Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 3

The Power of Setting

When most readers pick up our novels, they’re anticipating an escape. They want to find a few moments away from their everyday lives to live in a world with their favorite (or soon to be) characters. While characters and plot are undoubtedly essential components, never overlook the vital role that setting plays. As authors. we must craft the setting of our stories to evoke emotions and enrich the plot. We need to create an experience for our readers that makes them look forward to our next book or continue reading our series, because we given them a book that’s the entire HEA experience.

Setting as a Character

Just as we carefully craft our characters with backstory, hopes, and dreams, the setting of a novel often assumes the role of a character, as well and should be treated with the same diligence. A well-developed setting possesses its own personality, history, and distinct characteristics that influence the story and its inhabitants. Let’s bring in the masters as examples: J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth or Arthur Conan Doyle's fog-shrouded Victorian London. These settings aren’t just backdrops, but “story engines” that shape the events and drive the actions of the characters. By infusing the setting with depth and personality, we can draw our readers into our fantasy world, allowing them to feel as though they are truly part of the world within the pages.

Setting as a Source of Conflict

Setting can be a fertile source of conflict, intensifying the challenges faced by the characters. Whether it's a bleak and desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland, a medieval castle fraught with hidden dangers, or a small mountain town with it’s own everyday drama, the environment can present formidable obstacles that characters must overcome. Depending on the plot of your novel, the setting can also reflect societal, cultural, or political tensions, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Imagine a tinder dry California town threatened by wildfire, or a 9.0 earthquake that shakes a major city that then needs to brace for the ensuing tsunami. By integrating conflict within the setting, we not only heighten the stakes but also invite a deeper connection between our reader and the story's events.

Setting as an Emotional Catalyst 

The power of setting lies in its ability to evoke emotions and immerse readers in a particular atmosphere. From the cozy charm of a small-town café to the foreboding gloom of a haunted mansion, the ambiance created by the setting can elicit a wide range of emotions. Can we all say Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury? A well-described setting can transport readers to another time, place, or state of mind, enabling them to experience joy, fear, nostalgia, or awe alongside the characters. By building on powerful sensory details of the setting, we can foster an emotional connection that our readers won’t soon forget.

Setting as a Reflection of Themes

A thoughtfully crafted setting can serve as a symbolic representation of the novel's themes and motifs. The physical environment can mirror the internal struggles or conflicts faced by the characters, offering a glimpse into how our character perceives themselves and their situation. Think about it — a decaying, dilapidated cityscape may symbolize societal decay or the loss of hope, while a lush, vibrant forest might represent growth, renewal, or freedom. By posturing the setting with the story's underlying themes, we can create a deeper layer of meaning, even if our protagonist is fighting for the future of her bakery or to wrangle back possession of his ranch.

Storytelling is an art form and the importance of setting can’t be overstated. A well-crafted setting breathes life into a novel, immersing readers in a world that exists beyond the confines of their imagination. It acts as a character, a source of conflict, an emotional catalyst, and encourages the reader to see beyond the simple stated text. By recognizing and appreciating the impact of setting, both authors and readers can embark on thought-provoking journeys that resonate on a profound and unforgettable level. 

So, next time you sit down to work on your novel, or open a novel as a treat for reaching a goal, pay attention to the setting—think about the story going from “That was a good read” to “Wow! When is the next book coming out!”

*  *  *
Audra Harders writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring fearless men who haven't a clue about relationships, rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero, has two adult children, and a very strong-willed Corgi. She began writing right after her second kidlet was born and sold her first book to Love Inspired mere months before that same young adult graduated from high school. Surviving those years in between reminds her God does have a plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor. You can visit Audra at:

Website: www.audraharders.com

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28 RSV

Seekerville is Closed Today

 

Memorial Day is aday set aside for honoring and remembering the military personnel who have diedin the performance of their duties in the US armed forces.  

Please take a fewmoments today to reflect on the sacrifices that so many have made to protect notonly the cherished freedom of the USA, but that of other countries around theworld.

Please stop byagain soon!

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Fresco of the Pentecostal dove representing the Holy Spirit
at the Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria.[PD-US]

On the evening of thatfirst day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the discipleswere,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his handsand his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them andsaid to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

John 20:19-23

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

Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime. Please pray for world peace, for  the protection of our military, law enforcement officers and border agents.   

We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! 

God bless you and keep you safe. 

Wishing you a joyous Pentecost!

