Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 33

Are You Under-Utilizing Goodreads? Tips for Readers and Writers

[image error]Maybe you log books you read on Goodreads, but are you taking advantage of its other features?

For instance, did you know you can post a general update on Goodreads, like you would a status on Facebook or other social media? You can!

While logged into Goodreads, look in the left-hand column beneath what you’re currently reading.

All it takes is a little time browsing and clicking to discover what’s there. Pro tip: Scan the WHOLE page, including the sidebars, menus, and widgets for links. I guarantee there’s more there than you realize.

Here’s a Top 10 that scratches the surface of things you can do on Goodreads.

1. Bookshelves

For readers: Shelve your books according to genre, content, level of enjoyment or any way you want. Scan bar codes of paperbacks you own and organize your home library by actual shelf, if you’d like. Add books directly from Amazon as you purchase. You can also see stats on your books such as pages read and books read per year as well as books read by year of publication.

For authors: Use shelves to attract friends and followers to books you’d like to highlight. Shelves can also provide handy reference for when you’re making recommendations or creating an article or blog post about books (ex. Favorite Civil War romances).

Check out: My Catholic Fiction shelf, buckling under the weight of 111 books!

2. Quizzes

For readers: Can’t get enough of your favorite book? Take a quiz and see how much you know. Better yet, create a quiz to share with other fans of your favorites and share.

For authors: Generate interest in you book or series by creating fun questions that you and quiz takers can easily share on social media.

Check out: This quiz on Cynthia Toney’s Birdface series.

3. Lists (formerly Listopia)

For readers: Have a hankering for sweet romances set in the South or cozy Christmas mysteries? There’s probably a list for that. Find recommendations based on your interests or preferences.

For authors: You cannot add your own book to a list, but nothing prevents you adding each other’s books to appropriate lists. (No spamming irrelevant lists.) Employ some creative thinking and browsing to see where your book might fit according to genre, setting, characters, content, etc.

Check out: This Ultimate List of Christian Dystopian Books.

4. Creative Writing

For readers: Find new authors or something by an author you already love in the creative writing section. Search by genre, friends, popular, new, or active. Let the author know (kindly, please) what you think in the comments.

For authors: Post new work or a sample chapter for feedback or to introduce readers to your published books. Although I’ve spent little to no time on Wattpad, I think this is somewhat similar.

Check out: The first chapter of Cape Cursed by Janice Palko.

5. Giveaways

For readers: Enter to win copies of free books, both paperback and ebook. You can browse giveaways, sorting by date added or date ending, or you can let Goodreads do the work. Once you’ve added a book to your “To Read” shelf, you’ll automatically be notified of giveaways. If you win (and I’ve been lucky enough to win several), writing a review (honest but kind, of course) is the courteous thing to do.

For authors: By listing a giveaway for your book, you gain exposure. Not only is your book listed among the giveaways, but as readers add your book to their “to read” shelves, that action is shared with their friends, increasing your exposure exponentially. You can track how many people have added your book with the handy stats and graphs Goodreads supplies for your book.

Check out: The Goodreads Giveaways featured each Saturday at Reading Is My Superpower and these giveaways going on now:

Broken Like Glass by E.J. McCay (ends 10/10/2017)
Eydis: The Island of the Dragon Bride by C.S. Johnson (ends 10/31/2017)
The Diaries of Joseph and Mary by Dennis P. McGeehan (ends 9/30/2017)

Goodreads has a lot to offer for both readers and authors. #goodreadsTweet This

6. Awards

For readers: If you’re looking for some assurance of a book’s quality, you can turn to the lists of award-winning books! You can search for the award by name. Unlike in the general listings, not any member can add books to these lists, so you can be assured that the books listed have, in fact, won the award.

For authors: To have your award-winning book listed as such, you’ll need to contact the sponsoring organization and/or a Goodreads librarian. A Goodreads librarian can establish a new award list. As it needs to be  updated, the awarding organization should post a message in the Awards folder in the Goodreads Librarian Group. Once listed, your award will also show up as a literary award on your book’s page in the details section along with the edition and ISBN.

Check out: The well-hidden lists of book award winners. Whether you’re looking for Newbery Medal Winners or recipients of the Catholic Arts & Letters Award (CALA), you can find them here.

7. Reading Challenge

For readers: The annual reading challenge adds an edge of fun and competition to your reading. Your home page will list how many books you’ve read and how close you are to goal right on your landing page. View your books read and see how your friends and others are meeting their personal challenges.

For authors: The Reading Challenge offers more opportunities for exposure. You can easily share your progress on Facebook, Twitter, or in an update status to draw readers to your Goodreads account. It’s also a great way to share the books of author friends, particularly at the end of the year, when Goodreads will generate attractive graphics to boast of your accomplishment.

Check out: How I’m doing in the 2017 Challenge.

8. Groups & Discussions

For readers: Find groups of people with similar reading interests, including book clubs that regularly read and discuss books. Discussions work in a similar fashion, but pertain to a specific issue or item rather than being anchored to a community. Goodreads allows you to easily find discussions related to books on your shelves.

For authors: Start or join in on conversations about your book. Participate in a couple of the many author groups, such as those for Indie authors or a group for book bloggers or book tubers.

Check out: The discussion regarding Theresa Linden’s upcoming release, Standing Strong, and the Tuesday Talks Group.

9. Recommendations

For readers: Goodreads provides multiple ways for you to make and receive recommendations. You can browse them (along with deals and giveaways) or make/receive them through friends. Each time you finish a book, Goodreads will give you the opportunity to recommend it to others. You can even compare books read with a friend and make recommendations.

