Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 84

A Character’s Occupation Is More Important Than You Might Think

by Guest Angela Ackerman

Confession time: when I was a somewhat green writer, I didn’t think much about a character’s occupation. In fact, if I needed one, I’d assign the first thing that came to mind which worked for the situation (say, an after-school gig). And then like a checkbox, I marked that “sideline detail” done and moved on to “something more important.” 

Far from being an afterthought, a character’s job is a powerful opportunity to showcase many things about them.

I didn’t know this back then, but I do now, and so as you can imagine, I weigh potential occupations much more carefully! 

In the real world, work is a big focus for all of us. Consider your own job. How many hours a day do you spend working? Do you bring it home with you, obsess about it, spend hours thinking about it?

Characters are mirrors of us, so work is a big part of their reality, too. Like us, if possible, they will choose a job they are interested in, good at, and it pays the bills…meaning that if we choose a job with care, it becomes a goldmine of characterization and plot opportunities.

 

Here are some of the things a job can reveal about your character.

PRIORITIES: 
Jobs almost always shed a light on what your character cares about and will sacrifice for. If they work two jobs, forgoing sleep, time off, hobbies, and socialization, there’s a reason for it. Maybe they are supporting their family as a single parent, are trying to put themselves through school, have younger siblings to support because their parents are deadbeats, or something else. So, ask yourself: is my character all about money? Do they crave power and influence? Whatever it is, make sure their job choice reflects this.  

PERSONALITY TRAITS:
Certain traits make it easier for someone to succeed at their job, so when a reader sees a character working in a specific field, they’re going to naturally draw conclusions about their personality. A character who is a server in a restaurant likely relies on tips to supplement their income, so a reader would expect they would be friendly, respectful, and hard-working. Likewise, if you introduce your character as a pickpocket, right away a reader will start imagining someone who is observant, calculating, opportunistic.       

ABILITIES:
Obviously natural abilities and skills can make someone good at what they do. A surgeon will have steady hands. A psychologist will be a reader of body language. A police officer will notice details and be able to recall them immediately, on duty or off. Skills not only make someone unique; they can also help a character achieve their goal. For example, if your special needs teacher is taken hostage, maybe her experience with deescalating volatile situations and ability to persuade might help her convince her captor to let her go. 

MOTIVATION: 
Characters, like people, are driven by unmet needs. An occupation can represent a steppingstone to what they want (a personal trainer who is working to become a professional weight lifter), or even be a sign of an emotional wound (a bounty hunter who brings criminals to justice because his parents were killed and the murderer was never caught). 

HOBBIES AND PASSIONS:
Careers may grow from a favorite activity. Does your character love stand-up comedy and so makes a career of it? Do they have a passion for dollhouses and so they build a business that sells dollhouse-making supplies? 

PHYSICAL DETAILS:
A construction worker is going to be rugged and strong. A mechanic will have stained, calloused hands. Whether it’s the uniform or expectations that go with the job, an occupation can provide many unspoken clues about how a character looks and behaves at work. 

LIKES AND DISLIKES:
What does your character’s job say about their preferences? A professional athlete will enjoy exercise, being part of a team, and setting stretch goals….and they probably wouldn’t like to be around people who are lazy, unmotivated, and whine about how tough life is. 

ETHICS, VALUES, AND BELIEFS: 
Did your character choose a job that aligns with his deepest beliefs? A military career communicates patriotism and respect for one’s country. A doctor or judge will have strong ethics. Careers can be a great way to shed light on the character’s beliefs system and moral code.

EDUCATION LEVEL:
Some occupations will give readers a good idea of your character’s education. For example, a scientist, educator, doctor, geologist, or nurse clearly has a great deal of education. Likewise, a cab driver, bartender, or retail worker may not. (Note the may; plenty of situations exist where someone with a higher education chooses a job that requires less: a career pivot to something less stressful or that aligns more with their interests, a character who has trouble finding work, etc.

