Musings from a Writer’s Brain—Reality or Make-believe? by Amy R Anguish

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Amy R Anguish, characterization tips, Musings from a Writer's Brain, No Place like Home, Sweet romance, writing tips

Reality or Make-believe?

My t-shirt reads, “Careful or I’ll put you in my novel.” It usually gets a laugh. I have a mug that says something similar. Maybe if I wrote suspense, it would be intimidating even. But I write romance.

Still, every now and then, I have to be careful to make sure my characters aren’t too much like someone I know in real life. After all, if I base one on someone I love and they feel I did it wrong, that could lead to awkward family dinners in the future. Right?

Needless to say, when I set out to write my latest novel, based on what “could have been” my life if I’d made different choices, I knew my character also needed to be a preacher’s daughter. I wanted her history to be a lot like mine. But what to do about her dad.

My dad is my biggest fan. He’s the one I can talk to for over an hour and never run out of things to say. Growing up, if I needed to vent or talk through something, his office was where I went. I’m a daddy’s girl through-and-through, probably why I don’t mind that my daughter is one, too. I get it.

But to make my preacher dad character in my book just like my dad wasn’t going to completely work. Because my character Adrian is estranged from God … and her dad. And her dad isn’t sure how to talk to her without making things worse.

My dad still has a full head of silvery-white hair. It’s gorgeous, honestly. And a beard and mustache—he’s had the mustache as long as I can remember. In my book, the dad is balding and clean-shaven. There’s a few things to differentiate the dads.

But then, some similarities snuck in even without my meaning them to. His office with a rather untidy desk full of papers and books, shelves loaded down with research volumes. His tendency to walk over to the small church building just down the block on a Saturday evening so he can adjust the temperature to be comfortable on Sunday morning. The way he rises super early on Sunday so he can study over his lesson again and make sure he remembers everything he wants to say. Those are all my dad.

Maybe it’s harder than I thought to keep my characters from having at least a few characteristics of people I love in real life. I’m sure the heroes all have a bit of my husband in them. Because how can I write someone to fall in love with without basing it on someone I love? And I know the heroines all have some of me. It would be impossible to not give them at least a little of my sense of humor or favorites things (like snickerdoodles and old movies).

Perhaps I worry too much about how much reality creeps into my books. Maybe instead, I should simply write what is put on my heart and let my readers guess about what is based on real life and what is simply made up.

Do you ever wonder how much an author includes from her own life in her stories?

Check out Amy’s newest release No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home

by Amy R Anguish

Can love secure Adrian’s wandering heart?

Roots are overrated, at least to someone like Adrian Stewart, preacher’s kid, who has never lived anywhere longer than six years. That’s why her job with MidUSLogIn is so perfect for her—lots of travel and staying nowhere long enough to have it feel like home. But when work takes her to Memphis, TN, closer to her family for the first time in years, and in the same small office as Grayson Roberts, she starts to question her job, her lack of home, and even her memories of her rocky past with the church.

Gray is intrigued by Adrian from the moment he sees her, and he’s determined to get to the bottom of why this girl who loves old movies and hums when she works won’t go to church with him. As they grow closer, he wants more, too, but how can he convince her to stay in Memphis when she doesn’t believe in home—or God? Can he use his own broken past to break through hers?

You can find No Place Like Home at Amazon

About the Author:

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

 Or https://twitter.com/amy_r_anguish

Learn more about her books at https://www.pinterest.com/msguish/my-books/ And check out the YouTube channel she does with two other authors, Once Upon a Page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiu-jq-KE-VMIjbtmGLbJA

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Wednesday Writers–An Unlikely Pair: The Characters of Perfectly Arranged by Liana George

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#hopefulheartseries, #perfectlyarrangednovel, Characterization, Contemporary Christian Women’s Fiction, Liana George, Opposites attract, Perfectly Arranged, Wednesday Writers, writing tips

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest author is Liana George who will be talking about two of the characters in her Contemporary Christian Women’s Fiction book Perfectly Arranged. Welcome, Liana!

Thanks, Catherine.

In relationships, it’s common knowledge that opposites attract.

That couldn’t be truer of the two main characters in my novel, Perfectly Arranged.

Now I know what you’re thinking – that’s not unusual in books! – and you’d be correct, it’s not. But in Perfectly Arranged, the unlikely pairing isn’t a romantic one, but rather one between an organizer and her eccentric client.

So exactly what makes these two different? Before I delve into the details, let me introduce these lovely ladies to you:

Nicki Mayfield is a twenty-six-year-old professional organizer who’s hanging up her label maker. Short on money and clients, the Marie Kondo wanna-be is shutting down her business and searching for a new job. Not only is she struggling professionally, but she’s also doing whatever she can to avoid moving back in with her mom, who’s a prime candidate for the TV show Hoarders.

When all seems lost for Nicki, the Connecticut socialite Katherine O’Connor enters the young woman’s world. Offering the down-and-out business owner one last chance at success, Ms. O’Connor is a single, wealthy woman (late 60s) who has a strange shoe obsession and a heart for helping the less fortunate.

After working with Ms. O’Connor once, Nicki is quick to notice the stark contrast between the two women’s lifestyles and personalities:

• Their successes and financial status are at opposite ends of the spectrum. When the two arrive in China to uncover a family secret, they obviously don’t have the same lifestyles.

“We’re staying on the penthouse floor?” I ask (Ms. O’Connor)

She doesn’t look at me. “Of course.”

“Oh, okay.” Well, perhaps it wasn’t okay. I’ve never stayed at anything nicer than a Holiday Inn, so to leapfrog all the way to a penthouse suite causes my stomach to start doing somersaults.”

