Lenten Reflection

I have to admit that this week, Lent has not gone as I expected it would.  I had high hopes for this Lenten season, but being pregnant has sort of changed things around a bit.  I was frustrated for a few days about it (I felt a bit like a failure), but after praying about it and reading more on Lent, I've adjusted my expectations of myself so things are going much better.

I'm a member of a Catholic forum, and there's been lots of conversation going on among women who are pregnant right now, and how it's affecting their Lenten experience.  One woman, for example, was told by her doctor not to change her diet at all during Lent, including abstaining from meat on Fridays.  Another woman has been ill and exhausted, so she hasn't been able to tend to her daily routine, let alone the "extras" of Lent.  However, we're all finding other ways to make this season special.

I have to keep reminding myself that Lent is a spiritual time more than a physical time.  Yes, people are asked to abstain from meat on Fridays and "give something up" for the season, but it's meant to remind us of the sacrifice Christ made for us.  It's meant to bring us closer to our faith as we prepare for Easter.

So if I can't get up as early as I'd like in order to pray, I can set aside time during the day to pray.  And if I need to eat meat to keep me from feeling ill, I can find something else to give up that day instead.

Ultimately, I have to take care of myself and the baby, and the Lord knows that.

Wordless Wednesday

The Future of Publishing, with an Optimistic Twist

Nathan Bransford is continuing Positivity Week today with a post about the future of the publishing industry: the digital age.

When I began reading it, I couldn't help but thinking, "Digital books?  As if there isn't enough schlock on the shelves, let's make it easier to get 'published'!"  I wondered how Bransford could possibly twist this post to fit Positivity Week.

But I'm encouraged.  Bransford says:

[...H]ere's what's going to happen in the digital era: anyone will be able to publish their book, and there will be no distribution barrier. The same eBook stores that stock Stephenie Meyer and Dan Brown will stock, well, you. Readers will be the ones who decide what becomes popular. There will be no intermediary. It will be just as easy to buy a book by you as it will be to buy the HARRY POTTER of the future. Your book will be just a few keystrokes away from everyone with an internet connection (and their tablet/eReader/iPhone/gizmo/whatchamacallit of the future).

Just think about it: no wondering how in the world your book is going to find its way past a publisher into a bookstore. No more print runs! No one will be doomed by a publisher and bookstores underbetting on their success. No more bottleneck. No more que......... well, there will always be queries. Sorry!

Books will finally be able to live and die by, well, themselves, not by the best guesses of the publishing industry.

If you're concerned about the future of books, or just curious what people in the industry are saying about it, go read the rest of Bransford's post.  It would be a big change, but ultimately, it could be a really great thing.

Hooray for Positivity Week!

Need Some Warm Fuzzies?

If so, check out this great post by Nathan Bransford.

As someone who loves writing but gets frustrated with the publishing industry and the editing process and, sometimes, everything having to do with being a writer, this post was a much-needed reminder that not everyone in the publishing indutry is snarky and bleak-hearted.

Thank you Mr. Bransford.  I look forward to the rest of Positivity Week!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today is the anniversary of Ted Seuss Geisel's birth.  Were he living, he'd be 105 years old.

In honor of his birthday, I urge to you take a few moments, head back to childhood, and read your favorite Dr. Seuss book.  There are so many wonderful stories to choose from, and no matter which one you choose, you won't be disappointed.

Happy birthday, sir.  And thank you for your stories.

--

Photo source

March Writing Goals

We're finally stepping away from winter and toward spring.  Orlando's winter has been a bit colder than I like, but much more tolerable than, say, Illinois.  (Sorry, Frazzoo.)  When spring is coming, I always feel more energized and find more writing projects to work on, and this year is no different.  I've found myself thinking of short story ideas lately, wanting to work on the coffee house book, and eager to be writing all the time.  So I'm setting some goals for myself to try and utilize this renewed energy I have.

