Friday Round-Up - #230

Ronie Kendig guest posts over at Writing on the Fine Line. Whether you're an aspiring author, contracted author, or non-fiction writer, these tips will help you edit your work. Don't skip the comments because there are some gems hidden there.

Writers: What are some of your favorite editing tips?
Readers: Is there something you wish authors would emphasize in their work? What?

Have a blessed weekend!

Blog Tour Stops Today:  Rhonda Schrock
                                          Jan Cline
                                          Jennifer Shirk

All Aboard for Blog Stop #3!

All Aboard the Blog Tour Train:

                                              Bookingit - Jessica Nelson


The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of my debut novel, I'm inviting you to enter my giveaway.

One lucky winner will receive:

    *An ecopy of my book, The Moses Conspiracy, and....
    *A $25 Amazon Gift Card

Open to US addresses only. In order to be entered to win this
incredible prize package, jump on the Rafflecopter below. But hurry,
the giveaway ends on April 19th. The winner will be announced on April 21, 2013.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Announcing the Birth of My Baby

I'm happy to announce the birth of my book baby, THE MOSES CONSPIRACY!

Birth Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013
Where:       Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobobooks
Weight:      Approximately 273 pages
Mama:       Susan J. Reinhardt
Attending Physician:  Helping Hands Press

A trip to post-terrorized Washington, D.C. in 2025 and a buggy accident in  Bird-in-Hand, PA set in motion events that expose a diabolical plan to destroy the Christian community. Ellie and John  Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.

Convinced it's now safe to visit D.C., Ellie and her firstborn, 8-year-old Peter, travel to the nation's capital. Both mother and child make an effort to enjoy the sights, but they're unprepared for the challenges they face. Her nightmares come true when she and Peter are separated.

                                                                     *****

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of my debut novel, I'm inviting you to enter my giveaway.

One winner will receive:

    *An pdf of my book, The Moses Conspiracy, and....
    *A $25 Amazon Gift Card

Open to US addresses only. In order to be entered to win this
incredible prize package, jump on the Rafflecopter below. But hurry,
the giveaway ends on April 19th. The winner will be announced on April 21, 2013.

BLOG TOUR STOPS TODAY AT:    Janette Dolores





a Rafflecopter giveaway

On My Nightstand - Sacred Sabbath by Marja Meijers

My blogging friend, Marja Meijers, is writing a series on The Ten Commandments. Since I've been reading her blog for a couple of years now, I knew this would not be a legalistic type book. She always brings a New Testament viewpoint to Old Testament truth.

I can depend on Marja to challenge my thinking. Sacred Sabbath is not a book you zip through in a day, but one to savor and enjoy. She makes some interesting points on time management that apply to everyone in this frenetic, plugged in society. Taking a day to pursue God's interests instead of our own actually multiplies what we accomplish in the other 6 days.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit Marja's blog and pick up a copy of her book.

Writers and Readers: Have you ever wondered if you're too busy? How do you cut back when there's so much to do?

It's Not As Hard as You Think

Their exotic beauty and stunning colors always captured my attention. Yet, the thought of growing orchids sent a little shiver down my spine. Perhaps the old Nero Wolfe mysteries created a mystique around their care and propagation. It seemed so complicated.

Last month, a friend came to my mother's door and presented me with a gorgeous orchid plant. When I thanked her and said, "I don't know how to grow these," she reassured me. "It's not as hard as you think." Those simple words opened my mind to the possibility I could keep this specimen alive.

In some ways I've fallen victim to this thinking with writing. How many times have I listened to a multi-published author teach and been intimidated by their expertise? I love the teachers, who come along and say, "you can do it." They don't try to give you every detail they've ever learned, but a few simple steps to get you on the path.

My knowledge of orchids is basic, but I'm learning. I know they like 2 ice cubes a day for water and some mist. As I read and put into practice the advice in gardening books, I know my efforts will be rewarded. The same holds true with writing. I may not be a super expert, but I've grown and will continue to grow in my craft.

