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