C.L. Ragsdale's Blog, page 6
October 24, 2011
Review of Children of Dreams by Lorilyn Roberts
Children of Dreams is a true story of a single woman's determination to fulfill her longing to become a mother and facing the numerous obstacles designed to destroy that dream.
Fortunately, God is on her side because she's going not going to get this done without Him.
The author painstakingly takes the reader through her sometimes painful, but ultimately triumphant journey of adopting her two daughters from the countries of Nepal and Vietnam. From a failed marriage, to financial issues, to her age (apparently being 39 instead of 40 could derail an adoption), the monstrous bureaucracies and outright corruption involved in international adoptions is a sometimes humorous, but mostly harrowing journey to motherhood. Fortunately, it is worth the trip.
Using the correlation of God adopting us into his family by the sacrifice of His Son, the author uses scripture to emphasis the painful changes necessary that the Lord had to make in her in order to be the mother she longed to be. This is a story of trusting God no matter how insurmountable the difficulties may seem. I warn you, you'll shed a tear or two along the way, but not all of them sad. I dare you not to cry when her daughter Manisha, who could speak no English at the time, told her adoptive mother "I love you" for the first time.
Go on, I dare you.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67...
Fortunately, God is on her side because she's going not going to get this done without Him.
The author painstakingly takes the reader through her sometimes painful, but ultimately triumphant journey of adopting her two daughters from the countries of Nepal and Vietnam. From a failed marriage, to financial issues, to her age (apparently being 39 instead of 40 could derail an adoption), the monstrous bureaucracies and outright corruption involved in international adoptions is a sometimes humorous, but mostly harrowing journey to motherhood. Fortunately, it is worth the trip.
Using the correlation of God adopting us into his family by the sacrifice of His Son, the author uses scripture to emphasis the painful changes necessary that the Lord had to make in her in order to be the mother she longed to be. This is a story of trusting God no matter how insurmountable the difficulties may seem. I warn you, you'll shed a tear or two along the way, but not all of them sad. I dare you not to cry when her daughter Manisha, who could speak no English at the time, told her adoptive mother "I love you" for the first time.
Go on, I dare you.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67...
October 4, 2011
Decisions, Decisions, I Hate Making Decisions.
Well it has finally come to the point where I must make some decisions.
Nothing serious just a few things I've been putting off. Why have I been putting them off? You'll see in a minute.
It all started when I started trying to decide if I should open an Author's Page on Facebook. I know that may sound silly, but I had a bad experience on Facebook a few years back. I don't blame them, but I've been reluctant to go back. Still, I'm told it's a great marketing tool for writers, and I need to market. So should I do it or not?
This lead to another decision I must make. I've been keeping my blog on Goodreads, but people I respect have suggested that it may be time to expand out deeper into the internet, but should I have a blog or a website? I'm leaning more towards a blog which I can feed into Goodreads, but then I will probably need a digital camera so I can post pictures to make it more interesting, especially if I also open a Facebook Page. Now this shouldn't be a big deal except, believe it or not, with the exception of disposables, I've never owned a camera of any kind! Don't laugh, everyone else in the family always had one so I didn't need one. And do you know how many digital cameras there are on the market? How do you know the correct one to choose without spending a fortune, which I do not have?
See how complicated I can make these simple decisions? Which is why I hate making decisions!
Of course, I will do it eventually, but I have to pray a lot first. God always sends me people who give the best advice. (Like you dear sister who I know will read this eventually)
By the by, I’ll hopefully be having some good news in the near future, but you’ll have to wait until I know for sure. Stay tuned.
Nothing serious just a few things I've been putting off. Why have I been putting them off? You'll see in a minute.
It all started when I started trying to decide if I should open an Author's Page on Facebook. I know that may sound silly, but I had a bad experience on Facebook a few years back. I don't blame them, but I've been reluctant to go back. Still, I'm told it's a great marketing tool for writers, and I need to market. So should I do it or not?
This lead to another decision I must make. I've been keeping my blog on Goodreads, but people I respect have suggested that it may be time to expand out deeper into the internet, but should I have a blog or a website? I'm leaning more towards a blog which I can feed into Goodreads, but then I will probably need a digital camera so I can post pictures to make it more interesting, especially if I also open a Facebook Page. Now this shouldn't be a big deal except, believe it or not, with the exception of disposables, I've never owned a camera of any kind! Don't laugh, everyone else in the family always had one so I didn't need one. And do you know how many digital cameras there are on the market? How do you know the correct one to choose without spending a fortune, which I do not have?
See how complicated I can make these simple decisions? Which is why I hate making decisions!
Of course, I will do it eventually, but I have to pray a lot first. God always sends me people who give the best advice. (Like you dear sister who I know will read this eventually)
By the by, I’ll hopefully be having some good news in the near future, but you’ll have to wait until I know for sure. Stay tuned.
