Lara Van Hulzen's Blog, page 8

California Dreamin'

It's summer. And I love summer. I'm not a hot weather person necessarily, but I like the season. Summer season means my kids are home, our schedules are mellow (unlike during the school year), and we get to just be.

Yesterday, I laid next to the pool and stared at the sky. Kicking my feet in the water, I listened to music and took in the clouds floating by. I watched the bright red dragonfly that lives in my backyard as it floated around me. I listened to the birds rustling the leaves of the trees. Contentment coursed through my veins as I soaked it all in. I live in California so I guess it's safe to say I did some California Dreamin'.

I've been fortunate enough so far to not have deadlines during the summer. This will not always be the case, and that's okay. But I'm learning that in taking this time off to daydream and relax, ideas for stories and characters are popping up everywhere. I write them down in my notebook then continue with my chill time.

I think we get so caught up in the "shoulds" of life. I should be writing. I should be doing character sketches. I should be researching for that next book. Do all of those things need to happen? Of course. But if that's all we ever do, we may burn out and not stop to kick our feet in the water and get the next story idea.

That goes for reading too. I've let go of my guilt of not being deep into reading right now and have embraced watching reruns of Friends with my kids or Mythbusters or Shark Week. You'd be amazed at how much creativity weaves through my head during those times.

The super cool part of doing some California Dreamin' is I'm itching to get back into my office. Excited to look over the notes I've taken, the ideas I've come up with and play with those. Character sketch. Write. Create.

And the beautiful thing is I can do some California Dreamin' anytime, anywhere. I just need to toss the "shoulds" aside.

Then And Now

As a writer and a reader things are different now than they used to be. I know, I know. Nothing is. There are advancements in technology and e-readers have rocked the publishing world. 
But I'm talking more about the individual. As a reader, I used to read the back of a book jacket and get a paragraph or two of information on the author. I would wonder where they lived, what their favorite books were, and what their process was in writing. I would think of how nice it would be to write them a note telling them how much I loved their book. If only I had an address or somewhere to send such note. 
Now, I can follow authors on Facebook and Twitter, along with other forms of social media. Not only can I tell them how much I liked their book, I also now know their dog's name and favorite dessert. 

As a writer, I used to sit in Borders and journal, tap away on my laptop, sip coffee, and soak in the atmosphere. Books all around. Others sitting nearby reading or writing as well. 
I would pour over Writer's Market for hours making spreadsheets of which publishing houses would take my submission and what editors to send my proposal to. 
Now, bookstores are hard to find and everything is on-line. Go to a web-site and voila! You have all the info you need on a publishing house. 
Don't get me wrong. I love the advancements. Social media has done wonders for authors and I have formed networks and friendships I never would have been able to before. 
But I'll be honest. There's a part of me that sometimes misses the mystery. The wonder that came from reading a book and knowing little of the author. 
I guess in some ways, I can have the best of then and now. I can still journal in a coffee shop and wonder what inspires other authors. Or I can look on social media and see what they've been up to that day. 
Overall, it's a pretty cool time to be a writer and reader. 

A Full Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion May 31, 2015

It’s been a big week. I finished writing Rescue Me, the third book in my Men of Honor series, Thing 1 and Thing 2 graduated from middle school, and Girly is now a senior. Needless to say, we are taking the weekend to relax and soak it all in.

My heart is full. Full of great memories, moments, people who bring such joy. I’m grateful to God for all he has done. I’m excited to see all He will do in the years to come.

Psalm 9:1 – I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart…

 

Writing and Road Trips

I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I've been writing novels for about ten years. 
For me, writing a novel is like taking a long road trip with characters as my travel companions. I plug along putting some miles, or word count/pages, behind me. I stop at times along the way and chat with people. Explore, take in surroundings, then move forward inspired by what I've seen and heard. The plot is my road map. Sometimes the characters drive and I change course, but I drive (write) again. Along the way I stop and think about the miles behind (edit) but the destination is always in my sights. 
The feelings I have when I reach my destination (finished novel) always varies because every trip is different. 
I just finished the manuscript for Rescue Me, the third book in my Men of Honor series. To be honest, I don't really recall how I felt when I finished Remember Me (book one). Unfortunately, that was a road trip with so many twists and turns and bumps in the road I think I was just relieved when it was over. 
When I finished Get To Me (book two), I was sad. I loved those characters so much - loved writing them. I was bummed our road trip together was over. 
In finishing Rescue Me (book three) I was not only at the end of one book's jouney but all three. I finished a series. I've never done that before. Honestly? It felt pretty awesome. And I liked these characters a lot. I enjoy their story even more. Where the first two had more suspense, this one feels like a deeper love story. 
Like any adventurous road trip, I'm a tad bummed these three are over. But I look forward to the next one. Where will it take me? Who will I meet? What will inspire me. Writing is never boring, that's for sure. 
The adventure is in the journey, not the destination. I believe I'm ready to grab the keys and jump back in the car...

