God, I'm Confused

Photo by Ohmega1982 at Freedigitalphotos.net

Sometimes the access to information can be like a two edged sword. We are so inundated with advice from life coaches, authors, social media experts it’s no wonder we are confused. Although the Bible says, “He is not the author of confusion,” it’s okay to admit we may feel lost and overwhelmed when it comes to our gifting and purpose. Side note: He is not the author of confusion; it’s us and our need to read every post, blog, email and book! I’m guilty. I have always been a lover of information. Very early on in my life I read self-help books on just about every subject you could image. Some of my favorites include: Having What matters by Monique Greenwood, The Gospel of Good Success by KirbyJon Caldwell, You Deserve Healthy Love by Dr. Grace Cornish, Produced by Faith by Devon Franklin and many, many others (these are my throwbacks – smile). When I find something good I love to share it! However, I have found that social media has taken things to another level! When we read too much, talk to too many people and seek too much advice, we tend to lose confidence in our natural gifts; talents and instinct (stay with me).
 

We all have to grow. We all need mentors. We all need to “sharpen our toolbox” but not at the expense of our foundational wisdom such as our:
 

• Ability to hear God’s voice and listen
• Ability to give time to the study of the word of God
• Ability to recognize and acknowledge our current season
• Ability to recognize our true passion and how to translate that passion into purpose 

So, with access to all this information, how do we remain balanced and focused concerning our unique assignments? I’m so glad you asked! We need to stay plugged in to God, the Word and His voice. It’s simple…when we seek God for these answers guess what? HE ANSWERS! When we are consistent in our time with Him, He leads us to the right resources, conferences and industry experts. When we seek and depend on Him He lets us know when the time is up for a certain season. And after He’s fed us enough, He steps back and allows us to bloom where we are planted.

Recently confirmation on this issue came from watching Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer. I have followed her teaching for many years. She is so consistent. She spoke about her call as a teacher. She said she realized she was not called to pastor. That was not her passion. She was called to teach and that’s what she does. I also recently read a wonderful blog by Heather Lindsey where she shared all the sacrifice and time spent with God to discover His will concerning her calling. I’m not saying we do not need the wisdom and resources that relate to our respective industries. That would be silly. I’m merely stating in order to decide which resources, mentors or gifts we are to use in what way in any season is a God question. He may speak through life coaches, the Holy Spirit, secular motivational speakers or any other way He can make the message and instructions relatable but it starts with the gift giver! When you spend time with God, things get clear: the gift, the plan, the season. 

 

In that same spirit, I had to recognize why I was not as passionate about the writing industry. I realized God wanted me to really pay attention to what it was I truly loved about the books I’d written and I discovered:
 

• I loved celebrating sister-friends. Why? Because my sister friends have gotten me through a lot. They are true gifts and I want other women to feel connected and loved!
• I love encouraging women. I’m not a life coach but everyone needs a dose of inspiration!
• I love exposing the “hidden gems” of the earth and helping them to understand self worth.
• I love that God wants us to have a great life, prosper and be in good health, even as our very souls prosper!
• I love writing…not just books but blogs and translating my work to other media.
• I love bringing together my sister friends to celebrate and be celebrated.
• I love encouraging other women to tell their story  

Once I was honest about my true passion, I felt free to dream bigger. So yes, I’m writing more brunch books and other novels. Yes, I’m developing my Brunch Lady brand. Yes, I’m building a brand around my true passions. Yes I'm writing non-fiction.  I also realize I’m not here to serve everybody! God has prearranged the benefactors of our gifts. So as I am led by the Spirit of God, I'm taking the limits off my thinking with increased perception to His plan.  As I executive His plan, my goal is not perfection, it's a growth process.  I will allow God to challenge me.

