Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 4

Friday Fiction: The Flight with the Baby

Here’s a new piece of flash fiction for Friday Fiction, an idea that came to me earlier in the week. I have fun writing from a man’s perspective, and several of my books are written in alternating perspectives.

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The Flight with the Baby

Jessica texted him before he got on the plane. Have a safe flight, it read.

He didn’t text back.

They’d had their third massive fight. The same one they’d had the past two times. She was ready to have a baby, and he wasn’t sure about it. Not with his upbringing. Not the way his brother turned out. It made him wonder why he wasn’t honest about his concerns during their pre-marriage counseling sessions at church. She knew about his dysfunctional family, and yet she persisted in asking him when he thinks he will be ready to have children.

Jason makes his way to his seat and cringes when he sees that he’ll be seated next to a woman holding a baby and with a small child in the seat next to hers. When will the airlines be able to assist you with seats properly—that if you don’t want to sit next to children, please pick seats X, Y, and Z? She smiles at him, and it takes everything in his power to force a smile back. Four hours sitting here with these three, he thinks. This isn’t going to bode well.

Moving to his assigned window seat, he buckles in for the flight. He hopes the baby doesn’t cry the whole way; he has work to get done before his big meeting tomorrow. He’s making a pitch to a prospective client, and he wants to secure the deal. He’s feeling positive about it, and thinks it will go well.

As the plane makes its way down the runway and into the air, the baby begins to cry. So does the three-year-old. “I’m so sorry,” the woman leans over to say to him, “they’ve never flown before.” Jason nods. He has visions of this flight becoming a complete disaster for him.

“My ears hurt,” the three-year-old says to his mother.

“It will pass,” she says, trying to comfort the child. Jason watches her trying to manage the two crying children. The flight attendant comes over and asks the woman if she needs anything. She reaches for the bag under the seat and pulls out a child’s cup. “I know you haven’t started serving drinks yet, but may I get apple juice? It might help the situation.”

Jason hopes the idea of the apple juice will solve one problem. But what about the baby? She’s screaming her lungs out now.

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Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Within minutes, the flight attendant returns with the apple juice, hands it to the mother, and swiftly walks away. With the baby crying, the three-year-old still in tears, the woman appeals to Jason. “Is there any way you could pour this juice into the cup for me? I’m so sorry to ask, but you’d be a life saver.”

Reluctantly, Jason takes both the cup and the apple juice, and does what the mother asks. He’s not fond of touching someone else’s cup filled with germs, but he manages to get the juice in the cup. She hands it to the child. “Thank you,” she says to Jason.

“Pee-pee,” the child says.

“Now?” the mother asks.

The child shakes his head “yes.”

When they reach cruising altitude, the seat belt lights are turned off.

The mother turns to Jason again. “I hate to ask you this—I hate asking anyone for favors, in fact—but is there any way you could hold the baby while I take my son to the bathroom? The three of us won’t fit.”

Jason feels the woman is trespassing on his personal space and the privacy he needs to get his work done, but there’s something in her face that makes him unable to say no to her. Also, his conscience is telling him to be helpful. The son is squirming, and Jason worries he may wet himself on the plane if he doesn’t get to a restroom quick. He remembers being young himself and having to get to a bathroom, so he tells the woman he will hold the baby. The woman unbuckles the child and herself, and then hands the baby to Jason.

“Be right back,” she says. “And thank you.”

The baby is still crying. Jason can’t remember the last time he held a baby this small. It’s been years—since his niece and nephew were small. He begins to hold the baby and talks softly to the baby. He can sense people around him looking at them, but he pays them no mind. “There, there,” he says to the baby. “Everything will be alright.”

He begins to hum and to gently rock the baby the best that he can while being confined to a seat on an airplane. “You’re going to be alright, little one.”

