Good Morning!  I normally don't post on Sunday morning yet I was so blessed by a conversation I had yesterday - I wanted to share. 

While at a birthday party I was approached by a friend (and relative) and asked if we could go for a walk.  Oh my gosh...God is so amazing!  She shared how reading my BLOG has encouraged her and given her hope.  Wow...I wasn't expecting that.   I felt so blessed and still do this moring. 

I started this BLOG for a couple reasons:
1) To hold myself accountable and stay on schedule
2) To keep you informed of my progress
3) To share Jesus with otehrs and let His light shine through me
I hadn't thought of this as an encouragement or help for others.  God is so good...the conversation I had yesterday touched me more than this person could know.  She is checking the blog daily and finding comfort and healing here.  Thank you Jesus!

Thank YOU!  I am writing this book and on this journey to help others...to share Jesus...and let others know there is hope in the midst of the worst situations when you are trusting God and have invited Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior. 

Simply put - by acknowledging you are a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross, to rise three days later for your sins (and my sins) - we are part of God's family.  I pray you have a relationship with Jesus Christ - He is the One and Only True God.  With Him...anything is possible!

Thank you all for your comments, post and 1:1 conversations!   It is your support, prayers and reminders that keep me focused and encouraged - I'm thankful God is using each of you in my life to run the race! :)

Have a great day!
Lisa

I'm wrapping up another revised chapter.  I am enjoying learning from experienced writers and authors while realizing my own growth since four years ago when the first draft was written. 

I love a time of reflection...Don't you?  I love to look back and realize "Wow...I have learned something...I'm a better _____ than I was yesterday, last week, last year or even a decade ago!"  We all should take time to reflect and recognize the growth we have made - or lack of.  

I wish I could say "Wow...I always have a positive growth!"  that isn't the truth though- there are times God points out an area or two (or three) that I've failed to show positive and fruitful growth. He lovingly and gently rebukes and guides me...

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
       and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
       as a father the son he delights in.

I encourage you to take time and reflect...Thankfully I am better writer than I was four years ago.  And most importantly...thankfully God loves me enough to discipline me when I need it....I pray you see the discipline as an way to grow!

:) Lisa

It was a crazy weekend!  Busy, busy, busy!  I honestly didn't get a lot of "writing" done for my book yet I was still "working" on my writing!  Are you confused?  I was beating myself up for not "writing" as much as I had planned when the month started until my wonderful and brilliant husband enlightened me.

Ed helped me to understand my researching for the book is part of my writing process!  Duh...I learned that in a few of my writing classes - thank goodness he helped me open that filing cabinet drawer and clean out the cobwebs!  :) 

This evening's post is to help me and my fellow writing friends.  If you are in the process of "writing" a book - remember there are an array of things required in order to make your writing successful and your end product a creative work others will want to read. 

Items I have been doing over the weekend to "work" on my book so I can devote solid time to the actual "writing" - REMEMBER - RESEARCHING, REVISING, READING AND REVISITING THE PAST ARE PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS!

*Reading old newspaper clippings:  I have every newspaper clipping about my sister's case cataloged in a binder and lamenated on poster board.

*Watching old home videos and/or home videos:  To watch my beautiful sister talk to me on an old video stirs up such emotion - watching newsclips from those first days opens the wound and loss associated with not knowing where Heidi is - and brings back the rawness necessary to revise these first chapters.

*Reading other books!  Good writers - read and read especially in their genre.  I'm finishing a couple books now a friend loaned me for the summer.  Once I complete these two books - my goal is to be reading memoirs and books about writing.  (If you know of a good memoir - share the title and author on the BLOG - I'm going to frequent the library for some new titles.)

*Reading professional writing magazines:  reading articles written by the experts in the field on how to write, market, seek an agent and publisher - all important stuff

*Reading my Gram's diaries starting on April 3, 1994!  Enough said - they take me back quicker and closer than anything else.

*Writing other snip-ips that aren't the book - journaling, short stories, a little of this and that

*Keeping up communication with other writers on my Facebook and through this site -

*Responding to your emails:  the encouragement and support I receive in the emails is amazing!  I try to respond to each person who sends me a note - your prayers and words are empowering!

