Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 127
October 12, 2018
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: Missy Tippens entertained with her Fortune Cookie Attitude. Winners of her Christmas novella His Perfect Christmas are Wilani Wahl and Sherrinda Ketchersid.
Wednesday:Ruth Logan Herne was here chatting about small towns... the things to think about, to plan, to look at, a great glimpse into planning your setting to match and/or challenge your characters! Winner of a copy of "At Home in Wishing Bridge" Ruthy's just released bestseller is Patti Jo! Congratulations!
Friday: Carrie filled us in on her new, exciting project, Hope By The Book. Readers of Christian/Inspirational books - you are not alone! The winner of a year's subscription to the magazine (according to Random.org) is Pepper Basham.
Monday: Jan Drexler is our hostess today!
Wednesday: We're revisiting a post from our friend Laurie Tomlinson on branding plus a giveaway of her recent independently released novella! Friday: Winnie Griggs will be joining us on Friday with what will undoubtedly be a fun post, but for now the topic is a secret, even from her, as she is fully focused on her son's wedding which is happening on SATURDAY!!!
REMINDER!!! On the last Monday of the month, 10/29, we're doing our OPEN CRITIQUE again! Get those words polished, those ideas down, those thoughts written! Write those scenes, and then write them again... We're looking forward to playing with you, authors! Mark the calendar!!!
Congratulations to Ruth Logan Herne! Her latest release "At Home in Wishing Bridge" is topping the Christian Women's Fiction list on Amazon! Thank you to Waterfall Press for getting behind this idea from the very beginning!
Janet Dean has a Love Inspired Historical Classic that released this month! Her story, Courting Miss Adelaide , has been released with Valerie Hansen's Wilderness Courtship . You can check it out here.
AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS - On Sale Now!
Thanks to all who supported Debby at her Peachtree City, GA signing on Thursday.The proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association!
Debby will be blogging onthe Craftie Ladies of Love Inspired -- A Story for Every Reader BlogThursday, OCT 18.
Rant & Raves for October - Great Beginnings by Amanda Cabot at An Indie Adventure
3 Characteristics of "Extraordinary" Heroes, According to Donald Maas by Dustin Grinnell at Writer's Digest blog.
My Secret Photoshop Guru by LA Sartor at An Indie Adventure
Don't Be Too Smart or Clever In Your Book Descriptions by Jane Friedman
Trying To Be A Good Writer Is A Complete Waste Of Time by Jeff Goins at Goins Writer
October 11, 2018
Finding HOPE by the book
So the other day, this happened:
And to say we're all a little excited about it is very much an understatement. If I can drag you away from that super fun cover mock-up for a moment (isn't it great?!?), I have answers ready for your questions.
WHAT IS IT?
Hope By The Book is a brand new magazine for avid readers by avid readers (as that nifty graphic would suggest haha)! With that, we're doing what's never quite been done before - creating a magazine to celebrate books (across multiple genres, fiction and nonfiction) AND the reading life for the avid reader, as well as offering smart reviews from industry professionals.
WHAT'S IN IT?
Each issue will have new articles for every reader seeking useful, fun, and inspiring content all about books and the reading life! It will be packed with top notch articles and images that feed your inner bookworm and arm you with great books to grab at the bookstore.
WHEN DOES IT COME OUT?
The website is live now, and the magazine will launch November 13th! eep! So excited!
WILL IT BE ONLY CHRISTIAN BOOKS?
Hope By the Book champions inspirational books, and we exist in large part to help fill the void left in the area of professional reviews of inspirational books when RT Book Reviews and CBA's Christian Market ceased publishing. We also recognize that the definition of 'inspirational' is broad, but rest assured that, as one subscriber recently said, this is a magazine you can leave out for your kids to see and flip through. After all, HOPE is part of our mission statement - and we can't truly pursue Hope in books without keeping close to the Source of all Hope, in our lives and in our content.
HOW DID IT START?
Well, that's really what I'm here to talk about today. Because it started with FRIENDSHIP first and foremost. And not just one type of friendship, but rather a cornucopia (if you will) of relationships with two things in common: Jesus & books. To me, this is such a sweet picture of how the body of Christ functions, in a subset of the body with their noses in books ;) I wanted to share some of the friendships that make up this new adventure:
had to 'photoshop' Annie in there ;) Friendships formed between book bloggers - a C.S. Lewis 'You too? I thought I was the only one!" type of sisterhood that spans the United States from coast to coast. This friendship circle has become one of the most meaningful of my life, even if we're rarely all in the same room. We pray for each other. We laugh with each other. We cry with each other. We call each other on our stuff. We sharpen each other's rough edges and champion each other's strengths. We love Jesus. We love books. We love Jesus books. And we love each other. When Angelia Stone (more on her in a second) asked me to form a team to get this magazine into readers' hands, these dear book sisters were the first people I asked. Friendships that are brand new - Another dear friend of mine - author, agent, speaker Cynthia Ruchti - connected me with Angelia Stone, the CEO of
Hope For Women Magazine
. Angie has quickly become a sister-friend and she was quick to see the need for a magazine like Hope By the Book. She's held my hand through this whole launch-a-magazine process - and held my feet to the fire a few times too LOL. She's the main boss chick for both magazines, and we just instantly clicked. I'm thankful that God continues to put new friends in my life, to stretch me out of my introverted comfort zone and keep me connected to amazing overcomers!
photo by Emilie Hendryx, CFRR2017Friendships within the Christian book community - I'm not naive enough to think that everyone in this industry gets along or always agrees on everything and never struggles with jealousy or hurts. But you know what? We really are stronger together, and the Christian book community is incredibly supportive of each other as a whole. As soon as the magazine was announced, it wasn't just our team's magazine anymore. It was everyone's magazine. Authors, readers, bloggers, publishers, Seekers - people have embraced Hope By The Book as their magazine. And I love it! It IS their magazine. It's OUR magazine - this community who loves Jesus and books and each other. And even more than I want to tell you about the magazine and how excited I am, I really want you to have this takeaway - we don't have to do this life thing alone. Not the books you write. Not the books we read & review. Not the blog posts we come up with or the magazine articles we put together. Not the everyday chaos of life, for all its ups and downs in this crazy world. Find your people and do life with them. That's part of why we created Hope By the Book - to show readers of Christian/inspirational books that they aren't alone. There's a bunch of us out here. Book nerds who love Jesus and read past their bedtime. Who can't figure out the best way to sort their double-stacked bookshelves (by color? by title? by author? by genre? HELP!) and so they just end up triple-stacking them. Who buy candles just because they're based on their favorite books or characters. Avid readers who love books and live books and can't separate the two.
Now it's my turn to ask you a question:
What types of articles would you like to see in future issues of Hope By the Book?
Comment below for a chance to win a year's subscription (4 issues) to Hope By The Book!!
Open internationally, too. (If you don't want to wait or you want to go ahead and grab a gift for a friend, you can subscribe here - and use code BOOKISH at checkout for $4.00 off)
October 9, 2018
How to Write the Small Towns We All Love!
What's your favorite small town in literature? Mitford? Walnut Grove? Shirlee McCoy's Apple Valley? Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove?
Well, I'm going to start with Avonlea...
Anne of Green Gables, the quaint old town, the beautiful farms, the coastlines of Prince Edward Island, the sea breezes, the waving grasses, the Avenue (that Anne re-christened "The White Way of Delight" and Rachel and the general store and Matthew and Marilla and Gilbert Blythe and the school house and the ridgepole of the barn and the dinghy that sank while playing Camelot...
