Here's the first little section of a new book I'm writing. Thoughts?
All Jennifer could see of her grandmother’s body was one frail hand peeking out from under the patchwork quilt. She hated the acrid smell in the room. It always made her nose hairs stand on end. She sighed as she sat down in the uncomfortable hospital chair. Did she dare touch her grandmother’s hand? She knew it would be warm to the touch. Oh how she wished it would go stone cold.
“She’s looking quite well today,” the nurse s… Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on April 24, 2009 at 3:41pm —
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I am now the recipient of two ocular lenses to replace the natural lenses in my eyes. I had a cataract in my left eye, so my eye specialist referred me to an eye surgeon. Long story short, after several weeks, I now no longer need contacts or eyeglasses! Yippee!
I have to tell you that the world looks different. I've worn glasses since about second grade. To be able to wake up, open my eyes and see clearly is amazing!
My vision wasn't great at first, though. It was blurry and my eyes were dila… Continue
Is it really March already? My head has been spinning and whirling a bit lately. January was so incredibly busy at work and I ended up working overtime almost every day. Just when I thought I was going to have some time to get caught up at the beginning of February, my sister died suddenly. That sent my family into another mind-numbing spin. Things seem to be settling down a bit now.
When I glance over my shoulder and see two months of the new year have already gone by it is a bit shocking.
It… Continue
Today marks my 60th year on this earth…I woke up feeling more alive than ever. As I begin to reflect on the history of my life, I can only see the hand of God in everything that has ever happened to me, the good, the challenging, the joys and sorrows…..those experiences have brought me to this place I am today. A place of peace, contentment, freedom, and so much joy. I have been blessed beyond measure….with friends, family, so much love, profound lessons, deep humility and growing wisdom. I am e… Continue
Added by OWiseOne on January 28, 2009 at 11:33am —
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I wish you a new year of
cherishing your dreams,
honoring your spirit,
speaking the truth kindly,
forgiving and being forgiven,
walking beside a trusted friend,
listening with your heart,
being surrounded with joy,
and sharing the journey
with those you love.Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on December 29, 2008 at 11:23pm —
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It's all been emptied out
hollowed by need
sucked out by care and obligation
Now, I'm seeking
what fills this space?
What used to go here?
How do I find the pieces?
Do I go back? Start over?
Create, or re-create?
Either way
blessing
hollow, to be filled
not empty, to feel lost. Continue
The words fly through my brain
seeking form, shape
seeking cohesiveness.
I'm full, full of thoughts, feelings....
Stuck, ingrown, almost festering....
but hoping
until
finally, allowing flow, expression,
finally breathing again....
the words stagger forth into the light. Continue
I found out today that Purity is available!! I haven't even received my author copy yet! I want to hold it in my hands and see it for myself. It is all suddenly becoming very real. I alternate between being thrilled and scared to death. Mostly, I'm thrilled. =)
It was really and truly so fabulous to type my name into the search box and see my book pop up! The cover art and description aren't posted on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com yet, but they are posted on publishamerica.com.
Eeep! Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on October 27, 2008 at 6:05pm —
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This is the back cover, spine and front cover. The original looks very pink on my screen, but I'm hoping it is more of a rose color. At first I wasn't sure it was reflective of my story, but it's definitely growing on me. =)
I spent almost six hours last Wednesday night reading Purity from start to finish from the page proofs PublishAmerica sent me. What a task!!! =) I found four errors (all mine!). I noted the changes and now my book will go to the cover art department and they'll produce a cover. PA has total say over the cover design, so I'm anxiously waiting to see what they choose. Eeep! =) Exciting! Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on October 3, 2008 at 11:16pm —
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I returned my looooong Author's Questionnaire last Saturday and received an e-mail confirmation that PublishAmerica received it. Now, we're on to the next step of editing/proofing. PA will assign a person to edit/proof my manuscript. They will let me know when they've assigned someone. I'm guessing this process may take several months, although I really don't know. I think it depends on how backed up they are.
The AQ required a lot of information and took me about a week to finally complete. Wh… Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on September 16, 2008 at 7:09pm —
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After spending the better part of my day trying to get files transferred from my old computer to my new one, I began pondering technology. Yes, it is amazing. And, yes, I love being able to keep in touch with friends via e-mail and couldn't imagine my life without my cell phone, but... (you knew a "but" was coming didn't you?) I miss the days when we hand wrote notes to our loved ones. Even the days when we grabbed a piece of paper and quickly typed up a note. No need to format, wait for a compu… Continue
Wage peace with your breath.
Breathe in firemen and rubble,
breathe out whole buildings and
flocks of red wing blackbirds.
Breathe in terrorists and
breathe out sleeping children and
freshly mown fields.
Breathe in confusion and
breathe out maple trees.
Breathe in the fallen and
breathe out lifelong friendships intact.
Wage peace with your listening:
hearing sirens, pray loud.
Remember your tools: flower seeds,
clothes pins, clean rivers.
Make soup.
Play music, learn the word for thank you in th… Continue
Cancer.
When you see the word written down, or you hear it spoken through the lips of someone near by, chances are good that you’re mind goes to someone who’s been affected by it. Perhaps it's even a challenge you’ve dealt with personally. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or yourself, it’s a word you’re familiar with. It’s a deadly disease you’re familiar with.
Every minute, someone dies of some type of cancer. In the time it took you to read the first paragraph, a persons life has ende… Continue
Yes, my little romantic comedy with a bit of drama is actually going to be published! I'm terrified and excited and anxious and thrilled and a million other emotions.
The contract was clear and I believe I know what I'm getting myself into. I retain the copyright to my work and in seven years, if the publisher still wants to keep publishing my book, we can sign another contract for an additional seven years.
The thought of someone going to Amazon.com and ordering Purity, the name of my book, o… Continue
I got a new computer from Dell today. Most people would be deliriously happy if a new computer was delivered to their doorstep. While I can't say I was truly unhappy, I can't say I was happy, either. Change is hard for me. Even a change that will ultimately be a good thing and make my life easier.
Part of the reason I didn't want a new computer is because the one I am currently using was put together especially for me by my friend, Lenny.
Lenny used to go to my church. He was full of spirit an… Continue
Added by Merri Hiatt on September 2, 2008 at 5:58pm —
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