Blue Mountain Editorial Services: April 2007 Newsletter

April 2007 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

This newsletter is way late, because I've had computer problems off and on for the past two weeks. And that's why we don't have that much news. I haven't been able to get in touch with people. My apologies. It's April here, and after the eighty-degree weather in March we had a full week of freezing temperatures. I covered as many plants as I could, but some of them still look rather sick. The fruit crop is probably gone and I'm sure the wheat has been damaged. Spring in the Ozarks. We never know what will happen next.

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS ON EASTER

On that Christmas Eve so long ago, if it hadn't been for the identity of the baby in the manger it would have been a night like any other. But that baby, red, wet, and squalling, that baby, changed the world. After that night nothing would ever be the same. God, in human form, had come to earth to save those who were willing to repent and accept.

You've seen the Nativity scenes, heard the stories of the wise men, the shepherds and the angels, but something else watched from the shadows, something cold, calculating, and evil. Lucifer, the fallen angel was there, filled with hatred for the newborn infant. For that baby represented all that Lucifer wanted and could never have. Because he knew the destiny of that baby, just as he knew his own ending. That baby was born to die a shameful death, nailed to a cross for sins He didn't commit. If Lucifer, now known as Satan, could prevent that sacrifice, he could change the course of the world. So when the wise men arrived in Jerusalem someone had come before them. An invisible force, dark, treacherous, was already there, whispering in Herod's ear, creeping into his heart, persuading him to kill the newborn king, the pretender to the throne.

God took care of His own, and Satan failed. Just as he failed years later, when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He'd turn His back on God, and worship him. He was there in the garden when Jesus knelt to pray, knowing the pain and humiliation waiting for Him-- one last desperate attempt to wreck God's plans. When Jesus prayed, "Let this cup pass from me," he must have thought he had a chance. Then with one simple sentence, Jesus destroyed all of Satan's ambitions, when He said, "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done."

And so it happened. The only begotten Son of God died that you and I might be saved, and God, true to His promise, opened the gates of glory to those willing to ask forgiveness and enter in. Because God didn't leave His Son in that grave. Jesus rose from the dead, and He was seen and touched and people talked to Him. The veil in the temple was ripped from the top down, and now nothing stands between God and us.

We respect the cross, we look up to it, even make it into jewelry and wear it around our necks, but the cross isn't the true symbol of Easter. The true symbol of that day is an empty tomb. The story of Easter is a story of suffering and shame, rejection and forgiveness, and of a love so strong the gates of hell couldn't prevail against it. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

I'm not worthy of one stripe on His back, or one nail hole in his hand. It's hard to believe He shed even one drop of His precious blood for someone like me, but He did, not because I was worthy, but because He loved me. Someday I'll be able to thank Him face to face. And that's the real meaning of Easter. I hope yours was truly blessed.

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

If you have news you want in the newsletter, let me know. It's your newsletter, use it to let others know what you've been doing..

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Michelle Sutton writes and reviews fiction. She particularly enjoys edgy fiction and has a blog devoted to making great novels known. She posts book reviews several times per week and fills in the off days with cartoons or funny anecdotes about regular life, but for the most part she is committed to telling readers about great Christian fiction. She also has a website (all of the addresses are in her signature line) and features an author or two per month based on availability and how much she enjoyed the author's book. Michelle also posts reviews on about ten other sites including Christian Book Previews, Writer...Interrupted, and Novel Journey.

Michelle Sutton (pen name)
ACFW Volunteer Officer - voloff@acfw.com
writer/book reviewer - check out my latest reviews!
http://www.michellesutton.net
http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
http://christianwritersofthewest.blogspot.com

Barbara Says: I sent out a lot of books asking for reviews, Michelle is one that followed through and I really appreciate her. If you're not acquainted with her sites, be sure to check her out.

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Happy Spring from The Realm Where Glimpse Dwell! Wayne Thomas Batson here. I'm stoked to announce several incredible events for Door Within Fans:

Win a Signed Copy of Isle of Swords {my new pirate adventure due out in September} or The Door Within Lost Scrolls Editions!

If you are a creative writer, learn some new techniques and test out your writing chops!

Visit my blog: http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/ Find the section of the Sidebar called "Labels" Click on the link "Contest" to begin your quest!

Contest is open to writers 12 and older!

See new Door Within Desktop Image
Click here:
http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/search/label/Desktop%20Art

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Tricia Goyer is announcing the blog tour for her new book, A Valley of Betrayal. The tour starts in March and goes into April. The book is the first of a three part series Chronicalling the Spanish Civil War!

