Thursday, January 31, 2013
AND THE WINNER IS....
The winner of yesterday's book giveaway is....
Heather@creativefamilymoments
- please email lisaphillipsbks@gmail.com with your mailing address and I'll pass it on to Jessica.
Thank you all for stopping by.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Everyone's A Critic: Guest post by Love Inspired Author Jessica Keller
** Jess is giving a way a free signed copy of her new book! The prize goes to whoever leaves the best/sweetest/craziest/funniest/most groan-worthy comment, so check out the questions below and drop us a note. Best of luck to you all!**
As a child Jessica Keller possessed the dangerous combination of too much energy coupled with an over-active imagination. This pairing led to more than seven broken bones and countless scars. Oddly enough, she’s worked as a zookeeper, a librarian, camp counselor, horse wrangler, housekeeper, and finance clerk, but now loves her full-time work in law enforcement.
Former editor of both her college newspaper and literary journal at Trinity International University, Jessica received degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies.She lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, one child, and two annoyingly outgoing cats.
Jessica writes Young Adult fiction and Romance. If you love curling up with a good book, you’re destined to be her new best friend! On her Facebook Author page she has frequent book and cookie giveaways. Don’t miss out.
Remember
the scene in Anne of Green Gables when Gilbert gives Anne his honest opinion
about her story?
“Well,
if you want my opinion, Miss Shirley, I'd write about places I knew something
of and people that spoke everyday English instead of these silly schoolgirl
romances.”
Anne answers Gil by promptly decking him
with her basket. We laugh because she’s so stubborn, but mostly because we feel
like doing the same thing when receive harsh feedback about our own writing. In
the end Anne follows Gil’s advice and sells her manuscript.
My
personal writing journey isn’t very different.
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but
it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It
calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." -Winston Churchill
Negative
feedback. Constructive criticism. Call it what you will, as a writer, we’re
going to come face-to-face with that ugly monster.
Two
years ago, I walked into my first writer’s conference. By an hour into day one,
I was terrified. People were handing out their business cards and showing each
other one-sheets. I didn’t have either. I’d never heard of an elevator pitch.
Trembling, I sat down for my first ever agent appointment. She asked to see my
first chapter and she maybe read the first three sentences before
looking back at me and saying, “You have good ideas, but if this is your best
writing, I don’t see publishing in your future.”
Ouch!
I
thanked her and scuttled away to lick my wounds. There were more classes to
attend that day and needed to put my brave-face on, but tears were spilled
later. Then doubts crept in.
What was I thinking even coming to a
conference? I’ll never be a real author. Stupid pipedream.
I
allowed myself one crummy night. Then I marched back into classes for
the rest of conference and soaked up every bit of information I could.
See,
I had two options. I could allow that agent’s feedback to kill my dream, or I
could use that feedback as a challenge. I chose the latter.
After I came back home I stuck the old
manuscript in a drawer. Then I pulled out four recently published CBA books
that I considered well written. I gave myself one month to read them all,
mapping out their plots as I went. When did hero and heroine meet? During which
chapter was the big problem introduced? When did subplots start popping in? How
often did the author toss us for a loop or throw out red herrings? What sparked
tension? What made me cheer for the characters? I took what I’d learned and
mapped out a whole new story. I gave myself five weeks to write and polish it
Then
came the scary moment … I entered the new manuscript into contests. Not with
the aim to win. No, after that agent’s feedback I didn't consider that even
remotely realistic. I entered to receive professional feedback. I mean,
critiques from friends and fellow unpublished writers are great—but only the
professional will know if it’ll sell in the industry. I didn't want to waste
any more time in my journey pouring over another manuscript that wasn't right,
so I gritted my teeth and pressed send.
Know
what? Learning from criticism paid off.
I
won first in every contest I entered. I received requests for the full
manuscript from every editor who judged my submission. Within that month, I
sent queries to agents. I had offers of representation from all three agents I
sent proposals to. I experienced the elation of signing with my *dream* agent.
At the ACFW Conference I received requests from every editor I pitched to.
All
in less than four months since the day an agent told me she didn't see a future
for me.
