Peter Lopez Jr.'s Blog: Xulon Press Blog , page 41

The Last of the “Somedays”: Why Writing a Book Can’t Wait

In 2013, we signed an author who was still early in the process of writing a book. Our team provided coaching and guidance, but she had yet to finish her book. Unfortunately, she unexpectedly passed away last week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family.

I think I may be the only person who knows what she was going to write about, because I still have her notes and outlines. She had an awesome testimony: God redeemed her from a life in prison and was using her to rescue other women. I hate to think of an unfinished book because it feels very much like an unfinished life to me. Her kids, grandkids and future generations need to hear her story. People whom she never met could still be touched by her testimony now, and for years to come.

It can be difficult in the midst of our day-to-day to find time to devote to these tasks that seem so abstract, so “someday.” The truth, however, is that eventually our somedays run out, and for the most part only those things which we intentionally scheduled time for will be done.

If you have something that you want to do before you leave this life, please don’t wait until your time is up. Make time for it now! Make time for God, make time for your kids, make time to dance with your wife and make time to write what you want others to read! Make time now.

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Xulon Press Leaves Its Mark at the 2015 International Christian Retail Show

Each year, Xulon Press attends trade shows all over the world. Trade shows promote your books, they promote our authors, and highlight all of the aspects which make Xulon Press the leading Christian self-publisher in the industry.

One of the most exciting trade shows we attended this year was the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS), the largest Christian retail show in the world, which took place right down the street from our headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Ever wondered where your local bookstores and churches get the books, music, magazines and attire they sell? There’s a good chance they picked it up at ICRS!

The Xulon Press booth was featured front and center on the trade show floor, with its impressive banners and billboards towering high above bookshelves that were stocked full of Xulon’s books. The booth itself was impressive: it took 8 crates, 4 pallets, over 8,000 lbs. of material to construct it, and a team of 11 people over 175 hours to put it together!

Xulon’s booth features community-building stations and unexpected comforts, making it a must-stop staple for visitors on the trade show floor: an interactive video trailer kiosk, phone charging stations, comforting music, tables and chairs to sit and read, and free book buyer bags stuffed with merchandise and Xulon books.

Just over 3,000 people attended the 2015 show; among them bookstore buyers, churches, media companies and more.

Christian media is making an impact like never before. From books to blogs to music, the ripples of Christ’s message are making their way from local Christian bookstores into the neighborhoods that surround them—and it’s trade shows like the International Christian Retail Show which give faith-focused authors a chance to ensure their books are part of those waves.

Xulon Press Booth at ICRS 2015

Be sure to check out the full photo gallery of the International Christian Retail Show on our Facebook page. Please LIKE our page while you’re there to stay up-to-date on all Xulon Press news!

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Xulon Press author Susan Folger featured on The 700 Club

Imprisoned Addict Substitutes Alcohol For Living Water

After 40 years of addiction and her fourth DUI, Susan received a prison sentence. While behind bars, she began to read the Bible and attend the chapel services which ultimately introduced her to a new life of hope.

I Went To Prison To Be Set Free

by Susan Folger

I was a mess! For 40 years, poor choices, fueled by alcohol and drugs, had me on a road of destruction. I insanely traveled down this path at an alarming rate, until it finally ended in a Texas prison at age 54.

It was here I met my Maker. Confined in prison, I was free for the first time in my life. He changed my heart, and completely healed me from the bondage of addictions.

I invite you to read about my journey. I share explicitly, from personal experience, my years of misery as an addict. I also describe many, many incidences of how the creator of this universe, Jesus Christ, stepped in personally, and worked in my life through supernatural means.

I am revealing what I have experienced in hope that someone else will relate to my testimony and be inspired to begin, or continue deepening, their own journey with our Lord.

“Engaging and well written…an amazing story as well as many words of wisdom.”

~Ryan Davis, Editor at YWAM Publishing

Visit the Xulon Press Bookstore to get more information on Susan Folger’s book I Went To Prison To Be Set Free.

