Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Meet Kathy W. Mashburn, Author of "A Birthday Clown for Archer"
This adorable clown face is on a page in Kathy's new book A Birthday Clown for Archer. Kathy is an intriguing lady with a sweet smile and warm spirit. Kathy and I attended Murray County High School together (no dates required). We share a passion for writing, our faith and love for our families. I want you to get to know Kathy as I do and I know you'll love her too. You can buy her book by clicking the link of the title above. I'll give you Kathy's contact info later, after our interview, because I know you'll want to contact her for your own special reason.
Kathy, what or who inspired you to write?
I began
writing in the fifth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Brannock, gave an assignment to keep a daily journal about something going on in our
lives. Handing me a thin red spiral notebook to write in, she couldn't have
known the profound impact it would have on me in years to come. That simple
wire-bound notebook became a bible of sorts to me as I captured my every
thoughts, ideas, and dreams inside its pages.
In high school, Dr. Peggy Quarles further inspired me to write. She ignited my passions instructing our class to again write daily journals. By then journaling had become a habit, and her renewed request caused an even greater appreciation in reading, writing, and storytelling in me. It is because of Dr. Quarles's encouragement and advice to write about anything and everything lurking behind the doors of my imagination, that I continue to keep pen and paper handy every day.
In high school, Dr. Peggy Quarles further inspired me to write. She ignited my passions instructing our class to again write daily journals. By then journaling had become a habit, and her renewed request caused an even greater appreciation in reading, writing, and storytelling in me. It is because of Dr. Quarles's encouragement and advice to write about anything and everything lurking behind the doors of my imagination, that I continue to keep pen and paper handy every day.
Are you a fulltime or
part-time writer?
I am
definitely a part-time writer, but I consider myself a writer with a fulltime
commitment. I can’t
remember a single day I have not written in my journal, or scratched out a new idea or story, or scribbled random thoughts on a napkin while dining. Writing is a part of everything I do. Most days I set my alarm clock to awake an hour earlier than I need to prepare for my full-time paid job. I enjoy writing so much I keep index cards on my nightstand to write down my dreams on the occasion I am lucky enough to remember them when I wake.
remember a single day I have not written in my journal, or scratched out a new idea or story, or scribbled random thoughts on a napkin while dining. Writing is a part of everything I do. Most days I set my alarm clock to awake an hour earlier than I need to prepare for my full-time paid job. I enjoy writing so much I keep index cards on my nightstand to write down my dreams on the occasion I am lucky enough to remember them when I wake.
Where do you draw your
inspirations from?
Everywhere! Seriously, I am inspired by so many things
like people, places, my family, my friends, and news events. I am a good listener, so I pay attention to
snatches of conversations around me to get ideas. I consider this unintentional eavesdropping because
people everywhere talk openly about their lives, their pets, their jobs, etc.,
which often turns into a story or an idea for a project. I also practice really looking to see things with
a ‘curious eye’. I try to see things differently than others
might.
I’ve published three books in three
different genres. My first publication was How to Swap Batches of
Cookies and Candy with Others, plus 115 Great Recipes. This book came about for two reasons. The first was to find a way to have fun on a
budget with my family during Christmas holidays, while the other was to learn
all I could about the world of publishing.
I had been attending workshops at a local university on writing, so I
decided the best way to understand the jargon and business was to get my feet
wet.
That
brings me to the recent publication of my children’s book A Birthday Clown for Archer.
This is a simple story about a little boy who wants a clown for his
birthday, but his Mom is afraid and says, “NO WAY!” In the story Archer does his best to
convince her clowns are not scary at all.
What my readers may not know is one of my children was terrified of clowns
growing up. As parents we often imprint
our beliefs, our likes, our dislikes and our fears upon others. Since writing this book, many of my readers
have shared their personal phobias, including Coulrophobia or
“Clown-phobia.” This book is meant to
spark conversations regarding the fears and joys surrounding clowns.
I enjoy
writing in different genres just as my life has many different facets. I am currently working on an inspirational
book titled Living in the Midst of God’s
Plan, a documentary titled A Day in
the Life of Beekeeper, and two other children’s books titled Wiggy Wanda and Santa, Are You Ready? Readers can learn more about these projects
and others on my website.
What was your greatest
“Ah-ha” moment as a writer?
