Susie Finkbeiner's Blog, page 10
June 25, 2013
In Memory
I had a ridiculous post written. I quoted Chumbawamba (a band from 1997). I was crazy in that post.
I deleted it.
Here’s why. I just found out that a really great woman died.
Her name is Winifred Olds. She had a name that many in Lansing, Michigan (my home town) knew. And I want to tell you why I know her name.
Way back, when I was in fourth grade, I was an awkward, mullet headed, wart fingered little girl. And what I lacked in confidence, I made up for in…well…poor fashion sense.
I wasn’t one of the cool kids.
My safe place was at church. Calvary United Methodist Church on Pennsylvania road in Lansing, Michigan. Want to know why I was safe? Because most everyone at that church was somehow related to me. And, if they weren’t related, they were a bit older and thought my mullet was cute.
My church put on melodramas. The “whoa is me”, “alas”, and “well, I never” type of melodramas. And I loved it. My job? Standing in for my sister Ginger. She missed 78.5% of the rehearsals. I had all of her lines memorized. I may or may not have prayed that she’d miss the performance so that I could be on that little, itty bitty stage.
Winifred Olds directed the play. And she knew her stuff. She was a real, honest to goodness actress. Like. For. Real.
And she said I was a good little actress.
Me.
And when she said that, it made me feel big and small and nervous and proud all at the very same time.
Because I didn’t always feel good at things. And I really loved how it felt to slip into the character and say the bold, brash, crazy, funny things written in the script.
And Winifred said I did it well.
She injected confidence into my life.
And I know I wasn’t the only one to receive her warm encouragement.
I’m so thankful to have had her in my life. Just at a time when I needed encouragement more than anything else.
She had a hand in making me who I am.
How about you? Who had a hand in making you who you are? I love reading what you have to say. Let’s take today to honor those who have helped us along in this life!
June 21, 2013
2013 Trafficking in Persons Report Released
This past Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State released the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Secretary of State, John Kerry, delivered the report stating...
"When we help countries to prosecute traffickers, we are strengthening the rule of law. When we bring victims out of exploitation, we are helping to create more stable and productive communities. When we stop this crime from happening in the first place, we are preventing the abuse of those who are victimized as well as the ripple effect that caused damage throughout communities into our broader environment and which corrupt our global supply chains.
June 20, 2013
Why I Write
My sophomore year in college, I took a creative writing class. The class was sure to help improve my writing, spark my imagination, and induce cold sweats and heart palpitations.
“Your first assignment,” George the professor announced, “is to write an essay. Tell me why you write.”
Oh. Yeah. That’s easy. Right?
Uh. No.
At the time, I didn’t have my own computer. I had to sit in the computer lab (kids, this is what they used to call the tiny little room in the school library where they kept the Apple 2E machines).
photo from PC & Tech Authority
“Why do I write?” I asked. Possibly aloud. “I don’t really know.”
Sitting in front of the black screen, green letters scrawled out across it, I couldn’t really answer that question. It was far too loaded. Far too deep for me to reach without falling into some gross stuff I didn’t want to touch.
I didn’t want to admit that, back then, I wrote so that people would see me. That they would know me. I wanted them to hear my hurt, joy, frustration, confusion. My angst.
And I wrote fiction so that they wouldn’t know it was ME they saw.
Oh. The angst.
But, back then, I didn’t have the courage to write that down. I couldn’t really articulate that. I was nineteen. Still a chid in so many ways. So, I wrote about the hula dancer bobble head that sat on my desk back at the dorm. I think I might have claimed her as my Muse. That she forced me to write…or something really silly.
My defense mechanism? Silliness.
Shoot. Now you know.
Since that day, I’ve pondered the question. Why do I write? Why bother?
I have spent hours writing. Far more than would consume a full time job. And I’ve made…well…not a lot of money doing it (seriously, writers aren’t rich unless they’re Stephen King).
Why do I even bother?
I’m no longer the little girl writing to be seen.
I’ve grown up. Had careers and losses. I’m in a beautiful marriage to a man who loves me. We have crazy, wild, wonderful children. I don’t need to be seen.
Sitting here at the desk in my kitchen, typing away on my MacBook (far cry from the 2E), I read something that made me say, “Yup. That’s it.”
John D. Blase is a poet, editor, author, cool guy. He blogs over at The Beautiful Due. On Facebook, he wrote what he looks for in writing and I wanted to share it with you (I did get his permission, of course).
“I’m interested in writing that speaks of life lived on this dark and marvelous planet, writing that honors dying and sex and cottonwood trees and lower-middle-class cabernet and your daughter’s faded red robe that hangs behind the door and the fact that your grandfather poured cream in his cereal instead of milk. I’m interested in writing that smells and tastes and feels, writing that makes the marrow burn. I’m not interested in any other kind of writing.”
I read that. Just a simple Facebook status update. And I thought, “Yes. There it is.”
No hula girls or monster computers. No hiding or screaming to be heard.
I write to speak of life. And to honor. And to burn the marrow.
And, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the only writing worth while.
Your turn. Tell me, if you will, why you do what you do!
June 18, 2013
Short and Sweet
Congratulations to D Aycock Williams! You’re the winner of the $10 Better Way Imports gift certificate! Email me at susiefink[at]gmail[dot]com (replace the at with an @ and the dot with a…well… [.])
Last night, I printed off the fourth draft of a novel I’m writing. A novel that has kicked my rear end across the room, chased me down and kicked it again. And again. And again.
This novel has had me all kinds of emotional.
Today, I’m going to have to edit. I have my purple pens ready. A list of edits. A few characters to think out. A few to beef up. Dialogue to trim…and dialogue to expand.
And, if I’m going to be honest, I’m part excited, part terrified.
Excited because I know what this novel is growing into.
Terrified because…well, read why I’m excited.
So, if you’re the kind of person who likes praying for people, would you mind praying for me. Just for perseverance and courage to finish this novel and send it off to the world. It would mean a lot to me.
Now tell me…what is something you could use prayer for? What’s going on in your life?
June 13, 2013
Power Out
Don’t forget to enter the drawing for a $10 Better Way Imports gift certificate…Go HERE to find out how!
I’m writing this novel. I have 49 days to finish it.
49 days.
Forty-nine.
I’ll be honest, there are moments when I KNOW I’m going to get it done. That I’ll be able to send it in early. I have moments when I think, “Golly, this is a good book!”.
More often, thought, I have moments when I KNOW I’m not. That is will NEVER be finished. That no one will want to read it. That the close friends (or my mom) who do will toss it aside, unfinished because it is wretched…terrible…a waste of paper.
And, in those moments, I feel like I pulled a fast one on everybody with Paint Chips.
Gotcha.
And that, when I’m revealed as a complete and total fraud, everyone will laugh at me while tossing stinky, nasty, rotten eggs at my head.
Gross.
Last night, during a pretty big storm, the power went out.
The only light in my whole neighborhood came from the screen of my laptop. I wrote another couple of paragraphs. I tried to see my handwritten notes (half old school over here). I tried to force the writing.
After all, the deadline clock is ticking away quickly.
So.
Very.
Quickly.
But I couldn’t seem to make good progress. I got stuck.
And I panicked. A little.
“I’m never going to get this done!” and “Why did I think a second novel was a good idea?” and “Who am I kidding???” and “I can’t even risk opening the fridge to get a brownie!!!!!”
My husband came into the room. I didn’t tell him about my little, internal freak out.
He asked how many days I had left.
I told him.
“That’s a lot,” he said. “You’ll make it.”
Calm. Steady. Confident.
He poured himself a bowl of cereal and got out the milk (he’s quick like that).
I forgot to ask for a brownie.
I wrote another few paragraphs before going to bed.
Real, natural writing. In the dark.
I read a little on my iPod (reading by candlelight makes me carsick).
Putting my head on my pillow, I remembered something. Why I’m writing this novel.
Not so that it’s good enough.
Not so that people will like it. Give it 5 star reviews. Tell all their friends about it. (Although those are nice things).
Or to build a career for myself. Prove that “Christian” fiction doesn’t have to be blah, blech, blerg.
I’m writing this book so that God can be glorified.
That’s it.
So, with my cheek smooshed up against my pillow, I prayed a tiny little prayer…
“Please help me write this novel.”
If God could split a whole sea in half, cause the sun to stand still in the sky, and all the other REALLY big things He’s done…well…I suppose He’ll have no trouble helping me with this little novel.
How about you? What do you need His help with?
June 11, 2013
A Better Way to Shop
Make sure you ENTER for the chance to win a GREAT gift!!! Seriously. You don’t want to miss it! Also, don’t forget…for the month of June 50 cents from the purchase of each ebook of Paint Chips goes to the Manasseh Project!!!
This month, we’ve been talking quite a bit about human trafficking. Today, I wanted to call your attention to a company that makes shopping fun…and impacts the world! Better Way Imports sells items made by women around the world. These women have either been rescued from sex slavery or have been rescued before the trafficking even occurred (prevention is key to ending slavery). These women have a job now that enable them to live in freedom, feed and educate their children, work fair hours in a safe environment. Often the women learn to read and write, do simple math, and receive rehabilitation services. On our end, this company works through direct sales in the home of a host. Like a Tupperware party…but with a really great purpose. It’s a great way to get together with friends and do something that matters. Well, and purchase really great items. (They’re always hiring, too, by the way). Okay. I wanted to show you a few of my new favorite BWI items. All pictures are from their Facebook page.
The Basha Heart necklace. The silver heart is hand pounded and in such a unique shape. The silver chain has a strand of sari (traditional East Indian dress) woven in it. I get SO MANY compliments on this necklace!
The Raspberry Very Berry Bracelet. This is chunky and fun and PURPLE! I wear mine all the time. I mean it. It also comes in Blueberry, Wildberry (multi-colored), Blackberry (with reds and black), Kumquat (yellows), Hazelnut (browns), and Olive (um…greens…of course!)