The
best news? That manuscript that I wrote…It’s my debut novel, Home for Good.
I
ended up writing a thank you letter to the agent who gave me the challenging
feedback. I thanked her for being honest during our meeting. I've gone
back over that first manuscript and now—with better trained eyes—I can see she
was 100% right. If she had done the easy thing—tell me to send her a proposal
and then sent the rejection later—I wouldn't be as far in my journey as I am
today. Her tough words spurred me on and forced me to grow. I’ll be forever
grateful for her very firm push.
How
about you? Do you seek out professional critiques? How have you learned from feedback?
Home
for Good –
"I made a promise to protect you."
But pregnant Ali Silver's husband broke his vow and walked away from her. After being injured in combat, Jericho has finally come home to Bitterroot Valley to make peace with his father and regain Ali's trust. But the single mom's keeping secrets of her own. And someone's killing off Ali's cattle and sabotaging her horse therapy business. Jericho will do whatever it takes to protect his wife and be a real father to his son. Because when it comes to love and second chances, he's one determined cowboy.
But pregnant Ali Silver's husband broke his vow and walked away from her. After being injured in combat, Jericho has finally come home to Bitterroot Valley to make peace with his father and regain Ali's trust. But the single mom's keeping secrets of her own. And someone's killing off Ali's cattle and sabotaging her horse therapy business. Jericho will do whatever it takes to protect his wife and be a real father to his son. Because when it comes to love and second chances, he's one determined cowboy.
As a child Jessica Keller possessed the dangerous combination of too much energy coupled with an over-active imagination. This pairing led to more than seven broken bones and countless scars. Oddly enough, she’s worked as a zookeeper, a librarian, camp counselor, horse wrangler, housekeeper, and finance clerk, but now loves her full-time work in law enforcement.
Former editor of both her college newspaper and literary journal at Trinity International University, Jessica received degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies.She lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, one child, and two annoyingly outgoing cats.
Jessica writes Young Adult fiction and Romance. If you love curling up with a good book, you’re destined to be her new best friend! On her Facebook Author page she has frequent book and cookie giveaways. Don’t miss out.
Twitter:
@AuthorKeller
Links to purchase Home for Good
Comment for your chance to win a free copy. The winner will be announced on this blog on Thursday!
How about you? Do you seek out professional critiques? How have you learned from feedback?
How about you? Do you seek out professional critiques? How have you learned from feedback?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Publisher Robert Sweesy
Join Lisa Buffaloe on Living Joyfully Free Radio as she visits with Robert Sweesy!
Robert Sweesy has been in involved with retailing the last sixteen years with Family Christian Stores. He has a heart for missions, discipleship, and men’s ministry. He’s been blessed to travel to South Africa and Guatemala on short term mission trip, and will be returning to Guatemala in March to help build homes for widows and feed hungry kids.
Robert writes, “I have seen God move in my relationships, my company, my family. Walking with God daily in this love affair is what keeps me alive. I’ve seen God deliver funds right as our family needed them. Beyond all of that I’ve seen Him soften hearts, most importantly mine.”
He is the owner of Endurance Press, a fresh new publishing company based on Hebrews 12:1. He writes, “our books reflect the fact that all of us are in the race of life. We all have sins and habits that hold us down. In order to run with Endurance we must shed those things that hold us back.”
Robert and Lisa discuss running the race with endurance, Christian retailing, publishing, and more!
Visit Robert Sweesy at Endurance Press ... www.endurancepress.com
Books by Endurance Press
Bethany Light is the daughter of a minister who can’t forgive her father for running off with the church secretary. She goes to her own pastor for counsel, never expecting to fall in love with him. To make matters worse, she’s personal training his fiancé in preparation for the big day and somehow ends up in their wedding.
Refusing to make the same mistake her dad made, Bethany tries to focus on fixing her family rather than face her own issues. How could a household that used to have it all together have fallen so far from grace? And how can she keep from following in her father’s footsteps when it feels so right?
