Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 39

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

The Transfiguration, Raphael, c. 1520, Italy. 
[PD-US]

Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.

Luke 9:28b-36

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, for the people of Ukraine, for an end to Russian aggression, and for the protection of our military.
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:  Mary--Step Two  in Creating Characters
Wednesday:  Ruthy was here and offering a copy of her newest book.... "Small Town Hearts" and a sweet surprise! Winner of that combo deal is Winnie Thomas!!!!!!
Friday: Author Michelle Shocklee stopped by to chat about her obsession with research, and her upcoming release, Count the Night by Stars.  Winner for a copy of it is ____________





Monday:  Carrie's post are always packed with information. This week, she'll be talking about what makes readers try a new author. 
Wednesday:  Debby Giusti will be chatting about topics she loves...books and writing! Be sure to stop by and join in the conversation!  Friday: Winnie will bring us Part 2 of her discussion on book blurbs.






Ruthy is busily making yellow and blue ribbons/bows to support Ukrainian Refugees because she can't imagine how hard it must be to flee your house, your church, your neighborhood, your home.... and have nothing. So as she works on a new Guideposts Mystery, she's encouraging folks to do what they can, when they can and you can see more on her Facebook page..... 
And she just released HER UPDATED VERSION OF SMALL TOWN HEARTS!!!!!
SHE IS SO EXCITED! :)
AVAILABLE HERE IN KINDLE OR PAPERBACK OR FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!



DEBBY GIUSTIis thrilled to announce that her March release,SMUGGLERS IN AMISH MOUNTAIN,made the PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLERS LISTFOR TWO WEEKS IN A ROW!

Debby says, "Thanks, dear friends, for your support! You're the reason Smugglers in Amish Country made the Publishers Weekly Bestsellers List! I'm so grateful!"


The AMISH SPRING ROMANCE COLLECTIONis still available. Get your copy soonbefore the price goes up!

Order your copy of AMISH SPRING ROMANCE COLLECTION here: https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Spring-Romance.../dp/1940492696

Dynamic vs Round Characters by Lewis Jorstad at The Novel Smithy
How to Effectively Advance Your Plot by CS Lakin at Live Write Thrive
How to Write a Book When You Have No Idea What You're Doing by Angela Ackerman at Helping Writers Become Authors

The Unlikely Hero by Juliet Marillier at Writer Unboxed
Amazon Closes Physical Bookstores by Steve Laube at Steve Laube Agency
4 Steps to Create a New Habit by Michael Hyatt at Full Focus  
Learning and Note Taking by Carola at The Bullet Journal
12 A/B Testing Examples for Emails, Landing Pages and more by Meg at MailerLite Blog
What's the Difference Between a Writing Edit and A Writing Critique? by Linda Gilden at The Write Conversation
Owning the Stage  by John Gilstrap at Kill Zone Blog

Pantser vs Plotter by Catherine Dilts at the PPW Blog

My Obsession with Research

By Michelle Shocklee

 

I often wonder what my high school history teacher would think if he knew I grew up to become an author of historical fiction. He would no doubt be quite surprised considering my utter lack of interest in bygone eras while spending time in his classroom. Dates, facts, ancient events. Blah. Who cares? I often wondered as he droned on and on about wars and people whose names were faintly recognizable . . . although I couldn’t tell you why.

 

Fast-forward to my late twenties, when I discovered that I not only enjoyed reading historical fiction but found deep satisfaction in writing it as well. And, as every historical author knows, it’s the research into those once-dreaded dates, facts, and ancient events that breathes life into the story. I can’t get enough of them now.

 

You might even say I’m obsessed with research.

My latest novel, Count the Nights by Stars, is a split-time story. With each of the settings being historical, I had the wonderful task of researching two vastly different time periods. When I’m in the throes of writing a new novel, research books litter my desk and the floor surrounding my chair. Websites on historical happenings are constantly open, articles are printed, and I find there simply isn’t enough time in each day to read and research all the fascinating facts about my chosen topic.

