Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene, page 10
October 23, 2012
The Artiste
Bonjour from the world of Fidette, the world’s most adorable French poodle. I humor the one who feeds me by referring to her as my owner. Actually, she works for me. Anyway, she used to say, "I ought to write a book." Then zut alors! she did it. It took her a while, and then she spent months shopping for a publisher for her beloved opus. With persistence--and perhaps a little luck--the day finally arrived when she received a box of books with her name on them. Mon ami, you must never chew on such a book. I do not need to tell you how Fidette learned this important lesson!
Oddly enough, nothing in the household changed much. My owner did laundry the next day. She seemed to think the garbage cans might sprout wings and fly to the curb in honor of her achievement, mais non. By and by, I heard someone refer to her as “the author”. Then a stranger called and made arrangements for my owner to speak to a book club. Little Fidette was favored with beaucoup doggie treats that day you may be sure. She gets so excited when a new review appears on Amazon or Goodreads or when a fan tracks her down to say “I loved your book!”
Now she’s totally hooked. No longer content merely to be my owner, she seems to think she is a bona fide artiste. Ah, perhaps her eccentric behavior now has a logical explanation.
My owner’s name is Carlene Havel. Her Christian romance "A Hero's Homecoming" was published in July by Prism Book Group, http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH... . "Daughter of the King", the story of Princess Michal of ancient Israel is just about to be released. She has signed a contract with Prism for another sweet romance, tentatively titled "Here Today Gone Tomorrow." And then? Probably another Old Testament Biblical heroine. For her, writing is like eating milk bones. She always wants "just one more." It would be tres bon for you to buy many copies of her books. This will put my owner in such a good mood she will not be upset when she finds the lamp that seems to have jumped from a table to the floor. It was probably an unreported earthquake, but Fidette is often blamed for the results of such natural phenomena. Such is the life of a poodle!
Alors! What's that I hear? The sound of the electric can opener! Something special pour moi no doubt. Tata for now, mes amis.
Oddly enough, nothing in the household changed much. My owner did laundry the next day. She seemed to think the garbage cans might sprout wings and fly to the curb in honor of her achievement, mais non. By and by, I heard someone refer to her as “the author”. Then a stranger called and made arrangements for my owner to speak to a book club. Little Fidette was favored with beaucoup doggie treats that day you may be sure. She gets so excited when a new review appears on Amazon or Goodreads or when a fan tracks her down to say “I loved your book!”
Now she’s totally hooked. No longer content merely to be my owner, she seems to think she is a bona fide artiste. Ah, perhaps her eccentric behavior now has a logical explanation.
My owner’s name is Carlene Havel. Her Christian romance "A Hero's Homecoming" was published in July by Prism Book Group, http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH... . "Daughter of the King", the story of Princess Michal of ancient Israel is just about to be released. She has signed a contract with Prism for another sweet romance, tentatively titled "Here Today Gone Tomorrow." And then? Probably another Old Testament Biblical heroine. For her, writing is like eating milk bones. She always wants "just one more." It would be tres bon for you to buy many copies of her books. This will put my owner in such a good mood she will not be upset when she finds the lamp that seems to have jumped from a table to the floor. It was probably an unreported earthquake, but Fidette is often blamed for the results of such natural phenomena. Such is the life of a poodle!
Alors! What's that I hear? The sound of the electric can opener! Something special pour moi no doubt. Tata for now, mes amis.
October 22, 2012
A Short Story For You
Warning - this is only the beginning. To read the whole short story, you have to go to my publisher's website
http://www.prismbookgroup.com/
and click on the tab that says "Blog". Here goes - enjoy!
Real estate agent Betsy Brown waited by her van as Felix and Emily Acosta pulled into the parking lot of Griswald Cabinets. "Mr. Griswald was called away unexpectedly,” Betsy said, putting away her phone. “But his broker assured me we should feel free to look around."
Felix stood surveying the metal building with his arms folded. "Looks like not much has changed since I worked here ten years ago."