So many things to love about Prince Edward Island!
So that would be my number one pic because I could just feel the beauty of that place and the joy of a young girl finally finding her place... right there with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.
But not everyone lives on an island, right? So we need to be able to create the place with what the majority of us are given, the sweet town next door... or our very own hometown!
I use elements of my hometown here in Hilton, NY and the surrounding towns all the time. I steal elements I love from one town/village and merge them with elements of another to create either the welcoming feel or the threatening despair depending on what's going on in that town at that time.
This is the town sign on the main road and right now it's featuring mums and pumpkins from our farm... and that's the mark of a small town, too. Taking care of one another... And sometimes there's this: When a horrible accident took the life of one young person and severely injured another person, this was the symbol we all used on Facebook... because in times of trouble, we are strong for one another.
My two current series feature very different small towns. "At Home in Wishing Bridge" (#1 on Amazon right now for Christian Women's Fiction, thank you, readers!) is set in the fictional northern New York town of "Wishing Bridge".
Picture forested hills, narrow country roads winding up and down, curving here and there... Farmers fields rimmed with hedgerows of trees... Small towns dotting the landscape, towns that were bypassed by the interstate... old buildings, struggling infrastructure in places, but a town filled with faith and hope from the very beginning of the story. Sure, they know they're struggling but they're struggling together, and that makes all the difference. And then a pregnant young woman flies off the road and is rescued by the returning hero, Hale Jackson... and so the story begins. A young mother's sacrifice thwarted by choosing the interstate exit to Wishing Bridge. Welcome to Wishing Bridge became an Amazon bestseller and is still ranked at #4 on the Christian Women's Fiction bestseller list, so that's mighty sweet news to me and the publishers!
Wishing Bridge is a Hallmark-styled town. Down on its luck, and with so many young people moving away but circumstances combine with God's timing to bring several of those young people back... the three friends from foster care... Hale Jackson, the to-die-for deputy sheriff who wrecked his knee being an NFL quarterback... His brother Ben and their cousin Garrett... And a cast of realistic hometown regulars. Maggie and Jeb, an elderly couple who lost a daughter to anorexia, Avis Washington, the town midwife and woman of wisdom, the town's first responders, Brian Teague and Lita Szabo, manning the town's ambulance, Shannon Carter, an earnest little girl being raised by a dementia-riddled great-grandmother...
And Max, an unsung town hero, a man who has made it his goal to restore the town's buildings one by one... a man trying to make up for past mistakes by making a difference now. It's never just about the brick-and-mortar of the town or neighborhood.
It's about the people inside those places, making things happen.
What should your town "say"? Is it:
Struggling
Thriving
Getting along
Busy with foot traffic
A pass-through, one-stoplight town
30 business town
50 business town
Does it have a school? Or is the central school two towns over?
A river? A creek? A pond? A lake? Water adds an element of peace and/or danger to a setting
Streetlights?
Empty storefronts?
Quaint businesses with curtains?
Amish businesses in town or along the way?
Farmstands?
Clubs/gatherings/senior centers/libraries/town hall?
When you look at a town you discover several things: The smaller the town, the fewer the services offered, so be careful how you present services.
Some tiny towns have tiny police forces (I used this set up in Running on Empty, my bestselling book that faces the "Me, too" movement years before it became okay to talk about sexual abuse)...
Some bigger towns use the county sheriff. Make sure you check the localities around your location to find out what they use... then mimic it.
How do you want your town to affect the reader? With joy? Empathy? Secrets? Antagonism? Your fictional town can help set the tone for your story, your characters, your storytelling abilities as you pick and choose how people react and how the town's appearance and attitudes affect your characters.
Above all, be true to your town. If it's set up one way, don't change it abruptly, any more than you would a character's reaction time... Let it evolve, just like the character's arc evolves. To the good or to the bad, your small town becomes a living, breathing thing in the pages of your story and only you can control what kind of breath it needs.
So are you a small town book reader? Or are you more of a thriller, big city afficionado? Or a cozy mystery reader, another kind of book often set in small towns?
Leave a comment to have your name put into the cat dish for chance to win a brand new and absolutely beautiful copy of "At Home in Wishing Bridge", the newest bestseller in the "Wishing Bridge" series!
After surviving the streets of South Philly, Thea Anastas never thought she’d wind up working in rural New York. But a call from a friend in need convinced the nurse practitioner to make the trip. Now her temporary position is making a difference in Wishing Bridge—though Thea can’t afford to make a difference, to fill a gaping hole in the sweet, small town. After all, the current medical practice is being dissolved in three months, and bigger opportunities are luring her away…
Her partner, Dr. Ethan Brandenburg, has his own struggles: caring for his orphaned niece and nephew and holding firm to his decision to leave Wishing Bridge for a prestigious job in Chicago. Though Thea’s no-nonsense advice in the office has been good for business, her compassion in Ethan’s personal life has been good for his heart. But how can he offer a commitment to a woman when they’re both about to say goodbye?
Wishing Bridge may be surrounded by forests and farms, but Thea is starting to realize that friendships and family form its heart—and that what she wants in life and love may be right in front of her eyes.
Award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne loves writing beautiful stories that help women grab strength and faith from the simple pages of a well-written story... so she's living her dream and doing something she loves: Helping others be the best they can be. Email her at loganherne@gmail.com and you can visit her website ruthloganherne.com and please friend her on Facebook (Ruth Logan Herne)... she loves to chat with folks there.
Well, I'm going to start with Avonlea...
Anne of Green Gables, the quaint old town, the beautiful farms, the coastlines of Prince Edward Island, the sea breezes, the waving grasses, the Avenue (that Anne re-christened "The White Way of Delight" and Rachel and the general store and Matthew and Marilla and Gilbert Blythe and the school house and the ridgepole of the barn and the dinghy that sank while playing Camelot...
So many things to love about Prince Edward Island!
So that would be my number one pic because I could just feel the beauty of that place and the joy of a young girl finally finding her place... right there with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.
But not everyone lives on an island, right? So we need to be able to create the place with what the majority of us are given, the sweet town next door... or our very own hometown!
I use elements of my hometown here in Hilton, NY and the surrounding towns all the time. I steal elements I love from one town/village and merge them with elements of another to create either the welcoming feel or the threatening despair depending on what's going on in that town at that time.
This is the town sign on the main road and right now it's featuring mums and pumpkins from our farm... and that's the mark of a small town, too. Taking care of one another... And sometimes there's this: When a horrible accident took the life of one young person and severely injured another person, this was the symbol we all used on Facebook... because in times of trouble, we are strong for one another.
My two current series feature very different small towns. "At Home in Wishing Bridge" (#1 on Amazon right now for Christian Women's Fiction, thank you, readers!) is set in the fictional northern New York town of "Wishing Bridge".
Picture forested hills, narrow country roads winding up and down, curving here and there... Farmers fields rimmed with hedgerows of trees... Small towns dotting the landscape, towns that were bypassed by the interstate... old buildings, struggling infrastructure in places, but a town filled with faith and hope from the very beginning of the story. Sure, they know they're struggling but they're struggling together, and that makes all the difference. And then a pregnant young woman flies off the road and is rescued by the returning hero, Hale Jackson... and so the story begins. A young mother's sacrifice thwarted by choosing the interstate exit to Wishing Bridge. Welcome to Wishing Bridge became an Amazon bestseller and is still ranked at #4 on the Christian Women's Fiction bestseller list, so that's mighty sweet news to me and the publishers!
