Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 119

Productivity Tools for Writers... and a New Release!

Missy Tippens


I have a couple of cool new things I wanted to share today—tools that might help you with productivity. For the first one, you may need to open your mind a bit. :) But stay with me and don’t shut out the idea until you’ve tried it.
Tapping.
Have you heard of it? I recently heard about the The Tapping Solution app and decided to check it out. You can read about it—click here. They do have several sessions you can do for free, which are the only ones I’ve tried. The website says: “Tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), is a powerful holistic healing technique that has been proven to effectively resolve a range of issues. It is based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.” Basically, in a session, you tap different parts of your body, like areas of your head and face, while working on moving your thoughts from the negative to focus on the positive and your potential. It helps get the “junk” out of your brain (kind of like morning pages, if you’re familiar with The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron). I’ve found that it really does help me move past anything that’s distracting me. I’ve also found tapping helpful for dealing with tension headaches. You’ll find tapping sessions for a variety of purposes. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Dictation.Last summer while at a conference, I sat in on a late-night session where authors discussed using dictation to help increase their productivity--not only for writers who use dictation because of physical limitations, but also just for a quicker way to write. One writer said once she got past the rather steep learning curve (like having to say “new paragraph,” etc), she produced 30% more words using dictation. Here are some quick tips I jotted down:
•    Don’t use your computer’s dictation app. Do dictation on a good MP3 recorder (Sony was recommended by one author).•    Get a recorder that cuts background noise•    if you use a phone, don’t use the Notes app. Get a voice recording app.•    Don’t edit during dictation. It’s too slow.I searched and found this article where they list some of the best software (free and pay). I really would like to try this method to find out if I can be more productive. I admit that so far I’ve only played with the dictation built into my Mac, and found it very difficult! Yes, the learning curve will be steep, but possibly worth it.


Here are some tried and true productivity tools I thought I’d mention again:
Planner.
Last year, I recommended my Panda Planner. Now this year, I purchased My Brilliant Writing Planner from Susie May Warren’s site. This planner includes much more than a calendar—it includes life activities, book and career planning, and spiritual activities. Find a planner that works for you—even if that’s just jotting deadlines on a calendar or in your phone calendar app. Writing down goals and keeping a calendar will help you remain productive.
photo credit: DevelopGoodHabits.com
Accountability.
This takes many forms. Critique groups/partners, Facebook groups (like 1k1hr), publicly posting your goals, word count trackers on your website…
Challenges.
This would include challenges like National Novel Writing Month and other Finish the Book programs.
Timer.
Several bloggers over the years have mentioned using a timer to help them with productivity. The Pomodoro Technique is one that uses a timer that you’ve probably heard of. There are many specialized timers out there, but a regular old-fashioned kitchen timer will do. The point is to set a block of time and write straight through without interruption. And speaking of blocks of time…


The Chunky Method.
I did a post on this several years ago (click here). It’s based on Allie Pleiter’s book,  The Chunky Method: Your Step by Step Plan to Write That Book Even When Life Gets in the Way . Allie’s book can help you figure out your prime writing chunk (are you most creative in small chunks or larger chunks?) so you’ll be more productive. Check out my post at the Seekerville Archives and also Allie’s book to find out more. 
Before we chat about what helps your productivity, I’d like to celebrate the new release of the third novella in my  Home to Dahlia, Georgia , series! To celebrate, I’ve put the first and second novellas on SALE. So please check them all out at my Amazon author page!
Her Valentine Reunion  is here just in time for Valentine’s Day!


What happens on the very day Abbie Rogers makes a preemptive strike against Valentine’s Day funk by declaring herself content to be single? Why, Victor Wallis, the man who broke her heart, comes crashing back into her life, of course. Not only that, he declares himself a changed man, and he truly seems to be. She even finds herself falling for him again. But when he makes a move to take over her family’s business, Abbie’s not certain she’ll ever be able to trust the only man she’s ever loved.


After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, 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 the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. Visit Missy at  www.missytippens.com , https://twitter.com/MissyTippensand  http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers .

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 Connealy was here talking about creating characters. The winner of her soon-to-be released novel The Unexpected Champion is CJ Lorenz. Mary is giving a surprise bonus copy to Library Lady
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus shared some advice for both readers and writers in Writing What You Don't Know. The winner of her upcoming release, Her Colorado Cowboy, is Faye Wilson Walton.
Friday: Carla Laureano shared with us the life lessons she learned from baking! The winner of a copy of Carla's Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe is Sandy Smith!


Monday:  Missy Tippens will be sharing some new-to-her productivity tips (as well as some tried and true ones). She'll also be announcing a new novella release! Don't miss it!
Wednesday:  Ruth Logan Herne finds Joy in History and shares it with writers!!  Thursday and Friday: Happy Valentine's Day from Seekerville! We'll be sharing favorite Valentine's Day memories.







