Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 117
March 11, 2019
Pique Practice with Guest Carolyn Miller
Erica Vetsch here: It is my absolute pleasure to host Carolyn Miller here at Seekerville today. We met in person at the 2018 ACFW Conference, and I can tell you, she is a delight. (With an awesome accent!) Thanks so much, Carolyn, for stopping by Seekerville!
Pique Practice by Carolyn Miller
‘She sells seashells by the seashore.’
You’re familiar with this tongue-twister, right? It’s said the “She” who sells seashells was Mary Anning, a poor, marginalized Englishwoman who despite her meagre education went on to discover some of England’s most spectacular fossils of the early 1800s, and eventually to be regarded as one of Britain’s most influential women of science.
My interest was piqued by this woman’s remarkable story, and by the fact that some of her most important discoveries happened during the Regency period – something which excited this historical author’s heart, and led me to write a novel based around the fossil-hunting mania of the Regency period (A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, releasing March 19).
It’s funny how such a random thing as Googling the background of a tongue-twister can provide inspiration for a novel. When I look back on the novels I’ve written so far, it’s been a wide variety of things that have piqued enough interest to inspire a novel. For my first published novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison, I was inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Georgette Heyer, which helped inform the plot and wit and characters.
I’ve been inspired by locations (Bath! Brighton! Derbyshire! Scotland!), castle images, the challenge of presenting an unsympathetic character sympathetically, historic events, Bible verses, sermons, maps, garage sale finds, among a million other things that have piqued my interest.
The very first novel-length story I wrote was a contemporary story based around the Winter Olympics, because my interest was piqued by the sight of a US male athlete holding hands with an Aussie girl. What was their story? I had to know. (And when I couldn’t find out, I made it up!)
I love how the very randomness of such things can get the creative juices flowing. And in today’s world, it seems we’re surrounded by such opportunities: · News items· TV shows, films, books· Photographs, pictures and paintings· Music· The Internet (oh my, it’s a land of a million rabbit trails, isn’t it?)· And so much more…
Even our mundane chores down the street can provide inspiration as we overhear a snippet of conversation, or witness an awkward scene between friends or family members at a café, school or supermarket.
But being surrounded as we are by so many sources of potential inspiration can present an author with some questions:· How do you decide what is story-worthy?· How do you record your story ideas? In a notebook, on your phone, scribbled notes on the back of receipts? Or are you more organized and use particular apps and programs like Evernote to record your ‘piqued interest’?· What do you do to store these random story ideas?
I’m still trying to figure a lot of this out. I’m a historical author, but I have plenty of half-finished contemporary stories floating around my computer. Some of the scenarios I’ve been able to translate into Regency settings, but I figure some will never be unleashed on the world (and that might be a good thing!). For me a creative idea has to have enough substance, be plottable, hold enough magic so I remain excited enough to write 90,000 words – or at least until I get to 45K, when I might need to practise ‘butt in seat’ technique to reach ‘The End.’Some items of ‘piqued interest’ will be relegated to secondary storylines, subplots, etc. That’s okay. I think the best stories are those with multiple story strands that pique the reader’s interest until the end.
As for my recording of such moments, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a mess. Yes, I have Evernote, but I don’t use it as I could. Last month I was doing a spring clean of my office and desk and discovered a huge array of tattered notebooks and scraps of paper, all containing plenty of – you guessed it – story ideas and clippings of things that had once piqued my interest. What to do with them? Good question.
I know I’m not offering many answers, and that’s because I’d love to hear your thoughts about what your ‘pique practices’ may be. Sharing is caring, so please let me know what you do when your creativity is piqued by answering these questions.
Authors: What’s a random thing that has sparked your creativity and turned an ‘I wonder…’ into a published novel?
Readers: Do you read author’s notes in a novel where they give an explanation for why they wrote the story? Have you come across anything that particularly piqued your interest and you think could be story worthy?
Giveaway: Carolyn is offering an ebook or paperback of her upcoming release A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh to one commentator…
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, and A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Christianbook, etc.Connect with her: website | facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram
March 10, 2019
Creativity and...Improv?
Missy Tippens
I'm re-sharing a post today from our Archives. (If you're not familiar with our blog, our archives are still available with 10 years of posts at www.seekervillearchives.blogspot.com.) This was a really fun post to research, and I've been thinking a lot about brain science lately so thought I would post it again...
Creativity and...Improv?
I’m fascinated by the brain and creativity. I read the most amazing article recently in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic Magazine. It was titled “What Makes a Genius?” by Claudia Kalb with photography by Paolo Woods. (Links to all articles will be included at the end). This article blew me away.
What sucked me in was how researchers have looked at slides of Albert Einstein’s brain tissue trying to figure out if it’s different from other brains. This led me to some really interesting ideas about creativity and writing.
A few things from Kalb’s article that stood out to me about genius:
--Geniuses are nurtured.--Lone geniuses are rare (they’re usually seen in a network).--Even with natural gifts and a nurturing environment, genius still requires motivation and tenacity (so personality plays a role).--Angela Duckworth believes that a combination of passion and perseverance—what she calls “grit”—drives people to achieve. --Dean Keith Simonton says, “The number one predictor of impact is productivity.” (He uses the example of Thomas Edison having 2000+ patents.)--Scott Barry Kaufman says, “Great ideas don’t tend to come when you’re narrowly focusing on them.” He talks about information coming in consciously but being processed unconsciously so that we sometimes get unexpected “aha” moments. (Yes! I love those!)--Rex Jung says research shows that thought processes like daydreaming and imagining take place in the middle part of our prefrontal cortex across both hemispheres.--Andrew Newberg’s research shows that the genius brain has an area that is twice the size of control brains (the corpus callosum, a centrally located bundle of more than 200 million nerve fibers that joins the two hemispheres of the brain and facilitates connectivity between them).
So, you and I may not be geniuses, but we can learn to nurture creativity, we can stimulate our brains, and we can hang around other people who are creative—those who challenge us, support us and inspire us. We can learn to increase productivity and to persevere.
The “What Makes a Genius?” article also sent me searching for more from Charles Limb. I watched a TED Talk called “Your Brain on Improv.” It’s based on Creativity and the Brain by Dr. Charles Limb and his collaborator Allen R. Braun.