September 3, 2011
At Last, My Problem Child Ebook Has Gone Out Into The World And I'm Proud of Her. Even If She Did Fight Me Every Inch Of The Way.
At last, it is done. The Harbinger of Retribution, my problem child ebook, has gone on sale and is off on its own.
I know, I know, I said I was going to release it later in the fall, but I just couldn't wait as all books must leave their creator's imagination eventually.
I only wish the road to getting there had been easier.
First the story itself gave me issues, then the cover, but that was a previous post so I won't bore you by repeating myself. I mean it this time. Then came the description, and even that did not come together easily.
But at last, it is available on amazon.com and barnes and nobel as an ebook. Here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-Retri...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books...
Even so, my problem child would not easily leave the nest, no, it had one last trick to throw at me. For some reason the cover is not showing up on the barnes and nobel website. I'm working on getting it fixed. And it will be fixed.
This book just didn't want to leave home, I don't know why it's really good, in my prejudice opinion of course, and I am sure it will do fine. Even better, I can say with pride that I created her.
So what do I do now? I start to try to get her sister, The Wrong Ghost, to cooperate so I can get her out of the house.
A Writer's Work Is Never Done. Sigh.
I know, I know, I said I was going to release it later in the fall, but I just couldn't wait as all books must leave their creator's imagination eventually.
I only wish the road to getting there had been easier.
First the story itself gave me issues, then the cover, but that was a previous post so I won't bore you by repeating myself. I mean it this time. Then came the description, and even that did not come together easily.
But at last, it is available on amazon.com and barnes and nobel as an ebook. Here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-Retri...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books...
Even so, my problem child would not easily leave the nest, no, it had one last trick to throw at me. For some reason the cover is not showing up on the barnes and nobel website. I'm working on getting it fixed. And it will be fixed.
This book just didn't want to leave home, I don't know why it's really good, in my prejudice opinion of course, and I am sure it will do fine. Even better, I can say with pride that I created her.
So what do I do now? I start to try to get her sister, The Wrong Ghost, to cooperate so I can get her out of the house.
A Writer's Work Is Never Done. Sigh.
August 26, 2011
What I Did On My Vacation
Well, even though I am a writer I also have a day job, which I like very much and am very grateful for. However, I have recently been on a two week vacation. So remembering my back to my school days I have decided to share what I did on my vacation.
First I should warn you. I do not travel on my vacations. Why? Because I hate to travel. I don't know why I just do. I do it when I have to and that's it. Please do not try to convince me to like it. Others before you have tried without success. Besides I just watched some documentary on the invasion of the bedbugs and that’s enough to make you want to never leave the house again! (Dramatic shudder)
Anyway my vacations are usually taken up by two things. Manual labor and doctor appointments. It's just easier than trying to navaigate them around work. Of course I was somewhat thwarted when those darn doctors cancelled two of them. Now I'll have to navigate around my job schedule. Curses! Foiled again!
Okay, I did have one thing planned that I was looking forward to, lunch with one of my friends, but then she had to cancel because she had to give blood (those darn doctors again it's a conspiracy!) I couldn't reschedule because I had planned the next few days to paint the railing on my front porch. Why couldn't I reschedule that? Because I hate painting, but it had to be done. If I had put it off I wouldn’t have done it, I know me.
I also did a major vacuum of the house. What that means is that I actually moved furniture out of the way. This was something I did over several days. Why not do it in one? Well there is the danger of straining something, and that would have really messed up my vacation.
Also I did manage to get a few of those doctor’s appointments completed, so maybe there is no medical conspiracy after all. Maybe.
I know I’m not making this sound like much of a vacation, but I did also do a lot of things I like. I took my Mom out to lunch to one of our favorite restaurants. I got to walk, pray and read the Bible in a relaxing manner, and I finally got the plot in my fourth book to finally cooperate, I think.
So it’s back to work on Monday where I get to explain my vacation to my co-workers, and I know what they are going to say.
That I take strange vacations, but you know, I suspect you may too.
First I should warn you. I do not travel on my vacations. Why? Because I hate to travel. I don't know why I just do. I do it when I have to and that's it. Please do not try to convince me to like it. Others before you have tried without success. Besides I just watched some documentary on the invasion of the bedbugs and that’s enough to make you want to never leave the house again! (Dramatic shudder)
Anyway my vacations are usually taken up by two things. Manual labor and doctor appointments. It's just easier than trying to navaigate them around work. Of course I was somewhat thwarted when those darn doctors cancelled two of them. Now I'll have to navigate around my job schedule. Curses! Foiled again!
