Beginning the Journey

Christmas is coming. I can no longer deny it. In fact, the holiday train left the station weeks ago. I saw the first decorations well before Halloween. I love Christmas, but it's difficult to maintain that "Holly Jolly Spirit" for three months.

So, when I heard that someone was going to speak to my Moms group about "Holiday Traditions," I sulked a bit. I don't need more stuff to do. We already hang lights, put up the tree, buy gifts, hang stockings, bake cookies, make gingerbread houses, go to Christmas parties and concerts. What more do I have to do??? But, the presentation was a delightful surprise. Beth Lamright has spent much of her life figuring out how to help families navigate through the sea of traditions and find the ones that will point their kids toward Jesus.

So, last weekend I found myself at the craft store with my kids. We picked up some items to make a family Advent wreath. We picked out a nativity set with moveable characters. We prepared. That's what "Advent" is about -- preparing the way. Instead of letting Christmas wash over us in a flurry of blinking lights and loud music, we have a plan. This Sunday, we will celebrate the first Sunday in Advent, letting our oldest child light the first candle, reading a verse and discussing it. My kids are SO excited. "We get to light the candles???" They are already asking questions. "Why is one candle pink? What do the other colors mean?" Discussion doors are opening with no nudging from Mom and Dad.

The other thing we will begin on Sunday is the Journey. We will set up the manger scene, but we will fill it only with animals. Mary and Joseph will be placed in the farthest corner of the house. Every night they will move a short distance closer to Bethlehem on their journey. The kids will wake every morning and find them in a new location. They will not arrive at the manger until Christmas eve. Jesus will show up Christmas morning.

Together we have been reading a book about the real Saint Nicholas. We will be honoring his life on Saint Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th) with stockings filled with treats for the kids. We're already discussing how we can help someone secretly, like Nicholas. The kids are already viewing "Santa" with new eyes.

What a fantastic way to build excitement. We will still celebrate with gifts, cookies and lights. But we will be focused on the story. Thank you, Beth, for sharing these ideas with us. I'm not getting that normal panicky, overwhelmed feeling that usually descends on me this time of year. (Am I the only one?) Instead, I feel ready. I feel prepared.

So now, I'm the one asking the dreaded question: How many more days?

Friday Book Pick -- Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

As the weather here in Oregon turns cold and rainy, it makes me want to curl up in a cozy chair with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of cocoa and a good book. I recently found the perfect book for that moment: Robin Jones Gunn's Finding Father Christmas. Miranda Carson uses her Christmas holiday to travel to England in search of the father she's never known. With only a few clues to aid her, Miranda finds herself suddenly welcomed into a tight-knit community of new friends. When she discovers that she is actually part of the family, does she dare to reveal her true identity and risk ruining the reputation of their beloved father?

Finding Father Christmas is a delightful novella that will put you into the Christmas spirit -- and I don't mean the shopping and decorating frenzy!

Robin Jones Gunn is one of my favorite authors and you will find several other of her books recommended on this site. Read other reviews: Waterfalls, Sisterchicks in Sombreros, and Summer of Promise.

Happy Reading!

The Name Game

Back in my college days, I was a big soap opera fan. Lots of us girls would rush back to the dorm at lunchtime with our to-go boxes to watch our soap of choice. As soon as our episode was done, we would filter out and another group of wild-eyed girls would plop down in our places for the next show.

One thing that always irritated me about soaps was how they would occasionally change actors. The episode would begin with the shocking announcement...

The part of  such-and-such will now be played by so-and-so.

And then everything would continue as if NOTHING had changed. The story would just go on.

It was always very unsettling to me. It's as if some alien space ship could just come down, suck me up and drop someone else into my place and no one would even notice.

I'm feeling that familiar sensation today. I've been advised to change my lead character's name in my work-in-progress, Shaken. Her name changed a few times in the early days of writing, but she has been "Wanda (the wanderer)" for over a year now. But recently a critiquer made some very compelling points about the name and I realize in my heart that she is right.

So I've spent the last few days mulling over names. Since the character's father is a German immigrant, I'd like something that suggests her heritage and the historical period in which she lives (1906). And yet, it needs to be meaningful to young readers, today. I'm presently leaning toward either Abigail (Abby) or Adelaide (Addy). Or maybe I just got stuck in the A's section of the baby names book. I even petitioned my friends on Facebook for help and got a plethora of responses from Alma to Winnifred. They are all great names. But my heart still feels unsettled. As Wanda, she was clear in my imagination. When I imagine her with a different name, her face gets all foggy again.

Oh, well. It has to be done. Time to hit the baby name websites again. I think I hear that alien space ship humming overhead. Beam me (her) up, Scotty!

The Hurt

Ow, ow, ow!

Have you ever asked someone for a critical eye and then actually gotten your wish?

I sent my first two chapters off for a professional critique. I've been critiqued before -- it's part of the learning process. You get great advice and come out the better for it in the end. But, it doesn't make it fun.

I got it back on Friday. I read the comments. I sulked. I fussed. I snapped at my kids. Glared at the husband. Growled at the cats. Got take-out for dinner.

I spent the weekend mulling over the comments. Every comment was well thought-out. Every thing was written nicely and in a helpful manner. And worst of all -- I agreed with every comment. Ugh. Back to work for me.

I don't write this post to whine, complain or begin a pity party. I want those of you who are looking to write professionally to know that the "hurt" is part of the business. Rejection, criticism, and advice will help shape us into the writers we want to be. Don't let the hurt stop you. Push through it and learn to write better. Just like exercise makes you stronger, critques make you a better writer. You might not enjoy it at the time, but it will be worth it.

Now, I'm off to make some changes...

And then I'm sending away for some more critquing. Ow, ow, ow! Keep it coming! Ow!