***SOFTCOVER SALE - just $5.00!***
Grab The Promise of Breeze Hill, Book 1 in Pam Hillman's Natchez Trace Novel series. Book 3, The Crossing at Cypress Creek, coming in June!Click here to buy directly from the publisher.

Also, orders of $35 or more receive free shipping, so check out all the Tyndale softcover romance fiction for just $5.00 here: https://www.tyndale.com/l/romance-fiction-5-dollar
Coming in MarchThe Unexpected Champion
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chance to win a signed copy of The Accidental Guardian on Novelists Unwind. Go and enter by clicking HERE








Calling any of you willing to share a short romantic moment! We're going to be putting together a Valentine's Day post (will be posted the 14th and 15th). We'd love to hear a brief (one paragraph) about your favorite real life romantic or Valentine's Day memory! It can also be a memory that's not romantic--about family or friends. Click on the "Contact" tab above and send through the Seekerville email addy. We'll take the first 10 or so that we receive. Please send by Tuesday. Thanks for taking part!


Join JustRead Publicity Tours to celebrate Melanie Dickerson's latest retelling release come February 12th! The Warrior Maiden is a fresh re-imagining of the classic Mulan tale.


AMISH SAFE HOUSEBy Debby GiustiHiding in Plain SightThe second thrilling Amish Witness Protection novel
After Julia Bradford’s son witnesses a gang shooting, hiding in witness protection on Abraham King’s Amish farm is the only hope the Englischer and her children have. Even as danger closes in, Julia is drawn to the community’s peaceful ways—and the ex-cop turned Amish protector. But when their location is discovered, can Abraham protect her family…and possibly have a future by her side?
 Pre-order HERE!
AMISH SAFE HOUSE  released in digital form on Friday and  the print version will be available on Feb 5.  Walmart should have copies on that day as well!
Check out The Suspense Zone, Featuring an interview with Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author Debby GiustiGoes live Feb 4, 2019 and runs throughout the month. Enter the Suspense Zone Contest to win a copy ofAMISH SAFE HOUSE. 
Be sure to read the February issue of FAMILY FICTION MAGAZINE for a great interview with Debby Giusti!



Attention writers: Erica Vetsch needs your help! Would you take a moment or two to complete a survey she's taking about the Care and Feeding of Critique Groups? It's for a class she's teaching this spring. Thank you, and feel free to share the link with your writing friends! 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/676HSV6



And just in time for Valentine's Day, Jan Drexler's new release is available now!

When Bethany Zook’s childhood friend returns to Indiana Amish country a widower, with an adorable little girl in tow, she’s willing to aid him in any way. But there’s just one thing Andrew Yoder needs—a mother for little Mari. And he seems convinced Bethany is the answer, just as she’s sure any union between them would be one strictly of convenience…

Andrew thought Bethany had married another. Now, determined to keep Mari despite his mother-in-law’s interference, he offers Bethany marriage in name only. But she’s quickly becoming more than a housekeeper and a mamm. Can he leave the past behind to claim a family of the heart?
Get your copy HERE!


Join Annie & Carrie on JustRead Publicity Tour's 1 Year Anniversary Celebration on Facebook come Valentine's Day from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST! Click on the image to take you to the Facebook event page!


Open to writers of all genres and levels, the Oregon Christian Writers’ winter conference is Saturday, February 23, from 8:30–4:30 at Chemeketa Community College (Bldg 6), 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, Oregon. Award-winning novelist and internationally-known forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks will keynote on the theme “Grow and Become a Better Writer” Afternoon workshops cover writing craft and related topics including author platform, critique group membership, writing creative nonfiction, and audiobooks. To view the day’s schedule and register, visit: http://oregonchristianwriters.org/winter-2019/.
Harlequin Contest Announcement from the New York Post. "Become the Next Great Romance Writer by Entering This Contest" by Mackenzie Dawson.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Writers by Karen Van Den Heuvel at Thyme For Writers

The Connection Between Character Emotion and Reader Empathy by Becca Puglisi at Live Write Thrive
Send up the (Red) Flag: Telling Words That Often Spell Trouble in Our Writing by Janice Hardy at Fiction University.

What Does Your Hero Want? A 6 part series by Michael Hauge at Story Mastery.