 

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How To Write an Award-Winning Children’s Book

During the month of June, we’ve been cheerleading a segment of authors who write some of the sweetest books around: those who write children’s stories. To cap things off, we’re featuring a special guest blogger, Terry Doherty of Mom’s Choice Awards and The Reading Tub. We wanted to find out what she looks for when in an award-winning children’s book, and she was kind enough to share some of her expertise!

Writing for children seems like it would be easy, right? Kids have the most active imaginations, they’re open to any and all ideas, and of course they LOVE stories. Ask any child what that drawing looks like; without doubt there is a story to go with it.

Yet the same things that make children a great audience, also make them one of the toughest!

They like what they like—and let you know when they don’t.
They want to imagine the story their way—not be bound by the words on a page.
They want pictures they can explore—but not so busy they get lost.

And last but not least, they do NOT want to be treated like little kids. We don’t like it when people preach and talk down to us, so why would we expect children to settle for that?

There are so many pieces that go into crafting a beloved children’s book. There’s the story you want to tell; the way you want to tell it; and the audience!

In fact, let’s start with the audience first.

Not all children’s books are for children. There are plenty of beautiful alphabet books that are not meant for 3-year-olds to practice learning their letters. There are also lots of children’s books with messages that mean more—and make more sense—to mom and dad.

Knowing whether you’re writing the book for a parent to read with a child or for the child to read independently is crucial. It affects everything from the width of the margins and number of words on a page, to vocabulary. There are a number of tools to help with reading level, and you probably have one of them on your computer right now: Microsoft Word.

Within the “check spelling and grammar” menu is an option to “check readability.” Use that option to get the Flesch-Kincaid readability score. Knowing the reading level of your work is crucial to ensuring that you are writing for your intended reading audience.

Understanding your reading audience can help with how you tell the story, too. The maxim “show, don’t tell” is very true in children’s literature. Young listeners and readers want the power of figuring things out for themselves. Even in chapter books, they don’t want every little detail or action written out. Letting the illustrations carry some of the load goes a long way to engaging young audiences who want to add their own imagination to the imagery created in your story.

Then we come to the beginning: the story you want to tell. Sometimes it is a sweet rhyming book that is just for fun; sometimes it is something a little more serious. There are concepts and skills we want to teach children (e.g.,making friends and sibling rivalry); and things we want to help them understand (e.g., love, grief, moving).

With serious topics, our tendency as adults is to want to try to cover every aspect of feelings a child might feel. Grief is a very personal emotion, and it presents itself differently for each of us. Writing a story that tries to explain it all is likely to fall flat with young audiences (though parents may like it). In the most cherished stories, the lesson is implicit in the narrative, not explicit.

In thinking about writing, I often reflect on the advice I received when I became a mom: “talk less, listen more.” Simpler IS better. Over the years I have tended to “explain” things for my now thirteen-year-old. Yet the times she remembers best—and talks about most—are the ones where there was little or no overt parenting involved.

When it comes to writing for children, the first thing to remember is it isn’t for us—and isn’t about us. The most magnificent children’s books are the ones whose stories connect with children “where they are” developmentally and (more importantly) emotionally.

These are the books we treasure from our own childhoods. The stories that resonated with us at just the right moment and have stuck with us forever. Yours could be that story for a new generation!

Terry Doherty is the Founder and Executive Director of The Reading Tub, a 501(c)(3) that promotes family literacy. Her superpower is reading children’s and Young Adult books (about 250 a year). Terry is also the Director of Honoree Marketing for the Mom’s Choice Awards, a company that evaluates products and services for family friendliness, and also provides lifetime marketing services to its Honorees. You can follow Mom’s Choice Awards on Twitter at @MomsChoiceAward and Reading Tub at @TheReadingTub.