By far,
it is when readers turn out to see me at a book signing. I am both honored and humbled when someone
takes his or her time to visit with me.
It’s a special feeling when someone spends their money to buy my books,
especially when they request me to sign it.
That’s my favorite ah-ha moment!
Any advice for others who wish to write and be published?
I would
tell them to NEVER give up! I would also
tell them to do a test run by sharing their work with others, including their
audience. This will help them sharpen
their skills as a writer, especially since an audience is the best frontline
when it comes to gathering honest feedback.
Excited for a fellow writer and friend,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment and let me know if you've read any of Kathy's books!
Monday, July 15, 2013
The 5th Annual Hottest Bible Study Expo
Can we call a Bible Study hot? I think so! Especially if it is FREE and includes some of the hottest women's Bible Study authors. These impressive women are published by Regal, Zondervan, Kregel, Bethany House and more! The line-up includes:
Liz Curtis Higgs
Suzanne Ellers
Elisa Morgan
Leighann McCoy
Susie Larson
Sheryl Pellatiro
Sue Edwards
Mindy Ferguson
Carla McDougal
The 2013 Bible Study Expo
Thursday, July 18, 2013, 12-3 PM Central Time, at www.BibleStudyExpo.com
For more information about the Bible Study Expo, visit http://www.Marnie.com/
To register for the chance to win one of the free books being given away during each interview segment, visit the Expo hub at www.BibleStudyExpo.com.
It's FREE (no charge)
It's ONLINE (guests listen in by phone or web)
It's AWESOME (totally)
Study to show thyself approved (2 Timothy 2:15),
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
London Day 3 - Regent's Park home of "The Queen's Garden"
Standing in line to see the Crown Jewels, we met a couple from Atlanta (go figure!). "You shouldn't miss the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park" they said. Asking our tour guide about Regent's Park, he advised us to go to Kensington Gardens instead. Kensington is the home to the palace where Diana lived until her untimely passing. "There's a wonderful flower garden there as well" Chris said! Prepare for it. Get ready......
This is the "Flower Walk" in Kensington Garden. Not quite what we expected but we did enjoy a quick bike ride through the park (such a relief on our aching feet)!
Kensington Palace wasn't much to see from the outside either. We are still hoping we didn't find the gardens. The palace was under construction. Will and Kate will reside here after the birth of the royal baby.
As for the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park, the Atlanta couple was RIGHT! We saw some of the prettiest, largest, most fragrant roses ever. Some bushes were head high! Sydnee is 5'5".
Trust me, these photos do not do the Queen's Garden justice! My Mom was astounded at the size of the roses. Some were as big around as your head! Even the trash cans looked majestic (middle pic at the bottom)! We were refreshed from the beauty of the garden and walked another five miles afterwards. No joke! This garden experience was the perfect end to our trip to London. Goodbye U.K., hello France!
Loved the fragrance wafting up my nose,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
As for the Queen's Garden in Regent's Park, the Atlanta couple was RIGHT! We saw some of the prettiest, largest, most fragrant roses ever. Some bushes were head high! Sydnee is 5'5".
Loved the fragrance wafting up my nose,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Ah Paris, the City of ....."Firsts"!
I'm not a greenhorn when it comes to travel. But, I must say, Paris showed me things I'd never seen before. The three days we spent in Paris was filled with a lot of "first" time experiences, starting with:
Sloane got stung by a bee. There we were, standing on an island in the middle of the streets of Paris when Sloane starting yelling "I got stung by a bee!"
Our tour guide was giving us directions and in his British accent said "That's terrible! I've never had anyone get stung on a tour before!" And then, he started laughing which cracked us all up. I said "Are you laughing?" He said "I don't mean to." "It sounds like you are" I pointed out. "Oh dear!" he said. The more he spoke and tried to clear things up his accent made things funnier!
Meanwhile, Sloane's face was turning red, her thigh was hurting and the stinger was still in her leggings. She's always apprehensive about EVERYTHING and images of having a severe allergic reaction in a foreign country whirled through her mind.
I'm happy to report she removed the stinger and no allergic reaction ensued. She's so anal she carried a first aid kit with her on this trip which...she used!
We spent Syd's 25th birthday in the "Happiest Place on Earth" Disneyland Paris! The weather was nice and the lines were virtually non-existent. The travel time from Paris to Disneyland is 45 minutes on the Metro. Our tour director was leery of such a long commute but we're from the country, what's 30 miles? We drive that far for groceries.
