Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 133

Plotting Your Journey

I am unashamedly a pantser. Most of you know what that means. A pantser is a person who does not lay out big plans or modes or outlines or graphs or models of stories... we don't do creative boards about our characters and generally speaking we get a story idea and start fleshing it out mentally... and then we start writing. And in that initial writing process we get to know our characters, our setting and our plotline. We might go into the story knowing that Jennifer not only keeps her job, she gets a promotion and that Kyle realizes he isn't really meant to be alone... that he felt that way because of past wrongs.

BUT THAT'S ALL WE KNOW.

And so we write and get to know things and add things and bob and weave as we create the opening chapters, checking the sequence, tweaking this and deleting that.

Now this process is natural to pantsers. It doesn't worry us, bother us, fret us or take all that much time, really. It's an artistic process.

But this is not how to run a business.

The business side of writing is different. It's serious. It affects the paycheck. Which affects the mortgage. And the bank's pleasure at dealing with you.

These two distinct sides of your business need to be handled uniquely. You're fine being a pantser when writing books as long as you're creating saleable material. It's all good.

But running a business takes plotting to be successful, no matter which side of the publishing divide you fall on.

 
1. Plan your work and work your plan. 
    A. How much money do you need to make?
    B. Are you published already?
    C. If not, are you doing what it takes to get there?
    D. Are you working regularly?
    E. Are you sending things out?
    F. Entering contests?
    G. Working with a critique partner?
    H. What are your goals?
    I.  Are you working every day to achieve those goals?
    J. Have you put a lid on whining and/or being envious of others? (You would be amazed at how many writers are never satisfied with where they are because they're so busy looking around at others. This is not helpful. Keep production up at least until you're on the NYT list... and even then, if you're smart!)



2. Now that you're published, what are you doing to stay published?
   A. Are you writing daily?
   B. Are you editing your work regularly to polish it, make it shine?
   C. How many books can you write in one year?
   D. Do you crunch numbers regularly or act surprised when income rises or falls?
   E. Are you examining all sides and opportunities in the current publishing landscape?
   F. Do you set up a one year plan? A two year calendar?
   G. Most businesses run the "numbers". What are your numbers? How much can you write in a day? Then multiply that by days in the week and weeks in a year, etc.
   H. Do you have a back-up plan? When a line closes, do you have another outlet for your work?
   I. Are you utilizing the indie market as well as traditional markets to get your name out to more people?
   J. Do you watch market reports, Author Earnings, check Seekerville links and read with respect and skepticism?
   K. Do you know why you should be skeptical? :) Go to letter "L" and I'll tell you...
   L. Because you are the captain of your ship, and not everyone wants your success. You should! So don't pay too much attention to the whiners and naysayers that pepper the publishing landscape.


Now  you're asking yourself, is she serious?

Heck, yeah. And here's why: Most of our audience is women. Women are amazingly creative but tend to want to THANK EVERYONE for the chances they've been given instead of riding through the corral, boots on and heels down, showing everyone that they're in charge.

You need to be in charge.

You need to be the captain of your ship. You need to be the person in charge, the one with a plan because you are the only one who can make that plan work and make that dream come true.

You can dilly dally.

You can fuss over this and that. So many do...

But if you attack this new career like a job, even a simple part-time job, and give it that dedication of an hour or two/day, you will begin amassing an enormous stockpile of work in a year or two.

Why is that important?

Because no one buys a blank page.

NO ONE.

I love to see women take charge. I love seeing women square their shoulders, stick their chins in the air, and get the job done.


In the movie Willow, the little Nelwin "Willow Ufgood" is yearning to be the sorcerer's apprentice. The sorcerer holds out his gnarled, aged hands and asks the candidates to pick the finger with the power. Each one picks mistakenly. Afterward, the sorcerer asks Willow what his first instinct was, and Willow somewhat abashedly answers "I was going to pick my own finger."

"And that was the correct answer," said the aged sorcerer.

No matter where we are in this writing career, we shouldn't feel the need to look for power elsewhere.

Draw it from within.

Master your own destiny. Learn from other's mistakes, but that doesn't mean you have to follow their examples or timeline.


I have always admired production. Mary Connealy, Margaret Daley, Linda Goodnight, Karen White, Lisa Wingate, Nora Roberts, Shirlee Mccoy, Debbie Macomber, Lenora Worth, just to name a few. What these talented women share is the self-discipline to work daily... and to get the job done. They have shown all of us what can be accomplished if we just keep working.

A few weeks ago my buddy Vince mentioned writing a renowned classic.

