A Little Bit of This and That

I'm interested in a lot of subjects. Today, I've tossed a few of them in my blog jar to share with you. :)

1.  Amy Sullivan guest posts on Zoe McCarthy's blog. Would you like to know how to conduct a professional author interview over the phone or via email? Check out her excellent tips.

2.  The Procrastiwriter hosts an Israeli writer, Moran Chaimovitz, on the subject of reading your story out loud - to a live audience! Please note: The article contains minimal/mild profanity.

3.  All of my books deal with near-future America. Older people face discrimination when it comes to accessing healthcare. World Net Daily reports that Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel is a long-time advocate of rationing healthcare for older people This is being discussed TODAY.

4.  On a lighter note, Jeanette Levellie. at On Wings of Mirth and Worth, extols the virtues of small-town living. Find out what happened when the fire department was called.

5.  Congratulations to Karen Lange on the release of her latest book, Write for Life. This approximately 83-page tutorial helps young people master the art of producing a research paper. If you've been out of school as long as I have, it's a great refresher for adults as well!

Writers:  Have you ever read your work out loud to a critique partner? Please share what you learned.

Readers:  Which link was your favorite and why?

Have a blessed weekend!

Photo credit:  ba1969

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Christina Berry Tarabochia and Sherrie Ashcraft

 After fourteen years of hard work, Sherrie Ashcraft and Christina Berry Tarabochia are thrilled to announce the release of their novel, On the Threshold. Interested in how a mother and daughter can write a book together? Want a chance at winning a Kindle and a business card design from a top-notch company? Go to http://christinaberry.net/christinas-blog/blogger/ for the details.
Why did you ladies begin writing this book?
Both of us had always talked about writing a book, but fourteen years ago Sherrie said if we were ever going to write, maybe we should work on a book together. It would hold us accountable. We lived on different sides of the state of Oregon at the time, so we did a lot of it via e-mail, and once a month Sherrie would make the 250-mile drive to Christina's house and we'd work on it in person. We wanted to share a real look at depression and trying to be good enough to please God--what that might look like in a family's life.
Fourteen years? Really?
That's from the first word penned. The very first contest we entered, we actually talked about how we needed to decide how to fight off all the editors who'd be making offers. Instead, we found out we had a lot to learn! Attending writing conferences and reading craft books brought our writing to a higher level.
Tell us about On the Threshold.
We loved having the chance to tell this story! In fact, we have a few more stories to tell about these characters  if readers love this one. Here's what the book is about.
Suzanne—a mother with a long-held secret. Tony—a police officer with something to prove. Beth—a daughter with a storybook future. When all they love is lost, what's worth living for?
Suzanne Corbin and her daughter, Beth Harris, live a seemingly easy life. Suzanne has distanced herself from her past, replacing pain with fulfillment as a wife and mother, while Beth savors her husband’s love and anticipates the birth of their child. But all that is about to change.
Like a sandcastle buffeted by ocean waves, Suzanne’s façade crumbles when her perfect life is swept away. Tragedy strikes and police officer Tony Barnett intersects with the lives of both women as he tries to discover the truth. Left adrift and drowning in guilt long ignored, Suzanne spirals downward into paralyzing depression. Beth, dealing with her own grief, must face the challenge of forgiveness. Can these two women learn to trust each other again? Will they find the power of God’s grace in their lives?
You can find Christina at Posting With Purpose. Sherrie blogs at The Mother Blog.

Christina and Sherrie have generously offered to give away a copy of their e-book, On the Threshold. To enter:
1) Leave a comment and email address on this post.
2) You must be a Follower or become a Follower of this blog.
3) Deadline: Wednesday, 6/12/13, at 11:59 P.M.
4) The winner will be announced on Friday, 6/14/13.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any payment for this post.

Author Interview - Karen Lange

I'm pleased to welcome  Karen Lange, my friend, blogging buddy, and fellow author, to Christian Writer/Reader Connection!

Please share some highlights of your writing journey.

Thank you, Susan, for having me over!

The writing journey is an adventure! One ongoing highlight is meeting so many wonderful writers.  It was also great to see my first byline in a magazine article years ago. It might seem silly, but I still enjoy seeing my name in print. :)

The biggest highlight to date would be signing a contract with Helping Hands Press. It still seems a bit surreal!

I was so excited to hear you signed with Helping Hands Press. What was it like when you received the contract offer? Did you scream, do the Snoopy Dance, or celebrate in some other way?

No, there wasn’t any screaming, lol. It was early morning when I got the email with the contract. After I read it, I sat back, a bit stunned. A wave of excitement and nerves hit me simultaneously. So I decided to text my kids – I knew they’d see it when they got up. And of course, I told my husband as soon as he woke up.  I think I sputtered out something like, “Umm, guess who was just offered a publishing contract?”

The whole process took less than a week and I was surprised how quickly things went. I still smile when I think about it. I’m both nervous and excited.

What project will be the first on the publishing list? Do you have specific goals/ideas for future releases?

The plan now is to revise and expand a short book I self published in 2007 on homeschool learning co-ops. I’d like to compile and publish my teen writing lessons (that I use with my online classes). And of course, I’d like to see our collaborative project, the historical novel, published.

What is your favorite aspect of writing?

Although I enjoy the entire process, I love seeing a project to completion. It’s satisfying seeing everything come together.

Writers draw inspiration from a variety of sources. What gets your creativity into high gear?

Ideas are everywhere, and I am often inspired. I’m amazed at how God created our minds and imaginations to work. Sometimes it’s hard to rein in the ideas that clamor for attention. Staying with the task at hand and deadlines help me focus.

Often a small thing sparks my creativity. Take for instance a scene in our book that deals with a main character’s young daughter. My 6-year-old nephew said something one day that generated a scene and dialogue between the daughter and another key character.  So you just never know, do you?

Thanks again for inviting me to stop by, Susan! I appreciate your support. It’s always fun to come and see you and your friends.  :)

To connect with Karen online, you can find her at:

Karen Lange
klange61@hotmail.com
Writer, Blogger
karenelange.blogspot.com
Instructor, Coffeehouse for Writers
http://coffeehouseforwriters.com/

Thank you, Karen! I know there are good things ahead for you. 