For authors: Encourage your “promoters” to recommend your book to others through their network of friends. Recommend your favorites too!

Check out: How to request recommendations from your friends and the Goodreads community.

10. Events

For readers: Feeling particularly bookish and looking for something to do? Find book signings, book expos, and author events in your area by searching your region.

For authors: List wherever and whenever you are selling/signing books, visiting a book club, speaking, etc. Make it easy for people to find you.

Check out: What’s going on near you.

What creative ways have you found to use Goodreads?

Follow me on Goodreads!

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: High School Theater

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I was a behind the scenes gal when it came to high school theater, but I still have many happy memories tied to our musical productions. As a proud member of the stage crew for four years, I was able to identify with the closeness and camaraderie that comes from putting on a show together.

The following are three excellent YA novels that stand on their own merit, but have something just a little extra special if you are or were a high school theater geek.

Intermission by Serena Chase

Intermission left me breathless in the best way. My internal book-rating system includes a heart-clench level, and this book made that level explode off of the charts. I had to fight off tears while reading in the waiting room of my daughter’s ballet class.

This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God’s magnificent plans for our lives – which may not follow our plans or our timelines.

The injustice Faith suffers will break your heart. Her growth both in virtue and courage will make you cheer. And God’s tender mercy towards her and Noah will leave you with a song in your heart whether you’re a musical theater buff or not.

Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan

Angelhood offers important messages about hope and regret through the first-person account of 17-year-old Nanette, who, in the first chapter, puts a gun to her head and pulls the trigger. From there she embarks on her “angelhood.”

Despite the name, the body-less souls, and the acquisition of wings, the period of “angelhood” bears more resemblance to purgatory than angelic life. In order to gain her own redemption, Nanette is assigned a charge whom she must prevent from making the same fatal mistake she did in taking her own life.

Nanette shadows a friendless, angsty poet named Vera, whose mother has succumbed to breast cancer. Despite Nanette’s frustration with Vera’s anti-social, “loser” ways, she takes her task seriously and struggles to find means to influence Vera’s behavior and help her see the wonderful possibilities around her.

Throughout the novel, Nanette and other angels, including her mentor of sorts, Warren, engage in spiritual warfare in defense of their charges and their own journey towards sainthood. Darkness and evil tempt and taunt, eager to draw souls to their eternal torment.

Interspersed with the action are Nanette’s memories – both those leading up to her suicide and happy memories with her sister, mother, and fellow theater geeks. Not only does concentrating on positive memories help her to grown in grace, it also enables her to see clearly the rashness of her life-ending decision.

While Nanette had seen death as an escape from her various troubles, she now realizes that not only has peace eluded, her but her absence has had profound effects on her family members as well. Her perspective matures and broadens, allowing her to see hope where in the past she felt despair and to recognize, in theater terms, that comedy and tragedy exist side by side.

There are several twists, turns, and revelations along the way to maintain tension and keep the reader engaged.

In the years following the suicide of a friend’s 15-year-old son (also by gun), I’ve become hypersensitive to its frequent portrayal in media. While its depiction here made me uncomfortable, the overriding, hopeful message integrated so seamlessly into Nanette’s memories and experiences convinced me of its valuable message for teens in particular, who think their life isn’t worth living and the world would be better off without them.

I listened to Angelhood on audiobook, which opens me to distraction more than reading print does. It can also be a challenge to hear over the noise level and kid interruptions in my home. I did, however, enjoy the narration, which fit Nanette’s voice well.

An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl

Leslea Wahl has done it again – another great book custom-tailored to teens (teen girls in particular). I’m always a little put-off by present tense narration, but I quickly grew to enjoy Josie’s voice.

Great writing peppered with humor and insight, the author captures the human tendency to hyperfocus on our own problems that can be part and parcel of the teen years.

Take a mortifying yet hardly life-threatening problem, add an alluring backdrop of sunshine, sand, and an attractive guy, and watch Josie’s self-preoccupation melt away as she forges relationships with those outside her narrow Minnesota high school circle.

Her summer escape is populated by people of different ages, races, and backgrounds, and not everyone – even those she thinks she knows – is what they seem.

There’s a nice little mystery that keeps the story moving, but the most touching moments involve Josie’s self-discovery, the softening of her heart, and, eventually, genuine romance with an upstanding guy and reconciliation with her mom.

Enjoyable for adults, highly recommended for teens. Bonus if you’re a fan of musical theater.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FROM MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS![image error]

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Seven Quick Takes

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My Childhood Picture Book Favorites Edition

I write frequently about my current favorite books, including those I read to and with my children.  However, I don’t think I’ve ever listed MY favorite books from my own childhood – until now!

Unlike my current home, my childhood home didn’t hold a ton of books. I remember being read to from a very small stash and from the books I checked out of the school library. And, my mom was very indulgent with my requests from the Scholastic Book flyer.

Unfortunately, I missed out on many classics, and I rarely saw my parents with a book (as in, almost never, though they were avid newspaper readers). And yet, they encouraged me to read, indulged my interests, and fostered a love of words in me as well as the love that goes hand in hand with being read to as a child.

Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites. At least the ones I can remember!

–1–
The Story of Ferdinand

[image error]The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, is now a major motion picture, as they say. It looks like the producers may have taken some liberties with the story, and the “be true to yourself” message makes me a little nervous since I’ve seen that positive message twisted often enough to mean, “do what you feel like, regardless of the consequences.” My hope is that they’ve at least improved upon the cute but crazy cork tree illustrations. (Do you remember those? Little wine bottle corks dangling from tree branches.)

