Lady Luck Plays Favorites

They say Fortune favors the prepared, though Llonio in Taran Wanderer phrased it thusly: "You need only sharpen your eyes to see your luck when it comes, and sharpen your wits to use what falls into your hands." Later, he told Taran, "Trust your luck...but don't forget to put out your nets." It seems bizarre, then, to see people singled out for being "lucky" when the term actually does a disservice to all of the hard work, effort, and energy they've poured into an endeavor. The last step may appear effortless, but it's simply the final movement of a long journey --> and that's true whether it's spoken of life or writing.

Although luck hasn't much to do with my thoughts today, the idea of preparation or contemplation does. It seems that "like seeks like," even if this simply means that when one stares into the universe, something always stares back.

My latest musings on writing the next great american novel versus "candy"were revisted via a favorite candy author, Jeffery Deaver. This week, Author Magazine showcases an interview with him that possesses several gems embedded within. Deaver talks about how so many young aspiring writers are "misdirected. They think 'I ought to write this, even though I enjoy reading that.'" And then he talks about how he made the decision to write commercial fiction because that's what he preferred reading. Listening to his thoughts on that matter and several others, such as his ability to compress time within his books, prompted me to think about my own writing decisions...and to finally realize: I'm at peace with my decisions. I am happy, content, and complete. I am a writer.

And, when that stroke of luck shimmers across the sky, I'll be there to catch some of it in my sail. I only ask that my eyes are sharp enough to see it and my wits are sharp enough to make good use of it.

Gentle Reminder: Stay Focused

"People's dreams are made out of what they do all day. The same way a dog that runs after rabbits will dream of rabbits. It's what you do that makes your soul, not the other way around." Barbara Kingsolver

By posting this Kingsolver gem, I'm not indicating that I agree entirely with her premise. But it's another gentle nudge in the direction of, "Nulla dies sine linea." It's more of a reminder to myself to stay focused. And as we head into the flurry of holiday seasons, there are so many distractions eager to snatch our focus...

When Goliath Doesn't Fall by Jody Conrad

[Note: A continuation of the up & coming series on new authors.]

Sometimes, no matter how hard you pray, babies dies. Sometimes, no matter how much you trust God, doctors find cancer. Houses catch on fire; tornados demolish entire communities; and terrorists successfully crash airplanes into buildings.

Jody Conrad's first book, out in 2008 and entitled When Goliath Doesn't Fall, asks the question What happens to our faith when our giants defeat us? Weaving true life stories with historical and biblical ones, and generously interspersed with gentle wisdom, Conrad strikes a balance between insight and compassion. A book of hope, When Goliath Doesn't Fall delicately probes the questions believers often feel guilty about asking God and lays bare the souls of those who have been answered.

Encouraging, thought-provoking, and always empathetic, Conrad provides the only answers possible to these questions: a Habakkuk heart, unconditional surrender, and a yielded spirit. Her own gentleness pulls back the curtains in a way that doesn't preach or nag but only reminds that God is in control.