You know, I have never worried about such things. If I can touch hearts and help troubled souls with sweet stories of longing and forgiveness, I'm happy. I have no need for stardom or awards or huge money...

I just like to write the kind of stories folks like to read. And I like to write them quickly.

BUT THAT'S ME.

And you don't have to be a Ruthy or a Mary or a Nora....

But if you're going to be running your own small business, you do better if you make a plan, then let the plan guide you.

It's all mathematical, darlings.

If you want to write three 60K books in a year, that's 180,000 words.

180,000/365 is just under 500 words/day. TWO PAGES, my loves.

Two.

I might not be big on planning and plotting my stories.... except in my head. But I do plan my work, my job, my business because planning that not only affects my pocketbook. It affects my life.

And while there are lots of things in life I cannot control... and as Shirlee Mccoy pointed out on facebook so succinctly this week, every writer deals with the stresses of life. No one is immune... the trick is to keep on working because while life throws you curves, the one thing you have full control over is your work. Your effort. Your production.

So tell me? Are you a pantser or a plotter in your writing? And how can you make yourself be a better planner when it comes to working?

Ruthy has a copy of her newest Love Inspired, a beautiful opening story to her new Western series "Shepherd's Crossing"... Wait, make that TWO COPIES!!!! Win it before you can buy it!

This beautiful reunion story will make you smile and sigh... and then smile again.Leave a comment and let her know you want it... and tell us what you're doing to make your dream come true. If you dare... otherwise, just grab some cookies and lemonade and we can talk about any old thing.


Multi-published, bestselling, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne writes the kind of stories she loves to read. Stories ripe with romance, faith, fun and fiction and enough poignancy that when they're done... when you turn that last page... you wish you hadn't finished. And that's the best compliment in the world... Friend her on facebook, follow her on Twitter, swing by her website ruthloganherne.com and feel free to e-mail her at loganherne@gmail.com. She loves to hear from you! 

Keys to Writing a Great Suspense Novel with Rachelle Dekker

Keys to Writing a Great Suspense Novel


Hey, Seekervillians! Melanie here to introduce the beautiful and talented Rachelle Dekker as our guest today!  Storytelling obviously runs in her family, as evidenced by her "Seer" trilogy, published by Tyndale House. And maybe you've heard of her father, Ted? Well, he's also written a few books. She will be sharing with us today and answering your questions! Without further ado, here's Rachelle.
Taking a swing at writing a suspense novel and diverting from the fantasy/dystopian genre was a terrifying process for me. My saving grace was that I didn’t really know what I had signed up for until I was too far in to back out. Because although all great stories have some major elements that are similar, genre did change the way I had to approach crafting my recent novel.             So what did I learn? The easier question would probably be what didn’t I learn. But I’ll try to simplify here and just give the major threads I discovered in suspense storytelling.             1.) First and foremost, pacing, pacing, pacing! Truth be told, pacing is important to the progression of any story, but suspense pacing has its own unique flow. It’s about dropping hints without giving too much away, but also giving enough “meat” that it pulls the reader onto the next page. Mystery is an important element in any great suspense novel. Why is this happening? Who is doing it? What do they gain?            2.) That leads me to my next point: Your antagonist better sing! When you read a novel, you want the villain’s song throughout that novel to be as intriguing and interesting as possible. They need layers, dimensions. A strong antagonist results in a stronger protagonist. They are the obstacle—or provide the obstacles—that your hero is forced to overcome in order to win. So make them dynamic and amp them up through the storyline. I always try to make my villain three things: smart, determined, and relatable. If you can get a reader to say, “Wait, what they are saying makes sense,” then you really get the reader thinking and invested.



             3.) Speaking of characters: they are everything. Now this can be said for almost all novels, regardless of genre, but when you are dealing with suspenseful themes, I think it is extra important to really explore and expose all your characters. A strong protagonist and antagonist are a given, but those secondary characters elevate a novel. So beside the hero and villain, what characters did I really focus on? Well, I’m so glad you asked.            Sidekick: The character who roots for the protagonist from the very beginning, the Han Solo to your Luke Skywalker. So strong they could have their own story (as it just so happens, Han now does J). Their own quirks and motivations and struggles. Although they fight for the hero, make them have moments of doubt. Nothing is more relatable than doubt. They should have questions, even if only expressed to the protagonist. NO ONE always blindly follows, so make them real.


