Literary Things: Seven Books That Changed My Life

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     One of my WIPpet buddies, Emily, nominated several of us WIPpeters for the versatile blog award. I get to tell you seven things about myself. And do you know what? Since all of us WIPpeters are literary types, I'm going to tell you about the seven books that have most changed my life. And guess what else? This just makes the perfect post to include in Thursday's Children link up, where authors talk about what inspires them!

Classics

1. Crime and Punishment. If Dostoevsky had never written his masterpiece, I would have never met my husband. A love affair with Russian literature led to a short trip to Russia. Said trip to Russia led me to my husband-to-be (who is quite American, by the way, but who has been to Russia twice).

2. Anna Karenina. This was an obvious next-step for me after reading Crime and Punishment. Dostoevsky opened the door to Russian lit. Tolstoy created a breathtaking mansion and invited me to stay forever.

3. Les Miserables. No other work makes me prouder to be part of the human race, inspires me to be a more loving person, or inflicts me with such pity for those who suffer unjustly.

Christian Lit

4. Safely Home. This novel by Randy Alcorn holds the distinction of being the first book that ever made me cry.

5. The Zion Chronicles. This was the first historical fiction series I ever read. The author did an amazing job weaving a dozen or so plots and subplots together. I realized that if a person could pay such great attention to the details in her character's lives, then God must be infinitely more in control of my own life. A profound and important lesson for me to learn as a teen.


Kids Lit

6. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. This remains one of my favorite adventure stories. If you haven't read it, think Treasure Island with a little more grit and with a girl protagonist instead of Jim Hawkins. This novel by Avi was the first book I read that had swearing in it. At first I felt guilty in that dangerous, this-is-kind-of-exciting kind of way. It was the first time a book ever made me feel rebellious.

7. Percy Jackson. Since I grew up in a conservative home where fantasy reading was not encouraged or even allowed, it was a huge stretch for me to let my son pick up the Percy Jackson series. I read each book as well so we could discuss the story, and I'm happy to say that Rick Riordan successfully shattered my preconceived notions about the acceptability of fantasy literature in a Christian home.

What About You? Add your most influential books in the comment section!

Random Fact #25: My first fight with Phillip was about Crime and Punishment. We were arguing about whether Dostoevsky intended the reader to sympathize with Raskolnikov or not. I was right. My husband was wrong.

Blog Hop Love: The Thursday's Children blog hop is for authors to write about what inspires them. Thanks again to Rhiann Wynn-Nolet and Kristina Pere for hosting, and everyone else ... consider yourselves invited to join the blog hop fun!

Versatile Blogger Award: The rules for the Versatile Blogger award are as follows:

1. Thank and link to the person who gave you the award.
2. Tell seven facts about yourself.
3. Pass it on to seven other bloggers.
4. Link to specific posts on their blogs so they’ll be notified by pingback

Nominees: 

• Elaine
• Christabelle
• Rachel
• Joy
• Kristi
• Kate
• Rhiann

WIPpet Wednesday: "Wipe It Clean"

     Have you ever fallen in love with a fictitious character? I had a huge literary crush on Samwise Gamgee, which is the only reason I finished the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. And even though it may be the epitome of ego-centrism, I have to admit that I'm very fond of Moe, whom you get to week in this week's WIPpet Wednesday submission.

     Here are nine paragraphs from chapter nine of Saving Natalie.

***

                Moe furrowed his brow and pouted at his rag. What was he supposed to do be doing? Moe looked at his hands. He was holding the cleaning cloth, but it wasn’t time for rubbing yet. Moe made a little sing-song sound in his throat. How did Malinda’s verse go? The music would help, if he could just remember it.

                Moe picked up his hand to rub his face. “No, Moe.” He shook his head. “That’s rag has dirt.” Dirt. Dirt … Moe had to get the dirt off the table. But his forehead was itching. Moe put down the squirt bottle.

                “That’s it!” Now that his memory was jostled into action, he had to sing the song before he forgot it again “But quietly,” Moe reminded himself, “or Lee gets mad.”

                Moe sang softly under his breath while he worked. “Spray the table just two times. Wipe it clean until it shines.” A minute later, Moe scratched his head and wondered why he was standing at the other side of the cafeteria.

                Are you working hard, Moe? Moe grinned. Malinda always made him feel happy. Moe, have you finished wiping all the tables? the kind voice asked.