*Talking with key characters of my life and story:  to remember and enhance my storyline by remembering and reliving those days

So although I didn't get a lot of "writing" done this weekend - the creative juices were working and ideas and Scripture verses have been jotted onto sticky notes for when I write this week!

Have a great week!  Remember to respond with your favorite memoir for me to add to my reading list! :)  Thanks!

Lisa :)

It is Friday and the week is winding down as the weekend kicks into high gear - I had an interview with the Post Standard newspaper via the telephone earlier this week, with their photographer coming to the house today to take photos.  It was fun.  I had never thought my writing would be so interesting that someone would drive 45 minutes to take a picture of me working at my computer and desk!  :) 

God is good...praying as I continue to revise and finesse my manuscript so it is ready to send to publisher by Thanksgiving - the interest will remain in each of your hearts.  It is so encouraging as I go about every day life when strangers come up to talk about seeing the story on the news or reading the initial newspaper article.  I've been having a conversation with one person when another joins once hearing the topic and says "Oh, I saw you on the news.  I'm waiting to buy your book!"  I am overwhelmed at the support and interest - it encourages me to continue. 

Only God could use such a terrible tragedy as abuduction to help others - I'm ever so grateful He chose me to be the vessel.  I do pray the right publisher is also following my story - this is where the marketing comes in.  I learned in July to market oneself prior to seeking publication - God continues to open those doors for me. 

As I work through "marketing myself, my book and platform" I wonder - "Could a publisher truly approach me with a contract?"  Hmm...I have wonderful friends believing that will happen - As I think of it I smile because the chances are so slim yet a verse from Scripture comes to mind - Mark 10:27  NIV "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."  Either my friend's dreaming is truly a stronger faith than mine or I need to start meditating on Mark 10:27 - trusting as I reflect on the doors God has opened thus far!  God is so amazing!

Lisa :)

Good Morning and Happy Monday to all of you!

It is such a blessing to read all your comments and BLOG posts.  Kim commented on a previous post saying she is praying for me as I am "growing in God as you walk through this journey (again) on paper."  Words of wisdom and truth there...

The actual writing of this book took only 3 days.  I knew there was a story within yet couldn't committ to the transfer from mind to paper.  God brought the 3 Day Novel Writing Contest to my eyes - I sent my $50 and spent Labor Day weekend of 2006 writing.  My first draft is honestly an emotional vomit from the moment I learned my sister had been kidnapped and the journey I've traveld living this role.  To revise and edit the hardest thing I've ever faced...is difficult to say the least.

Yet this year I have felt such a powerful call from God to "Finish" this book - although the journey isn't over - the story needs to be told.  It is in obedience to God I write - praying for those that will read the book as I play with words in order to present my personal loss, grief and emotions into the joy, hope and healing experienced once giving the latter to God.

I pray you continue to follow this BLOG and my Facebook postings.   I pray for you as I write and your prayers for me - are indescribable!  Thank you so much!

Lisa

Thought:  Do you have a story to tell on paper yet don't want to take the time to reflect and deal with it as it returns on to paper?
My challenge is to enter a writing contest - I found there is something about sending someone your money that motivates you to follow through.  In these hard economic times - all the more motivation - if God has called you to write, He will supply!

I have spent time every day writing and revising...adding and omitting. 

God has truly blessed me...
I've heard from a friend, now living in Florida
I've heard from family in PA
Reconnected with some of Heidi's friends

2 Corinthians 1:3 -4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with th...e comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Thank you all for your encouragment! I"m enjoying reading the email comments and the blog entries.  My goal is to respond at least twice a week - I'm reading them daily yet I need to keep my writing time open so can't respond daily.  I'm adopting a routine and schedule that will work in September as I transition back in to school.

I've heard some touching stories too!  God is working...

Talk to you soon,
Lisa :)

I did my second television interview today.  I wasn't quite as nervous as the first one with YNN's Andy Matteson.  Today I spent an hour with Jan Carabeo and Mark Fulsom.  It is overwhelming to me yet encouraging and touching - knowing so many people are interested in my story.   My book starts with Easter morning 1994 when the phone rang to tell me Heidi was missing with the ending to be determined...  My journey hasn't ended.  Heidi is missing yet with God blessing the publicity - I've been encouraged while shopping, at the theater and running errands.   Thanks to all of you for reading, posting and emailing me!  Your words are encouraging and motivate me to keep writing.

