Patti's Ponderings

Homecoming

2008-04-26T13:09:00.002-06:00

I could hardly contain myself for the excitement I was feeling last Saturday morning. It was the day my daughter-in-law’s mom and I headed to DIA to pick up my son and her daughter. They were returning home after almost a year away in New York City.

Airports are a fascinating place to me. I enjoy the roar of jet engines, the throng of excited people waiting for loved ones, the bored businessmen embarking on yet another trip, keys furiously clacking on laptops, the smells of food, the variety of tourist-snagging shops that catch the eye and lighten the wallet.

My friend and I chatted, made a couple of phone calls, and squirmed nervously, wondering if we were sitting in the right place as we waited for the kids to arrive. When a custodian came by with his mop and bucket, we inquired, only to get a strange look from him. “The passengers arrive over by the fountain,” he replied in response to our question.

Well, of course. That’s probably why there were so many people sitting over there and the chairs in the hallway where we were sitting were sparsely populated. We took seats in the front row and waited with eager anticipation as throngs of people ascended the stairs and poured out of two doors.

Would we see them first? Or would they see us? Would Jason still be sporting his goatee? Would Jaque’s hair be long or short? I pictured the shirt my son would be wearing. I was right, the black shirt with the red design.

Hugs were exchanged, a few unshed tears, and then we moved to the baggage claim. Jaque is a photography buff, so of course she had brought her camera and tripod along. All their luggage arrived except the tripod. I mentioned that it might be located in the oversized baggage area, but my son didn’t think so. Guess where we found it. Mom was right!

We hooked up with a friend of the kids’ in Denver and enjoyed a great meal at Papadeaux. Seafood. Oh yeah, my type of fare! It was delicious, but of course, way too much, so I brought home leftovers.

We didn’t get home until almost 3 AM, but I was proud that we all got up and went to church in the morning. J & J attended our pastor’s youth group when they lived here in town, so they wanted to see him and some of the young people they know form the congregation. It worked out well as there was a fellowship coffee after services.

The time is flying by much too fast. Our kids are no longer “kids”. They are adults who have faced a great deal of hardship and frustration over the past few months. They live in a poor section of the Bronx, where Jaque teaches school to a low income segment of the population. Kids who don’t care about learning, don’t have any respect for anyone, and are probably headed to jail. A good percentage of them anyway.

They had the opportunity to speak to a group of seniors at the school here in town where they graduated. The main focus of their talk was moving on, grasping opportunities, and seeking what’s out there beyond the confines of a small town. They were perfect for the assignment. Who would have thought that two young people who graduated from a school in a town of less than three thousand would move to New York City?

We went out to a place called red rocks the other day, a perfect place for Jaque to get photos of Southeastern Colorado. I hadn’t been out there in 25 years. There is a huge expanse of rock that probably trails all the way to New Mexico if a person were to follow it. We had a great time, running around on the rocks, exploring, finding interesting things, some left by nature and some by man.

Jason and Jaque left on Wednesday evening to spend a few days in Colorado Springs. They have kept in contact with former coworkers from up there and wanted to get together with them.

Prior to that, though, we drove out into the country, far enough away from light pollution to where she could take some time lapse photos of the stars. Our six-year old granddaughter went with us. She was fascinated by all the stars. “I didn’t know there were so many stars up there, mom!” she exclaimed, her eyes full of wonder.

It’s kind of neat to relate to your kids as adults. They have their opinions about politics, the environment, life in general and the world. Their experiences no longer mirror ours. Our son is certified in computer networking and avidly studying to advance even further. Jaque, after she acquires her masters in teaching, is hoping to someday own a small photography business on the side. She could probably do it, too. She is a bright young lady and her photos are awesome.

They will be back today for a few hours before we all head up to the airport early tomorrow morning. Their plane leaves at 9:10 AM, which means check-in somewhere around 7:30. We’ll be hitting the road around 3 AM.

Homecomings are fun. They stir up memories of the past and help us make new ones.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Genesis Awakening

2008-04-10T02:41:00.003-06:00

Two years ago, I was a Genesis finalist. For those of you who may not know what Genesis is, it is the annual contest run by American Christian Fiction Writers. I still remember the night I received the call. Seems to me my husband answered the phone and gave me the message. I had entered a couple of other contests around that same time, so I called Diane back to be sure it was the Genesis contest that she was talking about. I couldn’t believe it!

Our conference was held in Dallas that year and the dinner they planned was fabulous. I’m sure everyone remembers that delectable slice of chocolate cake. It was the tiniest piece of chocolate cake I’d ever seen, but so rich that I could barely finish it all on top of all the other delicious food we were served. It was called "flourless cake". I still have a copy of the menu.

Anyway, there was so much excitement in the air and we finalists were seated at tables in the front of the room. As each finalist name was called, our picture was flashed on the screen. It wasn’t until the winners were announced in my category that I realized I’d been so nervous I never did see my picture displayed up there. I also remember they got the title of my entry wrong. Anyway, I didn’t win, but that was okay, because my room-mate did. Audra Harders. I had told her when we were dressing for the event that I knew she would win. She did.

I will always treasure my memories of Genesis 2006, from the day I started polishing my entry to the final moment when I gave Audra a big hug of congratulations.

Last year, I entered the same manuscript, made major improvements, and didn’t even final. I was disappointed, but I took to heart the comments that were made and like to think I learned from them.

This year, I didn’t enter. Today, I read the list of finalists for Genesis 2008. It struck me that of all the names, I only recognized one, and she is a cyberspace buddy. I don’t believe we have ever met face to face. What happened to all those people I knew that were finaling when I was competing? Oh yeah, they can’t enter the Genesis anymore for a very good reason. They’re already published!

I think of all the people I met those first couple of years after I joined ACFW who were not publsihed, at least in fiction, yet and are now. Kathy Kovach. Cheryl Wyatt. Carrie Turansky. Tiff Miller. Megan DiMaria. There are probably dozens more.

Guess that’s a wake up call to me. Sometimes I feel like I’m in the same place I was two years ago. Working on the same manuscript. Making the same mistakes. Dreaming the same dreams. I know that’s not true. I keep track of my word count, so I know I’ve written a whole lot of words in two years. I’ve read several writing craft books and rewritten scenes that were pretty bad, made them come to life. I just have to remind myself that the dream may be closer than I think. I have to keep reaching for it. One word at a time.

Take a look at my thought for this month. I’m not giving up. I have no idea how close I am, but I believe it is a lot less painful to be miles away and keep going than to be inches away and quit.

Congratulations to all the 2008 Genesis winners!

Thanks for reading my blog!

My Review of Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria

2008-04-03T23:19:00.002-06:00

Searching for Spice speaks to the plight of many married couples in the third decade of marriage. The kids, the job, the house, even the family pet, all contribute to the ever widening distance that Linda strives to bridge between herself and her beloved Jerry. The daily activities of this family come to life through vivid word pictures and emotion-packed scenes that draw the reader right into the midst of the Revere household.

Megan’s portrayal of the interactions between not only the family members, but also those who affect Linda’s life in the work place and in the neighborhood is realistic. The reader is treated to a fresh look at the “teen-ager in trouble” and how it affects the dynamics of the Reveres and their interactions with each other.

The threads of the plot are woven into an intricate pattern that provides unexpected tension. Linda’s faith plays a major part in the way she handles one obstacle after another. Yet, we travel with her through the ups and downs of her faith journey as she “walks through the valley” and faces her fears and her shortcomings.

Megan DeMaria writes with a delightful voice that brings a chuckle to the lips, a tear to the eye, and a tug on the heartstrings as she navigates Linda through the roadblocks of daily life that prevent her from connecting with her husband in a meaningful manner.

THE WONDER OF LEARNING TO READ

2008-03-28T23:04:00.003-06:00

I have a six-year old granddaughter who started kindergarten in September. It was fun during those pre-school years to watch her learn the alphablet, her numbers, colors, shapes, and on and on. However, the most rewarding experience has occured over the past few months as she has started to develop reading skills. I suppose part of my enthusiasm for listening to her read stems from my own love of books, but I can't help but feel that the whole world is slowly opening up to this bright young mind as I listen to her read out loud.

I, myself, have been reminded of basic things I learned all those years ago about insects, birds, fish, and all sorts of other living things just by listening to my granddaughter read elementary books about them. If you want to learn about a subject for a WIP, go to the library and check out the children's section. You usually obtain the general information you need in very simple terms.

Two years or so ago, I saw an anthology of the old Dick and Jane books and snapped it up to give to my granddaughter for Christmas. It is a book of 100+ pages, and when she recently read it over the course of just a few days, she thought she had achieved something wonderful. Well, she did. She learned new words, gained self-confidence with her reading skills, and earned bragging rights that she had read a book much longer than any her mom read at that age!

I don't recall at what age I learned to read, but I'm sure it wasn't in kindergarten. I definitely know my kids learned in the first grade. In fact, the teacher who instilled a love of reading in their young hearts is still a substitute teacher today, although very seldom anymore. Small wonder, since she taught my husband in first grade as well almost 60 years ago.

I was a parent volunteer in her class when my son had her for a teacher. I remember she had the "crown" reward system. A student received a crown made of construction paper for every 25 books they read. This included books read to them by their parents until the student was able to read on their own. I helped make the crowns and they became more elaborate with each step that was achieved. I recall each crown had the representative number written in magic marker in the center of the crown, "25" "50" "75" "100", and so on. The "25" crown was kind of plain, but the higher the number, the more design, glitter and color appeared on the crown. I can't recall the highest number attained, but I know it was a huge incentive for my kids. They would come home beaming with pride each time they received a new crown.

The incentive is a bit different in school today. My granddaughter is part of the AR - accelerated reader- program. I like the fact that for every book she brings home, there is a computerized test she takes the next day to test her reading comprehension. This is a good thing since several people, myself included, may read a lot but not necessarily retain what they read. (OK, at my age, I suppose part of this is senility!). The AR students get special privileges, such as "AR night". The last AR night, which I had the privilege to attend, consisted of a pizza party, games, and a movie. The next one will be a trip to Chucky Cheese - quite an exciting outing for kids who live three hours away from the closest one.