With evocative, fresh dialogue, mixed with humor and real-life stories, Fire Song invites us to discover our purpose and place in the ancient, unfolding drama we find ourselves in-the story that began in Eden, and defines who we are and what it means to be human. Most of us feel disconnected from this story, as if we’ve been set adrift and donʼt know the way home. But we retain a memory, however faint, of the way we were and ought to be-but no longer are. Like the echo of a melody we never learned but once knew by heart, the ancient story burns within us and beckons us to sing again.
Fire Song asks us to consult our intuitions, common sense and intellect to consider the existence of God, the nature of creation, the reality of the soul and the purpose of life, in addition to questions surrounding the possibility of historical knowledge and Biblical authority, the problem of evil, person of Jesus and what it means to be human. The result is a disarming but compelling invitation to find Jesus at the center of our story as the best example of humanity, and our only hope of living like full human beings again.
Robert Sweesy has been in involved with retailing the last sixteen years with Family Christian Stores. He has a heart for missions, discipleship, and men’s ministry. He’s been blessed to travel to South Africa and Guatemala on short term mission trip, and will be returning to Guatemala in March to help build homes for widows and feed hungry kids.
Robert writes, “I have seen God move in my relationships, my company, my family. Walking with God daily in this love affair is what keeps me alive. I’ve seen God deliver funds right as our family needed them. Beyond all of that I’ve seen Him soften hearts, most importantly mine.”
He is the owner of Endurance Press, a fresh new publishing company based on Hebrews 12:1. He writes, “our books reflect the fact that all of us are in the race of life. We all have sins and habits that hold us down. In order to run with Endurance we must shed those things that hold us back.”
Robert and Lisa discuss running the race with endurance, Christian retailing, publishing, and more!
Join Lisa Buffaloe as she visits with Robert Sweesy.
Visit Robert Sweesy at Endurance Press ... www.endurancepress.com
Books by Endurance Press
Bethany Light is the daughter of a minister who can’t forgive her father for running off with the church secretary. She goes to her own pastor for counsel, never expecting to fall in love with him. To make matters worse, she’s personal training his fiancé in preparation for the big day and somehow ends up in their wedding.
Refusing to make the same mistake her dad made, Bethany tries to focus on fixing her family rather than face her own issues. How could a household that used to have it all together have fallen so far from grace? And how can she keep from following in her father’s footsteps when it feels so right?
With evocative, fresh dialogue, mixed with humor and real-life stories, Fire Song invites us to discover our purpose and place in the ancient, unfolding drama we find ourselves in-the story that began in Eden, and defines who we are and what it means to be human. Most of us feel disconnected from this story, as if we’ve been set adrift and donʼt know the way home. But we retain a memory, however faint, of the way we were and ought to be-but no longer are. Like the echo of a melody we never learned but once knew by heart, the ancient story burns within us and beckons us to sing again.
Fire Song asks us to consult our intuitions, common sense and intellect to consider the existence of God, the nature of creation, the reality of the soul and the purpose of life, in addition to questions surrounding the possibility of historical knowledge and Biblical authority, the problem of evil, person of Jesus and what it means to be human. The result is a disarming but compelling invitation to find Jesus at the center of our story as the best example of humanity, and our only hope of living like full human beings again.
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Journey: An update by Lisa Phillips
Many many eons ago (probably about 18 months) I posted this article about "Confidence" on my then blog. Today I'd like to check-in with an update on what God has been doing in my writing. Hopefully it will encourage you!
"Lately I feel like I’ve been suffering from a lack of
confidence. I’m unpublished, but I’ve completed one novel which has since been
shelved. (No, I don’t want to talk about it. Except maybe to say that I’m 25
rejections closer to publication now. J) Right now I’m simultaneously writing books 2 and 3, which are completely
different, and have different places in the Inspirational market and in my
career as I see it playing out.
Wow! In case you haven't heard, I got my first contract last October, with Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense. Isn't it funny how we have a plan, and God has a plan... *chuckles* I did end up submitting that book 2, which got rejected too!
"While I’m slogging away getting the first draft of both of
these down, it’s hitting me that I’m lacking in motivation. Not because I was
up half the night with the baby and now I can’t see straight. It’s more of an, ‘If it’s not going to go
anywhere, what’s the point in doing it’, crossed with ‘why am I doing this now,
and not when my kids are in school?’