They took a walk through the shop, where a handful of men worked on projects in various states of completion. Emily and Betsy went back outside, while Felix continued to speak with the man operating a drill press.
"Those guys had no idea this place is up for sale," Felix said when he joined the women. "I guess that explains the lack of a sign out front." He dug the heel of his shoe into the parking lot’s pea gravel. "No one seemed surprised, though. Orders are down. They knew something was up."
"Do you want to make an offer?” Betsy asked. “Commercial property in this area moves fast, and the asking price on this shop is rock bottom."
Felix cocked an eyebrow and looked at Emily.
"Your call," his wife said.
"Yes. We need the capacity"--he nodded toward the shop--"and these men need their jobs."
Three weeks later, the papers were signed and the Acostas owned the plant, property, and equipment of Griswald Cabinets. When Felix returned from the new shop that afternoon, he was as angry as Emily could ever remember.
"Can you believe this, Em?" His jaw was set.
While you're at the Prism website, you might want to look through the variety of books this publisher offers, including those listed as "coming soon." Yes, I have a vested interest. Prism published my Christian romance "A Hero's Homecoming" in July, and "Daughter of the King" is about to be released. URL again is http://www.prismbookgroup.com/
Real estate agent Betsy Brown waited by her van as Felix and Emily Acosta pulled into the parking lot of Griswald Cabinets. "Mr. Griswald was called away unexpectedly,” Betsy said, putting away her phone. “But his broker assured me we should feel free to look around."
Felix stood surveying the metal building with his arms folded. "Looks like not much has changed since I worked here ten years ago."
They took a walk through the shop, where a handful of men worked on projects in various states of completion. Emily and Betsy went back outside, while Felix continued to speak with the man operating a drill press.
"Those guys had no idea this place is up for sale," Felix said when he joined the women. "I guess that explains the lack of a sign out front." He dug the heel of his shoe into the parking lot’s pea gravel. "No one seemed surprised, though. Orders are down. They knew something was up."
"Do you want to make an offer?” Betsy asked. “Commercial property in this area moves fast, and the asking price on this shop is rock bottom."
Felix cocked an eyebrow and looked at Emily.
"Your call," his wife said.
"Yes. We need the capacity"--he nodded toward the shop--"and these men need their jobs."
Three weeks later, the papers were signed and the Acostas owned the plant, property, and equipment of Griswald Cabinets. When Felix returned from the new shop that afternoon, he was as angry as Emily could ever remember.
"Can you believe this, Em?" His jaw was set.
While you're at the Prism website, you might want to look through the variety of books this publisher offers, including those listed as "coming soon." Yes, I have a vested interest. Prism published my Christian romance "A Hero's Homecoming" in July, and "Daughter of the King" is about to be released. URL again is http://www.prismbookgroup.com/
The Adequate Pumpkin
I just made a pumpkin! It grew from a combination of the upcoming fall festival for the kids at church and finding fleece on sale. Hmm, bright orange fleece. I bought 3 yards and sewed a long pillow, about 3 feet high and 6 feet long, stuffed loosely with fiber fill (which reduces the overall size some). I cut strips of scrap fleece and tied the pillow into four sections, making ties tight enough to achieve the classic pumpkin shape. Then I attached Velcro straps on the ends of the pillow. It might have been smarter to do this first, but it was an afterthought.
We’re going to wrap the “pumpkin” around kids at the festival and take their picture. Taller children can sit, while each wee one will stand inside the pumpkin for the photo op. The Velcro allows us to make the "pumpkin" smaller or larger to fit each child. I used some extra fleece to make a little cap for the kids to wear in the picture of they want to. I admit it’s not a GREAT pumpkin. However, the kids will have fun with it, and parents will love the adorable snapshots.
Carlene Havel, author of "A Hero's Homecoming"
http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH...