May you be filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

 today and in the year ahead.

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 gave some thoughts on why authors don't often get to keep their original titles.
Wednesday: Cate put on her educator's hat and talked about Lessons from a Classroom: The Power of Yet
Thursday: Pam engaged with her discussion of A Deep Dive into Retractable Vinyl Banners




Monday: Memorial Day - Seekerville closed. Join in celebrating our freedoms and our Veterans!!
Thursday: Audra will be talking about the Power of Setting    




Now Available! Book three in best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus's Hope Crossing series.
A short-term solution could lead to long-term love.When Alli Krenek returns to her hometown, she's surprised to find herself agreeing to become a nanny to Jake Walker's children. Seventeen years ago, Jake betrayed Alli's trust, and she's avoided him ever since. But the more time she spends with Jake, the more his two little ones melt her heart and Alli beings to see the man Jake has become. Is this their chance to finally heal old wounds?
Get your copy today!  Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target

AMISH BLAST INVESTIGATION

A June 2023 Release!

A deadly explosion.
A dangerous search for the truth.

After an explosion rocks Becca Klein’s bakery and kills one of her customers, she teams up with the victim’s son to find justice. Though estranged from his father, Englischer Luke Snyder is compelled to help the Amish woman uncover why his father died. But ruthless killers believe Luke’s father gave Becca something they want, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Luke keep Becca safe until they discover the truth?

Pre-OrderHERE!





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 )

To Set Beta Reader Expectations, Have an Honest Discussion by Lisa Cooper Ellison at Jane Friedman
Vision Boards for Writers: Ways to Achieve Your Dreams by Sarah Rexford at Write To Done
What if My Readers Listen? by Peter Leavell at Learn How To Write A Novel
Does FOMO Rule Your Writing Life? by LA Sartor at An Indie Adventure
How to Create Insanely Complex Characters Using "Shadow Theory" by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
9 Best AI Tools for Essays, Business and Blogs by Sarah Oakley at ProWritingAid
I was Right all Along - How to Write the Right Way by Johnny B Truant at Writers In The Storm
Tips for Distant Settings (redux) by Terry Odell at Killzone blog
Common Obstacles Writers Face: Perfectionism by Henry McLaughlin at The Write Conversation
Querying Basics: 5 tips for Landing a Literary Agent by Dario Villirilli at Live Write Thrive

A Deep Dive into Retractable Vinyl Banners

Okay, ya���ll know me. My Seekerville blog posts are fast and furious and they usually deal with some issue that I���m trying to research for myself. And, unfortunately, the post itself tends to be quite messy, thrown together like most of my cooking. I���m sorry about that. I just came off a 4 week babysitting gig because the daycare lady was in the hospital. Thankfully, she���s on the mend and back at work, but I���m still a bit discombobulated.

But, anyway, tacked on to the end of my babysitting day, I���ve been involved in getting the ACFW Conference, ACFW Consignment bookstore, and ACFW Storyfest rolling the last few weeks. One thing led to another and my thoughts ended up on retractable vinyl banners.

Are you thoroughly confused yet? lol

ACFW Storyfest
Readers' Event
August 2023Well, it happened like this. I���ve been meaning to get a retractable banner for awhile now. I just kept putting it on the back burner. I need one for when I go to local book signings close to home. And even further afield. Authors who plan to sell books at the ACFW Consignment bookstore in St. Louis can purchase advertising space and can use a retractable banner. So, I was thinking I might need to get a banner before then. In the meantime, ACFW staff designed some eye-catching banners for Storyfest, and well, I had a blog due and decided some of you might be as intrigued about what makes a good banner as I am.

I asked around and got some really eye-catching banners to share with ya���ll. I���ll be honest. I don���t think I���ve seen a BAD one yet.  And since there���s nothing new under the sun, I found this great article of 9 Tips on Creating a Unique Retractable Banner. I���m going to just hit the high points, but I���ll share the link to the full article for you to really dig into.  The author did such a good job of outlining everything and it���s worth a read.

I probably could have just sent ya���ll to his article, but there aren���t any examples, and since that���s the main focus of today���s blog, well, here we are.

One of the first questions he asked in his article was what do you want your banner to accomplish?

Well, for writers, most of the time we���re standing right there by our banner, right there with our books. We want people to come over and look at our books, engage with us, hopefully BUY a book or two, and last, but not least, sign up for our newsletter. Maybe even follow us on SM.

What do you want on your banner?

