A Blue Jay's Cry

The Blue Jay’s cry
When I arrived in the kitchen this morning to start coffee, a Blue Jay called from a cedar tree in my back yard. The cry was insistent. One call, then silence. Another pierced the neighborhood; then quietness. Over and over.
I listen to birds trying to determine how I would describe the sound they make. I’ve decided the “not so humble” red cardinal’s favorite word is “pretty” and often it’s whistled. On the other hand, a starling sounds like a squeaky gate, unless he’s just waking up, and then he softly pretends to be musical.
While I’ve admired Blue Jays’ varying shades of blue and white feathers, their little top knots and long tails, I hadn’t listened to their voices. The loud cry today fascinated me. What was that word?
Then I heard it. “Come.”
Another Blue Jay flew from above and landed on a nearby branch. Soon the two flew off together. Perhaps the word I heard wasn’t true Jay “dialect,” but it reminded me of a similar persistent cry I’ve heard from my childhood, “Come.”
“Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16KJ).
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:21).
I answered the call, and have never regretted my decision.

Busy Writing a Novel

I've neglected my blog recently because I am rewriting my historical romance novel. During May I attended the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and pitched the book to editors and agents there.

First, let me say it was a terrific conference, although Estes Park was cold and it snowed while we were there. We had a cold winter in our state, and spring wasn't normal since it rained so much. So I looked forward to some of Colorado's famous sunshine. When I first started working as a reporter in Colorado years ago I wrote weather stories frequently and one of the things I learned (if I remember right), Southern Colorado has about 300 sunshiny days a year. None of them showed while we were there.

But the conference sessions and the friendly professionals attending made up for it. So I was invited to send my book proposal to an agent, an editor, and to another editor who wants the whole book. Only thing--she wanted the word length increased by 15,000 words.

So just a few weeks ago I started at the beginning and here I am. Yesterday, I arrived at the end only about 2,000 words short. Now with a little more tweaking suggested by my crit partners, I will send it soon.

I'll keep you posted on what's happening in my writing life. If you are a writer, the hardest thing to do is keep believing you have a worthy idea and working until your book or article is finished. The wise thing to do is have a target market with which you are familiar in mind before you even write the first page. Ask for God's wisdom and guidance all along the way. Then turn your "grown-up" baby out into the world to find success.