Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 174

Retreat!

Erica here:

I am just about not worth a plugged nickel this week, and you know why? It's because I'm going to be visiting Gabrielle this weekend!

Gabe and I have plotted and planned a weekend together to brainstorm, write, edit, and talk, talk, talk about our love of all things history!

Consequently, I'm having a hard time focusing and forcing myself to do things that aren't trip-related. And there's so much to do! Laundry, bookkeeping, meal planning...not to mention putting words on my WIP.

Anyway, I'm ridiculously excited about the retreat. I love writing getaways! (Last October, I wrote a guest post for Seekerville about writing retreats. You can read it HERE.) And I love writing getaways best when spent with good friends. :)

Have you been on a retreat before?



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Of Mustaches and Men

 As a historical writer, I often find things in history I'd prefer to do without. For example, did you know that facial hair was the "in thing" with men of the time. Really? Half the pictures I see of the 19th Century male looks like their face collided with a gorilla's. Ok. Fine. I'm married to a man with facial hair. But he's a rock climber, and it's done in that wildernessy-rugged sort of way that screams "I'M COOL!". Guy to the left? Not so much. I think his razor slipped and hit his chin.

I'm trying to picture the historically correct kissing scene in my WIP. Let me show you why mustaches don't work for me...

"She saw him lean in, intent behind his black eyes--eyes that had haunted her from the first moment she had met them. She waited, could smell the cinnamon on his breath and then--featherlight ... his mustache hair tickled her nose. She drew in a quick breath and horror! It tickled the inside of her nostril and she felt a sneeze building. His kiss was prickly--like a bristled porcupine. Her sneeze erupted, ruining the moment, and causing his black eyes to widen in disgust."

HOW DOES A MUSTACHE POSSIBLY ADD TO ROMANTIC TENSION?

Do I sacrifice historical accuracy for the faddish attractions of current women? Sure, there were some clean shaven men in 1875, but do a Google search for old Victorian pictures. Lotsa lotsa need for Gillette Razors, I tell ya.

Whatever. My hero, for the time being, is going to remain clean shaven. I can't do it. I just can't buy into the 19th Century pension to wear fur on their face.

Thoughts?
_______________________________________________
Professional coffee drinker, Jaime Jo Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin. She loves to write spirited turn-of-the-century romance, stained with suspense. Her day job finds her as a Director of Sales & Development. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl, and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan”. Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW, best-selling author, and has the best writing sisters EVER!

ECPA Bestselling - "The Cowgirl's Lasso", The Cowboy Bride's Novella Collection - Barbour Publishing

"Gold Haven Heiress", California Gold Rush Romance Collection - Barbour Publishing - COMING AUGUST 2016

Visit Jaime's web site: jaimejowright.com
Email Jaime - jaimejowright at gmail dot com
Like Jaime on Facebook
Friend Jaime on Twitter
Meet Jaime on Pinterest

Favorite Bookstore Find

Brick and mortar bookstores have been trending down steadily since the rise of online bookstores such as Amazon.com, but they aren't extinct yet!

I'm always on the outlook for a great new bookstore, especially while on vacation. Every brick and mortar bookstore other than the big chains like Barnes & Noble, have a unique personality that is always fun to discover.

This week Ted & I spent our vacation on Sanibel Island, Florida and found a great little bookstore organized like none other I've ever experienced. If I wasn't already convinced I was in heaven with this view:

...I was certainly convinced when we entered Gene's Bookstore...


...it's organized by buildings! Building #1 is mysteries--galore!! Like book cases and cases that go on forever and ever! My mystery writing friend, Halee Matthews, would have thought she'd died and gone to heaven for sure!!


