Michelle Medlock Adams's Blog

By Kendall Beck

Do you ever feel that where you are today is the result of a series of events you never would have seen coming?

Michelle Medlock Adams calls them “divine mistakes.”

Adams is an award-winning children’s book author, freelance writer, speaker and teacher with 123 published books. Now, she has her own children’s imprint, “Wren & Bear Books,” and consulting business, “Michelle Medlock Adams, LLC.”

It all started when she was doing her hair in the bathroom while listening to the TV playing in the other room.

An avid Cubs fan, Adams had tuned into WGN to watch the game. What she didn’t know was that it would launch a career that would fulfill her life’s greatest calling.

Adams was working as a journalist for a small-town Indiana newspaper, The Bedford Times-Mail, after graduating from Indiana University in 1991 where she started off doing broadcast journalism.

“I liked it, and I was decent at it, but I never felt like you could tell the whole story,” she said. “I was much more enthralled with just the words, just the written word.”

Switching over to news and magazine work, Adams wrote for several different sections while her husband was working as a certified public accountant (CPA), and together, they began to raise their two daughters, born nearly 20 months apart.

Adams felt this lifestyle was too much to keep up; something needed to shift.

“So I just began to seek God about, you know, ‘How can I be used in writing?’” she said.

His answer came through an unlikely channel.

A voice came out of the TV. It was a man with a Christian magazine publication called “The Believer’s Voice of Victory.” His team was looking for freelance writers.

“He’s never done that before or since,” Adams said.

Divine mistake number one.

Number two happened when, in 1998, Adams got a call back after sending her resumé into the publication. A woman named Stephanie called and asked her to come to their Texas location the next day. Being from Bedford, Indiana, Adams had to decline — she couldn’t drop everything and make it all the way to Texas in one day.

What Adams didn’t know was that Stephanie figured she was from Bedford, Texas, a town nearby to the magazine office. After this realization over the phone, Stephanie still wanted Adams to come interview for the position.

Both women felt like it was just supposed to happen.

One interview later, Adams and her family decided to move to Texas, even though her husband had a good job in Indiana.

“You don’t just walk away from a (CPA) partnership…and yet we both had such peace about it,” Adams said. “We were like, ‘We know God is directing our steps like it says in Proverbs.’”

Just a month after she began working for the magazine, they asked her to take over the children’s section.

This was an age group she had never written for before.

“And I was like, okay, well, just because I have (children) doesn’t mean I know how to write for them,” she said.

Still, Adams took it as a challenge. She joined a children’s writing group called the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and took off running.

The woman that ran the group began to suggest books for her to read and study.

“I bought every book she suggested, and I just devoured them,” Adams said. “And the more I got into them, the more I was like, ‘This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’ I loved it. And I felt like it had taken all these turns to get me to sort of what I felt I was called to do.”

Adams says that her journalistic training — knowing how to write with accuracy and fast — has made her a better and more well-rounded children’s book writer.

She had enjoyed writing before, but now she felt she was truly in her sweet spot.

“I would wake up, and I couldn’t wait to get to work,” she said.

Today, Adams writes her own books and content, speaking at writing conferences and working on ghostwriting contracts for celebrities and individuals who come to her with an idea for a story.

Adams believes every writer should learn to ghostwrite. Even though it was difficult to unlearn writing through her own voice, she has come to see the process of humbling herself enough to become someone else’s voice as invaluable.

Some of her greatest achievements have come from the books she’s written that she can’t tell anyone about due to non-disclosure laws.

“I’ve written two New York Times Best Sellers,” Adams said. “I could put that in my resumé, but I couldn’t tell you what books they are.”

In 2006, Adams was asked to speak at Taylor University by a professor that she had a connection with, and she’s been coming back ever since.

This semester, she is teaching a Children’s Writing Seminar for writing and illustration students.

Teaching at Taylor is a fulfillment of a dream that Adams has had for a long time, to share with others the craft she’s come to love so much.

