I wish my dogs could decorate the tree like these talented pups!
Some Useful Links for You to Get Started
5 years ago
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thicker than Blood Book Trailer
Check out the brand new book trailer for my sister's novel Thicker than Blood! Enjoy.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Loved by Rebecca St. James
Loved Edited by Rebecca St. JamesReviewed by Tracy Darlington
"Perfect for youth groups, women’s Bible studies, or your own personal use."
She’s probably best known for her catchy music ministry which began in 1991 at the age of 13, when under the stage name “Rebecca Jean” she released an independent album titled Refresh My Heart in Australia. Soon after its release, her family moved to the United States where her father received a job offer, and the rest is history. Rebecca St. James is no stranger to the book world, either. She has authored numerous titles such as: Pure; She: Safe, Healthy, Empowered; She Teen; Wait For Me, among others.
Now, in her latest book Loved - Stories of Forgiveness she dons the editor's cap.You will find true stories of God’s amazing love and forgiveness for young women from all walks of life. Divided into six parts, each begins with a dramatized story from the Bible and continues with seven present day stories of women who have made mistakes but found God’s love in the end. These sections cover the issues: identity crisis, addictions, family problems, friends, man trouble, and faith crises.
The theme of the book comes from St. James’ song “You Are Loved” which Rebecca wrote for her friend, Daniel. The words to the track can be found on the frontmatter. With its 6 week devotional format, each vignette can be gone through quickly. Perfect for youth groups, women’s Bible studies, or your own personal use.
The stories are real eye-openers. As the young women find themselves in bad relationships, eating disorders, and lost in a sea of rejection they discover that God cares for them in the midst of their turmoil. Like sixteen year old Naomi, whose prescription drug abuse and early childhood memories of molestation drive her to rock bottom. But “instead of running away from the pain she has learned to run to God in her pain.” Not all the entries are as dark as Naomi’s, but they depict real life for women in today’s society without sugar coating.
Loved - Stories of Forgiveness does remind us how much God truly loves us. As Rebecca puts it, “Loved is about prodigals and for prodigals - which is all of us. God has His arms open wide, waiting for us, no matter what we have done. This is a message of hope that our generation needs to hear. No matter where you’ve been and what you’ve done. . . you are loved.”
Buying Options:
Friday, October 02, 2009
Vicky Beeching's Favorite Starbucks Drink
Iced grande decaf Americano with room for some milk and splenda
Read my full interview with Vicky here.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Francesca Battistelli's Favorite Starbucks Drink
A grande Americano with cream or an iced green tea, unsweetened.
More to come in this series. :)
Monday, September 07, 2009
Britt Nicole's Favorite Starbucks Drink
I have a couple favorite drinks. I'm looking forward to the pumpkin spice latte that's about to come for fall. It only appears there in fall, so I'm looking forward to it! I saw the other day on the countdown that it was ten days. (Laughs) I was like, “Yes!” But right now, since pumpkin spice latte is not here right now, I usually get a white mocha with three pumps. It comes with four, and I get it with three, 'cause four pumps is too sweet for me. I love white mocha. Or I do a London fog, which is Earl Grey tea with soy milk, and it's really good. Or I get a Venti iced chai, which you probably knows from “Holiday”. When I wrote that song, that was my favorite drink, and I would drink it every day. (laughs) I don't drink it as much now. Now I have to write a song that says, “White Mocha, You're my closest friend.”Read my full interview at TitleTrakk.com here
Monday, August 31, 2009
Awake by Skillet
For all of you Skillet fans out there read Titletrakk's review of their album!
Awake by Skillet
Reviewed by Adrian B. Martinez
"...takes the same formula that made Skillet’s last project so successful and turns it up a notch."
John Cooper and Co. are BACK! With their 8th studio album, and the much anticipated follow-up to the monolith that was the 2006 release Comatose, “AWAKE” released August 25th on INO Records, and it continues with the use of strings and guitars with a harder rock sound that made Comatose such a success.
Recording for this album began in March 2009 with lead singer John Cooper writing more than 40 songs in preparation of the pressure to outdo the last record. “This time it was intensified because the last project was so successful,” he said.