 

 

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The Most Common Mistake in Writing a Children’s Book—and How to Avoid It

Who doesn’t have a children’s book that they have cherished and grown to love over time, hoping to share with their children when they reach the right age? This month we’re talking about writing and self-publishing children’s books on the blog, and it reminds me of my love of reading—and how I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of books I read as a child, and still love to read as an adult.

Children’s books regularly come through our editorial fingers, but what has become a noticeable trend in manuscripts is content gaps in storylines: characters disappearing and reappearing with no explanation, plot points shortened in detail, books with holes in story development, etc.

Just as with adult books, the same rules apply to writing children’s books: the need for realistic characters, a plausible story and an understandable content message to be effectively imparted on young readers.

These attributes are centered on the necessity for continuation of thought, allowing the major story elements in the book (plot, character, message) to blend together and form a fathomable expression of literature.

A step to take in seeing if your manuscript exemplifies quality continuation of thought is to jump into your “younger” brain, reading your book as though you were the child version of yourself. As you read your book, do you find that certain characters are lacking in development, or are absent from key plot points without needing to be?

One prevalent example we, editors, see would be two characters walking down a path together, yet in the next page it is only one character walking down the road. The second character reappears again on the next page with the first character, without any statement for where he/she has gone.

By familiarizing a child with the progression of story, and explaining in full any sudden changes or developments, you will be teaching the child to be mindful of plot issues like these and aware of them while reading other books. Also be attentive to your target audience’s reading level, so your explanations of plot and/or character are not more than they can understand; short but informative.

Writing a children’s book gives you the chance to nurture an appreciation for books in a child that will not only inspire their imaginations, but will also enhance their intelligence and comprehension of basic storytelling—all reasons we love publishing children’s books here at Xulon Press!

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Top 4 Reasons Why Writing a Book this Father’s Day Could Change the World

This Sunday we’ll celebrate fathers. Some of you will take dad out for his favorite steak, while others will simply call to say “I love you.” For me, my favorite was the year my kids surprised me with a new grill. They sent me out into the backyard to cook steaks on my old, rusted-out grill. When I realized there was no gas in the tank, I had no choice but to run to the store and exchange the empty tank. When I returned with the full tank to connect it to the grill, I found in its place a brand new, shiny, chrome-brushed grill that was twice the size of my old one. I’ll never forget it.

Some of you will not be able to celebrate with your father the way my kids did with me. The reasons can vary; perhaps a dad has passed away, or you’ve never even known your father. My prayers go out for anyone facing those feelings today, and I hope you’ll feel the healing hand of God. I’ll touch on that below.

In light of this special day, and what it means to so many, I was inspired to think of the ways books about fathers can have an influence on fathers and everyone that celebrates them.

1) Books can influence fathers for years to come. If God has spoken to you about writing a book on being a great man, just think of the effect that could have on current or future fathers! Xulon recently released a new title by Pastor G.F. Watkins titled The Alpha Male, and the Women Who Get Them. It’s a great book about what it means to be a man. I believe it will help thousands of men avoid the pitfalls that can destroy generations.

2) Books can pass on legacy to your children’s children. On a weekly basis, I speak to someone who wants to leave a legacy in print for future generations. The desire to see one’s offspring carry forward the honor of the family name is a core desire of almost every father; even if their actions in life say otherwise, it is there. The father who takes the time to write it now, however, is sending a message in an open time capsule which allows future sons and daughters to look in and learn.

3) Books can honor forefathers from past generations. I have worked with several authors who were writing a book to honor the men who came before them. The desire to honor and preserve the legacy of a father, grandfather or past ancestor is a desire not easily quenched. Those who carry it feel called to be the one who ensures future generations hear the stories. If you feel called to write as a tribute to a father or grandfather, there is no better day to start than Father’s Day!

4) Writing a book doesn’t just impact others—it also impacts you. The first person affected by the book you will write will be you. The act of writing brings healing and understanding like no other act can.  Some of you will write a book and become a better father yourself, while others will write and find the love and understanding to forgive a father who needs to be released. All kinds of things happen in the heart of the writer when they write. “The first words you write are the key to unlocking your own heart and soul.”