Wishing Bridge is a Hallmark-styled town. Down on its luck, and with so many young people moving away but circumstances combine with God's timing to bring several of those young people back... the three friends from foster care... Hale Jackson, the to-die-for deputy sheriff who wrecked his knee being an NFL quarterback... His brother Ben and their cousin Garrett... And a cast of realistic hometown regulars. Maggie and Jeb, an elderly couple who lost a daughter to anorexia, Avis Washington, the town midwife and woman of wisdom, the town's first responders, Brian Teague and Lita Szabo, manning the town's ambulance, Shannon Carter, an earnest little girl being raised by a dementia-riddled great-grandmother...
And Max, an unsung town hero, a man who has made it his goal to restore the town's buildings one by one... a man trying to make up for past mistakes by making a difference now. It's never just about the brick-and-mortar of the town or neighborhood.
It's about the people inside those places, making things happen.
What should your town "say"? Is it:
Struggling
Thriving
Getting along
Busy with foot traffic
A pass-through, one-stoplight town
30 business town
50 business town
Does it have a school? Or is the central school two towns over?
A river? A creek? A pond? A lake? Water adds an element of peace and/or danger to a setting
Streetlights?
Empty storefronts?
Quaint businesses with curtains?
Amish businesses in town or along the way?
Farmstands?
Clubs/gatherings/senior centers/libraries/town hall?
When you look at a town you discover several things: The smaller the town, the fewer the services offered, so be careful how you present services.
Some tiny towns have tiny police forces (I used this set up in Running on Empty, my bestselling book that faces the "Me, too" movement years before it became okay to talk about sexual abuse)...
Some bigger towns use the county sheriff. Make sure you check the localities around your location to find out what they use... then mimic it.
How do you want your town to affect the reader? With joy? Empathy? Secrets? Antagonism? Your fictional town can help set the tone for your story, your characters, your storytelling abilities as you pick and choose how people react and how the town's appearance and attitudes affect your characters.
Above all, be true to your town. If it's set up one way, don't change it abruptly, any more than you would a character's reaction time... Let it evolve, just like the character's arc evolves. To the good or to the bad, your small town becomes a living, breathing thing in the pages of your story and only you can control what kind of breath it needs.
So are you a small town book reader? Or are you more of a thriller, big city afficionado? Or a cozy mystery reader, another kind of book often set in small towns?
Leave a comment to have your name put into the cat dish for chance to win a brand new and absolutely beautiful copy of "At Home in Wishing Bridge", the newest bestseller in the "Wishing Bridge" series!
After surviving the streets of South Philly, Thea Anastas never thought she’d wind up working in rural New York. But a call from a friend in need convinced the nurse practitioner to make the trip. Now her temporary position is making a difference in Wishing Bridge—though Thea can’t afford to make a difference, to fill a gaping hole in the sweet, small town. After all, the current medical practice is being dissolved in three months, and bigger opportunities are luring her away…
Her partner, Dr. Ethan Brandenburg, has his own struggles: caring for his orphaned niece and nephew and holding firm to his decision to leave Wishing Bridge for a prestigious job in Chicago. Though Thea’s no-nonsense advice in the office has been good for business, her compassion in Ethan’s personal life has been good for his heart. But how can he offer a commitment to a woman when they’re both about to say goodbye?
Wishing Bridge may be surrounded by forests and farms, but Thea is starting to realize that friendships and family form its heart—and that what she wants in life and love may be right in front of her eyes.
Award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne loves writing beautiful stories that help women grab strength and faith from the simple pages of a well-written story... so she's living her dream and doing something she loves: Helping others be the best they can be. Email her at loganherne@gmail.com and you can visit her website ruthloganherne.com and please friend her on Facebook (Ruth Logan Herne)... she loves to chat with folks there.
October 7, 2018
A Fortune Cookie Attitude
Missy Tippens
How many of you get a kick out of fortune cookies? I want to share with you a recent fortune I got in a cookie at one of my favorite restaurants…
In case you can’t read it, it says: Your abilities will shortly bring you to fame.
Ha! I took a photo so I could kiddingly send it to my kids. My husband and the kids and I had a good laugh about it, and then the thought faded as newer photos overtook it in my phone.
Then last week I attended the Novelists Inc. (NINC) conference in gorgeous St. Petersburg, Florida.
Photo I took from my balcony at the Tradewinds Resort. See how the clouds mimic the palm trees!As I attended workshops taught by successful authors and publishing gurus and chatted with other professional writers, I noticed a spirit of confidence, of can-do. Of course, success requires loads of work. It’s not like confidence alone will create it. But when I’m around successful people I notice a sense of excitement, of expectation, of determination, and the gumption to try new things. These same people also have a willingness to share their knowledge and are happy to help. As we had meals together or chatted outside workshops, they generously (and patiently) answered my questions about publishing and promotion. And let me tell you, some of my questions were embarrassingly basic.
As I was on the way home, reading Newsletter Ninja by Tammi Labrecque, about building and maintaining a newsletter list, it hit me that I’ve had the wrong attitude about many things having to do with promotion and reaching out to readers. I’ve always felt my readers considered it a blessing that I only email them quarterly or that I don't post on my Facebook author page multiple times a day. However, I’m discovering through these other authors that their newsletter readers and social media followers love to hear from them.
What an attitude shift that is from my old one!
Excitement is contagious. If I’m excited about my books (which I am!), and I share that excitement (which I sometimes feel sheepish about doing), then my readers will be excited to hear from me.
Sounds a little like a math problem!
I have many new goals after attending the NINC conference. It’ll take a bit of time to get organized and figure out how to do it. But mainly, it hit me that I should have an attitude that goes along with my fortune from that cookie. I thought I’d share a few tips for how I plan to adjust.
1. Watch successful people. Make note of their attitudes and try to mimic their work ethic and confidence.2. Let go of negative self-talk. Or maybe I should state that more strongly: Recognize and destroy negative self-talk.3. Allow yourself to be excited about changes you’re going to make. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Failure will just teach you what works and what doesn’t. (It won’t end the world!)4. Surround yourself with supportive people (like us here at Seekerville), people who will pray for you and help you along the way.5. Come up with a plan. (And of course, pray for direction as you plan.) You can have the world’s best attitude and loads of excitement, but that has to translate into ACTION.
Now, I’m off to work as if I have fame in my future! :)
I hope you’ll try that as well. In fact, I’ll share my fortune cookie with you: YOUR abilities will shortly bring YOU to fame!
Think like it.
Act like it.
And watch your business grow.
I have a new novella coming soon!! His Perfect Christmas . I’m in the middle of the formatting and uploading now (learning more about choosing keywords and categories!).
One of my other goals post-conference is to sign up and learn how to deliver books on BookFunnel. So today, I’ll be giving away two copies of my novella, His Perfect Christmas, to two commenters (please let me know you'd like to be entered)--to be delivered as soon as I get my account working. :)
So let's talk about our attitudes! Is there anything you need to change to put on your fortune cookie attitude?
His Perfect Christmas
Unlucky in love, police deputy Hardy Greenway has spent his life in the friend zone. But now he’s fallen hard for the girlfriend of his nemesis. Dori Blanchette has been waiting for a proposal from her boyfriend, but how can she say yes when she has feelings for Hardy? With Christmas tree ornaments playing spontaneously and secrets being revealed, there’s no telling who will end up together at Christmas!
