Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

The Facebook Page

Posted on October 17, 2011November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

Do you think a Facebook Page can be used to build a readership? Or is it mainly a place for pre-established readers to interact with the author? And while I’m asking questions, what’s the best way for an author to use a Facebook page?

Because I don’t think I utilize mine like I should.

I mean, I link to blog posts and I post exciting news whenever I have something to share. But after that, I’m sort of stumped. Do I get personal? Do I stick to my writing journey? Do I post things on my page that I’ve already posted on my personal account?

Ideally, I want my page to be a place where I can have a conversation with readers. A place where I can get to know them and they can get to know me. A place where we can all chat. Only I’m not sure how to go about accomplishing that.

So while I ponder these big questions and try to figure out what to do with my page, I like to watch what others are doing. Because I think a lot of authors use their Facebook Page well. Like Wendy Paine Miller. She does a great job stimulating conversation, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s ever checked out her Moving Thoughts Friday posts.

Then there are authors like Karen Kingsbury, a publishing power house. And well, the interaction she gets on her page is pretty mind-blowing. Of course it helps that she’s crazy-prolific and has a gigantic fanbase, but still. She engages with her readers. And she shares just as many personal updates as she does writing-related ones. So what do you think? Is she onto something here?

So whadaya say? Why don’t we get this conversation started?

Let’s Talk: What’s the point of a Facebook Page? Do you have one? If so, give me a link! I’d love to check it out. And while we’re at it, how do you use your page? Or maybe tell me what you hope to accomplish with it.

If you’d like to drop by my Facebook Page and say hi, I’d love to see you! You can find me here.

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Romance and the Bible

Posted on October 14, 2011November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

Those words aren’t paired together too often. Yet whether you know it or not, the Bible is filled with romantic tales. And some of those tales are downright steamy.

We’ve got…

Adam and Eve
God created Eve for Adam. If that isn’t the definition of soul mates, I don’t know what is.

Rebecca and Isaac
A beautiful story of love at first sight.

Jacob, Leah, Rachel
One of history’s oldest recorded love triangles. With a twist. Instead of a woman choosing between two men, we have a man torn between two women.

Samson and Delilah
A story of deception and betrayal.

David and Bathsheba
The epitome of forbidden lust. With devastating consequences.

Ruth and Boaz
Ruth would get along well in our modern-day world. Because in this story, she’s the one who does the pursuing. And guess what? God blesses her boldness.

Esther and King Ahasuerus
Think Prince William and Kate’s story, only on steroids. A commoner marries royalty, but instead of happily ever after, she must use the king’s favor to rescue her people from death.

Hosea and Gomer
The Biblical version of Pretty Woman. A story of a man burdened with love for a fallen woman. The prophet and the prostitute.

Joseph and Mary
They fall in love. Get engaged. Mary gets pregnant. Only it’s not Joseph’s child. Then an angel appears and the story goes all paranormal.

Song of Songs
An entire book of the Bible written between two lovers. It drips with passion. In fact, anyone who thinks Christianity is a prude religion must have skipped this book.

How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant.

Song of Songs 1:16

Brief vocabulary lesson. Verdant means green. Green symbolizes life. You make the inference.

Jesus and His Bride
Battered. Bruised. Broken. Marred with scars. Covered in filth. Yet Jesus looks upon her with so much love, so much yearning, so much passion, He lays down His life to rescue her.

Let’s Talk: Do you think of the Bible as romantic? Why or why not? Did I leave out some stories that should be included in the list?removetweetmeme

The Joy Thief

Posted on October 12, 2011November 7, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

He plays with light and dark, casting shadows of enormity, disguising himself as a towering monster. When really, behind the trick, lies something silly and small and inconsequential.

I call him the Joy Thief.

More popularly known as Worry or Inconvenience.

He likes to watch us, like some warped version of Santa Claus, waiting for that perfect moment. The moment we let our guards down so he can creep into our soul and feed. Feasting on our busyness. Our distraction. Our tiredness and irritability. Until he grows so big and bloated there’s no room for joy.

The Joy Thief is a monster we invite into our bellies. A monster that gives us wrinkles and ulcers and chest pains and quick tempers. A monster that doesn’t add a single day to our lives.

Our time on this earth is so fleeting. Like grass, we are here today and gone tomorrow. So why in the world do we let these silly, small, inconsequential things grow bigger than they are and steal our joy?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Luke 12:25

Let’s Talk: Do you know the Joy Thief? How does he disguise himself in your life?removetweetmeme