Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 28

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.


Monday:  Jan Drexler
Tuesday: Amanda Wen
Wednesday: Debby Giusti hosted guest author Tracy Fredrychowski who shared insight into her Women of Lawrence County series with a free giveaway to everyone who stopped by to say hello! Thanks, Tracy!
Thursday:  Winnie


Monday:  Erica will be talking about how to build a research library without breaking the bank.
Tuesday: Carrie hosts Kathleen Bailey to talk about her new historical romance, Redemption's Hope!

Wednesday: Cate
Thursday: Pam   Friday: Robin W. Pearson is back on Seekerville to chat about finding inspiring content in the everyday. Be sure to stop by and leave a comment to enter a chance to win a copy of her latest release, Walking in Tall Weeds.






Coming Tuesday! Two uplifting rereleases.
A Soldier's HomecomingSecond chance for the soldierHomecoming Hero by Renee Ryan

Army captain Ty Wolfson assured a dying soldier that he'd stop the man's sister from going to the Middle East as a missionary. But no matter what Wolf says about the dangers, Hailey O'Brien believes it's her duty to go. Wolf can't seem to change her mind. Until he realizes it's a certain homecoming hero who needs to change first. By opening his heart to the Lord—and to Hailey.

Falling for the Hometown Hero by Mindy Obenhaus

After returning home from an IED attack, former soldier Kaleb Palmer is hailed as a hero. But survivor's guilt makes him feel like a fraud. He hopes setting up a business will give him a purpose. His new office manager, Grace McAllen, is not only helping make Mountain View Jeep Tours a success—she's getting Kaleb to open up. Could a happy ending be within reach for the wounded warrior?Available from all major booksellers or order NOW on Amazon* * *RELEASING JULY 26, 2022

A two-in-one featuring stories
by Debby Giusti

COMMANDING JUSTICE

Mission to capture a killer

The Colonel's Daughter 
A killer is targeting the families of soldiers in a US Army colonel's brigade, and Criminal Investigation Division special agent Jamison Steele vows to stop him. The colonel's daughter, the woman who loved and left Jamison without a word, came face-to-face with the murderer. But uncovering the serial killer's motive requires asking Michele Logan the questions that may lead them both into a deadly trap.

The General's Secretary 
Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch—fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigation Division special agent Dawson Timmons has his own motive for seeking the truth. As they investigate, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire…
Pre-Order on Amazon!

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 )


7 Tips for Opening Your Story in Medias Res by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
How and Why to Build an Email Following by Scott Lieberman at Live Write Thrive
Introducing BookBub Ads - Promote Any Book, Any Time by Rick Burnes at BookBub Partners
Making Your Newsletter Work for You by Tari Faris at Learn How To Write A Novel
The Building Blocks of a Scene by Sharon Oard Warner at Jane Friedman
The Most Common Grammar Errors I See by Tamela Hancock Murray at Steve Laube Agency
How To Build Your Author Brand by CS Lakin at The Self Publisher
Does My Fantasy Novel Actually Need A Map? by Rebecca Jean at Writer's Edit
Quiz: What Kind of Reader are You? by Emily Conrad at Inspyromance
Being Busy can be a Toxic Trap for Writers by Katy Kauffman

Talulla

 

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I’m so excited - the release day for Talulla, the ninth book in the multi-author Love Train series, is almost here - it releases on August 1st.

As I posted last month, multi-author projects are always fun. The chance to bounce ideas off of each other and do some collective worldbuilding, even when the books are standalone, brings an extra layer of excitement to a project. One of my contributions to the worldbuilding aspect was to speak to a curator at a railroad museum and get a copy of a timetable that showed travel times and stops along the Union Pacific route in the 1870s. Others dug out information on Pullman cars, dining options, how sleeper berths were set-up and stored away and many other little details that went into making the train travel portion of our stories as realistic as possible.

As for the stories themselves, other than details about wordcount and other administrative issues, each of the ten participating authors were given the following set-up for the books:    

The books will all be standaloneEach story will have the hero and heroine encountering each other while traveling on a Union Pacific train, engine number 1216. The train travel will happen on page for at least part of the story. The time frame will be 1869 or later.A matchmaking conductor will be featured in each book. (character sketch provided).

Given these identical parameters, it was really interesting to see how VERY differently each story turned out. 

When I started brainstorming the story for my book, Talulla, I started by reading through my idea file.  You know, that place where an author stores those ‘someday’ ideas, snippets of character sketches, plot points, what-ifs that are intriguing enough to grab your attention, but not fully formed enough to earn a story just yet. And the one that tugged at me was an idea I had pitched to my editor in my early days of writing for LIH. It was rejected, and rightly so, it wasn’t developed enough at the time. But that was over a dozen years ago and with the advantage of a little more experience under my belt I could see the weak spots and figure out how best to rework it.

I was very excited to be able to finally breathe new life into this story and get it ‘out there’ in the world at large. I know this may sound silly, but whenever I develop a story to the point of having a proposal pulled together, I get invested in the characters and feel I’m letting them down if I don’t get the story written.

 

Here’s an excerpt. For context, Tally and Max were childhood friends but a tragic accident that resulted in the death of her brother changed all that. She went away to boarding school and it’s been twelve years since they’ve seen each other. Max is now a widowed father and he and his seven-year-old daughter Bonnie are traveling home on a train in the crowded coach car when Bonnie falls prey to travel sickness. The conductor finds a passenger with extra seating in her Pullman section who agrees to share her space with the sick child. Here is how the first meeting goes.