Basically, they used a functional MRI (fMRI) to look at the brain activity of a jazz musician and a freestyle rapper in action (they developed a keyboard that they could put inside the machine). The experiment asked: What happens in the brain when doing something that is memorized and over-learned vs what happens in the brain when doing something that is spontaneously generated or improvised?
They found in the brain during improvisation:--Lateral prefrontal deactivation (a decrease in self-monitoring)--Medial prefrontal activation (an increase in self-expression)
With the jazz pianist, they also found that during improv, his language areas lit up, an area associated with expressive communication.
With the freestyle rapper, major visual areas lit up—even with his eyes closed. He also had major cerebellar activity (associated with motor activities). So, he had heightened activity in multiple areas of the brain.
In another article about Limb's research found in Peabody Magazine by Nick Zagorski and Keith Weller titled “The Science of Improv," they pointed out that during improvisation, the brain regions involved with all the senses lit up, showing a heightened state of awareness. The researchers said the people being tested “literally taste, smell, and feel the air around them.” They described a strange similarity to brain wave patterns that can be seen during REM sleep. So maybe there’s a connection between improv and dreaming.
What does this mean for us as writers?
The first thing that struck me (a plotter/planner), is that I’d like to try doing more “improv.” I’m sure I’ll still want to do my pre-planning. But I’d like to jump in on the first draft and write so that my brain’s self-monitoring turns off and self-expression turns on.
I’d like to try writing with my eyes closed (I do this sometimes already).
I’d like to let go of some of my writing methods that have become learned and practiced and let my brain go wild while creating.
I’d like to continue interacting with all of you who participate in the blog to inspire me and support me. To push me when I need it. You’re my genius network! :)
What about you? Who wants to try doing a little improv the next time you’re working on a new story? Have you had success trying this method already? I'd love to hear what you think!
Here are the links I promised. Enjoy the articles and video, but please come back to chat with us!What Makes a Genius? (National Geographic)Your Brain on Improv (TED Talk)The Science of Improv (Peabody Magazine)--please note this article is no longer available in 2019.
Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, has always been a bit of a science geek. Before staying home with her kids, she worked as a clinical microbiologist. Then the writing bug bit. After over ten years of pursuing her dream, she finally made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award and Romance Writers of America RITA®. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.
I'm re-sharing a post today from our Archives. (If you're not familiar with our blog, our archives are still available with 10 years of posts at www.seekervillearchives.blogspot.com.) This was a really fun post to research, and I've been thinking a lot about brain science lately so thought I would post it again...
Creativity and...Improv?
I’m fascinated by the brain and creativity. I read the most amazing article recently in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic Magazine. It was titled “What Makes a Genius?” by Claudia Kalb with photography by Paolo Woods. (Links to all articles will be included at the end). This article blew me away.
What sucked me in was how researchers have looked at slides of Albert Einstein’s brain tissue trying to figure out if it’s different from other brains. This led me to some really interesting ideas about creativity and writing.
A few things from Kalb’s article that stood out to me about genius:
--Geniuses are nurtured.--Lone geniuses are rare (they’re usually seen in a network).--Even with natural gifts and a nurturing environment, genius still requires motivation and tenacity (so personality plays a role).--Angela Duckworth believes that a combination of passion and perseverance—what she calls “grit”—drives people to achieve. --Dean Keith Simonton says, “The number one predictor of impact is productivity.” (He uses the example of Thomas Edison having 2000+ patents.)--Scott Barry Kaufman says, “Great ideas don’t tend to come when you’re narrowly focusing on them.” He talks about information coming in consciously but being processed unconsciously so that we sometimes get unexpected “aha” moments. (Yes! I love those!)--Rex Jung says research shows that thought processes like daydreaming and imagining take place in the middle part of our prefrontal cortex across both hemispheres.--Andrew Newberg’s research shows that the genius brain has an area that is twice the size of control brains (the corpus callosum, a centrally located bundle of more than 200 million nerve fibers that joins the two hemispheres of the brain and facilitates connectivity between them).
So, you and I may not be geniuses, but we can learn to nurture creativity, we can stimulate our brains, and we can hang around other people who are creative—those who challenge us, support us and inspire us. We can learn to increase productivity and to persevere.
The “What Makes a Genius?” article also sent me searching for more from Charles Limb. I watched a TED Talk called “Your Brain on Improv.” It’s based on Creativity and the Brain by Dr. Charles Limb and his collaborator Allen R. Braun.
Basically, they used a functional MRI (fMRI) to look at the brain activity of a jazz musician and a freestyle rapper in action (they developed a keyboard that they could put inside the machine). The experiment asked: What happens in the brain when doing something that is memorized and over-learned vs what happens in the brain when doing something that is spontaneously generated or improvised?
They found in the brain during improvisation:--Lateral prefrontal deactivation (a decrease in self-monitoring)--Medial prefrontal activation (an increase in self-expression)
With the jazz pianist, they also found that during improv, his language areas lit up, an area associated with expressive communication.
With the freestyle rapper, major visual areas lit up—even with his eyes closed. He also had major cerebellar activity (associated with motor activities). So, he had heightened activity in multiple areas of the brain.
In another article about Limb's research found in Peabody Magazine by Nick Zagorski and Keith Weller titled “The Science of Improv," they pointed out that during improvisation, the brain regions involved with all the senses lit up, showing a heightened state of awareness. The researchers said the people being tested “literally taste, smell, and feel the air around them.” They described a strange similarity to brain wave patterns that can be seen during REM sleep. So maybe there’s a connection between improv and dreaming.
What does this mean for us as writers?
The first thing that struck me (a plotter/planner), is that I’d like to try doing more “improv.” I’m sure I’ll still want to do my pre-planning. But I’d like to jump in on the first draft and write so that my brain’s self-monitoring turns off and self-expression turns on.
I’d like to try writing with my eyes closed (I do this sometimes already).
I’d like to let go of some of my writing methods that have become learned and practiced and let my brain go wild while creating.
I’d like to continue interacting with all of you who participate in the blog to inspire me and support me. To push me when I need it. You’re my genius network! :)
What about you? Who wants to try doing a little improv the next time you’re working on a new story? Have you had success trying this method already? I'd love to hear what you think!
