Cara C. Putman's Blog, page 87

Preparing for ACFW’s National Conference

 

Attending a conference is nerve-wracking.

Let’s face it, you’re taking huge risks by going.

You’ve invested a lot of money: registration, hotel, airfare, some meals, and other incidentals. You’ve invested who you are – by attending you’re joining the ranks of those who have moved from wanting to write, to those who have taken steps to actively chase a dream. You’re risking your heart because you’ve gone public with your dream.

Bundle that with the fact that you might not know many people and you might be pitching the book of your heart to an editor and agent, and suddenly your stress is through the roof.

It’s okay.

Sit back, take a deep breath, whisper a prayer for peace and help.

You’ll be okay.

As someone who’s been in your shoes, and helps those first-timers attending ACFW each year, I’d like to offer a bit of advice.

Pray, pray, pray. If God has lead you to attend ACFW or another writer’s conference, then He has a purpose and a plan for your time there. It may not be what you intend. But pray and ask for His will to be done. Ask for opportunities to serve others – nothing better to take your thoughts off your fears than to focus on others. And ask Him for peace to carry you through the days.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. ACFW has a conference blog that is packed with fabulous advice on everything from how to get from the conference to the hotel, where to find food for Friday’s free night, and how to get ready for that editor appointment. Take advantage of that repository of advice. Get your one-sheet ready if you have time. Polish that first chapter, and have it in your bag for appointments. Have business cards to leave with those you meet. Get your toolbox loaded and ready.

Research, research, research. Take the time to know what the houses you are pitching are currently publishing. How does what you write line up with that? Is it a new niche? Different from current authors? Etc. Google the editors so you can learn what you can. Same with the agents. Some of the agents have blogs. Read them. It is a wealth of information not just about the industry and their firms, but also on personality. You can tell so much from how a person writes for a blog.

Relax, relax, relax. ACFW, at least, is one big family. You may not think you know anyone, but you’re wrong. You’ll spend the conference giving and receiving hugs from folks you’ve met on the loop or first timers loop. Reach out to others with a smile, and they’ll be delighted to reciprocate. At my first conference, the friend and I who had driven down together grabbed a gal who was flying solo for lunch. Before conference officially began, we’d connected in a very cool way.

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. By serving others you will find yourself relaxing, meeting others, and having a great time. There are so many ways to do it that don’t take much from you, but help the conference run efficiently and smoothly.

Rest, rest, rest. Sometimes you just have to skip a workshop because you’re brain is on overload. Or you can’t fathom the thought of another meal surrounded by people. That’s okay. Escape to your room. Put your feet up. Take a bath. Read a book. Do whatever it takes to recharge. We understand.

And at ACFW don’t forget the prayer room. It is open all the time, and the perfect place to escape when you’re rattled and overwhelmed.

Birth of Where Treetops Glisten

As an author there is something magical about that moment when one of my favorite people (the UPS man) drops off boxes. Regardless of what’s in the box, it feels like Christmas. What did I order and forget about? What new treasure awaits wrapped inside a nest of bubble wrap?

Then there’s the time when he drops off a couple boxes and I note a label that suggest it’s more than just another box. Instead, nestled inside the dead weight is a new book!

Even though I’ve spent months dreaming up an idea, waiting for a publisher to become as impassioned as I am, writing the story, editing said story, and oohing and aahing the first time I see the cover, there is something…magical…about holding a copy in my hands the first time.

Where Treetops Glisten is extra special to me because I dreamed up the general idea to do a collection of Christmas romance with what I called the WWII Dream Team. Then to my delight, Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer caught the vision and were just as excited about it as I was. Then Waterbrook caught the vision, and this beautiful book is the result. September 16 the book releases, but I couldn’t wait to share it with you! You can read a sneak peak of the prologue and first chapter here.

As you read this, it may be 90 degrees with 85% humidity, but within the covers of this book, it’s Christmas time. Bing Crosby is crooning that it’s a White Christmas, and burdened hearts are opening to love.

I’m so excited about this book that I’d love to giveaway a copy. Just enter the form below. And may all your Christmases be white!

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Conference Mix & Mingle

It’s that time again!

Last year, Laurie Tomlinson hosted this pre-conference mix and mingle. It’s a great way to learn new faces and get to know people at conference  She’s doing it again this year! Woot!