Life Lessons I’ve Learned from Baking

by Guest Carla Laureano
The first book in my Supper Club series, The Saturday Night Supper Club, came about because I was undergoing what I like to call “home study culinary school.” Armed with textbooks and gastronomy books, I was determined to turn myself into a real cook, not just someone who could follow a recipe. My discoveries made their way into my writing life, and a series was born.
The second book, Brunch at Bittersweet Café, came along a lot more naturally: I’ve been an obsessive baker since, well, birth, so it wasn’t a stretch to write a pastry chef with nostalgic ties to her grandmother’s recipes. In the course of a lifetime of baking, the last twelve of those spent living at about six thousand feet above sea level, I’ve learned just as much about myself as I have about the science of baking.
Lesson #1: Most problems don’t come from a lack of ability; they come from a lack of planning.
With the exception of macarons, which at my altitude seem to require a mixture of black magic and pixie dust to perfect, baking isn’t all that hard. After all, the interaction of ingredients is fairly predictable, and if you’re working off a decent recipe, you can be more or less assured of the finished product. The problems come in when you don’t read the recipe through and prepare your ingredients in advance. Who hasn’t discovered halfway through that they’re missing cream of tartar or some other obscure ingredient you were sure was hidden in your pantry? And while some recipes are forgiving of a quick trip to the store, others are completely ruined by your lack of planning.
I’ve found that to be a surprisingly apt comparison to life. Most of us are capable of more than we think; we simply need to learn to plan ahead, take our time, and not leap into situations before we’ve thought them through.
Lesson #2: Problems are just a matter of perspective.
Going back to the macaron reference, I have only ever made one perfect batch of macarons, the result of several failed batches and minuscule tweaks recorded faithfully in my notebook. Recently, I wanted to make a batch and after searching high and low, determined that I must have accidentally thrown away or given away that notebook when I was whittling down my cookbook collection. Worse yet, the website from which I got the original recipe is permanently gone. I had to start over from a brand-new recipe.
It was a disaster.
Flat, gooey, stuck-to-the-mat macarons. Besides learning a) to be more careful when I’m cleaning and b) not to use that recipe again, I found that even the biggest disaster can be salvaged with the right perspective. They might not have been macarons, but made with copious amounts of almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and cocoa, they were still absolutely delicious. I called them chocolate almond chews and ate them with a nice cup of coffee. My problem was turned into an afternoon snack. Sometimes all we need is a shift in perspective and that failure doesn’t look so bad after all.
Click to download a full-size version.

Lesson #3: There’s no disaster that can’t be fixed with a little chocolate.
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll elaborate anyway. I made a batch of Girl Scout Thin Mint clones on Christmas Eve. Because it was a paleo recipe, the dough was a little fussy and a good portion of the cookies I cut out cracked or broke apart. I pieced them back together on the baking sheet, sealed the cracks the best I could, and hoped for the best.
When the cookies came out of the oven, they were misshapen and lumpy from handling, a little lopsided, and not all that pretty. Fortunately, I still had the chocolate coating to go, and when they were finally enrobed and cooled, they were perfect glossy circles. (They also happened to be delicious.)
Let’s just say that when you’re having a really bad day and just need to get to the finish line, there’s no shame in smoothing over the cracks by hiding in your closet with a Hershey bar.
Lesson #4: Sometimes you have to cut your losses and start over.
Before I learned I was gluten intolerant, I was a huge bread baker. People are scared of homemade bread because they think it’s difficult, but the long process of mixing, kneading, and rising is actually pretty forgiving with lots of chances to fix what’s going wrong.
However, I did have one recipe using some alternative flours that must have been misprinted, because I couldn’t get the ingredients mixed to anything approximating a dough: it was shaggy and lumpy and it wouldn’t come together. Adding more water only made it slimy; adding more flour made it grainy. After struggling with it for half an hour, I finally turned the contents of the bowl out in the trash. It pained me to waste the expensive ingredients, but at that point, I could tell there was no salvaging the recipe. Why throw good time after bad money?
Sometimes in life, despite your best efforts, you can’t salvage a situation. Maybe it’s a job that didn’t work out, a friendship that has gone from being supportive to toxic, or just a recipe gone wrong. If you’ve given it your best effort, there’s no shame in calling it quits. Sometimes the bigger waste is sticking it out when you know the outcome is never going to change.

Lesson #5: When all else fails, turn to the professionals.
I consider myself a pretty good baker, but there are just times when the recipe doesn’t come together, my power goes out in the middle of a bake, or I run out of time to finish what I intended. That’s when I go straight to the professionals: my local bakery. Sure, I might have wanted to present something home-baked, but there are times when the outcome is more important than the process.
The older I get, the more I realize that it’s okay not to do everything yourself. Some things, like taxes and hair color, I believe are best left to professionals. Other things can be great to DIY, but they just don’t fall within my priorities. I might be able to occasionally send a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies to a school party, but I was never going to be like the preschool mom who, on snack day, brought an entire tray of beautifully iced sugar cookies with each child’s name piped in script across the center. Most of the time, store-bought and boxed was going to have to be good enough. Just because you can doesn’t mean you always must.
Now it’s your turn! Tell me, what life lessons have you learned from your own culinary adventures?
(Comment below for your chance to win a copy of Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe, courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers)

Carla Laureano is the RITA Award–winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C. E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time.
She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night. Connect with Carla on her website: http://www.carlalaureano.com/


From the RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye comes a sweet, romantic treat that will leave you hungry for more.

Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.