• The pair have completely different religious beliefs. Nicki has recently become a Christ-follower, while Ms. O’Connor doesn’t see faith as necessary.

“Like the Bible says, ‘Two are better than one for they get a good return on their work.’”

Ms. O’Connor rolls her eyes at me. “You’re not going to preach too, are you?”

I laugh. “I’m the last person to be preaching to anyone.”

“Good.”

• Most professional organizers aren’t hasty when it comes to making decisions. Ms. O’Connor, however, seems to be quick to make choices when the need arises.

“China? By yourself? Isn’t that a bit hasty?” I ask.

“No.” She shakes her head.

Okay, now I know she’s unstable. No one just picks up and goes to China on a whim. Or do they?

• Although both women have issues with their parents (Nicki with her mom and Ms. O’Connor with her father), their feelings toward their flesh and blood differ significantly.

“While I love my mother dearly and enjoy her company, I don’t go there (her house) often. Better for us to meet at a location that isn’t packed with unnecessary clearance items and stuff even antique collectors consider junk. It’s easier that way.”

                                                                        **

Straightening, I look Ms. O’Connor in the eye. “I’m so sorry for your loss (of her father).”

“Thank you, but there’s no need. My father and I weren’t close.”

While the two women are complete opposites, in the end, their different personalities come together to save those who can’t save themselves.

“Three months ago, I was packing up my office, sad but determined to make a way for myself. Then Ms. O’Connor entered my world, and my life changed in ways I could never have imagined. We’ve become the most unexpected team.”

Truly, Nicki Mayfield and Katherine O’Connor are the unlikeliest of pairs. But then again, God works in mysterious ways and makes relationships, including a very odd couple, the perfect arrangement.

Perfectly Arranged

By Liana George

Can Nicki risk letting go of her well-ordered life plans and embrace what God has perfectly arranged?

Short on clients and money, professional organizer Nicki Mayfield is hanging up her label maker. That is until the eccentric socialite Katherine O’Connor offers Nicki one last job.

Working together, the pair discovers an unusual business card among Ms. O’Connor’s family belongs that leads them on a journey to China. There, the women embark on an adventure of faith and self-discovery as they uncover secrets, truths, and ultimately God’s perfectly arranged plans.

Perfectly Arranged released on October 26, 2021. Order yours here

About the Author:

Liana George is a sought-after speaker, blogger, and author. Before pursuing a career in writing, she was a professional organizer and the former owner of By George Organizing Solutions in Houston, Texas. Perfectly Arranged was inspired by one of her eccentric clients and Liana’s love for China, where she lived for two and a half years. When she’s not putting things in order or scribbling away, you can find her reading, traveling, or playing Pickleball.

Wednesday Writers–Finding The Key Factor By Carole Brown

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book excerpt, Carole Brown, cozy mystery The Golden Touch, The Golden Touch, Wednesday Writers, writing tips

When beginning the story of THE GOLDEN TOUCH, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries, I needed a KEY factor. (Not to be confused with a spiritual or romantic element of the story). 

Here’s what I knew:

• the protagonists: Jazzi (Jazmine) Sanderson and Ryle Sadler, their careers and/or past, their personalities, their faith element
• the basic plot: mystery and romance
• the setting
• the first chapter

But I still didn’t have that thing—that emotion—the characters were searching for…until I, unknowingly hit upon it. What Jazzi and Ryle were both seeking, although unknown to either, was a place that felt like HOME. The place that makes a person feel content, relaxed and at peace, even when trouble is brewing, even when you’re still searching for that one person who makes the world go ’round for you.

Where was it? Appleton, West Virginia. The small town where everyone knew everyone and their business, or at least assumed they knew. Where friends were friends for life, even when that small town held secrets, trouble and problems.

Ryle, who was rich, innovative and smart, living in a big town and traveling across the country for work was happy, or thought he was. But when he chanced upon Appleton, West Virginia, small, friendly, clean and sometimes a nosy place, but where friends were loyal and ready to help in any way they could, Ryle realized he’d found that spot that felt like home. Adding that to solving the mystery and finding love, was the answer his heart had craved, even though he didn’t know it.

As for Jazzi, wild, beautiful young lady that she was, felt unloved by her adopted parents, and flew the coop from Appleton as soon as she was of age. What she didn’t realize, that instead of blaming others for her unhappiness, it was of her own making. It wasn’t until she returned to Appleton, more mature now, accepting of her own mistakes, and finding a meaning for her life, that her heart grasped the one place that could ever feel like home. Appleton.

Once that revelation that they’d found the place their hearts had sought for, although through different methods, it was then their hearts could open to accept the love facing them. And it was only then that both were able to relax enough to allow God to lead them in the right path. 

The Golden Touch, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries

By Carole Brown

Not again.

Ryle Sadler stared down at the financial statement lying on his desk. His investment firm had just sent him another record of overwhelming success. Time to sell his share in this stock.

Ryle came from the poor side of the tracks, but that had no bearing on his success in life—which he kept hidden from everyone, especially those in Appleton, West Virginia. But when he buys the local, rundown bed and breakfast, mysterious revelations from beneath the site are suddenly threatening to ruin his good standing with the citizens.

Then along comes Jazzi Sanderson. Jazzi has a reputation of being wild, but Ryle sees more than is on the top layer of this woman. Beneath that tough, wild streak lurks a woman who wants to be loved by the right person, a woman who is tender-hearted and who is just finding out that God is real.

Is Ryle and Jazzi’s worlds too far apart or can their differences help them solve the mystery that lies beneath Ryle’s bed and breakfast? Will the evil person behind it all be able to silence them, or can Ryle’s golden touch prevail in this endevor too?

