September 2006 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

It's finally September and here in the Ozarks we're glad to see the last of August. It was hot, dry and mean. The nights are cooler now, and Rosicat, my office cat, spends a lot of time sleeping on the gas heating stove, where she is warmed by the pilot light. I'm mulching flowerbeds, getting ready for an October frost, and golden rod gleams along the roadside. The purple blossoms of wild aster are just starting to open.

This wasn't a tomato year, due to the hot dry weather, so I didn't get to indulge in very many of my favorite tomato sandwiches, but the fruit trees I see are loaded, branches bending low. Charlie and I are talking about getting someone to cut fireplace wood for us this year, and I'm looking forward to deep blue skies and the vivid colors of fall foliage.

And I'm getting ready for ACFW in Dallas. I'm riding down with Brenda Minton and expecting it to be a lot of fun. I hope to meet you all there. This will be my first time to attend, but from what I hear, it's great. Look for me, and if you see me, introduce yourself and give me a hug. I'll return it with pleasure.

I hope you all are brimming with ideas for new books, and may you never ever experience writer's block.

This issue of the newsletter is a long one again, due to the number of book reviews. I have a lot of reviews scheduled for next month, too, and then they slack off, so for those of you who feel the newsletter is too long, skim it for what you can use, and leave the rest. November and December will probably be much shorter.

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

You will notice that names are now in bold caps. This is to help those of you who (I really can not believe you do this) skim my wonderful newsletter. And I think I like it better this way, because it gets your names out there where people can really see them. Remember this is your newsletter. If you have writing news, or if you need a book review, let me know. All it takes is an e-mail.

KARI COMPTON has a great blog, with really good author interviews and book reviews. Kari says, "I feature reviews of Christian fiction, mostly in the supernatural suspense, mystery, thriller, chiller, legal thriller, and sci-fi genres. I also interview authors in these genres – most recently KATHRYN MACKEL, T.L. HINES and MELANIE WELLS. In August my authors to be interview include JOHN AUBREY ANDERSON In September I will feature ERIC WILSON and another (undisclosed for the moment) author."

Okay that whets my interest. An undisclosed author? I'll have to check it out in September to satisfy my curiosity. Except for John Aubrey Anderson, these writers are not familiar to me, so thanks to Karri I enjoyed reading about them and I'll be looking for their books. If you like these genres, check out Karri's blog to see what's new and good.You can find her interviews and reviews at http://www.kcreviews.blogspot.com

SHARLENE MACLAREN has a contemporary stand-alone book coming in January 2007, Through Every Storm. She also has a three book historical series coming in 2007.

First book Loving Miss Meriwether: a 21 year old woman answers Hickman's ad for a schoolteacher. She falls in love with a widowed father of one of her students. Second book Sarah, My Beloved: a woman answers a "bride" ad, marrying a man whose sister just died and "willed" custody of her kids to him. Third book, Courting Emma; Emma, the proprietor of a boardinghouse is feisty, strong-willed, and against all things religious. When the town's handsome preacher sells his house and donates the proceeds to the town for purposes of building a new church, he consequently moves into Emma's boardinghouse. Naturally sparks fly, but love conquers all.

Sounds good Sharlene. I'll be looking for them, and congratulations.

VICKIE McDONOUGH has several books coming out in the next months. Spinning Out Of Control, will be out in October or November, 2006; The Bounty Hunter and The Bride, January 2007 (love that title); A Wealth Beyond Riches, April 2007; The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner, April 2007 (Another great title).

VICKIE McDONOUGH also has contest news. Her "Unexpected Blessings," from the The Lone Star Christmas anthology, placed 1st in the novella category of the (IRCC) Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest. This novella is also a finalist in the Texas Gold contest.

Her first Heartsong novel, Sooner or Later, placed third in the Short Historical category of the (IRCC) Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest. It is also a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year contest, and in the Texas Gold Contest. Wow, Vickie! You're doing great girl, proud of you.

Also, her novella, "A Recipe for Romance", one of four stories in Kiss the Bride, is featured in the book review section of this newsletter.