 –2–
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

[image error]Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is beloved by me and my kids. I’ve always felt such sympathy for poor Mary Anne, the obsolete steam shovel. I’m not sure what inspired the author, but my husband and I actually came across a rusted out, abandoned steam shovel in a ghost town along the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. Woe to Mary Anne! I’m also intrigued by a just-released book called Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Read more about this new book and its genesis in BookPage.

–3–

On Beyond Zebra!

[image error]I remember frequently checking out On Beyond Zebra! by Dr. Seuss from my grade school library. I’ve never been a particularly big fan of Dr. Seuss, but this one grabbed me. Maybe it was an early fascination with letters and words? Not sure, but the endless possibilities of letters beyond Z captivated my imagination.

–4–

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

[image error]Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Weber remained lost in the recesses of my mind for many years before resurfacing as I had children of my own. I think that as the youngest child by more than a decade, the idea of an anthropomorphic alligator companion appealed to me.

–5–

Gus, the Friendly Ghost

[image error]I was tickled to discover this book among those my mother-in-law had saved: Gus Was a Friendly Ghost by Jane Thayer. Apparently Gus was a favorite of both mine and my husband’s! The purple and orange illustrations, obviously a “thing” back in the day, are engraved in my memory. Like Lyle, Gus seemed to me to be a good companion for a kid. Happily, my children really love Gus too!

–6–

Paddington Bear

[image error]Long before the movie, I was enamored with A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond. It was likely one of my first experiences with British characters and delicious marmalade. I’m happy the little guy has had such staying power. (Technically not a picture book, but I read it early.)

–7–

The Little Red Hen

[image error]I may be cheating a bit on this one. While I remember my mother reading me The Little Red Hen, I can’t recall much about the edition. (Much like other favorites, The Boy Who Cried Wolf and Chicken Little.) This Little Golden Book version is the one I read to my niece and nephew. And since I also loved my small collection of Little Golden Books (mostly Christmas-themed ones), this one seemed appropriate.

###

For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the September 2017 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

[image error]I’ve been swapping chapters for critique with author Theresa Linden, and she mentioned the research book she had read in relation to her work in progress. It sounded like something right up my husband’s alley, so I quickly looked it up and mentioned it to him. Only to find out that he’d purchased it last year! Its mention was enough for him to locate the unread book and crack it open. It is Hungry Souls: Supernatural Visits, Messages, and Warnings from Purgatory by Gerard J.M. van der Aardweg. The book recounts stories of “Church-verified accounts of earthly visitations from the dead in Purgatory.” Sounds creepy.

[image error]Each month, I borrow a book from the Kindle Lending Library, a perk of our Amazon Prime account. This month, I downloaded Land of My Dreams by Norma Gail, an author I’d come across on social media. I’m only a third of the way through the book and enjoying the Scotland setting and the characters. While it’s free of typos and grammatical errors, I’m struggling a bit with my internal editor when it comes to dialogue and several other issues. I’m only a third of the way through though and intend to stick it out.

[image error]Next on my list to read is Dying for Compassion by Barbara Golder, the second in the Lady Doc Murders Series. The first in the series, Dying for Revenge, is excellent! I’ve been looking forward to this one, which is set in both Telluride, Colorado and Ireland, but somehow it keeps getting bumped back on the pile. No longer. I will begin this book next!

[image error]During one of our many early August library trips, my son picked up Weird Al: The Book by Nathan Rabin. It’s an oversized hardcover book with lots of color photos tracing the singer’s life from childhood throughout his career of popular parodies. My son inherited his love of Weird Al from me and his Uncle Pete. I’ve seen Weird Al in concert at least four times, the most recent being last September, which was my son’s first concert. Highly entertaining show, and a very interesting personality.

[image error]As a reward for completing the library summer reading program, my newly-minted high school freshman also grabbed a paperback copy of Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno. Like his father, this kid never tires of Star Wars. Tarkin is set between Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. As the title suggests, the novel is about Imperial bad guy Grand Moff Tarkin.

[image error]My daughter spent most of the summer either tending to Monarch caterpillars or buried in a book. One by one, she’s ticking off the books in the Childhood of Famous Americans series, most recently reading about Sacagawea, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt. She’s currently finishing  Liberty Letters: Attack at Pearl Harbor by Nancy LeSourd. [image error]She has also been reading one of our selections for September’s Sabbath Rest Book Talk: The Good Master by Kate Seredy. I’ll be reading this Newbery Award winner as well. It is a historical novel set in  Hungary, and all my daughter has said thus far is how much she dislikes the character Kate.

[image error]I brought out  one of our all-time favorites for the little kids: Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas. I love reading the book aloud! Mr. MacGregor plants a garden, only to be continually outwitted by three hungry bunnies. It has the perfect amount of repetition and onomatopoeia. The illustrations are among my favorites too. I love the puff-tail rabbits!

[image error]We also read Beginnings written by Lori Ann Watson, illustrated by Shennen Bersani. This is a simple yet lyrical book about God’s loving creation of the natural world culminating in His loving each precious child into being, cared for and nurtured by the family. It makes a beautiful addition to a child’s collection of picture books.

What are you reading? Share it at An Open Book and find new book recommendations too! #openbookTweet This

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Want more details on An Open Book? You can also sign up for An Open Book reminder email, which goes out one week before the link-up. No blog? That’s okay. Just tell us what you’re reading in the comment box.