Jesus and 70’s Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion May 17, 2015

I love to travel. I hate to fly. I used to like it. Not so much now. I’m not sure what changed, exactly. I just know I can have a panic attack at 30,000 feet in a hurry.

Music helps. I plug in my headphones and distract myself with tunes. It gets my mind off the fact that I’m speeding through the air in a giant metal tube.

We traveled recently and I was listening to 70’s music. I had a happy childhood and that era of music takes me back. It calms me. For a moment I thought “Maybe I should be listening to Christian music. If I’m about to meet Jesus face to face, that might be best.”

And in that still, small place in my heart where Jesus nudges me I sensed Him smiling and saying, “I’ve got you no matter what.”

Years ago I read a book by Laurie Beth Jones called Jesus In Blue Jeans. She talks of how Jesus wore a robe and sandals because that was the appropriate dress of the time. Now, he meets us in a t-shirt and blue jeans. So I turned up She’s A Bad Mama Jama, tapped my foot, sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride.

Because hey, Jesus can hang in blue jeans with 70’s music. He’s got me no matter what.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭23‬ NIV)

 

 

Happy Humor Filled Mother’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion May 10, 2015

 

I believe God has a sense of humor. Don’t you? I mean, He gave me twin boys. I KNOW He got a good chuckle over that one.

 

I realize I was raised in a home with loving, caring, God fearing parents. I’m grateful. Laughter was prominent in our house and my Mom and Dad believed knowing God was fun. Following Him was an adventure. Life was meant to be lived out loud with music, dancing, and laughter.

 

I love being a mom. I do. I always wanted kids. Maybe being raised in a house where kids were a part of everything instilled that in me. Kids were absolutely seen and heard in our home. And that’s how I’ve raised mine.

 

As I think about Mother’s Day, I am grateful. Not just for my own mom (who is awesome), or that I love being a mom (my kids are awesome). But motherhood is tough. And I’m grateful God gave us laughter. He knew we’d need it, right? He knew I’d need the ability to laugh when my daughter was two and said, “Mommy, I color!” as she proceeded to show me her drawing. On my wall. With black crayon. She couldn’t have chosen the Sunset colored crayon that would’ve matched the paint?

 

My kids are teenagers now and we laugh. A lot. We are a rather sarcastic bunch and like to tease one another. In love. Life hits us from time to time with tears, but our home is built on smiles, joy, laughter. We find our footing again. Why? Because we serve a God who has a sense of humor. He loves to laugh with us. He loves to see us laugh. He delights in us.

 

Proverbs 31:25 – She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

 

I wish you a Happy (Humor Filled) Mother’s Day

It’s My Bathtub and I’ll Cry If I Want To

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion May 3, 2015

When I need a good cry, I head to the bathtub. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the idea of tears washing away. The soothing involved.

I think this ritual began when I found out I was pregnant with twin boys. Soaking in the tub was my evening break from spending all day with a two year-old. My husband would watch our daughter for an hour while I lay there and talked to God until I pruned. I’d cry and ask Him what in the world He thought He was doing giving me twins.

I guess it could be considered an odd place to pray but it’s what I do.

This happened for me last night. An event I was excited about didn’t go as I imagined it and I was struggling. It hurt. And all I wanted to do was sit in the tub and cry. So I did. And I talked to God and let my tears soak in with the bubbles and the bath water.

Life hurts sometimes. Our hearts break. But the good news is, they mend. They may not be the same but they mend.

Because you see, God meets me in that bathtub. He meets me where it hurts. He wipes my tears and washes them away with the bath water. I honestly don’t know how anyone moves through this life without knowing Jesus. I really don’t.

He is my Rock, my Savior, my Comforter, my Healer.

Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe every tear from their eyes…

Focus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion April 26, 2015

I struggle with living in the moment. I don’t know if it’s a product of being part of a society that is strapped to our phones and social media (I’ll totally own being guilty of that). Or if it’s that I’m a forward thinker (the product of being overly organized). Or even that I get stuck looking back, wondering how I could’ve done things different or question why now isn’t as good as then.

All I know is that it’s easy for me to lose my focus. I did that this past week and I was a hot mess. I wasn’t focused on why I write. I got lost in the logistics and business side of things. Important, yes, but why I do it? No.

I spent the morning on Thursday reading my Bible and chatting with God. I do this each day but I’ll admit, while I’m on the go. Many conversations with God have happened on my drives to get kids from school and various activities. And I live by my Bible app that allows me to read snippets of God’s Word throughout my day. But on Thursday, I put away my phone, my iPad, all my distractions and literally sat with only my Bible and prayer journal. It was hands down the best hour I’ve had in a long time.

We live in a busy time. It’s easy to lose focus. And business on any given day can be good or bad. But I want to write to encourage people. That’s it. That simple. No muss. No fuss. If something I write brings a smile to someone’s face or a warm fuzzy to their heart or a simple reminder that they are loved then my job is done. That is my focus. God can handle the details.

Psalms 141:8 – But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge…

Writer vs. Author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m just gonna say it. I’m tired. I know. I know. I just got back from a Hawaiian vacation, but I’m not really even talking about being physically tired. I’m mentally tired.

As a wife, mom, and writer I can be juggling as many as 10-100 situations per day. Well, maybe 100 is an exaggeration, but it sure feels that way most days.

I was thinking yesterday about being a writer versus being an author. Are they two different things? I think so.

To me, a writer conjures up images of quiet moments journaling while sipping coffee. Reading a lot. Talking long walks, going to local coffee shops and people watching, getting character ideas. Having story ideas float around in my head until I weave words on the page and make them real.

An author is the business side of things. Making deadlines and To Do lists. Writing emails, checking in on social media. Formatting books and preparing them for publication.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I miss being a writer. I’ve had to be an author quite a bit lately and although that’s awesome, I miss the writer side.

I’m working on Book 3 in my Men Of Honor series and, quite honestly, I’m finding it hard to balance the writer and the author. The author in me needs to get Book 2 out there soon (I’m super excited. I love that book.) But the writer in me needs and wants to write.

Being a writer and author isn’t what it used to be. My mom is a writer and when she was doing it full-time she had a publicist and a full marketing team behind her all supplied by the publishing house. Now, that’s not the case. Social media is here (a fabulous tool for authors but one that requires attention) and the world of publishing is a whole different animal.

I’m not complaining. I’m really not. I LOVE what I do. Love it. It’s exciting, fun, creative. I WANT to be in my office. And I know what a blessed thing that is. I don’t take it for granted.

But I’m needing balance. To get back to where I am more writer than author. Yes, the author needs attention. But there IS no author without the writer.

So, I’m gonna go to my writing cave now… See you all a little later.

 

My New Happy Place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I apologize for being a bit quiet last week. We were in Hawaii for the kids’ winter break. And during that time I decided to shut off as much as possible from the world. As much as I wanted to share with the world where we were and all we were doing, I felt the need to tuck in and just be. Experience what was happening in front of me.

However, I want to share it now because I think it’s easy for authors to come across on social media as if we are always crouched over our keyboard, putting words on the page 24/7. I’m here to tell you, we’re not. Much of the time I’m driving kids to school, getting groceries, in my office, the usual. Last week, I was on vacation.

Are writers always working? In some ways, yes. As I swam in the ocean I thought about what an amazing setting Hawaii would be for a book. As I took surf lessons with the kids I thought of how fun it was to incorporate surfing into my first two books and would love to do it again. I sat on the beach and watched couples walk by and came up with potential character sketches in my head. But this kind of “work” isn’t always right in front of the computer screen. It’s being out in the world, experiencing things and giving myself something to write about.

And it was good to simply be. Be quiet. Be present in the moment and let my kids’ laughter wash over me. Be active as I swam in the ocean. (I’m a water baby. I LOVE being in the water.) Be with my husband as we walked the beach each night at sunset. As a mom and a wife and a writer I am always doing. Being takes intention.

So in the next few weeks I will share some photos from our trip. It was absolutely gorgeous. Hawaii is my new happy place. I will go there in my mind when I need to just be for a few moments each day.

What about you? Where is your happy place?