Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 24

Playing With Acrostics

 

Hello everyone,

Winnie Griggs here. Today I wanted to talk about Acrostics. And just so everyone is on the same page, an Acrostic is a poem or verse, either structured or free form, where certain letters in each line, when read vertically, spell out a word or phrase. And the word that is formed refers back to the verse itself. For instance if the word formed is clock, then the verse itself would be about some aspect of clocks or time.

Now, don’t confuse an Acrostic with an Acronym. While similar, there is a key difference. An acronym uses the first letter of each word (sometimes excluding prepositions) to form a shortcut word. For example NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), and Scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). An Acrostic, on the other hand, is a verse where certain letters from each line have significance but are not intended to be taken as a substitute for the whole. 

Of course I’ve known about acrostics since my schooldays. But what I didn’t know until recently is that there were so many different forms of acrostics.  So today I thought I’d give quick description and example of each

There is, of course, the Conventional Acrostic.

This is the one you usually have in mind when you think about acrostics. In a conventional acrostic, it is the first letter of each line that forms the word. For instance, here is an acrostic I worked up on one of my favorite flowers. (Caveat, I’m by no means a poet)

Tall and splendid

Uniquely bell-shaped

Lovely to look at

In the words of Mary Poppins

Practically perfect in every way

 

 And just because I was on a roll, here's one I did using my name

Wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend

Informed by these precious relationships

Notes from songs of love and laughter

Necessarily tinged with droplets of pain and loss

Inspiration is born in these moments

Eventually emerging in the pages of a book 

 

Then there’s the Telestich Acrostic

This one uses the LAST letter of each line to form the word or phrase. Again, I tried my hand at writing one (and I found this one much more difficult than the other!) and here is what I came up with:

When I’m down they’re therapeutic

I’ll have one, no make it two

Chocolate chip and peanut butter too

But oh there’s shortbread and macaroons—it’s so hard to pick

Especially when you throw in gingersnap and biscotti

Who am I fooling by saying just two, certainly not me

My willpower’s no proof against their siren calls

 

A third type is the Mesostich Acrostic. 

For this one, letters from somewhere in the middle of each line are aligned and used to form the word or phrase. For example:

                   A harbinger of spring
              With a rosy red breast
And a short thin beak
               Your bright blue eggs
Have a beauty unique 

 

 

Adding more complexity is the Double Acrostic.

This one requires that both the first letter of each line AND the last letter of each line form words.  My attempt at this one is a bit convoluted, but here it is.

Ride along as if on a magic carpet
Over hill and dale, past trees and a river
Accompanied by friends, sipping on a chai
Destination aside, it's fun riding with pals in my Jeep

 

The last two forms don’t actually form words with a single letter. They take the Acrostic in a different direction 

You have the Abecedarian

Like a Conventional Acrostic, you focus on the first letter of each line. But instead of those letters forming a word, they are successive letters of the alphabet. So, if the poem were written in English, there would be 26 lines moving through the alphabet, starting with A and going through Z. I did not try my hand at this one. But you can see an example here: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/alphabet_games_1484213

Other examples of this can be found in Psalm 119 and Provers 31. Of course it’s only in the Hebrew version that you can see this progression in the Hebrew alphabet.

 

 

Then there's The Golden Shovel

This is a much more recent version of the acrostic. It was created by National Book Award winning US poet Terrance Hayes in 2010. In a Golden Shovel you take a line, or lines, from someone else’s writing, and use each of their words as the end-words of each line in your poem. In the example below, I used a line from Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, one of my favorite poems. 

Once when it was just me, myself and I
I dug out a box of pictures I took
back in my college days, and thought over the
choices I'd made and how this one or that one
would have changed things more or less.
Then I happily realized the road I’d traveled
brought no regrets – and I’m ready for whatever else might come on by

 

There you have it - my short overview of acrostics. What do you think? Were any of these formats new to you? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a book of your choice.

And if anyone wants to try their hand at writing their own acrostic, I'll give a $10 gift card to one of the authors of those as well. 

