BIO

LaShaunda C. Hoffman turned her love for books into an award winning online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature, Shades Of Romance - SORMAG. Her mission in life is to help promote writers by introducing them to readers.

Born and raised in St. Louis Missouri, LaShaunda started her adventure in life by joining the United States Navy. She served her country for six years and returned to her home town. She began to work for the U.S. government. At her 10 year class reunion she reconnected with the man who would become her husband. They are blessed with two children and will be adding a new blessing in February 2007.

LaShaunda is currently working on a Christian romance and on the hunt for a literary agent. She hopes to one day introduce her books to readers.

Here are few interviews:

http://www.aacbwi.com/Interviews2_LaShaundaHoffman04.html

http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/rhythmsofgrace/2005/12/see_you_on_the_.html

http://bookmarketingandpublicity.blogspot.com/2007_07_15_archive.html#8859856348106060608

Author Intro: Gail Martin

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Gail Martin: Gail Martin, the person, loves to laugh, tells funny stories about herself, has sung all her life as a soloist and with wonderful audition groups as well as at her church. She studied acting and public speaking in college and loves to travel all over the world. She is a lifelong Christian who’s always been church active with everything from congregational president to puppeteer and script writer. Gail Gaymer Martin the writer is a multi-award winning novelist who began writing fiction in 1997 and sold to Barbour Publishing in 1998. She sold to Steeple Hill in 1999 and has now sold forty contracted fiction books and twenty-three worship resource books as well as hundreds of articles for national Christian magazines. She is a popular speaker and has presented writing workshops across the US and in London, England.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

MARTIN: In His Eyes is the first book in the Michigan Island series for Steeple Hill set on Harsens Island in Lake St. Clair. My short blurb says: When Ellene Bordini arrives on the island, the early March wind’s bitter chill has less impact than the look in Connor Faraday’s eyes. Years had passed, but the emotions have not, and when Ellene becomes stranded on the island with her old flame, emotions heat up in more ways than one.

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

MARTIN: The theme of this book is based on The Bible verse theme is from Matthew 6: 22-23. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. It is a story of the weightiness of a weak faith and it teaches forgiveness and humility.

See Ya On The Net: What led you to the idea of writing this book, and then to the actual writing of it?

MARTIN: While visiting Harsens Island which has no bridge, only ferry service, my husband and I were stranded for many hours by an ice jam. His relatives mentioned about times when they were stranded for a week to three weeks when the channel has been blocked by ice with no way off the island except for emergency by helicopter. As a writer tends to do, I began to think of a plot where a formerly engaged man and woman are stranded on the island with his little daughter and a witty and elderly aunt. I did a proposal and the story sold.

See Ya On The Net: What makes your writing style unique?

MARTIN: I measure my writing by what readers say. They consistently mention three things about my writing:

1 - It flows in a poetic style.

2 - It’s filled with emotion

3 - They can’t put it down.

See Ya On The Net: What is the hardest part about writing for you?

MARTIN: Revising an idea that is truly embedded in my mind is the hardest thing to do. I”m glad this happens rarely although smaller revisions are not uncommon. But revisions of any kind affects the entire novel because I do a lot of foreshadowing, and this means rewriting much of the book.

See Ya On The Net: How did you stay motivated to finish the book?

MARTIN: Once I begin a novel, the story pulls me along, and I’m excited to finish it especially once I reach the middle. I usually have another looming deadline which is another motivation to keep writing. Right now I have sold five new books plus a non-fiction book for Writers Digest which all have deadlines.

See Ya On The Net: What do you do to make time for yourself?

MARTIN: I have a cleaning lady and landscaper, and my husband does many household tasks which gives me more writing time. I have numerous interests so I continue to sing with my choir plus perform solo work and I play handbells and handchimes which means more rehearsals. I also sing with renown Christian chorale in the Detroit metro area. I treasure friends and family and I make time for them - but I do write long hours daily.