After my husband and I moved to the Nashville area in 2017, I was like a sponge soaking up Tennessee’s captivating history. I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico (which has a captivating history of its own I plan to write about someday), and lived in Texas for thirty years after marrying a Texan, so I’d never given much thought to Tennessee. Sure, I knew Nashville was famous for country music and the Grand Ole Opry, but after moving here I discovered a rich history that had nothing to do with music. Those discoveries would eventually inspire me to write my Christy Award‒nominated novel Under the Tulip Tree. But because I’d learned so many interesting things about Nashville’s history through my research that weren’t included in that book, I knew I had to write another one. This time the two historical stars would be the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897 and the famed Maxwell House Hotel.

To help readers envision the exposition, I needed to go beyond mere description. I had to make the expo grounds come alive with sights, smells, and sounds. This is true in any novel, but it is especially true in historical fiction because modern-day readers can’t place themselves in the setting the way they can with a contemporary story. Historical authors must, must, must bring history to life, and to do that we need to know the facts. Yes, those dry, boring facts we despised in history class now become lifeblood to our books. Without them, readers can’t experience the setting with the characters, which becomes a real problem for both the author and the reader.

One of the methods I used to help bring history alive in Count the Nights by Stars was to study photographs of the exposition grounds. Every black-and-white photograph—and there are hundreds of them—reveals large and minute details I incorporated into the story. For instance, while describing Vanity Fair, the amusement area of the fairgrounds, I let my heroine, Priscilla, and her group enjoy spicy pork sandwiches from the Cuban Village while sitting on the banks of Lake Watauga in the warm June sunshine. They discuss what they see—the Parthenon, the Egyptian pyramid-shaped Memphis building, and the giant seesaw—while feeding crusty ends of their sandwiches to the ducks. In those few paragraphs, the reader not only visualizes the setting but imagines the flavors and sounds as well.

Historical photographs also allowed me to place Priscilla and Luca under the newly invented electric lights of the fairgrounds at night, which was especially vital for a pivotal scene. Had I not known electric lights had been employed throughout the fairgrounds, my characters would have been wandering around in the dark. My research also provided schedules and routes for electric streetcars running to and from the exposition, which was essential information at different points in the story. I hope readers of Count the Nights by Stars will truly experience the exposition in their imaginations.

The Maxwell House Hotel is the other main location that appears in both time periods. Priscilla and her family stay at the hotel during their visit to the exposition in 1897, while Audrey and her family live in the hotel manager’s apartment in 1961. Even though it was the same hotel, I might as well have been writing about two separate places. Time had not been the old hotel’s friend, and by 1961 it was a run-down residential hotel rather than the grand dame of Nashville as it had once been. The detailed language I used to describe the magnificent hotel in 1897 was not applicable in the 1961 story. That’s where extensive research came in. Using old newspaper articles, firsthand accounts, and archived pictures, I was able to accurately describe the once-gleaming hotel as it was in 1961.

Writers often ask this question: When do you have enough research?

My answer: Never . . . but you eventually must stop researching and start writing!

Have you read a book where the setting positively came alive in your imagination because of the author’s description? Tell me about it!

(Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Count the Night by Stars).**

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online at michelleshocklee.com.

 

 ABOUT COUNT THE NIGHT BY THE STARS

Count your nights by stars, not shadows. Count your life with smiles, not tears.

1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel suffers a debilitating stroke, Audrey Whitfield is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. There, she discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.

1897. Outspoken and forward-thinking Priscilla Nichols isn’t willing to settle for just any man. She’s still holding out hope for love when she meets Luca Moretti on the eve of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Charmed by the Italian immigrant’s boldness, Priscilla spends time exploring the wonderous sights of the expo with Luca—until a darkness overshadows the monthslong event. Haunted by a terrible truth, Priscilla and Luca are sent down separate paths as the night’s stars fade into dawn.

Count the Night by Stars releases on March 22, 2022. 

**Giveaway prize courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers. Subject to Seekerville and Tyndale House Publishers' Giveaway terms. US mailing address only. Thank you.