Writers and Readers: Do you have any questions for Karen? Feel free to jump in and ask!

Author Interview and Book Spotlight - Carrie Fancett Pagels

I'm happy to welcome fellow Helping Hands Press author, Carrie Fancett Pagels to Christian Writer/Reader Connection!

1)  Please tell us a little about your journey to publication? I was a psychologist for 25 years. I wrote as a child and in high school I was on the yearbook and the newspaper staff.  In college I was the "key liner" for the college magazine.  I dropped out of grad school to write a secular novel in the 1970's.  Went back and got my doctorate.  Kept writing stories.  Was published in nonfiction.  

This publication was a "God thing" and I shared about this on MaryLu Tyndall's blog. Here's the link: http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-04-22T00:30:00-07:00&max-results=7  My story is about radical obedience and my efforts to follow God's will for my writing also resulted in this story being released and receiving favor.  I am very grateful for all the assistance God sent my way!  From having Murray Pura contact me, to having a blurb available from a pulled proposal, to getting to spend several hours with Julian Charity of Shirley Plantation, being allowed to use a picture taken by their staff photographer, having awesome Civil War writer Kathleen Maher as my critique partner, to having amazing bloggers on my group blog who supported me, to the readers God sent my way--it really was like a whirlwind of awesome blessings!!!  To be part of this big anthology with all these great authors is pretty humbling.

2)  How did you discover Shirley Plantation?  My inlaws were visiting from Chicago and we wanted to go to some of the plantations along the James River.  I thought my MIL would enjoy this.  Mind you, this is many years ago when I was still working as a psychologist. The first time we went, Shirley was closed and we were very disappointed.  So on one of their subsequent trips we went to Shirley.  The plantation buildings flabbergasted me because there were so many colonial era buildings, intact, in one place.  I suspected that there might be nothing like it out there anywhere--and I have discovered that is correct!  An amazing place and the staff are some of the most wonderful people I have met on my writing journey!  So unbelievably helpful!

3)  Time management is an issue for all authors. How do you balance writing with life in general?  I really try to keep God first, then my family and then the writing.  One thing I have found is to have accountability partners and I am blessed to have several who really help me.  Also, I try to schedule my writing in segments so that I don't overtax myself.  I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I have to manage my health, too, so I can write effectively. 

4)  What other projects do you have in the pipeline?  I have a three book proposal that I am working on that is also set along the James River.  On one of the manuscripts I already have four authors who have read and endorsed the book and it is not yet contracted.  Praying this series will be, soon, though.  I am writing a story that is the first one and I have enjoyed going back to colonial times for this one!

Bio - Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.d.

Carrie Fancett Pagels writes "romantic" historical fiction. Her debut release Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, a Kindle Civil War best seller, is part of a multi-author anthology headed up by Murray Pura. 

Carrie is represented by Joyce Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency and is owner/administrator of two group blogs: "Colonial Quills" and Overcoming With God." Carrie was a psychologist for 25 years. She lives in Virginia with her family.

Facebook Author Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Fancette-Pagels/317053071710640?fref=ts
Facebook Personal Page:  http://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/cfpagels
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/carriefpagels/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7043690.Carrie.Fancett.Pagels
Linked In:  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=131454255&trk=tab pro

GIVEAWAY! Carrie has generously offered to giveaway a set of notecards. This is open to U.S. residents only. Please leave a comment and an email address, so we can contact you if you win. I'll announce the winner on Friday, 5/24/13. Carrie will send the notecards to the winner.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Carrie!
 

 

Author Interview & Giveaway - Paula Rose Michelson - Part 2

Today, we continue with Part 2 of our interview with Paula Rose Michelson, author of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing. The giveaway details are below.

4) Please give our readers a short summary of Casa de Naomi: the House of Blessing. 


Fifteen-year-old Naomi wants to practice her faith in public, find her uncle, and help him raise money to bring their family to America. She signs on as a companion to a blind woman, whose family plans to tour Europe and settle in the United States. Her plans are thwarted when the woman dies aboard ship, and Naomi is handed over to Immigration.

While waiting for her interview, an old Tia (auntie) comes to her rescue and offers to take her in. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Naomi accepts the arrangement and unwittingly enters the country illegally.

The book trailer can be viewed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uckLDfMaM

5)  When does Book 2 release, and how can we get it? What other projects are on the horizon?

Book 2 will release in the spring of 2013. However, I hope to have the pre-release copies by December 2012. You can order your inscribed copies at my website.

6)  Finally, do you have any advice for those who view their writing as a calling from God?

This is a very important question and one I do not take lightly. As your readers have probably surmised by now, writing with the idea of being published, especially with my spelling and punctuation issues, was the last thing I would have wanted to do.

I'll ask your readers: "How do you know that God has called you? What has He asked you to write about and why?

I know these questions might sound odd. Yet after speaking with numerous people, I'm surprised many haven't a clue as to why or how God can use them. I've heard their frustration over harsh critiques and rejection letters.

Since I believe most who struggle with their calling have not asked these questions, let me share these are the questions God answered for me. His answers motivated and encouraged me so much that I began sharing my journey with my friends. Before I ever had a publisher, I was receiving calls from people I had never met that wanted to know if I'd like to hear their stories. Before the novel was published, 40 books had been sold.

Giveaway:

1.  To be eligible, you must be a resident of the U.S. and a Follower of Christian Writer/Reader Connection.

2.  Leave a comment on this post with your email address.

3. Deadline: Saturday, 7/14/12, at midnight. The winner will be drawn on Sunday 7/15/12 and announced on the blog. They will also be notified via email. Once I have your snail mail address, I'll forward it to Paula. She will send you her book.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration from either the publisher or the author to do this interview.

Writers: Do you feel God called you to write? Please share.

Readers:  What was your favorite part of this interview?

Author Interview & Giveaway - Paula Rose Michelson - Part 1

Paula Rose Michelson and I "met" when I won her book on Dorothy Adamek's blog, Ink Dots. We've since corresponded about her work and the challenges of writing.

She's offered to do a GIVEAWAY of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing. Check out the details below.

1) Welcome, Paula! What was the inspiration for your series, "Casa de Naomi?"

