Ellen Gable's Blog, page 74
May 4, 2014
Sunday Snippets – May 4
Photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
I’m connecting with other bloggers over at RAnn’s Place to share my posts from this week. As well, to commemorate Mother’s Day next weekend, she has asked contributing bloggers to share a “Mom” story. Click here to read a few stories about my mother. This is the eulogy I wrote the day after she died, and which I read at the funeral reception.Here are my posts:
Wordless Wednesday – Book Launch
May 2, 2014
7 Quick Takes Friday – New Saints, Book Launch, Birthdays
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1. Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII
Two new saints were proclaimed by the Church on Divine Mercy Sunday. It was a momentous occasion for many reasons, not the least of which two living popes were present (Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict).
Saints John Paul II and John XXIII, pray for us.
2. Book Launch!
My book launch was fun and thanks to all who came out to pick up a signed copy! See more photos from my Wednesday post.
copyright James Hrkach please do not use without permission
3. My Baby Turns 15!!
This weekend, my youngest son turns 15. We had an interesting conversation when we were watching home movies the other day.
Him: “Wow. Did you get smaller? You were a lot taller back then.”
Me: “Uh, no, I wasn’t. You were just a LOT shorter!!
To read more about my favorite birthday gift, click here to read a previous blog post.
4. A Subtle Grace #1 (Fourth Week)
A Subtle Grace is in its fourth week of being #1 in Religious Drama on Amazon Kindle. It dropped to #2 a few times, but for the most part, it’s been #1!! I’m still humbled by the fact that so many Kindle users are downloading and reading my books. 
5. Congratulations, Dena Hunt!
Congratulations to Dena Hunt, author of Treason, who won the 2014 IPPY Award for Religious Fiction!! Treason was one of my favorite Catholic novels from 2013!! Well done, Dena!!
6. Review Shelf – Something Other Than God
Something Other than God – Jennifer Fulwiler
7. Cartoon
Image copyright 2013 James and Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach
April 30, 2014
Wordless Wednesday – Book Launch
copyright James Hrkach please do not use without permission
copyright James Hrkach please do not use without permission
copyright James Hrkach please do not use without permission
(Special thanks to the Arnprior & District Museum and to all who came out on Saturday!)
April 25, 2014
7 Quick Takes Friday – Interview, Local Article and Giveaway at Goodreads
With Easter and my VBT, as well as other promotion for my new book, I took a short vacation from blogging. But I’m back with 7QT and I’m joining with other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary.
1. Interview at Integrated Catholic Life
Special thanks to Sarah Reinhard for this wonderful interview over at Integrated Catholic Life, entitled “Ellen Gable on Integrating Faith and Fiction!”
2. Newspaper Article
Thanks to the Arnprior Chronicle Guide for posting this article about my new book and book launch at the Arnprior & District Museum. If you’re in the local area, please drop by between one and four p.m. tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, April 26, 2014).
3. Books in Top Five!!
For two and a half weeks, A Subtle Grace was in the #1 position in Religious Drama on Amazon Kindle and two of my other books (In Name Only and Stealing Jenny) have also been ranking in the top five! Again, thanks to all the readers who purchased my books, hosted me on my Virtual Book Tour or interviewed me.
4. Bittersweet Anniversary This Week
On Tuesday, I remembered my father in a special way since it was the 36th anniversary of his passing. His death was sudden and I was only 18 at the time; the entire family was in shock for days.This photo was taken a few months before his death. 
