Ginger Garrett

I can’t believe how fast the year is already flying past! I’ve got final line edits due for the Jezebel novel, plus I am beginning to draft the outline for the next women’s novel. I finished my middle grade novel this past year and am in final edits for that.

I’m still busy mentoring middle school students who want to be writers, and working on some new volunteer projects as well.

I will be updating the site soon with some publishing news and fun stuff, including some giveaways of incredible jewelry as we get ready for the release of REIGN: THE CHRONICLES OF QUEEN JEZEBEL.

See you soon!

I guess it’s finally time to update this blog. I’m in the middle of a third rewrite of the Jezebel novel, REIGN, and don’t have much energy leftover for blogs.  Despite all evidence to the contrary, I really do run out of things to say at the end of a day, especially when I’ve been writing. April was a particularly overwhelming month, however, and I wanted to post a couple of happenings:

I helped lead a two-day spiritual retreat at a homeless shelter. These women described themselves as recovering “crack whores,” or “tricks.” That broke my heart. As I looked out at their faces, so weary and anxious for inspiration, I was deeply moved. What a thin line separates our worlds, really. There is no “Us” and “Them.”

To offer a little bit of comfort and hope was a real privilege and honor. That’s the best part of being a writer. I have had such incredible opportunities to sit with people of so many walks of life: practicing witches, homeless women and recovering addicts,  rabbis and atheists and conservative Christians.  I am more deeply in love today with the message of peace and hope and power that Scripture offers, and am also convinced that to live a life of Us versus Them opens the door to suffering.

That lesson was driven home two weeks later when I chaperoned a group of fifth graders to a Holocaust museum. The violent images and heartbreaking relics, such as the barbed wire fence from a concentration camp, left many of the kids in tears. The evil was overwhelming, as was the sense that the world had failed the persecuted ones by failing to identify with them.

April was an incredible month in many ways, and now I am looking forward to May. I can’t wait for school to be out, for coconut-scented sunscreen and watermelon by the pool. I can’t wait to turn in REIGN and move on to my next project.

I can’t wait to see what comes next!

I recently returned from a trip overseas, where I traveled throughout Asia and spoke at a leadership conference for women. While traveling, I was fascinated to see how beauty and beauty products take such a prominent role in different cultures. I also spent time with several people working to free young women from human trafficking. One resource being used includes the free downloads on this site about beauty. By helping young women make the connection between beauty and spirit, they can begin the life-long process of breaking free from demoralizing, degrading messages about beauty and bodies. I was so moved by the creative, inspired work begin done. God’s heart is for all of us to live a free, full life!

Whether you’re a single mom struggling against demoralizing inner messages about your beauty, your past and your future, or a young victim of human trafficking, renewing your spirit will give you the strength to take a stand for freedom today.

If you want more encouragement, and a deeper discussion about the connection between spirit and beauty, check out my interview with celebrity stylist and life coach Michelle Phillips:

http://www.hayhouseradio.com/hosts.php?author_id=615

Michelle is a huge star to thousands of women, and you’ll absolutely love what she has to say. Pre-order her dynamic book THE BEAUTY BLUEPRINT today from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Blueprint-Steps-Building-Dreams/dp/1401931731/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1314018432&sr=8-5

If you want more information on what you can do (and we can all do something!) to end human trafficking, click on either of these links:

http://www.thefreedomproject.org/

http://www.freedomnetworkusa.org/

The Borders store at Johns Creek, Georgia, is shutting its doors. If you were planning on attending the signing I was scheduled to be at, it’s been cancelled. I hate to see the store close–Borders always had a great staff and and plenty of active clubs that met to discuss books and writing. I’ll miss them.

Today I am catching up on all of life. I turned in two books for the final line edits,  both the Samson and Delilah novel I wrote last year and the beauty book collaboration. (Can’t wait to show that one off to you! Prepare to be dazzled by the celebrity stylist who pioneered a brand new approach to beauty and life!)

I also am reading an early draft of a new novel from India Edghill, a novelist I respect and and have learned much from. (That’s a perk of being in this business.) And I am reading a nonfiction called BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas. If you don’t read any other nonfiction book this year, read this one. Bonhoeffer was a young theologian when the Nazis began to come into power. I am fascinated by this account of one man’s early recognition of evil, and his angst trying to awaken others to the danger. Riveting, disturbing, and  beautiful.

Lastly, I found this quote today, and wanted to share it with you: “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” Carl Jung

I’ll be at Heavenly Dove bookstore in Cumming, GA on Saturday, February 12, from Noon until 2pm signing copies of my new book, A WOMAN’S PATH TO INNER BEAUTY. This is a gorgeous little hardcover devotional, perfect for giving to any woman you love on Valentine’s Day.

And men, if you are looking for the free download, HOW TO MAKE YOUR WIFE FEEL BEAUTIFUL, go to my Downloads page and click on the title. God bless you and your efforts to encourage your wonderful wife!

Need directions or info about Heavenly Dove bookstore? Visit their website:

http://www.heavenlydove.net/

As promised, I am posting a link below to a recent speaking gig I did on overcoming nighttime anxiety and panic attacks. The topic is “Finding God in the Darkness,” and no matter what your beliefs, or where you are right now in your spiritual life, I promise that this free audio clip will change how you feel about nighttime anixety attacks.

