October 2006 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

It's October, the month of bright blue skies and flaming fall foliage. Fencerows blaze with the scarlet of sumac. An orange fire lights the sassafras, the dogwood trees are loaded with scarlet berries and the leaves are a deep burgundy. The hickories are clothed in gold. Nights are cooler and the air is crisper. I'm looking forward to long evenings in front of the fireplace with a good book and cup of tea. Squirrels are scurrying to hide nuts and acorns, birds are flying south, and I'm putting flowerbeds to sleep.

When I was growing up in these hills, October used to be the month for hayrides. We didn't use a tractor to pull the wagon, because no one had a tractor. We used horses, which is the way God intended for it to be done. We also had parties where we played Pleased or Displeased, Two Deep, and Flying Dutchman. We bobbed for apples, pinned the tail on the donkey and had taffy pulls. I think kids had more fun then, and we stayed kids longer. We didn't have television, not every one sixteen or older had a car, and when we got together it was for fun, not adult style parties. I wish every child today could have a taste of what it was like growing up then.

May your writing soar to new heights this month, may your words be golden, your sales be fabulous, and may all your dreams come true.

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

LINDA WINDSOR'S FIESTA MOON was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year, Women's Fiction contest. The book was published by Westbow Press, with Jenny Baumgartner editor. That's great Linda. I'm happy for you. Linda has been going through an exhausting time, packing for an auction, and getting ready for conference plus all the other things she has to do. I'm amazed she can find time to write.

GAIL GAYMER MARTIN publishes a great newsletter offering a writing tip each month. You can subscribe to her newsletter at her website: www.gailmartin.com. Also check out her blog at --www.gailmartin.blogspot.com

LENA NELSON DOOLEY'S author interviews on her blog in October will be:

Barbara Warren; Janice Thompson; Jill Nelson; Kristy Dykes; Cathy Elliot

http://www.LenaNelsonDooley.com - a free copy of one of my books every month to someone who signs my guest book mailto:Lena@LenaNelsonDooley.com

Lena is an Author/Editor/Speaker/Reviewer, and I want to thank her for all she does to promote other writers, and especially for including me in her October lineup. I appreciate her and all of the other busy writers who take time to promote and encourage others. We owe them all a vote of thanks.

I'd also like to congratulate her for winning Mentor of the Year Award at the ACFW conference. I've heard from others how much she does and how much she deserves it.

MICHELLE HUTCHINSON has a new website opened as of the end of August and she will feature at least one author and review per month and also feature authors at book signings and such. Her goal is to serve other authors and promote them.

Michelle recently reviewed my book The Gathering Storm. She does a great job promoting her fellow writers. Check out her website and you'll see what I mean. You can find her at: www.MichelleSutton.net; http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

Michelle, whose pen name is Michelle Sutton, is a writer and reviewer, and a great encourager. She also was a Great Beginnings finalist in 2005.

SHARON HINCK sends out a free monthly e-zine with devotional thoughts and insider info about the writer's life. To subscribe, visit http://www.sharonhinck.com/html/contactsharon.html Leave your name and email.

You can also find blog tours, interviews, and fun articles at her blog at blog: http://www.sharonswriting.blogspot.com

Articles have included a tour of a printing press, information on average book sales in the industry, the experience of book signings, her experiences at writer's conferences, and the challenges of balancing the creative work with the marketing work of writing. She also shares book recommendations, and suggestions for creating "Book Buzz" for a favorite book in each issue.

CAROL COX has recently signed a contract to write one of the books in Guideposts's new series, Mystery and the Minister's Wife. She says, "It should be a lot of fun, and I'm very excited about working on this!"

There are five authors working on the series, each writing separate titles. The series will launch next summer, and Carol's will be title number four. Also Carol's second and third books in the A Fair to Remember series, Fair Game will be out in April 2007, and Fare Thee Well is scheduled to release in April 2008.

That's great Carol. I enjoyed book one and I'm looking forward to the others.

CHERYL WYATT double finaled in Heart of the Rockies Contest. Covenant SEAL-First place Stealth Surrender-Third place Congratulations, Cheryl, that's wonderful. Proud of you.

Check out her website and blog too, she does a great job. www.CherylWyatt.com; www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

SHANNON MacNEAR has a great blog, She describes it this way:

"Shenandoah's Eclectic Musings--Scratchings and scribblings from homeschooling writer-mom of eight here on earth, one in heaven. Reflections on everything from the banalities of daily life to the adventures of my writing journey. Or is it the other way around?

Check out Shannon's blog at http://shenandoahdawn.blogspot.com/.

KELLY MORTIMER wants to tell you about her new on-line group, This group is for anyone who wants to advertise their WRITING-RELATED businesses and more. Lots of us are writers who have businesses on the side. Let's support each other!