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Catholic Fiction and Where to Find It

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Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

I’ve spent the better part of the past six years connected to a variety of online circles in which Catholic fiction is not only known, but loved and nourished. So when I step outside that literary bubble, I’m sometimes surprised to be reminded that many people – even practicing Catholics who are voracious fiction devourers – have yet to discover contemporary Catholic fiction.

Maybe they’ve never searched beyond the shelves of the big-box bookstores or the Amazon front page. Maybe they once read a sloppy, amateurish book that fit the “Catholic fiction” description and subsequently wrote off an entire category of books. Maybe their experience goes back decades to syrupy-sweet, hokey religious fiction that turned them off. Maybe they just didn’t know Catholic fiction was a “thing” and are satisfied to read only secular fiction, skipping over the parts they find offensive or contrary to their beliefs.

Maybe they haven’t deemed anything less than a recognized literary classic as worth their reading time.

While I love and treasure many of the Catholic classics, I roll my eyes when I see yet another list of Catholic fiction recommendations that is limited to G.K Chesterton, Flannery O’Connor, J.R.R. Tolkein, and a handful of other books and authors long dead. Plenty of living, breath authors are writing top-notch fiction in a variety of genres, steeped in a Catholic worldview.

I don’t know a single one of them getting rich. But that’s not why they write in the first place. Most write because they feel called to write and to use their gifts to create something of worth and beauty. But like everyone else, Catholic authors have bills to pay and families to raise, myself included.

If we want to see a revival of the Catholic arts, including literary arts, we need to take an interest and put our money where our mouth is. If we don’t support solid, quality Catholic literature, how can we expect to discover new classics?

Catholic Fiction and Where to Find It #catholicfiction Tweet This

If you are among those uninitiated to Catholic fiction, here’s a primer:

Catholic Reads: In their own words, “We are a resource for Catholic readers hungry for fiction that explores their faith through creativity and fosters Catholic writers by promoting good books.” Find reviews and sign up to be alerted to upcoming deals on books.
Catholic Treasures: An online Catholic bookstore carrying a wide variety of genres. Find author interviews and purchase books directly from the site or via catalog. Books regularly discounted for sale.
Catholic Writers Guild: The literary home of Catholic writers and authors. For readers, the showcase of members’ books is still in development. However, you can find a current list of books (fiction and nonfiction) awarded the Guild’s Seal of Approval.
Full Quiver Publishing: Catholic fiction publishers are few and far between, some outlasting others. Among those handful is Full Quiver Publishing, a small Canadian publishing company founded in  2004 by James and Ellen Hrkach. Genres include historical fiction, mystery, contemporary romance, suspense, Young Adult, and science fiction. (Full disclosure: I have two novels published through Full Quiver Publishing.)
Catholic Teen Books: CatholicTeenBooks.com provides information on books for middle grade and teen readers written by Catholic authors and/or from Catholic publishers. Books are organized by author, title, and genre. Information is also provided for teachers and parents with recommended grade level and questions for discussion.
Virtue Works Media: Still a work in progress, Virtue Works Media is building a site to connect consumers with quality media. From the site: “VIRTUE WORKS™ uses the power of virtue, tucked in a story, to transform lives.” Get a sneak peek at what’s on the horizon.
Good News! Catholic Book Fair: The Good News! Catholic Book Fair offers Catholic schools and parishes and alternative to the Scholastic Book Fair. With books for the whole family, the fair comes to YOU.
Sabbath Rest Book Talk: Where Fiction is Good for You: This monthly video series is a free-flowing discussion led by author Erin McCole Cupp. Each month is focused on a separate theme (i.e., forgiveness, coming of age) with a children’s, young adult, and adult book as examples.
CatholicMom.com: See this award-winning site’s regular Book Notes features for reviews by its contributors.
Books for Catholic Teens on Facebook “connects Catholic YA authors with Catholic parents, educators, and other Catholic professionals.” Find the group on Instagram too.
Goodreads: Handy lists for the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval Awardees, Books for Catholic Teens, Sabbath Rest Book Talk, Catholic Romance Novels, and Theology of the Body Fiction. By searching the Listopia, you can find many other handy lists.


Similar posts providing
ideas and specific recommendations
on Catholic fiction:

Where to Find Catholic Fiction (Dappled Things)
Five #FAVE Top Ten Lists (Virtue Ink)
Librarians, Teachers, Parents Take Note (Molly McBride and the Purple  Habit)


A Quick List of
My Personal Catholic Fiction Recommendations
for 12 Popular Genres*:

Young Adult: Roland West, Loner by Theresa Linden
Dystopian: I Am Margaret by Corinna Turner
Children’s: Molly McBride and the Plaid Jumper by Jean Schoonover-Egolf
Science Fiction: Discovery by Karina Fabian
Thrillers/Suspense: Frozen Footprints by Therese Heckenkamp
Middle Grade: 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan
Romance: Stay With Me by Carolyn Astfalk
Lives of the Saints: Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek
Women’s Fiction: Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman
Mystery: Dying for Revenge by Barbara Golder
Historical Fiction: A Subtle Grace by Ellen Gable
Re-imagined Classics: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole Cupp

(*Created with much trepidation because this is a drop in the bucket, and I’m leaving out so many great books. For more recommendations, subscriber to My Scribbler’s Heart blog (on sidebar), follow me on Goodreads, or check out my monthly reading  linkup, An Open Book, the first Wednesday of each month, both here and at CatholicMom.com.)