 

A split second before Henry made the introductions, recognition kicked Max in the gut. Tally!

Henry waved to the woman. “Mr. Maxwell Wallace, this is Miss Talulla Alden. Miss Alden, this is Mr. Maxwell Wallace and his daughter Bonnie.”

Max saw her stiffen, as he was certain he had. He gave a short nod. “Tally.”

“Max?” Her tone conveyed shock, as if she’d just bitten into something that was unexpectedly sour.

Henry looked from one to the other of them in obvious delight. “So you two know each other?”

Max nodded. “We do. Or at least we did, many years ago.” Tally Alden—the flesh and blood reminder of one of the lowest moments and biggest regrets of his life. No wonder she’d seemed familiar out there on the platform and that he’d thought of her earlier.

The conductor rocked back on his heels looking very pleased with himself. “Well this is excellent. You can get reacquainted and there won’t be any of that awkwardness strangers experience when meeting each other for the first time.”

Max barely managed to keep from rolling his eyes. If Henry only knew.

Then Max shifted, settling Bonnie more comfortably in his arms. Tally seemed to collect herself at that. She waved to the upholstered seat across from her. “Please, lay your little girl down. And have a seat as well.”

She glanced from his daughter to the conductor. Anywhere but at him it seemed. “I know you’re not a porter, but would it be possible to get a blanket for Bonnie?”

The conductor touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll see to it right away. And if there is anything else I can do to make this new seating arrangement more comfortable for the three of you please let me know.”

Max hesitated, not sure he was truly welcome. But another fretful movement from Bonnie settled the matter. He took the seat across from Tally, laying Bonnie gently down with her head in his lap. “I know you and I didn’t leave things on the best of terms when we were last together.” A definite understatement. That eyes-blazing declaration that she hated him had been the last words she’d spoken directly to him before today. “But I’m very grateful that you’re doing this for Bonnie.”

She folded her hands in her lap. “Your daughter is an innocent and she’s suffering. I wouldn’t be so cruel as to turn her away.”

Her tone and cold look said that the characterization of innocent didn’t extend to him. It seemed she still hadn’t forgiven him.

“You look good Tally, all grown up. I wouldn’t have recognized you as that gangly, freckle faced girl I remember.” This poised, graceful, fashionable woman was nothing like the little tomboy who used to follow him and her older brother around with sometimes annoying persistence, wanting to be included even when her presence wasn’t welcome.

She smiled, though it didn’t extend to her eyes. “No one’s called me Tally since I left Windflower.” A shadow crossed her face. She was no doubt remembering Jamie, the one who’d given her the nickname.

“Would you prefer Talulla?” he asked quickly. “Or Miss Alden perhaps?”

She waved a hand. “Tally’s fine.”

He leaned back, careful not to jostle Bonnie, and studied her a moment as she fiddled with a chain at her neck, her gaze once more focused elsewhere. Max finally decided it was up to him to carry the conversation. “So what takes you home after all these years?”

She tucked a tendril behind her ear, her expression closed off, just short of hostile. “There’s an heirloom I’m supposed to inherit on my twenty second birthday, which happened this week. My father is holding it hostage until I come to personally collect it.”

Good for Rupert. “Then let me offer you a belated happy birthday. And I’m sure your father will be happy for the opportunity to see you again, whatever the reason.” He couldn’t resist adding “It’s been some time since you were last home, hasn’t it?”

Tally’s eyes narrowed at that.

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak into Talulla. Leave a comment with your thoughts to be entered in a drawing for a copy of Talulla, to be delivered once it goes live.

 

TALULLA

Will returning home bring Talulla the peace that’s eluded her for half her life?

Ten-year-old Talulla watched in horror as her beloved brother fell through the ice while trying to save her. Thanks to the quick actions of Max, her brother’s closest friend, she survived. Her brother didn’t. 

When she overhears Max and her father discussing that she’s to blame, Talulla feels betrayed by those she thought she could most trust. A boarding school becomes her refuge, and she never looked back. Until now.

Widowed father Max is traveling home with his young daughter. Unfortunately, a bad case of travel sickness overtakes the little girl, and Max turns to the conductor for help. When the man finds a passenger willing to share her Pullman section, Max is relieved—until he discovers their benefactor is Talulla, a woman whose last words to Max were an impassioned I hate you.

Can these two find a way to push past their mutual distrust to regain the friendship they once shared. And perhaps something more…

To pre-order, click HERE

Women of Lawrence County by Seekerville Guest Tracy Fredrychowski

Hi Everyone! It's Debby Giusti, and I'm thrilled that the amazing Tracy Fredrychowski can to be with us today. Tracy is an accomplished author of Amish fiction. In addition, she hosts a delightful podcast called Buggy Talk that features Amish authors and their stories, which is how Tracy and I first met! This woman does it all and all so well. Please join me in welcoming Tracy to Seekerville!

Can the Women of Lawrence County find true peace in Jesus?

Hello Seekerville friends! I'm happy to have the chance to visit with you, and thank you to Debby Giusti for inviting me. 

 

If you don't already know me, I'm Tracy Fredrychowski, and I love to write real, raw, and relatable Amish fiction. I grew up in Northwestern, Pennsylvania, nestled between three Amish communities in a time when life was a lot simpler.  

From my humble beginning, I'm not sure how I ever found myself thrown into a world of marketing, but it worked for me. For the last twenty-five years, my hubby and I have owned a web marketing business, so I have lots of stuff floating around in this head of mine. 