Today, my daughter, granddaughter, and I had some errands to take care of in Pueblo. We stopped at Barnes and Noble to pick up a book for a friend of my daughter's. My granddaughter was like a kid in a candy store. Her mom had told her she could be buy two books this trip. It was quite a time of decision-making for her. She considered her options, made choices, and changed her mind about four times before coming up with her final purchases. My daughter and I had the pleasure of listening to her read both of her books on the trip home.

If a grandparent was limited to doing only one thing for a grandchild, I know my choice would be to listen to that child read, even if I end up listening to the same story a hundred times in a week. I would praise him or her for each new word they learn, and challenge them to higher levels of reading. I'm pleased that my granddaughter has a wide range of reading material, from such staples as Dr. Seuss to inspirational children's books by Max Lucado. I look forward to the day when I can pass on some of my tried and true favorites to her.

Reading can take us anywhere, stimulate our desire to learn, and help us achieve goals beyond our wildest dreams. Do everything you can to help the children in your life fall in love with reading!

Thanks for reading my blog.

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2008-03-24T21:13:00.000-06:00

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Interview with new author Megan DiMaria

2008-03-19T12:36:00.010-06:00

Welcome, Megan. I’m thrilled to interview you on my blog. Tell us about your book, Searching for Spice.

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Pat. Searching for Spice is the story of Linda and Jerry Revere. Linda longs to experience a sizzling affair, with Jerry, her husband of nearly 25 years. Of course you know how life is—nothing goes according to plan.

What prompted you to write about this particular subject?

Searching for Spice was written as a response to a running joke I had with some girlfriends. You know, despite being long married, women still want romance in their lives. God hard wired us to crave closeness and a special connection with the men we love. Unfortunately, some times we need to remind them of that. J

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve known I wanted to be a writer since I was in the 6th grade. I had a wonderful teacher who would read to the class every day. Around Christmas time we were given the assignment to write an essay about the season. I wrote about a girl walking home as the day faded and Christmas lights began to glow from houses. My story was about how she was looking forward to going home and decorating her Christmas tree. A few days later, when the class came in from recess, that teacher had decorated a cork board with images from my essay and had placed my essay in the center of all the pictures. She said that I was such a good writer that she could see exactly what my character was experiencing. Her words gave me the confidence to start scribbling out my stories. Also, my mother would take the kids to the local library every week. I loved wandering around all the lovely books, savoring the decision about which adventure I wanted to take next. I had a very early love of books. Another turning point was when I was 17 and had an internship with the local newspaper. One of the editors was very generous with his time and encouragement. One afternoon we were opening his mail and he received a book. He handed it to me and said something along the lines that one day I could write a book. The idea tickled me so much that I went home and told my dad. Unfortunately, neither of my parents lived to see my success.

Tell us a little about your journey, from the time you started writing Searching for Spice to publication.

I started writing Searching for Spice in early 2005 to enter it into the ACFW Noble Theme Contest (now called the Genesis Contest). I would write and then ignore the story for months and then write a bit again. I had some interest from an editor that May when I attended the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, but the story wasn’t complete. By the time I had almost finished it, she left her job. I was eventually rejected by a follow-up editor.

I was 99% finished with Searching for Spice when I went to the 2006 ACFW conference. At the last meal of the conference, I rushed into the dining room to try to get a seat at the table of an editor that I wasn’t able to get an appointment with. Just as I was about to reach the table, someone took the last seat. I hurried across the room to sit with an agent who was on my list, but wouldn’t you know, the same thing happened again, and I missed getting the last seat by moments. By now the MC had begun to speak, so I dropped into the nearest seat—at the table hosted by Tyndale’s acquisition editor Jan Stob. Honestly, I was a little discouraged because I thought it was a waste of time. I had thought Tyndale would never be interested in an unpublished author like me. Jan was lovely and asked about everyone’s project. She would smile and then move on the next writer. She never requested a proposal. At the end of the meal when everyone was leaving the dining room, there was a traffic jam at the door. I happened to find myself standing next to Jan and felt that I had to say something. So, I asked her if she would like to see my proposal. She said yes. I had five requests for proposals as a result of that conference. I went home, finished writing the story and sent out my proposals in October. I immediately got four rejections. A few months later Jan requested a full manuscript, and I got “the call” in March of 2007.

What are your plans for your next book? Will we see the Revere family again?

I’m happy to report that my next book, Out of Her Hands, is another Revere family story. This time the story is more focused on the frustrations of living with young-adult children. Out of Her Hands is scheduled to release in October 2008.

Any parting advice for prepublished writers?

Yes, write regularly, read regularly, join a writers group or two, hang out with writers, have your work critiqued and attend conferences if you can. I confess, many times in my writing journey I was tempted to throw in the towel. But the moral of the story is, don’t give up. Hold on to your dreams. Press on. Trust God. Someone once told me writers don’t fail, they quit. And I decided to believe it.

Thank you very much for letting me stop by and visit, Pat. Please feel free to check out megandimaria.com and chat with me via my blog at megandimaria.blogspot.com. I wish you the best of luck in your writing journey.

Thank you, Megan for a delightful interview.

Thanks for reading my blog!

A Pitch for CCWC

2008-03-07T01:31:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard about the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference, I was driving home from work and listening to a Christian station I had recently located on my radio dial. I memorized the phone number, and when I arrived home, I called and spoke to Marlene. She sounded so welcoming on the phone and put a brochure about the conference in the mail right away.

I learned a lot at that first conference. Mainly, I learned there is such a thing as Christian fiction. I had some idea it was out there, but hadn’t paid much attention. I was thrilled to discover that there were people who actually wrote the kind of stories I wanted to write with an inspirational message.

I made contact with people who have since become good friends. I was introduced to ACFW at that first conference, even though I didn’t join until the following year.

My first editor appointment was with Jim Peterson. I was so scared, but Jim put me at ease right away. I don’t remember all that we talked about, but there is one thing I will never forget. At the conclusion of our meeting, Jim said a prayer with me and for me.

CCWC is a deeply spiritual conference. The worship sessions are filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Even though I can’t sing, I enjoy being bathed in the glory of all those voices raised in praise to our Lord. Marlene speaks so fluently and offers her petitions to God with such smoothness that it is as though she were speaking to a physical human being standing next to her. I always marvel at the way she moves from speaking to praying all in the same breath.

The backdrop of the resplendent Rockies adds a certain magic to this conference. Whether sunbeams kiss the tops of the peaks or bone-chilling winds blow snow across their faces, the mountains stand as an awe-inspiring testimony to God’s creation. The thinner air can drain a person’s physical strength, yet its purity invigorates the soul.

Marlene always offers a stellar line up of authors, agents, and editors who are there for the sole purpose of helping the conferees further their careers and make their dreams come true, all within the boundaries of God’s will. Her guest speakers provide inspiration and often take us to other parts of the world, speak of other ministries, and fill our hearts with the joy of seeing God at work in this dark and dying world.

Hope to see you in Estes Park in May!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Introducing "Life Out Here" by Lynn Allen

2008-02-29T19:59:00.004-07:00

Sorry I’ve been out of touch with my blog audience for such a long time. I got caught up working several nights in a row due to the illness of a coworker and friend. The night shifts are not hard; it’s usually pretty quiet where I work, but the staying up all night takes a toll on a person my age after a while. It’s taken me most of this week to catch up on my sleep. Ah, well, bet I'll perk up when the paycheck hits my account on March 7th!

We had a booksigning at our library in our small town of less than 3,000 last evening. It was exciting for me for a variety of reasons. First, as a fellow writer, I always admire those who have something actually in print, a goal I’ve been striving to achieve for a long time now. Second, I happen to be a member of our local library board, so special events held there are exciting. Third, and probably most important to me, I met the author at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference last year.

Lynn Allen is an excellent Christian writer who contributes a column called “Ridin’ Fence” on a weekly basis to a rural newspaper in the area where I live. Her book, entitled Life Out Here, is a compilation of those slice of rural life articles.

Lynn captures the essence of the heart and soul of those who make their homes in a part of the country where the scenery outside your back door consists of acres and acres of prairie dotted by various critters; from cattle to horses to goats to chickens and everything in between. She entertains her readers with stories of everyday life that encompass hard work, hardship, and hard riding. Lynn reaches deep into the roots of our heritage with vivid word pictures that give us glimpses into the lifestyle of the descendants of the American west pioneers. She helps us understand the nature of the people who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the cultivation of this great land and the nurturing of its livestock.

This book champions small community living, emulates rural America, and salutes the courage of those who live here. If you have ever wondered what it is like to live in an area where a one stoplight town is considered “the closest city” and the 25 mile drive to the next community is a run “up the street”, this book is a must read!

By the way, if you’re in the market for a gift for a man – this is the book. As Lynn says, “the chapters are short – and it’s got pictures!”

Congratulations, Lynn. I know Life Out Here will be an enjoyable read for country folk and city slickers too!

February drawing: Carla, you are the winner of The Plight of Mattie Gordon by Jeanne Leach. Congratulations!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Interview with Author Jeanne Leach

2008-02-17T19:09:00.003-07:00

Sorry for the delay in getting this interview posted. Jeanne had some problems getting back to me, but the weight was well worth it. She has some valuable information to offer. Read on!

Welcome, Jeanne. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to interview you and give you a chance to talk about your book, The Plight of Mattie Gordon. As you know, I could not wait to read your book because it is a western! What prompted you to write in this genre?

Actually, I have always been drawn to westerns. Having grown up in Deadwood, South Dakota, I became interested in American history, particularly that of the west, from an early age. It’s what I know and who I am. I’ve never been to either coast, so large cities and the cultural events they offer remain foreign to me. The west suits me.

