A Special Interview & A Giveaway!

I've known her all my life - and she's one very talented lady. Over the years she's painted beautiful pictures, sketched detailed pen and ink drawings, and designed gorgeous jewelry. And now she's published a book to highlight some of these accomplishments!

How do I know her so well? She just happens to be my Mom - Norma Boeckler. Her book - The Art of Norma Boeckler. So grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage, and join me for an interview with this amazing woman!

Maria: Welcome, Mom! Thanks for joining me today! Your background as an artist is fascinating. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Norma: I am a native of Midland, Michigan, and since the late 1980's, I've been a mixed media artist specializing in watercolor. My work has received national and international attention. I have had extensive training for the past ten years and have taken courses with Famous Artists School and am one of their alumni, and have my own webpage with them. They feature my art on their Facebook page too. I have taken computer courses in Dreamweaver MX and Photoshop. I also was privileged to take a jewelry workshop at Shikoku University, in Tokushima, Japan. While in Japan my artwork was displayed in two galleries where I sold nine paintings.

My book covers and illustrations have been published in eight religious books and I have had articles in religious newspapers, and my hometown newspaper as well. I also designed a website for the book, "Jesus Lord of Creation."  

I have won many awards, “Best of Show” in the Midland Artists Guild, the National Arts Program in Detroit, Heritage Days in West Branch, Michigan, and  many more. I hold memberships in the Midland Artists Guild, National Watercolor Society, Michigan Watercolor Society, and Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptures. To date, I have sold over 400 paintings. 

Maria: Wow! I'm not sure how you found the time to do it all! Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?

Norma: I get my inspiration for the religious art illustrations from old religious books, and artists such as, Albrecht Durer and Gustave Dore. I also read scripture passages to go with each drawing.

For my secular art, I take photos of flowers in my gardens, birds, scenes where I have traveled, and photos taken of my family. Sometimes I just experiment with different media and the result might turn out to be an interesting abstract. I have also taken art seminars to learn new techniques.

Maria: How has your relationship with Jesus Christ impacted your art work?

Norma: My religious art has had a huge affect on all of my artwork. It inspires me to read the scriptures more often, and reminds me with every landscape and bird painting, and many other subjects I do, that the Lord has created everything in this world and He preserves everything. I think of the very first verse in the Bible. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 KJV

Maria: That's a powerful verse. How did you decide to put together a book featuring your paintings, illustrations, and jewelry?

Norma: After illustrating eight books, I was thinking…what can I do next, and out of the blue, I received an email from author, Ellen C. Maze. She saw my symbol of “Wheat and Tares”(a symbol I did in pen and ink for a religious book) on line and asked to use it in one of her client’s books. After she saw my website, she said, "You should write a book about your art.” I set to work and did my own PDF with help from Ellen, who also mentors writers, and everything worked out just fine. I wanted to do this especially for my children, their spouses and my grandchildren as a memento.

Maria: Share some lessons you learned on your journey to publication with CreateSpace.

Norma: Some lessons I learned while constructing my book were: you have to first set up a main folder with the title of the book, and then categorize separate folders within that folder for each chapter with pictures. This makes it easy to insert pictures into each book page. I did a PDF sample of a few pages and sent it to my book mentor, Ellen. She gave me a few instructions and everything fell into place.

You helped me with the editing. Then I sent it to Ellen, who recommended I publish my book through Amazon's self-publishing company, CreateSpace. She then put it through a process of perfecting the cover, headings, text, and resizing some of the pictures. Ellen took care of the ISBN number for my book, and even helped me set up my CreateSpace account! My book is now available on Amazon as a paperback book, Kindle download, and ebook. You can also purchase it through distributors such as Barnes & Noble. I found the self-publishing process to be fairly easy.

Maria: Sounds like you learned a lot! Do you have plans for another book?

Norma: I am contemplating the idea of doing a book using photography, and adding scripture verses with each pictures, or maybe a children’s book.

Maria: I know you enjoy staying busy! What goals do you have for the future?

Norma: I plan to continue doing pen and ink drawings with watercolor for my church website, where I am Artist-in-Residence, and I will continue to paint more flowers and landscapes. 

Maria: What words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers?

Norma: The main thing to keep in mind is - the Lord has given each and every one of us a talent and we show our appreciation to Him, by using that talent to His glory. The Lord has been my guide throughout my life.


Maria: Thank you so much for joining us, Mom! Good news! If you're interested in winning a signed copy of my Mom's book, The Art of Norma Boeckler:

• Leave a comment to this post, include your email address in the following format: morgan(dot) maria(dot)i(at)gmail(dot)com. Entries without an email address are not eligible.

• Receive an extra entry by becoming a follower, or by reminding me that you're already a follower.

• Receive a bonus entry by posting about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook and/or Twitter. Please be sure and let me know you did so in your comment.

• This is open to US residents only. My sincere apology to those followers outside the US.

• Deadline to enter is midnight Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Winner to be announced in Thursday's post. The winner will be notified via email.

Purchase a copy of her book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475154488/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img 

Visit Norma's website: http://normaboecklerart.com/

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.boeckler

Grace of Giving: An Author Interview and Book Giveaway!

A thief. Someone who steals. When I think of a thief, I think of someone who takes things - money, jewelry, household belongings, etc. But have you ever considered that the definition of a thief also includes anyone who steals an employer's time, a fellow man's joy, or tithes from God? Brings the definition a bit closer to home when viewed that way!

