tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:33:35 +0000<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> A gathering place for writers and photographers to showcase their work, and share their successes.http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/tracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)Blogger761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-180309617949794949Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:17:00 +00002009-12-10T08:33:35.233-06:00ChristmasstoriesWe're excited to announce that A Pixel-Perfect Christmas 2009 is now available for pre-order. This beautiful softcover book includes an eclectic collection of stories from readers and writers of the Pix-N-Pens blog. For one week, December 10-17, you can order the book at the special pre-order price of $10, plus shipping. After the 17th, the price will be $11.97. Due to the timing, I can't http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/rhyn9G3pGGI/pre-order-sale-for-pixel-perfect.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/pre-order-sale-for-pixel-perfect.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-3694769192193399753Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-12-09T07:00:08.546-06:00ChristmasstoriesHow to Mix a Merry Christmasby Keith BrownOne day while Jimmy Jenkins was waiting at the mall.He made a list for Santa Claus, one hundred toys in all.A bike, a train, and a video game were just a few, you see.Everything a child could want beneath the Christmas tree.When old Saint Nick placed little Jimmy gently on his knee.He read the list of all the gifts to bring on Christmas Eve.But there was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/8mx9ABT-A5A/how-to-mix-merry-christmas.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-mix-merry-christmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-76875778299183529Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:03:00 +00002009-12-08T17:17:55.661-06:00ChristmasstoriesI just wanted to clarify a few things about our Christmas stories contest.The stories being posted here on the blog are the "semi-finalists," and have been given a "score" on their manuscripts (Pix-N-Pens staff stories are excluded from the contest.) They are being posted in random order, not by order of their score.On January 4th, we will post a list of finalists from these stories, and let thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/2m7iFbgootA/contest-clarification.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/contest-clarification.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-5687302337340566230Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-12-07T07:00:08.142-06:00ChristmasstoriesWe hope you'll enjoy this fiction piece submitted by Anita Howard. We'll publish fiction on Monday and Wednesday and true stories on Fridays. Fuzzy Marblesby Anita HowardI never wanted to hurt Jack. The scissors may as well have been gouging out my own insides. I’d always harbored a soft spot for him, though he wasn’t the finest I’d seen.Then again, maybe that’s the reason I loved him. Maybe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/OVJX0os9z5c/fuzzy-marbles.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)23http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/fuzzy-marbles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-5900022094867352719Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-12-04T07:00:05.213-06:00ChristmasstoriesToday, we begin posting stories submitted for our Christmas contest. True stories will be posted on Fridays, fiction will be posted on Mondays and Wednesdays. I was thrilled at the quality of submissions this year - and hope all our Pixels will show support for the authors selected. I'll post details about our book, A Pixel-Perfect Christmas 2009, next week.Today, we welcome Kristine Lowder, withhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/O_twqcTs-Og/where-lovelight-gleams.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/where-lovelight-gleams.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-7949117832739165066Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-12-04T06:00:05.147-06:00contestswinnerWe held a contest all through the month of November to give away a copy of Christmas Miracles. The winner of our November contest is:Deborah BolackCongratulations, Deborah! We'll get your book out to you soon!Pixels, we'll do the same thing again during December! Any one leaving a comment on any post during the month will receive an entry for a chance to win a copy of Christmas Miracles AND A http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/HLj_er55qf8/another-winner-and-another-contest.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)3http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-winner-and-another-contest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-585502649054821136Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:53:00 +00002009-12-03T10:10:41.330-06:00ChristmasstoriesFirst, an update. Our Christmas contest stories will begin posting tomorrow, Friday. We'll publish true stories on Fridays, and fiction on Mondays and Wednesdays, all throughout the month. You're in for a treat - the quality of the writing this year was superb, and the competition was stiff.Today, we'll share another precious story from Christmas Miracles. This book will make an EXCELLENT http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/LfOTt1iQvQQ/update-and-thank-you-amen.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/update-and-thank-you-amen.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-21945464261989669Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-12-01T07:00:06.027-06:00ChristmasstoriesWhile we're still sorting out the contest entries, I decided to share some of the stories from Christmas Miracles with you. With permission, of course. I know you'll enjoy them as much as I have! Thanks, St. Martin's!Taken from: Christmas Miracles (pages 4-7)Copyright © 2009 by Cecil Murphey and Marley GibsonPublished by St. Martin’s Press175 Fifth AvenueNew York, NY 10010www.stmartins.comUsed http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/pYj4zfiyJ3k/miracle-in-storm.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/12/miracle-in-storm.