Fon James

Sharing is Caring!

2011-05-06T14:17:00.001-05:00

To share is to care. Please remember to share your time, energy, and smiles with others.

It's A Boy!

2011-05-06T11:35:00.002-05:00

It's a boy!

Fon James Blog Has Moved

2010-09-23T10:26:00.001-05:00

Please visit me in my new spot...www.fonjames.com

So ready, you can hardly stand it

2010-03-30T09:10:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been so ready for something to happen that you can hardly stand to wait for it? Many of us experience this often when we have done everything we needed to do, we are now just waiting on our blessing. When it starts taking a while, we get anxious and antsy, right?

I want to encourage you today to enjoy the wait. Hold up, I know what you are thinking and I thought the same thing too when I wrote this, but I am hear to tell you that there is often a blessing in your waiting.

In a society where everything is instant, we sometimes don't get why this or that is taking so long, but in all honesty, the reason you are in waiting mode is because there are a few details that must take place in order for you to step into your destiny. You don't know what those details are, but during your wait, you have to trust God and know that He'll give it to you in due time...because as Dotty Peeples sang...He's an on-time God...yes He is.

Coach Fon's Journaling Assignment
What are you waiting on? How would you feel about waiting a little longer if you knew there was a blessing in your wait?

Be Blessed, Be Encouraged, and remember, life is more about the journey and not the destination.

Coach Fon
CoachFon@FonJames.com

What are you waiting on?

2010-02-16T08:53:00.006-06:00

Over the past weekend, I enjoyed some quality time with my husband and daughter. We went to the park and my daughter enjoyed sliding and swinging. This was our first time taking her to a "real park." We had taken her to the play area in our neighborhood to slide one time before, but this time we took her to the big park. She absolutely had a blast and so did we! I was thinking to myself...what took us so long to do this? I was so relaxed and just enjoyed being outside in the sun spending time with my two most favorite people.

It made me start to ponder the thought, "What am I waiting on to live the life I often dream of living?" Have you ever wanted to live a certain lifestyle or experience certain things? Like being able to take a stroll in the park or just simply enjoy a nice bubble bath every once in a while? How many of us delay life waiting on perfect circumstances? Does this sound familiar: As soon as I get married, then me and my husband or me and my wife will go to the park; When I have kids, then I will go the park; When I move into a nicer house with a nicer bathroom, then I will take bubble baths. When I do this or that, then I will do this or that.

Let my experience be a nice reminder that if you wait too long, you will end up missing out on all life has to offer. We have to consciously choose to live life everyday the way we want and desire to live it.

I encourage you today to stop waiting on perfect circumstances and just start living the life you want today. Go to the park before the spouse and kids. Enjoy a bubble bath in your current bathtub. Whatever you are waiting on, make up your mind to start doing it now. Experience the life you want today by simply living that life today. You'd be amazed at how blessed you are already and how if you simply make up your mind, you can start experiencing some things right now.

Coach Fon's Journaling Exercise:
Write down three new things you have been putting off experiencing because you were waiting on something else to occur? Write down when you will start experiencing it and what feelings you want to feel as you are experiencing it. Set the tone for your experience and it will happen exactly as you desire.

Be Blessed and Encouraged and remember...life is about the journey, not the destination.

Coach Fon
www.fonjames.com

Enjoyed what you read today? Subscribe to this blog for weekly encouragement.

What are you being called to do?

2010-02-08T09:51:00.005-06:00

Why is it that most of us are called to do something, but are afraid to step out there and do it?

You may be called to be in the medical field, or you may be called to speak, teach, and of course some of you may be getting the preaching call (as the old folks used to say, some are called and some just went!). Make sure you are getting the preaching calling! Okay, so back to my question. For those that have been called to do whatever, why are you not doing it? What's got you stuck?

Being able to identify what's got you stuck is a huge breakthrough moment in moving forward. A lot of times the answer is simply fear. Often defined as False Evidence Appearing Real, FEAR has kept up from living on purpose for God. What are you afraid of?

If you're wondering what may be holding you back from what you know in your heart you are being called to do or you want to explore the fear you may be experiencing, then send me an email for a complimentary life coaching session (CoachFon@FonJames.com)

Awareness is the key to unlocking your stuck state-of-mind.

Be Blessed and Be Encouraged!
Coach Fon

Your Purpose May Come from The Pain

2010-02-02T14:35:00.004-06:00

When I coach my clients, there is always something that comes up in the session that seems to cause them pain. Whether it's a lack of something or a desire for something that is so heavy, they just can't seem to fathom waiting any longer. Whatever it may be, it's creating this sense of pain for them. But how many of you know that your purpose may come from that very pain?

See when you go through things, God has a way of getting the glory out of it, which translates into purpose, and you may be fulfilling His purpose through the pains you're having to endure. The great thing is God doesn't let us endure the pain without Him. He provides us with His unconditional love, grace and mercy.

I hear you. You're saying, but Coach Fon it's just unbearable and I am tired of the pain. I am ready for a change right now. You're right, you may very well be tired of going through it, but I'm here to tell you that you are currently building character and growing your faith through that pain, which may be helpful for your purpose.

Whatever you're dealing with today, consider it part of the process and part of the journey you must take for you to be who you need to be in order to serve God and live out His purpose for your life.

Be Encouraged and Be Blessed...and today...Be Strong!
Coach Fon
www.fonjames.com

But Ma, I don't want to!

2010-01-20T13:51:00.006-06:00

Sometimes in life, you have to do things you really don't have a desire to do. For some of you, it's going to work, for others it may be helping your kids with homework and for most of us, paying bills ranks at the top of the list. But I want to encourage you today with this thought: the very thing you probably don't want to do doesn't take much for you to do it. "OH WOW Coach Fon, never thought of it that way."

See a lot of times, we spend more time dreading what we have to do, than actually performing the task itself, which makes it seem like it takes forever to do it. Of course our attitudes play a major role because our hearts desire one thing, but our responsibility tells us, we have to do it. As a life coach, I would ask you...Why do you have to do it?

You probably gave a reason why, but I encourage you to change your thoughts about what you are doing and ask yourself why. If it's necessary for you to do it because you need to work to pay bills or need to help the kids be their best by helping them with their homework, then you know why you must do it.

Once you clarify your why, then you can change your attitude and thoughts. Instead of saying "I have to go to work" or "I have to help the kids with their homework" or "I have to pay bills," change your statement to: "I want to go to work because_________." or "I want to help the kids with their homework because_______."

By simply changing the way you think about the task, you free up your energy blocker and get it done faster and feel even more accomplished because you understand why you are doing it.

Remove the "But, Ma I don't want to" attitude to a "I want to because____" attitude.

Be Encouraged and Be Blessed!
Coach Fon

Coach Fon says...Be thankful and break it down!

2010-01-05T10:45:00.010-06:00

go
What will you be thankful for this time next year...that means in January 2011, what will you be glad you did this year?

In order to accomplish everything God has planned for you to accomplish this year, you must stay close and communicate with God on a daily basis. Whether you goal is to be more this or less that, keeping God at the center of everything you do will lead to a more victorious win at the end of the year. Got a lot that you want to accomplish this year?