A friend kept asking me if I was pursuing my craft. When I discovered she was a publisher, I set up a meeting. We discussed my idea for a book about 3 women, who meet while hiking the Appalachian Trail, and how the believing one's faith affects the others.

Knowing very little about the Sephardic (Spanish) Jews that had to be baptized into the Catholic faith to survive during the Inquisition, I had to research Naomi's background. After several weeks, the publisher contacted me to find out why I hadn't sent her an outline. When she heard I was writing a character sketch for Naomi, she requested I send her my notes.

She emailed me, and said I'd begun writing a book. When I told her she was mistaken, she suggested I go back three days and read the emails I'd sent her. She was right! A few days later, the characters began speaking to me, and I kept writing until they were done talking.

While I kept Naomi, I did not go with the original idea of 3 women on the Appalachian Trail. I'll share more about the book later.

2) What is the overall message of the books?

The book grew out of my work as founder and head of LAMB Ministries, which uses Scripture and prayer to heal the wounds of women abused in childhood. It was my desire to help others view their issues through Naomi, a teenager living a fearful existence because she was taught that who she is and what she believes could lead to her death.

I've set up a blog called, The Casa de Naomi Reflections blog, where I post weekly. I encourage readers to think about Naomi's issues and look at Scriptural choices without preaching. To find out more about LAMB Ministries and begin your healing, visit my website.

Book 1 in the series ends without a resolution to worldly issues. I believe the reader will take away that although people think they know us, they only know what we choose to show them. When thinking of Naomi's difficulties, we discover that no imagined issues are worth subjugating ourselves and all we can become. The key to freedom is: owning who we are and claiming all that Messiah did for us.

3. Could you share how you researched before writing?

My initial research into the Spanish and Mexican Inquisitions made me curious. I interviewed several women from the Sephardic population and included pertinent historical notes at the beginning of each book.

We'll continue our interview with Paula on Monday, 7/9/12.

Giveaway Details:
1) You must be a Follower of Christian Writer/Reader Connection and a resident of the U.S.
2) To enter, comment on this post. Please leave your email address, so I can reach you
3) Deadline: Saturday, 7/7/12, at midnight. The winner will be announced on the blog and notified by email. When I receive your snail mail address, I will forward it to Paula. She will send you the book.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration for this interview or giveaway.

Writers: Have any of your ideas sprung from actual historical events? Please share.
Readers: How much historical detail do you like in a book: just the flavor or served up in gourmet fashion?

Author Interview - Jeanette Levellie - Part 2

 
Don't forget, Jen has a fabulous giveaway on her Facebook pages.

4) Welcome back, Jen! You're known for your humor. Is this a natural gift or did you study to acquire it?

I grew up in a sarcastic family. I learned to look at everything with a little snarky attitude. I turn it around and tell on myself, so that I'm not mean to others, but I have to be cautious so it doesn't get out of hand. I think my humor is mostly a grace gift from the Lord, but I've learned to increase it from reading humorists like James Watkins, Philip Gulley, and Erma Bombeck. No matter how big  your gift is, you can always increase it by hanging out with people more gifted than you are.

5) What advice would you give a non-fiction writer, who wants to publish a book?

A) Pray and ask God to lead you down the path He wants for you. Everyone's trail is different, and the biggest mistake we can  make is to try and follow another sheep rather than the Shepherd.

B) Hone your skills--determine to grow. Read craft books, go on blogs, join a critique group, and attend writers conferences.

C) As the Lord to put people in your path that can help you achieve the goals and dreams He's put in your heart. As BIG! We are talking God here. He formed the universe with the word of His power and raised Jesus from death and us from Satan's grip. He can surely open a few doors for you. But you have to ask, and expect Him to come through.

D) Be humble enough to take advice people give you.

E) Then set your bootie in the chair and write, write, write and submit, submit, submit.

Bio: A spunky pastor's wife of thirty-plus years, Jeanette Levellie authors a bi-weekly humor/inspirational column, God Is Bigger, a popular feature in the Paris Beacon News since 2001. She has published stories in Guideposts anthologies, Love is a Verb Devotional with Gary Chapman, articles in Christian and secular magazines, greeting card verses, and poems for calendars. She is also a prolific speaker for both Christian and secular groups and loves to make people laugh while sharing her love for God and life.

Jeanette is a mother of two grown children, three grandchildren, and servant to four cats. She lives in Paris (not the French one), Illinois with her husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include dining out, talking baby talk to her cats, avoiding housework, reading, and watching old classic movies.

To buy Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, go to: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

Question for Writers and Readers: What nuggets did you take away from this interview?

I particularly liked Jen's advice to follow the Shepherd rather than the sheep.

Author Interview - Jeanette Levellie - Part 1

Let me say upfront: I'm totally biased when it comes to my good friend, Jeanette Levellie. She's a star in my estimation. Even though I'd read bits and pieces of her work over the years, I was unprepared for the effect her book had on me. My emotions ran the gamut of laughing, crying, and "wow, I never thought of it that way."

Her book launches this month. It's in both print and Ebook format (Kindle, Nook). This book is a read-it-more-than-once keeper.

Jen is doing a a super drawing on her Facebook pages. There will be free downloads of her book for ten winners, who like one of her Facebook pages. A second giveaway is a drawing for those who read her book and answer ten EASY questions. The winner will get a $100 gift card to one of the following: Amazon, B and N, CBD, WalMart, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Ruby Tuesday.

I'm happy to welcome her to Christian Writer/Reader Connection to share the details of her journey.

1) What prompted you to embark on a writing career? I never intended to have a career at it--I wrote articles and devotionals and calendar poems for several years. Then I had an idea to approach my newspaper's editor and ask if I could do a column combining humor and inspiration. He agreed. That was 11 years ago.

Over that time, many people have told me I needed to turn the columns into a book. I always said, "NO, I don't. Getting a book published is too much work and trouble. I just want to have fun (hey, that sounds like a song title!). After so many people asking me to write a book, I started seeking the Lord to see if He wanted me to pursue publication. He led me to a friend, Clella Camp, who published a devo called, Just Walking, and she encouraged me to attend a writers conference. That was in 2008.

2) What was it like moving from writing columns and short pieces to tackling a book? What was the hardest part of the transition? The easiest?