NEW RELEASE AS HISTORY UNFOLDS

 First we pray for Ukraine. First I lift my eyes up to the Lord, who has made heaven and earth. First I pray for the people of Ukraine, caught in a decades-long goal of an evil dictator in Russia. A power-monger... a land-grabber... a man of strength with a core of evil. We are living a history our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will learn about. (Hopefully...) A time when a tyrant ruled and they will look back and know what was done-- and what wasn't.

And now back to THIS NEW RELEASE!!!!

Okay, it's actually a re-release of one of my first Love Inspired stories, an absolutely delightful book!

The joy of re-releasing stories is in the updates. I was able to go in, update the book, change a few things and I realized (again) that it's amazing how technology has changed since this book was published in 2013.... Nine years... think of what's happened in nine years!

WE HAVE "CLOUDS" NOW!!!!!

Everyone and their brother has email.

Cell phones from that year are pretty much dinosaurs now.

BLACKBERRY??? WHAT??? TIVO???? DITTO!!!!! 

It's funny to see that as the tech world goes, so go our stories and now I'm more careful about specifying tech stuff because it does go out of date so quickly. When that happens, it dates your story. Instead of being relatable and timeless, it's like "HUH????"

So I'm enjoying that process and learned a lot.

The other side of this is the business of writing. I have loved working with publishers. I've learned so much. But I also like running my own business and vagaries of publishing the past few years tipped me further into the indie side of publishing. Not because I didn't have contracts... but because the industry had shifted stripes/colors/intent and I realized I was a fish out of water. And that's okay.

I also learned that nothing is perfect. No industry, no business. But when you're running your own business and you love to write, to produce stories, Amazon has offered an amazing opportunity that certainly pays off. And what a bonus, to have older books that won't be reproduced by Harlequin become a commodity that gets shelf life again! That makes me so happy and I was inspired by authors who fought for that right less than two decades ago. So much has changed.

A dozen years ago authors had little choice. It was hard to get your rights reverted so once stories lost their place in bookstores, they were done. And then the law decided that wasn't fair to writers (truth!) and indie publishing was growing... and the influx of authors with rights-reverted books and new stories blossomed. 

That became a cornerstone for good books on Amazon because we're talking famous bestselling and award-winning authors.... and there were a lot of them. 

Indie publishing has changed, too. The industry is still fluid... and in a flux following the ravages of the pandemic.

But in the middle of all that are authors who write... who work... who republish and newly publish and work with publishers and with KDP (Kindle Direct)/Amazon.

We are blessed!

So we have just released book 2 of the Southern Tier Romance series... Small Town Hearts... Kindle and paperback. It's a warm, sweet, inspirational story that inspired my homemade Maple Fudge, a fudge we sell at the farm now! :) I love it when one business "bleeds" into another.

The road to publishing and self-publishing isn't easy.

I don't think it's supposed to be.

I've watched authors who got "the call" fairly quickly crash and burn because the work required and the expectations of editors and publishers means that we adjust/change/edit/revise as directed and most often that means a better book... but you do swallow your pride! :) And humility is a wonderful if acquired taste. 

Enjoy your day! Pray for Ukraine.... Help in any way you can.... and if you want another lovely Ruthy-read, go grab this book and get lost in the small town grace of Jamison, New York tucked in our very own Allegany County, NY.... South of Wishing Bridge and a bit north of Pennsylvania. And thank you!

SMALL TOWN HEARTS AVAILABLE HERE!!!!!

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS BOOK AND A SWEET SURPRISE! 

Books three and four coming this spring and summer! 

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is co-owner and manager of a busy pumpkin farm in Western New York which means she is kind of dirty, messy, sweaty for six months of the year, and yet having so much fun.... almost as much fun as writing nearly seventy books. Living her dream, Ruthy is the mother of six with a seventh "daughter of her heart", a slew of grandkids and a couple of goofy Golden Doodles who had nine puppies last years. She loves God, her family, her country, kids of all sizes, chocolate, coffee and has such faith in her Lord and Savior... and the goodness of mankind... that she knows God's blessings first-hand. Friend Ruthy on Facebook, email her at loganherne@gmail.com, or stop by her website at ruthloganherne.com. 

