Archive for September, 2006

September 30, 2006 @ 7:21 am | Filed under: Family

"I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline… I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour - this greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious."

– Vince Lombardi

_______________________________

What’s that saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same?

Well, times have certainly changed in America’s high schools across the country. Technology literally resides in each student’s fingers in the forms of cell phones and iPods. Slang has developed to a whole new, unprecedented level. And traditional blackboards have been replaced with uber-wonderful laptops and Powerpoint presentations.

But one thing remains the same.

Friday night lights.

That’s right, are you ready for some foooooootbaaaaaalll?

Mike and I were at this game on Friday night. Several friends from church were there as well, but they were, uh…sitting in the rival’s section. (Or, maybe WE were the ones sitting in opposition…?) While we are super proud of Polo, who is a star player for the opposing team and an active member of our Youth group, we were sitting across the field from all our friends because…

my baby brother is one of the varsity coaches for the "other" school!

Can I just say that it’s totally amazing to see your younger sibling at "work." I watched through binoculars as he high-fived each player as they ran off the field after warm-up and just before the game’s beginning.

While my mind and heart still hold mental snapshots of him as a skinny kid who had crushes on my friends, bruises and mosquito bites on his legs, and was almost always drinking grape Kool-aid, the little brother on the field Friday night was a man.

A man I’m immensely proud to say is my brother. Strong (maybe even sometimes headstrong), hardworking (he stays in project mode), and irresistably good-looking (just ask any of my friends!), he’s grown up to be a husband and father (and coach) that I’m proud of.

I probably don’t tell him that often enough.

I love you, Kev.

So, while I will root for Polo in future games, I’m sure, Friday night was all about sitting in the visitor’s stands listening to the age-old sounds of a rousing band, energetic cheerleaders, and hundreds of devoted fans sending out their love and support…

to my baby brother’s team.

Go, Rams!

September 28, 2006 @ 2:14 pm | Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

Okay, you all know by now that I’ve gone back to school. If not, you can read about it here, or here, or here. After a twenty year "break", I’m hitting the books again. Brushing up on my study skills, stressing over exams, and learning to multitask (phone calls, bathroom breaks, cup of coffee) in the fifteen minutes I have in between each class.

But now, as the fifth week of classes draws to a close, I think I’ve had a revelation. I think maybe this is sort of a social experiment for me. Here I am, a thirty-something mom of two teenagers, who is suddenly thrust into the <gasp> world of her kids!

Let me tell ya, I’m learning a whole lotta stuff. Stuff that isn’t listed on any syllabi, or printed in any course descriptions, and certainly not found in any textbook.

In honor of the kids in my classes that I’m coming to truly love, here’s thirteen things kids in this day and age are saying (and doing):

1.  (overheard) "Uh, yeah, for their one-month anniversay they got their eyebrows pierced together." Gee, I wonder what they’ll do for their one YEAR anniversary?

2.  (commonly spoken in all my classes) "I’ll just Google it later." Forget the traditional style of learning. You know, where you actually crack open a book and…ahem…read it. These kids are all about turning to Google and Yahoo to give them the quick scoop.

3.  "Sweet" means that something is very, very pleasing to them.

4.  Class time is the PERFECT time to catch up on any sleep you may have missed out on the night before. I know this, ’cause I see it in every. single. class.

5.  "Hola, Beech." Commonly heard among the girls. Really. My, how greetings have changed in twenty years. Kind of makes you miss the days of "What up, sister?" or "Hey, there, girlfriend," doesn’t it?

6.  "Bad" is good, but "fat" is really good, er…sweet.

7.  "Yeah, I got this tatoo (girl points to like the jillionth visible tatoo on her body - this one happens to be on her upper arm) ’cause it was 50% off."  Fifty percent off of WHAT? I’d have never thunk it - you can shop the clearance aisle in a tatoo parlor…

8.  "Hot" means something is awesome or off the charts and, oh yeah - it’s spelled with TWO "t"s (Hott)

9.  Kids take their friendships very seriously. I like this and the more I’m around them, the more I appreciate it.

10.  I’ve learned (or maybe it’s that I’m just being reminded) that girls giggle a full two octaves higher than their normal speaking voice.