What book store has an entire building dedicated to mysteries? One that features every country! Australian and British were just a few. It was a literal maze, come follow me:
And beyond the first building was a second building dedicated to fiction, and a third building entirely for history books! Eeeeeeee!!
For a history lover, you brain about explodes when you walk in and there are so many books, there are stacks on the floor. As I browsed the stacks, a lovely lady stopped me to ask, "if you were shopping here would you buy this book?" She holds up a small copy of a book about the 1833 Cholera outbreak in Lexington, Kentucky. I notice the author is a nurse. "Of course I would, did you write this?"
Sure enough she had. She was looking to sell copies to the bookstore but just wanted to be sure it was the right sort of clientele. I bought a copy on the spot and we had a wonderful chat about history, Cholera, public health nursing, and writing. #DivineEncountersInABookstore
 Meet Terry Foody, RN, MSN, author of The Pie Seller, The Drunk, and The Lady.
Readers:Do you visit local bookstores while on vacation?Please share your best bookstore finds!  -------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


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Interview & Giveaway with Lisa Belcastro

Jaime: Thank you, Lisa, for being on the Coffee Cups and Camisoles blog! We’re excited to have you here, to learn more about you and your books!! We've not had the privilege of meeting before and I've not read your books, so it is great to get to know you!


Lisa: Thank you so much for having me visit. Does everyone have their coffee or tea, and a good book nearby?

Jaime: ME! COFFEE! :) Ok, let's get started! :) 
What authors do you like to read?

I am an avid reader. Yesterday I finished reading Sandra Orchard’s A Fool & His Monet, and I’m already counting the days until book 2 in the Serena Jones series comes out in the fall. I’m an avid reader of Denise Hunter, Andy Andrews, Karen Kingsbury, Tessa Afshar, Janette Oke, William Young, and so many more.

What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

The Chornicles of Narnia series led me to a fascination with time travel. Left Behind, and the entire series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, changed my view of the rapture and therefore my life as a Christian. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke introduced me to the world of Christian romances, and that has forever changed my reading list. My favorite book is The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. I read it multiple times a year, and every time I learn something new. Though fiction, the story has more life lessons than I can learn in one, five, or ten readings.

What’s more important: characters or plot?
A good plot is essential. The best-written characters can’t go anywhere without a great plot. That said, my characters are near and dear to my heart and I always want to discover everything I can about them and then express their deepest thoughts, greatest sorrows, and biggest dreams throughout the story.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author and what would it be?

Horror/demonic story lines hold no interest for me, even when Biblically correct. I’m a wimp, so I’ll never voluntarily venture into worlds where there is a lot of violence. I’m one of those girls who enjoys a sweet love story before bed, and in the morning, and the middle of the day.


How important are names to you in your books and how do you choose them?

I spend hours, no days, thinking about, researching, and then testing out characters’ names. A character’s name, and any potential nicknames, have to fit the person and “feel” right. A character’s name is almost as important as naming a child or beloved pet. My characters become family and they stay with me, especially since I write series. Their names have to sit well in my heart and mind because they are going to be there for a very long time.


What secret talents do you have? Because here at the CCC blog we have all kinds of them ;)

Shhhhhhhh - I’m a cat whisperer! Seriously, I have three cats and I’m certain I know exactly what each one of them is saying at any given moment. And when I speak to them, they listen and respond. Ben, my office assistant, has helped write numerous books and is full of great ideas.

I’m also known as a great cook who grows her own organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits, and goes fishing to catch dinner. If I could grow Cacoa trees, I’d make my own chocolate and truly be living in paradise!

What were you like as a child? Steady-going like our Anne, a tornado like Jaime, and adventurous soul like Erica, or an avid-reader like Gabrielle?

I was, and still am, an avid reader who loves to take great adventures in books as well as seeking out great adventures in life, especially if said adventures involve travel to foreign countries or exciting
places here in the States or Canada.


What are your writing goals for 2016?

I have two books coming out this year, Audition for Love, which needs to have final edits done, and Shenandoah Song, which I have to finish writing. Those are practical goals. I’m attending two writers’ conference this year, where I hope to learn more about the craft and connect with fellow authors. My biggest goal, though, is to research and outline a book that I have had in my head for the last three years. It’s a huge project, deep in emotions and traumas, and will be both draining and healing to write. The characters are now starting to come to life as the plot unfolds.


Lastly, will you leave us with a snippet from your book that is one of your favorites and gives us a glimpse into its pages?

I’d love to! This scene is from A Dream for Love, the first book in my Possible Dreams trilogy.