A good way to break down your goals is to create quarterly goals. What will you have completed by the end of March? What about the end of June? And so on...
If you break down your tasks into smaller, bite-sized pieces, you will regain the power you need to get them done. How do you eat an elephant...one bite at a time.

Often times, we get bogged down and become overwhelmed with all the things we are trying to do and we end up doing nothing. Break them down and prioritize them based on where you are in your life right now. Things that don't really matter...scratch them from the list and from your thoughts. They're simply taking up space.

Create your quarterly goals from your yearly goals. Then break down your quarterly goals into monthly goals. Then break down your monthly goals into weekly goals. Then break them down into daily goals. Then break your daily goals down into morning, afternoon, and night.

As you can see, that's a lot of breaking it down, but the more you can break it down, the easier it will be to reach your goals.

I encourage you today to be thankful and to break it down.

Be Blessed and always stay encouraged in 2010!

Please Note: This blog will now be updated every Monday. Yep, I am breaking it down...to a weekly encouragement blog. Check back on Mondays for updates or subscribe to the blog to get updates automatically.

Coach Fon

Oops, it's almost year end and I still need to...

2009-11-23T15:59:00.002-06:00

Hey Friends,

Does that sound like you: "Oops, it's almost year end and I still need to ___________."

Many of us set out in 2009 to make this our year. We had dreams of doing big things with taglines, like: "Shine in '09" or "It's my time in '09," but this year has come and there are only a few more weeks left for us to shine in 2009.

Where are you with those goals you set out to achieve? If you look at your list and see that there are still many things to do, you may be suffering from a syndrome called: setting unrealistic expectations. But I want to quickly follow that with, it's okay, you'll do better next time.

But back to the unrealistic expecations: we often start out a new year full of momentum to conquer the world, but then we start slowing up and losing momentum and before you know it, we're all out of gas and left on empty to complete our goals. We know they are still there, because we spend the rest of the year worrying about not reaching them and kicking ourselves for aiming too high. Let me encourage you as you close out this year.

While you may have set high expectations for yourself, you surely had to have accomplished something, if not all things. Congratulate and commend yourself for getting those one or two things done! You did that!!! Now as you reflect on the year and look at what you still need to accomplish, ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is everything on my list still important to me?

2) What's a more realistic deadline for getting this task done?

3) What's the worst that could happen if I don't get it done?

4) How will I feel once I get it done?

When you answer that last question, you connect to the core reason why you are putting that item on the list. Sometimes we say we want to do things, but lack motivation to get them done. Usually that's because deep down, it really doesn't matter if we get it done or not, it's just one of those things we feel we need to do. But it's not that important to us, because otherwise we would have gotten it done.

As you plan out the rest of the year with Thanksgiving gatherings and Christmas celebrations, check your list twice and make sure that what's on your list, really matters to you. If not, give yourself permission to let those items go. You'll feel relieved, and you'll now have the room to plan for 2010...but remember the lesson your learned from 2009, and make sure your plans are realistic for you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember, it's hard to be negative and thankful at the same time. Carry the spirit of Thanksgiving with you always and negative energy won't have a chance!

Be Encouraged and Be Blessed,

Coach Fon
www.fonjames.com

Fon James November 09 Appearances (Jackson, MS)

2009-10-30T10:34:00.003-05:00

Hey Mississippi...I'll be there soon!
Check me out at the following stops:

Thursday, November 5th
12:30 p.m.
WLBT Channel 3 - Midday Mississippi Show

Thursday, November 5th
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Ridgeland, MS (off of I-55 N)

Friday, November 6th
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
JSU Campus Bookstore (JSU Homecoming Weekend)
Jackson, MS

Saturday, November 7th
JSU Homecoming Parade and Football Game
Jackson, MS

For more information about appearances or to book me for your next event...visit: www.fonjames.com

Excerpt from new novel Forward March

2009-06-04T11:08:00.007-05:00

Hey everyone,
Here is an excerpt from my new novel coming out this summer called, Forward March.