Blech.
Confidence is defined as trusting in yourself and your
abilities. I read somewhere it’s a logical assessment of your abilities."
Writing certainly feels like a slog sometimes, doesn't it? There's a word count goal for the week and a chapter outline. And you're knee deep in type type type type and wondering where that first blush of new love for the idea has gone. We start to wonder if it's really worth it.
"For Christians, sometimes we make confidence out to be a
dirty word, since we’re all supposed to be meek and humble followers. But you
know what? God has confidence in me, so I’m going to have confidence that He hasn't stuck His neck out for me without a reason. He didn't gift me just so he
can leave me with nothing.
For me as a writer, this means trusting in what I've learned
and the ways I’m putting that knowledge to use. It means doing everything I
can, to be the best writer I can be. To make my manuscript the best it can be.
Then make the best pitch, to the best agent/editor I can find for the project.
La la la. Happy happy. Published books. Awards. Vacation.
;-)"
Bestsellerdom, an Aston Martin.
Whatever success looks like, I'm still learning to trust God and what He's teaching me. With each new book I'm having to go back and work my way through the baby steps of constructing a complete story. I have to offer it up to Him, because it's my ministry.
"In the meantime, I’m still wading through a mountain of
laundry, pictures of princess fairies, my new job at my church bookstore,
meltdowns, and dirty diapers but with
this in mind:
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun
a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil
1.6 NKJV
God is doing something. And I don’t have to know exactly
what it is; I just have to run with it. Key word: run. I’m a firm believer in
accelerator to the floor, full speed ahead, living."
Well, there's still a mountain of laundry and the baby still wakes up in the middle of the night (he's 2--can I get an, "Oy" from all you mom's!). But that scripture still rings true. God is faithful and He's working.
Lisa Phillips is a Fliterary contributor. Her website is www.lisaphillipsbks.com and she can usually be found on Twitter @lisaphillipsbks. Her first novel will be published later this year.
A question to all my fellow runners: What keeps you going?
How do you run with the assurance that you’ll make it in the end?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Kathleen Y'Barbo's new release, Flora's Wish!
Welcome to Fliterary! We love
making new friends.
Let’s sit together on the swings
and you can introduce yourself:
You have a new book out, what’s it about?
My newest release is Flora’s
Wish, book 1 of the Secret Lives of Will Tucker series from Harvest House
Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly said about Flora’s Wish:
“Fans of post-Civil War stories set in the South will find much
to enjoy in Y’Barbo’s first in the Secret Lives of Will Tucker series. “Fatal
Flora,” called such because of the deaths of four of her fiancés, is eager to
marry Will Tucker when she meets up with him in Eureka Springs, Ark. Instead
she discovers Lucas McMinn, a Pinkerton agent also searching for Tucker. Their
initial meeting results in Flora Brimm of the Natchez Brimms in handcuffs and
trying to explain to her proper and formidable grandmother what’s going on.
Flora and Lucas seem destined to work together on the case, with Lucas vowing
Tucker is guilty and Flora saying he isn’t. As they get to know each other,
Lucas discovers Flora is more than a spoiled Southern belle and she discovers
Lucas is more than a stubborn Pinkerton. But will Flora marry Tucker to save
her inheritance? Historical romance fans will adore this charming story.”
Where can we buy it?
If we invited your main character to sit with us, how would she/he
react?
Pinkterton Lucas McMinn would
probably be impatient. He’s not the type to sit and chat. Flora Brimm, however,
is the consummate Natchez belle and would not only be polite but would likely
offer to pour tea.
What would they say? What advice would they give?
Flora would tell you that getting
ahead of God is a dangerous thing to do. Lucas, however, would say that no
matter how good revenge feels, it’s neither our place nor a good idea to make
the attempt.
If any one person from history could sit with us, who would it be and
why?
I could name dozens of people, so
this is a tough one. What about Vincent Van Gough? I love his work and would
really be interested in a conversation with him.
Why did you choose to be a Christian writer and what does it mean to you?
