Becky Wade's Blog, page 172

Nashville and the Christy Awards

I’m currently in Nashville!

For the third year in a row, I’ve journeyed to The Athens of the South aka Nashvegas aka The Buckle of the Bible Belt aka Music City USA in November in order to participate in the Art of Writing Conference and the Christy Awards.

His Highness and I arrived on Tuesday and that night I attended a dinner for Bethany House employees, authors, and authors’ spouses. So much fun!

The next morning, several readers joined ten Christian authors for breakfast at a local restaurant called Fido. Many of the readers were local, but many drove for hours to be there. I wish you could have experienced the happy volume of a room full of people, talking passionately about books.

Chatting with Beckie from By the Book



My parents are on the left! They flew to Nashville to attend the Christys this year and to spend time sight-seeing.




On the left, Alysha from For the Love of Christian Fiction. On the right, Stacey from The Great Adventure.



My wonderful editor, Raela Schoenherr.

I spent the afternoon sitting and learning and gaining inspiration during the Art of Writing conference. Then I changed into my fancy dress (and gold shoes!) for the Christy Award ceremony.

With Katie Ganshert on the left and Courtney Walsh on the right.



This one’s fuzzy, because my mom snapped it from her spot at our dinner table.

The Harvey Girls Are Here!

Ever since I watched Judy Garland in The Harvey Girls as a teenager, I’ve been enamored with the idea of the Harvey Girls and the significant role these women played in civilizing the West.

Women worked as Harvey Girls for a myriad of reasons. Good pay, adventure, travel, and some, like my heroine, to escape trouble at home.

Rosalind Kemp becomes a Harvey Girl to flee Texas and the past mistake that holds the power to ruin her future. But when the Fred Harvey organization transfers her to Gainesville, disaster looms dangerously close. And thanks to a stubborn lawyer wearing down her heart’s resistance, she has more to lose than ever before.

Serving Up Love released this week. I had so much fun working with my dear friend Regina Jennings on another collection, and having the chance to team up with fabulous authors like Tracie Peterson and Jen Turano was a special treat. Every time I run into Jen at a conference, she and I talk about how we need to work together on a project sometime. Now we have!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook

Book Launch

I’m excited to announce that we will be having a book launch for Serving Up Love in Gainesville, TX – the actual setting for my novella, More Than a Pretty Face. (You can read the post about my research trip to Gainesville, here.) We’ll get to tour the Harvey House/Depot site where I did my research and have a fun Pie Social to benefit the local library before Regina Jennings and I give short presentations and sign books. Two authors for the price of one! Hooray! Gainesville, TX is about 70 miles north of Dallas, so if you are within driving distance, we’d love to have you join us. The graphic below has all the details.

Have you ever seen Judy Garland’s The Harvey Girls?

Have you ever attended a book launch? What kind of “launch” activities appeal to you?

Texas Book Festival 2019

When people think of Austin, Texas, they often think of our big music and film festivals—ACL and SXSW. But for Jeff and me, those are simply weekends to stay at home. Our favorite festival weekend in Austin is—no surprise here!—the Texas Book Festival. This was our third year to attend and it seems to get better each time. Every year I discover authors I haven’t read before and end up reading not only their current book, but some of their previous books as well. (These authors have included Lelia Meacham, Susan Orlean, and Sarah McCoy.)

I thought my “owl reading books” socks were quite appropriate for the weekend! Thanks, Karen Witemeyer!

So the last weekend in October we spent two glorious days—70-75 degrees under a bright blue sky—celebrating authors and books in and around Texas’s beautiful capitol building. Here are some of my 2019 highlights.

First, of course, were the sessions. Seriously, there was only one that was just okay. The others were amazing. Spellbinding. Inspiring. I love hearing other writings talk about their writing processes, the sparks for their stories, and the writing life as they live it. And the session with two long-time editors–one from Random House and one from the New Yorker–talking about language and grammar proved to be exactly what the title of the session claimed it to be: Word Nerds. The room was packed to capacity and many were turned away! Who knew there were so many!