Writing What You Don't Know (and a giveaway)

New authors often hear the phrase, “Write what you know.” But what if you’re led to write a story you know nothing about? Oh, you know the characters, their goals and motivations, but what if there are elements within the story that you’re not only clueless about, they make you uncomfortable and you fear you won’t be able to do them justice?
Almost three years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table finishing up a five-book proposal. All I lacked was a blurb for the final story in the series. I knew a good bit about this brother but had no idea what his story would be about. So, I just started writing. The next think I knew, I had one heck of a blurb. A wonderful story full of conflict. There was just one problem. It involved childhood cancer, a subject I knew zero about, nor did I know anyone who was familiar with it. But, since that last blurb was the only thing stopping me from sending off the proposal, I kept it in there and sent it anyway.
Now, I’m tasked with writing that book just the way I first proposed it. And while I’m still intimidated by it, an interesting thing happened along the way. God intervened.

Nearly two years ago, more than a year after I sent off that proposal, we moved from the suburbs of Dallas-Ft. Worth to a rural area west of Houston. We moved our membership from a church of about ten thousand members to one with around three hundred. And there, in our new Sunday school class, we became friends with a couple who had lost their son to childhood cancer. God was on the move.
Another element of my story I wasn’t familiar with was youth cancer camps. After casually mentioning that to another friend one day at lunch, I received a text from her a few days later telling me that a mutual friend of ours had a grandson who was working at a youth cancer camp and he’d be happy to put us in touch.
I was blown away. God was providing exactly what I needed to get this story written. Yes, I would still need to do some research online, but now I would also be able to add a personal touch to the story.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I think there are things in here both readers and writers can glean. If He calls us, He will equip us.

Have you ever noticed that God often likes to take us out of our comfort zones? Some would say God is testing us. However, I prefer to think of it as an opportunity to exercise faith.

I didn’t fret about that story after I sent off the proposal. No, I simply figured I would cross that bridge when I came to it. I’d hit the internet to see what I could learn and pray that God would give me the discernment I would need. But God was already at work, putting those people in my path that He knew I would need to help me write a better story. 

Has God ever called you to a task you felt ill-equipped for?
Don’t put God in a box.
Sometimes I forget how big God is. He created the universe and everything in it. He parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross over on dryground. If He’s big enough to do those things, isn’t He big enough to provide whatever we need at any given moment in any circumstance?
God is in the details.
The Bible tells us that God knows the number of hairs on our head. If that’s not detail oriented, I don’t know what is. Just look at God’s instruction for building the tabernacle and all of the items within it. He didn’t simply give the Israelites an overview, He gave them specifics. Everything from measurements to what types of wood, precious metals and stones were to be used. God is not into mass production. He’s molding each and every one of us into His perfect design. Our job is to remain moldable. You can run, but you can’t hide.
In my book Falling for the Hometown Hero, there was something that God kept nudging me to write, but I repeatedly ignored it because I knew it was going to be difficult. It wasn’t until my third round of revisions I finally gave in and did what God wanted me to do. The result, a note from my editor saying she loved it and had no revisions. God may take us places we really don’t want to go, but in the end, His way is always better than ours.
Don’t shy away from a task God has given you just because you thinkyou can’t do it. Instead, choose to believe that He is already at work preparing your way as you set out to tackle the challenge that He’s laid before you.
It's time for a giveaway.
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…A Rocky Mountain Heroes story

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?I'm so excited about this book. And even thought it's official release date is March 19th, this is your chance to get your hands on a copy now. Simply leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Let me know if God's ever called you to a task you felt ill-equipped for.





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

I've got a new book coming in March--I'm launching it here with a giveaway!

The Unexpected Champion releases March 5th I want to talk today about developing interesting characters.

There are those that say I myself am an interesting character, (or maybe they just "she's a character?") But that's a different blog post!

Sometimes it's a struggle to get characters to come to life.

And it's hard to explain what I mean about that, but I'll try.

I smile when I think about The Unexpected Champion.

I like writing tough, feisty heroines. I do it so much that sometimes I FORCE myself to not make my heroines tough, just to try and not be boring.

Click to Pre-Order In The Accidental Guardian and The Reluctant Warrior, Deb and Gwen, the heroines, weren't necessarily tough.

They were strong, hardworking women, but they weren't frontier women. They had a lot to learn. Their toughness was inside, mental toughness. A knack for taking what life threw at them and dealing with it as best they could. And learning everything they could.

In book #3 The Unexpected Champion, my heroine is TOUGH.

Penny Scott has been living on the frontier for two years, working in a series of western forts, following her brother from post to post.

She knows the wilderness. She knows tracking. She can live off the land and, what's more, she likes it.

Give her a gun, a skinning knife and a little time and she'll take care of everything. She'll build you a house, clothe you, feed you and protect you.

And then she got lost. She has the knife, gun and time. So they stay alive. But where in the world are they? Where is a town? The mountainous wilderness is an endless series of hills and mountains, cliffs and valleys, all leading nowhere.

