Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Sunday Inspiration

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Jeremiah 29_11 ESV For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.


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2020 Word of the Year: STEADFAST

happy 2020!(1)

Already, 2020 is here!

STEADFAST is my word for 2020. Last year, my word was treasure. The year before that, my word was roots.

As a wife, mother, and Nana, I realize that remaining steadfast in life is required to take care of what needs to be done. The work of this sort is repetitive. We all know this. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, driving, errands, cooking, loving, hugging, instructing. The list is the same for many tasks, but new in its application and settings (everyone grows and needs new interpretation of daily tasks). Facing each day with a steadfast heart will keep me moving in the right direction.

As a writer, I’ve read numerous times that the only writers who do not succeed are those who quit. Even when it seems nothing is happening, if I continue to be steadfast in my writing endeavors, seek to improve my craft, and be alert for opportunities to share, help, critique, improve, and submit my work, it’s going to happen. Every writing experience is a learning time. Nothing is wasted. Some things might be (okay, some things ARE) terrible, but learning takes place. Remaining steadfast and putting one step in front of the other will keep me from quitting.

As a believer, I’m happy to know that nothing I do is in vain, if I do it for the Lord. So my failures, successes, trials, errors, and general craziness of life done for the Lord are not a waste of time. I must be immovable, steadfast in my faith and purpose.

I’m looking forward to discovering more about my word of the year. STEADFAST.

What is your word or phrase of the year? I’d love to hear about it. Thanks for stopping by!

 


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Gratitude for this Fantastic Way to Kick Off the New Year: 12 x 12 Challenge Scholarship Winner!

12x12 Challenge

Happy New Year to me and my fellow winners of the diversity and financial need scholarships for the 2020 12 x 12 Writing Challenge. Yay! Follow the link below to read more about the scholarship and the thankful recipients.

12 x 12 2020 Scholarship Winners

I’ve been steadily working on picture book manuscripts, but sometimes feel like I’m spinning wheels. The 12 x 12 Writing Challenge is the perfect way to jump start my new year of writing and help me focus on writing, editing, and polishing picture book manuscripts.

The main goal of 12 x 12 is that participants complete the year with at 12 picture book manuscripts/drafts. This is accomplished through videos, expert advice, writing exercises, inspiration, and online critiques by 12 x 12 members-a comprehensive endeavor by kidlit writers. At least, that’s what I believe to be true about 12 x 12, since this will be my first year to join. In reality, I know my experience will be much, much more.

Much thanks and gratitude for this awesome opportunity goes to Julie Hedlund and the entire 12 x 12 community who generously donated to give scholarships to other writers. THAT is what the kidlit community is all about-supporting and helping other writers. I love it!

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Cheesy happy grin from a writer who is very grateful and excited!


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Happy 2020!

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Happy New Year, friends!
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We’ve decided to make hiking the Cowiche Canyon an annual event. We hiked it last January 1st and made a return trip today. It’s becoming very popular!
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May the Lord bless you and your family in this new year of a new decade.
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I might be slow, but I finally figured out why all the New Year’s Eve parties were 20s themed. May your 2020 be filled with roaring good fun and great health!
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Writing Successes for 2019

Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year.  Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution!

Sometimes I feel like I am spinning my writing wheels but going nowhere. Here is my list of SUCCESSES in my writing related-activities for 2019.

Angie’s Anti-Resolution Revolution:

1. I met my contracted deadlines and celebrated over 26 years of writing work-for-hire with an organization I adore.

2. I was awarded a writing residency at Holly House through Hypatia-in-the-Woods. I enjoyed a fabulous week to work on a picture book and Haiku.

3. I had a heart during #kidpit at the end of 2018. I received a rejection this year, but still…I tried!

4. Our critique group has increased to 4 active members and we’ve been really working hard.

5. I’ve been blogging more and supporting writers.

6. I had my first author interview and my first author/illustrator interview on my blog.

7. I read tons of picture books, chapter books, and YA books.

8. I participated in Storystorm and have a great list of picture book ideas.

9. I participated in ReFoReMo and studied great picture books.

10. I participated in 12 Days of Christmas last year. Thanks, Julie, for this year and last year!

11. I wrote 4 new picture book manuscripts.

12. I edited 12 different picture book manuscripts.

13. I participated in Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the first time.

14. I wrote and edited more this year.

15. I have editing opportunities to explore in 2020.

16. I connected more with other writers in the wonderful kidlit community.

 

How about you? What SUCCESSES did you have in 2019?

 

Sunday Inspiration

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She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1_21


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Merry Christmas!

Joyeux Noël!

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Donavyn, Taylor, Jamie, Autumn, and Ginger (the 4-legged one)

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Hayden, Gage (shortest), Chelsie (tallest), and Khloe

From our family to yours,

Peace and joy!

Kevin and Angie

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

~ Luke 2:11-12

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Sunday Inspiration

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_Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests._ Luke 2_14


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Haiku Moment: ice knife

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frosty shimmers glow

tips of ice knife through frigid,

growing icicles

 

ice knife by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell

 

 

Sunday Inspiration

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Fo . For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9_6