Our biggest fan moment was getting to hear Alexander McCall Smith speak. It’s our second time to see him and he is simply delightful—just like his books. (If you haven’t read The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, you should!)

All the other sessions I attended were authors I had no knowledge of previously. And yet I came home excited about their books, some of which I bought immediately, others of which I put on my list of books to read. (These were in the bought immediately category. Some mine, some hubby’s.)

Gretchen, Staci, and me

Beyond the books and authors, though, were the friends who experienced them with me. Three years ago, at our first Texas Book Festival, I had noted on my author Facebook page that we were there. A reader of my books messaged me saying she and her daughter were also in attendance and would love to meet me in person. Not only did we meet, we attended a session together and began to get to know each other. I met up with Staci Scott and her daughter, Gretchen, again last year as well. And then this year, even though the Scotts had moved to the Dallas area earlier in the year, we were able to connect in a session. Such fun to catch up and continue our tradition.

With the lovely Becky Wade!

Also this year I got to see with fellow author Becky Wade! She was signing books in the RWA exhibition tent and we got to hang out and attend a session together. I’ve missed spending time with Becky since we moved away from Dallas. It’s always a joy to get caught up on each others’ family and work.

With my sweet young friends Rebecca and Alex.

Finally, a new friend of mine in Austin, a lovely young lady the age of my daughter, made it out to the festival on Sunday afternoon after hearing me sing its praises. She and her friend met me at a session featuring two historical novels. It was fun to have people to talk about it with afterwards.

Of course Jeff was there all weekend, too, but we usually only end up at a few sessions together. He goes to what interests him; I go to what interests me. Sometimes those overlap. But when we come together to walk home at the end of the day, it makes for all kinds of interesting conversation as we tell each other about the rest of our day.

I’m already looking forward to 2020! But first, I have a lot of reading to do.

Have you been to a book festival? What authors have you heard speak about their books? Have you discovered new authors to read this way? Share!

Fabulous First Sentences (from 2019 Christy Award Finalists)

You already know I love reading first sentences of novels, and here are some really good ones! From a few of the 2019 Christy Award finalists, no less. Not all of them, mind you, just a few chosen at random.

I love the varieties in style and hope you do, too! And GET READY TO VOTE because I’d like to know your favorite!

#1
“I discovered a secret.”
Falling for You by Becky Wade
Christy Award finalist – Contemporary Romance category

#2
Once upon a time, Melody Johansson had believed in happily ever afters.
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano
Christy Award finalist – Contemporary Romance category

#3
He wasn’t looking for trouble, but if Pete didn’t act right now, at least one person was going to die.
Wait for Me by Susan May Warren
Christy Award finalist – Contemporary Romance category

#4
The sense of dread that began with Becky’s email pressed Gillian Short deep into her seat as passengers filed past her down the aisle, a line of eye-rubbing yawns and bouncing impatience.
The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings
Christy Award finalist – First Novel category

#5
“Don’t fail. Tonight of all nights, don’t fail.”
Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson
Christy Award finalist – First Novel category

#6
Altimeter steady at five hundred feet, USAAC Pensacola Payback screamed along at two-hundred-seventy-miles per hour, right above the steep-pitched roofs of Osaka, Japan.
The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson
Christy Award finalist – First Novel category

#7
The breeze tugged at my hair and cooled my skin.
Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin
Christy Award finalist – General Fiction category

#8
The Lafayette Coney Island was not a comfortable place to be early.
We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartel
Christy Award finalist – General Fiction category

#9
The pulse of the sea pressed me forward, urging my body deeper into its embrace.
The Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette
Christy Award finalist – Historical category

#10
My first and last memories are my cousin Laurette.
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman
Christy Award finalist – Historical category

#11
From the very beginning it was the Great Lion who brought us together.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Christy Award finalist – Historical Romance category

#12
Graham, the Viscount Wharton, heir to the earldom of Grableton, pride of the Cambridge fencing team, coveted party guest, and generally well-liked member of both Brooke’s and White’s, was bored.
A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter
Christy Award finalist – Historical Romance category

#13
Galloping her horse past the big oak tree, Mulan pulled the bowstring taut.
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Christy Award finalist – Young Adult category

#14
I wasn’t ready to turn to stone.
Fawkes by Nadine Brandes
Christy Award finalist – Young Adult category

To see all of the 2019 Christy Award finalists, visit the Christy Award website.

