Suzanne Woods Fisher's Blog, page 13

Author Spotlight with Erin Bartels

Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Erin Bartel’s new book, We Hope for Better Things.

Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature.

Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

Erin Bartels has been named one of “the greatest up-and-coming fiction writers today” by the Saturday Evening Post. In her debut novel, We Hope for Better Things, Bartels offers an expertly crafted story that blends family drama, mystery, and romance in a richly satisfying, multifaceted novel.

When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, he poses a strange request—that she look up a relative she didn’t know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos. This appeal doesn’t seem worthy of her time until she loses her job and finds herself with nothing but time.

Elizabeth’s journey takes her to her great-aunt’s 150-year-old farmhouse, where she uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

Bartels has stated that her goal in writing is to deliver a novel “that captures the big emotions inherent in small moments and to tackle sprawling issues in specific details.” She has masterfully achieved her objective in We Hope for Better Things. Readers will be transported on an emotional journey through time—from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Underground Railroad during the Civil War—to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.

Q&A with Erin Bartels

I know an idea is good when…it won’t leave me alone.

The best day of my life (so far!) was when…I married my high school sweetheart.

To de-stress, I like to…get outside and take a solo walk at the nature center.

I stay in touch with the world through…Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more…really, it’s too much and were I not a writer with a great writing community I interact with largely online, I think I’d delete the whole mess and go off the grid.

I want to see…all the big National Parks out West.

I keep organized by…purging everything I don’t need—emails, papers, the general sort of stuff that accumulates throughout life. Unfortunately, my purging impulse is in direct opposition to my husband’s hoarding impulse.

I wish I could travel to…Scotland.

Three guests at my dream dinner party would be…my husband and our best friends, Ted and Kristin, who moved away a few years ago. I never have more fun than when we’re all together.

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Erin Bartels has been a publishing professional for more than fifteen years. Her short story “This Elegant Ruin” was a finalist in the Saturday Evening Post 2014 Great American Fiction Contest. A freelance writer and editor, she is a member of Capital City Writers and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and is former features editor of WFWA’s Write On! magazine. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, Zachary, and their son, Calvin, and can be found online at www.erinbartels.com. We Hope for Better Things is her first novel.

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Dress the Dinosaur

 

One of my New Year resolutions is to be more consistent with blog posts. It’s such a great way to interact with all of you. So…I’m kicking off 2019 with a Dress the Dinosaur photo contest.

My niece, Hilary, moved into a house that is two doors down from this gigantic dinosaur. She thought the neighbors had set it up for Halloween…but no! Oh no, no, no. This dinosaur is a year-round yard decoration.

Over Christmas, our family had some fun pondering what we would do to dress up the dinosaur, if it were in our yard.

My son suggested a shower cap. More ideas: a French beret on its pointy skull and a dashing scarf around its bony neck. Tin foil braces on its teeth.

My best idea is a Donald Trump wig (and please do not take that as a political comment! It’s not. When it comes to on-line politics…I am Switzerland. Totally neutral).

 

What about you? How would you dress up the dinosaur? Please leave a comment with your best suggestion.

And check back next Friday to find out if your idea for Dress-the-Dinosaur is picked as the winning comment. The prize is a signed book!

Coffee Break: A Clean Slate

So how’s the new year going?

Yesterday, my husband asked me if I had made any New Year’s resolutions for 2019 and I squirmed. I had just stumbled on an index card of last year’s resolutions and realized I’d only kept up with two. Just two! But those two were big ones—and I’m committed to do more of them this year. So I like the idea of making resolutions on January 1st, but something tends to derail my good intentions.

It seems I’m not alone.

According to US News & World Report, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. And the New York Times states that only 8% of resolutions will be carried throughout the year.

And yet, and yet…New Year’s resolutions are a great idea. We all have bad habits to break and good habits to adopt. The year ahead is a clean slate—a chance to do it right. Or at least a little bit better.

So what goes wrong? Studies say (and yes, there are researchers who study New Year’s resolutions) that they fail because they are too vague, not specific enough, not personal, not realistic, unsustainable, and provide no reward.