Okay, I did have one thing planned that I was looking forward to, lunch with one of my friends, but then she had to cancel because she had to give blood (those darn doctors again it's a conspiracy!) I couldn't reschedule because I had planned the next few days to paint the railing on my front porch. Why couldn't I reschedule that? Because I hate painting, but it had to be done. If I had put it off I wouldn’t have done it, I know me.
I also did a major vacuum of the house. What that means is that I actually moved furniture out of the way. This was something I did over several days. Why not do it in one? Well there is the danger of straining something, and that would have really messed up my vacation.
Also I did manage to get a few of those doctor’s appointments completed, so maybe there is no medical conspiracy after all. Maybe.
I know I’m not making this sound like much of a vacation, but I did also do a lot of things I like. I took my Mom out to lunch to one of our favorite restaurants. I got to walk, pray and read the Bible in a relaxing manner, and I finally got the plot in my fourth book to finally cooperate, I think.
So it’s back to work on Monday where I get to explain my vacation to my co-workers, and I know what they are going to say.
That I take strange vacations, but you know, I suspect you may too.
July 27, 2011
Sometimes I Feel Like A Writer Without A Genre
I am very much beginning to feel like a writer without a genre, and when I try to explain it people tend to get confused.
You see I'm a Christian and I write mysteries, but the sites where I post my ebooks do not have a Christian mystery section, only a mystery section or a Christian Fiction section. Well most books in the mystery section seem to be murder mysteries, and mine are not murder mysteries (do all mysteries have to be murder mysteries these days?). Also mystery and thrillers seem to go together, but my books aren’t scary. Due to the titles some people think I write paranormal stories, but the plot lines are similar to the Old Scooby Doo cartoons where the ghosts, monsters, etc. were fake so that’s not right. They are humorous, but they are not humor books. Well I am a Christian and my books are fiction, so I should fit there, but they are mysteries so then we’re back to the mystery and thriller thing…oh man now I’m getting confused.
Story of my life, I just don’t seem to be easily slotted, ask my sisters they’ll back me up. Of course, 1 Peter 2:9 (Old King James version of the Bible) does say that Christians a peculiar people. The definition of peculiar is 1. Unusual or eccentric; odd, 2. Distinct from all others, 3. Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique: So maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
So to be clear, just in case you were wondering, I write Christian mysteries, that are not murder mysteries and are not paranormal, are not thrilling and are humorous. There. That sounded almost logical.
Now if I can just convince one of the publishing sites to add a Christian Humorous Non-Murder Mystery Section, I'm set.
On second thought, maybe you should just check for the titles instead.
You see I'm a Christian and I write mysteries, but the sites where I post my ebooks do not have a Christian mystery section, only a mystery section or a Christian Fiction section. Well most books in the mystery section seem to be murder mysteries, and mine are not murder mysteries (do all mysteries have to be murder mysteries these days?). Also mystery and thrillers seem to go together, but my books aren’t scary. Due to the titles some people think I write paranormal stories, but the plot lines are similar to the Old Scooby Doo cartoons where the ghosts, monsters, etc. were fake so that’s not right. They are humorous, but they are not humor books. Well I am a Christian and my books are fiction, so I should fit there, but they are mysteries so then we’re back to the mystery and thriller thing…oh man now I’m getting confused.
Story of my life, I just don’t seem to be easily slotted, ask my sisters they’ll back me up. Of course, 1 Peter 2:9 (Old King James version of the Bible) does say that Christians a peculiar people. The definition of peculiar is 1. Unusual or eccentric; odd, 2. Distinct from all others, 3. Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique: So maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
So to be clear, just in case you were wondering, I write Christian mysteries, that are not murder mysteries and are not paranormal, are not thrilling and are humorous. There. That sounded almost logical.
Now if I can just convince one of the publishing sites to add a Christian Humorous Non-Murder Mystery Section, I'm set.
On second thought, maybe you should just check for the titles instead.
June 27, 2011
The Hardest Thing I Ever Wrote
Did you ever write a book that just seemed to fight you every inch of the way? I know I've had issues with my fourth book, The Wrong Ghost, but really it's my third book, The Harbinger of Retribution that just may go down as the hardest thing I ever wrote.
First off, the book didn't turn out at all as I originally plotted it. Not unusual, but it took forever to get the thing to make any sense at all. Of course, I can't give too many details about the plot, I am releasing it in the Fall of this year, but I think I had to do at least five rewrites, and I am not exaggerating by much, before the plot and the characters cooperated.
Okay, I got it written, I'm happy with it and I hope my readers think so as well. I'm done, right? Wrong.
Because now as I am geting it ready for publishing as an ebook, another issue has come up. Why am I surprised? Nothing has been easy with this book! Worse, it is my own fault, and I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.
The cover.
Now I did the covers of my first two books myself. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House was easy, a house. I just had to remember the description. The next one took a little more artistic endeavor, a problem when you consider that I am no artist. Still I made it work. All The Island of Living Trees required a picture of a spooky tree, and I think I did a pretty good job.