Here are the questions and my answers!

Name: Cara Putman

Location: Lafayette, IN

What you write/tagline/trademark: World War II and suspense/legal

Place in the book world: My 19th book releases Sept. 16th. That is a pinch-me realization. So grateful for the journey God has me on.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: All the hugs in the world are great.

The unique talking point that will get you going for hours: Books, travel, and college football!

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband, four kiddos aged 13 to almost 4, and one very needy dog.

Conference goals we can pray for? That God will use me to minister to others and open the right doors for the next step in publishing.

Anything we can celebrate with you? That God has done amazing things with 19 books! Woot.

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? Yes! You can like my author page on Facebook and sign up for my email list by clicking here! (I will NOT share your email with anyone and will only send an email with the very most important news.)

Be sure to pop over to Laurie Tomlinson’s post so you can read posts by other going to conference and join in if you like!

Here’s what to do:

- Copy/paste and fill out your own answers (you don’t have to answer all of them!) in a post on your own website and paste the URL to that post (not your home page) using this handy link-up tool. Just click on the blue button below that says “Add your link”. If you don’t have a website, feel free to answer the questions in the comments below!

- Make sure to link back to this post after you fill out your answers so any of your readers who are conference attendees can participate, too! The more, the merrier.

- Click through the links below to get to know other conference attendees before St. Louis!

Two books I’ve loved: suspense and romcom

Okay, so these two books are about as different as you can get…yet I read and enjoyed them both in the last couple weeks. What can I say? I like to read broadly.

Lynette Eason‘s Nowhere to Turn is a page-turner of a romantic suspense. Danielle Harding just wants to escape her abusive husband. The day she has the courage to flee, he’s killed. She believes her problems are over and she can begin to build a life for herself and her twelve-year-old deaf son. But she’s wrong. In some ways her problems are multiplying. The book became a page-turner of a race to figure out who was after her. Trouble comes from many directions. And she has something that somebody dangerous wants. The problem is she has no idea what that is. The body count builds as the tension ratchets up chapter by chapter. There’s also a realistic romance that builds over the weeks of the chase.

There is also a spiritual thread of letting go of the past. Of being willing to trust God with the future and move into what He has for us without the heavy chains of the past tugging us backward.

Lynette Eason is an author who I think gets better with every book. Each new one I seem to race through faster than the prior books. At this rate, the next one will disappear in the blink of an eye!

Betsy is a sweet friend that I’ve loved getting to know over the last couple years. She’s written several books for Love Inspired, but I have to admit this is the first of hers I’ve read.

Isn’t the cover perfect? How could I not read the book — though if the cupcake had come with it, it would have been even better! This is a story of finding your way and coming into your own. Of growing out of the shadows of those around you and learning what you truly want. It’s of stretching wings and coming home. Of letting go and discovering who you truly are.  All of this in a story filled with cupcakes, reality TV, and a high school football game. Small town America and big city lights. It’s a story that will keep you coming back to participate in two people discovering how their dreams cam merge as they both become willing to give them up for the other.

Occasionally you might want to yell to Kat and Lucas to just sit down and talk. But at the same time, it’s easy to understand why they can’t, don’t and won’t.

I really enjoyed this story and hope the characters reappear in a future book. Highly recommend it for those who love a sweet story with surprising depth.

 

If you love Jane Austen, here are 5 authors to try

Many readers love Jane Austen and her books. Her books have spawned movies and inspired many writers. I’ll admit I’ve only read a couple — can we still be friends? However, I’ve discovered a small genre of Christian fiction that is set during that Austen time period in England. I’ve also added a couple that right wonderful Edwardian fiction, too. If you have a love for English settings, you really must try these authors.

1) Julie Klassen created this genre. I was reluctant to try her first book Lady of Milkweed Manor, but I’ve been hooked ever since. Her first few novels explored little known (to me) aspects of life in England during the 1820s. It might be in a home for unwed moms (Lady of Milkweed Manor) or an apothecary (The Apothecary’s Daughter) or a lady hiding as a maid (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall). The heroines are often women who are in a position where they have to step outside their comfort zone and rely on themselves in a time when you couldn’t. I love her books so much that they move to the top of my TBR pile when they release. Lovers of Jane Austen have to try these.

