Laurie L.C. Lewis's Blog: Bloggin' It Up Here, page 46

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: REBECCA TALLEY

The Upside of Down
Rebecca Talley
ISBN: 978-1-59955-454-9

Rebecca Talley is an accomplished woman with a broad range of talents and interests, but what she writes about is what she knows best—family. This mother of ten loves dancing and swimming and a host of other diversions, but I've read her blogs about her kids, and posts about the romantic things she and her husband Del do together to keep their love alive, and I can tell you, she could teach a master's class on raising successful families.

Her humor is contagious, and her perspective on life is faith-filled and grateful. She blogs regularly on writing topics to pass the craft on to others. All in all, she is a gem. She paused for an interview to promote the release of her newest release—"The Upside of Down." From her back cover:

"Hmmm," the doctor muttered.

Natalie wrinkled her forehead, almost afraid to ask, and said, "What does that mean?"

"You do know you're pregnant, right?"

Her breath caught in her throat. "Excuse me?"

"You're pregnant."

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. "I'm what?"

Natalie Drake certainly has her hands full raising a large family, dealing with her difficult mother, and maintaining a relationship with her rebellious teenager. Just when things seem to be going smoothly, she finds out another unexpected surprise—she's going to have a baby. Faced with so many challenges, Natalie must learn to trust in a plan that isn't what she imagined and discover that every situation has an upside.

Beloved author Rebecca Talley carefully creates this touching and heartfelt story that is sure to inspire you. With true-to-life characters and situations, The Upside of Down will reignite your faith and remind you of the importance of family.


Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. I attended, and graduated from, BYU where I met my husband. He was the FHE "dad" and I was the FHE "mom." We have been happily married for over 25 years and are the parents of 10 wonderfully creative and multi-talented children. We live in rural CO on a small ranch with a dog, cats, a spoiled horse, and a herd of goats. It took me a bit to adjust to the rural lifestyle after growing up in southern CA, but I love living in the country.

When did you start writing?
I started making books when I was a kid and I loved to write in high school, but I put writing aside when I got married and started having babies. I decided to get serious about it again in the mid-90s when the internet suddenly opened up a whole new world for me. I met other writers, took classes online, and read all I could about writing. I've been writing ever since.

I've heard it said that if you want to get something done, ask a busy person because they are tiem-management geniuses. How do you carve out time for writing?
With all the activities, school events, and utter chaos that sometimes rains down upon us, I have to work hard to find time to write. But, I've discovered that because it's important to me, I've found ways to work it in.


The Upside of Down is your newest novel, but you have a host of other writing credits.
I've had stories published in the Friend, Story Friends, Our Little Friend, and Stories for Children. I am also the author of a children's picture book, Grasshopper Pie and two LDS novels, Heaven Scent and Altared Plans.

What do you like to do besides writing?
Eat chocolate, ice cream, peanut M&Ms. I love to go to the beach and swim in the ocean, but I only get to do that once a year or so. I also love to dance to disco music. I've recently started doing Zumba, a kind of Latin dancing/exercise program—lots of hip shaking. I love to go on dates with my husband and I love to play with my kids. I've also started making jewelry and flower barrettes with my kids.

You newest novel, The Upside of Down, was released in January. What was the inspiration for this novel?
While I was watching the new version of Cheaper by the Dozen, I thought it would be fun to write a similar story set in an LDS household. Since I have a large family, I drew from many of my own experiences to create my characters and establish the storyline. I had lots of fun writing it, especially as I relived some of the funny things that have happened in our family.

What do you hope people take away from The Upside of Down?
I hope people realize that no matter who we are, none of us is spiritually invincible. We all need to rely on the Lord, in good times and in bad. No matter how desperate a situation may seem, the Lord can lighten our load if we'll turn to Him. The atonement is for all of us. And, even in the midst of trials, we can have peace.

I also hope people will learn something from my book about Down syndrome and realize that underneath it all, we're all children of God and we all deserve love and respect, no matter our chromosome count.

Where can we purchase The Upside of Down?
Amazon carries it and it should arrive in LDS Bookstores soon.

You can learn more about Rebecca at www.rebeccatalley.com and www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com and www.theupsideofdown2.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for the interview.






Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

KYLEE JOHNSON: A STAR ABOUT TO LAUNCH

I've written about the delight of watching a new author's career take flight. I was recently had the privilege to get a glimpse of a new vocalist whose career is also launching, and Kylee Johnson's career path is in a sharp upward trajectory. This singer/songwriter has already caught the attention of some big forces in the music industry. She has songs available for download on iTunes, and there's little doubt we'll be seeing this lady's albums in stores shortly.

Our youngest son, Josh, moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college. Last fall I heard him talking about a friend he had met at church—a singer/songwriter about to break out. Kylee was the artist. He dropped an impressive list of names associated with Kylee's career while rolling off an astonishing list of credits. But it wasn't until I hear her sing that I knew he was right. Kylee Johnson is the real deal.

Indie Rock Review said this about Kylee Johnson's voice and first EP or extended play recording:

Having made a splash in the indie-pop scene, Johnson has emerged as a singer/songwriter to be taken seriously. At first listen her voice has a simplicity that is the result of a controlled instrument that truly sets Johnson apart from the rest. While her soft, creamy voice carries a gentle, honest undertone, she manages to swiftly and effortlessly show a vulnerability that is a pleasure listen to as she jumps around her register.

The album as a whole sounds polished, assured and optimistic. Wrapped in a variety of keys and a mixture of strings, the lyrics feel altogether so applicable and widely personal. All four tracks offer a sweet, heartfelt youthfulness with the wisdom of someone that has experienced love and love lost. Her colorful upbeat pop tunes continue to surprise me as we journey from song to song.

Kylee Johnson has proved herself to be a skillful pop artisan. She has the heart and talent to make beautiful, epic art about those situations in love that we have all experienced. Just like that summer love, Johnson has come in full force, skipped the introductions and has left me wanting so much more.


I followed a link to Kylee's web site, and it was pretty bare. She's been too busy singing and recording to do much promotion. She loves the music more than the hype. I respect that about this young artist who seems slightly out of place in an industry dominated by media hungry peers.

But she has plenty to crow about. She has contacts in the Nashville scene whose eyes are on her, and she was booked to compose and perform an original number at her friend, Jesse Csincsak's and Ann Leuder's wedding. The two competed on seasons four and 13 of 'The Bachelorette' and 'The Bachelor,' respectively.

Kylee's strong, confident vocals may be rooted in her love of some of the greats, balladeers like Michael Bolton and Neil Diamond, and crooners like Robert Goulet, but she has a fresh, clean vocal all her own, that's innocent and vulnerable. Her contemporary styling has a broad appeal that makes the listener feel she is singing their life experience.

You can listen to five of her beautiful tracks on her web site. If she hooks you as she did me, you can download her sweet sounds from iTunes at.

Kylee was taking a break from LA to visit family and I contacted her to see if she had time for an interview. She kindly consented.

When did you first know you wanted to be a musician/singer?

The first concert my dad ever took me to was Michael Bolton. I was 8 years old. From that time on I knew I wanted to sing. I would listen to Michael Bolton and Billy Joel on repeat.

Was there something in your family life that nurtured your interest in music?

My mother and grandpa are both very musical. My grandpa is a beautiful singer and my mom plays the piano and violin. My parents and family have always supported me in my desire to perform. They took me to dance/singing practice every day and I can't think of a performance that they missed.

What instruments do you play?

I play the piano...I'd like to say the guitar but I can only play one song on the guitar.

What training have you had, or are you self-taught?

I am primarily self-taught but I did take piano lessons. I will take vocal lessons if there is particular song I need help with. Now that I'm writing my own stuff all of my songs are in my range...which makes it easier ;)


Do you prefer to compose or sing?

I definitely prefer to sing. I have always been a vocalist but it has been really fun learning how to write music. It has pushed me to better, which is always a good thing. It has taken me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a different part of myself.

What moments have been the highlight of your career so far?

Two things really stick out to me. The first time my production team in Nashville called me to tell me they wanted to work with me. The second being meeting my musical icon, Michael Bolton. It has been an amazing experience and anything that happens from here on out I will consider a blessing.


What was your first recording experience like?

It is was really nerve racking! I am a private person and I felt very exposed. It was scary but the people I worked with were and are amazing. By the end I felt more comfortable but it is still weird for me to hear the finished product.

What are you currently working on?

I am always writing new music and am currently rehearsing to start doing live shows. Hopefully we'll be doing shows within the next month or so.

Thanks for the interview Kylee. It's been a delight, and I'm a big fan. I know you credit your family with much of your success. What advice would you give to parents with musically-talented children?