The problem with The Harbinger of Retribution is what it is. A statue of a woman in a hooded cloak made of black marble with two swords crossed over her chest.
What the heck was I thinking? I mean it's a powerful image, and I would love to have it on the cover, but it's just beyond me. Yes, I know I could hire a professional, but I don't know if I could get someone else to see The Harbinger right. Besides, I'm a starving writer here, I don't think I can afford to pay someone.
I know I'll come up with something eventually, but to be honest I will be glad when I finally get this ebook published and out of my head!
Still, aggravating as it was and still is, although The Harbinger was the hardest thing I ever wrote, I think it might turn out to be the best.
I’ll be interested to see if you all agree.
I hope so.
First off, the book didn't turn out at all as I originally plotted it. Not unusual, but it took forever to get the thing to make any sense at all. Of course, I can't give too many details about the plot, I am releasing it in the Fall of this year, but I think I had to do at least five rewrites, and I am not exaggerating by much, before the plot and the characters cooperated.
Okay, I got it written, I'm happy with it and I hope my readers think so as well. I'm done, right? Wrong.
Because now as I am geting it ready for publishing as an ebook, another issue has come up. Why am I surprised? Nothing has been easy with this book! Worse, it is my own fault, and I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.
The cover.
Now I did the covers of my first two books myself. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House was easy, a house. I just had to remember the description. The next one took a little more artistic endeavor, a problem when you consider that I am no artist. Still I made it work. All The Island of Living Trees required a picture of a spooky tree, and I think I did a pretty good job.
The problem with The Harbinger of Retribution is what it is. A statue of a woman in a hooded cloak made of black marble with two swords crossed over her chest.
What the heck was I thinking? I mean it's a powerful image, and I would love to have it on the cover, but it's just beyond me. Yes, I know I could hire a professional, but I don't know if I could get someone else to see The Harbinger right. Besides, I'm a starving writer here, I don't think I can afford to pay someone.
I know I'll come up with something eventually, but to be honest I will be glad when I finally get this ebook published and out of my head!
Still, aggravating as it was and still is, although The Harbinger was the hardest thing I ever wrote, I think it might turn out to be the best.
I’ll be interested to see if you all agree.
I hope so.
June 7, 2011
Author Interview
Hi
Just wanted to let you know that our goodreads friend, James Oh, has posted an author's interview of yours truly
Here's the article:
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR – C.L . Ragsdale
It is a great pleasure to have C.L. Ragsdale review today. A very warm welcome, C.L. and thanks C.L. for giving us the chance to get to know you more and also for allowing us a glimpse of the world that you have created inside your writing. Thank you very much. Let her walk through her profile and book, as appended below, before we kick off the Q + A session.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - C.L. Ragsdale
C.L. Ragsdale has always loved to read, which lead to her love of a writing. This is a fact her family can confirm as she has driven them crazy over the years with her story ideas. Except for her Father, the only one who had more stories than her. However, it was not until recently that she got serious about the work of writing, and getting the confidence to actually post her works as e-books. Her philosophy of writing is simple, brief, character driver and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way.
C.L. Ragsdale is the author of the books below.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE NOW!
1. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House (The Reboot Files #1)
2. The Island of Living Trees (The Reboot Files #2)
Q &A portion:
James: When did you begin to write?
CL : I started writing in my teenage years, which was an outgrowth of my love of reading. But also being lazy, I would come up with a concept, write various scenes, and then give up because it just seemed that writing was such hard work. Then one day, I sat down and put the full story together and found out I was right. Writing is hard work, but I love it which makes it much easier to deal with.
James : What make you to think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time encourage others to share their faiths? So far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how you overcome it?
CL: Well I really don't think it was my idea. The Holy Spirit just kept bugging me. Being a Christian I decided I should listen and started getting serious about writing. I began to see it as my ministry and made it my goal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way. Jesus commanded His followers to share the Gospel, but He also created us to have different talents to get it done. Some are gifted as mighty speakers, some do wonderful good works and others write fiction stories. There’s no size fits all in sharing Gospel, you just have to ask God to show you what He created you to do.
My worst criticism came when I completed my first (unpublished) novel which is not part of The Reboot Files Series. Someone proofed it for me and gave me some scathing criticism about how bad the book was and that maybe writing was not my calling. The person was right in the critical points, but it shook my certainty that this was what the Lord had called me to do. Finally, after much prayer, and I admit a few tears, I revisited the novel and did a rewrite keeping the critical points the person had made in mind. It did help the story, but also convinced me to change from the novel to the novella length which is how I structured The Reboot Files because I just seem to write "short" better.
James: How you come up with title of your books?