As you can see, you can get a lot of show-don’t-tell mileage from your character’s job choice! So, don’t make the mistake I did long ago and take your time when choosing the work they do. (This list will get you started.) If you would like to explore more ways to utilize a character’s career, check out The Occupation Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Jobs, Vocations, and Careers.

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A note from Missy: I'm really excited about this book! I have the hardest time deciding on a career for my characters. Now I know better how to use their job choices in characterization!  

 

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book,  The Emotion Thesaurus  and its many sequels. Her books are available in eight languages, are sourced by US universities, recommended by agents and editors, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and psychologists around the world. To date, this book collection has sold over half a million copies.

Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, a portal to game-changing tools and resources that enable writers to craft powerful fiction. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Parable of the Sower, 1557. [PD-US]
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore.And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:“A sower went out to sow.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up.Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots.Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.Whoever has ears ought to hear.”Matthew 13:1-9

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 the United States--and the world--during this coronavirus outbreak. Also please pray for calm to be restored to our country and for peace to reign.
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! May the Lord bless you and your families 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.  Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com







Monday: Mary Connealy invited us into her creative imagination as she discussed Brainstorming, Alone.
Tuesday: Carla Laureano shared five reasons why the third MacDonald Family series book was worth waiting for. Winner of Under Scottish Stars is Sandy Smith!
Wednesday: Who better to discuss Back To Basics: Relatable Heroines to Draw Your Reader than Ruth Logan Herne? And she didn't disappoint!
Friday: Carrie Schmidt takes us on a tour of Fabulous First Lines In Fiction


Monday:  Welcome guest Angela Ackerman! She'll be sharing some great info in her post, "A Character’s Occupation Is More Important Than You Might Think." Come learn more about what our characters' jobs can reveal. Don't miss it!
Wednesday:  USA Today Bestselling author Debby Giusti will discuss Wounded Heroes and Heroines and what we can takeaway from their stories to help us with our own internal struggles. Debby will giving away a copy of her Publishers Weekly Bestseller Dangerous Amish Inheritance.  Friday: Winnie Griggs is our hostess today!






Cover Reveal & Pre-OrderTwo Great Amish Stories Reissued for Your Reading Enjoyment.The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman &Amish Christmas Secrets by Debby GiustiReleases Oct 2020Pre-Order your copy HERE! 








Your Very Best Author Marketing Plan by Julie Glover at Writers In The Storm

Organization...for Our Creativity and Our Career by Jami Gold

Photo Usage Best Practices for Authors by LA Sartor at Book Brush

How Do Publishers Decide Which Books To Bet On by Anne Trubeck at Jane Friedman

Writers' Tools That Help You Be More Productive by Lucy Johnson at Live Write Thrive

How To Get Stuff Done as a Writer by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors

What's Keeping You from Catching Your Minnows by Lisa Jordan at Learn How To Write a Novel

A Writer's Writing Space by Bob Hostetler at Steve Laube

Bible Verses to Transform Your Writing Career by Joshua J. Master at The Write Conversation

A Visitor and A Sin by David Corbett at Writer Unboxed

Fabulous First Lines in Fiction

Happy Friday, Seeker villagers! Every third month, when my Friday rolls around, I suffer from a serious case of imposter syndrome. Panic sets in over the dreaded questions - What will I write about? Do I HAVE anything to contribute that anyone will care about? Will this be the month that I turn in my Seekerville badge and slink off to the 'I'm not a writer' corner? 
As predicted, I talked myself off that same ledge this month too. I came up with - and rejected - several ideas and finally remembered this little tidbit: on my own blog, I recently celebrated completing 200 'First Line Friday' posts. That's 200 posts of potential Seekerville post material! Eureka! I'm saved to survive on Seekerville for another three months!
Now, I am admittedly not an author. So I can't talk a lot about the technique and craft of first lines, but I can share some of my favorite first lines in fiction and look at what they have in common. (And fortunately for me, Debby Giusti talked about first lines/chapters last year!)
Let's start out with a little game! Can you match these classic first lines to their books? (I'll post the answers in the comments) 