I would tell them to love them and support them in any way possible. Allow them to discover what it is they love and help them develop that talent. I will always be grateful to my amazing parents for making the sacrifices they made so that I could and can pursue my dreams.

Thanks, Kylee, for a great interview.

Take a moment and click over to Kylee's web site. Listen to a few of her tracks, and then download a few on iTunes. This is a career worth following. Her star is about to launch.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

MORE THAN JUST THE WORDS WERE MISSING

Those disappointed by Christina Aguilera's Super Bowl performance of the National Anthem might want to thank her as well. For many Americans, the criticism raised over her forgetting the words to the third line was secondary to another concern—that her over-stylized take on the "Star-Spangled Banner" failed to honor the anthem.

Some have remarked that the producers of the Super Bowl got what they should have expected. This is simply how the lady sings. The simple truth is this—some songs are bigger than the performance, no matter who is behind the mike. The "Star-Spangled Banner" is one of these. Whitney Houston understood this. Her Super Bowl performance during the Persian Gulf War was stylish and superb, but her dynamics and phrasing showcased the words and left hearts stirred. She didn't divide us generationally into the oldsters and the hip. She sang to all of us, to one nation. She was the instrument, but the song was the star. In short, she met the standard raised by the announcer when he introduced the number saying, "And now, to honor America. . ."

Some think the whole issue is much ado about . . . nothing? To them I would ask, "How much do you know about the history of the anthem?"

It's been said you can't love what you don't know. Conversely, the more you know about a topic, the more you care. Most Americans know Francis Scott Key was the author of the poem that became the anthem, but do they realize Key was opposed to the War of 1812? He was a spiritual man, torn between his love of the law and a call to the clergy, but the events during the summer of 1814 steeled his resolve about the cause in which America was engaged.

Historians may now say it was a draw, a waste of lives and treasure, but the following statement from the record of the Thirteenth Congress, which convened November 5, 1814, may provide the most accurate glimpse of America's assessment of their perilous situation: It may be fairly presumed, that it is the object of the British Government, by striking at the principle sources of our prosperity, to diminish the importance, if not to destroy, the political existence of the United States.

The chaos in Madison's cabinet left the nation's capital so poorly defended that Key secreted his family from the city to protect them. He had been on the battlefield at Bladensburg during the British behemoth's first push for Washington, where he watched the poorly-outfitted, under-trained American forces fold and run. Then he suffered as British rockets set fire to the icons of the infant nation—the grand Capitol building, the President's House and the administrative wings—along with the armory, the naval yard and much of the city.

Being advised to flee for their lives, the president and his cabinet had evacuated from Washington, and with the president fled and the buildings of government gone, many wondered if America was already lost.

These events prompted Key's epiphany in the Baltimore harbor on the night of September 13th. He had arrived six days earlier in the company of the Prisoner Exchange Agent, Colonel John Skinner, to petition the British for the release of friend imprisoned by the British, but he quickly became a detainee, subjected to the cruel taunting of the British who shared, in lurid detail, the brutality they planned for Baltimore.

There in the harbor Key and his party awaited the destruction of America's third largest city. They had loved ones at risk within her borders, people they were powerless to protect, but more than that, they knew the staggering nation's hope lay in Baltimore's hands. If Fort McHenry could repel the assault, the nation might rally, but if the fort fell the British could demand anything of the crippled land. And the sign that would tell the tale was a red, white and blue banner.

A conversation ensued through the night of the bombardment. As the rockets screamed across the sky the men discussed their fears. Over and over again, they peered through the darkness of that perilous night, hoping and praying to see a glimpse of that flag by the light of the rockets' red glare. It struck them that the flag had previously meant little to them or their nation. It had served primarily as a real estate maker of sorts, indicating the ownership of ships, lands, and forts. But not on this night. The flag had become the last icon of America, the fabric embodiment of their republic's liberty and dreams, and when the dawn's early light broke across those stars and stripes, Key recorded his tender feelings in the hope it would never be so ungratefully regarded again.

The first stanza expressed Key's apprehension and anxiety over the battle's outcome, while his joy at having seen the first glimpse of that star-spangled banner fills the second. The third stanza is an expression of defiance for a foe whose ranks were swelled with hired soldiers who fought for lucre rather than honor or loyalty. Gratitude to God is the theme of the fourth and final stanza. As Key considered the unique blessings America afforded her people, underscoring
everything was Key's acknowledgement of God's hand in the establishment and defense of the infant nation.

