Intense, Life is Intense, right?

Talk about a word for these last few months.

I know you feel it.

So do I.

The world. Our country. Our city. Our lives.

Intense.

Here on my front, I was invited to participate in a collaborative Christmas work. I had forgotten a story that I had loved so well. But someone of influence had not. She remembered the core. The inner workings of this story.

Now years later, when asked to present this work, I looked at the whole and saw the same thing I see one hour before a guest arrives at my home. Clutter. Dust. Dirt on the floor. Laundry. Dishes. Gasp.

I asked for time to edit the story, wanting with all my heart to present the very best for this great opportunity. She gave me one week. 18-20 hour intense days. 7 days. 4 unique edits (grammar, content, format, final overall)). Intense. I poured over this story scrubbing, scouring, taking out the trash, cleansing, shining, then stood back and as I pressed the send button, I honestly felt I had done my best.

I learned so much about pure unadulterated dedication. Such passion that is more than needed, it is required for the best. Nothing "deserved". Nothing someone owes. Pure buck-up and get the job done.

It was work.

Sweat.

And now it is finished.

At the publisher.

I want to introduce to you one of two Christmas mysteries that will be released in October. Next week I will show you the second one.

Introducing Anders' Redemption. Available in stores October 10th.

“Anders’ Redemption, the new novella by Mary Vee, is a most welcome Christmas surprise. A unique genre-blender, Redemption offers the mystery of footprints in the snow outside your window, the suspense of a coming blizzard, and the heart-warming power of a winter cup of hot cocoa. This could be the next Christmas classic.”

--Wayne Thomas Batson, Bestselling Author of
The Door Within Trilogy, Dreamtreaders, and GHOST.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ANDERS' REDEMPTION

Until then...stand strong in these intense times. God has your back.

This post has been brought to you by the one-word: Intense

Comments

quietspirit said…

Yes, the watch word for these days is intense. We feel in on the national level. I experience every time I turn on the TV news. I also feel it inside some issues evident in our church. Thank God, I have not had felt it in my home like it is outside.

15:20

Mary Vee Storyteller said…

I am glad for you as well. May peace abound in your home.

19:09

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear. Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives. You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, niv). Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s “caliber.” Ouch! That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities. It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question. The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail. Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform. The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments. A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...

The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Search This Blog