See Ya On The Net: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

MARTIN: That’s one pleasure that I can’t do justice. My reading is sporadic and even though I’m truly enjoying a book, I often have to lay it down to go back to my writing or another activity. Normally suspense keeps me reading more than anything. I’m presently reading the DaVinci Code which is very exciting. I look at it as fiction and not fact.

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

MARTIN: I’m very available to readers. My preferred email for readers is authorgailmartin@aol.com. My web site at www.gailmartin.com also has a hyperlink to me, and I have a blog where readers can comment at www.gailmartin.blogspot.com My web site is filled with information for both readers and writers. Under the tab For Writers, they will find workshop logs, articles and frequently asked questions. Much of this material will be incorporated into my new Writers Digest book Writing Christian Romance That Sells which will be released late next year.

Author Intro: Trish Perry

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Trish Perry: I’ve been a Christian for 18 years and a serious writer for 12. In hindsight, I see that the Lord used that six-year gap to prepare me for writing, even though I was a tad clueless about what was going on. He led me through an education in Psychology, which has been a great help in understanding characters and what drives them. He led me through oodles of opportunities to learn about the craft of writing and to get to know people associated with the business: fellow writers, editors, agents, readers, and teachers. He opened doors for me only when my family could handle my walking through them.

I live in Virginia with my landscape-designing hubby and my brilliant teenaged son. My lovely daughter is fully growed, as Tammy Tyree used to say, and she and her dear husband have blessed me with a grandson who cracks me up constantly.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

PERRY: The Guy I’m Not Dating is a romantic comedy (chick lit) about Kara Richardson, a sharp, young Christian woman who is sick of failing in her romantic efforts. She decides to take the non-dating approach to all future relationships with men. Kara figures she’ll leave the romance part solely up to God. He’ll choose the proper man for her out of her group of male friends, and settle her easily into a respectable courtship at the proper time. That’s the plan.

Kara couldn’t have picked a worse time to meet Gabe Paolino, an immensely datable (and interested) young man who comes to town. But Gabe agrees to a platonic friendship, and the two friends do well until circumstances intervene. A road trip, from Virginia to Florida, becomes necessary for both of them. In an overcrowded van—filled with three restless teens, one odd elderly aunt, Kara’s best bud, and a vixen with eyes for Gabe—the struggling uncouple ventures forth and develops their friendship, crash-course style. Kara discovers that the guy she’s not dating may just be the best boyfriend she’s never had.

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

PERRY: First, I want my readers to have a good time. I don’t set out to write “message” stories; I just want to write entertaining books. But the whole non-dating idea intrigues me, and I have respect for people who take that kind of care in finding a truly good friend before trying to find romance. I hope readers will enjoy the humor of Kara’s struggle to do the right thing, despite her attraction to Gabe. And I hope the way God blesses His obedient children in this story will be the book’s most attractive facet of all.

See Ya On The Net: What led you to the idea of writing this book, and then to the actual writing of it?

PERRY: Several years ago, at a women’s Bible conference, my daughter introduced me to a girlfriend of hers. The girl had lived with her boyfriend when neither of them was a believer. When the boyfriend found Christ, he moved out, leaving his girlfriend angry and devastated. In time, though, she accepted the Lord and became friends again with her old boyfriend. Eventually their friendship matured, and he asked her if he could court her, with marriage in mind. So they went from ultra-worldly to ultra-pure. I loved their story and decided to write a humorous non-dating romance some day. I had a few works in progress at the time, but two books later, I finally got cracking on this story, and now The Guy I’m Not Dating will release this month!

See Ya On The Net: What makes your writing style unique?

PERRY: People have said my writing is like conversation. I’ve never been a poetic gal, really, other than a nice turn of phrase dropping miraculously onto the page here and there. But it’s easy to read my writing. Not Dick-and-Jane easy, I would hope, but easy as if you were chatting with a girlfriend, but she’s doing all the talking while you’re relaxing in the tub with a box of chocolates. I can’t be the only one who loves reading that way. With the tub and chocolates, I mean.

See Ya On The Net: What is the hardest part about writing for you?

