Tis the season ...

... to be thankful. To be merry. To remember ...

Traditionally, in our family--my father's family--weremembered family by coming together on the 4th Thursday of November to celebrate those who remain, those who had joined the family, whether by marriage or by birth, and to reflect on those taken too soon. My grandparents had lost two children to drunk drivers right at Thanksgiving, several years apart. But rather than turn the holiday into a time to mourn, they chose to turn it into a time to celebrate. And so, every year, we gathered together. Mothers cooked. Dads talked. The children--those blessed grandchildren of which I am a part--watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, sitting cross-legged on a cold floor in front of the console television. Then, when the meal was ready, we all came together in a kitchen wafting with the aromas of the meal for my grandfather's prayer (I can still recite it by heart). We loaded our plates and then we dug in to some of the best food ever prepared--the adults sitting around the mahogany dining room table while the kids dined at the kitchen table. Formica, of course. After lunch, the women cleaned up--a lot of talking and laughing went on in that kitchen--while the men snoozed, and the kids ran outside for a game of touch football beneath the shade of pecan trees, fallen nuts cracking under our feet. 

And then, of course, came Christmas. What was more exciting? Knowing we had two weeks off from school or knowing that Santa Claus would soon park his reindeer and sleigh on top of our roof, come down the chimney, and deposit gifts chosen just for us? I cannot remember a single Christmas from my childhood that did not include a cantata at church, one given by the adults, one by the children. I cannot remember a single one that didn't find me dressed in a white robe, carrying a candle, singing Gloria. I cannot recall a single Christmas Day from those year that didn't include the love of family, the laughter of a brother and sister who'd been visited by the "big guy in red" and then darting from house to house to see what our friends had received. We played for hours on end--outside, bundled up ... inside, red-cheeked and satisfied. We shared meals with neighbors. Later that night, we drove around our small town, peering out the car windows, taking in the sights of houses glowing with lights and holly, trees and wreaths. 

No matter what has transpired in my life--the good, the bad, the delightful, the awful--I have my holiday memories and, better still, I have the talent God gave me to write about them. I can share them with my children, my grandchildren ... friends, relatives. I can leave them behind for future generations, as far as my mind can imagine. I can combine photos and greeting cards. I can include them in a scrapbook. This is my gift.

What will yours be?

Eva Marie Everson, President                                                                                                                                          Word Weavers International                                                                                                                                               Director, Florida Christian Writers Conference                                                                                                                 Director, North Georgia Christian Writers Conference

Getting to Know Your Presidents!

Today we meet Ginny Cruz

1. Where do you live? I live in Pensacola, FL

2. How long have you been a Word Weaver? I have been a Word Weaver for almost two years and the president ofthe Pensacola chapter for one year.

3. How long have you been writing—or when did you feel God was calling you to be a writer? While I wrote papers in college, I never pursued writing until 2007 whenI felt God pulling me in that direction. 

4. What do you like to read? My preferred reading material is often non-fiction. I enjoy biographies andhow-to books on a variety of topics. I also enjoy adventure and fiction alongthe line of James Patterson or Tom Clancy. 

5. What do you write? I write non-fiction and am moving into writing articles and blog posts related tomy profession as a pediatric physical therapist. 

 a) If you are published:  

            1. First book? My first book was a self-published children's book,  E is for Ellisville. My second children's book, also self-published, was Gracie's Greatest Gift I also wrote and produced a short movie, Paint the Town and a music CD, Change the World

            2. Newest book? My newest book is a collection of family stories. Mud Holes and Magnolias: Lessons on Faith from Mama's Stories

6. Where’s your favorite place to write? My favorite place to write is sitting outside facing the woods. Nature feeds my creativity.

7. If you have a dedicated writing space, describe it for us.  I do not really have a dedicated writing space.

8. What’s your ideal writing routine (time of day, with or without a beverage, snack to get to the finish line, etc.) My ideal time to write is in the mornings before lunch. I do not drink or eat while writing. If I'm forced to write indoors, I play nature sounds in the background.

9. We all have several authors we love to read so I won’t make you pick a favorite—but what has been your favorite book this year and why? (Great story, impactful, educational, etc.) My favorite book this year has been Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs. I love her use of modern-day fictionalcharacters to illustrate biblical stories.