Top billing should be your author name, which is YOUR logo. Like Pam Hillman with Author underneath that. Or, even better, be more specific. If you have a tagline, use that. Mary would use ���Romantic Comedy with Cowboys���. For my banner, I would probably put ���Historical Christian Fiction.��� Leaving the word ���author��� off completely. 

C.F.E. Black has ���heart-stealing fantasy��� and underneath that ���fast-paced science fiction���. So perfect for her brand.

C. F. E. Black

Generally, most people will know that you���re an author by the piles of books around you, but sometimes at festivals and local events, they don���t always grasp that. They just think you���re selling books. More than once, they are surprised to find out that I AM the author. So spelling out on your banner that you���re an author is a good thing.

Call-to-Action

At the bottom, you���ll want to include your website address, maybe even a QR code. If you want to use your banner to point people to your presence on Social Media, the best way to do that would be with QR codes. If you plan on having a giveaway for people who sign up for your newsletter, follow you on FB, IG, Twitter, etc., having those QR codes right there would make it so easy for them to pop it in. However, you don���t want to get too crazy with these links and QR codes on a banner. It���s probably enough to just send include your website. For newsletter signup, you could provide a QR code right by your guestbook and those who are IT savvy could just sign up right there.

You want your banner to state who, what, and where (where being your presence on the internet). You���re not wanting to point people to your house or a storefront, so don���t put a physical address (unless you DO have a storefront), a phone number, or even your email address. If they need to get in contact with you, your website address is the best way. Or, through Facebook these days.

Branding

Davalynn Spencer

We���ve covered who and where. Let���s talk about what��� as in your brand. Decide what color schemes, fonts, and images go with your brand. All the author banners I've included in today's post do a good job of staying on brand. Davalynn Spencer writes Western romance set along the Front Range of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Her banner reflects that. C.F.E. Black, and Linda Kozar's banners are perfect representations of the type of books these authors write.

A bit about Banner Size, Vendors, and Pricing. Retractable banners range from 2��� x 5���3��� to 2.9��� x 6���9��� tall. Go as big as you can afford. Almost all venues can handle something as tall as 6���. Remember that you want to catch a reader���s eye from a distance, and you need your banner to stand out above the crowd.

VistaPrint and Banners on the Cheap are two vendors I���m familiar with. Prices can range from $50-$180 and most of these quotes include the retractable stand that comes with your banner. If you���re not in a hurry for a banner, get your design ready, keep an eye on prices and you can sometimes cash in on a great deal (as low as $50) with VistaPrint.

Less is More

Linda Kozar
I think we���ve all heard the less is more mantra, and we take it to heart. 99% of the time, I agree. Notice the examples I���ve shared today. They DO follow this pattern. But Linda Kozar broke the mold and went with a collage of her books as the background on her banner. (Pay no attention to Linda and all her author friends photobombing her banner! I see you Kathleen Y���Barbo. And you, too, Janice Thompson!) And it totally works for Linda���s bright, fun, contemporary style. And if you visit her website, she���s staying on brand as well. You���ll notice that even though the background is busy, it doesn���t intrude. It enhances! While you don���t want to put too much text on a banner, the book cover collage doesn���t FEEL like text. It sort of blends into the background. Linda put a banner swatch across the middle with her name and headshot in her signature pink and the entire thing pops. (Now I want to do a banner swatch��� Hmmm.)

Color

Building on the paragraph above, a bit more about color. Look at Linda���s banner again. Bright pinks, reds anchoring the top corners of her banner, pastel blue. On brand. C.F.E. Black, again, staying on brand with black, brown, tan, a hint of fire. ACFW���s Storyfest banner which is not an author banner, but promotes the Storyfest Reader���s event is also on brand: black and gold.

Sometimes it takes a few books, a few years to reach a color scheme that really works for you, but once you do, use that to your advantage.

Final takeaway

We���ve covered a lot in today���s post, but there is so much more in the article referenced, so feel free to dig deeper into the topic there. Staying true to your brand is so important. 

Also, you want an evergreen banner that you can use over and over again. So I wouldn���t include dates, locations, or words like ���new release��� or ���local author��� on your banner.

A special thanks to authors C.F.E. Black, Davalynn Spencer, and Linda Kozar for coming to my rescue and providing their banners for this blog post.