CL: I came up with The Reboot Files for the series name because that is what is happening to my main characters Irene Waters and Troy Stenson. Their lives are literally being rebooted by God in a totally different direction than they were planning.
The first book I knew I wanted to give the supposed haunted house a name. After considering and discarding several ideas I settled on a berry name of some sort, but I didn't want it to sound like a child's dollhouse. I liked Huckleberry but it reminded me of a cartoon character, again too cutesy. So I got out a Thesaurus and found the Old English word of Whortleberry, but Whortleberry House didn't sound right. Then I found the alternate word of Hurtleberry which I thought sounded good with House. Since this is a mystery series I called it the Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
The Island of Living Trees is homage to my sister who loves the cheesy horror films that we used to watch on the TV afternoon matinee shows when we were kids. There is a particularly bad one were the premise involves a guy being killed and coming back as a murderous tree to take his revenge on those who wronged him. Believe it or not, it’s worse than it sounds. Now my book has little to do with this movie, really I promise, but the walking tree thing gave me the idea of having a legend of trees walking around an island and turning people into trees. So it became The Island of Living Trees.
James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?
CL: It all involves the turn in the fortunes of Irene Waters, a once up and coming Christian television reporter who got involved in a scandal with a married man. Although how she got involved she has no idea as she barely knew the man. This bogus scandal is threatening to ruin her life and career, and has all left her questioning her trust in God. Her employment options being limited she ends up at Reboot, a television station that can only kindly be described as slightly above cable access. She’s teamed with Troy Stenson a talented but reckless cameraman with credibility issues of his own. They are assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called Irene’s Eerie Adventures. Each book will involve a different mystery with a bit of urban legend thrown in. Irene will strengthen her relationship with God and discover that He had a plan all along, although convincing Troy is going to be a bit of work. More humor and fun than chills and thrills.
James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above?
CL: Although Irene and Troy’s adventures are the main focus, there is also the subplot involving The Records Department. This shadowy organization may, or may not, be up to no good. They will not appear in every book in the series, but their manipulations will be felt. Also keep your eye on Bernie Youngman, Reboot's owner as there is definitely more to him than meets the eye.
James: When do you plan to publish your book 2, if applicable.
CL: Book number 3 is called The Harbinger of Retribution (great title huh?). It continues the series with Irene and Troy getting involved in a cursed statue story. I'll be bringing it out in November of 2011.
James : How many volume of books for the above series ?
CL: Well I mapped it out to be seven books, but then I came up with more ideas. Right now I have ten in mind, but that could change. Don't worry, remember they're short books.
James: Tell us your guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?
CL: Definitely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living my life the way He intended and believing in the salvation His Son died to give me. I read the Bible often, go to a Bible teaching church and listen to the smartest person God put in my life, my mother.
James: Is there any other advice which you like to share with our readers?
CL: Talk to God, find out what He has planned for your life, and do it. It’s so much easier that way.
Just wanted to let you know that our goodreads friend, James Oh, has posted an author's interview of yours truly
Here's the article:
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR – C.L . Ragsdale
It is a great pleasure to have C.L. Ragsdale review today. A very warm welcome, C.L. and thanks C.L. for giving us the chance to get to know you more and also for allowing us a glimpse of the world that you have created inside your writing. Thank you very much. Let her walk through her profile and book, as appended below, before we kick off the Q + A session.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - C.L. Ragsdale
C.L. Ragsdale has always loved to read, which lead to her love of a writing. This is a fact her family can confirm as she has driven them crazy over the years with her story ideas. Except for her Father, the only one who had more stories than her. However, it was not until recently that she got serious about the work of writing, and getting the confidence to actually post her works as e-books. Her philosophy of writing is simple, brief, character driver and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way.
C.L. Ragsdale is the author of the books below.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE NOW!
1. The Mystery of Hurtleberry House (The Reboot Files #1)
2. The Island of Living Trees (The Reboot Files #2)
Q &A portion:
James: When did you begin to write?
CL : I started writing in my teenage years, which was an outgrowth of my love of reading. But also being lazy, I would come up with a concept, write various scenes, and then give up because it just seemed that writing was such hard work. Then one day, I sat down and put the full story together and found out I was right. Writing is hard work, but I love it which makes it much easier to deal with.
James : What make you to think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time encourage others to share their faiths? So far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how you overcome it?
CL: Well I really don't think it was my idea. The Holy Spirit just kept bugging me. Being a Christian I decided I should listen and started getting serious about writing. I began to see it as my ministry and made it my goal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an entertaining way. Jesus commanded His followers to share the Gospel, but He also created us to have different talents to get it done. Some are gifted as mighty speakers, some do wonderful good works and others write fiction stories. There’s no size fits all in sharing Gospel, you just have to ask God to show you what He created you to do.