Becoming a Christian was a
process for me. I was in church for years before I was challenged to take my
relationship with Jesus to a deeper level. Before I had a religion, now I have
a relationship with Jesus. Big difference.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write. Often. Edit. Write more.
Repeat!
Where can we find you on the web?
You can me at my website: www.kathleenybarbo.com or via social
media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathleen.ybarbo
and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kathleenybarbo
Thank you so much for stopping by
for a visit!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Three Quick Tips for Self-Editing by Lisa Phillips
1. Whatever your character is feeling, make sure you don’t NAME the emotion.
As a reader I don’t connect with this statement. But it you
say,
John slammed his cup
down and some of the liquid sloshed out onto the table. A fire raged in his
stomach and the heat of it burned on his cheeks. Who did this guy think he was?
“I can’t believe you just
said that.”
That? Totally different, because I know what that feels
like, so I feel it along with the character.
2.
Do a search (“find” in word) for every time your
character ‘thought’ or ‘knows’ something or if they ‘wonder’.
This is a violation of what’s called ‘Deep Point of View’. Think about it. In your brain, you don’t
think: “Hmm..I wonder how she does that?” You just think, “How does she do
that?”
That should translate itself into your prose and instead of:
Barbara just knew
Jennifer cheated. The nerve of that woman. She thought she’d like to reach
across the table and slap the woman.
When you’re using Deep Point of View, it becomes:
Jennifer must have cheated. The
nerve of that woman. Barbara’s hand itched to reach across the table and slap
the woman.
See the difference? It’s more directly in the character’s
brain, in line with their thoughts.
3.
Another big violation of Deep Point of View is
when the character ‘see’s’ something (or tastes, or smells etc.)
Sam heard a noise and
spun around. She saw Peter in the doorway. “When did you get home, darling?”
Try this:
There was a footstep
in the hall. Sam spun around. Peter was in the doorway. “When did you get home,
darling?”
The difference is subtle, but it reads more true to Sam’s
viewpoint. “She saw” creates distance between the reader and the character’s
head.
The Emotion Thesaurus is a great resource for showing what
the character is feeling.
Check out Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View for a
more comprehensive explanation of what it’s all about.
How about you? What’s your opinion on these three tips?
What have you learned recently that is helping you become a
better writer?
Lisa Phillips can be found at her website, or on twitter if you want to chat.
Lisa Phillips can be found at her website, or on twitter if you want to chat.
Monday, January 14, 2013
God gave me a story, so go find a toy to play with because Mommy’s busy
God gave me a story, so go find a toy to play with because Mommy’s busy
And
he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the Lord
has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” Genesis
24:56
The
Bible has a great way of speaking right to my heart and this verse caught me
the other day. Sometimes—okay, a lot of the time—I let the pressure of family
responsibility and my desire to write write, write, write get all muddled in my head and stress me out.
“God gave me a story, so go find a toy to play with because Mommy’s busy.”
Alarm
bells ring. That little nudge of the Holy Spirit that says my priorities aren’t
straight. Because while I might not have actually SAID that to my kids (and my
husband!), I’ve certainly thought it.
I
love that I have a story to tell, something to focus on at any given moment. I
have a career flexible enough to fit around my life to such an extent
it still feels like fun, even though recently I’ve actually earned some money
doing it. (Gasp!)
But
there’s still a danger zone where sometimes I’d rather be writing than making
dinner or changing a diaper. I have to refocus my mind and remember what my
priorities are. That doesn’t mean I have to set ‘work’ aside, I can read a book
about the writing craft while I hang out and the kids are playing school,
packing their pretend backpacks and getting on an imaginary bus.
And
like most things, it’s not so much the ‘doing’ but the heart behind the doing. That’s what God has been teaching me
lately. Mostly it doesn’t matter if you’re volunteering in ministry, serving
food at a soup kitchen or sitting in your living room having your arm bandaged because
you have a pretend owie.
What
matters is where your heart is…
Is
it right there in the moment?
Or
is it off in your story, or your dreams for tomorrow, or the better days already
gone by?