The fact that she gets kidnapped, is blindfolded, tossed in a wagon under a tarp, then is driven deep into the wilderness using twisting trails...and sometimes no trails, then, while escaping, gets chased over a cliff, down a river and through endless forests, capped off with a gully washer, lightning and thunder storm.

She is hopelessly lost. That's bad enough. But why'd she have to get kidnapped with a guy from the city who gets upset when he can't take a bath and put on clean clothes each morning?

I like my heroes to be tough guys, too.

Click to Buy In The Unexpected Champion I tried to create a character in the hero, John McCall, who was a fish out of water. When he's lost with a bossy female in the wilderness, he's no help, in fact, he's slowing her down.

And then he gets into his own world. Now who doesn't know how to swim?

Penny can't read tracks on the streets of the wide-open boomtown of Virginia City.

But John can. He turns out to be really tough once he gets into his own world.

Now Penny's the one who has to let someone else take charge. It doesn't come to her naturally, but she's smart enough to know John had to lead 'cuz she has no idea where she's going.

And, when they finally came staggering out of the wilderness after a week, it turns out Penny's brother mistakenly thought John had kidnapped her.

That's a little mix-up that almost gets John hung and, due to the twisted logic of a fire-and-brimstone...sheriff's WIFE, Penny has to choose between letting them hang him, or marrying him.

It's not a decision she makes all that easily.

So mostly, I tried to make each character ignorant--and I used that to build respect and finally LOVE between them.

John just shuts up and lets Penny give orders in the wilderness.

Penny becomes (outwardly) the sweet submissive little wife in Virginia City.

And neither of them are that happy about the wedding.

John still has a job to do, which is take Penny's nephew Ronnie home to his grandparents in the east.

If he tries that, Penny's gonna have to kill him. Which is a quick and easy way to get a divorce, if you don't end up being hung.

And Penny claimed a homestead and has a cabin to build and a herd of cattle to manage. John says, if she wants to live with her husband, he's a Pinkerton agent from Philadelphia.

Click to Buy And there's a mysterious killer on their trail who thinks they know too much about him to be allowed to life.

Except now, they're on his trail, too.

He's going to be sorry he didn't just let them go when they escaped him.

He's going to be sorry he kidnapped them to begin with.

Today I want to talk about YOUR current character. YOUR work in progress.

How do you make your characters come alive? Is it physical descriptions? Dialogue? Back story?

Tell me about your character. The one you're creating right now. And if you'd like to brainstorm ways to make them come to life, we'll talk about it.

Or if you're a  reader, then tell me about a character you're reading about right now. And tell me what brings a character to life for you.

The Unexpected Champion arrived...Bethany always sends me a copy hot off the presses and IT. IS HERE!!!

I'll be getting more copies in the next week or two.

Today, I'm giving away a signed copy of The Unexpected Champion.

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing.
http://www.maryconnealy.com

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 brought us a post about Book Endorsements. What they are, what makes for a good one, and where to get them. 
Wednesday: Angela Ackerman talked about emotions and their many complexities! 
Friday: Cynthia Herron gave some great advice on time-management. Jennifer Hibdon, a copy of Cynthia's debut book, Her Hope Discovered, is yours!


Monday:  Mary Connealy has a new book coming out in March! Check it out!!
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus will be here talking about Writing What You Don't Know .  Friday: Please welcome Carla Laureano as our guest in Seekerville today. We'll be stocking the buffet as she shares Life Lessons I've Learned From Baking.









AMISH SAFE HOUSEBy Debby GiustiHiding in Plain SightThe second thrilling Amish Witness Protection novel
After Julia Bradford’s son witnesses a gang shooting, hiding in witness protection on Abraham King’s Amish farm is the only hope the Englischer and her children have. Even as danger closes in, Julia is drawn to the community’s peaceful ways—and the ex-cop turned Amish protector. But when their location is discovered, can Abraham protect her family…and possibly have a future by her side?
 Pre-order HERE!
AMISH SAFE HOUSE  released in digital form on Friday and  the print version will be available on Feb 5.  Walmart should have copies on that day as well!
Check out The Suspense Zone, Featuring an interview with Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author Debby GiustiGoes live Feb 4, 2019 and runs throughout the month. Enter the Suspense Zone Contest to win a copy ofAMISH SAFE HOUSE. 
Be sure to read the February issue of FAMILY FICTION MAGAZINE for a great interview with Debby Giusti!


***SOFTCOVER SALE - just $5.00!***
Grab The Promise of Breeze Hill, Book 1 in Pam Hillman's Natchez Trace Novel series. 
Book 3, The Crossing at Cypress Creek, coming in June!
Click here to buy directly from the publisher.