 

A Model of Devotion--coming in October

 

The exciting conclusion to The Lumber Baron's Daughters series is coming in October.

A Model of Devotion...plenty of danger and action and romance.

Jilly finally faces the fact that she has to get married to be safe. And yet getting marriage is the most dangerous thing she can imagine.

She's finally claimed her independence . . . how far will she go to keep it?

A brilliant engineer, Jilly Stiles has been educated since childhood to help run her father's lumber dynasty. With the company safe from her stepfather after the marriages of her two sisters, Jilly can now focus on her dream of building a mountaintop railroad--and never marry.

Nick Ryder came into Jilly's life when he saved her mother from her no-good stepfather, and he's prepared to protect Jilly from anything that threatens to harm her--as long as he keeps his heart from getting involved.

But when a cruel and powerful man goes to dangerous lengths to make Jilly his own, she must make a decision between her safety and her hard-won independence.

*****

This week I'm on my way to a writer's conference.

I'm so nervous I can't STAND IT!

I've done a few, very few things out in the real world but mostly within my small bubble of close friends and family.

But I love the ACFW Conference and am determined to go. So...

I'm trying to ignore the upcoming conference, all while packing and planning and booking flights and a hotel room.

And yes, it's a little insane. But I think now instead of crazy, they say you're compartmentalizing.

So I can pick out clothes and pack a suitcase, while ignoring that I've got to get out of my bubble for a while.

I've got writer friends coming, including some Seekers, that I want to see so BAD!

So I'm doing it and I've got a new release coming to promote so it's a good thing, right?

Anyone else going?

Have any of you done this? Stepped back out into the real world boldly? Or had trouble doing it?

I'm a serious introvert. I think introverts make the best writers, because liking people is just so TIME CONSUMING. And not to say I don't like people...I just don't want to talk to them, or see them, or be out of my recliner.

That's not the same as not liking someone.

So tell me how you've emerged from your cocoon. Are you an introvert and an extrovert and, btw, I WOULD think Introverts make the best writers, now wouldn't I? 

And maybe, I'll see you in St Louis.

Seekerville is closed today!

 

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."      (Matthew 11:28-29)

Today Seekerville is closed as we slow down our busy lives to celebrate the USA's "Labor Day" holiday. Take some time to relax, enjoy family and friends, and give thanks for our many blessings.  Then please join us again SOON!

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Christ Carrying the Cross, Sebastiano del Piombo, c. 1513-14,
Museum del Prado, Madrid. [PD-US]

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:25-33

The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below. 

Please join us in praying for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the rising cost of fuel and food.
Together, let's pray we can, once again, become a prosperous and productive nation. Also, please join us in praying for the protection of our military and for law enforcement officers and border agents.   

GOD BLESS THE USA!
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! 

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.       

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.  Please send to Seekerville2@gmail.com. If the winner does not contact us within two weeks, another winner may be selected.  **(All winners' emails will receive a response within a week. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we may not have received it. Please leave a comment in the following Weekend Edition.)

Monday: Blue Moon Monday made and appearance with feedback on all the projects from those brave souls who asked!!
Tuesday and Wednesday:  Cindy Woodsmall joined us sharing about mending grief in a relationship, and of her latest novel, Yesterday's Gone. The winner of a copy is: ___________.
Thursday: In her continuing series on Retirement, Audra Harders talked about health and exercise - two words that normally strike fear in her rather sedentary heart!!