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Interview with Author Michelle Buckman

Turning In Circles is permeated with what is – to me, anyway – a Southern fiction voice. What characteristics do you see as setting Southern fiction apart from general fiction set throughout the United States? (Because I wouldn’t necessarily call everything set in the American south, “Southern fiction.”)

[image error]Because I was born in New York and raised in Canada, I arrived in North Carolina as an outsider when I was at the critical teeny-bopper stage. That experience permitted me to observe the South from a different perspective than those who have always lived here. There is a difference in mannerisms, in how families interact, in how people interact in public, and even in the social structure of small communities.

To that end, Savannah came to me as the perfect character to reveal those very Southern mannerisms and viewpoints. Turning in Circles captures the charm of small-town families, the connectedness of such communities, as well as the humid air and the sunbaked landscape. The sentences themselves drip with the slow, sugary verbiage of the South.

Turning in Circles @AuthorMBuckman drips with the slow, sugary verbiage of the South. #YAlitTweet This

When Rachel’s Contrition was first published, I remember a buzz about it on the (now-defunct) Faith & Family blog. There was clear excitement about a women’s fiction novel written from a Catholic worldview. And yet, it’s been my experience that the Catholic fiction audience is difficult to identify. Do you agree, and, if so, why do you think that is?

[image error]Catholics will read anything. Catholics filter out whatever is contrary to their faith, but don’t necessarily put it down. Therefore, we don’t have Catholics seeking specifically Catholic fiction. I think it’s also because most people, even really devout Catholics, don’t want to read sappy, predictable stories, and when they hear something labeled as faith fiction, they assume that’s what they’ll get because there is so much of that out there. Obviously, they get a great awakening if they read mine. It’s definitely gritty, more gritty than some mainstream works. Having deep faith doesn’t mean not having worldly issues to face every day of our lives, and those are the things I tackle in my plots.

Some Christian authors find a tension between entertaining and evangelizing. Do you believe that’s an inherent tension? Should one prevail over the other?

Obviously, the intention of any story is to entertain, and certain elements must be included within the story structure to achieve that goal. However, I don’t think a writer should aim to evangelize. The story belongs to the character and therefore the character should tell it. Faith should be depicted as it naturally flows into that character’s journey, not forced into it to project a message.

I think every writer has a message within their story, whether it’s something as simple as enjoying every day of your life or as serious as coming to terms with death. However, the message must be almost subliminal; the reader must “get it” from what they see unfold, just as Jesus used parables to let followers gather his meaning. Some people will get it, some won’t, but in my opinion, being blatantly didactic is a turnoff in fiction.

Death Panels has been on my to-be-read list for too long. Without having read it yet, I’ve heard that it’s more relevant today, perhaps, than when it was written. Have any of the circumstances you’d predicted come to pass?

[image error]I wrote Death Panels way back in the early 90s when I saw where things were headed. It wasn’t a book I wanted to write because I wanted to stick to women’s fiction. Nevertheless, God pressed it on me. Every time I tried to turn away from it, another piece would land in my lap. It was a scary book to write. I could feel evil pressing in on me during the writing because I was revealing things that satan had planned. However, it’s not a scary book to read because we’re already there now, in one form or another.

When Obama was elected, three people from a writing group a decade and a half earlier each contacted me individually within a week of one another, from the far reaches of having moved, and told me to get that manuscript published. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), I found an old printout of it while moving my office. I typed the entire thing back in, revised it, and immediately sold it to Tan Books.

Exact things that I predicted aren’t as important as having predicted the general atmosphere of our nation. You can’t explain to young adults today what life was like growing up in the 70s and 80s, or how corrupt their worldview has become in terms of religion and sex. Prior to this generation of young adults, Christianity was the basis of law and order in our country. That baseline is being eroded in court case after court case. The anti-Christian atmosphere, taken to the extreme, is the entire premise of Death Panels, and the most important takeaway.

A few specifics that have come true:

We would be watched and listened to through cell phones (keep in mind that the first Motorola  phone had only come into being when I wrote the manuscript, and it was far from being what we call a cell phone today!)
People would read and watch the news on computer servers, and everything we did would be watched. (Internet was just coming into use when I wrote the book.)
Baby parts would be sold for profit.
Marriage would be abolished and replaced with certificates of union for tax purposes. (Not there yet, but…)
Fingerprints are now used to pull up medical records—I used implanted chip IDs.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’d give to aspiring authors?

Read, read, read. Study (don’t just read) the books you love and figure out why you love them. When you get caught up in reading a story, go back and figure out why—and learn from it. Use real dialogue. Leave out the boring parts. Choose the right POV character, and then be true to that character. Listen to the character—it’s his/her story, not yours. Don’t be predictable. Attend one of my workshops or hire me to edit your manuscript ☺

What project(s) are you working on now?

I work as a copy editor for a NYC website now, so that cuts out my mornings,  but I continue to write women’s fiction. I’m thinking of turning my newest idea into a screenplay, but that’s a new territory, so I may partner up with someone for that.

I am also a freelance editor. I’ve edited everything from cookbooks to memoirs to fiction. I don’t have a set fee because every manuscript has its own issues. I have to see the work to price it. I only do a limited number per year, but I’m more than happy to talk to anyone about what my editing will do for them. Contact me at MichellePBuckman at gmail dot com for more info.

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Michelle Buckman is an award-winning novelist and international writing workshop instructor and speaker. Her career has encompassed almost every facet of writing, from a weekly newspaper humor column to freelance articles for national publications, including Writer’s Digest. She has been the managing editor of a Charlotte business magazine and is currently a freelance copy editor for an NYC website, while continuing to freelance edit books. She is finishing her eighth novel and working on a children’s series.


