Friday Round-Up - #238

Jean Fischer talks about regional dialects and how it affects our stories.

I recently read a series by Kristen Heitzmann that took place in my old hometown. It made me smile when she used familiar terms.

Writers: Do you research the words used in the geographic areas where your stories take place?

Readers: Does it jar your senses when an author or writer uses a word or phrase that doesn't match the setting? Please share.

Photo Credit: bouwm019

Transforming Your First Draft

Getting a story down on paper makes my heart sing. Alas, editing is equivalent to cleaning the basement. So, how do I wade through the dirty work? Here are the steps I took with my work in progress, The Scent of Fear:

1)  I read each chapter, correcting any spelling/grammar/punctuation issues. While these issues don't normally give me a problem, I've been known to reverse letters in dyslexic fashion. This occurs if I'm: A) tired or B) the creative side is flowing so fast that my brain gets confused.

2)  Tripping over a sentence while I'm reading alerts me to a trouble spot. I'll go back and read it out loud within the context of several other paragraphs. This may require substituting a word or re-writing an entire section.

3)  One problem I've identified is more of a memory thing. Have you ever forgotten the name or physical characteristic of a minor character and had to hunt it down? What a waste of time and effort! When I work on Book 3, Lost and Found, I'm going to start a spreadsheet with these pesky, but important, details.

4)  Like the old dresser I thought I'd refinish and use someday, extraneous phrases and scenes are difficult to cut. One of the rules of clutter control: If I haven't used it in a year throw it out, sell it, or give it away. If words don't pull their weight in the story, out they go.

5)  I re-read the chapter after I've made changes. Has it improved or did I make an even bigger mess? On occasion, I've had to retrieve some items from the trash.

Writers:  How do you transform your basement first draft into a livable, cozy book?

Readers: What are some of the techniques you use to control clutter?

Photo Credit: JR3

Friday Round-Up - #237

How Do I...?

Recently, I've seen a lot of Twitter links in blog posts. You can click on the link and tweet a sentence from a post. This is a valuable tool to draw people to your blog.

Here are a couple of articles on how to accomplish this task:

Susan Stilwell guest blogs at The Write Conversation.

Caitlin Muir also gives detailed instructions on Author Media.

Writers and Readers: Have you seen these click-to-tweet links? Have you used them? Please share your experience either with producing one of these links or clicking them.

Have a blessed weekend!


Photo Credit:  cieleke

Spread The Word

We're surrounded by advertisements. Many times we get so accustomed to visual clutter that we don't even notice them.

For years, I've been getting emails from the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) loop. Until recently, I paid little attention to the posts. What changed my habits? I discovered people offer promotional opportunities and guest posts on their blogs.

A fellow Helping Hands Press author, Carrie Fancett Pagels, alerted me to a Twitter promo. Book Fun Magazine promised to retweet the name of our book if we followed them. I never saw this on any of my connections and appreciated her pointing it out. I was able to have my book title tweeted to all of Book Fun's followers.

Whenever I see a link or article that I think will help fellow writers/authors, I will do one or all of the following:

1.  Do a post on my blog about the article.

2.  If it's time sensitive, I'll send out an email to specific individuals.

3.  Put a note on Facebook.

Writers:  What are some of the ways you "spread the good word" about promotional opportunities?

Readers:  Do you ever write to an author and let them know where you've seen their book or feedback from another reader?

Photo Credit:  jamie84

Friday Round-Up - #236

The Write Connection has some great tips on how to save time on Social Media. This entry talks about scheduling posts, using Permalinks.

Writers:  How do you keep Social Media from eating all your time?

Readers: How much time on average do you spend on Facebook, Twitter, etc.?

The winner of On The Threshhold by Christina Berry Tarabocchia and Sherrie Ashcraft is:

                                     NOELLE, THE DREAMER!

Congratulations!

Have a blessed weekend!


Photo Credit:  spekulator

Are You Visible?

During the winter, ice and snow make visibility an issue. Not only can't you see others, but they can't see you inside the car. So, we take time to scrape away the ice and clean off the snow before attempting travel.

As a newly-published author, I've discovered some interesting facts:

1. Just because I have 2600 friends on Facebook doesn't mean they can all see my status updates. Only a fraction of them are getting the word about The Moses Conspiracy.

2.  I send out a monthly email update to about 160 people. Most of them will delete it without opening the document. More than one expressed surprise about my book news, even though I've talked about it in the past three months.

3.  Blog followers often sign up for a giveaway or out of curiosity, but are they all faithful readers?

With great pressure on our time, we all sign up for things with the best of intentions. If you drop from the radar screen, all except your closest friends and relatives will forget about you. So, how do we maintain visibility?

1.  Maintain your Social Media connections. This includes taking an interest in others by reading their blogs, commenting on their Timeline posts, tweeting, etc. True connections/relationships take time and effort.

2.  We all have many responsibilities. I try to set aside between 1-3 hours a day. This is more than the average person can handle, but whatever you have, use it wisely.

3.  Take advantage of guest posts, promo opportunities, book clubs, and other venues that reach beyond your normal contacts.

Writers: What are some ways you maintain visibility?

Readers: Do you read author newsletters? What piques your interest in a communication?

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.

