Turn the Page

Posted on July 6, 2021 by K.L. Hale — 39 Comments

The words are familiar. There’s a sense of comfort that keeps you reading it over and over again. It’s like watching your favorite movie, reflecting on the best moments of your life, visiting your favorite place, and being with the ones who give you comfort. You don’t want to turn the page-even if it means something greater. It’s scary-it’s unknown.

Paying attention in the back of the room was impossible. But being in the front of the room labeled you a class pet. Reading out loud in class, whether Bible class or at school, was sometimes stressful. Tracing the words I heard with my finger kept me on target-until a faster reader chimed in. It gave me comfort if the teacher used a pattern (I could count how many would read before me and no tricky stuff!). Fast forward to my own classroom and I never forced any student to read outloud. The class became my fearless family. Through mutual trust we would ALL read out loud at times (at the SAME TIME-it was music to my ears! Some might read 3 words and others 3 pages. Friends would buddy up to boost confidence and learn from one another (anyone remember popcorn reading when friends when “pop” the turns to other friends?). The fear of being stuck on a page while others were turning would never happen. Not with me.

Isn’t life simpler when everyone and everything is operating on the same page? There’s little conflict and harmony seems to flow. A sense of ease might even exist. Unfortunately, in my life, operating on the same page does not propel my progress. I’m not speaking of the daily routines and decisions that enhance the quality of my spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

If you’re stuck on the same page, chapter, or even book, I pray you find faith and hope. I know it’s not easy. Finding comfort is cemented coziness! Turning the page might hurt-fear might freeze any faith. Do you have an exciting chapter ahead? Is it one that you know will be difficult? How do you want your story to end? The chapters of your life will make a beautiful book. I don’t know how each chapter will end, but I know who does. Our Creator already knows. I’ll turn the page.

My family of friends, thank you. ❤🙏🤗 You’ve become my trusted tribe. I’ve curved again on my learning (wow, I should be dizzy!). Admittedly, it took me a year and 1/2 to realize the difference between FOLLOWING a blog and SUBSCRIBING to someone’s newsletter. But I know now! 😁 Many of you follow my blog- THANK YOU (you hit the FOLLOW button and receive e-mail notifications of new posts). But if you follow me, it doesn’t not mean you have subscribed. And maybe you’d rather not! I completely understand! If you are interested in subscribing to receive a monthly newsletter I would be so grateful and appreciative!💚 My newsletter/email sign-up are on any page EXCEPT my homepage.

Have faith💚

When I began writing again a page was turned. At times it feels as though I’ve skipped some important chapters. 😬 So I revisit my learning. Add new learning. Phone a friend. I’m sharing a video of a testimonial for Children’s Book Insider. Watching myself on video makes me cringe. Worry of the words coming out weakens me. Pausing and thinking causes me to stumble at times. Writing is easier. Writing for two genres is not. But I’ll keep turning pages. 💚

EEK! It was scary to be interviewed! But I was SO happy to do this for Children’s Book Insider! If you are a writer of children’s books I’d HIGHLY recommend this resource. I’ve enjoyed every course (at YOUR pace) and connecting with other writers (the courses are the Writing Blueprints).

Springboarding

Posted on May 10, 2021May 11, 2021 by K.L. Hale — 51 Comments

The most frightening moment wasn’t standing on the edge looking down. The climb was terrifying. Sweaty palms on slick side rails were scary. Walking to the end of the board was undeniably a daredevil deed though.

Photo credit-Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

Less than 10 feet above the water, the springy board sought to hold my confidence captive. My outstretched arms, like wings, kept me balanced as I tiptoed across the fiberglass.

I made it to the edge! The height didn’t bother me. Trusting my body, and the lessons learned from the swim lessons my parents insisted upon, I’d hop on one foot and jump (I HAD to leap on one bounce). Consecutive jumping would end tragically, I was certain.

Later in life I was introduced to the humorless high dive. The swimming “friends” above or below me on the ladder, tossing taunts, were terrifying. These “friends” would try to bounce the springboard while I was on the edge. It didn’t take long to learn to wait at the side of the pool until the “nice” kids headed towards the ladder.

