Thursday, February 7, 2013

Meet Crit Partners and Best Friends Kathleen L. Maher and Debbie Lynne Costello

Colliding with Destiny by Kathleen L. Maher

Sometimes people find their calling, and sometimes their calling finds them. I think I am among the latter category. 

My husband and me dancing at our son's wedding Aug 18, 2012
I grew up in a little town called Elmira, NY, a stone's throw from Corning where they make the cook wear with the little blue flowers and the gorilla glass. Elmira has a few distinctions of its own. It is the county seat for rural Chemung County. It is where Mark Twain wrote much of Huck Finn, and it simmers with Civil- and Revolutionary War history. So in my hometown, history and writing collide, and so did I--with my destiny.

As a teen, I fell in love with the local fabric and legends. It intrigued me that so many of the soldiers who fought and died in both wars were my age then. I realized that like me, they probably didn't even know what they wanted to be when they grew up. Maybe they dreamed of working a farmstead, having a family, experiencing the love of a soul mate. Their stories came alive in my head and heart. I had to tell them.
I became a lifelong student of history and of the writing craft. It has been a very long journey. I've written and dreamed through many seasons of life--high school, college, rebellion, single motherhood, redemption, even marriage to a kind, nurturing soul mate. A sense of destiny and faith has carried me through it all--an unyielding hope that I will one day share my stories with people who need an encouraging word, a sense of commiseration, a good laugh or a good cry. To share the love of a gracious Heavenly Father with a broken, fatherless world. 
And so now, all these years later, my lifelong dream stands at the threshold of realization. I have just signed with a wonderful agent--Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency. And maybe, just maybe, there is a publishing house who shares my passion and who will help me fulfill my destiny to share the stories I have written as well as those that I have yet to write. Stories of the brave men and women from history who sacrificed, bled, loved, and lived inspiring lives. I may not be Elmira's next Mark Twain, but I would sure love to leave a mark on the city's history in my own unique way. 

I would be honored if you would take this journey to publication with me, and maybe even cheer and pray for me along the way. I am surrounded my a company of greatness here on this blog, and it is my earnest hope that they rub off on me and we all compel one another to good works. All I can say is it is an honor to be part of this group. And I look forward to interacting with all of you who visit.
My question for you: What do you feel is your God-given destiny? Have you found it yet or are you still searching?

To thank you for your time and connection, I am offering a gift to one lucky commenter (selected by random.org.) Please leave your email address below with your answer to my question, and I will send one of you this lovely print of an old farmstead as a token of my appreciation. I can't be sure where it was painted, but it looks very much like my region of upstate NY, sans the pretty dusting of snow we currently have.



 

Making God Chuckle by Debbie Lynne Costello


Sheriff at Virginia City, Nevada
“You have a twisted mind.” My husband’s famous words. A person can hear something only so much before they begin to believe it. He claimed only twisted minds could know the ending of a story. He did find it extremely annoying that half way through every movie we watched I ruined the end for him. Of course after the movie was over I always had to make suggestions on how it could have been better.  

I guess I’ve always loved writing and making up stories so naturally I had to give my input whether asked for or not. Life takes so many turns you never know where you will end up. And writing was one of those plans I had made. Which makes me think of a joke I just heard. 'If you want to make God laugh, tell Him you've made plans.' So where was I? Oh, yes, always liked making up stories of course my parents called them lies. LOL. Just kidding folks. But my mom surprised me with a packet full of stories I wrote from the age of seven and up. And I took every creative writing class I could in High School and then went on to journalism in college. But life has a way of taking sharp turns. I married my childhood sweetheart, had children and my writing ended…temporarily.
Best Friends
But let me just say that I was always looking for some hair brain idea to make money from home. With four kids it had to be something I could work in between school, meals, practices, sewing, and my duties at church. Funny thing is I think most  of my ideas cost us money, but my hubby was forever supportive.
Charleston, SC
The years went on and I started homeschooling I found adult companionship in books. Between ruining movies for hubby and all the reading I was doing when the boys were working and didn’t need my help (any homeschool mom knows you can’t leave your kids alone for five minutes if you want them to keep working so I read) Joe looked at me one day and said why don’t you write a book.  Four months later I had finished an 110,000 word manuscript.
My Arabian
Today I have five manuscripts finished.  Four of which are 19th century stories set in the beautiful Charleston, SC area. I am represented by a wonderful agent, Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. 

I love horses, antiques, Shetland sheepdogs, my cowboy boots, collecting antique bibles, starting new things (ask my crit partner, Kathleen Maher about that), my country, and a book I can’t guess the ending to. 
 
