporting and avidly reading many books afforded Chanz’e the opportunity to perfect her love of writing. As fate would have it, Chanz’e remembered and lived by the morals and values taught by her parents and began to hone in on her writing abilities. What started out as journaling now came the reality of becoming an author. After pondering on whether or not she could make a difference in another child who was living the life that she once lived, Chanz’e decided to make it a reality. With a thought, a dream, and a simple vision came her book “All I Want”, an inspirational and emotional account of her moment of truth as a young girl who grew to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

The revelation of “All I Want” gained Chanz’e an opportunity to become signed as a professional author in 2011 after been chosen from a single digit percentage of new and upcoming authors. This book is Chanz’e first book of many in a series to be announced at a later date. The series is intended to educate the youth about self-acceptance, self-reliance, and self-discipline.

You can also be on the lookout for an adult novel entitled “Healed Supernatural of Stage IV Breast Cancer”, which is set to start production within the next few months. This new author is excited about joining the ranks of other new and existing authors. Chanz’e wants to share her life’s testimonies in easy to read books that can be enjoyed by every age group. These stories are relatable, and can be personalized by just inserting your name or the name of someone you may know who has a story similar to Chanz’e’s story.

Stay Connect @

 

(facebook personal page)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/chanze.witcher

(facebook professional page)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/CreatingMemoriesWithin?fref=ts

(twitter)

https://twitter.com/ChanzeWitcher

(linkedin)

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chanz-e-witcher/37/735/99a

(tumblr blog)

http://chanzewitcher.tumblr.com/

(email)

chanzewitcher@gmail.com

 

 

Books available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Tate Publishing & Enterprises

 

 

 

 

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by Naty Matos on October 19, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 19, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/all-i-want/

Understanding Partnership

By Sharon Srock

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT)

5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.

I love it when I stumble across something in my daily Bible reading that applies to the moment I’m living in. I’ll be the first to admit that this would happen more often if I was listening more closely. But this just sort of slammed me between the eyes. One of those good news/bad news moments, just when I needed that still small voice of calm to perform a reality check in my soul.

At Grace and Faith Authors connection, we’re all about supporting each other and helping each other promote our books. That’s an entirely good thing as far as I am concerned.

As I stand on the brink of the release of my first novel, I am a marketing basket case. Blog tours, interviews, book signings, launch party, social media, and God help us all, a video…

I’ll admit that I don’t have a clue, but God has given me lots of resources, and some brand new, never met face-to-face friends to help with tweets and blog space. I think I’m going in the right direction, and I’m grateful. But have I left something out?

Take a look at the verses above and since I always like the good news first, read verses 7 and 8. My agent is fond of saying that there are only two reasons to write Christian fiction. Either as a calling or an offering. I’m good with that explanation. Either way, calling or offering, it’s a 95/05 partnership as far as I’m concerned. I’m the lesser number.

Words can not express my gratitude to the wonderful network of friends, published or unpublished, experienced or rookie, old or young, who have joined me in this journey. But I wonder, have I left the most important thing undone?I never want you to think I take you less than the blessing you are, but my success or failure will not be measured human influence or endorsement, blog posts and tweets.

The Bible also tells me in Psalms 127:1 (NLT)

Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.

It comes down to where my trust, hope, and confidence is placed. I want my writing to be a well watered tree, not bothered by the heat of negative criticism, the drought of reader rejection. I want the leaves of my stories to produce continuous fruit for the Father.  If this project isn’t built on God from the first stoke of the keyboard, nothing any of us can do will ever make it fly. But together, you, me, and GOD. The possibilities are endless.

The Women of Valley View. Ordinary women using their faith to do extraordinary things.
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by Naty Matos on October 17, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 17, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/understanding-partnership/

Working for Your Worth

By Staci Stallings

Worth.  What is it?

We ask, “Is it worth it?” and “What’s it worth to you?”

All of the definitions of worth speak of value–monetary or life value.

But where do we get our worth?  I think that is a central way Satan uses to get us off-track.  I also think if we were to really look at the question and not just live it blindly, it could help us find some peace rather than a mountain of stress.

Let’s look first at how the world says we get our worth.  There are many ways the world says you can be “worth it.”  You can have a well-paying job or a good family; a fine home or fancy cars.  You can be a leader in your community or you can contribute to society in some meaningful way.

All of those are fine in their place, but here’s the problem.

When you get your worth from your job, what happens when you lose the job or even could potentially lose it?  At that point the job becomes your worth.  No wonder losing a job can be so devastating.  Yes, you have the financial strain, but worse the job loss signals to you that your worth is suddenly zero.