            Reality Check: Otherwise known as the limiting character. They act as almost a second villain in most stories and are usually deeply connected to the protagonist. Their motivation may be wholesome—they usually believe they are doing what is best for the protagonist—but they serve as a constant boundary for the hero to overcome. This is BY FAR my favorite character to write. Make them cringeworthy but also honest. In a way that, as a reader, you can’t help but think, I might have suggested the same thing. Or I can see their point. A great example of this character is a parent figure. If you’ve read some of my novels, then you know I love a well-meaning but often evil mother.
            **Disclaimer: I love my own mother dearly and apologize to her for this often. J             Sage: Finally, the hero’s voice of reason. Your Yoda (continuing with the Star Wars theme I’ve got going—who doesn’t love Star Wars?). This character is always interesting and probably carries a heavy layer of mystery into a suspense novel.  They need to be believable, likeable, and I find they’re most fun to write if they add some comic relief as well. They see the big picture before anyone else, but they can’t just lead the protagonist to the water and drown them immediately. They offer truth in doses, small digestible chunks. One lesson at a time until the big reveal at the end.


            4.) Finally, motivations: why, what, when, and who. Again, true of all genres, motivations are a key element to any great novel. But when trying to pull off mystery and suspense, it really better all tie together. Why is the antagonist doing this? Why now, and with this protagonist? What does everyone gain or lose if things play out a certain way? And most importantly—does the reader close the book and think, Oh yeah, that made sense. I buy it. Because if not, then there is a problem somewhere along the line that needs adjusting.             All in all, writing suspense ended up being my greatest struggle as a writer yet, but also incredibly rewarding. It’s always good to step out of your comfort zone and attempt something different. This is my first go at it, and I’d love to hear what you all have to say. So I pose the question: What do you think every great suspense novel should have? As a reader or a writer, what suspenseful qualities do you love in a novel?

About the Author
The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She won a Christy Award for her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Choosing, which was followed by two more books in the Seer series: The Calling and The Returning. Rachelle graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com.
Alicen McCaffrey finally has the life her mother always dreamed for her: beautiful home in Santa Monica, successful husband, adorable daughter. Then tragedy blows her carefully assembled façade to pieces. Worse yet—Alicen feels solely responsible. At rock bottom, she decides to accompany a childhood friend back to Red Lodge, Montana, where they spent summers together as kids.

The peaceful mountain landscape, accented with lush forests and small-town charm, brings back happy memories of time spent with her beloved, eccentric Grandma Josephine. Alicen begins to hope that perhaps things could be different here. Perhaps the oppressive guilt will lift—if only for a moment.

But when Alicen starts hearing voices and seeing mysterious figures near the river in the woods, she begins to fear she’s completely lost her sanity, as it’s rumored her grandmother did. Or might there be more to Red Lodge than meets the eye? Could the voices and visions be real—and her only means of finding the healing she so desperately needs? Or will they prove to be her final undoing?

6 Idea Starters and 4 Tips for Writing Devotionals

Missy Tippens
I recently finished writing over a dozen devotionals to fulfill a contract. I’d only written a couple of devotionals before, so this was stretching myself as a writer. I have to say that, though nervous, I really enjoyed the project! I thought I’d share with you tips on how I managed…things I learned in the process.
Of course, maybe I should preface this whole post by saying I haven’t received my edits back yet so haven’t had any feedback! But I will share my tips anyway. :)
One of the most difficult aspects to me was coming up with the ideas to start writing. Sometimes it took me days to come up with anything. Other times a spark would hit and I would sit down and write a whole devotional in one sitting. Here are some ways to get going:

1.       Start with current lessons. Jot ideas anytime you’re studying the Bible or your Sunday school class lessons. What is God teaching you right now? Using these thoughts will keep your writing fresh.
2.       Start from Inspiration. Do something creative to inspire you. Sherrinda Ketchersid’s beautiful painting and calligraphy inspired me when I saw some of her Bible journaling on Facebook. So I started journaling in a book I saw Robin Hatcher recommend: 100 Days of Bible Promises. While doing so, I got ideas for devotionals from the readings—which led me to think of various ways to tie them in with my theme.
3.       Start from Theme. Constantly think on the theme if you have one. The theme of my devotionals for Guideposts was “All God’s Creatures.” As I went about my daily activities I reflected on how God uses my pets and other animals in my life and what I have learned from them. Dig deeply. I had to think beyond my own dog and cat to how all types of animals have touched my life.
4.       Start by Sharing Yourself. Think about your life experiences and how things you’ve been through could help or inspire others or even give them a moment for tears or laughter.
5.       Start from Struggles. Share pain and joys and how God has used them in your life. Be open and honest about struggles. Make sure you don’t come across as trying to sound perfect.
6.       Start with Scripture. Pick a Bible verse/ passage you want to write about. Study the passage and see if God will show you something new. Try using a commentary. I started doing this when I worried I might misrepresent the verses I was using. I found some great info in The New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary.