Jan Carabeo and I were talking after the camera was shut off - we talked about publishing a bit more.  I have ambitious and wonderful friends and family.  I've had some ask me - "Has a publisher contact you yet Lisa?"  As Jan, Mark and I talked - I shared how it would be a complete blessing if I was contacted by a publisher - the publisher God has chosen.   We laughed at the possibility yet knowing God - anything is possible. 

As I think into the future - my goal is to have a publisher who not only publishes my book but also allows me to have freedoms to speak at churches (at no cost) and to attend local events when invited.  God gifted me with the talent to write and He will bless me with the right publisher and opportunities to serve and glorify Him through the entire process. 

Thanks for following my writing and the blog - I look forward to hearing from you!  The interviewing is gettting the word out -check out the media coverage page.  Have a great week!

Lisa :)

Good Morning everyone!  It has been a couple days since my last blog - my apologies! 

I've accepted the Laurie Halse Anderson 15 minute writing challenge for the month of August.  She has provided writing tidbits to improve one's craft along with promts to put the lesson into practice.  I've used some of the prompts and on other days have used the 15 minutes to work on my book.  Either way - I'm writing everyday.

I had my first television interview last week as a writer!  Much fun!  I've linked it on my "media coverage" page so you can view it -in case you missed it last week.  WSYR, channel 9 in my town - has called and would also like to set up an interview.  I'll keep you posted. 

So much is happening!  God is good...today's morning worship service touched on the fact of God's blessings and gifts in our lives.  We are stewards with those blessings, gifts and resources. 

As a steward, we need to be actively utilizing the resources He has given us.  As Pastor spoke - I thought about the spiritual warfare involved in a writer's life, as we write for God.  As a steward writing for God - we must be using the blessings, creative gifts and resources to further God's Kingdom. 

We must do whatever it takes to stay focused on God -
1) Lost people matter to God and He wants them found
2) Pray first
3)  Listen and obey God's Word and finally for this week
4)  Everything we have belongs to God - we are only stewards!  (Paraphrased from my Pastor's message - Go Pastor!  - inspiring me to write among other things!)

All you Christian Writers - GET WRITING!  God has equiped you with the resources you need - it is our blessing to use them!

May God bless you this week
Lisa :)

Thought and Question to respond to: 
I enjoy worshipping and praising God!  As I sit through a worship service my heart is uplifted and everyday humdrum is erased and God's goodness is the focus  ~ yet it is times like this when I seem to get some brilliant writing ideas.  I always have paper with me, so I USUALLY jot the basics down and return my attention to the pastor or speaker.  On some occasions though - I've been known to write a short story.  :)  I'm wondering if any of you have experienced similar brainstorms of genious and God's leading for your writing?

Have you ever been sitting in your morning worship service, attending to the message when BAM! - a brilliant writing idea comes to you?  What do you do? 
Do you stop listening to your Pastor and start journaling your masterpiece into your writing notebook? 
Do you jot it on the bulletin so it looks like you are still paying attention? 
Do you carry a small notebook for moments just like these - shorthand the thought and sketch into the notebook ever so quickly and then get back to work? 

I want to hear from you!
Lisa :)

Up until June of this year...revision was remorse and regrets.  Remorse for the bad words written - and there are so many!  Regretting I couldn't write with the wisdom and profound revelations of other great authors. 

Then I met Christina Kilbourne - http://www.christinakilbourne.com/
She spoke at our Oswego Reading Council in June.  She shared that revision is "finessing" our writing.  As I thought about the revision process a little differently - I felt encouraged.  I write this to encourage others, like myself that have an array of unfinished first drafts.  These can be poems, short-stories, essays, devotionals or books.  Take out that first draft and start finessing - Christina spoke with such wisdom and truth -

I have decided revision is a mindset!  I can choose to spend a lot of time writing something no one will read (because it is terrible!) or I can devote some time, sweat and thought into transforming the ick into an ah....

What are you writing?  Revising?  I've heard via email and on the blog - some of you have started journaling!  Great!  Keep those journals and thought processes going - good writers, write!! And write daily!  We don't always write well I have learned - but we should always be writing!

Enjoy the week!
Lisa :)