For this post, I'd love to share with you my latest project. A ten-book series about the Amish women of Lawrence County. 

While I love a feel-good happily ever after story, I also like to read Christian fiction that brings me closer to Christ. Stories that share real-life struggles and how we can turn to the Lord in those challenging circumstances.

That's precisely what my new The Amish Women of Lawrence County series is about. (Click on the above link to download the novella that started it all.)

Let me introduce you to the first three books in this series:

 

Emma's Amish Faith Restored

Her trust in the Lord has been tested beyond all strength. Can this grieving believer reclaim the way back to enlightenment?

Emma Yoder is struggling to cope. While the young Amish mother is devastated after her only child dies in the womb, she and her husband gain little comfort from the Old Order's rigid ways. And whispers among her people lead her to suspect the truth has been concealed from her for years.

Still fighting internally to forgive God for her tragedy, Emma sets out on a journey to discover the deep healing she craves. But her discovery of a newfound secret love of Jesus's teachings puts her at direct odds with the traditions of her community.

Can this woman of conviction find the courage to seek grace from the Almighty?

Rebecca's Amish Heart Restored

Lies and secrets surround a young woman's heart. Can this shame-filled believer salvage her life and find true happiness?

Rebecca Byler is struggling with the truth. While this young Amish woman is determined to push everyone away, Eli Bricker is set on discovering the pain that holds her captive. When Rebecca finds little reassurance from her Old Order's strict ways, she's drawn to Eli's ailing grandmother, Mary, and a letter from her deceased mother.

Still blaming herself for a series of tragedies, Rebecca plans to leave Willow Springs in hopes of saving Eli from God's wrath. But Mary sets a plan in motion to share the love of Jesus with Rebecca and force her hand in marriage to keep both Eli and her from giving up on love.

Can this sharp-tongued woman find the courage to face her past and seek forgiveness from the Almighty?

Anna's Amish Fears Revealed 

Her faith in the Lord has been tried beyond all measure. Can this fearful believer rest secure in God's protective care for her life?

Anna Byler is paralyzed by fear and anxiety. While the young Amish woman is devastated after Simon Kauffman leaves the Amish community, she finds little comfort in her new relationship with Jesus to fill the void Simon left in her life.

Still wrestling with accepting God's comforting peace, Anna begins a journey to uncover the truth behind Simon's disappearance and then his untimely return to Willow Springs. But her discovery leads her to question both Simon and God's ultimate promises.

Can this woman of faith find the courage to have a peace-filled assurance in every aspect of her life?

***

Don't miss grabbing a free copy of The Amish Women of Lawrence County, and thank you for visiting with me today!

Tracy would love to hear from everyone and is eager to answer any questions you might have about her stories as well as questions about marketing strategies! The coffee is hot and the breakfast bar is loaded with muffins fresh from the oven so pour a cup of java and enjoy a pastry as we chat with Tracy!

Women of Lawrence Country by Seekerville Guest Tracy Fredrychowski

Hi Everyone! It's Debby Giusti, and I'm thrilled that the amazing Tracy Fredrychowski can to be with us today. Tracy is an accomplished author of Amish fiction. In addition, she hosts a delightful podcast called Buggy Talk that features Amish authors and their stories, which is how Tracy and I first met! This woman does it all and all so well. Please join me in welcoming Tracy to Seekerville!

Can the Women of Lawrence County find true peace in Jesus?

Hello Seekerville friends! I'm happy to have the chance to visit with you, and thank you to Debby Giusti for inviting me. 

 

If you don't already know me, I'm Tracy Fredrychowski, and I love to write real, raw, and relatable Amish fiction. I grew up in Northwestern, Pennsylvania, nestled between three Amish communities in a time when life was a lot simpler.  

From my humble beginning, I'm not sure how I ever found myself thrown into a world of marketing, but it worked for me. For the last twenty-five years, my hubby and I have owned a web marketing business, so I have lots of stuff floating around in this head of mine. 

For this post, I'd love to share with you my latest project. A ten-book series about the Amish women of Lawrence County. 

While I love a feel-good happily ever after story, I also like to read Christian fiction that brings me closer to Christ. Stories that share real-life struggles and how we can turn to the Lord in those challenging circumstances.

That's precisely what my new The Amish Women of Lawrence County series is about. (Click on the above link to download the novella that started it all.)

Let me introduce you to the first three books in this series:

 

Emma's Amish Faith Restored

Her trust in the Lord has been tested beyond all strength. Can this grieving believer reclaim the way back to enlightenment?

Emma Yoder is struggling to cope. While the young Amish mother is devastated after her only child dies in the womb, she and her husband gain little comfort from the Old Order's rigid ways. And whispers among her people lead her to suspect the truth has been concealed from her for years.

Still fighting internally to forgive God for her tragedy, Emma sets out on a journey to discover the deep healing she craves. But her discovery of a newfound secret love of Jesus's teachings puts her at direct odds with the traditions of her community.

Can this woman of conviction find the courage to seek grace from the Almighty?

Rebecca's Amish Heart Restored

Lies and secrets surround a young woman's heart. Can this shame-filled believer salvage her life and find true happiness?

Rebecca Byler is struggling with the truth. While this young Amish woman is determined to push everyone away, Eli Bricker is set on discovering the pain that holds her captive. When Rebecca finds little reassurance from her Old Order's strict ways, she's drawn to Eli's ailing grandmother, Mary, and a letter from her deceased mother.

