Google Angela D. Meyer

Monday, May 20, 2013

Special Announcement

My book, previously titled Bruised Reed, 
now has a new name and look!

Introducing 
Where Hope Starts!




Stay connected for up to the minute news about the summer release of Where Hope Starts

Unconventional Faith




Taken from their home in Jerusalem to Babylon, Daniel and his three friends were brought into the palace to be trained for three years to serve the king. What an opportunity. In the land of their captivity, they had a chance to lead.

One catch. They had to eat the king’s food. As Jews, this would defile their bodies. They asked for a different menu. Afraid for his life, the chief official agreed to a trial. 

Ten days. 

When Daniel and his friends stood before the official at the end of this time frame, they were in better health than any of the other young men brought in to train. The official allowed them to continue eating according to God’s way.

The Lord blessed their training and at the end of the three years, the king found them…“In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”

Going against conventional wisdom. Trusting God for their needs. Blessing and places of influence given to them.

I long for that type of faith to go against the grain and trust God to deliver me. To trust him to guide me and provide for me.

I believe it starts with what I nourish myself with. What am I feeding on? Not so much how I feed my stomach (although how I eat VERY MUCH affects how I feel and think) but how am I feeding my heart and mind.

Am I feeding on the “food” of the world (what they read, watch and listen to)? Or am I feasting on the word of God and time with my maker?

I see in my own life, that when I choose God’s “food” over the world’s buffet of lies and self-indulgence, I think more clearly. I am more focused. Faith leads my footsteps after His. I am less easily distracted.

When I am constantly feeding on what “successful” people have done and how they got there, it is easy to believe that I have to follow the same path to get where I think I need to go. But what if God asks me to go a different direction?

Choosing God’s menu over the world prepares me for such a choice. I hope I’m ready, because at some point or other, I am sure to face a day I have to choose conventional wisdom or unconventional faith.

(The story of Daniel comes from Daniel 1)

What about you? 
Do you find that what you feed your mind affects your choices?

Photo credit: Suat Eman //  www.freedigitalphotos.net/ 

Friday, May 17, 2013

5 Places I Find Inspiration


I’ve seemed to have lost my inspiration…
Perhaps it’s lost in mitigation-
With characters in my novel.
But I refuse to grovel 
To get it back, tales untold,
Although it’s worth more than gold.
Perhaps you’ve seen it around somewhere,
In the crowd or at the fair?
On the bus, the hair salon,
At a restaurant eating filet mignon?
It must be hiding, bent on mayhem.
Creativity locked in bedlam.
Voices tell me look everywhere
I just might find it in the air.


Inspiration can feel elusive, like chasing fireflies. Each writer will vary in where they find theirs, often in the most unlikely spots.

Some places I have found inspiration include:
·         Driving: My mind wonders and often lands on just the thing for my current story, a new one or a blog post.
·         The shower. The one place where I am left alone. It’s quiet and thoughts run with the water.
·         Worshiping God. Ideas deposited in my heart in the midst of focusing on Him.
·         Outside. Working in the yard, on a walk or playing with my kids. Fresh air and being in the middle of God’s creation relaxes me and my subconscious runs, then there it is. A pearl of an idea.
·         Asking questions as I observe life around me. What if this happened instead of that? I wish it would go a different way. Why did they do that?

Mostly, writing comes down to a discipline. But these places of inspiration give my mind time and space to work something out without manipulating my thoughts.  Then the seed idea can blow in on the wind like a dandelion flower blown apart by a child making a wish.

Where are some places you find inspiration?

Friday, May 10, 2013

Behind the Scenes of a Book Launch


My adventure moves forward.


Over the next few weeks, on Fridays, you will get a bird’s eye view of a book launch as I share my writing journey with you.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. I’ve got a new one – it takes a community to launch a book. It is definitely not a one person job.

This week I started my Book Launch Team. This team will be my hands and feet and magaphones to get the word out. We are going to MAKE SOME NOISE!

I have a few more spots open if any of my readers are interested in being a part of my team. Let me know in the comments below and I will contact you with more information.

It’s great to be surrounded by those who are willing to take time and invest in my dream.

Whether your dream is to be published, direct a movie, speak in front of thousands or be a wife and mom, teach a class in the inner city, be a missionary it is important to surround yourself with encouragers. People who believe in you. People willing to give of themselves to see your dream happen.