1.  Get feedback. Consider asking someone who knows the Bible and theology to read over your work. My husband is a pastor and gave great feedback. Anytime I got stuck, he helped me brainstorm ideas. He also helped me locate potential applicable Bible verses when I couldn’t remember the exact location. Best of all, he was honest and told me a couple of the devotionals “aren’t quite ready to submit.” (Which was a nice way to say they weren’t as good as the others.) LOL
2.  Read other devotionals to figure out the style that appeals to you.
3.  Research the guidelines if you’re going to submit for publication. Find out what to include: Scripture, the devotional, faith step, poem, prayer, etc. Be aware of word count limits and preferred Bible version.
4.  Above all, pray for guidance and wisdom. One of my devotionals used James 1:5. Claim this verse!


Have any of you written devotionals? I’d love to hear your tips. Or if you’re a reader, what type devos appeal to you?
Today I’m offering to read one devotional (up to two pages long) for one winner! I’ll give any type of feedback you’d like or help you brainstorm ideas. If you’d like to enter, please let me know in the comments.
Oh! Today I’m also celebrating a novella release! It’s my first indie publishing done all on my own. (Please note, this novella previously appeared in the 2015 Seeker boxed set titled Coffee House Romances Contemporary Collection.)
Cover Design: Rogenna Brewer His Summer Valentine
Opposites attract in this novella-length inspirational romance, Home to Dahlia, Georgia, Series Book 1.

Willow Valentine is on a quest—granted, a crazy one. When her car breaks down in the middle of a 4th of July parade in the tiny town of Dahlia, Georgia, she can’t help but wonder if God was bringing her here all along. After the handsome Trent Meriwether comes to her aid, she’s tempted to believe God has. But she, like her dad, is the type to keep moving on. Can she truly avoid that Valentine itch and settle in this town, especially when she finds she’s quickly falling for Trent, a man with deep roots in Dahlia?

Trent has moved back to his hometown to make amends and support his family. Though his grandmother warns him the Valentines are drifters, he finds himself intrigued by Willow. She makes him laugh and feel hopeful for the first time in ages. But how can he look twice at someone so much younger, someone who could pick up and leave at any moment—even if she is like a ray of sunshine to his troubled soul?
Available now in e-book format. I hope to release it in print format soon. If you get a chance to read it, all reviews would be greatly appreciated!
***** Born and raised in Kentucky, Missy Tippens has lived in Georgia for the last 25+ years. She is a pastor's wife and mom of three who has worked as a microbiologist, teacher and stay-at-home mom. During that time, she also pursued writing. After more than ten years of working toward publication, Missy finally made her first sale of a novel in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA® , Booksellers Best, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest and an RT Reviewer's Choice Award. She feels very blessed to be working at home in her dream job!
For news about upcoming books, be sure to sign up for Missy's quarterly newsletter at her website www.missytippens.com. You'll also find her at https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.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:  Mary Connealy was here talking about how to release an independently published book. The winner of an ebook copy of Loving the Texas Lawman is WinterRose
Wednesday: Seekerville closed...Happy 4th of July!
Thursday: What Makes 1776 a Great Story? History...and Sacrifice. Ruthy broke this musical down into the components we love as viewers and/or readers.
Friday: Mindy Obenhaus had A Conference State of Mind and shared some tips for getting the most out of your conference experience. What are your take-aways from attending a conference? Join the discussion.



Monday:  Have you ever considered writing devotionals? Be sure to join Missy Tippens today! She has just finished writing some for an upcoming release and is going to share tips she learned along the way!
Tuesday: Rachelle Dekker shares her knowledge and experience with us today as she discusses Keys to Writing a Great Suspense Novel.
Wednesday: Ruth Logan Herne discusses career planning in her Wednesday post  Plotting Your Journey. While Ruthy is a confirmed panster when she's writing, when it comes to her career path, she's a born planner! AND... she's got a surprise pack of great reads for one lucky reader!   Friday: Carrie and Beth tag team us today!





A SALE ON COWBOYS! :) Waterbrook Press has put Ruth Logan Herne's beautiful western "Peace in the Valley" on sale for $1.99 THIS WEEK! Head on over to Amazon or Barnes & Noble to pick up this beautiful Cinderella-type romance for a great price... for a great book!



If all goes as planned, Missy will have a new indie novella released soon! The novella, His Summer Valentine, was previously released with the Seeker boxed set titled Coffee Shop Romances (2015). If you missed it, be sure to check out the new release! She hopes to share a link on Monday. (Fun cover design by Rogenna Brewer!)