Following
those well-known verses, Proverbs 3:5-6, is this:
Do not be wise
in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength
to your bones. Prov 3:7-8
That’s the key, I
think. To not be wise in your own eyes, your own opinion. Let how you see God
be the filter through which you look at your life. Stressed out people aren’t
healthy. Nor are people who rush, worry, dither, fret or run around trying to
do everything at once. People who have their priorities straight sleep better.
I guess I'm a work in progress!!
How about you?
Have
you tried looking at your life through who God is to you? How do you stay true
to your priorities when you really want to be doing something else?
Leave
a comment below and let me know what you think. :)
Visit Lisa Phillips... http://www.lisaphillipsbks.com/
Visit Lisa Phillips... http://www.lisaphillipsbks.com/
Friday, January 11, 2013
Lisa Phillips interview with author Mary Moore
Hi Mary, welcome to Fliterary! We love making new friends.
Let’s sit together on the swings and you can introduce yourself:
Hi Lisa! I’m Mary Moore, thanks
for having me today. I’ve been married to my husband, Craig, for 27 years and
we have one “child,” our black lab, Darcy. We are originally from the Washington , DC area, but
ten years ago we moved to Virginia in the
beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains . We have
survived the culture shock J
and now it’s our home.
I began writing about 17 years
ago, but it was just for fun and just for me, so when we moved to Virginia , we just boxed
up the stories and put them up in the attic. During a bout with breast cancer,
I used the months of treatment to rewrite some of the stories and have been
blessed on my recent journey to be published.
My debut novel, The Aristocrat’s
Lady, that came out in late 2011 was a wonderful surprise. It won an RT Reviewer’s
Choice Award and the Holt Medallion Award from Virginia Romance Writers, a
chapter of the RWA. They were wonderful blessings on top of many readers that
sent me notes about how the book touched them.
You have a new book out, what’s it about?
It’s called Beauty in Disguise.
It’s an inspirational historical romance set in Regency England. The heroine, a
lady who has come down in the world, must make a living. But she discovers that
women will not hire her as a governess or companion because of how beautiful
she is. They are afraid their husbands will be tempted by having a beauty in
the house. So she creates a disguise that allows her to become invisible to
men. She settles into life as a companion to a young lady until the only man
she ever loved comes as a guest in the house and eventually recognizes her.
Their journey takes them from misunderstanding and anger to forgiveness and
renewed love.
Where can we buy it?
Actually, for the month of
January, it will be in every WalMart in the country. Love Inspired Historicals
have their own shelves within the Harlequin line of books. It will only be in
stores until the end of January. But it is, of course, available on Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble.com and Christian Book Distributors.com. You can also download it to Kindle and Nook.
If we invited your main character to sit with us, how would she/he react?
She would be very nervous. Since
she has donned her disguise, she is very uncomfortable as herself. She was too
well known when she was in London
for her Season and she is always afraid someone will penetrate her disguise.
She is actually very intelligent, compassionate and has a wonderful sense of
humor. I think people will like her very much.
What would they say? What advice would they give?
If she felt comfortable, she
would be able to tell you about the bad choice she made when she was young that
brought her to this point in her life. But she would not complain; she would
own the mistake and talk to you about the children has been able to love as a
governess and the good that she did for them as well as the good they did for
her. In terms of advice, she would definitely talk about following your faith
and the direction of those that love you to keep from going through the
hardship she has. She would tell you to follow your heart!
If any one person from history could sit with us, who would it be and why?
That’s easy. I would love to sit with Jesus for lots of reasons. I would thank Him for dying to save me. I believe if I were in His presence, I would want to just worship and praise Him. But I admit, I’m human enough to think I would want to ask Him a million questions, a million why questions, and I’d probably be amazed at the big picture which only He could ever see.
Why did you choose to be a Christian writer and what does it mean to
you?