Here are the links I promised. Enjoy the articles and video, but please come back to chat with us!What Makes a Genius? (National Geographic)Your Brain on Improv (TED Talk)The Science of Improv (Peabody Magazine)--please note this article is no longer available in 2019.
Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, has always been a bit of a science geek. Before staying home with her kids, she worked as a clinical microbiologist. Then the writing bug bit. After over ten years of pursuing her dream, she finally made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award and Romance Writers of America RITA®. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.
March 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: Mary's winner from the Monday drawing is Lee-Ann B. She wins a signed copy of The Unexpected Champion
Wednesday: Mindy didn't mention this is her post, The Business of Writing, but she's doing a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY. The winner of a signed copy of Her Colorado Cowboy is Kim Hansen!!!
Thursday: The winner of copy of Jolina Petersheir's latest release, How the Light Gets In , courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers, is Dianna from Tennessee!
Friday: Beth Erin shared a wonderful post about the many types of book covers and how we do judge a book by its cover.
Monday: Missy Tippens will be opening up the Archives today and sharing a post about creativity and brain science. Want to find out ways to spark creativity? Don't miss it!
Tuesday: Carolyn Miller Australian author and writer of acclaimed Regency Romances, will be popping in to share about what piques her interest when writing a novel. She's giving away a copy of her upcoming release, hot off the presses!
Wednesday: Join Ruthy Logan Herne on Wednesday as she takes you on a Magical Mystery Tour with her post: "In Search of Katie Culhane: A "You Write It" Mystery" where the Ruthinator challenges you to add on to a piece of work... and you guys can piggyback one another... or decide how YOU would write the story! It's the best kind of idea-sharing known to womankind because it's you... and me.... together! If you love to write and you're game to play, come on over on Wednesday! Friday: Winnie Griggs will be talking about the good, the bad and the ugly of writing articles - why you should consider doing it and some tips for how to do it.
It's finally here! Missy Tippens has over a dozen devotionals in this new wonderful collection for animal lovers from Guideposts. One year of daily devotionals to touch your heart and inspire. Click here for more info.
Coming March 19th!
Book 3 in Mindy Obenhaus's Rocky Mountain Heroes series.
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…
Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses. But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school. As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?
Preorder your copy here.
READ THE FIRST CHAPTER
The Practical Guide to Using Character Archetypes in Your Novel by Janice Hardy at Fiction University.
Tips for Complex Historical Research by Alma Katsu at Writer Unboxed.
Three Ways Writers Tell, Not Show (And How You Can Fix Them) by guest Janice Hardy at Writers Helping Writers.
When Words are What You Love Most of All by Jane Friedman
The Value of Studying Personalities for Writers by Lynn Blackburn at The Write Conversation with Edie Melson.
March 7, 2019
Every Reader is a Cover Judge
by Beth Erin
We've all heard the saying:
Some of the many possible objectives for a cover are to capture the reader's attention, reveal the setting, character(s), mood or genre, and basically nudge them to at least learn more about the story. Let's take a look at a few observations and chat about why and to whom they appeal.
Natural BeautiesSince one of the tasks covers can have is revealing the setting, taking advantage of a beautiful landscape or intriguing angle of man's ingenuity is a great way to draw readers in. Many of these covers are pretty enough to hang on your wall (even if you aren't the author).
Color PunchI love seeing bright or contrasting colors and elements that pop right off the cover, not only does this catch the eye but bright and cheerful colors make me smile too (okay, most books make me smile anyway but don't try to distract me with trivial facts)!
Emotion EvokingHere's a reader confession for y'all (I know y'all love it when I hop on here and spill my guts, we're all friends here), I'm a big ol' reader scaredy cat. Thrillers, gothic novels, murder mysteries... not my idea of fun. Covers that hint to whether I'm going to laugh, cry, or sleep with the lights on are appreciated!
Split Scenes"A picture is worth a thousand words," or so the saying goes but books I read are much more than one thousand words... I believe this warrants tasteful split scenes! Character and landscape seems to be the most popular combination but as you'll see below, two characters or even two settings can share cover real estate.
Darling DoodlesThe illustrated cover trend seems to have exploded recently and since y'all know how much I enjoy bright, happy colors, I don't have to tell you how happy this makes me (but I will anyway because it's late and I spent a way too long assembling all the covers and they make me very happy, I love all the colors).
Creative EdgeAh, here are the brave, bold covers. The ones who we think of as the first to take the leap into something new, breaking the mold, combining cover trends (for example, Karen Barnett's Vintage National Park series recreates natural wonders with illustrations), or highlighting a unique story element.
As in nearly all things readerly, cover appeal is subjective. I want bearded men, maybe you want a barefoot Amish widow, it all boils down to knowing your readers and connecting them to your story from the first moment.
If you’re fishing for new readers, the cover is the hook but not if they don’t take the bait. In my humble reader opinion, a professionally designed cover is a second priority only to an experienced editor. Readers will not only be more likely to pick up a book with a beautiful cover, but they'll also be willing to spend more on it.
Make sure to hop back over to yesterday's post by Jolina Petersheim if you missed it!
Let's chat! Share some of the elements you most love seeing on book covers.
Let me know if you find yourself leaning towards any of the categories above.
What else do you expect a cover to tell you about a story?
Join me tomorrow as I spotlight 10+ of my favorite covers on Faithfully Bookish! Susan May Warren will be sponsoring a two winner giveaway of her new release, Knox, to celebrate.
I feel obligated to leave this here, just in case...
Beth Erin is a Christian fiction enthusiast, book reviewer, and blogger. She strives to edify and connect with readers and authors at Faithfully Bookish and on social media.
Beth also contributes to the Seekerville, Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, Hoarding Books, and Diversity Between the Pages blogs. She is passionate about promoting authors and their entertaining, encouraging, and redemptive stories.
We've all heard the saying:
"Don't judge a book by its cover."Well, we all do it, I'm judging, they're judging, and even if you think you aren't, you're judging too! Thank you to Heidi for suggesting today's topic by the way, it is much appreciated. Covers are so important (even if you're in judging denial, you must admit this)!
