Friday, November 28, 2008

Somebody Please Say Merry Christmas!

I’m sure you know there are people out there who say (quite loudly) that we shouldn’t say Merry Christmas because non-Christians might be offended…
Last year I worked for a major department store in our area during the Christmas season. While we were not told to avoid saying Merry Christmas, it was pretty clear that a traditional Christmas was not on the marketing agenda. The slogan for the season was Give (aka, buy). Christmas trees were confined to the section that sold ornaments. Other than that, decorations consisted only of snowflakes and fake presents.
Still, I just decided to say Merry Christmas to every person that came by my register. I am here to tell you that NOBODY was offended. Most people smiled and RETURNED the greeting. Multiple people stopped, sighed, and said, “THANK YOU FOR NOT SAYING HAPPY HOLIDAYS.”
It is a sad, sad day indeed when the majority of the population fears offending the approximately one percent of people who get offended by everyone anyway.
So please, this Christmas season, do everyone a favor and SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS to as many people as you can.

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Different Kind Of Miracle.

I know some people believe you can’t say “miracle” unless an event that is earth shaking or physics altering has occurred…
Six months ago I was told by various marketing sources that, as a published author, I had to have my own professional website. So, after realizing I’m website challenged, I looked up web design services for authors. I think my eyes glassed over as I officially entered sticker shock. There was no way I could afford a professional looking site. It seemed my choice was cheap looking site or no site at all. After several moments of anxiety, I decided if I really needed my own website God would provide a way.
About two months before my book was released I thought my prayer was answered. My sister started playing around with a web design program and put together a nice looking site for me. We were happy with the design, but realized it wasn’t running quite as well as it could.
Then out of blue my brother started his own web design company. We asked him to look at the site and help us fix the technical issues we were having. After looking at our work he decided to totally redesign everything and did it for free so he could build up his portfolio.
Okay, so let’s sit back and look at this. Six months ago I didn’t have a clue how I was going to get a website. Today, I have a professionally designed website will all sorts of features I never could have imagined. Personally, I felt the earth shake.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

It has begun!

Hey!
I was checking out my website today to make sure all of the links were up and running and discovered that my book is already being sold at barnsandnobles.com, amazon.com, and target.com. It wasn’t supposed to be on sale until the 25th. I’m in a jump for joy, praise Jesus mood!
I never knew how exciting it would be just to see Only Angels Are Bulletproof on the Barnes and Nobles website. And even better, there’s a little box to the right that says, people who bought this book also bought books by James Patterson, Marry Higgins Clark, and Michael Connelly. Those are some of the biggest names in mystery writing. This is such a blessing. I can’t even begin to tell you.
Do I sound excited? I’m normally not an overly enthusiastic person, but today I can’t help it!

Friday, November 7, 2008