The book is a compilation of columns and short pieces, but I needed a theme to weave them together. I noticed that I write a lot about the Lord's grace and mercy, so I decided to choose the articles that focused on that theme. Plus, I tried to pick ones that had an element of humor in them.

The hardest part of any book is writing the proposal. I've written four now, and I think we should receive a million dollars, a mink coat, and a trip around the world each time one is complete. Oh, and a boatload of chocolate!

The easiest part was looking up Scriptures to go with each piece. I love to peruse the Word of God and find fun, wise nuggets in there. It never grows old; it's like a perpetual ice cream cone that doesn't deplete, no matter how many bites you take. How blessed we are to serve a God that has given us this living, breathing book to guide, encourage and help us.

3) Please tell us a little about the book.

Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top is a light-hearted look at God's enormous heart. I've taken 72 stories of everyday battles, brouhahas, and bliss and added a touch of humor. My goal is to make you laugh, help you like yourself, and enable you to receive God's love. I've aimed it primarily at Christians, but it has some "salt" sprinkled in it as well, to make pre-believers thirsty to know Jesus.

Susan: We'll share Part 2 of the interview next Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Question for writers:  Have you considered writing a non-fiction book? If yes, what type?

Question for readers: Is humor an important element in non-fiction books for you? If so, why?

Personally, I'm a spoonful-of-sugar-makes-the-medicine-go-down type of gal!

The Winner

Congratulations to:   TYREAN!!!

You've won Cathy Gohlke's book, "Promise Me This." Please send me your snail mail address, and I'll forward it to Cathy.

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway. Watch for my big Blogoversary Extravaganza in May. Yes, there'll be lots of giveaways. :)

Cathy Gohlke - Author Interview & Giveaway - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview and giveaway with Christy Award winning author, Cathy Gohlke. Check out the giveaway details at the end of the interview.

3) Cathy, do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Read, write the best book/article/short story/feature/poem you can at this time in your journey, then revise, work hard, and expect the road to be long and bumpy. Embrace those bumps, twists and turns as gifts from a loving Heavenly Father. They're in your unique path, as they were and are in mine, to learn something valuable--something that will not only make each of us better, stronger people and better, stronger writers, but able to write with the unique voice we've been given.

Take full advantage of the opportunities within your grasp, learn from those who've gone before and from those who are willing to walk beside you. Never-NEVER-compare your work or opportunities with those of others--it is futile, and/or discouraging, and/or leads to pride that knows a sharp-ended timeline.

Share your gifts, bless others with your writing, and stay the course. Surrender each day to theCreator of days, and each opportunity--for joy or sorrow, trusting Him for the results.

If you decide this is more than you want to bite off, there is no shame. There are ways upon ways to honor God with your life, to live out who He created you to be, to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel," and to "love one another." Know the difference between "I should do this" and "I'm made alive by doing this!"

6) I'm already looking forward to another Cathy Gohlke book.What's next on your agenda?

Band of Sisters, which will release in September, was born of a passion to end modern-day slavery, and most of all to ask, "what can I do to help in a need so desperate?"

Here is a summary:

Maureen O'Reilly and her younger sister flee Ireland in hope of claiming the life promised their father over twenty years before.

But after surviving the rigors of Ellis Island, Maureen learns that their NYC benefactor, Colonel Wakefield, has died, and his family, refusing to own hisCivil War debt, casts her out.

Alone, impoverished, and in danger of deportation, Maureen connives to obtain employment in a prominent department store. But she soon discovers that the elegant facade hides a secret that threatens every vulnerable woman in the city.

Despite her family's disapproval, Olivia Wakefield determines to honor her father's debt, but can't find Maureen. Unexpected help comes from a local businessman, who Olivia sees as more than an ally, even as she fears the secrets he's hiding.

As women begin disappearing from the store, Olivia rallies influential ladies in her circle to help Maureen take a stand against injustice and fight for the lives of their growing band of sisters. But can either woman open her heart to divine leading, or the love that might bring?

Thank you, Cathy, for doing this interview.

Thank you so much for having me, Susan. It's been my pleasure and joy to spend time with you and your readers!

Disclosure: The author provided her book for purposes of review. The opinions I've expressed, as usual, are totally mine.

Giveaway Details:

1) The giveaway is open to Followers and new Followers of Christian Writer/Reader Connection, who reside in the United States. The drawing is void where prohibited.

2) Leave a comment on this post with your email address. Next Wednesday, you'll have an opportunity to comment for another entry. If you mention the giveaway on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter, I'll give you another entry for each one as long as you inform me in your comment here.

3) The deadline is midnight, Saturday, March 31, 2012. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, April 1, 2012, and notified via email. I'll also make an announcement on the blog on Sunday, April 1, 2012. When you send me your snail mail address, I'll forward it to Cathy, and she'll send you her book.

Question for Writers: Did you find a nugget to help in your writing journey? Please share.

Question for Readers: What was your favorite part of the interview?

Author Interview & Giveaway - Cathy Gohlke - Part 1

 

Cathy Gohlke and I met at a book signing event several years ago. We've become good friends, and I'm thrilled she took time out of her busy schedule to do this interview and giveaway.

I see the giveaway perked up your interest! Don't miss an opportunity to enter the drawing for her latest book, Promise Me This. Check out the details at the end of this post.

1) Welcome, Cathy! I notice you used multiple points of view in your latest story. How do you keep track of them? What prompted you to go that route rather than use one or two POV's?

Ah, you've hit upon one of my greatest challenges in writing this book. Both of my earlier books were written in first person, and I love the comfort of writing in that point of view. It's a natural storyteller's voice. But there were so many parts to this story--so many points of view needed to share the full experience--that writing in only one was out of the question.

Promise Me This is a picture of Christ's love story to the world--hence, Owen's viewpoint. It is also a picture of our response to Christ's unmerited gift of salvation--hence, the viewpoint of Michael, the young Titanic stowaway saved by Owen's grace and through his personal sacrifice. And then there is Annie, Owen's younger sister, whose viewpoint demonstrates our reluctance to forgive, even when we've been loved and forgiven. Annie shows through the experiences of her life, the differences between loving sacrificially, like Christ, and being coerced and guilted into serving.