Some of the many possible objectives for a cover are to capture the reader's attention, reveal the setting, character(s), mood or genre, and basically nudge them to at least learn more about the story. Let's take a look at a few observations and chat about why and to whom they appeal.
Natural BeautiesSince one of the tasks covers can have is revealing the setting, taking advantage of a beautiful landscape or intriguing angle of man's ingenuity is a great way to draw readers in. Many of these covers are pretty enough to hang on your wall (even if you aren't the author).
Color PunchI love seeing bright or contrasting colors and elements that pop right off the cover, not only does this catch the eye but bright and cheerful colors make me smile too (okay, most books make me smile anyway but don't try to distract me with trivial facts)!
Emotion EvokingHere's a reader confession for y'all (I know y'all love it when I hop on here and spill my guts, we're all friends here), I'm a big ol' reader scaredy cat. Thrillers, gothic novels, murder mysteries... not my idea of fun. Covers that hint to whether I'm going to laugh, cry, or sleep with the lights on are appreciated!
Split Scenes"A picture is worth a thousand words," or so the saying goes but books I read are much more than one thousand words... I believe this warrants tasteful split scenes! Character and landscape seems to be the most popular combination but as you'll see below, two characters or even two settings can share cover real estate.
Darling DoodlesThe illustrated cover trend seems to have exploded recently and since y'all know how much I enjoy bright, happy colors, I don't have to tell you how happy this makes me (but I will anyway because it's late and I spent a way too long assembling all the covers and they make me very happy, I love all the colors).
Creative EdgeAh, here are the brave, bold covers. The ones who we think of as the first to take the leap into something new, breaking the mold, combining cover trends (for example, Karen Barnett's Vintage National Park series recreates natural wonders with illustrations), or highlighting a unique story element.
As in nearly all things readerly, cover appeal is subjective. I want bearded men, maybe you want a barefoot Amish widow, it all boils down to knowing your readers and connecting them to your story from the first moment.
If you’re fishing for new readers, the cover is the hook but not if they don’t take the bait. In my humble reader opinion, a professionally designed cover is a second priority only to an experienced editor. Readers will not only be more likely to pick up a book with a beautiful cover, but they'll also be willing to spend more on it.
Make sure to hop back over to yesterday's post by Jolina Petersheim if you missed it!
Let's chat! Share some of the elements you most love seeing on book covers.
Let me know if you find yourself leaning towards any of the categories above.
What else do you expect a cover to tell you about a story?
Join me tomorrow as I spotlight 10+ of my favorite covers on Faithfully Bookish! Susan May Warren will be sponsoring a two winner giveaway of her new release, Knox, to celebrate.
I feel obligated to leave this here, just in case...
Beth Erin is a Christian fiction enthusiast, book reviewer, and blogger. She strives to edify and connect with readers and authors at Faithfully Bookish and on social media. Beth also contributes to the Seekerville, Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, Hoarding Books, and Diversity Between the Pages blogs. She is passionate about promoting authors and their entertaining, encouraging, and redemptive stories.
March 6, 2019
Tending Your Soul While Tending Your Family by Jolina Petersheim
by Guest Jolina PetersheimJanuary 29, 2019
I’m writing this at the kitchen table while my four-year-old gets settled in her sleeping bag next to me. My twenty-month-old is taking a nap in the nursery, and I can hear the washer gurgling as it swirls another load. Laundry litters the couch, the white sheets piled up like dunes, and library books scatter the floor from when my four-year-old “read” to her little sister.
It’s a full life, a good life, and sometimes that fullness prevents me from folding laundry or picking up books because if I get two hours a day to myself, I want to create something that will last beyond me.
Honestly, two hours a day seems generous. Those two hours are usually broken up with questions and snack requests until my four-year-old cuddles in for nap time. But broken up or not, I’ve written five novels in two-hour nap time chunks over the past six years.
I began writing my debut, The Outcast, shortly after I found out I was expecting our firstborn daughter, who will be seven in February. I began writing my second novel, The Midwife, when she was three months old. I wrote two novels before The Outcast, but neither were publishable. I went to the UK with two other women, one my best friend, and while I was there—sitting in a punt on a slow brown river in Cambridge, having cream tea in the Cotswolds, hiking along the Irish Coast—I laid my author dreams on the altar and vowed to pursue an entire new vocation: motherhood.
Turns out, becoming a mother was far easier for me than becoming an author. Six weeks after I returned from the UK, I found out I was expecting.
Two months later, I met a white-haired gentleman after an author reading. Hearing each other’s Dutchy last names, we launched into discussions about our Mennonite/Amish heritages, family reunions, and shoo-fly pie. He asked if I was working on a novel. I told him I’d just started writing a contemporary retelling of The Scarlet Letter set in an Old Order Mennonite Community in Tennessee. He asked to read it. I was suspicious until I realized he was a legitimate agent with a client list that made my mouth dry.So, I sat in front of our fireplace and wrote as my expectant belly grew. Working eight-hour days, five days a week, I finished the novel in six months. I have since never written for eight hours at a time, and yet I wouldn’t trade my broken writing stints for peace and quiet (though, once a week, I do enjoy writing at a bustling coffee shop in town).
In the beginning, way back there in 2012, I struggled with mama guilt. I barely knew how to be a mother, and here I was adding authorship to the mix. I remember going outside with my clunky laptop and typing away on the front porch while the ceiling fans beat the summer air and my husband took care of our daughter. My insecurity prevented me from seeing this for what it was—a well-deserved break—and I instead wondered if I should go back inside and clean the kitchen or vacuum the floor or read War and Peacein Russian to my daughter to ensure I was doing enough. (I wear myself out, just thinking about how I was back then.)
Seeing that season through the clarifying lens of seven years, I believe God allowed me to step into motherhood and authorhood around the same time because he knew I would need a creative outlet to help me understand this new, very important role.
My family means more to me than anything on earth, and I take my role as a mother far more seriously than I take being a novelist. I am my daughters’ greatest example. The way I live my life will—for better and for worse—be the way they model theirs. Even if they don’t want to, even if they tell themselves they will go in the opposite direction, my habits will become their own.What a responsibility, but also what a gift.