“It’s always such a privilege to get to work with the professional writing students at Taylor … so many of these kids that are such successes in life and also in the writing world,” Adams said. It’s just cool to have played any small part—to just have been able to know them and read their work early on and know, ‘That person’s going somewhere.’”

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Bring Conversations On The Ark to life with Moonlite Storytime’s Storybook Projector! Available by itself, or as part of their Bible collection, the Conversations On The Arc Storybook is guaranteed to make story time pop!

“Conversations On the Ark is a very special retelling of the Bible story – Noah’s Ark. Through humorous observations and thoughtful conversations, the animals aboard the big boat discuss why they are on the ark and what this Noah guy is all about. The story ends with all of the animals exiting the massive boat and experiencing the promise of God as a magnificent rainbow appears in the sky.

Written in rhyming text with bright and exciting illustrations, the message woven throughout the story is this: God has a plan, and He always keeps His promises.”

 

Buy Conversations On The Arc Storybook Projector


Buy Bible Collection

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by Michelle Medlock Adams

 

From the moment I found out our oldest daughter Abby was expecting our first grandchild, I began “trying out” grandma names. At only 47, I didn’t feel like a grandmother—too formal. I also didn’t feel like a Mamaw—that’s what my mom had been called before she went to heaven. And I definitely didn’t feel like a Nana—that was my mother-in-law’s chosen grandma name, and it was the name of the big dog in Peter Pan, so there’s that. So, I did a little research into other possible grandma names. I especially liked Mimi, but my sister Martie had already claimed that one. And I kind of liked the name Glamma, which a lady in my Zumba class explained was short for a glamorous grandma; however, that seemed like a lot to live up to, and I certainly wasn’t glamorous all the time. So that name was also a no. And then I came across the grandma name Gigi. I tried it on, and it just seemed to fit. And bonus! It’s easy to find cute T-shirts and jewelry with the name “Gigi” proudly displayed. (My favorite tank says, “In a world full of grandmas, be a Gigi.”)

 

Names are important, whether we are choosing a grandma name for ourselves or naming our children or coming up with cute monikers for our fur babies. Think back…how did you come up with the names you gave to your kiddos? Often, we choose the name of a favorite relative or a sound biblical name such as Matthew, Paul, Mary, or Mark. Other times, we simply select a name that flows well with our last name, which is what we did when we chose Abby and Ally for our daughters’ names. “Abby Adams” and “Ally Adams” just rolled off the tongue beautifully. Still, other parents name their children after favorite sports figures or celebrities or even seasons. When my sister had her youngest daughter on the last day of autumn, she decided to name her Autumn to signify that special day for all eternity.

And as important as names are in today’s world, they were even more significant in Bible times. You see, names back then were often chosen to reveal something specific about that person. Remember when God changed Abram’s name? He went from Abram, which meant “high father,” to Abraham because it meant “father of many nations.” That name was given to Abraham to remind him and everyone who called him “Abraham” that he would one day be the father of many nations. It meant something. Every time someone said his name, it reminded Abraham of his destiny.

 

God’s identity and character are also revealed by His many names found throughout the Bible. The names of God are like miniature pictures and promises of Who God is. His very essence and nature are revealed in each of His Mighty names. For example, Jehovah Jireh means “the changeless One who meets my needs”; Elohim means “the God who makes covenants”; Jehovah Nissi means “my banner, miracle, and victory”; El Shaddai means “the God who is more than enough”; and Jehovah Shalom means “the God of peace,” to name a few.

 

And when Moses asked God, “What is your name?” in Exodus 3, Moses didn’t just want to know how to address God. No, Moses wanted a revelation of God’s character, and that’s exactly what he received when God answered, “Say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations’” (Exodus 3:15).

I love that, don’t you? God was saying, “Tell them I’m your God!” And He is saying the same thing to us today. No matter what your name means, or what grandma name you’ve chosen, God is saying, “You’re my precious child, and I am Your God.” That seems so personal to me. I love that assurance—that we are His! And He knows us by name! You are a child of the Most High God! Now, go put that on a shirt!

