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“You enter the extraordinary by way of the ordinary.” ~Frederick Buechner
White
Stone Series Special Free Giveaway. Last day Today
Invisible Light
Meet
Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home and family battles against depression
and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When seventeen-year-old Ashia abruptly moves to San
Francisco five months before her graduation, she is propelled into isolation
both at home, and school, where she is seen as an intruder. When she uncovers a
web of deceit exposing a counterfeit principal manipulating the school system
for personal gain, her emotional darkness begins to close around her. Ashia
attempts to battle depression and hopelessness. She searches for the Lord’s
light and finds refuge in her poetry.
Book Two in the White Stone
Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six
young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles
of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and
experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click
on the cover and go straight to Amazon. Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please
take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
Marcy
White Stone Series Special Giveaway Day Three Free
Invisible Light
Meet Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home and family battles against depression and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When seventeen-year-old Ashia abruptly moves to San Francisco five months before her graduation, she is propelled into isolation both at home, and school, where she is seen as an intruder. When she uncovers a web of deceit exposing a counterfeit principal manipulating the school system for personal gain, her emotional darkness begins to close around her. Ashia attempts to battle depression and hopelessness. She searches for the Lord’s light and finds refuge in her poetry.
Book Two in the White Stone Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click on the cover and go straight to Amazon. Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
Marcy
White Stone Series Special Giveaway Free Day One Today.
Invisible Light
Meet Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home and family battles against depression and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When seventeen-year-old Ashia abruptly moves to San Francisco five months before her graduation, she is propelled into isolation both at home, and school, where she is seen as an intruder. When she uncovers a web of deceit exposing a counterfeit principal manipulating the school system for personal gain, her emotional darkness begins to close around her. Ashia attempts to battle depression and hopelessness. She searches for the Lord’s light and finds refuge in her poetry.
Book Two in the White Stone Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click on the cover and go straight to Amazon. Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
Marcy
White Stone Series Special Free Giveaway July 1st to July 5th.
Invisible Light
Meet Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home and family battles
against depression and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When seventeen-year-old
Ashia abruptly moves to San Francisco five months before her graduation, she is
propelled into isolation both at home, and school, where she is seen as an
intruder. When she uncovers a web of deceit exposing a counterfeit principal
manipulating the school system for personal gain, her emotional darkness begins
to close around her. Ashia attempts to battle depression and hopelessness. She
searches for the Lord’s light and finds refuge in her poetry.
Book Two in the White Stone
Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six
young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles
of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and
experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click
on the cover and go straight to Amazon. Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please
take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
Marcy
Thank you new readers for choosing Light That Fractures to read. Hope you enjoy.
Please take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Invisible Light-Book Two-Available
Meet Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home and family battles against depression and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When seventeen-year-old Ashia abruptly moves to San Francisco five months before her graduation, she is propelled into isolation both at home, and school, where she is seen as an intruder. When she uncovers a web of deceit exposing a counterfeit principal manipulating the school system for personal gain, her emotional darkness begins to close around her. Ashia attempts to battle depression and hopelessness. She searches for the Lord’s light and finds refuge in her poetry.
Click on the cover and go straight to Amazon.
Read Deep, Marcy
White Stone Series Special Free Giveaway 4th Day. Last day tomorrow.
Light That Fractures
Meet Geena as she begins a new year faced with a choice. Pursue justice for her twin sister’s death regardless of consequences, or release her anger and allow healing to begin.
Still struggling with months of grief, Geena Morisi resolves to begin the New Year with hope instead of holding onto her anger. When an unexpected windfall arrives, she has to choose whether relinquishing her desire for justice betrays her twin sister’s memory or honors her life. Geena wavers back and forth between past and present trying to decide which path to take. Can she return to her art studies, manage her day care job, and raise her orphaned niece only on her own terms? Her decision will have repercussions to change not just her life, but Ana’s too.
Book One in the White Stones Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click on the cover and go straight to Amazon. Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please take a few minutes to post a review, or a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
White Stone Series Special Free Giveaway May 10th to May 15th.
Light That Fractures
Meet Geena as she begins a new year faced
with a choice. Pursue justice for her twin sister’s death regardless of
consequences, or release her anger and allow healing to begin.
Still
struggling with months of grief, Geena Morisi resolves to begin the New Year
with hope instead of holding onto her anger. When an unexpected windfall
arrives, she has to choose whether relinquishing her desire for justice betrays
her twin sister’s memory or honors her life. Geena wavers back and forth
between past and present trying to decide which path to take. Can she return to
her art studies, manage her day care job, and raise her orphaned niece only on
her own terms? Her decision will have repercussions to change not just her
life, but Ana’s too.
Book One in the White Stones Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six
young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles
of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and
experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Click on the cover and go straight to Amazon.
Hope you enjoy her story. If so, please take a few minutes to post a review, or
a star rating, or both. Thanks!
Read Deep
Marcy
Meet Ashia, a teenager uprooted from her home
and family battles against depression and hopelessness to find God’s light.