Keeping track of these points of view, and even those of minor characters, was helped by thinking of all the characters as players upon a stage. The eye can only keep track of and the mind fully absorb one character's actions at a time. Everyone must be present--somewhere--and accounted for, but only one person can tell their story, until they relinquish the stage to another through (in novel form) new scenes or chapters or simply by changing points of view within a scene.

By allowing characters to speak freely, in their individual manner, the voices are distinguished. Once I begin "hearing" their unique voice and their perspective on the story, it's easier to see who needs to tell that portion of the story most.

2) We all like to hear about a writer's journey to publication. Would you tell us about how you landed a contract with your first book, William Henry Is A Fine Name?

When my novel was completed and as polished as I knew how to make it at the time, I looked up submission guidelines for publishers I thought likely to be interested. Following those guidelines, I submitted query letters and (if wanted) sample chapters to 23 ABA publishers.

My desire was to get a good book with strong moral content and that focused on a young person's ability to choose and stand by the consequences of his actions into schools and public libraries. I got a few bites, but no contracts. By the time most of my query letters were answered with rejections, I decided to try the CBA.

Not having an agent and unable to afford a Christian writers conference, I emailed The Writer's Edge, an on-line magazine that sends monthly listings of accepted books to Christian publishing houses. Details of my manuscript were listed in the magazine.

The idea was that if an editor saw something that piqued his/her interest, they would contact the author, and request the complete manuscript. Three editors contacted me, and after I showed myself willing and able to revise the manuscript, a contract was offered. I signed that contract on my 50th birthday--the beginning of a whole new life.

Giveaway Details:

1) The giveaway is open to Followers and new Followers of Christian Writer/Reader Connection, who reside in the United States. The drawing is void where prohibited.

2) Leave a comment on this post with your email address. Next Wednesday, you'll have an opportunity to comment for another entry. If you mention the giveaway on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter, I'll give you another entry for each one as long as you inform me in your comment here.

3) The deadline is midnight, Saturday, March 31, 2012. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, April 1, 2012, and notified via email. I'll also make an announcement on the blog on Sunday, April 1, 2012. When you send me your snail mail address, I'll forward it to Cathy, and she'll send you her book.

Disclosure: The author provided me with her book for review purposes. The opinions, as always, are totally my own.

Question for writers: What point of view is most comfortable for you as a writer and why?

Question for readers: What point of view do you prefer reading? Do you enjoy a character speaking in first person or getting into the head of many characters in a book?

Author Interview & Giveaway - Mindy Starns Clark - Part 2

 

Today, we'll continue our interview with Mindy Starns Clark, co-author of The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. Unfortunately, Leslie Gould, her co-author, was unable to participate at this time. Hopefully, we'll have her on the blog in the future.

Don't forget the giveaway! Mindy has generously agreed to provide not one, but two books for this drawing. See details at the end of the interview.

4) You and Leslie live on opposite sides of the country. How do you handle that dynamic? Have you ever met in person for a writing session?

I would give anything to have Leslie right next door! Being so far apart is very difficult, even in this digital age.

She and I have only gotten together in person twice, once when she came out here and once when I went out there. Mostly, we use email, though when we're down to final edits, we can also be found texting, calling, scanning and sending, faxing, or whatever else it takes. It would be a lot easier if we lived closer, but we manage to make it work.

5) Do you have something to share about your writing life, but nobody has asked that particular question? Feel free to express yourself here. :)

Actually, I'll share a little story about my co-author. :) Last winter, when she and I were working hard to wrap up The Amish Nanny and meet our deadline, poor Leslie was also having to deal with the fact that her husband, who's in the Army Reserves, had been called up for active duty to Afghanistan! I think the book was due the day before he was to leave the country. It was awful for her, but she was a trooper to the end and somehow managed to pull it off.

He's been gone a year, but would you believe it, he returned from Afghanistan the exact day before our next book, The Amish Bride, was due! Again, poor Leslie was having to finish up a novel in the midst of all of that. Even once he arrived, she had to find internet there on the base and continue to shoot files back and forth with me to get the book done and in on time the next morning. Which we did, I'm proud to say.

I've known lots of "poor author" stories about books finished while on the way to a funeral or while lying in a hospital bed, etc., but I think Leslie's situation ranks right up there. I have always had great respect for her, but after this, I've decided she's like a writing superhero.

Thanks, Mindy, for an awesome interview and giveaway. Okay, folks, we've got a deadline looming here at Christian Writer/Reader Connection: Saturday, March 10, 2012, at midnight.

1) The contest is open to both current and new Followers of Christian Writer/Reader Connection. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the United States.

2)  Four (4) chances to win! Comment on each interview post, mention the giveaway with a link on your blog, and/or Facebook. Please make a note in your blog comments if you've linked via your blog or Facebook.

3)  Leave your email address in the comment section. Sorry, no email = no entry.

4)  The winner will be notified via email on Sunday, March 11, 2012, and a notice will be posted on the blog that day. I'll provide Mindy with your snail mail address, and she will mail out a book to each winner.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration for this interview.

Writers & Readers: What was your favorite part of this interview? What nugget did you take away?

Author Interview & Giveaway - Mindy Starns Clark - Part 1

Mindy Starns Clark is the award-winning author of 19 books, bth fiction and non-fiction, including the #1 CBA/ECPA bestseller The Amish Midwife (co-written with Leslie Gould) and the perennial favorite The House That Cleans Itself. Her works have been finalists for ACFW's Carol Awards, RWA's Inspirational Book of the Year award, RT Book Club Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award, and the ECPA's Christian Book Award. A former stand-up comedian, Mindy is also a popular playwright and inspirational speaker. She lives with her husband and two daughters near Valley Forge, PA.

I'm excited to have Mindy with us for a 2-part interview and giveaway. Be sure to check out the contest details below.

1) How did you and Leslie meet and decide to collaborate on a series?

We have the same agent, Chip MacGregor, and it was his idea. Leslie was wanting to write an Amish but didn't have the knowledge; I was wanting to come out with books more frequently but didn't have the time. For at least a year, Chip kept telling me about this author and how great she was and how we really ought to co-write a book. I didn't think I'd like the co-writing process, but I finally decided to give it a shot. As it turned out, I liked co-writing so much, I now work with three different co-authors! I love them all, but each situation is unique. Working with Leslie is incredibly rewarding and way too much fun. I also think we bring out the best in each other's work, and that's the main goal, to write a really great book.