The books you have to choose from for the above first lines are: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. LewisA Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'EngleTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Jane Eyre by Charlotte BrontePride & Prejudice by Jane AustenMoby Dick by Herman Melville
And here are some recent faves I've loved from the 200 'First Line Friday' posts I've done on my blog: 



     
Aren't they great? What are some things they have in common (including the classic first lines in our little game)?
They immediately grab your attention. Maybe you're chuckling at some poor soul being voluntold for horrors unknown, unfortunate Eustace Clarence Scrubb of the almost-deserved name, or a crime-committing mama raccoon. Maybe you're captivated by the clever (or poetic) wordsmithing. Maybe you're just plain intrigued by what comes after that first line - where could it go from here? Regardless, each of these twelve first lines definitely (and immediately) has you committed to discovering the rest of the book. They are a bit vague. By that, I mean that a captivating first line raises more questions than it answers. Who was voluntold for what? Who is Ishmael & why do we care? (spoiler alert - we don't.) Why did poor Eustace almost deserve his name, and why only almost? What caused that 'swell of instant silence and intense heat'? This immediate need for more information again engages the reader's full attention & keeps them reading. They can be poetic. The first line from Pepper Basham's The Thorn Keeper is one of my very fave first lines because it's so beautiful and wistful and a bit sad, too. Reading a first line like that - or the one from Beth Troy's Lu or quote #5 in the game list above - tells me I must keep reading to discover what other poetically beautiful gems are tucked inside this book!But they don't have to be. Lines like the ones from The Cupcake Dilemma by Jennifer Rodewald or More Than We Remember by Christina Suzann Nelson (and even #4 from our guessing game) are more humorous and maybe a little bit snarky. That doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the book is written in that tone - though it might - but yet again it keeps me reading to find out. 
Like I said, I don't claim to be an author. I don't know all the technical craft speak to tell you why these twelve first lines are so captivating. All I can tell you as an avid reader is 1) they are captivating and 2) they all kept me reading. Your first line doesn't have to look like these; it should reflect your style and your story. But a great question to ask as you re-read during edits or at some other point in your writing process is: "Would I want to keep reading this book if this is all I had to go on?" No cover. No back cover copy. No author interview. Just that first line. Would it intrigue you enough to want to know 'the rest of the story'?

If so, you've found your own fabulous first line! Go forth & write, dear authors. I am cheering you on! 
What do you find the most difficult about writing a first line?
What is one of your fave first lines? (either your own or another author's)
What intrigued you most about it?

 ~*~*~*~*~

Carrie Schmidt is an avid reader, book reviewer, story addict, KissingBooks fan, book boyfriend collector, and cool aunt. She also loves Jesus and THE Story a whole lot. Co-founder of the Christian Fiction Readers' Retreat and JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC, Carrie lives in Kentucky with her husband Eric. 
She can be found lurking at various blogs and websites (because she can't stop talking about books) but her main home is the blog she started in 2015 - ReadingIsMySuperPower.org. 

Back to Basics: Relatable Heroines To Draw Your Reader

 Darlings, this is a "Back to Basics" post that works for new and not-so-new authors alike! How to write the kind of heroine you want to read, one you can love, admire and embrace.




There is no simple way to say this. No simple words to address it. And no long-winded advice on methods, manners and modes.

Writers need to find "their" readers. The readers who love their voice, their mindset, their characters. The readers who identify with that author's point of view, with the settings, with the slant. And the best way to do this is to write books.

Some readers love the long-suffering type heroines who finally find some level of peace and satisfaction in life.

Other readers gravitate toward kick-butt heroines, the Kate Becketts (Castle: CBS) or the Elizabeth Bennets or the Princess Leias... the women who stand charge and don't stand down.

And an author can combine the two to make their characters sympathetic to Reading Group 1... and beloved by Reading Group 2 by having the long-suffering person stand up for herself and fly in the face of fear and transgression with a sense of overcoming.



