Stacy Henrie, Author Blog

After completing junior college in Idaho, I signed up for a study abroad that would travel to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Belgium and France. I was so excited – I’d wanted to visit England for so long.

Then I lost my passport – right before I was supposed to leave. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. I went to the airport on the day the group was to depart (without me) and talked to the directors. Once I got my new passport, I would fly alone to Ireland, and the group would pick me up at the airport in Dublin. But I would miss the first three days of the trip.

I was very anxious about flying alone and getting where I needed to. There was a moment of panic in the Atlanta airport when I came to the tram that takes you to the other terminals and I didn’t know where to go. Thankfully I made it to Dublin and the group picked me up right on time. The only parts of Ireland I saw, beyond the airport, were from the bus window, but I also missed the trip’s worst accommodations by coming late.

Even though the start of the trip went much differently than I’d expected, I had an incredible time and made new friends. Best of all, that experience of traveling alone, helped prepare me for later opportunities when I would have to get out of my comfort zone and figure things out. In that way, losing that passport was a blessing in disguise.

Life is all about rolling with the punches, finding the good in spite of things not meeting our expectations, discovering those less-than-obvious blessings among the challenges.

Would traveling to a new place by yourself excite or frighten you? What are some of your vacation mishaps? What helps you remember the goodness in your life, despite the craziness or the missed expectations?

*This post is similar to one I shared last year.

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My husband loves to use the GPS device on his phone, so when we went to the Oregon coast the other week, he opted to use that instead of paying for one in our rental car.

As we left the car place, the GPS lady began navigating our way. Though neither of us had been to Portland before, I was SURE Miss GPS had no idea what she was doing. She had us driving up small streets and through residential areas. I kept thinking we just need to get to the freeway – that would be the fastest way to get out of Portland and on our way to the coast.

After what seemed like a crazy list of directions, we eventually did reach the freeway and were on our way.
But that wasn’t the only time the GPS lady led us through what I knew had to be the wrong way. Each time we ended up where we wanted to be, despite what felt like a series of odd turns and roads. (One time she was off by a quarter of a mile – and boy, did I gloat about that!)

So often in life and on this journey to publication, I feel like I did in the car listening to the GPS. I’m doing my best to follow God’s will, but sometimes I think, “this can’t be the right way. Isn’t there a faster road, God, a more direct route to get me where I want to go, to what I want to be?”

But if I can stop and put aside that impatience, I realize no matter the twists and turns, the odd side roads, the detours, in the end I’ll be right where I’m supposed to be – as long as I keep listening and moving forward.

Do use a GPS device for directions, stop and ask someone or just wing it?  What detours or side roads in your life have brought about surprising success?  

*Jenilyn M. Tolley awarded me the Liebster Award the other week (thanks so much, Jenilyn)! This award is meant to connect us even more and spotlight new bloggers who, at the moment, have less than 200 followers. The rules are:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2.Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3.Post the award on your blog.
4.Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.
5.And best of all – have fun and spread the karma!

So here’s five blogs I’ve enjoyed reading for a while or newly discovered:

Mark Noce
Peggy Eddleman
Rosslyn Elliott
Canda Mortensen
Kym McNabney

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My hubby and I have spent A LOT of time in the car the last while. Between our vacation to South Dakota, a funeral in Nevada, and another in Idaho, I think we’ve driven something like 40 hours in the past five weeks!

With all this driving I’ve realized there are a few things I need to manage long car trips. The two things I must have are the IPOD and gum, specifically Trident spearmint gum. Runners up would be snacks – not any particular kind, just something yummy to munch on – and occasionally Dramamine (Did I mention I get carsick riding passenger to the store?). I’m looking forward to sticking close to home this week – with no drives over 10 minutes!

What things are essential for you on a long drive? What’s the most time you’ve ever spent in the car?

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The rules for Ali’s flash fiction blogfest were to write 250 words or less about something unexpected that occurs on Independence Day. Since I can’t write short stories to save my life, I resorted to my PR background and wrote a very cheesy, “fictional” news article. It even has a picture. For those familiar with The Onion, this is the kind of article you might find there. Enjoy!

Rapid City, South Dakota, July 4, 2011 – Workers at Mount Rushmore National Monument were startled Monday morning to discover a giant cow head carved into the rock beside the four presidents. No one can account for how the gaffe came to be.

“I’ve never seen anything so bovine in my life,” an unnamed night guard said. “Who wants to watch Fourth of July fireworks coming up over the head of a cow?”

Local cattle spokesman, Hugh Heifer, defended the position of the mystery sculptors. “I don’t know who they are,” Heifer said. “But if I did, I would applaud their expression of patriotism. Cattle have played an integral role in the history of this great country and the artists clearly felt this would best show that.”

Much debate has been sparked regarding what to do with the cow head. Some argue for blasting it off, though there is concern of how that might affect the rest of the monument. Others believe the new addition should stay, a tribute to the bullheadedness and hard work of unknown artists.

“In the end, being Independence Day,” Heifer said, “whether you’re a cattle lover or not, there’s no reason not to celebrate until the cows come home!”

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There’s a story of a young man who sold all his possessions and left Boston in 1849 to join the California gold rush. He worked hard, but all he ever found were rocks. One day an old prospector came by and commented on the large pile of rocks the young man had collected.

