by Roseanna White | Dec 17, 2009 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I had the pleasure of spending last weekend with some of my dearest friends. It’s kind of funny. When I’m with both of them at the same time, it inevitably makes me think about who I am as compared to who they are. For all the things we have in common, there are so many things in which we’re different too. These are two young women I admire so very much, and sometimes it’s easy to focus on the things they do that I just can’t.
Last weekend, I wrote something that was a result of those thoughts, exhaustion, and a headache, lol. Not my usual chipper stuff, but there are some great lines in it. š
I’m Not That Woman
I have all these ideals in my head. I would love to be the woman who makes every single dish absolutely from scratchāno box mixes, no store-bought canned goods, no pre-packaged frozen dishes.
But Iām not that woman.
I would love to sew things myself, make toys for my children with my own hands, and fashion my house with tender skill and precision.
But Iām not that woman.
I would love to be the woman so proactive that she takes command of her own well-being, of her pregnancies, of her childrenās health and stands up to the system when the system is set on following a pre-determined course that doesnāt allow for individuality. Who educates herself on every facet of her world.
But Iām not that woman.
I would love to be so focused on my children that I have their schooling all planned out, that I know already what the goals would be, that I could use my time toward their education. I wish I sat down with them every day and focused totally on them, on their growth, on their learning.
But Iām not even that woman.
I would love to exist in a world where I didnāt need a watch or a clock but could just eat when I am hungry, sleep when I am tired, rise when I am refreshed, and work when inspiration struck.
But thatās not my world.
I love being a writer, a wife, a mommy. Sometimes it just feels like I canāt be everything well. Sometimes it feels more like Iām defined by what Iām not.
Iām not a cook. Iām not green. Iām not crafty. Iām not a clothes-maker or a toy-maker. Iām not a teacher. Iām not a world unto myself. Iām just a woman with a dream and a family trying to make the two work together. Iām a woman with not enough hours in the day and even fewer in the night. Iām a woman in a world of squeals and tugs and TVāand of laughs and kisses and hugs.
Iām a woman torn, but a woman who can see the beauty in the pieces. A woman who sees that there are holes and recognizes that theyāre just part of the filigree of Godās craftsmanship.
Iām a woman who isnāt.
But Iām a woman who is.
by Roseanna White | Dec 16, 2009 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
First, check out my interview at
Stephanie Morrill’s blog today! Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of
Stray Drop!
~*~
The Christmas pageants totally confused me when I was a kid. I mean, if the Wise Men entered from the back of the room right after the angels sang the Hallelujah Chorus and the shepherds elbowed each other out of the way so they could get to the manger . . . then why did Herod take out his wrath on toddlers? It took me a while to figure out that it took a while for those mystical magi to make their way from wherever-they-came-from to Israel.
There’s so much rich history surrounding this story, though! One of my favorites is an Italian tradition. They tell the story of the Befana, and it’s one that really stuck with me after I first heard it.
According to lore, during their two-year trek the magi stopped off at a house for food and rest. The resident was an old woman who, instead of taking them in, shunned them and went so far as to chase them away with her broom.
We all know that the magi made their way to Israel in spite of this setback, but that’s not where the Befana‘s story ends. For many years, she lived her life without concern for these strangers. But then later in life, she heard the message of the Christ and realized that those foreigners she had chased off were messengers of the Lord Himself. Stricken with grief, she repented of her hard heart and took that offending broom with her to go proclaim the salvation message, flying around the world with the Gospel.
It’s an interesting twist on the image our society has of a broomstick-flying witch–this one repentant and a missionary. In Italy, they celebrate the Befana on the Epiphany (January 6); in each village, someone dresses up as the character and goes around giving candy to the children.