Website: http://www.michellebuckman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleBuckman/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMBuckman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/223832.Michelle_Buckman

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Refocus Your Lens In Changing Seasons

By Guest Blogger Billie Jauss

I’m feeling old. “Life flies by so fast.” I hear myself saying this more and more often now that I am ‘over 50’ and my baby boy just turned 21 and is heading into his junior year of college. It seems that I have seen a lot of the past flash by in front of me. Panic creeps deep into my spirit. I become focused on the past and what I think I have lost, not the truth of who I am. I focus on me, not on Jesus.

The yearning to change my focus sent me on a spiritual journey to rectify my panic, my selfish spotlight. Being a consummate list maker, I began to list the positive truths of who I am now.

[image error]Who am I? I am a child of God. I know this to the core of my being. I am strong and confident because of my faith. I am a proud wife of an amazing husband I love dearly and like most of the time! He is the man God has given me to dance with through this life.

I am a writer. To admit this to me was much harder than the writing process. I began to embrace the gift God has given me and use it to glorify him. I am a mother, a mother who no longer needs to oversee every aspect of my children’s life. I am a mother, a mentor and guide for my kids through the young adult years of their lives.

Identifying who we are, begins with trusting God with who he has created us to be. Understanding above all the chaos and confusion he has a plan and hope for our future. He has gone before us to prepare the way. When the seasons of our lives change and we question who we are, we turn to him for our identity. Standing strong and confident in who he has created us to be, to glorify him, guides us to use the gifts we have been given to continue to move forward.

We are his.
We are strong.
We are living life to the fullest.

As seasons change and life continues, we grab onto our faith and let God pull us along. Life can take us into places where our identity is displaced. God has been there before us. Knowing who we are in him helps in the changing seasons defining our lives. We can trust God has a plan and hope for our future.

 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

1Corinthians 5:18-20

The old self, our spiritual self before we believed, was a slave to sin and death. Our new self is forgiven and free, given the gift of grace. Our sinful spirits have been destroyed; our slates have been wiped clean. Sin no longer controls us, his spirit does. Even though our past has been wiped clean, we have to choose every day to live in the freedom of knowing Christ was sacrificed for us.

The definition of reconciliation is a restoration of friendly relations. Isn’t it what we want with Jesus, a friendly relationship? If we are to have this type of relationship with an almighty God, we need to cleanse our hearts of the past and choose to live in his love and forgiveness. Getting rid of our old selves and walking in the new self is a gift of our faith.

Knowing who we are in Him helps in the changing seasons defining our lives. #faith Tweet This

“You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words” (Psalm 119:57). He is our portion. Jesus satisfies our needs better than a bigger house, a name brand dress or any amount of money. When the Lord becomes our portion, he moves in powerful ways. Remembering God is our portion isn’t always easy. God meets us where we are. He cleanses our hearts to be more open to his desires.

The evaluation of the heart reveals the malfunctions can be asymptomatic until we find ourselves where we never intended to be, in critical condition, complacent, lacking the desire to grow deeper with Christ and experience the abundance in him. The evaluation of our heart increases our desire for a permanent pursuit of God, not of personal focus.

[image error]Billie is a North Carolina girl married to a Chicago boy living the baseball life. Her husband is a coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They have been in Professional Baseball for 30 years. They have three ‘young men’ who are still her babies. The boys live in Australia, Chicago, and New York. She blames the vagabond lifestyle of baseball for their love of adventure.

Billie loves encouraging women to:


Pursue Jesus as their greatest passion.
Do less so God can do more.
Be the remarkable woman God created YOU to be.
Strengthen one another in faith, family, and friendship.

Website: www.billiejauss.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billiejausswriter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/billiejauss

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billie_jauss/

Check out the other fantastic posts by the Summer 2017 guest bloggers!

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Seven Quick Takes

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Seven Most Recent Reads Edition

As if I didn’t blather enough about books already, right? Between An Open Book (here and at Catholic Mom), Sabbath Rest Book Talk with Erin McCole Cupp and Rebecca Willen, and my Relevant Fiction Reviews posts, you’d think I’d be covered on the book front. But, no, I’ve read such a strong string of books – fiction and nonfiction – that I thought they’d earned their own post. Here are the seven books I’m reading or have recently finished, in order from currently reading to already read.

–1–
Standing Strong
 [image error]Standing Strong, by Theresa Linden, is the forthcoming book in her West Brothers series of teen fiction books that began with the award-winning Roland West, Loner . I’m barely into this one, but chuckling at the gag lingering from Battle for His Soul – a car befouled by rancid Limburger cheese. The characters in this series are so well-developed and the writing so solid and strong.

 –2–
Heidi

[image error]This children’s classic, Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, was one of my favorites as a child. In fact, I read it multiple times. Thanks to my lousy memory, however, reading this aloud to my younger children is like reading it for the first time!

–3–

Finish

[image error]Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done, by Jon Acuff, is due out next month. I can count the number of motivational-type books I’ve read on one hand. This one appealed to me mainly because I find Jon Acuff’s personality and humor so appealing on social media. Finish is all about reaching goals minus the gung-ho approach that ignores our natural proclivities and often ends in failure. Even if I thought the content was bunk (and I don’t), I’d still read it for the humor. The riff on the Apple Genius Bar is terrific.

–4–

The Other Side of Freedom

[image error]If you’re looking for solid children’s literature for your middle grade reader or young teen, look no further. The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia Toney is the story of one boy’s struggle to do the right thing when it’s not clear what that may be. Sal is a courageous, relatable hero, and this story set in early 20th century Louisiana has the feel of a classic.