2)What was your inspiration for The Amish Midwife?

It was Leslie's idea. She had read A Midwife's Story by Penny Armstrong and Sheryl Feldman a long time ago and had been wanting to use the information in a novel somehow ever since. She also had home births with her own children, so she had that experience to draw from as well.

3) Since I'm collaborating on a book with my friend, Karen Lange, I'm interested in your process. How do you divide the research, planning, and writing?

You know, it's different with each of my co-authors. With Leslie, she comes up with the basic plot then we hammer out the salient details together with lots of emails flying back and forth, until we've got an outline that runs several  pages. Then she writes the rough draft and sends it to me. I write the next draft, which sometimes involves significant changes and sometimes is just a matter of polishing up what's there. Our "voices" are very similar, so it's not hard at all for us to make it sound like one author rather than two. Once we've each had a crack at it, we work together on the finishing touches, and then we're done.

The best part is that we each bring different strengths to the table. She's a character-driven author and has a beautiful way with prose, which constantly has me in awe. (She's also far more organized and prompt than I am, so she keeps us on schedule. Haha.) I'm a plot-driven author with a real knack for pacing and storytelling. Together, we pretty much cover all the bases.

As for research, in the beginning, I was the "expert" on the Amish and handled that part of the equation. But she's learned so much since then-much of it through first-hand experience from her own research trips among the Amish - that nowadays she knows as much as I do about them, if not more. Beyond the Amish elements, it just sort of works out that we both research the things that seem needed at the time. For example, in The Amish Midwife, she handled almost all of the birth-related stuff. In The Amish Nanny, which involves characters who are traveling, I worked a lot with logistics, geopgraphy, and timelines, because as a former travel agent, I'm kind of obsessive about getting things exactly right. Overall, she does a lot more research than I do, though, because she's the one who's writing that first draft.

Thanks, Mindy! Wow, I can't imagine working with three authors.

And now for the giveaway details:

1) Mindy has generously offered to give away one copy of The Amish Midwife and one copy of The Amish Nanny. Two books = two winners! The contest is open to current and new Followers of Christian Writer/Reader Connection. Only residents of the U.S. are eligible for the giveaway.

2) You have the possibility of four entries. A comment on each of the interview posts will give you two, mentioning it on your blog gives you a third opportunity, and posting it on Facebook will get you a fourth entry. You must let me know in your comment if you mentioned the contest on your blog or Facebook.

3) I will need your email address in your comment. No email = no entry.

4) The deadline is Saturday, March 10, 2012, at midnight. The winner will be notified by email, and an announcement will be made on the blog on Sunday, March 11, 2012. I will forward your snail mail address to Mindy, who will send the two winners their books.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration for doing this interview.

Question for Writers: Does the idea of collaborating on a book appeal to you? Why/why not?

Question for Readers: When you read a co-written book, does it seem like it's written by more than one person or is it seamless?

Hmm, I think I'm going to pick up that book The House That Cleans Itself!

Author Interview - Patti Lacy - Part 2 - AND GIVEAWAY

Multi-published author, Patti Lacy, is back for Part 2 of our interview. Let's get right into the questions and answers.

5. Patti, we'd love to hear a little about your writing journey.

After a court reporting career, I  returned to the teaching roots established by an education degree from Baylor and my teacher  parents and taught Humanities at a community college. In 2005, God whispered for me to write the story of my best friend, a brave Irishwoman who was banished from her beloved cliffs of County Clare, Ireland, when she was only five years old. Kregel Publications published that first story, An Irishwoman's Tale, and ever since, I've been consumed by the passion to write.

God gifts me real-life stories that capture my heart (two little girls, separated by racism and a chain link fence; a mother, taking a first...and perhaps last...cab ride with her baby boy; sisters, separated by seas and secrets and an insidious disease). Using the tenets of Colossians 3:23, I do my best to capture His gifts in novels. With His  provision, I will write.

6. I noticed you use flashbacks. What's the key to working them in without slowing the action?

So you noticed, did you? :) Some folks would argue that I succeed with my flashbacks. Just check out my Amazon reviews! Since my youth, I've loved framed stories and adore parallel actions. Accordingly, I write that way but certainly cannot speak to keys to "working them in."

As an aside, my two WIPs have NO flashbacks. It's kinda fun, anticipating new challenges!!! Y'all know there are ALWAYS challenges!

7.  Do you have any advice for those of us seeking publication?

Write for the Audience of One. He will provide the only "outline" for an often lonely, dispiriting, and arduous career path.

8.  Last but not least, what projects do you have in the pipeline? I'm looking forward to more Patti Lacy books.

Susan, thank you for your tireless support and your prayers. Especially your prayers!! Right now my agent, Natasha Kern, is shopping a series, "Life in Normal," especially the first book, Below Normal. What happens when the dreams...and despair...of a bereaved widow and a sassy grocery store bagger collide and their lives jump out of their "Normal" ruts? Yep, this series is set in my hometown, Normal, Illinois!!!

God, showing His humor, has inspired me through the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Team of Rivals, to consider a Civil War romance. I know, I can't believe it, either. Hang on, readers!!!!

Thanks, Susan, I loved chatting with your folks!!!!

Thank you, Patti, for sharing your path to publication.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Patti has offered to do a giveaway of her book, "Reclaiming Lily!" Here are the rules:

1) The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

2) Leave a comment on this post with your email address. No email = no entry.

3) The winner will be drawn on Sunday, January 29th and notified via email. An announcement will be made on the blog.

4) For complete details, see the giveaway post from last week (Thursday).


Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration for this interview or the giveaway from the author or the publisher.




Writers: What did you glean from Patti's answers for your own writing journey?

Readers: What part of the interview surprised or made you stand up and take notice?

A GIVEAWAY!

Patti Lacy emailed me yesterday and offered to do a giveaway!

1.  Instead of two chances to win by commenting on the interview posts, I'll give you a third if you comment here as well. Post it on Facebook and Tweet it, and I'll give you another two entries, but you must comment on at least one blog post and inform me.