Five Steps to Creating Characters—Step Two

 

I have permission to use the cover of book #3!!!
A Model of Devotion
Last month I talked about making characters likeable by making someone like them. Find that here.

It's OUT
Released March 3
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Baker Book House


This month I’m talking about Character Arcs

1.                  Make a character likeable by making someone like them

2.                  Character arcs

3.                  Give them quirks

4.                  My main character types

5.                  Avoid backstory dumps

Character arcs. Whatever you start with, for a romance novel, or honestly, any novel except maybe Jack Reacher, your character needs to change. But for me, at a person’s most fundamental level, I don’t think people really change. At least not without years of intense therapy. But a person, their strengths and weaknesses, their personalities, don’t really change.

A take charge, feisty woman doesn’t become meek. An easy-going artist doesn’t become a dynamo. Or at least neither of these things happens with a true change of character. If

Coming Soon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Baker Book House
that feisty woman meets a man who likes to run things, but she respects and loves him and likes the way he runs things, well, maybe she’ll let him be in charge. But even if she’s now second in command, she’s still going to be feisty. That easy-going artist might find something that wakes up her passion to run something, but she’s going to do it with an artistic, easy-going flair.

People don’t change who they are, but all personality traits can be used for good or for evil. That feisty lady may have spent her life pushing people away (except for her friends who like her, of course) but in the end, her arc is learning to turn her feisty personality toward charming, respecting and loving others but in a feisty way. So your character arc is revealing who the character is, then showing her grow into her best self—but not a different self. And you as the manipulative, cruel author, put her through your story to develop that best self.

 

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Christ in the Wilderness, Ivan Kramskoy, 1872, Russia. [PD-US]

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,
to be tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing during those days,
and when they were over he was hungry.
The devil said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered him,
“It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”
Then he took him up and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.
The devil said to him,
“I shall give to you all this power and glory;
for it has been handed over to me,
and I may give it to whomever I wish.
All this will be yours, if you worship me.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“It is written
            You shall worship the Lord, your God,
                        and him alone shall you serve.”
Then he led him to Jerusalem,
made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, for it is written:
            He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,
 and:
            With their hands they will support you,
            lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“It also says,
            You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
When the devil had finished every temptation,
he departed from him for a time.

Luke 4:1-13

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!God Bless the USA!
Also, please pray for the people of the Ukraine, for an end to Russian aggression, and for the protection of our military.
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: Erica Vetsch shared 10 things she's learned over her years as a writer...(With a bonus thing!)
Wednesday:  Mindy shared some tips on adding conflict to our stories.
Friday: Surprise!


Monday:  Mary
Wednesday:  Ruthy  Friday:  What about research?! Author Michelle Shocklee stops by to chat about her obsession with research, and a bit about her upcoming release, Count the Night by Stars.  There's also a chance to win a copy of it too!







ON SALE NOW!
Order from AMAZON now!

Smugglers in Amish Country

  Uncovering secrets in this Amish town could deliver deadly consequences.

