Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

Sharing our Scars

Posted on June 6, 2012June 6, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

I read this the other day and it really resonated with me. I hope it resonates with you too. Especially for those of you who shared your real-life “wildflowers from winter” stories a few weeks ago…

“How often our mistaken sense that we need to present a perfect front causes us to think of our wounds and our scars as something to hide; something ugly; something demeaning; something that lessens our value. But look at Jesus. Look at what Jesus thought of His wounds: ‘Here Thomas. Look at my wounds. Touch my scars. These are the proof of My resurrection. I bear the marks of death, but I am alive!’ Jesus knew his wounds were beautiful…

At the places where I am broken, the power of Christ is authenticated for others. Where I have submitted to the crucifixion, the power of the resurrection is put on display. I can say, ‘Look at my wounds. Touch my scars. I have death-wounds, but I am alive.’ I can wear my wounds without shame. They tell a resurrection story.”

-Jennifer Kennedy Dean from He Restores My Soul

Reminds me of a line from the hauntingly beautiful novel, Little Bee, by Chris Cleave:

“A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.”

Let’s Talk: Why do you think we are so preoccupied with hiding our scars from the world, especially in the Christian community?

I’m sharing a devotional over on Jessica R. Patch’s blog today. Hope it encourages you!

Pressure

Posted on June 4, 2012June 9, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

Last Friday, I wrote a guest post for Cathy West about publication. How it’s turning out to be everything I thought it would be and nothing like I thought it would be.

One of the things that I probably expected to some degree, but didn’t truly realize was the pressure.

Maybe this isn’t how it is with every debut author.

Maybe I’m just a head case.

Maybe I put more pressure on myself than the average bear.

I don’t know.

But on this side of publication, the pressure is intense.

I didn’t prepare for it – this self-induced pressure.

But it’s there.

For a million and one reasons, I want my book to do well.

Some of the reasons are good. Some of the reasons are probably less than noble.

Regardless, the pressure is there.

And for awhile, I was letting that pressure zap the fun right out of this journey. I was inviting the Joy Thief into my life.

Something had to change.

So at some point last week, I decided enough was enough. No more. It was time to take back the fun.

I could choose to worry and fret and obsess over things I have little control over – like sales and rankings and reviews.

Or I could choose to enjoy my life and this dream that is supposed to be fantastic.

How?

By taking my focus off of me and my book.

By staying away from Author Central (AKA: the devil’s brainchild).

By focusing on the things that make this journey fun!

Like writing stories that stir my soul.

Like meeting and connecting with people.

Like praising God every time I hear from a reader who has been blessed by Wildflowers from Winter.

Like hugging my husband and laughing with my son and stepping away from the computer.

I read this quote the other day on Twitter. A quote I’ve heard before. A quote I absolutely love:

Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less.

It’s so easy, on this side of publication, to become the opposite of humble. It’s so easy to become consumed with thoughts of my book and my sales.

But man, talk about draining.

Thinking of others? Focusing outside of ourselves?

That’s taking back the fun. That’s the road I want to travel.

Let’s Talk: Do you feel the pressure? Are you letting anything steal the fun out of whatever journey you’re traveling?

Jessica Patch’s entire book club is reviewing my book on her blog today. Hop on over to see what they thought!

Friday 3 C’s!

Posted on June 1, 2012June 1, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

B-man loves his new sprinkler. It’s been a fun start to the summer!

Cares:

Wildflowers from Winter was one of three novels nominated for the fiction book of the month over at The Book Club Network. This month’s vote was the largest ever and the race is really close, so they are extending the vote until Saturday. If you enjoyed my debut, I’d love your vote!

We got a phone for our land line last night. The dial tone made us laugh. Maybe we need to get out more.

Concerns:

I may or may not have single-handedly polished off an entire pan of brownies over the past four days.

I left my cell in Madison, which means my poor little flip phone is far away from home.

Celebrations:

Girls’ night out with friends in Mad-town on Wednesday night was way too much fun. I discovered a wine I actually like. The Greek pizza and lemon gelato were off the hook. And the laughter was in abundance.

Fellow debut author and friend, Dani Pettrey, not only celebrated her birthday yesterday (she claims she’s forty, but I’m not entirely sure I believe her), she also celebrated making LifeWay Fiction’s best seller list for the month of May! She writes romantic suspense. Word on the street is she’s the next Dee Henderson.

Let’s Talk: What were your 3 C’s this week? I’d love to read them!

I’m talking about what’s surprised me and what hasn’t surprised me on this side of publication over at Cathy West’s blog today.