2.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

3.  Include your email address in your comment, using the spam busting format. If you don't leave an email address, I'll assume you do not want to be entered into the giveaway.

4.  The winner will be drawn on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The giveaway is void where prohibited, and the winner takes all responsibility for their eligibility.

5.  I'll notify the winner via email and post the results on my blog.

Disclaimer: I received no remuneration for doing this interview or giveaway.

Those who have already commented are automatically entered, but I ask you to stop by and leave your email address. Don't miss this great opportunity to read one of Patti's super books!

Author Interview - Patti Lacy - Part 1

Patti Lacy and I met online through Jeanette Levellie. I've read two of her books, recommended them, and look forward to her next offering.

She's done some awesome research, but I'll let her share during the interview. Let's give Patti a warm, Christian Writer/Reader welcome!

1.  I loved your new book, Reclaiming Lily. How long did it take you to research and write this story?

Susan, THANK YOU! I spent around a year developing the proposal for Lily while finishing galley proofs on The Rhythm of Secrets, then capped off preparation for my China project with an international trip! For seventeen days, the sights and smells and sounds of a glorious country unfolded!

For this my fourth novel, I signed a contract in the summer of 2010, BEFORE the story was completed, and had to ramp up my scribbles on paper since Bethany House set a due date of November 15, 2010. For me, this was big-time  pressure, but thank God, I did it!

2.  What's your secret for writing well-defined characters? Do you use character charts?

Susan, no character charts yet, but I sure might one of these days! My secret? I pick and choose from the traits of neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, so be careful if you know me or live in or around Normal, Illinois!!!

3.  Did you visit small Chinese villages like the one in Reclaiming Lily? The detail puts the reader in the setting.

China's so spectacular, she just demanded to be a character in the book! I DID visit a strand of small villages, nestled in a fertile valley. (There were seven when viewed from atop a nearby hill). One special village provided the inspiration for Kai's childhood home. God blessed me with attentive, gracious hosts who cooked over a fire stove and served steaming cups of tea in a shaded, spacious courtyard. Yes, I spent a lifetime in China - for 17 days.

4. Dr. Kai Chang's thought processes reflect the culture. Did you find it difficult developing her character? Did  you have an "expert" help you?

Over 20 research books, a couple of films,and a wonderful tour guide, banker, and friend (also a Chinese citizen) opened her treasure trove of memories to help me, I hope, get it right. Of course, as I state in my author's notes, the real Dr. Kai ripped open her heart...and sorrowful past...to share what compelled her to come to America. It's such a subjective thing to dissect and probe another person's motivations and goals. I did hear that Dr. Kai bought books for all her friends! Do you think that's a good thing???

Thanks, Patti. We'll post Part 2 of the interview next Wednesday (1/25).

What's the biggest thing you've done to research your book? Patti traveled to China. Have you taken a trip for research purposes? Have you gathered information from experts? We'd love to hear about it.

Guest Post: Playing Host: Five Benefits of Blog Interviews by Karen Lange

Today, I'm welcoming my writing buddy and good friend, Karen Lange. She's put together a list of blogging interview benefits. Enjoy!

Interviews are a great way to add interest and draw readers to your blog. They provide exposure, not just for the guest, but for the host, too. Reflecting on the interviews I’ve conducted, I realized that I’ve learned a lot from the experience. These items top the list:

1)      Authors/writers are real people.

I have long held them in high regard, and rightly so. They are a talented bunch. But guess what? They are more down to earth than I expected. Fame, fortune, and writing talent haven’t spoiled them. They are just like us – experiencing ups, downs, and everything in between. Knowing this immediately sets me at ease, and makes me realize that with creativity and hard work, I can attain what they have, such as a published novel.

2)      Everyone’s work habits are different.

There’s a common notion that writers must put pen to paper daily. Not so. Some writers crank out oodles of words each day, but for others, nary a word hits the page until the weekend. There are early morning writers, night owls, and ones who snack on chocolate while hitting the keys mid afternoon. You know what? They all get it done; writing in a way that best suits them. And we can too.

3)      It broadens horizons.

Assembling content for an interview stretches me. It is important to create engaging questions that will draw interesting answers and useful info for my blog readers. Brainstorming and examining the writing industry from various angles helps me assemble info, appreciate different viewpoints, and hence, ask better questions.

4)      Great writing tips.

Talk about a walking resource library! These gifted wordsmiths could publish volumes. I’ve gleaned valuable insight on research, critique partners, character development, publishing, novel writing, and so much more.

5)      Encouragement.

The heartfelt thoughts of an experienced writer offer candid and wonderful insight. Quotes like “Persevere and keep writing even when things aren’t going well” and “Rejection is not fatal” ring in my ears for weeks after an interview. Gems like these season my perspective and writing, and encourage me to keep moving forward.

Have you ever hosted an interview on your blog? If not, I encourage you to try it. You might be surprised at how much you learn.

Karen Lange is a fan of chocolate, hockey, and Susan J. Reinhardt. She is a writer, blogger, and online writing instructor at the Coffeehouse for Writers. Visit her blog at karenelange.blogspot.com.

Wow, Karen, thanks for ranking me right up there with chocolate and hockey! I know how serious you are about our favorite snack and your sports.


Okay, everyone, it's your turn to chime in with thoughts on author interviews.

On My Nightstand - The Father Christmas Confessions - FREE DOWNLOAD!

Emily Ann Benedict and I met on the blogging circuit. She contacted me and asked if I'd mention her free eBook, The Father Christmas Confessions. She graciously agreed to an interview.


1.  Ebooks are all the rage now. How did you decide to go this route?

I became a fan of the eBook quite a while ago. The ease of the "download and go" nature of the eBook is addicting.

When I decided to release a novel as a free Christmas gift to my readers, the eBook was the perfect choice. Creating it only cost me a little time.

2.  What platform did you use, and how steep was the learning curve?

The Father Christmas Confessions is available in two formats. The first form is PDF, which is easy to download to any computer and some eReaders. Creating a PDF was actually simple. Microsoft Word offers the option to save any document as a PDF.