When the robbery suspect she’s tracking begins attacking delivery girls in Amish country, officer Marti Sommers must go undercover as bait. With ex-cop Luke Lehman’s niece as one of the targets, this case is personal. After all, Marti’s rookie mistake ended with Luke injured and another officer dead. But can the two former colleagues stop a deadly smuggling ring…before Marti becomes the next victim?

~~~

The AMISH SPRING ROMANCE COLLECTION,featuring Seeker Debby Giusti's story"Finding Her Amish Home,"hit #1 on Amazonin the Christian Collections & Anthologies category!Thanks, dear friends, for your support!

5 Kindle Vella Tips for Authors by AE Chewning at Book Brush blog
How to Make Your WordPress Blog Completely Private at WPBeginner
The Secret to Being a Successful Writer by Rachel Thompson at Kill Zone Blog
Pivoting on the Creative Journey by Johnny B Truant at The Creative Penn
How to Create a Professional Author Media Kit by Claire Bradshaw at The Writer's Edit
Dear Writer, What Causes Burnout? by Kris Maze at Writers In The Storm
The Timeless Appeal of "Happily Ever After" by Jocie McKade at Reader's Entertainment Magazine
5 Tips for Author Success on Instagram by Emilie Haney at Learn How To Write A Novel
Best Practices for Working With an Independent Editor by Lisa Poisso at Writers Helping Writers
How Does an Author Build a Story by Sarah Sally Hamer at The Write Conversation

Back-handed Writing of Mysteries

 

Good morning!

Ruthy here with some of the fun things I've learned about writing mysteries.

First, they are crazy fun. And I mean that sincerely. As an author who never thought of writing mysteries who is now a huge fan of writing mysteries, let me just say my fave, fave, fave is writing mysteries with some romance attached.

I love romance.

I love the common goal of solving a crime or a puzzle while we have romantic division because it means that the hero

Shot by Arrul lin/Unsplash

 and heroine 

Shot by Sarah Cervantes/Unsplash

are there organically, not by an engineered plot. And that's a very important point. If the hero and heroine are naturally thrown together by circumstances neither can change then they have a chance to deal... grow... learn... adjust.... and be attracted without it being manufactured. Lots of fires begin with the tiniest spark... that then smolders... flares... and ignites. 

But I also like extended romance plotlines (Think Castle, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, etc.) where the relationship evolves over time and a whole bunch of things get solved. Now that's the premise for the indie series I'm working on to be released in 2023/24  "Perpetual Mysteries", a group of time-slip mysteries that make me smile every time I think of them!

But I owe the skills to developing that series to Guideposts and my work with them in Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard, Savannah Secrets, Miracles and Mysteries of Mercy Hospital and our newest one (another time slip that I love!) Mysteries at the Whistle Stop Cafe'.  

Everything's an education.

When you get a chance to try something new or spread your wings, I say go for it! Learning to work with other authors is huge... learning to develop stories within a story: Also huge.

Look at it this way. A stand-alone mystery is great.

A stand-alone mystery in a line with six or eight or ten other mysteries is exponentially better if you have the setting/characters/ideas to make the mysteries sing. And no matter if you're looking at the indie market or traditional publishing, the more you have, the more you sell. 

I work backwards in a mystery. I need to know the end game to write the story, so once I know what the characters are going to discover.... what the crux of the mystery is... I can figure out a path to get them there. I don't do it mathematically. Not intentionally. I want a beginning, a middle and an end, but in that middle I want them to be surprised... maybe discouraged.... thoughtful... surprised again... scared.... depending on the type of mystery because not all mysteries have a fear element. And I want them to be solving some internal personal problem, see some growth as the character(s) go through the steps.

But first they need a mystery, right? 

A child, given away seventy years ago. Why?

A child, given away last week. Why?

A cache of letters in an old metal box beneath a floorboard.

A bundle of clothing, stained and dirty as if it had been worn yesterday discovered in an old closet that hasn't been opened in a hundred and fifty years because no one knew it was there.

A son not given a stipend by his father... Why?

A woman who can't remember why she's on a quest to a little town in Northern New York but has a pair of tickets for a boat ride there.

Once you know what the question is, you can come up with answers... and then chart the path.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone. I know it works for me.  And while I can write suspense, I veer away from real suspense because I'm nightmare prone. No one needs that. But mystery?

No nightmares there!

I've got a copy of a mystery to send out to one commenter today... Leave a comment today to be entered and tell me what you like, love or don't like about mysteries. And if you're a writer, are you game to give one a try?