The Golden Touch

Chapter One

Ryle Sadler stared at the unkempt bed and breakfast in front of him. The urge to buy this place was stronger than ever, and he couldn’t understand it. He’d never bought or invested in anything on an urge. He’d prayed about this crazy urge for sure. Many times. No answer came back from God. Only this confusing push to buy it. Now.

He hadn’t amassed his wealth by going on urges. No sirree. Coming from the poor side of town had taught him plenty, and two of those things were listening and learning. Those had gotten him where he was now.

The Golden Touch. That’s what the investors in the world called it, and that’s what he had. Or so they said. It scared him, truth be told, that everything he touched turned to gold. Didn’t matter whether it was stocks or an act of generosity in helping a struggling business person. Everytime—so far—had been successful.

But this, this business that Maisie, the owner, cared little about, was neither of those things. If he bought it, would it change his touch? Would it be the knife to cut the string of wins he’d experienced so far? Would it be his first failure? After all, what did he know about bed and breakfasts?

Nothing.

A young woman exited the place, her purple hair a distraction from her beautiful features. Toby and Amy Sanderson, Jazzi Sanderson’s sister and brother-in-law, had confided that she’d taken a room there to be on her own—in spite of the inn’s rundown condition. She didn’t know her own beauty or worth.

He’d had little to do with women. Too little time, and, frankly, no one so far, who’d garnered his attention long enough.

But this woman. Ryle’s heart gave an unusual ping forcing a frown on his face.

She saw him then, and gave a shy, little wave—a complete contradiction to her reputation—the smile on her face as bright as the sunshine from the heavens.

And then he heard the voice.

Invite Jazmine Ashley Sanderson to help you at the bed and breakfast.

No. That was crazy. What was wrong with him? He’d never done such a thing. Invested in businesses by using his money, yes, to do what he felt was his calling. But asking a woman he barely knew to help him get this place up and running? Would she laugh at him? Would the whole town of Appleton consider him the biggest fool ever to cross their path? Her sister, Amy, had been upset with her when Jazmine had refused the offer of staying with her. Why had she insisted on renting a room here, of all places?

She did have a reputation. And not such a good one.

What if she accepted, thinking it was a lark, an easy way to get some money, with no improvement in her personality? Or worse, be irresponsible? Could he trust her to have the same vision as he?

No, it wasn’t his responsibility what she did. But then, he didn’t think helping someone continue on the broken path they were on was beneficial either. Still, his calling was to help. What they did afterwards was their responsibility.

So, what’s it to be? Will you obey my direction on this?

The dark cloud suddenly covering the sun seemed to be frowning at him.

“I always have.” Ryle couldn’t even hear his own whisper as he mouthed the words.

And as suddenly, as it had been covered seconds ago, the sun popped from behind the cloud, sending its golden beams straight down to shine on the bed and breakfast.

Ryle gave up the struggle. It might be interesting—and a learning process for him—if this adventure was a failure. Time would tell.

The groan that escaped his lips assured him he wasn’t looking forward to it.

Want to read more? You can find The Golden Touch on Amazon

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with Carole on her   Personal blog: Facebook: Amazon Author Page:  Twitter: 

Musings from a Writer’s Brain –The Danger of “Inspiration” by Christina Sinsi

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Christian Author, Christina Sinsi, essay, Inspiration, Musings from a Writer's Brain, suspense, Sweet Summer Romance, Writer's ideas, writing tips

First, let me thank Catherine for hosting me on her blog. I appreciate this opportunity! Second, also allow me to say that I still myself as a new author even though I have published three books. I feel like there is so much I have yet to learn!

At the same time, I feel called to discuss the danger of “inspiration.” As a Christian author, I understand that we should be careful when taking bible verses out of context. For example, on my drive to visit a friend today, I heard the lyrics of a contemporary Christian song include Philippians 4:13 NSV “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” I hope the writers of the song realize that, in context, Paul wrote about being content in all circumstances. He was in prison! He certainly couldn’t do just anything he dared to dream—break the chains (even though that did happen at one point) or just walk out of prison (even though that happened at another time) unless God so wills. We need to remember that we can do all things that glorify God and not just any old thing.

So, now, I get to the topic of writing and inspiration.  In many interviews, I am asked where do I get my inspiration? My go-to answer is everywhere—the newspaper, dreams, other people’s lives and stories, things that happened to me, and nudges from previous stories I’ve written. I have been listening to songs on the radio and the lyrics trigger an idea. Other authors have told me of ideas coming out of nowhere while they are driving, watching television shows, reading other books, you name it. There have been times when I have an issue I need to deal with in my life and a story arises to let me get the hurt out of my system.

I have stacks of folders with ideas just sitting on the shelf. Those folders may contain my notes, magazine or newspaper clippings, and other snippets that are the seeds of a book.

If you’re having writer’s block, I hope and pray that I may have just given you an idea as to where to get an idea.

My point is the next step, however. If you have all those ideas just lying around, how do you choose which one to turn into a short story or book, which one to allow to consume your life for maybe months?

First, you pray. Sorry I didn’t mention that earlier, but of course prayer can and should happen at any and every stage of your calling.

Second, which story is haunting you? Which one comes back to bug you when you’re taking a walk around your neighborhood, when you soak in the tub, or as you’re trying to go to sleep at night? By the way, bed, bath, and bus are famous in psychology as places to stir those creative juices.

Third, which one can you hold up to the light and see how the story might glorify God? This is where I may be different than others in my advice.  Just because a story haunts you, just because it seems like something that could sell, just because you feel the need to write this particular story, doesn’t mean you should. This is the truth I want to leave you with, if I may. Be careful that inspiration doesn’t dictate your writing choices.

In so many areas of our lives, we are tempted. Our temptation sticks around and can be very strong. So, don’t think a particular story idea can’t take the form of temptation.