When
seventeen-year-old Ashia abruptly moves to San Francisco five months before her
graduation, she is propelled into isolation both at home, and school, where she
is seen as an intruder. When she uncovers a web of deceit exposing a
counterfeit principal manipulating the school system for personal gain, her
emotional darkness begins to close around her. Ashia attempts to battle
depression and hopelessness. She searches for the Lord’s light and finds refuge
in her poetry.
Book Two in the White Stone Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six
young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles
of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and
experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Available now on Amazon: Marcy Weydemuller
A special thanks to artist Katelyn Catasnga
for her powerful painting. You can find her work online at TheWanderling.com and Etsy.com/shop/TheWanderling.
And to Indie mentor Kitty Bucholtz. Learn more about her classes and her upcoming podcast Write Now Workshop, at http://kittybucholtz.com/.
Hope you enjoy the series
Read Deep
marcy
Light That Fractures is released.
J
Still
struggling with months of grief, Geena Morisi resolves to begin the New Year
with hope instead of holding onto her anger. When an unexpected windfall
arrives, she has to choose whether relinquishing her desire for justice betrays
her twin sister’s memory or honors her life. Geena wavers back and forth
between past and present trying to decide which path to take. Can she return to
her art studies, manage her day care job, and raise her orphaned niece only on
her own terms? Her decision will have repercussions to change not just her
life, but Ana’s too.
White Stones Series: Hope, Faith, Heart
Six
young women face life transitions that create tense relationships and struggles
of faith. Will they have the courage to challenge their personal fears and
experience new beginnings that stretch their hearts into hope?
Write with Impact
 “For now we see in a
mirror dimly, but then face to face;….. . But now abide faith, hope, love,
these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13: 12-13
A mirror reflects images. Outer landscapes often act as mirrors in
myth and fantasy, allowing the characters and/or reader a deeper insight into
themselves, a reflection of their inner (soul) landscape, and recognition of
shared humanity. When the inner and outer landscapes connect, this combination
often illumines spiritual imagery through mirrors and maps. They translate the
character’s internal landscape for him/her.
In a similar way the mythic stories that are handed down from
generation to generation act as mirrors of hope. They include an assortment of
proverbs, parables, wisdom stories, creation, family heritage, cultural, songs,
fairy tales, and folktales. But a common thread they all share are that the
stories are considered of value, the reality of what has gone before and the
promises that the future will bring. Through a heart of love they continue to
pass along hope.
In some ways myth as hope is tied into myth as yearning
although this is not a fabricated put on a happy face future, but rather an
expectation based on experience and relationships and truth. It is hope in
story that brings about new beginnings. It shares dreams fitted with solid
hiking boots.
James N. Frey, in his book The Key, points out that a hero’s journey does not necessarily mean
the hero will survive, but rather that he succeeds and if he perishes—he dies
victorious.
“The hero faces
natural fears. They include the terrors of height, fire, wild animals, creepy
things, dark places, claustrophobic spaces, physical combat, inhospitable
environments, monsters, evil spirits, and perils involving water: storms at
sea, rapids and so on.” James N Frey
When we can connect our stories to these characteristics and
the patterns they provide as they pass down through generations, then we
discover and develop personal essence that resonates today. They bridge the
past, the present and the future with possibilities—with hope.
Share: What is the
first novel you remember reading that gave you a sense of timeless hope?
Read deep,
marcy
Write with Impact
 “Myths are narrative
patterns that give significance to our existence.” Rollo May
Why do we need myth? What exactly is it?
According
to one google search, myth is defined as:
“1.
a
traditional story, esp. one concerning the early history of a people or
explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving
supernatural beings or events.
2.
a widely held but false belief or idea.”
How
to reconcile two seemingly opposite concepts? The Bible itself is filled with
stories under the first category and yet there are also a few verses warning
against myths as lies.
Rollo May says that, “A
myth is away of making sense in a senseless world.” Perhaps that is where
the crunch comes—what makes sense in one situation can be a serious threat in
another and seen as senseless.
Yet when we study myth under the first definition above we
find ourselves building bridges of understanding between a different world and
our world. We begin to see with a new perspective. A perspective that drives
from a heart/soul story truth rather than a formal legal rule.
Like wisdom literature or love, myths speak across time and
across cultures in fresh and ever changing language. It encompasses mystery and yearning, truth and hope, imagination and creativity
in myriad possibilities.
Mythic literature refers to stories that have been handed
down from generation to generation, orally and finally in print. They include
proverbs, parables, wisdom stories, creation, family heritage, cultural, songs,
fairy tales, and folktales.
According to Rebecca J. Lukens the term ‘traditional’ or
‘folk literature’ expresses the universality of human wishes and needs. “Folktales have been called the ‘spiritual
history’ of humankind, the ‘cement of society,’ binding a culture together.”
Whether we recognize it or not myth plays an integral part
in our lives. As writers when we can tap into its qualities we are able to
write our stories with deeper impact, regardless of genre. Sometimes myth will
drive the entire narrative and sometimes it will add only a few spices. However
it’s premise of soul language has the capacity to add significance whenever it
is used.
Over the next few weeks we’ll take a close look at mythic
characteristics to see how they can help us build our stories and write with
impact.
Share: What mythic
story has impacted you?
