The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Mary Vee and friend Pepper Basham Ready for some fun? Tomorrow is April Fools' Day. This is not a national holiday but is celebrated in Canada, Australia, Brazil, and the United States. My dad loved April Fools' Day. Actually, he pretty much let any day be a joking day. He had so many creative ideas. Each night at supper time, he'd tell us stories from work. Usually all centered around jokes he had spearheaded. The other stories? Well, the ones someone successfully pulled off on my dad, of course! My dad didn't like birthday cakes. Usually we ordered pizza for his birthday cake. He loved it. One year, Mom brought out a traditional cake with tons of lit candles dotting the top. We sang happy birthday and he made a sour face. "Now, Bill," Mom said. "Let the kids celebrate your birthday." Mary Vee's photo He reeled in his disappointment and blew out the candles. Mom handed him the cake cutting knife and grabbed plates. He pressed ...

Today we welcome author:  Hannah Conway To win a copy of Hannah's release: The Wounded Warrior's Wife Scroll to the end of the post  to see how to get your copy. Mary Vee here. Hanna and I wrote back and forth a few times before we settled on this visit. In this time I saw what a devoted person she is to God's calling.     I asked Hannah to join us and share  how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: He Dared Me to Ask The Young Author award. Anyone remember those from elementary school? I’m not sure what stories I wrote during my formative years, but they put three young-author-genie lamp-trophies on my shelf, and for an eight year old, it didn’t get much better than that. Since I can remember, I’ve written stories, and imagined countless more. It’s something I love. I see stories everywhere bubbling up from history books, a biography, random artifacts at an antique store, or a conversatio...

Photo Courtesy I approached a person and thanked them for their work. The person, who did not know me, immediately became defensive. He said, "I would rather the people didn't clap or say Amen. The praise is all to go to God." Well, he had a point. And what he said was true.  The problem is, I wasn't praising him. I was thanking him. So when is it okay to say or receive a thank you? 1. Sometimes thank you means: I appreciate you. I am glad you are here. The person hasn't really done anything other than be present, listened, maybe enjoyed an evening together, etc. This form of thank you is a form of kindness and encouragement to the individual and spurs them to repeat the act, which God would want us to do.  2. Sometimes thank you means: I accept what you are giving whether it is a gift, time, labor, etc. This is said before the receiver actually knows what all is involved. Like: a wrapped gift, kids appearing at the door with yard tools in h...

Today we welcome author:  Varina Denman To win a copy of Varina's release: Jaded Scroll to the end of the post  to see how to get your copy. International Readers May Participate! Mary Vee here. Doesn't Varina have an absolutely lovely name? I wonder if it has a special meaning, don't you? Varina said her name is Russian and her mother picked it because  she liked it. So do I. I stopped by the Writer's Alley, where I am a contributing writer, to read the monthly announcements. That is when I met Varina and was quite intrigued with her release, Jaded     I asked Varina to join us and share  how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: God Manages to Lead Me Whether I'm Following Him Or Not I’m not one of those people who knew she wanted to be a writer at a young age. In fact, when I was in school, writing was nothing more than an assignment, and frankly, I had better things to do. I...

Happy Saint Patricks Day to you! Did you know that Saint Patrick was kidnapped and made a slave at age sixteen? While he was a slave, He had an opportunity to learn about God. He later returned to his homeland and told the people about God.  I didn't know this until I researched his background for today's post.  How timely, because I had planned to share with you a related topic. Photo Courtesy Recently I read about a program designed to help incarcerated moms and dads connect with their children. Granted the men and women committed some crime to put them in their situation, but their children still have needs. This program gives these parents an opportunity to participate in their children's lives. To have a purpose for their own life. To do something good for others. In an article written for the American Libraries Magazine,   http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/12/08/reading-on-the-inside/  A Minnesota librarian, Marcou designed a program c...

Today we welcome author:  Lacy Williams To win a copy of Lacy's new release: Secondhand Cowboy Scroll to the end of the post  to see how to get your copy. Great news! International may participated AND more than one copy will be given away! Mary Vee here. It didn't take long for me to see Lacy has a sparky personality. She's energetic and so excited to be with people. I asked her to come visit us here on Let's Talk. I think a whole nano second passed before she responded. She is definitely a fun person to get to know. We're going to have a great time this weekend. I asked Lacy, to join us and share  how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: Open Doors Mary asked me to share about God’s leading in my writing career. I’ll tell you I can see His hand mostly through the open doors He has provided. In my childhood, my parents bought me a typewriter one Christmas (I was about ten). Their...