In conclusion, I think inspiration of any kind can be dangerous if we don’t hold it up to the light and see if it shines.

About the Author:

 A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest and the American Title IV Contest in which she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include The Christmas Confusion and Sweet Summer, the first two books in the Summer Creek Series, as well as the Christmas On Ocracoke and the upcoming Why They Call it Falling. By day, She is a psychology professor and lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her husband, two grown children and Hemingway cat, Chessie.

Connect with Christina on her Website/Blog:   Please sign up here for my newsletter! Facebook:  Instagram: @csinisi123 Goodreads:  

Sweet Summer

By Christina Sinsi

 

Shelby Marano is the youngest of three sisters and was always Daddy’s baby girl–until her father was murdered. Ever since, she’s been running from anyone or anything that could truly hurt her. Instead, she seeks calculated thrills that leave her exhilarated, but when she’s caught outside during a summer storm, she quickly realizes not all adventures are within her control.

Tyler Burgess offers her both refuge from the rain and a safe place to land.

Time spent with Tyler proves him to be much more than just a nerd in a history museum, but what she finds out about him is a deal breaker for her. As Shelby’s perfect little world is threatened by family health issues and an unknown stalker, she learns the hard lesson that no one can hide from the dangers of life. Can Shelby let her sisters, Tyler, and even more importantly, God, show her in one Sweet Summer, that love is worth taking the risk?

BUY LINKS: Find Sweet Summer on Amazon and Anaiah Press

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Moodling by Joanne Guidoccio

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daydreaming, essay, firing up the imagination, Free book limited time offer, Joanne Guidoccio, moodling, Musings from a Writer’s Brain, No More Secrets, the writing process, writing tips

When I first heard the word moodling at a writing workshop, my thoughts gravitated toward zucchini noodles. A bit off base, but considering it was close to lunchtime, I assumed there might be some connection.

The facilitator quickly put an end to that line of thinking. A long-winded explanation followed with brief mentions of famous moodlers such as Isaac Newton, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Albert Einstein.

Intrigued, I decided to do my own research. Here’s what I discovered:

Moodling is primarily a solitary activity. You won’t find any university or college courses devoted to moodling. Nor will you find it in the Pocket Oxford English Dictionary (2013 edition).  

In her book, If You Want to Write (1938), Brenda Ueland offers the following description:

“The imagination needs moodling—long, inefficient happy idling, dawdling and puttering.”

Euland then goes on to say, “What you write today is the result of some span of idling yesterday, some fairly long period of protection from talking and busyness.”

Moodling worked for Isaac Newton when he sat under an apple tree in Woolsthorpe, England, circa 1666. While wondering why the moon didn’t obey the principle of centrifugal force and fly off into space, an apple fell upon him. Newton moodled and formulated his theory.

Napoleon Bonaparte moodled for months before making military decisions.

After the breakup of his marriage, Albert Einstein spent undisturbed days and nights in the quiet solitude of his Berlin apartment, following his mathematical hunches. This intense period allowed Einstein to finalize the general theory of relativity.

Sitting under a tree, lying on a beach, strolling in a park, soaking in a bathtub, listening to classical music, lingering in bed…these are ideal “moodling” environments. Give yourself permission to daydream and reflect without too many expectations. And don’t be disappointed if a spark or epiphany doesn’t emerge quickly.  

If you prefer a more structured approach to moodling, follow the method suggested by Eric Grunwald, a lecturer in MIT’s Department of Global Studies and Languages. (https://writingprocess.mit.edu/process/step-1-generate-ideas/instructions/moodling):

Set aside an hour or more.  

1. Sit in front of a window, with pen or pencil and paper (or computer).
2. Daydream. Don’t force any thoughts or ideas. Only write a word when you feel it must be written. If you are so moved, write more.
3. Do not worry about grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
4. Repeat the following day.

Happy moodling!

Special Notice!

Joanne is offering a free ebook of No More Secrets on the following dates: Monday, June 7 to Thursday, June 10.  So if you find her blurb intriguing head on over to Amazon on one of the above dates and download No More Secrets.

No More Secrets

By Joanne Guidoccio

Angelica Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.

Inspired by Angelica’s example, the younger women share their “First World” problems and, in the process, set themselves free.  

But one heartbreaking secret remains untold…

Ebook for No More Secrets is free on Amazon – June 7 to June 10!

Buy Links Amazon (US) – Amazon (Canada) –Amazon (UK) –Amazon (Australia)

About the Author:

In 2008, Joanne Guidoccio took advantage of early retirement and launched a second act as a writer. Her articles and book reviews have been published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Joanne writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne…Website – Twitter – Goodreads – Pinterest

Wednesday Writers–The Journey by Verity A. Buchanan

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Book excerpt from The Journey, The Journey, Verity A. Buchanan, Wednesday Writers, writing post, writing tips, YA High Fantasy

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. Today YA author Verity A. Buchanan is our guest blogger. She’ll be sharing a post about writing roadblock,s unexpected changes, and how going with the flow can work for authors. She also has an excerpt from her YA high fantasy novel, The Journey. So be sure to read to the bottom of the post for a peek at her book. Welcome, Verity!

Thanks, Catherine.

Books can really change along the way.

When I started my YA fantasy novel The Journey, I planned it to be a single-POV book. The vision in my head revolved around one young man and his struggles to grow into the weight of responsibility, and it seemed natural that only his thoughts would be needed to tell the story.

But as I swung through the first act of the book and got deep into the second, I began to encounter roadblocks. A sustained exploration of my young protagonist’s mindscape was draining, perpetually introspective, and beginning to get morbid. Part of that morbidity was just… him, unfortunately. Fred tends to go the self-deprecating soliloquy route. Part of it was my own unrefined writer’s technique.

