I'm one of those people who believes everything happens for a reason. It's our job to search our journey and see what we're supposed to learn from it. (Note: if you don't learn it the first time? God will force the issue again and again, so go with me on this, and try your best to get it!) My latest story of Serendipity starts in St. Augustine, FL.

They don't let you walk in this graveyard, but tell me this does not write a whole book in itself with that scene? I have always loved to walk through graveyards and read obituaries (ask my son, I turn to them and the crossword puzzle first thing when I read the paper.) It's not the macabre of the scenario, it's a life in stories. Your life will eventually be condensed to a paragraph or an epitaph. What will it say? I love characters and finding out people's stories (which is the reason my kids hate to go on vacation with me, I'm somewhat like Anderson Cooper on vacations.)

I don't pry. If people don't want to tell me their life story, I'll leave them alone. But yesterday, by pure accident (or providence depending on your viewpoint) I sit next to a Texas man from Abilene. He has just been to his grandfather's funeral and he is reading the book of Job on the plane. (Which reminds me, I had Ashley read her Bible to deflect fellow passengers from talking -- this does not work on myself. Who knew?)

This man's life's journey was incredible. I learned of heartbreak ten years' ago, his subsequent move to California and healthy living...and his beautiful fiance. (Who I just loved because she found a way to make a living so she could buy purses and shoes -- how can I not love her?) This man's life is roses. He created a successful life after almost dying from alcohol poisoning twice, and no college experience by getting away from the trouble and starting over. After ten years here, he never thought he'd find love. But he did. Here's how you know this moment in time was really kismet.

We talked about what I write and in "Save the Cat" the author tells you to test out your ideas on people. So I tell this Texas boy that I want to write a gothic romance. I proceed to explain that genre, and get this...Mr. Texas has a movie of an apparition on his iPhone. You know I have to see it, right? He explains where he works. A completely romantic and WEALTHY place nearby that is so exclusive, most people will never get on the inside. Ghosts are not spoken of in such an exclusive place and I have NEVER heard of it being haunted.

"Is it talked about that it's haunted?"
"No. Oh no."
I googled it when I got home. NOTHING about these apparitions seen by multiple employees and even viewed on video tape. Of course, everyone wants their job, so it's not public. I should also mention that my Texas hero with the hot, model fiance is in construction. Tough guy. Not a believer in the odd things of life -- yet he has a ghostly apparition on his iPhone that will never be on YouTube because he wants his job. As do others. Others who have witnessed men in house hats sitting in the passenger seat of their car.

I'll tell you, I could take a lot of things...But seeing an apparition in my car has to be the all-time scare fest, right? That's totally creepy. It's like that old story they told where the bloody hook is on the car handle when you get home -- remember that one you heard at camp?

Anyway, don't worry, I am not writing this kind of book. Think more angelic and Supernatural with a touch of creepy because you don't understand fully. But God gave me a hero, a setting and a story with just one airplane ride. Four hours of information and I am READY to get to it. As soon as I finish this final version of Smitten today.

So have you had those moments where you're like, DANG, God gave me everything I needed in this walking encyclopedia of a person? And your mind goes to John Cusack and a movie about a chocolate shop because everything falls into place? How could you not want to go back in time with this inspiration?

I read the news, and sheesh, who doesn't want to go back to a different place where kids don't shoot each other? Not without a war anyway.

First off, let me state that Interlaken is one of my favorite places on the planet. I LOVE this city and it is so romantic. And even though I once shut down the entire hotel's electricity (not understanding that whole European plug thing) something tells me, they'd like me back. LOL Maybe not.

When you stand over this river, no matter the season, it's like an air conditioner. Oh, I'm having dreamy memories. Okay, Ben and his entourage, which includes Lindzi, Courtney and Jacki. The show is SOOO boring that they have to inject a promo for the new Bachelorette and an ad for Titanic 3D in the middle of the show.

Ben squires the women about, looks like he's going to cr** his pants half the time, while the girls try to bolster his manliness as they repel down granite cliffs and take helicopter rides. Girls, you better know how to wield a power tool with this one. The force is not strong in him.

Kacie B returns to warn Ben again and find out why she was dumped. Note to Kacie: your parents made it clear how they felt about the living together issue and Ben knew "fantasy suites" were coming up. Which can't even be thought of as fantasy suites because Ben was part of the decor. (I'm sorry, I'm just not a fan.)

