Guest Post: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Becoming a Writer By Tina Radcliffe + Giveaway

Humor. There are a few authors I immediately think of when I hear that word, and Tina Radcliffe is one of them. So today, we're in for a treat! We have Tina here to chat. And if you know Tina from Seekerville blog, you know she's hilarious!

Thank you to Annie for inviting me to her home on the web today. I actually fought tooth and nail on the approach to this topic, however it is now two a.m. and God won. Oh, that God. Yes, he does have a sense of humor.

Thirty-one years ago, I sat in a packed auditorium, not just any auditorium, but the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s utilized for basketball games, and concerts. I hate crowds and was dragged to this service by a “friend.” I had a close and personal relationship with the Lord at the time, which can be described as... Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. The message from my brain to my heart wasn’t quite making a connection.

However, this Sunday morning, something was about to happen that would change my life forever. The pastor somehow knew I was there. He looked straight at me in row forty-two, seat thirty-seven, and said something to the effect of “God was changing someone’s heart of stone to a heart of flesh.”

WHO? ME?

Did you know that people with a heart of stone can imitate regular people? True fact. You can’t tell the difference until they open their mouths. A heart of stone is often characterized by callous sarcasm.

The true definition of sarcasm? The dictionary doesn’t skirt the issue: the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. It’s that subtle or not so subtle, biting humor. It comes from years of pain. In the real world this sarcastic wit is far too often accompanied by the disclaimer: JK. (Just kidding!) Don’t believe that for a second.

My experience happened when I was an oncology R.N. That’s a little scary to admit as well. As a writer I’ve written the sarcastic character and their journey to change often in my Love Inspired novels.

Two that come to mind right away are Will Sullivan in my debut novel The Rancher’s Reunion and my latest hero, Joe Gallagher in Rocky Mountain Cowboy. Will battles with the knowledge that he may have the same Huntington’s Disease that slowly destroyed his father. Joe is a transradial amputee who lost his arm in a farming accident he blames himself for.

When the heart of stone turns to a heart of flesh the result is a true Godly humor. Did you know that there are dozens of verses about smiling, laughing and humor in the Bible?

Stop and give that some thought.

Laughter is a gift from God.

The spirit of rejoicing, joy, and laughter is our heritage. The Bible says so. Psalm 119:111 “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”

Humor is not only our heritage. It’s good for us.

From Psychology Today: "Your blood pressure and heart rate drop below normal, so you feel profoundly relaxed. Laughter also indirectly stimulates endorphins, the brain's natural painkillers."

Will Sullivan and Joe Gallagher lighten up as they grow up in the Lord. They embrace their heart of flesh and their sarcasm changes to joyful humor. Apparently, God understands the character arc too. Who knew?

Joe rubbed his hands over his face and started to pray. Hopefully the good Lord wasn’t laughing so hard at how he’d messed up his life that He would miss the prayer that was just sent up. After all, He wasn’t used to hearing from Joe so often. He might not even recognize his voice. - Rocky Mountain Cowboy.

Humor. Laughing out loud, it’s a good way to live, and a good way to end this post.

If you have a good joke, I’d like to hear it. Or if you identified with the heart of stone, do share. I hope I’m not the only one!

Leave a comment today for an opportunity to win a copy of her latest release from Love Inspired, Rocky Mountain Cowboy and an Out of Print tote. Two winners chosen randomly by our lovely hostess.

And for more chances to win, scroll on down!

Tina Radcliffe is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, a 2014 Golden Quill finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. In 2016 Safe in the Fireman’s Arms was a Holt Medallion Merit Award finalist and a Detroit Bookseller’s Best finalist and a NERFA finalist. She has won first place in over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. Tina is also a short story writer and has sold over twenty short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance. Find her at http://www.tinaradcliffe.com where you can sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss her fun giveaways and bad jokes.

CONNECT WITH TINA:  website,  facebook (Seekerville),  twitter

Title:  Rocky Mountain Cowboy
Author: Tina Radcliffe

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date:  December 20, 2016
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction 

A Cowboy's Second Chance 

The last person cowboy Joe Gallagher thought he'd see on his ranch was high school sweetheart Rebecca Anshaw Simpson. Twelve years after she married another man, she's back as his physical therapist. But healing his body is nothing compared to guarding his heart from the woman he never forgot. There's much the single mom would rather forget, but Becca won't let regret and a surly rancher get in the way of her job and the chance to start over with her little girl. She has only a few weeks to make peace with her past. But Becca never expected she'd fall all over again for her first love.

Check out my review from earlier today, HERE.
TO PURCHASE A COPY

   

(2) winners will win a copy of Rocky Mountain Cowboy and an Out of Print tote.

US. Mailing addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

                                                                                                                                                                                

Thank you for reading my posts. For full blog information and links to giveaways, head over to the blog: http://justcommonly.blogspot.com.