Category: Life

Grief, Life, Stories, Writing

Memoir Update – Signed Publishing Agreement!

Mark Wayne

It’s official!

*Note: Working title and not actual cover.

Exciting news!!! I have signed a publishing and distribution agreement with Christian Faith Publishing for my memoir. I submitted my manuscript to their review board, they accepted the draft and want to publish my book. Woo-hoo! 😁

Signing the agreement with my daughter!
  • It has been a long journey for sure to get to this point, never stop chasing your dreams!
  • Expected publication date is still to be determined, sometime in early 2021.
  • Lots to be done before then – editing, proofing, typesetting, cover design etc.

I have been busy drafting my author bio and the book blurb. That is harder than writing the actual book. Who knew? 😳

Book teaser >

When did we come to believe the best thing you can do with death is ride off from it? In Cowboys Are Not Supposed To Cry, Mark Wayne tells his story of living a life with grief beginning in his mid-twenties. #Memoir #AmWriting #UpcomingBook #WritersLife

I hope to post some excerpts from the forthcoming book as I go through the editing process as well as other updates here on the blog. So be sure to hit the follow button and sign up for email notifications to get the latest.

*Note: Working title and not actual cover.

I would love to hear your initial impressions or thoughts. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help guide efforts as I move forward in publishing and marketing.

#LiveYourDreams

Life, Photograph

Keep it Simple – Motivation Monday

Mark Wayne

Sometimes the best thing we can do is to keep it simple…

A simple life is often a wonderful life! #Quote #Motivation Monday #MondayBlogs

I know that I often over complicate things which only serves to make my life harder. To let go of the shoulds, the coulds, the musts and the expectations we place on ourselves so easily. The flowers and the trees do not worry about tomorrow they seek the sun and dance in the wind, knowing not what the day will bring. They marvel in the now and live today, may we all do the same for today will too soon be gone.

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #LiveYourDreams

Life, Photograph, Poetry

3 Steps to Get From Here to There

Mark Wayne 
I hold a vision from here to there
Where I can see things of memory
The path lays before me shining crystal clear
As shadows dance silently on the fringe
Overcome by desires that scamper quickly away
While standing still falls a single rolling tear
One small drop that holds all my fears
A haunting serenade redemptive love infringes
Beckons a safe passage to another world
Where angels play beyond the undiscovered
Grace reaches softly no heart left untouched
The broken places cracks desperately patched
This is where the light shines into the pain
A question wells up within as deep calls to deep
How do I ever get from here to there?

3 Tips

  1. Keep your vision in front of you
  2. Seek healing and restoration for others and yourself
  3. Believe that you have something to do or say that someone needs

#LiveYourDreams #JustBelieve #HopeLives #GraceChangesPeople

What dream or vision are you seeking? What first step can you take? #LiveYourDreams #SaturdayMotivation #YouGotThis

This post is a further exploration of an earlier post for “Monday Motivation“ offering I hope some practical tips to help us all get “From Here to There.”

I have used these tips as touchstones on my own journey to get from here to there. Stay tuned for some exciting news coming next Saturday! Be sure to check out that blog post!

3 Tips > 1- Keep your vision in front of you. 2- Seek healing and restoration for others and yourself. 3- Believe that you have something to do or say that someone needs. #LiveYourDreams #SaturdayMotivation #YouGotThis #FromHereToThere

Adventure, Life, Writing

Let Them Deal With It – Motivation Monday

Mark Wayne

There are days my friend when it is all you can do to stand, but stand you must and this is your reminder that if today is one of those days, well…

Sometimes, you just have to let them feel the weight of who you are. And let them deal with it! #Quote #MotivationMonday #MondayBlogs

I believe in you, believe in yourself and believe in the God of the universe for He believes in you. #Encouragement #MondayMotivation #MondayBlogs

You are stronger than you know!

#JustBelieve #LiveYourDreams #GraceChangesPeople

Adventure, Life, Photograph

What does “HOT” smell like?

Mark Wayne

It’s summer time and daytime temperatures are soaring, so let’s talk about the heat. Not in the usual way of how it makes us feel, whether we like it or not but how does it smell?

What does “HOT” smell like? #WickedQuestions #JustWondering #UseYourNose

For me growing up in Southwestern Idaho and in the country these are a few things that when I smell them I know it is “HOT“!

  • Hay bales stacked up over your head
  • Old worn leather of bridles, saddles and boots
  • Dry dusty earth where little clouds of dust poof from every step you take

What about you, what does “HOT” smell like?

God, Life, Writing

Happy Birthday to Me! – Motivation Monday

Mark Wayne

Yes! 😉 Today is my birthday! 🎂 Oh’ happy day right? 😃

Sometimes I am not so sure. What I mean is I have less years in front of me than I do behind me so another birthday is a reminder that time here on earth is finite. Time to get moving, live your dreams, seek your purpose, leave the world and others a little bit better.

AND WHAT GOOD IS A LIFE, THAT LEAVES NOTHING BEHIND, NOT A THOUGHT OR A DREAM, THAT MIGHT ECHO IN TIME ~Trans Siberian Orchestra “What is Eternal” from Beethoven’s Last Night #SongLyrics #Poetry #Music #Questions @trans_siberian

So with that happy thought ringing in your head, a question for you. Do you find a motivating quote, scripture, picture or something else to guide you? As I traverse this life between the eternities I often look to scripture for guidance, inspiration and solace. The following verse gives me strength, hope and comfort when the world seems out of control.

There are many others including quotes and even just photos that often have the same effect in calming my soul. Check out my Wordless Wednesday posts!

What about you? I would love to hear what gives you moments of respite during these chaotic and often confusing times.

#JustBelieve #GraceChangesPeople #LiveYourDreams

Adventure, Life, Photograph

Summertime Fun – Social Distancing Style

Mark Wayne
Leavenworth, WA – July 2020

Our family recently went camping to central WA, between the town of Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee. A wonderful getaway from all the clamor and chaos that is surrounding us all each day with the impacts of the pandemic on our lives.

We went to the small Bavarian town of Leavenworth one afternoon for a couple of hours and had ice cream. And yes we wore masks in the stores, it was nice and the town is pretty cool and unique. I encourage you to visit if you ever get to central WA.

The real joys of the trip was camping, being together and being out in nature. The weather was great, minus the mosquito’s 🦟, warm sunny days and perfect clear nights with a thousand stars. We played in the river, went on bike rides and walks, went on drives into the mountains, had campfires and just hung out as a family.

Nature is my best kind of social distancing. It recharges me and helps me to get back to enjoying the simple and important things in my life.

What is your favorite kind of social distancing?

#Nature #GetOutside #PNW

Life, Photograph

Every Ending is a New Beginning – Monday Motivation

Mark Wayne
“What do you believe in?”

To paraphrase Soren Kierkegaard, life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards. Thus, does it not suggest that our lives are in front of us?

We live, we love, we laugh, we cry, we suffer and we grieve, and only afterwards can we understand the meaning behind the moments.

Go forth today may friends and live, each ending can be a new beginning, it is within our power to chose how we will live this day!

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #LiveYourDreams #CommitIntentionalActsOfKindness

P.S. – August is my birthday month and I plan on celebrating and living it to the fullest! 😉