The man complained that he hadn’t found any gold. To this the old prospector took two of the rocks and smashed them together. He showed the young man the flecks of gold inside.

“But I want the big nuggets like the ones in that pouch of yours,” the young man said.

The prospector handed over his pouch. When the young man looked inside, he found it was full of gold flecks. The old prospector had made a fortune out of the small, seemingly insignificant flakes of gold.

Too often in my efforts to parent and publish and serve and grow, I discount the little flecks of gold because I’m looking for the big nuggets. I forget that the patient accumulation of hundreds of gold flecks – a moment of laughter with my kids, getting a full manuscript request, bringing a smile to some one’s face, adjusting a negative attitude – amounts to quite a fortune indeed.

What are the gold flecks in your life this week? Why do we disregard our small efforts/accomplishments for something bigger? What “fortunes” have you discovered in your life from seemingly small efforts?

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In one of the book clubs I’m in, we’re reading Gone With the Wind this month. I tried to read it in high school, and due to procrastination, I only made it about 800 pages. I almost wasn’t going to attempt to read the book again – I LOVE the movie and have seen it enough times to know the story and characters.

However, I decided to give the book a second chance, and I’m glad I did. I don’t know if I’m enjoying it more because it’s not an assignment this time or because I started well in advance of the book club deadline. Or maybe I appreciate the writing and storycrafting more because I’m writer too. Or maybe I like the book better because I’m older and wiser, with more life experience, than as a teen. Whatever the reason I’m glad I’m giving this book another shot.

What book(s) did you struggle reading as a teen, but now you enjoy as an adult? Or vice versa? What have you read recently that you surprisingly enjoyed?

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I was going to share my news on Thursday, but I can’t wait! I entered a pitch contest through eHarlequin for their Love Inspired Historical line (I pitched my Pistols and Petticoats book) and I found out tonight I’m one of the six winners!!!

On Thursday I’ll have a chance to chat online with one of the editors about my book. I’m a little nervous, but mostly just excited. Thanks, eHarlequin.

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Two years ago, I submitted one of my novels to a small publishing house. They’d requested the manuscript after the first chapter won in a local contest. I REALLY, REALLY wanted them to publish it. That seemed like the best, the most important thing for my manuscript at the time. But in the end, they declined, and of course, I was heartbroken.

The other day I realized I’m now grateful for that rejection. I wouldn’t have discovered what I really wanted to do with my writing and what industry I wanted to pursue if that publisher had agreed to take on my manuscript.

It brings to mind that quote about when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. Our struggles, rejections, and detours can ultimately bring us to achieve something greater than we might have imagined. As long as we keep working and believing and reaching.

What setbacks in your writing journey have become stepping stones?

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In honor of Valentine’s Day next week, I thought I’d post about kissing. I enjoy sharing kisses (with my DH, of course), reading about kisses, and watching kisses. But I am NOT a fan of writing kisses. And yes, this is ironic, given that I write historical romances.

I like writing the scene the kiss takes place in, but for some reason, I dread/stumble through penning the actual kiss itself. If only I could convey the emotion and sweet passion of my favorite of all fictional kisses from the BBC miniseries North and South, based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell.

The hero and the heroine are very much opposed to each other throughout the story. Then, at the very end, they are reunited at a train station – he’s just been to her old house and she’s on her way to go see him about a business proposition. They sit down on a train bench and talk, while the hero stares tenderly at the heroine. Filled with equal tenderness, the heroine lifts his hand to her lips and kisses it. Then the hero leans in, cups her face between his hands, and hallelujah, they kiss at last.

So what’s your favorite fictional kiss? What makes it good? Is it the emotion, the actual words, the characters or something else?

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My friend and crit partner Ali Cross passed on this fun blog award:

It requires I share 10 things about myself.

1. I have this weird aversion to drive-throughs, if I’m driving, but the drive-through at the bank is just fine (and very essential when you’re with kids).

2. I did some ballroom dancing and acting in high school and college, and some days I miss doing them (especially after watching Dancing With the Stars).

3. My husband and I love to quote movies in our conversations or to let the other person know how we’re feeling. One of our favorite lines (from Remember the Titans) is “You’re cookin’ my grits, Yost.”

4. Though I consider myself an organized person, the thought of planning out every hour of my day (or every detail of my book) makes me squirm. I like looser outlines (or to-do lists), with wiggle room.

5. I’ve never had a real positive horse-back riding experience, which is ironic, considering I married a man who loves horses and used to train them for racing. (Still need to put training race horses into a book).

6. I LOVE chocolate, but not citrus, cherry, or raspberry-chocolate combinations.

7. I have a fear of heights and sharks – so parasailing over shark-infested water would probably not be my thing. 
 
8. Despite the fear of heights, I rode in a hot air balloon as a kid, which was pretty cool. 
 
9. I get motion sick very easily (in cars, on planes, watching Mario Kart on the Wii). One time my DH and I were at a movie and I had to go sit on the floor at the side of the theater because I was so sick.
 
10. My great-grandfather, Leslie Turner White, was an author whose books were published in the 1950’s and 60’s. One of them, Lord Johnnie, I’ve read and quite enjoyed. And though he died before I was born, we share the same birthday.
 
And now to pass the award on to Jolene Perry. I’m fairly new to Jolene’s blog, but I love the funny honest way she writes her posts.

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