Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 29

The Power of Rest

Good morning, friends! It is wonderful to be on Seekerville again. I am celebrating today. Several hours ago, I handed in my 18thLove Inspired Suspense book to my editor. Yay! It was an exciting story to write. If all goes as planned, it will be in stores in May 2023. But that’s not all I’m celebrating. On Sunday, my oldest child and only daughter got engaged. Woohoo! This next year is going to be so busy! Not only do I have four more books to hand in before June, I am also going to be busy helping my beautiful girl plan a wedding. A task I will enjoy! I feel so blessed that she wants me to be involved in her life.

But… there is only so much we can do without becoming exhausted. I tend to get very intense when I’m involved in a task. I throw myself into it with abandon and don't want to quit until I’m done. In addition, I have multiple projects going on at the same time. That’s my personality. My husband tends to be a very involved person, as well.

About 20 years ago, my hubby said ENOUGH! He told me, we have jobs, kids, friends, and many other things going on in our lives. But all those blessings are from God. And God specifically gave us a day to rest from our busy lives. Together, we made the decision to avoid any unnecessary work on Sunday. Sunday is our day to go to church and enjoy our family. This has been a very positive change in our lives.

It is so important to balance our busy productive lives with times where we let God refresh our souls. There is a difference between selfishness and self-care. I truly believe this. If I didn’t rest after hitting a manor deadline, I’d be exhausted. The care I give my family, and the way I interact with my students and my colleagues would suffer. Also, if I finish a big project and immediately leap into another, I will find that my creative ability is lacking. I become discouraged when this happens. If I take the time to pray, rest and care for my soul, my ability to create, to love, to complete the tasks God has put before me flourishes. 

We have to take care of ourselves. This is especially true if we have others depending on us. They deserve to see us at our healthy best.

This week, I am resting after my deadline by attending a spiritual conference at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. I will be free of all household duties, and be able to devote myself to learning, prayer, and resting in God’s presence. I always feel refreshed when I return from this place.

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

I would love to know how you get refreshed when you are feeling worn or in need of rest and peace. I'm giving away one digital copy of Soul Care When You're Weary by Edie Melson and one print copy of Amish Cradle Conspiracy. Please say in the comments which book you are interested in, or if you're interested in both.

Blessings!

Dana 

Our lives are busier each day, and the margin we have available for recovery and peace is shrinking.

Edie Melson helps you find Soul Care solutions using devotions and prayers and opportunities for creative expression. She has learned that sensory involvement deepens our relationship with the Father and gives rest to our weary souls. She will teach you to tap into your creativity.

Reconnect with God using your tactile creativity.

I'm also giving away a copy of my June release, Amish Cradle Conspiracy. 



From USA TODAY bestselling author Dana R. Lynn.

To protect an Amish community…

She’ll make herself a target.

After a pregnant Amish woman and her toddler are abducted, police sergeant Nicole Dawson charges in to save them. But when the kidnapper escapes with the child—and thinks Nicole can identify him—she becomes his new obsession. Determined to protect his ex-fiancée, FBI special agent Jack Quinn joins the case. But the clock is ticking in their race to uncover the baby-trafficking ring before another innocent is taken…

Hello Seekerville!

Happy Monday and beginning of the week! I am so excited to be here and be a NEW member of Seekerville! Pepper Basham was lovely to cover for me last month when I was stranded out west in floods and tornados! But I am home now!
 Where is home? Home for me is in Wisconsin. I was born and raised here and love this state dearly. In fact, I set many of my stories in this state as well as Michigan. But don't be dismayed. I've got a book on deck set in Montana. I will spread my wings!
What do I write? I'm a bit creepier than many of the Seekerville authors. I like to call it "Scooby Doo for adults". Ghosts and secrets and mysteries all explained with a hope-giving side of faith! You can check out my stories here!
I have two kiddos both approaching their teen years. Any advice? We also have four cats, and I promise you will get to know them very well. Especially my muse and my boy, Foo!
He helps me write my stories. He is cuddly and sleepy by day and turns into a werewolf at night. He's quite the epitome of my stories all wrapped up in a mischievous cat!
All this to say! I'm so grateful to be here with all you. Will you please help me get to know you and leave your name, state, and fur baby info in the comments?
In His grip! Happy Monday!
Jaime 
My Books
My Other Writing Life

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

The Good Samaritan by Jacob Jordaens, c. 1616,
The Louvre, Paris, France. [PD_US]

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Luke 10:25-37

 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, especially 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: Happy 4th of July!! 
Tuesday: Mary was here talking about her new release. The winner of Inventions of the Heart is, Jessica Harwood
Wednesday: Mindy shared some tips on finessing your manuscript.
Thursday: Audra tackled the issue of Focus and the writing life
Friday: Janice Cantore shared about incorporating real-life events into your story. The winner of a copy of her upcoming release, Code of Courage is: ___________________.



