Worshipful Writing

Have you ever had a confirmation of feelings you've been feeling? I just blogged about how I feel God was giving me confirmation through the experience with Nathanael's toy that He is in control. Then this morning at church, the sermon was the second part in a series about worship. The pastor spoke about how when we come to church, we should be a part of the worship, not just a spectator. I've had some disagreements with some of the people at this church, but I think that's the reason I've always stayed around - I feel a part of the worship. I remember at my previous job, whenever I was feeling upset about something that happened, it never failed; the sermon that week would address the exact issue I had been experiencing. I truly believe our work should reflect our own, personal worship of God. That hits home for me with working so diligently on my writing projects. Ironically, just last night I felt a deep inspiration to write something rather unusual in the Heath Ledger book - why I am supposed to write it, why I'm passionate about it. People that I talk with, I think, often wonder why my writing or my college is so important to me. I think the pastor at church this morning hit the proverbial nail on the head. It's my form of worship. I give glory to my God through my writing and my studies. That may sound silly to some. After all, for instance, how can writing about the life of an actor give glory to God through my worship? I cannot explain it. I look at worship as one of those mysteries only God can explain. The Bible's full of them. I just know that these interests of mine are ways that I become a sanctuary for the Lord.

Kandy

The White Rabbit

I got home from work last night around 11:45. After completing my quiz for college and taking a bath, I peeked in at Taliesin and Nathanael sleeping. Kelsey always lays their favorite stuffed toys nearby. Well, last night, or actually early this morning; I found all of the toys except for Nathanael's favorite white stuffed rabbit (whom he calls "Baaaaby Rabbit" in the cutest Southern accent. Why Southern, I don't know when we live in Kansas, but it's adorable). So, anyway, I searched the house for it to no avail. So I decided we'd look in the morning and sat down to do some writing on my book. Of course, the minute I sit down, Princess, our beagle, wants out to do her business. So I open the door, reach for the lead to fasten her out, and see a rabbit sitting in our front yard. So I wait a second to see if it hops off. A beagle and a rabbit do not mix at 3:00 a.m. Our neighbors would all be awaken by the howl of Princess. I look down a few feet away from the rabbit and guess what I see? Nathanael's little, white baaaaby rabbit. I sigh a "Thank you" to God for leading me to his favorite toy that he would be quite upset about losing and take it in the house where it joins his other friends.

What exactly is the lesson in this? The lesson to me was God will provide. How appropriate that this happened just as I was sitting down to write. Just reinforcement for me that I am supposed to write this book. And now my book has a new chapter that I was not planning on.

E-mail's Down

For some reason since this afternoon, I cannot access e-mail in my Yahoo account, which is my primary account. If someone is trying to reach me there, I will respond as soon as it comes back up. Otherwise, you can post here or contact me by e-mail at unschooler@att.net. God bless.

Kandy

Brokeback Mountain

Okay, so I finally watched Brokeback Mountain when I got home from last night. The first part of it was really boring to me. Once we got past the sheep and the mountain, I saw what acting talents there were in this movie. Wow! I can see why it really made Heath's career, not because of the controversy; but because the acting was fabulous. I cannot wait to write about this! This follows along perfectly in my book. :^)

Kandy

Writing Streak

I love being a writer. There is writer's block. But when an idea comes, one cannot write quickly enough to keep up. This new chapter is honestly writing itself. I am really loving it! I know more and more this book is meant to be. Yesterday, I spent some time at the library searching for publishing and self-publishing books. I still do not know which avenue I will use, but research on all the different methods can only help.

Kandy

New Idea

Okay, I'm currently seeking information on Heath Ledger's sprituality. I do not see any evidence that he really adhered to any particular religious convictions, but I do believe everyone is spiritual by nature in some way. Being a religious studies major, a book written by me would not be a book written by me without some reference to spirituality. I'll continue searching. I have some ideas on based on the research I've done so far. :^)

Kandy

Neat link

I saw this on Shakhar Kapur's blog and wanted to link over to it. http://www.shekharkapur.com/blog/archives/2008/02/heath_ledger_an.htm#comments

I did receive back my interview request for Jake Gyllenhaal - a return to sender because I'm not a client of their's. I guess I'll have to cotnact his publicity agency by phone, explain to them my project, and see if I can interview him from there.