It's as if June wasn't long enough! Jan Drexler's The Journey to Pleasant Prairie series from Revell is still on sale in E-book format! How long will the sale prices last? It's anyone's guess! (The sale was supposed to end June 30th!)

If you happen to miss the sale price, the first book in the series, Hannah's Choice, is available to read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Here's the link for your Nook: BarnesandNoble

And here's the link for your Kindle:
Amazon


Mary Connealy's indie pubbed contemporary romantic suspense Loving the Texas Lawman is available now!
It's book #1 of a five (so far) book series and I hope to release one a month (taking months off when I have other releases!)
Loving the Texas Lawman ebook foe $2.99
Loving the Texas Lawman print book for $8.99


Hey guys, Pam Hillman here! Tyndale is having a cool 50% off FLASH Sale
on a bunch of books. Two of mine are included.  Ends JULY 11th
Click here to check out the sale.  Pam Hillman is participating in a Historical Romance
BOOKBUB and Facebook Builder.
Lots of ways to win. Ends July 15th.
(If I understand the Rafflecopter correctly, there are 32 ways to win! Wow!)
Click here to Participate

Pam again... still celebrating the release of The Road to Magnolia Glen . :)
I'm a sponsor at the Christian Fiction Summer Reading Safari.
Read! Review! Win books! (It really is that easy!)
Click here to join the fun for the entire month of July!



COVER REVEAL
AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS
Book Four in Debby'sAmish Protector's Series
The Miller sisters were featured in the firstthree stories...AMISH REFUGEUNDERCOVER AMISHAMISH RESCUE
Who's the heroine in AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS?

The No. 1 Rule For Flashbacks In A Story Opening by Jane Friedman

6 Easy Writing Exercises to Fuel Your Creativity by Gabriela Pereira from Writers Digest

Redesign Your Life to Prioritize Your Writing by David Kadavy from The Creative Penn

Using the Ten Key Scene Structure to Frame Up Your Novel by C.S. Lakin from Live Write Thrive

A Conference State of Mind

by Mindy Obenhaus
Conference season is upon us and the excitement is building. Whether you are a regular attendee of writers’ conferences or this is your first, you need to approach your conference experience with the right attitude. So today I thought I'd share a few tips to help guide you to a productive and enjoyable conference. 

DO expect to learn –
No matter what writers’ conference you choose to attend, you can expect to come away with some new knowledge. It may be a different way to plot or how to market your books. It can be something as simple as finding out that the publisher you’ve been targeting is no longer looking for the genre you’re writing.
Before you head off to your conference, look at the classes being offered and see which ones would serve you best at this point in your writing career. If you’re a relatively new author or you haven’t submitted a manuscript yet, a course in marketing your book might not be the best fit for you right now. However, a class on how to increase tension and emotion in your story could benefit you greatly.
DON’T be disappointed if the agent/editor you meet with does not ask to see your work –
There are many reasons an agent/editor won’t request your work. Yes, it could be that they feel like your project needs more work. That, based on your pitch, your story needs to be more focused or have a better hook. But that’s not the only reason.
Editors know what their readers want and are looking for projects that will fill that desire because their goal is to sell books. Perhaps your story isn’t a good fit for their line. Don’t take it personally. Don’t storm off in a snit and then bad-mouth the editor/agent. Yes, I have actually seen people do this. Agents/editors are business people. They’re not trying to be mean. If they don’t ask to see your work, simply thank them for their time, suggest that, perhaps, you could work together at some point in the future and then go on your merry way. Because the last thing you want to do is burn a bridge you might need in the future. DO expect to meet new people –
One of the best things about a writers’ conference is that you go into it knowing that you have at least one thing in common with everyone else who’s there. Writing!  And you could even throw in a love for books. If it’s a Christian writers’ conference, then there’s one more thing you have in common. Even if you’re an introvert, those things make it easy to strike up a conversation. Let’s say you’re sitting in a room, waiting for the next workshop to start. Someone asks if the seat next to you is taken. You say no, they sit down and BOOM, the conversation has already started. Introduce yourself. This will likely lead to questions about what you write. You exchange business cards and who knows where that chance meeting will lead. Or someone introduces you to someone else. You discover they write Amish Vampire Romance too and the connection is made.
On the flip side of that coin, if you’re used to hanging with a few specific people and you meet a newbie who looks like a deer in the headlights, invite them into your fold. I know the ladies of Seekerville are great about that and it’s always nice to feel like you belong.
DON’T compare yourself to other writers –
The more conferences you attend, the more people you will know. And it’s sometimes a tough pill to swallow when you run into Lucy, a conference friend you thought was at the same level as you in your writing career and then learn that she’s received a three-book contract while you’re still collecting rejection letters. Of course, you’re happy for Lucy, but inside you’re wondering when it’s going to be your turn.
The first thing you need to remember in a situation like that is YOU’RE NOT LUCY. You’re YOU (if your name happens to be Lucy, then insert another name) and God has a plan for YOU. It’s unique, designed specifically for YOU. Rejoice in the fact that the Creator of the universe has His eye on YOU, that’s He’s called YOU to something no one else can do and He will reveal it to YOU in due time. YOU simply need to be obedient in what God has called YOU to do. DO expect to be flexible – 
When things don’t go as planned, think of it as an opportunity for something even better. Say that workshop you’ve been looking forward to attending more than any other is full to the gills and you can’t get in. Instead of getting upset, take the opportunity to find another workshop or take a timeout in the lobby or coffee shop. Sometimes those timeouts can lead to chance meetings. Or as I like to call them, divine appointments. Be open to whatever God might have in store for you.   DON’T overdo it –
Conferences can be exhausting. Especially if you and your roommate that you only get to see once a year like to stay up late chatting. Even if you’re an in-bed-by-ten kind of person you may still find yourself feeling a little worn out. Between all of the excitement, events, learning and interacting with others, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you start feeling as though your head might explode, know that it’s okay to retreat. Go back to your room, put your feet up and recharge. You don’t have to attend every workshop on your list. Ask someone to share their notes with you or purchase the recordings. Know your limits. A writers’ conference can propel your writing and create lasting friendships if you have the right mindset. And behaving in a professional manner and keeping a positive attitude is the right approach for the best possible outcome.
Now it’s your turn. Are you headed off to a conference this year? Will this be your first or have you been before? If you’re a seasoned conference attendee, what’s your best advice for newbies? And if you’re a newbie, do you have any questions for us seasoned folks?


