A Spring of Hope Through the Years by Ann H. Gabhart

Thanks to Ann for reminding us to count our blessings!

A Spring of Hope Through the Years
By Ann H. Gabhart

Here we are on the doorstep of 2012. Years ago, when I began seriously trying to get published, I started counting not only my personal blessings in my New Year’s journal entries, but also noting what was happening in my writing life. It’s truly been a rollercoaster ride with deep lows and exhilarating highs. Perhaps these peeks into my journal will encourage you to persevere and write on.

• Jan 4, 1978 – It seems appropriate that I waited till now to write in this year of ’78. I’ve waited so long and now I’m almost without words. It got an offer. Specifically Warner Books likes Kentucke Dream and wants to publish it. She (my agent) says she’s not entirely satisfied with the terms but wants to know how I feel. What am I going to tell her? Of course I’m satisfied. I don’t know anything about advances. To me, it sounds like a fortune, a miracle, an answer to prayer.
• 
  Dec 31, 1978 - I’ve written on so many New Year’s Eves since I began journal writing as a young teen. Sometimes, in ways, that seems such a long time ago. In other ways, it’s only a soft twirl of days. This passing of the old year to the new is a time to mark accomplishments, to count successes and mourn over failures. This has been an exciting year full of newness. Seeing my book (retitled A Forbidden Yearning) on the stands was a definite high.
• Jan 3, 1983 – I didn’t write on New Year’s Eve. Guess that is indicative of my mood. I hate to keep reiterating my failures, and that’s all 1983 held professionally. Rejections and even worse than that – no rejections. Only silence. So I won’t write much about 1982. I’ll let it roll over me and turn loose of it. I’ll realize I’m still able to work. I still want to write even if the words seem elusive and difficult. So what if my drawer is full of rejection slips. It’s all part of learning and growing and getting better. Pray God I am getting better and 1983 will hold something good in the wings for me, the writer.
• Jan 14, 1985 – A new year. New hope. I keep trying anyway. I’m almost finished with Shane. (A Chance Hero) I got a nice letter from my agent. She said my “lack of sales” was no reflection on my writing ability.
• Jan 2, 1987 – This time last year we were just realizing Dad was sick, and now he’s gone. I can’t review the year. Too many sad memories. Maybe I’ll stick with work news. I did sell 3 books, a record for me.
• Jan 3, 1989 – Life brings us both joy and sadness. I personally have been gifted with many good things… my family, my talent, the chance to do what I love. So many blessings and gifts. Perhaps I shouldn’t forget my spring of hope that sustains me when I’m discouraged. The next book. The next idea. The next editor. I have only to believe, to continue to try, to step forward.
• Jan 3, 1991 – I love it when I can think positive. I want to have a whole year of positive thinking. “You can do it” stuff.
• Jan 17, 1994 – A new year. Guess I didn’t search for time to write about my year because it’s been such a sorry one in regard to writing successes. You might even say it was a low point – a valley I haven’t even begun climbing out of.
• Jan 12, 1995 – It’s a funny thing trying to chase after a story idea. And today so futile I thought I’d write about it. It’s as if I’ve blanked out my mind and I’m stumbling around searching for a way out of the blankness, hoping I’ll bang into something that will suggest some possibilities. But right now it’s a white-out blizzard of nothing. Another way to describe it? It’s like I’m out in a huge field. Nothing but flat ground and grass. I’m lost but not really worried. I know that one direction will lead me to some trees or perhaps a house or something interesting – maybe even a hole I can fall into. But which direction? Where’s the story?
• Jan 21, 1998 – I want to do something fresh, something that will inspire me and make me proud to say I’m a writer again. Maybe I’ll be a writer again. Now I’m just going through the motions and doing a poor job of that. I need a new story. I need a story. Period, exclamation point.
• Jan 14, 2003 – It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Here we are starting the fourth year of the 21st Century. I haven’t worked the way I’d like. I keep dragging my feet. Letting things interfere. Falling to sleep at the wheel (or keyboard). Afraid of failing. I’m still working on Jocie’s story. (The Scent of Lilacs) I like it, but will anyone else? I don’t know. But I am going to push through to the end. If I fail, I fail. But Ive failed already if I don’t try.
• Jan 3, 2005 – Of course, the year’s highlight workwise is selling my book. I’m so excited about that I shouldn’t even think a depressing thought.
• Dec 27, 2005 – Time spins away from us in great circles. One day it’s the first of the month. The next the end. Christmas has come and gone. A new grandbaby girl has come into the world. A beautiful perfect miracle of a child. Blessed beyond imagination.
• Jan 3, 2008 – So long ago I started writing in a journal. So many private words. Yet it continues to feed my soul. Words on paper. Thoughts and ideas. Gripes and complaints. Praises and joys. Worries and troubles. Happiness and love. So many things to record over the years. I started my first journal when I was 13. I’m not 13 anymore. But I’m still here. Still writing. Still having joy and worries. But pray God, always more joy.