In eighteen years, my three little girls will be three young women, and I don’t want them to jump on the escalator of a never-ending to-do list that never allows them the opportunity to be still, to create, to think, to breathe.
Too often, we mothers believe we can’t tend our souls while also tending our families. Fathers too, of course, though I’ve witnessed far more women struggling with guilt than men.
But the truth is, our families need us to tend our souls—to take time to sit in front of the fire, to read books, to drink tea, to take a quiet moment to pour our hearts out on a keyboard, an easel, or the page. We were created in the Artist’s image, so is it any wonder a part of us isn’t satisfied unless we create?Art—in any form—helps us process this beautifully winding maze of life, and while we are processing, our little ones are watching. They are seeing the validity of taking time to understand our hearts instead of lashing out due to our confusion, and therefore they will one day take the time to sit down and understand their own.
Friends, learn from me. Learn from that tired mama who would glance over her shoulder toward the French doors to check on her infant daughter and husband rather than letting her soul rest for an hour on the page.
Tending your soul while tending your family is not selfish. Tending your soul sets an example that will be carried down not just to your daughters and sons, but to their children as well.
What a responsibility. What a gift.
How are you going to tend your soul while tending your family? Try to name three different ways, and set aside time on your calendar to make them happen.
(Comment below for your chance to win a copy of Jolina's latest release, How the Light Gets In, courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers)
Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Alliance, The Midwife, and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. That book also became an ECPA, CBA, and Amazon bestseller and was featured in Huffington Post's Fall Picks, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and the Tennessean. CBA Retailers + Resources called her second book, The Midwife, "an excellent read [that] will be hard to put down," and Romantic Times declared, "Petersheim is an amazing new author." Her third book, The Alliance, was selected as one of Booklist's Top 10 Inspirational Fiction titles of 2016. Jolina's nonfiction writing has been featured in Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. She and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but they now live in the mountains of Tennessee with their two young daughters. Jolina blogs regularly at www.jolinapetersheim.com.
From the highly acclaimed author of The Outcast and The Alliance comes an engrossing novel about marriage and motherhood, loss and moving on.When Ruth Neufeld’s husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps.
Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband’s cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she’d lost forever.
But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn’t dead after all.
March 5, 2019
The Business of Writing
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m probably the least qualified person here at Seekerville to write this post. I guess I’m doing it because this past year was kind of a coming of age for me as an author. Before, I was just writing my books and blog posts, announcing my releases on Facebook, doing the occasional book signing… But my eyes were opened when I was asked to become a Seeker. Y’all these ladies are so knowledgeable. And I’m a firm believer that God puts us where He wants us to grow. For me, this has been a year of growth.
Whether we want to or not, authors wear many hats. Which means life can sometimes feel like a juggling act. And if you’re an author who has a full-time job outside of writing, well, my hat is off to you because you’re juggling far more balls than I can even imagine.
So what does the business of writing look like? What should you be doing to grow your writing career?
Engage with your readers – Authors need readers. But how does one gain more readers? By engaging with the ones you already have. Remember the old shampoo commercial where the gal said, “So I told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on…”?
Social media is the easiest way to engage with readers. Have you ever finished reading a book by an author you’ve never read before then gone to internet to see what else they’ve written? Make sure your website is up to date with all of your books. Post frequently on your Facebook or Twitter page. Ask questions that encourage your readers to respond. And don’t just promote your books, but also those authors you enjoy reading. Claim your author profiles on Goodreads and BookBub. Share pictures of places and characters from your books on Pinterest.
Promotion – This is one of my least favorite things because I’m not always comfortable promoting myself. Some people are born salesmen and have no problem talking up their latest release, but I struggle. Again, this is where social media can be helpful. Ask questions that might pertain to your story. “What would you do if…?” Or give your followers inside tidbits about your story. What was your inspiration? Or what hunky celeb were you thinking of when you wrote your hero? Just like in your stories, readers want details. Give them a place to go where they can find them.
Consider a blog tour for new releases. You can set up your own or hire it out to someone like the gals at JustRead Publicity Tours.
Newsletters are also important. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or elaborate, but it is an opportunity to make the person reading it feel as though they’re privy to something about you or your story that no one else knows. Everyone wants to feel special, and newsletters are a way to do that.
A great way to build your mailing list is by participating in a BookSweeps promotion. Yes, it is an expense, but it is an amazing opportunity to reach readers who might otherwise never hear of you. AND you come away with hundreds of people (that's not an exaggeration) who want to subscribe to your newsletter.
The point of promotion is to get your book and name in front of readers.
Accounting – Be sure you keep records of not just your income, but your expenses. Conference fees (including travel and hotel), postage, office supplies, giveaways, promotional materials… My accounting system is pretty much like me. Simple. I make a notation on each receipt and tuck it in a cute snap-close envelope. At tax time, I sort them into their appropriate categories and pass them off to my tax preparer, aka my husband. Of course, accounting can go way beyond this. Some people pay their taxes quarterly. Some people form LLCs... Whatever the case, accounting is just one more aspect of writing that cannot be ignored.
Writing – Yes, this is a given, however it doesn’t always mean you’re writing your next book. Sometimes we have to push the Pause button to do some research. Or maybe there are blog posts you’re responsible for, whether you’re a guest blogger or regular contributor. Don't forget social media. And what about proposals?
I used to think that proposals were something to work on after my current book was turned in. But why not get a head start? Set aside a little bit of time each day, maybe as little as fifteen minutes, where you allow yourself the freedom to think about what’s next. Keep a journal or notebook with story ideas or characters you’d like to explore. Contemplating a series? What’s it about? What ties the stories together? Just a little thought each day can propel your next project. Then, when you do turn in your WIP, you’ve already got a head start.
Being an author involves more than just writing a good book. It means building a readership by engaging with people and making them long for more. It means thinking of yourself as a business owner and contemplating how you’re going to grow that business.
Before I go, I have to put on my promotion hat because it's almost here. In less than two weeks, Her Colorado Cowboy will be on store shelves.
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…A Rocky Mountain Heroes storySocialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses. But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school. As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?Now it’s your turn. Writers, do you consider your writing a business? What steps do you take to grow your business? Readers, what are some ways you like to engage with your favorite authors?