11.  A girl in my Religions class pointed me in the direction of this search engine. You gotta see it to believe it. Who knew?

12. The amount of chips, Cheerios, Red Bull, and water that these kids can fit into their backpacks is impressive. I definitely know the ones to hit up if I’m hungry and can’t make it by a vending machine.

13. Being around these kids gives me a glimpse into the lives of my own kids. Possibly a view I might not have otherwise. I have to say that I’m becoming quite attached to my classmates. There’s a lot there to admire. I’m learning much more than I signed up for, and I’m relishing every minute of it.

September 25, 2006 @ 4:14 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

I’m back from ACFW, tired yet energized about writing. That’s what a good conference will do for you, isn’t it? This conference is such an amazing blend of teaching technique and promoting worship. God is truly at the center of the entire four days, and it shows. Once again I was reminded that I write for an audience of One first and foremost. What may or may not come in terms of publishing contracts will be icing on the proverbial cake.

This is me with Wendy, my agent, at the banquet.

Of course, this is also the conference where talking to your characters is encouraged and, like Brandilyn mentioned the first night, if you must have a pow-wow with your character in the hallway, no one will look at you as though you’ve just shipped to Earth straight from somewhere in the far northwest Milky Way. They’ll understand. And they just might let their character help YOUR character out a bit.

Mama Ruth (who will turn 90 in days!) and Brandilyn Collins

Since writers spend so much of their time holed up in their offices, furiously creating characters, plots, and scenarios, it’s very validating and refreshing to spend time with others who can empathize.

This is the "Bookies" - the clients of Books & Such. Can you find me?

On Friday night, the Bookies met at Addison Cafe and shared dinner and lots of great conversation and deep laughter. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a terrific agency. This part of the business is new to me, but I’m lovin’ it!

I’m home now and ready for some serious BOC (bottom-on-chair). Oh, but wait…I have to write two papers and study for a MAJOR history unit exam first…

September 22, 2006 @ 12:41 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

 

This is Mary DeMuth, the instructor for the Continuing Advanced Track that I’m taking here at ACFW. Mary is the author of several books, including two non-fiction (Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God) and two fiction (the Maranatha Series).

But probably the most exciting thing for me is that Mary is from my town - in fact, she used to live mere miles from me. She, her husband, and their three children are now a part of a church-planting effort in France.

As always, this conference is doing so much for my soul. Sure, we’re here to network, to fellowship, and to hone our craft. But God always shows up at this conference and it goes deeper; healing, restoring, and recharging writers who are all in various stages of this publishing journey.

Tonight is the Books & Such dinner and I can’t wait! This will be my first dinner to attend as a CLIENT of this amazing company! When I checked into my room yesterday the man behind the counter handed me this beautiful gift basket, along with my room key.

It was full of chocolates and candles. The card read: Have a wonderful conference. Chocolate Hugs & Kisses from your favorite agent.

Have I mentioned how excited I am to have teamed up with Books & Such? I’ll post pictures of the dinner tonight as soon as I can.

September 21, 2006 @ 5:52 am | Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

Right after my last class today I leave for the ACFW annual conference. For the past five years I’ve attended this conference and have seen the sights in some great cities in the process: KC, Houston, Denver, Nashville…

But this year the conference is being held right here in Dallas and, with my school schedule and family functions I’m kind of relishing the fact that I’ll have a mere 20 minute drive to the hotel. Here’s thirteen things I’m anticipating about the next four days.

1.  I get to spend quality face time with my critique partners, Kim and Ramona. These women take the words of my rough drafts and chop away. But always with lots of grace and love. I treasure the relationships.

2.  Since I am a home-town girl I will be one of the ones transporting ACFW members around, suggesting great local restaurants, and pointing out that some of the most fabulous shopping in Dallas is only a few short steps beyond the hotel door.

3.  I will be attending some great workshops in the Advanced Level. Some of the sessions I’ll be in are: Inside Out Fiction, How to Juggle Your Career Without Dropping the Ball (SO looking forward to that one), and The Page Turner, How to Write it in Any Genre.

4.  At the end of each long day I’ll be retiring to a gorgeous and luxurious hotel room. I have a thing for really great hotel beds (I’m thinking I may be in the market for one when we finally sell our house and move…) so I’m looking forward to unwinding and de-stressing from the hectic activities of the long days.