Happy New Year, everyone! May the year ahead give you many joys to record in your journal of life!

Ann H. Gabhart has published over twenty novels for adults and children including her bestselling Shaker novels. Ann lives on a farm in Central Kentucky with her husband, Darrell who sings bass in a Southern Gospel quartet. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann’s latest releases are The Blessed, her fourth Shaker novel, and Angel Sister, a novel inspired by the stories her mother told her about growing up during the years of the Great Depression.

You can keep up with Ann on her website, www.annhgabhart.com; her blog, One Writer’s Journal, www.annhgabhart.blogspot.com; Facebook author page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-H-Gabhart/132862247566, or follow Ann on Twitter, user name annhgabhart.

Frustrated With Do-It-All-Yourself Promotions? Grace and Faith Author Connection by Staci Stallings

Check it out! A great way to help figure out this marketing thing! As a part of G&F myself, I can attest to how well it can work! Be sure to check it out! Carol

Frustrated with Do-It-All-Yourself Promotions?
By: Staci Stallings

Imagine you're going to build a house. From scratch. You've only seen blueprints in passing and have never been in a hardware store. You know nothing about plumbing and less about framing. But you've been tasked with building this house and you're on your own.

"That's crazy!" you say.

You're right. It is.

However, I'll bet that as an author you're trying to do exactly that with your promotions. You don't know how to market, but you're supposed to. So, what to do? Do your best, right? You get started on Twitter or Facebook, but you've never been to either. You sign up with Christian Chirp and Shoutlife because those hit your target audience. You start a blog because that's what people say you're supposed to do.

Suddenly you have all this STUFF, but no clue how to use any of it much less integrate all these pieces into a Marketing Strategy. Then people tell you that you should be doing interviews on blogs and guest posting. But how do you do that, and where do you find blogs willing to host you? Worse, you're supposed to put together a Blog Tour. Where do you even start with that?

Then it gets even worse, you realize that although you've been writing your blog, no one is reading the thing. So you try different kinds of posts--like author interviews and reviews, but where do you go to get authors to interview or review?

Ever feel like that Do-It-All-Yourself house builder standing in the home improvement store wanting to cry?

Well, I'm right there with you! Or at least I was.

I did all of these things and more trying to market my books, and then I read an article about authors who had joined forces to cross-promote each other using whatever social media outlets they had. That's when the idea for the Grace & Faith Author Connection was born.

Although it is vast and there are multiple ways to use the group, here are a few basic ways this Christian-based cross promotion group can help you.

#1 You're no longer alone. We've got tutorials to help you learn to write great Twitter tags. We've got articles to help you with marketing strategy. And we've got bloggers who are ready to help you carry that strategy out by hosting you for interviews, doing book reviews, and hosting you for guest blogs.

#2 Post to the group and we will help you get the word out through our social media outlets. If you have 500 followers on Twitter and you post a link to your book. 500 "eyes" might see it. But if that same post is then Retweeted by 3 G&F Authors, now you have 2,000 eyes. If 20 RT it, now you have upwards of 10,000 eyes. We now have 60 members. You do the math.

#3 Do what you like to do and let others post your info on their social media sites. You don't have to be on everything. Twitter about others in the group if you love to Twitter. Post things on FB if that's your social media strong-point. And others will do likewise for you. You no longer have to be good at everything to have a shot at getting people to see what you have to offer.

As I said, there are many other possibilities for building your promotion house with Grace & Faith. All we require is that you are a Christian-based writer--even if all you write is a blog! So ttop trying to build it all yourself. Let us help.

Staci Stallings is the founder of Grace & Faith Author Connection. To join the group, send your Name, Email Address, Twitter handle (if you have one), and/or Facebook page to staci_stallings at hotmail dot com (altogether!) with the subject: G&F New Member, and Staci will let you know what your next step is. I hope you will join us for this new and exciting marketing adventure!

Fatal Reality by Jonathan Wakefield

“Grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go.”  James Scott Bell--Former trial lawyer and bestselling author of Try Dying, The Whole Truth, No Legal Grounds, Deadlock, and Sins of the Fathers


     When media celebrity Kyle Borders wins a spot on Extreme Mortality, the biggest reality show ever, he’s determined to use the opportunity to live out his faith before the worldwide audience.
Daniel Vats, the show’s creator, has never killed anyone, but he can hardly wait to start. Kidnapping the contestants, he thrusts them into a fight for survival of the fittest, forcing them to run a perilous race to the death—televised on live feed before the world—on a remote South Pacific Island.
Who will live? Who will die? And why is Daniel so vehement about proving Kyle a phony? The shocking revelations will stun the watching audience.