–5–

The Friendship Project

[image error]I’ve been anticipating The Friendship Project: The Catholic Woman’s Guide to Making and Keeping Fabulous, Faith-Filled Friends by Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet for months now.  I loved their Divine Mercy for Moms: Sharing the Lessons of St. Faustina. This book follows much the same format with chapters from both authors, personal anecdotes, and concrete suggestions for action.  I need to focus on the “making” of such friends more than the “keeping,” since friendship is and has been a long-neglected aspect of my life. I’m hoping to implement some of the suggestions and pray for opportunities to develop such friendships in my life.

–6–

Rosa, Sola

[image error]Here is another solid choice for middle grade readers and young teens. Rosa, Sola by Carmela Martino, is an honest, heartfelt tale of a girl who, more than anything, wants a baby brother. Rosa’s story is a compassionate tale of hope, heartbreak, and family. A well-written story I’m handing off to my daughter to read.

–7–

Caddie Woodlawn

[image error] This Newbery Award winner, Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink,  had slipped by my notice until it became a Sabbath Rest Book Talk selection. I read this aloud to the little kids, and we all enjoyed it. It’s a humorous, touching coming of age story set on the American frontier, and I’m glad to have read it.

If you’re looking for more options for Catholic teens and preteens in the vein of Standing Strong, The Other Side of Freedom, and Rosa, Sola, visit Catholic Teen Books. If you’d like to follow my reviews, you can find me and friend or follow on Goodreads. I read a lot of Catholic fiction (adult and YA) and Christian romance with a variety of other genres sprinkled in. Here’s what I’ll be reading next: Dying for Compassion (The Lady Doc Murders: Volume 2) by Barbara Golder, How to Write Short Stories and Use Them to Further Your Writing Career by James Scott Bell, and Pickup Notes by Jane Lebak.

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For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum.

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All In with Saint Francis

By Guest Blogger Theresa Linden

You only get one life. Live it to the fullest. Follow your calling. Give it your all.

I am a Third Order Franciscan, often called a “Secular” Franciscan because we still live in the world. Some Secular Franciscans are married. Many work regular jobs, but we all seek to pattern our lives after Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Francis of Assisi has been my inspiration for giving myself completely to whatever I do.

Do you know the story of St. Francis of Assisi? Regardless of your faith, his life is very inspiring. He gave it all to God, holding nothing back. But even before his calling, he went “all in” no matter what he did.

How does one ever become like the saints or like a hero?

St. Francis once said, “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you will be doing the impossible.”

[image error]St. Francis grew up the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. He lived a life of ease and fun. Even before his conversion, he tried to live life to the fullest. He was charming, vain, witty, and the life of the party. He learned archery, wrestling, and horsemanship. His father wanted him to help run the family textile business. But Francis had dreams of his own. He wanted to be a knight. When war broke out in 1202, Francis eagerly joined the cavalry.

He threw himself into this venture by getting expensive armor and setting lofty goals. Unfortunately, he was soon captured by enemy soldiers and spent a year in prison. His time in prison changed him. Amidst the filth and gloom, God spoke to him, and he came out a new man.

He saw life differently, his own and the lives of others. He saw the reflection of God everywhere, in every bird and flower, in the sun and the moon, in every aspect of life and even in death. All of creation lifted his heart to the Creator.

All this time, he’d been living life to the fullest, but he hadn’t been listening to God. He hadn’t realized his calling.

This is how changed Francis had become: One day, he came across a leper. The sight and smell repulsed him. In the past, he would’ve run from the man. But now, he embraced and kissed him. He saw the humanity of the leper, and Francis was filled with joy. He had found freedom. And freedom casts out all fear. No longer wanting a life of ease and fun, he began caring for lepers, praying, and searching for answers to life’s questions.

You only get one life. Live it to the fullest. Follow your calling. Give it your all.

St. Francis felt the love of God, the call of God, and he answered with his whole heart, mind, and soul, holding nothing back. He heard the voice of God calling him to rebuild His Church. Taking this call literally, he devoted himself to the task, spending days at the crumbling ruins of a church, rebuilding it stone by stone. People began to take notice of his strange behavior. And some joined him.[image error]

However, not everyone was pleased with the new Francis. Many friends distanced themselves. People made fun of him. His own father didn’t know what to make of him.

But Jesus Christ once said, “If you want to be perfect, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” And Francis took these words literally.

No longer attached to worldly things, Francis gave away everything, including his horse. And he sold cloth from his father’s shop. He needed to raise money for that church he was rebuilding. As you can imagine, this infuriated his father, who then dragged him before the local bishop to have him tell Francis to repay the money and renounce all rights as his heir.

But Francis went farther. He stripped off every stitch of his clothing—I am not recommending this—and he declared that God was his only father now. Francis wasn’t totally naked, as some stories go. He had been wearing a hair shirt as a penance. When the bishop saw this, he gave Francis a rough tunic, similar to what he wore from then on. And Francis went off into the woods happy and singing.

[image error]St. Francis went all in. He didn’t answer the call of God by halves. He didn’t go through life simply doing what was necessary. He lived the gospel literally. He gave up his life of ease for the life of a poor man and a joyful beggar, relying on God for all. He had nothing, and he had everything. And he died happy and fulfilled.

St. Francis went all in. He didn’t answer the call of God by halves. @LindenTheresaTweet This

St. Francis is one of the most beloved and well-known saints today. Something in his example of total self-giving speaks to our hearts. There are thousands of Franciscans throughout the world today, thousands of men and women who have given up all to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis.