5.  However…while I’m luxuriating in this really great room, I am going to have to do some really great studying as well. I have two papers and a major (can you hear me hyper-ventilating?) exam next week in school. So my school books, laptop, and plenty of pens and brightly-colored highlighters will be coming to the conference too.

6.  I will have sit-down sessions with my agent, Wendy. We’ll discuss the projects of mine that she is shopping around right now, including which editors now have Melrose Miracle on their desks.

7.  Speaking of Wendy, this is the first time I’ve attended ACFW when I haven’t felt the nervous tension and flutters of apprehension that are tagged to grueling editor and agent appointments.

8.  Since I have signed with Books & Such Literary Agency and Wendy has taken over the "selling" portion of my career, I just have to concentrate on introducing myself to certain editors so they can put a face with the name. <deep sigh>

9.  I will have major late night discussions with the other members of my mentoring group. Amy, Jen, and Mary are paramount to my writing. Not only do we lend critique suggestions to one another’s work, but we also actively pray for each other, encourage one another, and basically just lend a faithful ear. We always share tremendous gut-busting laughter when we get together in person. It should be lots of fun.

10. There will also be Late Night Chats (LNCs) where informal groups gather to discuss topics that may be pertinent to us. These are optional sessions, but there are a couple that I definitely want to make. If I can keep my eyes open that late! These are To Blog or Not to Blog (how appropriate, huh?) and The Biggest Loser: Rejection and the Heart of the Writer (my friend Jen is leading this group so I want to be there to support her).

11.  Saturday night is semi-formal night, complete with banquet and awards ceremony. So I get to really dress up and feel pretty. I even have a brand new red clutch purse to match my outfit.

12.  The keynote speaker is Liz Curtis Higgs, the best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart. That’s another great thing about this conference: I get to meet and mingle with so many great authors, some of which I’ve been a fan for YEARS.

13.  There is a worship service on Sunday morning. This is the time where we all come together and recommit our writing and our careers to God. It is always a time of refreshing and a gentle, lovely reminder that He is the reason we write.The people I will be spending the next four days with are my peers. Though most of the relationships are maintained via emails, loops, and phone calls, they are the folks that form "our company". There is no competition. We rejoice when someone lands a contract and we sympathize when the rejections slide in. I respect this group so much and I know the next several days will be rejuvenating and beneficial.

September 20, 2006 @ 7:38 am | Filed under: Wordless Wednesday

I have great friends.

I’ve mentioned this before, right? Well, a certain group of friends have taken their…um, loyalty, trust, and I’m-there-for-you-Stace mentality to a whole new level.

And now, without further ado, I provide you with pictorial evidence…

the BIG moment: pushing the little red button…

placing the BIG order…Diet Cokes all around…

being told by the nice girl inside that "I’m sorry, ma’am, but Sonic no longer sells Diet Coke."

"Are you KIDDING me? NO. WAY."

realizing that my friends have pulled one over on me.

Ah…finally!

September 19, 2006 @ 3:11 pm | Filed under: Food and Drink

Tonight is the big night.

As of today the 30-day challenge is over and I am finally free to once again savor the one-of-a-kind taste of a…Diet Coke! It began in fun, just a simple conversation, really, between me and Mike.

"You don’t think I can go thirty days without Diet Coke?" I remember pausing because, really…I didn’t think I could either!

Still, I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. Maybe this was just the push I needed to get my DC cravings under subjection anyway. Kind of a "kill-two-birds-with-one-stone" type of approach.

It wasn’t until about a week later, when the withdrawals were at their worst and the cravings were at their peak, that I began to wish I’d have termed this experiment a ‘fast’ instead of a mere ‘challenge’.

You laugh, I’m sure, but getting this body under the kind of submission it needed to give up Diet Coke was no small feat. Certainly not something that I recommend for the faint of heart or for the ones in search of instant gratification.

The satisfaction of a challenge attempted and achieved has only come in the past few days. As THE END has approached I’ve finally allowed myself to contemplate the fact that a nice large icy Sonic Diet Coke was looming in my future.

And now, in a mere few hours, I’ll be meeting a few of my friends at Sonic and, for the first time in a month, I’ll place that order.