Monday:  Jaime
Tuesday: Dana
Wednesday:  Ruthy  Thursday: Katy Lee

NOW AVAILABLE!

TWO STORIES RE-RELEASED

BY

DEBBY GIUSTI

    If you missed them before, get them now!

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…

Order NOW on Amazon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New ReleaseBook #2 in the Lumber Baron's Daughters SeriesInventions of the Heart

Read an Excerpt Click Here
Order Now on AmazonOrder Now from Baker Book House

   Coming July 26th! Two uplifting rereleases.
A Soldier's HomecomingSecond chance for the soldier
Homecoming 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?Order NOW 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 )


Re-Gear Your Writing Career - Take Risks to Revitalize by Kris Maze at Writers On The Storm
Computer Shortcuts by Patricia Bradley at Learn How To Write A Novel
Top 8 Best Scriveners Alternatives for Writers by Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur
On Being an Exophonic Writer by Berendsje Westra at Live Write Thrive
The One Tip that Will Bring Your Settings to Life by Giovanna Siniscalchi at Book Brush Blog
Are You a Fan of Laurie Schnebly Campbell Workshops? by LA Sartor at An Indie Adventure
Make the Right Media Choice by Dan Balow at Steve Laube Agency
How Memorable Are You? by Debbie Burke at Kill Zone blog
How Well Do You Know the Characters You Write? by Peggy Sue Wells at The Write Conversation
Using Weather Details to Enhance Your Fiction by Margery Bayne at The Writing Cooperative

Incorporating Real-Life Events into Your Story

 by Janice Cantore

In the fiction I write and read, I love to feel a sense of reality and authenticity. It’s easier for me to lose myself in a story if it’s all plausible. That’s what incorporating real-life events into a novel does—it makes the fiction seem real. A fictional tale that sounds real becomes more than words on a page. Readers can picture the story in their minds when each page sings with something that could have come from today’s headlines. When I write, one real-life event may simply nurture my story idea, while another may become a whole novel. Adding realistic details throughout can also infuse a novel with life, making everything about it come alive for the reader.

In every novel I write, I try to incorporate something I’ve personally experienced or a real-life event I’ve read about. The idea for my first book with Tyndale, Accused, grew from a very sad real-life event. A sixteen-year-old had been arrested for killing a crossing guard and stuffing her body in the trunk of a car. I was working juvenile at the time, and I remember seeing the kid and wondering what made him into a killer. He looked so normal. Later, more and more what-ifs strolled through my mind, and I landed on the story idea. “What if he didn’t do it?” Then, “What if the only person who believes him is the cop who books him?” Accused was born.

In my novel Catching Heat, the third in the Cold Case Justice series, one of the story ideas was born after I watched an episode of the TV show Cold Case Files. It was about Kristen Smart, a college student in San Luis Obispo who disappeared in 1996. Everyone in California who was alive then probably remembers the name. Her photo was everywhere as her frantic folks begged witnesses to come forward. The last person to see her alive was a guy who claimed he simply walked her home. There were holes in his story and circumstantial evidence pointed to him, but his parents shut down any police inquiry, and the case went cold. 

Sadly, it’s very plausible for a college student to go missing from her college campus. Making up a parallel case for my novel, I had my cold case detectives travel to San Luis Obispo to work on the case. In this case, the boyfriend was the suspect and everyone involved in the cold case knew he did it; they just couldn’t prove it. My fictional detectives worked their way through the evidence and found a way to trip up the boyfriend and solve the murder. 

As an interesting side note, the detectives handling the Smart case never gave up. In 2016, police in San Luis Obispo announced they had new evidence. By 2021, the guy who walked Kristen Smart home—and his father—were arrested and charged with her murder. 

In my latest novel, Code of Courage, real-life riots spawned the story. I’m certain most people can remember the riots last summer, images of stores burning and large angry mobs confronting police. I was horrified by it because it brought up memories of the riots I experienced while a police officer in Long Beach in 1992. I wanted to tell a story about riots and their impact on a community, from the perspective of a police officer dealing with the danger of an out-of-control, rioting mob. 

Incorporating real life into a novel is more than single events. Often in my novels I include minor details that I remember from patrol work. Things like how the leather in my belt squeaked when I would get in and out of the car, or how hard it was to secure a combative suspect in the back seat, or how bad a drunk smelled at two in the morning. Sometimes the odor lingered long after the drunk was gone. I also try to convey how wonderful it was to belong to the brotherhood of law enforcement, the thin blue line. The feeling of family makes working in law enforcement special, and I hope readers get that sense from my books.