A popular song of the day, "To Anacreon in Heaven," ran through his mind as he jotted his thoughts down, providing a framework and meter for the poem he titled "Defence of Fort McHenry." It was printed as a broadsheet and within an hour copies were on the streets and in the hands of the valiant defenders of Fort McHenry. The Baltimore Patriot newspaper picked it up and printed it along with the tune's title, and soon it was printed in papers along the seaboard and being sung on stages in far flung cities.

The bicentennial of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is only a few years away. Some will continue the effort to remove it as our nation's anthem. I hope that never happens. Moreover, I hope we never forget the story and the lessons behind the song. No offense to Ms. Aguilera. We all need to be reminded from time to time, but I hope this time the lesson sticks.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

FOLLOWER LOVE GIVEAWAY HOP

[image error] Kathy at "I am a Reader Not a Writer" is sponsoring the "FOLLOWER LOVE GIVEAWAY HOP" running from Tuesday, February 8th to Sunday, February 13th. (Post goes up at midnight on Monday night.)

Here's my stop.

My recent release, "Oh, Say Can You See?" tells the story behind the writing of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Though it's volume four of my Free Men and Dreamers series, it was [image error] written to also serve as a stand-alone read. I'm sending sets to Glenn Beck, and recently this volume was anounced as a finalist for a covetted national award called a Whitney Award! I'm spreading the news about the book.

My prize is a signature silver necklace designed to commemorate both "Oh, Say Can You See?" and the bicentennial of the writing of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Mandatory Entry: Be or become a follower of this blog via GFC.

[image error]Optional Extra Entries:
+1 follow on twitter and report
+1 like on facebook and report
+1 place "Oh, Say Can You See?" on your Goodreads to-read list and report
+1 watch my book trailer and report

I use Random.org to select the winners, so each entry MUST be reported separately in a comment form below. That's it!

Now move on to the other blog stops on the hop! Good luck!

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

BOOK NOOK REVIEW

LIGHT IN THE RIVER
By Pam Wiggins

While many readers and book clubs use the NYTimes bestseller list to choose their next read, it's also fun to discover an emerging author and their first novel. I recently came upon a true gem of a read, "Light in the River," by Pamela K. Wiggins. This vivid, lazy tale goes down like the apple brandy flowing through the novel—sweet and warm—delivering a thoughtful picture of plantation life in pre-Civil War Southampton, Virginia, while illustrating the vast disparity between the lives of slaves and free black during this period.

Wiggins set her book on the fictitious Parker plantation, owned by a merciful master named John Parker whose gentle hand with his slaves is rooted in his conflict over the practice of slavery. Unlike his neighbors, whose treatment of their slaves resembles that pictured in Alex Haley's "Roots," John Parker treats his slaves more like dependent children, who long for the illusive dream of freedom, though they are conversely fearful of it as well. And while the Parker plantation is atypical, it provides a palatable vantage point from which to observe the struggles and inter-dependence that developed between land owners and slaves during this painful period in American history.

Half the book details the dramatic change in fortune that occurs for Samuel, the son of the Parker family's beloved slave Hannah, who risks his own life to save Parkers' daughter's. With the best of intentions, John Parker sets a terrified Samuel free with a sack of coins and no preparation for life as a free man. Samuel's trials in 1860-ish Baltimore were enlightening and heartwarming.

Most fascinating were Wiggins' glimpses into the private lives of slaves. In the rare moments when they secretly gather in the swamps with captives from other farms, traces of their African culture are celebrated and passed down to the next generation, spawning a new, uniquely African/American subculture.

Aside from a footnote at the end of the introduction, there are no references or historical notes which would help readers separate fiction from fact, elevating the book from a sweet read to a credible view of the period. That may occur in future editions.

Ms. Wiggins and I met through our a critique group we share, and while "A Light In The River" is the author's first published novel, Pam Wiggins, a well-respected lactation specialist, is a career medical writer who has sold millions of booklets and articles on her field of expertise—breastfeeding. With "Light in the River" she proves she is also a delightful novelist. You can order a copy of "Light in the River" at http://pamelawigginsbooks.com/. Anticipate an enlightening, entertaining read that's gentle on the literary palette.

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

"OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE?" is a WHITNEY FINALIST!

On February 1st, the Whitney Awards Committee announced their five finalists in seven genres of fiction, and I'm very grateful to announce that "Oh, Say Can You See?" was named a finalist in the area of Historical Fiction!

What are the Whitneys?

From the Whitney Awards web site:

The Whitneys are an awards program for novels by LDS authors. Elder Orson F. Whitney, an early apostle in the LDS church, prophesied "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own." Since we have that as our goal, we feel that we should also honor those authors who excel and continually raise the bar.

The Whitney Awards honor novels in the following categories: General Fiction, Romance, Suspense/Mystery, Speculative Fiction, Youth Fiction, Historical, Best Novel of the Year, and Best Novel by a New Author.

Whitney nominated novels are not necessarily LDS in content, but their authors are LDS, (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) whose goal is to provide outstanding literature that's uplifting and clean in content.

Any reader can nominate a novel published within the year of nomination. Once a book receives the needed number of reader nominations it is voted on by an academy of industry professionals, including authors, publishers, bookstore owners, distributors, critics, and others.


Thanks to everyone who supported "Oh, Say Can You See?" and the entire Free Men and Dreamers series. I am thrilled to be a finalist and to have my book named amongst these wonderful authors' works.

Check on the link and see the slate of outstanding titles released in 2010. Any of these titles will guarantee you a great read, as well as the dozens of other outstanding titles that were nominees.

And as you read new releases this year, please nominate outstanding books written by LDS authors. Our goal as an LDS writing community is to provide national market-quality novels, and the more feedback great novels receive, the higher the bar is raised.

Thanks!Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

THE "I'D RATHER BE ANYWHERE BUT HERE" CONTEST

We're living in what Johnny Mathis described as a "Marshmallow World," or snow, snow, everywhere. The forecast for this coming week is a delicious wintry mix of ice, sleet and slush. Hooray!

I don't mind this weather. In fact, if the truth be told, I rather love it because such a weather event shuts everything down and locks us in, and that sounds perfect to me.

But even paradise wears old after a while, so maybe you're ready, hungry, ravenous for spring. Well, I can't do much about that, but I can help us all begin to dream of better, more varied vistas. . .

How, you ask?

Think of a setting you drooled over in a recent read. In the comment block below, post the setting, what intrigued you, and what book it was featured in. It'll be fun to begin mentally planning our getaways. Introduce us to some exotic spots on the globe, or maybe some quaint but overlooked spots close to home. Post as many locations and their books as you desire. We'll draw a name on Friday and I'll ship the winner a copy of one of my books along with a copy of another book I've recently read. That's two-fer that'll keep a reader busy for a while.

Ready, set, inspire us!Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

BOOK NOOK REVIEW

THE PRODIGAL SON byAlison Palmer

First-time novelist Alison Palmer takes a nightmare of a premise and examines it with agonizing honesty in The Prodigal Son. This novel digs deep on every level, holding up a mirror for her readers who will likely see a fragment of themselves in every, suffering, complex character. Imagine every parents' greatest fear--that in a moment of lapsed vigilance your child is kidnapped. Now compound that guilt by having this sorrow hit you on your worst day, the day life overwhelms you to the point you actually regret, just for a moment, being a parent at all. This is Sarah Wells' horror. For fifteen years, she and her husband soldier on in their marriage. As hope dims on Adam's return, they carry on with their lives, raising their oldest son Michael, attending church and being good neighbors, but all the while, the underlying pain festers. And then one day, their missing child returns to their lives--broken, angry and unlovable--in the care of the person who stole him away, and every scabbed-over wound bleeds anew. All the old excruciating emotions return as well--guilt, sorrow, hope, anger, love. Their faith in the Gospel of Christ injects additional questions that give the reader pause as well--"Are there some offenses for which we are not required to forgive?" And "Why isn't the peace of the Atonement working for me?" As time passes, Sarah realizes she is not alone in her wrestle. The impact of the Adam's loss had deeply impacted her husband, Jordan, and Michael as well. Though The Prodigal Son is Ms. Palmer's first novel, it is by no means her first book. Palmer has five previous non-fiction books on raising and teaching children to her credit. She is also a nurse who has written extensively on a wide variety of medical topics. She pulls from both these worlds--child development and health--adding realism and believability to this book. She does not patronize, and you'll thank her for dragging you through the hard stuff, because The Prodigal Son will make you think, and feel, and be grateful. Despite its painful honesty, this book is filled with hope. I couldn't put it down, and the lessons stay with you. One that hit me powerfully involves a moment of anger when Sarah blames the kidnapper for leaving her beautiful Adam broken and damaged. A friend points out a startling possibility--that perhaps that's who he would have been regardless of who had raised him, reminding us that being the best, most prepared and stable family we can be is no guarantee we won't suffer over rebellious children. And then the book illustrates, in painful detail, how a family in such distress, can use faith in Christ's Atonement to move forward. The bulk of the book deals with the family repercussions created by Adam's return. The themes are broad enough to transcend this specific storyline. Most readers will easily identify with Jordan Wells' worries of spiritual inadequacy, Sarah's hunger to bore into her child's closed heart, perfect son Michael's frustration over the upheaval Adam's reappearance brings to his own world. After careful consideration, Alison Palmer chose to follow a growing trend and self-publish The Prodigal Son. The formatting and layout are not standard, and that is distracting, but don't let these issues deter you from a spectacular read. My hope is that some savvy publisher will snap this book up and give it the attention it deserves. In the meantime, snap this one up. It's available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle format.
Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Some days I simply have nothing interesting to say. Ahem. . . . (Sadly . . . you may have already noticed that a time or two.) But fortunately, my writing community provides access to loads of talented and fascinating friends with great personal stories and insights into the craft. Tristi Pinkston, an LDS author with six published novels to her credit, is my guest today.