• Get back to working on the coffee house book every day (at least two hours).  There's lots to be done, and I've left it for far too long.
• Set aside at least thirty minutes each day to scribble in my writing journal.  It can be a character sketch, the description of a random setting, bits of dialogue, whatever.
• Update writing portfolio to include some recent projects.

Coffee-Stained Nightstand: a Reflection

I finished reading The Heroines by Eileen Favorite.  

Being a Fforde Ffan, I had high expectations of a novel in which heroines from classic literature show up at an Illinois bed and breakfast for rest, relaxation, and a break from the drama of their inky lives.

I will tell you this book was not what I expected.  The drama in the story had more to do with the narrator, daughter of the innkeeper, than the heorines that came to stay, but because of what happens in the story--a thirteen-year-old daughter feels slighted by her mother in favor of the Heroines--there are some good literary moments.

I really, actually, enjoyed the structure of the story.  The chapters were laid out in the way classic literature used to be (the chapter title, and a few subtitles letting the reader know what to expect in the chapter), and the chapters went back and forth between the current plot and giving background to let the reader know why that part of the plot is significant or how a certain situation came to pass.  In effect, there were two stories going on, but it worked.

One criticism I have for the book is the way it wrapped up.  I felt the ending was sort of tacked on in an attempt to give the readers some sort of satisfaction.  I would much rather have had an open ending than the one I was provided.  It's not that I didn't like the ending, or that it didn't fit necessarily, but the way in which it was written left a lot to be desired, in my opinion.  It should have been longer, or omitted completely.

For those looking for a light, fun read about an interesting situation, this is a pretty good read.  I prefer Fforde, but it wasn't bad.

Lenten Reflection

Today is the first Friday of Lent.

I'm happy to say that I'm already spending more time in prayer than I normally would, but not where I expected I would be.  I've had some trouble sleeping, so it's been hard to get up in the morning for my prayer time, so I'm going to work harder beginning tomorrow morning.

I found a great article this morning on Tara's Modern Catholic Mom for Lent.  It's original source is Catholic Exchange, and the original link to the article is here.  You can read it on Tara's blog here.  The article is called "40 Ways to Get the Most out of Lent."  Not all of the 40 things are feasible for me this year, but I'm going to try and do as many of them as possible.  Here's the list for those of you who would like to get more out of Lent this year.  I'm copying it word for word from the original article, and the only things I've omitted is references to the author's CDs for sale.