Still blaming herself for a series of tragedies, Rebecca plans to leave Willow Springs in hopes of saving Eli from God's wrath. But Mary sets a plan in motion to share the love of Jesus with Rebecca and force her hand in marriage to keep both Eli and her from giving up on love.

Can this sharp-tongued woman find the courage to face her past and seek forgiveness from the Almighty?

Anna's Amish Fears Revealed 

Her faith in the Lord has been tried beyond all measure. Can this fearful believer rest secure in God's protective care for her life?

Anna Byler is paralyzed by fear and anxiety. While the young Amish woman is devastated after Simon Kauffman leaves the Amish community, she finds little comfort in her new relationship with Jesus to fill the void Simon left in her life.

Still wrestling with accepting God's comforting peace, Anna begins a journey to uncover the truth behind Simon's disappearance and then his untimely return to Willow Springs. But her discovery leads her to question both Simon and God's ultimate promises.

Can this woman of faith find the courage to have a peace-filled assurance in every aspect of her life?

***

Don't miss grabbing a free copy of The Amish Women of Lawrence County, and thank you for visiting with me today!

Tracy would love to hear from everyone and is eager to answer any questions you might have about her stories as well as questions about marketing strategies! The coffee is hot and the breakfast bar is loaded with muffins fresh from the oven so pour a cup of java and enjoy a pastry as we chat with Tracy!

3 Tips for Pre-pubbed Writers from Author Amanda Wen

 Pepper here, and I'm so excited to have author, Amanda Wen, with us today! I'm serving up some coffee, tea, and chocolate croissants, so come enjoy some important tips from Amanda.

One of the things I love most about Seekerville—and the writing community in general—about how committed authors are to supporting other authors. Whether you’re a bestseller or just getting started, chances are there’s someone you can learn from, and someone who can learn from you. To that end, here are three bits of wisdom I gleaned from those who helped me when I was first getting started, including some advice I got right here on Seekerville!

1.      Contests can get you noticed.

I’ve written for fun my whole life, but started writing seriously in 2014. “Seriously,” for me, meant “show my stories to my middle school BFF, who is herself a multi-published author, and fix whatever she tells me to fix.” There were indeed many things to fix, but once I fixed those things, my friend encouraged me to enter contests. Those seemed pretty terrifying, as I’d heard horror stories about judges shredding people’s entries and destroying their confidence, but then I found the ACFW First Impressions Contest, which only requires the first five pages of a manuscript. I chucked my little entry in, figuring that even if the judges did shred it, it was only five pages, and my ego could (probably) survive that.

 
To my astonishment, the judges didn’t shred my entry. In fact, they kinda liked it. One of the final round judges really liked it, in fact, and—long story short—that judge is now my literary agent. Would I have found her outside of First Impressions? Perhaps. Would my query have eventually worked its way to the top of her slush pile? Maybe. But that contest was the route God chose to connect me with my agent, and I’m forever grateful I decided to enter. 

2.      Work on a new project while you’re on submission. 

After I signed with my agent, she schlepped my manuscript to a handful of publishers, and thus began one of my life’s more agonizing periods of waiting. About that time I came across perhaps the best piece of writer advice I ever received: Work on something else while your book is on submission.

 

This serves two purposes, equal in importance. In the event Submitted Book doesn’t sell, you can fling Shiny New Project at your agent and start the whole process over again. Perhaps not the most pleasant reality to confront, I realize, but it’s way better than having to start from scratch and write something new after you realize that publishers aren’t as in love with your book as you (or even your agent) might be.

Perhaps more importantly, though, working on something else has the added benefit of occupying your mind. Instead of obsessively stalking editors on social media, wondering if that amazing new manuscript they just tweeted about might be yours, and checking your email hundreds of times a day, your mind is occupied with new characters, new scenes, and new worlds.

This doesn’t mean you won’t online-stalk editors. Of course you will. But the goal is for you to do it less.

3.      Contests aren’t everything.

Yup, we’re back on the contest thing again. With my Project The First on submission and Shiny New Something in the works, I had two manuscripts I could enter in contests. (If it worked before, why not try it again?)

One of the projects won almost every contest it entered. Judges loved it. The other one, however, received the lowest scores I’d ever seen on anything I’d ever submitted. It won nothing. It finaled in nothing. And I figured it was probably going nowhere.

I’ve never been happier to be wrong.

I’ll always have a soft spot for Project The First. It led me to my agent. It helped me believe in myself as a writer. But it wasn’t published, and likely never will be. It never made it to editorial committee or pub board or anything.

Shiny New Something, though? The project I started to keep myself from stalking editors? The one that got shredded by contest judges?

               That one ended up being my debut, Roots of Wood and Stone. 


What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received? I’d love to know. Leave a comment below, and one lucky commenter will receive a signed paperback of either Roots of Wood and Stone or its sequel, The Songs That Could Have Been (your choice)!

*************************************************************

Amanda Wen’s debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, released to both reader and critical acclaim. The book was named a 2021 Foreword INDIES Award winner and was a finalist in both the Christy and Carol Awards. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat. She loves to connect with readers through her newsletter and share book recommendations on BookBub. 

Handling a Full Plate

A full plate is better than an empty one, right?

Today’s post is about time management (thanks to Audra for kicking this topic off!) but I’m going to stick to the food analogy for a few minutes, first.