JONATHAN WAKEFIELD
Jonathan has always loved thrillers that pack an emotional and philosophical punch. Combining this with his intrigue of the cultural impact of the reality-show industry, Jonathan thought it would make a fascinating story to thrust a Christian into a reality show featuring a diverse cast of strong characters.
An IT professional, Jonathan holds a degree in Biology from the Univ. of Richmond. A Craftsman graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, he has trained under authors Jerry B. Jenkins, John Perrodin, James Scott Bell, Jeff Gerke, and Douglas Hirt. Jonathan’s short stories have appeared in The Rose & Thorn and The Messenger, and he has written articles for various magazines and journals, including New Man, Men of Integrity, Live, The Gem, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Fatal Reality was a finalist in the 2009 Operation First Novel contest. Jonathan, his wife, and two sons live in Virginia.
www.jonathanwakefield.com
For more info: Ramona Tucker, Editorial Director, rtucker@oaktara.com • (630) 464-3909
OakTara, founded by Jeff Nesbit and Ramona Tucker, two veterans of the publishing world, creates opportunities for new, talented writers and established authors.
OakTara • P.O. Box 8 • Waterford, VA 20197 • Phone: (540)-882-9062 • Fax: (540) 882-3719
www.oaktara.com

White Christmas by Tanya Stowe

Book Look by Carol McClain  

This week Tanya Stowe shares an excerpt from her novella, White Christmas

         

             Now he remembered her. She always wore her hair tied back in a bun and secured with combs. She’d been so business-like, so informed and capable. Her curls and her embarrassment over the nickname made her human and real.

“Your secret is safe with me,” he said, laughter still in his tone. “I won’t remind you or rub it in. Especially after all the nice things you said about my work. I want to keep you on my side. In fact, I’m thinking of asking you to be my campaign manager.”

Suddenly, the laughter left her eyes and she gazed up in all seriousness. “Will there be a campaign? Is that why you refused another term in the assembly so you can run for Senator Rizzi’s seat when he retires next year?”

                Chad caught his breath, wondering how he’d let that happen. He never spoke out of turn or let information slip. But they’d been talking like old friends and it just happened. What was it about this young woman that made him so comfortable? Before he could gather his thoughts and come up with a reason, she held up her hand.

                “Don’t answer that,” she said, closing her eyes. “I’m sorry I even asked it. That’s none of my business and I don’t know why I said it. I--I just feel like I know you.”

                Chad smiled, thinking how her words echoed his feelings. “We do. We’ve even worked together.”

                Tessa opened her eyes and stared at him. A slow, sweet smile spread over her lips and made her blue eyes sparkle. He thought it just might be the prettiest smile he’d ever seen.

                That’s when the alarm bells started going off.

                Suddenly, he noticed that it had gotten dark and Aunt Nell still hadn’t shown up. He looked around. “Well, it was nice talking to you.”

                He stopped short of saying Tessa. The name had taken on new meaning for him…untamed strawberry curls and a sweet smile. Now, it sounded far too personal.

                “My aunt’s waiting for me, so I’d better get back,” he said rather shortly.

                She nodded. “My grandmother’s waiting, too.”

                Her tone sounded disappointed and those blue eyes that had sparkled all night lost some of their shimmer. She gestured across the street. He turned and saw Aunt Nell sitting on a park bench.  Beside her was another little white-haired lady. They both smiled and waved.

                “Wait a minute,” he said beneath his breath. “You’re not-”

                He turned back around.

                Tessa smiled and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sophie’s granddaughter.”

.       My family inspired me to write White Christmas. I’d seen too many movies about Christmas and bad family relations, I was so ready for a good one. Christmas is my family’s favorite time of year. I have 18 grandchildren so it’s a noisy, crowded gathering but the good overrides the difficulties.

2.       And I think that is the underlying theme! Families challenge us to grow, hold us accountable and protect us when we need it. They love us. To me that’s the real story of Christmas. God so  loved us He sent His only begotten son to redeem us.

3.       My favorite character is Aunt Nell. She is so wise, funny and no nonsense…just how I want to be when I reach her age. An anchor in the storm for my family.

4.     

           You can find more info at my website  www.tanyastowe.com. 

        You can read posts on my writing blog,  www.creativewritingforces.blogspot.com 

         you can read about my travels and life in the Middle East at  www.tanyastowe.blogspot.com. 

         I’m also on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanya-Stowe-Fan-Page/118775154853276

5.       White Christmas is available for pre-order at Pelican Book Group at  http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/tanya-stowe?DescOrderBy=ASC&keyword1=&keyword2=

You can buy White Christmas here:

 http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B006G5EH2K/ref=pd_rhf_dp_shvl7

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/white-christmas-tanya-stowe/1107871506?ean=2940013480124&itm=5&usri=white+christmas

Goodbye Noel by Nike Chillemi

     The first body is found under a trimmed Christmas tree, the second as they ring in the New Year (1947), the third goes head long out a window. Will a young pediatric nurse determined to make it on her own be able to care for an infant whose mother was murdered and escape the killer who has struck again? Can she trust the stalwart village detective with her life and her heart as he works to catch this killer before somebody else dies?