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
5. Goodreads Giveaway of A Subtle Grace
Have you entered to win one of ten free print books of A Subtle Grace? Deadline is in two days. Here is the link to enter: Goodreads Giveaway of A Subtle Grace
6. Review Shelf
Doors to the Sacred, Everyday Events as Hints of the Holy by Bridget Haas
7. Kid Cartoon
image copyright 2011 James & Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission
Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach
April 13, 2014
Sunday Snippets April 13: A Subtle Grace #1
Photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share posts from the previous week and answer a question. This week’s question: What is your favorite part of Holy Week? My favorite part is the Good Friday liturgy and reading of the passion.Here are my posts this week:
Interview with Catholic Mom (on Friday, I visited Catholic Mom as part of my Virtual Book Tour)
7 Quick Takes Friday – #1 on Amazon!! I have three books in the top six on Amazon Kindle’s Religious Drama category! My new book has been #1 for the better part of seven days,
April 11, 2014
7 Quick Takes Friday – #1 on Amazon & VBT Links!
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday!
My virtual book tour continues this week and ends on Monday!!
1. A Subtle Grace #1!!
A Subtle Grace has been #1 in Religious Drama for five days now!! Woo hoo! This book holds the record for my fastest book to make it to #1!! 
2. Miss Alexandrina
Miss Alexandrina hosted me on Sunday with some great interview questions! Thank you!!
3. Kathleen Basi
Thank you, Kathleen Basi, blogger at So Much to Say, So Little Time, who hosted me on Tuesday!
4. Don Mulcare
Don Mulcare posted this wonderful review on his blog on Tuesday as well. Thank you, Don!
5. Mrs. Mackerelsnapper
Erin McCole Cupp hosted me on Wednesday and she even included a delightfully scrumptious sounding recipe for Victorian Fish Curry!! Thank you, Erin!
6. Carol @ Simply Catholic
Carol hosted me on Thursday. Thank you, Carol!!
7. In Name Only Also #1
While A Subtle Grace was at the #1 position of PAID Kindle Books,
Thanks again to all those bloggers who have hosted me during my VBT for A Subtle Grace!
April 9, 2014
A Subtle Grace #1 on Amazon Kindle!
For the past three days, my new book, A Subtle Grace, has been #1 on Amazon Kindle!!
To purchase the Kindle edition of A Subtle Grace, click here.
Thanks to all the bloggers who have hosted me on my virtual book tour by posting information, reviews and interviews! Just a few days left!
April 4, 2014
7 Quick Takes Friday – More VBT Links!
I’m joining with other Catholic bloggers over at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
It’s been a busy week on the Virtual Book Tour! Here are some of the bloggers who hosted me with interviews or reviews this week:
1. AnnMarie Creedon
AnnMarie Creedon, author of Angela’s Song, posted this wonderful review on Sunday! Her last sentence summarizes my new book brilliantly: “Not merely the story of a young girl’s journey to maturity, A Subtle Grace is a masterfully written illustration of the difference between lust and love, between rashness and fortitude, between mere existence and truly living.” Thank you, AnnMarie!!
2. A.K. Frailey
Ann Frailey is a wonderful author in her own right. On Monday, she posted a reflection on Catholic fiction, information about my book and also her review. Thank you, Ann!
3. Barb @ Franciscan Mom
I’m grateful to Barb for hosting me on Wednesday! I especially enjoyed how Barb focused on my Philly roots with some of her questions regarding three of my novels!
4. Sue @ Sue Elvis Writers
Yesterday, Sue interviewed me about my writing and my new book. Thank you, Sue!!
5. Erin @ Will Write For Tomato Pie
My thanks to Erin McCole Cupp, author of Don’t You Forget About Me, for the intriguing interview questions! A Philly girl herself, Erin also asked some questions regarding the setting of some of my books.
6. Review Shelf
Hana Lani by Christine Sunderland
7. Cartoon
Many hands do make “light” work. I couldn’t have published my book without my editors, beta readers, proofreaders and handsome cover designer (my husband!) I also could not promote my book as well without the help of the many bloggers who stepped forward to host me on my Virtual Book Tour. One more week to go!!
cartoon copyright Full Quiver Publishing/James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission
April 3, 2014
After Miscarriage: a Book Review
After Miscarriage: A Catholic Woman’s Companion to Healing and Hope is a wonderful book by Karen Edmisten, that shares the experiences of mothers and how they dealt with miscarriage and baby loss. I contributed a story called “Eternal Gifts.”