One way or the other, I was starting to hate my protagonist, a bad lookout for finishing the book.

And then the light dawned.

I don’t know where the idea came from, but suddenly I wondered: what would it be like if I introduced a second perspective to the story?

Fred’s sister, Sandy, was everything he wasn’t. She was flippant, thoughtless, outspoken, and indifferent to the very idea of responsibility — yet some of her deepest insecurities and desires sprang from the same root as her brother’s. Not only that, she had her own inner journey to make, which had been largely glossed over by Fred’s dominance of the narrative. The more I considered it, the more excited I got, especially realizing that including Sandy’s thoughts would give the third sibling’s inner journey, Marjorie’s, even more of a chance to shine as well.

So, knowing it would mean a significant rewrite of the already-existing 11 chapters but prepared to make that adjustment, I forged ahead.

And it worked. Sandy’s sassy and sometimes quite insightful outlook provided a remarkable balance for Fred’s pensive reflections. Using her external viewpoint provided the needed filter for Fred’s heroism, too — which, when exclusively in his own head, was either downplayed to nothing or recognized with far too much martyral attitude. With Sandy, we got to see Fred as others saw him, which was ultimately quite a key component to the resolution of his arc.

I finished The Journey in record speed after that. Even the rewrite of the first half was a breeze.

My first vision was to tell Fred’s story, and his is still the uppermost focus of The Journey. But Sandy is a constant presence, a counterpart, if you will, and an indispensable one at that. I’ve never regretted handing the reins to her for a second.

My lonely, underrated girl really earned her chance to shine.

The Journey, Ceristen Series

By Verity A. Buchanan

All it took was one fire.

One fire to make the disgruntled villagers kick the local alcoholic’s family out the door with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

One fire to bring Fred Thorne face-to-face with his worst fear — accountability.

When Fred takes up the leadership of his younger sisters, he hopes to pass it on as soon as possible. But every promise of refuge ends in disaster, and no burden, it seems, could be harder to lose.

The Journey follows the Thorne siblings through rejection, captivity, and an increasing downward spiral of guilt as Fred fails time and time again to protect his family from the dangers of a hostile world. Will their search for safety ever end?

Described as “if Louisa May Alcott had written The Lord of the Rings”, The Journey pairs an intimate focus on individual nobodies and their struggles with the sweeping, large-scale setting of a valiant journey.

Excerpt from The Journey

Sandy sat up, tugging her blanket over her against the cold. In front of her nose a lone snowflake drifted down and settled in the white ashes of the fire. The bluish dawn light grew stronger, paler. Sandy noticed the girl’s huddled form and scowled, her annoyance flaring. What business had a silly little girl to lose herself, impose herself on people who had their own problems? A nervous knot twisted itself in her stomach as she thought of Marjorie, and she forgot about their small guest.

She came out of her worries to an awareness that Fred was moving around. She looked across and saw with a frown that he was shivering, chafing himself all over and breathing on his hands. “Fred, are you all right?”

His voice when he answered her stuttered with cold. “Aye, I’ll be all right. A bit—a bit chilled, that’s all.”

“Well, why? Why on earth? Where’s your blanket?”

He nodded to the girl, and with a wave of anger Sandy knew. “She needed it more.”

Stupid Fred, stupid Fred. Sandy jumped up and shoved her blanket into her pack, jerked it violently onto her shoulder. “Let’s eat quick and go.”

He did not move, but regarded her sadly, seeming to struggle within himself whether to speak. “Sandy,” he said gently, too gently. “Would you have me bring such dishonor upon myself? It is enough shame that I wish I had not done it.” He walked away with a heavy step and Sandy watched him, momentarily sorry for her words.

In her comfortable nest of Fred’s blanket, the girl stirred, the thick lashes over her eyes fluttering, lifting, and she sat up. She surveyed Sandy and Fred in turn but did not speak.

Sandy had never resented anyone’s beauty before, but to her shock she did so now. How dare she have such clear skin, such large, luminous dark eyes, such a winsome, pathetic fairness. And how dare she be pitiful and ragged and thin, to extort compassion from tender-hearted Fred. Sandy wanted badly, very badly, to stalk up to her and shake her. Why had she walked up and ruined their lives? Any more, of course, than they were already ruined by Marjorie’s disappearance, and a tumble down a ravine, and freezing nights.

“Do you think we’ll find Marjorie?”

At the look of despair in Fred’s eyes, she regretted asking.

“I hope,” he said tonelessly.

Sandy gave up. Why did it have to cut him so deeply?

She was tired of all the questions her mind asked, questions to which there were no answers, and hunched over so that she did not have to meet Fred’s eyes while they ate their breakfast.

— from The Journey, Ceristen Series 1, Chapter 10

Want to read more? You can find The Journey at:  

Author (discounted, signed paperbacks): Book Depository: Apple Books

About the Author:

Verity A. Buchanan lives in the rugged hills of Northern Michigan, where the bitter winters provide vivid inspiration for her writing and plenty of excuses to make hot chocolate. A long-time lover of fantasy, she writes stories of the real and the broken, shot with the light of the Word. Fantasy shouldn’t have to always be about kings and crowns and evil overlords-the nameless refugees and the blacksmith with the quirky accent matter, too. In all her writing, Verity aims to show the extraordinary hidden in the ordinary: to make the familiar new.

Connect with Verity at her  Author website: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter

Wednesday Writers–Real Life in Fictional Novels by Carole Brown

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Caleb's Destiny, Carole Brown, clean romance, excerpt from Caleb's Destiny, historical romance, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers, westerns, writing tips

 

 

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today’s guest is Carole Brown who will be talking about using real life in your fiction novels. She also has an excerpt from her newest book, Caleb’s Destiny, a clean, inspirational Historical Western Romantic Suspense.   Welcome, Carole.