Unveiling what primary songwriter Cooper (penning all 12 songs), calls a “turning of a page” for the band, “AWAKE” takes the same formula that made Skillet’s last project so successful and turns it up a notch. Cooper said that it “sounds like Skillet with some new things people may not expect.” Some of those new things are the inclusion of drummer Jen Ledger’s vocals. She's included most notably in the hook heavy opening track "Hero", the ballad "Don’t Wake Me", "Awake and Alive" and "One Day too Late".
Trying to capture lighting twice, “Awake and Alive” is very reminiscent of Comatose’s "Rebirthing”. This string heavy rock song takes all the components that worked in "Rebirthing"---from the opening violins surrounded by Ben Kasica’s guitar playing and Korey Cooper’s keyboards---they all aid John’s raspy voice (never sounding better) and create one fantastic fist pumping song. Cooper says, “Sometimes it doesn’t seem like there’s hope, and sure you can choose to give up, but why not face it ‘Awake and Alive’"?
8 albums in and Skillet still shows a noticeable maturity. Cooper says, “Everything we sing about on this album is something someone can relate to, and if anything, the songs will let you know you’re not alone. Some of the songs are complex, others are just really intense rockers and overall there’s a real sense that we’re opening a new chapter. There are definitely some classic rock elements on the record (Monster, Hero, Should’ve When You Could’ve), some very melodic moments with orchestration and piano (Awake and Alive, Believe, Never Surrender and Lucy), along with a lot of today’s heavier rock influences as well.”
As they do consistently, Skillet will be touring heavily to promote Awake in what they are calling their “Alive and Awake Tour” set to begin September 24, 2009 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Accompanying them on tour will be, The Letter Black, Decyfer Down and Hawk Nelson.
Buying Options:
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pre-order Your Copy of Thicker than Blood on Amazon
My sister's novel Thicker than Blood is now available for Pre-Order at Amazon! Be sure to pick up your copy today!
Christy Williams finally has her life on track.
She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit.
With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged, younger sister, May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. May’s Triple Cross ranch could be the safe haven she’s searching for, but will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Pre-order Your Copy of Thicker than Blood
Thicker than Blood is now available for pre-order at Christianbook.com!Summary:
Christy Williams finally has her life on track.
She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit.
With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged, younger sister, May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. May’s Triple Cross ranch could be the safe haven she’s searching for, but will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?Click here to pre-order your copy.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Word Wednesday
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”- Acts 20:24
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thicker Than Blood Summary
Those of you who have not read about my twin sister C.J. Darlington's first novel, here's a little bit more about story. Enjoy! The book will be release by Tyndale House in January 2010! Trust me; it's a great book. :)Here's my working summary of Thicker Than Blood:
Two sisters, estranged for 15 years. Their blood ties weren't enough. Only something stronger could bring them together again.
Christy Williams finally has her life on track. Her career as an antiquarian book buyer at the renowned used bookstore Dawson's Barn of Books is taking off. Hunter Dawson is teaching her the fine points of purchasing collectible books, and so far she's been able to keep her drinking problem from interfering. But when she discovers her ex-boyfriend, who also works at Dawsons, is stealing valuable books right off the store's shelves, she's unable to stop him for fear he'll expose the skeleton's in her closet.
Things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents' untimely deaths. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch, May couldn't possibly want a relationship with her, the big sister who didn't even say goodbye all those years ago. Could she?
Soon Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross ranch be the safe haven she's searching for, or will May's new-found faith give her sister even more reason to reject Christy? Will they realize before it's too late that each possesses what the other desperately needs?
Friday, May 08, 2009
Susie Magazine Article
Just got my first issue of Susie magazine for teen girls! Check out my article Jump-Start Your Devotions. Hope you enjoy it. :)
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Chapter of the Bible for the Week
Psalm 37Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Sky Watch
The Sky at a Glance - May 2-9
Saturday, May 2
Sunday, May 3
Monday, May 4
Venus is only about 5° from faint Mars low in the eastern dawn. (The visibility of Mars in bright twilight is exaggerated here.)
Sky & Telescope diagram
Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7
Friday, May 8
Saturday, May 9
Information taken from http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Story Behind Ted Dekker's Book Boneman’s Daughters
The Story Behind Ted Dekker's Book Boneman’s DaughtersTed: Boneman's Daughters is a very passionate story. It’s about a serial killer called Boneman who is obsessed with finding the perfect daughter. He takes young women, kidnaps them, and when they fail to meet his expectations of what a perfect daughter should be, he kills them. And he does so in a rather gruesome manner, by breaking their bones without breaking their skin. He breaks all of their bones and leaves them to die.