Seriously, I met a hero on the way home from Florida who would be perfect for the Bachelor, except he's getting married in October. Okay, partly, I loved him because his fiance is me 20 years ago. This fiance knew "The Bachelor"; "The Housewives"; "Coach"; Michael Kors and Zappos because that's what his fiance loved. I'm totally working him into a book because ladies, there are good men out there. He's 34 and just not getting snatched up. So not bad. He's so going into a book.

As for Ben, he loves who he loves and since he has the personality of a tree, you know, go for it.

My friend that I'm staying with is an editor. I was reading the guidelines for a lot of publishers she works for while staying here. Because they are changing up where a comma goes right and left! If you think you know grammar, forgettaboutit.

Anyway, without naming names, I'm just shocked at some of the stuff I read in these guidelines. Here's my issue with it. Some Christians go OUT of their way to be offended and feel safe. The world ain't safe, people! I don't care who you are and I understand that if you buy a book and pay a premium, you deserve the right to feel safe in that realm. You're paying for it. I get that.

But I read these guidelines and I think, are there really people who feel this way? How do these people navigate the world? Function? What's their witness? Does God really want us protected from all things outside ourselves? Aren't we supposed to be in the world and not of it.

Granted, I love pop culture, so undoubtedly, I'm one of the heathens they're pointed fingers at, but I'm sorry, didn't Jesus eat with the tax collectors? Didn't He call out the woman at the well for having "many husbands" -- a kind way of saying she was maybe a wee bit slutty?

Oh my, I KNOW that word doesn't exist in many Christian's world, and God bless 'em, but you know what? Not talking about things is what makes people sneak around and sin. No one is perfect, but can you admit that to a Christian? Not some of them. Because then, you're a sinner (hello, so are you!) so people go underground -- which makes sin worse in my opinion. Covering it up is NOT healthy.

So back to the guidelines. Here are just a few of them: You cannot have the presence of an angel in your book, except for those mentioned in the Bible. You cannot use the phrasing, "You're an angel."

There should be no derivatives of swearing, such as darn, gadzooks, etc. (I'm sure this would include derivatives of prostitute (ignore that word above!)

Gadzooks? Seriously, if you used THAT in a book, I'd be seriously worried if you were aware of this particular century, but that's me.

I honor that these are the guidelines and writers are expected to abide by them, but seriously, how many of us who live in the real world can continue to write in that market? You know what? I'm the only Christian on my block (Hindu, Muslims and Buddhists all present and accounted for.) If I'm looking to be so protected from word like "Darn" -- aren't I thinking maybe too much about myself and not about what purpose God has for me?

Oh Denise Hunter just read my Smitten entry and fixed the word POTLUCK, which I apparently spelled wrong. If that doesn't tell you how OUT of the Christian realm I am in Silicon Valley, I don't know what will.

So before the Oscars started, Nancy and I went to dinner at a sports bar. Sheesh, I've never been to a sports bar, but she claims I shouldn't go again. She was like, 'You're watching 11 TVs and you know what's going on with every one. How do you do that?'

Welcome to the beauty of ADD. Nancy wanted to slap me. So maybe being able to watch the daredevils on "60 Minutes" seeing Mary J. Blige sing on some sports finals (when she should have been singing her Oscar-nominated song on the Oscars -- only she wasn't nominated!) and the Red Carpet at the same time set my hopes too high for the plain Oscars.

Even the dresses were meh. My standouts? Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Octavia Spence, Leslie Mann and Kristen Wiig (though her make-up was atrocious.)

Bad standouts? Emma Stone, whom I love, looked like a puppy wrapped up for Christmas. Stacy Kiebler like a metallic, swirly cupcake. Michelle Williams dress was pretty except for the ice skating skirt attached.

What tonight's Oscars taught me is that moviemaking by committee doesn't work. Storytelling must be in the hands of one person with vision and passion. Most of Hollywood doesn't have that power and it's done by committee and too many cooks in the kitchen. Moviemaking has always been about collaboration, but right now, the big studios have to make their money back in the first weekend, so it's all marketing first, not story first. As a writer this offends me, and the public and the Academy itself is fighting back, without even knowing it, by voting for many independent films.

My next rant? The REAL entertainers of the film industry get NO respect. I'm sorry, but no one stole a movie like Melissa McCarthy did in Bridesmaids. I heard it said that the Academy was not going to give an award to someone who cr### in ths sink. Okay, but they'll give it someone who cr### in the pie?

