Chasing the Sunrise

/ Gail Johnson / 27 Comments

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (Malachi 4:2 KJV).  

I had a plan this year, but I watched helplessly as it caught the fluttering breeze and flew away. But to my credit, I didn’t panic. I knew things would eventually get back to normal, and I would be back on track the following week. (You know where this is going, don’t you?)

That didn’t happen. As one month turned into two, and then two months turned into six, I struggled to keep the same schedule while juggling more responsibilities. I grew angry with myself for not being able to do it all. Add health issues that left me with debilitating fatigue and memory lapses, and you have the perfect storm.

I fell so far behind, I felt as if I was drowning. One afternoon, I stared at my computer and made the decision to close the office until life settled down. I walked away from both manuscripts for ten weeks and accepted my situation for what it truly was, an opportunity to serve. Suddenly, my schedule didn’t look so important. The stress of trying to do it all gradually fell away, and I found peace.

I no longer worried about keeping up. Instead, I turned my attention to the sunrise and gave thanks for a new day.

Each morning held a wondrous gift. Some mornings, it looked as if the pine trees were on fire. Other mornings, the first glimmer of sunshine turned windswept gray clouds into pink cotton candy strands.

One foggy morning, I could barely see the cars in front of me (the perfect metaphor for my current season). But then, fifteen minutes before I reached my destination, I peered out the window facing the eastern sky. Amid the gray expanse were three minuscule streaks, here and there, just above the tree line. Suddenly, that ugly gray sky held a beautiful truth:

Yes, the days were dark and scary. But no matter how gray the skies looked, the Lord was there, just like the sun was still there, hidden behind the fog and rain clouds. All I had to do was not give up, but chase the sunrise.

And chase, I did!

My friend, I don’t know what your year has been like, but I know we serve a Savior Who hears His children’s cries. We are not alone. Look up and keep chasing the sunrise!

I no longer worried about keeping up. Instead, I turned my attention to the sunrise and gave thanks for a new day. #hope

Give Thanks

/ Gail Johnson / 16 Comments

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD (1 Chronicles 16:8-10).

I’m visiting with family this week in Virginia! The foliage is beautiful, and the weather is perfect for fall. This picture was taken with my phone on the way to an apple orchard.

I will be back next week. Meanwhile, let’s give thanks to the Lord!

Elaine Stock ~ Women of Faith and Fiction

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Elaine Stock is an award-winning author of Women’s & Inspirational Fiction. She joins us this morning on Women of Faith and Fiction to talk about life and writing.

Personal

Good morning, Elaine. Thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little about yourself.

A little? That’s more difficult than sharing a lot—LOL.

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY back in the days before it became a glamorous place for many up and coming professionals. However, I’ve lived upstate, happily married, for more years now than my city days to the point that though visiting cities may be interesting, they make me a bit edgy. Yet, I’m thankful for my childhood days in one of the biggest cities in the world, as well as the era I spent those years and believe I was meant to learn several life lessons there and then for a reason.

Although working at a day job 32 hours a week plus Life 101 keeps me plenty busy, it’s writing (whenever I can!) that keeps me sane.

I love visiting big cities, but I’m happy to see the countryside again. Let’s talk about your writing.

Professional

Why did you choose to write in your particular genre?

I think the genre has chosen me. When I first became serious about taking my passion for writing to the next step of publication I chose the route many were encouraging me to take because it was “easy,” and that was the romance genre for the ABA market. Lesson learned: writing romance (of any nature) is not easy or a sure bet. Any good book comes from hours of honing writing skills. Actually, I believe it’s an ongoing lesson and struggle. Plus, mastering the love of editing.

It wasn’t until I devoted my stories to honor God that I began to see major positive changes. Although I am working on a story that may be more suited for the ABA market, I will never be able to ignore the power and love of God and my faith to remove these elements from any of my novels.

I believe when we honor God, we will always see positive changes. Next question. In your opinion, what is the hardest part of the writing process?

