Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

In Celebration of Breakthroughs (plus a Giveaway)

Posted on December 16, 2013December 16, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

Writing….

Sometimes it’s awesome.

Sometimes it’s just flat out stressful.

Yesterday, it was awesome.

And that awesome came on the tail end of a whole lotta stressful.

What made it awesome, you ask?

Because I’ve been wrestling with a story that I needed to have plotted (like, last week). The characters were there. The theme was there. Various complications were there. But the rising action leading to that all-important climactic moment?

Completely elusive.

The ever-lovin’ pieces were not fitting.

I was hitting my head against a creative brick wall…..reinforced with steel and surrounded by a force field for good measure.

I was positive I would never come up with an entertaining plot, let alone a cohesive one.

I was certain that I wouldn’t reach my deadline and I’d never ever write another book again. My creativity had officially shriveled up and died.

But then yesterday happened!

After some much-needed brainstorming sessions with several writer friends and some much-needed divine inspiration, I wrote not only one synopsis, but TWO! And what’s even crazier is that I’d be excited to write either story.

So do me a favor, would you?

Next week, when I’m freaking out all over again because I’m convinced I will never write another word worth reading, would you please remind me that God has a way of meeting us most profoundly when we think we have nothing left to give?

I’d be forever grateful.

Now, let’s celebrate, shall we?

I’m in the mood to give away a signed copy of both of my books! To be entered to win, all you have to do is sign up for a Welcome Note and Devo (if you’ve already signed up, then you are already in the drawing). You should see a sign up button at the top of this blog page. I will randomly select a winner this Friday.

Oh – and don’t forget to enter the Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway! There are all kinds of great books and fun goodies to win!

Let’s Talk: Have you had any wonderful breakthroughs lately?

Twitter: A Breeding Ground for Negativity?

Posted on December 9, 2013December 9, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

Social media is awesome!

Except when it’s not.

Okay, so don’t get me wrong. I love the fun that is had on Twitter and Facebook and Google+ (are people really on that?) and Instagram (I hear this is fun, but they have a sign on their door that says, “No Flip Phones Allowed”).

I love that I get to keep in touch with friends I see only once a year (hi, ACFWers!) and I love that I get to know people I never would have had the pleasure of knowing in the pre social media era (hi, so many of my fabulous readers!).

But there is one thing that social media has done that is a bit disconcerting.

And that is its propensity toward negativity.

Let’s be honest. As a collective whole, Twitter can be a big meanie.

Just ask Carrie Underwood.

Don’t get me wrong.

I’m all for funny tweets (there were plenty about The Sound of Music Live that had me chuckling).

I’m all for good-natured spoofs.

I’m all for giving trustworthy reviews.

But it seems like people are much too eager to jump aboard the Criticism Express these days. Tickets courtesy of social media.

So much so that when somebody points out the GOOD, it almost feels like a breath of fresh air.

Hear me out.

I’m not talking about calling something that is bad, good.

I’m not saying there’s no place for honest criticism or critique.

I’m simply saying that there’s something refreshing, maybe even admirable, about a person who takes the time to look for the good parts, too.

Because honestly, we live in a world of critics. Humanity is saturated with them.

What might life look like, if instead of wrinkling our nose at the bad, which is all too easy to pinpoint, we trained our eyes to search for the beauty? What might life look like if we held up those pieces for the world to see?

Let’s Talk: Do you think social media has made people too critical or careless with their words?

Don’t miss the Christian Fiction Christmas giveaway! Enter to win 8 books and an assortment of gifts – all in one fun Christmas package! For more chances to win prizes, make sure to tune in on my Facebook page as I introduce each author participating in the Christmas giveaway, and direct you to her blog, where she will be giving away additional items! So far I’ve introduced best-selling author, Courtney Walsh, and later today, I’ll be introducing debut-author, Kristy Cambron. I hope you win something, and I hope you find some new authors to put on your to-be-read list!

December is Here, Christmas is Near

Posted on December 2, 2013December 2, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

Tis the season!

For giving away gifts (we’ll get to that in a minute!). For trees and lights, poinsettias and holly. For Deck the Halls and Oh Holy Night. For It’s a Wonderful Life and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. For freshly fallen snow, baking cookies, sipping hot chocolate, wrapping presents, hanging stockings, and that red kettle outside of stores.

Most importantly, ’tis the season for celebrating the amazing miracle that is God incarnate.

That’s what advent is all about.

Expectantly awaiting that one moment in history when everything changed.

When God reached down into humanity and said, “I will be your rescue.”

Immanuel. God with us.

This is the first year my (not so) little man seems to “get it”. And his innocent, childlike excitement is contagious.

He was busting at the seems to decorate the tree….

To make his homemade advent calendar…..

To put up his own little Christmas nightlight in his room…We listened to Christmas music and we counted Hershey kisses and talked about the first Christmas lights and the meaning of the star at the top of our tree.

It was a fun, magical night.

I hope one of many more to come.

Let’s Talk: How do you prepare for Christmas? What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Don’t miss the Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway!

From now until Christmas Eve, you may enter to win a basket of books and prizes – either to keep for yourself or give away as gifts to friends and family! Scroll down to enter via Rafflecopter!

Basket contents: Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows by moi, Made to Last by Melissa Tagg, Shadowed by Grace by Cara Putnam, Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt, The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd, A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh, an advanced reader copy of Kristy Cambron’s debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin. As well as Peppermint Twist lotion from Bath and Body Works, Heartstrings Stringed Quartet Christmas CD, a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament, two $5 gift cards to Starbucks, Christmas in Connecticut DVD, and a piece of handcrafted art by Courtney Walsh.

a Rafflecopter giveaway