The sun was lowering in the sky when the limo turned onto the dirt road leading to Ryan’s home. Sure enough, two white horses and a carriage waited for them. The carriage was trimmed with tiny white lights and pink roses.

“Mommy, it’s so pretty.”

Gracie’s words and wide-eyed expression summarized Laurel’s thoughts.

A second herald approached them, carrying a block of steps, much sturdier than a stepladder. He set the mounting block next to the carriage.

“My ladies, may I offer assistance?” Gracie stepped forward, accepting his proffered hand and remembering to lift the front of her dress as she climbed up. Laurel followed, snuggling close to Gracie and carefully wrapping them in the warming blanket left on the seat.

As the horses trotted up the road, Laurel found that she was holding her breath. She exhaled then breathed in slowly, hoping to calm her racing heart. Gracie was chattering away, mindless that Laurel’s thoughts were on Ryan, what he would say, how he would hold her as they danced, and whether their night would extend past the little squirt’s bedtime.

When the house came into view, Gracie squealed in delight. Laurel drew in a sharp breath. The walkway was lined with sixteen rose bushes, the exact ones she’d sold to a landscaper, or someone posing as a landscaper, two days ago. Candles flickered in dozens of white bags set at intervals from the parking area to the front door. And when her eyes followed the trail of shimmering lights, Laurel discovered Ryan standing in the doorway.

He was dressed in a black tuxedo, too far away for Laurel to see exactly how handsome he looked but close enough to steal her breath. Ryan walked toward them. When the carriage came to a stop, he was standing right there, more handsome than she’d ever seen him.

Ryan held one single white rose and one single pink rose. “Hello, princesses.”
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Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard. She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Ben, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head.

Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states.

Lisa’s stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique.
When she’s not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.
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www.lisabelcastro.com

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Where's the baby?

Erica here:

A few years ago, my friend and fellow author Mary Connealy and I had a chat about stories that have babies in them. She was writing a story that had a baby, and she said the hardest thing was remembering that the baby always has to be somewhere!

I remembered this last year as I was writing my novella The Trail Boss's Bride. I love this story! A rough and tumble trail boss trying to get his herd to market comes across a fresh widow who is in labor! He has to help her deliver her baby, but his crew kicks up a fuss about having a woman along on the trail. Until the camp cook quits, and the widow takes over the job.

One thing I learned while writing this story is that you have to know where the baby is every minute! Mary was sure right! This story is a romance, where the hero and heroine need time together in order to fall in love, but you can't just toss the baby in a drawer while you progress the romance.

Having a big cast of characters helped, since someone could be holding the baby girl when the heroine was busy. I also had one of the cowboys make a cradle board, so that the heroine could carry the baby on her back and have her hands free while working around the campfire.

I also had to find ways for the baby to bring the couple together. After all, is there anything more heartwarming than a big, rough ol' cowboy holding a newborn? Having my cowboy fall in love with the baby at the same time he fell in love with her mama...swoon!

What's your favorite book that has a baby in it?

You can purchase The Trail Boss's Bride for just $2.99, and you can find out all the ways I kept track of the baby in the story!

Click this link!!!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Trail-Bosss-Bride-inspirational-ebook/dp/B014FXDGQC


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The Night That Jesus Went Away