TERRY BURNS third book in the Mysterious Ways series from River Oak, Shepherd's Son, comes out in September, ISBN 1589190335. Terry. Burns stands in a long line of cowboy storytellers, and Shepherd's Son is vintage Burns. In this deceptively simple story of a sheepherder clashing with cattle ranchers and finding true love in the process, he spins another one of his signature yarns of grace and subtlety.

Reading a Terry Burns novel is like sitting around a campfire out on the trail under a sky full of moon and stars, listening to tales shared by the cowpokes in their soft, unhurried drawl. Sounds good, Terry. I grew up reading westerns, and I'll have to look for that one.

SUSAN LeBARON Events and Services Coordinator, reports: "Wesleyan Publishing House is looking forward to a great Christian Writer's Workshop in 2007. In the meantime, here's another great conference that you can enjoy Sandy Cove Christian Writer's Conference will be held Oct 1-4, 2006, at a spectacular retreat center on the Chesapeake Bay (http://www.sandycovewriters.com)

The conference is directed by our own Jim Watkins, and features lots of top editors and writers including WPH editorial director, Larry Wilson. There are lots of scholarship opportunities available this year, so everyone should be able to attend. (http://www.sandycove.org/docs/scholorshipassistance.php) This is a great conference. Hope you can attend."

LISA LUDWIG announces, "I've added a new blog to my website. Each week, I'll post a new, behind-the-scenes look at what happens AFTER landing that first contract.

A bit of the Voyeur...Oh come on. We all have a touch of it in us, right? If given the chance, wouldn't we peek inside someone else's life? See what goes on from day to day, what challenges they face, and what hurdles they overcome to achieve their goals? I thought so.

That's why I created ELIZABETH WRITES. It's a blog designed especially for you--the writer, the artist, the shy introvert with an author just begging to come out. Each week, I'll post another installment of my journey from contract to publication. You'll experience with me the behind-the-scenes action of one of Christian Fiction's largest publishers. Want to know what a 'galley' is? Want to know how those big houses decide which book covers to use? Want to know what it's like to work under a deadline? I'll show you! This week, I've posted the invitation to join me on the "Road to Publication."

Next week, "The Contract." I'll give you the in's and out's from signing to submitting that elusive document. So, come along and enjoy the read. I promise it'll be fun. Lisa. http://elizabethludwig.blogspot.com

BARBARA WARREN, (yes, that's me) would like to report that her mystery, The Gathering Storm, will be released by Jireh Publishers this month. I know y'all have been waiting breathlessly for this moment, and it has finally arrived. I'd like to brag, but since I am naturally modest, I will stop there.

However, Jireh Publishing has come up with a crossword puzzle that contains clues to the murderer. If you want to check it out, you can find the puzzle at http://www.jirehpublishing.com/puzzle.pdf It's in a PDF format.

Also, you can WIN a $25 Amazon.com Gift Certificate Purchase your copy of the new mystery release, The Gathering Storm by Barbara Warren on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, on Amazon .com, and enter to WIN. For entry details, go to: http://www.jirehpublishing.com/entry_info.htm

Read more information about The Gathering Storm at: http://www.jirehpublishing.com/thegatheringstorm.htm

And. . . . .

A LIVE RADIO MYSTERY

Listen to a live book reading of the new mystery release, The Gathering Storm, on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 8:00pm/11:00 pm (PDT/EDT). Go to: http://www.jirehpublishing.com/bookwatchmedia.htm and CLICK TO LISTEN.

WANDA BRUNSTETTER'S Amish novel titled A Merry Heart, published by Barbour, is a September release. Good news, Wanda, looking forward to reading it.

TINA ANN FORKNER recently signed a two-book deal with Waterbrook for contemporary women's fiction. Great Tina. That's really good news. Happy for you.

GAIL SATTLER has a new September 1st release, Head Over Heels. That's great, Gail. I'll be looking for it.

The schedule for LENA NELSON DOOLEY'S September reviews are as follows:

Ginger Garrett, Dark Hour; Lynette Sowell Heart's Refuge in Windswept Weddings;
Muncy Chapman One Small Spark; Nikki Arana The Fragrance of Roses

DEBORAH VOGTS reports that Beth Jusino at Alive Communications has taken her on as a client and is already sending out her proposal. Great news, Debbie. Hoping to hear next that you have a sale.

