Carrie Turansky's Blog, page 4
July 11, 2023
Ladies of the Lake
Hi Friends,
Today we’re celebrating the release of a wonderful new women’s fiction novel, Ladies of the Lake, by Cathy Gohlke. I was able to read an early copy, and I absolutely loved the story! I invited Cathy to answer a few questions for us, so you can learn more about this amazing novel! I hope you’ll read on and see for yourself why this is a book you’ll want to order and enjoy this summer!
Where did the inspiration for this book come from?
When I first read of the Halifax Explosion (December 6, 1917) I was astonished that I’d never heard of it, considering that before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in WWII this was the biggest manmade explosion that had ever occurred.
Reading of the devastation, of lives lost and those forever changed by burns, crippling and blindness in the Halifax Explosion, I was reminded of all my mother endured as a small child after being badly burned, how she overcame that tragedy, and yet how those injuries affected her throughout her lifetime.
It was fascinating to me that with so many disappearing in the explosion some took the opportunity to reinvent themselves and change their identity. I asked, why would a person do that? What would make a person choose to leave everything and everyone behind and forge a new life?
The growing disregard for others and increased bullying that I witness through social media and in our society greatly concerns me. I wanted to show through story that such things to which we may turn a blind eye can go beyond rudeness and can have serious and lasting consequences that we may never intend or imagine. It is our responsibility to temper our words and actions, and to stand against bullying for the sake of others.
I was inspired by Joseph’s handling of those who wronged him in the Bible, how he reacted when faced with the opportunity to retaliate or to forgive, or to forgive and embrace and wanted to see how that could play out through fictional characters.
Lastly, I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of young people growing up in boarding schools, so looked for a girls’ boarding school in New England, knowing that I wanted to set the main part of the story in the U.S. That’s when I discovered Miss Porter’s School and its long and interesting history. I could well imagine four girls growing up as close friends in such a setting and together facing numerous challenges—many like challenges we face today.
Ladies of the Lake focuses on four friends. Were any of them inspired by real relationships in your own life?
I am blessed with a precious natural sister who was my very first friend and lifelong confidante, and dear longtime women friends, each a true sister of my heart. Those relationships have taught me the importance of sharing faith, truth from our hearts, trust, integrity, of championing one another’s successes, of comforting through trials and sorrow, and of refusing to allow jealousy, envy, or competition to worm their way between us. Close relationships can be challenged when years, courses and stages of life or miles come between. Love is not fragile but requires nurturing. Staying connected through letters or emails, cards, phone calls, and visits requires diligence and commitment. The value, the joy, and the strengthening of those relationships for ourselves and for the witness to our next generation as an example is worth every investment.
Which of the four young women in this novel was your favorite to write?
Addie. I understood her shyness, her desire to fit in with other girls, her feelings of shame and vulnerability as a young person and her eagerness to grow into her desired gifts of teaching and writing. I understood her desire for friendship, her sacrificial loyalty to those she embraced as family, as well as her desire to disappear when faced with returning to the world she’d known became conflicted and too hard, and when duty called her to a new direction. I appreciated Addie’s/Rosaline’s sacrifice, her determination to raise her niece as her daughter, and her great love and desire to protect her. I was inspired by Addie’s courage in overcoming her fear to return to the school years later for her daughter’s sake, even though she knew it would cost her everything to confess her secrets, to remember and confront all those she’d left behind, especially the man she’d always loved. I loved writing Addie’s character arc, her growth into the woman she was meant to become.
The Public Gardens in Halifax.
Your novel centers on the Halifax Explosion. Why did you choose this historical event to anchor your novel?
When I first read of the Halifax Explosion (December 6, 1917) I was astonished that in all my WWI research I’d never heard of it, especially considering that before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in WWII (1947), this was the biggest manmade explosion that had ever occurred. I realized that if that was true for me, it must be true for others.