Years ago, after suffering five miscarriages, I began writing in a journal to ease my grief. These journal entries eventually became my first published article, Five Little Souls in Heaven, and then also was the basis for my first novel, Emily’s Hope.
The author of this booklet, Karen Edmisten, also shares her own journal entries, as well as her story of losing five babies through miscarriage.
This is a deeply moving, beautiful collection of stories, poems and reflections.
Karen was also on the Among Women Podcast with Pat Gohn to speak about her book and her experience with miscarriage. She talked about miscarriage sometimes being a private pain because the couple often hasn’t yet told anyone of their news.
A few years ago, I also appeared on Among Women Podcast (Episode 89) and spoke about my experience with pregnancy loss.
For more Baby Loss Resources, please click on the link above my blog name “Baby Loss.“
copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach
April 2, 2014
A Pius Legacy VBT
Declan Finn, author of A Pius Legacy, is visiting my blog today as part of his Virtual Book Tour. Welcome, Declan!
The description for A Pius Man says that it slips in history in between the gunshots. Care to elaborate, and how that will affect A Pius Legacy?
I’m a nerd – a history and philosophy nerd, amongst others. I’ve got degrees in both of them because I thought both of them were fun. And since this is a mystery at the Vatican, it has to be seeped in both. There is no other place on the planet where a city is practically drowning in history and philosophy practically.
As for A Pius Legacy – APM focused more on historical questions about the Catholic church. I stuffed in everything from Galileo to Newton and the Inquisition. Legacy will focus more on the recent church, and current topics. I try to be “fair” about the arguments presented, but I’m not always sure I have it down.
Are you shooting for the Da Vinci Code?
Actually, I’m shooting for the anti-Da Vinci Code – not only is my book using actual history that I can footnote (seriously, the first draft had footnotes), these books are actually entertaining. At no point will my characters spend 100 pages just getting out of an art museum like the Louvre. I’m not shooting for Dan Brown, more like shooting at Dan Brown.
So you’d say being Catholic helped you with writing A Pius Legacy?
Yup. It gave me a starting point—a perspective and a body of knowledge other people don’t have. I’ve come to realize just how many people outside of Catholicism – and sometimes within Catholicism – have no idea what the Church preaches, or believes, or even how the logic works. Ask anyone on the street, nine times out of ten you might get a vague mention of “the rhythm method,” and being against contraception, but if you asked them why, I can only imagine what sort of answer you’d get. The proper answer should include a phrase called natural law. If you don’t know about natural law, you should probably pick up A Pius Man as well as A Pius Legacy.
Some writers outline. Some writers make stories up as they go along. Some even get bored when they figure out who the killer is. How does your writing process work?
The Pius Trilogy was actually the first novel I had to outline – I say it is one novel because it started out as one – a long, unwieldy novel. There were so many directions, with so many clues, coming from so many directions, I had to keep track of it. Thankfully, the books are mostly self-contained. A Pius Man came to a definitive conclusion … and then there’s the morning after.
What is most difficult in writing a story like this?
For me, the biggest challenge was keeping out just how many facts there are to stick into a story like this. As a history nerd, I originally had pages upon pages of historical exposition and conversations. So I had to do a lot of cutting … and some drafts had cut out far, far too much. And, then, you have to balance out blathering on about history and philosophy, and then the gunplay. I’m not sure how well A Pius Man balanced the words-to-shooting ratio, though I’m relatively certain it’s calmer in this one.
What, if anything, surprised you while working on A Pius Man?
I didn’t expect it to turn into a trilogy. I figured I’d have a good, solid novel, and move on. Then there was one character who wouldn’t die, and he kept extending the plot. And then there was a small war by book three. So that was fun.
Thank you, Declan Finn, for visiting my blog!!