PERRY: Shutting out the rest of the world. I am not one of those people who writes well in noisy environments. No music, no phone, no conversations allowed. I lose my focus easily, so I guard it as if it were the Windsor family jewels. So summer, when my son is home during the day, is a struggle. My boy could watch a lousy old rerun of Saved by the Bell, and I’ll find myself listening to the storyline. Torture!

See Ya On The Net: How did you stay motivated to finish the book?

PERRY: One word: deadline! When I got my contract for The Guy I’m Not Dating, I actually sold it on the strength of a few preliminary chapters, along with another completely written novel, also contracted the same day. But I had envisioned the completed novel as the first release, with The Guy I’m Not Dating coming afterward—a nice tidy book set, a nice tidy writing plan. Blessed are the flexible, though, because my publisher decided to open with The Guy I’m Not Dating. Not only did that require my making significant chronological changes to the completed novel, but it also required my finishing The Guy I’m Not Dating far earlier than I planned. The decision to switch the order of the books was a good one, though. The Second Novel Formerly Known as the First Novel (Too Good to Be True) will release in March 2007.

See Ya On The Net: What do you do to make time for yourself?

PERRY: Honey, that’s the whine I have with dinner every night! Seriously, I consider my evening time untouchable winding-down time, spent with my family. I seldom go back to work once I’ve stopped to have dinner and relax with my guys. And I belong to a women’s book club, which meets monthly and is great fun—we even discuss the book once in a while. Finally, two weeks out of every year, the guys go away together, either to church youth camp or on a skiing trip out west. Those are my free weeks, and I produce like a powerhouse during that time and still have time to relax, eat Chinese food, and catch up on chick flicks.

See Ya On The Net: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

PERRY: That was actually one of my book club’s choices, Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston. Good grief, the woman doesn’t let you go until you only have one and a half pages left. I couldn’t have slept without finding out if poor Janie was found guilty or not (I’m being deliberately vague—I hate spoilers!).

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

PERRY: I love hearing from readers and writers! Contact me through my website (www.trishperrybooks.com), my email address (trishperrybooks@earthlink.net), or my new Amazon blog (Trish Perry on Amazon).

COMING FEB - 2007

A collection of short inspirational love stories from thirteen emerging authors:

LaShaunda Hoffman, St. Louis, Missouri (That's ME)

H. Renay Anderson, Texas

Shauna Stephens-Batts, Miami, Florida

Aleigha Butler, Atlanta, Georgia

Sherille Fisher, Houston, Texas

Vien Jernigan, Tallahassee, Florida

April McDermid, Tallahassee, Florida

Francina Roberts, Tallahassee, Florida

Kim Robinson, Dallas, Texas

Alescia Smith, Cleveland, Ohio

Juanita E. Thomas, Tallahassee, Florida

Anne Haw Holt-Webb, Tallahassee, Florida

Barbara Joe-Williams, Tallahassee, Florida

You may pre-order an autographed copy of How I Met My Sweetheart by sending a check/money order to the following address for $12.00 (includes tax and shipping):

LaShaunda Hoffman

7127 Minnesota Ave

St. Louis, MO 63111

CFBA - Author Intros

OCTOBER AUTHORS

Ginger Garrett


SEPTEMBER AUTHORS

Brandilyn Collins

James David Jordan

Taylor Field

CFBA - Author Intros

OCTOBER AUTHORS

Ginger Garrett


SEPTEMBER AUTHORS

Brandilyn Collins

James David Jordan

Taylor Field

CFBA - Author Intros

OCTOBER AUTHORS

Ginger Garrett


SEPTEMBER AUTHORS

Brandilyn Collins

James David Jordan

Taylor Field

Author Intro: Deb Kinnard

Deb Kinnard: Deb Kinnard started writing at age ten, frustrated because there was no preteen girl with a horse on “Bonanza.” From there she progressed to short stories and really bad poetry.

In college, she gained two degrees in health care and spent time observing hippies, basketball stars, el-ed majors and other strange species.

