Lyn Cote's Blog, page 76
September 12, 2012
September 9, 2012
Aspiring Author and Entrepreneur LaShaunda Hoffman & Shades of Romance
I discovered Shades of Romance in 2002 when the website was touted by Writers Digest Magazine as One of the 101 Best Websites for Writers 2002.
And that’s when I connected with LaShauanda Hoffman. LaShaunda is a former member of our armed forces and the happily married mother of three. While she works on her own writing career, she offers to help other aspiring authors, and helps readers find new authors and their books through her website and blog. Here’s LaShaunda:
“Twelve years ago while on maternity leave for my second child, I created SORMAG. I’d always wanted to start a magazine but I didn’t have the finances to create a print one. After a lot research I decided to start one online.
I learned html and created the first issue of SORMAG. I prayed for visitors. Visitors meant someone was stopping by the site. The Lord answered my prayers and sent visitors. We became #1 in the google search for online magazines. My ultimate goal for SORMAG was to introduce readers to writers and their books. I believe I reached that goal and more.
I won’t say it has been an easy journey because it hasn’t. Some days I asked myself why are you driving yourself, then I’d receive a letter from a reader and I knew all the hard work was worth it.
I’ve met some wonderful writers who have shared their writing experiences and taught me so much about the business and the craft of writing. I’ve read so many books, I’ve lost count.
I think the best part about the magazine are the friends I’ve made because of it. My life has been blessed by these friendships. My personal life has had some ups and downs and these online friends have prayed me through. I can pop online and get encouragement, have a conversation, share a tip or learn about a new book and my day is complete.
As I go into the 12th year for SORMAG I will start a new journey. We are going digital. In October I will introduce the digital magazine. It will feature interviews, articles and a short story. The tablet is the future and we want to be a part of this new future. For those who like the feel of a magazine in their hands they will have the option to purchase a print copy.
I invite you to be a part of our new journey by joining our SORMAG community. As a member you will receive a copy of the digital edition and weekly eblasts promoting the latest in multi-cultural fiction. If you are an author, I have a few perks for you too. Join today and find out.
September 5, 2012
Author Ruth Axtell & Her Aunt Grace
My guest author today is Ruth Axtell who is going to share the story of a special woman in her family. Here’s Ruth:
“Grace Hopson Kissam—An Independent Woman
One of the women who most influenced my life, apart from my mother, was my great-aunt Grace. She was my paternal grandmother’s half-sister (my great-grandfather having married three times—widowed twice). To me, she embodies a “strong woman.” Although she married and was a wonderful homemaker, she never lost her own identity. She was a teacher, active in several community organizations and church, and independently minded.
Aunt Grace was born in 1893 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At a time when few women were college educated, she and her sister both got a degree (at their father’s insistence, who said they needed ‘something to fall back on,’ in case they were ever widowed). Aunt Grace went to normal school and became a schoolteacher. When I knew her, she had been teaching the mentally retarded for many years in one of Bridgeport’s rougher neighborhoods.
She married late in life and always worked outside the home. During World War I, she drove an ambulance stateside. She never had children, but she was one of my favorite relatives, always patient, always had stories to tell, and so many things to teach my brothers and me. Her house was amazing, an old colonial she and her husband had restored and stocked with antiques. She knew so much about my father’s side of the family. I think my love of history (and writing historical romances) stems in large part from her and my grandmother, who told me so much about my forefathers. (I wish now I had listened more carefully).
When I was a teenager, I began to spend summers with Aunt Grace, reading stacks of romances from a grocery bag full that she and her fellow hooked rug club members exchanged.
She died at the ripe old age of 91 shortly after I graduated from college. I know she would have been proud to know her great-niece became an author.
To purchase, click here. Her Good Name
My latest heroine, Espy Estrada, is a little like my aunt Grace in that she has a strong sense of self at a time when women were brought up to be extensions of their husbands. Espy wants to go places and be someone and even when things go against her, she never loses that inner self-confidence that she is someone who matters.”–Ruth
September 2, 2012
Bestselling Amish Author Suzanne Woods Fisher & Why Grow Old?
My guest today is Amish Author Suzanne Woods Fisher. I think she’s the kind of woman I’d like to have living next door. (I could visit her puppies!) She’s offering a book giveaway and here’s Suzanne:
Growing Old like Erma Yutzy
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward, but it’s the journey that matters, in the end.” Ernest Hemingway
How do you feel about getting old? Probably…not too excited about it. Most likely, you avoid thinking about it. Maybe you’re counting on the Rapture before you hit your senior years. Growing old—really old—might be better than the alternative, but it doesn’t look all that appealing. Earlier this year, my dad passed away from Alzheimer’s and, as many of you know, that is a long, hard journey to the finish line. Growing old looks pretty bleak.