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruthy Logan Herne is still having the time of her life as she creates wonderful stories, the kind of stories she likes to read with the kind of characters that live in her town and the small Western New York towns surrounding her. Email Ruthy at loganherne@gmail.com, visit her website or friend her on Facebook where you will see she is a flag-waving, dyed-in-the-wool conservative/libertarian-type gal who loves God, her family, dogs, coffee, chocolate and kids! 

Revisiting Conflict

 by Mindy Obenhaus
Once again, as I contemplate what to post, I'm asking myself where I'm at in my writing right now. What am I struggling with? Well, as I close in on the end of my WIP I'm wondering if I have enough conflict. Then I recalled a post I'd done on conflict a couple of years ago. So rather than retelling, I thought I'd simply share that post again. So here we go.
Conflict. The word alone is enough to make us squirm. Most of us avoid conflict at all costs. Then you become a writer and they say you must have conflict.
Noooo…
The reality is that a story without conflict is, well, boring. If Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters had helped her with her chores so she could get ready for the ball, we would’ve had no reason to cheer Cinderella on to victory. If the yellow-brick road hadn’t been plagued with flying monkeys and the wizard hadn’t told Dorothy to bring him the broom of the wicked witch, Dorothy would have kept moping, never realizing that home was a pretty special place after all.
Of course, conflict doesn’t always come in the form of a villain. Conflict is anything that stands in the way of a character achieving their goal. Have you ever been late for an appointment because you were stuck in traffic? And how many horrible scenarios ran through your head before you got to said appointment? Only to find out that the person you were meeting with was stuck in the same traffic.
Conflict is a part of growth. It teaches us to leave extra early for those important appointments. It forces one to look within themself to realize that maybe they can love again. And conflict encourages us to turn to God and allow Him to give us the strength we need to overcome something we think is impossible. Such as adding conflict.
So how do we how do we create conflict?
Since we're still warming up to conflict, let's keep things simple.Know your character’s goal – While characters have an overarching goal in a story, each and every scene also needs a goal, motivation and conflict. Start by asking yourself what the character’s goal is in any given scene.Keep them from reaching that goal – Say their goal is to make it to the bank before it closes. What will happen if they don’t? Will a check bounce? Will their house be foreclosed on? And what if there’s a traffic accident along the way that prevents them from getting there? See how those small things can all work together to create conflict for your character? Take things from bad to worse – In his book Writing the Breakout Novel, Donald Maass says to ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that can happen to your character at that moment?" Then he says to find a way to make it happen. I’ll admit, I kind of blew that one off for a while. But then I tried it and not only did it work, it's now my go-to weapon for adding conflict. Here's an example from the story I'm currently working on. When the heroine deserts the hero, leaving him to tackle a two-person job by himself, he jumps in her stuff, accusing her of taking advantage of him. Naturally, she's indignant. He didn't even give her chance to explain. Yet as she's stewing about his behavior, she finds herself acknowledging that even though she thought they were finished, she really just wanted to get away from him because she's attracted to him and doesn't want to be. So, what's the worst thing that can happen? She realizes she was in the wrong and that she needs to apologize. Yet just when she's about to do just that, her parents arrive, trying to talk her into selling the Christmas tree farm she's inherited. But she loves the place and wants to convince her parents she's doing the right thing. But while she's showing them the farm, hoping to overcome their objections and impress them with her extensive plans, the hero comes back. Is he still angry? Will he make her look bad in front of her parents, confirming their opinion that she's being foolish? Okay, that was a very rough scenario, but I hope you were able to see how each of those little things--realizing she was the one in the wrong, her folks arriving, preventing her from apologizing, and then the hero coming back before she's had a chance to apologize--only add to the heroine's conflict.Conflict helps refine our characters which then enriches the story. Conflict can bring out the best or the worst in people. It shows them and the reader what they’re really made of. What's important to them. Conflict can humble a person. And it is an essential part of every story.
Writers, do you struggle with conflict or look forward to it? Readers, how do you feel about the push and pull of conflict in stories? Often, it’s what keeps you reading. Which is a good thing, unless you have to get up early and you just can’t put the book down. Then you have a conflict. 