  
I hope that in a small way you are blessed by this new blog and that you find new friends here that make you feel at home. Thanks to all of my co-authors of this blog and to you for stopping by.

Hangs over the door of my son's ship, the USS Bataan
 March is our giveaway month to thank you for coming by. On the 7th day of March I am offering a hand made bracelet from antique silver spoons with a dangle that can be added to the bracelet to one winner and I'm also giving awat a bath gift basket to another lucky winner.



81 comments:

  1. Kathleen - I enjoyed getting to know you a little and am a fellow lover of history. My answer to your question - I am not sure I have found my calling yet. I like to think I am a good listener and that is a help to people.

    Debbie - thank you for your post today. I enjoyed reading about you and getting to know you. That is kind of cool how you know the end of the movie right away.

    I am really enjoying this blog and glad you guys created it.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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  2. Hi Angela. So nice of you to stop by and leave a comment for both of us. Being a good listener is priceless. I just heard Joyce Meyer this morning talk about the importance of giving more than you get in life, and listening is one of the most unselfish ways to give of oneself. The world needs more people like you!
    Lord bless

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  3. Hey Angela, I'm so glad you found out new blog and are enjoying it already. We are so excited about this blog. Thanks for following us!

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  4. Kathleen - All the best on your journey to publication! I'm not quite sure I have discovered my calling yet. I never really knew what I wanted to do when I grew up! Though that isn't necessarily the same as a calling...

    Love the print. My Mom is an artist and old houses and barns in particular are some of her favorite subjects=)

    Debbie - I look forward to your books set in Charleston! I live in the upstate of SC and have visited Charleston several times, but it's been quite a few years since I've been there...
    Have you ever read any of Charles Martin's books. The ending of his 'The Mountain Between us' is one I totally didn't see coming!

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hey Patty! No I haven't read any of his books. But now you have me intrigued with THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US. I just might have to put that on my TBR pile. I love the Charleston area, too. My daughter went to MUSC there and lived there for a while. We live in upstate SC. We still love taking trips to Charleston. I never tire of the beauty of that area and all of its rich history.

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    2. We might almost be neighbors and not know it! I live in the Piedmont/Powdersvile area.

      I'm sure you can get Charles Martin's books at the library, you should really check him out. Although I don't think they are catagorized as inspirational fiction that are pretty clean. Usually you need a Kleenex at some point in all of his books!

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    3. I will check him out! As long as he has a happy ending I'm good with the kleenex. LOL. You are due west from me. I live in York county. We are practically neighbors!

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    4. Hi, Patty! Thank you for coming by. That's awesome that your mom paints these beautiful old pieces of history. Did she pass along her passion for painting to you, too?

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  5. It's always great to get to know my writing friends better! Thank you for putting this idea/site together and I look forward to seeing how God uses it. And of course if you ever need another guest blogger...lol :)

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    1. Hey Patrick. The blog seems to be eating my comments! We were going to name this blog Belles with a blog but we did't want to rule out any men bloggers so we found a more neutral name. I'll put you on our list of guest bloggers! We'd love to have you post sometime.

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    2. Hey Patrick. It's great to see you visit. That would be superb if you wanted to be a guest here. I know history is a passion of yours, so we'd be delighted to have you share your expertise with us!

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  6. I love to read Christian historical fiction novels! Great site! Following via GFC. :)

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks for coming by and following, Melanie! Looking forward to seeing you here.

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    2. Thanks, Melanie. You are one of the faithful ones. We appreciate you!

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  7. Awe Patrick! You got it. I'll put you on the list for guest bloggers. :o) Hey you know we were going to name this Belles with a Blog but we didn't want to cut out any of the men so we choose a neutral name. Thanks for coming by. Good to see you outside of our Civil War group.

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  8. I just felt like I had tea with a couple of friends.

    Kathleen, you are such a sweet spirit and a blessing. I pray you know that. I am honored to pray for you.

    Debbie, I kept nodding my head. Yep, I do the same thing. I can always improve on movies and advertisements. Beautiful bracelet!

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    1. Thanks, Christina. And I am so glad we've gotten to know each other.

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    2. Christina you made my day. Thanks, sweet lady!

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  9. I absolutely love reading Christian Historical fiction so this is the perfect site for me! I really enjoyed this post! And in answer to your question I feel like my "God-given destiny" is some how related to taking care of children I haven't figured out how exactly yet but that is where my passion is!
    gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oh Abbi, how wonderful! Children are our future and not enough people realize that. We need to love them, discipline them, and guide them. God Bless. and I look forward to hearing when He shows you where you are to serve Him.