I also wanted to offer a Kindle version. This is my favorite form to read in and has really become the preference for a large percentage of eBook lovers. Creating a Kindle book did take some research, but I finally discovered that Amazon released a conversion program called Mobipocket for free. With some help from my technologically talented brother, we were able to convert an MS document into a Kindle book.

A quick note: I host the Kindle version, so it must be downloaded from my site, not Amazon. Quite understandably, Amazon does not allow authors to offer their books for free.

3. Does your eBook include cover art? How did you locate an appropriate cover?

Yes, my eBook does come with cover art, though for some reason the Kindle opens all books to the title page. A reader will have to page back to see the cover.

I created my own cover, starting with an image from iStock.com. I know the publisher of my first book, Only Angels Are Bulletproof, uses iStock to design all of their covers, so I searched the site until I found an image that I felt suited the story. Then I used Photoshop to make the name plate for the book and merged the two together.

Katherine Meinicke, of Katherine Alison Photography, also offered me the use of some of her amazing nature photos to add the perfect frosty feel to the website.

4. From the description, your book sounds like a romance. What was your inspiration for the story?

Christmas Romantic Comedies have always been a great favorite of mine. My family binges on Hallmark and Family Channel Christmas movies every year. Christmas novels fill our shopping carts starting in November. My mother and I often race each other to see who can read the most before Christmas.

After watching one particular movie that centered on explaining certain Santa Claus traditions, I couldn't help wondering how I might write a novel around the idea of Mr. Claus. I actually wrote it over a period of three different Christmases. It just wasn't as fun writing it unless it was Christmas time, so I'd write until the 25th then put it down until the next December. Someday I'd like to turn it into a trilogy, but for the time being I enjoyed writing each character. I hope it gives a few extra smiles to every reader.

Here's the link to the FREE DOWNLOAD:  http://02be751.netsolhost.com/fatherchristmas/

Thanks, Emily Ann, for the interview and your generous gift.

Question for Writers: Did you learn anything new about producing an eBook? If so, what?

Question for Readers: Do you often download free eBooks? Were they for a eReader or for your computer?

Author Interview - James L. Rubart, Author of Rooms - Final

Jim Rubart, Author of the best-selling novel, ROOMS, joins us for the final part of our interview. In the last segment, he discussed creating realistic characters and his journey to publication. Now, it's time to find out the driving force behind his books and where he's headed next.

4) Your book carries a profound message: living in freedom. Could you share your thoughts on "writing as a means to an end?"

Freedom is indeed the theme I want to see resonate in people after they read ROOMS, and it's really the theme of my life. I want more freedom (Gal. 5:1). I want to follow Jesus with more abandon than I do now. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1), and I want my heart to be healed and be set free. But I'm not sure I write as a means to an end. Like many writers, I write because I can't not write. I love to tell stories. And I have to tell the ones that are pounding around in my brain.

5) I've already purchased Book of Days and can't wait to read it. What new books can we look forward to in 2011 or 2012?

Thanks for buying BOOK OF DAYS! That story is extremely personal so it's been very gratifying that I've been getting e-mails from readers telling me it's made a significant impact on their lives. That makes all the work worthwhile.

Regarding new novels, I just finished edits on my third novel, THE CHAIR, which comes out this October. It's the story of an antiques dealer who is forced to face his greatest regret when he's given a legendary artifact that might be a lengendary supernatural healing chair made by Jesus. Also releasing in October is a small group study guide based on ROOMS. We'll have workbook, leader guide, a DVD...I'm really excited. Not only do I get to write the guide, we're headed down to Canon Beach to film intros to the DVD and behind the scenes. Here's more info if people are interested.

And I'm just about to start work on my fourth novel, which will come out in October of 2012.

Thanks so much for having me, Susan!

It was my pleasure, Jim.  I've gained much inspiration from your words, both from your books and this interview.

Question for Writers: Were you surprised by or learn something from this interview that will help you on your writing journey? Please share.

Question for Readers: Do you enjoy reading about your favorite authors and why?

Author Interview - James L. Rubart, Author of Rooms - Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with James L. Rubart, best-selling author of ROOMS.

3) Developing characters requires great skill. You did an awesome job with all of them, but especially Micah. Do you have some insights and tips for our readers on how to create realistic people?

Base 'em on real people, then amp up the distinguishing characteristics. Micah is a combination of three different people, all with strong personalities. By taking parts of each person and mixing them together it made the Micah Taylor of ROOMS come out more distinct than if it was just one person I knew. And here's the cool thing: People don't see themselves in a novel. There's a famous story about a very unsavory woman, who was a main character in a novel. She came up to the author at a book signing and said, "I can't stand that woman!" I have a sweatshirt my wife bought me that says, "Careful, or you'll end up in my novel." It's true!

4) I'm assuming your genre is Christian Speculative Fiction. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Did you and your agent have a difficult time convincing publishers to take on your book? Do you feel the success of The Shack made them more open-minded toward Rooms? I'd like to hear about your journey to publication.

Great question! Yes, I think The Shack definitely opened B&H's mind, and yes, we did have a rough time convincing people to take a chance on ROOMS.

When ROOMS was first shopped to publishers in the fall of 2006, it was rejected by everyone. Most publishers said, "The guy can write, but he's unknown and we're not exactly sure where the book fits." It doesn't fit neatly into a pre-defined genre. When The Shack started to get traction, the folks at B&H read it, liked it, and saw the similarities between ROOMS and The Shack. David Webb (who was the executive director of fiction at B&H in 2006) loved ROOMS but said they couldn't take it on at that time. But he said if it didn't sell in six months to bring it back to him.

A year later, I sat down with him to talk about my next novel, BOOK OF DAYS, and he asked about ROOMS. He said he'd read 200 manuscripts since he read ROOMS and couldn't get it out of his mind. So David and I took another run at it and B&H offered me a deal on June 23, 2008.

Wow! What a great story and what an encouragement to those of us whose books don't fit into "a pre-defined genre." In our final installment next week, Jim will discuss the message of his book and his future offerings.

Question for Writers: Do you write in a well-defined genre or does your manuscript defy existing labels? How are you approaching agents and editors if the latter scenario fits your book?

Question for Readers: Are you open to books that are a little out of the ordinary? Note that Jim's book includes an element of romance. Does that pique your interest?