Want to read more? Check out this article. Retractable Banner Design : 9 Ultimate Tips To Create an Attractive Display Banner

CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com

Lessons from a Classroom: The Power of Yet

 I love it when worlds collide, like when earlier this week my librarian daughter messaged me to ask if I knew a particular Love Inspired author because she had just catalogued two of her books. Why yes. I'm even friends with Connie Queen. 😀

The happy collision I'm thinking of today is how lessons taught in a classroom of preteens can apply equally to writers. A few weeks ago, we had a group come to do an assembly with students on mindsets. In preparation for the program, I was reviewing some cute videos with my class, because cartoons can be ageless.

Here are links to them. If you have a few minutes, you might enjoy MOJO! (He's really cute.)

In Episode 1, 'A Secret about the Brain,' Mojo learns a secret fromhis friend, Katie, that changes how he thinks about learning!*

 

 

 In Episode 2, "The Magic of Mistakes," Mojo learns that building a robot is much harder then he expects. Mojo keeps trying but eventually gives up. Thankfully Katie stops by to remind Mojo that mistakes are no big deal and they can even make you smarter! It all depends on how you react to them. If you give up, your brain gets lazy and doesn't get the exercise needed to grow. The trick is to learn from mistakes, which helps your mind get stronger.*

 

My favorite is Episode #3 The Power of Yet!

 

 

In Episode 3, "The Incredible Power of Yet," it's Katie's turn to learn about the growth mindset. Katie loves being the smartest monster in the class, but one day in science class, she realizes that she doesn't understand the lesson being taught. Instead of asking for help, Katie freezes, because she's worried that everyone will think she's not so smart after all. Fortunately, Mojo stops by to remind Katie that he's realized that if he gets stuck, instead of saying "I can't do this," Mojo says "I can't do this, yet!" and then ask for help. Either friends or elders may be able to help advise how to solve the problem. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help! You are missing an opportunity to learn something new.*

There are more episodes, but I wanted to just focus on these three and how they apply to us.

#1  In Episode 1, Mojo is quitting school and running away because he thinks he's not smart enough. He says, "You're either born smart or you're not, and I'm not."

His friend Katie quickly shows him the error of his thinking and teaches him how he needs to use his brain, to exercise it.

That made me think. How many times have we thought, even if maybe not consciously, that you're either born a writer or you're not. Hopefully, you've never said  And I'm not! But there are certainly times we doubt ourselves, doubt whether we are really cut out for this, or if we can ever be successful.

#2 In Episode 2, Mojo has to learn that failure is not the end. That just because something doesn't work the first time doesn't mean you scrap it and give up. 

How many times are we tempted to give up when a rejection comes or a revision letter seems insurmountable? If we want to succeed, we need to follow Katie's advice and try harder, learn from our mistakes and do better.

#3 Have you ever wanted to give up on a manuscript and just toss paper airplanes? Maybe not, but cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry, climbing Mt. Everest - when things are going tough in the writing world any of these can seem like a better option. In Episode 3 the tables are turned and it's Katie who is struggling because she suddenly can't do everything perfectly. She's afraid to ask for help, afraid others will laugh at her because she needs it. But the lesson is we all need help for different things, and together we can be stronger.  We might not know it/be it/do it now, but it's not never, it's just not YET!

Can't figure out that plot? Don't give up. You just haven't figured it out YET.

Haven't heard back on a proposal. Keep writing. You just haven't heard back YET.

Got a rejection or an R&R? Don't give up. You're just not there YET.

I know this all sounds somewhat simplistic and childish, but sometimes we let our adult minds saddle us with problems, and we look for complicated answers. Maybe, sometimes at least, the answer can be this simple. Maybe, sometimes we need an amusing reminder not to give up because things are hard.

What do you think?  Can Mojo and Katie help you keep going and get you to believe in the power of YET?

Some good news - that proposal I was waiting on - the one that I sent in just before my editor left? My new editor loves it and I have a new two book contract! I made it past YET for that one! And because I followed Mojo and Katie's advice and didn't give up (too often anyway), Book 1 is almost done.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

* Source of quotes. Find more of the mindset info here:  https://ideas.classdojo.com/b/growth-mindset

Traveling Through Books - Appalachia

About four years ago, my husband and I went on aclose-to-home adventure. We drove the two-hour road trip from Asheville, NC to the real locationof Catherine Marshall’s Christy. Inthe novel, Christy shows up in Cutter Gap, but the place where the real story took place is called ChapelHollow/Ebenezer Mission and the real Christy gets off the train in Del Rio, TN.