1. Take 30 minutes to pray, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, look over this list, and make a few practical Lenten resolutions.  Be careful.  If you try to do too much, you may not succeed in anything.  If you need to get up early or stay up late to get the 30 minutes of quiet, do it.  Turn off your phone and computer.  Don't put it off and don't allow interruptions.
2. Get up earlier than anyone else in your house and spend your first 15 minutes of the day thanking God for the gift of life and offering your day to him.
3. Get to daily Mass.
4. If you can't do Mass daily, go to Mass on Fridays in addition to Sunday and thank Him for laying his life down for you.  Maybe you can go another time or two as well.
5. Spend at least 30 minutes in Eucharistic adoration at least one time during the week.
6. Recover the Catholic tradition of making frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament throughout the week, even if it's only for 5 minutes.
7. Get to confession at least once during Lent after making a good examination of conscience....
8. In addition to the penance assigned by the priest, fulfill the conditions necessary for a plenary indulgence.  You can learn about plenary indulgences from the official Handbook of Indulgences, Catholic Book Publishing Company (costs only about $13).
9. Make a decision to read at least some Scripture every day.
10. Even if you can't get to daily Mass, get a daily Catholic Missal or go online to get a list of the readings used each day in Mass, and read those readings daily.  During special seasons such as Lent, the Mass readings are thematically coordinated and make for a fantastic Bible study!
11. Pray the liturgy of the hours.  You can buy a one volume edition or a full four volume edition.  Or you can get it day by day online for free at www.universalis.com.  Or you can subscribe to a monthly publication called the Magnificat that provides a few things from the liturgy of the hours together with the Mass readings of the day.  The Magnificat is a great way to start learning the Liturgy of the Hours.
12. Get to know the Fathers of the Church and read selections from them along with Scripture.  Short selections from the Fathers writing on Lenten themes can be downloaded for free from the Lenten library of our website, www.crossroadsinitiative.com.
13. Make the Stations of the Cross each Friday either with a group or by yourself.  If you have kids, bring them.
14. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary often during Lent, especially on Friday and Wednesday.  The glorious mysteries are especially appropriate on Sundays.  Joyful and Luminous mysteries are great on other days.
15. Purchase the Scriptural Rosary, which supplies you with a scripture verse to recite between each Hail Mary.  This makes it easier to meditate on the mysteries....
16. If you've never done a family rosary, begin doing it.  If starting with once a week, try Friday or Sunday.  If it's tough to start with a full five decades, try starting with one.  Use the Scriptural Rosary and have a different person read each of the Scriptures between the Hail Marys.  This gets everyone involved.
17. Make it a habit to stop at least five times a day, raise your heart and mind to God, and say a short prayer such as "Jesus, I love you," or "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner," or "Lord, I offer it up for you."
18. Pray each day for the intentions and health of the Holy Father.
19. Pray each day for your bishop and all the bishops of the Catholic Church.
20. Pray for your priests and deacons and for all priests and deacons.
21. Pray for the millions of Christians suffering under persecution in various Muslim and Communist countries around the world such as the Sudan, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Viet Nam, and North Korea.
22. Pray for Christian unity, that there would be one flock and one shepherd.
23. Pray for the evangelization of all those who have not yet heard and accepted the Good News about Jesus.
24. Pray for your enemies.  In fact, think of the person who has most hurt you or most annoys you and spend several minutes each day thanking God for that person and asking God to bless him or her.
25. Pray for an end to abortion on demand in the United States.  Pray for pregnant women contemplating abortion.
26. Pray for a just peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Holy Land and elsewhere.  Pray for military personnel and others in harm's way.
27. Pray for an end to capital punishment.  Pray for those on death row, and for the families of murder victims.
28. Find a form of fasting that is appropriate for you, given your age, state of health, and state of life.  Some fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Some fast from sweets or alcohol throughout Lent.  Some fast on one or more days per week from breakfast all the way to dinner, spending lunch hour in prayer or at noon Mass.  Some cut out all snacks between meals.  The money saved from not buying various things should be given to an apostolate or ministry serving the physically or spiritually poor.
29. Prayer is like breathing--you have to do it continually.  But sometimes you need to pause and take a very deep breath.  That's what a retreat is.  Plan a retreat this Lent.  It could be simply a half day, out in nature, or in a Church.  Or it could be a full day.  Or an overnight.  You can certainly read lots of things during your retreat or listen to lots of talks.  But try sticking to Scripture, the liturgy, and quiet as much as you can.  During or at the end of the retreat, write down what the Holy Spirit seems to be saying to you.
30. Find a written biography of a Saint that particularly appeals to you, and read it during Lent.
31. Instead of secular videos for weekend entertainment, try some videos that will enrich your spiritual life.  Suggestions: Jesus of Nazareth, by Franco Zeffirelli, The Scarlet and the Black, the Assisi Underground (if you can't find these for rent at the local video store, they are all available from Ignatius Press)
32. While driving, turn off the secular radio for awhile and use commute time to listen to some teaching on audiocassette or CD.  Som great resources can be purchased through www.dritaly.com or from other Catholic apostolates and publishers that you find on our links pages.
33. Find a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or crisis pregnancy center, and volunteer some time there throughout Lent.  Serve the people there with the understanding that in so doing, you are serving Jesus.  Try to see Jesus in each person there.
34. Visit someone at a nursing home or in the hospital or sick at home.  Again, love Jesus in and through the suffering person.
35. Is there a widow or divorced person living in your neighborhood?  If so, invite that person to your home for dinner, coffee, etc.
36. Go and see Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ during Lent, if you feel you can handle the violence.  Get a copy of The Guide to the Passion to help you get the most out of the movie.
37. Bring someone to The Passion of the Christ, especially someone whose faith is rather nominal, or who does not practice their faith, or who does not profess Christian faith at all.  Give them a copy of The Guide to the Passion.
38. Spend some focused time with your spouse, strengthening your marriage.  Start praying together, or make praying together a more frequent occurrence.
39. Spend some focused time together with each of your children.  Listen.  Pray.  Maybe even have fun.
40. When Easter comes, don't drop the new practice you've begun during Lent!  Make a permanent feature of a deeper Christian life!