Also, orders of $35 or more receive free shipping, so check out all the Tyndale softcover romance fiction for just $5.00 here: https://www.tyndale.com/l/romance-fiction-5-dollar




How Much Does it Cost to Publish a Book? A Detail of Full Expenses by Scott Allan at Self-Publishing School.

Will Libraries Ever Pay Authors? by Steve Laube at Steve Laube Agency

Putting More Tools in Your Author Toolbox by Candee Fick at Thyme For Writers

Master the Skills to Become a Masterful Writer by C.S. Lakin at Live Write Thrive

The Best Free Tools for Writers by Hannah Bauman at Between The Lines Editorial

The One Thing Writers Must Do Well (Besides Write)

By Guest Cynthia Herron


Hi Seekerville friends!I’m delighted to join you today! And guess what? I recently sailed off Unpubbed Island! Today I join you as a published author. *tosses confetti* Hooray!There are so many things I’d love to chat about—lessons learned, wisdom gleaned—that sort of thing, but in planning this blog post, something I continued circling back to was time management.It’s a discipline we grow into. Baby writers write and chase squirrels. Savvy writers write while others chase squirrels. Veteran authors fry those squirrels and serve them to their readers—in the form of “story.” Stay with me, friends! It’s just an analogy to illustrate my point—although, fried squirrel isn’t terrible. Oops! See what I did there. 

Emotion and The Setting: A Powerful Story Combo

By Guest Angela Ackerman

An interesting thing happens when setting and character come together, something writers don’t fully realize, or if they do, may not use to its full advantage: combined with intent, these two elements produce emotion. What do I mean by that? Well, think about us in the real world. Are there places you choose to vacation again and again? Is there a specific route you like to walk the dog, or areas in the city you enjoy visiting? Do you have a favorite restaurant, room in the house, coffeeshop, or park to sit in? I’m betting you do. Spaces we return to are special in some way, causing us to experience positive emotions. We may enjoy them for their beautiful scenery, their energy or solitude, because they remind us of the comforts of home, or some other meaningful reason. Just as we gravitate to places that make us feel good or safe, we also make emotional decisions about locations to avoid: that dark ally shortcut, the friend’s car that smells like spoiled milk, the high school football field where we were humiliated in front of the entire senior class. These spaces make us feel unsafe, vulnerable, or unhappy.Our characters are just like us, so they will also have a catalog of places that hold personal meaning, good and bad.


The difference between the real world and the fictional one? Rather than shield our characters from uncomfortable emotions, we want to encourage them.I know, it sounds a bit sadistic but exposing them to settings that trigger a range of emotions, some of which they desperately want to avoid, will not only produce conflict (a necessary ingredient in story), it will help to reveal their hidden layers. Beneath the surface of any character is a dark underside: insecurities, fears, and pain caused by negative past experiences and unresolved emotional trauma. This baggage is costly to lug around, causing unhappiness and steering the character’s life off course. This is usually how readers find them at the start of a story: incomplete, adrift, and hurting. And, if the writer has chosen a change arc for the character, it’s even more important to pull this pain to the surface where it can finally be acknowledged and dealt with. Only then can the character move forward toward happiness and hope, fulfilling the change arc and achieving their goal. Positive and negative, emotions are the lifeblood of a story. The setting we choose for each scene is a vehicle to bring out a wider range of emotions, including those that provide a window for readers to see inside the character and the struggle going on within. Here are three ways you can deliberately use the setting to bring out your character’s deeper emotions. 

Choose Specific Settings for a ReasonWith each scene, think about the actions that will unfold and what each character’s emotional state will be. If you can, find a setting location that will amplify these emotions, perhaps by choosing one that holds personal meaning (good or bad). For example, what location would be a better choice for revealing a parent’s betrayal to her adult son: in the car on the way to the airport at the end of a visit, or at the playground where the character and his mother would come every day after school? The setting itself can trigger powerful emotions in the right circumstance.Provide ObstaclesIf your character is under so much pressure they’re struggling to function or they are on their final frayed nerve, use the setting to plant a natural obstacle in their path (a nosy security guard, a locked door, a car that dies halfway to their destination) that pushes them past their limits to cope. This new difficulty will trigger powerful, raw emotions whether they break under the strain, or find inner strength to prevail. Resurrect a GhostWhen it comes to the painful past, characters want it to stay there: in the past. So instead, we writers should dig around in that old suitcase of pain and resurrect a ghost: a person, thing, situation, or experience that will act as an echo of that past trauma. It might be a setting itself, or something that can be inserted into the setting. Maybe the character’s alcoholic dad shows up unannounced to her child’s graduation party at a restaurant, or a couple planning a honeymoon trip arrive at their appointment to discover the travel agent is a bitter ex-girlfriend. Perhaps the character is ill and is forced to pull into a roadside stop, a place she normally avoids at all costs as she was carjacked at one once.What does the character feel in this moment? What will they do? Choose settings and setting elements specifically to awaken complicated emotions and possibly force them to deal with something from the past. Becca and I love to think about how we can push description to work harder in our stories. The possibilities are endless, so we encourage you to always think deeper, combining elements and experimenting with ways to increase tension, personalize story moments, and especially to deepen emotion. 
If you ever need help, visit our website or check out our books. And if you happen to be a fan of our work, you might be interested to know there is now a Second Edition of  The Emotion Thesaurus . We’ve added 55 new emotions to the original 75 and have made a lot of other improvements. We also have a free webinar on Using Emotion to Wow Readers that we’ve made available until the end of February. If this is an area of struggle, visit this post to grab the link!
Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, (now an expanded 2nd edition!) as well as six others. Her books are available in six languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, an innovative online library built to help writers elevate their storytelling. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