                “No.” Moe put his finger to his lips as soon as he said the words. That was too loud. Behind the cash register, Lee turned around and frowned. “Sorry.” Moe waved at his friend Lee and looked at the tables. “Am I done, Malinda?” he asked. But it was a Saturday, and Malinda didn’t work at the hospital on Saturdays.

                Sometimes it was scary cleaning tables when Malinda wasn’t there, but Moe knew she’d come back, just like she always promised. And then he wouldn’t have to remember everything all by himself. Is the table next to you dirty? Even when Malinda wasn’t at the hospital, she still left him little notes in his mind. Moe kept his finger to his lips so he wouldn’t make Lee angry. “No, I need to clean it,” he whispered to Malinda.

                Moe gave the next table two squirts from the cleaning bottle. “Spray the table just two times…” he hummed, thankful that Monday was only two days away.

                Somewhere in the distance Moe heard the hospital radio telling one of the doctors where to go. He wanted to stop and think about how nice it was when Malinda was there to tell him where to go, but he didn’t want to forget his job. “Wipe it clean until it shines,” Moe sang, proud that he remembered what to do all by himself.

***

Random Fact #22: Before I got married and became a stay-at-home mom, I took the MCAT and was planning to become a doctor.

Love My WIPpet Buds: Thanks to everyone who read, downloaded, and/or reviewed The Beloved Daughter during its free promotion last week!

Join the WIPpets! If you want to join the WIPpet fun, give us an excerpt from your current Work In Progress that has something to do with today's date (like 9 paragraphs from chapter 9 on May 9), then link up here or at My Random Muse. 

Gently Humorous: Weight Loss ... Don't Try This At Home

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     Today is a pretty exciting day for our family. My son Silas, whom you may know from the Boy Named Silas blog posts or the Boy Named Silas memoir, has now gone one full week without any tube feedings whatsoever. Granted, we're only completely a three-week trial, but it's looking more and more like Silas will one day (maybe even one day soon) outgrow his feeding tube completely.

     Just last night Silas asked me, "Do you think I like my tube?" And before giving me a chance to answer, he inserted, "Well, I don't."

     And what's to like? Silas' tube has caused him plenty of physical discomfort. He can't eat the snacks with the rest of his buddies when he goes to Sunday school or Awana's. And on several occasions, Silas' brothers have accidentally pulled his tube out while rough-housing the way boys typically do.

     That's why I was completely flabbergasted when I read an article that brides-to-be are actually opting for tube-fed, liquid-only diets to loose the last few pounds they want before they get hitched. These runway star wannabes don't go to the extreme of having a G-tube surgically placed into their side like Silas has. No, they insert a feeding tube up their nose, then down their throat into their stomach. Yup, you heard that right. Up the honker, down the hatch.

     All in the name of weight loss.

     Unfortunately, the tube-fed diet isn't the only ridiculous one out there. Have you heard about the hCG diet? It sounds all scientific because it's hormonally based. But think about it, ladies. You are getting injected with pregnancy hormone! The only women I know of who actually lost weight during their pregnancies were blowing chunks round the clock. Everyone else was gaining weight. And seriously now ... why would I even want to make my body think it was pregnant again? I thought I was done having kids!

     Now the tapeworm diet ... this one beats them all hands down. Here you go, girlfriends. All you've got to do is swallow this tapeworm. Yes, you heard me right. You swallow it. And it will live in your stomach (and grow) and live off of all the calories you eat. Wonderful idea, right?

     I've never gone to any of those extremes, but I admit that once I tried an apple pie diet. I'm dead serious. I allowed myself one slice of apple pie every day around lunch time. I figured that if I knew I was at least getting something yummy once a day I wouldn't mind skipping out on my other meals. I stuck to half of the diet, I'm proud to say. I only ate apple pie. Unfortunately, I had a harder time limiting myself to just one piece ...

     Same thing happened when I tried the Hawaiian roll diet ...

     I once heard of a church who decided to do a communal forty-day liquid fast. By day five, some of the members went from clear liquids to blended drinks like smoothies. It was only another week before they were throwing cookies and ice cream in a blender and slurping it down.

     Gluttony certainly is a real struggle many people (myself included) face, and the health consequences of poor eating choices are no laughing matter. But every once in a while, in a world that constantly bombards us with images of rail-thin actresses and promises from hyped-up weight loss programs, it's fun to sit back and allow ourselves a little laugh.