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-808733571484515945Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:38:00 +00002009-11-30T14:06:53.971-06:00storiescontestsGreetings, Pixels! I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was filled with love, laughter, joy, peace, and fun - and plenty of awesome food and awesome football wins. (Or shopping trips ...)Tomorrow, we're going to start a month of something a bit different. I wanted Debbie, Suzanne, Phee, and Kathy to have time to celebrate the season with their families, so I gave them a month off. Instead of their http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/14Y4KqigMdE/month-of-christmas-stories.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)2http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/month-of-christmas-stories.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-59294319629201082Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +00002009-11-27T08:00:06.720-06:00Featured AuthorDid you head out and brave the crowds today? Or did you stay home and decorate for Christmas? Or cheer on your favorite team in their last regular season game? (Roll Tide!)We'll be doing several different and exciting things here at Pix-N-Pens over the next six weeks or so. Today, we share a recipe and a story from Christian author Kay Marshall Strom.LEMON CHICKEN SOUP – SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA Thishttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/_hkl2ikMoio/recipe-for-all-that-leftover-turkey.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/recipe-for-all-that-leftover-turkey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-2077486510510642348Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-26T06:00:00.197-06:00ViewpointsThis year has been a difficult one in many ways for most of us, but it has also been a year of exciting transitions and tremendous blessings. Thank you, dear Pixels, for sharing our year and letting us be part of your life. We cherish the friendships made through our efforts here, and appreciate your participation, encouragement, and prayers.I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Debbie http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/h4ol7u-ZNfk/thank-you.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)2http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/thank-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-1036412259640826611Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-11-25T12:00:02.734-06:00Book Reviewsblog tourReviewed by Phee ParadiseBetter Than Jewels by Linda NewtonThe book of Proverbs is full of wisdom for living. Often you find it one nugget at a time. Better than Jewels is presented to the reader in the same way with 31 daily devotionals. Each one is a meditation on a one word topic, such as experience, parenting and trust. Newton quotes a verse from Proverbs that offers wisdom on the topic, thenhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/SHgDj-wZzv0/little-gem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phee Paradise)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/little-gem.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-2303963304649643967Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-25T06:00:02.962-06:00FreelancingWhat can we give God for ChristmasBy Debbie RoomeIt’s less than a month to Christmas and the pace is accelerating. I’m sure it’s the same where you are. My calendar is jammed full of engagements, dinners and shows ... and most of the time I love it. I have a special bonus this year. My parents and sister are visiting from South Africa and we’ll be together for Christmas for the first time in fourhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/3fbGiZfUxP4/giving-gifts-to-god.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Debbie Roome)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/giving-gifts-to-god.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-6993429920985146913Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-11-23T12:00:01.113-06:00blog tourThis week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing Loss Of CarrierBookSurge Publishing (October 27, 2009)byRuss WhiteABOUT THE AUTHORRuss White is an internationally recognized internetwork engineer. He has co-authored eight books in the field of network design and routingprotocols and is a regular speaker at international networking conferences.In addition to working on several expert http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/iqbOX_PNGIQ/loss-of-carrier.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phee Paradise)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/loss-of-carrier.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-8413325560981276205Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-11-20T12:00:02.915-06:00Book Reviewsblog tourReviewed by Phee ParadiseFit for My King by Sheri Rose ShepherdI was excited about Fit for My King because I have been struggling with weight loss for years. I know all the principles of healthy eating, but usually can’t motivate myself to follow them. I hoped a Christian perspective would make the difference.The book offers a diet plan the author has developed from her own experiences with http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/pl6EmjD-8no/gods-princesses-are-beautiful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phee Paradise)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/gods-princesses-are-beautiful.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-5037639460039100236Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +00002009-11-20T09:00:00.098-06:00Viewpointsspecial eventsNASHVILLE—November 19, 2009 - This Christmas an expected quarter million Christian families—individually and through churches—will make high-tech history when, through Really Woolly® Kids, a Dayspring® division, they participate in a two-month online Happy Birthday, Jesus party with a live teacher, part of Really Woolly Kids’s growing line of Online Family Adventures. Happy Birthday, Jesus http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/HW9GXV5jmv0/youre-invited-to-online-happy-birthday.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/youre-invited-to-online-happy-birthday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-2312467054373797317Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-19T06:00:06.393-06:00photographyBY SUZANNE WILLIAMSThanksgiving being a one-day event has always brought difficulty for me. This is because, simply put, once I was married, I found myself with too much family. My one, big meal now stretched into three big meals. Need I remind you that, discounting breakfast, there are only two other meals during the day? Suddenly, I had to somehow fit everyone into the schedule.And more http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/TgfYHZ95Tdo/surviving-thanksgiving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (scw1217)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/surviving-thanksgiving.