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.com
March 4, 2019
It's Release Week for THE UNEXPECTED CHAMPION!!!--A Giveaway!!
It's new release time!!!
The Unexpected Champion releases TOMORROW!!!Click to Buy
Frontierwoman Penny Scott and a Pinkerton Agent from Philadelphia John McCall are kidnapped and taken on a twisting turning ride, deep into the wilderness. He's unconscious. She's blindfolded and under a tarp. They manage to escape but running for their lives takes them over a cliff, down a river and finally into a violent rainstorm.They are so lost.When Penny manages to drag them both out of the wilderness a week later, they find the whole state of Nevada searching for Penny and her kidnapper...John.Now a fire-and-brimstone breathing sheriff--goaded by his fervently scandalized wife (a man and a woman, alone together, for DAYS!!! And not even ashamed??? And right in front of the woman's seven children???) Either John's a kidnapper and needs to be hanged on the spot...or there needs to be a wedding.A week spent with the city boy about drove Penny mad. Now she's supposed to spend a LIFETIME WITH HIM??? After enough hesitation to seriously annoy John, Penny agrees to the wedding.John's not sure where thatlaw about a hanging or a wedding is in the Nevada state constitution or the Bible. But right now the sheriff's got a gun and a noose and John's got to marry a woman in leather britches.They were taken by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have and he's still coming. Only by the time John and Penny are done, he's going to wish he'd've never started this whole thing.
They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other.It's CALF TIMEHere is a picture of the new set of twins!
It's GRANDBABY TIMEI've been trying to help out a LOT and man oh man is there ever a reason why young people have babies. I get TIRED!
It's MOM TIMEMy 90-year-old mom fell and broke her arm. She's healing but everything is complicated when you're 90.
AND a Cover Reveal TimeComing in October, book #1 ofBrides of Hope Mountain SeriesAiming for Love
Tell me what's going on in your life right now.And what (if any of it) makes it hard to write.And how you keep going.Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a signed copy ofThe Unexpected Champion
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F3CZTSN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
The Unexpected Champion releases TOMORROW!!!Click to Buy
Frontierwoman Penny Scott and a Pinkerton Agent from Philadelphia John McCall are kidnapped and taken on a twisting turning ride, deep into the wilderness. He's unconscious. She's blindfolded and under a tarp. They manage to escape but running for their lives takes them over a cliff, down a river and finally into a violent rainstorm.They are so lost.When Penny manages to drag them both out of the wilderness a week later, they find the whole state of Nevada searching for Penny and her kidnapper...John.Now a fire-and-brimstone breathing sheriff--goaded by his fervently scandalized wife (a man and a woman, alone together, for DAYS!!! And not even ashamed??? And right in front of the woman's seven children???) Either John's a kidnapper and needs to be hanged on the spot...or there needs to be a wedding.A week spent with the city boy about drove Penny mad. Now she's supposed to spend a LIFETIME WITH HIM??? After enough hesitation to seriously annoy John, Penny agrees to the wedding.John's not sure where thatlaw about a hanging or a wedding is in the Nevada state constitution or the Bible. But right now the sheriff's got a gun and a noose and John's got to marry a woman in leather britches.They were taken by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have and he's still coming. Only by the time John and Penny are done, he's going to wish he'd've never started this whole thing.
They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other.It's CALF TIMEHere is a picture of the new set of twins!
It's GRANDBABY TIMEI've been trying to help out a LOT and man oh man is there ever a reason why young people have babies. I get TIRED!
It's MOM TIMEMy 90-year-old mom fell and broke her arm. She's healing but everything is complicated when you're 90.
AND a Cover Reveal TimeComing in October, book #1 ofBrides of Hope Mountain SeriesAiming for Love
Tell me what's going on in your life right now.And what (if any of it) makes it hard to write.And how you keep going.Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a signed copy ofThe Unexpected Championhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F3CZTSN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
March 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 posted about how to use a trip to the bookstore to make you a better writer!
Thursday: Open Critique Day And we have two winners! Winner of a 5 page critique from Missy Tippens is Sarah Crouch and winner of a Kindle copy of either of Ruthy's new historicals "The Sewing Sisters' Society" OR "A Most Inconvenient Love" is Rachel Herod. Congratulations, ladies!!!
Friday: Amanda Cabot offered great info on writing a series!
Monday: Mary is talking about her new release coming next week!!! The Unexpected Champion!
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus will be here to talk about The Business of Writing.
Thursday: Jolina Petersheim chats about “Tending Your Soul While Tending Your Family”, plus be sure to comment for a chance to win her latest release, How the Light Gets In. Friday: Beth wants to know what all y'all want her to chat about! What reader, reviewer, or blogger topics should she cover?! Please share your thoughts or questions in the comments this weekend and hopefully one of your ideas will inspire greatness (but we'll settle for craziness or fun too)!!!
Erica here: Love Inspired is running another So You Think You Can Write contest. A few years ago, I was blessed to be awarded a contract through a Love Inspired contest called BlurbToBook. You can find out more about the contest and how to enter by clicking: https://bit.ly/2T7fpTv
While we're all digging out of snowdrifts as high as a horse, you might enjoy a fun story that includes a blizzard, and also a handsome, hunky hero, a fish-out-of-water Southern Belle, and a brave and adorable collie! You can get your kindle copy here! https://amzn.to/2GSDxD1
Coming March 19th!Book 3 in Mindy Obenhaus's Rocky Mountain Heroes series.
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…
Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses. But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school. As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?
Preorder your copy here.READ THE FIRST CHAPTER
The Unexpected Champion
Releases March 5th!It is finally coming!!!City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.
When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous and complicated. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.
When they emerge back into the real world, they are confronted with a kidnapper who just won't stop. They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other.
How To Write A Killer First Draft in 6 Steps by Gilbert Bassey at Live Write Thrive
Five Ways to Persevere Through Rejection By Gabrielle Meyer
February 28, 2019
Hints for Writing a Series
with guest, Amanda Cabot
How do you prepare to write a series? For me, there are six steps.
Step 1: Choose the Location
Realtors say, “location, location, location” and I agree. In fact, I consider the location to be the single most critical element in a book. Why? Although people’s motivations and problems are universal, where they live impacts them in many ways. Life on a farm is different from life in a small town, while someone who lives in a small town has different experiences from someone in a large city.