WATCH THE 2019 CHRISTY AWARDS LIVE this Wednesday evening from Nashville at 7:30PM CT by visiting The Christy Awards Facebook Page.

I’m thrilled to be announcing the winner in the YOUNG ADULT category that evening!

Now tell me, do you have a favorite first sentence from the fourteen choices above? One that really grabs you and makes you want to read more? Please share!

Happy Tuesday to all!

Tamera

A Sneak Peek!

After several years of debuting my novels in the fall each year, I’m sorry to say that changes in my publishing schedule mean you’ll have to wait until next spring to read my latest book. In the meantime, I’m excited to show you what the gorgeous cover looks like, and to tell you a little bit about the story. “If I Were You” takes place in London during World War II and is a story of friendship and self-discovery—with a few splashes of romance that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

The idea for the book came from a true story about a British war bride who moved to America after the war. Of course, writers always like to elaborate on a simple story by asking, “What if…?” and so the plot took a few twists and turns along the way. As I dove into the research, I discovered how greatly the two world wars altered everyday life in England, putting an end to the divide between the upper classes and their servants. Being a huge fan of the TV series, “Downton Abbey,” I knew I wanted to take my story in that direction. My two heroines, Audrey Clarkson and Eve Dawson quickly sprang to life. Then all the rest—their friendship, their rivalry, their loves and losses—fell beautifully into place as these two women searched to redefine who they really were.

One of my favorite parts of writing each novel is researching it. My husband and I wandered around London in June of 2018 so I could put myself in my characters’ shoes, soaking up the sights and getting a feel for what my characters might have seen and experienced some 75 years ago. London is a beautiful, old city with buildings that haven’t changed much in centuries—although, the red, double-decker busses do look a bit more modern these days.

We rode everywhere on the underground, and I tried to imagine what it would have been like to sleep down there with thousands of other people every night during The Blitz while bombs pummeled the city. No one knew what the landscape would look like in the morning or if they would even have a home to return to.

I learned that even Buckingham Palace didn’t escape the relentless bombing, and suffered damage along with several other famous buildings in London. Here I am near the palace gates, with the Victoria Monument in the background.

And now, I’m proud to show you the intriguing cover of “If I Were You.” It’s one of my favorite covers ever! I’m curious to know what you think?

Inspired by Scripture

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Why NO ONE Should Object to ‘Clean Teen’ Fiction

Just this week I stumbled across a trending article called: “SJW YA Authors Object to ‘Clean Teen’ Fiction.”  Obviously the title caught my attention because my clean teen Lost Princesses series just recently released. So I was rather intrigued to discover that other YA authors are opposed to the kind of YA fiction that I write.

To be honest, I had to google the meaning of SJW. I know I’m
showing my age here, but I’d never heard of SJW. I discovered it stands for “Social
Justice Warrior” which is the term applied in a derogatory manner toward those who
are simply jumping on a current social issue bandwagon because that’s the popular
thing to do or because they’re seeking self-promotion.

Anyway, the article speaks to a current debate over whether to
categorize teen books. For example, some websites now offer a  “Clean Teen” books section, particularly for
parents and teens who don’t want to be exposed to the objectionable and mature
content that is continuing to flood its way into the Young Adult (YA) genre.

Interestingly, the American Library Association (ALA) as well as some YA authors are opposed to such categorizing, likening it to censorship. There was even some mocking of the category “Clean Teen Reads” over on Twitter.

In a culture that touts “tolerance,” such attitudes aren’t so tolerant. And as I thought about the issue, here are a few reasons why everyone (including ALA and MSJ Authors) should not only tolerate but embrace clean novels for our youth:

1. Clean reads respect diversity.

Let’s be very clear. There
are still a large majority of parents (and even teens) who actually like and
prefer clean YA novels that promote modesty and
sexual abstinence including, but not limited to Muslims, Jews, Mormons,
Evangelical Christians, and other people of faith.