The whole story is centered around this one girl who’s taken. Her name’s Bethany; she’s a bit of a rebel—a very strong-willed person—and her father, who she’s estranged from. When he learns she’s been taken, he just goes ballistic. He goes after Boneman himself. The FBI suspect that he himself might be Boneman, so they go after him. They have this very interesting chase. The whole novel really goes back and forth across the whole state of Texas. But at the heart of this novel is a father’s desperation to recover his daughter.
The story itself was born out of my personal experience. When my daughter was eighteen she was taken, in my view, by a similar kind of character. Now, it wasn’t a serial killer, obviously. It was this guy she’d fallen in love with. In my view though he was like a Boneman. He was an abusive person. She couldn’t see it, but he was dangerous. Because she was eighteen I couldn’t stop her. I could just hope and pray. During that time I began to ask myself about this amazing love I had for my daughter and the emotions that went through me. I would have done anything to protect her, anything to save her. It was then that the roots of this story began to form in my own mind. So in Boneman’s Daughters we explore that. The extremes of a father, and how far would you go to rescue your daughter? Would you kill another man to save your daughter’s life? These are the themes we explore.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Randy Travis Three Wooden Crosses
Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis Reviewed by Tracy Darlington
"...a must for Randy Travis fans and a great start for the uninitiated. It blends country, Gospel, and rich vocals into a delightful mix."
He wasn’t always known as Randy Travis to the world of country music. At the age of ten he and his brother started a duo called the Traywick Brothers. Their father hoped Randy would be a country singer, so at sixteen he entered a talent show. After winning the competition hands down, Travis was encouraged when he was asked by a club owner to play at their night spot. But soon after that this country music mainstay was turned down by nearly every record label. He finally signed his first record deal in 1985, but it wasn’t until the late ‘80's that Randy took country music by storm, and he still is.
I saw Randy Travis perform “Three Wooden Crosses”, the title track of Travis’s inspirational collection, in Branson MO a few years back. It was just Randy’s deep baritone and an accompanying guitar. The cut on the cd has the same simple acoustic feel. The first half of the project features Travis’ versions of the old hymns we have known and love, while the second half showcases more of Randy’s authentic country style.
Southern Gospel fans will find “Swing Down Chariot” right up their alley. Mac Powell of Third Day joins Randy on vocals in “Love Lifted Me” . The number “Pray for the Fish” is sure to put a smile on your face as Travis champions wildlife as he sings Preacher said people take a moment or two / there’s something we need to do / Pray for the Fish. Lord be with them. They’ve done nothing, please won’t you leave them just a little bit of room to swim... You won’t be able to keep you toes from tapping to it’s upbeat and catchy rhythm.
The final track is perhaps the crowning glory of the collection as Randy makes the classic song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” all his own. “Three Wooden Crosses - The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis” is a must for Randy Travis fans and a great start for the uninitiated. It blends country, Gospel, and rich vocals into a delightful mix.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Design Your Own Sneaker
Want to design your own sneaker? I found this cool site that shows you how! Check out nikeid.com :) Have fun! I can't wait to get mine.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Kings Firecracker Performance
I think I better brush up on my jumping skills. Watch this video and you will see what I mean!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Word Wednesday
Chapter of the Week:Hebrews 11 Part 1
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Just Between You and Me New Fiction Book by Jenny B.Jones
Get a Sneak Peek at Jenny B Jones' New Book coming in September!Summary:
Maggie lives life on the edge, seemingly unafraid of anything. But the image she so carefully constructed is coming undone. Maggie's job as a videographer takes her around the world. She tells people's stories, especially those of impoverished children. That's when she feels most alive, like she's making the world better.
But when a secret from her past resurfaces, Maggie gets a call that sends her home. Her dad desperately needs her help. Her estranged sister has run off, leaving 8-year-old Riley in his care.
She returns reluctantly, hoping to help her neice. There she reconnects with Cooper--a once awkward and shy, now handsome, veterinarian. Her feelings skyrocket when she's with him, but she's afraid if she shows him her true self, he'll reject her.
An honest, hilarious journey that will transform Maggie--if she just learns to trust more and fearless.