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

What Makes 1776 a Great Story? History... and Sacrifice

With Commitment Came Freedom!

Ruthy here, and since we were closed on Wednesday, July 4th, but open on Thursday, July 5th, only Thursday is a carryover day from Wednesday, then we'd be officially closed on Wednesday and Thursday and that's wrong with a capital "W"! And how was that for a run-on sentence, darlings?

So in keeping with the themes of patriotism, faith, hope, love, sacrifice and romance, we're going to dissect the award-winning Broadway musical (and then film) "1776" starring William Daniels, Blythe Danner, Ken Howard, Howard DaSilva and Virginia Vestoff among many others.

What breaks this musical down into what we love as viewers and/or readers?

1. Emotions

Any patriot will appreciate the deep emotions of both sides of the political debate that raged during the Second Continental Congress. Ripping a colony away from the mother country, especially a mother country that is big on money and power and manpower and weaponry seems absolutely foolhardy in the present... but in retrospect we see that it was the right thing to do.

But those emotions pull the viewer in. Not just the debate of liberty... but the frustration of argument, proving points, gathering votes. And the major frustration of being away from one's wife for months at a time while illness raged throughout New England and the South and medicine only had a rare solution. How tough that must have been!


2. Romance

The beautiful sacrificial romance between John and Abigail Adams is a heart-tugger, but they also make it funny... which draws the viewer in. Romance should have an element of fun, teasing, laughter. What if they'd done the whole thing dripping with sadness?  OY.

"There's one thing every woman's missed in Massachusetts Bay," sings Abby...

John smirks... because of course it must be him they're missing!

"Don't smirk at me, you egotist, pay heed to what I say!" she sings back to him.

Smiling. Laughing. Grinning... as if they were together, but they're not, they're bound by letters that take far too long to get from fetid, foggy, fuming, foggy, filthy... Philadelphia!

And what about Thomas Jefferson (Howard) and his lovely Martha? (Blythe Danner)

Oh be still my heart because poor Tom couldn't keep his mind on writing a declaration of anything except true love right about then after a long enforced separation from his beloved...

And John Adams sent for Martha figuring that once Tom's problem was solved... the country's need for a Declaration of Independence would be solved, too.



3. Difficulty that we can relate to:

90 degrees.... No air. Open the windows and you get flies... so many flies!

Keep the windows closed and the heat builds and builds. If you've never visited Independence Park in Philadelphia, it is so worth the trip. The viewing, the setting, seeing your ancestors or our forefathers as it would have been nearly 250 years ago!

Keeping food fresh in hot conditions

Being away from family.