Chapter One

“Ms. Walker, you’ve done it! You scored the multimillion dollar account to do the advertising campaign for celebrity Christian artist and model Shay Praise and Pure Beauty Bars,” Josie Bartrand shrieked. “You’ve only been here for a little over a year and you have managed to win one of the most sought out new accounts in the advertising industry!”
“Well, Josie, it’s all in a day’s work. I knew I was cut out for this stuff,” Faith blushed. She had done her thing selling the folks over at Shay’s company and Pure Beauty, convincing them to go with Elite Advertising as their newest advertising firm. “But I couldn’t have done it without the entire team though. I may have come up with the ad concepts, but I definitely didn’t do the art work. Malik did his thing too, isn’t that right Malik?” she asked as he walked past the glass doors of her 30th floor office.
Since moving from Mississippi to San Francisco, Faith had made her mark in the advertising world. Many of the employees at Elite had heard about her achievements, but she didn’t want to rest on her previous accomplishments, she knew in order to move up in the ad world, she had to hit them with something big and this big deal was just that.
“If it ain’t the big-timer who got us the big deal,” Malik schmoozed. “I am just happy to be a part of your team Faith. I mean, I am just elated that we work together,” he laughed.
Faith and Malik had been cool since she landed in San Francisco. He had been the one to pick her up from the airport and take her around town to show her all the hot spots. As one of only a few African-Americans in the company, Elite made sure they sent someone they thought Faith could relate to. She was glad they had. There was nothing more irritating than being new and trying to get to know someone who wasn’t cool or acting stuffy. Being from Mississippi, the hospitality state, Faith knew when she saw Malik, everything would be a-ok!
“Whatever Malik! You know we couldn’t have landed this deal without your magic graphic fingers! We did this together… along with the rest of the team,” she said while clearing her throat and correcting her statement before someone took offense. She and Malik knew exactly who won the account with the African-American celebrity. It was them! The other people were simply on the project team.
As more people stopped by to congratulate Faith on a job well done, she realized that this career had been a great choice. While at Jackson State, she had often dreamed of landing a big time deal that would take her over the top, but she always knew she had to remain grounded, so after everyone left her office, she talked to the real man who had made this deal possible.
Lord, it’s me. I just want to thank you for this deal. I know that I couldn’t have done anything without you. I thank you for putting me with the right people like Malik and for making us successful. Lord, I thank…
Before she could finish her statement, Anastasia busted into her office.
“Faith, girl you did your thang huh. All that overtime with Malik really paid off. I thought you guys were just up here messing around during those late night hours.”
Controlling the pupils of her eyes that she absolutely wanted to roll, Faith swiveled her chair to meet Anastasia face to face.
“Hi Anastasia,” she acknowledged her presence with a dry tone. “Do you ever knock before just barging into people’s offices? I could have been on the phone or something.”
“You didn’t look like you were doing anything to me. You looked like you were sleeping. So you’re lucky I came in here before one of the manager’s stopped by and saw you slacking off already. Don’t think because you got that new deal they ‘re still not watching us.”
Other than Faith and Malik, Anastasia was the other lone African-American at the company. She was an administrative assistant and always seemed to speak negative every chance she could get. Faith wasn’t trying to hear anything negative today though. Not after landing one of the biggest deals to ever hit Elite.
“What’s up Ana? What is it that you want?”
Anastasia moved around to Faith’s side of the big contemporary espresso-colored desk and sat on the edge and crossed her legs. “Look, don’t be acting all brand new because you did something big. You are still black and they are still only going to let you go so far. You hear me Faith. Them people will only let you go so far before they cap your butt! Look at me. Shoot, I started as a temp and I haven’t gotten anything from them other than a permanent assistant job. Don’t you know I gots one of them fancy degrees too?”
Faith noticed her chest heave up and down as she breathed out a sigh. She wasn’t in the mood today to hear Anastasia’s, poor-black- woman-who-can’t- move- up- in- the- corporate- world, story. It was beginning to get old. Plus adding an ‘s’ to the word “got” made her sound like she didn’t have a degree.
“Ana, I appreciate you coming in to let me know that I still haven’t arrived yet. I will make sure I kick my A game up and be ready for whatever the corporate big wigs try to throw my way. Thank you, girl. You really do know how to keep a girl on her toes.”
“Oh you welcome Faith. You know I got your back. We’s got to stick together you know. That’s how they do. They stick together and get each other jobs and everything. By the way, I heard that Cynthia is considering hiring a junior account executive to assist you with the new account. Think you can put in a good word for ya girl?” Anastasia popped her gum and switched it from the left to the right while waiting on an answer. Faith didn’t know what to say. There was no way she was going to recommend her. What would that do to her reputation? Everybody knew that Anastasia was looking for a hand-out anytime a job came open, whether she qualified for the job or not. She just wanted a hook-up.
“Quick Faith, think of something to get out of this,” she said while frantically wracking her brain. Just as she was about to try to think of something, Cynthia walked in. “Thank you God because I know you didn’t want me to lie to that girl.”
“Hi Faith,” Cynthia said with a perky voice. Then she half-heartedly spoke to Anastasia, which Ana took as her cue to dip out of Faith’s office.
“Just wanted to come by and commend you again on a great job.” Faith noticed Anastasia still lurking by the door, making eye and hand gestures behind Cynthia as if to say with her eyes, “hook a sistah up.” Faith diverted her attention back to Cynthia just in time to nod and smile.
“So what are your plans to celebrate? We would love to take you out for drinks if you are down?” Faith hated when her managers tried to act like they were as young as she was. Cynthia was especially the worst one. She even went as far as trying to dress young with short skirts and tight suits. Cynthia was 55 years old, but unlike most women her age, she kept herself fairly well. Her short pixie hair cut complimented her tanned Caucasian skin and slim build. She wore the latest in designer suits and always smelled of Chanel. Jewelry was her vice. She had to wear something that clanked and banged. You could always hear her coming. It was her signature.
“Well, I was actually thinking about having a little something at my apartment tonight. You know I’m more of a homebody. You’re definitely welcome to come over.”
“Faith, why don’t you let Elite pick up the tab on your house partay. You order what you want from our preferred caterer and have them deliver it. I’ll have some wine delivered from our favorite winery and it’ll be a blast.”
“Well I hadn’t really…”
“Faith, really! Let me do this for you. You deserve so much for all your hard work. So it’s a done deal. Have Anastasia email you the catering menu since she normally handles all of the catering for our office. I’ll tell her what the plans are and she’ll handle everything for you.”
Faith hesitantly accepted. She really didn’t want to have a big shin-dig at her place, but since Elite was picking up the tab, may as well make the best of it. After Cynthia left, she sent Malik an email:
“GUESS WHAT? ELITE IS PICKING UP THE TAB FOR MY GET-TOGETHER AT THE APARTMENT. YOU KNOW IT’S ON FOR REAL NOW. WE GONE HAVE MORE THAN SODA POP. CYNTHIA SENDING THE WINERY OVER. LOL.”
Malik responded almost immediately: “OH THAT’S WHAT’S UP FA SHO. I KNOW I AM GOING TO GET MY BUZZ ON NOW (KIDDING). BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOUR BOY DON’T DRINK. BUT DO MAKE SURE YOU ORDER SOME GOOD FOOD AND NOT ANY OF THAT FOO-FOO MESS WE ALWAYS HAVE HERE AT THE OFFICE. GET SOME WINGS, MEATBALLS, EGG ROLLS, ROTEL DIP. LOL. JUST PLAYING. THEY PROBABLY DON’T EVEN HAVE ROTEL DIP ON THAT FOO-FOO CATERING MENU. LATA.
The next new message on Faith’s email was from Anastasia. “I ALREADY KNOW YOU GONE INVITE YOUR GIRL. CYNTHIA JUST GAVE ME MY PECKING ORDERS, SO JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ME TO ORDER AND I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN “BOSS LADY” LOL. JUST PLAYIN GIRL. DON’T FORGET TO HOOK A SISTAH UP.” Faith laughed. She had pegged Ana perfectly when she was gesturing earlier. She sent her an email back requesting the food and confirmed her attendance for the night time affiar. Just as she was about to close out of her email, a new email popped up. It was him.

End of Excerpt....Craving more...Pre-Order your copy now!

Some Good 'Ole Laughter (te he he he)

2009-04-27T11:04:00.010-05:00

Hey Everybody,
I know that I haven't blogged in a while, but today I just want to come to you for a quick minute and share an encouraging word.

Yesterday at my church (The Fort Bend Church in Sugarland, TX) we had an awesome treat, outside of the wonderful word preached by my pastor. A gospel comedian by the name of Marcus D. Wiley visited our church. Oh my goodness! He was so hilarious! Of course I had heard him before on Praise 92.1 (The Yolanda Adams Morning Show), but just seeing him and hearing him in person was even better than radio. We laughed so hard and I began to wonder why my pastor invited him on Physical Health Sunday.

Well, after we laughed so hard, I understood why. Laughter is truly good for the soul. One of the things that Marcus said in his comedy bit was that you have to choose to be happy. And I agree. Happiness is definitely a choice and you must choose it everyday. No matter what your circumstances are, you can still choose to be happy.

Our congregation laughed soooo hard on Sunday and I began to ponder what it would be like if we could have a "Marcus" moment every Sunday for praise and worship. Wouldn't that be another great way to usher in the Spirit...with laughter? Well even though we won't have Marcus at our church every Sunday, I am choosing to enter into the Lord's house with a smile and an attitude of happiness. As Marcus said yesterday, God is not spooky, He's cool, so let's smile and act like it.

You may be saying, "But Fon, I don't have anything to smile or laugh about." Well I suggest you just think about the goodness of Jesus and how He's blessed you. That's a "te, he-he-he, umph, umph, umph, smile moment right there." I am sometimes referred to as the comedian in my family (me and few others), but I am no Marcus D. Wiley, so if you want to sho nuff laugh, go to Marcus's website or listen to him on Praise 92.1 in the mornings. And you don't have to be in Houston to listen. Praise 92.1 streams live on the web.

Listen and you'll soon be laughing...I guarantee it!

Have a blessed day and don't forget to live, love and laugh today!

Fon

A note from Faith...

2009-04-06T14:34:00.006-05:00

Hi fellow reading fans, this is Faith Walker, from the novel Back and Forth. Just wanted to let you know that I am starring in another Fon James creation. Yes, Fon has brought me back so that you can continue to follow my life after graduating from Jackson State.

