When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Kendall Grace

In July of 2013 I became a grandmother for the tenth time with the arrival of Kendall Grace. Even though I’d been down the becoming-Gramma road a few times before, Kendall Grace’s arrival was every bit as joyous as the first one had been. Shortly after our little darling’s entry into the world, however, we learned things were very different than her cousins’ entries, which put a damper on the rush of joy. You see, Kendall Grace was born with a variety of challenges that confounded doctors and opened the floodgates of confusion and pain.

When a child is born, hopes and dreams are born with him. When the child has disabilities, one wonders how many of those hopes and dreams must be set aside. Doctors’ predictions for Kendall Grace were discouraging—she might never walk, she might need a shunt, she might be developmentally delayed... There were no certainties, only a list of “what might be” and none of them were positive. It seemed every visit with a specialist led to another possible problem, and after a while I wanted to plug my ears and not listen anymore.

Funny how a deeply seated hurt can bring you to a fork in the road. You can either go on the path of bitterness and anger or you can take the road toward acceptance and determination. Little Kendall Grace chose our pathway for us.

This baby girl came into the world with some wonderful God-planted gifts: An innate joy, a fierce determination, and a family who refuses to give up on her.

Even though she is constant pain due to pressure in her head from fluid, digestive issues, and abnormally fitting joints, this baby never stops smiling. She melts the heart of ever doctor and nurse she encounters and has a cheerleading team made of hundred of prayer warriors.

She is also the most determined little person I’ve ever met. When she wants to conquer something, she works and grunts and strains until she finds success. Due to her desire to succeed, she has learned to sit up, crawl, and even walk with the help of implements!

WaterBrook Press, 2015

Finally, God chose the perfect family for Kendall Grace. Her mommy already had the skills and experience for Kendall’s intensive therapy regime. Her daddy is one who unconditionally loves, and he adores his baby girl. Her big sister loves her to pieces and challenges her to keep up. Kendall also has a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents who pray for her daily. She landed in good hands all the way around.

Kendall Grace has undergone a lot in her short life—major surgeries, countless medical exams and tests, daily therapy... And she’s handled all of it with strength and grace. Not even two years old yet, but she has taught me so much about trusting God to know what doctors don’t. She’s showed me how joy can wash away pain. This little girl has a smile who could melt the Abominable Snowman, and I cannot wait to watch her grow and develop into the person God designed her to be. Our Kendall Grace is a precious gift. Even though the past months have been laden with angst and questions, we wouldn’t change her one bit even if we could. We are ever grateful she belongs to us. 

Kim Vogel Sawyer

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author with more than one million copies of her books currently in print. Her latest release, When Grace Sings, released in March from WaterBrook Press. Awards include the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Sawyer lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.

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Don't Try This at Home by Author Yvonne Anderson

Do you dream of becoming an author? Searching for a professional writer to emulate? 

Don’t look at me; I’m a rotten role model.

Let’s walk through my typical day to see what I mean.

I set an alarm for six, but I’m usually up before then. I hobble into the kitchen and turn on the coffee. Then I shower to bring me fully awake—and to tame my hopeless bed-head, which, thanks to my three (3) cowlicks, cannot be brought under control without copious amounts of water. 

After that, I start writing? Nope. A cup of black coffee in hand, I spend the next hour to hour-and-a-half in prayer and Bible study.

And then I get down to work, right? Wrong. This is where I have breakfast and my second (and last) cup of coffee. I talk with my husband—who, being retired, has no particular schedule but is always up and about by breakfast time—and putter around on my laptop (check emails, blogs, etc.). Then I clean up the kitchen, fix my hair (which has been air-drying), and go to work.

I’m a church secretary. I began working there in January. I hadn’t been looking for a job, but, since my husband and I moved here in November, I had been looking for a church, and the Lord led me to a church and a job at the same time.

And because He is merciful, the job is only part-time, so I’m home in time for lunch.

Now I start my writing day, right? Umm… not usually. I mentioned that we moved recently, and that my husband’s retired. I should also tell you he’s a handyman, and quite a good one. Put all these together, and what do you get? A guy who always has projects going on, both in the house and in the yard. And who, bless his heart, only has two hands.

I wish I had a dollar for every “do you have a minute?” Or worse yet, “Are you busy? Because I could really use some help” (that one should be worth $2 at least). If I were paid for each of those requests, I could afford to hire an assistant for him. Or at least, I’d be making more money than I do selling books, which I can’t seem to ever get written because somebody is always interrupting me.

This has been the situation for quite some time, because before we moved, he was getting our previous home spruced up for sale. I haven’t had any time to myself since 2012, when I wrote my current new release, Ransom in the Rock. (Just got around to publishing it, but it’s been finished for quite a while.)

The interruptions used to drive. Me. Mad. Especially when reading advice from successful authors about how, if you’re going to take your writing profession seriously, you need to plant your posterior in the chair and write, write, write – don’t be distracted – tell your family to not interrupt you – blah blah blah.

It finally occurred to me: the profession I take most seriously is that of my faith in Christ. I write because He urged me in that direction. But did He ever suggest I make it my career? No; it’s people who tell me that, not God. 