2) Sarah Ladd‘s third novel releases in October, and I can’t wait to read it. Set in the 1810s, her books will transport you to the wilds of England. Set outside London, the series places readers inside the world of estates. The characters are placed in impossible situations and have to overcome. While that may sound like every good book, I love the way Sarah crafts her stories. (And who wouldn’t love to wear one of the dresses on the cover?)

3) Ruth Axtell is a relatively new addition to this genre. I really enjoyed her first book in a new Regency series, Moonlight Masquerade. The conflict between the hero and heroine is such that you think there is absolutely no way they can get together. On different sides of the war between France and Britain, they are placed in an impossible situation. I felt so sorry for the heroine as she tried to navigate her way between two large enemies. It was a time she had to survive by her wits.

4) Juliana Deering has become one of my favorite authors. She writes fun whodunnits in 1930s England. The first one is fun foil on all the “do nots” for mystery writers. And the series has a strong romance that links the books. The same characters show up repeatedly and I loved getting to know them over the course of the three books. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie or the Maisie Dobbs series, you should try this.

5) Carrie Turansky has a series that will delight fans of Downton Abbey. Set at an estate much like Downton, it deals with the conflicts within a family. Mostly occurring above-stairs, it’s one that historical readers will enjoy.

What authors would you add to this list?

World War II blog tour through eyes of Abigail Turner

Thanks for swinging by for a stop in the blog tour in honor of the launch of WWII, when Germany invaded Poland. Be sure to read to the end for the questions you’ll need to be entered in the grand prize of eight books plus a separate giveaway for a copy of my WWII novel Shadowed by Grace.

For my offering in this tour, I’ve created a prequel to my novella in Where Treetops Glisten. In this you’ll see how the heroine of White Christmas learns about the invasion. I hope you enjoy! It was such fun to come back to Abigail Turner and imagine how she would have reacted to the news.

Prequel to Where Treetops Glisten

Classes dragged all afternoon as Abigail Turner shifted from room to room. It might be September 1st, but she’d rather be about anywhere but sitting in classes. The weather still whispered to her the refrain of freedom and summer, while the calendar yelled the reality of school and drudgery.

Finally the bell rang signaling the end of the day. She grabbed her bag and cardigan and joined the flow of students racing out of the old high school.

She waved good bye to a couple classmates, but instead of heading home, she turned west and walked downtown. The many shops didn’t grab her attention. She wanted a fountain cherry Coke and a few minutes with Father. Today hadn’t been one of his days in court, so maybe she’d be able to do her homework in his extra office and walk home with him.

At the corner of Sixth and Main her steps took her to the door of Glatz’ Candies. One day she’d work here making the candy and drinks she loved. She just had to convince her parents that a job would give her a little independence.  The long glass case revealed row after row of sweets, but Abigail bypassed them. Today she just wanted a Coke. She could read her history text while waiting.

A low murmur filled the room. It went beyond the normal post school flow of people. Instead there was a stiffness and almost harried undertone to the words. Abigail flashed a smile at the young woman behind the cash register. “A cherry Coke, please.”

Hannah Morris’ return smile was fleeting. “You’re usual on such a day, Abigail?”

“What do you mean?”

“You haven’t heard?” An eyebrow quirked as Hannah grabbed a glass and filled it with ice.

“I must not have.”

“One of the reporters from across the street ran over not ten minutes ago with the word that Germany’s invaded Poland.”

Abigail turned the words over in her mind. The summer had been filled with talk of Germany, but she wasn’t quite sure why this mattered so.

Then someone bumped into her shoulder. She knew without turning it must be Sam. A year ahead of her at school, he was a senior and ready to tackle the world like he tackled men on the football field. “It only means we’re that much closer to entering the war.”

“But we have no treaty with Poland.” That’s what always confused Abigail. Everyone seemed to jump from small countries in Europe to the United States joining in.

Sam’s grin didn’t reach his brilliant blue eyes. “No, but England and France do. Mark my words, once England is attacked we’ll throw in with them.”

As Hannah handed her the finished drink, Abigail followed Sam to a booth. Others crowded in around them, an edge of excitement in their voices. Yet all she could think of was the families in the way of the Germans. God help them all. 

Giveaway Details

For a chance to win ALL EIGHT novels featured on our blog tour, please visit each blog, collect the answers to the questions, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on the BLOG TOUR PAGE. The contest opens September 1, 2014 at 6 am EST and closes September 6, 2014 at 11 pm PST. The winners will be announced on Monday, September 8, 2014.

