Of Course, Cats go to Heaven

My oldest cat, Sammy, was put to sleep tonight. He was calm and happy to sit in my lap. I asked God to send Little One and Tabitha, who he'd grown up with and had already passed, to meet him. Not only did He send them, but also Dids, who was my cat from years ago and had never met Sammy.

They waited patiently for the formalities to be over and comforted me while I waited. Jesus showed up too, kissing my forehead. When it was over and Sammy had exited his body, the girls greeted him. Christ then took them all with him to heaven.

While I will mourn Sammy's loss, I know he and my other cats are reunited. They'll be playing at Jesus feet until one day, I join them.

Nervous and Excited

I am both excited and nervous about my next book, God's Gift, coming out. In it I present Christianity in a positive light and a way of life for the characters. For them, it is not a religion. As the story unfolds many truths are revealed, questions are asked, and it is my hope, that those who read the novel, find questions to ponder.

The story is told from both the viewpoint of  Major Larry Henry, the oldest brother and his sister Dr. Susanna Gates. Their younger sister Jeanie is in it as well and brings a light heartedness in what is both a dark time and a new beginning.

The discoveries made shock them, yet do not alter their perception of what is truly right and how great and wonderous God truly is.

Seasons

Summer has arrived. Temperatures are the 90's this week and I really don't want to do anything. Maybe my biggest question is what happened to Spring? We had an elongated winter with snow storms well into April/May. After that is was chilly and then bam! Summer stomped in.

My own personal seasons have been just as stormy. The transmission went on my van in late fall and I ended up having to drive my husband's car for several months. My father-in-law had a major medical issue and landed in the hospital - while my husband was out of town. Then my father had an accident and broke his elbow.

After that my husband went to live with his dad for what was supposed a temporary unknown length of time. Two months later he returned and told me he didn't want to be married anymore.Of course, he did this just before CoSine where I was schedule to be one of the participating authors. I was pretty much in shock for about a week or so.

Eventually, I got a new car with my husband helping with the financing. I own my new vehicle free and clear of payments. Not only did I get all the features I wanted but over and beyond what I had asked God for.

I did start a new job in September and six months later, I got promoted. Having never been salaried before, I'm finding it a treat to not have to punch a time clock.

Now at work, we're starting a new season. Many of our seasoned agents have moved on to a new department and most on my team are all new. It's an exciting, busy and yet scary time.

As for my writing, I'm working on that as I have time. I talked to my publisher at Denver Comic Con and my new book 'God's Gift' will be released, barring unforeseen circumstances, later this year. 'Different Dragons' which I edited is out and I have writers fighting to get into Volume 2. There are two collaborations in the works and a few short story submissions in my future.

This season of change has taught me many things and I'm blessed to have God who watches out for me. I face the future with hope rather than fear.

'God's Gift' - Sneak peak

I recently re-read my next to be published novel, 'God's Gift'. It's a very good story about three siblings who find themselves on the last colonization ship to leave Earth before a super volcano erupts. Once they reach their new home they discover not is all as was expected, not to mention an intelligent feline race who first words to the human settlers is, 'God told us you were coming, tell us about His son."

The shocked reaction of the those who first contact the felines and the following events pushes apart the colony, forcing everyone to make a hard decision about what the true future of the colony is or isn't.

Due out hopefully in 2013 from WolfSinger Publications, it is an indirect prequel to my current novel 'Winter Awakening' and a fun spring board into more adventures that will be written in the Five Systems and Borders universe.




Chapter 1

Why does it always rain at funerals like on the holos? Lawrence wondered as he watched the dark cherry casket slowly lowered into the rain soaked ground.  Lightening flashed overhead followed by crackling deafening thunder.  He saw his sister flinch at the noise and he reached over to gently touch her shoulder.  Susanna gave him a grateful smile as tears ran down her pale face.    

Not for the first time, he wondered how God could have been so cruel and taken away the only man who had understood his brilliant sister.  Gary Gates had loved her and been willing to marry her despite all the traveling her career demanded.  Unfortunately, the two had met while she’d been working in London and the rest of the family had not gotten a chance to get to know him very well.

Water dripped over the edge of the black umbrella he held.  Larry shook it glad, because of the damp chill, he’d insisted on wearing his woolen uniform rather than the rented dark suit his mother had tried to convince him was better.  

“Do not mourn as unbelievers do,” the pastor began.

At least this preacher didn’t do the usual ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ speech.   Larry guessed the man must be from a list provided by the funeral home since he didn’t know him from their regular church.

“Rather remember that we have hope, while others do not,”

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                    

Interview for A Flame in the Dark : Monsters!

http://timothycward.com/2012/10/27/coffin-hop-stop-4-dana-bell/

I've had a story accepted for 'A Flame in the Dark: Monsters!' titled 'More Lives'. For today, please to to the above link and read the interview.

Never Been Happier

Every week, at least when I'm able, I attend a group called Writers for the Journey. It's a local Christian writing group who encourages and supports each other. We celebrate rejections and cheer for acceptances. We're instructed in our craft so we can improve. There are write outs when we all come together and spend the time writing either on paper or our laptops. It's a celebration of the gift God has placed in all of us. And today, Terry Burns, a literary agent here for the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference in Estes Park, was our guest speaker. He shared the tricks of how to be shy yet still pitch to an editor or agent and market our books. Watching the faces of my fellow writers, I could see the 'light bulb' switching on as we all figured out how to use what he was teaching us in our writing career. More importantly, the question was asked, what really is our goal as writers? Is it to write lots of books? Is it to reach just one reader who needs the message contained in the pages of our novel or piece of nonfiction? In the world, success is measured by having a book on the best sellers list and making lots in money. For Christians, it's the one person who is reached with the message God has for them. In many ways, what Terry Burns said today made lots of sense. I write because I love to. I have many stories published for which I am never paid and to me, that doesn't matter. There's a message in them for someone. I also mentor up and coming writers. I have a huge heart to see them succeed. It's one of the reasons I edit anthologies. Would I love to be the next J.K. Rowlings? Won't lie and say that I wouldn't. I'd love to be able to write and not worry about having to work a day job. But the day job adds to my experiences and gives my writing more depth. Bottom line, as a writer I'm successful. Maybe not in the way most popularly think, but I'm following my calling and have never been happier.