     And maybe enjoy a slice of apple pie with lunch.

Random Fact #21: I survived weeks at a time as a college student eating only Cheerios, craisins, and an occasional pint of Ben and Jerry's.

What I Love About Motherhood (Beautiful Mama Award)

     One thing I love about being involved in youth ministry is spending one-on-one time with some
amazing young women. It doesn't happen as often as it used to (I figure having three children, a home-based business, and a writing career kind of complicate the whole scheduling issue). But just a few days ago I got to hang out with a lovely young lady after the boys were in bed, and we had a great time talking.

     I forgot how it worked its way into the conversation, but my friend was absolutely floored when I told her that growing up I had no real interest in children or motherhood. I figured I would have kids one day, but I honestly didn't care for youngsters one way or the other.

     I think I just had no idea how rewarding motherhood would be.

     One thing I love about being a mom is how many friends I've made because I am a mother. In addition to friends who come over for play dates (and stay for adult conversation), I've made many blogging friends whose special-needs and parenting blogs keep me encouraged and inspired. One such friend, Joy from I Can Say Mama, nominated me for the Beautiful Mama Award (hence this post about what I love about motherhood).

     In addition paving the way for me to meet great friends, motherhood has also smoothed out my rough spots. You would not believe how judgmental I used to be. I have a friend who likes to quote, "I was the perfect parent before I had any kids." Yup, that was me. Having kids (who don't behave exactly like I want them to every hour of the day) has taught me to be more gracious and forgiving than I otherwise would be. I always thought of myself as a patient person, until about kid two or three popped up. And even though it's humbling to find out I'm not as perfect as I used to believe, I like to think that motherhood is teaching me to be a better person (if only by exposing my faults so I can deal with them).

     Third, I love motherhood because it gives me such purpose. I always dreamed I'd change the world. As a teen, however, I figured that would be as an international relief worker or as a cutting-edge doctor or as a Pulitzer-winning novelist. I never imagined I'd be changing the world by raising three amazing boys. And amazing they are. Nate wants to grow up to be the first man to walk on Mars. Silas is five and has already published a poem in Highlights Magazine. And Thomas ... well, if being cute could save humanity, Thomas is your toddler.

     Being a mother is an awesome experience, and I'm blessed to know many other tremendous mothers. So I am in turn passing the beautiful mama award on to Vanessa at Journey Full of Life, Regi (whose blog is mostly about her writing journey but whom I also know to be a wonderful mother), Stephanie at Homeschooling Mom of Four, and Sylvia from Faithful Mom of 9. All you have to do is:

1) Click the above award image, save it and use it in your acceptance post.
2) List three things you love about motherhood.
3) Nominate other deserving mamas; you may choose as many as you like.
4) Post the link to your post in my comments section so I'm sure to see it!

Random Fact #20: When I was a senior in high school, I was nominated the most likely to "make a difference."

A Boy Named Silas: Trial Run

enjoying that pizza

     When my husband and I were on our honeymoon, we met a repair-man who came up to fix our
suite's DVD player. When we told him we were just married, he replied, "My wife and I just celebrated our first anniversary last week." We smiled and congratulated him. He shrugged. "We'd been together for eighteen years and finally decided it would work out."

     We laugh about it now. According to Mr. Handyman's logic, Phillip and I shouldn't even be married for another ten years so we can see if we really will "work out."

     Phillip and I didn't have a trial run before our wedding. We jumped into marriage without the benefits (and potential baggage) of co-habitation. We figured we were either all in, or we weren't in it at all.

     Trial periods can be helpful if you're not sure you want to commit to something, but they can also be hard on the heart, as I experienced this week.

     On the surface, the news is fantastic! On Monday, I took Silas in for his regular dietician appointment. We left with instructions for Silas to eat only by mouth for a three-week testing period. Silas has not used his feeding pump for four days now.

     When I put the news up on my personal Facebook page, I got 72 likes, so I know this is huge news. This is basically the day that we've been waiting for our whole lives. My husband was mentally prepared to accept that this day would never come. And now here it is.