"How do you feel about it?" Mike asked me just last night as we prepared for bed. "Are you ready to have one?"

I truly had to stop and think about it.

See, the cravings are gone. No longer do I reach for the ghost-cup on my desk and the memory of the actual taste of Diet Coke itself is quickly fading. I know, I know…I didn’t believe it could happen either.

Now, say I were an alcoholic and just coming out of rehab. Would I be meeting a group of friends at a local pub, celebrating winning the battle over booze by…<gulp> drinking the stuff?

I think not.

But here’s the thing. Diet Coke is a vice of mine and everyone has vices. I know a lot of people who aren’t willing to own up to theirs and, instead, try to justify why they do or don’t do, say, or participate in lots of different areas.

So I will meet my friends and we will celebrate. These gals (and many more of you who’ve either commented or emailed me concerning this challenge) have supported me with encouragement, notes, and emails.

The unexpected bonus from this challenge is that it’s enabled several friendships to flourish in the process. Although there were difficult moments in the beginning, I have to say that the past thirty days have been fun.

I’ve tested myself and found that I can meet a challenge head-on and win.

I’ve learned that attempting anything with the cheers of your friends in the background is bearable.

I’ve faced temptation (scrapbook night when I was surrounded by DC-drinking buddies, our weekend with friends when Frank found it delightfully funny to wave a cold can of DC in front of me, and numerous trips past the Sonic) and walked away.

So, yes, tonight at eight-ish I will gather with a few close friends and family and I will have that first, long draw of an icy (because there’s nothing on this planet like the crushed ice at Sonic!) Diet Coke and I will once again…feel the burn…

I hope I still like it…

September 18, 2006 @ 6:58 am | Filed under: Books

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

—Charles Reade, English Novelist

______________________________________

Writing is a solitary occupation.

Many days I go for hours at a time without any verbal communication. From the time I sit down at my desk with a steaming mug of coffee around 8:30 a.m. until I finally tie up loose ends around 3, I am alone.

Although I talk - basically all day.

Or maybe I should say I listen.

I’ve listened to Ella and to Luke, to Jackson and to Emma…Now, most days, I listen to Dottie and her crazy friends, Camille and Rachel, as they strive to find balanced lives in my new Mom-Lit series, MomCents: just say no!

My characters constantly whisper in my ear, their animated conversations reverberating through the hallways of my mind, playing on the front porch of my conscience. They smile, they cry,they shout, and call for me, always urging me to stay around and hear what they have to say.

Is it any wonder then that on some evenings my family glances at me in curiosity, wondering if I’m okay. "Why are you so quiet tonight?"

I’m a talker by nature, a full-fledged communicator, and they know this. And yet, for these few moments I crave the silence, the peace of just…being.

I shrug. "I don’t know…I guess I’ve used up all my words for today."

It’s at that moment that I realize something. In the process of my work day I had spent six hours at the computer - hearing, feeling, seeing - a kaleidoscope of emotions, all played out on the big screen of my mind.

I’ve said it all.

I’ve heard it all.

I’ve felt it all.

It’s time to recharge.

And how do I do this?

Solitude.

Some folks recharge their depleted proverbial batteries by losing themselves in a crowd of people. They draw a much needed jolt from the energy that is radiated off others. Though they may enter the room exhausted, this type of person will leave at the end of the night renewed, invigorated.

And then there’s folks like me.

Put me in a quiet room, dim the lights, turn on some soft music, and close the door. It’s only then that I begin to feel like myself again. The noise around me and inside me becomes muted, raw emotion loses its ragged edge, and calm begins to seep through the pores of my skin. Bit by bit, minute by minute, I’m infused with regenerated inspiration, renewed enthusiasm, and optimism that but a short while ago seemed all but impossible.

It’s in those times, those moments of solitude, that I hear the voice of God the clearest. In my vulnerable state I’m at the very place where His gentle probing and prompting can make its way with ease through my soul.

Once again I feel the tingles of inspiration.

I see with clarity the plan He has for me.

And I listen with bated breath as He whispers encouragement to a soul that has grown parched and weary throughout the day.

It’s as close to heaven as I’ve come, and I’ve learned to look forward to these times of solitude. For me, being alone is the farthest thing from lonliness. Instead, it’s where I draw fresh strength, examine weaknesses, and learn the things about me that only He can teach.