At our church we have carry-in meals once a month. (Fellowship time is important!) When I go through the line, I’m always dazzled by the many choices! Casseroles, salads, breads, sometimes a pot of soup on a cold day, sometimes a delicious brisket (we live in ranching country.) Occasionally a main-dish salad, too. And then there are the desserts…

 
Do I hear any “Amens!?”

We all know that there is no way even a small spoonful of each one of those dishes is going to fit on our plates, but we fill them up anyway.

After all, a full plate is better than an empty one.

Except when the plate starts tipping and a bit of the jello fluff slides onto the floor…or the dinner roll perched on top takes a nosedive for someone else’s plate…or the tuna noodle casserole’s sauce insists on mingling with the oil and vinegar dressing on your lettuce….

Maybe there can be too much of a good thing!

My life is a bit like that. I know I’ve said “yes” to too many responsibilities, and when fall comes I’ll be adding another huge one back onto my plate. And then there is the possibility of a grandchild (or two) arriving in the next year or so. Each of those important things needs a spot on my plate.

How do I give all those responsibilities the attention they need? How do I keep any of them from falling off the plate? How do I make sure I accomplish what needs to be done WHEN it needs to be done?

Time management.

My favorite tool for time management is a planner. And my favorite planner is my Bullet Journal.

Why a planner?

Because our lives are full of details that need our full attention.

I used to just list the things I needed to do on my planner page in no particular order and without a lot of thought, but that could be so disheartening. My list was just too long, and what about the things I didn’t really want to do? Well, it’s easy to just move them to the next day’s list, and the next one, and the next one…

Then I discovered a new strategy: Divide and conquer!

Here’s a picture of my Bullet Journal page for last Friday. It takes me less than five minutes to put this page together in the evening and finish it up the next morning.

 
Do you see how I listed my priorities at the top? There are three of them. Keeping that list to three items is my #1 rule.

Then I divide my tasks into three areas: personal, home, and writing.

I try to list no more than three things in each of those areas, but sometimes the day is extra busy.

The colorful column on the right is where I divide my day into blocks. (I use color-coding to make everything easy to keep in order.) The numbers in that column correspond to the time of day.

If you look at the column, you can see that I’ve scheduled my writing tasks in three separate time blocks. 6:00 am to 7:30 am, 9:00 am to 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. That’s a total of 6 ½ hours spent on writing and writing related tasks.

Now look at the items I’ve listed under “writing” on the left. I usually spend my first writing block putting words down in my WIP. My goal is 1000-1500 words during that block.

The second block is for more writing or tackling a sticky technical problem with my website or publishing.

The third block is for a variety of things. Sometimes I use that time for research. Sometimes for listening to podcasts or reading craft books. Sometimes for writing my newsletter content. Sometimes for writing a blog post.

The key? I know I’m more creative in the morning after my first cup of tea, so I use that to my advantage and do the most important thing first. I also know I tend to be a bit draggy in the afternoons – so that’s when I take care of tasks that require less concentration.

I do the same for the “personal” category and “home” category. I do those planned tasks during the times with the matching colors in my schedule.

Is this method perfect?

No, but it’s as close to perfect as I can get for me. You might find that a different kind of planner suits you better, or that a bunch of sticky notes on your computer screen’s frame is the perfect solution. The idea is to plan our time so that it doesn’t get frittered away.

  Do I schedule every day this way?

Nope. I schedule my working days like this, but never Sunday, and I usually take another day off during the week for our “Saturday” chores and time off. This is a tool I use to make my work days go more smoothly.

Does this method work?

Yes, it does. When I have my day planned out like this, I tend to get most of the tasks accomplished, just like when I have a reasonable amount of food on my plate!


How about you? Are you a planner?

And here’s an interesting question: if you’re a planner, are you also a plotter in your writing? And if you aren’t a planner, are you a panster in your writing?
Let us know in the comments!  
And by the way, yesterday was a VERY SPECIAL DAY!!! My dear husband and I marked our 40th wedding anniversary. We're spending today enjoying some touristy things and enjoying time with each other. I'll be in and out to respond to comments, though!

Here's a picture of my mom and I on our special day:



I'm so glad the photographer took this picture, although I thought it was a little silly at the time. I had more important things on my mind, right? And I thought my mom would always be there...

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary by Tintoretto, 16th century,
Munich, Germany. [PD-US]

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."

Luke 10:38-42

 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, and the shortages of necessary items, such as baby formula.
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.


Monday:  Jaime introduced herself to our Seekerville world!
Tuesday: On Tuesday, Dana R. Lynn shared with us the importance of finding rest in our busy lives. Sandy Smith won a digital copy of Soul Care When You're Weary by Edie Melson. A.A. Haynes won a print edition of Dana's June release, Amish Cradle Conspiracy.
Wednesday: Ruthy talked about Loving Womens' Fiction - well, most of the time!
Thursday: Katy Lee stopped by for a visit. Connie Saunders is the winner of a copy of Katy's August release Cavern Cover-Up.



Monday: Jan Drexler will be sharing some time management tips for anyone who has too much on their plate (i.e. ALL of us!)
Tuesday:  Amanda Wen is joining us today to bring some writing tips and encouragement to pre-published authors! 
Wednesday:  Debby Giusti hosts guest author Tracy Fredrychowski who'll share insight into her Women of Lawrence County series with a free giveaway to everyone who stops by to say hello!
Thursday: Winnie will be providing a sneak peak at her upcoming release Talulla  








TWO NEW BOOKS FROM RUTHY!!!!!!
FOR PREORDER, RELEASING NEXT WEEK:
BOOK ONE OF THE "Love's a Mystery" series from Guideposts, Inc! 