Reading of the devastation, lives lost and those forever changed by burns, crippling and blindness, I was reminded of all my mother endured as a small child after being badly burned and how she overcame that tragedy. I’ve long wanted to explore, trough a fictional character, some of the fortitude I’ve witnessed in my mother’s long life. This was the perfect opportunity to do so.
It was also fascinating to me that with so many disappearing in the Explosion some took the opportunity to reinvent themselves and change their identity. I wondered why a person would do that. What would make a person choose to leave everything and everyone behind and forge a new life?
This book explores themes of friendship, love, and resilience. Which theme was the most fun to write?
Friendship. I loved exploring the wonder and complexities of growing up with close friends from diverse backgrounds. The joy of knowing there was always someone there to comfort or champion, even when others might bully or misunderstand juxtaposed with the inevitable rivalry and sometimes misunderstandings among friends was fascinating to write.
A group of close friends was something I longed for as a young person but with too frequent moving never experienced for long. As an adult I’ve learned to value greatly the healthy friendships of other women. Busy lives and geography can make staying in touch difficult—unlike girls who see each other daily in a boarding school. I’m keenly aware that nurture must be intentional and not neglected.
Why are female friendships so important?
Women need the friendship, mentoring, companionship, and sisterhood of other women. Such bonds are precious and can prove life-sustaining through hard times. Who, besides your sister or best friend—your sister of the heart—will tell you the unvarnished truth, even when it hurts, will rejoice with you over the smallest victory, will stand with you through embarrassing or hard times when all others desert, and is ready to take your phone call even in the dead of night?
Women are unique in countless ways and understand one another’s hearts through similar life experiences. Being able to share life journeys, without explaining every detail—knowing the other woman understands—is a great gift.
Cathy visiting Halifax to research this novel.
How did research play a role in your writing process?
Shortly before the Pandemic, my husband, Dan, and I embarked on an anniversary trip to Nova Scotia, originally planned to fulfill my longtime desire to see Prince Edward Island and all things Lucy Maud Montgomery, and to fulfill his desire see the Maritimes. Before going, I read The Great Halifax Explosion, by John U. Bacon, and knew immediately the event described was the background for my story—that, and Prince Edward Island, beloved birthplace and favorite girlhood haunt of Lucy Maud Montgomery.
We spent our first day in Halifax exploring the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where I saw graphic images and testimonies of the Explosion and its aftermath. The gift shop featured several excellent research books which I gladly purchased. I spent another day at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, gaining a better understanding of travel, especially for women of the period traveling alone. The Public Gardens in Halifax were breathtaking, and I smiled when I saw just where the proposal could take place. So many streets in Halifax, from the town’s famous Clock Tower that the stopped at the moment of explosion to the Memorial Bell Towers and Fairview Cemetery, where unidentified victims of the Explosion—as well as those drawn from the water after Titanic sank—are buried breathed more of the story into my brain.
We spent time on Prince Edward Island, especially the Anne of Green Gables Museum, Montgomery’s beloved Silver Bush at Park Corner. At trip to Charlottetown and attending the Anne of Green Gables musical was a treat. A trip to Farmington, Connecticut to snap photographs of Miss Porter’s School and the surrounding area rounded out my tours.
Beyond those wonderful explorations I read numerous research books and memoirs, as well as the published journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery, a history of Miss Porter’s School, and interviewed for some unique family histories from the period. It was only difficult to stop the research and write the book!
What will fans of Little Women and Anne of Green Gables enjoy about this story?
Fans of Little Women will enjoy the strong and diverse personalities of four girls growing up together, of their united force in facing the trials others present them, as well as the differences that come between them. They’ll recognize and appreciate the girls’ fierce bonds, the hard lessons each one learns yet how those life experiences ultimately mature them, drawing them closer.
Fans of Anne of Green Gables will love the references to Prince Edward Island and the life and work of Lucy Maud Montgomery. They’ll love the anticipation and reaction of the release of each Anne or Pat of Silverbush book, as well as the correspondence and that beloved author’s mentoring of Addie, the main character, who claims a kinship with Montgomery and dreams of becoming a writer.
Fans of both books will appreciate the precarious and sometimes humorous escapades and scrapes in which the girls find themselves—sometimes as victims and sometimes as perpetrators. Readers will enjoy watching the girls grow into women, using their individual gifts for the good of all.
How does faith play a role in this story?
There are similarities between the life and choices Joseph and his brothers of the Bible are faced with and the life and growing realizations of Addie and Dorothy in Ladies of the Lake. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Ultimately, despite horrific experiences not of his own making, he forged a new life with a new name in a new country. Addie, through sudden tragedy, chose to make herself over by claiming a new name and forging a new life in a new country. Like Joseph, when the time came that she was faced with confronting or receiving those she’d never expected to see again—she learned to forgive, and ultimately to reconcile, reclaim, and to provide for those she believed had hurt her.
Surrender to the Lord of personal hurt and pride, as well as seeking, accepting, and offering His forgiveness, to others and ourselves, are all major faith themes in Ladies of the Lake.
What do you hope readers take away from Ladies of the Lake?
Sometimes our closest family is found in our dearest friends. I hope readers will embrace the great worth of their friendships among women, how we need one another, how as the Bible says, “iron sharpens iron” and “two are better than one.” I hope readers will recognize the beauty, the strength, but also the potential fragility of those relationships if they are not nurtured and maintained.
The story speaks of the importance of trust, kindness, compassion, and the transformation of repentance when we are wrong and ask forgiveness, and the joy and freedom of when we offer forgiveness. I hope that if readers find themselves in fractured relationships this story will inspire a path toward that first step in seeking and accepting or offering forgiveness that will ultimately bring forth reconciliation and restoration.
The story addresses bullying and its consequences, the cruelty of gossip and prejudice, and how easy it is to misunderstand and/or misrepresent what we hear or imagine. It shows that sometimes doing nothing is the same as doing wrong. I hope it alerts us to recognize and stand against bullying, for ourselves and for those who need a voice but have none.
I hope it reminds us all that politics and war should never trump relationships, especially among those who, whether blood relations or not, are family in Christ.
Bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband of 40 years, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com, and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks; on Bookbub (@ CathyGohlke); and on YouTube, where you can subscribe to Book Gems with Cathy Gohlke for short videos of book recommendations.
Congratulations to Cathy on the release of Ladies of the Lake! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,
Carrie
June 14, 2023
Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #2
Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!
Hello Friends, My name is Carrie Turansky and I’m the author of more than 20 inspirational novels and novellas. For the last few years I’ve set my stories in England in the early 1900s – The Edwardian Era. I loved traveling to England to research my novels and bringing lovely settings and interesting characters to life for you to enjoy. You can learn more about me and my books here on my website and on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I’m a romantic at heart, and I love to weave faith and love into all my novels. My next release is a dual-time story set in England’s beautiful Lake District —THE LEGACY OF LONGDALE MANOR. Here’s what it’s about:
Two women, a century apart, are taken on journeys to healing, faith, and forgiveness in this heartfelt dual-time Edwardian romance.
In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley—the owner’s handsome grandson—who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by selling Longdale’s art and antiques. When Gwen stumbles upon an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents and a one-hundred-year-old journal, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew.
In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District hoping to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and heartrending secrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again in . . . The Legacy of Longdale Manor.
On my last research trip to England, I fell in love with The Lake District, and knew I wanted to set a story there. Let me tell you a little more about this beautiful area . . .
Exploring England’s Enchanting Lake District
England’s Lake District is a region known for its breathtaking natural beauty with shimmering lakes, quaint villages, and rugged mountain, or fells as they’re called by the locals. It has become a haven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking for peaceful getaway.
Langdale Chase on Dernwentwater is the inspiration for Longdale Manor. Photo by Bob Radlinski and used with his permission.
A Nature Lover’s Paradise
The Lake District has several beautiful lakes, including Windermere, Derwentwater, and Ullswater. I chose to set The Legacy of Longdale Manor at a beautiful old estate on the shore of Derwentwater near Keswick. Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, these tranquil lakes provide the perfect backdrop for scenic walks, boat rides, or relaxing by the shore. The serenity of the landscapes, dotted with lakeside villages, thriving farms, and historic country houses, offers visitors a sense of peace and is the perfect place to rest and be renewed.
Literary Connections
I’m not the only author who has felt a special sense of inspiration from spending time in the Lake District. Many famous literary figures from the past found their inspiration there, including the poet William Wordsworth and Children’s author, Beatrix Potter. We visited Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s former residence and also his schoolhouse. One of my favorite places to tour was Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm, where we saw several views that inspired illustrations for her most famous story, Peter Rabbit.
Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm. Photo by Brian Robertson
Visiting England’s Lake District was an amazing experience. I hope you’ll put it on your bucket list! Whether you’re seeking adventure, inspiration, or simply a place to unwind, this lovely region has something for everyone. And while you wait for that trip, I hope you enjoy reading THE LEGACY OF LONGDALE MANOR!
Here’s Your Critical Stop #2 Info:
If you’re interested, you can preorder THE LEGACY OF LONGDALE MANOR at Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping before 9/26/23, or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD or at your local bookstore!
Clue to Write Down: AGAIN
Link to Stop #3, the Next Stop on the Loop: Kimberly Woodhouse’s site!
But wait! Before you go, I’m giving away your choice of one of my novels: No Ocean Too Wide, No Journey Too Far, or The Legacy of Longdale Manor, to one winner. All you have to do is sign up for my e-newsletter (the signup form is on the right sidebar on this page.) If you’re already subscribe, you’re welcome to enter by listing your email on Rafflecopter form below. Additional points for those who follow me as an author on Goodreads or on Instagram! This giveaway is for USA residents only. Thank you!
Thanks for joining us for the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
Carrie
May 8, 2023
Mother’s Day Giveaway 2023
Hi Friends, Do you have plans to celebrate and honor the special women in your life this weekend? It’s a beautiful time of the year in New Jersey, and I often plant annual flowers in my yard on Mother’s Day weekend. Geraniums, marigolds, and snapdragons are some of my favorites.
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May is the month to celebrate moms and show our love and appreciation for all they have done for us. Read on for a special Mother’s Day Giveaway!
This painting by my Mom hangs in our living room.
A quilt made my my mom.
My mom, Dorothy Swain, was a wonderful artist, quilter, seamstress, and writer. She enjoyed decorating our home and making it a special place. From the time I was a young child, she put a paintbrush in my hands and encouraged my creativity. Mom used to sew most of my clothes. I remember seeing her bending over the sewing machine when I went to bed and then waking up to find a new dress finished and ready to wear. Mom passed away before my books were published, but I know she’d be happy to have another writer in the family.
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Carrie, Shirley, and my daughter, Melissa.
My Mother-in-law, Shirley Turansky, is a great example and wonderful treasure! I have learned so much from her. She continues what my mom started, encouraging me to use my gifts and talents. She is a huge supporter of my writing and often tells her friends about my books. I’m looking forward to visiting her soon in California. I am very blessed to have these wonderful women in my life.
Mother’s Day Giveaway Gifts
In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m giving away the pretty book and tea themed tote bag above and winner’s choice of a paperback copy of one of my books. Click on the covers to learn more about each book. To enter the giveaway choose one word from the illustration below that describes your mom and tell me why you appreciate her in a comment on this blog post. This giveaway is for US residents only and ends Monday May 15th, 9:00 pm Eastern time. I’ll choose a winner and contact you by email.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,
Carrie
March 31, 2023
Make Your Own Resurrection Garden
Easter is coming, and one way I like to prepare for Holy Week and Easter is to make a Resurrection Garden from items I have around my house and garden. This is also a fun and creative way you can share the Easter story with your children or grandchildren, or just enjoy it yourself. I shared this idea on Facebook last year, and several friends took up the challenge and shared photos of their Resurrection Gardens. You can see several of those below. I’m sorry I didn’t saved their names with the photos.
My 2022 Resurrection Garden.
If you’d like to make one, here are the steps. Use a plate, pie tin, or low round container for the base. Fill it with a shallow layer of potting soil, then lay a mug on its side in the soil as the empty tomb. Pack moist dirt over the top of the mug. Cover the tomb with moss and press it gently into the soil. If you don’t have moss you could use Spanish (craft/floral) moss or low plants from your yard. Create a path with small stones. Look for small plants to add to the garden. Find a bigger rock and place it next to the tomb. Use twigs and thread or string to form the crosses. Poke them into the hill over the tomb. Add a He is Risen sign taped to toothpick. Spray it with water a few times a day to keep it healthy through Easter.
Below you’ll see a few of the resurrection gardens made by my friends. I like the way each one is unique. They used whatever they had available. If you’d like to see a demonstration of the steps, here is a link to a YouTube video. She makes a similar project with items from the Dollar Store. So even if you live in an apartment, you can still purchase the items you need to make your own resurrection garden.
I hope these projects inspire you, and you’ll make your own resurrection garden. If you do, I’d love to see yours! You can reply to this email or post it on social media and tag me. Most of all, I wish a very joy-filled and meaningful Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday!
Blessings,
Carrie
February 16, 2023
Seeking His Love on Sale!
Seeking His Love is on sale for only .99 Cents through 2/20/23 at Amazon, or it’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited! Download and enjoy this heartwarming and inspiring story today!
For these two wounded hearts, it will take a great leap of faith to overcome past hurts and give love a chance to grow.
False accusations from the past haunt Rachel Clark, the new director of the Northcoast Christian Youth Theater. Seeking to make a fresh start in Fairhaven, Washington, she rents space for her drama group from an artists’ cooperative led by reclusive frame shop owner Cameron McKenna. To keep his financially strapped co-op afloat, Cam agrees to include Rachel’s program, but he’s not sure he can trust the attractive director or tolerate having her students in his building.
Cam is a widower with painful secrets of his own, and when he must temporarily care for his fourteen-year-old niece, he needs Rachel’s practical help and advice. Their friendship deepens to romance, but then past secrets come to light, and Cam must decide if he will risk his heart and his future to help Rachel rebuild her reputation and save the youth theater program. Will old wounds destroy their fragile relationship, or can their renewed faith–in the Lord and in each other–help them find a love that lasts forever
Author: Carrie Turansky
Series: Bayside Treasures, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Flowing Stream
Publication Year: February 2019
Length: a complete novel
ASIN: B07ML1XFKG
ISBN: 9781733529211
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
Carrie
February 9, 2023
Be Our Valentine Giveaway
We LOVE our readers . . . and that means you! I’ve teamed up with four of your favorite authors to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special five-book Valentine Giveaway! These wonderful books are filled with drama, romance, history, and inspiration! Scroll down and take a look at each title, then fill out the Rafflecopter form between February 10 – 15 to enter! This giveaway is open to US and international reading friends. Happy Valentine’s Day! You are loved!
The Rose and the Thistle: Amid the Jacobite uprising of 1715, an English heiress flees to the Scottish lowlands to stay with allies of her powerful family. But while castle walls may protect her from the enemy outside, a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting allegiances, and temptations of the heart lie within. Learn more about Laura and her books at her website.
Yesterday’s Tides: When special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.
As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today. Learn more about Roseanna and her books at her website.
A Hundred Crickets Singing: Eighty years apart, two women from the same manor aid soldiers and fight for justice. As North Carolina secedes in 1861, Minnie tries to help her brothers—on opposing sides—and free the family’s slaves. In 1944, a storm rips the attic apart, exposing a hidden room and secret-filled trunk, fueling estate worker Celia’s determination to expose the truth. Learn more about Cathy and her books at her website.
Holding the Line: A widow at just thirty years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light. Learn more about Jennifer and her books at her website:
No Journey Too Far: In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth? Learn more about Carrie and her books at her website.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Carrie, Cathy, Roseanna, Jennifer, and Laura
January 2, 2023
Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
Handout for Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
ACFW NY/NJ January 2023
By Carrie Turansky
Readers like to be touched, moved, by the story. They like to imagine themselves in worlds and situations that challenge them, that give them opportunity to do and be something other than what they do or are in their real lives. Fiction allows people to not only step into other worlds, but to experience those worlds. To do what they can’t in a normal day. To feel beyond their normal feelings. We want to give readers a powerful emotional experience! Let’s learn how.
Make your characters sympathetic and relatable.
Make some characters unsympathetic.
Don’t name emotions, show them – Show don’t Tell
Example #1 – Sarah’s boyfriend has just broken up with her.
Telling: Sarah could only hold her tears back until she left the restaurant to walk home. She was devastated about the breakup. (This is a summary statement at a very emotional moment. Use summaries for transitions)
Classic Showing: Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap.
Going Deeper: Your Point of View character’s actions are only half the story; how they think and react internally is the other half. Let’s look at the showing example from before to see what it looks like with Sarah’s thoughts mixed in.
Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. She wouldn’t give John the satisfaction of seeing her cry, not after everything he’d put her through.
Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. This was the last time she’d trust a man, the last time she’d let herself be so vulnerable.
Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap. Marina had been right. She should have listened and taken her words to heart.
Avoid cliches and strive for fresh writing.
Plot your story with emotional scenes in mind.
Showing Emotions in Supporting Characters vs. Point of View Characters.
Using Thoughts to Convey Emotions without actions.
Tease the Reader with hints of what is to come.
The power of word choice to convey emotion.
Create a situation that’s important, vital, or life altering, if not life threatening.
Put your character under time constraints.
Force your character to decide between a bad choice and a worse choice.
Write realistic scenes with realistic problems.
Surprise the reader by turning the story in an unexpected direction.
Write Conflict into every scene.
16. Adjust the pace for the emotion you want to create.
Reduce unnecessary and unrelated details.
Use setting to influence the reader and deepen the emotional response.
Use sensory details to immerse readers in the scene.
20. Don’t Hesitate to mix emotions.
Add emotion depth as you revise.
If you’d like a copy of my teaching notes for this workshop with the examples, you may email me through the contact page at my website, and I’ll send them to you! Thanks for attending the workshop today. I hope it was helpful for you!
Carrie Turansky – https://carrieturansky.com/
Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions Handout
Handout for Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
ACFW NY/NJ January 2023
By Carrie Turansky
Readers like to be touched, moved, by the story. They like to imagine themselves in worlds and situations that challenge them, that give them opportunity to do and be something other than what they do or are in their real lives. Fiction allows people to not only step into other worlds, but to experience those worlds. To do what they can’t in a normal day. To feel beyond their normal feelings. We want to give readers a powerful emotional experience! Let’s learn how.
Make your characters sympathetic and relatable.
Make some characters unsympathetic.
Don’t name emotions, show them – Show don’t Tell
Example #1 – Sarah’s boyfriend has just broken up with her.
Telling: Sarah could only hold her tears back until she left the restaurant to walk home. She was devastated about the breakup. (This is a summary statement at a very emotional moment. Use summaries for transitions)
Classic Showing: Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap.
Going Deeper: Your Point of View character’s actions are only half the story; how they think and react internally is the other half. Let’s look at the showing example from before to see what it looks like with Sarah’s thoughts mixed in.
Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. She wouldn’t give John the satisfaction of seeing her cry, not after everything he’d put her through.
Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. This was the last time she’d trust a man, the last time she’d let herself be so vulnerable.
Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap. Marina had been right. She should have listened and taken her words to heart.
Avoid cliches and strive for fresh writing.
Plot your story with emotional scenes in mind.
Showing Emotions in Supporting Characters vs. Point of View Characters.
Using Thoughts to Convey Emotions without actions.
Tease the Reader with hints of what is to come.
The power of word choice to convey emotion.
Create a situation that’s important, vital, or life altering, if not life threatening.
Put your character under time constraints.
Force your character to decide between a bad choice and a worse choice.
Write realistic scenes with realistic problems.
Surprise the reader by turning the story in an unexpected direction.
Write Conflict into every scene.
16. Adjust the pace for the emotion you want to create.
Reduce unnecessary and unrelated details.
Use setting to influence the reader and deepen the emotional response.
Use sensory details to immerse readers in the scene.
20. Don’t Hesitate to mix emotions.
Add emotion depth as you revise.
If you’d like a copy of my teaching notes for this workshop with the examples, you may email me through the contact page at my website, and I’ll send them to you! Thanks for attending the workshop today. I hope it was helpful for you!
Carrie Turansky – https://carrieturansky.com/
December 19, 2022
Christmas House Tour 2022
Merry Christmas, and welcome to our home! We love to decorate our house for Christmas, and we enjoy inviting friends and family to come for a visit.
This year we did a major remodeling project, opening up our living room, dining room, and kitchen into one room. We started planning the project last spring and just finished the final details this month! We added built-in bookshelves and an electric fireplace for cozy atmosphere in the living room area.
Our “new” living room.
Scott is very handy, and we are thrifty, so we put in the vinyl flooring ourselves. He also did most of the electrical and lighting work. We hired help with the sheetrock and painting, and then found two young men who are are carpenters-in-training to help with with some of other work, including new stairs and railings.
Our landing – entry way.
I searched Facebook Marketplace for some furniture I could refinish or paint, and found a dining table, desk, filing cabinet, ottoman, rolling kitchen island, recliner, and console table for the entry landing. (above) We waited for the Labor Day Sale to purchase our two new couches and dinging room chairs and hutch.
Our dining room with a peek at my desk in the far right.
We considered getting new cabinets for the kitchen, but after a couple estimates, we decided to have them painted white instead. We’re pleased with the updated color and the way it brightens up that space.
Our kitchen.
There’s more room in the kitchen, and that makes it easier to prepare meals and have friends and family join us. We’re looking forward to our first family gathering in this newly remodeled space during the week between Christmas and New Years.
Our Christmas tree in our living room.
The Christmas tree fits nicely in that corner ,and when we take it down we’ll finish hanging art on the wall there. Our Christmas tree is a “memory tree” filled with ornaments from our travels and ornaments that are gifts from friends and family.
Homemade Christmas ornaments.
Some are gifts from dear friends.
The built-in shelves in our living room.
We hope you enjoyed your visit! Scott and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you be blessed with God’s peace of heart and mind as you celebrate Jesus’s birth this Christmas!
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
Carrie
November 2, 2022
Across the Blue is Available in Audio!
It’s release week for Across the Blue Audiobook! Step back to 1909 when early aviation was the rage and the race to be the first to fly across the English Channel was on everyone’s mind. Meet our heroine Isabella Grayson, the daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner, who longs to become a journalist in an era when young women like Bella had few options. Get to know our hero, James Drake, who is designing and flying the airplane he hopes will take him across the Channel to win a prestigious prize and erase his shameful family history.
I’m thrilled with Amiee Lilly’s wonderful narration of this English historical novel that includes family drama, romance, inspiration with a dash of history and high-flying adventure. She did a wonderful job with the character’s voices and accents and truly brings this story to life in a way that will capture your heart and mind!
You can listen on Audible, Chirp, or wherever you like to listen to audio books. It should soon be available at libraries that offer the audiobook programs like Overdrive and Libby. Across the Blue is also available in paperback, and eBook if that’s how you like to enjoy a novel. Visit my website for easy order links.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading and Listening!
Carrie
