Are you Receiving the Benefits of Gratitude?

Sarah SoonLove At the Mayo, Writing

Happy November, everyone! I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of 2021. Normally, I’m stressing about prepping for Christmas, but I’m preoccupied with getting all my writing projects done! And perhaps I’m doing better surrendering my expectations and anxieties to God, furthering helping me to take it a day at a time. Trust me, this is a daily work, where …

Fall-writing-newsletter

Fearless Writing and October Update

Sarah SoonWriting

Anyone want to live a fearless life? Pursue your creative passions regardless of other’s opinion? I do! If you do, then I have something for you in this newsletter! But first.. Writing Update: Despite my goal of having my historical fiction, Marry for Love, available for beta readers by October 1st, I’m behind. As I read through the manuscript, I …

Writing Update and Rocket Notebook Giveaway

Sarah SoonLove At the Mayo, Writing

Hello fall. I’m looking forward to the changing of the season although in Oklahoma, it doesn’t get into full force until October. I’m looking forward to white pumpkins, warm apple cider, and pumpkin smoothies. It’s been over a month since I last reached out. While I use the freed time to work on my novels, I miss blogging on a …

Writing-career-commitment-gratitude

How the Olympics Has Reinforced My Commitment to Writing

Sarah SoonWriting

Anyone watching the Olympics? I’m catching highlights of my favorite events- gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, track and field-checking the USA medal count, and listening to athletes’ stories. I’m inspired by how they overcame insurmountable obstacles, like Italian Gianmarco Tamberi who couldn’t compete in Rio Olympics because of a near career-ending injury, but how he roared back and shared a gold metal …

We are All Storytellers!

Sarah SoonWriting, Writing Tips

This past weekend, I attended an online literary festival held by 1455 Literary Arts. (1455 is a literary community that seeks to promote storytelling and creativity.) I’ve attended a few of their craft workshops and enjoyed it, so I was game for the festival, especially since the theme was Celebrating the Art of Storytelling. Buckle my seatbelt! They had three …

Don’t Worry About It!

Sarah SoonHolidays, Journaling, Writing

“Don’t Worry About It!” This is a phrase I heard continuously in Costa Rica. My husband and I just spent ten days there for our delayed honeymoon. A delightful country especially for nature lovers like us. They have such varied landscape from dry forest, cloud forest, rain forest, the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and 212 volcanos (only 11 are …

The Chosen-character-acceptance

What I Discovered About Characters in The Chosen TV series.

Sarah SoonWriting, Writing Tips

Last year, many of us were happily surprised by The Chosen, a TV series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The show does an excellent job of showing us the humanity of each disciple and drawing us into their lives. One particular disciple I enjoy watching is Matthew. They wrote him as someone on the autism spectrum. So, …

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How to Make Your Story Come Alive

Sarah SoonWriting, Writing Tips

Ever read a book that becomes so palatable, you feel as though the writer has transported you? Almost as if you’re breathing the same air as the characters? I enjoy when a story’s world is so plausible and tangible, I don’t want the story to end. It lingers in my mind long after the last chapter. Books such as: Jane …

Q & A for June Wood Agamah, author of Caryl’s Closet

Sarah SoonMemoir, Writing

Note: I met June last year through my sister Laurie. June contacted me since she discovered I’m an editor. While I didn’t edit her book, I gave her some writing and publishing tips. And I enjoyed hearing about the premise of her work-in-progress, Caryl’s Closet. As you’ll notice in the Q & A, June is a go-getter and within a …