 

Michelle Medlock Adams is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and the author of over 100 books. Earning 90-plus industry awards, including the prestigious 2023 ECPA Gold Medallion Children’s Book of the Year for Our God Is Bigger Than That!, Michelle loves encouraging others with God’s Word. Learn more at www.michellemedlockadams.com

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I’m not usually a consumer of picture books, but thanks to my sister-in-law — the mother of my 16-month-old nephew — I’ve developed a new appreciate for kid’s books. That’s why I picked up a copy of Michelle Medlock Adam’s new book (keep reading to find out more about it!), and that’s why I’m so excited to have her here today. If you’ve ever wondered about children’s book authors, here’s your chance to find out more!

Thanks so much for being here today. What was the first book you read that you couldn’t put down?

The Secret Garden is the first book I remember reading and thinking, “I want to read this as many times as I can before I die.” I loved the heroine, Mary. She inspired me because she had grit and hope despite being ignored and mistreated most of her childhood. She still finds the gumption to make friends and transform a garden—in the process, of course, transforming herself and those around her. Love that book!

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve read a book?

I was totally captivated by my friend, Eva Marie Everson’s latest novel, and I wanted to stay up all night to finish it, but I knew I couldn’t because I had to teach at a writers’ conference the next day. Still, I wanted to read the final two chapters so much that I downloaded the book to my phone so I could read it during the Editors & Authors panel that next morning. And yes, I was on that panel, lol. When the question didn’t apply to me, I read another sentence or two.

Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? No names, but what didn’t you like about it?

Absolutely. I respect the person who recommended the book, and yet, I really hated it. I felt like the author misrepresented the content of the book, making promises that were never fulfilled. I kept reading, hoping it would get better but it never did. In the end, I felt cheated and like I’d wasted several hours of my life that I’d never get back.

If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?

I would love to see Dachshund Through the Snow turned into an animated Christmas special. I can totally see that story coming to life. For the voices of my main characters? Let’s see…I’d want the voice of Crosby to be Justin Timberlake with Tim Allen as the voice of Santa, and the voice of Bo the bully could be The Rock. I think Dachshund Through the Snow could be turned into a musical with fun songs throughout the action-packed story.

What a fun idea! If you could turn any book into a movie (yours or someone else’s), which would you pick? Who would you cast as the main characters?

Yes, I would love to see my friend Andy Clapp’s novel, Midnight Christmas Eve turned into a movie. First off, I love a good romance, and this one is so special. Let’s see, who would I have play Brady and Sarah? They are in high school in the beginning of the book and older later so you’d have to use different actors and actresses for those different ages but I think someone like Sandra Bullock as Sarah and Josh Lucas as Brady would do nicely. They don’t perfectly match the description of each character’s physical attributes in the book but I think they’d work perfectly with those characters.

I’d watch that cast! Here’s a tough question: who’s your favorite author? Why?

Gosh, there are so many great ones…I love Kate Messner, Candace Fleming and Melissa Stewart. They are phenomenal nonfiction children’s book writers. As a journalist, I love to write nonfiction for adults, and I’ve been doing quite a bit of nonfiction writing for children in the past few years. I want to do more of that, and I’d love to be as successful and gifted as those three amazing authors. They make facts come to life.

Please share five books from your TBR (to be read) pile.

I have so many more than five, lol, but here are five:

Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders
You are Stronger than You Think by Joel Osteen
Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul
Signs You’ll See Just Before Jesus Comes by Rick Renner
Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God by Shirley Raye Redmond

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Yes. Creating stories for children—stories that teach, entertain, encourage, and inspire—it’s a noble calling. It’s a calling I don’t take for granted. I truly love what I do.

Dachshund Through the Snow tells the story of Crosby, a teeny-tiny dachshund who’s known for his size but wishes he were known for his many talents. When his entry to the Artic Olympics, where he plans to compete to make a name for himself as the top burrower, goes terribly wrong, he frantically burrows away. He burrows so fast and so hard that when he finally comes up for air, he realizes he’s caught in a snowstorm—the same storm that’s left Santa and his reindeer stranded and desperate for Rudolph’s bright nose to guide them home. If only they could get to Rudolph.

