October 2007 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

Well, it's October, and very little sign of fall yet. The sumac is beginning to turn a tiny bit, and the goldenrod is gorgeous. Purple wild asters are strutting their stuff, but the temperature is still in the eighties, and night temperature is still hanging around in the sixties. Our average frost date is somewhere around the 12th of October, but so far summer seems reluctant to leave. Soon we'll be thinking of getting in wood for the fireplace, and stocking up for winter. I have seen two wooly worms so far and both were black. You know what that means. A really bad winter. Brown means mild, black on both ends and brown in the middle means a bad beginning and end, but mild in between. I tell you true, watch out. Your weatherman may miss a forecast once in a while, but wooly worms are always accurate. I love these scientific facts. Now that summer's over and fall's here, it's time to really buckle down and do some serious writing, and may every word you write end up on a best seller list somewhere. God bless, and keep you all.

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

If you have news you want in the newsletter, just let me know and I'll be glad to list it.

* * *

Trish Berg writes:

Just wanted to share some exciting news with you all. ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson sent a film crew to our house yesterday to tape a segment on moms who blog. They filmed our whole family for the day, and interviewed me about my blog and writing. Yes, it was surreal. I do not yet know when it will air, but will post that on my blog as soon as I know. I have a story about it, and some photos from the day at my blog at www.simplifyingmotherhood.blogspot.com if you want a sneak peek.

Blessings to you all,

Barbara Says: Wow, Trish. That really is exciting. I'm so proud of you. Way to go.

* * *

Debbie Piccurelli writes:

Hello everyone,

If this isn't allowed here, please tell me. I have an author interview up on my website with Marlo Schalesky. Also, if you leave a comment in the guestbook, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for an autographed copy of her latest novel, Veil of Fire.

Deborah M. Piccurelli
http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com
www.shoutlife.com/deborahmpiccurelli
Polls | Members | Calendar

Barbara says: You bet it's allowed here. It's just the kind of information I'm looking for. Let's promote each other as much as possible.

* * *

This from Vickie McDonough:

I signed a Heartsong Presents contract for the first of three historicals set in North Dakota. The first book is called Wild At Heart and will release Spring, 2008. It's the story of a female dime novelists who heads west to visit a rancher who challenges her facts.

I also signed a contract for a Barbour anthology called A Bride by Christmas. This is a fun historical collection about people who must marry by Christmas or something bad will happen. The other authors include Kelly Hake, Linda Goodnight, and Therese Stenzel. This is Therese's first fiction sale. Vickie McDonough

That's great news, Vickie. You have been busy. And congratulations to all of you on the Christmas one. I want to read that book.

* * *

From: Robin Miller

My first book Bayou Justice releases this month!

Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
Deep South Mysteries for an Inspired Heart
BAYOU JUSTICE--October 2007 Steeple Hill
BAYOU CORRUPTION--February 2008 Steeple Hill
BAYOU JUDGMENT-May 2008 Steeple Hill
BAYOU PARADOX-September 2008, Steeple Hill
www.robincaroll.com

Barbara Says: Robin's book, Bayou Justice is a good one.

* * *

From Deborah Raney:

I have two releases coming up.

A Vow To Cherish (mass market release) Steeple Hill Books October 1. When his precious wife of thirty years received a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton's world fell apart. As his wife slipped from him day by day, his love was being tested as never before, and he found himself confronted by a weakness he never knew he had. He desperately needed a confidante in this dark time, and a young widow named Julia Sinclair seemed to understand his pain as no one else could. Torn between doing what he knew was right and what his heart told him could not be wrong, John soon discovered that the heart can't be trusted where true love is concerned.

Within This Circle (sequel to A Vow to Cherish Steeple Hill Books October 23 After a tumultuous courtship, John and Julia Brighton have a second chance at happiness and, now that their children are grown, a new era to revel in the promise of the future. Only such a promise is never guaranteed. And life can change in a moment. The Brightons life is turned upside down when John's daughter Jana abandons her husband and three-year-old daughter. John and Julia reach out to young Ellie, to give the young couple time to heal, but how much sorrow and stress can both fledgling marriages endure? Two very different couples with only their love and faith to guide them.

Remember To Forget, a Clayburn Novel from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster
Visit my website at: http://www.deborahraney.com

Barbara Says: I've read A Vow To Cherish and it's great. Reviews on these books will be coming in the November Newsletter.

* * *

From: Cara Putman:

My first book releases: Canteen Dreams releases from Heartsong Presents: Can two people find their place in the early days of Word War Two?

Cara C. Putman
Canteen Dreams—October 2007; Sandhill Dreams -- May 2008 and
Captive Dreams—September 2008 (Heartsong Presents)
Deadly Exposure—June 2008 (LI Suspense)
The Law, Life & Books: http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
Original Writer for Jake Tremaine at Scenes& Beans: http://kannerlake.blogspot.com

Barbara says: Congratulations, Cara. Nothing can beat that first release, and I see you have others following. Way to go.

* * *

From: safe-ldwrites

My October interviews:

Cara C. Putnam Canteen Dreams
Susan Marlow Dangerous Decision
Lena Nelson Dooley Who Am I?
Bill Andrews Mason's Link
Irene Brand and others Colonial Christmas Brides
Tricia Goyer My Life Unscripted
Miralee Ferrell The Other Daughter
Vashti Acosta, Gail Sattler, and others A Big Apple Christmas
Kathleen Y'Barbo Beloved Castaway
Lena Nelson Dooley
- Characters who grip your heart
Author, Editor, Speaker
Vice President - DFW Ready Writers (ACFW)

Newsletter reviews:
Hide In Plain Sight, Small Town Secrets, Tara's Gold, The Reliance, Too Good to be True, The Restitution, Red Like Crimson, All the Tea in China

http://www.LenaNelsonDooley.com - a free copy of one of my books every month to someone who signs my guest book—The August winner is Pam Williams from Hooper, Colorado.

http://www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley

Latest Author's Interviews:

Robin Caroll - Bayou Justice
Hannah Alexander - Death Benefits
Grace Bridges - Faith Awakened
Maureen Lang - Remember Me

Latest winners:
WendyK - The Begotten
Forstrose - The Betrayed
Cecilia Dowdy - Sanctuary

http://lenanelsondooley2.blogspot.com - Slide Shows of Events -
Writing and Personal
* * *

From: Christa Allan:

Not exactly an explosive announcement, but my "Life Cycle of a Cup of Coffee" will be published in the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover's Soul....