To win the prize of ALL EIGHT books, you must collect ALL EIGHT answers. The winner must be prepared to send ALL EIGHT answers within 24 hrs of notification by email, or a new winner will be selected.

You can enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once each day! The more often you visit, the more entries you receive! However, you only need to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once to be entered. But don’t forget…to win, you must have collected ALL EIGHT answers.

Question from Cara’s Post: Where does Abigail Turner want to work? (Keep the answer, but don’t answer in the comments). If you win the grand prize, you’ll need the answers from each post in the tour!)

Be sure to go to the BLOG TOUR PAGE to enter the grand prize: one of each WWII novel from eight authors. And you can enter below for a copy of Shadowed by Grace or Where Treetops Glisten. Good Luck!

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WWII Anniversary Tour

Welcome to the WWII 75th Anniversary Blog Tour! I’m so glad you’ve joined us! Eight authors of Christian World War II novels are commemorating the war that started on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Thank you for joining us as we remember this day.

Eight of your favorite WWII novelists have banded together to share to highlight this day which still impacts the world. Europe was redefined. New lines were drawn. New alliances were forged. Lives were forever changed as a result of this war that would eventually effect the majority of the war. American men who had never traveled beyond the borders for their counties, would find themselves marching across countries they’d only read about or sweating through jungles on islands they couldn’t place on a map before the outbreak of hostilities.

Our novels illuminate different aspects of the war—from the Holocaust to the Pacific to the US Home Front. Today visit each author as we share stories through the eyes of our characters, our research, and our unique settings. With each blog post, you’ll have the opportunity to win that author’s novel, plus a chance to win a packet of ALL EIGHT featured novels!

Giveaway Details

For a chance to win ALL EIGHT novels featured on our blog tour, please visit each blog, collect the answers to the questions, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on the BLOG TOUR PAGE. The contest opens September 1, 2014 at 6 am EST and closes September 6, 2014 at 11 pm PST. The winners will be announced on Monday, September 8, 2014.

To win the prize of ALL EIGHT books, you must collect ALL EIGHT answers. The winner must be prepared to send ALL EIGHT answers within 24 hrs of notification by email, or a new winner will be selected.

You can enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once each day! The more often you visit, the more entries you receive! However, you only need to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once to be entered. But don’t forget…to win, you must have collected ALL EIGHT answers.

Click on each book cover to visit! Links will go live on Monday, September 1. And be sure to scroll to the end to enter the Rafflecopter.

Sarah Sundin
Liz Tolsma
Cathy Gohlke
Cara Putman


Melanie Dobson
Kristy Cambron
Tricia Goyer
Sigmund Brouwer

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Meet Drew & Madeline: Character Interview & Giveaway

Today I’m delighted to do something a little fun and different. Instead of interviewing an author, I have the immense pleasure of introuding you to some of my favorite novel characters. They aren’t my characters, but I sure wish they were. Drew and Madeline make Julianna Deering’s Drew Farthering series such fun! I love a good mystery. I love a good historical. And I love a good romance. In this series you have all three with a set of books taking place in 1930s England. It’s like reading a classic noir film. Read to the end, because I’m giving away a copy of the latest mystery these two caper through. Without further ado, here are Drew and Madeline.

Drew and Madeline, You remind me of Nick and Nora of Thin Man fame. Do you find your inspiration to solve mysteries from them or from somewhere else?

Drew: Well, I certainly enjoyed The Thin Man, book and film. Who could resist a feisty and deuced attractive girl like Nora Charles? Needless to say, when I met my Madeline and realized she was as keen on mysteries as I am, I had to snap her up.

Madeline: I think we’ve had a lot of influence from Agatha Christie as well as Margery Allingham and Dorothy L. Sayers, too. We both love reading mysteries and trying to solve the crimes in the books. I suppose it just naturally spilled over into our real lives.

I love reading a good mystery, too, but I’ve never applied the principles in real life — I’m glad to say!  This is your third book, but can you explain how a British Lord and an American girl connected?

Madeline:  *giggles*

Drew: Well, to begin with, I am not a lord. I am merely a commoner, though I do lead a rather privileged life. Anyway, Madeline and I met because her uncle, Mason Parker, happened to be my stepfather. When she came to visit him, I knew almost at once that she was the girl for me. It took her quite a while longer to realize it.