We’re going to wrap the “pumpkin” around kids at the festival and take their picture. Taller children can sit, while each wee one will stand inside the pumpkin for the photo op. The Velcro allows us to make the "pumpkin" smaller or larger to fit each child. I used some extra fleece to make a little cap for the kids to wear in the picture of they want to. I admit it’s not a GREAT pumpkin. However, the kids will have fun with it, and parents will love the adorable snapshots.
Carlene Havel, author of "A Hero's Homecoming"
http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH...
October 20, 2012
I want to learn to read!
A pickup truck sat backwards, its bed level with a funny-looking porch. Identical houses, each attached to another on both sides, stretched out in seemingly endless rows. As I stood outside with my mother, my father and Uncle Bob carried our things from the truck into the house. I don’t recall the inside of the dwelling we called a “project”. I only remember the next day walking up and down the rows of front doors that all looked alike--scared, crying, and trying to find the place where I belonged. Did I find my way or did someone come for me? I don't remember. But after that experience navigation became simple. My house was the one with the red wash cloth pinned to the screen door. Starting from any place in the project and checking every door, eventually I would find the one with the patch of red on it. Home! The other children had a secret way of finding their front doors. Because they knew how to read, they understood little pictures they called numbers. I could see the numbers on doors of the houses, but could not figure out what they meant. Oh, how I longed to learn to read!
October 18, 2012
The Next Big Thing
The Next Big Thing is a game authors play, and Tag! I'm it! Here's how it works: I answer the set of questions about a work in progress. Then I'll tag another author, who will address the same questions about his or her WIP. Ready to play? Here goes...
What is the working title of your book?
Daughter of the King
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I wanted to write the story of a Biblical woman. Ruth and Esther are always obvious choices. However, their stories are quite complete in the books of the Bible by those names. I preferred the framework of a plot that left plenty of room for imagination. When I read of a spat between King David and his wife Michal, it occurred to me she might be the character I wanted. The more I researched and read about Michal, the more excited I became. Who wouldn’t want to write the story of a princess who loved and married one of the most famous kings of antiquity?
What genre does your book fall under?
That’s never easy for me to answer. The characters in Daughter of the King lived during the Bronze Age, and the story is about Princess Michal’s great love for King David. So labels such as “romance” and “historical” would apply. I suppose either historical Biblical fiction or historical romance would be appropriate.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Both Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron have the cool, elegant beauty I envision for Princess Michal. George Clooney could be King David.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Princess whose love endured against all odds.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m happy to say Prism Book Group is publishing Daughter of the King.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Longer than usual for me, probably about a year. Realizing I had neither the skill nor the desire to do the research required for historical authenticity, I got stuck. The solution was right in front of me! Sharon Faucheux, my best friend for many years is a history buff, loves doing research, and is an excellent writer. Having shared a two-person office for several years, we already knew we could work together. This fast-paced writer reluctantly learned patience co-authoring with my meticulous friend.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I hesitate to put myself in this league, but I see many similarities between The Red Tent by Anita Diamont and Daughter of the King.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
The Bible is my favorite source of inspiration. It presents so many women I would love to write about. In fact, Sharon Faucheux and I are collaborating now on another book of this same genre.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I’m struck by the richness Sharon put into this book through historical details. For authenticity, we quoted the King James Bible at the beginning of each chapter of Daughter of the King. Otherwise, I suspect there might be times when a reader might doubt that one woman’s life could include so much drama.
Another point of interest to me is the comparison of then and now. There are vast differences between their and our food, clothing, transportation, and so many other environmental factors. Yet inside people remain the same. Across the ages, faith, love, hate, greed, betrayal, and joy are still what life is all about.
What is the working title of your book?
Daughter of the King
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I wanted to write the story of a Biblical woman. Ruth and Esther are always obvious choices. However, their stories are quite complete in the books of the Bible by those names. I preferred the framework of a plot that left plenty of room for imagination. When I read of a spat between King David and his wife Michal, it occurred to me she might be the character I wanted. The more I researched and read about Michal, the more excited I became. Who wouldn’t want to write the story of a princess who loved and married one of the most famous kings of antiquity?