In minutes, the baby stops crying. Jason’s ears are relieved. The baby has calmed down, and Jason has done it. He looks at her little fingers, her little nose. She smells like a baby freshly bathed, a combination of natural baby scent and talcum powder. She looks at him with her little eyes. He wonders of she knows he’s been a jerk to his own wife. Someone who longs to hold one of these in her arms.

When the mother returns with the child, she marvels at Jason’s skills. “Seems you are the magic touch we needed.” She buckles her son back into his seat, and then sits in her own. She turns to Jason. “I’m almost afraid to take her back. She’s so content. But I do have one bottle in case of emergency.”

Jason smiles at her. “I give you credit, traveling with two little ones.”

“I have no choice. My mother’s ill, and I’m going to help her.”

Immediately, Jason is filled with empathy for her. The old adage never judge someone else, you don’t know what they’re going through, comes to his mind. He feels bad for judging her and acting selfish when he got on the plane. He feels bad for how he spoke to Jessica, for keeping his fears about being a dad to himself, when all she wants is a baby to call their own. When he gets home, he’ll apologize.

“I’m sorry. I hope she gets well soon,” Jason says.

“Thank you, but she won’t. Hospice,” the woman says, tears filling her eyes.

He looks back down at the now sleeping baby in his arms. She’s adorable. He hopes the grandmother will be well enough to hold her.

“Clearly, you have children of your own,” the woman says to him.

“I don’t. Not yet, but hopefully soon,” he says.

*

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram at stephanieverniwrites.

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Published on January 19, 2024 13:50

Friday Fiction: Strike Out

I worked in baseball for a while. My husband works in baseball now. We talk a lot of baseball in our house. My friend, Julie, was the one who told me to write a book about baseball, both of us having worked in the sport. And while the novel is set in professional baseball, the themes of the story revolve around loss, allowing yourself to love again, and finding the right person to love. Baseball Girl was my second novel, and the protagonist, Francesca Milli, becomes entangled in a love triangle at work with a ballplayer and a sportswriter. The novel is NOT about a girl who plays baseball; it is about a girl who works in professional baseball. Throughout the novel, as she discusses the death of her father, something she is grieving over and is struggling with daily, she shares flashbacks of conversations she had with her father. Today, I am sharing one of these conversations that is found on the pages of Baseball Girl. I also read this snippet aloud at a recent book event, so it made me want to share it.

Working in baseball helped me write this novel. Pictured here with my husband: we met working in baseball.

Strike Out

Little Dave Unger used to come and knock on my door to play ball. He knew I loved baseball as much as he did, and he didn’t mind that I was a girl. He’d show me his trading cards and his pennant collection, and sometimes, if he went to the game and got an autograph from a player, he would get one for me too. He was a good friend.

That was until I struck him out during the neighborhood kids’ game on July Fourth. All the families in the neighborhood got together at our local park for an elaborate picnic, replete with baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and illegal fireworks. It had become tradition that there would be a game for kids, with an adult game to follow.

Somehow, I got talked into pitching an inning.

I didn’t know why, because I wasn’t a stellar pitcher. I was more comfortable playing outfield. I could run pretty fast for a girl, and had better than average agility. I could anticipate where the ball would go, and get there to make the catch. Pitching, on the other hand, was just unnerving. I always believed the toughest job on the field was that of the pitcher. It was constant stress, and it required consistency, something I wasn’t typically good at achieving. Throw the ball over the plate, I would tell myself. Focus and pitch. It’s not that hard.

But it was. Pitching was hard. It was tough work.

Little Dave Unger came up to the plate. I thought it was ironic that people put “Little” in front of his name, because Dave was anything but little. He was a big kid, the biggest on his team, and definitely one of the largest sixth-graders in school.

Little Dave Unger stepped into the batter’s box. I pitched to him.

Strike one. Looking. 

I pitched again. 

Ball one. 

I pitched again.

 Strike two. Swinging.

I pitched again.

Strike three. Looking.

Little Dave Unger threw his bat down and marched off into his team’s dugout, making the last out of the inning.