Just saying, the real entertainers on the show tonight: Chris Rock, Will Farrell, the Bridesmaids...they're not going to get an Academy Award despite being what Hollywood is supposed to be about: entertainment.

Seriously, I was so bored, I didn't even wait up for Colin. I took a bath instead. Hollywood, get over yourself. You're in the entertainment industry...so maybe...I don't know, entertain?

Do you feel strongly about any one actor/actress or movie winning?

I'm not rooting for anyone really, so I may pick my favorites by Red Carpet style. LOL Ryan Seacrest has just arrived to cover the Red Carpet, so we're getting close.

Most excited to see Cate Blanchett as always (hope she'll be there!) and Michelle Williams. You? I hate being on the East Coast for this, it starts so late! Back to editing until it's time...

I am in St Augustine, FL (America's Oldest City) When I'm on vacation I love to be in cheesy tourist mode. Today I was so excited about the different uniforms at the Fort and wanted to take a picture. They were closing and the ranger asked me what I was trying to get a picture of it. and I told him there were tourists in my way. "Do you see those three uniforms? My history buff kid will know them. I'm going to send a quiz!". God bless him, he let me in to get my pic. Then told me the answer so I can see if Trey is right.

My kids would probably say I'm embarrassing like that at home, but I don't think so.

We went to Mexican food overlooking the Bay and the castillo, I asked all sorts of questions. I just love to know how people live and I'm very zealous on vacation. It is like when I'm not home Kristin is invisible and that giddy tourist in the Hawaiian shirt comes out. Are you a more fun version of yourself on vacation?

Seriously, my teeth are clenched together this article makes me so mad. This poor little girl endured the worst of all abusers. Emotional abuse by someone who SHAMED her for being who she was. I want to take my hands and wring that grandmother's neck. I'll bet you anything, she's a FAT thing who thinks she's going to shame her granddaughter into being skinny, rather than deal with her own issues that made her fat.

I'm probably making no sense, as I'm so mad, but this girl was forced to run for three hours after lying to her grandmother about eating a candy bar.

When you parent like this??? When children are afraid of you and the consequences make no damn sense, then kids lie. IT's what happens. Lying keeps them safe if they can get away with it. That's why kids do it.

http://news.yahoo.com/2-charged-death-ala-girl-forced-run-082216169.html

As someone who has a lot of scars about being shamed by teachers for ADD, I have NO mercy on these women. I lied to teachers all the time to avoid this kind of crap shame. I didn't have to lie to my family because they didn't attach motive to why I forgot things. This girl ate the candy bar to bring herself some joy. Way to set her up for addictive behaviors you worthless COW. I'm sure I will erase this, but I am seriously SO angry that this crap is allowed to happen. This kind of "parenting" goes on everyday and I think it's worse than beating. No child should be told they're worthless if they don't do exactly as expected. They should be allowed to make mistakes and the punishment should fit the crime.

If I were the judge, I wouldn't send this woman to jail. I'd send her to the local track and make her RUN forever with an audience of the entire town.

Rest in peace baby Savannah, God will show you what true parenting and love is now.

There's a new "Anna Karenina" movie in the works and while it's one of my favorite books, I have never seen it adapted well to the screen. I didn't even think BBC did it well, and that's saying something.

Anna is hard to "get" and that's hard to translate onto the screen. One of the things I remember best about Anna from the book is that she didn't know how many teeth her baby had at the time. That is such an incredible small detail that says so much about the character of Anna. She really wasn't cut out for marriage, and didn't imagine it would be so woefully boring.

Enter a handsome rogue Count Vronsky...yada yada yada...then comes the train. But it's so amazing the way Tolstoy writes. He makes me get why the rogue does it, why Anna does it, why she's the left alone to take the consequences of sin. It's just a tragic story all the way around. Ultimately, it's the story of the narrator coming to Christ by witnessing Anna's story.

The first line rings true today and that's why it endures. (Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.) Hopefully today, without such tragic consequences, but I think that's why Tolstoy wrote it -- as a tale of warning. That, and he was a total misogynist who made his wife miserable just like Alexei made his miserable and rather than take credit for any of that, he tortured the poor woman emotionally. If it were my book, Alexei would have ended up in front of the train, but alas it's not.

The movie stars Keira K and she is not my favorite. Not since she entered the world as a giggly Elizabeth Bennet. Ugh. But I'll give her a chance. She's kind of a depressive sort, so maybe that will work for Anna. I actually am excited for her in this role. Jude Law as Alexie? Did Tolstoy cast this?