New Blog

I have a new blog at:


http://www.storiesbystacy1.blogspot.com/

This blog has been discontinued. Please refer to new blog on Monday, 19 October 2009. Thank you. Have a great day.

Blessings,
Stacy

Self-Examination, Feeling Lost, & Wanting to Live an Abundant Life by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

From time to time, it's important to stop and self-examine or self-analyze. I find that I need to work on healing from the past (as well as learning from it), refocus on my present purpose, and reprioritize my future goals from time to time. If I don't, I lose my way and in turn tend to lose myself. It's critical to analyze the past and learn from it. If we don't, everythng we went through was in vain and we learn nothing from it. Our past influences who we are today. It can either be a companion or an enemy. I'd rather the past be a companion, I don't know about you.

Where did you come from?

What experiences can you draw from today and help make today better because of it?

What are your present objectives?

What is your purpose?

What do you want your future to look like?

What do you need to change in the present in order to live your purpose and fulfill your future dreams?

I don't know about you, but I want to live an abundant life--full and spiritually centered. I want to live a life of love, joy, and goodness. How can I live today to see this happen? What goals can I set in the future to help me to live abundantly?

Take a couple of days to think about your life. Are you headed where you want to head? Having said that, are you headed in the direction to fulfill your life's purpose? Do you even know what your life's purpose is?

Analyze your life. Take time to self-examine. It's very worthwhile.

Christians, check out my continuation of this blog post at: http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

NaNoWriMo Participation

Look what I just decided... I decided to take place in that National November Writing Month where you write a book of 50,000 words in one month.

I'll keep you informed about my status.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Real Me, Writing, Vacation, and Forgetting & Remembering 9/11

Facing The Real Me
I tried to keep politics out of my blog for now, along with religion, and military/war. However, I realize I cannot. I hope that you will still read this and will send comments about your thoughts on the subjects. We don't have to all agree. However, I will try to be as "Gentle" as I can about them. I never want to cram my beliefs down anyone's throat. That's not right.

I'm a Christ-Follower, I'm to the right as far as politics, and I'm a supporter of the GWOT (Global War on Terror). There. It's out there. You guessed most of it already, I'm sure. But, as far as my writing goes. I focus on Christ and the family. My books are focused on each. Sometimes Christ is to the forefront. Sometimes, He's the theme that runs behind the words on the page.

I wasn't sure how to put this, so I decided to be straightforward about it. I hope you understand.

I will keep the "in your face" or "bold" Christian comments, though, to my sacred blog.

Writing and Vacation
My writing was non-existant last week since my mom came in for a visit. So, I hope to get it on track today and tomorrow--only to go back to Denver Wednesday the 16th of September through Monday the 21st. Bear with my blog posts. It's the same thing there. I will hopefully get serious about my writing and blog posts again on 9/21.

So, again, I'll be gone 9/16 to 9/21.

Forgetting 9/11

It seems our nation has forgotten 9/11. And is in ACTIVE, INTENTIONAL denial that this is the case.

Proof? Drive around. How many cars have the American flag on them? How about houses?

How many of us think of or pray for the families and friends of those who were murdered that day in an act that declared war on the USA?

How many of us pray for the soldiers at war daily?

How many of us grab hold of the banner, "Peace" or "Co-Exist?"

UBL (Usama bin Laden) just released another tape. On it, he reminds us why he has problems with the USA. he states our support for the country of Israel is what incites his violence on us.

How have we forgotten? There's Charlie Sheen. Groups that say the USA government caused 9/11. And so on. We have forgotten. As a nation. Some individuals have. As a nation we have.

If people remembered 9/11, Three and a Half Men would not be on the air--and would not be as popular as it is.

The Freedom Tower would have been built well before now if people would have taken a stand and called and written everyone responsible for getting it built. Just another example. Since it hasn't been, it shows how we've forgotten.

We assume that we no longer at war--even though UBL just reminded us today this is not the case. We also assume that we should not be at war. again, UBL just reminded us today that this is not the case in the new video.

Our soldiers would get a lot more support than they do now and people would stop listening to the news because of all the lies the news feed us about the real state of the war and about the extremist Islamists out there.

Our goverment would NOT be what it is today if people remembered 9/11.

I'm sorry to stir things up, but to ignore the problem in order not to stir things up only adds to the problem.

Remembering 9/11
9/11 was a day that still holds great importance and always will--much like 12/7/1941--Pearl Harbor. Our country was changed dramatically because of both events. People died on those days and becuase of those days afterward. Both were followed by war. We could not allow any American to die in vain when war was delcared on our country. May God be with all the victims' families and friends. You are remembered in my house daily and pray for you.

Misc. 9/11 Thoughts
What have you actively done today to remember 9/11 and the soldiers who have fought because of it since? (Wow. That hits home.)


Let's pray for our nation. Let's pray that we remember that people on 9/11 died and people have died since in the wars because of 9/11. It was all because of three aspects:
1. We're not a Muslim nation (in the extremist's eyes).
2. We support Israel (a democratic nation).
3. Radical muslims think that Allah cannot return until all infidels are dead. (The radicals define infidel as anyone who does not believe in their radical views--and this includes many moderate Muslims.)

Have any of these changed? No. We could be hit again by these radical terrorists. We've let out guard down.

Freedom
Freedom does not come free. It does not jsut happen by accident. Rather, it costs. Men and women fight wars to defend our freedom. We would not be the same today of not for those who have made the great sacrifice. You are not forgotten. Thank you.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Renewal of Rain by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Rain. The sound of the pitter patter brings such a serenity. A peace. A calm. A feeling of tranquility.

I could watch it for hours. It puts me in a contemplative state of mind and I'm forced to center myself. The beauty of it leaves me without choice. It's a symbol of renewal--and life afterward. Rain brings life.

For me, rain makes me want to hole myself up inside and not come out. Hence, even though I also want to curl up and read a book, that means it's very productive for me. I get a lot of writing and reading done, as I have today.

It also makes me reflective. Very reflective and contemplative.

What in my life needs to be washed? Cleansed? Washed away?

What in my life needs to be watered?

I need to take the opportunity to slow down for a day. To have rest. To have a Sabbath.

What in my life needs healing?

What in my life needs refreshment?

When I slow down, is it to bring me closer to God and give me time to pray?

What are your thoughts?

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

All Over The Place: Focus by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Ever have one of those days where you're all over the place? When you get a lot done, but it's all a little here and a little there. Today is one of those days for me.

When I feel like this mentally, it tends to transcend and infiltrate other parts of my life. That's what it's done with my work today. It's moments like this I realize I need to stop. Rest. Re-focus. Focus on what's most important. I need to re-analyze things and make sure I'm focusing on what matters.

I desire nothing more than a single-minded focus on what is important and on what matters. For me, it's on God, my husband, and my writing. God must be above all else, though.

How about you? What do you need to re-focus and what is your most important focus?

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Updates About Editing and Writing Projects of Stacy Duplease and Stories by Stacy

Vacation/Time Off First of all, I'm going to be gone the week of 07 September-13 September 2009. I'll be back on Monday 14 September 2009. My mom's coming to visit and we're going to play and see the sights of Omaha, Nebraska.

Blogging
It looks like I'm a madwoman thinking I can do 8 blogs. Time is a very precious commodity and I enjoy spending time with my husband and getting writing done. (Call me silly.) We shall see. For now, my main blogs are:

http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

The sacred one is my Christian-based blog.

I'll blog about the other stuff: journaling, writing, mom stuff, marriage stuff, patriotic stuff, and spec lit stuff in both of the above. When I can, I'll add to the other blogs, but I need to be realistic. I don't want to kill myself or you.

Updates About Editing Projects
I am still editing "Cammi's Story" and "Demarcations" and will put them both on this blog when I am able to again. Then, once I am done editing, I'll publish them. My guess is two more months.

Updates About Writing Projects
Forget all the other stuff I've said I was working on the past. They all got moved to the backburner for now. I need my ideas to stew and simmer sometimes. (Okay, a lot of times.) These are my present projects:

"An Easy Faith: A 50-Day Study Guide" from the series: Putting God in the Every Day Series. It's a Bible study. Hence, is non-fiction.

My fiction project is: "The Best of Darci Thompson: Saying I Do to the Best Man." It's about a woman who gives up on men and decides to marry God and she blogs about it. I tell her tale.

Website
Also, don't forget to check out my new website at:

http://www.storiesbystacy.com/

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Sacred Nature of Marriage

I went on a marriage enrichment retreat with my husband this weekend. We had a very blessed time. What we heard was not anything new, but we re-learned some lessons we had forgotten. I have a marriage blog and will share more information there at:

www.marriagestoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

But, for now, I want to share some thoughts here on this blog and in this post.

