Jessica McCarty, Author

"It doesn't really matter how you feel about your character; it just matters what you do with it." --The One, Kiera Cass Oh my! I love the Selection series. Because all  the princess-y things, duh. 😉   An important part of this series is Illea's numbered caste system. The prince, for example, is a one. America is a five, her family being artists and musicians. Your number determines your destiny. Except, of course, for the Selection. When Prince Maxon comes of age, every eligible young woman may sign up for a chance to win the prince's heart and become the future queen. Yesterday I was listening to an online devotional about identity. During the prayer portion, the speaker asked us to repeat key phrases stating truths about who we are in Christ. It's a really powerful thing to speak out loud that you are royalty, a daughter (or son) of God. You are beloved. You are treasured. Wanted. God takes each of us, regardless of...

Valentine's Day That face! In the spirit of all the mushy Facebook posts, what is a quality you find essential to marriage? Honestly, I never thought of humor as one. But after eight and a half years of being married to this dude, it's made it's way to the list. I take myself and life way too seriously sometimes. This man makes me laugh nearly every day. Example: I once had a dream Jesus was standing on the pitcher's mound in an empty baseball stadium. Trying to glean some meaning from it, I asked my husband, "Why would He do that?" Not missing a beat he replied, "Pitching a perfect game." Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) "A cheerful heart is good medicine . . ." Laughter, an essential part of marriage. I recommend it! **** What I'm Reading: The Selection series by Kiera Cass The Selection (#1) "I am not  your dear." "No, I'm not choosing him or  you. I...

Every author has a writing process. They can vary greatly. The important thing is for the process to work for that writer. Today, I thought I'd share mine. For me, I try to only write on days that I don't work. I know this isn't practical for everyone. Fortunately, my work schedule changes week to week. If I'm not working my regular job, I'm at my desk working on my writing. This is usually how it plays out . . . *wax melter on *warm up some coffee or make hot tea *eat a quick snack *find an ambience on Ambient Mixer that goes with my writing but is not distracting *a quick prayer (Jesus help me!) *go over my notes of things to fix, change, or remember *reorient myself with where I left off *tweak what I wrote last or dive right in to the next chapter *write for four hours (my sweet spot) *wrap up shortly after hubs gets home *leave myself notes for next time Later, I write any ideas that pop into my hea...

Recently New York passed a bill expanding abortion in their state. I do not often post "political" things. There is so much anger on television and on the Internet. It seems everyone is yelling, but no one is listening. All you have to do is mention "the wall" and people go off. I'm not discussing the wall today. I am, however, discussing an issue that might be termed as political. But as a believer, I think this is a moment where I must speak up. Please read the following, paying special attention to the words I've brought emphasis to. Philippians 2:3 ". . . Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (NLT) Galatians 3:28 "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NLT) (Quote of the week:) "For we must not be surprised when we hear of murders, of killings, of war, of hatred. If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for...