It’s not simply a question of farm vs. small town vs. big city. What’s equally important is where that farm, town, or city is located. A farm in the deep South will have different challenges from one on the Great Plains. Similarly, a town in the Texas Hill Country (which is where I’ve set many of my books) will be different from one in the Northeast.
Choose your location carefully. It should be one that appeals to you and one you know well. If you’re going to make the setting come alive for readers, you need to know what plants grow there, what birds roost in which trees, and what the air feels like.
Once you’ve decided where your story will take place, I highly recommend a map. If you’re using a real location, it’s easy enough to get a map of the town and/or the whole area. If you’ve created a fictional town, as I typically do, name the streets, highlight key landmarks, and decide who lives where. That’s what I did for Cimarron Creek.
Step 2: Choose the Specific Year
Like location, this is critical, since what’s happening in the world at that time will impact the storyline. My Cimarron Creek series takes place fifteen years after Appomattox, but even though it’s been more than a decade, the wounds inflicted by the War Between the States have yet to heal.
Step 3: Identify Your Main Characters and their Relationships
The next step is to determine who your protagonists and key secondary characters will be. If you’re a pantser rather than a plotter, you might be tempted to work on only one book at a time. The disadvantage to this approach is that it’s more difficult to integrate characters from one story into the next if you haven’t planned it in advance. And since one reason readers enjoy series is the continuing characters, it’s important to know how everyone fits into the picture.
When I started the Cimarron Creek trilogy, I knew that the town’s two founding families would be key players and that their familial relationships would be important. That’s why I created a formal family tree. While this may or may not be needed for your books, if you have multiple generations of a single family involved, you may want to do something similar.
At this point, I also determine which characters will be newcomers. If you’ve read my books, you’ll notice that in almost every one either the hero or the heroine is new to the town. Why? Not only does “new blood” make a story more interesting, but having a stranger (or in the case of A Tender Hope three strangers) come to town changes the dynamics.
Step 4: Decide Whether or Not to Have an Overarching Plot Line
If you’re a fan of TV’s “Castle” or “Longmire,” you know how effective an overarching plot line can be. While viewers had the satisfaction of seeing a mystery resolved in each episode, they kept tuning in to learn who killed Kate’s mother and Longmire’s wife. I decided to try a similar approach with the Cimarron Creek books, having the central mystery be what happened to Aunt Bertha’s daughter. The storyline is introduced in A Stolen Heart, takes some unexpected turns in A Borrowed Dream, and isn’t fully resolved until A Tender Hope.
If you decide to take this approach, I caution you. On the surface, it seems easy enough to do, but the reality is that it’s more complex than you might expect, particularly if you’re like me and want to ensure that your books can be read as standalones.
Step 5: Identify the Internal and External Conflicts of Each Book
We all know that a successful book includes both internal and external conflicts for each of the key protagonists. When writing a series, it’s essential to ensure that those conflicts are different for each book. If not, readers will start yawning, saying “same old, same old,” and will be less likely to buy the next book.
Step 6: Leave the Door Open for More Stories
While it’s important to resolve all key plot points by the end of the series or risk readers being disappointed, it never hurts to introduce secondary characters who are interesting enough that readers will want to know what happens to them. Even if you have no plans for a follow-on series, you never can tell when those characters will demand their own story. That’s what happened with Thea. I introduced her in Paper Roses ten years ago, and she captivated readers so much that now she’s the heroine of her own story.
I hope my six steps make sense to you and that they help you plan your own series. Speaking as both a reader and a writer, series are fun!
~~~~~~~
As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it’s time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek’s midwife, she has no intention of remarrying. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn’t sure her heart can take it.
Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn’t concerned only with the baby’s welfare. He’s been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated—and he’ll need Thea’s help if he’s ever to find the justice he seeks.
Amanda Cabot’s dream of selling a book before her thirtieth birthday came true, and she’s now the author of more than thirty-five novels as well as eight novellas, four non-fiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her inspirational romances have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and have been nominated for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards. A popular workshop presenter, Amanda takes pleasure in helping other writers achieve their dreams of publication.
Social Media Linkswww.amandacabot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabothttps://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/
Buying Links Amazon Barnes & Noble Christian Book Distributors
How do you prepare to write a series? For me, there are six steps.
Step 1: Choose the Location
Realtors say, “location, location, location” and I agree. In fact, I consider the location to be the single most critical element in a book. Why? Although people’s motivations and problems are universal, where they live impacts them in many ways. Life on a farm is different from life in a small town, while someone who lives in a small town has different experiences from someone in a large city.
It’s not simply a question of farm vs. small town vs. big city. What’s equally important is where that farm, town, or city is located. A farm in the deep South will have different challenges from one on the Great Plains. Similarly, a town in the Texas Hill Country (which is where I’ve set many of my books) will be different from one in the Northeast.
Choose your location carefully. It should be one that appeals to you and one you know well. If you’re going to make the setting come alive for readers, you need to know what plants grow there, what birds roost in which trees, and what the air feels like.
Once you’ve decided where your story will take place, I highly recommend a map. If you’re using a real location, it’s easy enough to get a map of the town and/or the whole area. If you’ve created a fictional town, as I typically do, name the streets, highlight key landmarks, and decide who lives where. That’s what I did for Cimarron Creek.
Step 2: Choose the Specific Year
Like location, this is critical, since what’s happening in the world at that time will impact the storyline. My Cimarron Creek series takes place fifteen years after Appomattox, but even though it’s been more than a decade, the wounds inflicted by the War Between the States have yet to heal.
Step 3: Identify Your Main Characters and their Relationships
The next step is to determine who your protagonists and key secondary characters will be. If you’re a pantser rather than a plotter, you might be tempted to work on only one book at a time. The disadvantage to this approach is that it’s more difficult to integrate characters from one story into the next if you haven’t planned it in advance. And since one reason readers enjoy series is the continuing characters, it’s important to know how everyone fits into the picture.