Marriage is a sacred relationship. It is meant to be set apart, holy, and special.

How many of us would say that about marriage?

Fill in the blank. Marriage is: ______________

Stop. Did you do a backhanded comment or did you turn it to something positive? For example: Did you say something like, marriage is a ride you get stuck on, with ups and downs, and can never get off. That's backhanded. If you did say something like that, how's your marriage?

Marriage is supposed to be sacred. It's us who allows it to become something ugly. Why do we do that? Why do we actively and intentionally choose ugly over sacred?

I was divorced years ago and am now remarried. I know about making marriage something ugly. So, this is me looking in the mirror and not casting stones. Just trying to make you think in a fresh way.

Think today of ways to make your marriage sacred, special, holy, and set apart again. You can reshape your marriage today, if you so choose. Or, think today of how to make it more sacred, holy...

Two bodies join and go from an "I" to an "us"...

You can't get too much more sacred than that.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Huge Favor from My Readers

So I can keep track of who's reading this blog, can you please send me a comment, sign up as a reader, or drop me an email? I would really appreciate it. If you have time, let me know what you like, what you think, and any suggestions. Thanks!

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

More?

LET’S FACE IT. LIFE ISN’T what we would expect. It’s harder and more unfair than we can comprehend. We make mistakes, we fail from time to time, and life dishes out some pretty hard lessons for us to learn.


But, it’s more than that.

Don’t we want more?

We just don’t know what that more looks like, do we?

So, are you living your dreams? Have you made goals, achieved them, and made more that you’re working on right now? Or, are you still waiting?

Aren’t we feeling empty inside and wonder if ‘this’ (you fill in the blank) is all there is to life?

Haven’t we taken life for granted and not counted our blessings as we ought?

What about as individuals? Can’t we be better people? More fulfilled?

What about as Christians? Can’t we be closer to God? Can’t we make Him more of a priority in our lives? Can’t we bring Him more glory? Can’t we cooperate with Him a little more?

But, we want more.

There has to be more to life than this. There has to be more.

We have no doubt that there really is more. Have you found out what the ‘more’ is yet?

As a Christian, I can say the answer is more God is the answer. More of Him in our lives brings more happiness, peacefulness, and joy.

But, what about those who aren’t Christian? What is your more? Is it fulfilling?

What is your more? What are you looking for?

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Thought for the Day: Journal Your Muse & Inspiration by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Journal Your Muse & Inspiration
Whoever you are, whatever you do, it's critical to hold onto your inspiration whenever it strikes. Cling to it before it's lost or forgotten. Whether it's a memory, a story idea to write, a happy moment, or a life challenge, write it down so that it can always be with you.

Too often, our moments or inspiration are taken for granted. Then, life happens and we go through challenges. If our inspiration or muse is written down, we can hold onto those thoughts and they can offer us strength and persistence.

Don't let a moment pass you by.

Journal whenever your muse inspires you. That's the bottom-line. Journaling captures moments in time that photographs never could.

Inspiration is a moment of clarity. It's a sacred moment of divine clarity. We don't want to forget what comes to mind, what we want to do, or the drive we get from it. Write it down. If you don't, the moment can pass you by and can be lost forever.

Your muse and inspiration appear only when they want and how they want. Grab hold of them while you can and put all of yourself into them. Your life will undoubtedly be changed from the moment. Live it fully. Get it down on paper. Journal it.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Muse of Inspiration: Where Does it Come From? by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Where does your muse and inspiration come from?

People?
Things?
Places?
Books?
Movies?

Does it come from one source or multiple?

What inspires you?

As a writer or artist, this is a very important question to me. I don't know about you.

Please send me a comment or an email.

I will be writing aobut this thought this week.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

In the Mood: Epic Love Stories and Romance in Books, Movies, and Real Life by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

In the Mood
I'm in the mood for love stories and romance in books and movies. Maybe because I'm so in love that it's addicting like a drug--and can't get enough. Or, maybe because I was born that way. Both are true. However, the main reason is because I'm in the process of starting an epic love story with an interesting twist. I've talked about it before and will continue to talk about it quite a bit. So, please bear with me.

Let me first state that love is not easy and a fine/accurate novel or movie always shows how you have to fight for love every day and appreciate it every day. Love is emotional and had ups and downs, in other words. It's how you approach them as a couple that makes love special or not so special. It's holding onto one another through the storms of life that makes the difference. Hence, the more storms there are in a novel or movie, the more I'm sucked into the story. How about you?

I've asked the question over Twitter about favorite love stories in books and movies today and was given a list of many. I do request for ALL of you to send me a list of your favorites. I need inspiration. Please add a comment to this post or send me an email to: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

Titanic
North and South by John Jakes
The Thornbirds
Winds of War
War and Remembrance
Atlas Shrugged
A Prayer for Owen Meany
I Heard the Owl Call My Name
Middlemarch
Age of Innocence
Frida
Time Traveler's Wife
Jane Austen books
Anne Taylor books
Bridges of Madison County
Outlander books
Twilight books
Gone With the Wind
Casablanca
A Farewell to Arms
Love in the Time of Cholera

I've read/seen some and haven't seen others and want to check them out.

Is anyone else a romance junkie like me? I watch every romance movie that comes out in the theatres and have for years. Sometimes, the cornier, the better.

America's Archway
My fiction book that I'm starting to write is called (for now) "America's Archway: An Epic Love Story" and it's of The Building of America Series I've started about what it must have been like to build the famous landmarks in the USA, but all will be love stories. I ask the question of, if walls could talk from those landmarks and see what story I come up with from it.

What Real Life Love Stories...
What real life love stories are your favorite? Send them my way, please.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Sin of Busyness, Priorities, The Muse, and Other Ramblings (Etc. Etc. Etc.) by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Sin of Busyness
Did you know that often times, a busy schedule means that you are afraid to face something in life? Other times, a busy schedule means you're running from something. It also can mean just one thing: You're just busy.
Why is it we are so busy?
Why is it we think our lives have to be full to the max, or we're failing at life?
Why is it we think that busyness gives us self-value and worth? If this was really true, we're pretty shallow people.
Busyness is a tool to avoid something. Are we avoiding truth? From dealing with the past? From dealing with the now? From transforming our lives and our character? From change?
We don't have to be so busy. We do not have to choose to be busy.
What's wrong with enjoying a simple life of the things that really matter?
What's wrong with not having too much stress in our lives?
Just a few questions to ponder.

Priorities
How is it our priorities have become so skewed? Why are our priorities things that should not be priorities and why are the things that should be a priority not one?
Are our priorities on the things that matter or that have great value to us?
Are our priorities long-term and eternally-minded?
Or, are they now-centered and have no lasting value?
When was the last time you examined your priorities?

The Muse and Writing
I find it interesting when and how the Muse strikes. I find it's rarely in the way I expect and it's rarely when I would think.
Right now, I'm being called by the Muse (My God) to write a fiction book and a non-fiction book. My fiction book is an epic love story with a builder of the St. Louis Arch (made-up character/builder) and his woman. My non-fiction book is on Ezekiel 16 and Unfaithfulness to God.

Etc. Etc. Etc.:
Other Ramblings:
I'm sorry I've been a stranger. I think I'm back for two weeks now. Then, I'll be gone a week, back for two, gone again. Married life in Omaha, and away from home, means a busy life. In September, my Mom's visiting and then I'm going back home for the Bronco's opening game. Being in Omaha makes me miss the Rockies and Broncos. Terribly.

How are you?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Inaction, News, and Vacation by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Danger of Inaction:
Life is nothing but a tightrope act of trying to keep balance. It's not just a walk along a tight rope, either. A lot of times, we're blinded (blindfolded), are in a storm (of life), are carrying a heavy load (baggage), and are being told to do it with impossible deadlines. Much is expected of us. I don't know about you, but most days, I have problems walking without tripping over something or tripping, never mind on a tightrope with all those crazy variables. Yet, I'm still expected to do it. How about you?

Consequently, there are times, I'm so overwhelmed that I become inactive. Complacent. Helpless. Depressed. Or whatever else that makes me stop moving.

There is danger in inaction:
We can lose sight of what's important and what matters.
We can lose sight of our dreams.
We can have progress pass us by and leave us in the dust.
We can lose ourselves.

Inaction has many consequences. We need to make sure we pick ourselves up and not fall into this trap.

We need not travel so quickly through life, and be so busy we run into problems. Yet, we also cannot suffer from Inaction Disease. Rather, we need balance. (Christians, see my blog about what it means to be an inactive Christian at: http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/ please.)