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-3054659354714404511Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-11-18T12:04:45.313-06:00Book Reviewsblog tourReviewed by Phee ParadiseEternity Falls by Kirk OuterbridgeI’ve never read a cyber thriller, although I like science fiction. So Eternity Falls was new to me, but had a lot of familiar elements. The world of Rick Macey has taken our obsession with the internet to a new extreme and it was a little scary to read about people physically connected through jacks in their necks. But I’ve seen enoughhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/20rqFxJ2iYg/will-death-be-defeated-in-future.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phee Paradise)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/will-death-be-defeated-in-future.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-8461657994658752834Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-18T06:00:05.900-06:00FreelancingGive the Gift of WordsBy Debbie RoomeHow do you feel when someone pays you a genuine compliment? Warm and fuzzy inside? Excited and happy? Like you’re floating around for the rest of the day? Positive words can transform the way we view ourselves and make us feel better about life. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful Christmas gift to give a friend or family member?How can I Write a BlessingThere are http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/5ci6O8LVQrA/writing-christmas-blessing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Debbie Roome)2http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/writing-christmas-blessing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-8997217200577766957Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:21:00 +00002009-11-16T16:30:55.176-06:00EditingWrite IntegrityI opened up the 2010 calendar for Write Integrity, and except for our awesome line-up of WIES Workshops, it's rather empty. So I decided to have a HOLIDAY SALE*!From now until December 15, 2009 (or until our calendar is full - whichever comes first), we're offering some specials so good, we hope you won't pass them up!New Clients: Schedule your editing project NOW, for any time January 4, 2010 - http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/VGdRr_7jHKg/holiday-sale-save-up-to-50.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-sale-save-up-to-50.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-4339956638391537882Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:47:00 +00002009-11-13T13:05:21.698-06:00contestsChristmas MiraclesThe Christmas Miracles book we featured here at the end of October is on an awesome blog tour. The publicity team, Kathy Carlton Willis Communications, is giving away a BEAUTIFUL Christmas gift basket filled with all sorts of goodies and two copies of Christmas Miracles.Since we'd already featured the book, I didn't participate in this tour, but you can STILL enter to win the contest. Below, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/v01zaHaQxMg/you-could-win-gorgeous-christmas-basket.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)3http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/you-could-win-gorgeous-christmas-basket.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-5687915502679911598Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-12T06:00:03.306-06:00photographyBY SUZANNE WILLIAMSWith Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon, here are a few tips to making your holiday photographs a bit more interesting.1. BokehWhat is bokeh? Bokeh involves making something deliberately out of focus and having it work well in an image. You can do this using any number of objects, but the most popular would be background lighting. Bokeh will give an image a very http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/oAkk3FRVMDg/tips-for-holiday-photos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (scw1217)2http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/tips-for-holiday-photos.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-8761201232603624204Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +00002009-11-11T15:00:00.235-06:00workshopsWIESOur own Kathy Ide will be teaching an online course starting Monday, November 16.During this four-week "Building Your Publishing Credits" course, you'll explore writing opportunities such as articles, play scripts, short stories, devotionals, and Sunday school curriculum, to hone your skills and develop a writing resume. This course is suitable for beginning writers.Register for the course here.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/Myy6F7cc7zE/register-now-for-kathy-ides-online.htmltracyruckman@gmail.com (Tracy Ruckman)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/register-now-for-kathy-ides-online.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-6606081165708244476Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-11-11T12:00:01.711-06:00Book Reviewsblog tourReviewed by Phee ParadiseA Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Keyes ParsonsIn light of the discussion we’ve been having about Christian writing, I’m happy to review A Prisoner of Versailles. Keyes Parsons tells a good story with characters who face trials and temptations that could lend themselves to crude language. Yet she clearly communicates the “world” without using explicit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/1EX93aNj0Nk/good-historical-romance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phee Paradise)0http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/good-historical-romance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003456205448283613.post-8805015115464194132Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-11-11T06:00:11.361-06:00FreelancingFinding Motivation to WriteBy Debbie Roome1. The best way to perfect a skill is by practise. The more you write, the better the results. Try and write something every day, even if it is just a few words.2. Writing is a calling and a gift that God has given us. He longs for us to use our words to spread His message. He will make a place for our words if we are willing to write them.3. Writing is ahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Pixnpens/~3/bbe-e3riUjY/10-reasons-to-keep-on-writing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Debbie Roome)1http://pixnpens.blogspot.com/2009/11/10-reasons-to-keep-on-writing.html