Also! Don't forget to check out my true story about adopting my dog in this recent release! Second Chance Dogs. My story is titled "It Started with a Guinea Pig."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 .
October 5, 2018
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 on talking about the fun and stress of launching a new book. The winner of a signed copy of The Reluctant Warrior is Glynis
Wednesday: Jill Kemerer discussed whether ideas were bookworthy. The winner of her Christmas release, Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets , is Sandy Smith.
Friday: Lindi Peterson offered 2 giveaways. An e-copy of her novella, Sweet Love of Mine goes to Vince. And a copy of her brand new release, A Christmas to Remember goes to Connie Queen!
Monday: Missy Tippens will be bringing us "A Fortune Cookie Attitude." Doesn't that make you curious? Come find out what she's talking about! Missy will be giving away two copies of a soon-to-be released novella, His Perfect Christmas .
Wednesday: Ruth Logan Herne is in the house! And she's going to have some fun as she celebrates the release of her second Wishing Bridge book "At Home in Wishing Bridge" as she talks about how to create fictional towns that embrace the characters and the reader. And there is a giveaway involved, people! :) Friday: Carrie Schmidt talks about a brand new magazine created by avid readers for avid readers.
ON SALE NOW! IN BOOKSTORES NOW! FINALLY THE RELUCTANT WARRIORBOOK #2 OF THE HIGH SIERRA SWEETHEARTS IS OUT!
CLICK TO BUY
TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF BOOK #2 OF THE HIGH SIERRA SWEETHEARTS SERIESBOOK #1 IS ON SALETHE ACCIDENTAL GUARDIAN
CLICK TO BUY EBOOK
ANDONE MORE THING
FREE! FREE! FREE!ALL THE FUN YOU COULD EVER WANTINSIDE THE COVERS OF A BOOKPETTICOAT RANCH IS FREERIGHT NOW!!and if you don't have an ereader you can download an ereader app to any device, so even THAT part is free!!!CLICK TO BUY--FOR FREE!
FIVEof Melanie Dickerson's class fairy tale re-tellingson sale for a stunning$1.99get them on your ereader NOWCLICK TO BUY
AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETSThe fourth and final book inDebby Giusti's Amish Protectors seriesON SALE NOW!
Debby will be signing at theMoonlight & Magnolias ConferenceBook Fair & Literary SigningSAT, OCT 6, 4:30-5:30 PMHilton Atlanta NEPeachtree Corners, GAOPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Georgia Friends!Debby will be signing at BAM in Peachtree CityThursday, OCT 11, 3-6:30 PMProceeds benefit theAlzheimer's Association
L to R: Debby Giusti, Missy Tippens, Myra Johnson and Darlene Buchholz are having a great weekend at Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight & Magnolias Conference!And congratulations to Ruth Logan Herne and Myra Johnson, both finalists in the Maggie Award for Excellence contest sponsored by Georgia Romance Writers! And to our buddy Walt Mussell, also a finalist... We are so proud of all of you!
JUST RELEASED!!!! "AT HOME IN WISHING BRIDGE" the second story from Ruth Logan Herne's "Wishing Bridge" series! If you loved book one, then grab this one hot off of Amazon's shelves... and if you didn't read book one, then grab both! Come see what made Ruthy an Amazon bestseller and why folks all over want to call "Wishing Bridge, NY" home... even with the snow!
Victorine's Trope List at The Writing Gals blog (sweet romance authors).
Overcoming Creativity Wounds by Grant Faulkner at Jane Friedman
Story Structure Q&A: 6 Outstanding Questions About Structure by K.M. Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
The Do's and Don'ts of Storytelling According To Marvel by K.M. Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
The Anatomy of a Bookcover: A Guide for Authors by Yvonne@Reedsy at Writers Digest
10 Ridiculously Simple Steps For Writing A Book by Jeff Goins at Goins Writer
Writing A Captivating Opening Line by Rachelle Gardner at Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
October 4, 2018
Falling For You
by Guest Lindi Peterson
Hello Seekerville! It’s great to be back. Thank you for having me guest host today. It’s always a special time in Seekerville, for sure.Today we are talking about love.Yes, love.It’s what romance writing is all about and it’s what makes the world go ‘round. Right?Love is an action, not an emotion. I once heard in a church I was attending that people don’t “fall in love.” Drat! That shook my romance writer’s mind. But as I kept listening the pastor’s words made sense. Love is an action.You do it. Which is why you can’t have a romance where the only goal is to fall in love and get married. So what is it that makes our characters fall? If they don’t fall in love what do they fall into?Let’s explore some ways our characters fall for each other.
Excerpt from One Winter Kiss-Lindi PetersonHe kissed the top of her hand. “Thank you. Thank you for trusting me with who you are.”She kissed the top of his hand. “Thank you for being someone I can trust. I’ve never met anyone like you.”“We need each other, don’t we?”“I think so,” Deena whispered.He leaned over, his kiss gentle, caring.Loving, kind.Everything Andrew was touched her lips.
In looking for passages to use, I found this one. And wow, God directed me to the right passage. We have a plethora of reasons Deena “fell” for Andrew.First he was TRUSTWORTHY. That is a quality to fall for. If you can’t trust someone, you certainly can’t give your love to them. Without trust there would be suspicion and doubt. There would be questions that might be unnecessary. 2 Corinthians 3:4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. NKJVWe place our ultimate trust in Christ.Deena also fell for his GENTLENESS. The passage starts out describing his kiss, but ends with all those adjectives describing Andrew himself. And Andrew is a gentleman. He proved that to her many ways, starting at the beginning of the book.He held out a Devon Park Raiders hoodie. A lined, thick hoodie. Black and silver, The Devon Park High School colors.“Thank you. I think I will. Especially since I don’t know how long Grandpa will be.” She took the hoodie from him and quickly put it on.This excerpt is from Chapter One, right at the beginning when Deena was stranded outside her grandpa’s house. Right away Andrew displayed what a gentleman he was. And yes, I still like a man to open the door for me, to pull out a chair before I sit down. Psalm 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation: Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.NKJVCARING is another quality one can “fall” for.“You’ll need these gloves. Evan doesn’t tire easily. And he’s ready for a fight.” Andrew handed Deena a pair of gloves perfect for snowball making. Well, that might be taking things a bit far, but they were designed to keep the wet out and the hands warm.Here Andrew shows how caring he is offering Deena the proper gloves to wear in a snowball fight. If you are wondering why Deena is so ill-equipped for cold weather, she has just arrived in Ohio from Florida. She wasn’t prepared to be hanging out outside so much, as she was there to help her grandfather pack his house to move. Oh, and she was trying to stop the moving process as well. Andrew is his next door neighbor who has a son named Evan. Deena also saw throughout the story how Andrew cared for his son. That showed a huge part of who Andrew was and something Deena couldn’t help but be drawn to.1 Peter 5:6-7 Thereforehumble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJVWhen we know God cares about us, we can see how caring for others is important.And how about KINDNESS? Don’t we love meeting people who are kind? “I insist on taking you. Besides, I’ll help Harold get his truck out of the ditch.”That sentence is kindness and helpfulness all in one. (Andrew is quite a guy, isn’t he?) But again, these are the types of things people do that attract other people to them. Harold is Deena’s grandpa, so Andrew, offering to help pull the truck out of a ditch after a snowstorm displays his kindness front and center.Psalm 119:76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.NKJVKindness is a great attribute. When someone is truly kind, you know their heart is in the right place. Someone’s day can be made just by having someone be kind to them. And kindness is an act we can show to those we don’t even know. We don’t have to be best friends to show someone kindness.