What is your dream?
Have you surrounded yourself with people who encourage you
or do you find it hard to find people who will invest in you?

Help me make some noise and share this post!



Friday, May 3, 2013

Dreams are Worth the Hard Work


WIP: 2nd book in series
Goal this week: Finish first draft (that’s only 1½ chapters!) 


I had my hands poised to write, a thought finally captured, then my daughter walks up to show me something. Thought lost.

My last couple of weeks have felt like that. Readiness interrupted. Can I scream?

I am thankful to be working from home. I am thankful to be homeschooling my children. But these do come with their challenges. And lately I feel like I have had more interruptions than productivity.

My desk is in the middle of the living room. There is no door to close out the noise or to let my family know these are work hours. When they see me networking on social media, they must think I’m playing, because they certainly feel free to insert their own desires onto my time.

And that doesn’t include family members sick, broken cars and broken washing machines (including trip to Laundromat).

But God is still good and I keep moving forward. Maybe not as fast as I like. Or as far in one day. But progress is made.

I find that all my lists and plans (which comfort me greatly it seems) are not enough to get me to my destination.

But as long as I move forward. Get back up. Turn back around the right direction. Start again. One more step. Refuse to quit. I will reach my goals.

When it comes to living out a dream. It takes a daily commitment to push through and keep going even when the feelings don’t match up.  Whether it’s writing, relationships, school, parenting, following Christ. It’s one day at a time. One step forward.

I'm going to grab the moments of joy when they come, but not expect all of life to be filled with cheerleaders and the movie like euphoria that comes with a well-executed plan.

Dreams are worth the hard work.

What is your dream? 
What obstacles do you have to push through each day? 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

God is Good


 Thanks for joining me on this A to Z challenge during April. And now I’m on to another challenge – moving closer and closer to the release of my book. I hope you continue to stop by for news and updates. I have some fun ideas and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you.

It’s been crazy at my house lately. Life does not come to a standstill because you have a book to market.

My son is about to graduate then is planning to sign up with the Marines (so proud!). And I’m busy with transcript and records.

My daughter is already completed her science for the year, but we’re working to finish her math and other subjects before the press of book release grows.

We’re battling broken cars and broken washers.

And I am struggling with writing in the middle of the chaos – my desk is in the middle of the living room.

But God is good no matter the circumstances and frustrations I face.

I am so thankful God doesn’t require me to be in a literal prayer closet to meet with him. If I am willing, anywhere can be the place I turn to Him for strength, comfort, peace. And lately, I’ve needed plenty!

If I could have a prayer closet, I think it would be either a hammock or swing (with cushions). In the shade, with a nice breeze. LOL! I don’t ask for much.

Where do you like to meet with God?

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Zoo

Welcome to my blog. I am currently participating in the A to Z challenge. 
Blogging my way through the alphabet one letter at a time. 
For my theme I have chosen to give you a peek inside the journal of Karen, 
the main character of my soon to be released novel, Bruised Reed
Click on the Novel tab to learn more. Enjoy!




From Karen's journal...

I had so much fun! Barry and I went to the zoo today.

He's been coming home so stressed from work lately. I know his boss is up to something. But Barry won't tell me anything.


But while we were at the zoo, he was like his old self. We just left it all behind. It didn't even feel like we were in the City. 

Note to self: Check into season passes to the zoo.

Check out Karen's Pinterest board. 

What's the zaniest date you have ever been on?


Monday, April 29, 2013

Yacht Honeymoon


Welcome to my blog. I am currently participating in the A to Z challenge. 
Blogging my way through the alphabet one letter at a time. 
For my theme I have chosen to give you a peek inside the journal of Karen, 
the main character of my soon to be released novel, Bruised Reed
Click on the Novel tab to learn more. Enjoy!



From Karen's journal...

Okay, I had my doubts. Especially about the motives of Barry’s creepo boss. But it was wonderful. He insisted we take his yacht for a two week honeymoon. All expenses covered. Wow. That’s all I can say. It was beyond romantic. Beyond incredible.

I think I am in for the adventure of a life time.

Note to self: Fairy tales do happen in real life.

Check out Karen's Pinterest board.

Where did you honeymoon? 
Or what would be your ideal honeymoon?