To truly have diversity in
literature, we can’t give preference to the social agendas of groups who shout
the loudest while demeaning (and mocking on Twitter!) books that adhere to
traditional values.

2. Clean reads give hope.

You only need to look at the covers of many current YA books to realize how dark and depressing so many of them are. Reading the book blurbs only confirms that.

Some might say that this downward spiral into increasingly
oppressive material is reflective of our teen culture, that authors are merely
giving teens stories they can relate to, stories that represent their struggles
realistically.

However, I can’t help but ask if such stories only
contribute to teenage angst rather than help it? If someone is drowning, do we
jump in the water and wallow with them. Or would we be better off throwing  out a life ring and offering them hope.

While there is a place for realistic stories that portray real issues, perhaps teen literature has gone to the extreme in trying to “meet teens where they’re at” by immersing them all too often in the gritty and often bleak reality of life.

Perhaps it’s time to shift the balance and also gladly offer our teens wholesome reads that inspire and encourage them to rise above their circumstances.

3. Clean reads provide a safe reading haven.

I think we can all agree that the nature of YA fiction has
changed in recent years, delving into increasingly more adult-like content. The
above article cites a spokesperson from Simon & Schuster as saying that
because of the increasing popularity of the YA genre among adults, the content
of YA books has “scooched up toward that adult audience.”

The S&S spokesperson says she hears from many parents that
their kids “already feel so much pressure from the world around them—from
current events, social media, the school environment—that they look to fiction
as a real escape, a place where the stakes can be low and the consequences can
be gentle. I think there are many teen readers out there looking for the
experience that ‘clean teen’ can offer.”

Instead of exposing teens prematurely
to sexual behaviors, vulgarity, and other situations that are more adult-like,
clean reads provide a safe and “real escape” from a turbulent culture.

To find out more about my clean teen novels (especially my newest Lost Princesses series), visit my website here: http://jodyhedlund.com/series/the-lost-princesses/

So what about YOU? What thoughts do you have about the importance of clean teen reads?

Raney Day Trippin’ 2

As I sorted through photos to prepare this second installment, there are just too many things I want to show you to put in one post! So this time, I’ll share a couple of our favorite outings while we’ve been here in the Seattle area at our oldest son’s house. (We’ve been house- and dog-sitting while he’s in Europe for work.)

The first place I want to tell you about is our trip to the stunning Seattle Japanese Garden.

Fall was in full swing at the Seattle Japanese Garden and it literally took our breaths away! Beauty everywhere we turned! I truly think this might be a little bit what heaven looks like!

A few days later, we drove a couple of hours to Mount St. Helens, where a volcanic eruption in May 1980 created something like a mini version of the Grand Canyon in just a few hours. It is incredible how things have grown back since the tragic event almost 40 years ago.

We stopped in the charming town of Castle Rock where there is a visitor center that tells the Mount St. Helens story from a creation point-of-view. We loved our time there as well as having lunch and sight-seeing in the area before driving up to the lookout and museum at the mountain.

As much as we’ve enjoyed the sightseeing, some of our favorite times have just been experiencing life in our son’s neighborhood, attending his church, shopping at new grocery stores (like Trader Joe’s!), and walking Socks each evening.

Our son is home from his travels now, and as you’re reading this, we are on our way home…by way of the Pacific Coast Highway (traveling north to south this time. You might remember that we traveled the PCH south to north in April). Next time I’ll tell you about our trip home.

Socks sure was happy to see his master! The next night Tarl took us out to eat at a wonderful Taiwanese restaurant, Din Tai Fung. We came home to walk Socks one last time. I’m going to miss that dog…and our son, too! (Thankfully, we’ll see him at Christmas.)