We can see by the above excerpts that love comes from knowing who someone is. It’s the attributes they have that bind our soul to theirs. It’s how their heart works and how they show that heart to the world that attracts us to someone.This is how we show growth in our romance novels. You can be attracted to someone for just the way they look, that is true. But that doesn’t carry a relationship. That person’s way of living, and treating others soon comes to light. I do believe that the books we like the best show this growth and growing attraction to our hero’s and heroine’s character.I do love the saying “falling in love.” It sounds so much better than “falling in trust,” “falling in kindness.” There’s something universal about the word love. Whether it’s in a good or bad way, love is something everyone can relate to. It’s why we write about it, it’s why we read about it. It’s why God sent his son.He loves us.I’d love to talk about other attributes people “fall” for. I’ve only named a few, but I know you have some you’d like to mention. I’ve got 2 giveaways today to 2 separate commenters. First I’m giving away an e-copy of my novella, Sweet Love of Mine. It’s the story of Eden and Grant. I’m also giving away a copy of a brand new release, A Christmas to Remember.
This is a boxed set of 8 never before released Christmas novellas. I was thrilled to do this set with the ladies on the Inspy Romance Blog. This is the 2ndnovella in my Sweetly Southern Series. Sweet Love of Mine is the 1stnovella in that series.Thank you for having me here in Seekerville. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to be a guest! Let’s talk “falling!”
Visit Lindi at www.lindipeterson.comFacebook
Twitter
Instagram
Hello Seekerville! It’s great to be back. Thank you for having me guest host today. It’s always a special time in Seekerville, for sure.Today we are talking about love.Yes, love.It’s what romance writing is all about and it’s what makes the world go ‘round. Right?Love is an action, not an emotion. I once heard in a church I was attending that people don’t “fall in love.” Drat! That shook my romance writer’s mind. But as I kept listening the pastor’s words made sense. Love is an action.You do it. Which is why you can’t have a romance where the only goal is to fall in love and get married. So what is it that makes our characters fall? If they don’t fall in love what do they fall into?Let’s explore some ways our characters fall for each other.
Excerpt from One Winter Kiss-Lindi PetersonHe kissed the top of her hand. “Thank you. Thank you for trusting me with who you are.”She kissed the top of his hand. “Thank you for being someone I can trust. I’ve never met anyone like you.”“We need each other, don’t we?”“I think so,” Deena whispered.He leaned over, his kiss gentle, caring.Loving, kind.Everything Andrew was touched her lips.
In looking for passages to use, I found this one. And wow, God directed me to the right passage. We have a plethora of reasons Deena “fell” for Andrew.First he was TRUSTWORTHY. That is a quality to fall for. If you can’t trust someone, you certainly can’t give your love to them. Without trust there would be suspicion and doubt. There would be questions that might be unnecessary. 2 Corinthians 3:4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. NKJVWe place our ultimate trust in Christ.Deena also fell for his GENTLENESS. The passage starts out describing his kiss, but ends with all those adjectives describing Andrew himself. And Andrew is a gentleman. He proved that to her many ways, starting at the beginning of the book.He held out a Devon Park Raiders hoodie. A lined, thick hoodie. Black and silver, The Devon Park High School colors.“Thank you. I think I will. Especially since I don’t know how long Grandpa will be.” She took the hoodie from him and quickly put it on.This excerpt is from Chapter One, right at the beginning when Deena was stranded outside her grandpa’s house. Right away Andrew displayed what a gentleman he was. And yes, I still like a man to open the door for me, to pull out a chair before I sit down. Psalm 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation: Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.NKJVCARING is another quality one can “fall” for.“You’ll need these gloves. Evan doesn’t tire easily. And he’s ready for a fight.” Andrew handed Deena a pair of gloves perfect for snowball making. Well, that might be taking things a bit far, but they were designed to keep the wet out and the hands warm.Here Andrew shows how caring he is offering Deena the proper gloves to wear in a snowball fight. If you are wondering why Deena is so ill-equipped for cold weather, she has just arrived in Ohio from Florida. She wasn’t prepared to be hanging out outside so much, as she was there to help her grandfather pack his house to move. Oh, and she was trying to stop the moving process as well. Andrew is his next door neighbor who has a son named Evan. Deena also saw throughout the story how Andrew cared for his son. That showed a huge part of who Andrew was and something Deena couldn’t help but be drawn to.1 Peter 5:6-7 Thereforehumble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJVWhen we know God cares about us, we can see how caring for others is important.And how about KINDNESS? Don’t we love meeting people who are kind? “I insist on taking you. Besides, I’ll help Harold get his truck out of the ditch.”That sentence is kindness and helpfulness all in one. (Andrew is quite a guy, isn’t he?) But again, these are the types of things people do that attract other people to them. Harold is Deena’s grandpa, so Andrew, offering to help pull the truck out of a ditch after a snowstorm displays his kindness front and center.Psalm 119:76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.NKJVKindness is a great attribute. When someone is truly kind, you know their heart is in the right place. Someone’s day can be made just by having someone be kind to them. And kindness is an act we can show to those we don’t even know. We don’t have to be best friends to show someone kindness.
We can see by the above excerpts that love comes from knowing who someone is. It’s the attributes they have that bind our soul to theirs. It’s how their heart works and how they show that heart to the world that attracts us to someone.This is how we show growth in our romance novels. You can be attracted to someone for just the way they look, that is true. But that doesn’t carry a relationship. That person’s way of living, and treating others soon comes to light. I do believe that the books we like the best show this growth and growing attraction to our hero’s and heroine’s character.I do love the saying “falling in love.” It sounds so much better than “falling in trust,” “falling in kindness.” There’s something universal about the word love. Whether it’s in a good or bad way, love is something everyone can relate to. It’s why we write about it, it’s why we read about it. It’s why God sent his son.He loves us.I’d love to talk about other attributes people “fall” for. I’ve only named a few, but I know you have some you’d like to mention. I’ve got 2 giveaways today to 2 separate commenters. First I’m giving away an e-copy of my novella, Sweet Love of Mine. It’s the story of Eden and Grant. I’m also giving away a copy of a brand new release, A Christmas to Remember.
This is a boxed set of 8 never before released Christmas novellas. I was thrilled to do this set with the ladies on the Inspy Romance Blog. This is the 2ndnovella in my Sweetly Southern Series. Sweet Love of Mine is the 1stnovella in that series.Thank you for having me here in Seekerville. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to be a guest! Let’s talk “falling!”
Visit Lindi at www.lindipeterson.comFacebook
October 2, 2018
Is This Idea Book Worthy?
by guest blogger @jillkemerer
You have a great idea—it probably came to you last night as you were falling asleep or yesterday afternoon while driving home from soccer practice. The hyped-up feeling running through your veins proves the concept is awesome, and you’re itching to start writing the story.
This is it! My best idea yet! No editor will be able to turn it down. Readers will rave. It will hit bestseller lists. I have to write it immediately.
Who cares that you’re halfway through a slower-than-molasses draft you actually dread opening every time you sit down to write? Or that you have seven or eight other stories clamoring for attention in your head? This idea must be put front and center. Now!
