I've been totally busy over the past month or so creating three new websites and nailing down details for Write! Canada. So not much time for me to do anything on my writing, etc

However, I did manage to do two online interviews, which are both out this week. Thanks to KD Easley and Linda Faulkner for the interview opportunities. They asked some good questions. Like what would I need on a desert island?

Tuesdays with Friends

Author Exchange Blog

Oh, yes, the websites that have taken up so much of my time.

The Word Guild

The Word Guild Awards

Where Two Paths Converge…connecting readers with writers 

I've also added new interviews at the Hot Apple Cider site

And, of course, Write! Canada is coming along very well. Registration is now open.

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I wrote a blog that's really a follow-up to the one I posted here yesterday.

My single resolution for 2010 – Lindquist

It’s pretty simple. My resolution for this year is that I’m going to ask for help this year. At least once a week, if possible. From people who aren’t married to me and didn’t come into this world because of me, and therefore don’t owe me anything.

I’ve never really liked asking for help. Don’t actually like asking people for anything, if it comes to that.

I grew up as an only child who spent an inordinate amount of time around older people, as well as an adopted child who very likely had some trust issues. So I became self-sufficient at a pretty early age. If I wanted to know something, I tried to find the answer by myself, usually through books.

I still tend to be that way. Of course, now that we have the internet, it’s even easier to find things out. For example, chances are 100% that if I go to my doctor to get his opinion on something, I’ve already got a list of all the possibilities from my own research.

But there are some things you can’t find in books. And some kinds of help where you need another person.

I also firmly believe that we were created to be in community, which implies needing each other, and that implies helping one another, which involves asking for help…

Earlier this week, I blogged about the fact that most people actually want to help others, but that we’re often too embarrassed to confess our need. But that’s not why I don’t like to ask for help. I don't at all mind acknowledging that I have needs. The reason I don’t like to ask is because I’ve had people say no. Well, a bit more than no….

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new year's resolution · saying no

Just before Christmas, while planning my next mystery, Opaque Rays, I realized I needed more information than I could get from books or the internet. I needed to talk to a real, live person with some experience in either handing out or being on the receiving end of certain medications.

So I sent a note to one of the listservs I'm on. 

By the end of the evening, nine people had contacted me, each one offering information and more assistance as needed. The next day, three more people contacted me.

The readiness to help reminded me of something Barbara Sher frequently says: people like to share what they know.

In Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want, Barbara says, "Sharing skills and resources is a deep human pleasure and need, one that's wired into our survival just as much as hunger and sex."

Thinking about that got me thinking about the many passages in the New Testament when Jesus told us to ask God for what we need. Passages like John 14:14 "If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.." Or John 15:16 "You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name."

Now, I know as well as you do that Jesus wasn't telling us God would give us anything we wanted if we just ask for it. There are conditions, such as being in His will.

But I do think that sometimes we don't have what we need simply because we don't ask for help – from our family, our friends, our co-workers or employers, and, of course, from God.

Sometimes we don't ask because of fear of getting a gruff "No," but more often, I think it's embarrassment that keeps us from asking. We live in an age when self-sufficiency is lauded. We see the movie hero who wins against thousands, and think we should be like that. But it's simply not real life. Sure, it's good to do your best and all that, but the truth is, in addition to our own efforts, we need all the help from other people and God that we can get. There's no such thing as the self-made man or woman.

I'm thinking of making this the year I ask for help at least once a week. Okay, maybe mostly I'll askf or help on small things. But if i get good at asking for help, when I need help with a bigger thing, I'll be in practice, and I'll know lots of people willing to give me a hand.

Just think of the pleasure I'll be giving everyone who gets to help me! Not only will they get the chance to show what they can do, but they'll know they had a hand in whatever I manage to accomplish.

ask for help · people who need people. help one another · why is it so hard to ask for help

You can still watch me on the TV program" It's a New Day" that was aired on Tuesday, December 15th.

I talked about Hot Apple Cider and tried to light a fire under listeners to get them all actively involved in supporting Canadian authors. We need a fan club!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch online here.

Canadian publishing · it's a new day · N. J. Lindquist

If you don't have a copy of Hot Apple Cider yet, now is a great time to buy one. Or let someone know you'd appreciate receiving one for Christmas.

And if you do have a copy, now would be a really good time to get copies for your friends and family.

If you live in the US, check out the ridiculously low price at Amazon.com (see sidebar).

And if you live in Canada, you can check out Amazon.ca, Chapters, your local bookstore, or order an autographed copy directly from the publisher.

Check out the Hot Apple Cider website for news. 

There's now a free discussion guide.

And watch for samples of the articles to be posted soon.

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On November 20th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Faith Family Books and Gifts in Toronto hosted an event with more than 30 Canadian authors at their store in Toronto.

Here are two photos taken by author Deborah Gyapong, one of me and one of the reading areas. You can see many more photos on Deb's blog here and here.

The last four photos are courtesy of author Fay Rowe.

If you put your cursor on each picture, you'll see who's in them.

Christian bookstore in Toronto · Faith family Books and Gifts