 

REAL Life in Fictional Novels by Carole Brown

 

These are some statements authors hear often:

• No way that could be true!
• Listen, I’ve been in the military/police force/medical/law/whatever, and I’m telling you, that didn’t/couldn’t happen.
• Where on earth do you get these crazy ideas?
• Hoping these things don’t happen in real life!

Sorry. They do, and worse.

Writers hear those type of statements all the time. What people/readers sometimes don’t realize:

• we research. Heavily.
• we take our ideas from real life. It’s what creates that sense of being there, of experiencing what our characters are going through.
• we interview people. Which helps us in developing our own characters
• we watch/read the news. This gives us ideas of how to create new situations and tension in our books.

How can we use true life events in our novels?

• I got the idea for With Music in Their Hearts from an older gentlemen who wrote a short story about a man who served as a civilian spy during WWII. It was said the author was the man, but he never admitted to it. Whether true or not (and I lean toward true), it made for a great plot for my first WWII novel.

 

• Take my debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. My husband came up with the plot of an abused woman seeking revenge over the death of a daughter. Lots of men go after revenge, and some women do too. But to stand up in a cult situation? The idea came from a certain cult in a certain state several years ago. Did the idea pan out? I think so, with the book finaling in several contests and becoming an Amazon bestseller in different categories numerous times. Lifelike enough, I’d say.

 

• And then there’s my newest novel: Caleb’s Destiny. Years ago, my family and I worked with the Native Americans in New Mexico and Arizona. One of our excursions included a trip up a mountain with a older man named Jeb so that he could take us gold panning. Now our experience is not the same as the men in Caleb’s Destiny experienced, but it gave me the excitement of looking for gold, the sense of the land, and the feel of what it could have been like in the 1800s.

So, yes, real life is full of extraordinary things that we, as writers can and do use in our books. Never doubt that yes, that could, maybe, probably did happen somewhere to someone.

Where does this leave us? Right at the door that reads: Truth is stranger than fiction. And in a nice spot where we can smile at the skeptics and say, “You never know!”

 

Caleb’s Destiny

by Carole Brown

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold?

Hunter, who is Mr. Michael’s ranch manager, is determined to find the answers and protect the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions.

Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of everyone of his employees?

Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael’s ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now…unless, of course, he’s dead.

 

 

Book Excerpt from Chapter Six

 

After he settled into a seat across from her, he picked up his fork and looked at her. “Dig in.”

She hated it, but her cheeks were heating up again. “Do you mind…?”

“Mind?” His first bite headed toward his mouth. “If you eat?”

Why hadn’t she just said a silent, quick prayer? “Uh, I’d like to say a prayer. I’ve grown used to doing it at sch—uh, home.” And Richard had always insisted on it.

He dropped his fork. “Of course. Go ahead.”

Closing her eyes, she pressed her hands together. “Heavenly Father, we ask for your beautiful—I mean, bountiful blessings on our snack—breakfast, uh, tonight.” Destiny wanted to sink through the floor. She, who was the epitome of gracefulness at school; she who wanted to impress this confident man, was stumbling like a drunken cowboy. Whispering a “Father, forgive me” for butchering what should have been a simple prayer, she hastened to finish it. “Thank you for Mr. Michael’s hospitality, and help us to further our friendship.”

Ugh. He’d think she wanted something more than friendship. Destiny cringed and refused to glance at him. “Amen.”

Had that been a snicker? Surely not. She picked up her fork and shoved a tiny bite of egg in her dry mouth. She chewed and swallowed, but the former delicious-looking omelet refused to go down. She reached for her coffee and felt the food slide down with the coffee.

Ah, reprieved.

“Tell me, Miss McCulloch—it is Miss?”

He was laughing. She could hear it in his voice without even seeing his face. Her appetite vanished just as her temper kicked in. “It is Miss McCulloch to you, Mr. Michael, and I’ll thank you not to laugh at me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” And this time his voice was serious.

 

Want to read more? You can find Caleb’s Destiny at Amazon

 

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Social Media Links:  Personal blog: FB Fan Page:  Amazon Author Page

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Plotting 201 by Christina Sinisi

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Christina Sinisi, Christmas Confusion, Musings from a Writer's Brain, plotting, writing tips

Plotting 201. Faith Points.

by Christina Sinisi

I’ve been writing my whole life and am now in my 50s. While I only published my first novella last year, I’ve studied the craft for decades. In the early years of my writing fiction, I was a pantser—someone who wrote by the seat of her pants and let the muse take me where it would. Over the years, however, I found that I did much better at NOT getting stuck in the mire of the middle if I at least plotted the overall story line and created a GMC for each of my characters.  For this blog, I’m going to focus on what I call faith points.

I especially love a story board and wanted to share that technique with aspiring writers. I am indebted to Alexandra Sokoloff’s Screenwriting Tricks for Authors as well as many other workshop presenters whose words are imprinted on my brain even if some of their names are faded from my memory.

Start by gathering white, blank notecards and taping them onto a display board that you might buy for a child’s science project.  On the left, in bold letters, post Act 1, in the middle Act 2 Parts 1 and 2, and on the right Act 3. I have a picture and more detail on my own blog found at www.christinasinisi.com. Using different colored post-it-notes to represent the different threads—pink for the heroine (yes, stereotypical, but easy), blue for the hero, red or black for the villain (if you have one, if not, the antagonist or source of conflict),  yellow for plot points, rose for the romance, and if you’re writing inspirational, purple for the faith points.

