What an interesting weekend: Etc. Etc. Etc. #4

Well, this weekend was an interesting one.

 

First, my husband came home from being gone for a week for work. His flight was delayed twice when he came home. Then, we had a torrential downpour of rain for hours, which led to our flooded yard (in the picture above). We kept waiting for Noah, the ark, and all the animals to pass by.

The water, thankfully, never came into the garages or into our house. But, it sure made a mess in our front yard. It took a few hours for the water to subside.

 

Never mind how every distraction came to me last week imaginable, so I was not able to get ahead with my writing when my husband was gone, like I usually am. As a matter of fact, I am running behind. (Sigh.)

 

Now, today, I have been hit with more distractions. It seems like whenever I think I am going to get ahead, another shoe falls. Today was a bad day from the moment the alarm went off, though. Bad moods and bad luck--mixed with being tired from not sleeping well last night, then add how dog decided to get sick in the house, and cat was stepped on, and other distractions... What a lousy day and it is only 11:16 a.m.

 

So, did I have a nice, relaxing weekend?

 

Umm... No... Not really.

 

Am I refreshed and ready to take on the week? Um... No. I keep getting further and further behind on my writing--and that is not like me. So, this only adds more stress and frustration. It seems like everything is complicated and a mess at the moment. Oh. And, a family member is having a operation tomorrow. So, that only adds even more yucky stress.

 

Am I complaining? Not really. Rather, I am letting you know how the best laid plans do go astray and how it is absolutely essential to journal, do Bible study, have prayer, and regroup when that happens.

 

I realize that I need to stop. Halt. Freeze. I am going to print out the last partially types page I was trying to write. I am going to stop hitting my head against the wall and do what I just said. I will journal, do Bible study, and regroup. I probably should have done that first thing this morning. But, I felt the pressure of my writing goals slipping away. So, I tried to shortcut the process. Shortcutting never works. Not having a quiet time until later rarely works for me. I get the most out of my quiet time when I give God the time he deserves first. The next thing I know, he usually helps me get far more done that day than I could imagine or would have otherwise.

 

I fail. I mess up. I am human. I am a sinner. It is what I do from here that counts and I am going to apply the lessons learned to my own life and try again. I will let you know how this works in a bit.  

 

Do you ever have this kind of Monday?

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease. 26 August 2012.)

 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Etc. Etc. Etc. #3: Stormy Days and Sickness

I think stormy days, and those of sickness, are God's way of slowing us down so we are without excuse and have time to be with him.

 

(Today is one of those for me and the weather report says tomorrow to expect more of the same.)

(ClipartCredit: Microsoft Images Online.)
     

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Etc. Etc. Etc. #2: Fall

Is anyone else ready for Fall--or is it just me?

(Photo Credit: Miscrosoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Etc. Etc. Etc. #1

Do you ever think of where you came from and whom you came from?

 

Who were your ancestors?

 

How have they influenced your life--even if you have no idea who they are? They have, after all.

 

We are connected with our past==even if we do not know it. Our past shaped who we are today.

 

Are we to dwell on the past? No. Not at all. But, knowing one's past helps one to live more fully today. We are a product of our past, whether we realize it or not. And, yesterday is proof of this. What we did, or did not do, yesterday shapes who we are and what we do today.

 

The Bible talks about generational sin and how the sins of our forefathers bear on us today. However, what about the faith of our forefathers? And, how can you lay a foundation of a strong faith today--so the next generations will receive blessing because of your actions today?

 

Appreciate the past, learn from it, and apply the lessons learned. Learn about your ancestors. They have helped shape who you are. You might even have more in common with them than you ever realized--even if it is your twelfth generation grandmother or grandfather.

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Iamges Online.)
 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Praying for the Empire Building Shooting Victims

The victims and witnesses of the shootings near the Empire State Building are in my thoughts and prayers, along with their friends and family.

 

You are not alone and are not forgotten.

