Two-Year Celebration

Guess what, guys! I'm hosting a celebration today because two years ago, I started this blog. Woot-woot! It has been so much fun, and my writing has improved tremendously since starting this. So thank you to all of you who have interacted with me on the blog-o-sphere.

To thank you, I am hosting a giveaway. Rafflecoptor isn't working for me so we're doing this the old-fashioned way. I'm going to write your name on a slip of paper, drop it in a bowl with everybody else's, stir it around, and draw one out.

You can get your name in the bowl as many as three times, depending on how many of the following things you do:

Follow this blog.

Leave a comment below. It doesn't have to say anything special. Maybe you could say how long you have been reading my blog...or how you found my blog in the first place.

Share this post through your blog or through your other social media, AND leave a comment below saying so and leaving the link.

The winner will be announced one week from today. So mark your calendar to check back on October 20th!

Now...are you ready to see the prize?

I saw this last week at my friend's craft booth, and I couldn't resist. It was so pretty, and I loved the verse.
The base is a little bigger than 2"x3" but not quite 3"x4" (I'm sorry I don't have more precise measuring tools with me!). The lid says "We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 Jn 4:19"

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are outside of the United States of America, I WILL NOT MAIL YOU THE BOX. So you can either come and get it yourself J or I will give you a different prize -- like a picture that I draw for you. We'll talk about further details when/if you win. Fair enough?

I hope you like it! And I look forward to next week so I can see who won this beautiful little box!!! And thank you again, to all of you, for your encouragement and support! I love you guys!

More Snippets from Snow White Rose Red

One of the shadows moved. “Were you just going to chuck it in there with no thought for the poor folks on the other side?” Flip’s voice drawled out. It was a deep voice and it made my heart skip a beat. He moved away from the trees and came to stand in front of me. “Some hard-working fellow is plowing his field and then – whop! Out of nowhere, a poisoned apple flies out and hits him upside the head.” He clucked his tongue reproachfully.

A Short Story Break

via Pinterest It has been a while since I penned a short story. Usually it takes something like a "short story contest" to inspire me. But I have noticed my writing skills improve with each contest so there is something to be said for writing short stories. I say all this to lead into the fact that I am going to try another short story. There is no contest looming on the horizon, but it has been so long that I think I am due to write a short piece. Life cannot be entirely devoted to novel-length plots... I am rolling around different ideas in my head. There is no one to give me the first three words or a picture to base my story on. There are no restrictions, no props, and no judges. Methinks I will try something that is both epic and ordinary...something I have seen before. After all, personal experience, great things, and the expression of the ordinary are part of what makes a story.

The Countdown: Eight Days

Eight days. Do you know what that means? Barely over a week. Tomorrow will be one week from the announcement date. Are you excited? I am. So, today, I want to talk to those who wrote something for the contest, whether or not you entered it in the end. What made you start writing your story? What was the first inkling of an idea that tickled your brain? What was it that you liked about your premise? As you wrote, did you have a favorite character or a favorite scene? And are you glad you wrote it down? Do you feel like you learned and grew in your ability as a writer as you tried out things for this contest? And, if your story isn't included in this year's Rooglewood anthology (either because you didn't submit it or because it didn't fit with the other four stories selected), what will you do with it? Will you market it elsewhere? Or will you lock it away in a drawer?

JoyOctober 13, 2015 at 6:44 AM
Dear Esther, congrats on 2 years of blogging! What a special milestone. I know I've not been the best commenter of your lovely blog (I need to do it more, because you write so many great things!), but we're all truly blessed by your sharing in the blogging/writerly community of Christian writers, and a real encouragement! Please keep writing and sharing for God's glory :D.
Many blessings,
Joy

As I'm outside the US, please don't worry about including me in the prize :D. It's very pretty though!
Emily Ann PutzkeOctober 13, 2015 at 8:01 AM
Happy 2 year blogging anniversary!! I first found out about your blog when you volunteered to help me out with It Took a War's release! I've enjoyed reading your blog so much! Your writing inspires me. =) And what a lovely giveaway! I'd love to be entered!
Skye HoffertOctober 13, 2015 at 8:41 AM
Congrats on two years! Though my commenting is sporadic to say the least, I really enjoy your posts. I live outside of the states as well, so don't worry about the prize. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your blog :D
Flittering FlameOctober 13, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Wow! Congratulations on your two-year-old blog! I just recently started following your blog, but I already love it. And I can't wait for the next installment of The Mental Ward :) I am following your blog, and commenting, just to let you know :)
JessicaOctober 13, 2015 at 3:23 PM
Congratulations! I wish you many more happy years of writing and blogging. :)
I really enjoy your writings, and "Wings" especially touched me. Also, you post so regularly, which is another great feature of your blog!

The giveaway looks nice, but I'm yet another reader outside the US...
Esther Brooksmith (wisdomcreates)October 13, 2015 at 5:57 PM
Thank you all for your words of encouragement and for celebrating with me. Wow, I did not realize how many of you are scattered across the world. What a cool thing -- that we can be friends spanning different countries! I am honored to have you read and comment on my blog!

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