If you design Web sites, post here. If you give paid critiques, post here. Make bookmarks? Take headshots? Post here. As long as the business has to do with writing, we wanna know about it.

You can also get advice (we do not guarantee it will be good advice, so listen at your own risk!) and ask questions about editors, agents, or any other writing related topics, and let us know about your successes! Where can we buy your latest book?

Join this group if you have a burning question only an agent can answer (ah, the answer will come from me. I'll do my best!), or if you need a writer's take on absolutely anything about writing (as writers are happy to give you their opinions), or if you've ever needed a service another writer can provide.

Please circulate this address to all the groups you're involved in (but you haveta get permission first), as most loops don't allow shameless promotion ... but we encourage it. In fact, we insist upon it!

Link to join: a_writers_world-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To post: a_writers_world@yahoogroups.com

Hope to hear from you!

Kelly L. Mortimer

Mortimer Literary Agency - "Diabolically Diligent"

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." www.mortimerlit.com

Barbara says: I joined this group and I think it will be great. Be sure to check it out.

DEBBIE PICCURELLI needs help. She's running an on-line poll about her current WIP. Please take the following poll and let Debbie know what you think.

Dear Family and Friends,

First, I want to thank you all again for participating in my poll. If this novel sees publication, I'll know it couldn't have been done without your help.

This is a romantic suspense novel, titled Hush, Little Baby. Please keep in mind that this fictional story is woven around actual events on the topic of fetal harvesting (otherwise known as baby body parts trafficking).

If you'd like to know more about fetal harvesting, visit http://www.lifedynamics.com/Abortion_Information/Baby_Body_Parts

Description of my manuscript is as follows: Estranged investigative reporting couple, Evan and Amber Blake, team up to expose a baby body parts trafficking ring. Amber poses as a counselor at an abortion clinic, witnesses some abominable events, and discovers the abortionist's darkest secret. But Amber has a secret of her own. Though she longs to reunite with Evan, revealing the truth would drive them farther apart. To make matters worse, Amber is coerced into dating the doctor, and circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a clinic nurse are questionable. To break the story now would end the charade -- or become the catalyst to something far more sinister.

What makes the characters unique is they are little people (dwarves or people of short stature). I feel they are defined by these labels, and intend to show there are other important aspects to their lives.

The two questions I would like answered in your response are: 1. Would you read a book where the plot is centered around fetal harvesting, or is the concept too ugly?

2. Would you read a book with little people as the main characters, but dwarfism isn't the primary focus?

You don't have to confine your comments to only those two questions. If you want to expand on them, any extras are welcome. If you wouldn't like the subject and characters, you can tell me why. Tell me if you would be offended by any of it. But I'd like you to know that even though this book is "edgy", there is no gratuitous material in it.

If you have the time, I would greatly appreciate if you could forward this poll to all of your contacts. If you have a blog, and you feel it's appropriate, it would be great if you could post it there and have your readership direct their responses to debwrites@netcarrier.com. If you belong to any organizations that I am not a member of, and it is allowed, I'd be most grateful if you could post it on their loop, and have them send replies to this address.

Thank you all again. I look forward to your opinions!

Many blessings,

Debbie

KACY GRAMKOW wants to extend you an invitation. See below:

"Please take a break and check out my first official blog attempt. I'd be honored if you'd leave comments. (I'm still figuring out the coding, and need to complete my profile.) http://illuminatingthewordthroughfiction.blogspot.com/2006/09/as- writer-i-love-to-create-images-with.html

Blessings,

Kacy

The Genesis Trilogy

Moody Publishers

THE HEAVENS BEFORE

HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES

A CROWN IN THE STARS

Chosen among "Best of 2005!" www.christianfictionreviewcom

JILL EILEEN SMITH'S won first place in the Genesis Contest, for Romantic Suspense at ACFW. Congratulations, Jill. It was great seeing you accept that award. She's working on a plot for the sequel.

Jill also spotlights a monthly list of current releases. See below: Here is my list of October releases - 14 new novels! Check them out! And congratulations to all of the authors on seeing their books in print! :)

1. Calm, Cool & Adjusted The final book in the Spa Girls Collection by Kristin Billerbeck, Integrity Publishers. The story of Poppy, an eclectic, somewhat obsessive-compulsive chiropractor, who's out to save the world. One spine at a time.

2. Family Guardian by Laurie Alice Eakes Set in Regency England, Clarissant's determination to save her family from scandal could cost her the man she loves--or even her life.

3. Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble. WestBow. Smokejumper Tess Masterson has more than demons from her past to face when she comes up against an arsonist whose fascination with the flames may bring them both to dance with the fire.

4. Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt, Kregel Publishers. A Chick Lit mystery featuring a forensic scientist wannabe who cleans up crime in her city

5. Identity: Undercover by Lois Richer. Max Chambers always knew his wife Callie had a lot of secrets but now one of them is ruining their marriage and it might just end up killing them both.

6. Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum by R. K. Mortenson, Barbour Publishing. The midnight adventures begin anew for Landon and his sisters when the floodgates open in the Button Up Library.

7. Looking for a Miracle Book 2 in Brides of Lancaster County series by Wanda Brunstetter. Amish novels that will simplify your life.

8. Merely Players by Kathy Kovach, Heartsong Presents. "All the world's a stage where two people are directed by God's hand."

9. Scoop by Rene Gutteridge The Occupational Hazards series. Old School meets New School meets Homeschool. And now back to our regularly scheduled insanity…

10. Spinning Out of Control by Vickie McDonough. A trapper returns home to find his wife gone, a daughter who doesn't recognize him, and a stranger caring for a baby she claims is his.

11. Steeple Hill Classic (duet book reissue) Upon A Midnight Clear (Holt Medallion winner) and Secrets of the Heart by Gail Gaymer Martin.

12. That Wilder Boy by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Heartsong Presents.

13. The Gown, an allegory by Debra Henderson.

14. Widows and Orphans Book One of Rachael Flynn Mystery Series by Susan Meissner, Harvest House Publishers. When her ultra ministry- minded brother confesses to murder, attorney Rachael Flynn is certain he is innocent, but Joshua refuses to let her represent him. What he is trying to hide and who is he covering for?

If you have a current release you want her to list, contact her at Jill Eileen Smith www.jilleileensmith.com

Jill also spotlights a new author each month, and this month it is Coleen Coble. Check it at out at the above web address.

GAYLE DESALLES is working on a resource page on her web site. She'll be adding to it regularly. She's not quite finished with it yet, but it's good enough to launch. You can check it out by going to her site below and then clicking on resources. It will pull up another sublist. If you have any links you think would be a good addition, please let her know.

Gayle DeSalles WordCount—Author Marketing Assistance www.wordcount.biz

CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES has updated her website and she has a great article on video games titled Play Station Nation. Go to her website, (address below) and click on "click to review" which will bring up the article. This is a must read for all parents. It will help you check out which games you want or do not want for your children.

Writing, books, links. Check out I DEAL IN HOPE update. http://crscheidies-ivil.tripod.com/author/

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

CHARACTERS 3

When creating characters don't make them too complex. Keep their dominant traits clear and simple. What flaws do your characters have? And they must have flaws. Otherwise there is no room for growth, but again, keep the flaws, like the dominate traits, clear and simple.

Every major character must have a secret, something he or she doesn't want anyone else to know. We all have secrets like that. They don't have to be anything shameful, but they should affect our lives in some way.

What does your character fear? Because we're all afraid of something. I'm afraid of things I don't understand. I was afraid of my computer at first, sure I would accidentally do something to destroy it. An irrational fear, to be sure, but real for all of that.

What is missing from your character's life? Some of us had unhappy childhoods. For some there is a desire for the things we never had.

For others, it's an absence of love. I was a terribly shy child. When called on in school, even if I knew the answer, I'd say, "I don't know." I had an inferiority complex a mile long. No self-esteem whatsoever. (Over the years I've changed, until now, cross me, and I'm an old mama lion.) So let's use me for an example.

1. Something was missing.---self confidence.

2. What was I afraid of?---making a fool of myself in front of others.

3. What was my secret? I was a writer, making up stories, loving to write themes, but I didn't want anyone to know because it made me different. It doesn't have to be a big, outstanding secret or fear, just something that lets the reader inside the character's mind and a chance to see what makes him tick. Now, give that character a goal, something to work for. Something she has to have in order to be happy, and you're on your way to creating a character that seems real, not a one-dimensional cardboard character.

(Next Month, Characters 4)

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Life is more fun if you don't keep score.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

CAULIFLOWER AND CASHEW SALAD

 

˝ head of broccoli cut into bite sized pieces.

˝ head of cauliflower cut into bite sized pieces

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup cashews

1 cup seasoned croutons (I like garlic and cheese)

Dressing:

2 cups mayonnaise

1\2 cup sugar

1\2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.

 

Combine vegetables, cashews, and cheese. Set aside  Stir together three dressing ingredients. Stir into vegetables. Before serving add croutons

Barbara

Blue Mountain Editorial Service

www.barbarawarrenbluemountainedit.com

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But they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint.

    - Isaiah 40:31 KJV

 

 

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