If you’ve never heard of this New York Timesbestselling historical novel, here’s a little blurb about it:

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddlestonfrom her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting herto another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended intime, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her--andher one-room school--as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged,and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about howto care for the families of the Cove.


Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion beenough?

The audiobook read by Kellie Martin (who plays theheroine in the T.V. adaptation of the book) is FABULOUS! (here’s a little articleabout fact vs fiction in Christy. Also to see some photos of the REAL Christyand mission house, checkthis out.)

The first few photos are from the film site of the t.v. series, which wasn't super far from the actual site, but I see why they didn't choose to film at the actual site because it took my husband's 4-wheel drive to get up the narrow road to the real spot of Chapel Hollow. 

The white church is the actual church in which "David Grantland" preached. The entire building was moved from it's original spot to a little lower down the mountain, I think, some time in the mid 19th century. 

What I love best about Christy is how true-to-lifeit is to the culture of Appalachia, and as my husband and I took the narrow,rain-washed, gravel/mud road up the hillside to a place we ‘hoped’ would bringus to ‘Cutter Gap’, the reality of just how isolated most communities inAppalachia were rang true. To give you a clue, we were out of any phonereception for over two hours. I mean…NONE. (And this is the 21st century!)

Another interesting discovery on this trip were themiscellaneous gravestones at the church (which is the same church the real David Grantland held service).Hand carved names, poor grammar, words misspelled, and dates etched with simple tools showed aculture who valued their people in death in the best way they could.

Visiting this site on which one of the most-lovedstories of Appalachia  was written really spurred a deeper appreciation for the culture I call my own and (paired with family history) influenced the creation of my historical romance novels that are set in the early 1900s Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. 

Have you ever read a book that really captured YOUR culture? Or a book that drew you into a culture with such vibrancy you felt like you were a part of a world very different than your own?

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

Pepper Basham is anaward-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor.Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate hernative Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into herstories. Her 20th book came out in February 2023. She currentlyresides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is a wife, mom tofive great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz,hats, and Jesus. Her dual timeline novel, Hope Between the Pages, was a 2022finalist for the prestigious Christy awards. Pepper loves connecting withreaders and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook& Instagram.

You can learn moreabout Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com

How do Books Get Titles?

 Hey, gang! Erica here. Did you know that the title an author picks out for their book rarely actually goes on the published article?

It's true. An author can have a title of truly poetic and heartbreaking genius, and the publisher will say, "Um, no."

But, why?

There are lots of factors that go into titling a novel. Here are but a few:

1. The author's title too closely resembles another title, either in the publisher's catalog, or that is already famous. Unless you write satire, titles like Grown with the Wind or How to Kill a Mockingbird aren't going to fly.

2. The author's titles don't fit a pattern for the series they wish to create. There's a certain symmetry and rhythm, a similarity that helps tie a series together. The Lost Lieutenant, The Gentleman Spy, The Indebted Earl...they all have the same structure and are part of the Serendipity & Secrets series. They are all 'hero focused.' 

3.  The title doesn't 'sing.' If you've seen the John Wayne movie "The Green Berets" you might remember the character Sgt. Provo, who noticed that all the airfields and buildings of the US army in Vietnam were named after someone who had died in battle. And the names fit the locations. In Provo's estimation, they 'sang.' His dilemma was he couldn't think of anything that fit his own name. (Rest assured, when it came his time, he did find something he declared 'sings.') Your book title choice might be too short, or more often, too long. It might be too alliterative, a tongue twister, though alliterative titles can work. If your title is just the name of your main character, it's most likely going to be changed. Cher and Rhianna can get away with it, but if your title is "Bob" or "Mary" it's not memorable enough to get people talking.

4. It might have to fit a line, like Love Inspired. My title of The Snowflake Bride became His Prairie Sweetheart. My title The Christmas Wish became A Child's Christmas Wish. I submitted a list of possible titles for another Love Inspired Historical, and one of those was chosen: The Bounty Hunter's Baby. Those titles all fit the LIH line, meeting reader expectations. 

5. There may be cultural implications you haven't considered, especially if a title is being published in another language. It may be necessary to change a title that works okay here in the US, but possibly in Dutch or Romanian or Italian might be wrong.

There are a lot of factors that go into titling a book. Marketing, Sales, Editorial, and the publisher are all involved. Often there will be a bit of give and take between the team and the author, with the agent's input, but it's also written into most contracts that the publisher has the final say when it comes to the book's title.