Has He commanded I be submissive to my husband? Absolutely. Does “submission” mean grumbling and grinding my teeth? Not hardly. It means, when confronted with that apologetic Do you have a minute?, replying with complete sincerity, “I have many minutes, and they’re all yours.”

“But…” (you may sputter), “You’re a writer. You need to be writing. You need to… [fill in your choice of the experts’ wise advice].”

Yes, I’m a writer. But I’m a Christ-follower first, and then a wife, a mother, a grandma, etc. “Writer” comes pretty far down the list.

Let me put it this way: if I should one day find myself alone and able to write with no one to interrupt me, will I regret having given my husband my time when I could? 

And if I go first? When I stand before Christ, will I be ashamed of not having written more books?

I guess this means I’m a hobbyist, not a professional author—and that’s okay. I’m just warning you: if you want to do this author thing right, don’t do what I do.

A resident of Western Maryland, Yvonne Anderson writes fiction that takes you out of this world.  She also does freelance editing; contributes to the writing blog The Borrowed Book; oversees Novel Rocket’s Launch Pad Contest; and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, International Thriller Writers, and the Independent Author Network. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.

Fly through the Gateway to Gannah for some serious sci-fi adventure: The first three titles, The Story in the Stars and Words in the Wind and Ransom in the Rock, are all available in both print and ebook. Watch for the launch of The Last Toqeph, the fourth and final flight in the series, in the autumn of 2014. (It’s been finished for a long time too!)

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Write Right~Would You Like Some Miasma with Your Coffee?

My Keurig®

Last year I got myself a Keurig® coffee maker for my birthday. Hands down, one of my best purchases ever! I bought one of the larger ones with a good sized water tank that holds enough water for at least five cups of coffee.  

In preparation for that first (awesome, amazing, wonderful) morning cup of coffee, I fill Keurig®’s tank the evening before so that all I have to do is put one of the little K-Cups in the Keurig® when I wake up and push the button. Then, about a minute later, I have a cup of coffee. 

Yes, the days of grinding my own beans and using the drip coffee maker are over. I will admit that freshly ground is better, but there’s not a big enough difference to make me give up the convenience of my Keurig®

So what does this have to do with The Borrowed Book? No, I’m not trying to convince everyone to buy a Keurig®. I was reading The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend from 1871 looking for something of interest to share with our bloggers, and I found this little tidbit that made me think:

Water that has been standing in the house is not fit to be used for coffee or tea. Unwholesome gases are apt to be imbibed from the air in which persons have been breathing for even an hour. Standing water is unwholesome to drink; it should be often replaced with fresh.

To make sense of this excerpt, I have to explain that what people called miasmas (noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere) were thought to be the cause of disease in the 1800s. I don't have space to address miasmas further in this article. I hope to do so in the future.

But in the meantime, I'm making a sign for the kitchen:  

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Write Right ~ Cholera Infantum and Pepto-Bismol®

My apologies for missing last week’s blog. My daughter, who lives in San Diego, was in a motorcycle accident. When the bike fell, her left hand was caught under the handle. Among other things, the ring finger on her left hand was scraped down to the tendon. (I immediately booked a plane ticket to California, thankful the accident hadn’t been worse.)

What does this have to do with The Borrowed Book blog? A couple of things. I’m still in San Diego, away from my research books. I’m also busy taking care of things for my daughter who can’t use her left hand. That means I can’t write the article I’d intended. But I can share a couple of interesting things with you.

Two weeks ago I told you the story of baby Mabel, the sister my grandmother never knew. Mabel most likely died from a disease called cholera infantum, which isn’t related to cholera at all, although the symptoms are similar. I had planned to explore this disease in more depth—especially some of the treatments that were used at the time—but I haven’t had the time. However, here’s a tidbit that I discovered during my research.

You know that thick, pink concoction we use to soothe our upset tummies called Pepto-Bismol®? A recent television commercial for the product ended with, “Pink does more than you think!” That could be changed to, “Pink is more historical than you think.”

In the late 1800s, a doctor from New York developed the original formula to cure (none other than) cholera infantum. The original ingredients were pepsin, zinc salts, salol*, and oil of wintergreen. He colored it pink and called it Mixture Cholera Infantum. The formula has changed since then, as has the name and manufacturer. You can read more about the history here:  http://www.pepto-bismol.com/about-history.php .

I don’t know if the old Pepto-Bismol® cured cholera infantum, but I do know if Mabel had been born one hundred years later, she probably would have lived. In fact, I doubt she would have contracted the disease at all. And one hundred years ago (according to the plastic surgeon who operated on my daughter’s hand) an injury like the one she received would have meant the loss of the use of her finger. (There was no flesh over the tendon for skin to grow on, so the tendon would have hardened and stopped working.) Imagine farmers or sailors working with thick rope. . .

I’m grateful for a merciful God who has given us the medical knowledge we have today. And I'm grateful that my daughter wasn't hurt more severely. 

