Regina Jennings's Blog, page 14

Location, location…

"…where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and the waving wheat can sure smell sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain…"

Oklahoma is great to sing about but not many people set their books here, especially historical fiction. That's one reason Anne Mateer's book Wings of a Dream caught my attention. Not only does it begin in Oklahoma, it's also set during WWI. No, that's not a typo of Wii, kids – it means World War One, a neglected portion of our history that's full of dramatic...

The Miracle – Publication Story, Part 7

[image error]I love the people in my books. I really do. If they bore me I make them funnier. If they annoy me, I make something bad happen to them so they straighten up. If only the real world…

But I digress.

I had so much fun writing Sixty Acres and a Bride that I wanted to write more  and after the encouragement I'd received at conference, I had an excuse to do so.

While in Africa, I'd sent Sixty Acres to a handful of friends to look over, so I had some great suggestions waiting on me when I got home...

An Unexpected Request – Publication Story, Part 6

"Are there bathrooms where we're going?" we asked our African host.[image error]

"In Africa, there are bathrooms everywhere." He motioned out the window of the jeep.

Sure enough. I'd have to be careful where I looked. And stepped.

Although my mind was still whirling from the ACFW conference, I was excited about this trip. My husband and I, along with three friends, were scouting out a ministry for a possible church partnership.

Bathrooms might be plentiful, but bedrooms were hard to come by. Exhausted from...

Loaded for Bear – Publication Story, Part 5

You know how people will talk up a new haunted house until you're terrified? You try to chicken out, but your friends won't let you. They drag you inside and you're convinced every corner you turn will be your last, until about halfway through you pry open your eyelids and realize – "Wait a minute. This isn't that scary after all."

That was my editor appointment at the writer's conference.

Much like the agent appointment, Mr. Long took my onesheet after introductions and spent some time...

Publication Story – Part 5

You know how people will talk up a new haunted house until you're terrified? You try to chicken out, but your friends won't let you. They drag you inside and you're convinced every corner you turn will be your last, until about halfway through you pry open your eyelids and realize – "Wait a minute. This isn't that scary after all."

That was my editor appointment at the writer's conference.

Much like the agent appointment, Mr. Long took my onesheet after introductions and spent some time...

Cold Calls – Publication Story, Part 4

Imagine showing up for a job interview without knowing the company you're interviewing with. No opportunity to review the products they manufacture or the services they provide. No time to learn the CEO's name and hobbies, just the hope they need someone with your skills in their company.

That's writer's conferences for you. Yes, they ask your preference, but you don't know until you arrive who you will be meeting with.

With fear and trembling I received my assignments and learned that I...

Publication Story – Part 4

Imagine showing up for a job interview without knowing the company you're interviewing with. No opportunity to review the products they manufacture or the services they provide. No time to learn the CEO's name and hobbies, just the hope they need someone with your skills in their company.

That's writer's conferences for you. Yes, they ask your preference, but you don't know until you arrive who you will be meeting with.

With fear and trembling I received my assignments and learned that I...

A Little Corner of Heaven – Publication Story, Part 3

The scariest part of the ACFW Writer's Conference was stepping over the homeless people. No, they weren't attendees – I don't think – but they lay between my hotel and the expensive conference hotel like speed bumps on the sidewalk. The two hotels looked so close on Mapquest, but at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, dressed in the best outfit the combined closets of Central Oklahoma could produce, I didn't feel like playing Frogger with the tossing and turning transients. That's what I got for...

Publication Story – Part 3

The scariest part of the ACFW Writer's Conference was stepping over the homeless people. No, they weren't attendees – I don't think – but they lay between my hotel and the expensive conference hotel like speed bumps on the sidewalk. The two hotels looked so close on Mapquest, but at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, dressed in the best outfit the combined closets of Central Oklahoma could produce, I didn't feel like playing Frogger with the tossing and turning transients. That's what I got for...

In Over My Head – Publication Story, Part 2

"You did what?"

"I bought you a ticket for that writing conference you've been talking about."

"Why? If I wanted to go I would've…. ummm…. probably only talked about it." I did want to go, and sweet husband knew I'd never spend that kind of money on my own. I've been known to squeeze a penny until Abe Lincoln cried for mercy. No way I'd gamble on this long shot.

For one thing, I wasn't ready. My story wasn't ready, but evidently the money was already spent. Time for this writing experiment to...