Winners II

You guys made it really tough on me with the entries for the Sister Christian/giveaway #2. Serves me right for having a contest I'd have to judge.

Here are the winners, and why their entries were particularly inspirational to me:

Bill Peschel: "Get to work! Why do you sit in front of the computer blogging when you could be writing!" -- Mrs. Peschel

Mrs. Peschel reminded me of how much harder it is to do this job without support of some kind. How often do our spouses, partners, loved ones and friends give that to us? If we're fortunate, daily. There's also a lot of love behind those words, the love that takes care of the household, makes dinner, folds the laundry and otherwise keeps the world away while we're creating -- and kicks us in the butt when we're not. Bill, you're a lucky guy to have that lady in your corner.

Stephanie: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -- Credited to Theodore Roosevelt

Elegant, lyrical, and reviving. Beautiful, Stephanie (and I need to read this one the next time I feel like ripping off some reviewer's head.)

J.A. Coppinger: "Never be afraid to try new things. Remember: Amateurs built the Ark, Professionals built the Titanic."

This applies to so much more than writing that it boggles the brain. It also says, better than I ever will, why passion and daring are usually the only two line items on a successful person's life resume. Thanks, J.A.

Briana: "Will yourself to stand ready and courageous on the battlefield. In this way, all that is difficult or dangerous will be yours." (The Way of the Samurai)

We don't always get to pick our battlefields, and sometimes, as we saw in London yesterday, it's an act of courage just to get up and go to work in the morning. Briana, I'll read this one the next time I feel like hiding under the bed.

Marie: "Success requires 3 bones - wishbone, backbone & funny bone" - Unknown

A writer's anatomy lesson -- very funny and very wise, Marie.

Your winnings:

Bill -- Going to the Chapel by RK & Tempest in a Teapot by Judy Baer
Stephanie -- Portraits of the Past by RK & Tempest in a Teapot by Judy Baer
J.A. -- Home for the Holidays by RK
Briana -- Home for the Holidays by RK
Marie -- Life is a Three-Ring Circus by RK & Winter Wonders by Melody Carlson

Winners, please e-mail a ship-to address to LynnViehl@aol.com so I can send you your books.
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and congratulations to our winners.