10. What’s one piece of writing advice you’d like to share with other Word Weaver members? (Maybe something you wished you would have known as you began writing.) My writing advice to other Word Weavers is to stay in touch with the ministry aspect of writing. God has a purpose for thegift and it is easy to forget that. This helps me view the frustrations and setbacks as part of the journey. Quitting is not an option.

Bonus:  If there is anything else you’d like to share about you or your writing journey that I have not asked in the above list – feel free to add it! Surround yourself with mature Christian writers who are invested in your development, i.e. Word Weavers. They are the only ones who will truly care or understand you or your work. 

?

Ginny Cruz, PT is a pediatric physical therapist with 30+ years of experience. She has a BS degree in physical therapy from the University of Florida and an MPA degree from the University of West Florida. She currently provides evaluation and consultation services to the Early Steps program in Pensacola, FL. Ginny writes to help families raise successful children You can follow her at ginnycruz.com 

Getting to Know Your Presidents!

Today we meet Tez Brooks

1. Where do you live?  COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

2. How long have you been a Word Weaver? OVER 10 YRS, NOT SURE
a) What chapter are you President of? PAGE 13 and WORD WEAVERS PIKES PEAK

3. How long have you been writing—or when did you feel God was calling you to be a writer?
SINCE 2002

4. What do you like to read? CHRISTIAN FICTION THRILLERS

5. What do you write? NON-FICTION (for FAMILIES and DEVOTIONALS)
a) If you are published:
1. First book? SOMEWHERE IN THE JOURNEY (a devotional)
2. How many written? FOUR BOOKS
3. Newest book? GOD WATCHERS: REFLECTIONS FOR DISCOVERING HIS VOICE EVERYWHERE

6. Where’s your favorite place to write? ANYWHERE WITH MOUNTAINS IN SIGHT

7. If you have a dedicated writing space, describe it for us. THE LOFT IN MY HOUSE. IT’S A
STANDING DESK WITH A MOUNTAIN VIEW. ALL MY WRITING RESOURCES
SURROUND ME. IT HAS A LA-Z-BOY RECLINDER FOR STOPPING TO REST OR
HEAR FROM GOD. LITERARY AWARDS ARE ON THE WALLS.

8. What’s your ideal writing routine (time of day, with or without a beverage, snack to get to the
finish line, etc.) MORNINGS WITH COFFEE AND SOMETIMES A DONUT.

9. We all have several authors we love to read so I won’t make you pick a favorite—but what has
been your favorite book this year and why? (Great story, impactful, educational, etc.)
DRYER’S ENGLISH (a fun read on the rules of writing and when to break them)

10. What’s one piece of writing advice you’d like to share with other Word Weaver members?
(Maybe something you wished you would have known as you began writing).
PROTECT YOUR WRITING TIME. TURN OFF SOCIAL MEDIA POP UPS AND EMAILS.

Bonus: If there is anything else you’d like to share about you or your writing journey that I have
not asked in the above list – feel free to add it! ATTEND A WRITERS CONFERENCE AT
LEAST EVERY TWO YEARS. IT WILL IMPROVE YOUR WRITING AND OPEN DOORS
FOR YOU. WRITERS WHO ARE SERIOUS WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN.


 

Tez Brooks has been called strategic, thoughtful, approachable and fun. Whether he’s coaching new authors, serving as faculty at conferences, or working on his next book, Tez’s passion and generosity for helping writers is evident. 

As an award-winning author and international speaker, Tez Brooks writes on family issues, with his work appearing in Guideposts, The Upper Room, CBN.com, Clubhouse, Focus on the Family, and Cru.org. His editorials are featured regularly on Jesusfilm.org and seen by over 20k readers each month. 

Tez’s book, The Single Dad Detour (Kregel) was winner for the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards.His comedic screenplay Jangled, won 2016 Best Short Film in Florida at CENFLO.His literary works have won awards with Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers Guild, Florida Christian Writer’s Conference and Florida Writer’s Association. 

Tez leads two chapters for Word Weavers International. He and his wife serve as full-time missionaries. They have four children and live in Colorado Springs. You can learn more at TezBrooks.com