Buy Jenny's books here.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Hoops and Yoyo Coffee Jitters
For those of you coffee lovers out there, this will put a smile on your face. All I can say is bring on the beans! :)
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Chapter of the Bible for the Week
Chapter of the WeekPsalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
C.J. Darlington Interview Part 4
Here's the last in my 4 part series interviewing C.J. Darlington.What is your second novel about?
It’s working title is Innocent Blood, and it’s a sequel to Thicker Than Blood in that some of the main characters of Thicker (Christy, Hunter, May) become minor characters in Innocent. But I also introduce some new people. And I will say this . . . someone you know from Thicker Than Blood dies in this second novel! :)
Is there anything else you’d like to say to my blog readers?
I still can’t believe people actually want to read what I have to say! Ha. Thanks so much for doing this interview, sis. You asked great questions!
FUN FACTS/TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
I was homeschooled for all of my schooling years, and I know Morse Code. I’m surprised I haven’t forgotten, but back in the day it was a requirement to be a ham radio operator (I still have my license.)
When you’re not writing what do you enjoy doing?
Reading, camping, going to the movies.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
A bowl of Nutty Nuggets, which is basically the store brand version of Grape Nuts. Good stuff!
Three things always found in your refrigerator:
Organic eggs, milk and Romaine heads of lettuce.
You’re next in line at Starbucks. What are you ordering?
A grande triple cappuccino. Sometimes I’ll have them add a flavoring, like sugar-free vanilla or caramel, but I’m trying not to have too much of those chemicals. Can’t resist sometimes though!
What’s currently in your CD player/iPod?
Well, here’s another surprising thing, I guess. I don’t have an iPod! But in my cd player and computer playlist you can find Mute Math’s “Spotlight” EP, Andy Hunter’s “Colour”, Iona’s “Woven Cord”, and Paramore’s “Riot” CD.
Read Part 3
Read Part 2
Read Part 1
Thursday, March 19, 2009
C.J. Darlington Interview Part 3
Tell me how you felt when they brought the cover out for you to see?I was overjoyed! In one glance I knew the designer really got the story. It’s better than I could’ve dreamed.
When will Thicker than Blood be coming out?
I don’t have an official release date yet, but it should release late 2009 or early 2010. I’ll keep you posted!
Who is your favorite character in your story and why?
Oh, my. What a tough question. I think I would have to say Christy Williams, the main character, just because I spent so much time with her during the writing. But there’s a secondary character named Beth, the local veterinarian, who I really like. She adds some of the lighter moments to the book. I wish she was my friend! Hey . . . I guess in a way she is . . .
If your book were made into a movie, who would you have in it and make it?
Another tough question! I’ve thought long and hard on this one. As far as movie companies, I would pick either Worldwide Pictures (the movie arm of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) because I think they would really get what I was trying to say with the book. Or Jenkins Entertainment run by Dallas & Jerry Jenkins. They are making films that are gritty in their portrayal of reality yet don’t stray from sharing hope and truth. Exactly what I’m trying to do with my books.
Actors is another ball of wax that deserves more thinking time . . . okay. Tracey Gold, who’s been in a lot of tv movies would make a great Christy, I think. May could be played by an unknown, up and coming actress because I can’t think of anyone else who fits!
Read Part 4
Read Part 2
Read Part 1
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
5 Ways to Stay Close to God
In my article "5 Ways to Stay Close to God", popular Christian music artist Rebecca St. James shares tips on how you can stay close to God.Tip #1:
DIG INTO THE BIBLE
“That’s our instruction Book for life, His Love Letter to us,” Rebecca says. “Every day when we’re on the tour we have devotions. It’s a challenge to find time to be in the Bible, but it is a very big deal to me. So every day, whether it be backstage before I go on, in the motor home on the way to a concert, or here in the hotel room I set aside the time to feed my soul with God’s Word.”
Can’t understand your Bible? Too many “thee’s” and “thou’s”? Rebecca says, “I encourage people to read The Message Bible, besides whatever translation they usually read. It’s like a paraphrase, but it’s very easy to understand. A kind of ‘in your face’ message.” So find time to read your Bible, even if it’s just five minutes. “If we’re committed to living God’s way,” Rebecca continues, “we’ve got to be digging in the Bible, because otherwise we don’t know how to live.” God’s Word can change your life!