What genre does your book fall under?
That’s never easy for me to answer. The characters in Daughter of the King lived during the Bronze Age, and the story is about Princess Michal’s great love for King David. So labels such as “romance” and “historical” would apply. I suppose either historical Biblical fiction or historical romance would be appropriate.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Both Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron have the cool, elegant beauty I envision for Princess Michal. George Clooney could be King David.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Princess whose love endured against all odds.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m happy to say Prism Book Group is publishing Daughter of the King.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Longer than usual for me, probably about a year. Realizing I had neither the skill nor the desire to do the research required for historical authenticity, I got stuck. The solution was right in front of me! Sharon Faucheux, my best friend for many years is a history buff, loves doing research, and is an excellent writer. Having shared a two-person office for several years, we already knew we could work together. This fast-paced writer reluctantly learned patience co-authoring with my meticulous friend.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I hesitate to put myself in this league, but I see many similarities between The Red Tent by Anita Diamont and Daughter of the King.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
The Bible is my favorite source of inspiration. It presents so many women I would love to write about. In fact, Sharon Faucheux and I are collaborating now on another book of this same genre.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I’m struck by the richness Sharon put into this book through historical details. For authenticity, we quoted the King James Bible at the beginning of each chapter of Daughter of the King. Otherwise, I suspect there might be times when a reader might doubt that one woman’s life could include so much drama.
Another point of interest to me is the comparison of then and now. There are vast differences between their and our food, clothing, transportation, and so many other environmental factors. Yet inside people remain the same. Across the ages, faith, love, hate, greed, betrayal, and joy are still what life is all about.
Check It Out
Authors love to write, and most of us love to read as well. It’s fun to combine those twin loves—when a book we’ve read inspires us to write a review! My fellow author Victoria Pitts-Caine generously posted her thoughts on “A Hero’s Homecoming” on her website today. Please hop on over to
http://victoriapitts-caine.blogspot.com/
and see what she has to say. Victoria has a beautiful blog site, and a wealth of interesting reviews and articles are there for your reading pleasure. If you enjoy your visit as much as I did, you’ll be bookmarking this site for many happy returns. Enjoy!
October 16, 2012
The Expert
TRUST THE EXPERT - a poem
Wedding gowns custom made by Miss Reid,
All fees based on hourly wages.
Your complete satisfaction was guaranteed.
They said she’d been sewing for ages.
Miss Reid kept account of the time she spent;
A mark for each hour she took.
We who could neither sew nor mend
Accepted records she wrote in her book.
There is a God of marvelous ways
Who made the earth and the sky.
He said He was done in seven days
So sometimes I wonder why
A skeptic who could not make a cabbage head
Let alone a planet or star
Tinkered with carbon dating and said
That’s not the way things are.
It couldn’t have happened the way God said
Just seven days? No way.
Be logical and use your head
Millions of years, we should say.
I had faith in Miss Reid when she made my gown
And paid the price she asked.
She was the only seamstress in town
And her experience was vast.
Likewise I believe our Sovereign Lord
Hand crafted each mountain peak
And just as He said in His Holy Word
He made the whole world in a week.
Wedding gowns custom made by Miss Reid,
All fees based on hourly wages.
Your complete satisfaction was guaranteed.
They said she’d been sewing for ages.
Miss Reid kept account of the time she spent;
A mark for each hour she took.
We who could neither sew nor mend
Accepted records she wrote in her book.
There is a God of marvelous ways
Who made the earth and the sky.
He said He was done in seven days
So sometimes I wonder why
A skeptic who could not make a cabbage head
Let alone a planet or star
Tinkered with carbon dating and said
That’s not the way things are.
It couldn’t have happened the way God said
Just seven days? No way.
Be logical and use your head
Millions of years, we should say.
I had faith in Miss Reid when she made my gown
And paid the price she asked.
She was the only seamstress in town
And her experience was vast.
