My First Giveaway!

What book are you currently reading?

To win a $20 Amazon e-gift card, answer the above question in the comments and make sure you're following my blog. Giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, March 4th. I'll announce the winner next Monday.

My answer: I just finished Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang. It was really interesting learning about occupied-Belgium during WWI.

Slowing Down

I hate driving in the snow or heavy rain and last Saturday I did just that. I was driving with my boys to a store about twenty minutes from our house. It was raining and I was nervous to traverse the wet, busy, and construction-clogged freeway. Because we didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time, though, I reminded myself I didn't need to hurry. And guess what? My confidence increased as I allowed myself to take things at a slower but steady pace.

How many times in life do we get moving at breakneck speed and all sorts of stress, worry, or fear set in as a result? Of course there are things we have to do and places we have to be. But if we could slow down and proceed through life at a less rushed pace, I think our confidence in ourselves and what we can do would increase and so would our enjoyment of life.

What do you do to slow life down a bit?

Quantity or Quality?

[This is one of my absolute favorite writing quotes.] Ray Bradbury once said: "I believe that eventually quantity will make up for quality. How so? Michelangelo's, da Vinci's, Tintoretto's billion sketches, the quantitative, prepared them for the qualitative, single sketches further down the line, single portraits, single landscapes of incredible control and beauty. Quantity gives experience. From experience alone can come quality."

Do you agree? Why or why not?

Also, be sure to check out my guest post over at Ali Cross's blog today and find out the five things you need to have a successful critique group!

Elana Johnson - Challenges and Creativity

(October 2009 - Four of my critique group members -

Jenn Wilks, Elana Johnson, Me - with pregnant belly - and Ali Cross)

I had the opportunity to attend a women's church group that Elana Johnson, my friend and critique partner, spoke at last week about surviving challenges and finding happiness. Elana's debut YA novel, Possession, will be coming out this June from Simon and Schuster.

Following some difficult life circumstances, Elana took up writing, beginning with her life history. She said creativity and her faith helped pull her through her challenges. She reminded us about the need for women to do something creative in their lives, doing something creative would help bring happiness. So many times we think to ourselves "I'll be happy when . . ." Maybe we fill that blank in with a new job, or marriage, or children, or a new home, or publication. But Elana talked about choosing to be happy RIGHT NOW. Her talk was very inspiring, especially because it applies to all of us, whatever our life situation.

If you want to read more about what Elana has to say about navigating life and the publishing world, check out her blog. Also, Elana is dishing about why she likes being in critique groups over at Ali Cross's blog today.

Setbacks or Stepping Stones?

Two years ago, I submitted one of my novels to a small publishing house. They'd requested the manuscript after the first chapter won in a local contest. I REALLY, REALLY wanted them to publish it. That seemed like the best, the most important thing for my manuscript at the time. But in the end, they declined, and of course, I was heartbroken.

The other day I realized I'm now grateful for that rejection. I wouldn't have discovered what I really wanted to do with my writing and what industry I wanted to pursue if that publisher had agreed to take on my manuscript.

It brings to mind that quote about when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. Our struggles, rejections, and detours can ultimately bring us to achieve something greater than we might have imagined. As long as we keep working and believing and reaching.

What setbacks in your writing journey have become stepping stones?

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

In honor of Valentine's Day next week, I thought I'd post about kissing. I enjoy sharing kisses (with my DH, of course), reading about kisses, and watching kisses. But I am NOT a fan of writing kisses. And yes, this is ironic, given that I write historical romances.

I like writing the scene the kiss takes place in, but for some reason, I dread/stumble through penning the actual kiss itself. If only I could convey the emotion and sweet passion of my favorite of all fictional kisses from the BBC miniseries North and South, based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell.

The hero and the heroine are very much opposed to each other throughout the story. Then, at the very end, they are reunited at a train station - he's just been to her old house and she's on her way to go see him about a business proposition. They sit down on a train bench and talk, while the hero stares tenderly at the heroine. Filled with equal tenderness, the heroine lifts his hand to her lips and kisses it. Then the hero leans in, cups her face between his hands, and hallelujah, they kiss at last.


So what's your favorite fictional kiss? What makes it good? Is it the emotion, the actual words, the characters or something else?

What I've Learned about Fiction from The Bachelor

Yes, I'll admit it. I like watching The Bachelor, and so does my hubby. I've enjoyed this season the most; the  bachelor seems much more mature and open than in past seasons. But inherent to the show, there are always things that compel most of America  to tune into the inner workings of one man dating numerous girls at the same time. And guess what? Those same things make for good fiction.

A Goal - For The Bachelor participants this is easy - win the man's heart and get a ring - or is it so easy? In the show it's not necessarily "what" is standing in these girls' way, but "who." Main characters also have to have a goal, something they want so badly they are willing to fight whatever or whoever to reach that goal.

Conflict - This is the reason we watch the show isn't it? What conflict/drama will result from all these girls falling in love with the same guy? Contrary to what I believed when I first started writing - you can't have a good story without conflict. It has to be there. Just like viewers of the show, readers find long lapses of happiness and calm BORING. It doesn't have to be shoot outs or natural disaster, but we need challenges and conflicting personalities to make us keep watching or reading for the resolve.

Motivation - or for Bachelor fans "the right reasons" - My husband and I joke that we'd be rich if we got a dollar for every time somebody on the show said "I'm here (you're here) for the right reasons." It doesn't matter so much what those reasons are, but like these girls, every character has to have some motivation - some reason for going after that goal. The awesome thing about motivation is it's largely tied into conflict because every one's motivations are different. Why do you think there's always drama in the Bachelor house? Because everyone has their own agenda/their own motivation for doing things that doesn't often gel with everyone else's agenda.

Emotion - There is never a small supply of this on The Bachelor. In just one episode you can see tears, fears, jealousy, frustration, compassion, and the thrill of falling in love. A novel needs just as much varied emotion and emotion in every scene. We want to "see" the characters laugh, cry, hurt, angry, fearful (and because I write historical romances) fall in love.

So any other Bachelor fans out there?