We can conquer inaction with:
Awareness
Intentional Living
Moving at a decent pace (not too fast and not too slow. Steady.)

News:
I'm getting help from, my kitten, Sinan, so I hope I don't make too many errors as I type this.

I worked some more on getting my house set up this weekend. It's the little stuff now that I need to finish. I absolutely love Omaha. It's a nice place to live. My office is mostly setup (thank to my hubby's help) this weekend. This was a major undertaking from day one of the unpacking. I also got a new desk (a huge wall unit thing), so that meant more work on the office and what a payoff. I'll download pictures of it once I get it set up entirely and with no more clutter (for now, let's be realistic).

My kitten, Sinan, is a lover, a little devil at times, and an all-around blessing. He keeps me in stitches and gives me all sorts of attention. Life is good. He's grown in the last week--up and in length. He's 15.5 weeks old now. I put a picture on this blog of him. Lots more to come.

As far as writing goes... I still have not had too much time to do so. I hope next week, that will change. I'm working several ideas in my mind. One idea includes an epic love story about a builder of the arch (a fictional builder) in St. Louis. Also, I want to do a couple of Bible studies and one on journaling.

Ugh! Kitten almost accidentally deleted this posting.

Vacation:
I'm having my first visitor come into town this week from Denver after I moved from there to Omaha. It's my Dad and I'm quite excited about it. Also, that means I finally have a house big enough to have a guest bedroom and we had the money to get a real bed. No air mattresses anymore for my guests. (Been there. Done that for years.) I'm not bragging about this. (Please, no!) Just counting it as a major blessing.

Consequently, I'll be a stranger again until next Monday. I wanted to let you know.

Perspective by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Perspective changes things.
Have you noticed how much perspective changes things in life--for the better and for the worse?

If you're Christian, check out my http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/ post that I will write later today regarding Christian perspective. However, for non-Christians and Christians, please read on and let's think about perspective.

What is perspective?
It's point-of-view or outlook in definition of what I refer to here. Hence, I'm talking about healthy or positive reference--or the opposite: unhealthy and negative point-of-view.

What quotes, sayings, thoughts do you have that bring a healthy perspective and an unhealthy one? How do they bring a better or a worse quality of life for you?

My personal perspectives or axioms are:
Healthy:
1) Aim for a star.
2) Have faith.
3) Make your every today and tomorrow better than your yesterday.
4) Happiness is a choice.
5) Love is a verb. It requires action and intent.
6) Relax.
7) Never be too busy.
8) Love never fails.
9) Keep your priorities straight.
10) Persevere.
11) Life is what you make of it.
12) Live never asked me what I wanted. It isn't fair. However, I will stand strong and keep the faith. I will keep hoping.

Unhealthy:
1) I can't do it.
2) I'm too busy.
3) I messed up too much this time.
4) I'm not worthy.
5) I must try to be perfect.
6) It can't get worse.
7) What if...

Each of the points above can make or break our lives. Their words have the power to change life for the better or making it worse.

What are your perspective checks that offer you perspective and keep things in perspective?

The bottom-line is we are what we think. We need to be forever mindful of both these perspectives. They're life-changing for the good and for the bad and can impact us the rest of our lives.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Sabotage, Hard Times, Lack of Faith, and Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Sabotage: What is it, why do we do it, and how to overcome it:

I don't know about you, but my life has had a fairly decent share of crisis, difficulties, hard times. We all have. Needless to say, when life goes well, I can't help but brace myself for the next shoe to fall. Something will spoil it. There's always the good with the bad until we die. After all, life has never been fair. So, I do not expect it to be anything different at this stage in the game.

There are times a hard time is something we cannot control. It just happens. We can't do anything about it except go with it and try not to struggle too much and make the situation worse.

However, since my life has seen so many challenges, I think I manufacture them sometimes. I think it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. I think that it will happen anyway, so why not make it happen sooner rather than later. Consequently, I add stresses to my life that don't need to be there. I set unrealistic deadlines. I beat myself up if I don't get things done. I get frustrated when life does not go my way.

At the moment, my life is everything I aimed for it to be. I spent the last 8 years intentionality working to bring my life to this point. Eight long, hard years of hard work and a great deal of mindfulness and intentionality in all I did. Now that I'm here, I keep wondering when something will change my bliss. It always does change. So, why fool myself into thinking this time is different?

What a lie.

Where is my faith?

Bad does not have to happen.

I can choose to focus on the positive and cling to my faith. I can seek to draw nearer to God. It's the most important thing I can do in my life and has eternal implications.

I can choose to allow good to happen and see my hard labor pay off and give God the glory for my good times at the moment.

Life does change on a dime.

However, it does not mean I need to diminish the good. I don't need to sabotage myself. I just need to focus on what is important to me.

Do you sabotage things in your life?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Greetings from Stories by Stacy

Hello! It's been a while. Sorry to not be here yesterday and add a posting to this blog. However, I'm here now.

I am mostly settled in my new home in Omaha. It's been fun (not sarcastically speaking, but I'm serious) setting up a new home and combining two households in one. This is the first time my husband and I've been under the same roof. Therefore, it's quite nice. I not only love my husband, but I like him. So, it's been a while in coming but here we are.

Omaha is a great deal better than I anticipated and I had positive thoughts about the place beforehand. It's pretty, green, and hilly. I love the people, the community in which I live, and so on. It's a slower pace than Denver and I definitely love that facet. It's also nice to be near more Christians and patriots. Everyone is friendly and when you let a driver over in front of you, they actually wave and say thank you.

It took us a month to get some of our furniture (and we're still waiting on the last round to come in on Friday). But, the wait was worthwhile. The house is a sacred place and quite peaceful. It's a retreat and that matters more to me than anything else.

We got a kitten named Sinan (pronouced See-naw-n) on Sunday and have been enjoying him very much. He's a huge ham. He has no fear. He's vocal, follows us around, and comes when called. He's a lover and purrs loudly. It looks like I've got a good helper.

I really have not had time to miss Denver yet and I think that's a good thing.

My dad is coming out to visit next week, so I'll be a little out of the loop again. Sorry about that.

It looks like I have four books I'm working on at the moment, as far as writing goes:
1. A book on 1 Corinthians. It's a bible study, devotional, reference, journaling type of book. It's meant to be done individually or in a group. Non-fiction.
2. A book on journaling. I actually call it journalblogging. It's a combination of journaling and blogging where you get thoughts out on paper or in a blog. It forces us to realize that we miss most of life every day because of busyness. We need to slow down and try to process what we experience, think, feel, be intentional about living, plan and seek our goals every day or we miss life. We forget what's important. Non-fiction. It can be done individually or in a group.
3. Zeagar. Fiction. Sci-fi.
4. A book about if walls could talk. It's set in the future and is going to be an epic love story about a construction worker who helped built the arch in St. Louis. The construction worker is purely fiction, but I want to do a series about 'Building America,' and how everyone has a story and these stories build America as well as the hands that build the landmarks. Fiction.

Also, I need to edit and get ready for publication:
1. Cammi's Story
2. Demarcations

How are you? What's new with you? Let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

I'm Back

Greetings from Omaha.

I'm back and will start to blog again tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for your patience.

By the way, I have a new kitten. He's an orange tabby, named Sinan (pronounced: See-naw-n). Sinan is a good lion name. He acts like a lion and looks like one in a way. Sinan means spearhead. So, get ready for tales of the adventurous one.

How are you? What's new with you? Drop me a line and let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

See You in August

I will try to blog whenever I am able. However, plan on me taking a hiatus until August. Then, look out! I will blog daily once again.

I'm moving at the beginning of July and will take a while to set up my house. Then, I'm going to join some time off with my best friend and hubby before our lives get quite busy. Moving from Denver and going to Omaha.

I hope all is well with you.

Take care.

Stacy Duplease

Welcome!

Welcome, Lizzy Armentrout!

Thank you for following!

Check out her blog and website at: www.lizzyarmentrout.com

Stacy

Happy Fathers' Day & Etc. Etc. Etc. by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY to all you dads out there! Enjoy your time/day!

Etc. Etc. Etc.
1) Check out Jacque's blog at: http://victorianroseofsharon.blogspot.com/

2) Happy Friday everyone. I hope you have a fun and restful weekend.

3) Always open for comments and thoughts. Feel free to either comment at the end of each blog or send me an email at: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

4) Writers: Anyone interested in forming an online writing group? Let me know. Comment here or email me.