My new book released on October 22 (which happened to be Tarl’s birthday!) and our Missouri granddaughters are showing it off since I wasn’t home to get my author copies. It’s exciting to have Chasing Dreams, the second book in the Chandler Sisters Novels series, out into the world. And I’m working hard toward a December 1 deadline to have the third book on my editor’s desk. You can get the book at your favorite bookstore or online here.

Inspired by Scripture

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A True (Humorous) Look at the Writing Process

I wish that the process of writing a book was as serene, latte-filled, and creatively delightful as it seems like it should be! I’m pulling back the curtain today, reader friends, and giving you a glimpse at what’s truly happening in a writer’s mind and heart during the four stages of the process.

Stage 1: Pre-writing

“A new story! It’s so shiny. So sparkly.” “I love these characters!” “I have SO MANY ideas!” “This book’s going to be awesome.” “This hero is hunky!” “The possibilities are limitless!”

later… “Oh, dear. The possibilities really are limitless.

later… “How am I supposed to narrow down these possibilities?” “Jesus take the wheel!”

Stage 2: Writing the First Draft

“I found a great first line and I can’t stop thinking about this story! My fingers are flying across the keyboard. Watch me go!” “My setting is really working for me and I’m understanding who these characters are and why they’re doing what they’re doing.”

later… “Wait. Who are these people?” “Why don’t they just proclaim their love for each other?” “I’m filled with extreme uncertainty every odd moment and I’m cringing every even moment.”

later… “What’s supposed to be happening plot-wise? “Why are these characters doing what they’re doing?” “Just keep going. It’s okay if the first draft is bad.” “Stop hyperventilating.” “Just embrace that it’s bad and get the story down.”

[REACHES OUT TO WRITER FRIENDS TO ENSURE CURRENT STATE OF MENTAL TORTURE IS NORMAL] [RECEIVES CONFIRMATION THAT IT IS]

later… “What was the point of all that pre-writing if it’s no help to me now? Thanks for nothing, pre-writing.”

later… “This hero is not hunky.” “This book is really stupid.” “I’m a fraud! What was I thinking? I can’t write a novel!” “Jesus, take the wheel!”

Stage 3: Rewriting

“Uh oh. It’s no longer okay if this book is bad.” “What is the theme of this book?” “This is the sixteenth time I’ve used that phrase!” “What on earth was I thinking when I wrote this scene?” “Does this make sense?” “Is this believable?” “How can I make this hero hunky?”

later… [SELECT HUGE PORTION OF BOOK] [DELETE] [WRITE HUGE NEW PORTION]

later… “Why is my writing process so inefficient?!” “Every other writer’s process must be superior to my process.”

later… [SELECT HUGE PORTION OF BOOK] [DELETE] [WRITE HUGE NEW PORTION]

[REACHES OUT TO WRITER FRIENDS TO ENSURE CURRENT STATE OF MENTAL TORTURE IS NORMAL] [RECEIVES CONFIRMATION THAT IT IS]

later… “I think my editor is going to send this manuscript back accompanied by two words. START. OVER.”

later… [SELECT HUGE PORTION OF BOOK] [DELETE] [WRITE HUGE NEW PORTION]

later… “My career is over.” “Jesus, take the wheel!”

Stage 4: Publication

“I’m done! I have no idea how it happened, but I’m finally done and I… love this book.” “It’s beautiful, with it’s fancy cover, and formatted pages! I’m so proud!” “I’ve written a wonderful story! I think. Maybe it’s not wonderful. Who cares, because I’m DONE.” “Look, it’s on the shelf at my local Barnes & Noble!”

[TAKE SELFIE WITH BOOK AT BARNES & NOBLE]

later… “The contents of my book have become a traumatic smudge in my brain. Now that I’m firmly lodged in stage #2 of a new manuscript, I hardly remember writing my prior book.”

later… “A book club is asking me to answer the discussion questions at the back of my novel and I don’t know the answers. Which character is a metaphor of Jesus? I have no idea!”

later… “Are any real, live people actually going to buy and read this book?” “Jesus take the wheel!”

And there you have it — the real writing process! Writers, does any of the above ring especially true for you? Readers, we’re very glad that real, live people actually DO buy and read our books. Thank you!