But God has a different viewpoint about growing old. As long as we’re breathing, goes the saying, God has a reason. Old age, to God’s way of thinking, is a good thing. In particular, it’s a time to make an impact on the younger generation.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who God used in their latter years—men and women who refused to use old age as an excuse to ignore what God wanted them to do. Anna, who recognized the infant Jesus as the promised Messiah when Mary and Joseph brought Him into the Temple to be dedicated to God, was “very old…a widow until she was eighty-four”(Luke 2:36-37). Imagine that!
In every novel, I include a wise, elderly woman. This character takes on different identities, personalities, and attitudes—but she is a lodestar in the book. A guiding light, like Anna.
To be perfectly honest, one of the reasons I first included a reigning matriarch in the stories is because my editor has a soft spot for the elderly. But it wasn’t long before I fell in love with these characters. They speak to a longing in all of us—who doesn’t want someone looking after you, making sure life turns out okay?
One of my very favorite characters was Bertha Riehl, an Amish grandmother in The Search. An outrageous, outspoken woman, she was modeled after one of my Plain great aunts. Tough, unsmiling, but she cared fiercely about her brood. The Search is a finalist for a Carol Award this year, and I think the credit goes to Bertha.
In another series, ‘Stoney Ridge Seasons,’ Amish spinster Fern Graber walked up the driveway to Windmill Farm and took over. Fern is not a big talker, but what she has to say is powerful. She irritates everyone with her incisive remarks, yet they can’t imagine life without her.
In book 3, The Lesson, Mary Kate Lapp suddenly finds herself teaching school. She hates it. Absolutely hates it. Fern introduces her to a career teacher in an Amish school, Erma Yutzy, who is about to turn one hundred years old. Little by little, this ancient woman shows Mary Kate how to inspire her students. Here’s a sneak peek:
~~~
Erma covered M.K. hand with hers. “Mary Kate, I was born into a world of horse-drawn carts on dirty paths, gas streetlights, when you could mail a letter for pennies and a box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes only cost eight cents. Now, I live in an age where there are eight-lane highways and men on the moon and strange little computers that fit in people’s pockets.”
“Most people call those cell phones.”
Erma squeezed her hand. It didn’t matter what they were called. She was trying to make a point. “Mary Kate, do you know what keeps me alive?”
M.K. leaned forward in her chair. “What?” She wanted to know.
“I want to see what happens next.”
~~~
Oh…we should all aspire to be like Erma Yutzy.
The Lesson is available for pre-orders, but it won’t release for a few more months. However, The Haven, book 2 in the ‘Stoney Ridge’ series, just released and hit the CBA Fiction bestseller list! I’d love to share a copy with one of Lyn’s readers! Leave a comment to be entered into a giveaway.”–Suzanne
September 1, 2012
Notice Anything New?
How do you like my website’s NEW LOOK? I love it. I also changed a few things on different pages. Check out MEET LYN and WOMEN WHO MADE HISTORY. I’m going to be posting new videos and quotes from women who had much to say and achieved much too.
This month I chose Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Ever heard of her? Click my new WOMEN WHO MADE HISTORY page and see some of what this extraodinary woman achieved in a very short life. I will let you know when I post new entries on this page. I hope to feature some very interesting women!
BTW, Dana Spille won Barbara McMahon’s book Mirror Image Bride. Congrats, Dana!
This week Amish Author Suzanne Woods Fisher and historical author Ruth Axtell will guest. Don’t miss what they have to say!–Lyn
August 29, 2012
Author Barbara McMahon & What’s Your Favorite Heroine?
My guest today is best-selling author Barbara McMahon. I was pleased when she accepted my invitation. She’s a long time author and a lovely sweetie online. She’s also offering a GIVEAWAY of Mirror Image Bride, her latest. Here’s Barbara:
“When Lyn invited me to share about a strong woman whom I admire, I immediately thought about a woman from my church. Renee is a busy mother of six children–the oldest child now a senior in high school, the youngest still in elementary school. She works full time and just finished obtaining an AA degree from a local college. Now she’s working on getting her BA degree. So with husband, kids, church, work and the other activities involving six children, I don’t know how she remains sane, much less such a delightful woman. She’s willing to help whenever she can. Her children are equally helpful, polite and fun to be around. I think she’s a tremendous role model to her children and others in our church with her dedication to completing her college education. There may be days when she gets discouraged. There may be days when she gets overwhelmed. But her sunny disposition and kindness knows no limits. And her strong faith if reflected in every step she takes.