Originally, my stories were
secular, but they were clean. The only
Regencies I was able to find those many years ago were beginning to get pretty
explicit. But as I mentioned earlier, while I was sick I felt like I could
share some of my experiences and the ways God has been involved in my life
through those stories. So I rewrote them with a message. It has been wonderful
because it has taken the pressure off of monetary success and/or critical
acclaim; I pray readers might be able to find a message in the story that
speaks to them. And I love hearing from readers who have been touched in some
way.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
You know another thing I learned
in the years between writing the original stories and now? Experience! When I
reread them, I was surprised at how shallow and immature they really were. I
would advise an aspiring author to be sure and create a depth that is real; and
if you can use personal experience to accomplish that, all the better. The
other thing I would say is to persevere. When my first story was rewritten (and
rewritten and rewritten) it still took almost a year to find an agent, then 6
months to a year to prepare the proposal to pitch to publishers. There are many
other steps once you get a publisher interested, so you can see that even when
your story is the best it can be, it doesn’t happen overnight. But write the
best story you can then persevere until your dream comes true.
Where can we find you on the web?
You can contact me and find out
information about the book at www.marymooreauthor.com
or you can email me at mmooreauthor@swva.net. I also have an author page on facebook.com/mmooreauthor
and you can tweet me at http://twitter.com/sugarbean1020.
Thank you so much, Lisa, for
having me today. I really appreciate this opportunity!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What do you look for in a story?
What do you look for in a story?
by Lynne Gentry
Reinventing Leona
by Lynne Gentry
In keeping with our family tradition, we went to the movies Christmas night. All of us were dying to see Les Miserables … okay maybe not ALL of us were looking forward to a musical … but it was my year to choose. After we bought the popcorn, I worried 160 minutes of actors bursting into song might send my family over the edge. But I didn't need to fret for long. The power of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of an underdog's journey to redemption captured our attention from the gritty chain-gang overature. By the victorious finale, all of us were swiping tears. Days later I’m still contemplating the extraordinary mettle of the hero Jean Valjean.
Has a story ever moved you so much you couldn’t forget it?
Here are FIVE story elements that move me:
1. Big themes like love, mercy, justice, freedom, redemption.
2. Reluctant heroes struggling with their moral compass or a problem bigger than themselves.
3. Adventure that sweeps me into worlds I will only get to visit in my mind.
4. Humor.
5. And finally, romance. Who doesn’t long to love?
When I'm launching modern characters into ancient adventures, I work to incorporate these elements into my stories. What do you look for in a good story? Escape? Adventure? Mindless fluff? I'd love to hear from you, dear readers.
Lynne Gentry is a wife, mother, author, speaker, acting coach, and dramatist. Lynne knew marrying a preacher might change her plans. She didn't
know how ministry would change her life. This author of numerous short
stories and dramatic works travels the country as a professional acting
coach and inspirational speaker. Lynne lives in Dallas with her husband
Lonnie and counts spending time with her two grown children and their
families her greatest joy.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Mercy by Lisa Phillips
Mercy
And God said, “This is the sign of the
covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a
covenant for all generations to come: I have set my
rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and
the earth. Whenever I bring clouds
over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I
will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every
kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and
remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every
kind on the earth.”Genesis 9:12-16
That’s probably why it’s so satisfying to
me to have clean dishes and clean children. All that dirt and grime washed away
to a shine and a sweet smell. It was probably pretty satisfying to God—albeit
heartbreaking—to see His creation washed clean.
I do the same with my writing.
Delete, delete, delete. Rubbish. Delete,
delete, delete. Who wrote this anyway?
I might start calling deleting whole
scenes, “flooding.” It takes a lot of time, but the idea of ‘polishing’ and
making something shine is worth slogging through that rough draft.
Now, God’s not the type to regret or wish
He could change His mind. I don’t believe that at all. But He probably wouldn’t
mind being able to switch on that Flood button again.
Boy, I don’t like that guy.
Flood.
Did she really just do that?
Flood.
Yeesh, these kids don’t have a clue?
Flood.
Mercy
triumphs over judgment. James 2:13
Not so much in fiction, because that
character might just need to GO. But in life.
Oh, and this too:
Blessed are the merciful, for they
will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
Fiction exercise: Who doesn’t want to be shown mercy? Is
there a scene today where your main character can show mercy to someone else?