AND AS IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, THE NEWLY UPDATED AND REVISED EDITION OF "A FAMILY TO CHERISH" IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!  CLICK HERE TO GET THE KINDLE OR PAPERBACK VERSION! 



RELEASING JULY 26, 2022

A two-in-one featuring stories
by Debby Giusti

COMMANDING JUSTICE

Mission to capture a killer

The Colonel's Daughter 
A killer is targeting the families of soldiers in a US Army colonel's brigade, and Criminal Investigation Division special agent Jamison Steele vows to stop him. The colonel's daughter, the woman who loved and left Jamison without a word, came face-to-face with the murderer. But uncovering the serial killer's motive requires asking Michele Logan the questions that may lead them both into a deadly trap.

The General's Secretary 
Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch—fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigation Division special agent Dawson Timmons has his own motive for seeking the truth. As they investigate, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire…
Pre-Order on Amazon!

RELEASING ON AUGUST  1, 2022

Talulla   

Will returning home bring Talulla the peace that’s eluded her for half her life?

Ten-year-old Talulla watched in horror as her beloved brother fell through the ice while trying to save her. Thanks to the quick actions of Max, her brother’s closest friend, she survived. Her brother didn’t. When she overhears Max and her father discussing that she’s to blame, Talulla feels betrayed by those she thought she could most trust. A boarding school becomes her refuge, and she never looked back. Until now.

Widowed father Max is traveling home with his young daughter. Unfortunately, a bad case of travel sickness overtakes the little girl, and Max turns to the conductor for help. When the man finds a passenger willing to share her Pullman section, Max is relieved—until he discovers their benefactor is Talulla, a woman whose last words to Max were an impassioned I hate you.

Can these two find a way to push past their mutual distrust to regain the friendship they once shared. And perhaps something more…

   Pre-Order on AMAZON




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 )


Genre Hopping by Mary Gillgannon at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Three Modes of Story Imagination by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed
Clearing Up Some Misconceptions About In Medias Res by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
3 Essential Tasks an EA Can do for You by Michael Hyatt
Why Indie Authors Should Quit Their Day Jobs by Sukhi Jutla at Alliance of Independent Authors
How to Avoid Spam Filters and Reach the Inbox by Silvestras at MailerLite blog
5 Best eCommerce Plugins (for your WP online store) Compared by WPBeginner
What Writers Need to Master Their Craft by CS Lakin at Live Write Thrive
How to Write an Anti-Hero Readers will Adore by Lewis Jorstad at The Novel Smithy
Are you looking for Christmas In July reads? BookFunnel has put together a promotion featuring 100+ Sweet Holiday Romance Books . Available for a limited time, don't wait to check out the authors and titles!

Bringing Real Life Into Your Sto

Hello readers! Dana here. I am very pleased that Katy Lee is joining us today! Katy and I met several years ago at a retreat, and we've become great friends since. I always love picking her brain for great ideas. Welcome Katy!

Katy:

We may think our lives are mundane and ordinary, but if we captured all the little moments, whether sweet or heartbreaking, funny and even embarrassing and bottled them up, we would have enough fodder to fill a hundred books or more! And I’m talking about your fiction books.

 

Now, you may say, “Why would I include my personal experiences in my books about other people?” The answer to this question is because when a reader buys your book, they are unconsciously sitting down to connect with YOU. If your voice is distant or speaking from a different level, or if the characters are flat with no relatable substance, the reader will see right away that you as the author have no desire to connect with them. They will put the book down and never sit down with you again.

 

In many circles of life through thousands of years of time, there have always been storytellers. To be selected as the storyteller was an honor. It meant people willingly listened, and because they listened, information was shared and passed on through generations. It also meant the storyteller made the story personal.

 

Take One:

 

“Don’t eat the red berries,” said the leader of the tribe to the children.

 

The children’s curiosity is peaked. Some may sneak off and collect some berries. RIP.

 

Take Two:

 

“Gather around, children, and let me tell you a story. There once was a little girl who was mighty hungry, and she had a day’s walk before she would arrive home. Her mother had told her she was cooking her favorite stew, but the little girl’s tummy rumbled something fierce. She had no more food on her walk, but along the path, she found some red berries. She thought just this once would be all right. Just one berry would be okay, she thought. And so, she ate…one…berry. Soon, her belly hurt worse than before. She cried in pain…until she couldn’t breathe anymore. She choked as if a bone was stuck in her throat and then she fell flat on the ground…and died. When her mother heard that her little girl was dead, she couldn’t eat the stew because she was so sad. “If only my little girl hadn’t eaten the red berry. Then we could eat together and live happily forever.”

 

The storytellers knew how to personalize their message, and they did this by relating to their listeners. Warnings could be passed on, and we know those children went back to their huts and retold the story about the girl who ate only one red berry. And then they hugged their mamas and their mamas made them their favorite stew.

 

In our books, we can share our own experiences through our characters that will then be passed on to our readers. We can give advice without a lecture. We can provide encouragement without stepping foot into their lives. We can bring laughter to their day by adding in an embarrassing moment that happened to us—and most likely happened to the reader at some point too.

 

To give you an example of the power of story through these little experiences, I once read a book back in high school where there was an older woman who fooled people about her age. She looked so youthful until someone in the story said, “Look at her neck. The neck never lies.”

 

That was it. All the author had to say was, “The neck never lies” and from that day forward and to this very day, I moisturize my neck! That is the power of storytelling.