While raising two active girls and cherishing a husband, she enjoyed a career that encompasses Spanish translation, volunteer work at a crisis line, years in assorted ERs that don’t resemble the one on TV, and a day job at a big Chicago teaching hospital.
She’s an active learner in her Romance Writers of America chapter, a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and a loud singer at church. In 2002 and 2003, she sold her first and second novels, Powerline and Oakwood to Treble Heart Books.

When Deb’s not at the computer writing, she keeps busy with reading, playing the guitar, and skiing in the winter. With her husband, she enjoys the “Connections” outreach team at church, and turns up in the annual church musicals, trying to do something that resembles dancing. She loves to travel and meet new people, some of whom turn up later in her stories. So if you meet a short woman with a light in her eye…

Represented by agent Andrea Boeshaar of the Hartline Literary agency, she’s busy proposing sales for her fourteen unsold novels lurking in the bottom drawer.


ANGEL WITH A RAY-GUN

Matt Greenlee mixes ministry with SF writing. When he gets a new editor, Matt scents disaster, for his new editor is female. He fears attraction, considering himself poor husband material. How can he risk his heart?

AJ Mercer’s hippie upbringing left her wary of Christianity and men, but she’s attracted to her client. The gloves are off—his biases versus her need for success.

When these two mix it up over a book, can they find happiness—love, or literary?

AUTHOR INTRO: Leslie Sherrod

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Leslie Sherrod: I’m a Baltimore native, married with two children, and turning thirty this year. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for five years and writing full-time just as long. Before then I worked as an assistant clinical social worker for an outpatient mental health center at a major hospital.

I’ve loved writing ever since I had to put spelling words into sentences. In high school and college, I focused on poetry and short stories, thinking I had neither the patience nor the plot for a longer piece of fiction. But novel writing is where God has truly opened doors. My experiences as a former human service worker and a current wife and mother -and all the joys, sorrows, struggles and triumphs involved - help shape what I write.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

SHERROD: Like Sheep Gone Astray is a suspenseful story about a young minister who is dealing with the fallout of a bad decision he made because of his love of money. He is facing exposure and risks losing everything - including his career, ministry and marriage. Going down with his enemies and unearthing his family’s secrets might be his only way out.

It’s a book born partly out of my own struggles of defining success, figuring out purpose, and seeing hurting communities, families and misdirected lives. All of those themes are touched on in the story. It’s a thought-provoking, yet fast-moving and fun read.

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

SHERROD: I’m a firm believer that we all are created for a purpose that will bring glory to God and help others. I hope readers leave the story with a new determination not to let anything get them off the path of their purpose, and to know that there is always hope and another chance to get it right if they have been sidetracked for one reason or another.

See Ya On The Net: Do you ever have a hard time letting go of a character after the novel is finished?

SHERROD: By the time I reach the end of a novel, the characters feel like they have come full circle. I want to say I am done with them. If I don’t have that sense of completion, the novel won’t feel finished to me. There are certain characters who do linger on in my mind - usually the more colorful, controversial ones. In theory, they could have their own stories told in another setting, but I’m exhausted at the moment trying to imagine what they did before or are doing after the novel takes place.

See Ya On The Net: What do you feel is the key to writing convincing characters?

SHERROD: Like real people, you have to let characters be themselves and not feel like you can control them. When I have to change or delete a scene in a story because it’s not consistent with what a character would say or do, I know that particular character has been fully fleshed and clothed. At the point characters supersede my outline, they’ve become convincing.

See Ya On The Net: What makes your writing style unique?

SHERROD: No matter what the subject, I love to keep a suspense current going through the story. Short, intense scenes with cliffhangers, and having many intertwined characters and subplots keep the story fast and moving. I want the story to be a fun read, but even more important, I want to tackle issues not usually talked about: i.e. wanting material blessings more than wanting the One who gives the blessings; generational curses; purpose; broken families and communities. It sounds heavy but it doesn’t come off as feeling heavy. I like to use a lot of sensory descriptions to put readers right there in the pages, to feel the emotions and then to feel the hope. The combination of fast but fulfilling are what I think makes my writing unique.

See Ya On The Net: What are you doing to promote your book?

