Sunday, August 21, 2005

Where Do You Shop for E-Books?

Readers generally don't have any problems finding print books. They can shop at their favorite chain bookstore, order from amazon.com, visit a local bookshop specializing in used books or a particular genre, or experience a bookfair or signing. They can even pick up paperbacks when they shop at the grocery or superstore.

But sometimes it's not quite so easy to find e-books. Publishers and self-published authors may sell directly from their Web sites, and readers can't easily go to a few central locations to find a wide selection of e-books.

A good place to start is the book page of the Christian E-Author Web site. You'll find a selection of titles by members that range from thought-provoking to humorous to inspirational to entertaining ... for both adults and children.

The publishers page includes links to publishers to give you a broader selection.

Check out the links on the side panel of this blog. Many fine writers offer e-books on their sites or links to where their books are available.

Fictionwise is a leading e-bookstore. Their "spirituality/religion" category is not Christian - it encompasses any spirituality or religion, and there aren't a lot of Christian titles. There are other e-bookstores, but what I like about Fictionwise is that it offers a lot of different formats. Most of the other stores are limited to a few formats. If you happen to have a particular device or like to read on your computer in a specific format, those stores are great. But if you want or need something else ... you're out of luck.

I always like to buy directly from the author or publisher, but there are many authors and publishers I don't know. So other than meeting them through Christian E-Author or EPIC or hearing about them from a friend, I have a couple of favorite places to find e-books and e-authors.

BitBooks Digital Fiction Links includes links to free fiction on the Internet. In many cases, these are excerpts of e-books. For example, I have posted a link to a three-chapter excerpt of my novel Stroke of Luck. But there are also complete short stories, such as my inspirational story, The Gift, and my romance, Trapped by Love. You can browse the categories and read some of the free excerpts and stories, then when you find writers you like, you can order their books.

Another favorite place is Books We Love. You'll find author Web pages and links to publisher or bookstore sites to buy the featured e-books. This site offers a newsletter about the member authors as well as lots of fun contests.

It may take a little more digging to find e-books from small publishers than print books from the big guys. But I think it's worth it. The stories will often be different, intriguing, inspiring ... maybe just what you were looking for!

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Do you have a hard time giving?

I would like to say the principle that tells us: we receive more blessings by giving than receiving, works for any who will embrace it with a joyful heart.

The world use the principles in the Bible and they prosper but many Christians don't embrace them or if they do it's not with the right heartset.

The Principle Works! And it works quickly.

" ...it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35)KJV

Those words appear in red letters....so you know those are words from the Christ. I wouldn't question those words. I'd accept them and apply them to my daily actions and every motive/intent that's in my heart. Ask the Father for directions and wait for the answers. Once I hear the answers I follow them to the letter.

I'm always looking for a way to help someone or give something away. Many days I leave the house shopping for something to give away. I must say most of the time I receive multiple returns on the gift before I get back home.

The word of God is true and if you (this means anyone) want to receive then look for ways to freely give. Don't look at what the person you're giving something to will do for you. In fact, I don't want them to do anything for me. Why? Because then the word that God sent out will have to perform a thing on my behalf. God can bless much greater than man. And you never know when he'll cause a man's heart to be turned towards you and show favor to you.

Principle in action:

One day my family was out driving with no particular destination. At the stop light a man had a sign asking for money (which put a smile on my husbands heart). Not that the man had a need but that he was willing to ask for help instead of stealing and that this man was presenting an opportunity for my husband to give. He hadn't stopped the car completely (the light was red), and he had already undid his seatbelt and was lifting himself out of the seat trying to get his wallet out of his back pocket. He quickly pulled out $5 which was all he had and excitedly giving it to the guy. It did take the man by surprise the way my husband was acting. And here's the reward to that gift.

Later that evening we were browsing through a store and I saw some vitamin supplements that I thought were identical to the bottle we had purchased earlier that day. I took a bottle to my husband to examine. He then told me that they were a little better than the ones we can gotten earlier because they had not only an extra ingredient but that they were stronger. His thing was that it would have been better to get those than than the ones we had purchased. I have no problem returning an item for a refund so I told him I'll return the one item that we'd purchased for $30 and purchase this new item.

And now for the kicker: Why is it more blessed to give than to receive? We purchased 50 bottles of that supplement that day. The reason we purchased so many was because I believe in stocking up and taking full advantage of a blessing that presents itself. The new and better supplement was only $1.00 per bottle. WOW!Look at the principle of God work.

It is better if we concentrate on building up spiritual wealth not natural wealth (nothing wrong with wealth either it's just not what's driving us), because the spiritual will cause the natural to manifest. We do good to stand on the word and trust in the Father and not be moved by what we can see or touch.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Writing Lite




Last week a friend of mine, Jules, mentioned writing lite. I thought if there was a description for my writing, that expression would sum it up. But then again - maybe not.

I love to write for children. Smiles on chubby, little faces, and the idea of tiny hands holding a copy of my book bring joy to my heart. I want to giggle like a second grader when an idea for a poem comes to me. A great deal of hard work goes into every poem - as any children's writer will attest. It may look easy, but just as much work can go into an eight-line poem as a 1200 word article. So even though the end result is lighthearted, it's not really writing lite.

So what would it be? Well, if I eat something 'lite,' the tummy still feels a bit empty. In fact, I forage for something more substantial to satisfy my insides.

I suppose lite writing would fall into that same description. You read. You feel empty. What was the point? Then you hunt for something more substantial - something that satisfies - especially if a spiritual hunger has your insides gnawing.

Writing lite has its place, to be sure. Sometimes you just want a little snack. A little diversion. Junk food for the mind.

But we need to eat the meat, the great spiritual truths, or as Matthew Henry's Commentary says, "Those that are babes, unskillful in the word of righteousness, must be fed with milk; they must be entertained with the plainest truths, and these delivered in the plainest manner; there must be line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little..."

Although we are all babes in Christ to begin with, I want to be a fully-grown, mature adult spiritually - someone who passes on the milk and delves into the meat of the Word.

The Apostle Paul told the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:13 Amplified Bible), "For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!"

At times, we may all 'write lite' - sometimes for the sheer fun of it. But when I have someone over for dinner, I want to serve a nourishing, filling, and satisfying meal for the body. When I sit down at the keyboard to write, my desire is to write words that do the same for the soul - at least most of the time. Sometimes I do need to lighten up - that's when I write about a pet named Salami, and a woman with a "Buggy Brain."

So tell me...in your opinion, what's 'writing lite?'