#SaturdaySpotlight with Janet Elizabeth Lynn!

Good Morning Friends,

We are winding down our week with Janet. She'll be back tomorrow and I certainly hope you've enjoyed this week with her.

I know I have. So without much further ado, here she is....

I have always loved the 1950s Noir genre, movies, books, pictures etc. I inherited my mother’s fascination with Hollywood. I remember the TV shows my parents watched, Lassie, Gunsmoke, The Jack Benny Show.

When I started writing, 2000, I always wanted to attempt ‘50s Noir, but couldn’t figure out how to get into a man’s head and make it sound real. My husband is a published author too. We edited each other’s work. He consistently changed the dialogue for my male characters with, “A guy wouldn’t say that.”

One day I mentioned how I’d love to write a Noir Murder Mystery. He turned to me and said, “So let’s do one together.” I almost broke into tears.

People warned us it would tarnish our 43 year old marriage. People insisted it wouldn’t work. With these warnings, we took a spiritual approach of setting rules of kindness, respect and overall patience. We started with a deadline schedule and followed it to the letter. We met every two weeks to discuss character development, subplots and fight scenes-what was working and what wasn’t. We took field trips to old Hollywood, Hip hop clubs, all to get the feel for the 1950s.

The results-SLIVERS OF GLASS and a wonderful partnering experience for both of us. Will there be more coauthored books? You bet!

Find bio and contact information on Janet and Bill in yesterday's post.

Slivers of Glass can be purchased at Amazon in print and for Kindle!

What a wonderful story to post on this Valentine's Day! I hope your's is Blessed and Happy and filled with......

  &

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts: Happiness

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Thursday Thoughts for October 2014! Still can't believe this year is nearly over.

As I sit here in the quiet, early morning hours and take a moment to connect with my soul one thing is abundantly clear.... I AM Happy.

Writing that, emotions swell in my body... a lump in the throat, tears in my eyes, gratitude overflows my heart, my mind is awhirl.

I look back over this past year and recall a conversation with a friend when he said, "happiness is the greatest attraction" and I realize how true that is.

People are more drawn to those who exude happiness, joy and peace.

Just as misery loves company and depression darkens the brightest day, the vibrant energy of happiness permeates the atmosphere and has the ability to raise up everyone around you.

Knowing this, why wouldn't you choose happiness as a way of life?

Now, I know as well as the next person you can't be happy all the time. Things will happen, sad memories will rise up and put a damper on your mood. Some will even try to convince you that you have no right to be happy.

Give yourself permission to feel those feelings then let them go! Do NOT allow the thief to come in and destroy your innate happiness and joy. Afterall, joy is powerful, and happiness is infectious.

So how would someone whose been in a depressed state choose happiness and joy?

One way is to get up every morning and say Thank You, Thank God for even the smallest blessing in your life. Even if that means finding and focusing on one simple thing, do it!

Another is to keep a prayer/gratitude journal. Begin your list with "I'm so happy and grateful that/for (fill in the blank)."

Write affirmations of your choice to be happy.... "I let go and let God, I choose to be happy." I am happy. I am joyful. I am peace. I am gratitude.

Writing and speaking are very powerful tools of change.

Put on some happy, upbeat music and dance every chance you get! Movement is essential for good health and as you loosen up and feel the music down in your soul, realize this is a form of worship too.

These are just a few ways you can increase the level of happiness and joy in your life. Try one or two and I guarantee you'll come up with several of your own.

But bottom line.... Happiness and Joy are a choice. Therefore, choose wisely.

Have a Blessed & Happy Day!!
PamT

#ThursdayThoughts: Fatigue & Happiness

Well Friends, it's one of those rare days when I don't have much to say LOL!

I'm too tired to think and have way too much to do to mull over it, so.....

I'm just going to leave you with this upbeat song and I pray by the time you leave my blog you'll be in a happier frame of mind......




Oh and while you're getting happy, here's something to think about....We should never be too tired to spread a little joy so bless somebody today!

 Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

Thursday Thoughts: Happiness

Well after the past several days it's a wonder I can even begin to think about happiness. That alone makes me think....

I know, I'm crazy as a loon LOL!

But seriously. How many times do we allow the circumstances in our lives and/or the actions of others dictate OUR joy?

Here's the thing... we have a CHOICE. I've said this before to so many people and believed it myself. That didn't stop me from experiencing anger to a degree I've never felt before due to someone else's actions and attitudes these past several days.

However, the shift from that to pure happiness happened when I chose to not allow that situation to control me.