Read the rest of the article.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
C.J. Darlington Interview Part 2
Here's part 2 of my interview with my sister C.J. Read Part 1 here.Why did you enter the Operation First Novel contest?
I entered out of desperation, really. I was getting so discouraged. I’d been submitting my novel to publishers and receiving nothing but rejection. I was days away from putting it in a drawer and focusing on other projects. But I was prompted to enter the contest late one night. I was hoping to place as a semi-finalist just to give my confidence a much-needed boost. I never expected to win!
How did you find out about the contest?
I first heard about it in Writer’s Digest magazine. The Christian Writers Guild had an ad for their very first Operation First Novel contest. That put it on my radar, and I’ve been following the Guild ever since.
How many entries were there?
I believe this year there were 132 entries.
How long did it take you to write Thicker than Blood?
From initial idea to contracted book? Almost fifteen years. But I didn’t work on it every day by any means. However, the characters were always with me. I made a commitment to get serious with my writing when I was eighteen. I finished Thicker Than Blood when I was 24. So really the majority of the work happened during that time.
What did the judging process look like?
You know, I’m really not sure. I know they selected nine semi-finalists and four finalists. I don’t know for sure who all was involved in that selection. But I do know the four finalists were sent to the Tyndale fiction acquisition team who made the final decision on the winner.
Read Part 4
Read Part 3
Read Part 1
Saturday, March 14, 2009
C.J. Darlington Interview Part 1
C.J. Darlington is my twin sister, and her novel Thicker Than Blood will soon be published by Tyndale House. She started writing the novel fifteen years ago. I remember her saying, "Someday you'll see my novel on the shelves." I also remember she'd lay in bed at night and ask me things like, "What do you think of this character name?" or "What should my main character do next?" or "How can I get this character into more trouble?"I've interviewed Rebecca St. James, Delirious, Newsboys, and so many other musicians . . . it's rather weird to be interviewing my own sister! But it's also fun to make her think!
Here's the first installment:
Tracy: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
C.J.: I have written stories ever since I was a little kid. My most ambitious was called “The Horse’s Story”. I remember starting it when I was eight or nine on my Dad’s old word processor. It was about a horse named Loopter who would become Joshua of the Bible’s horse. He was going to be a witness of the walls of Jericho falling down, but . . . I never finished it.
Then there was my epic (started when I was twelve) called “Moby”, about a Labrador Retriever trying to find his place in this world. He tried being a lap dog (with some humorous consequences!), a fire dog, a police dog, a sheep dog . . . he never did find out what he was meant to be ‘cause I never finished that story either! Around this time was when I started dreaming of having a book published. I knew nothing of how it worked, but the seed was planted.
When I was fifteen I started a story that would change the way I thought about writing. It was about two sisters who hadn’t seen each other for years but eventually met again. That story became my first novel, Thicker Than Blood, which just won the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest and will be published soon by Tyndale.
Were books a big part of your life growing up? If so, what books would you say influenced you most as a child? (Photo pictures Karen Watson, C.J., and Jerry B. Jenkins)I loved to read! One of my favorite activities was going to the library. My sister (you!) and I would come home with bags and bags full of books. I didn’t read every single one, but what a luxury to have so many available at my fingertips.
I’m trying to think of what book influenced me most . . . interestingly, I loved reading fictionalized accounts of historical figures. I loved the Childhood of Famous Americans series (Will Scout, Boy in Buckskins was a favorite), the Landmark series (I re-read The Swamp Fox of the Revolution several times), the We Were There series, and of course Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr. and the like filled my bags, too. And then there were the animal stories like 101 Dalmations, the Dr. Doolittle series, and a book called Brimm’s Boat. And Narnia. I LOVED Narnia. Man . . . I could go on and on and on.
I guess they all influenced me without me even realizing it. But later, when I was an early teen I picked up Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti. Nothing was ever the same after that!
What inspired you to write Thicker than Blood?
It wasn’t like there was a huge inspirational moment, but that initial spark when I was fifteen came from some games my sister (you again!) and our dear friend Erica played as kids. We would pretend we were different characters, and basically role play stories we made up as we went along. One of the characters we used was named Christy and she had a sister named May who lived on a farm. All I knew when I started the story was that I wanted to write about these two sisters, one of them lived on a ranch/farm, and I wanted to have a Christian faith element.
That basic idea is still there in Thicker Than Blood.
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