Does the life of this saint have a message for you? Even if you are not called to join a religious order, I think the answer is still “yes, the life of St. Francis has a message for everyone.”

What is your calling? No one feels satisfied by doing the bare minimum or by going through the motions. Whatever you are called to, throw yourself into it and give it your best. Take the first step today and don’t look back.

And if you make a mistake or take a wrong turn, don’t worry. St. Francis often told the friars, “Let us begin again, brothers, for up until now, we have done little or nothing.”

So, it’s time to start anew or begin again. Take that first step. And before you know it, you will be doing the impossible.

You only get one life. Live it to the fullest. Follow your calling. Give it your all.

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Theresa Linden

Theresa Linden is the author of award-winning Catholic teen fiction. Raised in a military family, she developed a strong patriotism and a sense of adventure. Her Catholic faith inspires the belief that there is no greater adventure than the reality we can’t see, the spiritual side of life. She has six published novels, and two short stories in Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body (Full Quiver Publishing). She holds a Catechetical Diploma from Catholic Distance University and is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild and the International Writers Society. A wife, homeschooling mom, and Secular Franciscan, she resides in northeast Ohio with her husband and three teenage boys.

Website: https://theresalinden.com

Blog: https://catholicbooksblog.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresalindenauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindenTheresa

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Theresa-Linden/e/B00QKS7LW6/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7537721.Theresa_Linden

Check out the other fantastic posts by the Summer 2017 guest bloggers!

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the August 2017 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

My husband has spent ten days with our oldest son at the National Scout Jamboree. While he was there, he received a copy of Your Word is Your Bond: Lessons in Leadership from Rex W. Tillerson by Perry L. Cochell. It’s so brand-spanking new that I can’t find it anywhere online. Rex Tillerson is the Secretary of State, the former national president of Boy Scouts of America, and an Eagle Scout. Should make for some interesting reading on his long bus ride home.

[image error]After I drag my weary bones home from Vacation Bible School and tend to the rest of the day’s duties, I’ve been wrapping up the night by watching Poldark: Season 2 and reading Hope Dies Last: An Alaskan Adventure by Megan Webb. A young woman crash lands in Alaska with a small group of airplane passengers now tasked with surviving in the wilderness. I’m only about a third of the way through, but I’m enjoying the characters, and the writing is good – always a treat when I pick up a book by an author I’ve not read before.

[image error]Next on my reading list is Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary by Meggie K. Daly. My Rosary “habit” is in constant need of being re-invigorated, so I’m looking forward to this book, which I’ve read many good things about. I’m also looking forward to incorporating some suggestions for praying the Rosary that Allison Gingras shared on my blog: 3 Unique Ways to Harness the Power of the Rosary.

[image error]I’m pleased that instead of saving all of his assigned summer reading until the final week before school, my son spread his three books out by reading Animal Farm by George Orwell in June  and Antigone by Sophocles in July. Although he liked it, he admitted he didn’t quite understand it all. Sounds about right for his first foray into ancient Greek literature and his unfamiliarity with reading plays. (Ashamed to say that I was a classics major, and this is one of many Latin and Greek classics I haven’t read yet.)

[image error]While his first two reading assignments were ones he chose from a list, the final book is required for everyone in the class. Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English  by Patricia T. O’Connor is, according to my son, “a lot better than you’d think” for a grammar book. It appears to be written in an engaging style, and you can be sure my writer’s paws will be all over this book once he’s finished with it. I can’t guarantee I’ll agree with all of it, since I don’t like anyone messing with the grammar rules I learned in school, but there appears to be a lot of solid writing advice contained within.

[image error]My daughter’s been zipping through books so quickly, I’ve taken to roaming the library during the other kids’ summer programs to find her new series.  She reads well, but she’s only nine, so books must be appropriate for her maturity level. I discovered the Liberty Letter series, published by Zondervan, that as a fan of American history, she has absolutely loved! Escape on the Underground Railroad by Nancy LeSourd, is her favorite thus far. The series is written from a Christian worldview and the characters rely on God in their difficulties.  Other books in the epistolary series, which she has read or is reading, pertain to the Civil War, Jamestown, and Pearl Harbor.

[image error]Another series that indulges her love of American history is the Childhood of Famous Americans Series. She enjoys them because she said they “tell you about a lot of things you might not learn in school,” like the fact that Martha Washington went by “Patsy.” So far, she’s read about the childhoods of Pocahontas, Martha Washington, and Betsy Ross. Her favorite, though, remains Paul Revere: Boston Patriot by August Stevenson.

[image error]We read The Happy Jar by Jake Frost at bedtime, and it melded seamlessly with out nighttime prayers. We typically go from person to person thanking Jesus for various things that happened throughout the day. I have to pull it out of some kids and for others I have to limit the list to a manageable number. The Happy Jar took us a step farther in considering the memorable aspects of our day for which we are thankful and that we may cherish for years to come. A sweet, simple book that could start a new custom in your household.

[image error]I chose The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Susan Stevens Crummel and Janet Stevens from a box of displaced books in our hallway! The younger kids didn’t remember this story of a group of prairie dogs greedy to grab the fuzz from a tennis ball that has fallen into their burrow (courtesy of a dog). Fun illustrations, and a book I enjoy reading aloud. The kids like looking at the prairies dogs and their creative uses for the green fuzz.

What are you reading? Share it at An Open Book and find new book recommendations too! #openbookTweet This

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