How about if your worth is tied up in being married or in a relationship.  “I am worth it because I have someone who loves me.”  Okay.  What happens when they leave or die?

Many Christians try to derive their worth from their work in the church or in ministry.  Don’t get me wrong–ministry is important, but it does not and should not define if you are worth it or not.  When people begin to look to their ministry and church work to give them self-worth, oh, do they get into trouble quickly.

And I believe right there is where Satan snags the most well-intentioned Christians. In their heads and their hearts he twines the belief that “since I’m working in the church, I’m worth something.”

However, when you are working for your worth in any context, even the in the church, you’re in trouble.  Why?  Because seeking worth through your own work can become an addiction.  At first, it feels like it takes very little ministry to experience a worth-increase.  Then, as you go, it takes more and more to experience that same sense of “I’m worth it.”

Now, I love the church, but it is one place that will absolutely ask you to give more than any human ever can.  There are always positions to fill, jobs to do, needs to be met.  You can join the choir and the ladies organization; you can pray for missions and help at the bake sale; you can volunteer to help with the youth, teach Sunday School and run VBS; you can help plant the trees and do the fundraiser for the new foyer rug.  You can read in services, usher, and be in hospitality. You can be on the finance council and on the board.

There is literally no end to the ministries you can choose to be in, and therein lies the trap.  When you are working for your worth, and to get the “high” you initially experience from gaining your self-worth through you work, you have to do more and more and more; and there are so many good things in the church that you could be doing…. Oh, it’s easy to hit burn-out while simultaneously feeling like you are not doing enough.

It’s a paradox that snags too many Christians.

So what is the answer?

Stop working for your worth!

The truth is… the Good News is… your worth is not defined by anything on this earth.  Nothing you do or don’t do can add or subtract from your inherent worth.  Why?  Because your worth doesn’t come from you or anything outside you. It comes only from God, and the worth God imbues you with is perfect and whole just as it is.  And once you accept that, no additions or subtractions are necessary.

Does that mean we don’t work?  No.  It means we work from a spirit of who we are in God, not from a spirit of trying to become something if we do enough.

Stop working for your worth.  Understand that right now, just as you are–you are worth it because God says you are.

Once you accept that, your work will no longer feel like work. You can say yes when you want to say yes and no when you don’t, and not feel the crushing guilt of letting everyone else down and knowing that now they will think you are not worth it.

The truth is:  You are priceless, just as you are, because God made you and you are a Child of the King.

Period.  End of sentence… and beginning of a brand new life.

 

Staci Stallings, the author of this article, invites you to take a very personal journey out into the territory with her. Reflections on Life III: Posts from the Territory is a collection of short stories that show the trials and tribulations life can throw at someone as well as the hope that abides no matter how challenging life becomes.  “Your words touched my heart and gave me cause to believe that what I’m going through right now has a purpose.” –Greg Parker, online reader

Pick up your ebook copy today on : Amazon  or BN Nook 
Reflections on Life III
~ Posts from the Territory~

Life. It sounds so easy.

But then you hit “the territory.”

Out in the territory–some call it the wilderness–you’re not on sure footing, you’re uncertain how to proceed and sometimes how to even survive. Maybe it’s a bout of unemployment or a divorce. Maybe it’s a loved one’s death or an illness.

The territory can be a frightening, overwhelming place.

In this candid, very personal collection of stories, Staci Stallings shares with her readers her own walks through in the territory. From the death of her brother through her son’s battle with dyslexia, Staci knows what it’s like to be in the disorienting sandstorms of life. Fortunately, she also knows that holding onto God and faith can see one through the “territories” of life that crop up no matter who you are or how much faith you have.

Find hope and healing, faith and peace in these pages. Let Staci share with you the lessons she has learned so you will come to realize that not only is there hope–even in what may appear to be hopeless situations, but that you are not alone in having “territory moments.” Most of all through these stories it will become clear that God truly is right there with you–even in the territory–every step of the way.

“Your words touched my heart and gave me cause to believe that what I’m going through right now has a purpose.”
Greg Parker, online reader

Pick up your ebook copy today on : Amazon  or BN Nook

 

 

 

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by Naty Matos on October 15, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 15, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/working-for-your-worth/

Interview with Shaina Cilimberg

Today we welcome GNF Author Shaina Cilimberg. Thanks for accepting our interview.