He never talked to me after that.

When my father asked why Little Dave didn’t come around any more, I told him I thought it was because I struck him out in the game.

My father told me not to worry, that boys don’t like to be shown up by girls, and that it takes a big man not to let it bother him.

“You were just doing your job,” my father said to me when I couldn’t understand how someone would dismiss me because of something so trivial. “People hold grudges all the time, Frankie. You’re right. You had a job to do, and you had to do it the best you could. Don’t ever sacrifice your own integrity, talent, or brains to make someone else look better. You just have to be who you are, and if a boy—or anyone—can’t deal with that, then he probably isn’t the type of person you want in your life anyway.”

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on January 12, 2024 07:48

Fiction Friday is BACK: The Man in the Pinto

Hello, friends! I used to post short fictional snippets on Fridays, and over the years, I got away from that. As I want to commit to my blog and its creative nature in 2024, I decided to bring back this Friday feature.

So, to kick it off, here’s a very short story about a man in a Pinto (remember those cars?)

Fiction Friday is BACK!

FRIDAY FICTION: THE MAN IN THE PINTO

The car looks old. It is old. My guess is that the car is forty-plus years old. The brown paint is dull and is chipping off the car; the wheels look smaller than what we are used to today. Surprisingly, the right blinker works. I know, because I was behind him on my drive to work at the bank. I should have arrived ten minutes earlier, but traffic prevented me from being on time. That and the fact that I probably should have left my house twenty minutes earlier.

I look at the Pinto as I hurry out of my car and race to the front doors. Way back when, my family owned a Ford Pinto station wagon. It was white with faux wood side panels. Was that car ever cool? Maybe, but I doubt it. However, we seemed to make great memories inside that car, including taking trips to see family and shuffling around to sports games and neighborhood events. It’s funny how you attach memories to things, particularly a car.

The man in the Pinto comes into the bank often. He’s an older, gray-haired gentleman with a little bald spot on top. Each week, he arrives when the bank opens to make his deposits and withdrawals. He doesn’t trust technology or online banking. Our bank manager tried to convince him to switch to online banking, but he adamantly declined. He prefers to speak to a teller in order to make his transactions. He’s personable enough, gives us a smile, wishes us a good day, and then goes about his business—whatever that may be—as a long retired senior.

As I watch him walk back to his car in the parking lot, I notice a slight limp. Nothing too worrisome, but it’s there nonetheless. He uses the key to open the door and climbs back into the car. I wait to see if it will start, because the car looks that old and decrepit. Seconds later, his car starts, he slowly backs up out of his spot, and makes his way on the road away from the bank.

The irony of the man in the Pinto is that he’s worth millions with our bank. Who knows what other investments he has elsewhere? I wonder what his occupation was that he made this type of money, or was it inherited. I don’t know the story, but admittedly, I would like to know. Knowing how much money he has in this bank makes me marvel that he drives a car that looks like it might not make it to the next corner.

Years ago, I read a book called The Millionaire Next Door, and I realize that the man in the Pinto epitomizes the theme of that book: you never know how much money people actually have, how much their net worth is, by the way they live their lives, and you certainly can’t judge a book by a cover.

It makes me want to hold onto my current car for as long as I can.

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on January 05, 2024 12:52

A Challenge for 2024: Write Someone You Love a Letter

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I saw someone post on social media the other day that when this generation is dead and gone, there will be nothing left behind to tell their stories. No handwritten journals, notes, photographs, or letters and correspondence. The premise of the post was that because everything is electronic, few paper artifacts will be left behind to tell our stories. What captures our attention these days are trending 8-second videos on Instagram and TikTok. Everything is fast: video is cut into 2-second snippets or we lose attention.

But a handwritten letter begs the reader to pause for a moment and read the words…to linger a little longer than two seconds.