I understand the book has recently been contracted to come out in audio form with a spring or summer release. Congratulations! Is this an indication that there has been considerable success in print or downloadable copies sold?

Thank you, Pat. I am still in shock. I’m not certain that I’ve seen “considerable” success in book sales, but my publisher loves my book and my writing style. She submitted it on my behalf to the Eppie Writing awards, and she sent a copy to Books in Motion. They read it and loved it, so they sent her a contract to do an audio version.

There have been many discussions surrounding the belief that “the western is dead”. Did you have a difficult time getting your story published?

No more difficulties than anyone else trying to get published. I initially wrote it with a specific publisher in mind. They rejected it. Because it was a shorter word count, and I didn’t feel like expanding the book would make it any better, I had to look for publishers who accepted short novels. So, the field was limited, which actually worked to my advantage.

What kind of future do you see for this genre?

I see this genre doing what it’s always done. It has ups and downs, but in the end, there will always be people who want to read it and write it. I think Hollywood sets the pace for westerns. They may go several years without putting out a good western movie. During that time, those who’ve always loved westerns will continue to read them. The newer readers may go more for the lits during that time. Then along comes another excellent movie that depicts the strength and fortitude of the early pioneers who settled the west by sheer will and grit. Then western book sales suddenly go back up because people are intrigued by the stories of those who carved the west with little more than their two hands, a few tools, and true character that often seems to be lacking in the world today. Their courage and ability to rise above all odds inspire people of all ages. I still believe in the code of the west. J

Are there any particular books you would recommend as “must have” references for the author with stories set in the 19th century?

Obviously there will be as many references as there are stories. It will depend upon whether you are writing about settlers, farmers, ranchers, cowboys, sheriffs, Native Americans, outlaws, loggers, miners, flatlanders or mountain men. Each requires a different set of references.

That said, there are a few books than can be helpful to anyone writing about the west:
· The Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800’s, by Marc McCutcheon – from Writer’s Digest Books
· The Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West: From 1840 – 1900, by Candy Moulton – from Writer’s Digest Books
· The Antique Hunter’s Guide: American Furniture: Tables, chairs, sofas & beds, by Marvin D. Schwartz, copyright 2000 by Chanticleer Press, Inc. and distributed by Workman Publishing Company (This book gives pictures, full descriptions and what the furniture was called, as well as the dates they were introduced and used in the USA)
· The Antique Hunter’s Guide: American Furniture: Chests, cupboards, desks & other pieces, by William C. Ketchum, Jr., copyright 2000 by Chanticleer Press, Inc. and distributed by Workman Publishing Company (This book gives pictures, full descriptions and what the furniture was called, as well as the dates they were introduced and used in the USA)
· Holy Bible, King James version
· Hymns of Glorious Praise, copyright 1969 by Gospel Publishing House (I suggest looking for the oldest hymn book you can find on eBay. Each hymn has the year it was written or arranged, and many have the birth and death dates of the writer. This helps you to know whether it is in public domain.)
· Time Life series – The Old West – you can still find some of these on eBay. I used these as definitive books about the west.
· Story of the GREAT AMERICAN WEST, by Reader’s Digest, copyright 1977 – there are a couple of these on eBay right now, and would be well worth the investment.
· I also have purchased the following paper doll books from Borders. The clothes are amazingly true-to-life in color, prints, and styles. You will have to go to the library to look up the fabrics, though. But once you know the types of fabrics that were used back then, it will be very easy to look at the pictures of the paper doll clothes and give an accurate description.
1. Victorian Family Paper Dolls, by Brenda Sneathen Mattox
2. Victorian Children Paper Dolls, by Evelyn Gathings
3. American Pioneer Family Paper Dolls, by Tom Tierney
4. A New Century, by Lynette C. Ross

Do you have plans to write any other westerns? (I’m always looking for good western writers!)

Yup! I’m working on my galleys right now for my next book, Shadow of Danger, which will be released in early March. It takes place during the gold rush days in Leadville, Colorado in 1879. Rachel Ringhold is sent away from home because of an undisclosed danger. She reaches Colorado and locates her old friend, Seb. Will she find the love she hopes for, or will the danger get her first?

I also have a series about early western loggers that I’m shopping around to various publishers.

Tell us a little bit about what you have to offer writers through your editorial service.

I offer several services to my clients.

My favorite is coaching/mentoring new writers. My book, WRITING BASICS FOR BEGINNERS, was released in January, and is available from http://www.booklocker.com/books/3274.html.

I guess it would be easiest to tell you who would benefit from my freelance editing services:

· Authors being subsidy published
· Aspiring writers – those who have written much and need guidance on the steps to becoming a writer
· Beginning writers – those who have begun writing, but need to understand the “ins and outs” of writing in order to better their craft
· Intermediate authors – already understands how to write, but needs their work polished before sending it to a publisher
· Authors who are ready to send their manuscript to an agent or publisher, but need help with their novel proposal

You can visit my website for pricing structure and further information.
http://www.jeannemarieleach.com/

Jeanne, thank you for such an informative interview. I wish you much success with all facets of your writing career.

I am holding a drawing for a copy of The Plight of Mattie Gordon this month. Anyone who responds to one of my posts with a comment will be automatically entered. Good luck! Please be sure and leave some form of contact information so I can get back with you if you win.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Review of Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin

2008-02-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

I finished a good writing craft book today, Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin.

Having read some of her novels, I was looking forward to reading Gail’s book and gleaning all the advice she had to give about writing romance. Gail covered most of the essential elements of a good story: characterization, dialogue, tension, POV, and plotting. She leads the reader through the process of developing the hero and heroine as multi-dimensional, believable characters and escalating their romantic interest throughout the story.

Gail does a thorough job of speaking to the specific elements of a Christian romance verses other genre fiction. She gives excellent information on how to handle delicate subjects without offending the Christian publisher or reader. She explains how to develop the spiritual thread of a story.

Her suggestions and tips are backed up by examples from a wide variety of authors. The exercises at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking and geared to teach the writer how to improve in specific areas.

Gail provided an example of a query/cover letter, short synopsis, a one-page synopsis, and a long synopsis. There may be others out there, but this is the first writing craft book I have read that gives a complete example of all four. This will be most helpful to those who struggle with this integral step in making a sale. She also gives sound advice on publication options, choosing a publisher, and searching for an agent.

Thanks for a great book, Gail!

Writing craft books are a wonderful source of motivation. They always leave me with a larger than life feeling that I can do this! I read the suggestions for technique, and my brain starts thinking about the scenes in my own WIP. Did I accomplish the point being discussed? If not, how can I improve my scene? Every book I read on writing somehow holds me to a higher standard. Does anyone else feel this way?

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Special Day for Gunsmoke Fans!

2008-02-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

This is a great day for my favorite TV show of all time, the legendary Gunsmoke. For almost two years now, there has been a web site running a fan power TV Hall of Fame. We Gunsmoke fans have been battling a hard fight against the sci-fi shows to put Gunsmoke in the top five. Today we did it!

The requirement was 250,000 votes (that’s a quarter of a million!), and a voter could only place a vote once every hour. Some people voted once or twice a day, and others, like me, voted every time we were on the computer within the time constraints.

If you like the old TV westerns and remember Gunsmoke in particular, go to http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/power.html and see the wonderful banner Rich has created for us to celebrate our special day. It contains a fantastic selection of cast pictures and Gunsmoke scenes in addition to a great rendition of the Gunsmoke theme song.

The banner will only be up today since Rich honors whichever show reaches a higher goal in increments of 5,000 votes every day, so if you want to see it, check it out sometime within the next twelve hours or so!

Long live Gunsmoke – the longest running drama in television history with continuing characters!

Thanks for reading my blog.

February Preview

2008-02-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

The winner of my January giveaway book, A Soldier’s Promise, is Maureen. Congratulations, Maureen! Please contact me at gunsmokefan@hotmail.com with your address so you can receive your book. Thanks to all who participated.

This month, I will be interviewing Jeanne Leach and discussing her book, The Plight of Mattie Gordon. I happened to be the first buyer who purchased her book when it came out in downloadable format through Treble Heart books. It is, after all, a western!

Check back in later in the week to hear what Jeanne has to say about this time-honored genre, her other writing accomplishments, and her future plans as a writer.

I will be doing a drawing for a copy of The Plight of Mattie Gordon this month. Anyone who responds to one of my posts with a comment will be automatically entered. Good luck!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Review of A Soldier's Promise by Cheryl Wyatt

2008-01-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

The first time I met Cheryl Wyatt was through an email. She had put out a request for an accountability partner, someone who would encourage her to keep at her writing, meet her weekly word count goals, and complete a WIP within a reasonable length of time. I accepted her challenge.

We met face to face at the 2005 ACFW conference in Nashville for the first time. She was as sweet in person as her personality over the Internet implied. We met again at 2006 ACFW in Dallas, where Cheryl and I shared some private moments and she prayed with me, bringing me comfort over a personal issue that had been bothering me for a very long time.

With two published books and one more under contract, Cheryl is way beyond the point of needing a kick in the pants from me! Yet, despite her success, she has proven to be a loyal friend and source of support.

Cheryl is an inspiration to me. When I first began my Internet friendship with her, she was writing one day a week since she had little ones at home. Those one-day a week sittings at her computer proved very productive! I’m so proud of her.

I received A Soldier’s Promise as one of the books included in the LI book club I joined before I even knew Cheryl’s book was in print. I was so excited to see her name on the front cover. Let me tell you now my impressions of her book.

Pararescue jumper Joel Montgomery, despite reservations about returning to his home town, responds to a dying child's request. When he meets young Bradley's teacher, feelings are set in motion he had not anticipated.