Author, Marja Meijers, discusses leaving the way of the thief behind, in the fourth book of her Ten Commandment Series, Grace of Giving. She shares insights on the way of the thief versus the way of the giver. In her own words, "Becoming givers and leaving the way of the thief behind seems difficult. It requires a change in attitude and, maybe even more so, a change of mind. We have to learn to focus on all the riches God shares with us and to no longer focus on our fear of lack...We have to stop regarding everything as our possessions...We can start by concentrating on the fact that whatever we give was God's already; that way giving becomes so much easier."

Grace of Giving turns the reader's attention to the ultimate example, Jesus Christ. By following the way of the Master, we can experience what He intended for us, an abundant life (John 10:10)!

Today I have the privilege of interviewing Marja Meijers!

Maria: Your background is fascinating. Tell us a bit about yourself:

Marja: I was born and raised in Holland, a very small country full of people who like to travel. For the last 25 years I have traveled all over the world with my husband to countries in Central and South America, the Middle East and South East Asia. In 2002, we received our green cards and since then we have been able to live and work in the US. We both have seasonal jobs, so we currently divide our time between Holland and California. We have all our family in Holland and we love to be there for spring and summer!

Maria: Give us a brief description of how you became a published author:

Marja: Although I have always loved writing, I never imagined I would one day write and publish a series of Bible-based books in English. During my prayer time, I received the idea for my first book Sacred Sabbath and it became the first one in a series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century. After finishing my manuscript, I mailed it off to the first Christian publisher I could find on the internet, and they offered me a contract. My first book was published in 2006. Grace of Giving, is my fourth book!

Maria: How has your relationship with Jesus Christ impacted your writing?

Marja: Without Him I can't do anything! First of all, He gave me a love for His Word and He planted the desire in me to explain Biblical truths in a fresh and down to earth way. The book series was His idea! Truly, it would have never crossed my mind to write about the Law, if it wasn't for Him. I mean, there are hundreds of more attractive subjects...right? But when I decided to obey the unction I received, and I started writing, the Lord showed me how exciting His Word really is and how many treasures are hidden within, just waiting to be revealed. I also believe he uses my limited vocabulary and sometimes clumsy English to touch the heart of my readers. Second, His Holy Spirit helps me on a day to day basis by giving me revelation about the Word of God. Third, He is right there when I write, so I can talk with Him, ask questions, plead my case before Him and cry when needed.

Maria: Give us a glimpse into the fourth book of your Ten Commandments Series, Grace of Giving:

Marja: In the series the emphasis is not on obeying or keeping the law, but on fulfilling it in our daily lives. The Bible says that love is the fulfillment of the Law. In Grace of Giving, I explain how we can go from merely being obedient (do not steal) to fulfilling that commandment in love (give!).

Maria: What do you hope your readers glean from Grace of Giving?

Marja: I hope readers will truly realize that contentment is in giving, not in accumulating more stuff. Not just in giving money or time, but also in giving ourselves to God, our whole being: spirit, soul, and body. If we hold back in one of those areas we will hold back in other areas too, an ongoing battle. We are most true to the gospel when we are generous, because God is generous!

Maria: As an established author, what do you do to keep your writing fresh?

Marja: I read in order to improve my English, I write to improve my skill (blogs, articles, columns, plays) and I learn by listening to others. Most of all, I pray and ask God for fresh ideas and correction where needed. I would like to attend more conferences or seminars, but they always seem to be either on the East Coast, or too expensive or just for fiction writers...

Maria: What goals do you have for the future?

Marja: This spring I will have my first book published in Holland, something I am really excited about. I am working on the other books in the series, as well as on a series of practical Bible studies based on my blog posts. I have many ideas and plans, but I have to finish the Ten Commandments series first! I am also a free-lance text writer for a company in Holland that focuses on talent-development. We are planning to launch the web community this spring. As a moderator and editor, I will have plenty of work to do!

Maria: When can we anticipate the next book in your series?

Marja: I have the fifth manuscript written in draft form. It is based on the last of the Ten Commandments; do not covet...From the moment I submit it to the publisher, it takes more than a year for it to be released. It will be released in 2012.

Maria: Share some lessons you've learned on your journey as a writer:

Marja: As a writer, I've learned to-

*not let disappointment, rejection, discouragement and failure stop me
*fight procrastination, doubt, and fear
*accept criticism as well as praise
*to believe in my own work, or no one will!

Maria: What words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers?

Marja: Hmmmmmmm. We can never share enough wisdom, can we? Here we go:

1)Count the cost before you start! Are you willing to sacrifice what it takes to get where you want to be?
2)Don't ever think about giving up once you've started!
3)Learn to focus on your current work, because distraction will always try to find you.
4)Put God first in everything you do and don't forget to pray before you write!

My personal creed is: do unto others what you want them to do unto you! You cannot expect people to visit your blog and read your books and write reviews if you are not willing to do the same for others. Never forget to help others to reach their goals. As a Christian, I realize more than ever, that I depend on the Lord to guide and direct me. It is not just my talent that comes from Him, but also my joy, my perseverance and my hope for the future!

Maria: Thank you so much for joining us, Marja! Good news! If you're interested in winning a signed copy of Marja's book, Grace of Giving:

• Leave a comment to this post, include your email address in the following format: morgan(dot) maria(dot)i(at)gmail(dot)com. Entries without an email address are not eligible.

• Receive an extra entry by becoming a follower, or by reminding me that you're already a follower.

• Receive a bonus entry by posting about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook and/or Twitter. Please be sure and let me know you did so in your comment.

• This is open to US residents only. My sincere apology to those followers outside the US.

• Deadline to enter is midnight Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday, February 16, 2010. Winner to be announced in Thursday's post. The winner will be notified via email

You're welcome to address any questions about Marja's book to: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/41811.Q_A_with_Marja_Meijers

(Note - Some of the opinions expressed in this book are not necessarily my beliefs.)