I’ll offer you a new perspective on darkness, both the physical darkness of night and the emotional darkness will we all experience. You’ll discover the immense creative power and potential of darkness, and you may even discover that darkness, and your nighttime anxiety attacks, are offering you the chance to create an incredible new life. 

Below is the link to the hosting site for this free download. But before you go, let me encourage you to sign up today for my free monthly newsletter. Here’s what you missed in my September edition:

*Does God Still Speak Through Dreams?

When my grandmother passed away this month, my dream life was filled with dreams of her passing. Here is the comfort that brought me, and here is why I do believe God still speaks through dreams to us all.

* Science News You Can’t Afford Not to Use:

Why hand sanitizers may not protect you, the only proven way to disinfect surfaces when the flu bug is present, and why the best fruit & veggie wash on the market is already in your pantry.

You can sign up today and my service will automatically email the September edition. I can also promise you that your email will always remain private and you can unsubscribe at any time. I hope you subscribe so I can continue to offer you practical insights and spiritual inspiration.

Now….here’s the link to my presentation, “Finding God In the Darkness”:

 http://www.perimeter.org/index.php?module=ministry&submodule=podcasts&mid=40817

The kids are back at school and I am getting ready to plunge into a busy fall. I’ll be working with Michelle Phillips of MindBeautySpirit.com on her forthcoming book on inner  beauty and radiant style. I can’t wait. You will all love Michelle–I can’t wait to introduce her book to you.

I also just finished the last historical from the Scribe era, entitled WOLVES AMONG US. The story centers on an isolated wife and mother in medieval Germany. When she is swept into the madness of the witchhunts, she must choose between security, truth, and passion. Unlike the other Scribe series, this book won’t have a lot of supernatural elements or characters. In an era that saw a devil behind every little misfortune, good people lost all perspective–and their lives. I’m excited to see if my readers can read the Inquisitor’s theories and still walk away sure of what they believe–and why.

Meanwhile, I’ll also be stuck on the couch yet AGAIN this fall, having a repeat performance of my ankle surgery from 2009. Can’t say I’m excited. I know that I will have enormous blocks of time for writing, for which I am exceedingly grateful, but I am also blue. I don’t do well in captivity. I need adventure, endorphins, and adrenaline, and all three before lunch if possible.

I’ll be putting together the August newsletter next week, and announcing this month’s winner of a signed book, so if you haven’t registered for the newsletter yet, get it done. I always have tidbits that you’ll want to share and inspiring thoughts to get you through your day with a smile on your face.

Until we meet,

Ginger

Lots of us are thinking through our resolutions for 2010, and it reminds me of something Steve Arterburn once told his Lose It For Life audience: if you could do it on your own, you would have. (I am loosely quoting Steve here, but the gist is the same.)

His point was that if you are struggling to make a life change, you need to enlist the help and support of others. Don’t expect yourself to do in 2010 what you were unable to do–alone–in 2009. 

That’s why I have made the decision to bring in a professional home organizer in 2010. I need help executing what I know needs to be done here in my cluttered home and office. It’s a bit embarassing to admit I need the help. I know what needs to be done. I even know how to do it. But as long as I try to do it alone, I’ll keep making excuses and switching priorities.

That’s my first step to making 2010 a good year for everyone under my roof. Here’s wishing that you, too, have a good New Year!

(And if you decided to tackle your weight issues next year, be sure to read Steve’s bestselling book, Lose It For Life, co-authored with Dr. Linda Mintle. It’s packed with solid, compassionate advice and counsel.)

I’d love to sign a book for you this Christmas.

If you’re planning on giving any of my books as a gift, you have two options to get them personalized by me. If you order them off this site, you can request that I sign them for you. I can add anyone’s name and even a short note. 

If you are not buying them off this site, I can still sign them for you! All you need to do is send me an email with your mailing address and the number of books you’re giving this year. I’ll sign bookplates and mail them to you. (Bookplates are special adhesive “plates” that can be affixed on the inside cover of any book.) There’s no charge–consider this a Christmas gift from me to you. I’ve already been sending out these signed bookplates and I think it makes getting a book more fun for everyone.

One last tidbit of Merry Christmas news: be watching in a week or so for the first-ever holiday book tour with your favorite authors. A big group of authors is banding together to link blogs, and every blog will feature a video of a popular author sending Christmas greetings to everyone.

I have to keep this short because I need to go clean my house…it’s time to record my video!

I’m finished with my speaking engagements for 2009 and looking forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving.

Okay, that’s a bit of a lie.

In truth, I am scrambling to finish writing a young adult novel set here in my own backyard in the North Georgia mountains. As soon as I finish it, I have to go back and edit it, which involves showing it to my critique group and blushing furiously. After they hack it pieces, I’ll edit it again and hopefully have it in my agent’s hands after Christmas. 

I then have to edit the last book in the Scribe series, which needs some serious work before I turn it in, and then begin work–finally!–on the Serpent Moon stories I left behind. The first might be Delilah. We’re still deciding.

That’s a lot of writing and editing! I need to recharge my artistic batteries, but I am hoping they will recharge as I write. A little (or a lot!) of pumpkin pie will help. As will a few mornings of sleeping in. I am thankful in advance for all the blessings Thanksgiving brings!

I am also wishing you many, many reasons to be thankful. May this season stir your imagination, warm your heart, and lift your eyes to the source of all good things.