There are three things that will always be true about a handwritten letter:

A handwritten letter is thoughtful: a great deal of time and energy goes into it. The writer must align his thoughts and words and put them into meaningful sentences, conveying a message to the recipient of the letter.A handwritten letter, by its mere existence, relays that the receiver of the letter is important to the author of the letter. Undertaking this task demonstrates that the author went to the trouble of selecting everything necessary to write it, which includes choosing the paper, pen, envelope, and the way in which it will be written and presented.A handwritten letter becomes a keepsake, a record, and something of sentimental value.

I will not deny that I have a love affair with handwritten letters. I have included them in several of my books, and they are featured most prominently in my most recent release The Letters in the Books. The title gives away my affinity for letters, doesn’t it? The protagonist, Meg Ellis, who is also an empath and bookstore owner, slips letters inside the books of her customers who are in need of a pick-me-up. Each day, 10 letters–all handwritten by Meg–are placed inside books as a form of inspiration. Some of these letters go on to change people’s lives. And thus, the premise of the novel is unveiled: can letters slipped inside books have the power to change people’s lives?

To date, I have written hundreds of letters that I have tucked inside copies of my book. Books and letters are available via
Park Books and Lit Lab Collab in Severna Park, Maryland. (parkbooksmd.com)

Meg’s letters serve as inspiration. Who among us couldn’t do with a little inspiration each day?

I have recently fallen in love with some very old letters. After completing Bible in a Year on December 22, I found that some of my favorite Bible passages are actually letters: Letters from St. Paul to the Galatians, Romans, Corinthians, Philippians, and Thessalonians. Had he not written these love letters to the people, we would not know as much as we do know about his ministry, his need to enlighten others about Jesus, or how far and wide he traveled to spread the Word. They are, indeed, a record, a call, an inspiration, and most of all, love letters. Many of them were written from jail, and yet they are full of joy.

With 2024 just hours away, can I persuade you to write someone you love a letter?

It has the power to bring someone else joy.

I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on December 31, 2023 11:58

Bible in a Year: A Profound Experience

A few days ago on December 22, 2023, I completed Bible in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz on the Hallow app. I finished ahead of schedule, having doubled-up on some of the readings for the last month. My goal was a simple one: to complete the entire Bible before Christmas Day mass. (See the YouTube video toward the end of the post that I made for your video walkthrough).

Now, before I explain how I did this and all the tools I used, I would like to explain WHY I wanted to do it (if you’ve ever read Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why, I learned that it’s really important to understand your WHY before you undertake any endeavor. This simple tenet is another “thing” that has changed my life).

But back to the story…

Our children went to Catholic school in their formative years in our previous town, and when we moved here, after a bit of time, we lost our way with church for various reasons. However, during the pandemic and over the course of the last many years, I have felt a call to come back to my faith in full force. Sometimes, the call was subtle and sometimes it was strong. I began to get what I’d like to call spiritual signs, or as Hallmark Channel loves to call them, Godwinks. God was winking pretty hard at me, and so I finally listened (with apologies to God for taking such a long time to heed His hints. Thankfully for all of us, His patience is never-ending.) You can read my full testimony that I shared publicly here.

So, that’s WHY I have a story and that is where it begins.

Now, to tell you the story of how it has unfolded over the last couple of years…

Sitting in church one Sunday, I saw the write-up for Walking with Purpose in the weekly bulletin—a Bible study for women. With newfound freedom during the day after opting to leave full-time teaching in favor of part-time teaching, I had room in my schedule to attend the 9:30 a.m. Wednesday sessions. I couldn’t wait to sign up. Walking with Purpose—a Catholic-based Bible study—connected me with like-minded, faith-filled women. Many churches have this program, and if yours does not, you may want to think about starting one. With weekly lessons to tackle some of life’s difficult questions melded with questions about our relationship with God, I took to this Bible study like a duck takes to water. I loved it. I met wonderful women. And I strengthened my relationship with God.