Monday:  Happy Labor Day! Seekerville is closed.
Tuesday: Mary Connealy--Mary's got a new release coming soon. Stop in and find out more about A Model of Devotion.
Wednesday: Winnie Griggs is going to discuss Acrostics and the different forms they can take  Thursday: Christina Suzann Nelson






Now Available! Welcome to Hope Crossing, a brand-new series from award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus.
She came home to make things right Will she be given a second chance?Gloriana Prescott has returned to her Texas hometown to make amends—even if the townsfolk she left behind aren’t ready to forgive. But when her mother’s ranch manager, Justin Broussard, is tasked with saving the struggling rodeo so his teen daughter can compete, Gloriana sees a chance to prove she’s really changed. But can she prove to Justin, and the town, that she’s trustworthy? Get your copy today!Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target








Disclaimer: Any blog post that includes an offer of product purchase or service is NOT to be considered an endorsement by Seekerville or any of our authors  (please see our Legal page )


Check out the September promotion of Sweet Romances for FREE ! Hurry and make your selections. They're only available for a limited time!
7 Tips for How to Add Complexity to Your Story by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
For anyone interested in attending an online conference featuring genres across the board (not exclusively Inspirational) . Check out this Video Preview of the 2022 Writer UnBoxed Conference . Access to the conference is open September - October.
From the Fiction University Archives:  How to Include the Five Senses Without Falling into the Telling Trap by Marcy Kennedy
Mountweasels and More! by Kay DiBianca at Kill Zone blog
Book Marketing 101 by Dave Chesson at Kindleprenuer
How to Research the Historical Novel by Susanne Dunlap at The Write Practice
8 Tips for Getting Back into Writing After a Long Hiatus by Jessica A McMinn at Writer's Edit
How Hi-Fi is Your Hi-Fi? by Gordon Saunders at ACFW blog
Romantic Relationships in Christian Fiction by Carolyn Miller at Inspy Romance
Reader Magnets, Cookies, and Creating Superfans by Tammi Labrecque at The Writers Cookbook

Retirement, Pt 4 - Health and Exercise

 

Hello everyone, Audra here. Thanks for riding along with me on my journey of retirement discoveries. Being newly minted to the role of retiree, I’m finding there are stumbling blocks in my “life of freedom” that I took for granted as I woke each morning to a work-a-day routine. Today’s topic? 

I don’t know about you, but from a very young age, I knew the good Lord had created me to be a couch potato. Yep, when left to my own devices, you’d find me either engrossed in my box of 64 Crayola crayons and a coloring book (this went on through college - don’t laugh!), reading a book (early habit - timeless in entertainment), selecting one of my 12 all-time favorite movies to watch for the 100th time.

Pure Julia at Unsplashed
What do they all have in common? They are sedentary activities. Do they give me great joy? Yes. Do they help my body stay tuned and keep my brain alert? Not so much.

You’d think after inhabiting this planet for many, many, many years, I’d know what was good for me and make those choices automatic. 

Ha! Let me repeat that…HA! Everything is up for grabs in retirement!

Here are a few things to consider in order to help your brain and body be the best they can be:

Eat Healthier

By saying “healthier” I mean think about about what goes into your mouth. I’m a grazer by nature, so the 3 squares are nothing to me but the next time it’s socially acceptable to eat. Since I snack pretty much all day, I’m not a big portion eater at meals. That’s a saving grace! So when I think healthier, I try to grab good choices as I make my way through the kitchen. Grapes, rice crackers, popcorn - anything in bite-sized pieces. If packaged, I try to break up the package before I feel the need to eat it, so I can just taste, rather than consume.

Christian Wiediger Unsplashed

Drink Water

Living in Colorado, “drink more water” is a lifestyle motto. We’re very arid along the Front Range and it’s so easy to mistake hunger for thirst. When I’m out and about, I make sure I have my water bottle with me. At home, I take a quart jar and fill it half way with sparkling water (sweetened) and the rest of the the way with water and ice. It sits beside me at the computer, a constant reminder for me to take a sip. If my pantry is stocked with Wild Cherry, Fuji Apple or Mandarin Orange (those are the Walmart brand flavors), I might refill my jar 3 to 4 times a day! 

Laura Chouette Unsplashed

Exercise

It’s embarrassing to admit, but since leaving my office, I’ve lost muscle tone and fluffed up. The County (my employer) was adamant about healthy living and promoted healthy lifestyle choices in the form of workshops and challenges. Get Up And Move email reminders came from our Health representative all the time. You’d think 15 years of encouragement would create a concrete habit!