Cheryl brings her characters to life by portraying the conflicting emotions in their daily lives that create stumbling blocks to their happiness. Past hurts, present struggles, and future dreams are all worked nicely into a tender and compelling love story.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was that the hero, Joel, has a unique and exciting profession. Despite the physical and emotional strength required to pursue such a career as pararescue work, Cheryl portrays his weaknesses, his fears, and his reconciliation with a past that has brought him a great deal of pain over the years.

The reader can’t help but fall in love with young Bradley, the sick little boy who has a battle of his own to fight. Despite the gravity of a child whose life is in danger, Cheryl injects enough humor to provide the reader a few laughs while traveling the roller coaster of Amber and Joel’s romance
.
Heroine Amber rounds out the story with her fierce compassion for her young, ailing student, her struggle to win Joel’s heart, and her unwavering faith in God, even when His answer to her prayers seems to be “no”.

Here’s wishing Cheryl lots more success with her future releases. Cheryl, thanks for being a friend!

Contest drawing: I will be giving away a free copy of Cheryl's book, A Soldier's Promise at the end of January. In order to enter, simply leave a comment for any of my January blog posts. Subscribe to my blog and your name will be entered twice, doubling your chances to win! Good luck.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Interview with Author Cheryl Wyatt

2008-01-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Cheryl. I’m thrilled to interview you on my blog.

Thank you! I'm pleased to be here and appreciate you for hosting me. :-)

Tell us about your two releases, A Soldier’s Promise and A Soldier’s Family.

They are my debut novels and books 1 and 2 of my Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. The series features a team of US Air Force Pararescue Jumpers (PJs for short) and the women who capture their hearts. Book 1 features Joel, the team leader. Book 2 features Manny. Blurbs can be found on Amazon, eharlequin, or any online bookseller. In addition, they have posted an excerpt of the first chapter of book 1.

Unusual occupations in novels are a pleasant surprise for the reader. What prompted you to write about an Air Force pararescue jumper?

I love to write about characters who have unique and different careers than the norm for romances. I see a lot of military authors writing about Navy SEALs, but not a lot about PJs, so I wanted to honor these Special Ops soldiers by featuring a team of them in a series. I'm so thankful Steeple Hill has given me that opportunity.

One of your main characters is a young child with a terminal illness. Have you had to deal with a similar situation in your own life?

I have had two friends lose daughters to aggressive forms of Leukemia. The courage both of those girls displayed, even up to the moments of their deaths, was astounding and touched everyone around them. I wanted to honor their courage, and the courage of their mothers, by writing the character of Bradley who is about the same age as the two girls were when they died. In one of my books, one of the PJs says about Bradley, "if courage could cure cancer, that child's faith and fight alone would have eradicated it from the earth." That is the same way I felt watching Makayla and Tierja as they battled valiantly.

Are there other books planned in the series?

Yes. For now, three out of seven have contracted. I am not certain about the other four books but my editor loves it when one of my PJs lands on her desk. So I'm hoping each guy will have his own story. So yes, there is a story for all seven guys on Joel Montgomery's (hero from A Soldier's Promise) team. Ben's story releases early 2009 and there are more PJ stores in the works. Plus, I have other series plotted out that are centered around the fictional town of Refuge, Ill.

When we first met, you told me your only day to write was on Saturdays. Have you been able to expand your writing schedule, or are you still confined to one day a week?

LOL! No, thankfully I have been able to expand thanks to more of my children starting school. I still have one at home but she loves to keep herself entertained so I am able to get several hours of writing time in every day during the week. I try not to write when my children are home because I want to focus on them and prevent Cyber-rivalry. LOL!

When did you realize that writing would be an integral part of your life?

I have always wanted to write since I was old enough to understand the concept. I received my first rejection in third grade from a popular, national children's magazine that is still in circulation today. My mother tells me I told stories before I could write and started scribbling them down the minute I learned to use a crayon.

Any parting advice for prepublished writers?

Seek God in all of it. Write as worship. Ask Him for the drive, the discipline and the determination to make it if that's what He wants for you. Stay as revisable as your manuscript. Be willing to hear hard things about your writing. Read! Read! Read! Write! Write! Write! Join a writing organization when you're able. http://www.acfw.com/ is a great one. There is also Romance Writers of America...who has many, many online and geographical chapters to join. ACFW is American Christian Fiction Writers and they are a wellspring of information and support if you are targeting a Christian bookseller.

Cheryl, that is excellent advice. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me about your intriguing stories. I wish you the best of success with these two releases and the rest of your series.

Contest drawing: I will be giving away a free copy of Cheryl's book, A Soldier's Promise at the end of January. In order to enter, simply leave a comment for any of my January blog posts. Subscribe to my blog and your name will be entered twice, doubling your chances to win! Good luck.

Thanks for reading my blog.

How Many Books?

2008-01-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

I have often wondered how many books I could read in a year’s time, so this past year, I kept track. I totaled 75. Many of the books I read were paperback romances by ACFW authors. It is fun to read them because I know some of the authors personally. I can picture them sitting at their desks, carefully selecting the right words to make up their story. I find myself wondering how many times a certain scene was rewritten before it reached publication, or which character’s name was changed during the course of rewrites.

However, when I look over my list, it frustrates me to see how few books I read that others are talking about. Every time I read some of the loop emails, I gather another list of books I want to read “someday”. This last week, I ordered A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lesseman and the new book on writing romance that Gail Martin wrote. Then, I was introduced to Karen Kingsbury when I received the first book in her Redemption series as a Christmas gift. So, of course, after finishing the first one, I had to run to my local Christian bookstore and buy the next one in the series, Remember.

In the meantime, one of the ladies on our library board and a long time friend, not to mention former teacher to both of my kids back in the day, loaned me a book she thought I would like. I returned it to her after reading it and doesn’t she arrive at our next board meeting with two more books for me to read.

I joined the LI book club in August and they were sending me four books a month with frequent offers to get two “extra books” free if I do thus and so. I changed that one so now I am supposed to only receive four books every two months, but they still seem to arrive in the mal faster than I can read them.

I couldn’t resist the bargain table at Wal-mart the other day. What reader can resist a hardback novel for under three bucks, for goodness sake! I couldn’t settle for one, so I walked out with two. That totals close to a dozen books I have acquired over the past week.

Carla Stewart, in responding to a “tag game” on her blog, mentions several books I have heard of and wanted to read, but never have. Everywhere I go and everything I read seems to lead me to another book, another possible adventure, another “must read experience”.

Like most avid readers, I have stacks and stacks of books, some neatly organized on bookshelves, most piled up here and there on end tables, the coffee table, the wall unit. I know I need to weed out and get rid of some of them, but it’s like making a choice between old friends. How do you decide you will never want to look at one certain favorite book again over another? It is a daunting decision and one I am agonizing over as I struggle every day to get organized.

I look forward to all the great books I will read over the next twelve months and I will grieve the ones I give away out of necessity. Each one holds a hidden treasure of knowledge and adventure between its covers.

There are many things I believe about heaven, but these are for sure two. There will never be a limit on the amount of time we have to read and the selection of books we can choose from will be virtually immeasurable.

Interview with author Cheryl Wyatt coming soon!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Time is Already Flying By!

2008-01-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

We are ten days into the New Year and already I am struggling with meeting my goals! How frustrating is that? Very! However, I need to take some of my own advice and reevaluate my plans.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at my Toastmasters meeting. I spoke on New Year’s resolutions and how they involve lifestyle change. There lies the key. It is so difficult to change, especially when you have been as disorganized as I all your life. Maybe I’m a bit ADD as well, because it seems I can’t ever stick to one project for any length of time. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I can do the things I like for hours at a time! Give me a good book and if I’m not interrupted, I could read it from cover to cover. Set me down at the computer and I can find things to do on it that keep me occupied for half a day.

Housekeeping chores are another thing entirely. I can only focus for a certain length of time on going through old mail or organizing my myriad collection of books. So, I’m going to set a goal of fifteen minutes once a day to do that sort of thing. Maybe that way, the wood on top of my computer desk and the spare desk in my bedroom will be visible by the end of 2008!

I received a critique of one of my WIPs from one of the members of my new critique group the other day. Even though these particular pages have been entered in the Genesis contest twice and scored in the nineties both years, she identifies a major flaw. This is good, because the same problem has been gnawing at the back of my mind for months. Still, I have decided to move forward with this manuscript and get if finished. Then I can go back and rework it. If I don’t, I will be forever working those first couple of chapters. Maybe if I finish the story, I will be able to better define my heroine in chapter one. Big change for me. I’m used to rewriting the same chapters over and over until I think they are right. All that rewriting, and still they are not.

Sometimes this whole writing thing is so exasperating! I work out great scenes in my mind, but when it comes to putting them on paper, they don’t sound near as exciting. I think of other writers I have spoken to, published authors, who say it never gets any easier. I derive some consolation from that, knowing there are dozens of you out there experiencing the same agony as me. Searching for the right word. Checking sentence structure. Researching facts. Dreaming great dreams of touching lives with words.

So, I will press on and hope that I see some success in 2008.

Thanks for reading my blog!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-01-01T20:17:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year! I would like to wish everyone a healthy, prosperous, successful, and blessed 2008.

The beginning of a new year brings to mind the obligation of resolutions. It seems like the logical time to “sweep out the old, bring in the new”. Start over. Do “everything right”.

There are several definitions of the word “resolution”, but the one I like is “finding a solution to a problem”. I have learned over the course of my life that one does not find the solution to all of one’s problems somewhere between midnight December 31st and 12:01 AM January 1st of the subsequent year.

The solving of problems takes time. It also requires change, and change seldom occurs overnight. Change is a process that must be planned out, evaluated, implemented, and re-evaluated for its effectiveness.

Resolutions are usually broken within the first week. By the first of February, we are in despair over our failure to live a healthier lifestyle or make a dent in the to do list we promised to complete. Most of us still carry the burden of those bad habits we vowed to shake. Sometimes it seems that we remain at a standstill as time marches forward.