My worst criticism came when I completed my first (unpublished) novel which is not part of The Reboot Files Series. Someone proofed it for me and gave me some scathing criticism about how bad the book was and that maybe writing was not my calling. The person was right in the critical points, but it shook my certainty that this was what the Lord had called me to do. Finally, after much prayer, and I admit a few tears, I revisited the novel and did a rewrite keeping the critical points the person had made in mind. It did help the story, but also convinced me to change from the novel to the novella length which is how I structured The Reboot Files because I just seem to write "short" better.
James: How you come up with title of your books?
CL: I came up with The Reboot Files for the series name because that is what is happening to my main characters Irene Waters and Troy Stenson. Their lives are literally being rebooted by God in a totally different direction than they were planning.
The first book I knew I wanted to give the supposed haunted house a name. After considering and discarding several ideas I settled on a berry name of some sort, but I didn't want it to sound like a child's dollhouse. I liked Huckleberry but it reminded me of a cartoon character, again too cutesy. So I got out a Thesaurus and found the Old English word of Whortleberry, but Whortleberry House didn't sound right. Then I found the alternate word of Hurtleberry which I thought sounded good with House. Since this is a mystery series I called it the Mystery of Hurtleberry House.
The Island of Living Trees is homage to my sister who loves the cheesy horror films that we used to watch on the TV afternoon matinee shows when we were kids. There is a particularly bad one were the premise involves a guy being killed and coming back as a murderous tree to take his revenge on those who wronged him. Believe it or not, it’s worse than it sounds. Now my book has little to do with this movie, really I promise, but the walking tree thing gave me the idea of having a legend of trees walking around an island and turning people into trees. So it became The Island of Living Trees.
James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?
CL: It all involves the turn in the fortunes of Irene Waters, a once up and coming Christian television reporter who got involved in a scandal with a married man. Although how she got involved she has no idea as she barely knew the man. This bogus scandal is threatening to ruin her life and career, and has all left her questioning her trust in God. Her employment options being limited she ends up at Reboot, a television station that can only kindly be described as slightly above cable access. She’s teamed with Troy Stenson a talented but reckless cameraman with credibility issues of his own. They are assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called Irene’s Eerie Adventures. Each book will involve a different mystery with a bit of urban legend thrown in. Irene will strengthen her relationship with God and discover that He had a plan all along, although convincing Troy is going to be a bit of work. More humor and fun than chills and thrills.
James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above?
CL: Although Irene and Troy’s adventures are the main focus, there is also the subplot involving The Records Department. This shadowy organization may, or may not, be up to no good. They will not appear in every book in the series, but their manipulations will be felt. Also keep your eye on Bernie Youngman, Reboot's owner as there is definitely more to him than meets the eye.
James: When do you plan to publish your book 2, if applicable.
CL: Book number 3 is called The Harbinger of Retribution (great title huh?). It continues the series with Irene and Troy getting involved in a cursed statue story. I'll be bringing it out in November of 2011.
James : How many volume of books for the above series ?
CL: Well I mapped it out to be seven books, but then I came up with more ideas. Right now I have ten in mind, but that could change. Don't worry, remember they're short books.
James: Tell us your guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?
CL: Definitely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living my life the way He intended and believing in the salvation His Son died to give me. I read the Bible often, go to a Bible teaching church and listen to the smartest person God put in my life, my mother.
James: Is there any other advice which you like to share with our readers?
CL: Talk to God, find out what He has planned for your life, and do it. It’s so much easier that way.
May 21, 2011
My Number 1 Favorite Literary Character
The opening line is the most impportant line you will write. I believe the best opening line ever to a book was this:
"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."
I am a major C.S. Lewis fan, and love a lot of his stuff, but the Narnia books have always held a special place in my heart. And my favorite character is Eustace Clarence Scrubb. Why? Well I guess because he turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. Now don’t get me wrong, I liked the other Narnia children, The Pevensies, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, Shasta and Princess Aravis. However, for the most part they tended to have a just a bit too good to be true quality about them, although they did have their moments of unpleasantness (especially Susan, read the books if you want to know more). I know, you are going to bring up Edmund, but he seemed to be unpleasant because they needed an unpleasant character in the book. The why of it was alluded to, but never fully explained. I loved the plot of salvation of a sinner, but you knew he was going to reform eventually.
Eustace, on the other hand, was another kettle of fish all together and at first he stank just as bad. He was a nasty piece of work with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Why? Because he had been spoiled rotten by his parents. Brilliant, easy to understand, and easy to buy into. In the Voyage of the Dawn Treader he was mean, selfish and a major pain in the neck to everyone and I just bet he loved every minute of it. He was a drag on the whole story of adventure and friendship and you just loved to hate him. The first time my friends and I read the book (a long time ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth) we couldn’t wait for him to get his comeuppance. But then a funny thing happened, when that comeuppance finally came, you didn't feel any satisfaction, instead you found yourself feeling sorry for him. There’s just something about a crying dragon that tugs on the old heartstrings I guess. Anyway, he does reform, although he does have his struggles which makes it believable and satisfying.