It did, sort of. My mind knows what I should do, but the desire is weak, LOL! 10K steps a day was easy when I had to run all over the fairgrounds. At home, I depend on my trusty pups to keep me walking. 10K steps a day is easy with them wanting to go on walks all the time.

Shhhh, don't wake them up! I'm not ready for another walk!!

This summer, I participated a bit more with the yard work. My husband was more than happy to put a weed-whacker in my hands, safety glasses on my face and turn me loose in the back yard. There’s an odd sense of accomplishment to look around the yard and realize I’ve just cleared the area of 18”- 24” high kochia weed and can once again find the Corgis when they roam through it. It’s a rewarding feeling to have muscles, other than hand and fingers, hurt.

I started stretching exercises out of necessity. Since I don’t have many interruptions any more, I noticed my muscles getting stiff when I moved away from the computer after sitting there for a couple of hours. Oh, how embarrassing!! Toe-touches and door jamb stretches have become staples throughout the day. There’s also a series of stretches my 89 year old aunt taught me in order to stay limber. 

Timo Volz Unsplashed

Did you catch that? My-89-year-old-aunt-is-giving-me-exercise-advice. Well, she is my favorite, so I listen and obey, LOL.

I know the tips and tricks I just rattled off are probably common place daily routines for most of you. They were in my structured, working world, too. But on my own, I now must take the advice I used to tell my kids: Make good choices.

Stay active. Eat well. Drink often (water)

Retirement does not mean you get to sit back and rust. Being an author does not have to contribute to “secretarial spread.” What works for you? I’d love to hear ideas to break the monotony of my limited routine!!

Now, I’m off to herd the pups around the back field for the third time today. 

Mending Grief in a Relationship When Closure is Impossible

 by Cindy Woodsmall

Many of us, perhaps most, have had a painful relationship with someone we loved with our whole heart. I have. It’s a heartrending torture and the start of a long, hard journey.

Part of mending grief in a relationship that is void of closure takes coming to a place of accepting our human selves and the things that wound us. There are lists of hurts that can plague us: rejection, lies against us, active addiction, betrayal, misinterpretation of our intent, misunderstandings, estrangement. Bottom line: hurtful behaviors can cause more grief than we know how to cope with.    

Some of our pain from these situations makes perfect sense, while some of it defies logic, but we must listen to our grief and respond to ourselves with tenderness and respect. Whether we’re in a relationship with deep wounds but no closure or a relationship that is broken with no contact, we can actively seek healing and peace in our minds and hearts. Here are some ways to do that:

1. Accept the relationship for what it is. It’ll never be the romanticized version we longed for. Whether the person is a spouse, parent, sibling, child, other relative, or friend, we must stop thinking in terms of idyllic relationships and come to a place of accepting that it is what it is, and no amount of emotional desperation or daydreaming otherwise is going to change it.

2. Take care of you. If someone is asking you to meet their needs but doing so means you’re not listening to or taking care of yourself, kindly but firmly refuse. Don’t agree to things to make the other person feel better while ignoring what you need. If they are broken over their own actions, you’ll be tempted to try to fix it. Be as kind as possible at all times but give yourself space to sort and process. You’re getting to know a new them and a new you, neither of which you ever wanted to see or become. Don’t rush yourself.

3. Set realistic, honest expectations. Once we move beyond idyllic thinking, we need to aim for obtainable goals. We can have a relationship with a difficult person, with someone who’s disappointed us, and with a person who has broken our hearts. But we have to adjust our expectations, both of ourselves and them. No matter how much we love someone, they can’t give what they don’t have. Ponder the old saying: Can’t squeeze blood from a turnip (or stone). Another thought to keep in mind is a paraphrase of a Maya Angelou saying—beware of a shirtless man assuring you he can give you a shirt.  