This year, I have decided to dispense with resolutions and set goals instead. Defined as “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed”, goals are friendly little things. They represent movement, progress, final arrival at a destination. If they are not achieved by a certain date, they can be moved a bit further along on the calendar without too much protest.

Goals can be broken down into pieces. A resolution is like cramming half a sandwich into one’s mouth all at once, forcing a person to choke it down. Goals can be achieved at a more leisurely pace, making them much more palatable.

A word of warning. Goals come with a companion that cannot be denied. Responsibility. If we do not hold ourselves accountable to our goals, they are as worthless as a paper sack with a hole in the bottom. We have to set up consequences for failure to meet our goals and exercise the self-discipline necessary to enforce them.

Be specific about the goals you wish to achieve and break them down into realistic possibilities. Rather than setting a goal of writing 500 words a day, aim for 2500 words a week. That gives you leeway when the grandkids stop by unexpectedly, you have meetings to attend, or life events just get in the way. This little padding can mean the difference between success and failure.

If you find you are consistently not meeting the goal, take the time to do an evaluation and find out why not. Is it too unrealistic for your life-style? Is it a matter of self-discipline? Are there other things in your life that need to take precedence right now, other goals that are more important?

If you find your goals are feasible, put those consequences in place. “If I have not written 2000 words by Friday, I need to skip that favorite Saturday evening TV show”. Be firm with yourself when you need to be and give yourself a break when it is warranted.

Throw out the resolutions that shatter like tinkling glass when they are broken. Set goals that are tangible, flexible, and rewarding when achieved. Move forward in 2008!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Interview With Peg Phifer

2007-11-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Peg. I’m delighted to have this chance to interview you and give you an opportunity to tell others about the new writing opportunity you are offering. I understand “Apples of Gold” is a venue for devotionals and short inspirational pieces. What is your main goal in providing this opportunity to writers?

Thank you, Pat. I’m delighted to have an opportunity to talk about my new venture. “Apples of Gold” (Proverbs 25:11) is a new feature on my blog “Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria,” but it is not a new idea with me. A number of years ago I was editor and publisher of an e-newsletter and website called Wordsmith Shoppe, in which I featured a writer of devotions in each issue, also called “Apples of Gold.” The idea resurfaced when I started up my blog.

Devotion writing is a niche market and writers of these inspirational thoughts and musings don’t get the recognition other writers do. At least that’s the way I see it. Most often they become part of a compilation book of devotions that include many other writers in, say, 365 days of daily devotions. So I thought I’d open one day a week on my blog to give some of these writers a bit of exposure.

But I’ve expanded the original concept to include not just the standard formula devotional, but ‘slices of life,’ poetry, almost anything that has an inspirational tone, perhaps even a lesson learned from a personal experience.

Is there a particular target audience you are hoping to reach?

No, not really. I just hoped to provide meaningful and thoughtful reading for anyone who comes across my blog. Each Apples of Gold post is listed as an archive file with an embedded link to that particular posting. Contributors can direct friends and families to their posts. That way they get exposure and my blog gets the traffic.

It’s exciting to report that I now have fourteen regular contributors and I have all the Thursday slots filled up through early March. I’m considering breaking off Apples of Gold into it’s own blog and then we won’t be restricted to just one day a week. I’m praying about that.

I realize you offer guidelines on your web site, but could you give us a brief overview of your guidelines here?

Sure. As I mentioned above, I’m open to almost any type of short inspirational writing, subject to approval. But I’m not too difficult to please. Submissions must be sent as an attached Word document, RTF or plain text (i.e. Notepad). The subject line must contain the words “Apples of Gold.” At first I was trying to keep word count between 300 and 500 words, but I’ve loosened up on that and have accepted longer articles. A brief bio, Web site and blog links, email contact (not made public unless approval granted), and a jpg or gif photo is nice. If the contributor is published, those credits may be included, as well. (Links for all this at the end of this interview.)

I know from my association with you, Peg, that you feel a deep commitment to serve other writers on their journey toward success. I’d like to hear your thoughts on that calling.

I’m an introvert. So it’s easy for me to stay behind the scenes and help others along the way. I really enjoyed my fourteen years doing my e-newsletter, providing all types of helpful information for writers, such as: Conference schedules, market news, contests, opportunities and calls for submissions from other sources, paying markets, interviews, etc. For a while, I even had a chat room where a featured writer, editor or agent would visit and conduct a mini workshop or do a Q & A session. These included folks like Jack Cavanaugh, Sally Stuart, Marlene Bagnull, Eva Marie Everson, Andrea Boeshaar, Lynn Coleman, oh . . . I can’t remember them all. But after a time, I felt the Lord calling me somewhere else, and I discontinued that adventure.

And He led me to ACFW, then ACRW, in 2001, and in 2005 I was elected as Treasurer on the ACFW operating board, serving in that position for 2-1/2 years. It was a special time that allowed me to give something back to that great organization for Christian fiction writers.

“Apples of Gold” is just one more opportunity for me to help fellow writers on their writing journeys.

Who have been your strongest influences during your writing journey?

Oh, my, there have been so many over the years. I have to say that my very first encourager was Jack Cavanaugh. In my early attempts at serious fiction writing, in an online chat room, Jack helped me brainstorm a bit with some character development and a tricky plot. There were others, too, at that same time period. Lynn Coleman for one. Marlene Bagnull was a constant encourager and supporter of my Wordsmith Shoppe efforts. More recently are Christina Miller, crit partner who also writes in my historical era, and Staci Stallings, mentor extraordinaire.

Any parting advice for fledgling writers?

I’m not sure I have any new advice to offer as I’m a ‘fledgling’ myself. Just keep at it. Pray about everything. Be sure you’re in the center of His will in your writing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, you won’t have peace about your efforts if you’re not where He wants you to be, or going where—and when—He directs you.

Thank you, Pat, for giving me this chance to share. I didn’t think I’d have much to say! LOL

Links:
Website: http://peggyblannphifer.com
Blog: http://peggyblannphifer.blogspot.com
Apples of Gold Guidelines: http://peggyblannphifer.com/applesofgold.htm
Submission Mailto: applesofgold@peggyblannphifer.com (be sure the subject line says Apples of Gold.

The Measure of Success

2007-11-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

I have a great deal of admiration for those who, despite commitments of family, work, community activities, and numerous other obligations, can manage to write on a daily basis. Try as I may, I can’t do it.

I started my blog on September 8th. That means it has been in existence for 73 days. When you consider I’ve only entered twelve posts in these past two and a half months, that averages out to one post approximately every six days. Just for fun, let’s convert that into words in a novel. When I actually do get time to sit down and work on my WIP, I usually complete four to five pages, which means 1000 to 1250 words. Say I get to do that once a week. That means, since I have 48,000 words completed, that I have 52,000 to go. It should take me somewhere between 42 and 52 weeks to complete this novel.

Okay, let’s factor into the equation the fact that the novel has been written through once, it has been the addition of subplots and scenes that I did not plan on in the beginning that have slowed me down. I’m soon approaching the place where most of the story will involve rewriting and not original writing. So, that should speed things up a bit.

Let’s say, then, that I can plan on a daily word count of 2000 to 2500 words. That reduces my time frame to somewhere between 21 and 26 weeks. So, I’m going to set the goal of having this work completed by May of 2008. That includes rewrites.

These past three months have been tough. My mother-in-law passed away in August, just a month short of her 90th birthday. We had to euthanize our beloved German Shepherd/Chow mix of 15 years in October. My brother-in-law passed away in November. A dear friend has been dealing with serious health problems since July. Add to that the fact that I managed to contract walking pneumonia, had an allergic reaction to the medications, and had inflammation in the rib area for days from coughing so much. Seems on the days when I felt like writing, I was too busy with other things, and on the days when I had time, I felt lousy.

Yet, I look at others who have so much more on their plate than I do, small children at home, a full time job, stressful family situations, and they manage to stay faithful to a writing schedule.

My thought for November is a quote from John Foster Dulles, who served as Secretary of State during President Dwight D.Eisenhower’s administration. “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”

My tough problem has carried over through many years, so I guess the measure of my success at this point is pretty poor in the writing world, anyway.. And it is more than one.

Disorganization.

Procrastination.

Fear of failure.

So, my goal for the rest of this year is to eliminate at least one of those tough problems. Despite the everyday obstacles that always manage to creep into the middle of the road, I plan to barrel around them and forge ahead.

There was a discussion on the ACFW loop a while ago about giving up writing. Can’t do that. Don’t think the Lord wants me to. So, if writing success is one of the goals I am meant to accomplish in this lifetime, I better set my mind to getting busy and doing just that.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Speaking Out

2007-10-30T05:06:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to speak in public twice this past week. My first speaking engagement was at my local Toastmasters meeting. I enjoy Toastmasters and feel it has taught me a lot about public speaking. This was my first speech out of my “Interpersonal Communications” book. It was different from the other speeches I have done in that it involved role play with one of the other members. I had a lot of fun with it and my role play partner was superb. He played the part to the hilt and, even though I had written out the scenario, he added a few lines of his own and increased the drama in the scene.

My next speaking engagement was at my ACFW Chapter meeting. I think I enjoyed that even more because it was about my favorite subject, which is writing. I titled my talk “Making Your Characters Your Reader’s Best Friends”. There were only six people there, but that was fine. This was my first “public” speech away from the structure and familiarity of Toastmasters, so I was glad to speak to a small group.

I was a bit embarrassed when a word I was looking for, about two minutes into my talk, completely escaped my rational thought processes. Couldn’t even think of a reasonable substitute. I’m sure my face got a little red, and then one of my listeners rescued me and supplied a word. I sure was grateful!

In the process of writing that speech about characterization, I came up with a tag line for my own writing. “Freeing characters from their prison and healing the wounds inflicted by the razor wire.” Okay, it may be a little long and need some tweaking, but it will do for now. It is a premise I can use when crafting my stories.