MOMMY! Moooooommmy!
If you’re a mother, at some point in your child’s life you’ve heard that panicked scream curdling with tears that sends you sprinting up the stairs to your child’s bedroom. 
It happened the other night. I was in bed, darkness had fallen, and through the monitor Peter Pan was being captured by the very wicked nighttime shadows of Neverland. He was sitting in the middle of his bed, lanky arms and wrapped around his little body, the face of Spiderman sprawled across his jammy-top. Tears glistened in the light cast from the nightlight that had done little to quell his fear. Peter Pan’s breath came in little gasps and when I reached him, his arms and legs curled around my neck and waist as if he could bury himself in my protection. 
“Buddy, Buddy,” I whispered, “what happened?” He pulled back, coffee-brown eyes swallowing his face and in a watery voice he whispered, “Mommy, Jesus went away!” 
Jesus went away. 
Those three words hit me with the force of thousand boulders, and they still bruise my psyche every day. My little boy earnestly believed that in the darkness, Jesus had kissed his forehead and walked from his bedroom leaving Peter Pan to fight away the evil that lurked in his closet and under his bed. 
That fear? It was so real, so poignant, so vivid. The spirit of my son was experiencing the hellish terror of being utterly and completely without Jesus. As grown-ups, our shadows are much deeper than Peter Pan’s. Neverland becomes a place that is very real, and its demons seem to knife us with sharpened fingers, latching on without mercy. Demons in the form of cancer, loss of a job, miscarriage, dying child, financial straits, mental struggles, and so much more. We bully through, we suck it up, we pray and plead and beg and then finally, we reach that point where we—for a stark, barren, panicked moment—scream, with tears choking our throats. 
Jesus went away. 
At least, that’s how it feels, in that minute, in that nanosecond, or maybe in the day, year, or half of a lifetime. We convince ourselves those shadows are more daunting than Jesus. We cannot see Him, we cannot feel Him, and all the cliché verses that used to bring comfort taunt us with their emptiness. 
Peter Pan clutched at me, whimpering in my ear against my protests, “but He did, momma, He did go away.” “No, Buddy, He didn’t.” “But I can’t see Him! Where is He, Momma?” 
In that moment, quoting: “I will never leave you or forsake you”, or “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me” . . . it wouldn’t work. Peter Pan is three. Three years old little minds cannot interpret Scripture, and while there are arguably merits to quoting verses, in this moment, I knew they would do little to calm the shivering little frame that had leeched itself onto my body. 
“He’s here, Buddy, I promise. He promises.” A kiss planted on Peter Pan’s forehead was whipped from him as he shook his head. “No, no! I can’t see Him!” And then, He whispered to me, in my soul. “No, Buddy, you can’t see Jesus. But He is here and you know what?” “What?” Breathless, three-year-old anticipation. “Sometimes Jesus knows that He needs to show you He is here and that He didn’t go away. So He sends people, like Mommy, to come and love you, and hold you, and pray with you, and tell you how much He loves you.” Peter Pan drew back from me, brown-eyes filled with question. “So do you see Jesus?” “Awww, Buddy, no, but I know He’s here. Right beside us.” “How?” 
How? The age old question. The one we all must trip over when logic can no longer help us along the way. When faith must take hold and push one back onto their feet. Experience has proved to me that Jesus is real, evidence is stacked in His favor, but in the end, the strength to have faith that has been given to me by God, has convinced me. In those moments when human arms wrapped around me and whispered Jesus promises in my ears. When I walked alone through my struggle and an email delivered into my inbox with an encouraging word laced with the richness of God’s Words. 
“How?” Peter Pan’s little voice asked again, pulling me from my struggle to find words that meant more than just the vague concept of a potentially empty faith. And then . . . 
“Because I believe. I see Jesus everywhere, because I can see how He takes care of us. So tonight, little man, you can see how Jesus takes care of you, because He sent me to hold you.”
Peter Pan’s little smile rewarded me and peace filled those eyes that I love so dearly. He laid back on his pillow and breathed deep, sleep coming like the current of a peaceful stream. His room was filled with silence and the presence of Jesus. 
“No, Buddy,” I whispered over his sleeping form, “Jesus didn’t go away. Jesus will never go away.”
_______________________________________________

Professional coffee drinker, Jaime Jo Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin. She loves to write spirited turn-of-the-century romance, stained with suspense. Her day job finds her as a Director of Sales & Development. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl, and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan”. Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW and has the best writing sisters EVER!

"The Cowgirl's Lasso", The Cowboy Bride's Novella Collection - Barbour Publishing

"Gold Haven Heiress", California Gold Rush Romance Collection - Barbour Publishing - COMING AUGUST 2016

Visit Jaime's web site: jaimejowright.com
Email Jaime - jaimejowright at gmail dot com
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Meet Jaime on Pinterest

Work that Hums

Yesterday morning my husband and I took a rare Sunday morning break and went for breakfast.
When I grew up we didn't eat out much and doing so was a great treat and something to be celebrated. But now days eating out is common place in our busy work schedules.