So Shaina, When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote for fun on and off since eleven but I guess I was 13 when I first started to realize it.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It takes me a few months but then I have to edit and re-edit so that takes a few hours…then few months later i have to re-edit again.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A few from personal experiences , from other people’s experiences, the internet, observation, TV, Movies, Music and Books
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Go to church, school, watch Bachelor/ette, watch Good Luck Charlie, watch Austin and Ally, watch xfactor. JESSE is also a funny show. Debby Ryan is so funny.  I excerise and listen to music. I spend time with friends. I like fashion but I also like kicking around a soccer ball adn shooting hoops. I dress anywhere from trnendy, to punk alternative, to girl next door. I like thrift stores and other inexpensive stores.  I prefer music that is deep and has meaning. I also like good guitars and drums in songs. However, I do like Justin Beiber, One Direction and Selena Gomez. I am a Demi Lovato fan, but her songs are probably in a different section of pop music. I like “Firewok” and “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry.  I like some country. There was a country singer named Maxfield on Season Two of Glee Project and I like him. I also like Carrie Underwood. I like Christian rock groups such as Icon for Hire, Red, Skillet, Flyleaf, Tenth Avenue North, POD. I like Linkin Park’s old stuff-2010 and earlier. I also like The Fray and Parachute.  I also like to play a little bit on my guitar once and a while.  I sometimes try to  play “Hero” by Superchik and “In Christ alone” on my guitar. It’s fun but writing is probably a better fit. If I had things my way, you could burst out in random song and dance without it being weird. They should make a “Random Dance and Sing” Holiday. If I were President, I’d totally invent it.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I wrote a bunch of books since I was 13 and gone through lots of edits. Only two are online: “Crowded” and “Perfect Forgiveness” I have a very short non-fiction book called “Racing Bloodstream,” about a girl who rides horses.
Tell us about your most recent book. 
Right now, I am working on my third book. It is about an orphaned girl with OCD and Asperger’s who falls in love with a boy who practically got a makeover during the summer. They also are in a band together. It  also deals with their insecurity. My books deal with bullying. Even though the boys in my book recieve physical bullying, bullying does not always have to be physical. It can be verbal, emotional, mental and cyberbullying.
How can readers find you online? 
Shaina has been writing  since the age of eleven.  She  took Creative writing and journalism in 8th grade, journalism in 9th grade, creative writing in 11-12 grade. She is promoting her second book in the Deep River High Series- Perfect Forgiveness.
A last message from Shaina:
I write my books to bring people to and closer to God. I hope people read my books and discuss the characters. I want them to be able to relate. I wrote “Perfect Forgiveness” originally I thought it would be a good idea to write about. I did not want bullying to be the reason.  I think bullying contributes to school shootings, but  I think there are other factors that go along with it.  Then, I decided to have one of the shooters actually shoot down the school because of bullying. The character fo Kirk is very sad and  I hope you get to see the struggle throughout the book. He was kind of inspired by Santana High School Shooter Andrew Charles Williams. Also, I based it on the rumor that Dylan was more or less going along with Eric Harris in the Columbine shootings. Supposedly, Dylan Klebold let a guy go and Eric got mad. Another time, they were overheard aruging. Dylan wanted to stop adn Eric did not. I do not know if that was true or not. So, basically the other two shooters did it because they thought God wanted them to. Kirk shoots down the school because he was bullied and from a broken home.
Characters from Crowded make an appearence. Emily, Lydia and Josh befriend him, along with a new character. So, that adds more to Kirk’s struggle, including how he deals with what he’s done.  Lydia is not quite as happy-go-lucky as she was in “Crowded.” Josh is not a jerk like he  was in “Crowded.” Emily is more or less the same.
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by Naty Matos on October 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Interviews
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 12, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/interview-with-shaina-cilimberg/

For the Over 55

By June Foster

Caution: This message is for those over 55 only.

 

Sometimes I feel like the faded carnations I had to toss in the garbage because they were wilted and brown on the edges. But then I took one last whiff of the discolored petals. The aroma was divine despite their appearance.

 

Just like these flowers that still possessed a heavenly scent, we, too, are valuable despite our arthritis, failing eyesight, and hearing aids. God can use us at any age – until the day He calls us home.

 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Take courage when you find that white hair or first wrinkle. To God we are the fragrance of the knowledge of him, the sweet aroma of God’s people saved by the power of Christ.

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by Naty Matos on October 10, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Faith -- Inspirational
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Posted by Naty Matos on October 10, 2012

https://graceandfaith4u.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/for-the-over-55/

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