Winner of 'Conquering Your Goliaths' Is!

We have a winner of 'Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones' by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, thanks to the Random Number Generator. 


Congratulations to Kendra! I will be getting in touch with you shortly. Thanks for stopping by!


For those of you who are interested in reading this interesting book, you can order your very own copy here.


Many thanks to Kathryn for providing her book for this giveaway! 

The Mysterious Ways of Book Writing – Guest Post by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones + Book Giveaway Details!

I featured a guest post from Kathryn Elizabeth Jones on Monday, then shared further information plus her biography on Tuesday. Today, please enjoy this second guest post from Mrs. Jones telling us about the inspiration for her latest book. 

The Mysterious Ways of Book Writing - by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

I usually come up with my own book ideas—kind of like a spark of light hits me and I’m off and running. But for my second published book, “Conquering your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones,” the story that I was supposed to write came to me in a different way.

Who would have thought it could all begin with an email, an email from my nephew that said, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book out there that spoke about the five stones that David carried?”

My husband told me about the email and I was intrigued. A book about the five stones! What an interesting concept, what an enlightening way to tell a story.

And so, Ms. Virginia Bean was born. The funny thing about Virginia is that I chose her name without looking up the meaning of it until I had her moving full force into the first scene. The even stranger thing is that the meaning of her name fit right in with the story of David and Goliath without me having to find another “fitting” name.

There are many other elements within the story that came to me that way, including the sunflowers. Yes, there is a reason why sunflowers are on the cover of the book.

The names of the stones aren’t random names either, but lead an individual to their personal Goliaths. One must start out with LISTENING to God and TRUSTING in him before true OPTIMISM can be achieved. And this optimism must be persevered with TENACITY and CONSTANCY throughout a person’s life if they hope to overcome the challenges that will come—because they always do.

I think it’s interesting that God can speak to us when we least expect it. I was sitting at my computer working when I heard the news, and my husband was sitting at his desk when he read the email. I should be surprised that God could speak to me through my nephew and through my husband, but I shouldn’t be.

God does work in mysterious ways.

Thanks, Kathryn, for telling us a little more about the inspiration behind your book! You can win a personally autographed copy by leaving a comment at this post.

‘Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones’ by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones – Book/Author Information + Personally Autographed Book Giveaway!

Yesterday, I posted a guest post from Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, telling us about her journey to the publication of her second book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones.’ Today, I wanted to share some information about her and her book, and to share some exciting information at the end of this post!

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to conquer your Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how. Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes. “Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. Come…

Here is Kathryn’s autobiography from her website:

When I was young I thought I had to sound like a great writer to be one. It was all so overwhelming; now I know I only need to sound like myself. My ideas come from two primary sources. My work might spark from the enlightening words of a friend, teacher or writing prompt. At other times, I am sitting in a very still space and the words I should write come to me like a powerful and glowing wind.

My favorite tool is the pen. Though computer keys get the words down quicker and easier, I like to put pen to paper, smell the ink, see the words as they are developed and renewed by new phrases or thoughts.

I enjoy traveling to wherever the character takes me. This often means even I am surprised and warmed at the outcome. In the end, when my writing is done, I like to watch the eyes of the reader whenever I can. Their reflective expression gives me the greatest glimpse into what my writing has become. 

Before I was one, I loved to read books-or at least, pretend to. I couldn't walk yet but I would crawl to the bottom shelf for what I wanted. My Grandma says my books were placed near the floor for that very reason, and my mother speaks of me pulling my favorite book from the shelf and crawling back to the couch with the book safely in tow.

I would sit on the couch and pretend to read, speaking the language of some foreign diplomat-or perhaps, the tongue of angels, my mother wasn't quite sure which, and when I was done, I would crawl back to the shelf for another story.

When I am not writing I'm reading. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am an avid reader of the scriptures and books of spiritual merit. I have been married 30 years and enjoy teaching and working with youth and children-including my own three girls, three grand-daughters and grandson.

A published writer since 1987, I have published various newspaper and magazine articles for teens and adults.

Kathryn has generously offered a copy of her latest book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths,’ to one blessed reader of my blog. Thanks, Kathryn! To enter, please tell us why you’d like a copy of her book! Please include your email address, in this form – name at domain dot com. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (which is my birthday, incidentally!). The Random Number Generator www.random.org will choose a winner on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Blessings to all of you!

‘The Best Things Come, Well, to Those Who Write’ – Guest Post by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

I recently made the (online) acquaintance of an accomplished author named Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, whose latest release is ‘Conquering Your Goliaths – A Parable of Five Stones.’ She was kind enough to write a guest post about her journey through the novel writing process.

'The Best Things Come, Well, to Those Who Write' by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

“It was a dark and stormy night…”

Actually I was pregnant with my first daughter and feeling the urge to sit around for awhile and eat doughnuts and Hostess Cupcakes when I first decided I wanted to be a writer.

         

I was bored.

My husband worked full-time and I worked part-time as an Avon representative. In-between adventures selling perfume, lipstick and other necessaries I slept on the couch and ate at my convenience. It was a terrible thing.

         

The good news is that I’d started writing. My first story, “Weebles Wabble,” was fitting in my current situation and I felt happy and renewed after I’d written it. Years later, I dread re-reading it, but it was my first attempt at writer-hood and, for that reason, I still keep it filed away.

         

I really didn’t know anything about writing when I first began, other than I figured it would be pretty easy to publish. All I had to do was write how I felt about things and someone was bound and determined to take my work.

         

I was in for a surprise.

It took eight years; after that first day of writing, to get something published. Most of the stuff I’d written before that was practice, I suppose, a sort of rant about things such as children, a busy husband, cleaning, and an assortment of feeling as if life should be different--somehow.

         

After that first sale, I continued to write, and I continued to publish, but the items were small, paid little, and left me wanting…

         

I should write a novel!

         

I must have been crazy to think that I could pull that first novel out of a hat, because it didn’t work out that way. For years I struggled to sell, and when I did, it was never a book.

         

But in 2002 something changed. I don’t know if the change was an inner one, or just one that had to happen because I’d spent years perfecting the craft, but there is was, in middle-reader black and white. “A River of Stones” was born.

         

I’d finally made it!

I did all I could to sell my book; did most of my marketing, had a few sales, but the journey just wasn’t what I expected. Even the book signings were more like some sort of ghost town surprise. It just didn’t make sense.

And I just didn’t get it. So I went to college and got a degree in Mass

Communication. I minored in Creative Writing just so I could keep the creative juices flowing, but I wasn’t so sure I would ever publish a book again though I had written many that were shelved in the same cabinet along with my first piece of work.

         

It took me ten more years from publishing my first book to publish my second book, “Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones,”  and this time around? The sailing, (Can I say it?) is a bit smoother.

         

I like what’s happened with my book, and I like that I’ve opened myself up to share what I know is true. And I like that people are actually interested in buying my book. I’m gutsier now that I am (cringe) 50, and I’d like to think that all of that experience writing since the birth of my first daughter has finally come to something great.

         

And it’s about time. 

Thanks, Kathryn, for sharing your inspirational journey!

Please come back tomorrow to learn more about her book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths – A Parable of the Five Stones’ and how you can win a personally autographed copy!