     What makes it hard for me as Silas' mom, however, is knowing that this is just a trial run. Silas and I couldn't stop by the dump on the way home from the dietician's and throw his backpack and feeding pump into the incinerator. We got back to the dietician in less than three weeks, and if Silas' weight hasn't gone up at least a smidge, she may very likely put him back on tube feeds for a while.

     Silas' progress has been two steps forward, one step back from the very beginning. But every once in a while, he forgoes his normal pattern and shoots forward a whole mile without looking back once. I'm hoping and praying this is one of these times.

     But I'm saving the happy dance until the trial run is over.

Random Fact #19: On our honeymoon the condo place goofed up and gave our room key to another couple. Thankfully we had barred the door from the inside or we would have all had an unpleasant surprise.

Did You Know? My novel, The Beloved Daughter, was published less than a month ago. Check it out!

Finish the Sentence: Confessions of a Social Introvert

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     Some people think of writers as introverts, spending our days completely absorbed in our literary words and hardly ever letting anyone in. A writer's dream life? Living on a deserted island, with unlimited wi-fi, a laptop, and a cush publishing contract. Right?

     I definitely am an introvert, so that kind of lifestyle boasts a tiny bit of appeal to me. But I'm also the most social introvert I know.

     I need people. I love people. I would be lost on an island writing all day long. I would rather work at Walmart and never publish another book than have to have all the time in the world but to live isolated from others. So, when you ask me to fill out this week's Finish the Sentence writing prompt about what I would take if I were stranded on a deserted island, I start to sweat a little.

     I'm classified as an INFJ (which explains my passion for writing AND my compassion for the oppressed, believe it or not). And my introvert score tops the chart. I don't have an extroverted cell in my little body. But the idea of being totally isolated on a deserted island is terrifying. So, I'm taking the cop-out. If I could go to a deserted island - even with unlimited wi-fi and a power source so I could write as many books a year as my heart desired - I'd still say "No, thanks."

     You're sending me to a deserted island and I get to choose anything I want to take with me? All right. I'm bringing a boat ... one that will take me home to my family and friends (and all the distractions to my writing with them) STAT!

Random Fact #18: I went to Hawaii when I was 11 or so and got swarmed by a school of fish while snorkeling. I didn't get hurt (but I did get my toes bit, and I'm terrified of fish even today!)

About Those Books: My first full-length novel, The Beloved Daughter, topped the amazon charts this week in the Christian suspense category. Have you checked it out yet?

Link-Up Love: Thanks to Finish the Sentence Friday Hosts: Kate of Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine…, Janine of Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic, Stephanie of Mommy, for Real and Dawn of Dawn's Disaster!

Inspiration: Students of History

     It's Thursday! Time for authors to write about what inspires them. Thanks again to Rhiann Wynn-Nolet and Kristina Perez for hosting, and everyone else ... consider yourselves invited to join the blog hop fun!

     Growing up, I was indifferent to history. I didn't hate it, but it certainly wasn't my favorite or best subject, either. Even as a young adult, I kind of rolled my eyes at people who got really into genealogy. I preferred to live in the present.

     Then I had children, and everything changed.

     Seven years into my motherhood journey, I can't say that I'm a history buff by any sense of the word. But I am a passionate student of the past. I want my children to love history. I want them to be able to make connections. I don't care if they know what year Columbus crossed the ocean blue, but I do want them to know what chain of events were put into place by that trans-Atlantic crossing. I don't care if my kids can name the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but I want them to know what our founding fathers were risking when they stuck out their necks and made history back in 1776.

     If I'm not taking responsibility for my children's history education, who will? Do I want my kids to know the real Jamestown story, or am I just going to pop in Pocahontas and hope they learn a little bit of truth? How many US citizens do you know who never learned about the internment of all the Japanese-Americans on the West Coast during World War Two? Or who learn about the Pilgrim's brave passage every Thanksgiving but never realize how the Mayflower's landing impacted hundreds of thousands of Native Americans? If we're not careful, our kids are going to learn a twisted version of history, nicely edited and spliced to ignore the unsavory aspects.

     If I never had children of my own, I probably would have never fully understood the importance of history education. I hope to remain an avid student of the past for the rest of my life, and I hope that my new chapter book series for kids helps inspire a whole new generation of history enthusiasts. (See alanaterry.com/topaz to see how book sales are raising funds to help preserve history for years to come.)

Random Fact #17: All four of my paternal great-grandparents were born in Japan.