I don’t seem to have that innate fear that many others express about talking in front of others. I’ve heard it said that is the number one fear of most people. However, I still see a lot of room for improvement in the delivery of my speeches. I still tend to write out just about every word I intend to speak. This is not good. Should I lose my place on the page, I can feel myself becoming very flustered. Add to that the fact that I am extremely near-sighted. So, I either have to have the words typed on the page in 16 font at the very least, or I have to have my nose constantly in my papers.

One of the remedies for this is to know my material so well that I don’t have to be constantly looking at the notes. There were times during my talk where I simply wrote “EX: listed the name of the book I was using to make my point, and knew what I was going to say. I don’t have to write out whole sentences, only key phrases. I need to do that more frequently, just capture the key points of the idea on paper without writing out whole sentences that need to be read.

I don’t practice my speeches, even for Toastmasters, but I should. Even if I were to say them to myself in the mirror, I would be familiar with the way the words sound out loud by the time I am ready to do the presentation. I’m sure my speeches would be much smoother in their delivery than they are now.

It is one of my goals or dreams to be able to speak in public about writing. I probably wouldn’t have much opportunity in the area where I live, though. It is a small town and I doubt if I were to give a speech at, say, the public library on characterization, that more than one or two people would be interested. Still, it is an ability I would like to perfect.

One of my goals is to speak at a writer’s conference someday. Of course, I guess no one is going to be interested in what I have to say until I prove myself as a writer. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a speaker introduced at a writer’s conference as “yet unpublished” or even “pre-published”.

So, I will continue to perfect my speech making skills in my local Toastmasters club, give a talk at our ACFW chapter meetings when asked, and write like crazy so I can get published and someday someone will introduce me as a “multi-published author”.

Of course, this is all and only if it’s His plan!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Interview with Author A.K. Arenz

2007-10-18T23:15:00.000-06:00

Welcome, AK. I’m delighted to have this chance to interview you and give you an opportunity to discuss your upcoming release, The Case of the Bouncing Grandma. Tell us a little about your book.

Thank you, Patti. It’s an honor to be here.

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma is a cozy mystery with a hen-lit feel. The heroine, Glory Harper, is not your typical grandmother. While others may be baking cookies and smiling at their grandchildren's antics, Glory’s out with her seven-year-old grandson, joining in the fun. Their most recent adventure, skateboarding, resulted in Glory's broken leg and Seth's awestruck admiration. Affectionately called his "Bouncing Grandma," Glory hasn't been doing much bouncing these last six weeks with her leg in a cast and stuck in a wheelchair. But, things are about to change.

The first of the Bouncing Grandma Mysteries begins when Glory spies a foot dangling out of a rolled Oriental rug as it's carried into her new neighbor's house. Determined to discover what's going on, and undeterred by police officers who try to convince her it was simply part of a mannequin, Glory sets off on a new adventure with far higher stakes--those of life and death. With the aid of her sister, Jane, the occasional help of a police detective who is a dead ringer for Harrison Ford, a lot of prayer, and more twists and turns than even Glory could have dreamed of, fifty-two year old widow, Glory Harper finds romance when she least expects it...and a mystery to die for.

I believe that Baby Boomers and others will relate to Glory's escapades and the desire to be a fun grandparent, as well as her determination to stay young and active--in spite of a few mishaps along the way.

When did you first begin to feel that writing would become an important part of your life?

I was probably in the fourth or fifth grade. When I read Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion, I remember suddenly having this incredible feeling that this was what I wanted to do. Like most kids, making up stories is how we play; only now, I wanted the ability to write them down and share with others.

I was twelve before this finally happened, and the story I wrote – The Adventures of Christopher and Christina – got passed around the study hall that the seventh graders shared with the high school. People would bring the pages back to me and actually ask for more! That amazes me to this day.

I know through our cyberspace friendship over the past year that you have suffered a great deal of physical pain that has left you discouraged and frustrated. Would you discuss those handicaps?

In the last few years, I have developed problems with my hands. When it was just pain from cramping and such, it wasn’t fun but still workable. Then, unfortunately, it moved on to my fingers and later into my fingertips in a far worse way. The nerves in my fingers and fingertips will become hypersensitive to the point that even touching myself is beyond painful. When this happens, and nothing is capable of relieving the horrendous pain, you get to the point where thoughts of having those offending limbs chopped off almost sounds appealing.

In trying to get relief, I’ve gone to The Healing Rooms for prayer, and were it not for those wonderful people, I hate to think where I’d be today. While not cured, God has shown me little tricks to help when the pain seems about to return---a lot of prayer, wearing white cotton gloves when working at the computer and writing, as well as using pencils to type---all assist me in pushing forward. Cutting out salts has also been a godsend.

What gave you the perseverance to continue with your writing in the face of that kind of adversity?

This year it became a struggle to do the independent database job I do for the company where my husband works. The pain was zapping my strength and energy to the point that I began to think God was sending me a sign that I should stop writing.

But, anyone who writes can tell you that quitting isn’t all that easy – and even through the pain, I prayed for a definitive answer, a sign that would tell me what to do once and for all.

My weekly sessions with The Healing Rooms started to break through the 7 months of horrible pain around the same time Joan Shoup (J.M. Hochstetler), of the new small press Sheaf House, contacted me. I’ve known Joan through ACFW for a couple of years now, and though as a group, we’d discussed our writing woes, I hadn’t thought about submitting to her. Turns out the thought was God’s. Joan asked me to submit.

Who have been your strongest influences during your writing journey?

I’d have to say my daughters, Kelly and Randi, who have always believed in me. Even when they were kids, they were always there to read through and comment on my work. To this day, Kelly is my number one critiquer – on top of the fact that she is an awesome editor, which is something I think she should be doing as a living.

Any parting advice for fledgling writers?

I could give you the standard answer to “never give up,” but I believe there is more you can do.

In your deepest, darkest hours, when you’re down and feeling kicked by all around you, reach out your hand to the One who gives hope when it seems there is none, who gives love when all seems lost, who gives peace when the war is raging within and without. He never gave/gives up on us. He proved His love and mercy by sending us His Son. And through His Grace, all things are possible.

Thanks again, Patti, for letting me visit with you. Remember to visit me at www.akawriter.com for updates. The site is a work in progress, so it’s constantly changing.

Take care and God Bless. AKA ;)

Thank you, A.K. It has been a delight to have you here today. I can’t wait to read about that bouncing grandma!

Thanks for reading my blog!

The Light bulb Came On!

2007-10-17T00:35:00.000-06:00

Wow, I finally figured it out! How to add a sidebar to my blog, how to enter the links to my favorite sites, all that neat stuff. I’m so excited! If you come back in the next couple of days and things are looking quite different from your visit of the week before, or even the day before, this is why. I’m experimenting with colors, titles, and subjects. If I’ve promised to link you to my site and haven’t yet, don’t despair. I have a whole list of folks I want to add. Also, if you would like to be added to this site and are not sure if you are on my list, drop me an email and I’ll get you on there.

I have an exciting announcement to make. I will be interviewing soon-to-be-published author A.K. Arenz this month on my blog. Come on over and hear about this lady’s writing journey, the obstacles that have loomed n her way, and where she has found the strength to overcome them.

Okay, it’s late and I’ve exercised enough brainpower for tonight! Time to kick back with a good book for a few minutes then go on to bed.

Thanks for reading my blog!

10-20-30

2007-10-16T01:24:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all who have stuck with me, despite my almost two week break from blogging. BTW, I was unable to participate in the Toastmasters contest (see post of 9/28), due to my assignment to night shift. There was no way I could work until 7 AM, drive the 25 miles home, sleep for a couple of hours, then drive the 50+ miles to the contest and do a presentation anyone would understand. I was disappointed, but there will be other opportunities.

Today, I am responding to Carla Stewart’s invitation (Carla’s Writing Café at www.carlastewart.blogspot.com) to join the “tag game” and answer the question of what I was doing 10-20-30 years ago. Thanks to Mary DeMuth for spreading the virus!

Ten years ago: My husband and I were parenting two teenagers, a 16 yr old daughter and a 14 yr old son. Our daughter had obtained her driver's license, and for her 16th birthday, we traded my beloved pickup that was costing way more in maintenance than it was worth, for her first car, a used Plymouth Sundance which she promptly named Ginger. (Okay, we don’ t have horses, so we name our cars). Both of the kids were on swim team, so we spent every week-end for most of that summer traveling to the swim meets in surrounding towns. We, owning an Explorer, were designated to carry the swim tent, which meant we were always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

I was working full-time as an RN at the Fort Lyon VA Medical Center, a psychiatric facility. Our census was winding down in preparation for the inevitable closing that took place in 2001. Most of our patients were older schizophrenics who had been at our facility for most of their adult lives.

Writing was a far off dream that had been put on the back burner in the whirlwind of keeping up with the activities of two teens (boy scouts, sports, helping with homework, etc, etc). However, ’97 was also the year I entered the computer age with an actual machine that had a real hard drive. Prior to that, I had stuck my thumb into the technological age with my second hand Apple 2E purchased from a friend at work.

Twenty years ago: Hubby and I were dealing with all the challenges of raising a 6 yr old girl and a 5 yr old boy. We marveled at the quickness with which they absorbed new knowledge in school, refereed their scraps, and for the most part, enjoyed being parents.

We were both working full-time for the VA, him in housekeeping services and me as a staff nurse and relief house supervisor on the evening shift. The VA was much more active at that time. We had a lot of aggressive, acting out patients and I loved my job. I especially enjoyed doing supervisor, where it was my responsibility to coordinate staff for all the units throughout the hospital and respond to the emergency situations. Hubby and I didn’t see much of each other as we worked different shifts to cut down on the amount of time the kids had to be with a baby-sitter.
I signed up for a Writer’s Digest course in ’87 and became friends with a co-worker who was taking the same course. Unfortunately, although we tried to motivate each other, neither of us ever finished the course. Still, the writing bug lay dormant in my blood, just waiting to coax me into the world of becoming a full-time writer.

