Night of Mysterious Blessings by Sally Metzger
If you are looking for a
faith based bedtime story, I have the perfect one for you. As part of
iReadsBookTours, I'm happy to share an interview with the author and my review
of the book. Please check out the bottom of the post for a giveaway chance!
Review:
What a wonderful children's book! The story is cute and the pictures really add to the story. A little boy has trouble sleeping and is visited by a special friend to help him sleep. He is also reminded of God's love for him and that God is always watching over him, even when he is sleeping. The book is very easy for young readers to read as the font is a larger text. It is a great book to read to your little one or have your little one read to you.
Author Interview:
What advice would you give a new writer?
Every writer is
different. Find what works for you. If you get advice (like mine), give it a
try. If it doesn't fit, ignore it.
Persist. Persist.
Persist. Believe in yourself. Keep writing and sending out your work.
Although we can learn
from others, and imitation is normal at first, eventually, every writer must
find their own style, their own "voice." Let yourself be yourself.
Read your writing out
loud. Does it sound natural? Elmore Leonard, a famous writing instructor, once
said, "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."
Don't edit while you
write. Instead, write what comes to mind in freedom. When you edit, it's time
to get picky.
Once you're picky,
annihilate extra words. Make every utterance count either for meaning or to
create a pleasant rhythm.
Picture your audience
and converse with them from your heart. Be moved by your writing, and readers will
be moved too.
Work on more than one
project at a time. That way, you can set one piece aside for a time and revise
it with fresh eyes.
Occasionally, take a
break as you write, quiet your mind, and take a few conscious breaths. You may
find inspiration flows more easily after you do.
Attend writer's
conferences to perfect your skill and pitch your work to publishers and agents
in person.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
Confidence, comfort, and
strength. As a child, I needed all three. The first time I heard the term
"late bloomer," I was consoled. I decided that's what I was. I
waited. And waited. Would my petals ever appear?
It's too bad I couldn't
have read Night of Mysterious Blessings. Had I realized that the God
of all creation was dwelling inside me and would be with me through all life's
challenges, I would have considered blooming a minor accomplishment. What are a
few petals compared to what I already was by God's grace?
What is the significance of the title Night of Mysterious
Blessings?
The title had to contain
the words "mysterious" and "blessings" for several reasons:
- The main character
finds the serenity to sleep by realizing he's blessed.
- The mysterious,
oh-so-curious night carries a message to bless all of us.
- The twist near the
tale's end involves a mystery delightfully solved on the next to last page of
the story.
- The mystery of
mysteries is how and why God blesses us with his indwelling presence.
What were the challenges you faced when writing this book?
I chose to write in
rhyme. Often, that's more difficult. Writers should never sacrifice the story
merely to make things rhyme. If I got stuck on a verse, I would play
possibilities repeatedly in my head, like a song haunting me throughout the
day.
I'm glad I persisted, though. Children delight in reading rhyme, which can help them figure out a new word. And verse makes a key message easier to remember.
What was the highlight of having your book published?
Immediately after the
book was released, a friend was kind enough to give me a picture of her two
grandkids—a little girl reading Night of Mysterious Blessings to her
younger brother. They stare at illustrations, not the camera, and have huge
smiles. The picture still has a place of honor on my refrigerator.
Meet the Author:
As a teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader, Sally Metzger has helped
young people discover God’s boundless love for them for over 20 years. She
developed and taught a course in faith formation for university students,
religion teachers, youth ministers, and parents, and she is the author of two
children’s books, Night of Mysterious Blessings and Jesus, Were
You Little?
Sally has a Master of Theological Studies degree, focusing on pastoral
care, and is active in chaplain ministry. Her message: It’s Raining Grace!
And through God’s power, we can find and joyfully fulfill our purpose in life.
Sally is married to her high school sweetheart, cherishes her children and
grandchildren, and enjoys outdoor adventures and travel.
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads
Sheri, your enthusiastic review of Night of Mysterious Blessings is a blessing to me! Picturing children reading the book to their parents is delightful. Thank you so much! Sally
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