Blog - Page 197 of 207 - Katie Ganshert

The Ultimate Concert

Posted on July 8, 2009November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

I once went to a Dave Matthews concert. I went with this guy. I wasn’t even that into Dave Matthews, or the guy. But anyway, that is all beside the point. While I was at the concert, I noticed the crowd more than Dave. You could tell who the real fans were. They were the crazy ones. The ones who knew the words to every song. The ones who held their hands up in the air and danced to the music, uncaring who might be watching (me, I was watching). The ones who held up lighters. The ones who had these dreamy, euphoric looks on their faces because: Oh. My. Gosh. Dave Matthews is playing on STAGE!

I once watched a Michael Jackson concert on television when I was younger. My brother and I watched it and I remember thinking, “These people are NUTS!” I can’t tell you how many women I saw screaming and fainting and getting carried away on gurneys because they were beside themselves in uncontained, furious excitement.

What does this have to do with writing? Nothing.

What does this have to do with God? Everything.

One day, every believer will be in heaven. Every tribe, every tongue, every nation will gather around God’s thrown and we will SCREAM and SHOUT and SING and DANCE for our Lord. Can you imagine the sound of millions and millions of souls praising God? I have no idea how I’ll react. If I’ll faint, or cry, or bow down. All I know is….it’s going to blow away every other concert any of us has gone to – by a billion. The ultimate concert with the ultimate artist on stage.

Question to Ponder: Will I see you at the concert? Admission has already been paid. How cool is that?

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An Unfortunate Case of Book Snobbery

Posted on July 6, 2009November 7, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

One of the unfortunate side effects about reading all these craft books is what a snob I’ve turned into. I’ve checked out piles of books from the library. I’ve read the first few chapters of each one, but can’t seem to settle into a single one. I can’t tell you how many books I have half-read this summer before putting them aside in frustration.

When I examine the reason why, it all comes down to one very simple reason: the story doesn’t pull me in, my disbelief is not suspended. Instead of being taken to another world and living through the characters, I’ve been very aware that I’m lying in bed, or sitting on my sofa, reading off a page. And what fun is that? Very rare is the book that will allow me to turn off my internal editor. A Moment Between, by Nicole Baart, did that for me. It swept me away. I got lost in the story. And after searching and searching, I finally found another.

The book is called Home Another Way, by Christa Parrish. It’s her debut novel and was released in 2008. I’m only on chapter six, and already I love the main character – this incredibly flawed, incredibly bitter young woman named Sarah Graham. Christa’s voice is wonderful and poignant. The story is so real. And Sarah’s motivations for being flawed and bitter are so well established without giving any sort of back story dump. So if you’re looking for a story to sweep you away, to make you smile, to make you wonder, and to make you turn pages, I highly recommend Home Another Way. I’ll let you know more when I’m finished.

Question to Ponder: Are you a book snob? What are your favorite books?

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3 C’s – It’s Friday!

Posted on July 3, 2009November 6, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

Cares:

I care about ice cream. Deeply. Especially the chocolate kind. And most especially the chocolate kind with caramel swirls.

This summer has made me realize, more than anything, how much I want to stay home with Brogan and write. I’ve been discussing this with God lately.

Concerns:

Brogan has eczema. Not a big deal, but I feel so bad when I see the cracked, red skin in his elbow creases. Poor fella.

I made stuffed peppers for dinner last night and they were the epitome of bland. Does anybody have a yummy stuffed pepper recipe? Because the one I have is no good.

Celebrations:

Through the Storm, my second book, is officially ready for submission. Thanks to my lovely critique partner, the final stage of revision is finished. I’m thinking I won’t start submitting until after the ACFW conference though… what do you think?

I just looked at the July issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, and Michelle Sutton’s sneak peak for the August issue mentions my short story. And my blogging friend, Wendy Miller’s too! I got this burst of excitment about being published…even if it is only a short story.

Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the fireworks!

Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations on this fine Friday morning?

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