This taken from the back cover of A Valley of Betrayal:

Artist Sophie Grace has one goal: finding her beloved Michael in war-torn Spain. His work as a news photographer has taken him deep into the country wracked by civil war between ragtag Spanish patriots and Nazi-backed Franco forces.

Secrets abound in ruined Spain. Michael is loving but elusive, especially about beautiful Maria. The American who helped Sophie sneak into Spain turns up in odd places. Michaels' friend Jose knows more than he tells. When reports of Michael's disappearance reach her, Sophie is devastated. What are her feelings for Phillip, an American soldier who comes to her rescue? Sophie must sift truth from lies as she becomes more embroiled in the war that threatens her life and breaks her heart.

Acclaimed author Tricia Goyer creates a riveting cast of characters against the backdrop of pre-WWII Spain. Love, loss, pain, and beauty abound in this first book in her new series, Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War.

Tricia Goyer has done it again…this time by setting her latest novel during the Spanish Civil War, a regional conflict that was a warm-up to the main event—World War II. Highly interesting…and highly readable. —Mike Yorkey, coauthor of the Every Man's Battle series

This "wow" novel will delight Tricia Goyer's fans. She takes an unfamiliar, murky war and paints vivid portraits of individuals caught in the contradictory conflict. Tricia addresses the desperation and horror redemptively, allowing the reader a hard fought hope. Prepare for a surprising adventure. —Dr. Rebecca Price Janney, historian, author of Great Stories in American History

A Valley of Betrayal is a haunting depiction of the atrocities of war and the triumph of faith. Through the power of story Tricia brings history alive so that we never forget the battles that have been fought and the brave men and women who have gone before us.—Amy Wallace, author of Ransomed Dreams

Here is the link to the tour schedule if you'd like to check it out or post in on your own blog: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2007/02/blog-tour-for-valley-of-betrayal.html

Here is the current Blog Tour Schedule. If you're not on the list and you'd like to be, email Tricia's assistant, Amy (amy@triciagoyer.com) and she will get you on the schedule and send you everything you'll need…including a copy of the book!

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Wow - what a month for new book releases! We've got twelve new titles to choose from in a variety of genres. So in the midst of spring cleaning, I hope you'll take time for spring reading and find new adventures among these books. (Cleaning goes down easier with a reward - clean a room, read a chapter.) :) And Spotlight has a new interview with author Trish Perry!

1. Coral Moon Book 2 in the Kanner Lake series by Brandilyn Collins from Zondervan. A horrific murder spirals Kanner Lake into a terrifying glimpse of spiritual forces beyond our world. What appears true seems impossible ... or is it?

2. Expectations by Toni V. Lee from Pleasant Word Publishing. Hilarious encounters, eccentric aunties, and a persistent ex-girlfriend give Daria Simpson and Michael Greer plenty of action, but they're shaken when the arrival of a baby reveals an awful secret.

3. Fair Game Book 2 in A Fair to Remember series by Carol Cox from Barbour Publishing. Dinah Mayhew takes a job at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair…and finds herself trapped in a maze of secrecy and deception.

4. Golden Days Book 2 in Alaska Brides series by Mary Connealy from Heartsong Presents. An Irish farmer whose wife died in his arms, heads for Alaska in the midst of a gold rush and meets a young Tlingit woman who needs help desperately but won't lean on anyone, not even God.

5. In Between Act I in the series: A Katie Parker Production by Jenny Jones from Th1nk by NavPress. Into every life a little drama must fall. Katie Parker just gets more than her share.

6. Once Upon a Family Book 1 in Fostered by Love series by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A family guided them to faith, but only love could heal their hearts.

7. Ransomed Dreams Book 1 in the Defenders of Hope series by Amy Wallace from Multnomah Publishers. A tragic accident. An international plot to kidnap the Ambassador's daughter. Two people with shattered dreams. The past is key, but forgiveness unlocks the future.

8. Shadow of Danger by Jeanne Marie Leach from Mountain View Publishing. Rachel Ringhold flees from an undisclosed danger, finding a temporary reprieve in Leadville, Colorado, where the only man she's ever loved resides, but danger catches up with her.

9. Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck from Thomas Nelson Publishers. She's armed—with hot irons and sharp shears. She's dangerous to bad hair. And she's going to do whatever it takes to make a place for herself in the exclusive Beverly Hills salon.