CYNTHIA RUCHTI says "LINDA ROUNDEAU'S using her writing skills in many ways these days. One of them is through her website. On the "Daisy" link right now, she's created an article I find myself calling "The Path of Most Resistance." It pricks my conscience and motivates me on several levels. As I plow into my writing week tomorrow, I'm adopting a theme song: "Most Resistance."

You might, too, if you have time to drop on by and pick a Daisy. The link is: Linda Rondeau <http://www.lindarondeau.com/>" And while you're there check out the bathtub fish story. Reminds me of my own father.

TRICIA GOYER has a really neat blog. I enjoyed reading the excellent articles and quotes. This month she has highlighted DEBORAH PICCURELLI, in a great interview. Stop by to find out more about this excellent writer. If you haven't read Deb's In the Midst of Deceit, you've missed a good one.

Nice picture too, Deb. I'm always glad to have a face to go with the name of people I've met on-line. Check out Tricia's blog at www.triciagoyer.blogspot.com

LINDA FULKERSON says: Because now it's FREE and EASY to get e-mail updates about my blog, I'll be discontinuing my newsletter. On my blog, "Lines from Linda," I usually run some sort of instructional series, interspersed with tidbits from my life and occasionally, a rant or two. The current series is the "Who, What, When, Where, Why & How of Writing a Nonfiction Book."

I guess it's been helpful, for one guest said writing her last book was akin to giving birth to barbed wire (ouch!) and was grateful for the tips. The last series was "Dealing with Dialogue Dilemmas" and the upcoming series will be "Perking Up Our Prose"--just to let you know what sort of stuff is on the blog.

Wednesday is Friends' Day, and I have a guest blogger or an interview (except for today since I didn't get the questions to my guest in time--oops!), and I hope to add some more features from time to time. The Feedblitz signup box is on the left sidebar, just under my picture. It takes about 2 minutes to sign up and confirm your subscription. That's it! Here's the link: http://linesfromlinda.blogs.com

DEBORAH PICCURELLI' S book In The Midst of Deceit, is listed on Jireh Publishing's site as their top seller. There's a reason for that. It's a very good book. Congratulations, Deb. Way to go

CAROL UMBERGER is featured on FAVORITE PASTIMES blog. You can check out her interview at http://www.favoritepastimes.blogspot.com/

Carol's book Chevalier's Lady is Coming in Spring 2008, published by NavPress.  The Scottish Crown Series, is available now, published by Integrity If you haven't read Carol's historicals, you have missed a treat.

CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES Reviewer/author/Speaker She features a poem on adoption, information on her latest seminar, the truth about ACLU and, of course, info on her books as well as resources for writing and speaking. Check it out at:http://crscheidies-ivil.tripod.com/author  I Deal In Hope from Carolyn R Scheidies. Also, once in a while she features verse from other authors.

CYNDY SALZMAN is doing a service project to help her church raise $1,017,000 to build a hospital for women and children in Mali, West Africa . The project is being headed by one of her Christian author friends (Connie Grigsby and her husband Wes who is an emergency room doctor). Cyndy makes pins and key chains that are replicas of the
cover of your book!!! They are the neatest things you've ever seen.

Cyndy says, "This morning, our pastor announced that our church has raised $857,000 so far! Praise God! Several people expressed interest in ordering pins and key chains and asked about a "bulk" discount to use as giveaways or to give to bookstore staff to wear before one of your signings to help publicize the event. (These would have a little banner at the bottom attached by jump rings that say "Author Signing" with the date and time.)

I've tried to keep the cost as reasonable as possible while still being able to make some money for the project. I will send you an invoice so you have it for tax purposes - and if you make the check to Christ Community Church -Mali Project it is tax deductible. I am donating the labor and materials."

So here's the cost breakdown.:

Key chain and Pin (with charm) from one book cover $10.00 set The charm is a tiny silver decorative item that hangs from the front (like a flower or cross) OR some stick on glitz to give the pin more "pizzazz" and stand out. It depends on the cover.