Thirty years ago: I had lived in Colorado for four years and finally made the commitment to marry the man I’d been seeing on and off since a few months after moving here. We had plans to move into the mobile home I had purchased a couple of years before, but Mother Nature took care of that. A windstorm turned the trailer over on its side five months before our wedding, driving a utility pole through it and leaving it a shambles. In June, we jointly purchased a home and were married there in September. I can remember feelings of terror as we signed papers for two thousand dollars in earnest money that would be gone if we reneged on the deal. We didn’t. We’ve been living here ever since.

I was working on my first WIP then. Prior to moving here from New York in 1973, I had taken a trip on horseback in the San Juan Mountains. I started writing my first novel based on that experience on a manual typewriter. My friends at work avidly devoured every word. When I look back on it now, I shudder at what bad writing I was capable of! After much polishing, revising, and rewriting, it is still sitting on my computer as one of my hopefuls.

It’s been fun reminiscing. I hope those to whom I offer this challenge will respond and participate. They are:

Brenda Jackson (Arizona Inspiration)
Peg Phifer (Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria)
Kassy Paris (The Writings of Kassy Paris)
Sharlene MacLaren (Writing Fiction for the Soul, Romance for the Heart)
Kim Woodhouse (God’s Love, Grace, and Forgiveness – My Journey)
Rose McCauley (Rose McCauley, Christian Author)
Patricia Carroll (Writing Life)
Pam Meyers (A Writer’s Journey)
Angie Breidenbach (God Uses Broken Vessels)

Thanks for reading my blog!

First Impressions

2007-10-12T11:27:00.000-06:00

The past several days, almost two weeks now, have had me under the weather. Combine a case of walking pneumonia with a reaction to the medication I was prescribed, along with a switch to the night shift, and you’ve got someone who feels worn out just about all the time. Seems like I can’t get enough sleep, and when I’m awake, I have no energy to get anything accomplished. I haven’t even written in this blog for close to two weeks.

Still, I did manage to find time and energy to keep a lunch date with a friend a week or so ago. It amazes me how easily we judge people we don’t even know.

The waitress who took our order was not unpleasant, but there was no hint of friendliness in her demeanor either. She presented herself as all business as she placed our drinks and silverware in front of us. There was no "hi, how are you today" or other form of greeting. Simply a "what do you want to drink"and "are you ready to order". My first impression was that she was a young woman who had probably stayed out too late the night before partying with friends and was suffering the effects while on the job today.

She returned with our food a few minutes later and then proceeded to clean the vacated table across from us. In the process, she dropped a glass into the tub used to collect the dirty dishes. It didn’t break, but her expression made it obvious she was annoyed and frustrated.

“Not your day,” my friend offered.

The woman looked up with a tight expression on her face. “No, it’s not, and yesterday wasn’t my day either,” she answered. “Yesterday, I had to put my dog to sleep.” Her granite face softened as she fought to choke back tears.

In an instant, my whole perspective on this young lady changed. She explained how it was difficult enough to make the decision to euthanize her beloved pet, but it was heartbreaking to have to explain to her two children, ages three and five, why she had made that choice. “It was time for him to go be with God, where he would be happy and healthy again,” she had told her little ones. She described the small funeral service they held for their beloved canine friend.

Soon, my friend and I were expressing our sympathy and sharing our own stories of lost pets with the grieving waitress. Before we left the restaurant, we each gave her a hug and wished her and her children well.

Who would have thought when I walked into that restaurant that I’d be giving a stone-faced waitress a hug before I left?

I felt ashamed of myself for judging her the way I had, labeling her as a bored party girl who resented the fact she had to work for a living. Here she was a single mom at work and wishing she could be at home with her heartbroken little ones, comforting them and helping them through their loss.

If only we would take a moment to seek the story behind the supposed boredom, or anger, or despair we see in the faces of others, we might learn that we have more in common with them than we think.

Something New

2007-09-28T12:04:00.000-06:00

Goodness, it’s already been a whole week since I wrote in this blog! Shame on me. I do have somewhat of an excuse. My husband and I were away for three days to celebrate our 30th anniversary and I’ve spent the rest of the week “catching up”.

We also spent a day helping our daughter pick out a new car. As we advised her with negotiations and gave our input to the choices available, I couldn’t help but think how buying a new car is somewhat like starting a new writing project.

You go to the dealership knowing what you want, but when you get there, you discover the price is beyond what your budget can handle. So, you look at the other choices and modify your expectations. Kind of like having dreams to write a three book series and realizing that maybe you should get a few short stories written first.

There are two different kinds of buyers in the automobile market. One is the impulse buyer, like me. I go to a lot, see something I like, and, assuming it fits into my budget, do the test drive, and sign the papers. My daughter, on the other hand, studies the Internet for days, talks to other people, and makes her choice based on carefully studied facts. Kind of like a SOTP writer verses an outliner. If she were a writer, she’d definitely be an outliner. Even though I do some outlining, I lean more toward SOTP.

What about options? My daughter got some pretty fancy options on her new vehicle, like a sunroof and a 6-CD player and all kinds of things I’ve never heard of. I drive a pick-up that has what I call the standard options, but I don’t go that much for fancy as I do for size. I want something big with a lot of power that represents the wanna be cowgirl in me.

I think our writing reflects who we are, just like our vehicles do. I like to think my writing possesses a certain power, the power that the Lord gave me to influence others with words. I like to hunt for new words when I write, not necessarily flamboyant words that leave the reader wondering what in the world I’m trying to say, but compelling words that draw vivid pictures for my reader.

I did a presentation at my local Toastmasters meeting yesterday. It was supposed to be a “tall tale”, so I took a story, personalized it, and threw in some exaggeration. I was in competition with another speaker to be a contestant at our area contest on October 6th and won. I’m excited to be going into competition with a speech. I’ve been in competition in other aspects of Toastmasters, but never with a speech I’ve written.

The person who did my evaluation yesterday said I had a wonderful command of vocabulary and that some of my words carried a lot of power.

If only I can take that power and channel it into my novel, I’ll be as happy with it as my daughter is with her brand new car.

September Memories

2007-09-21T23:05:00.000-06:00

Last September was quite different from this one for me. In August of 06, I flew back to New York, where I spent a few days with my family, then brought my mom out here for a visit. She was here for almost two weeks when my sister, also from New York, flew out and joined us. My mom is visually impaired, so flying alone is difficult for her. Therefore, my sister and I had made an arrangement where I would fly back to get mom, then my sister would fly out a couple of weeks later, spend a few days, and fly her home.

We had a delightful time. This was mom’s second visit with her only great grandchild, then five-year old Madison, and they got along famously. My sister had never met Madison and was thoroughly charmed by her. Even though we didn’t do much exciting, we had a lot of fun and shared some precious family moments.

Right after mom and my sister left on the 15th of September, I began preparing for the Dallas ACFW conference. I was both excited and nervous. A dear friend who I had not seen in 34 years was going with me. She lives in Iowa and was visiting her son, stationed in Colorado Springs, prior to his deployment to Iraq. We were to meet at Colorado Springs airport and fly to Dallas together. I wondered what it would be like to see someone I had not seen in so long and been in contact with only sporadically over the past few years. Would we have anything in common anymore? She had lived such a different life from mine, fulfilling her dream of becoming a pastor. She had even obtained her PhD and earned the right to be addressed as “Doctor”. I must admit, I felt a bit intimidated and inferior.

I should have known better. The moment I spotted her in the airport waiting area, it was like we had seen each other just last week. We survived on little sleep as we talked about our past, our present, our future, shared dreams about writing, and laughed and cried as only friends can do.

I’m ashamed that I had so little faith in the power of friendship.

The conference last year was wonderful. I had an appointment with a well-known agent and was a wreck; so nervous I was tempted to cancel the appointment. No way did I feel qualified to talk to this lady. My friend and Genesis contest mentor took me to the prayer room where she prayed and I cried.

The appointment was a great success. The agent expressed interest in my work and requested I send a full manuscript to one of her associates. It turns out now that the associate has left the agency, but the person who replaced her is someone I know who is also interested in my manuscript.

I didn’t attend this year’s conference. I feel a strong need to get the rewrite of this manuscript down on paper before I do attend another one.

I wonder what I’m missing in the way of new information at conference this year. I know James Scott Bell, who I had the privilege to hear at CCWC a couple of years ago, will do some wonderful presentations. My heart aches a little when I think of all the friends I won’t see this year that I only get to see at conference. Still, I also feel optimistic that next year I will be attending with a completed manuscript.

By the way, tomorrow I get to write Chapter Nineteen at the top of the page. That’s exciting – to me, anyway.

Hero of the Day

2007-09-18T13:05:00.000-06:00

We all have heroes. Most are larger than life characters: movie stars, great athletes, or perhaps historical figures who have made an impression on us by fighting for what they believed in.

Then there are the heroes that enter our lives every day.

Tuesday evening, I asked my husband if he would like to go with me when I took my six-year old granddaughter home to shower and get into bed in preparation for school the next day. Since her parents work evenings, this is the arrangement we have made to prevent her having to be awakened so late in the evening and taken home. To my surprise, he decided to come along.

We arrived at my daughter’s house where Pappy settled on the couch to view a football game while Madison and I trooped upstairs to attend to the business of getting her in the shower. She was just about to undress when her attention was drawn to the wall. Just below the ceiling lurked a wasp with the body of a large cow and the wingspan of a small jet.

Insects are not my favorite species among God’s great and small creatures. I did the bravest thing I could think of without alarming Madison and making her aware that her grandmother is a bona fide coward. I calmly urged her to go find a fly swatter and while she was at it, take a run downstairs and get Pappy.

