I’m a Believer

February 5, 2018 by Cathy C. Hall

Remember back in the summer, when I mentioned a story I wanted to tell you but I didn’t because I believed it might be perfect for the Miracles and More topic at Chicken Soup for the Soul?

Yeah, this story. And now it’s in Miracles and More, along with 100 other stories of angels, divine intervention, answered prayers, and messages from heaven.

All of which I see evidence of pretty much every day. Of course, we see what we believe, and I believe that Shakespeare had it right: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

But you don’t have to take my word (or Shakespeare’s). Come join me and lots of the writers in Miracles and More as we share our experiences and wonders in a Twitter party:

I’m looking forward to hearing more about these miracles–come join us. I’m a believer, y’all, not a trace of doubt in my mind, and we’ll make you a believer, too! (And come on, you know you want to sing that song with me, now, right?)

Deadlines and Delivering

December 12, 2017 by Cathy C. Hall

I’m always a little surprised at how many books there are out there about writing prompts. Because with me, there is really only one prompt: a deadline.

Yep, a deadline sure prompts me to get going! Not necessarily my own, self-imposed deadlines. I’m talking about those deadlines that are tied to payment and/or business. Like magazines that have a calendar of themes and no ands, ifs, or buts about when you can get articles or essays in to be considered.

Or maybe a Chicken Soup for the Soul call out. Which reminds me! Remember when I said I had a great story that had Chicken Soup for the Soul written all over it so I couldn’t share it here? So I did write it up and squeezed that story in just under the deadline. And it was selected for the Miracles and More book coming out in February. Wheee!

So deadlines can work wonders for prompting my writing muscle to get down to business. Which is why when I was in the shower, thinking about a package that was supposed to be delivered, and a YA novel that had some unfortunate reviews, added to a Muffin date due on the calendar, I came up with “Are You Delivering?”

Surprise!

A Little Ordinary Miracle

August 8, 2017 by Cathy C. Hall

2010-09-06 08.50.16 I sat down, fingers poised to write the story about what happened last week. But then I remembered what I said at choir…

So we had this choir retreat–a long day of getting back together after a long summer break–and I raised my hand and said I wanted to tell a quick story, something that had just happened to me.

Now if you know me, you know I’m not very good at telling quick stories. I mean, I tend to have little asides and a big build-up, not to mention the occasional backstory. It’s a gift. Anyway, I told my story, and as I was heading back to my seat, I said, “Now, that’s a Chicken Soup for the Soul story!”

Yep, everyone agreed that it’d make a great Chicken Soup story. And then I forgot about the story till just this minute when I thought about sharing it with you. When bam! The Chicken Soup memory came to me and a little voice said, “Maybe you should check the website, just in case.”

I haven’t sent anything in to Chicken Soup in forever, and the last story I sent in hasn’t gone anywhere. But hope springs eternal and all that so I checked out the Possible Topics page and saw this:

Miracles and More
When Good Things Happen to Good People
All of us have experienced events in our lives that are completely unexplainable: the strange premonition that made you take a different route home only, causing you to miss an accident; the eerie feeling that you should call home… now, saving someone’s life; the mysterious communication from a loved one who has passed on. Angels, divine timing, miraculous coincidences, answered prayers, premonitions that come true. Good things do happen to good people. Please share your unbelievable and amazing stories about the unexplainable events that have occurred to you. Share the awe, the faith, and the wonder with our readers. The deadline date for story and poem submissions is August 31, 2017.

Okay, whoa. My story was one of those completely inexplicable things, an unbelievable story or miraculous coincidence if you will. So I’m afraid I won’t be sharing it here with you today. I’ve got to write it up and send it in to Chicken Soup. You saw that deadline date.

And this whole thing right here? A last minute checking of the Chicken Soup website and seeing exactly the topic I needed? It could almost be a “Miracles and More” story, too.

Just sayin’. The world’s one miracle after another, if you know where to look.

(And P.S. Maybe you have one, too. Send it in!)