*Salol, also known as phenyl salicylate, is a chemical substance introduced in 1886 by Marceli Nencki of Basel. It was created by heating salicylic acid with phenol, which forms a white powder that supposedly tastes pleasant. It has been used to absorb light in sun tan lotions and plastic, a preservative, an antiseptic, and a coating for pills. Salol supposedly had an antibacterial effect in the small intestine. It’s also used in lab demonstrations to show how cooling rates affect crystal size in igneous rocks. Based on its chemical name (phenyl salicylate), it must also be related to Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), but I don't exactly know how. Wow. Talk about versatility.

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Book Spotlight: Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews

Standing in the shadow of his famous father, young king Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, wisdom and folly. In the uncertain world of alliances and treachery, Solomon longs for peace and a love that is true and pure--a love that can be his cornerstone.

A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah remembers the first time she laid eyes on Solomon in Jerusalem when she was just seven years old. Since then she has known that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father, a leader of their tribe, secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams may come true.

But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

• Preorder Now:
• FictionFinder
• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• • By: Mesu Andrews
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800734084

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Weekly Drawing

Our weekly drawings are changing...we're making them more fun!! As always, followers of The Borrowed Book are automatically entered. HOWEVER...

Now you have several chances to win!

Here's how - instead of leaving a comment, leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.

Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry.

Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!

Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FOUR entries.

It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)

This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by one of our own BB staff members, S. Dionne Moore, who is celebrating the release of her latest book, Promise Brides.


Win a copy of Promise Brides or Moore's other November release A Shepherd's Song. Your choice! Please specify which one you'd like.




Promise Brides (3 historical romances in 1):Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where—it never comes without sacrifice. Theodore risks capture for Ellie, but will their hope for a future together be defeated? Can Marylu trust Chester, or is she asking for another broken heart? Will Alaina and Jack find common ground, or will flood waters destroy any possible future? Enjoy three romances from the historic state of Pennsylvania.


A Shepherd's Song: When fiery Renee Dover seeks adventure and searches for a gang of outlaws, she never expects she'll find them. Captured by the gang and certain her recklessness has gotten her brother killed, she escapes into the arms of Tyler Sperry, a quiet sheepherder with a mysterious past. 

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POLL: What Did You Most Love About the 2011 ACFW Conference?

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Backstory 101

July 20, 2010

Backstory is everything that has happened to your character/s before chapter one.

The problem with backstory is simple. It slows down the story before it ever has a chance to get started. It tells too much about the character. It gives away too many elements of the character that are critical to the story.

Think of it. How often do you meet a person and automatically know everything about them? You don't. You learn who the person is very slowly over a period of days, months, and sometimes years. Your story is the same way. Allow the reader to get to know the character slowly, through snippets. Backstory should be woven throughout the manuscript. Peppered in to give the story some spice at just the right time.

So why is it so easy for a writer to fall into the backstory chasm? Many times it’s because, subconsciously, you are trying to get a handle on who your character is, where they came from, and what kind of upbringing they had. You see, what you’re really doing in those first chapters is a character sketch!

You could also be struggling with where to start the story. I’ve often heard editors encourage a writer to cut the first chapter, or even the first two chapters, because after those chapters comes the *real* story. In other words, those first chapters are filled with backstory that is unnecessary to the *real* story. The same solution is applicable. But don't throw those chapters away, cut and paste them into another document and keep it. You will need to refer back to it throughout the writing of your manuscript.

Remember, a reader wants to be swept up and carried away to a different world with different characters, and they don’t want to wait until chapter two to get there. This is why it is up to you, as the writer, to find the perfect place in which to begin your character's journey.

Let's look at some examples of backstory within the first paragraph of the first chapter:

Example 1:

Belinda froze in place. Ever since she was six she knew this would happen. Her father had always warned her she should be careful on the prairies during thunderstorms. Tornadoes could occur at any moment. And they could kill. Just like the wedge shaped one that had killed her mother when she was six. And that’ s when she’d had the premonition. The one that told her she, too, would be killed by a tornado.

Example 2:

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille. Garrett Thompson flicked on his turn signal and wished the tune coming from his radio was the song with the same line, instead of his reality. His Lucille, however, was really called Lucy. She would have hated being called Lucille.

Garrett eased into the right lane ahead of a Mac truck going far too fast. He kept his eyes on the vehicle until he knew it would slow. His mind sifted back over the events that led up to Lucy’s goodbye. She wasn’t the prettiest girl in the county, but she sure was the smartest and the kindest, though her tantrum twenty minutes ago sure supplied evidence to the contrary.

Example 3:

Thimblewyeth was a young woman of fourteen. She enjoyed listening to westerns and old-time radio, despite being a child of the twenty-second century. Even her mother, steeped in her own generation of 2182, couldn’t understand Thimblewyeth’s delight in stories over a century old. But her father understood. He was tall and had a pot belly, but he listened to Thimblewyeth talk of cowboys and range wars as he worked on his aircar or tinkered with the programming on their robutler, who could never seem to get the morning coffee quite to her father’s taste.

Three very different examples. Are these, in your opinion, good starting points for the story. Why or why not? Which of these examples relies too heavily on backstory? What would you do to change these pieces to make them acceptable?

S. Dionne Moore is a multipublished author of both cozy mystery and historical romance. Find out more about her and her books at http://www.sdionnemoore.com.

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