Just as both the hero and heroine need to have a romance arc—where they start off not in love and work their way to a commitment of some form—each requires a struggle with their faith that goes from weaker to stronger by the end of the book. If you’re writing a novella, only one of the characters really has time for this development. The other main character should, in my opinion, be strong in the faith and help the other person reach a point of trust in the Lord.

If you’re writing a full-length of novel, however, in the inspirational market, both the hero and heroine could face a crisis of faith along with the main story and the romance. So, yes, writing this kind of novel is harder in a way. Not only do we need a story, but there needs to be a romance and faith growth. There are many ways we humans can struggle with our faith—I teach a Psychology of Religion class and the research discusses this in terms of conversion. A person can go from no faith to a faith. An individual could go from a lukewarm faith all her life to a passion for Jesus. An individual could go from a strong faith and then something terrible happens or maybe a lot of small challenges and loses his or her faith. The Long Dark Night of the Soul could, in truth, be the terrible thing that drives this person back to his faith because he can’t survive without the Lord.  Then, he prays and/or reads his bible or talks to a spiritual leader or another person of strong faith and comes out on the other side.  To experience the Joy of connecting with our Savior.

Authors need to intentionally put their characters in situations where their faith will be tested because we humans face situations where our faith is tested. We live through these characters for a short time, and hopefully strengthen our faith as they do theirs. Hopefully, we laugh and love along the way, but iron strengthens iron.  If the best way to write a story is by purposefully planning the main points of the action, we cannot give the faith development less effort.

 

Christmas Confusion

By Christina Sinisi

When Tiffany Marano’s high school sweetheart drove off to join the Marines and never looked back, she swore off men. Now, she’s content to teach at Summer Creek, South Carolina’s local elementary school, lead a Sunday school class, and spend weekends with her niece—until Nick Walsh suddenly reappears wearing a wedding ring and with a daughter in tow. Everything about Tiffany’s calm, quiet life is now one disordered mess.

Nick Walsh comes face to face with Tiffany after all these years, and sparks fly. But not the happy glittering kind, because each of them thinks the other responsible for their estrangement. Before they can work it out, though, Tiffany’s sister disappears. Left with custody of her niece and forced to work with new police detective Nick to find her sister, old feelings begin to resurface. As they start to unravel the truths that left them confused and apart for too long, Nick must learn to let go of his past. But can Tiffany let go of her fear and learn to trust that God isn’t the only one who won’t abandon her?

Want to read more?

You can find Christmas Confusion at Amazon.

 

About the Author

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include The Christmas Confusion and the upcoming Sweet Summer, the first two books in the Summer Creek Series. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and loves a good cooking challenge.

Connect with Christina at her Website, Facebook and Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Confessions of a Multi-genre Writer by Linda Wood Rondeau

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branding, contemporary fiction, essay, humor, Inspirational fiction, LInda Wood Rondeau, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Second Helpings, writing tips

Perhaps it’s just another symptom of my indecisive nature. I’m the kind of person who stands in the grocery aisle for ten minutes trying to decide what kind of pasta to buy.

An agent told me, “You write so far out of the box, you’re in a different room.”

Maybe this is why it took me eleven years before I received my first book contract. I needed to learn not just to be unique, but to be identifiable enough that editors didn’t have to put a coat on to find me.

At every conference I attended, the harpies screeched “Branding! Branding! Branding!” How does an author who writes speculative, paranormal, romance/historical/contemporary women’s fiction brand herself?

As I watched American Idol, I was intrigued by what the judges would repeatedly advise: know who you are as an artist.

Is this branding? I wondered.

I realized some singers can effectively sing across charts. Elvis, for example. Yet, there is an identifiable trait in their delivery.

Understanding this intuitively is a lot different from applying the truth to my writing.

I wanted to be the next Asimov, Tolkien or at the least Gene Roddenberry … George Lucas would be taking the comparison too far. I’d never come close to his genius. But why not write a space trilogy that changed the world?

I dashed back and forth from speculative, science fiction, romance, contemporary, historical and wondering all the time, “What kind of writer am I? What is my brand? Why can’t I settle on something and write only that?”

At every writing conference, I am asked, “What is your genre?”

How can I answer that?

I find in my writing, that I crave variety. I don’t want to write just one kind of story.

When I presented my dilemma, I was told, “Write what you like to read.” That doesn’t define me either. I like to read anything from a prairie romance to a spine-tingling horror book. I love a good story regardless of its trappings.

I was told, I’d never get published until I settled on what I wanted to write and focused solely on that until I “made it.” Then I might stand a chance to veer from that mode.

To determine what kind of writer I should be, I looked to my acting experiences. I pursued Community Theatre for over twenty years while living in Northern New York. I played such diverse roles as a transgender news reporter, an elderly murder-mystery writer, a ghost, a 19^th century estate owner, a yodeling country singer disguised as a German baroness, a detective, a backwoods philosopher, and a country-gospel singing nun as well as sundry other characters.

Biiggest Ain’t the Best

Making God skit at UMC in Norfolk August 2010

Those in our theater group said my strength as an actress was the ability to identify in some way shape or form with these outlandish characters, and making them come to life.

What I learned from acting is the truth that I don’t need to be them in order to understand them.

Is this then my brand? From the bizarre to the ridiculous?

As door after door slammed shut on a speculative writing career, I truly began to examine my brand, as it were. I found the stories I write, whether speculative, historical, or romance invoke a style that has come to be uniquely me: a blending of story-telling that encompasses the human spirit, healing from brokenness, and hope for lives damaged by wrong turns. I tell my stories from a deep point of view, sometimes first-person, and always infuse the inane in the telling.

I get it now. Branding is not the same as genre. It is voice and style and what makes you uniquely you. You cannot be unique if you copy. To quote another writer whose genius far exceeds the imagination of all writers, “This above all, to thine own self be true.”