Everyone has experienced a bad dining experience or two, and unfortunately those are the ones that get retold. But as Ted and I took the only places left at the bar of this breakfast diner, we soon realized we were in for a treat.

This place literally hummed...never missing a beat!



The seating capacity was only forty in this little cafe at the end of Periwinkle Drive, but we counted nearly ten working staff at Over Easy Cafe. They moved and flowed, never stopping, nearly without talking to one another. They just "knew" what to do and anticipated each other's next task.


From the art, to the food, to the coffee, it all melded into what felt like a blessing to us. After weeks of our own long hours working service jobs where we deal with people all day long--after trekking through two airports, cancelled flights, waiting on standby, and lost luggage--witnessing this little humming cafe turned out to be the treat we hadn't expected. Sitting there, watching the national news--this little place was the antithesis to everything that seems to be coming apart in the world.



At first we noticed the great art and warm cozy feel. And we have chickens of our own at home, so we loved the theme.

But then we noticed that the two cooks never even talked, they just did. In fact, even the six or more wait staff that included the owners, didn't chatter much either. It wasn't unfriendly sort of silence, it was what I like before I've had any coffee to start my day! It was the most well-oiled, functional service machine we'd ever seen. Like ants busy on an ant hill. 
And best of all...the coffee never stopped dripping!

If you've never served people day in and day out for weeks and years on end, you might not appreciate what it takes to serve. Being on the flip side of good work--literally felt like a million blessings yesterday morning!
Service: #It'sTheSmallThings  #ChooseYourAttituude #WorkWithASmile #GiveBack
Readers: as you go about your week this week, find one way to serve.
Notice good. Anticipate needs. Smile and give back.
Have a great week!
-------------Blog post by Anne Love-




Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 



Nurse Practitioner by day. 



Wife, mother, writer by night. 



Coffee drinker--any time.


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#Interview & #Giveaway with Author Elizabeth Ludwig

I'm so excited to have Elizabeth Ludwig on our blog today. I loved her series from Bethany House Publishers, Edge of Freedom because it appealed to my historical romance side while overtly flirting with suspense too! But that's not all Elizabeth writes and it was so great to chat with her! :)

What authors do you like to read?
I have so many authors I like to read. A few of my favorites include Deborah Raney and Kellie Coates Gilbert for Women's Fiction, Michelle Griep and Julie Klassen for Regency Romance, Lynne Gentry and Stephanie Landsem for Biblical Fiction, and Ane Mulligan for Women's Contemporary with a touch of humor.

What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Oh my...I think I would have to say The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. Reading that book made change the way I think about Inspirational Fiction. It's not just a good story...it's the Gospel of Christ with a good story woven around it!

What’s more important: characters or plot?
Readers love believable characters. Of course, if the characters have nothing at stake, there's no reason for the reader to invest in them. I think both are equally important.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author and what would it be?

This question makes me giggle, because just about the time I say "never", God says, "Oh, really?" I don't think I would ever tackle any topic that wasn't from a Biblical worldview, but other than that...who knows?

How important are names to you in your books and how do you choose them?Naming my characters is just about as important to me as naming my children! I spend WAY too much time browsing baby name sites. Still, I know when a name isn't right, and I really don't get a good feel for my characters until I've chosen a name that fits them. A name says a lot about a person, don't you think? And the scripture says a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. So I guess that's why I agonize over selecting exactly the right one.


What secret talents do you have? Because here at the CCC blog we have all kinds of them ;)

Well...I'm kind of a computer nerd. Not like an Apple Genius or anything (snort). I know just enough to be dangerous.

What were you like as a child? Steady-going like our Anne, a tornado like Jaime, and adventurous soul like Erica, or an avid-reader like Gabrielle?
Oh, I was an avid-reader. Definitely. I used to spend hours under the covers reading with just a night light when I was a kid!