 

All because the author added some of herself into the book.

 

Now, I don’t know what happened to her for her to come to this realization. Or why she chose to share her knowledge, but I am grateful to her. Thank you, Barbara Delinsky!

 

So how can we put ourselves more in our books? I will share my technique, but first, there is a litmus test of sorts I ask myself before I slip in my personal experiences. They are as follows:

 

1.     Did the experience change me or my choices or my relationships for the better? Even those hard times I’ve been through.

 

2.     Is it my story to tell? What’s my part in it? If an experience happened to someone else, I should only share my part/side in it. (A good comic knows how to poke fun at themselves, not others.)

 

3.     Is there authenticity or vulnerability in sharing my experience through my characters? Characters should always be authentic, even static characters that never change. They never change because something holds them back. What are the personal experiences that hold me back? What experiences isolated me, embarrassed me, taught me, encouraged me, humored me, or lifted me up?

 

Now, I have nearly fifty years of experience, and new experiences happen daily. Unfortunately, our brains can’t retain every experience, so what I have done is committed to something called “Homework for Life.”

I once attended a seminar on teaching (I am a special education teacher when I’m not writing or coaching writers). A storyteller was invited to speak at the teacher seminar and shared this technique. I have taken his way and made it my own. His name is Matthew Dicks and has written about using stories for everyday life and work, such as grant writing.

But for me, I have taken this technique and used it to create characters and the situations I put them in. Depending on if you are tech-savvy or if you would rather write longhand each day, it should only take a few minutes to complete. Either make a spreadsheet, google docs, etc., or use a notebook.

1.     Add a date.

2.     Write one thing that occurred today. Can be an actual event, a thing you did, something someone said that made you laugh, cry, etc. It can also be a memory that came back today.

3.     My reaction or emotion to the event, words, or memory.

 

That’s it!

As I said, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. And if something happens during the day, and you think you will forget by nighttime, write it down right then.

 

Here’s an example from my log:

6/14/17: I put A on a plane to Paris for the summer. I’m excited for her, but I hope she comes back alive. (She’s only 16) I’m scared.

6/15/17: B and I fought again. I feel so insignificant. I feel like I don’t matter. But I know that comes from something else. I know he loves me. I must find my voice.

6/16/17: I bought chocolate today. A lot of it. I’m happy.

6/17/17: S came over for tea. We have such different views on life. But she makes me laugh.

6/18/17: Went to a cookout with people I didn’t know. Had more fun. I felt free to be me. Brought chili. Everyone loves my chili.

6/19/17: My favorite shirt was shrunk in the wash. B bought me another one. All good.

6/20/17: Made Strawberry Rhubarb pies for me and Mom. Too liquidy. I need a better recipe. Actually, I didn’t use a recipe. That could be why.

 

As you can see, these are everyday events that at the moment don’t seem to mean much. But as I am writing my stories, I can browse through my log for tidbits to bring into the book. I can also start whole stories with one entry, so if I’m struggling with building a character or premise, I can draw on my own experiences and build from there. Mark Twain said, “Write what you know.” All I have to do is remember that day and how I felt…and write what I know. Did I learn something about putting my daughter on a plane to Paris? Boy, did I! Perhaps, I’ll put it in a story someday.

Thank you, Seekerville, for having me on your blog today! Thank you, Readers, for stopping in and spending your time with me. Whether you write, or not, keeping track of your daily experiences will bring joy to you as you go back and read a few in later years. I encourage all to do it!

 

Katy is offering two chances to win Cavern Cover-Up. One commenter will win a copy. If you follow the link below, you can enter the rafflecopter drawing she has going on.

Click here to be added to rafflecopter

Katy Lee

 

Publishers Weekly best-selling author Katy Lee has penned nearly thirty novels full of intrigue, romance, and inspiration. Romantic Times Book Reviews acclaimed, “The action is intense in Lee’s character-driven suspense.” She is a two-time RITA® Award nominee and a two-time Daphne du Maurier award nominee for her excellence in mystery and suspense. She also has multiple awards for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and the Selah Award for her romantic suspense Blindsided. Katy is a native New Englander but presently lives in the majestic, rugged Utah mountains where she is involved in full-time missions for an international Christian school. Katy also offers writing courses online to novice and accomplished writers and coaching services. She has clients all over the world and hopes to open a writing retreat center in the mountains someday. Katy is a graduate student at the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University where she studies Professional Writing and Global Studies. You can find information on her books and writing coaching services on her website: KatyLeeBooks.com.

Ruthy here, giving you a delightful post first done in 2...

 Ruthy here, giving you a delightful post first done in 2017.... and still relevant today! 

In Ruthy's world, "nobody puts Baby in a corner".... and writing diverse genres and stories suits her... and might be just the thing for you!

Thursday, November 9, 2017Loving Women's Fiction! Most of the Time!I love writing romance. Check out this video my daughter Beth made for me... Twenty Love Inspired books so far. #21 comes out in February and #22 in August... and then a Christmas novella duo with my buddy Linda Goodnight... and then #23 in January of 2019.

I am blessed.



I love writing mysteries!!! Who knew? This was my first mystery for Guideposts, and I've just finished mystery #2 and I'll be plotting #3 in a couple of weeks!!!



I love writing big books and smaller books, too. 
Link to bestselling "Back in the Saddle" on Amazon...