When I started the Cimarron Creek trilogy, I knew that the town’s two founding families would be key players and that their familial relationships would be important. That’s why I created a formal family tree. While this may or may not be needed for your books, if you have multiple generations of a single family involved, you may want to do something similar.At this point, I also determine which characters will be newcomers. If you’ve read my books, you’ll notice that in almost every one either the hero or the heroine is new to the town. Why? Not only does “new blood” make a story more interesting, but having a stranger (or in the case of A Tender Hope three strangers) come to town changes the dynamics.
Step 4: Decide Whether or Not to Have an Overarching Plot Line
If you’re a fan of TV’s “Castle” or “Longmire,” you know how effective an overarching plot line can be. While viewers had the satisfaction of seeing a mystery resolved in each episode, they kept tuning in to learn who killed Kate’s mother and Longmire’s wife. I decided to try a similar approach with the Cimarron Creek books, having the central mystery be what happened to Aunt Bertha’s daughter. The storyline is introduced in A Stolen Heart, takes some unexpected turns in A Borrowed Dream, and isn’t fully resolved until A Tender Hope.
If you decide to take this approach, I caution you. On the surface, it seems easy enough to do, but the reality is that it’s more complex than you might expect, particularly if you’re like me and want to ensure that your books can be read as standalones.
Step 5: Identify the Internal and External Conflicts of Each Book
We all know that a successful book includes both internal and external conflicts for each of the key protagonists. When writing a series, it’s essential to ensure that those conflicts are different for each book. If not, readers will start yawning, saying “same old, same old,” and will be less likely to buy the next book.
Step 6: Leave the Door Open for More Stories
While it’s important to resolve all key plot points by the end of the series or risk readers being disappointed, it never hurts to introduce secondary characters who are interesting enough that readers will want to know what happens to them. Even if you have no plans for a follow-on series, you never can tell when those characters will demand their own story. That’s what happened with Thea. I introduced her in Paper Roses ten years ago, and she captivated readers so much that now she’s the heroine of her own story.
I hope my six steps make sense to you and that they help you plan your own series. Speaking as both a reader and a writer, series are fun!
~~~~~~~
As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it’s time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek’s midwife, she has no intention of remarrying. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn’t sure her heart can take it.
Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn’t concerned only with the baby’s welfare. He’s been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated—and he’ll need Thea’s help if he’s ever to find the justice he seeks.
Amanda Cabot’s dream of selling a book before her thirtieth birthday came true, and she’s now the author of more than thirty-five novels as well as eight novellas, four non-fiction books, and what she describes as enough technical articles to cure insomnia in a medium-sized city. Her inspirational romances have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and have been nominated for the ACFW Carol, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers Best awards. A popular workshop presenter, Amanda takes pleasure in helping other writers achieve their dreams of publication.Social Media Linkswww.amandacabot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabothttps://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/
Buying Links Amazon Barnes & Noble Christian Book Distributors
February 27, 2019
Ruthy's Emergency Open Critique Day in Seekerville
Some of you know the drill.
Some don't, so here's a fun, quick explanation:
Today is a random day where you can post a short few paragraphs of your work and we are going to be BRUTALLY HONEST about what we think....
And you then can retreat to your room with a blankie and and a cup of hot chocolate...
Seekers allow a 24 hour WHINING rule. :)
You get to be mad for one day...
And then we pull up our big girl panties and move on. (Not kidding, Cupcakes.... you get a day.)
Okay, we're not really mean. Well, Ruthy is KINDA mean, but she really wants your success so she'll tell you it's for your own good. This may or may not be true.
But when you look at the wealth of experience and published books here on this blog, you know you've got a bunch of gals who not only know what they're talking about... they love helping others.
So be big and brave and bold!
Get your short piece ready and post it in a comment....
LET'S PLAY!!!!
We've got coffee and tea and hot chocolate and a cooler of Cokes (which means any soda imaginable for you Southern gals!) and there's a full breakfast bar of great healthy stuff....
And then there's a breakfast bar of Twinkies and Oreos and great cherry desserts.
And if you've never had Ruthy's cherry pie, well.... you'll love it.
And we have a couple of book surprises we're giving away today, so free critiques...
And books.
It's been a long winter, but we are on a roll for 2019!
So get your stuff ready, it's that random moment of fun with the red pen you've all been waiting for! Use the comment section below to give us a paragraph or two of your work.
Let's see what ya' got.
Multi-published, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne has written over 50 books and loves to work with people on her own terms: AKA: SNARKY.
So take that as a warning or a dare, your choice because she's a born in the north Yankee and kind of proud of it...
Don't say you haven't been warned! :)
Book giveaways are ANYONE'S GUESS, darlings....
We'll see what's in the prize vault!
Some don't, so here's a fun, quick explanation:
Today is a random day where you can post a short few paragraphs of your work and we are going to be BRUTALLY HONEST about what we think....
And you then can retreat to your room with a blankie and and a cup of hot chocolate...
Seekers allow a 24 hour WHINING rule. :)
You get to be mad for one day...
And then we pull up our big girl panties and move on. (Not kidding, Cupcakes.... you get a day.)
Okay, we're not really mean. Well, Ruthy is KINDA mean, but she really wants your success so she'll tell you it's for your own good. This may or may not be true.
But when you look at the wealth of experience and published books here on this blog, you know you've got a bunch of gals who not only know what they're talking about... they love helping others.
So be big and brave and bold!
Get your short piece ready and post it in a comment....
LET'S PLAY!!!!
We've got coffee and tea and hot chocolate and a cooler of Cokes (which means any soda imaginable for you Southern gals!) and there's a full breakfast bar of great healthy stuff....
And then there's a breakfast bar of Twinkies and Oreos and great cherry desserts.
And if you've never had Ruthy's cherry pie, well.... you'll love it.
And we have a couple of book surprises we're giving away today, so free critiques...
And books.
It's been a long winter, but we are on a roll for 2019!
So get your stuff ready, it's that random moment of fun with the red pen you've all been waiting for! Use the comment section below to give us a paragraph or two of your work.
Let's see what ya' got.
Multi-published, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne has written over 50 books and loves to work with people on her own terms: AKA: SNARKY.So take that as a warning or a dare, your choice because she's a born in the north Yankee and kind of proud of it...
Don't say you haven't been warned! :)
Book giveaways are ANYONE'S GUESS, darlings....
We'll see what's in the prize vault!
