Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 65

THROWBACK THURSDAY_HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween 2012Today is another throwback Thursday and I am traveling a short distance into the archives.

Several years ago I stopped celebrating Halloween for various reasons, much to my family's dismay. A couple of years ago I was overthrown and my husband allowed my children to participate once again.

So not wanting to go into all of that, I decided to share a couple of pics today of my kids costumes from last year. Yep, we're only traveling back one year for today's Throwback Thursday. Check it out:
Take a peek »

RANDOM RAMBLINGS_THE QUESTION

Last weekend I emailed a copy of Reflections of Promises to someone who won it in a free book giveaway, which I was participating in for another author. After emailing it I received a response stating that the book would be read and a review written once time allowed. And then the question came: the reader wanted to know if it was a Christian book.

I have long since stopped making apologies for the type of books that I write, but it did cause me to stop and question myself.

As a Christian woman, wife, and mother, should I change my focus on the type of subjects that I write about, as well as the content contained within? Am I painting a different picture of myself as an author and Christian than I intend to, when I include graphic details, and adult content in my books? Should I eliminate the information that I include?
In the past I would have struggled with these questions. But I only paused for a moment and said no. My writing is what it is, a true depiction of the struggles and challenges many people go through in life, not to be ignored, but attention brought to the matter. Many of these people are not in Christ and some are, but are struggling with their faith. The challenges that I portray in my books are no different than what people in everyday life encounter on a daily basis. I use these depictions to show regardless of the circumstances someone finds themselves in, they can rise above their limitations and still have victory. Does every life have a fairytale ending? No, and neither do my stories. But my characters do grow and evolve in those stories, as we should in real life.

My hope is that my books will touch someone out there and change a life. I pray that someone will become inspired and grow through reading my books, as they realize they are not alone in their struggle, and there is hope that things will get better and improve in their lives, too.

My characters have flaws just as real life people have flaws, and that's my audience. Those who are in a place of pain, a place of hurting, doubt, low self-confidence, or insecurities. That's the reader that I am trying to connect with, so that I may inspire, motivate, and encourage. We all fall short of His glory, and we all have the power through His Holy Spirit and within ourselves to change and improve if we just believe. That's what I like to convey through my writings.

So, no, I make no apologies for what I write; I just continue to write and grow as an author, improving my craft day by day...working on the masterpiece. And I continue to pray that people will be touched by my writings as they have often told me they are. I continue to fill my books with drama to keep people intrigued, because through feedback I know my readers like that. I promised on my website to take my readers' emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. That's what I intend to continue to do.

Knowing yourself, your purpose, and your place in this world makes all the difference in your life...and maybe that of someone else's. Keep Shining! Until the next time I'm just....


WRITING MY DREAMS,By: C. Michelle Ramseywww.cmichelleramsey.com

BOOK SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY_BLIND HER WITH BLISS

She's trying to find herself. He's attempting to hide. Together they'll discover a truth that threatens them both...

Investigating the death of her best friend, uptight accountant, JULIE TILLING, discovers a world of adult nightclubs and Internet intrigue. When shock jock DAMON COREY rocks her world in a wild night of lust, she wonders if she's found love...or the key to solving a murder.

Join me for the review of a romantic mystery. Another freebie on Amazon...
Take a peek »

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT_EXERCISING THE BEST OF YOU

The happiest life is that which constantly exercises and educates what is best in us. -Hamerton I read in a post that if we decided to no longer be physically active, or exercise again three things would happen to us: our muscles would get smaller, our lung capacity would be reduced, and we wouldn't be as flexible.  This same concept happens when we don't exercise and educate the best things within us. We have to dig down deep and pull out everything that is within us, to constantly improve ourselves and those we surround ourselves with. Whether it be by training, workshops and seminars, or constantly using that gift or talent to enhance our lives and those of others.  Not exercising and educating the best in us leads to:  WE BECOME SMALLER - We began to feel our opinions don't matter as much and the impact we have on the world around us and at large is no longer felt in a pertinent way.  OUR CAPACITY BECOMES REDUCED - Our ability to improve our lives and those of our loved ones and friends become greatly reduced. The difference that we could have made is no longer relevant as we have allowed our voice and gifts to atrophy away to nothingness. Sometimes we are more hesitant to speak up in a situation that would assist someone if they could just hear our guidance, or share our testimony, or offer up prayer or a word of encouragement. LOSE FLEXIBILITY - It becomes extremely challenging to adapt to the world around us and overcome obstacles that we face. We must always be prepared to embrace change and challenges in our lives. This enables us to grow as people and be a blessing in the lives of others. So what gift or talent have you ignored? What area of your life needs improvement? What God given, God breathed, talent, gift, or intellect lies dormant in you today? I encourage you to reach down deep inside pull it up, and exercise it. Find out how to improve your talents, how to educate yourself to become a better you, and exercise those gifts, talents, or intellect by using them for their designed purpose. EXERCISE ARTICLE LINK If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until next time I'm...

 JUST WRITING MY DREAMS, By: C. Michelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com

WRITER WEDNESDAY_INTERVIEWS

Hello everyone,

Today I have the pleasure of being interviewed in two different locations. This morning I am interviewed at MJ Kane's blog and this evening I will be hosted on Love A Natural Me radio show at 7 PM EST. Please join me in both locations to find out what secrets I will be dropping, and what I'm working on now.

If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until next time I'm...