Welcome

Welcome Bexy. Check out her blog at: http://bexgoesblogging.blogspot.com/

I appreciate you following. Let me know what you think of this blog and just in general. Love opinions. Don't want the blog to just be my ramblings. Also, have a great weekend.

Stacy Duplease

What's Priceless to You? By Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

What is priceless to you? What means more to you than money?

Our true treasure is never in things, possessions, or money. Never. If it is, then we are missing the whole point and are shallow individuals.

Ouch! Yes, I typically try to be a little more kind than that, but it's true.

If things matter most to you (or possessions or money), then what type of relationship do you have with your family, friends, and God?

Do you have faith?

Let's be realistic, all of us fall for the idol trap where money and debt are unavoidable facets about life. We spend it and earn it, after all. Most everything in life tends to have to be paid for by money. Therefore, money, possessions, and things have some value.

But, there's to be more about this life than that.

There has to be more.

What's priceless to you? I ask again because you won't say that money, possessions, or things are priceless to you. How does the life you lead reflect what matters most to you?

Do you spend as much time with the priceless things in life as you should or think you should? How grateful are you for them (whatever they are.)?

Just something to think about.

Remember with every question I ask, I'm looking in the mirror. I refuse to type a word unless I put it on myself first and above all. For me, it's God, the Bible, prayer, my best friend and husband, Zack my Beagle, my family, my friends, and my writing. They each give me a sense of meaning and purpose. I would NOT be who I am today if not for them. They've shaped my life.

Now, I'm going to evaluate if I am living a life that shows that they are priceless to me.

Deep thoughts.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Welcome Jacque!

I just wanted to welcome Jacque as a follower.

Have a blessed day.

Stacy Duplease

Feeling Weary, Tired, or Stuck? By Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Do you ever feel weary, tired, stuck, off, or not quite right? Do you feel that way internally? Externally?

Right now, I'm in the process of leaving the only home I've ever known. I'm a third generation Colorado native and all my family are friends here. (Excluding the new friends I've made on Twitter.) However, it's moving on to start a new life in the chapter of my husband's and my life together. With packing, I'm living in massive clutter. I'm in flux. I'm in-between lives. I'm in transition. Never mind my two new businesses I'm setting up and the five books I want to publish right away.

Hence, my interior life is weary. I'm tired. I'm Stuck. I'm off. I'm not quite right. I know my life is colorful, but the flux and transition tend to steal some of the color.

What do we do when our lives are stuck?
For each of us, there are smaller nuances that set us apart and are individualistic. However, I think that each of us has one major way in common that keeps us from getting stuck and helps us heal when we are weary.

I will use several different synonyms here, but will combine them into one term: the sacred.

The sacred can be defined as: color, hope, love, faith, beauty, the Creator, God, Christ, and the Bible.

In my opinion, the only answer is God, but not everyone is a Christian. I try to keep my religion and politics out of this blog as much as I can because I want it to be more about life, reading, and writing. This blog is supposed to be about stories.

However, there are times we have to admit that the story is about the sacred. It is all about the sacred. The sacred (God) is very influential in every single part of our lives. We are connected to the sacred. We cannot deny it. When we do, this is why we're weary, stuck, off, and tired. If we're stuck, it's because we have not devoted ourselves to the sacred (God) as we should.

Last night, I spent three hours on Bible study, getting into the Bible, and prayer. I took time to connect with Christ as much as I could. I do not believe that God requires acts from me. He requires faith. However, for my faith to increase, I need to pray and get into the Word. It helped me feel better immediately. Is this common? Sometimes. Did I do it to get closer with the Lord? Absolutely. Did I do it so I could feel better? No. It was because I realize I wandered off a little bit and needed to focus more on the sacred, and on Him, once again. When I wander, I need to lean more on Him, and the Word, again. I'm nothing without Him.

Are you stuck?
Why don't you try to turn again to the sacred (God)? If you already are, try it a little more. I bet you'll feel more whole, less weary, and more put together again shortly. The more stuck we feel, the more we need to seek the sacred (God).

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

What Darkens Our Lives & World? By Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

I think my theme of the day is in regards to the things that darken our world and lives. What keeps color from our lives?

What Uncolors Our Lives and Worlds?
Uncolor is technically not a word. I just made it up, but am using it to make a strong point. We have things/aspects in our lives that add color, meaning, and beauty to our lives. We also have aspects/things that darken our lives and take color from our lives.

For each of us, it's different things that uncolor and darken out lives. However, there are also commonalities. Here's a short, and by no means complete, list that can take the beauty and sacred from our lives:

Busyness
Idols/False Idols
Meaninglessness
Possessions
Money
Debt
Family
Friends
Stubbornness
Self-Centered Thinking/Self-Focus
Life Experiences/Life Difficulties/Hard Times
Hatred
Doubt

Anything that keeps us so focused on anything other than on what really matters is that which uncolors and darkens our world.

What do you have in your life than you give too much attention to and that keeps you from what really matters?

Busyness

I think that busyness is an all-across-the-board facet that keeps us all from living a colorful life of color and beauty. We tend to get too busy to do much of anything of value.

We use busyness as a way of escape. It's a very detrimental thing we do to ourselves.

How do we know if we're trapped by the idol and dark nature of busyness? Because we cannot sit still or have a day off. We use the excuse we're too busy. We don't have the time.

What a lie we tell ourselves. We don't want to choose to make the time. That's the difference. The question, then, is why don't we want to make the time to focus on beauty and the sacred nature of life and on what colors our world? Typically, we have healing to do and that's why. Or, we are scared to sit still because we might realize we are alone. Or, we're afraid to because we won't know what really matters in our lives any longer.

What Gives You Color in Your Life?
When was the last time you stopped and asked yourself this question?

It's usually a state of being that offers meaning and color to our lives. Not an activity. It's being comfortable in your own skin. It's allowing time to connect with the sacred, to focus on matters of faith, and to turn to God.

Nothing matters more than color, beauty, or the sacred.

Get rid of the stuff that darkens your color, beauty, or sacred state of being connected with the Lord and your faith.

Without faith, we have no color, beauty, or meaning.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Theme of the Week and Color: The Spice of Life by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Theme of the Week
On Twitter this morning, I shared how I searched for a theme of the week. I tend to have songs that go through my mind and the one that started to go through my mind was, "Color My World." Now, I know what you're thinking. Corny. Overdone. Too much. Too sugary. However, you'll learn that I am corny and am a hopeless romantic. Love is never too much or overdone in my book. So, the song fits me.

How did the song give me a theme for the week? Easy.

Life
Life is: beautiful, challenging, blessed, impossible, etc. You fill in the blank about what you think life is. However, I can tell you that's my main purpose of my writing is to write about the variety of life: the good, the bad, the ugly, the blessings, the secrets, the dreams, the love, and the faith we get from this so called life.

My goal is to show how regardless of how impossible and tough life can be, it's what we choose to make it. Moreover, we can find the blessings even in the hard times to hold onto and it can help us through the hard times.

I've had a difficult life at best. My grandmother tells me time and time again how I've seen more tragedy in my young(er) life than most people see in several. It's true. But, I thank the Lord for it because it made me who I am and has given me things to write about.

I hope to help others through life and bring us together because everyone deals with life and it connects us. We're not alone.

Color: The Spice of Life
Now, back to the theme of the week: Color: The Spice of Life.

On Twitter, I asked the question, What do we do to add color to our lives? Now, I want to expand on it.

What is color that I refer to when I use the term in this blog?

Color is that which gives us depth in our lives and meaning.

Color is beauty.

Color is faith.

Color is what is in our character to add beauty, faith, and love to our lives.

Color is what gives life an edge and makes it sacred or blessed.

So, my question is... How do you color your world? What spice do you give your life to make it deeper and more full of meaning?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Followers, Comments, and Emails

If you read this blog, please:
* Sign yourself up as a follower (in the margin of this page, it gives you the opportunity. Use a fake name and a fake picture if you desire privacy.).
* Add comments at the end of each blog posting. I want all of my blogs to be interactive rather than just have me flapping my trap.
* Send me email comments if you desire to: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

Thank you! My bloggings are not supposed to be about me, but about life in general and about you.

Stacy Duplease

Blessings

Two days ago, I was reminded how many blessings we have in our lives and how often we allow the bad stuff to cloud them over so we forget the blessings.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

If we were to remember our blessings, even in our hard times, then our hard times would be easier and our sunnier times would be more blessed and would be happier.

Therefore, if you're going through a hard time, try to remember the blessings of your happier times.

If you're going through a sunny time right now, write down your blessings since you never know when the clouds might move in and you can look at this list and remember.