SHERROD: I’m scheduled to go to several places throughout the Mid-Atlantic region this summer and other places around the country in the fall. I have a couple of interviews lined up as well. A link to an updated schedule of events is available on the Calendar page of my website, www.LeslieJSherrod.com

See Ya On The Net: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

SHERROD: I’ve been amazed at the depth of God’s love. Most of us have heard and know “God so loved the world,” but when He starts showing you His love at a personal level, and you feel His breath and passion aimed directly at you - in spite of you - “Jesus Loves Me” takes on a whole new meaning. From the very beginning of writing my first novel to this present moment, God has wowed me with his direct actions on my behalf. And He loves us all. We haven’t even begun to tap into the greatness of His love for us.

See Ya On The Net: What do you do to make time for yourself?

SHERROD: When I figure that out I’ll let you know. ☺ Honestly, being a full-time writer and mom has required more of me than any other job or position I’ve ever had. At this point in my life, eating dinner undisturbed or going alone to Walmart to buy lotion is an accomplishment.

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

SHERROD: Please visit my website at www.LeslieJSherrod.com. Sign the guestbook or email me at leslie@lesliejsherrod.com. I can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 19465, Baltimore, MD 21206. I love to hear from readers!

Thank you for this opportunity. I’m both excited and grateful for this chance to share.

Let There Be Light

St. Louis was hit by a severe thunderstorm Wednesday night. It knocked out the power to many homes. Our home was one of the blessed ones. We had broken branches all over our yard, but we had electricity.

Electricity is one of those bills you pay and expect to be on no matter what. You take it for granted that when you flip a switch the light will come on.

This past week has shown me how much we take for granted.

The heat has been a major issue with the power outage. There are many seniors living at home or in nursing homes who don’t want to leave their homes. It’s too hot for them to stay in. I’m having flashbacks of Hurricane Katrina. Those people didn’t want to leave either.

I feel so helpless because there’s nothing you can do but WAIT.

We opened our home to one of my brother-in-laws, his girlfriend and her daughter. I know before this is over, we might have a few more relatives to shelter.

I’m thankful the Lord spared our home because we have a safe haven for them to come to.

Please pray for St. Louis and the electricians trying to give us light.

Surprise - You're Pregnant

I received a major surprise last week, one that through me for a loop. To be honest I’ve still haven’t recovered. I’m one who loves surprises, but this one, I didn’t see coming. Or should I say I ignored the signs. They were there, bright as neon lights on Broadway. I was in Nah land.

What open my eyes to the real world? A BOOK. I was reading Best Kept Secrets by Rochelle Alers. The female characters had symptoms that made me think about my own symptoms. Could it be? No way. I was done, couldn’t be.

The next morning I decided to check for myself. I couldn’t remember the instructions, so I had to wait until later to be sure.

Two lines, the stick said two lines. No way!

I read the instructions, two lines means POSITIVE.

Oh Lord!

Six years and two kids later, I thought I was done in the baby making business. The Lord has other plans. You’d think after all these years I’d learn I can’t plan my life.

I’m having a baby. YEP I’m still in shock. The hubby is in shock and the kids are ecstatic.

It’s sinking in because this little baby is making it known he’s there.

Pray for me.

Author Intro: MaryLu Tyndall

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

MaryLu Tyndall: I spent my early years on the beaches of South Florida, but now reside in northern California with my husband and our blended family of six children, ranging in age from 16 to 25. I've always loved to write, but never pursued it seriously as a career until last year when I submitted my first novel to agents and publishers. The whole process was such an awesome miracle. When I first started writing The Redemption, I was only writing it for fun and had no intention of submitting it. Through a series of miraculous steps, including getting me laid off from my full time job, and connecting me with ACFW, God led me to finish the novel and submit it. I began sending it to agents in February, 2005. and by October of that same year, I was signing contracts for not only The Redemption, but two more books in the series. I am humbled and blessed with how the Lord moved so swiftly on my behalf, and I give all the credit to Him and pray He uses my novels for His glory.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

TYNDALL: The Redemption, my first novel was just released on July 1st. It is an historical pirate adventure set in the 17th century Caribbean. My story begins when the heroine, Lady Charlisse Bristol, sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. While battling his attraction to this winsome lady and learning to walk a more godly path, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest—until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean.