She returned a moment later with Pappy in tow, sporting a fly swatter that had seen better days. The handle was maybe all of six inches long. Other than scaling the vanity counter, the only thing available to step on was Madison’s step stool that stands about a foot off the ground. Hardly appropriate for stalking prey at ceiling level. I went in search of something more conducive to accomplishing the pursuit and retrieved a folding chair from the computer room.

I’m sure that insect, perched on the wall, watched us with pure amusement, until my husband started attacking it with the fly swatter. This merely succeeded in infuriating the beast. It vacated its perch and flew around in ever threatening circles, then attached itself to the light fixture above the sink. I’m sure it’s survival instincts told it that it had found a nearly impossible haven to reach with a six-inch over the hill fly swatter.

Hubby left me in charge of tracking any movement of the bodacious bug while he embarked on a search for a more suitable weapon to complete the annihilation of the sinister insect. He returned in a few moments with a broom, which he used to brush the annoying intrusion off the light fixture. It began buzzing around furiously, attempting to ignore this interruption of its neat and orderly existence. It caught itself in the bristles of the broom, where it was whisked into the sink. We gave a victory shout as we flushed it down the drain with copious amounts of hot water. So came about the demise of the wasp.

We thought.

No sooner had we opened the door to retrieve Madison, who was waiting in the hallway where it was safe, when the supposedly demised denizen resurrected itself and began dive bombing everything in sight, using our heads as its prime target. A few more frenzied moments of chasing the persistent pest around with the broom and my husband nailed it, bashing it repeatedly with the lethal weapon until it was nothing but a bloody pulp on the bathroom floor. We ceremoniously flushed the battered remains down the toilet.

If my husband had not been there, you can bet Madison and I would have made a bee line out of the bathroom, down the stairs, out the front door, into my pick-up and back to town, where she would have been showered and placed in bed in the spare bedroom at our house.

But hubby was with me and he saved the day.

He’s my hero!

Contest info: Anyone who makes a comment on any of my blog posts up through midnight, Saturday, Sept 29th will be placed into a drawing for ACFW’s multi- published author Mary Davis’s Michigan Weddings. Winner will be announced on September 30th. (If unable to comment on the blog itself because you are not a member, email me your comment and I’ll put you in the drawing). Good luck!

Making Time

2007-09-13T00:52:00.000-06:00

Our school went to a four-day week this year. My granddaughter, who started kindergarten, is finding the days long. She is in school from 7:45 AM until 4 PM. Quite a change from her pre-school schedule last year, when she arrived at 11:30 and left at 3:00. She loves school, but comes home so tired that sometimes she sleeps most of the evening away.

I ran into a friend in town and was talking about the long school day with her. She asked me why I don’t run for the school board and do something about the long days. Well, the number one reason is that I don't believe there is an opening in my district right now. The second is that I’m not so sure the four-day week won’t work out well, once the little ones get adjusted to the new schedule. A man I work with said he graduated from a school system where the four-day week has been in existence for years and the students and families in that community loved it. I guess I believe in giving change a chance.

The main reason, though, I would not run for the school board is because I already have enough obligations that take up my time. I work two days a week, sometimes more since I’m also on-call status. I’m a member of the credit committee at our local credit union and a board member at our local library. I’m a member of Toastmasters International and active in our Sunday school program, which will start up this Sunday with a kick-off breakfast. Okay, it doesn’t sound like much, but add in all the little things I do for each of these activities that takes up time. Then, we watch our granddaughter a couple of days a week. She loves to be a “big helper”, but there are some things little ones just can’t help with, no matter how they try. Like writing a novel!

I wanted to tell my friend who brought the school board question, “I don’t have time. I’m a writer.” Well, as little time as I seem to spend writing, I’m not too eager to vocalize those words real often. However, it did set me to thinking, so between meetings today, reading email, reading a new book I just started, and doing a little straightening up around the house, I did manage to squeak out 689 words in the next chapter of my current WIP (work in progress).

Okay, it’s not a lot, but it’s 689 more words than I had down on paper this morning. My goal when I started was 500 (about two pages), so I surpassed that. Tomorrow I hope to get another 500 down and maybe I’ll exceed my goal again. Then there is the day after that and the day after that. I may entirely delete what I wrote today and start over, but at least I have an idea for the beginning of a new chapter. Chapter Seventeen. Seems like ages ago I was writing Chapter Seven at the top of the page. It was. Too long ago.

I remember when I quit smoking. I used to think, I can’t wait until I’ve been a non-smoker for a week. Then, I can’t wait until I haven’t smoked for a month. Then six months. Then a year. Now, it’s coming up on eight years.

So, I look at Chapter Seventeen at the top of the page and smile and look forward to the day when I’ll be writing Chapter Eighteen, and Twenty, and Twenty-Seven….

Anyone who makes a comment in response to any of my posts will be placed into a drawing for a free book. Winner will be announced on September 30th. Good luck!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Reflections and Regrets

2007-09-10T12:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. I could not be there to help her celebrate since I live a couple of thousand miles away. She had a good day, though. My sister, who lives sixty miles away, and some friends of hers, attended church with mom, then took her to lunch. Afterward, some friends in her retirement apartment complex had a surprise birthday party for her.

I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be in as good health as my mom when I reach her age, twenty years from now. Not only that, but what will I accomplish in the next twenty years, if the Lord grants me another twenty? Will I achieve my goals as a published writer? Will I touch the lives of others with the message in the way that I would like to, or rather, the way that I believe the Lord has laid it on my heart to do so?

My mother-in-law went to be with the Lord a month ago, just short of her 90th birthday. She was the center post of our family and she had seen more than her share of heartache in her life. She came to this country from Mexico at a very young age, married young, and bore fifteen children. Only eight of them were still living when the Lord called her home. I think of the hundreds of stories she could have told about her struggles, her joys, her tragedies. I wish now I had taken the time to coax those stories from her memory, written them down, preserved them for her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, but I didn’t.

How many times have I, as a writer, let those opportune moments slip through my fingers? A routine conversation with family members can be so rich in history that it shines brighter than pure gold, but I don’t see it until it’s too late. Later I try to recapture all the emotion and intensity of the moment, but it’s not the same.

My mom was raised in a very different environment from my mother-in-law, but she has dozens of stories of her own. So, the next time we are together, I think I will take my little portable tape recorder with a few dozen tapes and sit down and get her talking. And just listen.

I used to keep a diary, but I haven’t done that on a regular basis for a long time now. I wish I had, because I’ve failed to capture on paper so many of the major events in my life and the lives of my family. Our children’s graduations. Their first jobs. Our son’s marriage and eventual move across the country. Our granddaughter’s birth.

It just seems to me there is never enough time. Time to work and keep up the house and do all the reading I want to do and spend time with the people I enjoy and do any writing. Seems like the writing is always the last on my list of priorities. Guess I need to change that if I’m going to accomplish anything worthwhile.

Speaking of time, it is already time to go get ready for work. So, another day goes by with no writing done on my novel. Maybe I can write a few lines after work. I hope. Because this day starts the next twenty years of my life. Or ten. Or thirty. Who knows?

Thanks for reading my blog!

The Beginning

2007-09-08T12:45:00.000-06:00

I've been going to start blogging for quite some time now. After listening to one of our member’s talk on blogging at the latest American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) local chapter meeting, I came to the conclusion it is time.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself and my family. I will be married 30 yrs this month. My husband and I are both retired from federal service, but I work part-time as a registered nurse at a youth psychiatric treatment facility. We have two adult children and one granddaughter. We also have two dogs and one cat.

In addition to holding a license as an R.N., I am a writer. Well, that's questionable sometimes, because it seems to me I spend more time thinking about what I'm going to write than I do writing. I have great dreams, three novels in the works, and very little to my credit that is published as yet.

My first "real" work appeared in an issue of the Bent County Chronicle, a quarterly publication of the Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County. There was no pay in it, but that wasn't important. I had fun interviewing several people about a grocery store that existed in my town from the 1930's until the 1970's. I talked to several people to get the full story. When my article was published, I was so excited, I bought ten copies of the publication to pass out to all the people I had interviewed.

My latest writing endeavor occurred a week ago. I met with another member of our church Sunday school committee and we worked up a newsletter to send out to parents, welcoming the kids back to another year of Sunday school. My friend seemed to be impressed with what I wrote. I thought it was pretty easy, but that wasn't me, that was the Lord laying the message on my heart that He wanted conveyed. Cool stuff!

I started working on my first novel more years ago than I care to remember, shortly after I moved to Colorado following a vacation pack trip in the San Juan Mountains. That story, with the working title "Magic Moments in Time" is still dear to my heart, embellished with some romance and adventure, of course. Someday I hope to see it in print.

Ever since I was a little girl and saw my first episode of "Gunsmoke" that aired on September 10, 1955, (I was 4 yrs old!) I've been in love with westerns. I have several first edition Zane Grey books. They have been sitting on my bookshelf since my great aunt gave them to me over thirty years ago. Every once in a while, I need a "Zane Grey" fix, so I read three or four of his books in a row. I have recently been reading all the Louis L'Amour books I can obtain. Terry Burns, a Christian writer who writes with a "western flair", is one of my favorite current authors.

I live in southeastern Colorado, where pastures dotted with cattle and horse trailers rumbling down the road are a common sight. Factor that in with my fascination for the western lifestyle and it is only logical that I would try to write my own western. I'm working on a historical and a contemporary.

I joined ACFW in 2003. Since then, I've made so many friends and learned so much about writing. In fact, that is part of the problem for me. Every time I learn something new, I have the tendency to go back through what I have written and revise. I need to turn off that internal editor, write the story straight through, then go back and rewrite. Unfortunately, I have a bit of an obsessive-compulsive personality. I work on that same paragraph until I feel it is "right". Makes for slow progress, I'm afraid.

My plans for this blog are to share some of my feelings about writing and about life in general. I hope to host other bloggers and authors on my site, offer interesting contests, and do book giveaways. So, come back in a couple of days and see what I have to say!

Thanks for reading my blog!