The Glory Behind the Story

The writing theme for this past couple of weeks is shame. Preparation for the scenes to come about Van conditioning and molesting us.  After writing one scene of an afternoon horseback riding, flashbacks of adult promiscuity and shameful sexual scenes tormented my sleep. This planted a fear to return to the page. I didn't want those images to return. So, how do I move forward? Pray. Read scripture. Worship. - Before writing and before going to sleep. After writing a traumatic scene, write another scene or narrative showing God's character (forgiveness, mercy, healing, etc.) so I can return to the page in love; not fear or shame. Maybe even write about the Romans 8:28 revelation before writing about the trauma. Do not get graphic - My readers are smart. They can figure it out. This chapter is the most difficult. Chapter 4 shows the sexual abuse we endured at the hands of our stepfather. August 28th happens to be his birthday, God rest his soul. It's not irony that...

While writing this chapter, I stumbled upon an online reading forum where a young lady commented about connecting with E. Sue Blume, author of the book, Secret Survivors. She was super excited that the author had responded to her letter.  I decided to do a little digging to see if there was a way to connect with her also for my book. Her book was pivotal at the onset of my own healing journey. I would be writing about in Chapter 15! The book appeared on the bookshelf when I was looking for a book on outlaw bikers. The title was so intriguing. When I opened it, the inside binding contained the intake assessment list my new counselor had me complete. It was God confirming I was in the right place. I want the author to know this story. I'm compelled to connect with her. A bookstore ad popped up and they had a pristine first edition for sale. It was autographed and everything. So, I ordered it. I actually found her current mailing address. I want to find out if she would endorse my b...

I had just set up my new sacred writing space in the turret room upstairs. This was my FB post on 2/1/19: Why are new beginnings so important to us? Opportunity. Clean slate. Mercy. Grace. This... Welcome to my new writing-nook-slash-war-roo m! I’m soaking this in right now, along with all the little birdies singing in the tree! Welcome, friends! I’m starting out with a prayer of blessing, inspiration, and protective covering over this room! Will you join me? I noticed a single ladybug walking along the edge of my laptop screen. I took a photo and posted it to Facebook on 2/1/19, "I'm not even sure how this ladybug made it into our upstairs loft and onto my laptop, but I love my little visitor." Merry Seneca Streeter:  Inspiration! Me:  I'm going to ponder that one! Later that afternoon, I decided to take a break from writing. Watching The Shack is always great inspiration so I put it on. Just as Missy was abducted, her murderer left behind a small l...

As I settled into The Pine Beach Inn at Fort Bragg, I thought about diving into chapter 15 where my relationship with my dad is restored. I had just finished writing the chapter on The Sorting Cell. I figured I would wrap up the long day of travel on a positive note. I'm enjoying a new book, Adorning the Dark, so I pulled it out. The author, Andrew Peterson, writes eloquently about creativity and living out our calling. Though he is a gifted and anointed writer, he writes and sings music primarily. His writing flows like a melody. I get lost in the pages of this book! I lay the book beside me as I turned out the lights. I intentionally left the sliding door wide open to allow the cool sea air to fill the room. The intense crashing of the ocean waves lulled me to sleep. In the middle of the night, a melody played in my dream. I recall lifting my head from the pillow, still half asleep, sounding out the melody out loud in order to remember the song in my dream. It was real. For...