How to Write a Book Endorsement

Erica Vetsch here, and I'd like to talk about author endorsements today. I've been asked recently to provide endorsements for a few projects, and it got me to thinking.
Do you read endorsements? Do they carry much weight? What makes for a good endorsement?
First, what is an endorsement? 
An endorsement is a recommendation by someone in the same field or someone with some clout in the arena. It wouldn't do much good for me to write an endorsement for a book on auto mechanics or nuclear fusion. I wouldn't think much of an endorsement by a beautician for a book on the ins and outs of mountain climbing (Unless he/she happened to be a mountain climber.) This is why romance authors endorse books by romance authors and self-help gurus endorse books by other self-help gurus. The endorser is supposed to have some knowledge of the subject matter they are endorsing.
Second, what makes for a good endorsement?
1. As stated above, a good endorsement is provided by someone who has knowledge of the subject matter, and is, hopefully, recognized by the readers of that subject as an 'expert' in that field.  
As always Vetsch brings a setting, her characters, and their love story blazing to life - Mary Connealy, author of Sharpshooter in Petticoats (A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City, KS by Erica Vetsch)
"A Passion Most Pure is a frolicking read brimming with humor, desire, and addled affections, and guarantees to satisfy the most romantic of hearts."--Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered (A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman)

2. A good endorsement is fairly short. 50-200 words. This is NOT a book review. Succinct, pithy, on-point language is a must. No spoilers, no character studies, nothing that detracts from the book, and nothing that smacks of self-promotion for the one endorsing the book! 
“As always, Ruth Logan Herne shoots straight to the heart with Back in the Saddle…the heart of the story and the reader. This is one cowboy love story you’ll want to enjoy to the very last page.” —Debra Clopton, author of Kissed by a Cowboy (Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne)
"Sarah Sundin is a gifted novelist. Bottom line--this book is perfect for lovers of WWII romances and mysteries that would give Nancy Drew a run for her money."--Cara Putman, award-winning author of Shadowed by Grace and Where Treetops Glisten (Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin)

3. A good endorsement identifies the audience and/or shows to whom the book will appeal. This might state the genre, or compare the work to that of other authors. 
"Brentwood's Ward unfolds like the best British costume drama, full of rich detail, wit, and intrigue. Readers will fall in love with Nicholas Brentwood from the first chapter. This Bow Street Runner has all the qualities a hero needs: integrity, intelligence, and independence; and the heroine, Emily Payne leads him on a merry chase sure to delight Austen and Conan Doyle fans alike." Erica Vetsch, author of The Cactus Creek Challenge (Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep)
“A story that has it all---mystery, the mafia, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. If Veronica Mars met the Roaring Twenties, you’d end up with The Lost Girl of Astor Street!” Roseanna M. White, author of The Lost Heiress (The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill)

4. A good endorsement evokes the hallmarks of the genre. Suspenseful, humorous, quirky. The language of an endorsement is informal and feels like the style of the story being endorsed.
“Emotionally resonant and brimming with hope, No One Ever Asked is an intimate portrayal of a community in chaos. As Katie Ganshert employs alternating perspectives and vastly different viewpoints, she dives deep into fraught themes of race, adoption, social justice, infidelity, friendship, and more. This gripping story is written with sensitivity and grace, and it will stay with readers long after the final page is turned. A heart-changing, transformative work!”—Nicole Baart, author of Little Broken Things (No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert)
“Across the Blue provides a fascinating insight into the early days of aviation whilst also delving into questions of identity. Readers of sweet romance will enjoy the blossoming relationship between a young man of questionable birth and the young lady of privilege, whose dreams surge beyond societal expectation. Carrie masterfully weaves issues of faith and vivid descriptions into this story of hope and determination, with exciting scenes destined to make your pulse soar!” —Carolyn Miller, author of Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series (Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky)


5. A good endorsement includes or at least implies a call to action. There is an encouragement for readers to take a look at the book, to run, not walk, to the bookstore to pick up a copy. A good endorsement urges a reader to join in the fun and experience the same emotions as the endorser. 
"The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is a wonderful, romantic tale filled with love, betrayal, and forgiveness. I loved this book and highly recommend it to readers of all ages." Cara Lynn James, author of A Path Toward Love (The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson) 
"Once again Cynthia Ruchti had me falling in love with her characters and not wanting the story to end. From the teenager to the tiny house village people I wanted to follow them on Instagram and read every post. Don't start reading if you need to get up in the morning because this will be an all-nighter." Becky Turner, President KBT Counsulting (Miles From Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti)