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    2. Abbi, what a beautiful calling. I pray you make an impact on many young lives for His glory. You are exactly what this world needs, and we are all grateful for selfless folks like you. Thanks for coming by!

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  10. I am so excited to find this site! Good "clean" books can be hard to find! I enjoyed the posts by both of you lovely ladies :) To answer Kathleen's question, I believe that God wants me to be the best person and Mother that I can be. He wants me to represent my Savior in my life. Our families are the most important thing in this world and if we can teach children in the homes good morals and vaules than we have been successful. Everything begins in the home. Thank you for these wonderful giveaways, but more importantly, thank you for a nice site full of clean books to read ;) Oh and at Debbie, what a nice husband to encourage you to write!

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    1. Haha, I forgot to leave my email address:

      booksaresanity(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    2. Thanks for coming by. I hope you will come by every day next month for all the fabulous giveaways we have scheduled, every day! this is going to be a fun blog. I'm excited, too!

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    3. Oh, you just warm my heart. Our culture needs moms like you who are committed to the young lives in their charge. Are you familiar with the writings and teachings of Elisabeth Elliott? She is one Christian writer who affirms the Titus 2 teaching. Lord bless and keep on being awesome!

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    4. You are welcome ladies! Thank you for the kind words. I am not familiar with Elisabeth Elliot, I will have to look her up! Thank you for the tip!

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  11. Kathleen, nice to "meet" you. I LOVE contests and am so happy to meet new authors in this way. Thanks for participating.

    bcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net

    And Debbie I think I've already left a comment for you....but I enjoyed reading this post!

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    1. Thank you Connie. I hope we get to see you around here as we do our bog kickoff next month. Lord bless!

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  12. Thanks so much for coming by Connie. It's nice to meet you too. Looking forward to getting to know you better.

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  13. Great posts, ladies, it's nice getting to know you better. I truly love all of the blogs out there that allow me to meet and greet authors, some I already know and others I do not know. Thanks for being a part of this! Hugs and God bless!
    debsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com

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    1. AWE, thanks for coming by Debbie! It is so good to have you here. I love getting to know all these authors too. They are just such awesome people!

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    2. Chaplain Debbie, you are one of the faithful ones! Thanks for being so sweet. Looking forward to seeing you around here in the future. Lord bless.

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  14. I'm sure glad you decided to go into writing and hope you both have long careers:)
    Helen Morell-Bailey

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    1. Thank you, Helen. I appreciate your kind words. May the Lord bless the work of your hands as well. Thanks for visiting!

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  15. Welcome Kathleen and Debbie. I am not sure what my destiny is yet. I guess I am still looking or waiting. I am looking for work but presently not doing that as I have injured my wrist badly. I would love to be involved in promoting christian books and do that in a couple of ways at present on my blog and also as part of a new blog alliance. I love helping sharing good books with others.

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    1. Thank you, Jenny. It's so wonderful to see people help us get the word out! We really appreciate it! God Bless.

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    2. Jenny, get well, dear lady! I am sorry you hurt your arm. Sending up prayers for healing and provision for you, as well as direction and clarity. Thanks for being on the same team with us, promoting great books. Lord bless you sweetie!

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  16. Hello Ladies! Nice to meet you and I look forward to getting to know y'all! :)
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for coming by Amy and for following our blog! I'm looking forward to getting to know you.

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    2. Hi, Amy. Thanbks for being here today. Hope to see you around in the coming months.

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  17. Kathleen and Debbie, It's great to learn more about you two. I think I've discovered my God-given destiny, which is to be a Christian fiction writer, as well as a wife, mom, and grandma. It least it's my destiny for this time of my life.

    Debbie, we have several common interests: writing, love of horses and antiques. :)

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    1. Thanks, Vickie. I can attest that you are fulfilling that destiny and calling as an excellent writer. And your family is blessed to have you in their corner.

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  18. OH Fun, Vickie! Do you have a horse? I didn't mention my little guy. But I do have a miniature donkey too. His name is Winchester. We plan to get one more horse too. Maybe you can come down to SC sometime and go riding. ;o)

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  19. What is it they say that fits me here? :D "History is me!" :) I do love historical novels and authors that I can trust to deliver clean, fiction based on factual things. I think that God's will for my life is to be a godly woman who extends His amazing grace to others. Thanks for the giveaway the bracelet is beautiful and I do hope I win. Blessings! Darlene
    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com.

    I am now a follower of this blog and have been of Debbie's also

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    1. Thanks for following Darlene! Be sure to come back in March when we do a giveaway a day! And end the month with a kindle drawing and an Amazon gift card! God calls us first and foremost to be Godly woman and good influences. And sometmes that is all He calls us to do. He wants us to influence our family, children and friends. good for you!