I think it’s a great way to remember that what we consider “the Christmas story” is in actuality a miracle that spanned years. I’m going to be chatting more about the magi on the Epiphany, since it falls on a Wednesday, so don’t forget to come back!
by Roseanna White | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
*Don’t forget the title contest in Monday’s post! Suggest a title for my story, and if yours is chosen, you win books!*
Okay, so another kid’s book. When I was in the Library with my girl last week and browsing the Christmas books, I just couldn’t resist when I saw one by Francine Rivers, who is undeniably one of my favorite authors. The Shoe Box came home with us that night, and while I wanted to read it straight away, I restrained myself until Xoe requested it. =)
The Shoe Box is about a little boy named Timmy who is put into foster care because his dad’s in prison and his mom has to work so much that she isn’t there to take care of him, and the neighbors turn her in. Timmy goes to live with a kind, loving couple who open their hearts to him and his mother.
With him Timmy carries an old shoe box with the words “Running Shoes” printed on the side. Everyone asks him what’s in it, but he only ever answers, “Things.” Though it makes everyone curious, no one pushes. He takes this box with him everywhere he goes, until the Christmas pageant. He’s playing one of the wise men, and instead of his bejeweled box, he takes his shoe box up to give it to Jesus.
I did some serious tearing up while I read this, though I made an effort not to cry outright, given that I was reading it to my daughter, LOL, and she doesn’t really understand “touched” tears yet. But this story was so sweet, so symbolic, so very beautiful–not surprising from Francine Rivers. The pictures are gorgeous too, making it a perfect book to sit down and read to the family.
I love telling my kids stories that show the true meaning of Christmas, the spirit of it, the history of it, and which have spiritual significance. The Shoe Box does all of these things in a format sure to delight the parent as well as the child. Just keep your tissues handy! If it can make me cry, the rest of y’all are doomed. š
by Roseanna White | Dec 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
It worked so well in September that I’m doing it again! I need help coming up with a title for my WIP, and I’m offering a prize to whoever comes up with the best one. I’ll select finalists, we’ll vote, and the winner will receive:
Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall
and of course a personalized, autographed copy of
A Stray Drop of Blood by moi
So, here’s the new book, currently dubbed “My Modern Pirate Story.” Clever, eh? You see why I need you. =)
~*~
Smith barges onto the pirate ship with his team of ex-SEALs expecting to rescue a Saudi princess gone missing in the Med–what he finds is a woman chained to a bed, badly injured, and most definitely not a princess. Unable to leave her at the mercy of the ruthless Russian thieves, he offers her a way off the ship and the the protection of his CIA liaison.
Kindness has never been a part of Cantara’s world. She occasionally traded one form of cruelty for another, but it has all been in the spectrum of pain. But when the stranger stands there, looking at her with compassion–as though she matters–she sees a promise she never knew could exist. Not for her. She had thought life wasn’t so bad with Petrov, since he kept her from an even greater evil, but looking at this man called Smith . . . for the first time in her life she trusts a man instinctively.
Smith takes her back to the U.S., knowing her knowledge of these pirates who are prowling the seas and preying on yachts and merchant vessels could prove useful. But the story of how she ended up in the clutches of Petrov convinces the CIA that she’s far more important than that. More than the pirates, she has an intimate knowledge of a black-market arms dealer they’ve been hunting for years. Smith figures it’s his duty to convince her to help his country. And the Lord has made it clear he’s also to make Him known to her. He just doesn’t know what to make of the fact that he has only to utter a word and she’ll obey him.
He’s the best man she’s ever met, that peace in his eyes is addictive. Cantara will do anything to stay with him a moment longer, to remain in his favor. She knows she is unworthy of any affection, but she is happy to do anything he wants.
Anything but the thing he asks of her. He and the CIA want her to return to the black-market world Petrov stole her from. Though she agrees, it costs her. And proves, in her mind, that she is nothing, even to Smith. Plunged into the swirling maelstrom of fear, she takes the greatest risk of all and opens her heart to the source of that peace in Smith’s eyes, the God she so wants to be hers.
With both the pirate and the arms dealer out to get her back at any cost, Cantara must learn the true value of who she is and Who she now serves, even if it means sacrificing herself for the causes of the man she loves. She and Smith both know that following God’s will doesn’t guarantee success by their human definition. This fledgling love is strong enough to survive–but does that mean that they are?