And I've always loved writing women's fiction... with women empowerment plugged into the story because I believe women should all feel empowered. They should feel ready to handle whatever life sends their way, and when I wonder why women might not feel that way, I look around the world where oppression and lack of women's rights... and the fact that we only gained equal rights in the grand old U.S. of A. a hundred years ago. Historically, that's like YESTERDAY...

But while I love a splash of romance in Women's Fiction, I don't want the heroine rescued. There ain't no Disney princess on my watch, although their newer varieties are more my cup of tea.

Note to everyone reading this: PLEASE DO NOT TRY AND RESCUE ME. Rescue not needed, not appreciated and clearly unnecessary. And that's the spirit I like to see in my heroines... even the ones that might benefit by a little help and a ragingly cute, cool guy. 

BUT... I don't want her saved by a knight in shining armor.

I don't want her to be relegated to a life of raising kids in a worn kitchen while the hero earns a living.

Not because that's bad... It's not.

But if we don't learn to take care of ourselves and stand up for ourselves, neediness can become a major step backwards in the story plot... and I don't want to see women stepping back when God calls us forward. But if your heroine is strong, what makes the conflict relatable in your story? Why does she need a story at all?

Here's where Mandisa hits the nail on the head with "Overcomer" on Youtube. I love this song... and what it represents. 

Plotting the Wishing Bridge series came from multiple inspirations, but today we're sticking to heroines and Thanksgiving. I brought pumpkin pie and cranberry orange relish!!!! YUM!

Back to plotting.... In a women's fiction story, your women need to be the crux of the stories/series. The stories and plots should revolve around the woman's story. She's the ice cream in the sundae. The fruit in the pie. The cake... not the frosting. Because the solid base of the woman and her issues is what your story grows from.

In Wishing Bridge, all three women are from abusive pasts. All had troubled teen experiences. All were in group foster care at Hannah's Hope, a home for troubled girls near Philadelphia. And they'd made two promises at age 18: To never repeat the mistakes of their mothers... (mothers take a lot of heat in this series!!!!) AND...

If one ever runs into trouble, all she has to do is send the others an SOS and they will come running.

And of course, that's the beginning of the series.

Book One: Cinderella-looking Kelsey has always longed for the All American dream. To be a teacher, to be beloved, to fall in love with a wonderful man and raise a family.

OOPS. How about a con-man disguised as Prince Charming, an unexpected pregnancy and an $8000.00 line of credit taken out in your name... only it wasn't you who signed the application.

Book Two: Jane Eyre-styled Thea is the big city loner. Sold into human trafficking by her crack/cocaine addicted mother, she was eventually released from captivity by a kind man... Now a family practice nurse practitioner, Thea's determined to work in the big city and help the teens and tweens that remind her of herself... and here she is in a tucked-in-the-hills snow-belt town that rolls up the sidewalks at seven o'clock, every night. Yawn.... 

Book Three: And then there's long-legged, drop-dead gorgeous bi-racial Jazz, a supermodel living the high life, a runway favorite, destined for continued greatness... If she survives the eating disorder threatening her life.

And that's where it begins, with strong, flawed characters who might need help, who may seek redemption but who are inherently overcomers... the kind of women who don't blame others because they're too busy carving a life for themselves.

I try not to belabor my own slovenly upbringing when talking about stories... not because I don't like talking about it. I don't lean on it, I don't use it as a crutch. It's the past. Over. Done. Finis. I don't dwell in the past. Ever. But I'm not afraid to use my past, my experiences, or those of others to deepen a story.

I don't wallow, and I don't want my heroines to wallow, either. Wallowing is for piggies, down on the farm. Not for successful women, even if they still question their own strength.

We know they've got what it takes, and as authors build their stories, we can construct a path that helps readers reach for success. Just because it's fiction doesn't mean it ain't real.

Keep it real.
Keep it upbeat.
Keep it moving.
Stay on the upside of the crises, never miring down in the seamy side of life for too long. We know it exists... we don't have to drown ourselves in it.

Show your heroine emerging from her cocoon like a butterfly escapes the chrysalis... To spread her wings and take flight. And if that flight includes a wonderful man, well that's not a bad thing. But it shouldn't depend on the wonderful man outcome. That should be the frosting on the cake... the whipped cream on that sundae... And a drizzle of hot fudge is never in bad taste!



I am so excited about this release. I love the story, I love the series, and I've had a great time working with Amazon's Waterfall Press to launch this book.  
RUTHY UPDATE 7/22: Wishing Bridge didn't just fly off the shelves... it still is flying off the shelves! This initial story "Welcome to Wishing Bridge" has over 800 reviews and a 4.6 star rating.... and it was joined by "At Home in Wishing Bridge", "Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge", "Embracing the Light in Wishing Bridge" and this October you'll see "Reclaiming Hope in Wishing Bridge", all with hundreds of reviews and 4.7 star ratings... I am so delighted that folks have fallen in love not just the people, but the town of Wishing Bridge, NY!

FIVE MORE DAYS!!!! COUNTDOWN BEGINS!!!! But you can pre-order "Welcome to Wishing Bridge" here.

What kind of women's fiction do you love? What speaks to you?

Come on inside and let me know and I'll put your name in the wishing basket for a chance to win a Kindle version of your choice of the Wishing Bridge stories!




They picked a great actress to do the voices... and she nailed it! 

Thank you, Erin!


Multi-published, award-winning inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne is currently holed up on her Western New York farm with family, friends, 3 miniature donkeys, two dogs, three cats and a partridge in a pear tree! Friend her on facebook... follow her on twitter... and she'd LOVE IT if you followed her on Amazon and Book Bub!