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    2. Hi, Darlene
      I recognized your name from around the blogosphere and it is delightful to have you here. Lord bless you as you live out your destiny and calling. May the Lord expand your borders and lengthen your tent stakes!

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    3. Thank you ladies! Blessings on you. Darlene

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  20. Hi there to Kathleen and Debbie. Congratulations on your new blog. Sounds like I will be meeting some new authors. I enjoyed reading what you both wrote. kathleen, sounds like you live in an interesting little town. Hopefully you will become a well-known author there, to add to their history. And Debbie, good luck on your writing. Think this adventure you both have started will be a blessing to many. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Maxie. From your lips to God's ears! ;) Its so nice to have you here. Hope to see you around. Lord bless you in your gifting and calling as well.

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    2. Thanks Maxie! I sure think this is going to be a fun blog and I hope many are blessed by it. And it's so good to see you here! Thanks for coming by!

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  21. Ladies it is so nice to meet you both, love your stories of how you started and continue to write.
    Kathleen ah Destiny...I don't think I have met mine yet, surely the earth would shake a little had I. I do hope that I have done what God put me here to do but then maybe I am still here to do it.
    Debbie, I live not too far from Charleston and love all the history there. I am sure I have read some of your work before, thanks for sharing today.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Paula, thank you for coming by today. I am sure you are shining your light in wonderful ways, and blessing all those you come in contact with. I pray you find great fulfillment in your destiny! :)

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    2. Awe Paula, I'm jealous in the nicest of ways! I'd love to be close to Charleston. Such a lovely city rich in southern heritage! Have you been to Hunting Island. That's about an hour from Charleston, closer to Buford? Really a beautiful place we pull our 5th wheel down and camp there, sometimes taking day trips to Charleston. Thanks for introducing yourself and coming by!

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  22. This is wonderful! I hope you both really enjoy sharing with all of us. Oh how I love historical Christian fiction...and American history. I am so glad I found you! I would love to be entered and my e-mail is sunydey26@aol.com...I will be following you...I hope this is okay

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    1. It's a delight to have you here, Johnette. We are kindred here in our love of history and stories that uplift and inspire. Lord bless!

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    2. Yay Johnette! So glad you are here and thrilled you are following us! It's great to have fellow history lovers aboard. That's what this blog is all about. Be sure to leave comments all through March to be entered in the 30 different giveaways! March is going to be a blast kicking off this blog!

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  23. Right now my God given desinty is mentoring my grandchildren and writing reviews for Authors. Then I share their books with those God leads.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  24. Does this include drawing for picture and other stuff too.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  25. Thanks for coming by. WE are show casing our March giveaways here. This month we are introducing ourselves and next month we will be doing a giveaway a day. on the side bar you can see what is going to be given away each day. At the end of the month we are drawing for the kindle and an amazon gift card.

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  26. I really enjoy Christian Historical Fiction. Love your new page here.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Wendy! and thanks so much for coming over and following our blog. Looking forward to seeing you here!

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  27. This is great! I really enjoy this blog and learning about the authors.

    Katie J.
    johnsonk133@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks Katie! So glad you came by and followed us. Looking forward to getting to know you.

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  28. Kathleen and Debbie Lynne, I enjoyed learning more about your lives and what inspired you to set out on your writing journeys.

    Kathleen, though I live down in Indiana, the history of upstate New York has always intrigued me. Two of my favorite novels are The Last of the Mohicans and Drums Along the Mohawk. I'd love to win that farmhouse print. To answer your question, I think my God-given destiny is doing what I'm doing; writing my stories in a way that glorifies God's Kingdom. My e-mail addy is writeheart@cinergymetro.net.

    Debbie Lynne, I don't know how you do everything you do. You put me to shame, lady! Loved hearing how you ruin movies for your hubby. Too funny!

    I'm already enjoying this blog, and I'm rooting for you two ladies as you follow your writing dreams.

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    1. Awe thank you, Ramona! This is going to be a lot of fun!

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  29. What an amazing site! I can't wait to look around and see all of it!
    History has been a passion of mine since early childhood, I even like those dusty old dates ;)
    Jasmine A.
    montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. LOL! Jasmine, a lady after my own heart! If it's old, I love it. Thanks for coming by and I'm looking forward to getting to know you. I think we'll get along great. ;o)

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  30. Kathleen: I am 69 years old & retired, I feel that my God-given destiny at this stage in my life is simply to share God's love for them by sharing my testimony & what he has done for me.

    Debbie: Love stories about Charleston!

