Author: Katie Ganshert

I write Christian romance and my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, releases in May, 2012 through Waterbrook Press (a division of Random House).

Finding the Time

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

When people find out I’m an author and I write novels, they usually want to know how in the world I have the time.

I mean, I have a kid at home. I have a husband. We’re adopting (which is a time-consuming endeavor). I’m involved at church. 

When do I have the time to sit down and write words?

Beth Vogt wrote a post a few weeks ago that featured a quote from Lucille Ball. “I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can.” And the post completely resonated. 

Because THIS is why I have time.

There are so many things non-writing mama’s probably do that I just…..don’t.

I don’t iron.

I don’t garden.

I don’t dust unless absolutely necessary.

I don’t scrapbook.

I don’t volunteer at my son’s preschool.

I don’t do MOPS or other mommy-groups. 

I don’t buy new blinds for my son’s room even though his have been broken for two months.

I don’t garage sale or refinish furniture or cook gourmet meals or go all-natural. We’re all about preservatives in this household.

I don’t keep a meticulous home or do cross fit (all the rage, I hear) or paint my nails or watch TV. 

I do laugh and play with my child. I do love on my husband. I do make family dinners (even if it’s only grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and oven-cooked french fries). I do spend time with God. I do socialize on occasion. I do keep my house livable. 

Realizing all the things I cannot do and accepting these limitations is why I can write novels. 

Let’s Talk: What are some things you choose not to do? What do you do in place of them?

If you haven’t yet signed up for a welcome packet, I’d love to send you one! To sign up, just find the Sign Up button at the top and bottom of this page and give it a click.

Friday Favorites

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone: 

  • 10 Almost Reasons Why We’re Adopting by Kathy Buchanan

    I met Kathy in person recently and she’s wonderful. She and her husband are also adopting from Africa, so we made an immediate connection. A lot of their reasons for adopting are the same as ours.

    I love adoption blogs. So if there are any that you frequent, pretty please share a link in the comment section! 

  • The Things I Never Thought I’d Say by Kathy Buchanan.

    This post made me laugh on a day I really appreciated the laughter. Oh, the joys of parenthood. Our children can make us say some pretty bizarre things!

  • Do You Trust Me? No Really….Do You Trust Me? by Sarah Forgrave

    It’s so easy to pay God lip-service and say we trust Him, but do we really? Sarah gets to the practicality of the matter. What does trusting God really look like?

  • How I Got My Life Verse by Lindsay Harrel

    I love how God can meet a worried writer in the basement of a hotel. I think Lindsay’s life verse is one all of us could live by, regardless of profession or passion.  

  • Take a Trip with Jen Hatmaker

    Jen is one of my all-time favorite bloggers ever to grace the blogging world. Her posts always manage to be hilarious and poignant all at the same time. Anyway, she and several others are traveling to Haiti to love on the Haitian people. Here’s an opportunity for you to make a difference! 

Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

  • Making an Emotional Connection by Joe Moore on KillZone.

    If you’re readers are emotionally detached from your characters, then they are going to have a hard time turning those pages. Here are several practical tips for making your readers emotionally invested. 

  • Social Media Critiques Part 3 by Amanda Luedeke.

    When we think about critiques, we often think about our writing. But what if somebody could critique your cyber home? I found Amanda’s critiques interesting, informative, and they had me reflecting on my own website. 

 Let’s Talk: Any cares, concerns, or celebrations from the week? Have any blog posts or articles grabbed your attention?

Recently, I’ve been so gripped by God’s redemption. How He can take all our scars and hurts and ugly spots and produce something beautiful. It’s as if He’s pressing that powerful truth against my heart, whispering, “This is so important, Katie. For so many.”  If this is a message that speaks to your heart or makes your soul thirst, consider checking out the first three chapters of Wildflowers from Winter, or take a look at the amazing real-life stories of redemption in the Wildflowers from Winter blog tour.

If I haven’t already sent you a welcome packet, I would be delighted to do so! To sign up, just click on the button up top. 

The Ups and Downs of Adoption: A Love Letter to a Boy Who is No Longer Ours

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Yesterday, I sat down to write a blog post. I only managed a few lines before someone delivered the kind of news that gives your chest a nice, hearty wallop.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share any of this online, but I’d already announced the good news about our referral early in September. An update would eventually be necessary. Plus, I’m a writer. Which means the best way for me to process anything is…..revelation of all revelations….through writing.

Here are the lines I had written…

We all want to believe that our anguish can turn into joy.

That our tears are never wasted.

That God has a plan.

Not just a plan with an upper-case P, as in the ultimate plan.

But a plan with a lower-case p, as in a personal plan for each of our lives.

Then the phone rang and I answered it and it was our adoption agency with sad news.

Our little two-year old Congolese boy is no longer ours. 

The story is long and heartbreaking and comes with more questions than answers. 

But despite the sadness, I have to believe it wasn’t a coincidence that these were the words I was typing when that phone call came. 

I have to believe it wasn’t a coincidence that I’d just listened to a message about anguish and joy, a la Beth Moore. How the two are opposite sides of the same coin. And if we trust God with our anguish, it has the potential to birth something precious. 

I one hundred percent believe that God has a plan for us in this.

But most especially and more importantly, I have to believe that God has a plan for that little boy. 

When Brogan was in utero, I wrote him love letters. Words that expressed my hopes for his future, my excitement about all the things we would share as mother and son, and how much that little bean was already loved.

Even though this little guy is no longer ours, I feel like he’s no less deserving of a love letter all his own.

So here it is. The hopes I have for his life, wherever it may take him.

Dear Little Man,

I hope that wherever you are, you would have hands to hold you when you’re sick, hug you when you’re scared, and lips to kiss your hurts.

I hope that somebody teaches you about God’s love. 

I hope that you will not grow up with a hardened heart.

I hope that despite being forgotten and neglected and beat down by this messed up world, you will feel God’s presence in your life and know He will never abandon you. I know your story, little one. He can turn the deepest scars and the worst anguish into joy, if you let Him.

I hope that you grow into a man who loves the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. 

I hope that you discover your voice and use it to stand against injustice.

I hope that you never let fear or doubt or failure keep you from living life to the fullest.

I hope that you will know freedom and you will know joy and despite it all, you will know laughter and love.

                     All of my mine,

                     A woman who would have been honored to be your mother