Christene Houston's Blog: Christenehouston.com, page 7

Weekend Inspiration

When I was little, I learned to play the piano and a very simple selection of Christmas music. When my Grandpa came for Christmas, he listened patiently while I plunked away and then I asked him if he had a favorite Christmas song. I will always remember that he said, “White Christmas.” Of course, this was a song I had not yet mastered and it didn’t seem to bother him. But I have always loved this song and wanted to learn to play it because he loved it. What are your favorite songs this time of year? Which ones remind you of loved ones and special times?

Brave

I adore this video! Just watching it makes me want to get up and dance, forgetting all the reasons why I hold still sometimes. My favorite moment is when she says, “Show me how big your brave is!” This means so much to me on different levels – owning my brave. How big is your brave?

 

Writing Retreat

About a month before I had my baby, I was invited to be part of this amazing writing retreat that would whisk me away from my little hooligans for a full four days and plop me in the midst of writing heaven. There would be great food (always a must, right?), wonderful company, and plenty of devoted writing time.

For anyone who is nearing the end of their pregnancy, you know I jumped at the chance to be a part of this weekend. First of all, I needed somewhere to focus my attention. I hadn’t written in months! AND I couldn’t think of a better group of writers to hang out with.

While we were there, we did writing sprint competitions. Of course there was one queen of the sprints and I have to tell you, she truly motivated me to write like the wind. And write I did. Intent on finishing my Regency Romance, I wrote every day until completing it Saturday night! I was so thrilled! During the process, I kept running into blocks from my critical brain, asking me why in the world I thought I could write this, until one fellow author mentioned how she often has to remind herself that the first draft of anything is always less than stellar and in need of lots of TLC before it will become the polished beauty of a manuscript we’ll willingly let others read. How I needed to hear that! After working on revisions in one book or another, I’d forgotten how rough the first draft could be and how important it is to just keep writing and get the darn thing done so you can begin polishing it up.

Other faves of the weekend included my driving companion, Jessie Humphries. I loved talking to her and getting her perspective on the whole publishing world. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the first installment of her YA Thriller available through Amazon.com coming this May. I visited with another author who talked about the pros of self publishing through Amazon. I learned SO much and these ladies were absolutely willing to share their thoughts and tips to success and I just loved them for it.

Perhaps my favorite moment was one of the last nights when one cute lady was spinning tunes for us, another was dancing, and all the rest of us were enjoying a break from marathon writing with some great music. I could not have asked for a better weekend, or more successful one either.

Here is the little excerpt I posted on FB that comes from my just finished book:

 “I wish…” he stopped himself and I shivered at the closeness of his voice. I dared not turn to him. I would not be able to resist pulling him back into my arms, no matter how disastrous the results. Instead I felt his fingers gliding over my hair and the deep sigh of his breath against my skin. Closing my eyes didn’t help for his face loomed beneath them.

“I could bear it all if only I knew I had not caused you pain.”

“Then you have not,” I said firmly, forcing my voice to be steady. “You did not hurt me, Gilbert. It is only inconvenient with the summer so close to an end. I will find someone else to answer my mother’s demands, that is all.”

I felt him step closer and desperately hoped he would pull me to him, that he would refute my despair and rescue me one more time from the darkness of this horrible day. But even as I hoped, I knew he could not and I could only struggle to hold back the tears when I heard him turn away.

“Goodbye Amy.”

(c) 11-2013 Christene Houston Rosewood

I’ll be polishing away until this little man of mine comes. When I get it into the hands of a great agent and publisher, I will let you know when to expect your copy.

Weekend Inspiration

Two months ago, my little nephew was born premature and struggling. Every day that he spends in the NICU with determined and skilled nurses and his mother and father doing all they can to help him come home, I thank heaven for those who don’t just pray but do. I thank God for the friend who sent a woman to clean my sister’s home while she is busy loving her baby. I have usch gratitude for every hand that brings in a dinner or watches after her two other children. I love those nurses who fight for my baby nephew to the bottom of my heart. Every one of us has the chance to be angels walking on this earth. When we ask, we’ll know what to do, and I can tell you, you’re heart will never be the same.

~ Happy Thanksgiving ~

Thankfuls

During November, our family does something simple, but special every night during our time together at dinner. After blessing the food, we all take turns telling our our Thankful is for the day. My youngest believes in consistency and proclaims himself thankful for trucks every single day.

My oldest daughter finds it humorous to be thankful for specific food items.

My second daughter gets a hint from our rolled eyes and goes for something more thoughtful, like certain family members.

My oldest son wavers between the ridiculous to the serious.

Mr. Houston can be depended on to say something he really is grateful for.

And I always think of the day and mention something that made me happy or exceptionally thankful.

Today, with only a few hours separating us from a day dedicated to thanks, I wanted to share my top 7 things I am grateful for:

1. Without a doubt, my family mean the most to me in all the world. I adore being a mother and especially being surrounded by the craziness that is my little world.

2. I could not go a day without my understanding of how God works in my life. It is the bedrock of my world view and guides the other choices I make in my life. If you’d like to know more about my faith, please ask me or you can get more information from this wonderful site – Mormon.org.

3. Long showers. This may seem like a frivolous thing to be grateful for, but as a mother of 4, almost 5 little people with a busy schedule and a thousand ideas, dates and plans racing through my brain, those moments of relative quiet, shuttered away from questions and constant chatter help me to center myself. I love a nice quiet shower.