As you know, I am now living in San Francisco and I have the best job ever! And I've made some new connections (wink wink). Life is good in San Francisco, but when I allow myself to dwell on the past, I sometimes get a little stuck on it. I mean, I got over the fact that my best friend Chrissy slept with my boyfriend Gavin, guess I should say ex-boyfriend Gavin. Then I got over the fact that they now have a child. And I know you probably thought it was stupid of me to become the child's godmother, but I did it anyway. Oh well, I'm trying to move on with my life, but like I said, when I let my mind drift, I think about all I left in Mississippi.

Well anyway, it was good catching up with you...check me out in the sequel. It's called Forward March! You can pre-order it now on Fon's website. I hope I can march forward with my new life in Cali. Guess we'll see!

Lata,
Faith

P.S. Thanks Fon for letting me write on your blog today!

Not waiting on perfect circumstances

2009-04-02T07:57:00.005-05:00

Have you ever said, I am going to wait until I ____________ before I__________.
I know that I have done it many times. I am going to wait until I get my money right before I buy a home, have a baby, etc. etc. Well praise the Lord, I have a home and a baby, but it didn't happen when I got my money right. It happened because God said it was time to happen.

Listening to God is the key to everything. When God tells you to do something, Do It. Don't procrastinate until you think you got all your ducks in a row. Just do it and watch God line everything up according to His will. In Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT) it says: "If you wait until everything is perfect, you will never get anything done."

What a word from the Lord! We are often paralyzed by the fear of things not being perfect. But guess what, it's okay if it's not perfect, as long as you do your best. We are not going to do everything right, but as long as we have a heart to try and do it right, then that's good enough. So what are you waiting on perfect circumstances to do? Are you holding back because you are already thinking it might not be perfect? What blessings have you missed out on because of your waiting for the perfect circumstances? You probably could have been had what you are waiting on, but because you are waiting on perfect circumstances to do it, you're totally missing it altogether! Think on this: Perfection can be the enemy of Good!

As I kick off a new day, I am just going to do what I know to do. I trust God enough to know that everything I do for Him will work out for good.

Be Blessed, Stop Procrastinating, Live On Purpose, and Trust God with your life...He's the one that gave it to you...so why not!

Fon James

Busy, But Unproductive

2009-03-26T15:47:00.004-05:00

Did you ever work at a fast food restaurant? If not, let me tell you how it was for me. There were peak times at the restaurant when the place was hopping and then there were times when there weren't any customers in the place. But because you were "on the clock," management felt that you had to be "busy" doing something. Even if all the dishes were clean, the floors mopped, or the counters spotless, you still had to wipe them down again or find "something to do" to keep yourself busy, because heaven forbid you just chill until you get busy with customers again.

So you do meaningless tasks that are unproductive but make you "look" like you are earning your pay. You pretend to be wiping down that already clean counter. You restack the napkins that are already stacked. You over fill the cup holder because there are already enough cups there. You check and recheck to make sure you have enough fries and hamburger patties in the freezer. Everything is stocked. Kitchen is clean. Dining Room is clean. Check. Check. Check. There really isn't anything to DO, but you keep DOING.

The same thing happens in a corporate enviroment...has your manager or you as the manager ever said..."look busy, the head guys are coming today."

Why am I bringing this up you ask? Because every now and then, I find myself getting caught up in that fast food mentality of just looking busy. But then I wonder...Am I getting paid for my production or my presence? Am I getting paid for my experience or my extra clean countertop? Am I getting paid for my proficiency when I actually work or my pretended-ness when I'm actually not working? Am I getting paid for results or repetitive tasks that yield no results?

Tell me...why I am here? Why are you here? What are you doing? What are we doing?
Busy, but unproductive. WOW!

The Sequel is Coming..Check Out the New Book Cover!!!

2009-03-06T12:08:00.010-06:00

Faith, Gavin, Chrissy, Remi and Giselle are all back in this explosive sequel where all may be forgiven, but ain't nobody forgot! Will these old college band friends be able to forget the past and march forward?

Forward March is the sequel to Back and Forth. If you haven't read Back and Forth yet, pick up your copy now.

Are you ready to move?

2009-02-20T09:40:00.009-06:00

I heard this awesome song the other day by Carmen Calhoun and in the song, she sang, are you ready to move when God says move. It touched my spirit so much that I shedded a few tears. The lyrics basically say are you ready to move in the visions and dreams He's given you. WOW! What an awesome question!

How many of us have these big dreams and visions of what we should be doing? Remember in the last blog post I talked about "the danger of doing nothing." This song coincides with that message. In order to live out what God has for us, we have to be ready to move when God says move. How many times have we done nothing or the opposite moved when we wanted to move instead of when God said to move?

You have to listen to the voice of God and allow Him to guide you. But when you pray and ask God to guide your feet, be ready to move when He says move! Okay, I am about to shout because that's a good word right there! A lot of times though, we ask God to move us, but we don't take the first step of faith. You have to be ready to move when God says move. So get ready! Have your stuff together. Don't wait until its time to move to start preparing to move!!! Oh my goodness! I am seriously getting ready to shout now!!! Whatever it is that you are dreaming of, do something on it now, because when God says its time to move forward, you gotta be ready!

Well how do I know when God is telling me to move? Glad you asked. God speaks to us, but in order to recognize his voice, we have to have a relationship with him. By reading His word (i.e. The Bible), and talking with him and communing with him on a regular, we become accustomed to His voice. It's just like when you hear your favorite music artist or actress, you know their voice without even seeing them because you have spent time with them by watching their movies or listening to their songs. That's the same way with God. When you talk to Him on a regular, you begin to recognize His voice. He speaks to all of us differently, but it's your relationship with Him that determines how he speaks to you. So when he tells me, "Fon, it's time to move," I know it's him because we talk all the time. The more you talk to Him, the more you recognize when He's talking to you.

Now back to the moving part...when God tells you to do something, you have to be ready. You can't be saying, "Oh hold up God because I need to do this first or I need to do that first. Or I need to run over here real quick and handle this first. You have to be ready!

So ask yourself, are you ready to move when God says move? If not, then Get Ready, Get Ready! Coming from Jackson State University and playing the flute in the famous Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band, you already know I am going to plug our theme song! GET READY!

You can listen to a snippet of Carmen's song, When God Says Move here

To hear Jackson State's Sonic Boom play Get Ready, check out the link below.
(Please note, the band begins with another song called Blowin, but Get Ready follows. Just listen for the Tubas!).
JSU SONIC BOOM

Be Blessed and Be Ready To Move When God says MOVE!
Fon James
www.fonjames.com
Coming Soon...Forward March, a novel...it's the sequel to Back and Forth.

The Danger of Doing Nothing

2009-02-17T09:14:00.001-06:00

Have you ever felt like you were destined to do something big? You have that heart wrenching, gut pulling, butterfly stomach feeling that you are going to make a big splash in this world. You go about your day, your month, your quarter, and you go from year to year to year. Whatever you are meant to do is already rooted in you. But you fail to follow your heart and you just simply do nothing. Or you say, "I am going to wait until I finish school or my kids start school or my husband gets a better job or I get a better job or when I get married or when I lose weight or when my finances get better or when I pay off my debts or next year or next month or tomorrow! And you do nothing.