Mmm....Lemonade.

I have many blogs I read on a regular basis.  And thanks to the Google Following tool, I can scroll through and link to them instead of typing individual web addresses and hoping I remember everyone, or finding that so-and-so hasn't updated all week.

Well, I was reading my "subscriptions" today, and hopped over to my very dear friend Frazzoo's foodie blog, which I read for her great recipes and because I love her.  And what do I find?

The darling has given me a "Lemonade/You Make My Day" Award!  First of all, it cracks me up.  And second, I'm touched that I make her day.  And to pass on the love to other bloggers, I get to give the award out to bloggers that make my day!  What fun!

Though she's already received one, I'm giving Frazzoo of Adventures in Home Cooking yet another award.  You may see it as cheating, but I love her blog to pieces, so she deserves it.  If you want a fun recipe to try, just wander through her archives.  Not only will there be something to tempt you, but she even gives tips to make the cooking easier, or suggests changes to make it even yummier!

I'm also bestowing an adorable virtual award to Dana of En Tequila Es Verdad.  As a writerly friend, she's always been a great support to me, and when I need a good dose of political snark, she's really the only place to go.

The next award clearly goes to Jen of Cake Wrecks.  Come on.  A blog about awful cakes?  Embarrassing frosting misspellings?  Babies riding carrots?  Pregnant belly cakes with creepy vampire-looking hands on them?  Idiocy for the sweet tooth?  Come on.

As a writer, I'm always looking for good info in the publishing industry.  That's why I'm proud to announce the next award goes to Nathan of Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent.  He gives advice, keeps us updated on what's going on in the world of publishing, and makes me feel like I really have a shot at being published someday.  Keep up the excellent work, Mr. Bransford.  You may be getting a query from me sometime, and with all the great advice you give, it'll be a good one!

My final award goes to the Bull Moose Conservative himself, Mike of The Big Stick.  We may differ politically, but he presents his political views intelligently, without disrespect for the other side, and is always open to a great discussion.  Not only that, I love reading his blog when he's posting on the same person or event as Dana.  Great reading, really.

For those who have just been given this prestigious award, please don't let it go to your head.  It is truly an honor, and while you have earned it, I hope you will not shirk your responsibilities and rest on what you have done.  Keep up the great blogging.  

You keep me addicted to the Interwebz.

Ash Wednesday

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of the Lenten season leading up to Easter.

Lent is a serious time in the Liturgical Calendar.  It's a time of penance, reflection/prayer, and fasting as Catholics (as well as some Protestant denominations) prepare their hearts to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection.  And as part of penance, Catholics are instructed to "give something up" for Lent, to (in a small way) remind themselves of the sacrifice Christ made when He died for our sins.

However, I think a large part of Lent, and one that's often overlooked, is prayer and reflection.  This is a time for self-examination, for taking a long, hard look at who we are, decisions we make, priorities in our lives.  Our Lenten sacrifice is meant to make us stronger, more faithful people, and in order to do that, we have to be honest about who we are to begin with.

I decided this year that I'm "giving up" wasting time for Lent.  I realized I spend a lot of time doing nothing.  So for this Lenten season, every time I find myself without a work or personal task to do instead of playing a game online or turning on a random television show, I'm going to spend time in prayer and study.  It will be a much better use of my time, and will hopefully be a habit that continues even after Easter.

Whether you observe Lent or not, whether you celebrate Easter or not, I urge you to spend some time in reflection.  What are your priorities?  What do you want to change in yourself?  What New Year's Resolutions have you kept?