Old School Friday - Merry Christmas

Christmas is a beautiful time of year and you know how much I love music. So I've decided that Old School Friday would feature tbree Christmas Songs. Two aren't actually videos, but just the music to the songs.


I pray that your Holidays will be all that you desire. Enjoy family and good friends that will make memories that will last a lifetime. We are just a few days away from a new year. I'm so glad that everyday brings new mercies from God. Happy Holidays once again.

Luther Vandross - Every Year, Every Christmas






This Christmas - Donny Hathaway




River - Peter White with Kenny Lattimore

Old School Friday

This week has been very productive. I'm almost at the finish line with my WIP. I have to remember to update my little progress graphic here on the blog.

Okay, here is my second installment for Old School Friday.

Let's get some dance music going on here.

Tom Brown - Funkin for Jamaica.




Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid



Enjoy them both.

Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy yourself this holiday season. Surround yourself with family, good friends and positive people.

Keep praying and I'll keep writing.

Buy Books for the Holidays

I've always bought books for people for Christmas and birthdays. If you have just started to read romance or introducing a reader to romantic fiction, here are my suggestions. I've started many people off on these authors. If they read these, I'm sure they'll be hooked.

1. Rochelle Alers - Hideaway Series - I believe she's up to book 14.

2. Brenda Jackson - Madaris Family (I loved the first 8 books and the novellas in Cupid's Heart and Trask and Felicia's Story)

3. Francis Ray - Heart of the Falcon is my favorite story.

4. Jacquelin Thomas - Her Ransom Family Series. She is also a wonderful Christian Ficiton Author.

5. Gwyneth Bolton - Hightower Family Series



These are just a few with series books as well as single titles. But there is a long list of AA authors that have wonderful books. You can check out my list on the links page of my website.



On Another Note...

I came across an interesting National Buy a Book by A Black Author and Give it to Somebody not black. The idea was posted on this blog by Careen Brice White Readers Meet Black Authors

Intersting...

RawSistaz Conference 8-13 2008

My good friend Bettye Griffin posted an announcement about the RawSistaz Event which will take place this week. I decided to post it as well, I don't think any author or reader should miss this event.
It runs from December 8-13. The agenda is below. http://www.rawsistaz-affair.com

Agenda

MONDAY

Event Overview

Meet & Greet

TUESDAY

Book Discussion - What Readers Want

Panel - Self-Publishing vs Mainstream vs POD Renee Flagler, Shelia Goss, Earl Sewell, Tina McKinney, Nakea Murray

Panel - On Writing: From Romance to Christian Fiction to Non-Fiction Michelle Larks, Gwyneth Bolton, Bettye Griffin, Marilyn Griffith, LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Workshop - Creating a Publishing Business Barbara Joe Williams

Workshop - The Road to Getting Published Gwynne Forster

Spotlight - Authors Ana’Gia Wright, Pynk, Trice Hickman, Terra Little, Dyanne Davis

WEDNESDAY

Book Discussion - A Different Kind of Blues by Gwynne Forster

Panel - Books, Book Clubs & Book Reviews aNN Brown/RAWSISTAZ, Renee Williams/All the Buzz, Dee Dee Dalton/Sexy Ebony BBWS, J’me Adams/Passion for Reading, Eraina Tinnin/Piedmont Triad RAWSISTAZ

Panel - Guiding Young Readers Through the Literary Jungle Paula Chase, Varian Johnson, Kelly Starling-Lyons, Carla Sarratt and Don Tate

Panel - Depicting the Black Family in Literature Angela Winters, Swaggie Coleman, Evelyn Palfrey, Carleen Brice, Toschia

Workshop - Focus on the Story Dwight Fryer

Workshop - Blogging for Fun Sheila Goss

Workshop - Fast Books Victor McGlothin

Spotlight - Poetry & Non-Fiction RJ Poet, a. Kai, Ms. T, Vanessa Johnson

THURSDAY

Book Discussion Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman

Panel - On Writing: Why We Write What We Write Allison Hobbs, Rodney Hurst, Rose Beavers, Nikki Rashan, Angeline Bandon-Bibum

Panel - Book Promotion & Publicity Dana Pittman/Nia Promotions, Lissa Woodson/Macro Marketing & Promotions Group , Nakea Murray/Literary Consultants Group

Workshop - Mistakes First Time Authors Make Barbara Joe Williams

Workshop - Structuring Your Novel Dr. Fredrick Williams

Workshop - How to Be Your Own Publicist Ella D. Curry

Spotlight - Authors Robert Greer, Byron Harmon, Nicole Bailey-Williams, T.L. James, M. LaVora Perry

FRIDAY

Book Discussion - Our Favorite Books of All Time

Panel - Industry Insider Roundtable Candace K - Web Designer/CanDann.com, Melissa Forbes - Freelance Editor/Carbon Copy Editing, Doug Siebold - Publisher/Agate Publishing, Misherald Brown - Literary Agent/ML Brown & Associates, Chanel Smith/Web Design Presence

Workshop - What You Need to Know Before You Sign on the Dotted Line Pamela Samuels-Young

Workshop - The Inner Self/The Outer Self Dr. Ni

Spotlight - Literary Professionals Marlive Harris - TheGRITS.com Literary Services, Pam Perry - Ministry Marketing Solutions, Ella Curry-EDC Creations, Sylvia Hubbard - Motown Writers Network, LaShaunda Hoffman - SORMAG, 3 Chicks on Lit

SATURDAY

Workshop - So You Want to Write Renee Flagler

Author Spotlights - TBA

Event Wrap-Up

Friday Ramblings

I think being a music lover is a trait in my family. Every single one of my relatives love music, be it gospel, r&b, blues, jazz, rap, hip-hop, etc. We always
have music at every gathering. You can hear a song and it will take you back to a fond and sometimes even a painful memory. I think music can be healing and fun at the same time.

When I'm writing my stories, I use music to inspire me and the mood of my characters. For example in my WIP FROM THIS MOMENT, I chose the title
from the song FROM THIS MOMENT by Shania Twain. The words are so beautiful
and I felt it was a good fit for Ivy and Jonathan. Now, will the publisher(when
I find one) change the title? We'll see.

Anyway, I've decided to post each Friday some of my favorite songs. Now, that's alot
of music, but I hope you all enjoy them. And, please don't hesitate to post the titles of your favorites.

Several of my friends: Authors Bettye Griffin and Gwyneth Bolton
feature music on their blogs as well so don't forget to check
them out.

Here are my entries for today:

Atlantic Starr: One of my favorite groups.
Send For Me (I love, love, love this song)




Champaign - How 'Bout Us
My Uncle Jesse loved this group. He used to play this song all the time.


Have a wonderful and safe weekend. The holiday season is definitely underway. Take care.

Holiday Recap & Expectation

Well, Thanksgiving came and went. I hope you had a good time with your friends and loved ones. I know I did.

We always have a good time during the holidays. Eventhough as the years have come and go, we've lost loved ones and it seems each time it's different. But we keep moving forward.

I went to the movies twice this holiday season. I took my youngest son and my two nephews to see BOLT. It was a cute little movie. The kids thought it was good, but didn't comment on it too much. Which meant the movie was just okay to them.

I also went to see THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. I don't ever have to see this movie again in this lifetime. Now, don't get me wrong, the acting was great, I just don't like films that have racial violence in them. There were many other things in the movie I didn't like, but won't post them here for fear of spoiling the movie.

All that got me to thinking about what the readers expect when they pick up a book by a certain author. I wonder what people expect when they pick up one of my books. I would hope they would expect to get a funny story that would also touch their heart. But I also realized that we are not going to be able to please everyone all of the time.

Creativity is subjective. I have been saying this for the last couple of months. Each person comes to the movie or the book with their own thoughts on what they are about to see or read. Once they've had the experience, sometimes they will feel that the actor, author, writer etc got it right. Then sometimes they might feel they missed it all together. The same way I did with this particular movie.

As for movies, I like romance, some suspense, family drama and comedy in movies. I do have favorites because I'm an avid movie watcher. Just to name a few: THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, THE PRINCESS DIARIES 1&2, LOVE JONES, BAPS, CLAUDINE, POETIC JUSTICE, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, WHAT A GIRL WANTS, LEAN ON ME, BOOMERANG, COMING TO AMERICA, SEX IN THE CITY, THE FAMILY STONE, BABY BOY, TALK TO ME, DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS, and many, many more.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Happy Thanksgiving

Oh Give Thanks Unto The Lord for he is Good!!!

I just wanted to drop you a line to say
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.
Take some time to share with the ones you love
and let them know how thankful you are for their
friendship and love.

I want to thank everyone for all the emails and ecards with words of encouragement. Thanks for the notes saying you loved my books and most of all WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE COMING? I appreciate your kindness.
Have a wonderful holiday.

Friday Ramblings

It's Friday. It's seems like I blinked on Monday and now it's already Friday.
I've been cruising the net this morning and came across another wonderful blog from a literary agent Rachelle Gardner.


Rachelle is a Christian Literary Agent who uses her Rants and Ramblings Blog to share her experiences and other important things with the world. I love her post from Monday Your Calling As A Writer When I read it, it confirmed to me that I'm not the only person that has wondered if God really called me to write or if it was just a season. She received some wonderful responses.

One woman's thoughts mimicked mine exactly. It's amazing how the Lord works. I was just feeling a little down after receiving a rejection. I love God for his mercy and his grace. This is not an easy business and now with the economy on a downward slope it is getting more and more competitive.

I also found this awesome blog called So You Want To Be Published. Check it out.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy Rachelle's offering and you have a successful weekend.

Sean

Article Worth Reading by Author Jane Porter

I just wanted to drop a line to tell you about an article I found on popular fiction novelist Jane Porter's blog. Her book Flirty with Forty is a lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear. I really like Jane's personality and go to her site frequently. I thought I'd post the link to an article she wrote titled: A WRITER'S PERSPECTIVE: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Check it out.

The Weekend/Writing

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I didn't get much writing done, but it was a great weekend. Our church celebrated our Pastor & First Lady's Anniversary. My mom was chairperson, so of course I had lots of work to do.

Anyway, I am proud to say that I am getting ready to start Chapter 15 of my novel FROM THIS MOMENT. This story has been the easiest to write thus far. I am hoping the readers will enjoy it as much I've enjoyed writing it. Jonathan and Ivy are definitely a great match for each other. Looking forward to typing the words THE END. After I complete FROM THIS MOMENT, I will start work right away on Lili Hart's story I THEE WED.

Keep praying and I'll keep writing.


Sean

This is The Day That The Lord Has Made

...I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Barack Obama is now our 44th President.
The jubilation and passion of the American
people really touched my heart.

The first thing I thought about was
all the people that paved the way for him
to get where he is. I also thought about
those people who were blessed enough to have
experienced the change that some never
thought they'd see in their lifetime.

I know there is a long road ahead, but this
makes the road a bit easier to travel.
Congratulations Mr. President.

You Never Know What's In Store For You

Last Friday, my son Gerold won Duke of the Sophmore college class.
Mind you, he fought me on the fact that he didn't even want to go to
Wilberforce University.

I really like his school because it's a small campus and the staff are
excellent people. They really care for the kids and look out for them.
I kept telling him that everything would be okay. He just had to work
hard and make it what he wanted it to be.

I'm so very proud of his achievements and I believe if he keeps his trust in
the Lord, he will do greater things.

Congratulations to my baby!! (I know, I know he's not a baby anymore!) LOL




Don't forget to vote!!!

Obama '08

November Desktop Freebie

Hey guys!

I was searching one of my favorite freebie sites and came across this one.
Girl Talk
She had this cool Desktop Freebie for november. Click on her name to go to the site.
This is what I did with mine. Me and my childhood friend National Bestselling Author Alethea Pascascio.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the weather while it lasts. I think the time falls back an hour. Hooray! We get an extra hours sleep.

The Writing Life

I'm pleased with my progress on my WIP FROM THIS MOMENT.
Ivy and Jonathan's story is flowing so well. I can't type fast enough. Oh what a blessing. I've given myself until Thanksgiving to have the manuscript completed. Right now I'm on chapter 10.

Every morning I get up and write for an hour and a half. The past two weekends I've had the opportunity to write for several hours. I'm going to try to get as much writing in as I can in the morning because I'll be busy with several events my mother is coordinating.

Keep praying and I'll keep writing.

Mountain Experiences

I know you've heard me say it before about how very deeply the emails I receive concerning my books touch my heart. Words can not express the way those emails make me feel. It brings me up when I'm down about my writing.

See, the road to publishing was interesting to me. I only finished the first manuscript to prove my friend Jacquie wrong. Turns out I was the one that was wrong and got a two book contract in the process.

Then after my first book was published the editor left. After that things started to change and by the time my second book came out, I started to wonder if this was what God really wanted for me to do.

We have to all look at ourselves and our abilities. When rejection hits, I think doubt creeps in and plunges our self-esteem into the deep. But that's when we have to dig in deep into our faith and keep moving forward.

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you have say to the mountain (MOUNTAIN GET OUT OF MY WAY). I believe we all have mountain experiences, some larger than others. I believe writing is a mountain for me.

Rejection is a part of life, but sometimes I feel that I don't want to subject myself to rejection that's not really necessary. Meaning, why should I keep on trying to write when I can't find a publisher. I should because I have all these stories in my belly and from the response from the readers they believe I have something to say as well. Almost every week I have someone who joins my newsletter mailing list. I haven't sent out a newsletter in forever, because I don't have anything to tell them. They are so sweet in dropping me an email asking how I'm doing and when is Ivy Hart's story going to be released. (LOL)


To everything there is a season, a time and purpose.... Yes, Lord, I do believe that is true. When is the time? I guess that's where faith steps in yet again. You've got to trust God.

I want my readers to experience the joy of Ivy, Lili and Violet Hart finally finding love. I want them to meet Victoria and James, Shante and Richard, Regina and Miles, Desiree and Xavier and all the others.

I am going to work hard to keep pushing through even when I feel defeated. PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens and while I'm praying I'm going to be writing. Pray for me will you?

Creating Your Own Christmas Card

Well, the holidays are fast approaching. I need to get started designing this years' card. I want to share with you some of my Christmas Card designs from last year. These are 4x6 cards printed on professional Kodak Photo paper. I created them in photoshop CS.

Soon there will be more sites offering freebie digi scrap holiday card downloads and I'll try to post them here. But in the meantime check out Shutterfly's free downloads from 2007. Happy Scrapping

Shutterfly

Friday Ramblings

I hope everyone had a productive week. I'm starting to get used to blogging. I'm having a lot of fun and I appreciate those of you who stop by.


Anyway....

It's funny how fast your children grow. It seems like yesterday that I had my oldest and now next month he will be 20. A sophmore in college and his own man.

My baby boy is 15 now and I am so proud of how much he's grown. He used to get beat up all the time. It was sickening, so I decided to put him in karate. He had some struggles when he first started because it take serious discipline. I love his instructors because they are good God-fearing people. Marvin Clark Karate Academy nurture and assist their students in the knowledge of Sho Ryn Ru Karate as well as the word of God. Now, my son is a first degree black belt.

Here are a few pics from my son Brandon's karate demonstration team.





Here is Brandon and Kendrick praying before it's their turn when we went to Kentucky in June for a tournament. Kendrick is a third degree black belt.




Next week, I'm going to post some more digital scrapbooking resources. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Remember to show some love to your people.

Digital Scrapbooking

I love creating things on my computer. One day I stumbled upon a digital scrapbooking site. To say that I was hooked is an understatement. I've been creating all kinds of things from some of the templates and free graphics shared on these sites. I would like to share with you some of my designs as well as share links to some of my favorite scrapbooking and graphic sites.

Here are some of my designs I created for my son's graduation party. I put these in picture frames and used them as a table centerpiece.






These are some of the sites I visit:

Scrapping Ikeagoddess She's the freebie guru. She finds the most beautiful scrapbooking templates and graphics.
Pay It Forward Pay It Forward Photography


Misty Cato Designs
Lindsay Jane Designs
Paper and Ink
Jen Caputo
Digital Scrapbooking Freebies
Faith Sisters

I'll post some others later in the week.

What a Hectic Weekend

This weekend seemed like I was in a cyclone. I had several projects that I needed to finish, plus a wedding that I had to assist my mother with.

First, on Friday I had to attend my bosses grandmother's funeral. I will have to say I've never met her, but from all the things people said about her, she was an awesome woman of God. I hope that I will have touched or helped somebody all this way. I will know that my living will not be in vain.

Anyway, Friday evening I had to get a funeral program approved for a member of my church, then go to the church and print them along with being there for a wedding rehearsal that my mom and I were coordinating on Sunday afternoon.

Everything was going fine until I ran out of ink and had to stop until I could get some more. I couldn't believe that we had run out. Satuday, I picked up the ink and went home to complete some thank cards and bookmarks for another project I was working on.

Sunday morning, I dropped my son off at my mother's so he could go to church with her. He sings in the choir and she's their director while I went to look for some frames for the candy buffet table we were having for the reception.

Ended up going to several places and found what I wanted. When I got back in my car, it wouldn't start. ....I didn't panic. I know that I'm growing, cause I used to freak out at the littlest things. I called my sister and told her to come and get me. I finally got back to the church finished the programs and helped my mom with the wedding. It was beautiful. My mom took me to where my car was and I tried to start it and thank God it did. I took it home and this morning I went and got a new battery.

Wow, what a weekend. I hope you had a great one.

Using Your Gifts

Have you ever thought about what makes you special. I don't mean you being better than the other person, but why God created you in the first place.

Do you love to sew, cook, dance, sing or even draw? Maybe you need to think about your gift. That thing the Lord gave you to use to not only help others, but to glorify him.

Several years ago my mentor/friend/sister Jacquelin Thomas pushed me to see some things she said the Lord told her about me. At first, I wanted to deny it and did. Told her she was crazy and why would God tell her and not me. LOL Funny, huh

I really thought about the things she was saying to me. She is such a loving person and is always concerned about me and my well being.