Madeline: That’s not true. I knew it right off the bat, I just wasn’t sure if I was really in love or just infatuated.  *squeezes his hand* I’m sure now.

I’ve loved watching your romance develop. Now, tell me, what do you like most about solving mysteries?

Drew:  For me, anytime I can outwit the villain, it’s like solving a puzzle and winning a game at the same time. And I truly feel it’s something I’m meant to do, helping people in trouble. And, when you have a murder, there’s always someone in trouble.

Madeline:  All of what he said, plus together we’re a lot more likely to figure something out than each of us would be separately. We make a great team.

You manage to just stay out of trouble with the local investigator. I’d say he’s even warming to your help. How did you manage that feat?

Drew: I think we’re just a diversion from his usual routine. Plus he gets to make impressive speeches about letting the professionals handle things.

Madeline: Don’t be silly. You know he likes you. You make him laugh . . . inside anyway. Besides, we do give him some good ideas sometimes.

I think he’s come to at least grudgingly accept your help. :-) What do you like most about each other?

Madeline: I like that, even though he’s rich and smart and stylish, he’s not stuck up, and he really wants to help people in trouble. And I like that he’s very well read and has a sense of humor, too. Plus he’s awfully handsome.

Drew:  Ahem. I don’t think anyone cares about that last bit. Anyway, what I like about her is that she’s entirely feminine and doesn’t want to make herself over into a man like so many of these modern girls seem to, but she’s plucky and adventurous and I know I can count on her when we’re in trouble. I suppose I ought not mention those gorgeous periwinkle-blue eyes.

What are  your future plans? Can you share them with us?

Drew:  Well, it’s not common knowledge quite yet, but a little bird tells us we will have a few more adventures coming up. I suspect the Regency house party we’ve been invited to won’t be quite what it seems.

Madeline:  I thought we were going to visit your old school friend who lives in that creepy house on the Yorkshire moors. Is it really haunted?

Drew:  I guess we’ll find out.

I’m so glad to hear there will be more adventures! Now for you readers who might like to give these delightful characters a spin, I’ve got a copy of Murder at the Mikado to giveaway. Just follow the form below.

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Preparing for ACFW Conference PowerPoint

On Thursday I presented a webinar on how to prepare for the ACFW conference. While I can’t share the webinar since it wasn’t recorded, I can share the PowerPoint. Hope this is helpful!

ACFW Webinar

Setting Our Hearts on Pilgrimage

There are some Psalms that just speak to me. It doesn’t seem to matter what’s going on in my life, I read them and I am challenged.

Psalm 84 has always been one of those. Then I participated in the Beth Moore Psalms of Ascent study and an entirely new layer was exposed. This week our pastor taught on Psalm 84, and I’m back to meditating on this Psalm and what it means to live a life of pilgrimage.

Life is a series of journeys. When I first typed this, I added a question at the end. But as I continue to think about it, I realize there is not question. Instead, it is a statement of fact. Life is a journey. And like all journeys it has highs and lows.

I am by nature risk-adverse and an explorer. The two often war with each other. I’ll walk the rim of the Grand Canyon 8 months pregnant, but for much of my life I’ve lived a life desperate to avoid pain. Maybe it’s because I am a writer — I can easily place myself inside the pain others are experiencing. I can slip into a series of what-if, worse-case scenarios in a heartbeat. Yet, if I live there, I don’t allow myself or those I love to live a life of walking the rims of God’s beauty.

Lately several worship songs have hammered home a theme: God makes me brave. It is because of Him that I can dare to go on pilgrimage. It is His strength that carries me from journey to journey. Whether it’s a time of blessing or a time that pushes me to my knees under a burden of pain that threatens to overwhelm me, He is there to lift my head above the waves and carry me in His strength.

I know this to the fiber of my existence. I know He will not forsake me. I know that He will never leave me. I know that His love for me far exceeds my love for Him. I know that when I can’t feel His presence He is still there. I know that in the darkest moments of my life, He has held me and cried with me.

So I set my heart on pilgrimage. I set my heart on seeking Him and His presence. Wherever that takes me, I am willing to follow. May my life be one of always moving toward Him and a willingness to follow Him no matter what comes.