Whoa-ho-ho there. Hold up, Lassie. I’ve been there. Really, I have. And before you open your laptop and start pouring the story onto the page, take a big step back. It’s time to be really honest with yourself and ask yourself a key question.
Is this idea book worthy?
Duh! Of course it is. Didn’t you just hear me say bestseller lists??
I heard you. Loud and clear. I’m guessing at one time you were equally as enthusiastic about the idea for the story you’re currently working on. So why abandon it?
I’m not abandoning it. I’m setting it aside for now and will finish it after this one.
Bad move. It’s all too easy to end up with a dozen unfinished manuscripts because we’ve chased a new idea.
In order to be a successful author, you need to finish books. This means you have to write the entire manuscript, look at the plot with a critical eye, make necessary story changes, revise it, and edit it. If you get in the habit of quitting a work-in-progress (WIP) whenever a “better” idea comes along, you’re not developing the skills you need.
There’s a rhythm to a book. The more complete manuscripts you draft, the more natural it becomes to tell a compelling story. And you’ll gain skills to help you develop future ideas, because you’ll remember the spots where you floundered in the past. You’ll be on the lookout to avoid those flimsy areas in the future.
Finish the current book before you dive into the new one. Let this new idea breathe and grow legs. If it’s book worthy, it will.
At Helping Writers Become Authors, K.M. Weiland wrote an excellent article, “4 Steps for How to Turn an Idea Into a Story that Rocks.” She talks about giving the idea a safe place to incubate.
“If you want to see an idea develop, make space for it within your life. If you stuff it way back in some dusty corner of your brain, your subconscious might occasionally bat it back at you. But if you want it to grow, hold it in your mind’s eye. Don’t force it. Don’t dictate what it must or must not do. But watch it.Deep-dive into the dream zone and just let the idea roll around. See what it has to offer. Sometimes you’ll come to what seems the end of its potential, only to have a new fragment of a new idea glom onto the first one and evolve into something new. If that happens often enough, presto-chango, you’ve got yourself a butterfly.” ~K.M. WeilandWhile you’re working on your current project, allow time for the new idea’s story elements to come to you. If you’re taking a walk or in line for coffee, let your mind wander. Jot down any details that come to you.
When you have enough details, you’ll be ready to explore the following questions.
What genre do you think the idea will fit into?
If it’s a romance, do you know who the hero and heroine will be? If it’s not a romance, who is the main character?
Genre is important because readers have expectations when they purchase your book. If you’re writing a romantic suspense, you need to make sure you have plenty of danger. If you’re writing women’s fiction, you need secondary characters to challenge the heroine’s beliefs. It’s easier to brainstorm possible ways to ramp these up before your start writing.
What’s the story about?
Can you wrap it up with a one-sentence summary? Example: When an unemployed actress gets custody of her niece, she takes a job preparing taxes and must choose between the accountant she’s falling for and her dreams of Broadway.
If you can’t summarize it, that’s okay. You might not know enough about the story yet, but at some point, you’ll need to be able to clarify it.
Are the stakes high enough?
Why can’t she have both the Broadway career AND the accountant? Is raising the niece only possible in the current setting? What’s really keeping her and the accountant apart? What does he want? How can these things directly oppose her dreams? And most importantly, what do these characters have to lose?
These types of questions deepen the conflicts and produce more nuanced, page-turning books for readers.
Will readers care about this story?
This is a tough question to be objective about. We automatically assume readers will care because we’re excited, but it’s not always the case. The story must have tension for the reader to keep turning the page. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, continuously find ways to raise the stakes!
When a new idea seems to be growing in my mind over the course of time, I know it’s book worthy. My initial concept always changes as I answer the above questions, and it should. My imagination finds ways to expand the initial idea into a higher stakes novel that will have a better chance at grabbing a reader’s attention and holding it until the end.
How do you determine if an idea is book worthy? I’d love to hear your tips!
I’m giving away one copy (paperback for US residents, ebook for international) of Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets. Leave a comment!
Next week I’m taking over the Love Inspired Readers and Authors Facebook group. I’d love to have you join us! I’m giving away books, and we’re talking about our favorite things from Monday through Friday. Click on Love Inspired Readers and Authors (linked) and “Join Group.”
A nanny at Christmastime…
Will she find love in this Wyoming Cowboys novel?
Six weeks on a ranch caring for quadruplets—aspiring nurse Ainsley Draper’s prepared for a busy Christmas. When the children’s handsome uncle opens the door, her task gets extra complicated. Marshall Graham is upholding his promise to look after his twin sister, the babies’ mom. But as family loyalty clashes with new love, will the perfect present include a future with Ainsley?
Purchase Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets HERE
***Mindy butting in here with news that Jill's latest release, Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets, has hit Publisher's Weekly Best Seller list! Congratulations, Jill!***
---------------------------------
Jill Kemerer is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels. Her essentials include coffee, fluffy animals, a stack of books and taking long nature walks. Jill resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. She loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.
You have a great idea—it probably came to you last night as you were falling asleep or yesterday afternoon while driving home from soccer practice. The hyped-up feeling running through your veins proves the concept is awesome, and you’re itching to start writing the story.This is it! My best idea yet! No editor will be able to turn it down. Readers will rave. It will hit bestseller lists. I have to write it immediately.
Who cares that you’re halfway through a slower-than-molasses draft you actually dread opening every time you sit down to write? Or that you have seven or eight other stories clamoring for attention in your head? This idea must be put front and center. Now!
Whoa-ho-ho there. Hold up, Lassie. I’ve been there. Really, I have. And before you open your laptop and start pouring the story onto the page, take a big step back. It’s time to be really honest with yourself and ask yourself a key question.
Is this idea book worthy?
Duh! Of course it is. Didn’t you just hear me say bestseller lists??
I heard you. Loud and clear. I’m guessing at one time you were equally as enthusiastic about the idea for the story you’re currently working on. So why abandon it?
I’m not abandoning it. I’m setting it aside for now and will finish it after this one.
Bad move. It’s all too easy to end up with a dozen unfinished manuscripts because we’ve chased a new idea.
In order to be a successful author, you need to finish books. This means you have to write the entire manuscript, look at the plot with a critical eye, make necessary story changes, revise it, and edit it. If you get in the habit of quitting a work-in-progress (WIP) whenever a “better” idea comes along, you’re not developing the skills you need.
There’s a rhythm to a book. The more complete manuscripts you draft, the more natural it becomes to tell a compelling story. And you’ll gain skills to help you develop future ideas, because you’ll remember the spots where you floundered in the past. You’ll be on the lookout to avoid those flimsy areas in the future.
Finish the current book before you dive into the new one. Let this new idea breathe and grow legs. If it’s book worthy, it will.
At Helping Writers Become Authors, K.M. Weiland wrote an excellent article, “4 Steps for How to Turn an Idea Into a Story that Rocks.” She talks about giving the idea a safe place to incubate.
“If you want to see an idea develop, make space for it within your life. If you stuff it way back in some dusty corner of your brain, your subconscious might occasionally bat it back at you. But if you want it to grow, hold it in your mind’s eye. Don’t force it. Don’t dictate what it must or must not do. But watch it.Deep-dive into the dream zone and just let the idea roll around. See what it has to offer. Sometimes you’ll come to what seems the end of its potential, only to have a new fragment of a new idea glom onto the first one and evolve into something new. If that happens often enough, presto-chango, you’ve got yourself a butterfly.” ~K.M. WeilandWhile you’re working on your current project, allow time for the new idea’s story elements to come to you. If you’re taking a walk or in line for coffee, let your mind wander. Jot down any details that come to you.