Yes, it’s fiction, make-believe, but the more real you make a story sound, the more easily readers will get lost in the fiction. I love to get lost in a novel when I read, and I hope people reading my stories will feel that way about them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. She has penned thirteen novels: the Line of Duty series, the Cold Case Justice series, the Pacific Coast Justice series, Critical Pursuit, Visible Threat, Breach of Honor, and Code of Courage.

ABOUT CODE OF COURAGE

Detective Danni Grace has never met a police officer who wants to face a scenario where pulling the trigger on another person is the only option. When the worst does occur and there’s a police-involved shooting, it leads to riots and calls to disband the entire police force in La Rosa, Danni’s hometown.
After fifteen years on the force, Danni has had enough. Injured in the line of duty when a protester throws a chunk of concrete at her and shaken by the vitriol being shown to the police, Danni realizes for the first time that she’s lost her passion for the job.
While she’s on a leave of absence, though, a community activist in La Rosa is shot and a fellow officer is blamed for his murder. Taking on this case means stepping back into a job Danni’s not sure she can do anymore . . . and working closely with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor’s office. Danni will need to tap into her code of courage to uncover the truth, prevent another injustice, and uphold her oath to serve and protect.
Release Date:July 19, 2022


Thank you, Janice!  
Giveaway*: Please leave a comment for Janice for a chance to win a copy of her upcoming release, Code of Courage. 


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

Retirement, Pt 2 - Focus

 

Hi All! Audra here. 

Last month I announced to the world that I had retired from my day job. I shared the delightful freedoms and pitfalls I’d discovered which had to do with Time Management. I’d like to share the issue of FOCUS with you this month.

FOCUS is a skill that requires constant care, feeding, and tweaking as you make your way through your journey of life. No matter if you’re answering to an 8 to 5 job, wrangling kids, tending to an aging faction of your life who need you to help them, -- or even on vacation--, you need to have a game plan for your day and stick to it or you’ll find any number of distractions will hijack your good intentions.

Trust me, you are looking at the queen of distraction!

Well-meaning friends and relatives are convinced I have so much time on my hands now that I'm not working, why not go shopping or try the new place in town for lunch? I get invited to help plan wedding/baby showers. I’m at the top of volunteer lists.

Just one simple lunch date with friends tends to evolve into unplanned grocery shopping, car washes, my car parking itself in the Hobby Lobby lot, etc. You get the picture. By the time I get home, it’s not 1:30 as planned, but 3:30 and now I have to think about planning dinner.

Multiply that “fun” by 5 days a week and all of a sudden I sit down Friday night and look at my to-do list and realize only 2 items out of 14 have been crossed off.

And words added to my Scrivener file are woefully missing.

Self-help blogs, books and advice for productivity are out there by the thousands. I listened to and researched many of them, but soon found only a handful fit my lifestyle and routine. Even fewer came with implementation without breaking my budget.

Last month I mentioned I’m going through our house and sorting, donating, or throwing away clutter. That’s just a side job of what I want to accomplish in this phase of my life. Though lunch with friends and a well stocked kitchen are nice, my GOAL is to return to a routine that carves word count back into my day in order to write and finish books.

#1 - I had to clean up my workspace. I’m fortunate to have a room in our house dedicated as my “office.” Along with the worksurface, books, research materials, etc, my office has also transformed into the catch all of random stuff looking for a home. My goal is for all of it to leave my work area. My focus is on entering an environment that confirms that I’m coming to work each day to write. 

#2 - I had to make a schedule. Ha! Making the schedule is easy, it’s staying on task that’s difficult. Silly me, I thought coming off of an 8 hour workday, I’d be able to replace day job work duties with writing time and all the admin things that come with it. After a couple of frustrating weeks of failure, I finally blocked out a couple hours each day and play it all by ear. My focus is treating writing as a priority. Time and persistence pays off. Frustration is lessening and new habits are forming. This is not an overnight solution, but more a long-term lifestyle.

#3 - I had to develop a mobility routine - translated, it means I have to get up and move. To me, any type of planned movement is exercise: walking the dogs and working around the house are my two standards. But, I found that if I didn’t get up and physically move away from whatever I was doing each hour, my mind wandered and my focus bounced to things that derailed me for much longer than simply getting up, walking around the house or outside for 5 minutes, refilling my water and then back to the task at hand. Get up! Clear your head! Change your scenery for a few minutes. Hyperfocus is not always your friend. Focus on a healthy routine leading to a healthy life.