You might even take a day to count your blessings. Yes. An entire day. Do this every now and then. It really puts things into perspective.

Writers:
When you count your blessings, you can put them into your work. Also, as you count your blessings, you can ask what if questions with each of them and see if it becomes a writing prompt.

Christians:
Turn each blessing into a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

As Bing Crosby says in "White Christmas," Count your blessings instead of sheep.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Why is It? Self-Focus, Negative Thinking, Just Drifting By, Hope, & Moving Thoughts: By Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Readers of Blog:
If you're reading this, will you please drop me a line, follow the blog, comment, or send me an email and tell me what you think, please?

Writers:
Also check out my www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/ blog. It's set up as a way to connect authors, writers, and and anyone who's creative. It's to help encourage one another and to help endorse one another.

Happy Monday, by the way!

Why is It and Self-Focus:
Why is it that people are more self-focused than anything else? As a Christian, I would say why are we more self-focused than others' focused? To others, I would say, why are we more focused on self than on focusing on the positive and helping others? We're in this thing called life--together. Why make it harder on each other or on ourselves than necessary?

The Darkness of Life Challenges and Hope
Life brings us so many challenges daily that it's hard not to feel overwhelmed, dark, and gloomy. However, we always have hope. Hope can be our light. Hope can hold us up. It's difficult, and sometimes impossible, to see the hope in times of darkness.

What are you struggling with?

The Negative and Negative-Thinking:
Why do we choose to focus on the negative? Life is challenging enough without doing this to ourselves. Furthermore, what's the point? It only makes our lives more miserable.

Drifting By:
Why is it we're all just drifting by and are meandering through this thing called life? Is it because of life's challenges that we tend to stop holding on to hope and faith that we forget that we're making it more difficult on ourselves?

Why is it that we aren't taking life more seriously as the gift that it is? Every day is a new beginning we can choose to do with whatever we want. Yet, we forget this.

Christians:
How seriously are you taking your faith? Are you just drifting by? Or, are you claiming it? Are you living it? Or, are you so beaten down that you don't know which way to turn any more?

Serious Thoughts:
How often do you analyze where you are in life? After you do, do you determine to live a brighter life? More uplifted? More focused on what is really important and on what really matters?

Why is It We've Gotten so Lazy?
Why is it we have the mentality that someone else will do it? Or, the mentality that just you will not make a difference? Precious generations never had this thinking. They knew they weren't entitled. They knew they had to each do something about it. Even when life was difficult, they picked themselves up and wiped off the dirt from their jeans, and moved on with life.

Why is it We Refuse to Take a Stand?
Why is we're more likely to condemn someone else's belief when we won't do anything about our own or stand behind our own?

Christians, I think of our responsiblity here. Yet, we're so busy focused on the world and self that we don't take a stand. Why?

Patriotism:
Why have we allowed our country of the good old USA to die? Why is it we've allowed morality to go out the window and sit by--being fine with it?

Just some thoughts to light a fire under out hindends to get up and do soemthing. We ened to focus more on the right things, less on self, and even less on the negative unless it's to overcome the negative. We've got to take an active stand on what's right. We've got to have hope and faith in these times of darkness. We need to stop just drifting my.

My book, "Driftwood People" and my blog at http://www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/ talk about these things.

So, what do you think?

Moving Thoughts:
I'm getting ready to move from Denver to Omaha and spent the weekend packing. I've never lived anywhere else and my family all lives in Denver. I'm a third generation Colorado native, after all. Therefore, as I packed, I found myself feeling quite sad. Yet, I can't wait for a new beginning. I can't wait to see what happens! It's guaranteed to be a new and different journey that takes me down an unexpected path. For that, I can't wait.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Places that Bring Connection

There are places that make you feel tapped into, and connected to, the sacred. Into beauty. Into something bigger.

These places bring creativity, love, peace, and joy. For me, it increases my faith and gives me a new perspective on life.

Back in 2002, I visited the Badlands of South Dakota and found this was the place that brought this out in me more than any other place I've ever visited. I went on a road trip there at the time with my Dad because we went to my cousin's wedding. At the time, I thought how I wanted to go back periodically and get re-centered in my spirit. To feel the sense of overwhelming beauty.

Therefore, to be able to share this with my best friend and husband only made it more wonderful in 2009. I think it made us connect even more as a couple.

Never mind what it did for me as a writer.

Bless my husband and his never-ending patience at how I take hundreds of pictures (okay, almost 1,000) of these places. Rocky Mountain National Park also brings it out in me.

What places do you have that make you feel connected?

What about intentionally making a plan to go to an old spot for vacation in person and also planning another to find a new one?

Take some pictures.

Keep a journal.

Make it so you can close your eyes and visit there any time you want. Take a mini-vacation, as I call it. they're the ones inside one's head.

Find connection. Tap into creativity. See beauty.

Happy Friday.

Blessings,
Stacy Duplease

Blog Queen (Or Blog Nut, depending on how you look at it.)

I am now finished adding blogs. I hope not to add any more because this is more than a full-time job keeping up with each of these. I want to touch on the topics most important to me, though, and help people to see life from a fresh perspective--and let people know they aren't the only one who... (You fill in the blank.)

Please check out whatever blog tickles your fancy.

My main blog is and will always be:

www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

My daily blogs are:
www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.speclitstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday Blogs:
www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays and Wednesdays Blog:
www.momstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays and Thursdays Blogs:
www.journalstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.marriagestoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

From the Crazy Writer and Blogger,
Stacy Duplease

USA Blog

I have another blog now. (Yes, another!) It's: www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com

It's about reclaiming our country for Christ, patriotism, support of the U.S. military and the Global War on Terror (GWOT), and prayer for our nation.

Enjoy!

The Economy, Self-Publishing, Stories by Stacy, and Publishing by Stacy

More Information Learned from the CCWC:
The Economy and Writing

It's not just the Christian Book Association (CBA) who's having problems within this economy. The American Book Association (ABA) is having problems as well. The truth of the matter is that both the CBA and ABA are not producing as many books. Nor are they as willing to try to publish a first-time author. It's too risky. Furthermore, they are now more picky as to what type of books they will accept.

Problem with Publishing Through ABA or CBA
It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and the publishing market is no exception. However, it can be argued that it's always been that way. It's just worse at the moment. The problem is not with the editors. They want to publish a great deal more books than they are able. The problem lies with the industry as a whole.

The industry as a whole only can accept what they believe will sell.

The question is what really sells? The answer, I believe is more complicated than anyone tends to address.

The bottom line is: I believe more books would sell if given the chance.

Ahh... But, that is where the problem rears its ugly head. If you're a big publishing house, or a small one for that matter, if you try to print a book that does not measure up to your standards and it fails to sell thousands of copies, and immediately, then you lose money and eventually you would have to close down your company. This is a fact. As a supporter of capitalism, I understand this and welcome this fact.

Therefore, there has to be a way to get more people published and not lose money. The answer to this dilemma is self-publishing or going with a company that can afford to take a chance on you. I want to set up a self-publishing company and a company to publish those who don't want to do it on their own and need guidance. I also can help people to self-publish.

In self-publishing, you can make a lot more money than if you ever went with a major publisher. You don't have to share your profits with anyone. Ever. Unless you chose to share some with your graphics designer, or anyone else like that.

It's a win-win situation because in the major publishing industry as an author, you have to market your books anyway. The publishing houses don't do that for you.

Stories by Stacy (SBS)
I'm forming a LLC, a Limited Liability Company to get all of my books published. I'm in the process of the next two months of getting it set up officially.

Publishing by Stacy (PBS)
It's another LLC and is to help others get published through this company or through their own means and I walk them through the process.

My Current Writing Plans:
Stories by Stacy (SBS) is working on editing two novels at the moment in order to get them out in the next couple of months. "Demarcations" will be the first one I publish. "Cammi's Story" will be next.

I'm in the process of writing two novels:
* "Driftwood People"
* "Zeagar"

Driftwood People is about a family in crisis learning how to get serious about their faith, their country, and strengthening their family again.

Zeagar is a sci-fi about Americans getting tired of the country being ruined and they try to find a new place to live in outer space in the galaxy of Zeagar.

Business Plans:
Also, in the process of working on logos for each company, business cards, and so on.

Also, working on the cover for "Demarcations" and "Cammi's Story."

That's the latest. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

I'll get back to blogging about other matters tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know the state of affairs in my life since the CCWC. Thanks for listening.

Have a great day.

Blessings,
Stacy Duplease

Genesis' Lack of Patience #5

"Huh. What a coincidence. I'm here in Texas meeting with my editor, Nick Monahan, about the next book in my series and about the starting of a new one." Noah explained to her.