     Pediatric nurse, Katrina Lenart, grew up strong willed and independent minded, while sharing her mother's flair for high fashion. When the police chief gives her an orphaned baby to care for, her maternal instincts take over and she's willing to fight anyone who might not have the infant's best interests at heart, even the man she's growing to love. After an attempt is made to kidnap the baby, she and the resolute village detective team up and do some sleuthing, undercover at a cult as well as at a fancy ball.

     Detective Ian Daltry is a widower with a child and is not interested in a new love. Hunting a killer who stops at nothing has placed him in the position where he must protect a beautiful young woman he's drawn to. Is there's something he's overlooked in analyzing the case? Will he find out what that is before this ruthless murderer kills someone he loves?

 

Excerpt:

Katrina wanted to throw Detective Daltry into a snow bank. The nerve of him, barging into their house twice in two days, demanding she bundle the baby up and take him into the cold. How could that man not recall their harrowing, nighttime drive through the storm of the decade? She tossed her hair back over her shoulder, and with great difficulty held her tongue.

Momma apparently had no such reservations. "Detective, what you are doing is very wrong."

Katrina came up beside her mother, to show a united front. "This is outrageous." Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. She hated the tone of her voice, but this baby wasn't a ping-pong ball to be batted back and forth as the detective moved forward with his murder case.

He ignored her and continued addressing her mother.

"I'm sorry, ma'am." He removed his fedora. "Chief Ferguson has already made the necessary phone calls and arrangements have been made. I must take Leslie Janos Bauer with me to the home of his aunt in Bay Shore. The chief would prefer your daughter come along in an official capacity as a nurse. It's up to her, but I have to take the baby."

Momma's face flushed beet-red, a sure sign she'd become enraged. "This is not good for him… this hustle from place to place."

"With all due respect, ma'am, a child belongs with his family, if at all possible." The detective took a step toward Katrina. "Now, will you please fetch the baby." It wasn't a request.

Katrina made sure she stood tall. "Yes, I'll get Leslie." She clenched her fists at her side and jutted her chin. "This is disgraceful. You are using this infant to solve your murder case. Perhaps your own tragic life experience clouds your judgment?"

His mouth fell open and he took a step back.

"If you have it within your heart, give me one minute. I'll get him ready and get my coat and boots on." Without giving him a chance to reply, Katrina turned and stormed up the stairs.

Leslie lay sleeping in the baby-doll cradle Poppa had made for her when she was a little girl. Poppa had that kind of talent. He could make anything. In her heart she knew, he'd figured it would be her baby's bassinet. At least now, it had a real purpose. She ran a finger over the hand carved leaves in the headboard.

"Milachku, time to wake up." She took the infant into her arms inhaling the smell of baby, sweeter than the most expensive imported perfume.

Leslie yawned and she snuggled her nose in the soft folds of skin between his head and shoulder, kissing his neck. He cooed, so safe in her arms.

She brought him to her heart, holding him, rocking him and spoke softly to her reflection in the mirror above her bureau. "Fat chance I'll ever walk down the aisle or have a family of my own with the man shortage since the war." Something deep in the core of her female-self rebelled, a throbbing turbulence, from which deep hunger erupted.

She stroked Leslie's cheek and made a funny face. The softness of his skin melted her heart. 

He smiled at her and kicked.

"I'm so sorry. I promised I'd protect you and I can't." She forced a smile and made clucking noises.

He grabbed her hair and yanked.

"Ouch." She laughed, removing strands of her hair from his little fist.

A tear escaped and ran down the side of her cheek. "I can do this." She lifted her chin, sucked in a long breath, wrapped Leslie in a heavy quilt, and picked up his tote bag.

Nike, Why did you write GOODBYE NOEL?

I wrote it to give hope. The story is set at the close of WWII, a time when the nation was recovering from the great and devestation losses of the war. And yet, it is a time of great courage and optimism in America. The people of that time were a get up and go generation. They strove to make something of themselves and of this nation. I hope my characters reflect the spirit of that era. Right now this country is facing a very difficult time. I hope this story transmits a little bit of can do spirit of an earlier era.

Is anything in this book based on real life experiences or is it all purely imagination?

Most of it is pure imagination. Though certain Christmas traditions seem to come from my life. My paternal grandmother was Czech and all the baking comes from her kitchen. Katrina is sort of like me in terms of a Christmas decorating philosophy: more is definitely more. Katrina is a fashionista and something many in the Christian publishing world might not know is my career before writing was in the fashion industry. I'm a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and I worked in the bridal industry. I traveled to bridal fairs in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas and of course in my hometown NYC.

GOODBYE NOEL will be released December 15^th and will then be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Sony Reader Store, and Christianbooks.

Purchase Links:

Desert Breeze Publishing  http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/NikeChillemi/Page.bok

Nike Chillemi ~ Crime Fictionista   http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Did I Create My Characters... or Did My Characters Create Themselves? by Nancy Herriman

Thanks to Nancy for stopping by today!!! I've got an influencer copy of her book sitting in my TBR pile and can't wait!! And what wonderful topic! It's one I wonder about all the time! Be sure to check out her Facebook and Twitter - Nancy is great fun!

