Writing World Update

Time for another writing world update. I already announced this week that my fourth book was accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing; but as you know, I set a series of goals for 2014--some writing related, others more personal. I'm only going to focus on the writing ones this time around. I'll write up a full goal update at the end of the quarter.

Complete the first draft of my middle grade historical Amelia's Mission by February 28th.

This didn't happen. It's nowhere close to done. That said, I have spent any free time performing research for Amelia's Mission. The books are due back to the library by the end of next week, so I need to finish off this part of the job. I opened the manuscript file yesterday to read over the last chapter and make a few edits. The first two chapters were already sent off to my critique group for review, but I'll hold off on any major changes until the first draft is complete.

Research one new publisher/agent a month.

This didn't happen in January or February, but this month I've already researched two agencies and I've requested three middle grade historical novels from the library for market research.

Write one short story for submission each quarter.

I knew this was a lofty goal going in. I haven't written anything yet, but I'm tossing around ideas and wondering if I can still meet this goal. One idea is to write short stories based upon the character of Amelia Ridgemont, my main character from Amelia's Mission. While I think this would be an excellent way to build a fan base for these characters before a full-length novel comes out, I'm afraid of boxing myself into a story line and impacting the novel.

One other thing I did this month is read a book on self-publishing. I'm not certain what the future holds for me and my writing, but self-publishing is something I consider on occasion.

So, while I haven't achieved everything I would have liked to, I still feel I'm focused on the right things. I'll keep praying for guidance and do my best to keep my heart open to God's plans.

Picture Book Contract

Exciting news! My next book is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing! I already announced this on my Facebook page, but here are the details.

Tentatively titled, Amos Faces His Bully, this is the second book in my "Faith-filled journeys for kids" brand. Ten-year-old Amos is inspired by David’s confidence and faith in facing Goliath to face up to his own bullies.

No word on a release date yet, but I'll update you when I hear anything.

Available for purchase right now are the following:

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

GAP website
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound.org

Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve. When he meets Glenn, who only has one request for Santa, Robert is confused about what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?

4RV Publishing
Amazon softcover
Barnes and Noble softcover
Indiebound.org

Also available in a digital version under the name Cheryl C. Malandrinos.

Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
KOBO

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today

I know it's not my usual day for blogging at Christian Children's Authors, but I still hope you'll stop by. I've listed some Easter devotionals I'm looking at. You can find my post at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/03/05/easter-devotionals/

Bible Reading Update - Ephesians

I've always liked Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. It inspires and instructs. We taught a portion of chapter 6 for vacation Bible school one year. For a summary of the Book of Ephesians, you can go to http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6

Favorite verses: 

1: 22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

2: 8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

4: 4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

4: 31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 5: 22-24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

5: 25, 28-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

6: 1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

6: 10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Bible Reading Update - 2 Corinthians Continued and Galatians

Sticking with my Bible reading gets harder around the kids' vacation. The girls ended up with two extra days of vacation this month because of all the snow we had right before Valentine's Day. They head back today after eleven straight days of being home. It will be tough getting back on schedule for everyone, but there is something wonderful about being back on track.

Here is what I've been reading:

2 Corinthians chapters 11, 12, and 13

Favorite verse

12:8 - 10 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have to admit that I didn't find 2 Corinthians as interesting as 1 Corinthians. You can find more information about this epistle at http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/2-Corinthians.htm 

Galatians 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Favorite verses:

2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

3:13 - 14  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control...

6:9  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today

Over at Christian Children's Authors I am sharing a review of the Apples to Apples® Bible Edition game. Our kids love it and we play if often. Hope you'll read my thoughts at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/02/21/product-review-apples-to-apples-bible-edition/ 

Bible Reading Update - 2 Corinthians

Between my writing and family life, I've been very busy lately. I've struggled to keep up with everything, but I hope that changes this week. Here are some of my favorite verses from the past two weeks of Bible reading.

2 Corinthians chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

3:11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

 4:8 - 10 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

9:6-7 ...He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,