What is your brand? How is it uniquely you?

 

Check out Linda’s special brand of writing in her book

 

Second Helpings

By Linda Wood Rondeau

 

Today is Jocelyn Johnson’s 45^th birthday. Unhappy with her marriage of 22 years, the parenting talk show host has planned a noonday tryst with her cohost. A phone call from her college daughter, a peek into her teenaged son’s journal, a sick preschooler, a Goth daughter’s identity crisis, a middle-school son’s prank, and her husband’s inflamed suspicions, not only interfere with her hopeful birthday plans but throw her family into more chaos than a circus on steroids.

In desperate need of counsel, Jocelyn invites a Christian to dinner, her guest from her morning talk show segment. However, the evening holds little promise of calm. In the midst of bedlam, a forgotten faith rekindles causing Jocelyn to rethink her life and her marriage.

You will laugh and you will cry from the first page to the last as you journey through the day’s events and Jocelyn’s search for Second Helpings.

 

Buy Link  Ebook : Print book

 

 

About the Author:

A veteran social worker, Linda Wood Rondeau is also a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is no stranger to family bedlam. Her stories of encouragement and hope come from the heart. She resides in Hagerstown, Maryland with her husband of over forty-years. When not writing, the author enjoys the occasional round of golf. She also enjoys theater and is actively involved with her local church. Find more encouraging words in her blog, Snark and Sensibility, found on her website, www.lindarondeau.com. Visit her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musings from a Writer’s Brain–Writing is Like Laundry by Karin Beery

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Essay about Writing, Karin Beery, Musings from a Writer's Brain, Practically Married, writing tips

Writing is Like Laundry … by Karin Beery

image courtesy of pixabay

Do you remember the TV show Castle? Author Rick Castle followed detective Kate Beckett around to find inspiration for a new novel. Once he was inspired, he wrote the book, submitted it, and presto! He’s done.

Sort of.

Most people think that’s how authors write and live their lives: write a book and get it published. That’s a massive over simplification. I’ve found that writing a book is more like doing laundry—there are certain steps you need to follow, you’re often working with more than one load at a time, and you repeat the process endlessly. Here’s what I mean:

1. Sort the laundry: plan your story. Writing your manuscript isn’t even the first step! First you need to organize everything, like sorting your whites and colors. You have to figure out your characters, the plot, the setting. Lots of loads.
2. Start washing: now you can write your story. Take all of your information and put it into a captivating manuscript.
3. Dry: edit. (They forgot to show that step on Castle.) Self-edit. Peer edit. Hire an editor. There are many ways to clean up your manuscript.
4. Put away clothes: submit your story.
5. Repeat #2 and #3: has anyone ever done just one load of laundry? Has any writer ever only worked on one story at a time? Not likely. You may have put some clothes away (i.e. submitted one story), but there’s more laundry to go (i.e. more stories to write).

This process continues until the laundry basket (your creativity) is empty. Then, six hours later, it’s full again, and you start the process all over again.

Steps #1-5 are, of course, the perfect scenario. There are always unexpected issues that pop up though:

• Stains (scenes or characters that leave a bad impression)
• Holes (plot holes; characterization holes)
• Frayed hems (conclusions that just don’t work)

You never know when one of these issues will pop up, but you always have to decide—fix it or throw it away? Never easy to do with your favorite yoga pants or your favorite secondary character.

Like any chore, writing can become monotonous if you let it, so I don’t let it! I make sure to break up my writing projects by working with other people, reading, or walking away completely to let my brain reset (while I do a load of actual laundry).

I suppose someday I could run out of ideas, but I hope the creative side of my brain will keep filling up like my laundry basket.

 

While you’re waiting for your laundry to dry—the real stuff, not the book laundry—check out Karin’s book Practically Married

Practically Married

By Karin Beery

Ashley moves to a new town to marry her fiancé. Instead, she buries him.

Ashley Johnson moves to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrives in time to go to his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed her the family farmhouse. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’s problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend.

 

Excerpt

Ashley turned back to the open refrigerator while she listened to Rob’s footsteps fade away. Cheese, meat, bread, more cheese. She handed everything to Russ. Unlike his paperwork, there was no way he could lose the food between her hands and the kitchen counter.

But what if Russ couldn’t find the deed? What if they weren’t good roommates? Could she get enough work in the next year to save up a down payment on a house? Panic squeezed her lungs. Ignoring the leftover veggie tray and fruit salad, she grabbed the gelatin and set it on the island.

Russ handed her some meat that he’d smashed between bread. “Looks like we can add the farm to our list of things to figure out.” He threw together another sandwich then stood beside her, both of them leaning against the counter, munching away. Russ tore through his food, staring at the floor. Ashley bit into her sandwich, but it gummed up in her mouth. She tossed it on the counter and grabbed the bowl of green, jiggly comfort instead.

Russ opened a drawer in the island. “Spoon?”

“Thank you.” She took the largest spoon and scooped out a mound of lime gelatin and whipped cream. “You know, as crazy as it’s been since I got here, none of this should surprise me. Tom used to do this to me all the time. He’d start talking about something that he forgot to tell me about, then get mad that I couldn’t follow the conversation. It shouldn’t surprise me that he forgot to tell you about me.”

“You should have been his business partner.” Russ crunched into a pickle. “We always had stuff showing up at the farm without explanation. You’re the first bride, though.”

 

About the Author:

Karin Beery grew up in a rural Michigan town, where she wrote her first novel in high school. Today, she writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it. In her free time, she enjoys watching University of Michigan football and action-adventure movies with her husband and fur babies.

Links: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
https://twitter.com/karinbeery
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery