Monday, June 18, 2012

Determining God's Will - and a Giveaway!

UPDATE Sunday 6/24/12 6:20 pm WINNER!

My apologies for the delay in choosing a winner. The mother of a dear friend my man has known since eighth grade passed away, and this weekend was consumed with cooking and spending time with them, as well as my MIL's visit. I got home from church this afternoon and crashed! But let's pick a winner!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
21
Timestamp: 2012-06-24 23:19:53 UTC

Congratulations to Sally! Email me your address, Sally, and Jordyn Redwood will send you a copy of her book, Proof.

* * * * *

Today I welcome Jordyn Redwood a brand-new author I discovered via author Candace Calvert. I've visited her blog but haven't had a chance to read one of her books yet, and I look forward to doing so. By day, she is an RN and she utilizes those skills and knowledge base as she writes. She shares below about finding God's path and will for one's life, a topic that applies not only to writing but to all walks of life. She's also giving away a copy of her debut novel, Proof, which is receiving rave reviews.

The Writer’s Path
by Jordyn Redwood


How do you determine God’s will? I don’t know if others have obsessed with this as much as I have but from the time I was in college, I remember being concerned about how I would determine if I was doing God’s will. Someone in a Bible Study group once said to me, “It will be the desire of your heart.”

I’m not sure this is true. I mean, Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, but that’s where God wanted him to go.

Another piece of advice I heard. “You’ll be good at it.”

Umm, actually, probably won’t be an easy talent. Moses was not a gifted speaker yet had to face Pharaoh to try and set his people free.

God operates in the unexpected. So, could His Will be something you might want to do yet have no strength/skill in accomplishing on your own?

Partly.

When I look at the two loves of my life, nursing and writing, nursing always came easy for me. My goal in nursing was to be a flight nurse. That was my one singular focus. I got the experience, took the required classes, and had the drive but never got the job after multiple applications. Why did it never happen for me when I was clearly qualified? Perhaps because that wasn’t God—it was me.

For those years, I wasn’t writing faithfully. I dabbled here and there on a book that wouldn’t let me sleep at times unless I got it down on paper. Other than that, I wasn’t working hard at the craft.

In utter frustration, after the umpteenth flight nursing job application was unsuccessful, I threw my hands up to God and said “Fine, I’ll write that book but if you want me to write novel after novel, you have to find a home for this one.”

I wouldn’t recommend challenging God—that’s a theological discussion for another day but it highlights the point of desperation I was at—the point of submission I was at. But also the fear I had at failing at both my dreams. That would have felt like death for a goal-oriented person like me.

When I started to write faithfully—the doors began to open.

I didn’t go to college for writing. In order to learn the skills of an author, I spent a lot of time reading books on the craft, attending writer’s conferences, etc.

I got an agent, the wonderful Greg Johnson. He negotiated a book contract.

The more I submitted to this writing dream—the more doors opened.

Hmm….

I’ll be the first to say writing does not come easy for me. Not as easy as nursing. I’m a good storyteller but grammar—let me say I have looked up the answers in my third grader's workbook.

How do you determine God’s will for your life?

Maybe Jonah, in his heart, did want to go to Nineveh but he was afraid of failure. I was afraid to pursue publication. After all, having someone say I was a horrible writer would have crushed me—and I’m sure there will be those that will say exactly that.

So, how is it you find God’s will? Look for that something—that one thing you will do well only through His work through you. You may have the desire but not the strength to do it on your own. God wants people to see His strength operating through you—and not yours. After all, that’s the miracle.

At least, that’s become my understanding.

What about you? Have you determined ways to be sure of God’s will for you?

ABOUT JORDYN REDWOOD
Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly 20 years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.

When she discovered she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors, this led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting and cross stitching. You can learn more about Jordyn by visiting her website at www.jordynredwood.net.


Proof
Jordyn Redwood
(Kregel Publications)
ISBN: 978-0825442384
June 2012/304 pages/$14.99


Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT PROOF
"I love a great medical thriller and I'm glad to add another author to my list. Jordyn Redwood writes like the medical insider she is: a gripping tale laced laced with realism, sleep-robbing excitement, and something every reader loves: hope."-Harry Kraus, MD, best-selling author of The Six-Liter Club

"Debut novelist Jordyn Redwood has used her experience as an ER nad ICU nurse to craft a blend of medical thriller and police procedural with twists and turns to keep fans of either genre turning pages."-Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Lethal Remedy and the Prescription for Trouble series

"Jordyn Redwood's debut novel is a page-turner with an ingenious premise and solid Christian values. A satisfying read."-Frank J. Edwards, Medical Director, Delphi Emergency Physicians, author of the medical thriller Final Mercy

Strong writing, terrific plot twists, and a great premise make this debut medical thriller a must-read. Recommend it to fans of Richard L. Mabry and Robin Cook. Starred review in Library Journal, June 15, 2012

GIVEAWAY!

Jordyn is giving away a paperback copy of this book to one of you! To enter, just leave a comment on this post by 8:00 pm CDT Friday, June 22, and I will randomly draw a winner. US residents only, please. You must include an email address if you do not have a blog so I can contact you if you win.



Disclaimer: I have not read Jordyn Redwood's book and therefore do not have an opinion on it. The views expressed in this guest post are those of the author, Jordyn Redwood, and may or may not reflect the views of Mocha with Linda.


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23 comments:

Beckie B. said...

Thanks for the guest post and the giveaway.
msudawgtooATcomsouthDOTnet

Jo Huddleston said...

Linda, thanks for the interview with Jordyn. I'd love to win this interesting-sounding book.

Erynn said...

Love this! Thanks Jordan and Linda. I was recently at a writers conference and heard Steven James speak. One of the points in his keynote was that we should never "follow our hearts" because our hearts are wicked and deceitful above all things. Instead we should follow the One who gives us a new heart.

Pencildancers said...

Excellent! I had never thought about Jonah having a gift he was afraid to use. Suddenly sitting in my writing chair doesn't seem quite as scary as being swallowed by a whale!
Diana
www.pencildancer.com

karenk said...

HI Linda...Thanks for the chance to read Jordyn's novel...it sounds fabulous :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Linda said...

Enjoyed the guest post. I really want to win this book! So many great reviews!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Janice said...

Love the stripes that enliven this blog space!

The interview is helpful for aspiring writers. Thanks for the insights. The book sounds like a really good read.

So its down to the luck of the draw some would say. But truly, God knows who He wants to win this book!

Blessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Janice said...

That is suppose to be it's, not its, speaking of grammar! LOL

Mart Ramirez said...

Why did it never happen for me when I was clearly qualified? Perhaps because that wasn’t God—it was me.


This is a GREAT reminder!!

This too!! What an awesome interview!!

You may have the desire but not the strength to do it on your own. God wants people to see His strength operating through you—and not yours.

Jordyn Redwood said...

Linda,

Thank you so much for having me today. I do LOVE a lively discussion.

Erynn-- I love Steven James so I'm glad he and I are on the same wave length!

Diana-- yes, a lot of writing things seem to pale in comparision to getting swallowed up by a whale! I need to remind myself of this today as I get ready to pull out a ms that got pushed to the backburner for the last six weeks...

Janice-- I really like what you said. God does know the journey of each book and whose hands it eventually falls into. That's a very cool way to think about it.

Linda-- thank you so much for hosting me today. I LOVE being here.

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Jordyn, Great post. I am following you from blog to blog so that I have a better chance of winning Proof. I have on my wish list and looking forward to reading your medical suspense.

Like your blog Linda and I am a new follower.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Jordyn Redwood said...

Mart-- so glad to see you here. Thanks for your comments. You always make me feel like a genius when I know I am not!

Miss Kallie-- I'm all for a little blog stalking in hopes of winning a book you really want. It gives you a chance to see a lot of fine work being done on the internet. I hope the content is varied enough for you! Good to see you here too. If you go to my Facebook page-- you can see the other blogs where I'm doing giveaways-- there are two more!!

Jo said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Jordyn is another new author to me and I really enjoy reading medical novels.

Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

Redwood's Medical Edge said...

Jo,

I hope you love the book. Please let me know what you think once you've read it-- which ever way you get it.

Julia M. Reffner said...

Thanks for sharing how the writing aspect was challenging for you at times. It was something I needed to hear today. I'm quite intrigued by this plotline.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Redwood's Medical Edge said...

Julia,

Glad I could encourage you today.

What are you writing?

traveler said...

Thanks for this compelling giveaway and wonderful post. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This medical novel would be a treasure and I would give it to my son who is a doctor. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jordyn Redwood said...

Petite,

What kind of doctor is your son?

Mattie Piela said...

Great food for thought Jordyn ...Mattiep(at)comcast(dot) net

Sally Shupe said...

I loved this post! I never thought of an author not wanting to sit down and write and running from it until God stepped in and made it happen. From the description of the book, I'd say He knew what He was doing! I can't wait to read this book. A good medical thriller is hard to come by. Thanks for the great post and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Vera Godley said...

Well, Jordyn has another excellent review and her book launch is off to a tremendous start. Making one desirous to read a good medical suspense..... ;) Anyway, that staetment is most likely packed with grammatical problems and whether or not it's its or it's confounds me most of the time. My husband is always calling my hand on that one! Please place me in the running for "Proof."
godleyv(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jordyn Redwood said...

Sally,

I know-- interesting right? There are probably some nurses who need to be flying that God is nudging the same way-- maybe they are burning their wheels writing?

Hmmm....