There is danger is doing nothing. You are not living purposely if you do nothing. God created all of us for a reason. You are not a mistake no matter how you got here. God meant for you to be here and He destined you to do SOMETHING! You were made to accomplish certain things in this life.

Don't get stuck on the "how" you will do it. Just do something and watch God provide everything you need to accomplish His will for your life. If you step out on faith and just simply start it, God will see that you trust Him to guide you through, and He will do just that.

Like the hands in the photo, don't just do nothing...it's too dangerous. Do something and do it today!

Be Blessed,
Fon James
www.fonjames.com
The sequel novel to Back and Forth...COMING SOON!!!!

The Hallway of Opportunities

2009-02-02T09:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday at church, my pastor said sometimes God will open up a door of opportunity or He may even put you in a hallway full of doors with many opportunities behind them. WOW! What a blessing! That gives new meaning to God pouring you out a blessing that you won't have room enough to receive!

I imagined myself in a long hallway (of course) and all up and down that hall were doors. Behind each door was a great opportunity for me! As my pastor says, follow me with your spiritual imagination. As I enter this hallway, the first door I come to is a door where I can have my book on Oprah (yep I said it). Then another door where I can work from home so that I can spend more time with my daughter. The next door was an opportunity to encourage people across the world through speaking engagements. The next door was an opportunity to turn my books into movies!

Do you see where I am going? All along this hallway are opportunities abound...and they are JUS 4 FON! Is anything too hard for God? Nope! I believe that if I have faith in God, if I am obedient to God's word; and if I allow Him to be Lord in my life, then these opportunities are possible, not just in my spiritual imagination, but in my life today! How exciting it is to experience God and know that He can open a door of opportunity, a window of opportunity, and all the while pour you out so many blessings that you won't have room enough! Can you see yourself running down a never-ending hallway!!! Shout with me now!

My hallway is long and I look forward to going through each God-given door. I know that behind each door will be an opportunity from God created especially for me!

God has a hallway for you to...close your eyes and let Him show it to you!

Amazing huh?

Be Blessed,
Fon James

Visit me on my website...www.fonjames.com
The new novel, Forward March, is coming soon! Stay tuned to my blog and website for excerpts and announcements about the novel! Forward March is the sequel to my debut novel, Back and Forth. Haven't read Back and Forth yet, get your copy today on my website: www.fonjames.com

Keep On Moving, Don't Stop...Noooo

2009-01-14T10:15:00.000-06:00

Remember the chorus to that Soul II Soul song: Keep On Moving, Don't Stop...noooo. Maybe you don't remember that part of the song, but today I want to blog about Keep On Moving.

The bible says don't get weary in doing good. What about when you are just weary? LOL. That's what I am today...weary. You know if we don't get adequate rest (or if your newborn keeps you up at night), then you start the day off tired, weary, and sometimes sleepy enough to nod off every once in a while while you are typing (don't hit your head though)! LOL.

Well if you are feeling that way today, like I am, I want to encourage myself and encourage you to Keep On Moving and Don't Stop! We have things to do for the Lord today and we can't stop because we are a little tired. Drink some water and Keep On Moving. Drink a cup of joe and Keep On Moving. Eat a balanced meal today and Keep On Moving. When you feel the sleep coming on, get up and Keep On Moving. That's what I am about to do...GET UP from this computer...because I gotta Keep On Moving.

As I hum the Soul II Soul jam (singing voice) Keep On moving, don't stop, nooooo: I know that God will give me the strength to make it today so that His will be accomplished.

Want to hear and see the video for this Soul II Soul jam? Click here

Be Blessed!
Fon

Creating a Schedule

2009-01-13T08:57:00.000-06:00

Wake up, brush your teeth, wash your face, shower, clothes, eat breakfast, etc. These are some of the things we do on a regular basis (at least you should - lol). From the time we were babies to now, we have led scheduled lives, some more scheduled than others.

Today I want to blog about Creating a Schedule. Since the birth of my daughter, I have pretty much ran my daily schedule based on her. So I've had a baby-led schedule. When it was time to return to work, I didn't adequately prepare and found myself still on my baby's so-called schedule, but yet I was working, so my days were out of sort. I realized a few days ago that in order to accomplish the will of God, I need to create a NEW schedule. Gone are the days of jumping up and doing the aforementioned and running out the door with Eggo Waffle in hand trying to be somewhere at the same time I am leaving the house (yep, I am one of those who believe if I have to be there at 7 a.m., I can lave at 6:55 and make it). Okay I know that I can't, but I try my hardest to do it...which probably stresses me more than I want to admit.

So as I kick off this new year of Getting It Together, Living On Purpose, I am now creating a new schedule for my new life. If I want to accomplish all the things that God has requested of me, I have to now create a better suited schedule. One that includes enough time to study God's word, get enough sleep, eat well balanced meals, be a great mother, wife, employee, and of course, a writer!

There's only so much time in each day, and it's up to me to determine how I will spend it. I thank God for each day and I will honor Him by being a good steward of my time. Want you join me in doing the same?

Tell me...what's your schedule like? I'd love to hear how you manage your time.

Be Blessed,
Fon

Living on Purpose

2009-01-08T12:04:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year fellow bloggers and bloggettes! This is my first blog for 2009 and as I said on my last blog of 2008, I was going to get it together. It's been 7 days already into the new year and I feel like I am trying to play catch up. I've been updating my website (www.fonjames.com) and creating new accounts on Facebook and Twitter (search for Fon James on both), so that I can keep up with all of you, but I feel as though there is much to be done and little time to do it.

Of course I am still working a full-time job, so most of my writing is done outside of work hours. Sometimes I can squeeze in a few words during lunch, but I am mainly confined to writing once I get off work. And with a new baby, that pretty much means I need to run a lean tight ship if I want to ever get anything accomplished. So how does one ever get to a point where they are doing what they are supposed to be doing...or Living On Purpose?

That's my topic for today: Living On Purpose.Often times many of us are thrust into positions, jobs, careers, hustles, etc., just to pay the bills - bills of course that we have created (unless you paying somebody else's bills). We start doing things we are passionate about on the side, and dream of one day making it our main squeeze so to speak.

Over the last year or so, I have been toying with the notion of living on purpose and what that really means for me personally. In order to live on purpose, you have to know what your purpose is and why God put you here on earth in the first place.

How do you figure this out? By communing with God on a daily basis and becoming intimate with Him. Each year, I always say that I want to grow spiritually, which includes reading my bible regularly, meditating, etc. And as most people do with new year optimism, it's good for a while, and then it just falls off.

This year I am vowing not only to grow spiritually, but to live on purpose. I believe part of my purpose in life is to encourage others through the written word. I am always talking to people and telling them how they can make their life better. It dawned on me one day while talking to my mom that I am often the person that people go to when they need encouragement. It took me a while to see the pattern, but now that I do, I realize that this is part of who I am and who God wants me to be. But in order to encourage others to live their best life, I have to be a shining example and live my best life...and I can do that by living on purpose for God.

I pray that I can blog encouraging words everyday to fullfill my purpose, so stay tuned!

Be Blessed and know that God created you uniquely for His Purpose. Seek Him and Your Purpose will follow.