4. Be forgiving. My definition of forgiveness is choosing to let go and choosing to not verbally beat up a person for a wrong done. We know our own faults on this planet are plenteous. Letting go of anger and grudges can be freeing. If we look through the eyes of faith, it helps us to let go of the constant reminder of damage done.   

5. Know what forgiveness isn’t. It isn’t trusting a person who has hurt you anew. Trust is built. With self-care and wisdom at work, we can be in a relationship with damaged trust. We know what’s going on, and we’re taking care of ourselves. We’re learning to trust ourselves and the journey.    

6. Have and hold boundaries. This is similar to “take care of you,” but a specific way of doing so. Sometimes I find holding boundaries difficult. I just want to make everything okay for everyone. But letting someone cross or move my boundaries, the ones where I’m looking after and taking care of me, does neither of us any good in the long run. 

In Yesterday’s Gone, our main character is a young Amish woman named Eliza, and she has experienced overwhelming grief, though for a very different reason than any I’ve listed above. She longs to return to an earlier time and change one decision she made. Because she’s from a lineage of women who crossed the ocean in the 1700s, praying while sewing on a quilt . . . and because their faith was woven into the quilt Eliza now holds, she is granted her prayer.

Will changing one decision heal her heartbreak and free her husband from their shared pain, or will Eliza find that her marriage’s worth to her Amish community was immeasurable?



ABOUT CINDY Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA bestselling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Coverage of Cindy's writing has been featured on ABC's Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains with her husband, just a short distance from two of her three sons and her six grandchildren.
Cindy's Website




ABOUT ERIN
Erin Woodsmall is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of four. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. More recently she and Cindy have coauthored five books, one of which was a winner of the prestigious Christy Award.


ABOUT YESTERDAY'S GONE
Eliza holds a secret that can rewrite the past.
Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there’s a hidden curse—one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.
Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza’s great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman’s heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.
Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt’s strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse’s proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision—on Jesse and so many others within their community.
For fans of Amish fiction and the beloved classic It’s a Wonderful Life comes a gripping story about faith, family, and starting over from New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall.Full-length Amish fictionStand-alone novelBook length: approximately 104,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs

GIVEAWAY
Today's the official release day of Yesterday's Gone. Let's celebrate with Cindy and Erin.  Please leave a comment for Cindy and Erin for a chance to win a copy of Yesterday's Gone.

*Giveaway courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and is subject to giveaway terms and conditions of Seekerville and Tyndale House Publishers. US Mailing addresses only.

BLUE MOON MONDAY!

 Darlings!  We do free quick critiques on months that have FIVE MONDAYS, so that's our "Blue Moon Monday"! 

If you're gutsy enough to post a snippet of your work in the comments, we'll be snarky enough to review it and give you advice! 

Okay, we WON'T BE SNARKY.... except maybe me, if there's no chocolate around.... that's yet to be decided.

But we'd love to give you an author's perspective on the writing, timing, draw, etc... does it grab attention? Do you need work on mechanics? (grammar, sentence structure, balance, etc.) General stuff to keep you, the writer/aspiring author moving in the right direction.

Let's do this!

Post up to four paragraphs or so in the comments.... And if you need an "intro" to set the paragraphs, make it minimal.... we should get the feeling for the work from the actual paragraphs, not the explanation.

Be brave! Be bold! You've got this!

I brought coffee, tea and virtual donuts because it's always more fun to work together with food. And maybe some PUMPKIN SPICE stuff to welcome a new month and a whole new season!

We'll pop in as we can... and we hope you dive in! God bless you all!

Ruthy

 

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Jan Luyken: Invitation to the Great Banquet, from the Bowyer Bible. [Free Art License]

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
'My friend, move up to a higher position.'
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Then he said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Luke 14:1, 7-14

The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below. 

Please join us in praying for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the rising cost of fuel and food.
Together, let's pray we can, once again, become a prosperous and productive nation. Also, please join us in praying for the protection of our military and for law enforcement officers and border agents.   

GOD BLESS THE USA!
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! 

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.      