"Wow." She said it a little louder than she intended and her cheeks turned pink. Oops. "I have to admit I’m a fan. I'm a real fan, not the one who claims to be, but really isn't. I know everything about you and have re-read each of your 14 books at least three times each. Great. Now I sound like an obsessed fan. I didn't mean to do that." Aubrey took a breath. "So, you're now with Zipperley Press, huh? I thought you were with West Finlaw with Jerry Finlaw. What happened?"

His eyebrow rose and he cocked his head. "You know the publishing agency?"

She nodded. "I know of both publishing companies, yes. I'm getting my Master's in Creative Writing from Vogler College and am trying to get a job at a publishing house to become an editor; although, I also hope to write a novel." She decided to give the thought a spin and see how it felt.

"Just tell me you aren’t considering West Finlaw. I was stuck working for them because of my success, but I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. They're scam-artists and make a lot of promises they have no intention of ever keeping." Noah admitted to her what he knew.

She found this interesting information. "How curious." She was not about to say anything more in case her pain was evident. She didn’t want him to know and didn't want him to ask questions.

"You go to a very good school, by the way. I graduated from there eight years ago. Which publishing houses have you applied to for work?" He asked as he leaned on her car.

She wished he didn’t do that. Her car was dirty and his clothes appeared expensive even though he was in business casual. "At this point, I only applied to West Finlaw and I just found out I didn't get the job."

"Count yourself blessed." Noah paused as he appeared deep in thought. "What's your name, by the way?"

"I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself, have I?" She tried not to feel even more embarrassed at this point. "I'm Aubrey Manceaux."

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Manceaux."

She suggested, "Feel free to call me Aubrey. I don't mind."

"Aubrey, can I take down your information, please? I know Nick Monahan is always looking for a first-time writer to mold and try to help make a breakthrough in the business. I’ll give him your information, if you don't mind."Noah offered to her and Aubrey stared at him.

She was in shock. Had she really just met him and had he just offered her a break into the writing business? It seemed too good to be true. "Please. Thank you kindly for that, Mr. Morley." He laughed because of what she said. "What is it?"

"Just call me Noah. I don't mind. Calling me Mr. Morley sounds strange to me. I have everyone trained to call me by my first name, you see." He explained to her.

"Oh." That made sense to her. "Shall we attempt to take care of my tire? I really need to get to class." She needed to, but she also felt quite uneasy talking to such a giant in the business. She felt even more uncomfortable as she realized he was both changing her tire and was going to pass her card on to his publisher. It meant she was in his debt, twice-over. It didn’t make her feel calm or collected.

"We can. We can still talk in the process, though, Aubrey." He followed her to her trunk and they both began to try to find the jack and tried to figure out how to release the tire from the trunk.

She felt like he put her in her place. "That's true."

New Blog

Check out my new blogs at:

www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com

It's about God, the word, prayer, and faith--and getting deeper with each.

Then, one I will add today (but don't have yet):

www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com

It's about writing novels, getting published, making dreams come true, and creativity. It will be a publicity and critique group where we build each other up, promote one another, and talk about writing.

Genesis' Lack of Patience #4

Chapter 2

AUBREY MANCEAUX CLOSED HER CELL phone and fanned herself with a piece of paper. The Texas heat in early June was brutal. It made her miss home. She came from generations of Colorado natives and was well aware how their climate was the best on the planet. Colorado had the perfect blend of weather and was not too hot, not too cold. Sure, from time to time, it was extreme, but not like the Texas heat. When it got too warm in Texas, Aubrey became weak because she was used to a more forgiving climate. The heat got to her. Then, when she got the news about losing her job at West Finlaw Publishing House, she felt downright nauseous.

She was not sure what to do from here. Should she cry, have a temper tantrum, or pick herself up and move on and pretend like her life was not in turmoil? She had no idea where to go from here or what to do. Life seemed to be full of mystery and Aubrey tried not to panic.

She realized she needed to contemplate what her grandmother said and try to figure out where to go from here. Luckily, she had a class in half an hour. Maybe that would be her salvation. Then again, the thought of going to class when she began to wonder if her degree was a complete waste was a little too much for her. Tears streamed down her cheeks like water down a mountain stream.

Was her time here a waste?

Why had she put all of her eggs in one basket like the cliché warned? She should have formed at least one or maybe two backup plans. How did she ever become so foolish? Her family taught her better than that. Her parents and grandparents pounded having plans A-D in her head at all times. She ignored their advice and she was now hurt because of it. Why didn’t she listen?

She glanced at her watch again. Drat. If she was going to go to class, she needed to leave now. She would be late otherwise.

Aubrey grabbed her book bag and started to shove her belongings back into it and she reached for her keys. She would go. What else was she supposed to do? She had come this far in her Master’s program. It would be a waste not to continue. Maybe she might get some answers about what to do from here from the class. Maybe ideas might come to her.

Aubrey found her way to her car and was greeted by a flat tire. "Great." She ran her hand through her long brown hair and unlocked her car's doors so she could throw her book bag inside. She would be nice and late to class today.

"Do you need some help?" A masculine voice called from her back.

The situation could easily throw her into emotional upheaval. Yes, she needed help so she could try to hold herself together. She wanted to say yes, but decided it would be smart to look at the man who made the offer. Aubrey turned around to see who it was and discovered it was a man in his early to mid-thirties. He was clean-cut, wearing slacks and wore a button-down shirt. He appeared safe enough.

"Please." Aubrey was smart enough to recognize when she needed assistance.

“I'm Noah Morley, by the way. Here's my card.” He handed it to her. “I hope this makes you feel a little less uneasy.” His voice sounded kind and sincere.

Somehow the name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it. Aubrey glanced at his business card. She read on it how he was the writer of the Rand Parker series. She gasped and quickly tried to calm down when she realized he would have heard it. Oops. The next part which surprised her was how he lived in Spruce, Colorado. It was a small and quirky mountain town near Estes Park and Loveland. It was about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Denver, her hometown.

"Wow. You're from my home state. I'm from Denver. Spruce is pretty close to my family's home." Aubrey wondered whether she should say anything or not about her recognition of him and how she loved his writing.

"Huh. What a coincidence. I'm here in Texas meeting with my editor, Nick Monahan, about the next book in my series and about the starting of a new one." Noah explained to her.

Colorado Christian Writers Conference

The 2009 CCWC Overall

Hello. I'm back from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) and am energized from it. I went last year and thought it was wonderful. This year, I thought more of the same. You get the most bang for your buck at this conference. There's several workshops and opportunities to meet with editors and other writers to network with, so it's quite worthwhile.

It always amazes me how the business is not a cut-throat business at all as a writer. Everyone wants to help one another and that makes all the difference. It's a tough business to get into and stay with because of all of the rejection.

I learned a great deal and am ready to start applying my thoughts to life and see what happens...

Email Me

Were you at the CCWC this year? Let me know. Email me at: Storiesbystacy@gmail.com. Also, if you want to break into the publishing business, Christian or not, let me know. Email me at the same address.

My Experience with Editors This Year

I'm a woman ahead of my time and the Christian publishing business is what I heard four different times. I was told I'm between 5 to 10 years ahead of time. So, what does that mean?

Christian publishing looks for the demographic of women ages 25-55. Also, it's typically historical romance or suspense.

Speculative fiction of fantasy or sci-fi is a no-no. That's half of what I write, so that makes things interesting, if you catch my drift.

So, what now?

In the midst of having all five books rejected because they aren't looking for what I'm writing at the moment, I received more confirmation of what I need to do. I understand editors are in a business (to make money for their company and fulfill the American dream of capitalism--all of which I support wholeheartedly) and what they say isn't personal.

They each said I have found my voice. Good. I thought I found it years ago and have been told the same repeatedly. At least I haven't lost it.

They also said I write well. Great.

Now what?

I asked them precisely that. Now what? They told me a couple of interesting tidbits of information:

1. The publishing industry as a whole has felt the effects of our economic times.

2. I need to self-publish.

More to follow tomorrow...

Stacy Duplease

I'm Back

Greetings, everyone. I'm back and it feels like ages since I did my last blog. How are you? I hope you are well. Let me know.

I'm refreshed and energized after a road trip from Denver to Omaha to see my new home and then from Omaha to Rapid City, South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Bear Country USA, the Badlands, and the Black Hills. Then, went back home to Denver.

2,300 miles later, I feel better than I have in years. I have a fresh perspective and a new outlook on life in general, never mind professionally speaking. I'm less stressed, am relaxed, and am ready to do what needs to be done. (More on that in a moment.)