I prayed about it and began to start to put my efforts into the things she suggested.

In the process I lost my job and couldn't find another one to save my life. I didn't know what to do and she kept saying use your gift. The outcome was Sean D. Young Romance Author/Web/Graphic Designer.

I am so comfortable now with my gifts and I use them to edify the body and glorify God.

What is your gift and are you using it?

The Power of Books

The email that I continue to get regarding both my books TOTAL BLISS and WITH THIS RING is amazing. I get all kinds of reader email telling me stories about their own personal quest to find their prince charming.

I really get alot of email about Rose Hart the heroine of WITH THIS RING. Some of the emails bring tears to my eyes. I can't believe how much Rose's personality, physical appearance mirrors many of my readers.

I hadn't realized how much the words we authors write touch the lives of others. I guess that's part of the ministry of a writer. To tell the story that is so vivid that the reader relates.

How awesome is that. Can you think of a book that reminds you of a situation in your life or a person. Tell me your thoughts.

Healing

October used to be kindof a hard month for me. You see my father passed away in October. What a painful time in my life. My father never had been sick and suddenly he had problems with his heart. I found out later that it wasn't sudden, it had been a progression from the smoking he had done all those years. Anyway, it seemed like he was here then he wasn't.

The leaves start to change in October and on the Monday after we'd buried him, I walked outside onto my mother's porch and looked at the trees and realized that the world seemed so different. I felt different. I finally came to the conclusion that it was because my father was no longer here. I mean, he wasn't just on vacation or at work, he was never coming back. How sad that made me.

He has missed so much. He never got the chance to see my sisters boys and barely knew mine. There were many more celebrations like my first book launch and signing, he wasn't there. It seemed like he should have been, but that's the way it is.

As the years went by, I've learned to trust God and know that death is a part of life and that our relationships are gifts from God. We will miss the relationship we had with the person, but the memories that were created will last as long as you can remember them. That brings a smile to my face. I still miss my daddy, but I'm better in dealing with his absence.

October is also my sisters birth month. She even had her first child in October, so we have two birthdays in our immediate family to celebrate in this month. Happy Birthday, Shirlonda and Jaeden.

Romance Books

I just finished reading Bette Ford's CAN'T SAY NO, (Thanks Michele)
I must say I haven't read a romance in a while since I've been so busy with my own stuff and life getting in the way. Anyway, I loved this story. Bette Ford is a gifted writer anyway, but she really put her foot in this one. LOL

She is such a great storyteller and the this story was so vivid, I could see each scene as it unfolded. It was like a breath of fresh air.

Great Job Bette!

If you haven't read CAN'T SAY NO, you've got to do yourself a favor and go and get it.

Sean

A Lot of Time Has Passed

Well,

A lot of time has passed since I posted anything. There has been alot of things going on in life that has caused me not to write.

First, the question, what do I say. You really do have to be careful what you write on the net. You don't want your words to be taken the wrong way.

I visit several peoples websites everyday, my good friend Bettye Griffin, Gwyneth Bolton, Super Agent Kristin Nelson and last but certainly not least Patricia Woodside.
Each of these ladies always has something new and exciting to say or source for you to seek out.

There are several things I want to talk about and I believe in the coming months I will delve into them. I'm going to start today by talking about family.

I love my family and this past weekend my mother and I journey to Michigan to help my aunt and uncle celebrate their retirement. They both retired from their jobs and decided to celebrate together.

My father has a big family. There were 12 children in all. One child died at birth and then my father passed away in 1994. So now there are 11 children left. My father passed away even before his parents did. I hadn't realized the void it left not only in my life, but his parents and siblings as well. I don't care if they have a barbeque, there will be a picture of my father and my grandparents somewhere near.

My aunts were crazy about my dad and they always have a story to tell about him as well as repeating things that he said.

It doesn't usually bother me when we go to these family functions and they have a picture of him there, but this time it was different. My aunt included several of my family members who have since gone on to be with the Lord and she wanted my mother and I to light a candle that had been placed in front of my dad's picture. It really unnerved me for some reason. My mother however, lit the candle. Don't ask me why suddenly I felt sad, because it was however a joyous occasion. Maybe it was because my father didn't live long enough to retire or maybe it was just the overwhelming since of love the family had for him that got to me. Whatever the reason, I quickly rebounded and we had a ball.

I believe that family is a very important part of who we are. We lean on them in times of joy and sorrow. I love my family and am happy to be apart of them.