So, no matter what is going on and with whom, choose happiness, peace and joy. Choose not to let the actions and attitudes of others control your emotions. Choose to be happy and to trust that God is in control and will show Himself strong on your behalf. 

The power of choice is yours....

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

Speaking of Choices....my short story is still available!

Best-selling novelist and songwriter, Camie Rogers has penned numerous accounts of the secret love she holds in her heart. Country-Music Superstar Kip Allen has changed from the shy, humble boy, to the epitome of “star.” Can the two rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour?

Excerpt: Too soon, the concert was over, and security officers rushed her backstage. Waiting in the shadows apart from the throng of frenzied fans vying for autographs and pictures, she watched with concern as Kip raked his fingers through his hair. He heaved a tired sigh, insisted on no more autographs, and then headed for his dressing room.

Camie stepped forward, "Just one more autograph?" Kip turned at her soft request. His eyes lit with recognition, and he gave her an unreserved smile.

"Camie!" He enfolded her in a big hug. "What are you doing back here?"

A flush warmed her skin at the velvety-roughness of his voice. "I won the prize package from the radio station. You know: Front row seat, backstage pass, autographed C.D., etcetera, etcetera, etcetera." Her heart raced at his nearness, her body trembled in his strong embrace. Feeling way too comfortable in his arms, she disentangled herself and took a step back. 

 He grinned. "Great. You look good."

Her heart skipped a beat. "So do you." Electricity sizzled between them.

Always had.

Even in high school.

Theirs had been a subtle romance, underscored by sensual currents that hummed whenever their eyes met or they ventured into a conversation, both too shy to take the relationship further.

"What ever happened to us?"  She wondered aloud, finding it difficult to speak past her heart hammering in her throat. "I still get all tongue-tied when you're near." He smiled, that lazy, heart-stopping grin that drove females from age five to fifty into a frenzy.

 "You do?" he queried, pulling her closer once more.

The husky softness of his voice sent delicious shivers down her spine, and she choked on a yes.

"Me too." He stroked her cheek.

Her senses swirled at the tender touch. She placed her hand over his and gazed into his sea-green eyes. Whether a moment, an eternity, or the simple span of a heartbeat passed, she wasn’t sure, but she relished the encounter. He dropped his hand from her face and broke eye contact.

"I don't know what happened. I wanted to roam, you wanted a home." He chuckled at the corny rhyme.  "Sounds like the makings of a hit."

Purchase Links:

Pelican Book Group http://pelink.us/13N5j5g

Kindle http://amzn.to/15Iyny0

Thursday Thoughts - The Key to Happiness....

Good Morning Friends!

If you could do ONE thing with the guarantee it would change your life, would you do it?

This sounds like a pretty dumb question to me, but trust me when I say there are folks out there who would jump on this with a jubilant "Yes!" and yet others who would mumble, grumble and doubt.

But seriously, there IS one thing we can all do that will not only change our life, but the lives of those around us.

By now you're either waiting for me to reveal that secret....

Well here it is.... Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.

As the Bible states.... "As a man thinks, therefore he is."

Yes, the key to happiness lies within YOU and only YOU can make yourself happy!

True there are circumstances and situations and people that can ADD to your happiness but unless you Choose to be happy, those things will not suffice. Oh, they may work for a while but why settle for a temporary high when you can have a life of happiness?

Something to think about!

Speaking of Choices...Check out my short story about that very same thing!

Best-selling novelist and songwriter, Camie Rogers has penned numerous accounts of the secret love she holds in her heart. Country-Music Superstar Kip Allen has changed from the shy, humble boy, to the epitome of “star.” Can the two rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour? 

Available from White Rose Publishing, Kindle & Nook!


"Inspirational with an Edge!"

Thursday Thoughts...What If?

What IF.......

               .......That never ending spiral of thoughts that don't ever seem to get resolved....


What if such and so hadn't happened?
What if this or that happens?
What if he/she hadn't said that
What I'll say if......

Jesus taught us to pray "give us this day our daily bread." He told us not to worry about the future .... what good does worrying do, does it add one more hour or one more day?

And we know worrying will never change the past.

So what are we to do?

What if...for just one day we live in the moment...this moment, this day. Let us take captive any thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (love) and eradicate it from our mind (2 Corinth. 10:5) and in it's place let us consider not only our blessings, but how we may bless someone else.

Often times we think of blessing someone as giving them something... What if the only thing you can give is a heartfelt prayer on their behalf?

Seems like such a small thing. But what if that small thing...multiplied by millions of people...actually changed the world we live in?

Let us not despise the little things we can do to bless and honor our God and His creation! 

Until later remember....Don’t allow the world outside and around you poison the beauty within.
 PamT