 

I encourage you to make God your priority. I may not be the face of my brand (unless God says otherwise – smile). However I want to embody the characteristics of those things I am most passionate about. Passion and purpose do not come in a box. It is a series of actions, decisions, choices, investments and the sheer bravery that comes from being yourself and recognizing the worth in what you have to offer. Promotion comes after we master the little bit in our hand. In the meantime we must stretch and grow, but give ourselves room for imperfection and become pliable. As long as we are consistent, the doors will open, resources will flow and God will speak! Will it always be easy? Heck no! Will we need to press sometimes? Yep. Will we hurt, get tired, want to give up, feel lost, fail tests and feel alone…uh-huh. Why? Only God is perfect! But on the other side of those growth experiences we will experience: victory, success, breakthroughs and confirmation from God that we are most certainly in the right lane (s). So, hear me and here me well, when you start to feel confused and overwhelmed, take an information break. Assess what you have been “feeding on”. Power down and power up with God!

 

 

 xoxo

 

Norma L. Jarrett

Author and Chief Inspiration Office (CIO

Life God’s Life Beautifully!

7 Ways to introduce your characters before and after your book is released

For all my Brunch Writers! You've spent hours and days with them but the rest of the world needs to get to know, love (or hate) your characters.  Over 300, 000 titles are published per year in the United States alone, so assuring current and potential readers know your characters is critical.  With series books more popular than ever a savvy writer seeks to get and keep an audience excited about an upcoming release.  Compelling story + compelling characters = a great book but if nobody know about it...well you get my point.  So in true Brunch Writer fashion here are seven ways to introduce your characters before and after you release that bestseller!

1) Do a character interview and post it on your blog; share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other social media. 

2) Host a contest and give away a gift basket filled with items related to your character.

3) Make a Pinterest pin board for your characters.  Check out this board for one of my favorite couples from my novels Sunday Brunch and The Sunday Brunch Diaries:  Rex and Jermane's board. 

4) Make a Spotify or Pinterest playlist for your character (A soundtrack for your novel) and share it.

5)  Create a  promotional campaign:  If a beloved character in a series is finally getting married host a virtual shower and invite readers.  For mystery books create a "Who killed Grayson Grier?" t-shirt and drop clues until the book is released (Remember no major spoilers).

 6) Focus on a theme.  For example, if your character is a chef, post a few of his or her recipes on a Facebook page created specifically for the character.  If your character is a fashionista, do a blog about her latest fashion finds or share what's in her closet. Send out a news blast/press release from the character's business or latest hot topic:  Ex. Lexi Parker finally gets her man! or Sunday Brunch just got real!

7) Location, location, location!  Did you know your location is like a character?  My novel Sweet Magnolia was set in New Orleans.  Jazz,  restaurants, landmarks spiced up the storyline. Have characters give readers a virtual tour of their city via a book trailer software. 

The goal:  Bringing that character to life!  Find away to evoke emotion in anticipation of your book release. Find away for the readers to step into that character's shoes! Live, breathe and promote your characters as if they are real, because that's exactly what your readers  want! 

Final word:  To have great characters built in a story you must do the research first.  Building Believable Characters  by Marc McCutcheon is a great source I stumbled upon one day in a bookstore.  It is loaded with just about every personality dynamic, physical descriptions, habits, ailments and other human traits imaginable!  It is a staple in the Brunch Lady library!  

xoxo
Norma L. Jarrett, 
Author & 
Creator of Brunch Lady :) 
 www.normajarrett.net

Big Things in Little Packages

Why the extra mile is worth it...

I first became an author during the pre-Facebook/Twitter (Shhh!) era. Books were sold face to face, out of the trunk, by word of mouth, indie bookstores, churches, beauty shops wherever an audience could be found. I was PR agent, travel coordinator, distributor…all of the above (well it’s still like that today - authors you feel me). I set up a book tour in Atlanta. My first novel Sunday Brunch was picking up steam. It was a team of two (God and I). It was branding before branding became sexy. Now I didn’t know many people but God did. So I followed His instructions and just believed! After several phone calls I managed to set up an interview on V103 (Because one of the D.J.’s loved the concept of Sunday Brunch); booksignings at Justin’s (former restaurant owned by Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, Diddy - you pick one), an independent bookstore and some other hot spot that’s now closed.