Pin w/ charm and banner (eight or more) from one book cover $ 3.00 each.

Key chain (eight or more) from one book cover $ 2.50 each

Pin w/o charm or banner (eight or more from one cover) $ 2.50 each

Each order will be plus $3.00 postage and handling.

To place an order, just email Cyndy a .jpg of your book cover - or tell her where to get it on the net. She'll make up the pins and ship them out. The address is cyndysalzmann@earthlink.net

Barbara says, "I have mine ordered and will be wearing it at ACFW. I can't wait to get it."

Stop by the FAVORITE PASTIMESs blogspot  (www.favoritepastimes.blogspot.com) for some great interviews with authors of historical fiction and some insight into the historical fiction genre. Coming the week of September 24th, JILL EILEEN SMITH will be interviewing Biblical fiction author KACY BARNETT-GRAMCKOW. Kacy is a marvelous author - her Genesis Trilogy is amazing! This is one interview you won't want to miss!

CYNDY SALZMAN, reporting on a new marketing blog. "Just a note to let my writer friends know about a new resource for ideas on marketing your books that will officially launch September 1. It's a new blog sponsored by CAN called "You CAN! Market Your Books".http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/ Twelve authors will be participating – including me. : ) Some of you may not know that before devoting my energy full time to writing and speaking, I ran a PR firm with a client list that included Fortune 500 companies as well as nonprofit organizations. Although I know a thing or two about promotion, I quickly found out that promoting my own books was a whole new ballgame.

Here's the schedule…

Monday: Tricia Goyer and Gail Gaymer Martin

Tuesday: Cyndy Salzmann and Allison Bottke

Wednesday: Suzie Eller and Sharon Hinck

Thursday: Susie Larson and Camy Tang

Friday: Mary E. DeMuth and Kathi Macias

Saturday: Jill Nelson and Susan Meissner

We'll approach this from many different angles, with many different voices. Some of us have many books out, while others are promoting their first. Some have sold more than a million books in their career – while others are still trying to break out. We've all had some level of success in our marketing endeavors, and some blunders too. We'll lay it all out and encourage your comments. I hope you'll join us!"

I just checked this out and it's a great blog. Something we all need. Don't miss this one.

Spotlight Interviews - Join JILL EILEEN SMITH this month as she takes you behind the scenes to get to know suspense and humor author RENE GUTTERIDGE. You will also get a sneak peak at Rene's newest book Scoop - a book you won't want to miss! Stop by Jill's website - www.jilleileensmith.com - and read the interview, then find out how you can win one of Rene's books. We're giving away two books this month: My Life as a Doormat and The Splitting Storm.

Also, the winner for the August drawing for one of DIANN MILLS' books is CARA PUTNUM! Cara won a copy of When the Lion Roars. Congratulations Cara!

TRACY HIGLEY has come up with the neatest idea. I'll let her tell you about it: "As a writer, I know that most of us don't want to be bothered with selling autographed copies of our books on our websites. At the same time, we know that any book we sell ourselves yields a much greater return than the typical royalty rate. And we know that readers put a premium on signed books, especially if those books are signed specifically to them.

Signed by the Author.com was launched just a few weeks ago, as a central location for readers to purchase books autographed by their favorite authors. The idea has been enthusiastically received by authors, and new books are being listed daily. Even authors who are comfortable selling their own books online are discovering that Signed by the Author's aggressive advertising can enhance their marketing efforts and give them increased exposure online.

To discover how simple and profitable it can be to list your books on Signed By The Author.com, by the go to http://www.signedbytheauthor.com/authors.html."

I love this. It's a great way to sell your books. Be sure to check it out.

Sanctuary by MOLLY NOBLE BULL is the first in a series of three long historical novels about the Huguenots. The novel will be published on September 2007 from Tsaba House. Another of Molly's historical novels, The Winter Pearl, can be ordered from book stores across the country. That's good news Molly. Congratulations.

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

It seems a woman is suing J.C. Penny Co, because a legless mannequin whacked her over the head. Yep, you read that right. One of those in store dummies used to model clothes, took on a life of its own and tangled with a customer. You're probably thinking, "I've seen those store dummies. They aren't real. They have no life, they can't hit anyone." Well, friend, that's all you know about it.