Do you hear that…?

…the sound of silence calling to you?

It’s golden.

September 16, 2006 @ 3:24 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

My friend, Susie, over at Bluebird Blogs is in the process of creating a great new look for my blog here.

Immensely talented, Susie takes a lot of time to get "to know" her clients and then strives to provide them with a look that embodies the essence of their blog.

Look for a brand-new outfit for Glimpses over the next couple of months, but in the meantime…

Susie is running an awesome contest and YOU can get in on it! Here’s what Susie has to say about it all:

"Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and it’s just right around the corner. To celebrate the beginning of the season, I’m having a contest for 2 lucky people to win a totally free, completely customized blog design from Bluebird Blogs."

Sounds great, huh?

Here’s how you can participate:

Information on how to enter:
- Send an email with your name and blog address to bluebirdblogs@gmail.com. (Tell Susie that Staci sent ya!)

-Your name will be entered into the drawing.

- Entries will be accepted from 7:00pm EST on Thursday 9/15/06 until 11:59pm EST on Friday 9/22/06.

The winner will be announced on http://bluebirdblogs.blogspot.com on the morning of Saturday, September 23rd, 2006 . Good luck to everyone!

Happy blogging!

September 14, 2006 @ 2:03 pm | Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

I remember the day I saw her for the first time. It was in the old theater building where we held church services while the new building was being constructed. She, her husband, and their new little baby boy were in town visiting his parents.

Tall, regal, and quiet are three adjectives I would use to describe my first impression of Dawn. It would only be much later - in the years that would follow - that I would add to that list: warm, compassionate, and trustworthy.

Since my own parents and her in-laws were best friends, it only seemed natural that after Dawn and Kevin moved to Texas that we would become really good friends. What I didn’t realize at the time was just what a pivotal role Dawn would eventually play in my life.

Over the past five years we’ve moved from a casual friendship to a deep, soulful friendship that includes sharing confidences, providing a safe shoulder to lean on, and being prayer partners. She and her family moved again last year and are now pastoring a wonderful, growing church in Indiana. But she will always remain close in spirit and in heart.

Tomorrow is Dawn’s birthday. So, in her honor, here are thirteen things I find unique, fascinating, and yes - maybe even entertaining - about Dawn. And when you’re through reading this list, how about popping on over to Truly Living and leaving Dawn a little comment love…!

1. Dawn loves coffee. Seriously. If you don’t believe me, then check out the links section of her blog. Uh-huh…see what I mean?
2. She has a heart for people who are hurting and in need. I’ve witnessed this great compassion many, many times.
3. She was raised in Mississippi, but don’t hold that against her! No,really, I LOVE her accent.
4. And when you really want a good laugh, get her to do her sister’s accent!
5. Chocolate comes in Number Two on Dawn’s list of favorites…
6. …or is that Diet Coke? Hmm…well, those are Numbers Two and Three, at any rate.
7. Dawn once sang karaoke. For real. It was at the Relay for Life last year.
8. It was after midnight, we’d been walking for over six hours, and she gets really punchy when she’s tired.
9. Kevin was out of town. In fact, he was up in Indiana, preaching for the church they now pastor. She did an…um…amazing rendition of "Baby, Come Back" and dedicated it to her one and only.
10. Dawn is a wonderful mother to their children. I love that she uses cookie cutters to make the kids special pancakes. Now when I see cookie cutters, I think of Dawn. I bought her a big ‘ol Texas-shaped one a few months back and mailed it to her. We can’t have those poor children forgetting their Lone Star State roots, now can we?
11. Dawn was one of my inspirations in going back to school. I watched her and several other friends begin this journey and I began to slowly realize that I could do it too. She is very close to beginning her Masters and I. am. so. PROUD of her!
12. I like it that my husband makes her cry. I’m not strange, really. It’s just that on each visit, whether they are here leaving to go back home, or we’re there and saying good-bye to begin our trip back here, all Mike has to do is look her in the eyes and tell her that he misses having all of them here and…waterworks. Everytime. It’s nice when your husband appreciates your friends. And when they love him right back.
13. She may be living several states away, but she’s always close in my heart. Happy Birthday, Dawn! We love you!