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

Ten Things I've Learned in Seventeen Years

Erica here. 

Seventeen Years! That’s how long it’s been since I first sat down to write a story with the aim of publication. There have been some ups and downs, with far more ups than downs. I’ve learned so many things, and met so many wonderful people in Seventeen Years! I thought I’d give a list of a few of the ‘learnings’ I’ve gathered.

 



1. One person’s success is not necessarily my loss. Knowing that God is in control of who gets what published means I can celebrate another writer’s success, whether it’s a contract, a glowing review, a contest win, or a best-seller list, without feeling as if I’ve somehow missed out. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to achieve these things, but it does mean I don’t have to be jealous or pining that I missed my shot.

2. When you sign with an agent who belongs to a multi-agent firm, you’re really signing with the AGENCY rather than the agent. If your agent decides to decamp to another firm, you are still signed with the AGENCY and must go through the proper severance if you wish to follow your agent, or be assigned to another agent within the AGENCY.

3. The writing community is quite helpful. If you’re looking for an answer to a research question, or for information about a particular contest, or need some grammar help, there is a writer out there who will help you out.

4. Writing is a solitary pursuit, but nobody does it alone. If you are traditionally published, you have a team of people helping you get your story into the hands of readers. Editors, Marketers, Publicists, Sales Team, and so many more.

5. Edits aren’t personal. Every manuscript benefits from editing. Your editor is on your team, and you have the same goal: to create the best product possible.

6. You do what you can, but ultimately, sales are in God’s control. Be willing to put yourself out there in blog posts, social media, radio interviews, etc. but it does little good to obsess over book sales.

7. Cross-marketing makes life easier. Doing everything yourself is hard. Joining with other authors to blog (Hello, Seekerville!) run a FB Group (Like the Inspirational Regency Reader Group) or have a contest/giveaway (Like the Fall Fiction Scavenger Hunt) means you can reach readers beyond your own circle and introduce your readers to the work of some fabulous authors! Mary, Ruthy, Debby, and yours truly at theChristian Fiction Readers Retreat in 2019.
8. Publishing changes quickly and moves slowly. In a nanosecond we saw an ebook explosion, and genres come and go in a flash. My first ACFW Conference, every editor and agent said “Don’t send me historical fiction. It’s dead. I want Chick-lit.” Fast forward twelve months, those same agents and editors said, “Lit is gone. Send me all your historical fiction.” And yet, it can take forever to get through the publishing process. It’s not unusual to sign a contract for a book that won’t release for 18-24 months.
9. Reviews are for readers not writers. Reviews do not exist to stroke the egos of writers…or demolish those same egos, though both can happen. Reviews are for readers, to tell other readers whether or not they may like a book. Some of my author friends refuse to read reviews, because they either soar with the eagles or crawl with the worms afterwards. If reviews knock you off balance as an author, just skip them altogether.

10. You will make lifelong friends. Just like the Seeker Ladies, where we all know about each other’s struggles, triumphs, prayer requests, inside jokes, sorrows, joys, and more. We share those things because writing brought us together. I have made dear friends, been supported in hard things by them, been lifted up in joy when something great happens, and the whole writing experience is better because of these writers in my life.
 
Me and Mary back in the day, with Mary holding herCarol Award and me with my Genesis Award.


11. Bonus: I thought once I finally got a peek behind that curtain called “Publication” that my life would change dramatically. In one sense, it did. That tremendous accomplishment of “There. I did it. I worked hard and my dream came true.” However, most of my life didn’t change a bit. Except that I now had to work harder at things I never imagined, like marketing. The dishes are still there, the kids still needed to be homeschooled, laundry didn’t magically do itself…and there was no paparazzi lingering outside my house to see the famous author. I am grateful for the books I’ve been able to write, and that they found homes with publishers, but at my core, I’m the same Erica that I’ve always been…just busier!



 

Questions for you:

How long have you been seriously writing with a goal of publication?

What is one thing that surprised you along the way?

If you’re published, what changed for you once you held your book in your hands?

If you’re not yet published, did any of the items on my list particularly resonate with you, or was anything on the list startlingly new?

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?
The Debutante's Code is now out in the world! You can get your copy HERE: https://amzn.to/3GQnoZt Or wherever you buy your fiction! 


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/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!