I only have two to three weeks of this college class left, so I will really be able to dedicate a lot more time to the book. I am dedicating as much as possible now, but I really do look forward to digging in to writing it even more.

Kandy

Still working

No, I have not fallen off the planet, I just have not had a lot of time to blog here lately. I've been busy with a lot of activities for Taliesin and Nathanael. But I am still working on my book. Can't wait to see it in print!

Kandy

Exciting News

I just found out yesterday that Women of Passions is back from the publisher. I'll be receiving my copy soon. I cannot wait to see it! I'm very excited. This is my first published article for quite a few years - a good start again!

Kandy

Better Late Than Never

Well, I finally got A Knight's Tale. I'll be watching it over my vacation from work (starting Thursday - Yay!) and working more on the book. I've been busy with college this week. I have around thirty more pages to read for the week after next's college assignment and one more quiz to take; and I'm good on college for the rest of this week and next week. Only two more weeks of this class, my only one this summer; and I can really dedicate more time to my books. But I'll also be w0rking some on the Heath Ledger book tonight. I saw online that there are two Heath biographies that were released this month. I need to get a copy of each and read them. See what the competition's like. LOL But I know mine will be different. I'm just very excited to see everything in print!

Kandy

Tossing Around Ideas

I've been tossing around ideas for my Heath Ledger book. I want to talk with as many people as I can that knew him best. I want to talk with people that can help me understand more. I've been wondering if I should include my opinions, how I feel. I think I've decided I should. I think that will be an important part of the book as well. No, I never met him. I have not yet seen all of his movies even (but I will before the book is published). But that doesn't mean I do not respect his work. Maybe I have a perspective that no one ever thought about before. A conversation at work tonight really helped me come to this conclusion. I was talking with my manager, the one from the previous post. I was telling her about my book and some of my ideas. It came so naturally. So far, everyone that I have spoken with seems interested in what I have to say. Maybe God is telling me something. Maybe to have a book that is truly a tribute to Heath Leger, I need to include that.
Just some rambling thoughts...

Kandy

The Hardest Part

I've been very emotional here lately. A couple of nights ago at work, I started laughing and could not stop. Sure, some of it is lack of sleep. I don't get much per night with work, college, and my book. But I've discovered it's more than just that. A few months ago, I went through a situation with friends that really bothered me. I had the same reaction. Eventually, I laughed and laughed and couldn't stop. I really think I'm just emotional right now with this book. A few years ago, I self-published a country music magazine and did freelance writing for several national publications. I interviewed so many country singers. I attended concerts and met the artists backstage. I had a blast. With each interview, with each meeting, I tried to make sure that entertainer was truly the star of the show. They were able to tell me their accomplishments, their dreams and goals, in their own words. I loved researching to ask them questions and let them take the lead. That is truly what I am missing with this book. I'm researching the life of Heath Ledger. I'm writing about him, about his movies, about his life. I'm trying to set up interviews with people that knew him. But I can't let him take the lead. I can only do so much to make him the star of the book. There is that extra something lacking. It's very emotional to me.

Kandy

Interesting Conversation...