The Lunar Canvas Act Justly bag is what I’m using for a purse these days. I love it because it is BIG, durable, can be worn across my body…and because it carries the message of Micah 6:8!
I want to encourage you to check out Better Way Imports! So…click HERE to see more of their gorgeous items, to learn about them as a Fair Trade Federation member, and how to get involved! Also, I’m giving away a $10 gift certificate for Better Way Imports items. (Gift certificate must be used through Kathi Hanson…I’ll hook the winner up with her at the end of the give-away).
Go to the Better Way Imports website…tell me in the comments which is your FAVORITE item. +2 points
Like the Better Way Imports Facebook Page. +2 points (let me know in the comment section, please)
Like my Facebook author page. +1 point
(If you already do like the Facebook pages, just let me know in the comments)
Share this post, tagging me, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. +1 point for each post.
Ready? Set! Go!
June 10, 2013
Writer’s Block
Hey Howdy, Friends!
Summer has arrived and I’ve only got 52 days until my second novel is due. So, in order to keep life a little less full, I’ve decided that I’ll blog here on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of the summer.
Sound good?
So, for today, I’m blogging over at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference blog. Click HERE to read about a day in the life of a blocked writer.
I hope you enjoy it!
See you tomorrow!
June 5, 2013
Confession
Today I’m the guest blogger over at Confessions of a Funeral Director. I wrote about the death of my friend, Trevor.
To be completely honest, I feel very vulnerable. The piece is non-fiction. I usually prefer the shield of fiction. Being able to hide myself within the writing. But this time, it’s all my very raw emotion.
If you’re the kind of person who hangs out with me on this blog, would you please stop over at Caleb’s blog today and check out my post? You can find it by clicking HERE. Then, go through his archives. Caleb is a sixth generation funeral director who is very good at making himself vulnerable about his profession. Start with his post yesterday by clicking HERE, where he writes about why he’s a funeral director.
If you’re new around here…welcome! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’ll look through some of my posts.
I hope you all have a very nice day.
Check back Friday for a video blog. See you then!
June 3, 2013
Can’t Un-Know. Can’t Un-See
Don’t forget, for the whole month of June, 2013 50 cents from the sale of each Paint Chips ebook will be donated to The Manasseh Project! Read more HERE.
In Paint Chips, Paul learns about sex trafficking when he’s needed to help find a girl who has returned to “the life”. Once he learns about the problem, he can’t un-know it. Once he sees the girls on the track, he can’t un-see it.
He feels compelled to do something.
Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. Often we learn about a problem or evil or abuse in this world. And we do nothing. We flip to another channel. Change the subject. Let our minds stray and wander to think that it’s not that bad.
It isn’t because we’re bad people. It’s because we feel paralyzed to do anything. The issue seems too large. Beyond our reach.
We despair.
But, on the other hand, learning and seeing what’s happening in the world can also make you spring into action…no matter how small the action may seem to you.
Maybe you decide to learn more about what Fair Trade means. And you use that information to purchase ethically sourced items. Or, you look into organizations like The Manasseh Project. And you ask them to come speak at your church or place of business. You find that you want to help prevent human trafficking, so you look up mentoring programs in your community and sign up to impact the life of a kid who needs a little support. You might even be good at writing letters to politicians, telling them that you want tougher laws against trafficking, and more money allotted to the rehabilitation of survivors.
There are real life ways that we can work on solving the problem of modern day slavery. But we all need to pitch in.
“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa
Check in on Wednesday to learn more about how we can use our buying power to make a big difference!
May 31, 2013
June Fundraising For Manasseh Project
Spring boarding off my post from Wednesday, I thought we’d take a step together to fight human trafficking.
Yeah. We’re going to work as a team!
Here’s what we’re going to do.
For the whole month of June, 50 cents from the sale of each ebook version of Paint Chips will go to The Manasseh Project. So, from a $3.03/$3.99 sale, 50 cents goes to assisting a great organization that works to rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking in West Michigan.
I would really love to see Manasseh get LOTS from this. So, here are the ways we’re going to work together.
1. Link the Amazon ebook page on Facebook/Twitter/Google+ explaining the fundraiser (50 cents goes to Manasseh for each ebook sold). Here is that link. I’m asking people to post this throughout the month of June.
2. This is all about Manasseh…not about me. So, if people want to donate HUGE sums of money straight to the organization, I’m VERY cool with that. They can do so on the organization’s website. In fact, if you’re interested in posting that link, too, I’m cool with that.
3. If you’re a person of prayer, pray that God can use this fundraiser for His glory and to spread His kingdom. Again, I don’t want this fundraiser to be able me. I want it to be about the kids who will be impacted by this organization and what God can do in their lives. I’m not doing this to get a good name for myself…but to push all the glory upward to God. So, pray for that, too, please!
Thanks, everybody. If you know me, you know that I have a passion to see trafficking victims become survivors. And I’m all about supporting the amazing people who do that work.
I am so glad to have you on the team!