My prayer is that many of you will decide to begin your writing journey this Father’s Day, and experience all that God wants to do within your own heart.

 

 

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4 Tips for Writing Children’s Books on Grown-Up Topics

4 Tips for Writing Children’s Books on Difficult Subjects

When many think of writing children’s books, images of talking animals communicating with awe-struck children come to mind. Many of these children’s stories aptly summarize the youthful whimsy of naivety, as the young protagonists are captivated by every angle of his or her growing experience. Some may even feel the role of children’s books would be to focus on the positive aspects of life, downplaying the harsh realities of daily unpleasantness. This is just one option and perspective of children’s literature. In editing and examining the assortment of children’s stories we come across, the need for children to be exposed to reality—the ease of bonding with friends, the comfort of growing up in a stable home with loving parents, to the pangs of an abusive parent—is necessary. Many books written for children serve to entertain a younger audience, but some are drafted to help children become aware of and even heal deeper wounds.

1) Balance. Balancing themes of trauma, death, divorce and depression with a childlike nostalgia can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Children’s books written on disabilities or trauma (such as children who are the victims of abuse) are helpful teaching tools for younger children. These reinforce parents’ awareness of these topics, while providing younger readers with coping mechanisms. As a writer, this is a great space to be as honest as possible in describing children’s behavior—and also to be highly descriptive while transferring the lessons to a young audience.

2) Show-and-Tell. Using examples and subtle cues (e.g. body language gestures, tones in voice) are additional tools for painting emotions and imagery. Discussing mature content, like divorce, is a great example: inserting a child’s perspective can bridge the gap between younger and more mature audiences. What do the children think? How does the child internalize such change? How do the other onlooking children conceptualize this event? Answering these questions allow the author to speak for the child.

3) Neutralize. Providing Bible verses is another useful tool to reinforce young children, perhaps at the end of chapters for summary. Inputting calls to action, such as prompts for conversation or prayer can neutralize the harsh themes with kindness. Parents can use these elements for future teaching guideposts—they introduce critical thinking and connectivity to their children.

4) Keep It Real. Do remember to keep your vocabulary in alignment with your younger audience; describe any words they may not understand; provide examples, such as scriptures and gestures of kindness to encourage awareness; and lastly, honestly express the feelings the victimized child would have, as this creates an expression of reality with effective coping mechanisms for reader knowledge.

Do you have questions on writing children’s books? Comment below!

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“For the Kids” vs. “To the Kids”: How to Write Your Children’s Book

 

Are you writing and self-publishing a children’s book? It’s vital to consider a few critical questions, which will ultimately determine your word choices and content within your book. Aside from deciding the basics, such as fiction or non-fiction and the theme or overall topic, the next most important thing to determine is your target audience.

Start by answering these basic questions:

Who would you like to read this book?
Who are you, as the author, speaking to exactly?
Are you writing to Christians or non-Christians?
Is it a book kids can read themselves?
Is this a book meant for adults to read to children?

If you’re self-publishing for children to read to themselves, from there you have to decide on the reading level. Is this a book for someone who has just started reading? If so, it needs to stay in the “See Spot run” category—words kids can pronounce and easily understand. Keep in mind a kid’s vocabulary at that age. What kinds of words are they using on a regular basis? What words can they recognize and read out loud in their own book?

If this is a book for kids to read that’s a chapter book, for instance, then we’re most likely dealing with an “older” child who has a more seasoned vocabulary than a six-year-old, for example. Remember also, these are kids, so keep the content innocent and clean as they are highly impressionable at this age.

Lastly, if you wish for your self-published book to be an illustrated children’s book, but meant for adults to read to children, you can go a little further in your word choices, but also remember to keep the content easy to understand and light-hearted. This type of book is meant to entertain a child, so put yourself in their shoes and start writing!

Stumped on your target audience? Questions? Leave me a comment below and I’ll gladly help you out.