That taste of Bible study began a fervent quest of wanting to know even more about God’s story. I longed to dive more deeply into His word. Having been familiar with Father Mike over the years through social media and having listened to Father Mike’s homilies on the Hallow app (in addition to my own priests’ homilies at church), I yearned to feel a connection to the Bible, to understand the whole story. Father Mike’s Bible in a Year podcast is available via Hallow (which I used), Ascension Press, YouTube, as well as via podcast platforms, and so I set a goal in 2023 to read the Bible from cover to cover along with Father Mike and the reading plan set forth by Ascension Press.

It was definitely a divine decision. And, yes, I did mean to write it that way, and not just for the alliteration.

Now, let’s dive into what you need and some tips on how to do it.

STEP ONE – How to listen to Bible in a Year

Figure out how you will subscribe to Bible in a Year. Ways you can do it:

1-Download the Podcast via your podcast app

2-Listen via the Hallow app (this is what I used because I LOVE the Hallow app. It’s the best app I’ve ever seen/used, chock full of wonderful information, prayers, music, lessons, and things for kids, too).

3-Get the Ascension Press app.

4-Follow on YouTube.

Basically, Father Mike makes it pretty easy to find the way that suits you to follow along.

Fun Fact: if you don’t know how the Podcast started, Father Mike & Ascension created it during the pandemic. It was a way for people to hear God’s word during isolation.

STEP TWO – Download the reading plan

Go to Ascension Press to download your reading plan. Here is the link: Bible in a Year Reading Plan from Ascension Press.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The reading plan is not in chronological order.

• You will skip around according to the structure of the plan.

• It’s fun to cross off each day of the plan to mark your progress; it gave me great satisfaction.

• Father Mike will keep you on track.

STEP THREE – Select your Bible

Father Mike uses the Great Adventure Bible by Ascension Press. I did not. I used the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition by Catholic Bible Press (catholicbiblepress.com). I didn’t find it too difficult to hear Father Mike’s version but read along with my own version. It really was no big deal. Some words are phrased differently, but the gist of the WORD is the same. If you already own a Bible, you can just use that one.

STEP FOUR – Determine your level of commitment to Bible in a Year

So…what do I mean by this?

Some people may just want to listen to the Bible in a Year podcast. Perhaps you will listen in the car or while you walk. You may not want to take notes or journal the lessons and information you glean. That’s fine. Whatever works for you.

Sessions can last anywhere from approximately 15 minutes to the longer ones that run about 30 minutes. That is the oral, or podcast, commitment that you are signing up for each day. That is the bare bones time commitment.

However, there are those of us that want to take it a step further…

STEP FIVE – For those who want to journal or take notes on the experience

I went into this knowing I would give about an hour each day to Bible in a Year. I wanted to journal my experience and to take it all in each day; therefore, I spent time listening, writing, reflecting, and praying.

Ascension Press does have Bible in a Year workbooks (3 of them to get you through the material) that you can purchase to journal your journey. I did not want 3 books, but instead wanted everything all in one book/journal, so I ordered a Bible in a Year workbook by Kandi Gallaty on Amazon.

Now…here’s what I will say about Gallaty’s workbook. Yes, it covers the Bible in a Year, but not every reading that Father Mike reads. Because of that, I had to adjust her book by adding in (gluing in) extra pages to make it work for me. When I began to do this, I made it not only a journal, but a scrapbook of what I learned over the year. I added artwork that I didn’t know what to do with, such as my own art, stickers, prayer sheets, and other things to give it a very personal touch. Essentially, I wanted my journal as a keepsake. See the video I made about it below.

The video overview for the way I approached Bible in a Year

And yes, I just cut blank sheets of paper and glued them into the book where I needed more room to write. My journal became huge, but I didn’t care…this is how I wanted it. It is my reference when I need it, and I can reread some of my own comments/insights/prayers and personal thoughts that I made along the way for years to come.

My way is not the only way or right way. Please remember: reading the Bible is an extremely personal experience that you share with God (and Father Mike, lol), but it truly is a moving and profound experience if you allow time to reflect.