I used that combination in two of my bestselling indie books "Running on Empty" and "Refuge of the Heart", using women who had to overcome a tragic, traumatic past to grab a firm hold on the future they wanted. But they couldn't have that future without the growth it took to get from point A (fear, self-doubt and guilt) to point B (realizing that their strength comes from faith in God and faith in themselves.)




Some readers identify with overcomers. So many of us have had to overcome a multitude of things in life from poverty, abuse, loneliness, death, divorce, loss of a child, addiction, mental illness, loss of job, loss of income and those are only a few of the things that can tip us into mental overdrive.

My Wishing Bridge series deals with three women who met in a foster care group home and their gripping and beautiful stories have put them on the Amazon.com bestseller list for the past two years... These are small town/rural setting stories of three overcomers and God's perfect timing.... and folks relate to it because almost all of us, if not all, have had to overcome something.




Some readers want complete relaxation and only buy books that are funny or funny/poignant.

They want the humor to soften the curves of life, and there's nothing wrong with that! Those curves could use bumper guards, for certain! 

But other readers want what my buddy Vince refers to as "Romance Realism": stories of victory over adversity, like what happens in real life.

Each author tackles into his/her heroines differently, so here are ideas from some of the marvelous Seekers:





Missy Tippens says she particularly loves reading heroines who are funny--not necessarily on the page interacting with other characters, but more in their thoughts. She can really relate to heroines who sometimes think or say the things Missy wishes she had the nerve to say in real life! She also relates well to heroines who are flawed, who don't have their act together, yet who fight through, grow, and come out a better human being by the end of the story.




From Jan Drexler:

But favorite heroines? I can weigh in on that. My favorite heroine is someone who impacts someone else's life for the better. So she's the daughter who cares for her aging parents, or the young professional who puts friendship above advancement, or the high school senior who puts her dreams on hold to raise her younger siblings when their parents are killed (that's Jackie Layton's heroine in her cozy mystery series.) Give me the woman who can put someone else's interests ahead of her own, and you have a heroine I can root for.


From Erica Vetsch:

As for relatable heroines, I try to give my heroines a quirk, like a gesture or a phrase or a tendency. In The Lost Lieutenant, my heroine Diana is a list-maker. She has little control in her life, so the areas in which she can exert control, she's all in. Lists, organization, plans.

I also like to give them a special gift. For Diana, it is design. She has a flair for creating beautiful spaces.

I also like to give my heroines a bit of a moral dilemma where they have to choose between two hard things. In this case, Diana wonders if it is every okay to lie to someone, if your motives are good.


Wishing you-- and all heroines, fictional and real!!!!-- the very best of health and happiness: Keep Writing! 

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne loves writing great stories, working with kids, baking amazing goodies and working in gardens, but mostly she loves God... and her family... and thanks God for the graces she's known throughout her life. Visit her at ruthloganherne.com or visit her here on Seekerville or Yankee Belle Cafe on Thursdays, or friend Ruthy on Facebook! 

5 Reasons Why the Third MacDonald Novel was Worth Waiting For

Let's give a hearty Seekerville welcome to guest Carla Laureano! She is sharing five reasons why the third novel of The MacDonald Family Trilogy was worth waiting for plus a giveaway opportunity for commenters!


Publishing isn’t a smooth process on the best of days but rarely does a book go through as many changes and delays as Under Scottish Stars, the final book in my MacDonald Family Trilogy. It was initially scheduled to be released in June 2016, but the original publisher was in the process of closing down its fiction line. At the same time, I signed a contract with Tyndale House, who saw the opportunity to bring the entire series over and release the book themselves.

That came with an entirely new set of challenges, from repackaging and re-releasing the first two books in the series to redesigning covers and interiors, a multiyear process. But at long last, Under Scottish Stars has made it into readers’ hands, a full four years after its initial intended release. Which begs the question: was it worth the wait?

You might guess that I’m biased, so of course I’m going to say yes. But I can say that this is my favorite of the three MacDonald Family books, and there are five reasons it may be a contender for readers’ favorite as well.