10. Sweet Dreams Drive Book 4 in the Hart's Crossing series by Robin Lee Hatcher from Revell. Midnight feedings and an oversized mortgage. Al and Patti, the new parents of twins, can't help wondering: Is this their American dream?

11. The Heart of the Matter by Kristy Dykes from Heartsong Presents. A man with a prejudice...a woman with a problem...a child with the answer.

12. The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner by Lena Nelson Dooley, Vickie McDonough, Jeri Odell, and Frances Devine from Barbour. Four Cactus Corner, Arizona, women-unmarried by choice or circumstance-find fulfillment in volunteering at the town orphanage —until romance changes the course of their lives.

Happy reading... :)

~ Jill ~
Jill Eileen Smith
www.jilleileensmith.com
http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com
"...so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."

Titus 2:10b NIV

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Tricia Goyer has a new blog, www.mywritingmentor.blogspot.com It will be available the first and fifteenth of every month and has a ton of writing information. Be sure to check it out. You'll enjoy this one.

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WHACKY NEWS OF THE MONTH.
(News too weird to make up)

Did you hear about the Peeping Tom who lost his ladder? It seems a man was at home one night when he noticed a shadow move across his second story bedroom window. He sneaked over and jerked the curtain back and found himself face to face with a Peeping Tom. As he described it, "I mean, my nose was practically touching the window and it was like, Boom! His face was right there. I mean, it was like a horror movie."

Judging from that comment, I assume the peeper wasn't exactly a Tom Selleck look-alike. Can't you just picture these two guys nose to nose with only a thin glass pane separating them? I'll bet they were both cross-eyed.

The homeowner ran outside, but the intruder was gone, leaving his ladder behind. It's now in police custody. I have a couple of questions here. How did he get the ladder there in the first place? Strolling casually around the neighborhood at night with a ladder tucked under one's arm is bound to catch someone's attention. And how did he plan to see anything through a window covered with a curtain? It seems to me this unknown Tom is missing more than a ladder.

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

POINT OF VIEW 2

Every story is somebody's story. Sometimes when I receive a manuscript to edit I find the writer doesn't seem to know whose story she is telling. The result is a bland tale heavily loaded on "telling" with nothing to draw me, the reader, into the story.

Every story must have enough dramatic impact to hold the reader's attention. We can't have dramatic impact without a viewpoint character. Unless we know whose story it is and how that character feels about the situation, we don't have a hope of involving the reader. Any story can be told from many different viewpoints. Choosing the best viewpoint character may depend on many things; which character has the greatest potential for drama or conflict, which characters better fit the story idea, even which character does the writer identify with the most.

Don't let the events of your story overpower the viewpoint character. Your main focus must be on the internal character conflict and the hero/villain relationship to make good drama. Setting, problems, research and description must all take a back seat to character conflict and drama.

If we, as writers, can't identify with our character, the reader won't either. We, as the creators, must like the characters we have created and share an identity with them. And we need to identify with the villain as well as with the hero. Even your villain has a story and while we seldom see the situation through his eyes, we need to understand his motives. We live a story through our viewpoint character's eyes. From beginning to end, you must show the story through someone's point of view.

Your message, or theme, must never overshadow your characters. The stronger the writer feels about a cause, the greater the danger he will allow the message to take over the story, causing it to become a soapbox sermon.

So in approaching a potential story, the writer must first ask himself, "whose story am I telling" and then proceed to live the story through that character's eyes.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The greater danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss,

but that we aim too low and hit it.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

The recipe this month was contributed by Cyndy Salzman. Cyndy says: The theme of the gals in my Friday Afternoon Club mystery series is, "When life gets sticky, dip it in chocolate." Here's one of their favorite chocolate treats from Crime & Clutter, which releases April 3 from Howard Books (ISBN: 978-1582296449).

COMFORT CHOCOLATE
2 lbs. white chocolate
4 oz. milk chocolate
1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz.)
24 oz. roasted pecans or almonds
Instructions
1. Put all ingredients in a Crockpot and cook on high for 1
hour. Do not stir.
2. Switch Crockpot to low setting and cook for 1 hour longer.
Stir every 15 minutes.
3. Drop chocolate by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Let cool.
4. Store in a tightly covered container.

Barbara says, "And what woman isn't in need of comfort? Especially when it comes in the form of chocolate."

Barbara

Blue Mountain Editorial Service

www.barbarawarrenbluemountainedit.com

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