Did I create my characters...or did my characters create themselves?

By Nancy Herriman

I love my characters. Well, on a good day I do. A day well after I have finished the first draft of my manuscript. Probably a day after the second or third revision, actually. Some characters have been born fully formed. Some have required a little more help.

But let’s start with Joe, a secondary character in The Irish Healer. A few of my advance readers have commented how much they enjoy him. Sent by my hero to pick up the heroine, Rachel, when she first arrives at the St. Katherine’s Docks, he is a scruffy Cockney boy whose street sense and wit provide most of the book’s humor, a necessary antidote to the grim realities of London in the grips of a cholera epidemic. But did I create Joe, or did he create himself? I needed a male servant to drive the carriage that would fetch Rachel, but why not some gruff old retainer or an unremarkable footman? Characters like those, however, didn’t ‘feel’ right. In this instance, I might answer Joe created himself. His dialogue, his mannerisms, his actions were among the easiest to write. This has been the case for other secondary characters I’ve written--the murderous steward in a romantic suspense I penned ages ago (long consigned to the dustbin), the ill-fated Turkish boy in an unfinished young adult novel, the hero’s spoiled but well-meaning sister in my current manuscript. They simply breathe, simply exist on their own as if they’ve been wandering about, seeking pages to inhabit.

Around this point, I usually begin to congratulate myself on my brilliance as a writer.

And then I write the next scene.

It’s a scene somewhere in the middle of the book. One featuring the hero or heroine without my clever secondary character who has a life of his/her own. Heavens to Betsy, it’s probably a scene with the hero and heroine together. Alone. The sweat beads on my forehead and I struggle to remember why I wanted their story on paper. Or why I even liked them in the first place. I know I had a reason for these people, a reason why my heroine in The Irish Healer is supposed to be a displaced Irish girl who has sworn off God. Why the hero needs to be a troubled physician burdened by misguided guilt. But beyond that, I want to throw up my hands and screech. I have no idea why the hero is acting aloof, no idea why the heroine just stalked off in an ill temper. Clearly, she has not been wandering about looking to inhabit a book, all of her actions making sense. I’m forced to grudgingly admit I might not be so brilliant. It’s time to review my character development sheets and reexamine their Goals/Motivations/Conflicts. If I created these characters, then I had better understand them more completely. The real work starts.

There are many excellent resources available that I have used when my characters don’t walk, fully formed, onto the computer screen (and frankly, most of them don’t). Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel has an entire section on character development. The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes and Heroines, Sixteen Master Archetypes is a great book for creating characters with built-in conflict. Deb Dixon’s book on Goal, Motivation and Conflict is an invaluable resource. Lastly, a quick internet search for ‘character interview’ yields any number of websites with thought-provoking questions to ‘ask’ a character and learn more about them.

So, perhaps to answer my question - Did I create my characters or did they create themselves? - I would have to say, it’s a bit of both. In the end, that fact makes the writing fun and challenging, at least for me. I try to enjoy the process, relax, and hope that every so often one or more of my characters will be a bit like Joe.

A blurb about The Irish Healer:

Acquitted of murdering a child under her care, Irish healer Rachel Dunne flees the ensuing scandal and vows to never sit at another sickbed. She no longer trusts in her abilities—or God’s mercy. When a cholera epidemic sweeps through London, though, she is forced to nurse the dying daughter of the enigmatic physician she has come to love. James Edmunds, wearied by the deaths of too many patients, has his own doubts about God’s grace. Together, they will have to face their darkest fears...and learn what it means to have real faith.

Bio:

Nancy Herriman abandoned a career in Engineering to chase around two small children and take up the pen. She hasn’t looked back. Her debut novel, The Irish Healer, will be published by Worthy Publishing in April, 2012. When she is not writing, or gabbing over lattes about writing, she is either watching history shows on cable TV or singing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and sons, and wishes there were more hours in the day. You can learn more at her website, www.nancyherriman.com, where you will also find a link to the opening chapter of The Irish Healer.

You can also join her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author.NancyHerriman or on Twitter (Nancy_Herriman)

Researching Your Contemporary Novel by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Researching Your Contemporary Novel

Guest post by: Pamela S Thibodeaux

Historical novelists and those writers who set their books in exotic locations know the value of researching their novel, but what about contemporary novelists?

Nothing irritates me more than to pick up a novel set in contemporary Louisiana and see us Cajuns portrayed as backwater hicks – alligators, pirogues and fax machines just don’t mix!

Now granted, Hollywood (and especially reality TV) has not done us any favors in portraying Louisiana as a contemporary state with paved roads and honest-to-goodness vehicles in which to travel—but trust me we do have these amenities!

Here are a few tips on researching your contemporary novel:

1: The Internet; almost every city and town in the United States as well as other cities/countries has a website. If your location is a fictional town in a real state, search for a town or city in the general area you want to set your story. This will give you plenty of information to paint your scenery.