1. Malcolm Blake gives James MacDonald a run for his money in the hero department.

James MacDonald from Five Days in Skye seems to be a perennial hero favorite among my readers, and really, I can’t blame them. James is handsome, charming, rich, can cook like nobody’s business, and he’s a celebrity. But for those who like their book boyfriends a little more down-to-earth (but no less sexy), Malcolm fits the bill. His roots are humbler and his wardrobe far less flashy, but he’s intelligent, caring, and secretly a little nerdy. Oh, and did I mention he’s a boxer? Case closed.



2. Serena MacDonald Stewart is a heroine we can all relate to.

We can’t all be high-powered businesswomen like Andrea from Five Days in Skye or globetrotting photojournalists like Grace in London Tides, but we can probably all relate to Serena: single mum and unintentional collector of many bad dates. She’s just trying to get over the trauma of a not-so-great marriage that ended in tragedy, raise well-adjusted kids, and do right by the family business. If that means her own wants and desires, including her passion for art, fall by the wayside, so be it. (Sound like anyone you know?)

3. We finally get closure on what happens to the other characters in the series.

When I write a series, I’ve been asked why I don’t write epilogues to the earlier books, and that’s because the stories of the first couples always carry through to the last book. Wonder what happened to James and Andrea after they said “I do” in book two? Wonder if Grace and Ian were ever able to overcome their bicontinental lifestyle and rocky beginnings? Under Scottish Stars addresses all that and more along the way, with a really sweet epilogue that makes me feel satisfied that I’ve delivered everyone their happily-ever-afters. (Because come on, we all know there will be a happily ever after, we just don’t know how we’re going to get there . . . it’s the best part about romance novels.)


4. This book is an ode to the difficult, humbling, and worthwhile job of motherhood, especially single motherhood.

I don’t often read single-parent romances, and when I do, the kids are usually an afterthought. I wanted to do something completely different with Under Scottish Stars and give a realistic look into what it’s like to parent young children . . . and what it would be like to consider bringing a new man into their lives, with all of the worry and responsibility that entails. Single non-parents need not worry—there’s plenty of toe-tingling romance present . . . because motherhood doesn’t mean an end to romance. There is nothing more attractive than seeing your partner become a good father.

5. Even after five years, I still get weekly (sometimes angry) messages asking about this book’s release.

Not joking. Since London Tides, I’ve answered weekly messages about the expected release of this book and have been accused of everything from holding it back to be cruel to holding it back to make more money. (I still haven’t figured out how that last one works.) But honestly . . . if the love of the first two books has endured long enough to still generate that much anticipation and angst, you can’t not read it. Right?

All kidding aside, I’m thrilled to finally get the third MacDonald book into the hands of readers, and I hope they love it as much as I do. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking to release a book that is as highly anticipated as this book has been, because once it’s released to the world, it no longer belongs to me. If nothing else, the release of this book five years after it was written shows the full breadth of perseverance and determination that’s required by publishing. I’m just happy to have both industry partners and readers who were willing to go along for the ride.


Let us know if you're one of the many fans eagerly anticipating the final book of The MacDonald Family Trilogy!  One fortunate commenter will win a copy of Under Scottish Stars! (US only)

Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye, London Tides, and the Saturday Night Supper Club series. She is also the author of the Celtic fantasy series The Song of Seare (as C. E. Laureano).

A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons.

Visit her website and connect with Carla on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Brainstorming Alone

Long ago I read this book where the teenage girl discovers she's a witch.
I can't remember title or plot, only that there's some struggle for her to accept this (Harry Potter-like, but it wasn't that book).
Finally, through the help of wise witch-ly mentors (Yeah there are plenty of those) she accepts herself and her talents.
Then the end of the book, she's lying on the floor and she'd created this ball in the air that looks like the planet Earth (I may be getting details wrong) and she's got several Earth balls and she's magically juggling them, realizing how powerful she is and how she can remake so many things to be better, as she perceives they should be.
Her mentor comes and sees it and says, "It's really tempting when you have magical power to want to juggle the whole world. Make it go where you want it to go and do what you want it to do, but you must not. That is an abuse of your power."