I was excited and looking forward to my “first class” Atlanta tour stop (My brother was the driver and his apartment was my lodging - smile). I was motivated and fired up, especially after I was ushered into the radio station like I was a celebrity to do a radio interview. My enthusiasm waned once I got to the indie bookstore. I discovered a nice table waiting for me…outside to wave people down at lunch time to sell books. Really God?

I sighed inward, put on a smile and went to work. As the foot traffic slowed I was about to shut it down when something inside said not just yet. So a few minutes later a larger man in a very nice suit walked by. He went inside and stepped right back out. He picked up a copy of my book read the back then let me do my elevator pitch. He smiled and said, "I’ll purchase a copy." As I was about to sign the book I saw something was familiar about his face. Finally it dawned on me, “You’re Maynard Jackson, the first African-American  Mayor of Atlanta!” He smiled again and shook his head. (So, I’m a little slow sometimes)

After he purchased the book we talked. He was as generous with his advice (including how to fold my flyer) as with his candor and smile. I received it all. Then God hit me over the head with the final blessing.  He said, “My wife is launching a talk show and the event is tonight and I’d love for you to come. All of the media will be there.” Okay so I’m thinking, “You don’t have to ask me twice, I’m so there. Just let me call my chauffeur, I mean my brother!”

I made it back to my brother’s apartment, changed clothes and he was my official escort for the night. It was a great networking opportunity and we had a great time. It has been one of my best memories to date. I learned several things that day:

• Never underestimate humble beginnings, things that look small often turn out big  
• Go the extra mile and not to throw in the towel too soon
• God will take you places and introduce you to people you’d never meet in the name of His purpose
• Take bold steps and believe God will go before you 
• Be discerning, open, God led and obedient
• Always look for the, "So this is the reason I came" moment

I write this as a reminder of the things God has done when I have stepped out in faith. Sometimes we go through so much in our purpose journey we lose that fire. If God did it once, He can do it again. Our past success is only a catalyst for the future. God is ready for us to climb higher, do more and pursue new levels of purpose. Be renewed, refreshed and ready to stretch. R.I.P. Maynard Jackson (1938 - 2003). Thank you for that seed of encouragement you sowed in my life that day.  It has produced a lifetime harvest.

Live God’s Life Beautifully…
Norma L. Jarrett

Author & Creator of Brunch Lady
and thank you for the seeds you planted in my spirit that day!
www.normajarrett.net
jarrettwrites7@twitter.com 

When the muse speaks...listen

Blame it on one of my Facebook friends but as soon as I saw this picture I knew a character (inspiration) was born!  A little over a week later he became a muse for my recent upcoming novella:  Love on a Budget.  A story can't live on a gorgeous character alone (but it's a good start).  I was having a conversation with a guy from L.A. and he talked about the influence of reality show divas on some women.  He was talking with a young lady who said she was looking for her "Kroy" (of the Real Housewives of Atlanta). In other words, she was looking for her sugar daddy (sigh).  So it got me to thinking of the common theme of love and money.  What if:

• You met a great guy
• He was strikingly handsome
• He was a little rough around the edges

But...

• He was living with his mother
• He was financially challenged
• His main transportation was a red truck with the words "Honey-Do-4-Hire" painted on the sides

Would you or any of your girls take a chance?  Sometimes God sends a "diamond-in-the-rough".  But there's a difference between potential with a purpose and plain old trifling.  A man's ability to take care of home is important but sometimes we have to be open to a man working his plan!  Meet my character inspiration for Love on a Budget - a novella coming February 2013! Jake Jiles honored his Dad's wish to finish his education. Never a suit and tie guy, he quits his corporate job to start his business Honey-Do-4-Hire. To make it work he's moved back home and traded his BMW for a truck. Jake's in a financially challenged season.  Nevertheless, cupid decides this is the time to deliver a potential life mate. Will there be romance without the finance? Will he and his potential dream lady find the courage to love in hard times? Will her girls talk her in to or out of a possible happily-ever-after? 

Read Love on a Budget, Book I in the "Real Love" series to find out!  

 COMING: FEBRUARY 2013!