Virtual Reality Versus Real Life

Years ago, I purchased a computer that came with a bundle of games. One of them involved creating an imaginary city. You could build roads, buildings, and populate it in any way you wished.

I've noticed the virtual reality scene is popular on the Internet. Two friends and I enjoyed a lunch via my blog. Others send imaginary gifts to their friends. It's become a way of connecting with people we may never meet in person.

Yet, are these virtual activities becoming a replacement for real relationships? Is the line between fantasy and reality so blurred that we no longer distinguish between them?

Such exercises can be valuable to me as a writer. I get practice writing stories and developing characters, towns, cities, and even nations.

As I get to know people on various Social Media sites, certain ones become so much a part of my daily life that I find it necessary to connect in tangible ways. We talk on the telephone, email, and meet in person. Nothing can quite replace face-to-face interaction.

What are your thoughts about virtual reality and real life? Do you think people are getting hung up on fantasy and neglecting solid relationships? Why?

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!

The Genre Dilemma

Imagine going into a bookstore or library with no clearly-defined sections. The task of locating a book you like would take on nightmarish proportions. Books, music, and many other art forms are broken down into genres, so we can locate the type of reading material we love.

When I began writing The Moses Conspiracy, genre didn't enter my mind. All I knew was I had a novel to write. After a few years of dealing with craft issues, I started hearing things like, "What genre is this?"

Editors and agents all had an opinion. To my horror, one person labeled it, "Sci-Fi." This genre evoked scenes with aliens and spaceships, which definitely did not fit my book.

Others labeled it, "political, futuristic, or fantasy." I decided if anyone was going to categorize this book it was going to be me. So, I began presenting it as Christian Speculative Fiction because it takes place in 2025 and presented a what-if scenario.

The problem with this designation was the staggering number of sub-genres under it. My publisher decided to label it futuristic/fantasy for the various outlets.

In fact, The Moses Conspiracy is a cross-genre work. It's futuristic, but also suspenseful. It's a mystery and has some Amish characters. In my opinion, a lot of people could relate to this book and enjoy the various elements.

Let's face it, our lives are not segmented into genres. People interact with various ethnic groups and face challenging life situations. It's one reason I read many genres. Think about all those new synapses growing in my brain when I open to different reading material.

I'm curious. What are your thoughts about reading/writing different genres or cross-genre works?

Winner of Carrie Fancett Pagels' Notecards

The winner of Carrie Fancett Pagels' notecard giveaway is:

                                                   KAREN  K.!

Congratulations, Karen! I will forward your email address to Carrie.

Thanks to all those, who commented and participated in the giveaway. Have a blessed weekend.

Friday Round-Up - #234

Photo Credit: vikush

Beth K. Vogts helps writers understand the art of backstory.

Writers:  How do you handle backstory in your writing? Do you use character charts or write down their past experiences to get to know them/guide you in their reactions to situations?

Readers: How much character history do you like in the books you read?

Have a blessed weekend!

Stuck in a Rut?

I've gone through phases as a reader. For a long time, I read only mysteries. Agatha Christie books and Nero Wolfe stories occupied my time and bookshelves. Then, I read lots of romance. Peretti grabbed me with his supernatural fiction. After a time, I discovered a couple of things:

1) I selected books without any thought.
2) I was bored.

At that point, I decided to mix it up. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. It kept my reading fresh and fun.

I keep a list of the books I've read during the year. Due to my own publishing journey, the list is shorter than usual for 2013. Last year, I read over 50 books. Here's what I've read so far in 2013:

Echoes by Kristen Heitzmann  (Suspense with an element of romance)
Heart Out of Hiding by Jan Cline (Non-fiction)
From A Distance by Tamera Alexander (Historical romance)
Sacred Sabbath by Marja Meijers (Non-fiction)
Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance by Chris Coppernoll (Fiction - not sure of the genre)
Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund (Historical romance)
Arms of Love by Kelly Long (Amish historical)

There are many more books on my TBR pile and on my Wish List. Non-fiction, contemporary, sci-fi, futuristic, historical romance, and mystery are all represented.I also want to read books written by fellow authors at Helping Hands Press. My list keeps growing.

Writers & Readers: What are you reading now? What books are on your TBR pile?

Photo Credit: kovik

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!
 

 

Formula or Heart?

Formulas have their place. They're valuable in mathematics. Recipes are formulas of another kind. If you want people to eat your cakes, pies, and cookies, following a recipe is a good idea.

What about writing books? Is there a formula for producing something publishable? People can learn how to write. Get the grammar, punctuation, and spelling down. Practice various techniques to achieve a desired effect. Yet this isn't the be all, end all of authorship.

I've read some novels over the years that are technically almost perfect but left me empty. Where's the heart, the author's passion for their story?

While I have many thoughts on this subject, I don't pretend to have all the answers. I depend on the Ultimate Writer (God) to inspire and give me the ability to share via the written word. I'm not saying that He dictates and I write. No, I'm very involved in the process. Yet without this vital step, my words lack the life-changing heart I seek as a reader and a writer.

There's a place for the nuts and bolts of writing, but it should never replace heart.

Writers:  What do you think? Have you ever written something, and it seems to fall flat? How do you keep techniques from replacing your passion for a subject/story?

Readers: What makes a book special to you?

Photo Credit: wito