Hi Ya’ll.
I’m Merry Stahel, a new bloom in the Garden of White Roses. My book, CHRISTMAS SANCTUARY, won’t be out until December 2009.
I began writing too many years ago to count – poetry, newsletters, articles for local publications, some short stories and even some unpublished songs. I self-published a few books with a co-author in the cozy mystery genre, but realized it wasn’t my forte. Back to the computer I went. And slowly, over time, as I studied my Bible and learned more and more, I realized that my talent was to write stories with hope, and a future. Stories where loss is a rocky path, but faith can make one whole again.
A sad event that happened when I was a child had a profound effect on me for the rest of my life. A child was lost. The plight of children, homeless, forgotten and alone made a huge impact. When I began writing more stories as an adult, many of my stories had a child in them, sometimes caught between the cross-hairs of larger events. I never really noticed until a friend pointed it out! Many of my stories touch on the plight of children everywhere – the inarticulate precious ones who have no voice, no advocate of their own.
IN CHRISTMAS SANCTUARY, a young woman does something terribly wrong, hoping to make things right. And caught between the old sin and the new sin, is a child whose life hangs in the balance. I hope when it comes out, that my readers will laugh, cry and feel peace with the unique solution.
In my real life, I am the happy wife of a retired military man and the mother of two of the best daughters a Mom could have. We also have two dogs who are my joyful companions and a cat who adores my husband for rescuing her. We built a house last year in the wilds of the Midwest. Yes, we live in the forest and are 32 miles from the nearest town with a population over 1000. A yard full of birds, squirrels and the occasional shy doe with fawn are daily visitors. I enjoy reading, quilting, writing, traveling and archeaology.
My life verse: "Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." Hebrews 11:1
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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5 comments:
It's strange that you say the common thread in each of your stories is a child. It made me think. The common thread in mine (I've only published one, but have two works-in-progress) is forgiveness. Or rather the struggle with forgiveness. My first release just now in e-book is entitled "Journey To Forgiveness". Isn't that odd? I wonder if the thread will ever change.
I love the description of where you live. Sounds so peaceful. I live 13 miles from the nearest 3,000 population town, (Rural Tennessee) so I can relate somewhat. Some days I wish I were even more isolated. LOL.
Do you have your songs ready for church tomorrow? Sorry I couldn't help on that last one.
Good luck with your upcoming release. And welcome to the White Roses in Bloom blog.
LOL I'm singing with our quartet tomorrow, all songs I know! I got to practice and the pianist asked if I'd help with the special NEXT Sunday, and of course, its a song I don't know - THERE IS A RIVER. YouTube, here I come! LOL
Merry,
I'm guessing we could all find a common thread as you did. I think mine might be community/family. I feel like exploring the relationships between the characters is as important as getting to know the characters themselves.
I'm looking forward to your Christmas book later this year. I love holiday stories.
Kara
Merry,
I know "There Is A River." Jimmy Swaggert was the one who made it famous. He may have written it.
A guy at our church sings it occasionally with a soundtrack. It was popular a couple decades, maybe three, ago. Beautiful song. One of my favorites.
Make it ring, girlfriend!
Sounds as if you live in a great writing environment. That's so cool!
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