Newer fans to Tristi's work probably know her best as an author readers can bank on for a thoughtful read peppered with laughs. Pinkston's rapier wit delivered high intensity humor in her last two novels which pivot around matron Ida Mae Babbit and her frequently out of control band of well-intentioned, crime-fighting, Relief Society sisters.

Secret Sisters launched this uncharacteristic yet unforgettable cast, and Dearly Departed, Ms. Pinkston's most recent release, sets Ida Mae off on a rip-roarin' effort to secure your old age. You'll laugh and want to adopt these ladies. Tristi has a knack for creating adorable, endearing characters. She is currently giving away three copies of Dearly Departed in a Goodreads Giveaway.

But despite her gift for humor, Tristi Pinkston's long-standing fans know she began her career writing historical fiction, (Strength to Endure, Nothing to Regret) before venturing off into the area of romantic suspense in her well-recieved 2009 release, Agents in Old Lace.

With such a string of successful novels under her belt, Ms. Pinkston has advice to spare on the craft of writing, but this home-schooling mother of four is also a time-management genius. Think you can't find time to explore your hunger to write? Tristi will show you how. Here's how this busy wife, mother, author describes herself:

"I'm a Cubmaster, an online writing instructor, a freelance editor, a real good ignore-er of housework, and I microwave a mean corn dog. Or rather, I delegate the microwaving of a mean corn dog."

Whew! Got the picture? Feel inspired? Terrific!

Tristi and I were feeling whimsical this week, so we each drew up a few questions we've alway wanted to ask one another. Here is my interview with the delightful Tristi Pinkston.

1. Your name is so darling and perfect as a pen name, and yet it's your real name! So where did your first name come from, and what if your hubby's last name would have been Schnicklefritz? You know, no matter what I pair with "Tristi," it still comes out cute!

My first name—well, this is an interesting story. While my mom was pregnant with me, she was at the grocery store, and overheard a mother call her son "Tristin." Yep, her son. But my mom thought, "That would be a great girl's name." So she came home, informed my dad, and when I was born, I was Tristin. Over time, that got shortened to Tristi. My last name—well, that's a story too. I didn't know my husband's last name when he first asked me out. We were in a single young adult ward together, and we both knew who the other was by first name. When he asked me out, I said yes, and it was only the next day that I realized I had no idea what his last name was. It was kind of awkward on our first date. I tried to work up to it casually. "So, um, what's your last name?" It was smooth. Very smooth. But pink is my favorite color, so it all worked out. If my husband's last name had been Schnicklefritz, I probably would have used my maiden name on my books. It would just be better that way. You weren't expecting such a long answer to your question, were ya?

2. Your "Secret Sister" books are so filled with whimsical women and small-town charm. What do you draw upon to create your characters and settings? Are you from a small town?

These little ladies just popped into my head, fully formed, and so did the town. I had to do very little to bring them to life. If I need a street, poof! It appears in my head. I just sit here and write down everything I see.

3. You've got one of the quickest wits in the biz. Share a tale or two when that gift saved you, or got you into trouble as a child.

I was actually a pretty serious child, and an even more serious teenager. My parents separated when I was thirteen, and I was thrust into an adult role pretty quickly. The grocery shopping and housework fell to me, and I never went through that teenage giggly stage that most girls go through. It wasn't until my very late teens that I started to loosen up and have some fun.

4. I know your early books were historical fiction, and in fact, you tackled some heavy topics. What genre do you prefer, and do you see yourself returning to that genre again?

I will absolutely return to historical fiction. I love it. But for right now, cozy mysteries are what I need to do. Historical fiction takes so much work and mental dedication, and you really need to be in the right place emotionally to write it. For me, writing a cozy mystery puts me in a place of joy and discovery, and that's where I need to be for right now.

5. What single book or author most influenced your desire to be an author and tell stories? What was it that touched you?

A single author? You're limiting me to just one? Ya big meanie! Okay, let's see. Ann Rinaldi was my inspiration for historical fiction. She has a way of taking a moment in history and bringing it to life. I knew I wanted to do the same thing for my readers. Dee Henderson was my example for romantic suspense with religious elements. That woman can sure tell a story. My cozy mystery mentor … hmmm. Selma Eichler. Ann George. Joanna Fluke. Dorothy Gilman. I know that's more than one, but I can't just narrow it down to one. It's impossible! Ya big meanie.

Thanks, Tristi! You can read more about Tristi and her books on her blog.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

DO WE ALWAYS SAY WHAT WE MEAN?

Stink bugs are a huge problem here in Maryland. They're an Asian bug that hitched a ride to the U.S. in a piece of furniture, and since they're not indigenous, they have no natural predators here in the states so they multiply until swarms literally coat your outside walls and swarm you when you walk. And to my knowledge, we have no sure repellent for them either.

So they are a huge nuisance, entering even the cleanest, tightest homes on your clothes and in your grocery bags. We pick them off the walls and pray one doesn't get squished because the scent they give off is . . . well . . . stinky.

My daughter's two-year-old son, Brady, loves these pests. He will obsess over their whereabouts all day crying, "Bug! Bug! Bug!" until he gets hoarse. They're harmless, so Amanda will allow one or two to crawl in his hand so he can see them close up and feel the tickle. When Brady is finished playing with the bug, his mama instructs him to toss it in the toilet and say, "Bye bye, bug," and then . . . you've got it . . . flush the critter away.

For Christmas, Brady's daddy, Nick, bought him a bug terrarium, and they quickly found a few winter survivors for Brady's bug house. This was, perhaps, Brady's favorite Christmas toy. He 'd carry the terrarium around saying, "Bug! Bug!" while proudly displaying his pets for all to see.

One day, however, Brady was hollering, "Bug! Bug! Bug!" ad nauseum, until his voice became hoarse, (and until his mother and sleepless baby sister were about to go mad), so Amanda told Brady, "That's enough, Brady. Time for buggy to go bye-bye." Her plan was to distract Brady on to another activity, but a few moments passed and she heard noise in the bathroom. Unbeknownst to her, Brady had promptly obeyed his mother's directions.

She heard some bumping in the bathroom, and then the flush. When she went in to check on him, Brady had submerged the entire terrarium into the potty, and was attempting to flush his critters and their plastic chateau down the drain.

At the moment, his mother was of mixed humor. She had a mess to clean up, but the innocent attempt of the child to obey her was not lost in that concern. She had given a direction, and Brady had, to the best of his ability, obeyed her.

It provided an interesting reminder about example and direction. Could another line of instruction saved the day? You bet. "Brady, it's time to take the buggies out of their house and make them go bye bye." (Forgive me if this entire scenario makes you want to call PETA, but honestly, we are over-the-top sick of these bugs.)

Just because we know what we are saying, it in no way guarantees that the listener does . . . or the reader. We need to listen with our eyes, so-to-speak--to create a visual image of what we're saying, so we can see the instructions as the child would. Or as the reader would.

In writing, it provides another reason to get additional eyes on your project, to have several people read your work to be sure they see and hear what you intended. It's particularly true in a long section of dialog where, in avoiding dialog tags, we can confuse the reader as to whom is speaking. A miscue here can complete alter point of view, perspective, and in some cases, the entire book, leaving our reader, and our work, well . . . in the toidy.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)