    Looking forward to meeting new authors & wonderful new books!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  31. Correction: share God's love for "others"

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  32. Hey Bonnie! Thank you so much for following the blog sharing God's love is such an important part of being a Christian and giving our testimony. I'm so glad you love Charleston stories. I LOVE writing! I look forward to getting to know you!

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  33. Hi Debbie Lynne and Kathleen. I enjoyed what you both wrote about yourselves. It's so nice to get to know you a little bit. Your new blog looks wonderful! Kathleen, I would be happy to add you to my prayer list. I pray for several authors.

    To answer your question about destiny--God has led me through the years to complete different works that He planned for me. Those works have included motherhood (my favorite) and a career as a high school teacher. I'm not sure where He is leading me now, but I'm excited that He has a plan.

    Blessings and best wishes to both of you,
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com
    I am an email follower and will add you to my GFC.

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  34. Hey Kay, Thanks for stopping by. It so good to see you here!

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  35. Good evening, Ms. Maher,

    I love how you visually took us to Elmira!! I have only passed through Elmira whilst returning on a road trip, which is why I wish I could say I stayed longer than overnight! Had I only known about its rich history, I might have been tempted to alter my travel plans! As that is one thing I love about road treks, your itinerary is really crafted on the go! Laughs.

    I love how proud you are of your local heritage and how in your own unique way, are carrying on the legacy of your fellow writers! Who knows?! You might touch someone in the same way a story of Twain inspired someone else to write! We never know who we influence and inspire along the passageways of life! :)

    I am sure I am too late for the giveaway, but I can answer your question: My gift became known to me at a young age, but it wasn't until I was a teenager that the light bulb went off and I recognised that it "was" the gift! Laughs. I'm a writer by trade, same as you, following my heart, writing with a passion, and igniting my imagination into new heights along the way! I was encouraged by my grandfather, my parents, & a few teachers to pursue writing,... but somehow, I always found a way to fuse words together, and seek out my own voice in fiction. Nibblings of writing were always with me, as were stories of characters yet to voice their names. I think if we listen closely,... each of us will know which gift we were given, if only we were open enough to hear what resonates inside us.

    Good evening, Ms. Costello,

    I must confess,... if the writing of a tv series I am truly engaged in or a motion picture that held my attention starts to unravel 'somewhere' in the plot or point of the story, I do lament my findings to family & friends! Laughs. I think that was one of the cornerstone moments where I could 'see' a piece of my future: if I wasn't meant to write, why would it matter how a script was written!? Why have the inside edge!?

    Thank your son for his service!! My parents & I give back to deployed soldiers and Chaplains alike through Soldier's Angels!! :) :) Its a pure joy for us to give a bit of homegrown love back to those who give so much to us on the homefront!

    I will be returning in *March!* I'm a RSS feed subscriber + regular reader of this brilliant blog!!

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    1. Hey, Jodie! thanks for coming by and sharing! And thank you for giving to soldiers. We are a blessed nation to have so many men and women willing to sacrifice and serve. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. And thanks so much for following our blog! God bless!

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    2. Your most welcome, Ms. Costello!! :) :)

      As they honour us with their service, my family simply delights in sending them happy smiles in the Post!! :) :) There is nothing greater than giving to servicemen and women who are not expecting mail!! I am equally excited in getting to know you better, too! Its like this blog was invented for readers like me, to find and follow! :) Blessings to you in return!

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    3. Jorie you are going to be such a blessing getting to know! I'm excited!

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  36. Hi, Kathleen, looking forward to knowing you better. You posed a very intriguing question about God-given destiny. Mine seems to be taking a curious bent. God brought me from writing secular sweet romance to the Christian Fiction arena in 1980. Writing has been my focus, my passion. Now, He has turned me to content editing for others. Where God guides, God provides and He certainly has provided insight, wisdom, and guidance into this new skill. Apparently, God-given destiny has some detours. Thanks for prodding my thoughts about this.

    Hi, Debbie Lynne, thanks for getting this Blog up and running. It's already so much fun. At least, having a twisted mind is better than having no sense of humor. I'm a night person and Jerry, and our daughter Amanda, are day people. They wake up singing and cheerful - literally - every day. I'm doing good to grin before noon. Going to the movies with you would be a hoot! Guessing the ending way up front isn't my gift, but I can tell you what's coming up as it goes along. Jerry threatens me with duck tape when we go to the theatre. What's your all time favorite movie?

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    1. LOL! I do believe we would both be duck taped if we went to the movies together with our hubby. My all time favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. I can't watch that movie too many times. What is yours?

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    2. LOL! I think we would both be duck taped if we went together with our hubbies. My all time favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. What is yours?

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