OKAY, I have a point to telling you this old, dimly remembered story.
That's how I see myself when I'm juggling my books, juggling the details. Tossing ideas up, catching them, turning them, adding, subtracting. I'm in charge of my world.
It's weirdly powerful even if it is in fiction.

I'm thinking of this today because of two reasons.
One...homing pigeons.
Two...ships.

I've been trying to figure out how the bad guys are communicating with each other. They are quite a few miles apart and secret partners.
So how do I let one know what the other needs to know to carry out their nefarious schemes.

I kept tossing ideas around, including just dropping it. No communication and how would I make what I want to do work.

I finally came up with homing pigeons. Did you know they were used a lot in war time back then? They even called the War Pigeons.

I do that. I lie awake and brainstorm my books alone. I'm not really in a good location for writer's groups, the kind that get together and brainstorm...and I like brainstorming. I've gotten some good things that way.

So I juggle my fictional world. Give it time. It's surprising how long it takes to wade through the first things that come to you and find the unusual, the nugget, that can be used.

I think homing pigeons meets that unusual nugget. Of course now I have to research homing pigeons.

And on to ships.

I'm thinking of a ship board romance. Get on a ship and sale around the tip of South America.

I could skip this. I've never done it before, though I've read a few historical ship stories. Honestly it's a little daunting to think of the research I need to do to get the whole SHIP part of the story right.
For that, a lot of research and a lot of brainstorming.

So how do you twist your story? How do you pass up the obvious and find the quirky, the unusual?
And do you get a sense of power over your fictional world?

Tell me how you brainstorm.

Sunday Scripture & Prayer Request

Head of Jesus, 1890, by Enrique Simonet. [PD-US)
At that time Jesus exclaimed:“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,for although you have hidden these thingsfrom the wise and the learnedyou have revealed them to little ones.Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.All things have been handed over to me by my Father.No one knows the Son except the Father,and no one knows the Father except the Sonand anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am meek and humble of heart;and you will find rest for yourselves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”Matthew 11:25-30

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 the United States--and the world--during this coronavirus outbreak. Also please pray for calm to be restored to our country and for peace to reign.
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! May the Lord bless you and your families 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.  Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com







Monday: Blue Moon Monday! Open Critique Day!
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus encouraged us to look back at our goals for 2020 and Recalculate, Reinvigorate, Restart. The winner of a copy of A Father's Promise is... Amy Anguish!
Friday: We celebrated A Grand Ole Flag in Seekerville!


Monday:  Don't miss Mary Connealy's dose of writing reality today! 
Tuesday:  Join us with guest, Carla Laureano
Wednesday:  Back to Basics with Ruth Logan Herne: Relatable Heroines To Draw Your Reader  Friday: Carrie offers us a Friday full of surprises!







Aiming for Love Finalist forThe Maggie Awards See all the finalists HERE







The Three Acts of a Writer's Life or How Your Age Affects Your Writing by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors

Introducing Plottr 2.0 by Cameron Sutter at Plottr

The Character-Building Detail Writers Shouldn't Overlook by Becca Puglisi at Writers Helping Writers

Over My Dead Body: Writing Killer Drug Scenes by Miffie Seideman at Writers In The Storm

What Is Episodic Writing?  by Erica Vetsch at Learn How To Write A Novel

Your Call To Write by Dr. Chrissy Whiting-Madison at Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference Blog

Plot Twist Story Prompts: Missing Item by Robert Lee Brewer at Writers Digest

Tina Radcliffe's Inside Writer's Edition - All Writing! All the Time! Everything you need to stay on top of industry news in one concise promo free newsletter.

A Grand Old Flag Day in Seekerville!