2: Tourist Bureaus; call or write the tourist bureau in or near the location of your story and ask for brochures and pamphlets on the town. Again, if you are using a fictional town, locate someone in the general area.

3: Contact the newspapers, libraries and radio & television stations in the area where your story is set for help.

4: Visit the area. Nothing beats firsthand experience. Find a writer’s group in or near your location, spend a weekend at a local Bed & Breakfast or resort. Take lots of photos and interview the locals. People love to talk about their hometown so find someone willing to talk. These expenses may be tax deductible too!

All of these resources helped to make the setting of my stories more authentic but the most fun I’ve ever had is in researching my debut women’s fiction novel, The Visionary. The premise of the book revolves around the restoration/remodeling an old run down house from a one-story bungalow to its original grandeur as a two-story plantation style home. Since the property where the home is set was once in my family, I enjoyed delving into the research which I then attributed to my heroine. Reading about my ancestors was something I’d never considered until this point although I had visited the old family dwelling once and was able to accurately portray much about the structure.

The Visionary: A visionary is someone who sees into the future, Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disgustingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the awesome power of God’s love heals the most wounded of souls. Available now through your local bookstore or online @ Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com

These are just a few ways you can make the setting of your story more authentic. I’m sure if you use your imagination you can come up with a few more!

This post is part of a month-long virtual book tour where 4 autographed copies of The Visionary will be given away. Follow the entire tour (list of stops on my blog http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com) and leave a comment on each one because the more times your name goes in the hat, the more chances you have to win!

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Website: http://pamelathibodeaux.com

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Bahama Breeze by Eddie Jones

Book Look by Carol McClain

An interview with Sonny Cay, star of the tan and sandy romance, Bahama Breeze.

Sonny, given your aversion to working with unknown authors and screenwriters, why did you agree to star in Bahama Breeze?

Honestly, I needed the work. Not that I’ve made a dime off this project, yet. But the author assures me the royalties will begin arriving any day. Of course, this is the same guy who earns his living by making up stuff, so I’m not holding my breath. Except when he’s hovering over my shoulder, of course, because as it turns out he has a really bad case of gingivitis and halitosis. 

So you were desperate for work, is that what you’re saying?

Who isn’t? Have you looked at the unemployment numbers lately? Shameful what’s happened to the middle class. But I’m not here to discuss our government’s economic policies or how messed up our electoral process is: though I definitely have some strong opinions on these issues. What I am here to discuss are dreams.

Dreams?

Yeah, Carol, dreams. Everybody has them. Or did, until those aspirations became crushed in the pursuit of financial security and left as road kill on the Highway of Life. Maybe your dream is to become the next Miss. America, usher in world peace, and find a cure stress-related acne. 

What is your dream, Sonny?

Me? I always wanted to write a novel. But my English teacher suggested I peruse an alternative line of work: one that didn't involve pronouns, prepositions, or dangling participles ¾ which at the time I thought was a small organ attached to a frog’s intestines. "Sonny, there’s a good chance you won’t even graduate from high school,” my teacher warned. “Much less go to college.”

So is that why you left Anna? Because you were afraid of failure?

By Anna, you mean Anna Fortune, my high school sweetheart and the real brains of the story. No, I did not leave her after graduation because I was afraid of failure. But I knew a C-minus trombone player and part-time defensive tackle was never going to make her happy. She deserved better. All women do. But until God comes up with an alternative for male homo sapiens we men will have to do. By the way, did you know homo sapiens is Latin for "wise man?" Sort of makes you wonder about the intelligence of our predecessors? 

So you skipped college and did what? Took a job selling toilet paper?

Naw, the job at the paper company came later. First I joined the Army. Ended up in Korea. I won’t give away a lot of what happened over there because some people… okay most people, haven’t read the book.  What I will say is that the author, like God, put me in tough circumstances. This creates tension in the story and forces the character grow or whither. About three quarters of the way into the book, I had a heart-to-heart with the author of Bahama Breeze and asked if he would back off on the trials. He explained that every story is like a track heat. You start out of the blocks strong. Then in turn one you confront your first hurdle. It’s usually small and easily surmounted. Shortly thereafter there is another, and another. Until finally on the back stretch the journey is nothing but one hurdle after another and each obstacle is more difficult than the one before. Pretty soon the character in the story can hardly land before he’s forced to jump over the next barrier. The idea is to build hope in my heart but create such intense opposition that I become convinced I will fail.

Did that happen to you in Bahama Breeze? 

Oh yeah. At first all I had to worry about was trying to sail a rented sailboat in the middle of a tropical storm while dealing with a terminal disease, but then the weather and circumstances deteriorated. Next thing I know I’m locked up for destroying a golf cart, chased by a deranged Cuban terrorist, accosted by a presidential candidate polling in the single digits, tossed into shark-infested waters, stranded on a deserted island, forced to surf hurricane swells and dropped from the eye of the storm onto a Russian submarine.

I thought you said Bahama Breeze was a romance?