(Photo credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

  

Journaling, Writing, Photography, Coffee/Tea, Running, Bible study, prayer, and Digital Scrapbooking

What else can you expect from this blog over time?

 

Let me tell you more about me. I am a journal keeper. It is an important part of my life and I find it helps me to live and practice my faith. I also am a writer of historical fiction. I love to take photos everywhere I go and throughout my day most days. It is one way I use to journal and remember what I have done and seen. I also love coffee and tea. I am a runner and have a body type where I have to constantly watch what I eat and how much I eat. I enjoy doing and writing Bible studies. I strive to pray without ceasing. And, I do digital scrapbooking.

 

What do all these things have to do with this blog? You will see each of these elements on this blog--along with thoughts on marriage, beagles, Orange Maine Coons (cats), turtles, patriotism, voting, pro-military, etc.

 

Mostly, this is my blog about the Family Treez of the USA historical fiction series.

 

Whenever I write about any of these things, I will add the phrase, 'Etc.Etc. Etc.' to the title so you know it's a miscellaneous blog post.

 

I will focus on these elements most, however:

~ Historical Fiction

~ Writing a Novel

~ Journal Keeping

~ A Loyal Faith (Bible study and faithful thoughts)

~ Etc. Etc. Etc.

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease. 2012. The picture was taken in Hampton, Virginia--near the Hampton History Museum.)
 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Happy Friday and Relaxing Weekend

First of all, Happy Friday!

 

Next, I have a serious question for you.

 

When was the last time you took the day off? Or, let me phrase it another way. When was the last time you took a weekly Sabbath, a day off, so you can refresh, relax, rejuvenate, draw closer to the Lord, and get inspired?

 

Why don't we make a pact and try to take at least half a day off this weekend? If not this weekend, what about the next?

 

If we take time off, we have more to offer during the week and can get more accomplished. This is a fact.

 

Just something to ponder and implement in our lives. (I know I am looking in the mirror as I type.)

 

Enjoy your weekend and relax!

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

News: A New Blog

I am in the process of trying to brand this historical fiction series and have changed my email and blog to the information below.

 

This blog's information will all be transferred to that blog.

 

http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com is my new and main blog. This one will be closed.

 

I am sorry about all of the changes. Thank you for bearing with me.

 

Have a blessed day.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

A Contrite Heart

I come to you with a contrite heart and an apology--along with a confession (as I pray I do not drive you too crazy).

I hate to be so wishy-washy. However, I need to tell you a story.

Last night, I got a Christian Writers Guide in the mail and I started to look at the publishing requirements of Christian/inspired historical fiction publishers. I am going to a writers conference in February and want to see how many books I can write and edit to perfection between now and then.

Well... This only told me how I need to change my word count yet again. I need to decrease the size of book by 40,000 words more--from 90,000 to 50,000. Also, I got more of a vision of what to expect for the FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES.

Sigh.

So, you know what that means. I am starting a new book for Camp NaNoWriMo.

Now, I have to commit if I want to have several books ready for meeting with publishers at the writers conference... I cannot change my mind ever again. If I do, it will throw my schedule out of whack and I will not bring my best to the conference. That is simple inexcusable and is not permitted in my book. I hold myself to a higher standard than that.

Never mind how I do not want to drive you crazy, turn you off, frustrate/annoy you, and so one. Your readership means far too much for me to be so wishy-washy.

I pledge to you... I never make a promise I cannot keep. The next book I write--starting today--will be the one I write and finish for CampNaNoWriMo. That means I have 11 days to write 50,000 words. (No pressure. That's 4546 words per day. But, I can do it. I will do it.

So, will you, please, forgive me, and join me for the ride over the next 11 days?

I will spare you downloading it on my store at Smashwords until it is finished, but will send blog posts to tell you about it between now and August 31st.

Book: MARY DICKMAN, here I come!

 

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezetc.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezetc@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Thank you

Thank you to all of you who have read any of this blog. You humble me. What a blessing you are.