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what
did you do?
Several years ago, I was working part-time as our church's Youth Director. I was also working full time, parenting full time, and writing full time, so as you can imagine, my plate was pretty loaded. Still, I loved working with the kids so much that I really had a hard time letting go. And then my pastor started asking for me to take on more responsibilities. Though his requests were reasonable, I just knew I couldn't successfully do what he asked and still take my writing seriously. Though it broke my heart, I stepped down from youth ministry and trusted that God would grant me a greater audience to minister to through my writing. And He has!!

What’re your writing goals for 2016?

I've really set the bar high for 2016. This year, I'm hoping to complete a manuscript for Love Inspired, write a fourth book in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries Series, plus a novella for the same. I'd also like to dive into a new Historical Romance series. So yeah...I'll be busy. :-)

Lastly, will you leave us with a snippet from your book that is one of your favorites and gives us a glimpse into its pages?
You know that feeling you get when you write a line and know that it says just exactly what you wanted to express? That's how I felt when I wrote this passage from my latest book in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series:

Cheryl re-read the last line slowly, her Aunt Mitzi’s voice a soothing whisper in her ear. God had indeed brought her through trials, but she’d never felt overwhelmed, and she had sensed His loving presence at her side the entire time.

As if to echo this sentiment, a light breeze ruffled a corner of the page then swirled up to tickle Cheryl’s neck, and down to stir the grass under her feet.

Truly, she had much to be thankful for.

Her lips parted in a sigh as Cheryl folded back the flap on the envelope and replaced the letter inside. Oh, how she missed Aunt Mitzi. It amazed Cheryl how her letters always seemed to arrive at just the proper time, but words on a page couldn’t replace the weathered lines of a loved one’s face.
Awesome sauce! Loved learning so much more about you, Elizabeth!! Thank you for being here!

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BIO:

Elizabeth Ludwig is the author of No Safe Harbor and Dark Road Home, books one and two in the popular Edge of Freedom series. Book three in the series, Tide and Tempest, was recently named a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Elizabeth was also named a finalist in the 2015 Selah Awards for her novella “One Holy Night”, part of the bestselling anthology collection, Christmas Comes to Bethlehem, Maine. Currently, she is working on a series called the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries available from Guideposts. She is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her home in the great state of Texas. To learn more, visit ElizabethLudwig.com.

Throwback Thursday: A Blog Post that Resonates

Recently, I was going through old blog posts, and this one stuck out at me. I wrote it just a few weeks after I became serious about my writing career, four years ago. It's one of those things that makes me pause and marvel at the workings of God. It's a testament to His faithfulness.

I hope it blesses you.


Recently, I've been reading a lot of "how to" books on writing. I am gleaning great information and useful techniques about character development, plot, dialogue, etc., but something I read last night has really shown me how I can be the best writer possible: Give my writing back to God and let Him do with it what He will. This thought isn't new to me, but it was a very timely reminder and an excellent opportunity to make a commitment to Him as I set out on this journey.

I remember a time, almost fifteen years ago, when I had fallen head over heels in love with a certain young man (my Hubby). We were "friends," but I wanted to be so much more. I remember the nine months I spent agonizing over the silliest things, hoping and praying with all my heart that he would return my feelings and that we could start moving towards our future together.

One night as I prayed, I specifically remember telling God I was tired of doing things on my own. I was tired of striving to make myself perfect, I was tired of the ups and downs of my fickle emotions, and I was tired of worrying about the unknown future. I made a promise to God that night that I would lay Hubby in His hands and whatever He chose to do with him, I would trust God to do it. I finally had peace as I let it all go.

A funny and amazing thing happened. About a week later Hubby started showing up at my front door, seeking me out, instead of the other way around. I remember being calm and peaceful, amazed at how God had been working. I remember spending hours just talking and listening. The next day Hubby came back again, and the next day, and the next day. It has been fifteen years since I put Hubby (and my future) into God's hands. We will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary this year and I couldn't have planned a better marriage or future, had I continued to do it on my own. God was faithful when I submitted to Him and has blessed me in abundance for it.

