What Fantastic Thing Are You Expecting In 2023?

I heard talk show hosts on the radio ask each other, “what fantastic thing are you expecting in 2023?”
Instantly, my mind says…

(Delayed Publish: Written January 3, 2023)

What Fantastic Thing Are You Expecting In 2023?

It’s the start of a new year!  

I heard talk show hosts on the radio ask each other, “what fantastic thing are you expecting in 2023?”  

Instantly, my mind says, “obtaining property we can build our home on.” 

Other things follow quickly: An exciting competition season for my two gymnasts (their first meet is Jan 13!), Christina’s graduation at the end of the year with her Bachelor’s from Embry, an edifying college year for Becky at PCC, Kimberly conquering her fear of tests, Jaquline turning 13 and getting her first debit card, Lucas learning to read, having chickens again, growing our own food again, getting a cover made for and publishing my CheyneAnne story, getting illustrations for the childrens’ books I’ve written… my mind just kept going with things I consider fantastic and am super excited for.  

My prayer is that this year is one of spiritual growth for my children as we make fun memories.  

I want my focus to be eternal rather than temporal.  

I completed Kimberly’s journal just before Christmas and gave it to her.  I hope that little book is full of treasures for her.  I pray over each page I write that God will direct my mind and hands to pen just what will be important or reaching for the heart of the daughter I’m writing the journal for.  

I am expecting miracles in our everyday lives.  God always gives them.  Fresh breath and lungs that work.  Beautiful painted sunrises and sunsets.  Have you ever thought of how much a miracle it is that we can see?  I’m overwhelmed by the everyday miracles that grace our lives.  

What fantastic thing am I expecting?  Life.  Full, abundant life as God has blessed us with!  Love.  Family.  Enjoyable times.  Memorable Moments.  A careful listening heart with which to catch the amazing wonder of these miracles and enjoy them as they happen.  

I’m praying for a heart of gratitude more than ever before.  I plan to focus on being grateful.  That should totally help my perspective!

What fantastic thing are you expecting in 2023?

Think about it… and Smile!

Thank you for reading!

Type at you later!

~Nancy Tart

Finding Perspective

For whom am I writing? An author’s first question to be answered before beginning a story.

December 20, 2017

Finding Perspective

One of the most important things for me to find when I’m writing is the perspective of my target audience.

Simply: for whom am I writing?

For Web of Deception, I was writing to the adventurous young adult (myself and my brother), for the Brantley Station Saga, my target is young adults, and my target readers for The Devonians are those in first through fifth grade.  The Funny Sisters stories are written to be read-aloud so they are more complex.  My goal for them is to entertain both the mom or older child reader and the younger preschool or elementary listener.

Story From the Inn was written when one of my girls mentioned, “I wonder what it was like to work at the inn where Jesus was born.”  (We had just watched a show about the culture of Jewish life in Jesus’ time and read through a book about growing up where Jesus lived.)

I imagined the small inn at Bethlehem run by a family (most were in that time) and one daughter (one my girls could relate to) always trying to help yet always getting underfoot.  This became the eyes and ears of my target audience (my little girls).  Children would relate to Rachel and see, hear, and feel that inn, culture, and special event through her eyes.  I dove into some more specific research and developed Rachel’s story of Jesus’ birth as remembered by a beloved grandmother while entertaining several grandchildren awaiting a new baby’s birth.

Rachel epitomized most children: full of life and expectancy, eager to help, longing to please, and constantly asking questions.

In the moment, Rachel doesn’t understand the magnificence of the event, she only feels elated that she gets to help with a birth (something “big”) and hold a newborn baby (for the first time).  As the storyteller, she reflects on this as an adult, to complete the circle.

Check out Story From the Inn to read Rachel’s story!

Thanks for reading!

Type at you later…

~Nancy Tart

 

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