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.  Please send to Seekerville2@gmail.com. If the winner does not contact us within two weeks, another winner may be selected.  **(All winners' emails will receive a response within a week. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we may not have received it. Please leave a comment in the following Weekend Edition.)


Monday: Erica Vetsch talked about her three favorite writing resource books.
Tuesday: Mindy Obenhaus hosted a launch party for her new release, The Cowgirl's Redemption. And the winners of one copy each are... Glynis, June Horne and Anonymous, aka Mrs. Magers! Congratulations!
Wednesday: Cate Nolan chatted about how writing sprints with friends offers accountability and increased word counts.
Thursday: Sometimes you have a hill to climb. You know where the peak is. You have to know what JOB #1 is. Pam Hillman explains how to find the important point in every task.



Monday:  We are celebrating another BLUE MOON MONDAY by offering you, the aspiring author/writer/reader a mini-critique online, right here in Seekerville! Come on over, get your post/page/paragraphs ready over the weekend and post it/them in the comments on Monday! Be brave... be bold... keep the momentum going! You've got this! 
Tuesday:  Cindy Woodsmall joins us sharing about mending grief in a relationship, and of her upcoming novel, Yesterday's Gone on release day. Fan's of It's a Wonderful Life don't want to miss this! Be sure to stop by to celebrate with her and for a chance to win a copy. 
Thursday:  Health and exercise take on a whole new meaning in retirement. Join Audra Harders as she fits eating right and moving often into a daily routine.   



RUTHY IS SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEWEST GUIDEPOSTS RELEASE!!!
BUY/ORDER "LOVE'S A MYSTERY IN SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY" HERE!
YOU CAN ORDER THE SERIES.... 
OR INDIVIDUAL BOOKS AS THEY RELEASE.
YOUR CHOICE! YOUR CHANCE! AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM ABOUT THIS NEW GUIDEPOSTS VENTURE INTO ROMANTIC MYSTERIES.... SO! MUCH! FUN!!!
THIS ONE WAS DONE WITH THE AMAZING GABE MEYER ... AND MY CHRISTMAS ONE IS BEING POLISHED RIGHT NOW, DONE WITH JANICE THOMPSON! 
SMILING IN WESTERN NEW YORK!!!! 



Now Available! Welcome to Hope Crossing, a brand-new series from award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus.
She came home to make things right Will she be given a second chance?Gloriana Prescott has returned to her Texas hometown to make amends—even if the townsfolk she left behind aren’t ready to forgive. But when her mother’s ranch manager, Justin Broussard, is tasked with saving the struggling rodeo so his teen daughter can compete, Gloriana sees a chance to prove she’s really changed. But can she prove to Justin, and the town, that she’s trustworthy? Get your copy today!Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target

RELEASES NOVEMBER 8
DANGEROUS AMISH MEMORIESA 2-in1 featuringHER FORGOTTEN AMISH PASTBy Debby GiustiandHIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEWBy Diane Burke

Pre-Order NOW!




Disclaimer: Any blog post that includes an offer of product purchase or service is NOT to be considered an endorsement by Seekerville or any of our authors  (please see our Legal page )


Is Your Story Too Complicated? by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
How to Know If You're Overwriting by Mollie Joy Rushmeyer at Learn How To Write A Novel
Digging to Find the Theme of Your Story by CS Lakin at Live Write Thrive
Ditch the Deadlines by Tamela Hancock Murray at Steve Laube agency
How to Let Readers into Your Characters' Inner Live by Tiffany Yates Martin at Writers In The Storm
Small Focus. Big Creativity. by Christina Delay at Writers Helping Writers
Dipping the Quill Deeper; The Best Hours for Writing by Eva Marie Everson at The Write Conversation
Scrivener Skills: Creating an EPUB in Scrivener 3 by Gwen Hernandez at Writer UnBoxed
Book Marketing on Repeat by Codi Gary at Book Brush blog
How to Design an Author Website by David Martin at Kindleprenuer