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

For Fiction Writers: Recommended Sites

Every now and then, I am going to put together a list for you of sites I recommend to help you/us write fiction novels, no matter the genre.

Writing 4 Success

http://writing4success.com/

My Comment: I've read most of the books out there over the last ten years on how to write a novel, how to write fiction, novel writing, writing fiction, and so on. These books are by far the best I have read. Period. Hands down. Why? They are simple, yet packed with material you can use today. They are powerful books. They are well worth every penny. I own every book she has published and will buy every book she publsihes from here. That is how much I believe in write 4 Success and Marg McAlister. Check her out. What a gem. Priceless. I cannot begin to tell you how much she has taught me about writing.

(Clipart/Photo Credit: Micorsoft Images Online)
 

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezetc.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezetc@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Emotional Olympics, London, and Camp NaNoWriMo: Etc. Etc. Etc. (Misc. Thoughts)

Is it just me, or does any one else shed a lot of tears during the Olympics?

Last night was quite emotional--between women's gymnastics team competition getting the gold to the 800 Men's relay in swimming. Never mind all of the other moments. How impressive and moving.

I get just as emotional for those who do not win, by the way.

Never mind how much I love seeing London when they break away to a commercial and when they come back from commercial. It's the very setting for the first book I am writing in my historical novel. Therefore, that moves me and inspires me as well. The things I am researching, I can see from today's perspective and it helps me put things into context. It helps that my husband is a studier of history, so he knows London. But, he's also been there. So, we can pause the screen and he points the sites out to me. I find this quite helpful.

Just a couple of thoughts for today... Now, I need to get back to the London in my book.

Total word count so far: 12,896.

Oh! And I am going to do Camp NaNoWriMo for August. You can find me here: http://www.campnanowrimo.org/campers/familytreezetc/novels/american-origins-part-1

I will do a new blog post about this so you know what I am talking about here, if you do not.

Have a blessed day.

(Photo is by Stacy Duplease.)
--

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez

Email: familytreezetc@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

The Historic Triangle

Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg are part of the Historic Triangle today. All three are in Virginia and are connected by the Colonial Parkway.

(Photo is by Stacy Duplease.)

-- Stacy Duplease
Sent from my Verizon Smartphone

Starting in Jamestown

The book, AMERICAN ROOTS 1585-1607 takes place mainly in Jamestown, Virginia. But, it starts in Roanoke, the Lost Colony of Virginia and the first attempt of making a permanent English settlement in America, the New World.

Jamestown is the first permanent English Settlement in the United States of America. It dates prior to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Hence, Jamestown is the birthplace of the U.S.
(Photo by Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC.)
--

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez

Email: familytreezetc@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Aurora Movie Shootings (Or Massacre)

The victims, families, and friends of everyone in the Aurora Movie Shootings are in my thoughts and prayers.May the Lord be with you and bless you at this time (and always).

Denver, Colorado is my home. I might live in the birthplace of the United States, but Colorado is home. It is where I will return when my husband retires in the years to come. My husband and I were there earlier this month--visiting family and friends. We went by that specific movie theatre numerous times...

Also, my husband and I were there for Columbine. (Hence, it means a great deal that the same man who made the crosses for Columbine made them again for this tragedy. Wow.)

This is something very near and dear to our hearts...

A senseless act of violence by a premeditated madman. He did not snap. It was thoroughly planned and thought out.

May justice be seen and done. May the families and friends get answers. Lord, bless Colorado. Again. Amen.

We are--Colorado!
Please pause for a moment of silence and prayer. We will never forget.
(Photo is from Microsoft Images Online.)
--

Stacy Duplease

What If?

What if you could trace your ancestors back to the United States of America and the year 1585?

What about 1607?

What about several people of your family from 1607?

That's precisely what I, Stacy--the author, have done. That is what the historical fiction series of: FAMILY TREEZ SERIES and the 1st book, AMERICAN ROOTS 1585-1607, is about.