NEWSFLASH! My writing/blogging buddy and dear friend, Karen Lange, is posting about my book, The Moses Conspiracy, on her blog. She's also arranged a fabulous giveaway to celebrate her 4th blogoversary! 


Writers:  What overwhelms you about writing?

Readers:  Have you ever tried to write a book? Please share your experience.

Photo credit:  Ayla87

I Lost My Blog List!

OOPS!

While working on updating the blog, somehow I lost my entire Blog List. I'm working on restoring it, but would you do me a huge favor?

Please comment on either this post or tomorrow's post, so I can get your blog address. Otherwise, I'll have to look up each one individually.

Thanks for your help!

Blessings,
Susan :)

P.S.  Exciting New Features:  Pages are on the top of the sidebar
                                                Share buttons at the end of each post

Helping Hands - Part I

We all need each other, and writers are no exception. The newbie wordsmith is as delicate as a seedling, and needs much nurturing and support.

The first person, who encouraged me to embark on this journey was my late husband, David.

   When I lacked confidence, he said, "you can do it."

   When shyness made me want to hide, he said, "go, meet others who write."

   When I experienced success, he rejoiced with me.

Writers and Readers: Who are the people in your lives that give you a much-needed boost?

Photo Credit:  aimac

Crossed Legs & Writing Styles

No, these aren't my legs. (I wish.)

Mom and I were watching the news one evening when I noticed something that tickled the ol' funny bone. We each had our right leg crossed over our left leg and our fingers were laced together. Both legs were doing a rhythmic bounce. I pointed this out to her, and we both dissolved into giggles.

After being around each other for so many years, our mannerisms are similar. It wasn't a conscious effort, but it happened. While this can be a positive in relationships, the same process can be detrimental to our unique writing voice.

To avoid imprinting another author's style on my psyche:

1.  I read a variety of genres and authors.

2.  I observe techniques and filter them through personal experiences and values.

3.  Time spent talking with God and studying His Word gives me His perspective on a subject and brings my own style bubbling to the surface.

Writers:  What are some of the methods you use to keep your writing voice distinct from others?

Readers: What mannerisms have rubbed off on you from another family member?


Photo credit:  reuben4eva

Friday Round-Up - #230

 Author Jody Hedlund shares how she's fostered a love of reading in her 5 children. She gives some excellent tips that parents, grandparents, and just about anyone in a child's life can implement.

Writers and Readers: How do you encourage the kids in your life to read?


Photo Credit:  Whiter78

The Publishing Puzzle

Puzzles have never been my forte, and the Rubix Cube was no exception. No matter how I twisted and turned that thing, I still couldn't get it right.

Getting a book published is a whole lot like putting a puzzle together. Learn how to write, pray for inspiration, learn how to pitch a book, unlock the mysteries of a dynamic proposal, and the list goes on. Even when we get all the pieces together, one trip can send the whole thing crashing down.

Then one awesome, exciting day it happened. A contract offered from both a publisher and an agent sat on my desk, awaiting my signature.

No matter how I tried before these treasures had eluded me. Thanks to a few circumstances put into place by the Master's hand, it came together.

Hmm, maybe I should give that Rubix Cube a try again.

Writers and Readers:  Have you ever had a series of events occur and bring you a long-awaited breakthrough? Please share.


Photo Credit: MeHere

On My Nightstand - Echoes by Kristen Heitzmann

Sofia Michelli knows she's been hiding from life. It's time to move from the cocoon provided by her Italian family and neighborhood to see if she can make some kind of future for herself.

In Sonoma, California, she finds the right balance of family and independence. Her brother, Lance, and his girlfriend, Rese, provide a place to stay. The Bed and Breakfast they started becomes a safety net for folks down on their luck.

Even though she meets social worker, Mark Hammond, the past still pulls at her heartstrings. When she gets a call for help, she returns to the old neighborhood to protect someone she thought was forever lost to her.