The perfect dog for the job, Crosby springs into action and burrows all the way to the North Pole to alert Rudolph of the situation at hand. The two fly back to the cave, rescue Santa and the stranded reindeer, then jet off to save Christmas. When Crosby wakes up on Christmas morning wondering if it was all a dream, he notices a gift from Santa—a gold medal praising him for his ginormous heart and a note thanking him for saving Christmas.

Dachshund Through the Snow is a beautifully illustrated, sweet reminder that it’s what is on the inside—in our hearts—that really matters this Christmas. The book was recently awarded the prestigious 2021 Firebird Book Award in the Holiday category.

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning author, earning more than 80 industry accolades, and her 100-plus books have sold almost four million copies. Her most recent releases include:  Cuddle-Up Prayers, Puppy Dog Devotions, and Dachshund Through the Snow. Over the course of her career, Michelle has helped pen a New York Times bestseller, blogged for Guideposts, and hosted TBN’s “Joy in Our Town” TV program. Today, she co-owns Platinum Literary and serves as an acquisitions editor for Wren & Bear Books, a division of End Game Press. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two married daughters and five adorable grandchildren. To learn more, go to www.michellemedlockadams.com online.

Original post from https://karinbeery.com/2021/11/writer...

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If you’re a Mom, then you know. It’s hard to find quality family time in the midst of crazy schedules. Our children are busier than ever. From youth group activities to sports practices to school events, it seems every single minute of the day is scheduled. And when you add in our equally jam packed planners with women’s ministry responsibilities, work, and Mom duties (not to mention, we’d like to see our husbands once in a while)—finding ways to keep the family connected can be challenging. 

But not impossible. 

It will take some planning on your part, but you can do this, and here are six ideas to get you started.

Family Game Night: Schedule a family game night twice a month and post the “Game Nights” on the fridge so everyone is aware of the upcoming family fun. Yes, even the teens in the family will enjoy this night if you let them have a say. So, let each family member plan a game night throughout the year, and continue rotating the responsibility. Your teens may choose an exciting night of laser tag or cosmic bowling while your younger children may opt for a rousing game of Twister or Monopoly at home. Whatever the game of choice, just enjoy your time together, and let the games begin!Family Fitness Fun: Organize a family fitness fun time several times a week—even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Take a neighborhood walk together—walking dogs, pushing strollers, etc. Try pairing up with a family member and using that time to share prayer requests and concerns. Then, pound the pavement and pray for each other’s needs. Or head to the nearest park and play Frisbee with the fam. Or go for a family bike or hike, trying out new trails in your area. It will be great exercise and lots of fun! That’s a win/win!Family Secrets & Traditions: There’s nothing like an “inside joke,” a family secret, or a special tradition to bring a family closer together, so come up with some in your household. For instance, any time a clock (or your smartphone) has the same numbers such as “3:33” or “5:55,” tell your family members that’s code for “Time to remember how much I love you.” You’ll be surprised how much your kids will get into this kind of thing—even the ones who act “too cool” to participate.  Family Dream Jar: When a family has a common goal, it brings everyone together in a new way. So, why not come up with a family dream that you can work toward such as: a fantastic family vacation or a big screen TV or season tickets to a local professional sports team? Once you agree on a family goal, place a “dream jar” in a common area such as the kitchen, and encourage everyone to begin plunking change into it. With every family member participating, that jar will fill up over and over again until that dream is finally realized, and what a celebration that will be! Family Date Nights: While it’s great to spend time together as a family unit, it’s also important to spend one-on-one time with each other. So, get out your family planner and start scheduling date nights with your kids and spouse. For example, on the first Friday night of the month, maybe Dad and daughter go to dinner and a movie while Mom and son go grab a hot dog and take in a baseball game. Mix it up, letting each child spend quality time with each parent over the course of a few months. Remember, these date nights don’t have to be expensive outings. You can take in a free concert in the park with your teen daughter or enjoy a picnic lunch under the stars with your spouse—just make sure you give these dates priority.  Movies & Munchies: Everyone will look forward to this one because who doesn’t love watching movies while munching on your favorite snack? Choose a free weekend night to “couch potato it” together. It’s even more fun when you have themed movie nights. For example, do a princess-themed night, and watch several family friendly movies involving royalty while feasting on princess popcorn balls and cookies shaped like tiaras. 