Gold Star Family Memorial, honoring those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom... and honoring their families.
We wanted to take this Friday, July 3rd, in a year when there will be fewer parties and picnics and celebrations going on due to the current pandemic to tell you all why we love America... what we love about the red, white and blue.

Is it (are we?) perfect?

No.

But we are blessed to live in a country where freedom rings, where the freedoms to speak, worship and bear arms are regarded with a seriousness that isn't found in many places. We are blessed to live in a country where we are free because of the brave, so Ruthy's salute is to our military, past and present. Those impressive Washington war memorials and local memorials aren't just there to look good.... they've been erected to remind us of the sacrifice others have made for you... and me. So to our military, past and present, I thank  you from the bottom of my heart. And God bless you. I'm free to write this because you took up the sword in my name.

Remembering the "Forgotten War", the 70th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea by North Korea, June 25th, 1950. 

Cate - 

As a child, I was wildly patriotic, a huge fan of the Founding Fathers (particularly John Adams), and was happy to live in the greatest country on earth. It wasn't until I was older that I realized those freedoms I cherished weren't shared equally by all. Many years ago, when I taught American government to seniors in high school, I used to love to start the year with a discussion of two dueling quotes - 
Stephen Decatur - “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.”

versus

Carl Schurz - My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.

It was always a great discussion.

Carl Schurz intrigues me as much as John Adams ever did. He was a German immigrant who fought for the Union, served as a Senator from Missouri, urged high moral standards in government, and had complete confidence in the American people to do what was right. I think he's a wonderful reminder of what makes America strong. 






Jan - 

My husband and I are blessed to live only a few miles from Mount Rushmore, also known as the "Shrine of Democracy."



Construction on this impressive memorial was started in the 1920's and finished in 1941. Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of the monument, had originally wanted to include a history of the United States from 1776 on. His idea was to carve the words on the side of the mountain, but the entablature was never completed. Even though Borglum teamed up with Hearst newspapers to run an essay contest in 1934, the winner's essay was never included in the carving.

Instead, in 1971 the winner of that contest, William Andrew Burkett, donated a bronze plaque of his award winning essay, and it is now displayed on the Borglum View Terrace at Mount Rushmore, accessed by the President's View Trail. 

You can read his entire piece here: History of the United States of America

I love what he wrote at the conclusion of his essay:

"Holding no fear of the economic and political, chaotic clouds hovering over the earth, the consecrated Americans dedicate this nation before God, to exalt righteousness and to maintain mankind's constituted liberties so long as the earth shall endure."




Annie -

Growing up, one of the must read and learn in our history class was the history of the United States of America. We read the Declaration of Independence together as a class. There's so much pride in what it means to be an American - to fight for your freedom, and to fulfill the American dream. Our forefathers gave us the chance of a nation, and tomorrow we celebrate our Independence Day. God bless America!



Mindy - 
As a young military wife, I spent three July 4ths on foreign soil. There would be a base-wide picnic and fireworks celebration to mark the event. They had bands that would play and everyone had a great time. But when one of the bands played Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA, everyone stopped what they were doing and sang along. I still get chill bumps when I think about it. Hearing that song while living in another country reminded us just how special America is. The freedoms we often take for granted were suddenly more precious. It's something I will never forget. God bless the USA!
 Erica ~ 
An old favorite that says it so well...


Mary

Debby~
God, family and country are the three things I hold most dear!I'm so proud to be an American!
Each day, my family and I say the following prayer that I want to share with all of you, our wonderful Seekerville blog community.
PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF OUR NATIONAlmighty God, our Rock and our Salvation, we beg youTo pour out your Holy Spirit upon our fractured nation.Heal the divisions that separate us andRemove all obstacles to authentic unity.May you guide this great country of ours and lead our citizensTo embrace one another as neighbors and fellow countrymen,Created in your own image and likeness.Give us a fresh opportunity for renewal and true solidarityFor the common good of our homeland.May we return to our true identity as a people of faith and charity.Help us to always remain One Nation, Under God,Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.AmenBy Pedro de la Cruz 
GOD BLESS THE USA!