Well from then on Eustace had me hooked. Through the rest of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (major shout out to the Duffers, absolutely hilarious) you knew this kid was going to be a great force for good. In his other adventures in the Silver Chair and the Last Battle with Jill Pole, another complex child character, the stories were engaging and you really had to pay attention or you were going to miss something. I mean he rescued a lost prince and defended Narnia in what was, and was not, a lost cause. Don’t worry, it makes sense when you read it.
Now remember all of this is my opinion, I’m sure you have yours. But to this day, I love that boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb. I guess because he proves you can't give up on a character because he just might suprise you.
"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."
I am a major C.S. Lewis fan, and love a lot of his stuff, but the Narnia books have always held a special place in my heart. And my favorite character is Eustace Clarence Scrubb. Why? Well I guess because he turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. Now don’t get me wrong, I liked the other Narnia children, The Pevensies, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, Shasta and Princess Aravis. However, for the most part they tended to have a just a bit too good to be true quality about them, although they did have their moments of unpleasantness (especially Susan, read the books if you want to know more). I know, you are going to bring up Edmund, but he seemed to be unpleasant because they needed an unpleasant character in the book. The why of it was alluded to, but never fully explained. I loved the plot of salvation of a sinner, but you knew he was going to reform eventually.
Eustace, on the other hand, was another kettle of fish all together and at first he stank just as bad. He was a nasty piece of work with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Why? Because he had been spoiled rotten by his parents. Brilliant, easy to understand, and easy to buy into. In the Voyage of the Dawn Treader he was mean, selfish and a major pain in the neck to everyone and I just bet he loved every minute of it. He was a drag on the whole story of adventure and friendship and you just loved to hate him. The first time my friends and I read the book (a long time ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth) we couldn’t wait for him to get his comeuppance. But then a funny thing happened, when that comeuppance finally came, you didn't feel any satisfaction, instead you found yourself feeling sorry for him. There’s just something about a crying dragon that tugs on the old heartstrings I guess. Anyway, he does reform, although he does have his struggles which makes it believable and satisfying.
Well from then on Eustace had me hooked. Through the rest of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (major shout out to the Duffers, absolutely hilarious) you knew this kid was going to be a great force for good. In his other adventures in the Silver Chair and the Last Battle with Jill Pole, another complex child character, the stories were engaging and you really had to pay attention or you were going to miss something. I mean he rescued a lost prince and defended Narnia in what was, and was not, a lost cause. Don’t worry, it makes sense when you read it.
Now remember all of this is my opinion, I’m sure you have yours. But to this day, I love that boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb. I guess because he proves you can't give up on a character because he just might suprise you.
May 5, 2011
Coloring without crayons
It occurs to me that although I write a lot about my writing, which is my major hobby and ministry, I have not said much else about what I like to do. Well in case you were wondering, or not, here's my next favorite hobby.
I embroider. That's right, I embroider, by hand, not machine. What made me start such a detailed craft? Well when I was growing up crafts were really popular and I couldn't get the hang of crochet, the major hobby of the day, and which my Mom and sisters were great at, of course. The craft gene just seemed to have passed me by, until that is I discovered a craft I could do, embroidery, which I liken to coloring without crayons. You use thread instead. Of course it's not something you do in a hurry and it can get to be a bit of an obsession. Being the perfectionist that I am (I know, I know, God and I are working on it) I can never just do a simple outline stitch and leave it alone. Oh no, I have to do a satin fill-in or add French Knots, which took me forever to get the hang of by the way, and don't even get me started on those darn lazy daisies...sorry, I'm ranting again.
Anyway, I've done several projects over the years, some from transfers and some where I made up the pattern myself. And yes, I have been known to work hours on a project and then tear it all out because I didn't like the way it looked.
Right now I'm working on what is going to be a bedspread with a large peacock on it. Don't ask me why, I just always wanted to embroider a peacock. I thought the peacock would be hard, but it came together relatively fast and looks really good. Of course it had to be surrounded by flowers, and those darn things are taking forever to fill in. Too bad they look so good or I wouldn't bother.
That's the trouble with coloring without crayons, it leaves you too many options. Still I love it, even though it is a lot of work and takes a long time. But once you're done, you can almost believe God did give you some artistic tendencies after all.