If you decide to do it, I hope you find it as rewarding an experience as I did. I will no doubt do it again, or pop into Father Mike’s readings when I need it! That’s the beauty of it. You never really have to be done with it.

Some additional reading I found useful during my year:

Woven by Angie Smith – this book, written with humor and love, tells the story of the Bible as ONE WOVEN STORY. I loved Angie’s humor and poignancy with the way she relays her connection to the Bible and what she has learned. I also really enjoyed two other books by Angie Smith: What Women Fear and Mended.

Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics ask about the Christian Faith by Josh McDowell & Don Stewart — given to me by a friend, this book shares research, including archaeological finds, researchers’ substantiations, and thorough knowledge about the validity of God’s word and what is written in the Bible.

I hope this post has been helpful for you. Should you have any questions at all, please feel free to pose your questions in the comments. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about it.

Wishing you a beautiful experience of reading the Bible in a Year!

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on December 27, 2023 12:06

The Reason Why Nonnatus House Is Idyllic: It’s All About Friendship & Camaraderie

Raise your hand if you watch Call the Midwife.

I’ve been watching this show since its beginning. In fact, I’ve been so enamored with it that it inspired my 2019 novel called Little Milestones. I even talk about the show in my author’s notes.

Now, with the 12th season of the show under my belt, I have a pretty good handle on the reason why Nonnatus House is idyllic for those of us who watch the show.

Nonnatus House stands for something important. It is a beacon of light, because it represents everything that is good and solid and kind about friendships, particularly female friendships. Nonnatus House is the ship, and the midwives are the captains of the ship. Most importantly, it’s the place where love is given, understanding is the core of the relationships, and acceptance for who we are as people, including our flaws and our brokenness, is impenetrable.

Woven into the stories of the midwives are the people they serve in the community of Poplar in London. Countless lives are brought into the world by these midwives; as well, they offer care at the end of life or in times of tragedy. I relish the weaving of stories about their patients and their pregnancies, the way the midwives intermingle and support one another, and the way the community rallies together in times of trouble (as well as in times of happiness and celebrations). It’s heartening to see the bonds women form, and they stand as the very best examples of what healthy female friendships look like. Nonnatus House is the idyllic place for friendships to grow and for enduring bonds to form. As well, the men in the show all connect, too, and they have special friendships with the midwives and the nuns. It’s super cute, actually.

As well, the intermingling of the religious nun midwives and the lay midwives offers its fair share of great examples of kindness through and through. While sometimes the nuns do not understand the other midwives and vice versa, they respect each other. A sense of deep love for one another penetrates the heart. I absolutely love the way Call the Midwife portrays friendships; it continues to serve as inspiration for my own friendships with women I consider friends.

Loving each other, supporting each other, listening to each other, caring for one another—the show, as it moves into Season 13, continues to stress the importance of each of these qualities as paramount for fostering bonds that cannot be broken.

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on November 21, 2023 18:31

Fashion, Art + Other Things

Some quick updates, as I haven’t been making my rounds on here as often as I would like.

AMAZON STOREFRONT

As many of you know, I love clothes and fashion. I’m also getting into watercolor painting and artsy things, as well as writing my books. For these reasons, when I was invited to set up an Amazon Storefront, I said, “Why NOT?” So, I’m linking to it here. You’ll find some of my favorite fashions, household items, art supplies, and, of course, my books. Additionally, for those who are currently doing (or hope to do) Bible in a Year, I share my supplies and the workbook I’m using for that endeavor. I also love my readers that come in a 3-pack for $16.49. All listed in my storefront.

Amazon Storefront Link

UPCOMING BOOK TALK

I’ll be traveling to Delaware for a book talk at the Bridgeville Library. Several book clubs will be on hand, as well as members of the library. It’s open and free to the public, so come by if you are in the area. I’m always excited to meet new people and talk books, publishing, and reading. I’ll have books on hand to sign, and I’d love to field questions from the audience about the process and writing in general. Flier below.