These days, it’s sitting down and writing. By this, I mean making time. I love writing, editing, and even marketing and rather would do this than anything else, job wise. Yet, I have to help make ends meet and I’m physically removed from my faithful laptop far too many hours than I desire. But…I’m working hard on my writing to change that. It all boils down to putting everything in God’s Capable Hands and trusting Him.

I agree, Elaine. Submitting and trusting Him is the perfect solution to our problems. First draft: Pencil or keyboard?

Definitely keyboard. I am a huge seat of the pants writer and am in love with my laptop. I tend to type faster than write by hand and if a story is flowing I love the physical feeling of tapping it out on the keys. LOL—there are quite a few letters on my MacBook Air that have nearly vanished.

Plotter or pantser?

Before I begin writing a story I let the idea—mainly the story’s premise—stew and grow in my mind. Then the characters come to life around these ideas. However, as I said above I am a pantser all the way! Before I gave myself permission to be a SOP writer and would attempt outlines—long or short—I always ended up sighing heavily when the story reached its bye-bye moment. I have a lot of fun seeing where the story takes me rather than where I take the story.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee, please. I must have at least 2 hefty mugs in the morning to fire off my brain. Later on in the afternoon hot decaf tea, hot chocolate (if winter), or plain water is always my companion.

Favorite thing to do when not working?

I enjoy long walks, cooking, reading a good novel, watching an old TV sitcom that makes me laugh (i.e. Frasier) or a movie musical, listening to Bach or Beethoven, or exploring with my husband a quaint New England town, one preferably by the ocean.

Sounds like my kind of adventure!

Inspirational

This year’s theme is sharing hope. In Hebrews, the writer tells us to encourage each other while it is called today. Would you please take a moment to share a brief testimony to encourage our readers?

Hope is a great word to latch onto and to never surrender. Coincidentally, hope is my author’s theme: Women’s and Inspirational Fiction to Uplift with Hope of Better Tomorrows. Why do I center on this? Truthfully, as a child and teen I did not have a lot of hope of a better tomorrow. My family had many problems; I do not have many happy memories. I believe God has always reached out to me—my earliest recollection of believing in some sort of Supreme Being was at the age of 6. It wasn’t until I embraced Jesus as my Savior in my young twenties did joy come into my life. This is why I have a passion to encourage others that brighter days can and will happen.

Elaine thank you so much for joining me and sharing your thought with our friends. Thank you, dear friends, for joining us.

Before you go, Elaine is offering a free book when you sign up for her newsletter. Here’s the link: https://elainestock.com/free-gift-for-you

“I have a lot of fun seeing where the story takes me rather than where I take the story.” ~ @ElaineStock via @GailJohnson87 #authorlife #WFF https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2019/08/16/elaine-stock-~-women-of-faith-and-fiction/

Book Blurb

Amazon Link

The journeys in life take you to unexpected destinations. The love of a good person brings you home.

Kierra Madden, proprietor of the Kindred Lake Inn, struggles for stability after her engagement ends, family strife continues, and business slows. When her mom, sister and teenage niece move in with her, life becomes a lot more complicated. There’s certainly spare room…until one guest arrives…on his bicycle.

Ryan Delaney is fit and trim…quite the eye candy.Ryan, a TV news anchor on a leave of absence following a horrific incident, enjoys the peace long-distance biking offers. Only in town to mend his strained relationship with his teen daughter, he never expects to fall for Kierra fast and hard. Despite her policy of separating business and pleasure, mutual attraction pulls them closer until unforeseen consequences threaten to wedge between them.

Surrounded by springtime beauty, will the temptation of desire bloom into a more powerful and lasting love?

Bio

Elaine Stock is an award-winning author of Women’s & Inspirational Fiction to uplift with hope of better tomorrows. Her novel, Her Good Girl, received the Outstanding Christian/Religious Fiction in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards, 2018 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal in Christian Fiction and the 2018 American Fiction Awards in the Christian Inspirational category.

Elaine is a member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Romance Writers of America. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.

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