That’s the kind of woman I want for my heroines–strong, focused, joyful and demonstrating a strong faith to see her through any difficulties that come her way. My heroine in Mirror Image Bride is such a woman. Maddie’s fallen on difficult times with the loss of her job, the disappearance of her father, and the startling new development in her family with the discovery of a brother, sister and mother she never knew she had. Throughout it all, however, she maintains her faith and strong commitment to rely on the Lord for her strength.
She takes on a job she hasn’t trained for so not to be a burden. She’s open-minded about the discovery of her siblings–spending as much time with them as she can to catch up and learn who these amazing people are. And she’s tenacious in trying to find her father to get answers to the myriad of questions that keep arising. Her faith shines through each step encourages the hero in his own journey.
Everyone has friends, relatives or colleagues whom they admire. Is this important to you in the stories you read as well? What’s your favorite kind of heroine?“–Barbara
August 26, 2012
August 25, 2012
ENDS AT MIDNIGHT–Could Be Your Last Chance for My Free Ebook-For Sophia’s Heart!
August 22, 2012
Debut Author Sherri Shackelford & A Pessimist No More?
My guest today is Sherri Shackelford, a brand new author! She says she’s a pessimist but I don’t know if I agree. She is optimistic about GIVING AWAY TWO COPIES OF HER FIRST BOOK. So read and then leave a comment. Here’s Sherri:
“I’m a pessimist at heart, I can’t help it. When I’m preparing for a new venture, I always ask myself: “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” Then I decide if I can live with the consequences.
When my debut novel was published this summer, I knew I had to prepare for bad reviews. You can’t please everyone all the time, and if you have good distribution, then you’re bound to run across someone who doesn’t like your book.
What I didn’t expect, or prepare for, were the good reviews. I was totally flummoxed the first time someone wrote me a fan letter!
In Winning the Widow’s Heart, the heroine, Elizabeth Cole, has lived a life of heartache and adversity. She grasped a fragile shred of hope when she married her first husband, and her uncharacteristic bout of optimism proved to be a disaster.
When real love finally enters her life in the form of handsome Texas Ranger, Jack Elder, Elizabeth is unprepared. She’s become so accustomed to expecting the worst, she can’t see the blessing before her.
Many people associated strength with autonomy and independence. There’s another side of strength that’s more subtle and often overlooked: The ability to ask for help.
When we let others help us, we give them a gift. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: It is one of the beautiful compensations in this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.
Being independent and self-reliant requires strength. Saying “I don’t know” or “I need help” requires strength of spirit.
My heroine, Elizabeth, has to find the courage to trust and love again, and let Jack help her.
The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed and your strength is lagging, don’t forget to honor your friends and family—and ask for help. It doesn’t make you weak, it strengthens you and those around you.
August 19, 2012
Raspberry Island Anyone? Duck, Duck? (And Last Week’s Winners)
Welcome to Raspberry Island, one of the Apostle Islands on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Last Wednesday, my dh and my daughter and I drove up to Wisconsin’s “topknot,” stopping for lunch and shopping in Ashland WI and then driving up the coast to Bayfield, WI. We took a tour boat around the islands, something we’ve wanted to do for a long time!
The day was overcast and gloomy, but we didn’t let that get us down! And half way through the tour, the sun came out and everything was blue and lovely! As the tour guide told tales of the exciting history of this area where French fur trappers traded with the Chippewa (or Objiwa) in the 1600′s and later Americans logged and cut browstone, I came up with at least three story ideas. I am a writer, okay?
One story that intrigued me was a 70-ish rock baron (NOT rock star) going to New York City and finding himself an 18 year old high society bride. He built her a fabulous house on the island where his stone quarry was. She came, she looked, she didn’t even spend one night there! I think my story will go a bit differently–definitely more romantic!
This final photo is of ducks on the shores of our smaller lake in WI. As you can see, they aren’t our usual Mallard ducks (below).
They are Mergansers we think, just migrating through from Canada.
Not too clear but you can see the sunset reflected behind them.
Finally the winners from last week:
Lisa Nelson won Amish Author Kathleen Fuller’s Faithful to Laura!
And the winner of my slightly read copy of Author Irene Hannon’s FATAL JUDGMENT is Norma Stanforth!
This week, Author Sherri Shackelford will guest on Thursday-don’t miss her & her giveaway!–Lyn