BACK TO MY ROOTS DURING THE PLAYOFFS

Stacey and me—learning her job!

My friend, Stacey, owns an events company, Earl Beckwith & Associates, Inc., and stages a lot of events for the Orioles. We went to a game prior to the Orioles making the playoffs, and she was sharing her concern of not being around for the events she would stage for playoffs due to a vacation she had planned. Always up for fun and a challenge, I offered my services to help in her absence. When she took me up on my offer, I enjoyed being back in the fold of my days of old at Camden Yards, and I had fun working in the media room and overseeing a couple of spaces she had set up for the team. I loved being in the mix temporarily. I won’t forget it, and I’m so glad she trusted me with her company in her absence. And don’t worry about the Orioles–we’ll get ’em next year.

NEW BOOK IS IN ITS EDITING PHASE

I am working my way through my latest novel, DODGING LIES, line by line and word by word. The editing phase is the most tedious, but I want to get this right. I will shop it out a little bit, and then, we will see. I’m pretty comfortable with the self-publishing process and have been doing it for years. With the success of The Letters in the Books, and the love people have for that novel, who knows what path I will take. I like telling stories the way I want them told–without someone else telling me how to modify my storyline. So, it’s that comfort and stubbornness that may lead me to self-publish again. We shall see.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SCROOGE

If you didn’t get to purchase your copy of FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE, you can get your copies now. I love how Adrianna Murphy illustrated the second edition of the book for me, and it makes a great gift for your favorite SCROOGE lover. I attempted to tell “the rest of Scrooge’s story” about what happened to him after he changed his ways, and I did my best to stay true to Dickens’ story. He is one of my favorite storytellers of all time, and I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. People who have read the book so far seem to have really enjoyed it, and I’m so thankful. You can order copies here on my website if you want them personalized, or they are available through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

DABBLING IN ART

When I tell you that I am no artist, I am no artist. Yet I’ve found myself wanting to try to be artistic. Social media has been a great place to learn from artists who know what they’re doing. Following others has led me to try things I normally wouldn’t try, and it’s been a fun diversion from writing. (Don’t get me wrong, writing will always be my first love, but playing with art taps into another side of my brain). Some of my latest art I’ve created is below:

My latest dabbles

That’s it for now…I hope you all are well! xxoo

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on November 01, 2023 11:47

Censored on Social

To be honest, I’m getting a little sick of being unfairly censored on social media. And when you hear my story, you’re going to end up scratching your head just as I am.

Twice, I’ve been flagged by “fact checkers” and censored for posting this particular quote on Instagram:

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams

The quote is one that is found on EVERY LEADERSHIP website. Do a search yourself, and you will see.

Last week, as a fan and supporter of the television show about Jesus and His disciples called The Chosen, I was slapped with another lovely form of censorship. Simply by writing a comment complimenting The Chosen on their lovely apparel (softest sweatshirt I’ve ever owned) and their travel coffee tumbler, I got smacked with a message telling me I went against community guidelines. For one week, I was not allowed to comment on anyone else’s post. Go figure. I appealed the suspension three times to no avail. No one bothered to answer my complaint, even when it said to “tell us if we got it wrong” in the message I received when my hand got slapped. (Again, for no reason).

Well, they got it wrong, but no one cared.

Today, I’m out of censorship jail.

It would be one thing if I did something wrong, like the hundreds of bots and creepy porn sites that try to connect with my account over the course of a year.

But I didn’t do that.

Or perhaps if I used profane language that offended someone.

But I didn’t do that.

Or perhaps if I said something ridiculously harmful, untrue, or blasphemous.

But I didn’t do that.

Additionally, I keep my political views to myself and never get into controversial conversations.

I’m a rule follower on Instagram. I follow the rules. I obey the guidelines, so when I’m unfairly pegged for something I didn’t do, it’s infuriating.