I embroider. That's right, I embroider, by hand, not machine. What made me start such a detailed craft? Well when I was growing up crafts were really popular and I couldn't get the hang of crochet, the major hobby of the day, and which my Mom and sisters were great at, of course. The craft gene just seemed to have passed me by, until that is I discovered a craft I could do, embroidery, which I liken to coloring without crayons. You use thread instead. Of course it's not something you do in a hurry and it can get to be a bit of an obsession. Being the perfectionist that I am (I know, I know, God and I are working on it) I can never just do a simple outline stitch and leave it alone. Oh no, I have to do a satin fill-in or add French Knots, which took me forever to get the hang of by the way, and don't even get me started on those darn lazy daisies...sorry, I'm ranting again.
Anyway, I've done several projects over the years, some from transfers and some where I made up the pattern myself. And yes, I have been known to work hours on a project and then tear it all out because I didn't like the way it looked.
Right now I'm working on what is going to be a bedspread with a large peacock on it. Don't ask me why, I just always wanted to embroider a peacock. I thought the peacock would be hard, but it came together relatively fast and looks really good. Of course it had to be surrounded by flowers, and those darn things are taking forever to fill in. Too bad they look so good or I wouldn't bother.
That's the trouble with coloring without crayons, it leaves you too many options. Still I love it, even though it is a lot of work and takes a long time. But once you're done, you can almost believe God did give you some artistic tendencies after all.
May 1, 2011
Wandering In The Wilderness, Good For Writing. But Where's The Exit Already?
Sometimes I really love being a writer. Sometimes I really hate it.
Recently I've come across both emotions. I was stuck on my fourth novella. (I write short, see my first post) I mean, it wasn't coming together at all. The good news is that it did, finally. The titles say it all. It started out as "The Ghost In The White Satin Dress" and ended up as "The Wrong Ghost". The title switch is a long, long story. Maybe I'll tell it someday. But I am not promising you'll enjoy it. I didn't.
I addressed this same subject in my last post (Arguing with myself and losing) so I won't bore you by repeating myself...okay it was a nice thought, but I'm going to repeat myself!
Do other writers have this trouble? I mean you have a concept, even do a story and character treatment. The plot is going along nicely, and then without warning your characters take a sudden left turn on you and you're out in the wilderness wondering what happened and where is the Lord leading you?
I suppose I should mention that I am a Christian, my writing is Christian, so you are going to hear me mention the Father, Son and Holy Spirit a lot. Just letting you know. Now back to my rant.
Okay, it's not a rant exactly, but am I the only one whose plot never turns out the way it was originally intended? I've written four books in my ebook novella series and one novel. Only one has turned out as I originally plotted it. Which means I end up out in the wilderness a lot. Wandering around, praying to God to help me make this... thing, which I can now barely stand, make sense somehow. Just when it looks like I am going to have to scrap it all and all start over again, I see it! The Exit, the one point that brings the whole story togehter and make it make sense. Suddenly, I love the story again and I love being a writer. Which is nice while it lasts.
There is a strange thing though, I have been told by readers that my "wilderness books" tend to be my best ones. Which is nice because I struggled so much, but annoying because I struggled so much. I hope that makes sense.
Well, the main point is that God does know what He's doing. I just wish He would show me the Exit a litle sooner. Easier on the nerves.
Recently I've come across both emotions. I was stuck on my fourth novella. (I write short, see my first post) I mean, it wasn't coming together at all. The good news is that it did, finally. The titles say it all. It started out as "The Ghost In The White Satin Dress" and ended up as "The Wrong Ghost". The title switch is a long, long story. Maybe I'll tell it someday. But I am not promising you'll enjoy it. I didn't.
I addressed this same subject in my last post (Arguing with myself and losing) so I won't bore you by repeating myself...okay it was a nice thought, but I'm going to repeat myself!
Do other writers have this trouble? I mean you have a concept, even do a story and character treatment. The plot is going along nicely, and then without warning your characters take a sudden left turn on you and you're out in the wilderness wondering what happened and where is the Lord leading you?
I suppose I should mention that I am a Christian, my writing is Christian, so you are going to hear me mention the Father, Son and Holy Spirit a lot. Just letting you know. Now back to my rant.
Okay, it's not a rant exactly, but am I the only one whose plot never turns out the way it was originally intended? I've written four books in my ebook novella series and one novel. Only one has turned out as I originally plotted it. Which means I end up out in the wilderness a lot. Wandering around, praying to God to help me make this... thing, which I can now barely stand, make sense somehow. Just when it looks like I am going to have to scrap it all and all start over again, I see it! The Exit, the one point that brings the whole story togehter and make it make sense. Suddenly, I love the story again and I love being a writer. Which is nice while it lasts.
There is a strange thing though, I have been told by readers that my "wilderness books" tend to be my best ones. Which is nice because I struggled so much, but annoying because I struggled so much. I hope that makes sense.
Well, the main point is that God does know what He's doing. I just wish He would show me the Exit a litle sooner. Easier on the nerves.
