I’m Nice, so Try Dying

Great title for a post, isn’t it? Piques your curiosity?

Jennie McGhan and Camy Tang both awarded me the Nice Matters Award. I ate up every kind word they wrote.

“This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

If I were OCD, I’d have to follow the rules and pick seven; I’m not, so I won’t. Strangely, I feel compelled to tell you again and again that I’m not OCD.

Donna Fleisher She leads me through the valley of unpublishedness with spectacular discernment.

Bonnie Leon She was the first professional author we ever met with at OCW. Her encouragement keeps us going.

Dianne Her “rebel” tendencies are a huge witness. For example, she turned off the comment section of her blog to ensure she was writing what she felt led to write instead of what might get the most comments.

Bette Nordberg Another “rebel” who examines the Bible and shares new insights. She wrote one of the best Christian fiction books, Serenity Bay, which opened the floodgates for more truthful reality, ie. tough stuff, in the CBA. And she believes in us.

Sherrie Ashcraft My mother. The first time I had the flu in our marriage, I got mad at Kevin for not coming into the bathroom and holding my hair back. I’d been spoiled into thinking that’s what everyone did. Mom will always be there for me and I try not to take that for granted. (I have since decided I’d rather not have my husband by my side while I’m getting sick. Wise choice, Kevin!)

I’d be hard pressed to name seven people I’ve met through the writing journey or blogging that aren’t nice. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you’ve been nice to me at one time or another.

Now it’s my turn to be nice to someone who has mentored us. James Scott Bell has a new book coming out that sounds fantastic. He’s one of my favorite writers anyway, but this is the best book trailer I’ve ever seen. Go buy the book. Try Dying: A Novel (Ty Buchanan)

Cool fact: Jim is keynoting the ACFW conference this year–the first of the male persuasion to ever do so.

Even cooler fact: That’s Jim’s voice on the trailer. His entertainment background finally paid off.

Most supremely cool fact: He is the screenwriter for Randy Alcorn‘s Deadline.