Sylvia Brown-Roberts's Blog, page 2

I'm Thankful.

I get a rush when I see a reader with one of my novels! This young lady holds the newest novel in my Church Doors series of Faith Works Stories: MORE GRACE: Church Doors Book Five.

I think she likes this novel. Her eyes look sort of pleased. That's a good sign.

The author in me wants to whisper softly to her, "Dear, would you mind moving your fingers off the title and the author's name so people can see them clearly?" I wouldn't do that though, because in a room full of books, she chose to spotlight one of my novels. 

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

I'm always Sylvia
 

Slow Down Sometimes

 

Today I got a message to SLOW DOWN.

I arrived at Mom's. My sister and I were to take her to a medical appointment.  When I got there, my very punctual sister wasn't there. 

Mom was surprised to see me, so she checked her calendar. Then, I checked my calendar. I was a day ahead of myself. The appointment is for tomorrow! We laughed about it. 

I left Mom's and I slowed down enough to play. I got my favorite breakfast sandwich, bought a cute top at Marshall's, and I strolled the aisles of  Dollar Tree. 

When I got home, I chuckled at myself. I put aside a writing assignment and did some sewing instead.  I got rid of some thoughts from my crowded brain. I chilled out, and it was a good move.

Remember to slow down when needed. 
I'm Always Sylvia.www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Write On, Author.

I've been an author for 14 years. My 5th novel in the Church Doors series of Faith Works Stories was published in May 2024. One thing I know for sure is that I never get tired of seeing one of my novels in a reader's hands. Over the years, some people have approached me with positive verbal reviews. I thank them and let them know they can go online and post that wonderful review on Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads. That way more people can read their opinions of my novels. Feedback from readers is important to authors. 

By grace, I plan to write several more novels. They may not all be part of the Church Doors series, but I aim for them to be full of thought-provoking characters and how they handle challenges of  faith. 

I like the pensive expression on this reader's face. 

I'm always Sylvia.

 www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Vengeance is not Mine

 

Recently, a repair person charged me more than I should have been charged, but I couldn't prove it. It's a challenge when something breaks that you don't know much about fixing. This picture of the dark cloud represents my anger once I figured out I'd been overcharged. But then, I had a thought! The repair person may have charged me too much, but I won't explode. The Lord will take care of the shady repair person. The Lord doesn't want me to avenge. People who take advantage of others will eventually get handled. I won't use the company's services anymore. I'll tell them why if they ask me. No anger for me. Instead, I'll keep trusting in the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19)

I'm Always Sylvia.  

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Thanks For Choosing My Novel!

She's reading MORE GRACE,  the 5th novel in my Church Doors series of Faith Works Stories. It was published in May 2024 and already some people let me know that they completed reading it. Some of them said, "Okay, Sylvia, what happens next to NikkiMac, Jacee, and Anna Maria? When is book 6 in the series coming out?"

I smile because they don't know what a challenge it was for me to get book 5 to the publisher due to other responsibilities that arose while writing it. I smile because HIS grace made it possible for me to complete book 5 while meeting the responsibilities with love. 

Hmm, I wonder if the woman in this picture got to the part where NikkiMac and Adam address a marital issue? I put lots of care into writing about that.

Always Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

Always with Me

I live in an old house that has an antique stove. When people see it, they often marvel and say, "Wow! They don't make these anymore!" or "Why don't you sell it? You could get lots of cash for this piece of history." I haven't sold it because it serves my purpose. It has 2 standing pilots, so I can still use the stovetop and oven even when there's a power outage in our area. It's due for a polish of the metal and surface. That chore is on my list for this week. Seems we never run out of chores, right?

One recent morning, I sensed something, so I went to the basement and checked. No problem there. Then, I checked the stove. Turns out one of the pilot lights had gone out. Our sensor on the kitchen wall was alerting me. I opened the windows and doors before relighting the pilot. Our heavenly Father watched over me, and for that I'm thankful. You likely remember a recent time when the heavenly Father watched out for your well-being, don't you?

I'm Always Sylvia. I'm always thankful. 

sylviabrownroberts.com

 

GOODBYE SASHAY...I don't cry often, only when I need to. ...

GOODBYE SASHAY...

I don't cry often, only when I need to. However, I shed a few tears the other day when I watered my ponytail palm, which I've had for more than twenty years. When the water hit the soil, I saw lots of movement. Tiny ants came out of the soil and traveled down the sides of the pot to get out of the water. Some crawled up on the leaves and the sides of the plant. I took her outside, put her on a table, and watered her some more. More ants! I looked up remedies and tried a few. Things seemed still, so I brought her back inside overnight. The next day, I watered her again, and more ants surfaced, even though I used a natural deterrent. You can see in the picture on the left that many were caught on glue pads, so I figured the colony was gone and I could revive Sashay. I was wrong. The leaves began to fall off. I was bewildered, because a week before this, there were no ants at all. I couldn't watch Sashay continue to decline, and every source I researched indicated I had to let Sashay go. The ant colony had slipped in to make their trails and prepare the pot as home for them and their babies. 

After that realization, I searched for and found Sister, a young ponytail palm. 

I miss Sashay, but Sister appeals to me a little more each day. That makes me smile.

I'm always Sylvia, and I'm sending good thoughts your way.😊

Website:     www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Email:        info@sylviabrownroberts.com

  

Confessions of a Third Grade Teacher

This is me many years ago, teaching a spelling lesson to my 3rd graders. Former students, there are three things I do now that I asked you not to do when you were in my class.

I used to say, "Please sit still. Why are you tapping your fingers on your desk? Please stop twirling your ruler." Confession: These days, your former teacher often changes position in her recliner. I move my fingers and tap them when I try to remember something.

I used to say, "How did you lose your pencil/ paper/ book when you haven't been out of your seat? It has to be there. Did you look inside your desk? It didn't vanish into thin air." Confession:  These days, I do the same thing. I sit at my writing desk and can't find the pen I just had in my hand. 

I used to say, "Stop daydreaming and get back to work. Confession: These days, my daydreams fuel my writing, and I welcome them.

It was a blessing to teach so many students! Best wishes to you all.   sylviabrownroberts.com 
 

CHURCH DOORS, The Newsletter (Post 1)What's free, quarte...

 CHURCH DOORS, The Newsletter (Post 1)

What's free, quarterly, informative, relevant, positive, and revealing? My email newsletter! This is near the end of my 2nd newsletter year (2023). This pic is a section of the May 2023 issue number 8 cover, with the theme: Forgiveness. The issue features a conversation about forgiveness with my friend and colleague Joyce, my confession about a character I created in my Church Doors series. I don't like him, but the story needs him.  There's a Trivia feature and a piece about The Gift of Forgiveness, along with a scripture reference, and more!

Issue 9 just published in August 2023. It's theme: Compassion, Collaboration, Connection. It received good reviews. One more issue is coming in 2023. Don't miss out! Go to info@sylviabrownroberts.com  and let me know you want me to email it to you in December 2023.

Always Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Readers are Important to Authors

I'm always encouraged when I see readers with my novels. Most of the time, I don't interrupt them to tell them I'm the author. I get enough joy when I see them reacting to the characters in: 

Behind Church Doors 

Beyond Church Doors

Behind and Beyond Church Doors: Promises

Church Doors Book 4: Won't Quit!             Thanks, Dear Readers!😊

Always, Sylvia

sylviabrownroberts.com