This is just one of countless examples of God's abiding faithfulness to me when I have submitted to Him. And I know, as I give my writing back to Him, He will be faithful to do with it what He deems best, the reason for which He created it to begin with. Ultimately, in my writing and in my marriage, I pray that my submission brings about glory and honor to Him. Dear, Jesus, this is my utmost prayer.

Do you have an example of God's faithfulness? Is there a time when you've looked back and witnessed God's answer to your prayers?

Gabrielle Meyer
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Tropes: What They Are and Why They Work

Erica Here:
Trope:It's a word we hear often in writerly circles, but what is it?
From Dictionary.com: 
A trope (noun) is any literary or rhetorical device, as metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony, that consists in the use of words in other than their literal sense.
Um, yeah. That's what a literary trope is, but what is a trope when it's not all dressed up?
From Wikipedia.com: 
The word trope has also come to be used for describing commonly recurring literary and rhetorical devices, motifs or clichés in creative works.
Wait, wait, wait, cliches? Commonly recurring devices?
Aren't we as writers supposed to be fresh, and new, and avoiding cliches at all costs?
Sure! Of course! 
And yet, tropes are tropes for a reason. It's because they work. After all, there is nothing new under the sun. Every story has been told before in one form or another. Tropes aren't a bad thing. 
Tropes help categorize your book, refine buyers expectations, and connect readers with what they like to read.
And isn't that what we want, to connect with readers/writers who read and write the stuff we love?
There are entire publishing houses and lines that rely on tropes to sell massive quantities of books. 
Don't believe me? Try the mass-market paperback section of your local bookstore. 
Secret BabiesReunion RomancesMail Order BridesSmall Town RomanceMarriage of ConvenienceCowboy and City GirlBad Boy falls for Good GirlSheriff Saves the TownAmish girl falls for Englisher boyAmateur Sleuth solves crime while running tea shop/B&B/Yarn Shop/etc.
And many, many more! Most popular fiction begins with a trope. It's the author's imagination and voice that turns it into something unique. Every avid Regency romance reader wants to read another story of how a titled man marries/rescues/enters into a marriage of convenience with a woman who eventually reaches his jaded heart and wins his love.
Every reader of Westerns wants the story of how the loner cowboy in the white hat faces down the evil outlaw in the black hat, good triumphs, justice prevails, and the cowboy gets the girl.
Contemporary romance readers want the billionaire with the baby left on his doorstep to fall in love with the nanny/secretary/girl-next-door who agrees to care for the child until he can make other arrangements.
Readers gobble these stories up! Are they great literature that will change the ages? Doubtful, though there are some mass-market paperbacks full of tropes like these that I re-read and cherish. 
But books like this have a place, a market, and a purpose. They entertain. That's why they're written. To entertain the reader with a familiar-yet-fresh take on a story line that guarantees a happy ending and a chance to share in the emotions of the characters.
Recently, Love Inspired/Harlequin launched a new contest in search of writers for their Historical line of romances. It's called the Manuscript Matchmakers (You can find all about the contest by clicking HERE.) 
They divided the contests into categories/teams according to tropes, the story lines that they were looking for because they are the stories readers love and look for. Here's a list of the teams according to their trope:
Team AmishTeam Mail Order BrideTeam Babies/Children
Team Cowboy/Rancher
Team Marriage of Convenience
Team Reunion Romance
Team Choose Your Own Hook

Love Inspired/Harlequin aren't the only publishers who use tropes. Barbour Publishing has been using tropes to pull together novella collections. Collections like The Cowboy's Bride (Jaime Jo Wright has a story in this collection) The Convenient Bride Collection and The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection (Gabrielle Meyer and I each have stories in these two) and many, many more!
Any time an author can combine tropes, it helps, too, because you can reach the interests of a wider audience. Cowboys who have to take care of babies, Mail Order Brides who marry Cowboys (Think Sagebrush Knights by yours truly) Amish Reunion Romance, Mystery/Hobby, Military/Animal Lovers, etc. 
I'm currently working on a marriage of convenience story, and after that I have a bounty hunter/reunion romance/baby story in the works! I don't mind at all working through a trope.
How about you? What tropes do you like? What have you read enough of? 

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