Bottomline, it’s important to make family time a priority. Time really is our most precious commodity, so spending it with the ones you love the most, just makes sense. Sure it will take some extra planning and schedule maneuvering, and you may encounter some bellyaching and eye rolling in the beginning, but plan those family fun nights anyway…it’ll be so worth it. 

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What a nice surprise to see this issue of “Pittsburg Press” magazine today!! Who knew you could be a cover girl at 55?! Thank you, Jacqueline Terrill, for this opportunity. I appreciate you! #awriterslife #writer #pittsburgpress

 

Purchase a copy of the magazine on Amazon

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I love sharing my children’s books at schools across the country. This past year, I had the privilege of reading my Christmas picture book, “Dachshund Through the Snow” to several elementary classes the week before the holiday break.  There’s a part in my book where Crosby, the littlest dachshund in all of Diggityville, is bullied because of his tiny stature. I always stop after that scene and ask, “Have any of you ever been bullied?” Unfortunately, far too many hands go up after I ask that question, and this particular day was no different.

I had just finished reading the final page when the bell rang, and the students began lining up to return to their classrooms, except for one little girl. She hung back and inched her way toward my book table.

“Mrs. Adams, I was bullied… because I don’t have a mom,” the little girl said in a shaky voice.

I knelt down and hugged her.

“Honey, I’m so sorry that happened to you, but you know what? You are so loved by your dad, and you are also loved by God! That’s a lot of love, isn’t it?”

She nodded her head and gave me a little smile before rejoining her classmates.

As I waved goodbye to the students, I prayed that God would heal that little girl’s heart, and I thanked Him for allowing me to be there that day.

That encounter was confirmation that God had truly given me the words for my upcoming picture book, “Love Connects Us All”—a book featuring all different kinds of families with the overall message that each one of us is a part of God’s big, beautiful family.

I wrote this book because I wanted all children—like the little girl who came from a single-parent household—to find themselves in the pages of my book and celebrate their special families.

Two verses of “Love Connects Us All” says:

 

“I’m thankful for my family—

this one that God designed.

My family might be different,

but it’s my favorite kind.”

“And there is more to praise Him for—

I’m in God’s family, too!

I am a precious child of God.

And guess what? So are you!”

            The book with a special prayer: “Thank You, God, for my family. It’s not like any other family—that’s what makes it so special! I am so grateful for the love we share. And I’m so thankful because I’m in Your family, God. Amen.”

Our words, whether written for children or adults, hold great power. They can encourage, empower, educate, and comfort our readers. They can bring much-needed laughter, and they can provide a temporary escape into the world of story. As Christian writers, we can make a difference, and just knowing that fact, should drive us to put in the hours studying the craft, learning the market, revising and rewriting, praying over every word, and promoting our books so they can go everyplace they were intended to go and do the work they were destined to do.

            I’m not saying that as Christian writers we are expected to have all the answers, but I am saying this—we know the One who does! He can help us help our readers! And it’s our privilege to hold the hands of our readers and walk them through these difficult situations.

Because love really does connect us all.

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With crazy summer travel and several pressing deadlines, I have asked my summer intern from Taylor University—Emma Holley—to pinch-hit for me. She’s written a very thoughtful blog, reminding us of the impact one person can make if we look for those special moments, those God opportunities to share His love with those around us. Her experience happened during VBS this summer. If you’ve ever worked Vacation Bible School, you know how intense and wonderful it can be…

It was the last night of VBS. The kindergarten group was exploring the craft area, using their tiny plastic binoculars to see all that they could see. Parents and volunteers outnumbered the kids, standing around to talk as they played. The fellowship hall was oddly quiet now that the kids were done coloring.