Will Sofia retreat into her dark past or move into the future built on love and hope?

This is the final installment in the 3-book series of the Michelli family. The cover proclaims that Echoes is "the captivating conclusion to Secrets and Unforgotten," and it fully lives up to those words. I couldn't wait to read this book, and felt both happy and sad...happy with the ending, but sad the series was finished.

Kristen is one of my go-to authors. I always know my reading experience will be satisfying.

Writers:  What kind of lessons do you glean from the works of other authors?

Readers:  What was the last book you read that made you want to run out and purchase everything an author has ever written?

Enrich Your Writing

A non-fiction versus fiction mentality puzzles me. Some folks won't pick up a novel, while others view non-fiction as boring.

Non-fiction is my first love, which is probably one of the reasons I adapted so well to the blogosphere. Yet, my efforts to get published didn't take off until I started using fiction techniques in my devotionals and other writings.

Recently, I picked up a book on the Firstborn Personality by Dr. Kevin Leman. You might recognize him as the guy who made birth order a household expression. It didn't take me long to figure out how this might be applied to fiction.

Think about it. Every novel has characters. Each one relates to family members, friends, and other people. If we're writing about a CEO of a major corporation, he/she is most likely a firstborn or only child. Did you know that most of our astronauts were firstborn or only children? I didn't. Fascinating.

Writers:  How do you apply fiction skills to non-fiction writing and vice versa?

Readers: If novelists put these principles into action, would you be more interested in fiction? Why?

Photo credit:  mazwebs

On My Nightstand - A Heart Out of Hiding by Jan Cline

Jan Cline is the Director of  the Inland NW Christian Writers Conference. She has a fabulous line-up of speakers for the two-day event. Check out the website.

Her book, A Heart Out of Hiding, gives both personal examples and insightful observations on how women play hide-and-seek. We often unwittingly play these games and then wonder why we lack fulfillment in life.

I recognized myself in some of her stories. Fears and lack of meaningful friendships as a child taught me how to hide. My hiding place of choice was reading every free moment. I could escape reality and live vicariously through the characters. A healthy activity became an excuse to avoid relationships.

Jan's willingness to share some very painful times and how she overcame her hiding ways will touch your heart. I hope you'll pick up a copy for yourself and one for a gift.


The book comes in both a print and Kindle version. If you click on the above link, it will take you to  Amazon. 

Everyone: What are some of the ways you hide from life?

Eureka!

Any experience can provide an idea for your writing. For example, 5 years ago I broke my elbow and fractured my cheekbone. While I wouldn't recommend seeking this type of situation, my writer brain filed it away for future reference.

What I learned:

1)  You can't put on a seatbelt with a broken left elbow. I know because I tried. My head hurt so bad from the fall that I didn't realize it was out of commission. If I'd been smart or more lucid, I probably should have asked someone to call an ambulance. Instead I drove the 5 miles home.

2)  An incapacitated limb swells. My fingers not only resembled fat sausage links, but also refused to work.

3)  Surgery, a plate, and a couple of screws put me back together, but I needed intense therapy for 3 months.

Application:

When my character injures her arm, I KNOW it must be a sprain. She has to drive a long distance to her home. Unless I want her to take on a Wonder Woman or other superhero personality, she cannot do this with a break or a fracture.

Even with a sprain, I know she's going to be one hurting puppy. I reflect that in the storyline, along with references to some minor physical therapy.

Writers: How have you applied a life experience to your characters?

Readers:  When a character performs superhuman feats, how does it affect your view of the story?

Photo Credit:  Twinmom

Friday Round-Up - #229

Laurel Garver, at Laurel's Leaves, gives tips on how to avoid the dreaded purple prose. She talks about revising our manuscripts and editing "bloat."

Writers: Devices like similes and metaphors are useful tools. What are your favorite methods to say a lot with minimal words?

Readers: What devices (like those above) get you crazy when used too much? What are your pet reading peeves?