Christa Allan
www.cballan.wordpress.com

Barbara Says: It's explosive enough for me. Congratulations Christa.That's great. And I love the title.

***

Here's the latest news from Janet Perez Eckles, who is one busy lady.

www.janetperezeckles.com
jeckles@cfl.rr.com
Contributor to:
Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul. Oct. 2007
"The Soothing Elements of Tea"—a story of special moments sipping tea while facing difficult episodes in my life.
Contributor to: Uncommon Beauty, 7 qualities of a beautiful woman by Cynthia Heald.
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Oct. 2007
A focus on inner beauty.

Articles:

"Connecting With Their Hearts" Sept. issue Cross `n Quill—How do you maintain "eye" contact with your audience when you're blind? In this article I relate the way in which my messages connect with their heart.

"Shame on Us, or Shame on Them" Sept. issue of Weekender and in the Osceola Women News—Who's to blame for Hollywood's offensive material on the screens? They who put it out or we who watch?

Sept. 27—Radio interview On the "Time to Breathe" show. Internet radio: www.talkshow.com Interview about my testimony and my book, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow.

Sept.—Launch of my "Splash of Inspiration" free monthly newsletter. Insights to fill your mind, and inspiration to stir your heart. It also includes the latest news in my writing/speaking ministry.

* * *

 

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

Did you hear about the prospective father who thought he had time for breakfast and a cup of coffee when his wife woke him and said they needed to go to the hospital? He even wanted to wait and get the kids on the school bus at 6:30. They live fifteen miles from the hospital!!! And this is their ninth child!!! It isn't like he hasn't been down this road before.

His wife tried to tell him she wasn't going to make it, but who listens? He had his cup of coffee, and the baby, a little girl, was born on the way to the hospital, five pounds and ten-ounces of sweetness. They named her Carlee, "after the car." I'll bet the new mother had a few names for her slowpoke husband too, but since this is a family newsletter, I wouldn't be able to publish them here.

 

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

This month's writing tip will be more in the form of things not to do.

First of all, don't make all of your women tiny, blond, and beautiful. And don't make all of your man tall, dark, and handsome. Give them flaws, let them get dirty, let them get angry, make mistakes and apologize, and once in a while let them look like an ordinary person. There are a lot more of us than of the beautiful and handsome ones. We have exciting lives too.

Don't have your hero so smart he sounds like a smart-aleck. Don't let him sound like a pompous stuffed shirt, either, and don't make him so holy your reader will want to stick a pin in him just to hear him yell. Perfect characters are unrealistic and they are also irritating. Irritate your reader and you may never get her back.

Don't start your story with a minor character. Your reader will identify with the first character she meets, and will automatically assume he's the main character. When you bring in the main character a few pages later, you're just going to confuse your reader. A bad move. See irritate your reader in previous paragraph. Ditto for confusing the poor soul.

Don't assume yours is a story that must be told. Actually, very few stories have to be told, and even if you have a story to tell, that doesn't mean someone has to read it. Whenever someone tells me they have a story that must be told, I tend to back off. Let someone else edit it. I know trouble when I see it, and quite often these stories are trouble. Usually they were personally dictated by Almighty God, and not one word can be changed.

Don't have things happen for no reason. There has to be a reason for everything. If you go to the store on Monday instead of Tuesday, you had a reason for doing that. If you switch coffee brands, you had a reason. If your character does something in your book, he needs a reason to do it. If you don't know the reason then don't let him do it.

And always remember your reader. I have strong opinions about two things. Well, actually, I have strong opinions about a lot of things, but religion and politics rank right up there at the top. Insult my religious beliefs or my political leanings, and you have just lost a customer. I'll not only never buy another of your books, I'll use the one I have to compost the garden. Seriously, remember that not everyone will see things the way you do. With so many writers out there, just trying to break in, and so many already published, wanting you to read their books, why do writers assume they can say anything and get by with it. Always respect your reader.  Stay true to your own opinions, but unless it's an important part of your story, don't go out of your way to irritate your reader. If he doesn't buy your books, you're sunk.

One thing to do. Keep writing. There are a lot more quitters in this business than there are failures. Never stop, keep believing, keep studying, keep growing, and may God bless you.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The person who does not read good books

has no advantage over the person who can't read them.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

PISTACHIO SALAD

1 box instant pistachio pudding
1 9 oz container cool whip
1 16 oz can crushed pineapple
½ cup chopped nuts
½ cup miniature marshmallows

Combine dry pudding mix and un-drained pineapple. Fold in Cool Whip, nuts and marshmallows. Chill until ready to serve.

If you enjoy the newsletter, pass it on to friends, or even better, suggest they sign up for their own copy at my website below. The more people who receive it, the more who will read your news and reviews. Until next month, take care and God bless,

Barbara

Blue Mountain Editorial Service

www.barbarawarrenbluemountainedit.com

 

To read Barbara's book reviews, sign up for her newsletter by clicking the link below; or view them on Dancing Word Writers Network: http://www.dancingword.net

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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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