Third, what are some endorsement pitfalls?
One of the major pitfalls of endorsers is doing too many. If you endorse more than a few titles a year, readers will begin to wonder...I receive book recommendations through BookBub, and about twice a month I get recommendations with an endorsement by a best-selling author. Now by his own admission, he reads about a book a day, but if he scatters endorsements like confetti, each one carries a bit less weight with me.
Another pitfall is not reading the endorsements you've done in order to make the new one unique to the story you just read. Not long ago I found two endorsements by the same author for two recent releases, and she called both of them the best suspense she'd read this year. (Insert raised eyebrow.)

Fourth, How do I go about procuring endorsements for my book?
This can be a tough one, especially for a new author, but don't despair. There are many ways to get authors to endorse your book. 
1. Look to your author friends, the people you've come up through the ranks with, who know you and your work. You've spent time becoming friends with other writers, and here's where those writers can pay it forward, pay it back, or pay it out. 
2. Get your publisher involved. They have other authors in their stable, and they can be called upon to give a possible endorsement to a fellow in-house author. 
3. Consider your genre and reach out to authors who write what you do. If they write it, they probably like to read it, so you have a better chance that they might want to read your story for possible endorsement.
4. Tap experts in areas you've researched for your story, or people you've interviewed or questioned along the way. Experts love to be asked their opinion, and if you've got a thriller that involves Homeland Security, and you have a Homeland Security agent as an endorser, it carries more weight!
5. Don't be discourage if your favorite author doesn't say yes. Authors are busy people, and you can't know what commitments and deadlines that author already has. Also, they tend to have lots of author friends with books releasing, and might have filled their endorsement quota for the year. Or they might have obligations to their publisher and a TBR stack that rifles any measly tower in Pisa. It's not personal if they send their regrets. 
So, do you read endorsements? Do they carry any weight with you? 

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!



Look what's available for pre-order now! 
Journey along in the Old West as four women travel to meet their husbands-to-be and discover that nothing is as it was planned. Eve’s fiancé is in jail. Amelia’s fiancé has never heard of her. Zola’s newlywed husband is dead. Maeve’s travel is misdirected. Can these brides can find a true love match?
The Galway Girl by Erica Vetsch
Kansas, 1875
A mail-order mix-up sends Irish lass Maeve O’Reilly to the Swedish community of Lindsborg, Kansas. Will Kaspar Sandberg consider it a happy accident or a disaster to be rectified as soon as possible?
Coming May 1st, 2019, you can pre-order your copy of Mail-Order Mishaps today by clicking HERE.

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: Jan Drexler brought us Part One of Reading as a Writer: The Great Adventure. Be sure to stop by the third Monday in February for Part Two!
Wednesday: Carrie Schmidt shared her thoughts on Fairy Tale Re-Tellings using our very own Melanie Dickerson's awesome books! Anne Rightler, take your pick of one of Melanie's books, including her newest fairy tale, The Warrior Maiden.

Friday: Pam Hillman called out a Mayday, Mayday, Is Anyone There? As she talked about promotion and marketing.


Monday:  Erica Vetsch will discuss How To Write A Book Endorsement.
Wednesday:  Angela Ackerman, one of the authors of the amazing series of books for writers (The Emotion Thesaurus, etc) will be our guest today! She's got a new release to tell us about-- The Emotion Thesaurus Second Edition! And she'll also be bringing us an excellent post titled "Emotion and The Setting: A Powerful Story Combo."   Friday: Cynthia Herron will help us welcome in February! She's bringing us "The One Thing Writers Must Do Well (Besides Write)." Don't miss stopping by to celebrate her debut novel! She'll be giving away a print copy of Her Hope Discovered.




Calling any of you willing to share a short romantic moment! We're going to be putting together a Valentine's Day post (will be posted the 14th and 15th). We'd love to hear a brief (one paragraph) about your favorite real life romantic or Valentine's Day memory! Click on the "Contact" tab above and send through the Seekerville email addy. We'll take the first 10 or so that we receive. Thanks for taking part!
MONDAY! FACEBOOK LIVE WITH RUTHY!!!!! https://www.facebook.com/RuthLoganHerne/



AND.......


DON'T MISS THIS!!!! Great BookSweeps Contest 


Guess who’s participating in this promo?!? Me!! Enter to win 30 Christian & Inspirational novels, including books from authors like Ruth Logan Herne, Beth Vogt, Melanie Dobson, and more - just for following me and other great Christian & Inspirational fiction authors on BookBub. This giveaway ends soon, so make sure you hurry!