With time my confidence grew. Jumping off the board became natural. Making a splash hitting the water was satisfying. Sometimes I’d gurgle because I left my mouth open. But most times I’d swim to the safe side with a huge smile. Ah, the valiant feeling of victory. Conquering that fear gave me the courage to climb even higher objects in life.

The last 5 years have felt like climbing that ladder for the first time again. I’ve been scared. It would have been easier to just sit on the side and admire the waters from a distance. Just like the gravel bar on the river.

A year and half ago, I grabbed the handrails and took a step up. This year I’ve continued the climb (beyond a doubt it’s a high dive). On-line classes-a step up. Coaches and fellow writers-a few more rungs. Faith, friends, and family support-I made it to the top. My legs are a bit shaky. But it’s time to jump again. I wonder if I’ll make a splash.

Relearning. Reinventing. Repurposing. Reimagining. Reinforcing. Reconstructing. Recovering. Rediscovering. Rearranging. Researching. Revising. Rebuilding. Remembering. REASSURANCE IS RESTORED.

You can climb the ladder too (if you’re not afraid of heights). I will never taunt you. I’ll even jump in and help you if you struggle after the jump. There’s this lifeguard who knows exactly when to throw me a life preserver. He’ll throw one to you too.🤍

It’s time to SPRINGBOARD into something special and new. I want to thank Lisa Jochim (please visit https://blueberrypancakespublishing.wordpress.com/about/ to support Lisa). She had a huge following on WIX, she’s part of our family now. For 4 months she has coached me once on week. Thank you to Jon Bard and Laura Backes for the wonderful courses and resources https://writeforkids.org/come-join-the-insiders-2/?wlfrom=%2Fclubhouse%2Fthe-back-issues-archive-annual-members-only%2F. Jeff, Kim, Martha, Kristy, Vicki, Pam, Kate, Ashok, Kathy, Richard, Vicki, Mitch, Eddie, Kathy, Mark, Julie (both), Dawn, Dwight, Jane, Michelle, Nico, Brenda, Tangie, Vincent, and so many more…Thank you for your unending WordPress support!

Friends, If you have children, grandchildren, or just a fan of children’s’ books, I hope you peek at my new page (click on Faith and Finley at the top of my site).

Faith and Finley Tour the 50 is the beginning of a series designed for ages 7-11 (ALL AGES 😉).

Why support Faith and Finley? Readers can explore a few facts and meet friends as we journey across the state lines. What’s near your own back yard to explore? What makes YOUR state special? There’s history that can’t be forgotten and facts to uncover. There’s a world outside of the walls. It’s closer than you think. Feel the feelings but find the facts! Find your park. Enjoy Earth’s playground. Get out. Don’t lose faith. There’s beauty to behold when we seek it.

See you on the road and in a bookshelf near you!

Have faith💚

Make a Long Story Short…

Posted on January 29, 2021January 29, 2021 by K.L. Hale — 67 Comments

Or make a short story shorter. This week I may have bitten off more than I could chew. I’ve missed the boat on a few things, and yet, as we know, no pain, no gain. At times I felt I was on a wild goose chase. Yet, by the skin of my teeth, I made it.

For those of you that might be under the weather, I’m sorry. Tomorrow in SW MO it’s going to rain cats and dogs. Typically I like saving for a rainy day, but I know not to to put all my eggs in one basket.

It’s not rocket science, but I’ve gone back to the drawing board a few times. I try to hang in there and stay on the ball until it’s time to hit the sack. There really is a method to this madness. Sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind. Even if you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I’m so glad I jumped on the bandwagon of writing again. I could let the sleeping dog lie, but this really is like riding a bicycle. My head might be in the clouds-but I see a beautiful horizon. And I’m able to weather the storm through thick and thin.

I’m going to keep making hay while the sun shines and leave no stone unturned. I know you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs, but remember you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Let’s just spill the beans. Don’t take a raincheck. And take it with a grain of salt. We all live and learn and it’s not a piece of cake. Many times ignorance is bliss. But we know every cloud has a silver lining and good things come to those who wait. For me, slow and steady will win the race.