I leaned against a table at the back of the room, trying to smile. My back was groaning after a week of bending over to tie shoes and pull up pants. My voice was gruff from shouting in a microphone, spreading the Gospel through the words of a puppet. My body was shaky from hunger and dehydration, as I spent my dinnertime convincing a child to eat.

I needed this week to remind me of everything I love about kids.

I love their squeaky voices. I love their cleverness and their dance moves. I love the wild ones who see the sanctuary as a racetrack and the quiet ones who just want to color. I love their big hugs and their hearts for God. I love seeing parents talk to their child about Jesus – possibly for the first time. I love them, so I serve them.

My body screamed as soon as I quit leaning against the table, but I saw a teachable moment that I couldn’t pass up. God pulled me over to three boys, who were peering at me through their binoculars. I giggled and pointed at the stained glass windows across from them. “Come on! Come on, I want to show you something.”

They huddled at the window as evening sunlight glinted through the rough-cut glass. The glass was like multicolored gems, pink and orange and green and red. The Body of Christ, beautiful and different and beloved by God. The kids oohed and aahed, their mouths agape as they used their binoculars for a closer look.

Knowing that only one of the boys attended our church, I chose my words carefully, hoping to tell them a Gospel truth. “Each gem here stands for someone in this church, including you,” I said. “You guys are here at this church, so you’re a part of it, too! Which gem do you think you are?”

The boys excitedly pointed at the gems. “I think I’m the green one,” a squeaky blonde said.

“I’m the red!” a brown-haired lad said.

“How did they get in there?” the shortest boy asked.

“I don’t know. They made these windows a long time ago, way before I went to church here,” I said.

“Can we take them down?” the brown-haired lad asked.

I paused. I forget sometimes how literal kids are. “No, sorry. They have to stay in the window. But we can pretend which ones we are.”

I felt like I did something right. I’d created an opening for the Gospel; all I had to do now was tell them about the Body of Christ. “This is the family of God,” I said, praying for the right words to come.

I was swiftly interrupted by the shortest boy. “Are we going to the gym next?”

“Uh…go ask your leader,” I said, blanking.

The two blonde boys dashed away, pat-pat-pat-pat, thinking it was time to go. “Wait! I didn’t mean go to the gym now, you still have five minutes!” I said.

The dark-haired boy remained, observing the gems. “Maybe a big rock got them in here,” he said.

“Maybe,” I said. I took a breath and held my tongue. Was I meant to talk to him? My heart grew hopeful. This is it.

Then, the youth pastor entered with his phone on a selfie stick. He was filming a recap video for this Sunday’s service. Immediately, my starry-eyed friend jumped and waved his arms frantically at him. “David! Film me! Film me!”

Disappointment creeped over me. I’d lost them. Exhaustion took the reins from disappointment and begged me to sit down. There’s not much else you can do. It’s not worth it.

Then, the boy danced. It started out like any other viral craze, but then it became…unique. He was an expressive little guy. As he discoed, his smile revealed a big gap between his two front teeth. He wiggled, he hopped, he sashayed. He practically bounced off his own two feet. It was like someone took Stretch Armstrong and shook him hard to limber him up.

David corralled the boys back. He told Disco Dan to introduce his friends and talk about his favorite part of VBS. Though the boy was enthusiastic, the other kids blushed, uncomfortably smiling for the camera. Disco Dan’s mom issued a warning: “Stop. Settle down. Listen to David.” She meant business.

I looked back at the windows, then the little boy.

I sighed and laughed. While David set up his camera, I told the boy to dance, because why shouldn’t he? He is beautiful, and he is having fun. He is a gem in the stained glass window, and the light is shining through him, here for all to see. Even if he doesn’t remember learning the Gospel at VBS, he will remember that window. He will always have that gem.

