Choose your word, and walk in that space.

What you think, you speak, what you speak becomes your reality. Embrace a word that describes a positive emotion, and if you aren’t already in that mode, think it and speak it until it becomes your reality.

Have an awesome day!

As I prepare to hunker down and finish my ninth book, I’m also gearing up to spend one hour a week helping other writers shape their stories and produce the novels they’ve longed to write.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or find yourself stuck in the middle of a manuscript, I’d love to help you. I’ll be leading the fiction track of my Author In You teleseminar coaching program for the next six weeks, and there’s still time to sign up.

The hour-long, call-in course begins on Tuesday (May 1st) at 7:30 p.m. EST. and will continue for the next five Tuesdays.

Not only will you receive practical tips to take you from book idea to The End, you’ll receive inspiration from me and from your fellow students on the call. You’ll also receive a recording after each lesson that you can refer to again and again, to help you move forward.

Because of my busy schedule, I’ll only teach one fiction track course this year. Sign up now so you can check at least one item off your “someday list!” You won’t regret it.

CLICK HERE to receive more information abut Author In You and to register for the May 1- June 5 Fiction Track teleseminar.

www.AuthorInYou.com

My readers left each of the signings thrilled to have a signed copy of my new novel, “Coming Home,” but I’m not sure they realized how much they filled me with joy.  Meeting readers inspires me to write faster and keep creating true-to-life characters that not only entertain, but also help readers improve their lives in some way. Thanks so much to everyone who took time to come out to one of the signings!

Here are a few highlights:

During last week’s signing at the Short Pump Barnes & Noble, the surprise appearance of three readers who drove from three different parts of the state, for more than a hour, left me humbled.  It was also a delight to see old friends and long-time supporters, as well as to meet a few new readers and introduce them to my work.

One highlight from today’s Barnes & Noble-Brandermill signing? Being the first author to sign a reader’s Kindle cover. Love this idea!! Thank you, Kim!

And on Friday at the Fountain Bookstore in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Slip, reader Sheila Johnson stopped by to pick up a copy of “Coming Home” and drop off her some her baked goodies. Check her out at www.thinkingofyoucreations.com.

Another gem at the Fountain Bookstore signing was meeting a VCU student from China who heard about my new novel and decided to stop by and interview me for a class. She was so intrigued by the fact that I write about women and about faith that she left with notes for her paper and a copy of the book (and I promise I didn’t pressure her to buy it)!

To view a few photos from this weekend’s signings, stop by my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/BooksByStacy.

Final thought for this weekend’s signings: Regardless of whether I strike it rich (we authors usually aren’t, you know? LOL) or hit the New York Times bestseller’s list (we all dream of it!), one lone reader confirmed for me today why what I write is important and why sometimes “chance” meetings are ordained. Never met her before and she’d never heard of me. But when she walked in and stopped by the table to ask about my books, she wound up sharing her current life crisis.

She came to B&N looking for a T.D. Jakes book to guide her, but the plot in one of my novels mirrors her experience. She was stunned. She didn’t leave with that book because it hit too close to home. But she left with the T.D. Jakes title she wanted, a second book I recommended, and my nonfiction book “Who Speaks To Your Heart?” along with my promise to pray for her. As my pastor said last Sunday, we never know who we’re meant to help, or how.

My book may or may not fully meet her need, but hopefully my words of encouragement helped. Either way, she left B&N filled with hope, and I’m believing her life is going to change for the better.

As my spiritual mom always says, “See God work!” Indeed, he is working, through the written word, the spoken word, and our very existence if we’ll surrender.

My final Richmond signing (at least for the near future) will be held at the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble on Sun, April 29. Next weekend, I’m looking forward to meeting readers at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery. I hope my friends in the area will come out!

In the meantime, thanks to all for reading and for spreading the word about my work. When you share a good book with a friend, colleague, relative or even a stranger, you are rendering a blessing.

Have hope; believe; then receive.

“Are you looking for problems or are you looking for gifts? Do you see setbacks as final, or do you see setbacks as setups for success? You are the “meaning maker” of your life. You will find what you look for.” ~ Mastin Kipp

Expect the best, pursue the best and receive the best.  Have a great week!

Good Friday brings this all to life, because Good Friday equals Great Love. I’m thankful!

Have a blessed Easter weekend, and remember, shadows are cast by light, so the light always triumphs.

Good to remember this as I race to complete my ninth book – the followup to “Coming Home.” I’m writing now, so that this novel will be in bookstores sometime in 2013. Please wish me writing grace and pray for creativity to flow!

Among the people I’m praying for this evening is the family of Trayvon Martin. When I see pictures of that handsome young man’s smiling face, I can’t help but turn my eyes toward the little brown boy whose smile steals my heart – my fourth-grade son. There but by the grace of God it could be someone I love.

Then there’s the story of the New York mom who suffered brain damage and blindness at the hands of two teens while she was shopping for underprivileged children. Those youths are now incarcerated, their friend who witnessed their actions is recovering from emotional trauma, and the victim’s teen son is grappling with his mother’s long recovery and having witnessed the attack.

Justice must be served. It can’t heal a parent’s shattered heart, but it confirms that a young man’s life was valuable.

Senseless violence must be stopped. When random hearts roam free, hateful actions can and do flourish.

Pondering what any one of us can do alone to make a difference feels like deciding to dip a teaspoon into the ocean. But each dip makes a ripple, and each ripple can turn into a wave.

We can’t stand by, watching from the sidelines, because the next tidal wave of injustice or criminal injury could overtake us, or those we hold dear. We must be our brother’s and sister’s keeper and speak out against wrongs while speaking up for right.

The more we’re willing to counter hate with love, raise our voices for good, and join with others to see a worthwhile mission succeed, the more heartbreak and evil will lose its power to hold any of us in its grip.

]]> http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=916 0 http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog/?p=914 http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog/?p=914#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:04:03 +0000 Stacy Hawkins Adams http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/blog/?p=914 Hope you’re having a great Monday.

“You have all you need within you to become the best version of yourself. Anything that inspires you is an outward reflection of the potential within you.” ~ Jackson Kiddard.

Let your inner light shine and watch it bless the world around you!