Fon

P.S. The sequel to my debut novel Back and Forth is coming soon. Stay tuned for details and excerpts from the new novel.

Do me a favor, subscribe to this blog so that you can automatically get updates! Thanks in advance.

Getting it Together

2008-12-15T11:06:00.000-06:00

Thanks for reading my blog. I know that I haven't been the best at blogging, but cut me some slack, I just had a baby and life has totally changed for me. It's no excuse, but I am going to use it anyway.

Today I want to blog about "Getting it Together." This morning as I prepared myself for work (I have a corporate gig), I looked at my beautiful daughter's face and she smiled at me and I said to her..."Sweetie, Mommy has got to get it together." Looking at her innocent face, I realized that all the things I want for her, I've got to get myself together in order to make it happen. I can talk, blog, dream about it all day long, but until I actually put a plan together, things will be status quo and I will be looking at her everyday saying the same thing. Consistency is great for babies, but even she will get tired of Mommy saying the same thing with no action.

Just like other parents, I only want the best for my daughter. I want her to have what I didn't have. I want the opportunities in her life to be abundant in nature, and I want to spend my life making sure it happens by the things that I devote myself to.

Therefore I am devoting myself to "Getting it Together." What is "IT?"
My "It" is realizing the dreams that play in my head daily. I want my books to be turned into movies. I want nationwide exposure to my writings. I want to be well-known in the literary world. I want to inspire others to do what God has called them to do...but I can only inspire others to do what I myself am already doing.

Pray for me as I "Get it Together" and I will pray that you do the same.

Be blessed,
Fon

P.S. More blogs to come...really I mean it this time...what's different this time you ask? I am getting it together!!!!

Process Patience

2008-07-09T08:18:00.000-05:00

When you look at life, you realize that pretty much everything has a process. To finish school, you have to go through the process of classwork, studying, research, etc. To get married, you have to go through the process of meeting, dating, learning, growing, etc. To get to the next level in your career, you have to go through the process of learning the job, figuring out the most efficient way to achieve a desired result and sometimes even apply for that promotion or seek out a higher position if it's not given or offered automatically (which is most cases, it's not).

So we see that in life, there is a process for everything. But I wonder, have you ever gotten impatient with the process? Flow with me for a minute...you're ready to graduate from school, but you're tired of the classwork, studying, etc. You're ready to get married, but you're tired of the dating scene and think no one is out there, or the ones that you are meeting just ain't the one. You're ready to go to the next level in your career, but giving 150% is getting old and everyone else seems to be moving up around you. Or like me, you are about to become a parent and you're just tired of being pregnant (LOL)...ya know I had to throw that in there!

Even though the things worth having usually require "going through the process" we must excercise patience in our well doing because eventually the process will come to an end and we will have achieved the desired outcome. So don't get weary in doing right and even if you do get tired, keep on pressing toward your goal. In some cases, you can quit and give up on the process, but don't act surprised at the end result. But in most cases, you just have to practice process patience. In the end, you will be glad you did...then it will be time to celebrate your achievement and your ability to persevere, which will give you the will power in your next process.

Practicing Process Patience... Paysoff.

Continued Blessings,

Fon James
www.fonjames.com
Get signed copies of my book, Back and Forth, for only $12!!!
Visit my website today!

Doing what you love and loving it

2008-07-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while since I blogged, but hey, cut me some slack...I am expecting a baby next month (LOL).

Today I want to blog about doing what you love. How many of us are working other jobs to make ends meet while pursuing our true passions part time, or when we have time? I bet that's more of a majority than a minority. We sit at our desks, do the work that we are paid for (most likely salary paid) and we long for the days when we will be sitting doing something we really do love.

Well, as I continue down this publishing road with no navigational device other than the good Lord ordering my steps, I often ponder when that time will come when I can being doing what I love full time. Now I can sit here and ponder and wonder until time ends, but I realized recently that if I want a change, I am going to have to make that change and do whatever is necessary to get the wheels going. So in essence, you and I need to do what we have to do, in order to get to the point of doing what we love to do, then the final phase is absolutely loving it!

So let's begin together today on July 1st. Get the plan together, work the plan, and let's meet up at that place where we can all say..."I am doing what I love and I am loving it!" See you there soon!

Continued blessings,
Fon James

Staying Focused

2008-05-14T20:45:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to stay focused? Or maybe you've pondered the thought of why it's so hard to develop good habits.

You know how you feel when you prepare the night before and everything runs smoothly? We love that feeling don't we? But if that's not the norm for us, why does it only last for so long?

I've heard that it takes 30 days to create a habit. Have you ever thought about whether or not it took 30 days to learn a bad habit? Sometimes I think it took less than that, but I never paid attention to how many times I didn't prepare the night before. Or when I left those dishes until later. Or procrastinated on getting something done earlier than the deadline required.

I don't know where and when my bad habits were formed, but I do know that I am ready for a change. I am ready to stay focused and get it done without delay. God has a blessing for me, but its up to me not to delay the blessing. I have to stay focused on God and on His will for my life.

Be encouraged and always stay focused on God. At least do it for 30 days so that you can form a good habit!

Much love,
Fon James

A new year...a new adventure...a new Fon!

2008-03-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

Well friends, it's a new year! I haven't blogged in a while and I have very good reason (LOL). The last time I blogged, I was gearing up for my book release and it was a success!

I have sold 1000 books on my own and also more than 100 via major distribution!! Yes that is a great feat in itself and I am very proud that God has tremendously blessed me to do so.

After releasing my book in grand fashion, something else GRAND happened in my life...I learned that God has blessed me and my husband with a baby!!! Yep, I am expecting a baby and I couldn't be more thrilled than I am right now! Married for four years (it will be five in August 08), this new chapter has to be one of the most exciting and anticipating! I look forward to becoming a mommy!

Keep me in your prayers as I move through this journey of motherhood.

Now as far as the book is concerned...if you haven't gotten your copy yet, please do so soon...I am working on the sequel and you wouldn't want to have to play catch up when it releases!

Until next blog,
Be Blessed!
Fon

My debut novel, Back and Forth...Along With a Few of My Favorites!

2007-11-05T13:30:00.000-06:00

Finishing Touches

2007-09-28T12:20:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,
I know I have been MIA for a while and haven't been blogging, but I am here to tell you that I have good reason! The book, the debut novel, my first born literary, is about to go to the printer! Yep, you heard right! I am putting the finishing touches on it as we speak!

So I just wanted to stop by and update you and let you know...November 6th, Back and Forth will be AVAILABLE!!!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!!

Until next time, hit me up on myspace.com/fonjames or fonjames.com!

Lata,
Fon

The manuscript is finished AND Tucker House Publishing is officially open for business!

2007-07-09T12:35:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to update you. One month ago, June 8th, I completed my first manuscript! Yes, it was a long nine month road, but after many excuses and inevitable days of writer's block (or procrastination), I finished it.

Okay, so now the real work has begun. To finish a manuscript is a great feat, but to get it revised, refined, and published is a whole different story.

Journey with me as I move into the next phase of becoming a published author. I am already an author now that I have a manuscript, so I plan to change the verbiage on my blog site from "budding" to just "author"!!!!

Watch out world, I am on my way! By the way, as of today, I am officially a publisher. My new publishing company name is Tucker House Publishing...and guess who will be the first author I publish? Yep, you guessed it...an author by the name of Fon James.