Read deep,
marcy
Reading for Craft
 Last week we looked at the romance attribute of fellowship.
Here are the next two relevant characteristics for quality inspiration.
Insight. Whether
flying the skies over Europe in the historical World War II series Wings of Glory by Sarah Sundin, or time
traveling in Italy with Lisa T. Bergren’s River
of Time, inspirational romance gives insight, clarity, and discernment by
modeling real lives struggling with real relationships. All without telling or
teaching or trampling.
We may not be the ace pilot with a slightly enlarged ego,
but we might recognize that the words his friend had been quietly speaking are
similar to the ones our trusted friend has been warning us about. And avoid the
fall-out in our own relationship because we listen. Or find the courage to
confess an indiscretion and trust it will lead to reconciliation. Outer
circumstances change along a timeline, but hearts don’t. Struggles over envy or
greed or fear remain. Desire for love, acceptance, and understanding never end.
Good fiction mirrors heart-life and in inspirational romance readers can trust
the foundation.
Hope.
Inspirational romance springs from a faith-based perspective. Often when we
really need personal advice we go to someone who not only has known our ups and
downs but also has stayed by our side through them. They already speak our
heart and soul language. We have confidence to know we are using the same
vocabulary.
Author Gail Gaymer Martin notes that there are three threads
in inspirational romance: personal, romantic, and spiritual growth. As the
characters grow into their relationship with each other, they also develop a
relationship with God in their individual faith walk. Understanding and
developing their spiritual needs sometimes will draw them closer together and
at other times will drive them further away. However, the end result will
always be hope, even if it is only a sliver of light.
Inspirational romance is heart romance inside and
out—changing lives, restoring souls, and creating new beginnings, all grounded
in love.
Share: What authors do you know that share all three aspects
in their romances?
Read deep, marcy
Reading for Craft
Quality inspirational romance requires the same credentials
as all romance novels: real characters, strong plots, relentless conflict, scenic
settings, and love’s heartbeat at the center.
These characteristics are expected regardless of sub-genre
or topic, which also mirror other romance sub-genres. Contrary to some
misconceptions, there are almost no forbidden topics in inspirational romance.
Life deals out harsh realities regardless of background or culture. Broken
relationships, strained finances, violence, disease, and lost dreams walk
side-by-side with new beginnings, birth, celebrations, and fresh opportunity.
The main difference in this genre is the “lifescape” lens that filters choices.
In addition, there are three extra attributes to
inspirational romance that draw and maintain loyal readers: fellowship,
insight, and hope.
Fellowship. When
any reader picks up their favorite genre they expect a certain return for their
time. A cozy mystery reader does not expect a grisly, psychological thriller.
Inspirational readers turn to long-standing authors such as Janet Oke, Francine
Rivers, or Lauraine Snelling because they expect to spend an afternoon or
evening with a trusted friend who will deliver the particular uplift or
challenge they need. It’s the one-on-one version of going to the local café to
offload some emotional shake-up with friends. When you leave the café or the
book, you feel soul-stronger, ready to take up whatever your next step might
be. It’s a fellowship that binds readers and authors because it’s built on
trust. They know from experience these friends will deliver. Then they’ll look
for other writers who write in a similar vein as their main friend, thus
expanding the circle.
What kind of fellowship do you want your character to offer
your readers?
Writing Prompt
Begin brainstorming your character’s heart.
1. What
is her go-to choice of movie, book, music, or food when she needs comfort or
courage?
2. Whom
has she trusted the most with her heart’s desires, past or present, alive or
deceased? Why?
3. Where
is she most discouraged right now? What would give her hope?
Share: One answer
from question number one.
Read deep, marcy
 “Thresholds are necessary in the creative process in giving an idea somewhere to go.” Tim Wynne-Jones Change, no matter how small, can create mental and emotional chaos as you turn into a different direction, physically or emotionally. To cross a threshold though requires a choice, even if it has been forced upon you like a refugee fleeing his war torn land. All sensory memory is heightened and sharpened. It is not just the moment that is at stake, but the journey that follows it. Thresholds become part of our soul shadows as much as our physical bodies cast their shadow. And the question can linger. “Did I choose the right fork in the road?” In the movie Green Dragon Tai is forced to make a deliberate choice for himself and his newly melded family as a threshold crossing into a fresh beginning. He must face a country filled with mystery, compared to the one he left behind and probably never to return to. On the surface it is a passage of a moment. Yet it includes walking away from a place, and choosing to no longer be who he was a few minutes earlier. At first fear paralyzes him from taking that step into discovery. There have been too many changes, too many losses and disappointments. Then his American friend takes him for a drive, over the dried-up hills to investigate the small town just beyond the camp walls, just beyond sight. And he returns with a grocery bag filled with familiar foods. He returns beaming with possibility and encouragement, not only for himself but also for the other refugees. A new possibility has bridged the gulf of despair into hope. He is ready now to face mystery with anticipation and curiosity.
Journal Prompt Choose a psychological threshold that your character must face at each main stage of the novel structure categories: set-up, response, attack, and resolution. Which one has the most emotional impact? Write it up as a new scene.
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