We will love them for it.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
A New Direction by Leann Harris
A New
Direction—by Leann Harris
I have been writing most of my adult life and have published 15
books, but 10 of those books were romantic suspense. There was always a dead
body in the story. When I started
writing Christian romance, it took me a while to understand how a Christian
could write about stealing, adultery, and murder then I read Genesis, and understood
bad things happen to God’s people, but it’s how we respond that counts.
Once I had that down, I ended up proposing to my editors several
books. She was only interested in the straight romance, and as any good writer
will tell you, I told her sure I could write it. The problem was how did you write a straight
romance? What do you hang your story on?
I couldn't solve the murder, so what now?
When we don’t see the way, the Lord shows us the path.
I read an article in our local newspaper about an Iraqi war
veteran who’d lost his leg and was taking equine therapy to help him with is
coordination. What a great story idea. So I talked to the local equine therapy
ranch, and the Scottish Rite Hospital located in my home town. They provide prosthetic's for kids who’d lost a limb.
Now, Lord, I need a plot.
A friend showed me how to use archetypes to plot and not need a murder and I tried it. I prayed asking God, if this was the way, help me. God was faithful because every morning when I sat down to write, the words were there. I ended each day amazed at what I’d written. I remember one day when I finished writing being amazed at the words that flowed out of my fingers onto the screen. Those were not out of me, but God provided. He was faithful. That book Second Chance Ranch got more reaction then my 11 books combined.
A friend showed me how to use archetypes to plot and not need a murder and I tried it. I prayed asking God, if this was the way, help me. God was faithful because every morning when I sat down to write, the words were there. I ended each day amazed at what I’d written. I remember one day when I finished writing being amazed at the words that flowed out of my fingers onto the screen. Those were not out of me, but God provided. He was faithful. That book Second Chance Ranch got more reaction then my 11 books combined.
I am mindful that you can tell a truth in fiction that reaches a
lot more people than a self-help book. As I write, God changes things in my
heart, and I pray those words will help others who are dealing with problems
know that God can bring them through. It
is a ministry for which I am grateful that God has allowed me to do.
Visit me
at www.leannharris.com
After seeing Tessa Grant calm his storm-spooked horse, Ethan McClure is impressed. But does the new vet have what it takes to prove her mettle with Ethan's local horse-rescue group? Ethan can't deny her healing touch with animals…or her powerful effect on this rancher. But Tessa is busy trying to get her footing after leaving Kentucky to start over in this mountain town. When she learns a family secret that turns her world upside down, Tessa's ready to push everyone away. Unless Ethan can help her embrace forgiveness—and forge a path to her heart along the way.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Free for Kindle! Prodigal Nights by Lisa Buffaloe 1/4/2013-1/6/2013
Prodigal Nights
Free for Kindle -- 1/4/2013-1/6/2013!
For two returning prodigals
will the challenge to live “good” withstand the allure to be bad?
will the challenge to live “good” withstand the allure to be bad?
After a nasty divorce, Bethany Davis
returned to college and lived up to the low standards set by gossips.
Her dad’s stroke has now brought her home, and Bethany finds herself in a
dilemma—how can she get beyond her past, learn to trust again, and live
a “good” life?
Bethany’s father’s involvement in the
defense industry adds excitement to her expectation of a boring life
back home. However, bodyguards, stalkers, and international secrets are
the least of her problems—opening her heart to trust again is a totally
different matter. And the mutual attraction with her new team leader,
Jason Ross, spells the possibility of
big-time heart trouble.
big-time heart trouble.
Jason’s days of wild living are over, and
he’s determined to prove to himself and God that he’s on the right
path. When Bethany steps into his office, he sees the girl of his
dreams, but is she God’s gift or Satan’s temptress?
Prodigal Nights Awards
Finalist in Women of Faith Writing Contest
Second Place, Great Expectations Contest
North Texas Christian Writer’s Conference 2008 Second Place Conference Award for Adult Novel
Prodigal Nights on Amazon ...
http://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Nights-ebook/dp/B008RCNAIC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
Second Place, Great Expectations Contest
North Texas Christian Writer’s Conference 2008 Second Place Conference Award for Adult Novel
Prodigal Nights on Amazon ...
http://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Nights-ebook/dp/B008RCNAIC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
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