War: loss of life, loss of property, loss of standing. A lot to lose for people whho were loyal to the crown if the revolutionaries win.


4. Great music:

I love this musical score. I love the whole thing (with the exception of Cool, Cool, Considerate Men that they left out of the movie... it was slow and kind of meaningless... ) but when the young messenger soldier sings "Mama! Look Sharp!" about a mother searching for her dying son's body after a battle... oh be still my heart.


"Sit Down, John!" A wonderful musical tribute to John Adams' legacy of being slightly difficult to get along with as a general rule, but a man of commitment! Oh, wouldn't we love that today?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEE0ol9tpo


And  for romance poignancy:  the beautiful song from John to Abby and back to John...

"Yours, Yours, Yours..."

How he misses her once Martha has joined Tom in the city... When he begs her to come to Philadelphia, but it's impossible. Children with measles and a failing farm. And Abby handles it all... alone.

The viewer/reader feels the true emotion of their loneliness... the depth of their sacrifice for a cause so much greater than sexual satisfaction... but being married and in love and normal... they miss what a normal life and marriage would bring, but they hold tight, supporting one another from afar to attain a cause far greater than married love... Freedom.

A strong and satisfying conclusion:

The declaration... written finally.... is adopted by all thirteen colonies with New York originally abstaining, then approving.

Freedom.... adopted. And then fought for and won as blood spilled.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal... that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are Life... Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

And so we go on this 5th of July, 2018.

What is your favorite part of history, American or general history? What draws you in? What makes it meaningful?



I've got bread pudding here (a big New England favorite) and a Low Country boil going on as a nod to our Southern colonies that joined in the quest for freedom. 

Coffee's ready! 

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is loving life, liberty and her personal pursuit of happiness which includes but is not limited to writing beautiful stories with unforgettable characters... just like the kind of books she likes to read! Follow her on facebook or stop by her website ruthloganherne.com She'd love to meet you!

Seekerville Is Closed Today

Seekerville is closed todayas we celebrate the USA Independence Day!
Please visit us again soon!

I DID IT!!! Scary!

I am independently publishing a book. A New Book. A never before published book!!!
(I am repeating myself so I can get it into my head).
I'm not sure why this freaks me out so much. I am such a dork!
But it does and I might as well admit it.
Why add lying to myself and others in with all the other details of doing this.

PS Ruthy is so courageous about this.
But anyway, I thought I'd talk about my book and what I've learned and maybe if anyone has advice or suggestions of how I should be handling all this, you could let me know.

First the book---the ebook version releases TODAY!
What are the chances??


Garrison's Law Book #1 Loving the Texas Lawman
Yes, book #1 there are 5 of them so far. Contemporary romantic suspense. These are books I wrote before I got published and I have worked hard bringing them up to date, changing names and locations and turning the heroes and heroines into one family.
Before they were spread all over.
Now they are all in Texas. I'm trying to go with my cowboy brand, although this is a ranch family, they've all grown up to be lawmen.
I found loading everything up onto Amazon pretty straightforward, but I wanted a print book and I struggled with that.
I ended up hiring Jamison Editing to edit and to do the covers.
And the Killion Group to do the formatting.
I'm not quite brave enough to do any of these things myself.
HEY I wrote the book, that's a big part!

I'm not sure if a print book is necessary.

On the other hand, it doesn't cost me anything to make a print version, other than the back cover copy and the print version formatting.

But, well, anyway, with some mixed feelings, and the main one being I myself want a print version to go on my shelf, I am going for the print, too, but it's not quite ready yet.

So if anyone has more experience with self-publishing I'd love to hear about it.
And if anyone has questions, I'd be glad to tell you just exactly how to do it....heaven knows if any of it will be right!
And if anyone would please like to go buy my book, and leave reviews, I'd really SINCERELY appreciate it. (admit it, you'd spend this on a cup of coffee that'd last you ten minutes)

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for an ecopy of Garrison's Law!!!
Eeek!!!

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 talked about what goes on a One Sheet. Lorna Seilstad graciously offered a free One Sheet Design Package to one commentor. The winner of the prize is: RMGarrick!
Tuesday: We welcomed Sherri Shackleford and her thoughts on Continuities.

Wednesday: Melanie Dickerson encouraged us to Write Confidently and from the Depths of Your Heart. Breanna Theobald and Amy Anguish will each receive a hardcover copy of The Orphan's Wish.
Thursday: Where Oh Where is Sandra Leesmith? Do you know the answer? The winner of a bunch of really delightful books is Winnie Thomas!
  
Friday: Jennifer Slattery helped us understand Why Every Writer Needs A Critique Partner. The winner of an ecopy of Singing In The Rain is Ruth Douthitt!