The post Searching For A Gem appeared first on Michelle Medlock Adams.

Just sitting here, reflecting on this past week and all that God has done. It’s important that we take time to give God praise, and that’s exactly what I want to do this morning. He is such a personal Father. He doesn’t forget your dreams—even when you do!

I’ll never forget listening to esteemed editor Margaret McElderry speak about her children’s book imprint with Simon & Schuster. At the time, it was early in my career, and I wasn’t even sure what having your own imprint meant, but as I listened to her heart on the subject, and heard the joy in her voice as she described the process of finding very special children’s book manuscripts and following those projects through until they landed in the hands of children all over the world, my heart started pounding so hard that I was sure those near me could hear it.

“Someday, if I ever learn enough about writing for children and get the opportunity, that’s what I want to do.” I wrote those words in my notebook that afternoon, which seemed ridiculous. At the time, I didn’t even have one children’s book published. Not even one.

Fast forward to 2018. It seemed my dream of having my own children’s book imprint was coming to pass! All of the pieces were falling into place. I was amazed at what was transpiring, and then, just as quickly as the opportunity presented itself, it was gone. An unexpected merger with a much bigger publishing house changed everything. When the dust had settled, it was obvious my children’s book imprint would not be launched after all. All talk of such a thing ceased, and honestly, I was okay with it. I remember telling God, “I’m okay with it. If You are phasing me out of the publishing world; if my time of being used by You in this industry is coming to a close—I’m okay with it and very grateful. It’s been a wonderful ride.” And that was it. I figured I would keep training other writers and hopefully be a blessing in that way, and write a couple of books each year. I was content to come out of the game and slowly take my place on the publishing bench…

But, as I said before, God never forgets the dreams He places in your heart. So when I was having dinner with my colleagues Andy Clapp and Victoria Duerstock in May 2021 in North Carolina, we chatted about goals, dreams, and destiny. Victoria had just launched End Game Press, and I was thrilled that she’d asked me to write the first holiday children’s book for her new publishing house, but I had no idea that God was about to do a big thing. Andy, Victoria and I shared our hearts, and I remember telling them that I had once thought I’d have my own children’s book imprint, but that I was sure “that ship has sailed.” I said, “That’s one dream which never came to pass, but I’m still grateful for all that God has done.” And I meant it. I thought I’d be slowing down, fishing more, and easing into retirement. But God had other plans.

But God! Two very powerful words. At Christian Product Expo (CPE) one year ago, Victoria said she wanted to meet that first night in St. Louis. I remember her saying, “I’d love to bring your experience and expertise in the children’s market to End Game Press with your own children’s book imprint…” I think I floated back to my room. You see, I had given up on that dream but God hadn’t.

So this past week, as Victoria and I set up the End Game Press booth the day before CPE began, I stood in amazement as she pulled out the “Wren & Bear Books” banner. It was official. The children’s book imprint birthed in my heart all those years ago has been launched for such a time as this—two Wren & Bear books will release in the Spring, followed by two more in Fall 2023. And we are working on 2024 titles now! I’m not retired. I’m refired! And, I could not be more grateful to God and to Victoria for this new adventure. I feel like everything I’ve done in my career has prepared me for “such a time as this.” I left CPE totally exhausted but with a very full heart. God just keeps confirming and opening doors and showing us His great favor.

So I share this journey with you because I want to tell you—God is not done with you yet. He has a plan, and His timing is always perfect. Resurrect those dreams that He put in your heart—no matter how crazy they may seem—because if He put them there, He has the perfect way to bring them to life. And you’re going to love it!

PS Pastor and author Robert Morris once said, “If you want to know God’s dream for your life, get to know God. Spend time with the One who will reveal your dream and fulfill it.”

My interpretation of that? Don’t seek the dream. Seek the Dream Giver. The rest will fall into place.

The post Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams appeared first on Michelle Medlock Adams.

Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the first blog in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway, which runs July 15-22, 2022 (contest closes at 8 PM EST on 7/22/2022). At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the name of a Christmas song. Write them all down and provide all song titles (26 in total) on this Google form.