Well, tonight I had an interesting conversation at work. The manager closing tonight was not the usual closing manager. I don't get to work with her very much. She's typically a day manager. The subject of beliefs came up. This manager is a wonderful, devout Christian. I respect her a lot for her beliefs. She has mentioned to me in the past that she feels I'm controversial. That subject came up again tonight. I asked her why she feels I'm controversial. She told me she feels I'm controversial because I'm a Christian, but that I have so many different beliefs. (We have had conversations before about prophetic dreams and prophecy and the symbolism behind why I have my nose pierced. So I think that's probably what she meant). So I told her that I feel God does reveal things to us. We know when we are called to do something. She agreed, but added that what we are called to do should line up with Scripture. I agreed, but pointed out there are examples in Scripture of those who were called to do some things that did not necessarily line up with Scriptural teachings - such as the Old Testament prophet who married a prostitute, Esther who married a non-Jewish man (but because of this union, the entire Jewish race was saved from extinction), and even the Apostle Paul who was familiar enough with Greek teachings to compare the Greeks' beliefs with Christian beliefs at the Aeropagus. I explained to her that I do believe God reveals things to us - sometimes in the form of dreams. Sometimes in the form of feelings. I referred back to Joel 2:28-32 to back up my beliefs. Had we had more time to discuss, I would have referred to the theological teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, who used Greek philosophy to understand more about his own Christian beliefs. It is interesting to me that this conversation came up now. I'm neck-deep in research for my biography on Heath Ledger, which I am writing because I truly know I am meant to write it. God gave me a literal dream to show me I am supposed to write this. Now He is fulfilling that through a symbolic dream - a dream that I have of publishing the work when finished. I often ask myself why? Why am I meant to write this book about someone I never met? I do not have the answers. Sometimes I wish I did, but then I know I just have to trust God. Whenever I trust Him, He never lets me down. I've trusted Him with leaving a job that did not give Him glory. I've trusted Him in unschooling the two precious sons He has given me. I've trusted Him in my marriage - which people often view as controversial in itself. I've trusted Him in my other writing endeavors. Now it's time to trust Him for this book and give Him total control. Okay, I'm tearing up now. Time to get to work on a college assignment and more book writing. Think I'll cross-post this on my other blog as well. :^) Kandy

More Information

Last night, I found some more publicity information. Tomorrow I'll be faxing in requests for a press kit from Heath Ledger's publicist, plus more interview requests. I heard from Rolling Stone Magazine today. It sounds like I should be re-print or use excerpts from an article of theirs for a processing fee. So that's definitely a positive thing! Things are coming along a lot better than I expected.

Kandy

Plans....

Okay. Here's my idea for a title for the Heath Ledger book: Heath Ledger: Bittersweet Memories and Tender Goodbyes. A Tribute. I have so many interview requests out right now. I'm also going on to his fan sites and asking for stories to include. I'm also in the process of writing and searching for an agent or publisher. Here's my "plan," although we all know God can change those pretty quickly (lol) - I'm going to spend from now until March looking for an agent or publisher and finishing the writing of the book. In March, I will get leftover financial aid money from college - this year it was $1,500. If I do not find an agent or publisher, I'm going to self-publish when I receive the left-over financial aid refund.

Kandy

Decisions, Decisions

Well, today, I had a self-publishing company contact me. I had requested information from them. Their rates are actually not too bad - as inexpensive as $500. What I'm thinking of doing is taking time right now to contact agents and book publishers. If those do not come through, I will self-publish. I've also heard that Cafe Press is now doing self-published books, so I will look more into that as well. I did find the first agent I'm going to contact. I have a list of fifty agents from Writer's Market as well as a list of publishers from the same. So if one of these options will come through, I'll go with traditional publishing first.

Kandy

More Research and More Research

Last night, I submitted a query letter to Today's Christian Woman and an article to a homeschooling magazine. I want to get myself more and more re-established in the writing industry.

Today, I began searching for publishers and agents for my Heath Ledger book. I think I have a few positive possibilities.
Yesterday, I submitted an interview request for the book to Deepak Chopra, who was scheduled to have lunch with Heath Ledger they day he passed away. I received a reply back today that Mr. Chopra is on a tour promoting his new book, so I am not able to receive an interview at this time. At least it wasn't a negative reply. I'm still hoping to interview him at a later time. I also did some brainstorming last night at work. Will blog about the other opportunities I have in mind as they become available.

Kandy

New Site, New Book

Well, a couple of days ago, I began writing my book about Heath Ledger. Today, I created a website devoted to this book. It's http://heathledgerbook.bravehost.com. I already have so many ideas and plans running through my head. I truly know this is a calling for me. I'm in the very beginning stages or writing, attempting to set up interviews, deciding whether to go the traditional publishing route or to self-publish. I believe it will all fall into place. I've just got to give it time.

Kandy