The woman claims she was shopping one day about a year ago, and found a blouse she just had to have. The problem was, the only blouse in the store in that style was on the dummy. As the clerk was removing the blouse, the mannequin's arm flew off and struck the shopper on the head. Paramedics treated her for a bleeding scalp at the scene. She later had someone take her to the hospital for further treatment, and she claims the blow also cracked a molar, which led to a root canal. So, she's suing. I mean, what was this mannequin made of? Concrete? This is one battered customer here.

But you know I believe I'm on the dummy's side in this. People just walk up and start taking your blouse off, what do you do? I'm thinking I'd whack someone too. And if she was standing close enough to get hit, then she was way too close in the first place. I'm not sure how the judge will rule on this case, but I have this mental picture of the plaintiff and the defendant both showing up in court and His Honor, saying, "Court is now in session, and will the real dummy please stand up."

And the next time you're out shopping and you want a blouse a mannequin is already wearing. If you insist on having a clerk disrobe the poor dummy, don't stand too close. You might get whacked.

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

CHARACTERS II

Listen carefully, because I'm going to say something very important. The characters in our books aren't real. They may seem real to you, the writer, because after all, you created them, and chances are you spend more time with them then you do your real friends. But they are still just something you made up. They are not flesh and blood, they don't breathe, and they can't act independent of you. And yes, I know we like to say that our characters took over the story and took it in a different direction from which we had planned on going, but actually, that's not possible. It's just one of those little writerly things we use to make ourselves sound mysterious.

The story may develop in a different way than we had planned, taking our characters in a new direction as we figure out what works and what doesn't. A character may turn out to be different than we had originally intended, but that's you, the writer, doing what you do best, developing a story.

And don't try to base your character on a real person, because real people can't meet our needs in developing characters. No matter how well we think we know that real person, we can't know his inner thoughts and emotions. We can't really know his motives or his experiences. So here's a profound truth: we must know our characters better than we know our friends. We need to understand that character so well we will know why she behaves the way she does. We don't all react the same way in any given situation. Our personality traits, our environment, our upbringing, and our experiences all affect the way we think and act. You develop your character's past so you will know how that character will behave in the present.

Here's another truth. Your character without a situation is nothing. Scarlet O'Hara, without the Civil War, would be just another self-centered, eyelash fluttering Southern Belle. Plan your situation carefully. The problems she faces must be real. Remember Scarlet grubbing in the dirt for something to eat? That scene made everything that happened later, her drive for money, her determination to get what she wanted, believable. There needs to be a defining moment that sets that character's feet on a path that makes him determined to find the killer, or do what is necessary to save the family farm. Something that forces her to save that man from the immoral advances of the other woman.

Describe your characters, not just in the way they look, but in their personal traits. "Too soft hearted to make her kids mind," "Arrogant bully," "Meek as a mouse." This trait will go a long way toward explaining why your character behaves the way he does. Once you have chosen the dominant trait for each character, keep him or her true to that trait. Then you're on your way to developing characters who will seem so real your reader will remember them long after he closes the book.

Next month, Characters III

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

We are all important. God didn't take the time to make a nobody.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

DUMP CAKE

1 large can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 can cherry pie filling

2 sticks margarine or butter

1 yellow cake mix

½ cup or more of chopped nuts

 

Grease 9x13 pan and dump in undrained pineapple and spread it around. Top with spoonfuls of cherry pie filling. Sprinkle with dry cake mix. DO NOT STIR

 

Top with nuts. Then slice margarine in thin slices and cover top of cake. Bake at 375 degrees until top is nicely browned. If part of dry cake mix still shows through, cover with margarine while baking. Great with or without ice cream.

Barbara

Blue Mountain Editorial Service

To read Barbara's book reviews, sign up for her newsletter

by entering your email address in the link below;

or view them on Dancing Word Writers Network: http://www.dancingword.net/bookreviews.htm

 

Subscribe to  the barbarawarrennewsletter
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

 

 

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

 

 

This site was created by Brainiac Media Web Design Service

Webmaster E-Mail: bmwd@dancingword.net