Note: You must grab all the song titles from every author in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway to be eligible to win the Grand Prize of a $520 Amazon gift card plus a copy of each participating author’s book OR the First Place Prize of a copy of each participating author’s book. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (26 authors in all).

Children’s books make the best gifts.

Toys can break. Kids quickly outgrow clothes. But books have staying power. Even if their pages rip a little, that just means they are well loved. And children don’t outgrow books; rather, they grow with them. Furthermore, books are always the right size; they are always in style; and they are the gift that truly keeps on giving.

Let me say it again—children’s books make the best gifts.

Don’t believe me?

Ask any parent.

“Books are treasures around our house,” says my youngest daughter Allyson Hovious, who is Mom to a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old. “Our 3-year-old loves her books, and we love reading to her. It’s something we have done since she was just a few months old. Of course, we know it increases her vocabulary, but even more than that, reading to her is a special bonding time for us.”

Hovious is right.

According a 2019 study, children who are regularly read to in the five years leading up to kindergarten are exposed to 1.4 million more words than children who are not read to during those formative years.

In addition, Hovious is also correct on the bonding benefit of reading. Experts agree that sharing a good story with your children creates happier and healthier kids. When a parent or a caregiver reads to a child, that child experiences a feeling of closeness, security, and an overall feeling of well-being.

Reading to your kiddos is beneficial in so many ways, including:

Increasing your child’s listening skillsPromoting healthy brain growthNurturing creativityEncouraging cognitive thinkingStrengthening your relationship with your child

Reading is Especially Important During the Holidays

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, finding quality time with family is sometimes a challenge, which is why establishing a nightly reading routine with your kiddos is especially important.

When my girls were little, they were high energy all day long so adding the excitement of the holidays only increased their “bouncing off the walls” behavior. I had to be intentional about gradually shifting gears and taking down that energy level in preparation for bedtime. Reading a story was an integral part of that equation. Maybe you have also adopted that all-important bedtime reading routine.

As it turns out, there’s science to back up that common bedtime practice. When children experience stress, their brains try to protect them by producing cortisol. If too much cortisol is produced, it can hinder sleep and learning. Experts believe that snuggling close with your children and reading them a story can help to lower cortisol levels and create a calming environment conducive to a good night’s sleep.

In addition, reading to your children in familiar and peaceful surroundings creates a safe place for them to share openly in a way they might not throughout everyday life. For example, if your child is being bullied at school, she might not tell you because she is embarrassed. But during the reading of my book, Dachshund Through the Snow which shows the main character Crosby enduring bullying because of his tiny stature, your child would be more apt to talk about what Crosby is feeling, which can lead to a genuine discussion about what is happening to her at school.

Here are five ways to make that reading time more productive and encourage important conversations with your children:

Try to keep to a routine, reading at the same time every night.Create a peaceful place for reading, surrounding your child with favorite stuffed animals and the all-important blankie.Choose bedtime books that will not shift the energy back into high gear; rather, select soothing, cuddle-up type books.If the book lends itself to discussion, ask your child a few questions about the story which might lay the groundwork for a deeper conversation about difficult topics—fear, bullying, self-esteem issues, etc.Offer four or five appropriate bedtime books and let your child choose from those books. To keep bedtime reading fresh, rotate new books into the selection every week.

Now it’s time to for my Christmas song title: Frosty the Snowman

The next author on the blog tour is Ann Brodeur, author of Snowbound in Winterberry Falls. Click here to read her Christmas in July blog post and find her Christmas song title.

Save the holiday song titles from each of the 26 blog stops, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the song titles on this form for a chance to win the Grand Prize of a $520 Amazon gift card plus a copy of each participating author’s featured book OR the First Place Prize of a copy of each participating author’s featured book.

Remember, the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway ends July 22 at 8 PM EST! Good luck!

The post Give the Gift of Reading (Christmas in July Blog Tour and Giveaway!) appeared first on Michelle Medlock Adams.