I’m not the only one posting about a situation like this; I see it happening to others more and more, and it’s bunk. It’s a bunch of bunk.

I’ll leave it there and let you decide if it’s fair or not.

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Published on September 25, 2023 10:05

Baseball as a Backdrop…again…in my upcoming novel

The second novel I published, Baseball Girl, takes place in the big leagues, with Francesca Milli working in the front office of a baseball team (The Blackbirds). The novel explores the professional side of baseball, while Francesca (Frankie) copes with the death of her father and explores relationships with two men: Joe, a baseball player, and Jack, a baseball writer. If you can smell there’s a love triangle, you are correct.

Now, as the the finish line is in sight, and I look to publish my 8th novel currently entitled Dodging Lies, baseball is in the backdrop once again. Except this time it’s 1956 in New York City, and the Brooklyn Dodgers are rumored to be moving to Los Angeles. The female protagonist, Veronica, is a writer with The News when she meets Perry, the new sportswriter who will cover the Dodgers. They fall in love. And while this relationship is a big part of this novel, it’s not the main story. Instead, this novel focuses on family deception and lies, and focuses on the toxic relationship between Veronica and her sister, Essie. There’s a lot of tension between them, and when Veronica ends up writing a story about a mafia leader named Rosa Manetti—a woman not too unlike herself—everything begins to unravel. Veronica uncovers her own family secrets.

It’s been fun to travel back in time and write about a different time period. I had to get the clothes, the colloquial language of the day, the slang, and the setting of New York City in the 1950s just right. I love doing this type of research, watching old movies, seeing what was hot at the time. It all goes into telling a story that feels authentic. And in terms of toxic female relationships, I’ve had my fair share. We all have.

I’m working through the final round of edits, meticulously combing through each chapter, reading it aloud, to make sure it reads like a story set in the 1950s.

I’m pretty excited about Dodging Lies. Similar to the way Wicked has two female characters (witches) at the helm, this story has a similar feel, minus the witches.

Although one character, perhaps, is a bit witch-like.

**********************

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on September 19, 2023 09:56

Sharing News About a Book Award :-)

First, let me start by saying that I’m so happy to hear how The Letters in the Books has touched so many hearts. I continue to hear from readers that they loved the story, and that it made them want to do more acts of kindness. That truly touches my heart, so thank you for letting me know how the book has affected you.

Second, because of that, I entered the book into the annual Readers’ Favorite Contest, and am happy to report that the novel came in third, earning a Bronze Medal in the category of Inspirational Fiction. As a teacher for 30 years and as someone who loves to write, I see it as one of my gifts to try my best to inspire others. Therefore, this award in this category makes me incredibly happy.

Third, and this is directed to anyone who has a goal in life—my advice is simple: never stop going for it. Whether you touch 10 or 10,000 hearts, keep doing what you love, because somewhere down the line someone will tell you something like this: “Because of this book, I wrote letters at Christmas to all my favorite people telling them how much I love them.”

And that makes it all worthwhile.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About the novel:

Can a handwritten letter found inside a book change the course of your life? Empath Meg Ellis believes it can. One snowy evening in early December on the night of Midnight Madness, a kick-off to the holiday season in Annapolis, Maryland, four downtrodden people walk into Meg’s bookstore at different times throughout the evening and become recipients of her inspirational letters. Over the course of a year, Meg’s clandestine, handwritten letters help positively change the trajectory of these vulnerable characters’ lives. Before long, Eva Levoni, Reid Jones, Lily Webster, and Dimitri Vassos become connected; prior to that night, they were not. Friendships form, romances bud, and their bonds become strong. Additionally, Meg’s backstory reveals why she takes the time to write the letters of encouragement—a handwritten letter she received years prior following the death of a beloved cousin. Meg, too, finds herself on a journey of her own.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.

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Published on September 09, 2023 09:00