~*~
So . . . themes recurring so far:
Black market
Pirates
Eyes (it’s his eyes that show her she can trust him, and hers that show him how painful her past has been)
Desert
Water/Sea
Faith, specifically prayer
Can’t wait to see everyone else’s creativity, cuz I’ve got nothing!
This is a romantic suspense, so I need a title that captures the tension as well as the deep emotion.
by Roseanna White | Dec 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From A Stray Drop of Blood
ANDREW
Having come to the Visibullis house as a boy, Andrew has chosen to serve them for life and is now Cleopasās trusted manservant, beside him both on the battlefield and in his home. He is dedicated, loyal, and possesses the strength necessary to defend his master.
Andrew is the first to admit that where he excels on the field of war, he suffers in academics. He has been trying (halfheartedly) for years to learn Latin, first under Cleopasās tutelage, and then Abigailās. Mostly, he simply enjoys the lessons as time to spend with his friend. He considers it his duty to cajole Abigail into smiles and laughter and takes his greatest delight from that success. When stories of Jesus begin to circulate through the house, he shares them only to seek other opinions on them, seemingly willing to trust whatever decisions the others come to.
He is in many ways an understanding man, willing to forgive much of those he loves. But when it comes to those he doesnāt like, he clings stubbornly to enmity. With Jason, for instance, he has never gotten along, and he resents the fact that, unlike his master, his masterās son treats him like the lowest of scum.
Andrew would generally be seen in the shorter tunic of a slave, with an earring winking at his ear to proclaim his allegiance to Cleopas.
When trying to decide who to cast for these roles, I remembered one of my favorite recurring characters from NCIS. Rudolph Martin played a villain on that, but a cute and charming one. When he grins (a picture of which I could not find, LOL) he has the boyish charm of Andrew, though he usually looks more serious.
by Roseanna White | Dec 10, 2009 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
My, aren’t I focused this morning? With one cup of coffee under my belt, my brain’s still fluttering here and there. But hey. It’s my musing day, so I’ll just go with the muse. (How very Greek of me!)
Anyway. So in my house, Christmas prep is in full swing. Were it up to my daughter, we would have been decorating a month ago, but I held her off until last week. =) Decorating, baking, holiday preparation is in that category of things I hate to get started on but love to have done. And which tend to engross me once I’m started. Baking gingerbread cookies the other night led to chocolate chip yesterday, and if I weren’t out of sugar and a few other crucial ingredients, I might just go for type 3 today. There’s just something about seeing those beautiful lights sparkling on the tree in my living room that makes me want to break out in song and fill the house with the smells of baking.
And I’m terribly excited to be going to a fancy Christmas party this weekend. I have NEVER had cause to get all dressed up for a Christmas party, so this is fun. And my friend the hostess actually put it together just for a chance to get all fancy schmancy, so it should be extra fun because of its fun-seeking origins. I found an awesome little black dress with a cream sash and some sparkle where strap meets bodice, and the perfect silver shoes. I am not a shoe fiend, but I loooooooove those shoes! As does my hubby, miraculously. So yay! Exciting!
On to the final installment of my subject line. A friend of mine from one of my writing loops got an ARC of Stray Drop and just finished it yesterday. Earlier this week I got an update from Goodreads where she had posted a halfway-through review that was GLOWING, which made my day. Her full reaction was even better. It so, so warms my heart to hear that I actually pulled off what I wanted to in this book. So thanks, Dina!!
Speaking of which, you have a few more days to comment on Tuesday’s WordVessel post for a chance to win. I believe the drawing’s on Saturday. There’ll also be an interview and giveaway on Stephanie Morrill‘s site next week, and I think I’m going to have another title contest on Monday with a copy as one of the prizes. Although y’all should really go buy a gazillion copies for everyone you know too . . . š
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, sheās homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her booksā¦to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.