COURAGE

 I'm really not one for inspirational messages, but this was one I picked up at a thrift store as I was starting my journey as a writer. Plus, I really liked the picture. Who doesn't love a penguin? This image doesn't do it justice. The colors are deeper and richer than they appear here. 

It says: Courage is daring to take that first step, or a different path. It is the decision to place your dreams above your fears. 

At the time, I was hoping to quit my day job and write novels for a living. That never happened. Let's face it, making a living as a writer is near impossible unless you are Stephen King or Nora Roberts or a celebrity with a tell all book. There just aren't as many publishing houses offering new writer contracts with lucrative advances as there used to be. And being single, I depended on a steady income.

But, I still had the dream of writing and publishing a novel. And against all odds, I did.

 I recently found this picture after unpacking some boxes from my move. I immediately placed it on my desk. I want to write more novels, but somewhere along the line I lost my courage. Now is the time to reclaim it. 

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Guest Author

I'm very pleased to welcome Tierney James to my blog today.
She has a new release coming out tomorrow and I'm sure it
will be as fantastic a read as her other books. Here is a link to
her blog where you can find out more about her other
novels. http://ptierneyjames.blogspot.com/

 

What a teaser! Love it!

And now a fun interview with my guest.

If you could have dinner with any four people in the world, alive or dead, who would you pick?

 I would have Mother Teresa and Gandhi because of their selfless work among the poor of India. Their influence and work continues because of their greatness. Two other people I greatly admire and would love to have at my table would be Billy Graham and the Dali Lama. Both men have dedicated their lives to bringing hope, inner peace and the awareness of a higher power to everyone, no matter who you are or what you have stored up, because in the end all that worldly stuff doesn’t matter.   

What three things do you have to keep in your pantry?

I’m pretty confident that my Ganoderma Coffee with mushroom extract has to be there or a S.W.A.T. team might have to be called out. Several jars of peanut butter in case of a zombie apocalypse are a must along with lots of bottled water. 

What or who influenced you to write thrillers? 

Movies influenced me a great deal. The Indiana Jones Series, Star Wars, The Wind and the Lion and many others get my heart pumping. My husband used to work in mining and explosives so he is not so ready to sit on the edge of his seat like me. In the author circle I think James Rollins got me to write. I would read his books and think, “Now that is how I would like to write.” He takes you to the edge of a cliff then leaves you there while going someplace else to weave his story. All the while you’re screaming to come back. Other writers who have impacted me are Brad Thor, Steve Berry, David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown. Vince Flynn is one of my very favorites and I’m saddened that he passed away nearly two years ago.

What actress and actor would you like to play your lead characters? 

In the Enigma Series (An Unlikely Hero and Winds of Deception) I see Dwayne “Rock” Johnson as Capt. Chase Hunter. In The Rescued Heart I’ve imagined Mark Wahlberg playing Garrett Horton. You can see those Pinterest boards at https://www.pinterest.com/ptierneyjames/

What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?

When I talk to interested groups about writing they often ask that question. The first sentence is the hardest part. After that I think keeping up the momentum of writing every day is difficult. We all lead busy lives that compete with our imaginary ones. Of course marketing is up there with the hard stuff. Finding time to write is hard enough. Throw marketing in the mix and you get caught up in a whirlwind of letting other important things slip.

What is your favorite inspirational or other quote?

 Proverbs 3:5-6  ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I can’t tell you how many times those verses have saved me from drowning in self-pity, doubt and confusion.

What superpower would you like to have?

That is a tough one! But in the end I think the superpower would have to be the power of healing and discovery. With laying on of hands I could tell what the medical problem involved and how to heal it. Maybe I wouldn’t actually heal the person but I could help doctors. I could be on the battlefield to save soldiers too. Crazy right?

No, not at all. All your answers are very thought provoking and inspiring. It has been a privilege to have you as a guest on my blog today. Thank you!

Tierney James is a former Solar System Ambassador for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab as well as a former geography teacher. Besides working on a Native American reservation, floating the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Africa and visiting The Great Wall of China, she has spent time at Space Camp for Educators and volunteering her time for Friends of the Library board. Living in a mining community for many years led to writing the novel, The Rescued Heart, a romantic suspense.  Between traveling, gardening and writing, Tierney serves as an officer for Sleuth’s Ink, a mystery writing group. Creating a writing workshop for beginning writers is her latest project. 

FRIDAY STIR FRY - If Wishes Came True

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1153641

I've determined my day job is trying to kill me. I don't know what I ever did to it except show up most every day and work. I think that's where the problem lies. I show up. And I work.

We had somebody quit in our department and our supervisor has been out for a few months taking care of her husband. That left three of us to do five work loads. And, apparently, they are not going to hire anybody. No wonder I'm stressed and wore out. Plus our clientele are extremely demanding and needy. And my co-workers get on my last nerve. I could go on, but I'll spare you any more of my pain.

My wish?

I wish I could just stay home and write. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to do that. It would require moving into Public Housing so my rent and utilities would be paid. Not the worst place to live, but not my favorite either. I would have to be careful with my meager pension. No frivolity. Or, son, I could move in with you. Just kidding. Pick yourself up off the floor.

I wonder if I could stand to be by myself that much? Would I drive myself crazy?

People ask why I can't quit since I'm close to being published? Don't writers make a lot of money? No. Not unless your name is Stephen King or Nora Roberts. The money just isn't there. I write because I enjoy it. There's nothing like creating characters and telling their story.

That old saying comes to mind. "Be careful what you wish for." So true. I know there are things in my life I thought I wanted, but later I realized it wasn't such a good thing.

Do you have a wish?
Are you sure you really want it?