Did I mention that I got to kiss my high school sweetheart under the stars, hold her hand on a porch swing, sail into the sunset, and here those immortal words, “I forgive you?” Besides, I’m a guy. What do I know about romance?

I’m afraid to even ask this, but does Bahama Breeze have any significant underlying message for its readers?

Oh sure. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s about pursuing your dreams. It’s about taking life by the tail and trying not to get bit too hard and often. Look, even when you think you've failed, you have not. Long before the book was finished, the manuscript took first place at a writer's conference. The award put a THOUSAND DOLLARS in the author’s pocket. Note, I didn’t receive a penny, but as a character in the book my job is to bring glory to the author, not shine the light on myself. As it turns out, it’s a good thing the book won first place, because when the author returned to his campsite later that evening his tent had collapsed and lay soaked by the rain. So you see, no matter how bleak things look, no matter how much you fear failure, you should pursue the dream that the Author of your life has placed in your heart. That’s the theme of Bahama Breeze.

Eddie Jones is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and a three-time winner of the Delaware Christian Writers’ Conference. He is Acquisition Editor of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and has written over a hundred articles that have appeared in 20 different publications. His Middle Grade / Tween novel, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, won the 2011 Selah Award in Young Adult fiction. Eddie’s latest romantic suspense, Bahama Breeze, is available where ever books are sold.

 http://www.facebook.com/BahamaBreezeNovel


 check out the trailer
 http://www.youtube.com/embed/4-ca0FNZ8vE  

Pearl Harbor Day Special: Interview with Lauren Tarshis by Maggie and Jadyn

Carol again! Today it is a wonderful privilege to welcome award winning author Lauren Tarshis to the Pentalk Community Blog!

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. We remember those who gave all seventy years ago when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, marking the entrance into WWII for the United States. We also remember those who have sacrificed so much, before and since. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and their families who have given so much to protect us and our freedom.

Ms. Tarshis' latest book is I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941. When scheduling for December, I noticed the date and wondered if she'd be interested in doing a blog post for us. She did that, and more! She agreed to let my daughter, Maggie, and Maggie's best friend, Jadyn, send her ten interview questions! In late October, Maggie and I went to visit with Jadyn and her mom and came up with the questions below.

Thank you to Ms. Tarshis for taking time out of her very busy schedule to be with us - and to make the year for two 4th graders!

Questions About the "I Survived" Series

1. What gave you the idea to write books about kids who survive tragedies?

I have always been interested in disasters, but not just the facts about them, the people who survive them. Often it is just a question of luck. Other times it is strength and ingenuity and hope that enables people to get through these events. The kids in my book always grow and change through their experiences. That's what makes the books interesting to me.

2. How do you do your research and how long does it take you to research a book?

I read, read, read, read, and read some more. I read books and historical articles, and when possible I interview people who have been through events similar to those I am writing about.

3. How long does it take you to write a book?

A VERY LONG TIME!!!! Many months, sometimes longer. I have a full-time job and a family, so the writing often takes place early in the morning and late at night. It is a huge personal challenge to get these books written.

4. Do you work closely with Scott Dawson? How does he know what pictures to draw?

I have never met Scott! The art director at Scholastic works with him. He uses my manuscript and creates sketches, which the art director, my editor and I see. I am so impressed with him. He creates scenes that seem to come straight from my imagination -- or beyond.

5. Will any of your main characters in the "I Survived" books be girls?

I am working on a story now that has a boy and a girl as the main character. I would probably not do ONLY a girl because I feel in general there are so many great books with girl main characters, and not nearly enough for boys. Also, I think we girls are open minded and will read books starring boys. Often boys are resistant to reading about girls.

6. Have you thought about writing an "I Survived" book about any of these events:

a. 9/11 – we saw the story of Michael Yakubov, who was 9 on 9/11, and wondered if you might write a story about someone like him.

I am writing I Survived 9/11 now. It is not about Michael (I have not read about him!) It's about a boy named Lucas whose Dad is a rescue fire fighter for the NY Fire Department.

b. 2011 Joplin Tornado – we live about an hour from Joplin and have heard many stories about survivors [Carol here: we believed there was still a tornado on the ground when the storm passed about 10 miles south of us; it was a very scary late afternoon].

Oh my gosh! I can't believe you went through that terrible tornado. I am sure I will write an I Survived book about one of the major tornado outbreaks. Tornadoes are particularly terrifying -- so much force in such a short time.

c. The Chicago Fire – Jadyn's mom sings a song about this – The Chicago Fire Song

I can't wait to hear Jadyn's mom's song! I think this is also an excellent topic and one that I have discussed with my editors.

Questions on Other Topics

7. Which of your books is your favorite?

I actually love all of the I Survived books. Each is very different. And each of the characters is very close to my heart.

8. Maggie and Jadyn are both writers. Do any of your kids like to write?

My older two sons enjoy writing, but not fiction. I did not begin trying to be a fiction writer until I was 30, so they have time!