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What’s Unique About Your Story?

Each of us has a unique story; a story we may not think is special, but to some it may be the encouragement they need to make sense of their lives.

Maybe you have been feeling the tug of God on your heart to write your testimonial down on paper, yet you keep asking yourself, “Who would want to read my story?”

The answer is everyone, but it’s important to locate what is distinctive about your story that might create a positive influence among readers.

As May is the month devoted to celebrating testimonials, let’s try to generate ideas to discover what makes your testimonial stand out from the rest.

Start with taking a moment to think about your life (from childhood to present day). Can you recall an area of your life that has defined you most, or a turning point where you stepped away from the wrong path and onto the right one?

Narrowing down this main objective first will help you determine if your testimonial will be one of advice to others, recognition of blessings or realization of your true potential.

Write down significant events that occurred during that defining time in your life, the main objective of your book, so you can get a sense of the direction you want to take. Life lessons you acquired will start to emerge through this list, as you begin to establish your book’s outline and organize your thoughts into understandable chapters for readers.

What if you feel there is more sadness than blessings in your life story? Even if you had a rough beginning or patches in your life, but are now made whole through faith, you could use this as a guiding force to educate readers on the power of God and belief of greater purposes for everyone. The goal is for your readers to come away from reading your testimonial with a sense of hopefulness that things can change.

Renewed hopefulness may also be reignited in your heart as well, as you uncover the exceptional characteristics of your life, which is always the goal of God: to direct our paths in ways to re-affirm His grace and love for us, while prompting our desires to be blessings to the world.

God has asked many of us to summon the courage necessary for putting pen to paper and publishing a unique story. Now is the time to answer God’s call to publish your testimony for readers around the world, those readers that may also think they are nothing special—but will soon see exactly how special they are in God’s eyes, through your story.

Philippians 1:20 (NIV) — “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

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Realistic and Respectful Romance

The man, the woman, or the look that says so much between the two: romance shouldn’t have to just reside in grocery store romance novels or anything from Nicholas Sparks.

A growing trend in Christian fiction today is romantic fiction, a genre that thrives on endearing, appropriate romance and that has made household names of authors Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and Dee Henderson.

Yet a challenge that is always in the background of Christian romance is conveying realistic romance without tittering on giving too much detail. It’s drawing the line between sweet kisses shared on a moonlit doorstep, to full coverage of the activities in the bedroom.

What authors need to remember when it comes to Christian romance is that the romance is not just shared between a man and a woman, but with God as well. This warrants being more aware of how a romantic relationship—even fictional—is depicted in one’s novel that honors God and stands firm on the belief that the body is His holy temple.

First off, when writing your romance novel, try to leave out graphic descriptions of the bedroom in your story. There is nothing wrong with hinting that a married couple, for example, went into the bedroom, but to then discuss personal aspects of the physical love shared between the couple could become a little uncomfortable for readers.

To balance this scale of romantic decency, it is also important to not make the main romantic relationship in your story so overbearingly loving and sweet to where it will be more of an irritant to readers versus a genuine model of a believable courtship. Dial down the pet names, dopey love looks and drawn-out paragraphs of proclaimed love for significant others. Remember that readers can’t visualize this relationship occurring in real life if it plays upon every woman’s ultimate fantasy of the perfect boyfriend/husband.

Instead of focusing on just the physical side of a romantic relationship, use examples from the talks, the feelings, and the moments you had with your spouse, the “they’re the one” moments, which will develop the characters’ relationship. If you are single, let the romance embody what you hope your potential spouse will be like and how you will face issues that come up in the relationship; such as determining safe boundaries while dating, handling fights or how to overcome obstacles that are meant to hinder your budding romance.

Readers will enjoy witnessing the first kiss, lingering gaze, or innuendos leading the story’s featured couple toward the honeymoon night, but they will also enjoy seeing the true-to-life situations the couple will face that characterize the real romance shared in a marriage ordained by God.

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