Monday:  Mary Connealy kicks of the month of July.
Wednesday:  Seekerville Closed For The Holiday. Celebrate our Independence Day!!  Friday: Mindy Obenhaus will thrill and inspire today (she always does)!


This just in from Waterbrook/Multnomah! The third book of Ruthy's popular Double S Ranch Western series goes on sale Sunday, 7/1/18 for $1.99 for Kindle or Nook! A great way to get this marvelous BEACH READ at an amazing price. BUY AT AMAZON! or... BUY AT BARNES & NOBLE!!! The sale price should show up tomorrow, darlings... on Sunday!

Then, after enjoying a marvelous 4th of July with family and friends or A.C. and a good book... join Ruthy at Petticoats and Pistols on Thursday for a talk about westerns, great sales, great books and why it's fun to curl up and read a book on the beach... because summer only lasts so long, dear ones!




Erica Vetsch will be at the Dodge County Historical Society Museum on Saturday, June 30th, signing books and chatting about history with folks during Mantorville, Minnesota's Stagecoach Days.

Stages of Critique Grief by E.C. Farrell

The 3D Book Cover Creator at DIY Book Design (Thanks to Heidi for this link).

Learn from The Incredibles: How to Write Super Characters by Kerrie Flanagan at Writer's Digest
Six Tips on Writing from John Steinbeck by Maria Popova at Brain Pickings.


Happy 4th of July from Seekerville!!

Why Every Writer Needs a Critique Partner

If you want a thriving writing career, you need to find and develop critique partnerships. Though some writers might argue against this, in my experience, behind the most talented and successful novelists stand a host of supportive—yet honest!—peer reviewers. Notice, I said peer reviewers, which means other writers. Those who understand the craft, can recognize when something in your story isn’t working, and have the ability to articulate why.
Though some may argue against my premise, I’ve yet to encounter a novelist who signed with a major publisher without the help of a critique partner.
Here’s why:
We’re notoriously self-deceived and blinded to our own areas of weakness.
A sentence that makes complete sense to me may leave you confused. That character that struggles with anger and bitterness may come off as hateful or that plot thread that seemed so unique may feel predictable and cliché. Besides, creativity multiplies in the presence of other creative as one idea triggers another then another then another …
And yet, despite all the proven benefits (and by proof I mean in terms of a successful career), numerous writers still attempt to build their career on their own. When asked why, normally a few reasons surface.
1. I’m afraid I’ll lose my voice.
The solution: 1. Develop your voice so that it becomes as much a part of you as your hair color, alterable only by choice. 2. Equally important, grow your confidence so that you’re able to use that which is helpful and discard that which isn’t. 3. Increase your knowledge. If I were to hire a math tutor who told me 4+4=10, I wouldn’t suddenly question my addition skills. I’d get a new tutor!
As award winning psychological thriller author Carrie Stuart Parks puts it, “A good critique partner doesn’t change your writing, nor should he, or she, pat you on the back and say how brilliant you are. Their job is to let you know the words you’ve penned do paint a picture, move the story, or make sense. They should let you know when you’re being trite, lazy, boring, redundant, or unclear—and do so long before you send it to an editor or release it to the public.”

2. I don’t have time for critique partners.
Why are we in such a hurry? Perhaps we forget that the most enduring works take years, sometimes decades, to build. And in writing, I’m of the opinion that working with others actually saves us time—in terms of our overall career and readership growth. It’s one of those “pay now or pay later” deals. Like with anything of lasting value, we get out of it what we put in, and I’d much rather receive critical comments pre-release than post.
3. I can’t find a quality critique partner.
If this is you, I have two words: find one. At the last writing conference I taught at, less than one third of my students, in two classes, had critique partners. And I told them what I’m telling you now—if you want to grow and present your best work, you need to find your peops.
Their response may mirror yours: But how?
To which I replied: Ask around. My students had an entire classroom filled with prospects, but you’ve got an entire web. Join online organizations like ACFW and writing groups on Facebook. Reach out to other novelists; the worst that can happen is they’ll say no. And if your first, second, or third critique partner isn’t a good fit, don’t let that derail you. Simply learn what you can from their feedback and keep looking.
What about you? Do you have a critique partner? If so, what do you appreciate most from that relationship? If not, did any of the reasons I’ve encountered mirror yours? Would you have any to add? Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a ecopy of Singing in the Rain by Jennifer Slattery.
  Jennifer Slattery  is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjen...).
Dancing inthe Rain:
On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains.
Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.
Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.
Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSH8F97