When you have enough details, you’ll be ready to explore the following questions.
What genre do you think the idea will fit into?
If it’s a romance, do you know who the hero and heroine will be? If it’s not a romance, who is the main character?
Genre is important because readers have expectations when they purchase your book. If you’re writing a romantic suspense, you need to make sure you have plenty of danger. If you’re writing women’s fiction, you need secondary characters to challenge the heroine’s beliefs. It’s easier to brainstorm possible ways to ramp these up before your start writing.
What’s the story about?
Can you wrap it up with a one-sentence summary? Example: When an unemployed actress gets custody of her niece, she takes a job preparing taxes and must choose between the accountant she’s falling for and her dreams of Broadway.
If you can’t summarize it, that’s okay. You might not know enough about the story yet, but at some point, you’ll need to be able to clarify it.
Are the stakes high enough?
Why can’t she have both the Broadway career AND the accountant? Is raising the niece only possible in the current setting? What’s really keeping her and the accountant apart? What does he want? How can these things directly oppose her dreams? And most importantly, what do these characters have to lose?
These types of questions deepen the conflicts and produce more nuanced, page-turning books for readers.
Will readers care about this story?
This is a tough question to be objective about. We automatically assume readers will care because we’re excited, but it’s not always the case. The story must have tension for the reader to keep turning the page. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, continuously find ways to raise the stakes!
When a new idea seems to be growing in my mind over the course of time, I know it’s book worthy. My initial concept always changes as I answer the above questions, and it should. My imagination finds ways to expand the initial idea into a higher stakes novel that will have a better chance at grabbing a reader’s attention and holding it until the end.
How do you determine if an idea is book worthy? I’d love to hear your tips!
I’m giving away one copy (paperback for US residents, ebook for international) of Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets. Leave a comment!
Next week I’m taking over the Love Inspired Readers and Authors Facebook group. I’d love to have you join us! I’m giving away books, and we’re talking about our favorite things from Monday through Friday. Click on Love Inspired Readers and Authors (linked) and “Join Group.”
A nanny at Christmastime…Will she find love in this Wyoming Cowboys novel?
Six weeks on a ranch caring for quadruplets—aspiring nurse Ainsley Draper’s prepared for a busy Christmas. When the children’s handsome uncle opens the door, her task gets extra complicated. Marshall Graham is upholding his promise to look after his twin sister, the babies’ mom. But as family loyalty clashes with new love, will the perfect present include a future with Ainsley?
Purchase Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets HERE
***Mindy butting in here with news that Jill's latest release, Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets, has hit Publisher's Weekly Best Seller list! Congratulations, Jill!***
---------------------------------
Jill Kemerer is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels. Her essentials include coffee, fluffy animals, a stack of books and taking long nature walks. Jill resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. She loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.September 30, 2018
Launch Week---Rocket is firmly strapped
I've got an interview this morning with Fresh Fiction.
I'm not sure when it will play but I'll link to it as soon as I know. They are calling (I hope I've got that right) at 10 a.m. There are a lot of fun interviews at Fresh Fiction, go check them out.
I've got a PODCAST, that means my FACE, on video, next week, with Novelists Unwind.Here is Johnnie Alexander interviewing Lynette Easton
The skies are always blue and the sun is always shining here at Novelists Unwind!
And every day is a great day for getting lost in a great book.
Join me as I chat with an inspirational novelist about writing, faith, life…whatever comes up in the conversation.
A book giveaway is announced the first Saturday of each month so be sure to stop by and enter.
For now, take a break, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the interview!
From Novelists Unwind,
I've got a sale price on for The Accidental Guardian, book #1 of the High Sierra Sweethearts series to help promote the sales of book #2, The Reluctant Warrior. The Accidental Guardian ebook is on sale right now for $2.99. Click Here to Buy.
And then TOMORROW The Reluctant Warrior is releasing! It seems like I've been anticipating this for a long, long time. Two books a year. That should whip around faster than it does.I've also got a speech at a library tonight. About a 45 minute drive away. That's always fun (in a nerve wracking, self-loathing, why-am-I-not-better-at-this??? kind of way.
I know I've got one more book signing event, but I've got a couple of weeks on that (I think) and that's all related to the launch of my new book.
And I just sent in final edits of book #3 of The Unexpected Champion last week. Now available for Pre-order.
The finished manuscript of Book #1 of the NEXT series that we just titled The Brides of Hope Mountain. We've just titled it Aiming for Love......my heroine is a skilled archer.My WIP is Book #2 of that series is currently titled Woman of Sunlight. I like the title but I"m not sure it's a good match for Aiming for Love.
Something to think about.
So, I thought today I'd give you this little slice of my author life.
And to take the BORING out of my whining about my busy life.....a busy life which mostly includes me NEVER LEAVING MY CHAIR.......I'm giving away a signed copy of The Reluctant Warrior.
What do YOU do when life gets hectic.
I don't own a hammock, and I probably couldn't get out of it once I got in itHow do you chill out.
Decompress.
Relax.
Escape (okay I'll stop now...either that or open my online thesaurus, but you get the idea)
I need to remember how to BREATHE!
I'd appreciate YOUR advice. Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a signed copy of The Reluctant Warrior. And thank you.
The Reluctant Warrior
Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.When danger descends on the cabin where they're huddled, Cam is hurt trying to protect everyone and now finds Gwen caring for him too. He soon realizes why the kids love her so much and wonders if it might be best for him to move on without them. When she sees his broken heart, Gwen decides to help him win back their affection--and in the process he might just win her heart as well
September 28, 2018
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 taught a bit about how to write an elevator pitch or logline for you novel!
Wednesday: Debby Giusti provided great info for travelers in her blog post, "International Travel Tips for Writers," along with photos from her recent trip to Ireland. Winner of the fourth and final book in Debby's Amish Protectors series, AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS, is Connie Porter Saunders. Congrats, Connie! Happy reading!
Friday: Pam Hillman demonstrated her skill with WordSwag as she took us step-by-step throught the process of creating memorable memes.
Monday: Mary Connealy is giving away a copy of her brand new release The Reluctant Warrior
Wednesday: Join us today as we welcome Jill Kemerer to Seekerville.
Friday: Missy's longtime critique partner, Lindi Peterson, will be with us! Be sure to drop by. She'll be doing a giveaway!
ACFW Conference 2018 in Nashville is now in the history books! Or at least chronicled in pictures all over social media. Here are a few pics:
Melanie Dickerson and Mary Connealy
Seekerville's own Tina Radcliffe, winner of the Mentor of the Year Award! And me
Agent extraordinaire, Natasha Kern and Melanie Dickerson
Melanie Dickerson, Mary Connealy, Myra Johnson. Don't we look like we're having fun?
Melanie and her audiobook narrator, British native Jude Mason, resident of Nashville for 10 yrs now.
Janyre Tromp (Kregel Editor), Savanna Kaiser (Genesis Finalist)Amanda Barratt (Great Writer and Seekerville Guest Blogger)
and Erica Vetsch, who was honored to be in such fine company!
Erica Vetsch, Mary Connealy, Georgiana Daniels.God has blessed me (Erica) so much in putting these
two amazing women in my life!