Can't wait to see what God will do by the next blog...look at what he did in one month, I went from budding author to author, and now publisher!!!! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

Stay tuned,
Fon James

Check out Fon in Elissa Gabrielle's June Newsletter!

2007-06-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

Check me out in the June edition of author Elissa Gabrielle's newsletter!

I share the page with many other great authors too. Be sure to check them out and of course, check out Ms. Elissa Gabrielle!

Post a comment and let me know what you think...click on the newsletter now to take a read!

My Short Story Got Accepted!

2007-05-22T15:04:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody,
Guess what, the short story that I submitted to Peace in the Storm Publishing for the upcoming anthology: The Triumph of My Soul was accepted!

I am so excited about this achievement and I can't wait to see my work in print!
I remember the first time I saw my work in print. I was in college and I did an article for our college paper as my first assignment for my journalism class, The Blue & White Flash. The feeling I had was so overwhelming! I remember saying to myself that this is what I want to do. I loved to write and I loved even more seeing my name in print. Those were my words for the whole to see. It felt so rewarding...and that's how I felt when I learned that my short story got accepted!

I look forward to sharing my short story titled: A Mother, Her Son, and THE Father.

P.S. I got the cover of my book!!!! Wanna see it? Visit my myspace page...get the link on Fon's Fav!

Moving Toward Destiny

2007-05-02T07:41:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged since I posted my excerpt. I wanted to give it time to remain on the top of my blog list. But now it's time to move forward toward my destiny of a completed manuscript. Have you ever wanted to achieve something so bad that you try to rush through to get to the finish line? That's how I feel about this book. I am so ready for it to be completed. I am ready to be working on the promotional aspect and the distribution aspect. Now most writers would probably beg to differ, but not me. I do enjoy writing, don't get me wrong, but after a while, you are just ready to cross the finish line and breathe. And breathing for me will be handling the business aspect of being an author.

I look forward to wrapping up my manuscript in the next few weeks. I have a website to create and a book cover to think about. Keep praying for me that I continue moving toward my destiny. I can see the finish line on the other side of the track...I gotta a little more race to run and then it will come soon enough.

Before I go, I want to tell you about how good God is:
I am currently part of several online writing groups. While I like them all, I love the Writers Hut the most. It's a quaint little family atmosphere online where everybody is always pitching in to help out anybody in the family. Well several weeks ago, one of my fellow Writer's Hut family members asked me about starting a Texas tour for Christian authors. Now I just said up above that my manuscript is not finished...stay with me, I'm going somewhere (that's what my pastor always says). So she reaches out to me about this tour. I get excited instantly because I had been praying for God to help me stay disciplined in my writing. And low and behold, he sends author Keshia Dawn my way talking about a 2008 book tour! Not only has this angel encouraged me by asking me to participate in this book tour, she has become a great friend of mine. Now I know God is good, but when He shows out in your life, you have to give Him some sho-nuff praise! I now have accountability to keep moving toward my destiny because I want me and my book to be part of the 2008 tour that I am actively planning; I have a new friend in Keshia; and new friends in my tour family which includes 5 more author friends! Isn't God just so awesome!!! Whatever it is you want, ask God for it and He will provide IT and more!

Be on the look out for the Literarily Saved Christian Book Tour 2008 featuring authors: Keshia Dawn, Cheryl Donovan, Mikasenoja, Betty Knight-Allen, Erica L. Perry, Mimi Jefferson, and you guessed it....Fon James!

We may be coming to your town...check out the website for updates:
www.literarilysavedontour.com

Excerpt from my novel "Back and Forth"

2007-04-17T12:03:00.001-05:00

“Don’t do it!” they all shouted as Gavin pulled his car into the small parking lot. There were several cars in the lot and only two spaces left. Gavin whipped his white 1995 Toyota Camry into the one of the vacant spaces on the end. He had been holding Faith’s hand during the whole ride over.

“Well, I guess this is it Gavin. Are we sure this is what we want to do?” Faith looked into Gavin’s eyes hoping that something in them would give her a signal that this was not the right thing for them to do.

“Faith, we’ve already talked about this for two and half weeks straight. There is no other way. We don’t have a choice. We are just too young to handle such a huge responsibility like this. I mean, we are pretty much kids ourselves. Let’s just do this and get it over with.”

Faith stared at her boyfriend. She loved him so much and he had to be right. Right? What other options did they have? She knew it was wrong, but it was the only right she and Gavin knew at the time. They both had discussed it over the last couple of weeks after she found out.

“Gavin, it’s Faith. Um, we need to talk. Can you meet me in your lobby in about 15 minutes?”

“Faith, you know I am getting ready to leave campus so that I can catch my flight. Girl, you know I love your butt, so don’t be trying to make this little mini-Christmas vacation a big deal. I’ll be back in two weeks and like I said last night, umph last night,” Gavin thought about his Christmas gift from Faith and briefly paused to reflect before finishing his statement.“I will call you everyday.”

“Gavin Tremaine Roberts would you just listen!” Faith nearly screamed into the phone. We have to talk before you go I know what you said last night, but I have to tell you something before you leave and this cannot wait. It’s really important okay baby.” She quieted her voice as she felt herself about to cry. “I’ll be right over okay.”

Faith snapped the purple top back on the pregnancy test and slipped it into her jacket pocket. She tried to zip it in, but the pocket wasn’t shaped right for the stick. “I’ll just hold it in my hand so I can be sure it won’t slip out while running. Should I even be running?” She talked to herself, as the positive results of the test came rushing back to her remembrance? She slipped on her shoes and rushed out the door. Even after nearly screaming at Gavin, her best friend and roommate Chrissy was still sound asleep, so she didn’t even worry about locking the door.

As she made her way across the campus to the men’s freshman dormitory, she wondered what his reaction was going to be. She said a quick prayer and asked God to make everything be okay.

Gavin was standing on the curb like he was waiting on a bus. “Faith, girl you are really tripping. You gone make me late, over here waiting on you like this. What it do baby? Hit me with the info quick or I’m gone miss my flight.”

Faith thought about it and realized she didn’t have time for any antics. So she just blurted it out. “Gavin, I’m… I’m pregnant.” As tears began to roll down her cheeks, Gavin dropped his bag in shock. He instantly grabbed Faith and pulled her close as he stared into the morning sky. Today was supposed to have been a great day. He was going to see his family in the next couple of hours and celebrate Christmas. He silently mouthed, “I’ll be damned.”

Gavin’s best friend Remi pulled his red Chevy blazer up to the curb where the two were standing. “Man look, yall ought to have enough of each other, all that sex yall been having lately. If we gone make this flight, we have to go now.” Remi chuckled, but quickly noticed that neither of his friends were laughing with him. Faith pulled away and looked at Remi with tearful eyes.

“What? What’s wrong man?” Gavin’s eyes were slightly watered too. “Man, would somebody please say something.”

“Remi, give me a minute with Faith, then we can go.” Remi was about to object, but the seriousness in Gavin’s face told him not to. He knew that Gavin would tell him what was going on during the ride to the airport.