Those are the big three suggestions that help keep my mind of track and things are actually getting done. Cutesy slogans and inspirational goal setting memes do nothing for this brain. Persistence to routine and prayer for focus keep me looking at my planner for direction. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 -- those are the words that assure me I'm on the track and I have a job to do.

What works for you? I love success in action. Bring them on and let’s chat!

Finessing a Story

by Mindy Obenhaus
Today's post come from the vault but has some great tips for polishing that manuscript before we send it off. 
I have a book due in less than three weeks. The story is out of my head and on the page, the metamorphosis from idea to book almost complete. But before I can submit this story, it must be finessed.
Finessing involves skillful maneuvering. As writers, we need to skillfully, purposefully, write our stories in a way that takes readers on a journey and leaves them basking in the glow of a satisfying ending.
When finessing a manuscript, there are certain things I look for.
Have I adequately described each setting? 
Each and every scene needs a sense of place to ground it, otherwise you just have talking heads. However, too much description can bore a reader. Too little leaves them wanting and maybe even feeling a little lost. Determine what aspects of your setting are important, then sprinkle those details throughout the scene. Also, ask yourself if you’re showing the reader the scene, allowing them to see it through the POV character’s eyes, or if you’re telling them. 
Showing is always better because it allows the reader to experience the story.
Strong word choices.  
Is your character running, hurrying, scurrying or speeding? Each of these words means, essentially, the same thing, but which is best for the context of your scene? If it’s a lighthearted scene, your heroine might be scurrying to gather things for a party. On the other hand, your police office hero would likely race or speed to the scene of an accident. 
What words best fit the emotion and feel of your scene?
Are my characters actions/reactions believable and appropriate?  
When I receive my line edits, they sometimes contain notes from my editor saying things like, “This seems out of character for her.” Or “His reaction is too strong,” or even, “Not strong enough.”
Whether it’s in word, thought or action, a character’s response to an event or comment, needs to fit not only who the character is becoming, but who they are at their core. Yes, your meek heroine might need to show a little backbone, but does her response show growth and change, that she’s finally standing up for herself, or does she simply come off as rude?

Even as they change, your characters will remain true to their essence.
Characters’ journey. 
Reading is about watching someone embark on a journey. Hopefully, your main characters have grown during the course of your story. But will the reader be able to see that growth?
When a baby is born, he or she is completely helpless. Newborns can’t feed themselves. They can’t hold up their little heads. They can't sit up and they’re only mobile when someone carries them from one place to another. Yet week by week, month by month, they change and grow. So by the time baby’s first birthday rolls around, he or she can do all of these things and more. 
No matter how long or short the timeframe of your story, the characters need to grow and change. But don’t just ask yourself what they can do at the end of the story that they couldn’t do at the beginning. Make sure your reader knows how they got there. Show those baby steps of growth along the way. How did the heroine who was deathly afraid of horses end up being comfortable in the saddle? 

And if you’re writing for the Christian market, don’t forget about their spiritual journey.
Writing a book is a process. All of the elements have come together for a story to be successful. Taking the time to finesse will help ensure the finished product is the best it can possibly be.
Now it's your turn. Readers, in your opinion, what makes a good book great? Writers, how do you know when your manuscripts are ready to submit?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com

Inventions of the Heart! And a giveaway!!!

 

Inventions of the Heart

Her heart seeks safety. But will trouble find her even here?

After her sister's marriage, Michelle Stiles is left hiding at Two Harts Ranch with the handsome but stubborn Zane Hart. She's managed to stay one step ahead of her stepfather and his devious plans, but if he finds her, she will no longer be safe.

Zane has problems of his own. Having discovered a gold mine on his property, he must figure out how to harvest it without kicking off a gold rush. Michelle, educated and trained to run her father's business, wants to manage all aspects of the mine, but Zane thinks for a person so smart she can have some misguided ideas. Running the mining operation will be a dangerous job, and he can't risk putting her in harm's way.

But danger finds Michelle anyway when she's suddenly attacked. If they go to the sheriff, they'll reveal her location, but if they do nothing . . . their troubles have only just begun.
Launching a new book is always exciting. This month I get to do it.Book #2 of the Lumber Baron's Daughters Series is out TOMORROW!This is Michelle's story. And she's getting all tangled up with a cowboy!I'm giving away a signed copy of Inventions of the Heart.Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing.

Seekerville Is Closed Today

 

Seekerville is closed today as we celebrate Independence Day holiday in the USA. Please join us again soon!

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Icon of 70 Disciples

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"

Luke 10:1-9

 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, especially 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.   
HAVE A JOYOUS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND!
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.