4. Great books are an integral part of working to be a great writer. This month for Book Club, we read a book I never would have picked up on my own (The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern). I was blown away by Erin’s imagination and story telling. I couldn’t get over her ideas and intricacies in imagining the circus. Each time I read something amazing, whether simply so, or complexly contrived, I learn and grow and experience – all essential elements to being a great writer. If I ever stop reading, my education will end. I cannot imagine the idea! Reading has always been an essential escape and rejuvination for my mind and heart. I love it! Pick up a great book today!

5. While books are a constant education, music is a source of inspiration I cannot explain. I am a musician as well as a writer, so when I hear music, I don’t just hear beats and rhythm, though I adore a great beat. I hear the mixture of words, music and performance. The way someone sings the words of a song is just as important as the words themselves and the tune they’re matched with. Music is extremely powerful – it can create in someone a memory so powerful it can bring them to tears or thrust them out of depression. It can also inspire darkness, so I am very careful what I listen to. When I hear a new great song, I obsess with it until I’ve memorized every word. Music is just plain awesome and I’m so grateful for it’s effect in my life.

6. Service is powerful. I once learned that gratitude is the ultimate reframe, meaning, when I am down and feeling poorly about myself or a situation in my life, if I can get outside my head and think of or serve someone else, I can completely change my day. I just love that. Service can be as simple as a text letting someone know you’re thinking of them, a smile at someone in the carpool lane, a hug. It can be dinner brought after a busy day, helping someone when their little ones are sick, it can be anything that makes you think of others before yourself. It works miracles, literally and I love that something so simple can change your day. Give it a try.

7. My husband is the one of the best and most diligent people I know. Sure, he falls under the family banner of the first thankful, but he deserves a bit more time in this post. Through the difficult economic struggles of the last few years, I have been so grateful for his tenacity and determination. I am grateful for the amazing Dad he is. I love that he is sexier than ever, even if I am experiencing a “rounder phase” until this baby comes. I adore that he makes up his own words to music and is honestly surprised when I tell him what the real ones are. At times I grumble, but he is that guy you can call at any time to help and he is on his feet out the door in moments to give it. He never thinks to turn down someone in need unless he honestly can’t find a way to help. He is a cheerleader when I struggle for hope in myself and he likes to tease me when I am at the point of waddling pregnancy and need someone to tell me I’m not going to be pregnant forever. Everyone needs that one person who will have their back in challenging situations and for me, he’s that guy and more. I am beyond grateful to have such an amazing man in my life forever.

So there you have it. My top 7 Thankfuls. Now it’s your turn. Share with me, share with yourself, or share with your world, but just be grateful and see how much you smile today. Happy Thanksgiving y’all!

Vegas Valley Book Festival

I’ve been a part of some pretty amazing events of late, and I wanted to share with you. The Vegas Valley Book Festival is headed by a friend of mine, a kid I knew in High School who is making great things happen at the Historic 5th Street School, especially with this amazing Festival.

I first attended the Festival for the fun it afforded my kids. They walked through gathering all kinds of arts and crafts, picking up books, speaking to authors, hanging out with Clifford and Super Why. It was lots of fun for them. That was several years ago, and I can say this year I wished I’d brought my kids with me again! There was so much happening for the kids: hands on fun, characters walking around, and all kinds of awesomeness to keep their little bodies moving and exploring. To the organizers, I can’t say how I love seeing Las Vegas make kids a priority and this event is a definite win for families!

The next time I went to the Festival it was to sell my newly released book. I rented a little table in a quiet courtyard one little breezeway apart from the YA tents where things were hoppin’! There was a B&N tent there with sales ringing like crazy, a great big tent for YA authors to share in panels and all kinds of fun things happening. Needless to say, I was very grateful for my friends who came out and made my time at the table worth it. They made my day! But I knew next year, I needed to be on the other side with those amazing YA authors.

Thankfully, my HS friend pointed me in the right direction and introduced me to the queen of the YA portion of the Festival. Crystal has been a wonderful resource and friend ever since. I love working with her and each time we get together for various events, I learn more about this great little world of YA authors. I meet beautiful, talented people; I get to talk with librarians and educators, I get to sign and sell books, and always I feel happy to know more about this little lady who can sure get things done. Through Crystal’s help, I was able to be a part of the YA fun this year for the Festival.

I was on the schedule, I got to sit on a panel and share things about A Heart So Broken and answer questions about being an author. It was SO cool! I loved every minute! Later, they lined us up to sign books bought in that fabulous B&N tent. Mine were on sale next to other greats like Lindsey Leavitt and Tera Lynn Childs and I was thrilled to be rubbing shoulders with these amazing ladies and gentlemen.

This picture is of just of the YA authors who were in attendance. Can you believe it? Over 30 authors in attendance, some from as far as France! What a memorable day!

Next year, I’m sure VVBF will be bigger than ever. Mark your calendars, bring out the kids and your teens and plan to spend a great day in the wonderful Fall Las Vegas weather meeting authors, buying books and experiencing the fun of the Festival.

Weekend Inspiration

 

 

This!

 

 

Hear Me Roar

Just loving this song lately – and feeling the Eye of the Tiger today! Hope you’re out there roaring, too!

 

Weekend Inspiration

As I write this I am figuring out how to get three kids to two different schools while we battle with the determined indifference of a waitlist. The school year is beginning in moments and the solutions seem pretty bleak. I keep wondering why things have to be so challenging. But Harriet knew struggle and trials way better than I do, so I think I can trust her thoughts on hanging on. And I know I’m not alone in needing to have hope when there seems to be none. Here’s to holding tight when things seem impossible. Hang in there, friends…