In NOT-ACFW CONFERENCE NEWS:
Julie Lessman (Seekerville Emeritus) and I, Erica Vetsch, are two of the collaborators on this writing-how-to book that just released! If you're an aspiring author, a veteran author, or anywhere in between, we'd love it if you'd consider reading the book for review. I have a few copies available for review, and once they're gone, they're gone! Contact me at
https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/
via private message if you're interested in becoming a reviewer from Writing from the Trenches!
You can learn more about the book by clicking on this link: Writing From the Trenches
RELEASING TUESDAY OCTOBER 2NDTHE RELUCTANT WARRIOR
Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected.
He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother.
Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children--the little kidnapper!
Releasing Monday, OCT 1st AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS
Safe Haven for the HolidaysThe thrilling Amish Protectors conclusionby Debby Giusti
Leaving the nursing home where she works, Rosie Glick’s accosted by a man demanding incriminating evidence her murdered boyfriend stole—until Ezra Stoltz scares him off. Now with a killer dead set on silencing the Amish single mother, Ezra must hide Rosie and her baby to keep them safe. But can he expose a sinister conspiracy in timeto save the woman he secretly loves?
Releasing this week, October 2, 2018 from bestselling Amazon author Ruth Logan Herne, book two of her Wishing Bridge series "At Home in Wishing Bridge"!
Thea Anastas never thought she’d wind up working in rural New York. But a call from a friend in need convinced the nurse practitioner to make the trip. Now her temporary position is making a difference—though Thea can’t afford to make a difference, to fill a gaping hole in the sweet, small town of Wishing Bridge. The current medical practice is being dissolved in three months, and bigger opportunities are luring her away…Her partner, Dr. Ethan Brandenburg, has his own struggles: caring for his orphaned niece and nephew and holding firm to his decision to leave Wishing Bridge for a prestigious job in Chicago. Though Thea’s no-nonsense advice in the office has been good for business, her compassion in Ethan’s personal life has been good for his heart. But how can he offer a commitment to a woman when they’re both about to say goodbye?
Wishing Bridge may be surrounded by forests and farms, but Thea is starting to realize that friendships and family form its heart—and that what she wants in life and love may be right in front of her eyes
What is the Best Service for Print on Demand Books? from the Reedsy blog.
ACFW 2018 recap in Publishers Weekly
Three Principles for Finding Time to Write by Jane Friedman
Accuracy vs Authenticity: 5 Tips for Writing Immersive Historical Fiction by Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn
Lessons Learned from a Writing Critique by Sylvie Soul at Live Write Thrive
September 27, 2018
Let's Go Places with Word Swag
By Pam Hillman
Last month I shared a blog post titled Memes, Monkeys, and Me: Photo Editing and Graphics Design for Amateurs. This was a refresher on using PicMonkey to create memes and promotional swag for social media mostly on a desktop or laptop computer. But I also promised to bring you a fun post on a cool app that really puts the move on our busy lifestyles.
It’s WordSwag.If you spend a lot of time waiting in line, at doctor’s offices, or waiting on your order to be delivered to your table, then why not get a jumpstart on your online PR with mobile memes directly from your smart phone?
I’m going to use my latest release, The Road to Magnolia Glen, as an example. Also, for the record, I have an iPhone.
Most of the terms I use should be interchangeable with other devices, but just in case, I thought I’d mention that up front.
Also, I did find a few online resources that said Word Swag is available for Androids, but if not, you should be able to search for a compatible photo/text app for your phone.
So… get ready, get set, and let’s go. Here are step-by-step instructions to set up your on-the-go meme making office on your phone or iPad.
Step 1: It goes without saying that you need to install the Word Swag app on your iPhone or iPad. It's free! :) Again, if you have an Android, I can’t advise you on which app to try. Possibly someone else can step in and help us out. Done? Okay! On to Step 2...
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Step 2: Create an ALBUM on your phone for the project you will be working on. The one we'll be using today is for The Road to Magnolia Glen, which released in June. Save your book cover, reusable templates, and completed memes in this album. You’ll see from the above screenshot several completed memes as well as some blank templates with my Magnolia Glen cover already included for quick reference.
Regarding reusable templates: Generally, book specific backgrounds will be something you've created in PicMonkey where you can create styles and layers. The ones above are a composite of backgrounds from my publisher, my VA, and my own photos.
Step 3: Next, in the NOTES section of your phone, create a PR folder and then copy/paste notes when you find a cool review, or add some quotes from the book during in the final stages of the final edit. You'll be so glad you did this step when the book releases. You can add photos in the Notes section, but I prefer to keep the photos in the albums and the words (quotes, reviews, links) in the Notes section. And finally, if you’re quick and maybe a bit OCD, you can certainly make these memes right then and there, but I’m not always that organized.
Step 4: Are you done? Okay. Let’s keep going. This next part is the fun part ! You should have some background templates on your phone AND you have some quotes and reviews that you’ve gathered for when you’re stuck in traffic or scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, and you realize that you haven’t posted anything in a while.
Step 5: Either decide which background template you want to use from your ALBUM of choices OR you might want to just use something from Word Swag. That’s your choice. I’m going to use one of my templates with my book cover on it. This can be effective as readers continue to see the same colors and styles over and over with different quotes and/or reviews. Open Word Swag and choose LIBRARY (bottom) if you want to use a photo/jpg from the photos on your phone. Choose FREE PHOTOS (also at the bottom) if you want to use one of Word Swags gazillion choices, which I do quite often. Change the size of your photo or Crop it if you wish, or you can leave it as is. Choose Next.
Step 6: A white box of text will appear on your beautiful image that says “DOUBLE TAP ME TO CHANGE TEXT”. Go ahead. Tap it. Don’t worry that it’s clunky and too big or too small for you image. We’ll fix that.
Step 7: If you don't know what quote or review you plan to use, leave Word Swag open and go to your PR folder in your Notes. Copy, return to Word Swag and paste in one of your amazing quotes or reviews you’ve been compiling for just the right time. Make sure "AUTO LINE BREAKS" is On, and then click Done to return to the page with your image and words.
Step 8: At this point, you can play with the Style, Color, Size, and "arrangement" of your text. Have fun until you get the look you want. :) Scroll back and forth to look at the different font options. And use the dice in the lower right-hand corner to let Word Swag show you all the cool options for each different style.
Step 9: Don’t be afraid to use the “Add + Text” option at the top. My first attempt didn’t fit in the space as neatly as I wanted, so I removed the word “Quinn” and thought … uh … outside the box. :) I loved the result (below). Also, if you look closely, I added another “Quinn” in a darker color for a drop shadow. Just because I could. Last, I wanted to give Kav at Best Reads credit, but there just wasn't room inside the small circle. So, I added a third Text box at the bottom. Looking good. :)
Step 10: Save your work and post to ALL your favorite social media sites.
Tada! My end result for today’s exercise.
Last, but not least…you don’t have to have templates or quotes from your book or anything to have fun. Pick a photo from Word Swag’s photo library and one of their Custom Quotes. I’ve done this several times and just made fun evergreen memes. The exercise feeds my creative bent.
And that's how you make a meme on the go. :)
Questions? Results? Come on!! It’s easy. Post your work on Instagram or Facebook and let us cheer you on. Use the #Seekerville hashtag. Let’s have some fun.
And... today's post is just in time to let you know that The Road to Magnolia Glen is on sale for $0.99, but it ends soon! So grab your copy now. :)
The Road to Magnolia Glen