Likewise I believe our Sovereign Lord
Hand crafted each mountain peak
And just as He said in His Holy Word
He made the whole world in a week.
True Experience
I'll call her Gloria--not her real name, but that's the only element of this story that isn't true. The whole family turned out to help a young relative move. By mid-afternoon when everyone was ravenous, Gloria was dispatched to buy lunch. Instead of driving through, she decided to go inside the deserted fast food restaurant.
The perky young man at the counter took Gloria's order: Twelve burgers, two salads, eight orders of fries, and fourteen drinks.
Smiling cordially, the fellow asked, "Is that for here or to go?"
Gloria looked around. No one else was in the restaurant. "Excuse me?" she asked.
The young man repeated his question, apparently oblivious to its absurdity.
"I guess I'll take them with me," Gloria answered. "I really don't have time to sit down and eat my TWELVE hamburgers right now."
If the food server realized the peculiar implications of his question, he never showed it. He sweetly took Gloria's money, brought out her food order, and thanked her for her business. And unknowingly gave her and her family something more than food to enjoy.
The perky young man at the counter took Gloria's order: Twelve burgers, two salads, eight orders of fries, and fourteen drinks.
Smiling cordially, the fellow asked, "Is that for here or to go?"
Gloria looked around. No one else was in the restaurant. "Excuse me?" she asked.
The young man repeated his question, apparently oblivious to its absurdity.
"I guess I'll take them with me," Gloria answered. "I really don't have time to sit down and eat my TWELVE hamburgers right now."
If the food server realized the peculiar implications of his question, he never showed it. He sweetly took Gloria's money, brought out her food order, and thanked her for her business. And unknowingly gave her and her family something more than food to enjoy.
October 15, 2012
Fidette's Wisdom on Life Spans
Bonjour, mes amis. Fidette the adorable poodle here. I heard my owner ask a friend why women live longer than men. Naturalment I did not hear the reply, since the conversation occurred on that electronic device my owner speaks with and listens to. A phone she calls it. But little Fidette has something to say on this topic! Unscientific? Mais oui. Unprovable? Certainement. Yet interesting, in a doggie sort of way, n'est-ce pas??
When their hearts are breaking, women go ahead and cry. They don't feel compelled to hold back the tears.
Women have close friends they can share anything with--joy, sorrow, and the priceless gift of time together.
Women appreciate cute shoes. My owner bought some she couldn't afford, and she never regretted it.
Merci beaucoup for your attention to today's lesson from Fidette. Don't forget to read "A Hero's Homecoming" available at http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH... or from Amazon.com, where the world's most beautiful gorgeous romantic golden retriever makes an appearance.
What? You dare to call Fidette a groupie? May the fire hydrants of your life all be miles apart!
Arf, Arf and away for today.
When their hearts are breaking, women go ahead and cry. They don't feel compelled to hold back the tears.
Women have close friends they can share anything with--joy, sorrow, and the priceless gift of time together.
Women appreciate cute shoes. My owner bought some she couldn't afford, and she never regretted it.
Merci beaucoup for your attention to today's lesson from Fidette. Don't forget to read "A Hero's Homecoming" available at http://www.prismbookgroup.com/AHerosH... or from Amazon.com, where the world's most beautiful gorgeous romantic golden retriever makes an appearance.
What? You dare to call Fidette a groupie? May the fire hydrants of your life all be miles apart!
Arf, Arf and away for today.
October 13, 2012
Television, Then and Now
Once upon a time it was difficult to decide which of the three major networks to watch. Each evening, there were at least two wonderfully appealling shows. My family read and discussed program descriptions to select the superior choice, and it wasn't easy.
Now, with hundreds of channels, there seems to be little or nothing entertaining enough to warrant a thirty minute or one hour investment of time.
What's up with this?
Now, with hundreds of channels, there seems to be little or nothing entertaining enough to warrant a thirty minute or one hour investment of time.
What's up with this?