Stay tuned.
(Photo is by Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC.)
--

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreez.blogspot.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Re-Thinking Journaling

I have journaled for almost three decades and have learned one valuable lesson. It's to constantly change and morph how I journal and how I see journaling. In other words, I re-think journaling and everything associated with it. That is why I have been able to journal for 27 years. I like to keep it fresh and alive. When it gets stale, I tend to not journal every day. 

Recently, I've re-evaluated everything in my life (and am still in the process of doing so). I realized that I am as happy and content as I have ever been. Hence, I decided to evaluate things even more. It helped me see that while I might be the happiest and most peaceful, it did not mean that both could increase still. So, I asked myself that if my life was the most perfect, most ideal, most dream-like life, how would it look--and how do I get there? 

That was when I realized I wanted to do two things I have never done before. I wanted to do art journaling and scrapbooking. 

I have even more of a spark now in my journaling life as well as my personal, spiritual, and professional lives. 

Now, I just need to stick with my daily schedule (and stop getting sick). 

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, Designer, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & 2 Turtles Designs

News: Check out my new journaling blog

Check out my new blog on journaling at: http://2turtlesdesigns.blogspot.com

The only thing I am changing is where I am doing this blog. I am going to now combine two blogs into one. After all, my journaling is expanding and 2 Turtles Designs is the extension of my journaling expansion.

Everything you have seen on this blog will be found there. The new blog will just be under a new name. I will continue to write the 365-Day Journal Your Story Project there and will have a couple more as well.

See you there! 

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, Designer, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & 2 Turtles Designs

Blog and Websites: http://2turtlesdesigns.blogspot.com and http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Make a list of your priorities

Make a list of everything and everyone in your life that matters to you. 

Then, number them in priority order.

Now, journal about each thing, event, dream, goal, or person that amtters to you. Why does it matter to you? What does it mean to you? How long has this been important to you? 

Take a look at your calendar, schedule, or planner (depending on what you call it). Does your schedule reflect this priority order? What do you need to change? What is working? 

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, Designer, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Blog and Websites: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com and http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

The last three weeks

The last three weeks have consisted of me fighting off sinus stuff, so I have not been able to blog as I would have desired. Hopefully I will be able to play catch-up this week. I just wanted to let you know that I am still writing and am still doing these blogs. Time has had a mind of its own and I hope to be at it again shortly. 

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, Designer, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Blog and Websites: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com and http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Happy Love Day

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, Designer, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Blog and Websites: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com and http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Being Stretched: A Journaling Prompt

Do you ever feel like you are being stretched? Like you are meant to grow and learn a new lesson?

When was the last time you felt that way? What did you do? What happened? How has it shaped who you are today?

Stacy Duplease

Grief and Loss Journaling

If you are grieving because you have lost someone or something in your life, Journaling is a big help. Often times, we will ignore our pain and grief, try to forget about, or we freeze. We will go so far as to refusing to journal about our loss and grief because it hurts so much. However, the absolute best thing we can do is to deal with the loss so it can stop dealing with us.
So, how do we use journaling to help us deal with our grief?
*  List who or what loss you grieve.
* Write why you are grieving the loss. Be thorough.
* How are you grieving?
* Then write all your happy memories and happy thoughts about them. Get it all down on the page.
* Then, write how being upset is adding to those happy memories and thoughts. (It isn't.)
* Then, write how your life would look if you were healed from your grief.
* Live in that way.
~*~ Repeat this as often as necessary.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

You cannot go wrong

By the way... You cannot go wrong with Journaling.

Let that bring you peace.

Actually, that is not true. There is one way you can go wrong. Not Journaling. So, be daring. Journal.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Be daring

When you journal, be far more daring than you usually are.
Go beyond your comfort zone.
Your journal is your private space. You can be daring in it...far more daring than you have ever been.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire