Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 102
November 12, 2019
Holiday Time & Holiday Stories: A Must Have!
Holiday stories and holidays have always been a favorite pairing of mine, since childhood.
I was raised on re-runs of "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Holiday Inn and "White Christmas" from the time I was old enough to love, love, love romance...
Nothing has changed.
This Two-in-One is on shelves at Walmarts and Krogers and all kinds of cool places right now for $4.99. Or you can find it here at CHRISTIANBOOK.COM. There weren't as many holiday/Christmas/Thanksgiving stories in books then. At least not that I saw, so when I was on my road to publication one of my goals was to put out some form of Christmas story every year, not just because I love Christmas stories, but because READERS LOVE THEM.And, as evidenced by the high sales across all venues for holiday-themed-everything, it's a solid idea for authors.
If there was a holiday themed anthology, count me in!
If a series needed a holiday story, I was on it!
If I had a spare two or three weeks, I was writing a Christmas story. Not because of the sales. Not directly. But because of reader satisfaction, and my goal is to help women see a bright future for themselves no matter what the past has wrought...
And to leave readers feeling better than they did when they opened to page one, and what better time for us to feel like absolute overcomers than Christmas?
These aren't lofty goals. They're simply good goals, because people love a feel-good holiday story as evidenced by the huge increase in streaming service stations offering lots and lots of Christmas movies! Hallmark... Hallmark Movies and Mysteries... UpTV... Lifetime Channel....
And so many more.
I am proud to write feel-good stories, and especially delighted to feature this fun anthology I did with Mary Connealy and Margaret Brownley. These three wonderful novellas were released under kind of a veil of obscurity three years ago, but we regained rights to them this year, and released them LAST WEEK!
Yes, you can BUY CHRISTMAS AT STAR INN RIGHT HERE.
:)
You're welcome. My goal was to make that easy for you!
And we are so happy to have done this, I can't tell you. No one wants to see their work lingering in a dusty cabinet, right? So being able to re-package these stories, get them out there is a thrill.
Today I'm giving away copies of this wonderful anthology and copies of this 2-in-1 from Love Inspired! One paperback copy and one e-copy of "Christmas at Star Inn" and one paperback copy of my 2-in-1 with Jill Hart... Feel free to let me know in the comments which one you'd prefer.
Mary, Margaret and I are proud of this endeavor... we love it because we were able to dovetail three great stories around one great premise, an inn, run by a slightly eccentric woman named "Angel Rafferty" and how the accidents of time and place might not be so accidental, after all. And isn't that just the way life often is?
Leave me a comment below, telling me what you love or don't love about the holidays... and we'll hug you, so don't be embarrassed!!!!... and that will get you entered in the drawing.
And, as always, wishing you God's sweetest blessings for strength in times of trial, triumph over adversity and warmth when the cold winds blow.
Multi-published inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne loves writing stories of faith, hope and love and she's not above adding a dash of snark to the mix with a measure of humor because where have we gone when we fail to see the humor in life? Friend her on facebook, follow her on Twitter (although it's really an awful forum, isn't it?) and you can stop by her website ruthloganherne.com or email Ruthy at loganherne@gmail.com. She loves chatting with folks and talking romance... and/or chocolate!
November 10, 2019
Story Ideas: More Than a List of Sources, They Must Spark Passion
Missy Tippens
Before our post today, I would like to take a moment to honor our veterans and families. Thank you for all you’ve given in service to our country. Please let us know in the comments today if you're a veteran or family member. We want to honor you!
We recently had a blog reader email us asking where we get our story ideas, and whether it’s okay to write a story if the idea got sparked while reading someone else’s story. I’m not an attorney or able to give any legal advice about copyright law. But I can say that story ideas come from everywhere! And certainly, our creative brains get clicking while we’re reading. If you’re concerned, I’d suggest reading more info on copyright (click here). It specifically says ideas cannot be copyrighted. Still, I suggest reading up on the topic. It’s always good to be informed!
However, all of us reading here today could be told to write a story, and given details about the characters and plot, and each story would turn out differently. We all bring different perspectives, different life experiences, different voices to our work. This is what makes stories so rich!
I thought it would be fun to share a bit today about where some of us get our story ideas. I recently polled the Seeker authors, and we had a discussion about this topic. Here’s what they shared with me…
Mary Connealy:
I get a lot of my story ideas from research on my work in progress. I come across some interesting detail that doesn't work for the current book but sparks a whole idea for another book. I've also gotten ideas from movies, books, travel and people watching.
My idea for The Kincaid Brides Series came from a long-ago trip to Carlsbad Cavern.
Petticoat Ranch came from my husband growing up with a family with seven sons, then us having four daughters and watching his mind be boggled by the way girls act.
The Sophie's Daughters Series was based on my belief that despite all the very strict rules for women's behavior back in history, folks who headed west probably went their own way a LOT. Women NOT riding side saddle. Wearing pants. Working alongside husbands and husbands not being afraid of women's work. Thus the female doctor, wrangler and sharpshooter....all manly jobs.
A new idea came from the founder of my home town, Decatur, Nebraska....he LIED and said his name was Stephen Decatur, related to a famed Revolutionary War general. And OUR Stephen Decatur was a scoundrel...much of that has been hushed up. I'm changing the names to protect the legacy.
Erica Vetsch:
Lots of my ideas come from research and visiting museums. Or from wanting to tackle a social issue like PTSD, war veterans, orphans, social sins...I tackle all those issues in my upcoming Regency series. Finding a timeless issue and putting it in a different social, economic, or historical environment and seeing what happens. :)
Ruth Logan Herne:We all get inspired by stories and each person tells it differently.
I'd remind folks that it's not just creativity. It's science. Action/reaction. Character arcs. I think that's where writers lack inspiration, is keeping people in their lane and building the story from how they would react under the circumstances. The mathematical side of writing fascinates me.
I'm a people watcher. And listener. And, like Mary, when I'm researching one book, a detail will jump out and be used for a different book.
Cate Nolan:
The basic is, where don't I get story ideas? They're EVERYWHERE. I have WAY TOO MANY, and not nearly enough time to write them all.
One example - I got the idea for Christmas in Hiding when I was standing at my kitchen sink doing dishes. I could hear a block party on the next block and I started thinking, what if everyone was invited except one person, and what if everyone got poisoned (not fatal) except for that one person? Would she get blamed? Would she have done it? Ultimately, everything about the opening scene (and the book) changed, but that party was what triggered it.
Another story idea (that I haven't used yet and probably won't) came as I was walking to school and saw a muddy communion veil by the curb. Like every other idea, my brain immediately turns it into a story. How did it get there? Was it just lost, thrown away? Since I write suspense.... the questions get darker.
Mindy Obenhaus:
Ideas can come from just about anywhere. Watching the news, hearing a story about someone… Other times things just pop into my head. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the middle of writing a book and then read another one with the same premise. But every writer comes at a specific situation with a different perspective. Like Ruthy said, no two books would be written the same. Different voice, different life experiences, all those things play into the telling of a story.
From my experience:
I get ideas from everywhere—listening to conversations at restaurants and elsewhere, watching people (while trying not to look too nosy!), reading news reports, and listening to sermons. Because I love to write about opposites attracting, I often dream up two entirely different people to throw together in a story.
In Her Unlikely Family , I wanted to put together a stiff banker in a tough situation with a unique, generous waitress ready to jump in to help. In The Doctor’s Second Chance , I wanted to throw together a small-town rugged home contractor with an uptight big-city pediatrician whom he resented.
In A Family for Faith , I was on a flight home from an RWA conference and watched as a single dad tried over and over to put a bow in his daughter’s hair and could not manage it. I yanked out a notepad and started writing ideas for a story about dad with a daughter at an age where she really needed a mother. I also used the real-life experience of a friend of mine as part of my divorced heroine’s backstory—where her child chose to go live with his dad and the pain that caused. So that story had ideas from everywhere!
You know, for this post, I was originally going to try to create a list of places or methods for getting story ideas. But now that I’ve re-read all the input from these writers, I don’t think I’ll try to do that. Every one of us gets ideas from whatever inspires us, whatever makes us question things, whatever sends our brains off in wild directions (worse-case-scenario-itis for some of us!). :)
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, look at what interests you. Open your eyes, ears, and heart. Pray for God to show you something that you can get passionate about. Because no matter how great an idea might seem, it really needs to be something you can wholeheartedly throw yourself into for the book to resonate and have heart.
Each of us is unique. Each of us has a lot to offer the world. Now go, enjoy writing those stories that are uniquely yours to tell!
Let’s chat! Tell us where you get your ideas. And those who aren’t writers, tell us story ideas you’d love to see written.
******
Before our post today, I would like to take a moment to honor our veterans and families. Thank you for all you’ve given in service to our country. Please let us know in the comments today if you're a veteran or family member. We want to honor you!
We recently had a blog reader email us asking where we get our story ideas, and whether it’s okay to write a story if the idea got sparked while reading someone else’s story. I’m not an attorney or able to give any legal advice about copyright law. But I can say that story ideas come from everywhere! And certainly, our creative brains get clicking while we’re reading. If you’re concerned, I’d suggest reading more info on copyright (click here). It specifically says ideas cannot be copyrighted. Still, I suggest reading up on the topic. It’s always good to be informed!
However, all of us reading here today could be told to write a story, and given details about the characters and plot, and each story would turn out differently. We all bring different perspectives, different life experiences, different voices to our work. This is what makes stories so rich!
I thought it would be fun to share a bit today about where some of us get our story ideas. I recently polled the Seeker authors, and we had a discussion about this topic. Here’s what they shared with me…
Mary Connealy:
I get a lot of my story ideas from research on my work in progress. I come across some interesting detail that doesn't work for the current book but sparks a whole idea for another book. I've also gotten ideas from movies, books, travel and people watching.
My idea for The Kincaid Brides Series came from a long-ago trip to Carlsbad Cavern.
Petticoat Ranch came from my husband growing up with a family with seven sons, then us having four daughters and watching his mind be boggled by the way girls act.
The Sophie's Daughters Series was based on my belief that despite all the very strict rules for women's behavior back in history, folks who headed west probably went their own way a LOT. Women NOT riding side saddle. Wearing pants. Working alongside husbands and husbands not being afraid of women's work. Thus the female doctor, wrangler and sharpshooter....all manly jobs.
A new idea came from the founder of my home town, Decatur, Nebraska....he LIED and said his name was Stephen Decatur, related to a famed Revolutionary War general. And OUR Stephen Decatur was a scoundrel...much of that has been hushed up. I'm changing the names to protect the legacy.
Erica Vetsch:
Lots of my ideas come from research and visiting museums. Or from wanting to tackle a social issue like PTSD, war veterans, orphans, social sins...I tackle all those issues in my upcoming Regency series. Finding a timeless issue and putting it in a different social, economic, or historical environment and seeing what happens. :)
Ruth Logan Herne:We all get inspired by stories and each person tells it differently.
I'd remind folks that it's not just creativity. It's science. Action/reaction. Character arcs. I think that's where writers lack inspiration, is keeping people in their lane and building the story from how they would react under the circumstances. The mathematical side of writing fascinates me.
I'm a people watcher. And listener. And, like Mary, when I'm researching one book, a detail will jump out and be used for a different book.
Cate Nolan:
The basic is, where don't I get story ideas? They're EVERYWHERE. I have WAY TOO MANY, and not nearly enough time to write them all.
One example - I got the idea for Christmas in Hiding when I was standing at my kitchen sink doing dishes. I could hear a block party on the next block and I started thinking, what if everyone was invited except one person, and what if everyone got poisoned (not fatal) except for that one person? Would she get blamed? Would she have done it? Ultimately, everything about the opening scene (and the book) changed, but that party was what triggered it.
Another story idea (that I haven't used yet and probably won't) came as I was walking to school and saw a muddy communion veil by the curb. Like every other idea, my brain immediately turns it into a story. How did it get there? Was it just lost, thrown away? Since I write suspense.... the questions get darker.
Mindy Obenhaus:
Ideas can come from just about anywhere. Watching the news, hearing a story about someone… Other times things just pop into my head. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the middle of writing a book and then read another one with the same premise. But every writer comes at a specific situation with a different perspective. Like Ruthy said, no two books would be written the same. Different voice, different life experiences, all those things play into the telling of a story.
From my experience:
I get ideas from everywhere—listening to conversations at restaurants and elsewhere, watching people (while trying not to look too nosy!), reading news reports, and listening to sermons. Because I love to write about opposites attracting, I often dream up two entirely different people to throw together in a story.
In Her Unlikely Family , I wanted to put together a stiff banker in a tough situation with a unique, generous waitress ready to jump in to help. In The Doctor’s Second Chance , I wanted to throw together a small-town rugged home contractor with an uptight big-city pediatrician whom he resented.
In A Family for Faith , I was on a flight home from an RWA conference and watched as a single dad tried over and over to put a bow in his daughter’s hair and could not manage it. I yanked out a notepad and started writing ideas for a story about dad with a daughter at an age where she really needed a mother. I also used the real-life experience of a friend of mine as part of my divorced heroine’s backstory—where her child chose to go live with his dad and the pain that caused. So that story had ideas from everywhere!
You know, for this post, I was originally going to try to create a list of places or methods for getting story ideas. But now that I’ve re-read all the input from these writers, I don’t think I’ll try to do that. Every one of us gets ideas from whatever inspires us, whatever makes us question things, whatever sends our brains off in wild directions (worse-case-scenario-itis for some of us!). :)
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, look at what interests you. Open your eyes, ears, and heart. Pray for God to show you something that you can get passionate about. Because no matter how great an idea might seem, it really needs to be something you can wholeheartedly throw yourself into for the book to resonate and have heart.
Each of us is unique. Each of us has a lot to offer the world. Now go, enjoy writing those stories that are uniquely yours to tell!
Let’s chat! Tell us where you get your ideas. And those who aren’t writers, tell us story ideas you’d love to see written.
******
November 8, 2019
Weekend Edition
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com
Monday: Our very own Ruthy Logan Herne, Mary Connealy and Margaret Brownley have teamed up to offers us a holiday novella collection - yes, Christmas!! - Christmas At Star Inn. Don't miss out!! The winner of a copy of Christmas at Star Inn is Linda.
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus shared some fascinating Facts and Fallacies of Being a Writer.
Friday: Seekers shared their perspectives and experiences from The Art of Writing Conference and The Christy Awards Gala held Wednesday in Nashville! Since we're plumb partied out, giveaways are extended through the weekend and winners will be announced in next week's Weekend Edition!
Monday: Missy Tippens will be bringing you the post she promised last month about how writers get story ideas. She polled the other Seekers and has info to share!
Wednesday: We dive right into the "Writing a Christmas Story" fun with our very own Ruth Logan Herne on Wednesday as she talks about story-building, playing nicely with others (Mary Connealy and Margaret Brownley) and how to touch the senses and emotions to bring the true spirit of Christmas to life. And she's got a copy of their new anthology "Christmas at Star Inn" to give away!
Thursday: Jill Kemerer will be joining us with some timely motivational tips for writers.
Friday: Winnie Griggs
Ruthy, Beth Jamison (editor, graphic designer Jamison Editing), Beth Erin, Annie "Just Commonly" and Melanie Dickerson are meeting up at the "Art of Writing" mini-conference AND The Christy Gala to cheer the finalists on! A wonderful chance for a Seeker mid-country clandestine meeting... which always includes Peanut M&Ms! 
10 Steps to Publish Your Reverted Rights Stories by Nancy Cohen. Great step-by-step succinct instructions to unravel the mysteries behind re-publishing your reverted work!
23 Tips for a Zero Waste Home Office by K.M. Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
Book Marketing: Engineering Your Book Launch Success With A DIY Strategy by Boni Wagner-Stafford at The Creative Penn
Building Your INDIE Author Brand by Ray Flynt at Fiction University
5 Things I'd Go Back and Tell "Baby Author Me" by Jenny Hansen at Writers In The Storm
I Have Plans To Write That Book by Tamela Hancock Murray at Steve Laube
Questions To Ask A Small Publisher by Rachelle Gardner
November 7, 2019
The Art of Writing & The Christy Gala Recap
On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, a few of us Seekers attended The Art of Writing Conference and The Christy Awards Celebration Gala held in Nashville, Tennessee! We'll be doing quite a bit of chatting in the comments about our personal experiences and perspectives over the weekend and perhaps into early next week (depending on interest) but let's start with some general information about the events and where you can learn more!
Melanie Dickerson & Laura FrantzThe Art of Writing ConferenceAn afternoon of learning and connecting with writers and publishers featuring four workshops designed to take your writing to the next level. Sessions led by Lysa TerKeurst (Reaching the Heart of Readers); James Rubart (Next-Level Writing); Anne Bogel (Casting Novel Characters Using the Enneagram); and a panel of marketing pros that included Dave Schroeder (B&H), Michele Misiak (Revell), Steve Laube (Enclave), Anne Bogel (author/ podcaster/ blogger), and Amy Green (Bethany House).Learn more at ChristyAwards.com/conference.html
Annie, Beth, Ruthy, and BethThe Christy Award Celebration GalaThe Christy Award Dinner Gala celebrated the art of Christian fiction, announced the 2019 winners of The Christy Award, and featured bestselling authors Patti Callahan, James Rubart, and Becky Wade.In addition, the legacy of bestselling author and pioneer of inspirational fiction, Janette Oke, was honored in the 40th anniversary year of Love Comes Softly and the impactful lives of C.S. "Jack" Lewis and his wife, Joy.
Learn more at ChristyAwards.com/Gala.html
The Christy Award Finalists and WinnersA complete list is available on the Christy Awards website (and check out the Hall of Fame, too) but especially be sure to congratulate our own Melanie Dickerson! The Warrior Maiden has been named as the 2019 Young Adult category Christy Award winner!!!Seekers in attendanceRuthy Logan Herne, Melanie Dickerson, Annie, and Beth were among the few hundred industry professionals (and a few readers, too) who participated in The Art of Writing Conference (and/or PubU, an ECPA publishers conference held just before the writers' conference) as well as The Christy Award Gala.
Melanie & Mesu Andrews
Beth & Morgan BussePlease join us in the comments with your questions and personal perspectives! Did you (or would you like to) attend these events? We'll share some more pictures here and drop in to share our highlights and answer questions about our experiences as we return to our normal schedules!
Let us know if you'd like to enter for a chance to win your choice of one book from Beth's bookstash!
November 5, 2019
The Facts and Fallacies of Being a Writer
by Mindy ObenhausSo you want to be a writer? Or, maybe, you’re just curious about writers. From the outside looking in, being a writer seems so glamorous. Once upon a time, before I was published or really knew much about writing, I envisioned myself in my beautiful, always-clean office, pecking out thousands of words each day, uninterrupted, with so many ideas in my head there just wasn’t time to do it all.
I must have been delusional.
Yes, people have all sorts of preconceived notions about writers, many derived from movies, television or headlines. So let’s examine some of the facts and fallacies of writing.
Fallacy #1 - Writers are wealthy
Fact: You’ll have to excuse me while I stop laughing. I know we’ve all heard stories about authors getting six and seven-figure advances, but unless you’re Nora Roberts, Stephen King or someone already famous, you may be looking at more like three or four-figures. Now, granted, there are exceptions, but if you think writing is going to make you rich, you might want to focus your efforts elsewhere.
Fallacy #2 - Writers are prolific
Fact: Not everyone, including myself, can write as fast as Ruthy or Mary Connealy. I am in awe of these women. How fast they write, how many ideas they have rolling through their heads. But while I may not be as prolific as these two, I can be consistent. Since I write for Love Inspired, my books run approximately 55K words and it usually takes me about 4-6 months from proposal to book delivery. Those who write longer books, though, may need more time. Don’t get hung-up on how many books you can write, instead, focus on writing consistently.
Fallacy #3 – Writers can’t NOT write
Fact: Sometimes writers don’t write. The reasons can vary, sometimes life gets in the way and steals our attention, while there are other times when the words just won’t come. What I’ve learned, though, is that writers are creative people. Even when we’re not writing, we’re often expressing our creativity in other ways.
Several years ago, my husband spent ten days in the hospital, and I can assure you that writing never crossed my mind. But Christmas was approaching, so I poured over magazines, gathering decorating ideas and planning my holiday menus. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t a writer.
Nowadays I have deadlines to meet, but there are times when the words don’t flow onto the page. So, rather than staring blankly at a computer screen, I create things in the kitchen or rearrange something around the house. Of course, I’m usually praying as I do those things, asking God to open the floodgates of my mind, because even though I'm not writing at that moment, I’m still a writer.
Fallacy #4 – The more you write, the easier it becomes
Fact: Writing never gets easier. You may become more proficient, but I know multi-published, best-selling authors whose ideas have been rejected. Your current contract never guarantees another. So we have to strive to come up with fresh ideas or put interesting twists on old ones in order to grab the editor’s and reader’s attention. Anything worth while is never easy. And if God has called you to write, then it’s an endeavor that is definitely worthwhile.
Writing is hard work. And, as you can see, the life of a writer really isn’t as glamorous as I’d once anticipated. That vision I had of my always-clean office? Now my philosophy is that a messy desk is a sign of a productive author. Because when I’m busy writing, I have no time to clean off my desk.
What are some of the fallacies you've heard about writers? Writers, how many of them have you learned to be false?
Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus, writes contemporary romance for Love Inspired Books. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.comNovember 3, 2019
Merry Christmas! (Yeah, I'm going there!)
It's Christmas in November Seekervillagers!!!
Today I'm giving away an ebook copy of a very FUN!!!
SPECIAL
Novella collection calledChristmas at Star InnBy Margaret Brownley, Ruth Logan Herne and Mary Connealy
The three novellas were published a while back but separately.Now we've gathered them together in one volume.All three love stories.All three Christmas stories.All three set in a beautiful old Victorian Mansion. A bed and breakfast calledStar Inn
Fun and special because it's a novella collection with RUTHY!!! And, as always when I'm working with Ruthy....I made her do all the work.
Truth is, I published a novella back in September and I did something … ahem … hinky to KDP so I am...grounded? for a year from putting a book up for pre-order.
I know what I did. I put it up for pre-order and then I decided to change the release date by ONE DAY!
Apparently that exploded something and I was labeled a troublemaker (that was only a matter of time!) and I was grounded like a curfew-challenged teenager!
But that was okay because I have no plans to indy-publish anything in the forseeable future...which could mean...as in this case...ONE MONTH.So Ruthy, who has been, as always, perfectly behaved, (show off) had to put it up.Margaret let her do it, too, so it wasn't ONLY ME dumping the work on Ruthy. Besides she seems to love it!Anyway, the lesson for today is, think carefully before you put your indy-pubbed Amazon Kindle book up for pre-order. You could get slapped down like a mosquito in a bug zapper.
I'll add here that they distinctly WARNED me.
As in...IF YOU CLICK PRE-ORDER THEN COME BACK AND CHANGE THE DATE OF PUBLISHING YOU ARE GROUNDED FOR ONE YEAR.
Or words to that affect.
But I didn't exactly believe those rules applied to me for some reason.
They did.
Leave a comment about when you start getting ready for Christmas. When you like to read Christmas novels. When you get annoyed at Christmas coming too early!
One lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of
Christmas at Star InnA little bit about Christmas at Star Inn.
In classic "Hallmark" style, these great authors give readers a real holiday treat with three novellas set at the beautiful Star Inn, an iconic B&B tucked at the base of Mount Hood in Oregon.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Margaret Brownley
Can a tree-hugging activist and lumbermill owner find love?
Two bad things happened to Sally Cartwright that week. Three if she counted the pink slip received at the Home and Family magazine’s annual Christmas party. But nothing was worse than plowing into a snowbank and being stuck in a town she swore never to see again. A town she once called home. Now she must spend the long cold night in the car or follow the bright shining star through the woods to the old Star Inn. She chooses the inn and that’s where her troubles really begin…
Lumbermill owner, Rick Rennick is in no mood for Christmas cheer. Having recently buried his father, he’s still trying to sort out the financial mess left behind. Unless Rick comes up with a miracle, the mill run by the family for generations is about to shut down for good. That would put a lot of men out of work and impact the future of the town.
If things aren’t bad enough he’s now stuck at the old Star Inn waiting for the road back to his cabin to reopen. His luck takes another turn for the worse when he suddenly comes face to face with the past he’d sooner forget. For unless he’s seeing things the only woman he’s ever loved is standing in front of the inn’s blazing fire trying to get warm. How is it possible that one chance meeting could stir up so many old memories?
Both Rick and Sally regret what happened between them, but his family lumberyard clashes with her tree-hugging ways and neither are willing to try again. It will take the storm of the century, one stage-struck young boy, a certain meddling “angel”—and even a cranky cat—to convince them that in matters of the heart, the second time around is sometimes best.
"Silent Night, Star-lit Night" by Ruth Logan Herne
Jed Taylor knows how to cowboy up on horseback and in their busy farm & feed store, but when he heard Mia O’Loughlin was planning a trip north the week before Christmas, pregnant and alone, he can't let her make the long trek alone. More Grinch than grace, he flies to the coast, determined to help.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this...
E.R. nurse and Red Cross emergency responder Mia O’Loughlin was strong, but losing her deployed husband the week before she realized they were expecting their first child knocked her off-kilter. With Christmas and her due date approaching, all she can see is getting back home to Kittitas County for the birth of her child… their child… and seeing her failing Grandpa Joe one last time. Determined to do it on her own, she reluctantly allows Jed to accompany her, mostly because the gruff cowboy showed up and won’t take no for an answer.
But when a blizzard grinds their progress to a stop in Northern Oregon, the light from an old inn beckons them into the sweet town of Heywood where old truths open the way to new beginnings for both of them.
And in "Room at the Inn for Christmas" by Mary Connealy
Welcome to Heywood, Oregon where a lonely woman comes home to find healing, hope and love under the bright light of the town’s old Star Inn this Christmas season.
Amanda Star is a high-powered executive in the multi-national Halston hotel chain…then she inherits the Star Inn, her childhood home, from her father. With no time to be away from her job, she impatiently rushes home to list the beautiful old bed and breakfast for sale. Now that she’s here she’s swamped with sweet memories and keen regret.
As Amanda struggles against the lure of home, she also is reunited with an old classmate: Anthony Carter, a handyman with a guarded heart. Can he help Amanda realize the Star Inn is worth saving…and can he do it in time for Christmas?
Today I'm giving away an ebook copy of a very FUN!!!
SPECIAL
Novella collection calledChristmas at Star InnBy Margaret Brownley, Ruth Logan Herne and Mary ConnealyThe three novellas were published a while back but separately.Now we've gathered them together in one volume.All three love stories.All three Christmas stories.All three set in a beautiful old Victorian Mansion. A bed and breakfast calledStar Inn
Fun and special because it's a novella collection with RUTHY!!! And, as always when I'm working with Ruthy....I made her do all the work.
Truth is, I published a novella back in September and I did something … ahem … hinky to KDP so I am...grounded? for a year from putting a book up for pre-order.
I know what I did. I put it up for pre-order and then I decided to change the release date by ONE DAY!
Apparently that exploded something and I was labeled a troublemaker (that was only a matter of time!) and I was grounded like a curfew-challenged teenager!
But that was okay because I have no plans to indy-publish anything in the forseeable future...which could mean...as in this case...ONE MONTH.So Ruthy, who has been, as always, perfectly behaved, (show off) had to put it up.Margaret let her do it, too, so it wasn't ONLY ME dumping the work on Ruthy. Besides she seems to love it!Anyway, the lesson for today is, think carefully before you put your indy-pubbed Amazon Kindle book up for pre-order. You could get slapped down like a mosquito in a bug zapper.
I'll add here that they distinctly WARNED me.
As in...IF YOU CLICK PRE-ORDER THEN COME BACK AND CHANGE THE DATE OF PUBLISHING YOU ARE GROUNDED FOR ONE YEAR.
Or words to that affect.
But I didn't exactly believe those rules applied to me for some reason.
They did.
Leave a comment about when you start getting ready for Christmas. When you like to read Christmas novels. When you get annoyed at Christmas coming too early!
One lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of
Christmas at Star InnA little bit about Christmas at Star Inn.
In classic "Hallmark" style, these great authors give readers a real holiday treat with three novellas set at the beautiful Star Inn, an iconic B&B tucked at the base of Mount Hood in Oregon.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Margaret Brownley
Can a tree-hugging activist and lumbermill owner find love?
Two bad things happened to Sally Cartwright that week. Three if she counted the pink slip received at the Home and Family magazine’s annual Christmas party. But nothing was worse than plowing into a snowbank and being stuck in a town she swore never to see again. A town she once called home. Now she must spend the long cold night in the car or follow the bright shining star through the woods to the old Star Inn. She chooses the inn and that’s where her troubles really begin…
Lumbermill owner, Rick Rennick is in no mood for Christmas cheer. Having recently buried his father, he’s still trying to sort out the financial mess left behind. Unless Rick comes up with a miracle, the mill run by the family for generations is about to shut down for good. That would put a lot of men out of work and impact the future of the town.
If things aren’t bad enough he’s now stuck at the old Star Inn waiting for the road back to his cabin to reopen. His luck takes another turn for the worse when he suddenly comes face to face with the past he’d sooner forget. For unless he’s seeing things the only woman he’s ever loved is standing in front of the inn’s blazing fire trying to get warm. How is it possible that one chance meeting could stir up so many old memories?
Both Rick and Sally regret what happened between them, but his family lumberyard clashes with her tree-hugging ways and neither are willing to try again. It will take the storm of the century, one stage-struck young boy, a certain meddling “angel”—and even a cranky cat—to convince them that in matters of the heart, the second time around is sometimes best.
"Silent Night, Star-lit Night" by Ruth Logan Herne
Jed Taylor knows how to cowboy up on horseback and in their busy farm & feed store, but when he heard Mia O’Loughlin was planning a trip north the week before Christmas, pregnant and alone, he can't let her make the long trek alone. More Grinch than grace, he flies to the coast, determined to help.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this...
E.R. nurse and Red Cross emergency responder Mia O’Loughlin was strong, but losing her deployed husband the week before she realized they were expecting their first child knocked her off-kilter. With Christmas and her due date approaching, all she can see is getting back home to Kittitas County for the birth of her child… their child… and seeing her failing Grandpa Joe one last time. Determined to do it on her own, she reluctantly allows Jed to accompany her, mostly because the gruff cowboy showed up and won’t take no for an answer.
But when a blizzard grinds their progress to a stop in Northern Oregon, the light from an old inn beckons them into the sweet town of Heywood where old truths open the way to new beginnings for both of them.
And in "Room at the Inn for Christmas" by Mary Connealy
Welcome to Heywood, Oregon where a lonely woman comes home to find healing, hope and love under the bright light of the town’s old Star Inn this Christmas season.
Amanda Star is a high-powered executive in the multi-national Halston hotel chain…then she inherits the Star Inn, her childhood home, from her father. With no time to be away from her job, she impatiently rushes home to list the beautiful old bed and breakfast for sale. Now that she’s here she’s swamped with sweet memories and keen regret.
As Amanda struggles against the lure of home, she also is reunited with an old classmate: Anthony Carter, a handyman with a guarded heart. Can he help Amanda realize the Star Inn is worth saving…and can he do it in time for Christmas?
November 1, 2019
Weekend Edition
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com
Monday: Erica Vetsch hosted Susan May Warren, who spoke about all the features in her new My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020.
Wednesday: Marilyn Leach joined us with an entertaining tour of England and her cozy mystery, All Hallows Dead.
Friday: Lindsay Harrel discussed What A Mentor Can Do For You. She also gave a glimpse inside Sunrise Publishing. Thanks, Lindsay! The winner of one of Susie May Warren's Deep Haven Novels is Glynis!
Monday: Mary Connealy will be our hostess today...and surely she will bring cowboys with her...
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus will be here to talk about the facts and fallacies of writing. Friday: To round out the week, Beth will entertain and teach!
Glynna Kaye's High Country Holiday has been re-released as a 2-in-1! Be looking for it on Walmart shelves this month (also available on-line at Christian Book Distributors!)
Missy Tippens will be speaking THIS WEEK at the Gwinnett County Library--Five Forks Branch on Monday, November 4th at 6:30 pm. If you're anywhere nearby, be sure to come out to support her! More info at https://www.gwinnettpl.org/locations-and-hours/
RELEASING ON TUESDAY!
Ruthy, Mary and Margaret Brownley have literally DRAGGED these sweet stories out of publication obscurity and are now putting them out as the anthology they were meant to be. Christmas at Star Inn is a marvelous trilogy set in the beautiful "Star Inn" in the cozy mountain town of Heywood, Oregon... releasing at a great price and on Tuesday! Happy reading, my friends!
Newly released!Winnie Griggs is excited to announce that SAWYER released on November 1st and is available exclusively on Amazon.
Sawyer Flynn vows to see that the man who murdered his brother pays for his crimes, but becoming the sole caretaker of an orphaned infant sidetracks him from the mission. Sawyer can’t do it all—run his mercantile, care for the baby, and find justice for his brother. He needs help. But not from Emma Jean Gilley, the daughter of the vile murderer.
Her father’s crime has made her a pariah and Emma Jean is growing desperate to find a job. Learning of Sawyer’s need, she makes her case to step in as nanny. Out of options, Sawyer finally reluctantly agrees to a temporary trial.
Working together brings understanding, and maybe something more. But just when things heat up between them, the specter of her father’s crimes threatens to drive them apart forever.
17 Scariest Things About Social Media by Edie Melson at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (new website!)
7 Ways Book Publishing Will Change Over the Coming Years . A great article by Mike Shatzkin of The Idea Logical Company with his thoughts on the future of book sales and marketing.
Skinny Story? Expand Your Novel Without Adding Fat by Jane Lane at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Lessons Learned From Doing NaNoWriMo by Lisa Jordan at Learn How To Write A Novel
SEO: The Importance of Mechanics by Karen Van Den Heuvel at Thyme For Writers
How To Know Which Parts Of Your Story Readers Will Like Best (It Isn't Always What You Think) by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
How To Hook Your Reader In Every Scene by Janice Hardy at Fiction University
Are You Using The Best Pinterest Pin Size For 2019? by Louise Myers at Visual Social Media.
The Do's of Writing People of Color: Start on Easy Mode by Colette Aburime from Writing With Color (shared at the NaNoWriMo blog). This is part 1 of 4.
October 31, 2019
What a Mentor Can Do For You (Plus an Inside Look at Sunrise Publishing) Guest Post by Lindsay Harrel
What a Mentor Can Do For You (Plus an Inside Look at Sunrise Publishing) Guest Post by Lindsay HarrelNo matter what career path you’re following, one thing rings true of them all: having a mentor can make all the difference in where you end up.
Whether we’re authors or not (hello to all you non-writing readers out there!), everyone needs support to pursue a passion and career fraught with challenges—and writing is definitely THAT.
One of those challenges is loneliness. We authors spend a lot of time with our rears in the seat talking to characters who talk back—but only in our heads. And while craft books are helpful and online courses can be great, nothing quite takes the place of real-life people who will walk the sometimes-perilous writing road with us.
Sometimes those people are walking alongside you—your critique partners, for example. Other times, you need fellow authors who are willing to take you by the hand and lead you.
Merriam-Webster defines mentor as “a trusted counselor or guide,” so I can’t think of anyone better to help us navigate a path that we haven’t walked before.
I’ve been super blessed to have a handful of mentors who have helped me get to where I am in my publishing journey, and who continue to guide me even after I’ve achieved publication—because though it may sometimes feel like it, being published is not the be-all-end-all. A mentor can help you navigate the way no matter where you are in your journey.
The Benefits of Mentorship
In my opinion, the main benefits of having a mentor in my life have been:
The opportunity to see things in a different light: I can get so focused on my own knowledge and way of thinking that I forget other perspectives exist. A trusted mentor can expose me to thinking that’s more advanced and just plain different.Guidance in strengthening my weaknesses: Most of the time, it’s hard to see ourselves—and our writing—objectively. A mentor can help us to find areas of weakness in our craft and suggest edits or ways to improve.Help navigating my career path: Not only have my mentors been pivotal in making me a better writer, but they’ve given advice that has helped to shape the decisions I make.
What to Look for in a Mentor
Now that we all agree having a mentor can be monumental in our writing careers, what makes a good mentor? For me, there are three main things I have sought in a mentor:
A heart for othersA passion for what she or he doesUp-to-date knowledge on the latest trends and news in the industry
How to Find a Mentor
So how in the world do you go about getting connected with a mentor in the first place? There are a ton of writing groups on Facebook and other social media platforms that are great for connecting with other authors. Also, I’ve met a lot of authors simply by emailing or reaching out after I enjoyed one of their books. (Though I wouldn’t suggest reaching out in order to get something back, but more to invite someone into a friendship!)
If you’re a member of a writing organization like American Christian Fiction Writers or something similar, there are plenty of resources at your disposal. For example, ACFW has several loops where you can connect with other members across and in certain genres, etc.
Lindsay Harrel and Susan May WarrenAnother such resource is writing conferences, where you can meet authors at all stages of the game—from complete newbies to multi-published winners of writing award after writing award. Take the opportunity to get to know authors who are ahead of you in their writing journey. If you click with anyone, open a dialogue and see if that author might be open to mentorship.
The way I found one of my mentors was originally to pay for her knowledge—in other words, I took a class she was offering. There are so many good courses out there, but Susan May Warren’s My Book Therapy was where I really cut my teeth as an author and learned exactly what I needed to know about how to write a novel.
One of the coolest benefits of having a mentor? For me, Susie has become much more than a mentor. She’s now a friend—and a partner too! Earlier this year, we started Sunrise Publishing, a publishing venture that combines mentorship and partnership between established authors and newer authors.
Sunrise Publishing: Taking Mentorship to the Next Level
Specifically, Sunrise is designed to help launch new or rebooting authors into the readership of an existing author, build the existing fictional world of the lead author, and offer readers a remedy to the story hole they are seeking to fill.
Here’s how it works: Every year Sunrise will choose a lead author in one particular genre. (Susie will be the lead author in year one, so we can work out the kinks!) Once we decide on the kind of stories the lead author is looking for, we put out a request for submissions. (Our first deadline is November 10! You can check out our submission process here.)
Once the lead author picks the draft authors, they will start working on stories. Over the course of the year, the lead author will mentor the draft authors (with the help of Sunrise) to create six novels.These novels will be traditionally published (print, ebook, and audio) over the course of the following year on all platforms.
Our main criteria is voice. We are not looking for someone with a platform, but instead, draft authors who are interested in learning, understand the basics of writing, and are willing to work hard. Most of all, we are looking for serious authors who want to launch their careers. (If you’re one such author, see our Writer’s Guidelines for more information.)
I know that whoever gets to work with Susie next year will be so incredibly blessed! Not only will they get a chance to work with someone who exudes all the ideal characteristics of a mentor I mentioned above, but partnering with Sunrise will help them discover their place in the market—and, hopefully, it will remind them they’re not alone in this writing thing after all.
Question for You: Do you have a mentor? If so, how did you connect with him or her? If not, what do you look for in a mentor? And do you have any questions about Sunrise Publishing? I’d love to answer anything you may be curious about!
Giveaway: Lindsay is offering one of Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven novels (reader’s choice) to a U.S. resident. Choices can be seen here: https://sunrisepublishing.com/upcoming-series/.
Lindsay Harrel is a CBA best-selling novelist and lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. With more than 13 years of editing and writing experience, Lindsay now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels for HarperCollins Christian Publishing and working as Editorial Director at Sunrise Publishing. She has a passion for not only helping authors improve their stories and find their voice, but also getting messages of hope out into the world. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.
October 29, 2019
A British Tour of All Saints Day
Did you know November 1st is celebrated worldwide as All Saints Day? And I’d love to take you on an enriching tour of some English sights that suit the holiday.
Halloween, or All Hallows Eve as it’s called in England, is the night before All Saints Day when we memorialize the Christian faithful. And, Halloween gets the lion’s share of the spotlight with costumed little ones gathering neighborhood candy and attending scary events. Fun. But, after visiting inspirational English abbey ruins, crypts, manor houses, ancient churches, and a fun village pub, I decided to write an All Saints Day mystery. Come along and tour the English countryside with me to see what inspired All Hallows Dead.
The ruins of Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire carved its way into my story-mind.Here we are at Whitby Abbey. It’s so easy to get lost in the former grandeur of the place, with images of monks singing hushed chants amidst brightly colored stain glass. Enraptured, you barely notice the chilly sea wind that blows cross the headland and makes your cheeks red. If walls could talk, what stories would they tell? What secrets abide here? It’s an amazing muse for my fictional Criswell Abbey, the hallowed ground where All Hallows Dead takes place.
Whitby Abbey sits on a headland that juts into the North Sea.Next, here we are at Mount Grace Priory, not far from the city of York.
Style and beauty rule the exterior of Mount Grace Priory’s manor house.Many priory and abbey ruins became the property of individual families in the fifteen hundreds, often a favor from a ruling monarch. For some, the building formerly reserved for lengthy visits from church officials and other dignitaries, was reworked into a manor house for the family. We’ll now take in reworked interiors, beautiful furnishings, and open hearths of the manor house at Mount Grace Priory. This was fodder for Marthrad House, manor home of the fictional, landed Cavendish family who own Criswell Abbey grounds in my All Saints tale.
An Arts and Crafts period interior decorates the manor home at Mount Grace PrioryLet’s travel to the south of England now. Welcome to a rainy day in beautiful Wiltshire where we will visit Lacock Abbey, a nunnery started by Ela of Salisbury in the twelve hundreds.
Lacock Abbey is one of the few church grounds that survived the sixteenth century Dissolution of the Monasteries.
These are not abbey ruins, but complete and habitable buildings, though now they are owned by England’s National Trust. The architecture and charm make imaginations spin as we wander the abbey grounds. Who lived here? What were their lives like? Many women of privilege, often in widowhood, took the veil and called Lacock home. But let’s duck into an out building for a moment’s reprieve from the misty rain.
Enter Lacock Abbey’s brew house with me and view the stairwell that leads to the cooping rooms. Sorry, no ale on tap here.What do you know? We’re in the abbey brew house. Yes, the monasteries of long ago brewed their own ale and often sold it to the villagers as well. The water was a bit chancy back then. But once it went through the brewing process, it was easily digested, no trouble. Or, so I’m told. Add to that fact a true story of how a landed family, who owned abbey grounds, built a pub around the remaining wall of their brew house, which is frequented by the villagers to this day. I’ve heard English public houses, or pubs, described as, “the community living room.” They aren’t bars, nor are they entirely restaurants, but they’re a higgldy-piggldy mixture. This brew building, helped along by the true pub story, was the springboard for Watergate Alehouse, the historical local pub that serves all and sundry in my fictional village of Criswell. In a sense, it is the community living room.
Would you like to grab a pub lunch, along with a fizzy pop, and some pudding? Let’s take a break in the Bull and Butcher found in Turville, Buchinghamshire, England. It’s your quintessential English pub.
The Bull and Butcher Pub in Buckinghamshire is cozy on a blustery day, just as is my fictional Watergate Public House.Of course, there’re loads and loads more we could ramble through. This is just a taste of all England has to offer a writer’s creative brain. And when it comes to inspiration for an All Saints Day mystery, this is only a sniff. I hope you’ve enjoyed the quick tour. Oh, here’s a departing word to note. Reading All Hallows Dead isn’t complete until you can snuggle into a comfy chair with a steaming cup of tea and wooly throw. It’s a cozy mystery that’s just right for short autumn days and long blustery nights. Cheers.
To find out more about Marilyn, see snaps of England, or view other books she’s written www.marilynleachteaandbooks.comwww. amazon.com/author/marilynleachTo make a purchase: amazon.com
What secrets lie within the stones of Criswell Abbey’s medieval church, St. Baldred’s? Berdie Elliott digs to find the truth in All Hallows Dead.
The crypt of St. Cedd at the parish church in Lastingham, England
Just for a tickle, here’s an excerpt
Berdie Elliott and her best friend, Lillie Foxworth, often find themselves in hot water, and they’re not brewing tea.
“What I found is absolutely priceless. There’s….” Berdie stopped when she became aware of clip-clop steps in the nave. “Shh.” She put her index finger to her lips.“Why shush?” Lillie didn’t make her voice particularly quiet.Berdie raised her brows and pointed toward the nave. “Someone’s about the place,” she whispered. “We can’t let on that we’re in here…”The steps outside became louder. They were advancing toward the tower.Lord have mercy.There was a hesitation.
Berdie held her breath. She realized instantly that whoever was on the other side of the door, was perhaps one who knew all the secrets of this place which could mean she and Lillie were in very real danger.
How can a sixteenth century saint help solve a twenty-first century crime?
About Marilyn Leach:
Though Marilyn Leach grew up in the Western United States, she became a dyed-in-the-wool British enthusiast after exploring the UK and making friends there. Her travels throughout England color her life and written works. Though she dreams of settling in England, Marilyn lives lakeside on the Front Range of Colorado.
October 27, 2019
Planning Your 2020 With Susan May Warren
Erica Vetsch here:
As we’re deep into the season of ‘pumpkin-spice everything people are already beginning to think about winter and the coming of 2020. With every new year comes the desire for new plans and goals, and folks start thinking about how to get organized to make those goal-dreams a reality.
For some people, this means a new planner. I love looking at new planners at the office supply store, but somehow, they never seemed to cover all the things I wanted. I found myself having to tailor my life to the planner instead of the other way around. I'd stopped getting planners each year and just decided to 'wing it.'
Then I was given the opportunity to scrutinize an advanced copy of the My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 . And I can tell you, I did, every single page! I’m inspired, I’m humbled, and I’m impressed! Finally, a planner that seems to 'get me.'
I’m thrilled to have my friend, Susan May Warren, the creator of the My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 here with us on Seekerville to talk about how the planner came to be and how to use the planner to best advantage.
FYI! Seeker-Villagers, as I leafed through the pages of the MBWP, I had so many questions! I've put those questions to Susie, and her answers are below, but if you have others, be sure to ask them in the comments section!
1. What led you to create a writing planner to share with other writers?
For years, writers and others have asked me how I get so much accomplished. Wife, mother, author, active in my church, teacher—frankly, it’s no bigger load than anyone else, but I was writing, on average, four books a year, sometimes more, as well as marketing, and sometimes it looked like a lot. The truth is, I’ve always been very focused—in my goals, and my time. And that has allowed me to produce good work in a short amount of time. (more on that below) I have been using and honing my system for a decade, but I finally put it together in a planner a couple years ago and those who have used it have said it changed their writing life. I’ve been honing it every year—looking for something for the creative, but also the business minded. (or those who want to be!) It’s the best way I know to help people build productive, focused careers.
2. What makes your planner different from others targeted specifically for writers?
Its built for the creative mind, the mind that needs big chunks of time to focus on writing, or marketing or other areas of their lives. The fact is, creatives need plenty of white space to think and brainstorm and write and rewrite, and we need to schedule our lives around what I call “Power Blocks” or chunks of focused time that allow for people to dig into their story/creativity. Power Blocks also give the answer as to what to do with the inevitable interruptions that threaten our focus. (don’t worry, there is a free course that comes with the planner that teaches the concept and application of Power Blocking.) Along with creating a system especially for creatives, our planner is doodle-friendly, and includes a publishing strategy section, a life-planning section and a way to corral it all in the daily planning. And my favorite part—it includes a section of daily journaling.
3. What if you’re not a planner-type person? What does the MBWP offer for those with less-structured preferences?
The point of the planner is to corral your plans without pinning you down. It’s NOT the kind of planner that is going to pin you down to a structure, but leaves you free to move with your energy, your daily flow, and your creativity. But, the planner helps you capture all your goals, based on your values, and even helps you prioritize which ones to pursue. Just having the right questions to answer will help you get a view of your life—and help you see the small things that will lead to the big picture. At the very least it will help you see what is on your immediate radar, and allow you to figure it out day by day without getting overwhelmed.
4. What’s your favorite section of the planner?
Oh, aside from the daily inspiration section, I LOVE the storycrafting section in the back. I love having all my story ideas in one place. I often think of something to add as I’m having my daily miracle morning, or even after I finish with my writing day—and I capture it all in one place. My characters and plots are all together and it’s so easy to keep track of my story. (and I love the word count tracking system each month!)
5. Receiving the planner and opening it up is quite an experience in and of itself. What prompted you to go the extra mile with the packaging to make getting that rainbow box such a special event?
Our stories matter! And I wanted to create that feeling of excitement going into 2020—almost like you get to un-box your dreams and hopes for the new year. I picked the inspirational message to motivate authors as they opened the box with the hope that they would know that a great year awaited them.
6. Inside the planner there are places to track things other than writing, which makes the MBWP more than just a writing journal/tracker. What areas were you keen to focus on when creating the planner?
The idea was to create ONE planner for everything. In the past I usually had 3 or even 4 planners – a prayer journal, a writing planner, a business planner and a household planner. I hated hauling around and keeping track of all these separate elements. MBWP includes all the elements of our lives—from meal planning, to errands and appointments, to what we’re reading, to water consumption, social media tracking, and even a place to evaluate our month! I love all the useful pieces—plus, it’s fun to write on!
7. The planner is printed in black-and-white, with lots of open space to encourage colorful creativity when filling out the pages. Do you think being creative within the planner will spark creativity in our writing?
I hope so! I’m a doodler when I’m thinking, or listening, and all our monthly pages are coloring pages for exactly that purpose. But I also doodle or color on the inspiration pages as I’m thinking or praying, and I also keep notes on the back pages (at the end of each month.) I promotes the concept of sitting and thinking, and frankly, that’s one of the biggest elements of being a writer…thinking!
8. Some of the features are so common-sense that they can be easy to overlook, like the elastic band to keep it closed, the pocket in the back for holding extras, etc. One of my favorites is the spiral binding that allows the planner to be laid flat for ease of use. Do you have a favorite ‘extra’ feature?
THE STICKERS!!! I love the 2 pages of stickers in the back. They’re to track both writing and something called SACRED REST. Sacred Rest is all about refilling ourselves intentionally in those areas where we pour out (there is a class on this in the course!) But they add an element of fun to the planner. (which is already super fun!)
9. We’re fast approaching the craziest month on the writing calendar, November, which is National Novel Writing Month. How can the MBWP help prepare writers for NaNoWriMo even before 2020 rolls around?
I’m glad you asked. Our November section is especially designed for NaNoWriMo with a word count planner. We also have a word count tracker every day, so that is especially important for NaNo. Finally, the storycrafting sheets in the back are a great place to keep your story as you motor through the month.
10. Can you talk about the bonus online class that comes with every MBWP purchase?
We created a course because we understand that this has elements that are maybe not as intuitive as other planners. (e.g. there are NO 15 minute time increments!) So, I create a class—most of the lessons are about 10-20 minutes long—to help understand how to adapt the planner to your own system. The include everything from strategic planning to habit stacking, to brilliant bursts and sprints, to how to use the time templates and power blocks. We also offer tips on time management (of course) and how to get stuff done!
Also, this year we added three classes on Values Based planning, Prayer Targets and Sacred Rest.
11. Where can writers learn more about the My Brilliant Writing Planner and get their hands on a copy for themselves?
It’s available on Amazon and at www.mybrilliantwritingplanner.com
Erica here again. So, there you have it. An exciting, powerful, helpful planner designed just for writers to help them get organized and meet their goals, both those in the writing life and those in "normal" life. :)
Do you have a special writer in your life? Wondering what to get them for Christmas that will show that you love them and support their writing dreams? The My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 makes a great gift!
About Susie:
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy, Carol, and RITA award–winning author of more than sixty-five novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. In addition to her writing, Susan is an internationally acclaimed writing teacher and runs an academy for writers, Novel.Academy. She’s taught at conferences around the world and helped many novelists onto the bestseller list.
Be sure to ask questions in the comments section! Susie (and I) would love to hear from you! ~ Erica
As we’re deep into the season of ‘pumpkin-spice everything people are already beginning to think about winter and the coming of 2020. With every new year comes the desire for new plans and goals, and folks start thinking about how to get organized to make those goal-dreams a reality.
For some people, this means a new planner. I love looking at new planners at the office supply store, but somehow, they never seemed to cover all the things I wanted. I found myself having to tailor my life to the planner instead of the other way around. I'd stopped getting planners each year and just decided to 'wing it.'
Then I was given the opportunity to scrutinize an advanced copy of the My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 . And I can tell you, I did, every single page! I’m inspired, I’m humbled, and I’m impressed! Finally, a planner that seems to 'get me.'
I’m thrilled to have my friend, Susan May Warren, the creator of the My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 here with us on Seekerville to talk about how the planner came to be and how to use the planner to best advantage.
FYI! Seeker-Villagers, as I leafed through the pages of the MBWP, I had so many questions! I've put those questions to Susie, and her answers are below, but if you have others, be sure to ask them in the comments section!
1. What led you to create a writing planner to share with other writers?
For years, writers and others have asked me how I get so much accomplished. Wife, mother, author, active in my church, teacher—frankly, it’s no bigger load than anyone else, but I was writing, on average, four books a year, sometimes more, as well as marketing, and sometimes it looked like a lot. The truth is, I’ve always been very focused—in my goals, and my time. And that has allowed me to produce good work in a short amount of time. (more on that below) I have been using and honing my system for a decade, but I finally put it together in a planner a couple years ago and those who have used it have said it changed their writing life. I’ve been honing it every year—looking for something for the creative, but also the business minded. (or those who want to be!) It’s the best way I know to help people build productive, focused careers.
2. What makes your planner different from others targeted specifically for writers?
Its built for the creative mind, the mind that needs big chunks of time to focus on writing, or marketing or other areas of their lives. The fact is, creatives need plenty of white space to think and brainstorm and write and rewrite, and we need to schedule our lives around what I call “Power Blocks” or chunks of focused time that allow for people to dig into their story/creativity. Power Blocks also give the answer as to what to do with the inevitable interruptions that threaten our focus. (don’t worry, there is a free course that comes with the planner that teaches the concept and application of Power Blocking.) Along with creating a system especially for creatives, our planner is doodle-friendly, and includes a publishing strategy section, a life-planning section and a way to corral it all in the daily planning. And my favorite part—it includes a section of daily journaling.
3. What if you’re not a planner-type person? What does the MBWP offer for those with less-structured preferences?
The point of the planner is to corral your plans without pinning you down. It’s NOT the kind of planner that is going to pin you down to a structure, but leaves you free to move with your energy, your daily flow, and your creativity. But, the planner helps you capture all your goals, based on your values, and even helps you prioritize which ones to pursue. Just having the right questions to answer will help you get a view of your life—and help you see the small things that will lead to the big picture. At the very least it will help you see what is on your immediate radar, and allow you to figure it out day by day without getting overwhelmed.
4. What’s your favorite section of the planner?
Oh, aside from the daily inspiration section, I LOVE the storycrafting section in the back. I love having all my story ideas in one place. I often think of something to add as I’m having my daily miracle morning, or even after I finish with my writing day—and I capture it all in one place. My characters and plots are all together and it’s so easy to keep track of my story. (and I love the word count tracking system each month!)
5. Receiving the planner and opening it up is quite an experience in and of itself. What prompted you to go the extra mile with the packaging to make getting that rainbow box such a special event?
Our stories matter! And I wanted to create that feeling of excitement going into 2020—almost like you get to un-box your dreams and hopes for the new year. I picked the inspirational message to motivate authors as they opened the box with the hope that they would know that a great year awaited them.
6. Inside the planner there are places to track things other than writing, which makes the MBWP more than just a writing journal/tracker. What areas were you keen to focus on when creating the planner?
The idea was to create ONE planner for everything. In the past I usually had 3 or even 4 planners – a prayer journal, a writing planner, a business planner and a household planner. I hated hauling around and keeping track of all these separate elements. MBWP includes all the elements of our lives—from meal planning, to errands and appointments, to what we’re reading, to water consumption, social media tracking, and even a place to evaluate our month! I love all the useful pieces—plus, it’s fun to write on!
7. The planner is printed in black-and-white, with lots of open space to encourage colorful creativity when filling out the pages. Do you think being creative within the planner will spark creativity in our writing?
I hope so! I’m a doodler when I’m thinking, or listening, and all our monthly pages are coloring pages for exactly that purpose. But I also doodle or color on the inspiration pages as I’m thinking or praying, and I also keep notes on the back pages (at the end of each month.) I promotes the concept of sitting and thinking, and frankly, that’s one of the biggest elements of being a writer…thinking!
8. Some of the features are so common-sense that they can be easy to overlook, like the elastic band to keep it closed, the pocket in the back for holding extras, etc. One of my favorites is the spiral binding that allows the planner to be laid flat for ease of use. Do you have a favorite ‘extra’ feature?
THE STICKERS!!! I love the 2 pages of stickers in the back. They’re to track both writing and something called SACRED REST. Sacred Rest is all about refilling ourselves intentionally in those areas where we pour out (there is a class on this in the course!) But they add an element of fun to the planner. (which is already super fun!)
9. We’re fast approaching the craziest month on the writing calendar, November, which is National Novel Writing Month. How can the MBWP help prepare writers for NaNoWriMo even before 2020 rolls around?
I’m glad you asked. Our November section is especially designed for NaNoWriMo with a word count planner. We also have a word count tracker every day, so that is especially important for NaNo. Finally, the storycrafting sheets in the back are a great place to keep your story as you motor through the month.
10. Can you talk about the bonus online class that comes with every MBWP purchase?
We created a course because we understand that this has elements that are maybe not as intuitive as other planners. (e.g. there are NO 15 minute time increments!) So, I create a class—most of the lessons are about 10-20 minutes long—to help understand how to adapt the planner to your own system. The include everything from strategic planning to habit stacking, to brilliant bursts and sprints, to how to use the time templates and power blocks. We also offer tips on time management (of course) and how to get stuff done!
Also, this year we added three classes on Values Based planning, Prayer Targets and Sacred Rest.
11. Where can writers learn more about the My Brilliant Writing Planner and get their hands on a copy for themselves?
It’s available on Amazon and at www.mybrilliantwritingplanner.com
Erica here again. So, there you have it. An exciting, powerful, helpful planner designed just for writers to help them get organized and meet their goals, both those in the writing life and those in "normal" life. :)
Do you have a special writer in your life? Wondering what to get them for Christmas that will show that you love them and support their writing dreams? The My Brilliant Writing Planner 2020 makes a great gift!
About Susie:
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy, Carol, and RITA award–winning author of more than sixty-five novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. In addition to her writing, Susan is an internationally acclaimed writing teacher and runs an academy for writers, Novel.Academy. She’s taught at conferences around the world and helped many novelists onto the bestseller list.
Be sure to ask questions in the comments section! Susie (and I) would love to hear from you! ~ Erica