Let’s flip this conversation around. What makes a New Year’s resolution go right?

On the radio today, I heard some common sense suggestions on how to set yourself up for more success. I wrote them down as I listened, and then hunted for the source on-line, but alas…I couldn’t find it. However, I think this will give you the gist:

Choose clear and achievable goals.

           Break goals down into steps.

           Tell family or friends. (Accountability! So important.)

           Reward yourself. (Helps your brain latch on that this is a good thing.)

This year, I’m going to work on a few more do-able resolutions by employing this realistic and encouraging strategy.

What about you? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? And have you had success with them? Any strategies to help others? Please share in comments! And may the Lord bless you in this sparkling new year.

Scarcity Says…Abundance Answers

A year or so ago, my small group from church studied C.S. Lewis’ satirical masterpiece Screwtape Letters. Set eerily in an office in Hell, one of Satan’s senior tempters, Screwtape, schemes meticulously to capture the souls of unsuspecting humans on earth.

A powerful realization stuck with me since our group’s study of the book–there is an active Enemy in this world and it is a mistake to underestimate him. The Bible warns us of this very thing: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, niv). And even more chilling than the image of a hungry lion about to pounce is the psalmist’s warning: “He has set traps for me along my path” (Psalm 140:5, niv).

Two things dawned on me:

1) The snake in the garden revealed the aim of Satan–to create a mindset of “scarcity” (“You’re missing out! You need that ONE forbidden fruit on the tree to complete you. God is holding back a blessing on you” um… that’s my paraphrase).

2) Scripture holds the antidote to the pervasive “scarcity hiss” of the snake (and the more you think about it, the more pervasive it is. Scarcity has a tight grip on our minds). Jesus came to earth to break that hold. He showed us how to live “abundantly”–in our ordinary days as well as in eternity. As the Bible claims: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can not overcome it” John 1:5, niv. Thank God!

Over the last year, I’ve been studying the theme of “Scarcity Says…but Abundance Answers.” What does it mean to live the abundant life in the burnt toast moments, the traffic jams, the carpools to school, the stock market gyrations?

On Wednesdays, I’m going to be sharing what I’ve learned in short devotions. At some point, I’d like to put it all together in a book of some sorts. So consider this a work-in-progress that you’re invited to peek at. Feedback is welcomed!

And if you haven’t had a chance to read Screwtape Letters, put it on your 2019 TBR list!

Author Spotlight with Bridgett Langson

Congratulations to Alison Boss for winning Morgan L. Busse’s book, “Mark of the Raven.”

Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

As this fun-loving puppy “arfs” his story, you will wish he was your very own pet. He plays with his sister and brother pups in the dirt yard and tries to be good. Yet, he keeps getting into trouble with Bad Boots, their mean owner. To keep their puppy safe, his dog parents sneak him away in the middle of the night to find a better home. Will this mischievous puppy who arfs too much find his place with a forever family?

Have you always wanted to be a published author?

Yes. I have a distinct memory of sitting at my desk in first grade and thinking that when I grew up, I wanted to write books that children would love to read.

When did you get inspired to write this story?

I love dogs, and the real puppy in Finding Home is my favorite pet. So, it was great fun to write a book about his life from his point of view. Also, the part of the story where Marf and Darf bring two puppies back to the good owners really happened. I first tried writing this remarkable incident as an essay to submit to magazines. Then a friend suggested that I write a children’s book about my puppy. I couldn’t believe that I didn’t think of that first!

How did your process unfold?

Many of the events that I wrote in Finding Home, really happened to my puppy. So, even though I’m not naturally a writer who plans her work, this tale is linear, which made it easier to write. But much of the story was invented through prompts given at my weekly writing and critique class. For example, the prompt ‘to write something unexpected that happens to your character’, resulted in my writing the scene where the puppy gets soapy water thrown at him. Also, I did have many children and mom beta readers, who were a great help to me. They thought that the original book, A Pup’s Tale of Homes, was too long for a chapter book. They were right. So I rewrote the book turning it into two shorter ones, Finding Home, and the upcoming, Becoming Pals, My Arf-O- Biography. Of course, I had to add some chapters, rearrange the suspense, add more conflict, and so forth.

The children’s market is not an easy one to crack! How did you find an illustrator?

Wow, it was so, so, so hard to find an illustrator who drew the puppy to look somewhat like my real puppy and that charged an amount that I could pay. I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and I found some illustrators through their website. I was set with one woman and then when I sent the 16 chapter excerpts, for her to illustrate, she realized that she would need to draw some people, so she declined the job. Another illustrator got very ill and had to withdraw from the project. I was lucky to find my illustrator, Edwina May, through a friend

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

If you have the drive and persistence that it takes to be an author, keep at it. Try to find other writers to critique your work and encourage you. In today’s world, if you really want to write and publish a book, you can!

Purchase a copy of Finding Home here.

Bridgett Bell Langson taught elementary-aged children in North Carolina public schools. She participated in the Writing Project for teachers, staying a classroom teacher, and training other teachers in writing instruction. After retiring, she pursued her dream of being a published author of children’s books. She lives in Charlotte, NC.

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Author Spotlight with Morgan Busse

Leave a comment and enter below for a chance to win a copy of Morgan Busse’s new book, “Mark of the Raven.”

Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Linda Buzard for winning Ronie Kendig’s book, “Thirst of Steel”

Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

Can you tell us about your newest release? Is it part of a series or a stand-alone?

First, I’m excited to be here and share with all of you my newest novel, Mark of the Raven. Mark of the Raven is about a young woman, Selene Ravenwood, who inherits her family’s gift of dreamwalking and is in search of why they were given this gift. The book is filled with political intrigue, family dynamics, and the age-old question of who are we and why are we here? Mark of the Raven is the first book in the Ravenwood Saga trilogy.

Is anything or anyone in this book based on real-life experiences?

My characters always carry a part of me inside of them. Selene suppresses her emotions in order to survive what she is going through. I tend to do the same thing. It is easier to put on a mask and give the impression that everything is fine when it is not. She is also searching for who God made her. That is still a journey I am on myself.

Who was your favorite character in this story, and why?

That is a hard one! Obviously, I love Selene Ravenwood, but I also like Lord Damien Maris. He is a strong, kind man who is still struggling with the loss of his family two years prior and feels overwhelmed with the responsibility of leading his people.

Compared to your other books, was this one easy to complete or challenging? Any idea why?

In some ways, this was a harder series to write. There are dark politics, family intricacies and dynamics, and it is the first time I’m writing about a married couple. I have always wanted to include a married couple in my stories and explore how a couple can become more powerful together than apart.

What was the hardest scene in this book to write? What made it difficult?

The dreamwalking scenes when Selene is searching the sleeper’s mind and memories. Dreams are filled with our hopes, desires, and fears. Putting those ideas into picture form was not easy. But I think I pulled it off.

What did you (or your editors) edit out of this book?

Nothing so far. I added a couple of scenes to strengthen the story, but everyone who read it said it was a strong, powerful story.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing from the point of view of the opposite sex?

I’m probably different than most writers in that I find writing in the male POV quite easy. By nature, I’m a more logical, less emotional, blunt person and tend to understand men a bit more than women. This has helped me to write fully developed male characters and I enjoy contrasting the two sexes in my stories. God made each uniquely beautiful and I want to show that on the pages.

Purchase a copy of Mark of the Raven

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Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She’s the author of the epic fantasy Follower of the Word series and the award-winning steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light, was a Christy and Carol Award finalist. Mark of the Raven, a new fantasy series, releases Fall of 2018 from Bethany House. During her spare time, she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

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Author Spotlight with Ronie Kendig

Leave a comment and enter below for a chance to win a copy of Ronie Kendig’s new book, “Thirst of Steel.”

Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Stephanie Holcomb for winning Thomas Locke’s book, “Enclave.”

Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies’ blood. Cole “Tox” Russell only wants to begin his life with Haven Cortes, but he must first complete a final mission: retrieve that sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order.

The AFO, however, is determined to claim the sword. Wielding their father’s life over Tzivia and Ram Khalon, they threaten to expose Ram’s long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things only worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the sword is tied to both Ram’s secret and a string of unsolved serial murders.

Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to focus only on the enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must stop or take the enemy down with them.

What part of the country do you consider home?

Although I grew up an Army brat and am currently in the northeast, I have spent most of my life in Texas and consider it home.

Currently, how big (or small) is your household?

My husband and I have four children, two of whom still live at home with us, along with our two dogs.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading or doing crafting (handmade cards, crochet, bookmarks) of some kind or decorating/painting our new home.

Is there any habit or hobby you have that might surprise readers?

I think most people are most surprised to learn I’m a 2nd-degree black belt in taekwondo.

You’ve just turned in your manuscript, and your editor won’t return it with revisions for at least a week or two. Where would you go for a vacation?

Somewhere (anywhere!) to spend time with family, unplugged.

Are you a dog or a cat person? What does that tell us about you?

For most of my life, I was a cat person, but in the last dozen years or so, that’s shifted—mostly because of the dogs we’ve owned, including—most recently—my retired military working dog, VVolt N629. And I think that I’ve loved both speaks to my flexibility and heart toward God’s creation.

What was your favorite childhood book? What made it so beloved?

I think I’d prefer to say my favorite childhood author—who was Richard Scarry. I loved his books!

How many unfinished book ideas or manuscripts do you currently have?

Oh, my gracious—I have absolutely no idea. In fact, I just saw my agent this weekend and he pulled up the list of my old books in his archive, then his eyebrows winged up and he said, “Huh. Your list in my archive has its own archive.” I’m always creating and churning over story ideas and concepts.

What’s your favorite movie? Favorite TV show?

I think both movie and TV show depend on my mood at the time and genre. Largely, I love Doctor Who, until the last few seasons. I’ve watched the 9th, 10th, and 11th Doctor’s episodes several times over. As for movie . . . for a romantic/classic one, I’d have to say the BBC’s North & South (which is more a serialized drama than a movie), and for a sci-fi pick, probably the new Star Trek iterations.

If you were casting yourself in a movie, which actor or actress would you pick?

Ack! I have no idea. Though she looks nothing like me, she did play Wonder Woman and it’s often a wonder I finish anything, so maybe Gal Gadot. LOL

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Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty titles. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live a short train ride from New York City with their children and retired military working dog. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

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Author Spotlight with Thomas Locke

Leave a comment and enter below for a chance to win a copy of Thoams Locke’s new book, “Enclave.”

Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Kimberly Perry Gayheart for winning Susan May Warren’s book, “Wait for Me”

Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

Thomas Locke’s first passions as a young reader were fantasy and science fiction. Locke continues to pursue his passions today by writing rich, complex tales that introduce readers to new worlds. In his newest novel, Enclave, Locke blends his award-winning writing style with an exciting new story that both young adult and adult readers will enjoy.

It’s been fifty years since the Great Crash, and what was once America is now a collection of enclaves loosely run by a federal government. Catawba, one of the largest and most affluent enclaves in the southern states, is relatively stable and maintains a successful trade business with nearby enclaves. But when a new vein of gold is found beneath the feet of those in Catawba, it’s only a matter of time before trouble finds them.

Twenty-one-year-old Caleb has a plan that could help secure Catawba’s future. But if his secret is uncovered, he won’t live to see another dawn.

What is ONE thing you’ve learned the hard way so that others don’t have to? 

It seems like every week there is a new hard lesson to confront.  This has not changed with time.  Right now, I’m working on a pilot tv script for my latest Thomas Locke project.  Thankfully, my writing partner has a lot more experience with this than I do.  His name is Ken Estin, and he is the former Producer and head writer of such successful shows as Cheers and The Tracy Ullman Show.  Ken also developed The Simpsons with Matt Groenig.  The key to writing a pilot is to introduce both the characters and the action, but not reveal too much.  The entire first episode needs to form a hook strong enough to entice viewers to watch the entire season.  And then come back for more.  Which means introducing a new predicament every time the last one is resolved.

Very difficult, and a lot of fun.

Purchase a copy of Enclave

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Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, an award-winning novelist with worldwide sales of seven million copies in twenty-five languages. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. He is the author of Emissary, Merchant of Alyss, and The Golden Vial in the Legends of the Realm series; Fault Lines, Trial Run, and Flash Point in the Fault Lines series; and Recruits and Renegades in the Recruits series.

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Coffee Break: Hearing God

Some books should be re-read each and every year.

Hearing God (by Peter Lord, Baker Books) is one of those books. The author believes that Christians need to learn how to listen for the voice of God, that all too often it’s a one-way conversation.

It’s meant to be two-way.

Learning to listen to God takes work! It requires continual practice, a daily dive into Scriptures, and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

As I read Peter Lord’s book last evening, a few stellar points jumped out at me:

1) Practice a positive response to God’s impressions. For example, when thoughts of a friend come to mind, the author encourages you to act, to not ignore it. Pray for that friend, call, send an e-mail or note. A few years ago, I was the recipient of this experience. Out of the blue, two friends (who live in different corners of the U.S.) reached out to me on the same day, not knowing that I was going through a very difficult time. I’ll never forget how that felt–like a hug from God.

2) Conversely, practice a negative response. Become insensitive and unresponsive to the world’s values and ways. The author likens it to living near an airport or train tracks–learn to tune out the “noise” that distracts you. Boy o’ boy, do I need to work on that skill!

What about you? Any tips or suggestions about how to improve listening to God’s still, small voice? Please share in comments!

Author Spotlight with Susan May Warren

Leave a comment and enter below for a chance to win a copy of Susan May Warren’s new book, “Wait for Me”

Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Charlotte Bond for winning Lynn Blackburn’s book, “In Too Deep.”

Please email my assistant Christen to claim your prize. Note: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will get a small commission if you click and buy from that link.

In October 2016, Susan May Warren introduced readers to the Peak Rescue team in the first book in her Montana Rescue series, Wild Montana Skies. Since that time, readers have experienced romance, heartache, adventure, and high-stakes drama in four more novels. Wait for Me is the highly anticipated finale to this unforgettable series.

Pete Brooks has had a very difficult year. A series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn’t sure he wants to continue to work in search and rescue. In addition, he has waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to find out that she became engaged to her ex-fiancé.

EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana and is finally ready to give her heart to Pete, but it seems he’s no longer interested. When a terrible fight occurs, Jess makes an impulsive decision, which results in a crash on the side of a highway. And just when Jess thinks things couldn’t get any worse, she, Esme Shaw, and Ned Marshall are taken captive.

Now Pete must lead a rescue that will battle time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he has learned to find Jess, Esme, and Ned—and pray that his past mistakes don’t cost him the life of the woman he can’t stop loving.

Describe a moment that went terribly wrong 

My mother-in-law sold everything I owned without my permission.

Yes, you read that correctly. We were returning from the mission field and she was trying to make room for us in her home by getting rid of the things we stored there. Everything went for a total of $170. When she said, “I can’t wait to show you what I did,” I can admit I thought maybe she’d made us a cake. What remained of over 100 boxes was a crate of John Denver records (What? No one wanted those?), my wedding china (phew!), and my betrayed heart.

God supposed to protect me. Right?

What happened next??  

I honestly struggled with forgiving my mother-in-law. But she was the grandmother to my children, my husband’s mother, and she honestly didn’t mean to hurt me. She thought she was trying to help. So, I opened my heart, begged God for compassion and began the journey to forgiveness. And after the hurt lessened, I wrote an article about forgiveness and send it to a magazine.

It was my first published article and it jumpstarted my writing career.

God replaced the loss of possessions with something that has eternal value—sharing His truth through stories. I treasure every reader letter I receive; readers who tell me that my stories have touched their lives.

Terribly wrong can become terribly right when we open our hearts and let God in to heal, to forgive. To change us. He just might end up changing others, too.

Purchase a copy of Wait for Me

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Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels with more than one million books sold, including Wild Montana Skies, Rescue Me, A Matter of Trust, Troubled Waters, and Storm Front. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedies, and novellas. She makes her home in Minnesota.

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