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,
By: C. Michelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com

BOOK SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY_FLORIDA HEAT

SYNOPSIS: Florida heat is murder - and in FLORIDA HEAT the bodies are stacking up at an alarming rate. From the moment Probation Officer Jo Cazimer witnesses a murder her life is in jeopardy. Working with her best friend Detective Kate Snow they struggle to identify the killer. But in Florida the snakes slither, the gators are hungry and a serial killer is on the loose.Take a peek »

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY MOMENT_

Hi Everyone,

It's been awhile I know, but I'm back, and I've missed everyone. My wonderful laptop battery died on me, I purchased a new battery and found it wasn't the battery after all. The Office Depot guy was wrong, and I was right (I think), it's my battery charger.

Well anyway, I found something on the Internet this morning to get you inspired, and will hopefully get your day, week, and life started out on a brilliant note, for an exceptional you. Check out the list below, and subscribe to at least three of them and see the change in your life. Tell me which ones you chose, I want to know.





Which ones did you choose? I chose 4, 5, & 18 to get started. Be blessed this Marvelous Monday!

If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until next time I'm...

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,
By: C. Michelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com

TOO MANY GAMES?

Going through the archives, I decided to repost an old blog post from last year...

She had known him for quite some time in the professional arena. He continued to ask her out on dates, but she always refused. Her friends continued to encourage her to just give it a try. After all what could she lose? Despite her hesitancy, she gave in to the urging of her friends, called him up, and invited him to an event. Of course he accepted.
Take a peek »

DO YOU LET YOUR RIGHT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR LEFT HAND IS DOING?

There is an old saying “Never let your right hand know, what your left hand is doing.” I first heard this saying several year ago. This morning, I was listening to the radio and callers were commenting on old sayings their parents taught them, which they still adhered to. One young lady called in and quoted this particular saying.
Ladies, many of you may not agree with me, but I wholeheartedly disagree with that mentality. Keeping things from your spouse for what you may consider to be their good, or the good of the marriage, can undoubtedly come back to haunt you. Not in all cases, but why take the risk when the outcome is uncertain?
Some women take on this thought process when it comes to shopping, while still others take it further into the marriage than simple ideas. When you practice something repeatedly it becomes habit; it becomes who you are. That attitude will mold and shape your personality and create an untrustworthy individual.
I am in no way saying that I am perfect, or have all the answers to a successful marriage; and I definitely make more than my share of mistakes. Yet, I cannot see the gain in subscribing to an attitude that is uniquely designed to destroy the trust and belief in a marriage.
Your husband and you have agreed to not purchase any unnecessary items for a time, because you are saving for something really important. You get a bonus on your paycheck and have a little extra money, rather than divulge this information to him, you decide to purchase a new outfit and shoes. ‘Hey, it’s not going to hurt anything. We weren’t expecting this bonus anyway, but since I earned it, I’m going to reward myself.’
You sneak it into the house later on when he isn’t home, and hide it at the back of the closet as if it’s an old outfit. One day you pull it out to wear it and your husband comments on it. You respond: “This old thing?” and laugh and shrug it off. You have not only just attempted to deceive him (I say attempt because oftentimes men aren’t fooled, they just look the other way to avoid the argument), but you have created a tiny wedge between the two of you.
Now that man is sitting there probably wondering ‘why did she just lie to me about something that simple.’ Not realizing that when you purchased it, you hid it because you really weren’t supposed to be spending money on shopping at that point in your lives. The only thing he understands is that his wife just lied to him about something really simple, and now he’s wondering what else you have lied about. What other discretions are you hiding from him? You have planted a seed of doubt about your word, in your husband’s mind.
Not to mention now he’s beginning to feel as if he can keep things from you…after all, what else are you holding back. How far does this back and forth go? What lines are crossed? It can go on and on and get deeper and deeper. But there again, this is just a piece of this writer.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.   If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above. Until next time I'm...

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,
By: C. Michelle Ramsey
www.cmichelleramsey.com

WONDERFUL RADIO WEDNESDAY

Internet radio, we all listen to it through our laptops, phones, and other mobile devices. We love it for the versatility and the exposure to various musical genres, and stations we now have access to on a global scale. Pandora is my favorite, allowing me to create and listen to my own selection of favorite artists, this app took my heart by storm a few years ago. It is my go-to at any given time, especially when I need some jazz to unwind. Another popular one is iHeart Radio. I have selected some radio stations to add to my favorites list, which are not aired on regular stations here in the Atlanta area. One area that I have not been familiar with is talk radio.
I was recently approached by fellow blogger Yvette Brooks, inviting me to be on her show "Love A Natural Me." The show is aired every Wednesday night from 6-8 pm CST and specializes in current events, interviews, and loving your natural self. The discussion topics range from food to health and wellness, and relationships to natural hair care.

Well, Ms. Brooks will be hosting me tonight on her online radio show "Love A Natural Me." We will be discussing my latest novel Is The Grass Really Greener?, the first two books, Reflections of Promises and Real Secrets, and other projects that I have in the works. I would love for you to join me. I am scheduled to be interviewed during the first segment of 6-7 CST, and that's 7-8 EST (my time). I just may be giving away some great reads, too.

I have to admit I am nervous because I have never done a radio show before, so I have no idea what to expect. The closest I have come to that is appearing on a local cable station promoting some programs for the YMCA at that time. The calming factor? It was taped and not a live show, but yes my hands still shook, my voice was a bit quivery (to me anyway), and those butterflies were tearing me up inside. So with all that said, tonight I will probably be going through the same thing. Just pray for your girl to make it through gracefully. ;)

Please join me tonight, and check them out every Wednesday. You might find yourselves pleasantly surprised.

If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon below. Thanks for dropping in and as always, please leave a comment, because I just love chatting with you. You can link up with me online using the icons above.

Until next time I'm...

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,
By: C. Michelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com