I feel more pinpointed in my mind and less all over the place. In other words, I'm focused on what matters and are not focused on the superfluous clutter we tend to add to our hearts, minds, and lives. I'm ready to start over and have a new beginning.

Today is my new beginning in several ways:

1) I'm moving to Omaha at the beginning of next month and am in the trasition between the only home I've ever known to moving to a new place where I don't know anyone. It is scary, difficult, exciting, and motivational for me all at once. It will be an adjustment, but I know it will be worth it. So, this is a new beginning as I work on making it what I want it to be. I control my reactions to the new situation and I choose it to be a blessing.

2) I'm excited to get back writing. I'm seeing it as something very different than I did even two weeks ago. (More to follow.)

3) My blogs will look very different now and I'm adding a few more to my collection. I'm adding: a patriotic blog, a sacred blog, a marriage blog, a writing blog, and a journalkeeping blog.

4) I'm going to setup my own webpage.

5) I'm starting two new companies... (More on that in a moment.)

6) I am excited to be back to writing again, blogging again, and journaling again. I have a fresh perspective and know what I want to do now. I only thought I did before.

7) Can't wait to apply all of the new insights I learned at the Colorado Christian Writing Conference (CCWC).

~Stacy Duplease

Writing Conference or Bust

Reminder of Vacations:
I'm going to be out of touch from Wednesday, May 13 to Tuesday, June 2nd and will start to check email and get back into the swing of things on June 3rd. I'm going to the Colorado Christian Writing Conference (CCWC) in Estes Park and then going on a road trip with my husband.

Lists:
Normally, I'm not a list girl. I might send myself email reminders, but I'm not a list girl. There are exceptions, however, to that rule. This is one of them. I am so excited about my two vacations that I don't want to forget anything. Therefore, I'm making lists and checking them not twice, but more like five or six times. (Just added to the list three times while I wrote this paragraph.)

Writing:
I'm excited to be through this conference's preparation time. Thank God for that. It means I can focus less time on editing and more time on writing. I prefer the balanced approach of doing a little of both every day. But, a little more writing. Therefore, hang on tight when I get back. I'll be adding a lot more blogs about my latest projects and so on.

Thank You:
I just wanted to thank you for reading my blogs. Bless you. It means a great deal. I promise to be more focused on writing and life rather than on editing from here on out. No, that isn't true. The next conference is in September. So, September will bring more editing again, but from now until then, stay tuned for the crazy stories of Stacy moving from home state to another city in another state and leaving family, starting our family, and meeting new people.

If I can guarantee one thing about the upcoming blogs, they will make you laugh and shake your head (and maybe roll your eyes). I'm a hoot. I tend to do something or say something that is so, well, Stacy, that you'll see I'm one of a kind.

See. Just in this blog, you're seeing the less frazzled Stacy and are seeing the more laid back one who can freely laugh at herself because I often get myself into situations where there's nothing let to do but laugh.

Genesis' Lack of Patience:
I will keep doing blogs for you to read the story of Genesis every day. It's a book about marriage. Here's my hook for this book:

Hook: Does every marriage have what it takes to go the distance? Aubrey says, "Yes!" The question is: "Do you?"

In our age of divorce at the drop of a hat, I tackle the issue of how to fight for your marriage even in the middle of infidelity, video game addiction, and suicide. It's a rather heavy book, but it inspires you to cherish your marriage and become best friends with your spouse.

Take care.

Stacy Duplease

Genesis' Lack of Patience #3

Chapter 1 Cont.:

"Trust your heart. Rule number two. Your heart won't ever steer you wrong. You just need to listen. That's my overall answer. However, my more specific answer is that you know what you're really supposed to do. Sometimes, what our heart desires may not make sense and may mean great risk. It can't be denied. There is great risk. Nevertheless, our heart will never steer us wrong. So, sometimes, we need to dream big and take even bigger risks. You know what you're supposed to do from here. Seek it. It will happen and it will be the best thing you've ever done." Anna tried to reassure her granddaughter.

She knew what Granny Anna said was true. There was great merit to be found there. It didn’t help her, though, in the immediate. Aubrey's head felt crammed full of wisdom and advice. She wasn't sure what to do with the information at this point and needed time to sort through everything. She was given a lot to deal with by both Jerry and Anna. And that didn’t even include dealing with her emotional reaction to the situation once and for all. "Thanks, Gran. I know what you say is true. I just need to think and be for a while."

"Baby girl, what has your dream always been? Your real dream and not the one you decided on because it was safe?"

Aubrey was flabbergasted by the loaded question. Usually her grandmother didn’t approach a situation at such an angle. Aubrey was taken aback. "I'm not sure what you're referring to, Granny."

Anna was ever more pointed now. "Oh, don't play scatterbrained with me, Aubrey. You know precisely what I mean."

Aubrey was dumbfounded. She tried to think of what Granny Anna referred to and why, but to no avail. "I seriously have no idea."

"You've always wanted to write. So, why don't you?" Anna tried to put it as simply as she could.

Sure enough, Granny Anna was right. Aubrey recognized how far she had moved from her dream. Why? Why did she try to play it safe? What kind of impact has this had on her life? "You're absolutely correct." Her voice sounded surprised and rather shocked by the realization. It hadn't come to her mind in so long now that she couldn’t recall when it first began.

"The question is: What are you going to do about it? Are you going to run from it because of the high risk and your fear? Or, are you going to run to it and see where your journey might take you?" Anna tried to build her granddaughter up and give her a sense of encouragement.

Aubrey thought about what her grandmother asked. They were tough questions and forced her to contemplate what Anna said. She wasn’t sure how to respond. “I’ll think about it.”

“What are you going to do from here? What are you going to think about?” Anna’s voice sounded amused.

Why did her Granny sound like that? “I have no idea.” Aubrey was confused and was not sure what her grandmother wanted from her.

“I remember when I knew this little girl who would sit still, without moving from her seat, for hours upon hours because she had a story to write. Whatever happened to her? Where is that girl?” Anna asked Aubrey.

She had forgotten about those days. Wow. How did she? It was her dream for years. Aubrey wanted to write novels and wrote several novellas as a child. When she was a teenager, she tried to write several novels, but never finished any of them. She would get to the point she was almost finished, but then she wouldn’t because she would get another idea. She was a fount of ideas and couldn’t keep up with them.

Aubrey stopped trying to write the GAN (Great American Novel) after her Freshman English college professor told her she needed to stop. Professor Eggert informed her how she might find it better to be an editor rather than a writer because she was not very good at it. He really hurt her in the process.

No. That was not entirely true. It didn’t simply hurt her. She was destroyed. Consequently. Aubrey put down the pen and stopped her pursuit of the GAN. If she stunk, she didn’t want to embarrass herself or waste anyone’s time. She shifted her focus because of it.

Yes. She was shattered.

What's Your Dream?

We all have them. What's your dream?

I'm not wanting to sound too much like the movie, "Pretty Woman." However, seriously. What dreams do you have?

What have you done in the last month to bring them to fruition? How about the last couple of weeks? Week? Weekend? Today?

I pray you can say that you've done a great deal in each of the above increments to make your dream come true. Otherwise, why dream?

If you've stopped dreaming, then that begs the question. Why? Life is challenging enough without giving up on a dream. Never give up. Aim for the stars. Dream and dream big.

Why should I dream? You may ask.

It colors our lives. It makes them more fulfilling. It brings purpose. Moreover, you have nothing to lose in dreaming and trying to make it come true.

There are no such things as an impossible dreams. Every dream can come true. The only limitations we have on our dreams are self. We sabotage our dreams, make them so lofty no one could bring them to pass, or we are so set on failure that we make it a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So, dream. Dream big. Your life can be brighter, have purpose, and can put a little spring into your step.

Genesis' Lack of Patience #2

Chapter 1 Continued:

"Precisely. With faith and tenacity, you can get through anything. I mean it, too. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems." It was another reminder to Aubrey. Anna was deliberate with her words and made them count.

Aubrey realized what Granny Anna stated was truth. She was right. However, it was Aubrey's habit to doubt things, and worry, when she faced a difficult situation. It was a bad habit and it never served her well at all. Yet, she still insisted on worrying and doubting. "I know." How could she actually apply this rule to her life? What did it look like in practice?
Anna didn’t say anything for a moment. "When are you finished with your classes?"

"In two weeks." Aubrey wondered why her grandmother asked this question.

"That's good to know. And, your graduation is in a month?"

"Yes." Aubrey waited for an explanation.

"When were you going to start at the publishing company?"