9. What books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I love to read a wide range of books -- I love narrative nonfiction, memoirs, and of course novels. I love the author Alice Munro. who writes short stories. I'm lucky enough to know many of my favorite children's writers -- there are so many beautiful books out. I guess my favorites for young people are the Little House books.

10. Can you tell us three things about yourself that you think your readers would find interesting?

Let's see. When I'm stressed out (usually because of a book deadline) I bake cakes. My best is a chocolate. We have a new puppy named Roy, who is a poodle, but very shaggy and not poodle-like. My daughter, Valerie, is sitting here with me and she says to tell you hello, and that she loves your picture.

I send you both my very best, and much love. Thank you for this opportunity to connect. Maybe we will meet in person one day. Say hi to your Moms from me!

THANK YOU!!!!!

Lauren Tarshis often wonders how she came to spend most of her waking moments thinking about disasters, as the author of the children's historical fiction series "I Survived." Each book takes readers into the heart of history's most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and (coming soon) the San Francisco earthquake. Writing these books often makes her feel very nervous, as though at any moment a volcano could erupt right outside her window. Then again, she has learned a thing or two about avoiding being eaten by a shark.

Lauren is also the author of the the award-winning Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love. She lives in Connecticut with her family. For more information, go to her website: www.LaurenTarshis.com

Maggie Moncado on National Novel Writing Month and Her First Interview

Carol here with a very, very special guest. The special-est guest we've ever had! Of course, I might be a bit biased ;).

Wednesday, in honor of Pearl Harbor Day, we'll be posting an interview with Lauren Tarshis, popular middle grade author. Her latest book, I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 is available now. My daughter and her best friend were able to interview Ms. Tarshis and we'll be posting that interview Wednesday.

Both Maggie and Jadyn are writers. Unfortunately, schedules conspired to keep the BFFs apart this weekend so we weren't able to get an interview with both of them, but here's Maggie and her thoughts on her 3rd National Novel Writing Month's Young Writer's Program challenge and their interview with Ms. Tarshis.

Below we included a picture of her working hard at Panera, her and a 'friend' having milkshakes - which she'd much rather do with Jadyn! - and a couple pictures of her trip to the museum.

Maggie on National Novel Writing Month

What was your book about? A girl named Holly who had no friends who sailed on the Titanic.

What was your total word count? 5188. For the Young Writer's Program, your Mom or Dad gets to set your word count goal. Mom set mine at 5000 words. The minimum recommended for a 4th grader is 4000, but Mom knew I could do more.

Who's your favorite character? I kind of liked Thomas Andrews and Henry. Henry is a boy whose parents died on the Titanic. He was adopted by Holly's parents. Note: Thomas Andrews was the shipbuilder of the Titanic. He went down with the ship.

Who is your least favorite character? I didn't really like Sam, Holly's little brother.

Did you learn anything new about the Titanic? No, I already knew most of what I needed to know, but I did look stuff up to make sure I had it right. Mom here - yeah, she knows way more than you can imagine, sitting through documentary after documentary with me, asking me to find more and reading every book she can get her hands on. But, no, for those of you thinking it - she's ten and hasn't watched the Leonardo DiCaprio/Kate Winslet version ;).

What was your favorite part of research? Going to the Titanic Museum with my grandma.

What was the hardest thing? Trying to figure out what to do when my story ended but I didn't have enough words [and Mom said I couldn't do 1000 words of facts...]

What was the most fun? Coming up with new ideas.

What did you learn about writing while doing NaNo this year? That you have to start a new paragraph every time a new person starts talking.

Do you write an outline before you start or do you fly by the seat of your pants? I just go. Uh... like mother like daughter – I'm a total pantser!

Maggie on the Interview with Lauren Tarshis

What did you think when Mom told you about the Lauren Tarshis interview? I wanted to scream but it was at school in front of my librarian.

What question were you most looking forward to finding out the answer? We asked her about possible future books and I couldn't wait to see what her answers were.

Who helped you with the interview questions? My best friend, Jadyn, and her mom, Sherry, and my mom. We all came up with them together.

Which is your favorite Lauren Tarshis book and why? Either the one about the Titanic or the one about Hurricane Katrina. I'm always interested in the Titanic and I loved the facts and her characters. I liked Katrina because I was interested in how Barry survived a terrible hurricane.

What did you learn about Pearl Harbor in her most recent release? I didn't know anything about it beforehand. I just heard from my friend, Kolby, that it was terrible. I learned that the Japanese really didn't hit the hospital. That was good because it's where the wounded were taken.

What did you like about it? I liked it when she puts it [the beginning] in the present time, like it was really happening and leaves it hanging and then goes back to before the actual tragedy and builds up to it.

Your step-great-grandpa served during WWII. Did you have a chance to talk to him about it? No, but I would like to the next time we see them.

Maggie is a fourth grader who loves to read and write. She also loves playing outside, chocolate, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper and [usually] her brother and two sisters.

This is her first time to be interviewed for a blog and Wednesday is her first interview.