“Faith sweetie, we will get through this together okay. I am so sorry I did this to you. I knew I should have used a condom. I am really sorry. I am even sorrier that I have to leave you, but I have to catch this flight if I want to get home for Christmas. I will call you as soon as I get home okay so that we can talk. I love you sweetie.”

And just like that, he and Remi were off. Faith stood there in the cold with her hands still clenching the pregnancy test. She watched as Remi’s SUV disappeared.

Gavin and Faith got out of the car. The protestors were still shouting don’t do it.

End of Excerpt
"Back and Forth" Copyright © 2007 by Fon James

MySpace/My God/My Book

2007-03-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, haven't blogged in a while because I am now on MySpace. The person who said they would never get on myspace finally took the plunge. Now I must admit my addiction to this website. I have found old friends and some new friends on there. Even added some awesome authors on there, which I know will help me network with them from a virtual standpoint.

Well anyway, an update on the book. Drum Roll Please............................
I have my book title!! But first let me tell you how it happened. Let me testify for a minute: I had given consideration to several titles. I probably came up with 7 or 8 and every time I heard a song or read something, I would consider some of the words for my title. One title kept sticking out in my mind and I renamed my outline and started working with it, but I still wasn't quite sure about it. So I did what all Christians do...I prayed about it.

I was ready to put a title on my project, so I asked God to confirm it. I sat at my desk at work and I prayed and asked God to give me a sign. Well within five minutes, I read the words in a book. Then the admin. asst. in my area said the words, then I read them again in a different passage and I just kept hearing it. I was like, okay God, I got it. But the All-knowing One knew I wasn't 100% convinced. So He kept showing it to me in words, and I kept hearing people say it. The exact words were brought to me so many times that I knew it had to be those words. Then it was all confirmed when I asked my fellow writer friend what she thought. You see, God had confirmed it already, but I wanted to make sure I didn't need to add this one word to it. Why do we always try to take over when God already knows what's best for us? We'll discuss that in another blog. So anyway, I asked my writer friend her opinion of the two titles and she totally confirmed it for the final time for me what God had been telling me the whole time.

My first Christian Fiction Novel is titled......Back and Forth by Fon James! I am still working on finishing the manuscript, but I am so proud that my "baby" now has a name!!!!!

More details and excerpts on the book coming soon!

"If we keep climbing, we will eventually reach the top!"

Be Blessed Indeed,
Fon

Delaying Your Blessing

2007-03-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

Well today I want to just blog about delaying your blessing. As I am writing this book, sometimes I just don't feel like writing. I go home, cook dinner, eat, watch TV and just decide that I will write tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes and I do the same thing. After a few days of repitition, I get mad and I give myself an unrealistic deadline as a way to catch up. Then I pray and ask God to help me and give me strength to work on this novel. All I am saying is sometimes God give us what we need, and we still are too lazy to just do it. I mean how far have I delayed my blessing of being an author simply because I didn't feel like writing. I know many authors who struggle with discipline in the craft, and it's such an awesome feeling to reach that plateau of completion (I guess, since I am not there yet), but it has to feel awesome, just like completing any other task you've struggleed with.

So today is a new day, another opportunity to do God's will in your life; whether its writing a book, joining a ministry at church, starting your business, expanding your product offerings of your exisiting business, quitting your job to step out on faith for a new adventure, moving to a new city, or whatever it is...the time is now. We know what we need to do and we know God will give us everything we need to do it...we just have to do it and end the delay on that sho-nuff blessing that is coming your way...just stop the delay and get it done TODAY! Your blessing is waiting on you.

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy:"Get'er done"

Be Blessed,
Fon

Trying to stay focused

2007-03-13T10:51:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I created my new blog and I was all sooooo excited. Now of course I haven't gotten any comments on my blog yet, but that's okay. I really haven't publicized it to the masses.

Anyway, moving on to the topic at hand. It has been a real beast trying to stay focused and write everyday. I always let other things like chores, work, and pure laziness/procrastination stop me from doing what I know I need to be doing. I say to myself, "Self. You have got to do better. This story ain't gone write itself. And the quicker you write it, the quicker you can get it to the intended reader. I know this story is meant for someone or someone(s) and it's up to me to get it done.

Sometimes I feel really good about writing and sometimes and I just feel good about the thought of writing. I know that I have a talent for writing, but I let the fact that I am new author slow me down into thinking I need more training. So what do I do? I read other writer's book with the notion that I am "in training." But in all honesty, I am just "in true procrastination." I know my problem and I admit wholeheartedly, but I know that God can help me through this situation. So I pray every night that God give the strength to finish my writing project and that He gives me the words to say.

Now I know that I am praying for God to give me the words to say, but I am missing them by procrastinating? Yep! And since I know this information, does it make me stop proscrastinating? Sometimes.

I have always beens a pressure writer. What do you mean by that you ask? Well, I always "think" that I write better under pressure, but in actuality I am a forced writer. I write when I am forced to. And I have a hard time being hard on myself or forcing myself to do anything. I don't have any true consequences other than not getting the book finished. Oh well, right? WRONG! I have to get the book finished because someone is waiting on it. That intended reader that I mentioned above is out there waiting on this book so that it can help them learn how to forgive. Yes this book is about forgiveness. Forgiveness from God and forgiveness toward others. So the fact that I don't have anyone forcing me to finish at a certain time, gives me the false liberty that I have all the time in the world...but I know I don't. My goal is to have this book done by year end! And of course breaking that goal down into smaller bites, my more immediate goal is to have the 1st draft done by end of first quarter, which is March 31st. And today is....oh my goodness, let me get to writing. I don't have much time left!

Until next blog, remember don't procrastinate. You are only delaying the blessing that God has in store for you...and that goes for me too!

Fon

Let me catch you up!

2007-03-06T13:30:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,
Welcome to my blog site. I am so excited to be blogging, finally! Well, just to catch you up on where I am with my first novel. I started writing this novel in September 2006. I previously started writing another novel, but it wasn't Christian Fiction so of course I couldn't get the thing off the ground. Then I started praying and asking God to show me what he wanted me to write about and that's when it happened, He gave me this novel. And I am depending on Him daily to keep giving it to me because of course God didn't give me the entire novel that day! But I know He wants me to depend on Him throughout this process so giving me the novel that day might not have allowed me to "chat" with Him about it daily. God loves for us to "chat" with Him daily. When was the last time you talked to Him?

So fast forward to today...I recently finished revising my outline. A good author friend of mine, Stephanie Perry Moore (See Fon's Favs to check out her website!) helped me gain new direction for my outline. Now of course this is my first book, so I have tons of stuff to learn! But I never really liked outlining before I started writing, so my initial approach didn't quite get it done. So shouts-out to my soror and friend Stephanie for helping me on that front.

Now that I have refined the outline and I know where I am going, I have to start rewriting a couple of areas. You see, I was writing using my original outline, but now that I have refined it, I have to go back. Plus with Stephanie's help, I realized that my chapters sizes were all different...and I learned that you just can't have that kind of inconsistency. I've also been playing around with several titles. We'll discuss that in future blogs...

So now you're caught up on my journey! I know this is going to be a challenge, but I am up for it because I know that I can do all things through Christ...He really does strengthen me. I just gotta work on being more disciplined in my writing...so yall pray for me!

Until next blog...