Here are some books that had their titles changed:

George Orwell's 1984 - The Last Man in Europe

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island - The Sea Cook

Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace - All's Well that Ends Well

Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind - Tomorrow is Another Day

Bram Stoker's Dracula - The Dead Un-Dead

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Prometheus Unchained

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice - First Impressions

My current work in progress is called Worth the Risk, but I'm not holding it too closely, as the team at Kregel will kick around a lot of ideas before they land on the one they think will sell the best.

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She���s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she���s not writing fiction, she���s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time!

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

THE ASCENSION*

Jesus' ascension to Heaven depicted by John Singleton Copley in Ascension (1775). [PD-US]

The eleven disciples wentto Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but theydoubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been givento me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commandedyou.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end ofthe age.”

Matthew28:16-20

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

Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime. Please pray for world peace, for  the protection of our military, law enforcement officers and border agents.   

We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! 

God bless you and keep you safe.

May the Lord bless all of us throughout this Easter Season with a new appreciation of His mercy and love.  

  *The Ascension was Thursday, May 18, but many churches observe the special day on this Sunday.

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: Jan Drexler talked about using internal conflict to deepen our stories. Winner of an Amazon gift card is Kathy Bailey. Congratulations KayBee!
Wednesday: Debby Giusti gave us a peek into her June release: AMISH BLAST INVESTIGATION. The winners receiving a copy of Debby's book are
Thursday: Winnie Griggs talked about Revealing Emotion Using Show vs Tell. The winner of her giveaway is AbbyH




Monday: Erica will be chatting about book titles.
Wednesday: Cate will be talking about the power of YET and how it applies to writers.

Thursday: Pam has something exciting up her sleeve!   

AMISH BLAST INVESTIGATION

A June 2023 Release!

A deadly explosion.
A dangerous search for the truth.

After an explosion rocks Becca Klein’s bakery and kills one of her customers, she teams up with the victim’s son to find justice. Though estranged from his father, Englischer Luke Snyder is compelled to help the Amish woman uncover why his father died. But ruthless killers believe Luke’s father gave Becca something they want, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Luke keep Becca safe until they discover the truth?

Pre-OrderHERE!




It's release day for Disarming His Heart!! And to celebrate I'm having a release party, complete with oodles of prizes and fun discussions. To join in the fun, simply head on over to The Reader Group

A sharpshooter hiding heridentity. A preacher with a guilty past. Will secrets ruin their shot at love?

Violet Taylor leads a double life. She performs in a traveling show as themysterious Masked Marvel, a daring and commanding sharpshooter. But in reallife, she holds back and allows others to lead the way. When an accident putsher arm in a sling, she has to scramble to protect the secret of her identityas the Masked Marvel. So she enlists the help of her identical twin sister, a“townie” dressmaker, to secretly swap places until her arm heals. But thatmeans she must also take on her sister’s role as director of a children’s church program. There’sjust one hitch. Her sister sweet on Pastor Carson, the program’s codirector, soViolet has to make sure not to mess anything up with him.

Pastor Carson Davis became guardian to an orphaned nine-year-old six months agoand has been struggling to build a relationship with the boy ever since. It’sto the point where he’s begun to wonder if he’s even fit to be a pastor. Couldfinding himself a wife who’d be a proper mother figure for his foster son bethe solution?

As Violet and Carson work together on the children’s program the attractionbetween them grows. But awareness of her sister’s feelings and guilt over herdeception hold Violet back.
Little does she know that Carson is harboring secrets of his own…

ORDER  HERE



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Changing Your Bullet Journal to Make the Method Work for You by Mikaelah Holback at Bullet Journal blog
Book Promotion on a Budget - Tips for a Beginner Writer by James Daily at Your First 10K Readers
How to Choose a Good Editor by Daniel Parsons at Self-Publishing Formula
What's the Difference Between Editing and Revising? by Kristen Kieffer at Well-Storied
6 Questions to Get to the Heart of Your Story by CS Lakin at Live Write Thrive
Why There's No Such Thing as "Just A Story" by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
Healing Your Character's Emotional Wound by Lisa Jordan at Learn How To Write A Novel
Character Voice vs Author Voice by Michelle Barker at Writers Helping Writers
Ignite Your Readers Imagination with the Inciting Incident by Lynette M Burrows at Writers In The Storm
Using ChatGPT for Research? Use Exceeding Care by Susanne Dunlap at Jane Friedman