About 15 minutes into the return trip, our train stops and the driver starts yelling "Everyone off, everyone off!" We are all looking around, puzzled. I noticed another train operator who smiled at me and I asked what was going on. A man threw himself in front of a train in Paris which had closed the entire subway line we were on. "First" number two!
A minor setback for getting back to the city but after some sign language, purchasing some cherries from a street vendor and praying for a taxi driver who was not a mass murderer, we arrived safely back at the Eiffel Tower in time to take a leisurely boat ride on the Seine River. Catastrophe averted!
5. Soap Heaven! French soap too! My first time to purchase soap on the street...
6. First time I've ever seen my aunt take a picture with her tongue licking out. Kind of reminds me of one of her Santa Gertrudis cows! lol
7. First authentic French crepe on a paper plate! Banana Nutella, yummy!
8. I enjoyed the Paris City Tour from dreamland.
Singing a foreign "Foreigner" song,
Feels like the first time,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment and let me know what you've done for the first time lately! :)
Sloane got stung by a bee. There we were, standing on an island in the middle of the streets of Paris when Sloane starting yelling "I got stung by a bee!"
Our tour guide was giving us directions and in his British accent said "That's terrible! I've never had anyone get stung on a tour before!" And then, he started laughing which cracked us all up. I said "Are you laughing?" He said "I don't mean to." "It sounds like you are" I pointed out. "Oh dear!" he said. The more he spoke and tried to clear things up his accent made things funnier!
Meanwhile, Sloane's face was turning red, her thigh was hurting and the stinger was still in her leggings. She's always apprehensive about EVERYTHING and images of having a severe allergic reaction in a foreign country whirled through her mind.
I'm happy to report she removed the stinger and no allergic reaction ensued. She's so anal she carried a first aid kit with her on this trip which...she used!
About 15 minutes into the return trip, our train stops and the driver starts yelling "Everyone off, everyone off!" We are all looking around, puzzled. I noticed another train operator who smiled at me and I asked what was going on. A man threw himself in front of a train in Paris which had closed the entire subway line we were on. "First" number two!
A minor setback for getting back to the city but after some sign language, purchasing some cherries from a street vendor and praying for a taxi driver who was not a mass murderer, we arrived safely back at the Eiffel Tower in time to take a leisurely boat ride on the Seine River. Catastrophe averted!
3. We saw real live boobies! Now, of course I've seen my own and maybe some on TV but I've never seen women dancing around with their booby nipples eyeing me! The show was good, the costumes very colorful and tasteful (they wore tops some of the time). If you want to see some of the same boobies, google it! Search for "La Nouvelle Eve" images. I think the star of the show is a she-male!
4. Disneyland Paris makes women primp! First time to see this! Lipsticks ready, aim, paint!
5. Soap Heaven! French soap too! My first time to purchase soap on the street...
6. First time I've ever seen my aunt take a picture with her tongue licking out. Kind of reminds me of one of her Santa Gertrudis cows! lol
7. First authentic French crepe on a paper plate! Banana Nutella, yummy!
8. I enjoyed the Paris City Tour from dreamland.
Singing a foreign "Foreigner" song,
Feels like the first time,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment and let me know what you've done for the first time lately! :)
The Duty of Church
Why do you attend church? Because your parents taught you to go? Because it makes you an upstanding citizen? Because it's the "right" thing to do? Do we truly understand church or just go out of duty? I was blessed to spend the last seven days in London and Paris. I visited some of the most renown churches in the world; Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and Notre Dame. The reverence of the people in these churches were moving. My group enjoyed communion at Westminster. It WAS the highlight of the entire trip for me!
I think we too often forget God desires our selfless sacrifice to him. Redemption is not a boastful state. It is a humble, giving, sacrificial way to the heart of God. It is being the heart of God in human form. How many times have you attended church in the last month or year out of duty? How many times have you bowed on your knees before God (maybe not even in a church building) and soaked in his glory with selfless surrender? I believe lighting a candle in the presence of our fellow man shows our commitment to Christ and belief in his absolute power. The lighting of candles is an offering to God. What are your thoughts? and more importantly, what have you offered God lately?
Loving "The Light",
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment with your thoughts about going to church out of duty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)