"In three months. I wanted the summer off so I could have some time for myself before I started to work. But, that wasn't what cost me the job. They said they were going to hire around the first of the year. I was going to have to do some temporary work until then and after I took the summer off, Gran."

"Huh." The way Anna said the exclamation let Aubrey know her grandmother had a thought she pondered.

Aubrey was curious. "What is it?"

"It seems to me you have some time to try to find yourself, then, my girl."

Aubrey tried not to be offended, but found it a challenge. "I know who I am. Why would I need to find myself?"

"That's not what I meant, Aubrey." Anna's voice sounded firm and it commanded Aubrey's undivided attention. "You've been in school for decades. You’ve put all of your eggs in that one basket. I firmly believe that door was shut because there is another opportunity for you. There's another plan or purpose. The questions I have are these: Are you going to remain open another possibility? And, will you try to find out the real plan God has for your life? Or, are you going to keep insisting on your own plan in spite of what the Lord might desire?"

Ouch. Anna could be brutal with her wisdom at times. It was meant to be helpful and not to cause pain, Aubrey was well aware. Nonetheless, it didn't mean Granny Anna's words didn't sting from time to time. "What do you think I'm supposed to do, then, Granny?"

"Trust your heart. Rule number two. Your heart won't ever steer you wrong. You just need to listen. That's my overall answer. However, my more specific answer is that you know what you're really supposed to do. Sometimes, what our heart desires may not make sense and may mean great risk. It can't be denied. There is great risk. Nevertheless, our heart will never steer us wrong. So, sometimes, we need to dream big and take even bigger risks. You know what you're supposed to do from here. Seek it. It will happen and it will be the best thing you've ever done." Anna tried to reassure her granddaughter.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms. May it be a blessed one. Enjoy.

Genesis' Lack of Patience #1

Here's the first installment of Genesis' Lack of Patience, Chapter 1:

AUBREY MANCEAUX FELT LIKE SHE had been kicked in the gut. She fell forward in agony. Then she felt as though someone took their elbow and jabbed her back with it. It was as though she was kicked while she was already down. She found out she didn’t get the job with the West Finlaw Publishing House. The double slam resulted when she discovered that her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Kylberg, got the position she knew was hers.

Aubrey was about to complete her Masters Degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. The publishing company was to be her dream-come-true; her top pick for her career of choice. She wanted to be an editor for a publishing company and working for West Finlaw was her only dream. It had been for the last ten years. However, it was now her shattered dream and she felt all the pain that went with such a huge disappointment.

How had Tyler gotten that job when he had far less experience than she and had a far less GPA than she had? Her letters of recommendation were superior as well. This whole episode was a mystery to her. She didn’t think it was fair and it hurt how he had decided to go for the position at all. When they were together, working for West Finlaw was all she ever talked about. Tyler was not interested in it at all. So, why had he applied? How was it that he was the one accepted?

Up to this point, she was guaranteed the position so she hadn't applied for another job anywhere else. The president of the company, Jerry, accepted her for the position, informally, and told her he would make the official announcement at this time. She just needed to wait three months before he announced his decision.

What happened? Why had it changed?

What made Jerry Finlaw change his mind and give the job to someone else? Had Tyler betrayed her even more than she ever realized? Was there something wrong with her? Had Jerry betrayed her? Had she failed somehow? In what way? Why did the West Finlaw Publishing house not find her worthy enough to hire her?

How was she going to break the news to her family? This was probably the most agonizing question of all.

Or, maybe it was the question of what was she supposed to do now which caused her the most agony. She needed a job and needed to make money in order to eat, have a place to live, and start her life at last. Aubrey had been in school since she was four years old. She was now 25. Was her 21 years of education now for nothing? In her mind and heart at that moment it seemed so.

Why did life have to hurt so much sometimes? And why did it have to be so complicated?

Before she could arrive at any conclusions, her cell rang and she glanced at the screen. Great. It was her grandmother, Anna. If there was anything she was sure of in this life, it was that she couldn’t hide her emotions from her grandmother. Her Granny knew her well and knew when she was upset. However, Aubrey also couldn’t exactly hold her emotions in when she spoke with the woman who meant so much to her. Anna always made everything better in her world. Granny was her rock of support.

Should she ignore the call so she didn't have to deal with the family yet? She wasn't sure what she thought about the whole thing yet. Consequently, she wasn't sure if she should answer Granny Anna's call or not.

At the last possible second before the call would go to voice-mail, Aubrey decided to answer the phone. "Hello?" She decided to play dumb at this point and hoped her voice didn't give Anna the impression of how upset she felt.

"Hello, my angel." The moment Aubrey heard her Granny's voice, she felt the strong connection between them. It made her feel foolish for wanting to ignore the call.

Anna continued, "I had the sense you needed me and could use some TLC, prayer, love, and support. Are you okay?" Anna was always perceptive; needless to say, it didn’t surprise Aubrey when she said it.

Aubrey was well aware of the cause. She didn’t need to ask her grandmother how she knew she was hurt. Anna always just seemed to know. After all, she was a woman of prayer. This was no exception. When an individual is close to God, he gives him or her great insight and discernment. "I'm not well at all, Granny, truth be known." Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"What is it, dear?" Anna sounded concerned. Aubrey didn't mean to upset her Granny, but her emotions betrayed her in that moment.

Where should Aubrey start? It was a rather long story, but she realized if she made it too long, Granny Anna would be troubled by the time she was done telling the story. Consequently, Aubrey summed it up as much as she could. "Well Granny, in a nutshell, I didn't get the job for West Finlaw." She tried to keep her voice flat and not express too much at this point. She wanted to summarize the situation and not keep her Granny's tension too high.

There was a long pause before Anna responded to the news. "Oh, no."
"Yeah." Aubrey thought how her grandmother’s reaction was a little too short and sweet. "It's pretty lousy."

"I can’t imagine how you must feel. What a letdown." Anna shared some of her own reactions to the same situation.

Aubrey felt better when she heard the concern in her Granny's voice. "It is."
"How can that man do that to you? He promised you the position." Granny Anna's voice displayed her confusion.

Aubrey took a couple of deep breaths and tried not to be overwhelmed by her strong emotions from her Granny's question. "Jerry Finlaw broke his promise, pure and simple. I have no idea why. I feel like I've been hit up-side the head with a baseball bat. I was betrayed and wonder why. Did I do something wrong?"

Aubrey's tone made it clear to Anna how upset Aubrey was from this new turn of events. "It's what you do with it that counts, dear. You know that."
Aubrey didn’t need the lecture. She recognized the truth in Anna's words.

Nonetheless, Aubrey felt as though she needed to deal with her emotions and let them go. Once she did that, she could try to make some sense of it all. "Tyler got the job, Granny." She realized this admission would silence her grandmother as it did her as Anna would go into shock for a moment.

"Excuse me?" She sought clarification.

"Tyler was the one they gave the position to and I know for a fact he never wanted it. I'm far more qualified. How is this happening, Gran? What does it mean? And, what am I supposed to do now?" She was fearful. Aubrey thought she had her life figured out, the direction it would take, and who she was as an individual. However, she was not sure of any of it at the present.

Anna boiled the situation down for her. "What's the first rule?"

"To always keep the faith no matter what. To never be swayed, to never give up or in, to believe, have hope, and be active in faith," Aubrey recited. This was the lesson Anna pounded into their family from day one. She wanted to make sure they knew the rule of thumb. It was the rule from which they were never to stray or deviate.

"Precisely. With faith and tenacity, you can get through anything. I mean it, too. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems." It was another reminder to Aubrey. Anna was deliberate with her words and made them count.

Check List for Conference

Wow. Four days and counting for the Colo. Christian Writers Conference (CCWC). Yikes! My heart begins to race in excitement and nervousness. Presenting five novels to publishers is a little--overwhelming. Will I be able to keep them straight in my mind? I've decided to bring a one-page proposal to help me with this endeavor.

I need to:
A. Finish editing Tanpres (and come up with a new name for it).
B. Re-read Cammi's Story
C. Print out my proposals
D. Print out the first 50 pages of each times three copies.
E. Work on my pitches.
F. Do some housecleaning.
G. Bathe the beagle. (Lord, help him. Anything with grooming, he despises. Claws, bath, and brushing. He prefers to be an old smelly dog.)
H. Pack for conference.
I. Get some writing and blogging done, too.
J. I'll take lots of pictures while I'm at the conference and will share them with you.
K. Call my mom and grandmother on Mom's day.
L. Drink more coffee.
M. Pray a lot about the CCWC. Not just for myself, but for fellow writers and everyone involved in the conference.

Huh. Better get to the list and Tanpres.