The Redemption was born out of a difficult, personal journey. Like the heroine in my story, I too grew up without a father’s love and spent many years searching for acceptance and value in all the wrong places. I rejected God and didn’t realize that only in His arms would I find what I was searching for. There is a deep part of my soul written in the path Charlisse must take to find God’s love—a path that I hope will provide a healing touch to many lives.

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

TYNDALL: Whether you've grown up with a loving father, or without one, or whether you've been rejected by people you've cared about, or you've been accepted, God's love--not human love--is the only love that comes without cost, will never disappoint you, and can fill the aching void in your heart.

See Ya On The Net: Do you ever have a hard time letting go of a character after the novel is finished?

TYNDALL: Yes. I had such a hard time letting go of the characters of The Redemption, that I refused and created another novel about them! The Reliance, book 2 in the series, will be released early next year. But, alas, I had to put them to rest in order to get started on my third novel. In a way it is like losing your best friends, but I know they are out there sailing the Caribbean, and God is taking care of them.

See Ya On The Net: What do you feel is the key to writing convincing characters?

TYNDALL: Characters must be as real to us as our best friends. We must know them intimately. I am not a plotter, but I do spend a great deal of time on my main characters. I give them a past, likes, dislikes, good qualities and bad qualities, things that annoy me about them, and things that I like. They should not be all evil or all good, and they need to shock us now and then, just like real people do. I also give them specific looks or certain quirks that belong only to them. I spend a lot of time analyzing people around me for ideas.

See Ya On The Net: What makes your writing style unique?

TYNDALL: I'm told that I'm very strong on settings and descriptions and that I have the ability to pull a reader right into the 17th century Caribbean and make them feel as though they were sailing aboard a pirate ship.

See Ya On The Net: What are you doing to promote your book?

TYNDALL: My publisher hired a marketing company that is doing most of the promotional work for my novel. Other than working with them, I'm talking with local book stores, trying to set up book signings. I'm doing blog interviews and sending the book to interested people who are willing to write reviews for newsletters or online book stores. I'm sending out postcards advertising my book, and I have bookmarks to give away. Also, in the fall, I'll be attending the annual Pirate Festival in Key West, FL. Yea!

See Ya On The Net: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

TYNDALL: The most surprising thing I discovered was that my characters took on minds of their own and often led me in directions I never would have foreseen.

See Ya On The Net: What do you do to make time for yourself?

TYNDALL: It's hard to find time for myself these days. I spend most of my day either writing or on writing-related activities. Then I have a husband, kids and a house to run in the evening. Yes, I cook dinner, clean the house, and do laundry just like everyone else! I guess my favorite time alone is when I can curl up in bed at night after everyone else has gone to sleep and read a great novel.

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

TYNDALL: The best way is to go to my website: www.mltyndall.com

I have an email address listed there to which they can send notes.

AUTHOR INTRO: Dr. Lisa Fuller

See Ya On the Net: Tell us about your current book?

Dr. Lisa Fuller: You Already Have All of the Tools that You Need is a Christian inspirational book composed of poems in a non-hymn form supported by Biblical scripture. The focus of the book is change. The book answers the question: How can I use God’s Word to bring about change in my life?

See Ya On the Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

Lisa Fuller: The take home message is that change first starts in ones mind. With God’s help, we each have the ability to change our mindset and thinking thus producing change in our lives.

See Ya On the Net: What was the most profound lesson you learned while writing this book?

Lisa Fuller: As I wrote this book, I found that God taken me through various seasons of change including spiritual, mental, and physical changes.

See Ya On the Net: What do you to improve your craft?

Lisa Fuller: If you invest wisely into anything, your return for the most part is profitable. I make wise investments into my craft by first seeking God’s instruction through prayer for my life, placing myself in circles of people that have achieved what I want to accomplish such as professional writer’s groups. Additionally, I attend conferences and seminars and read a wide variety of books on various subjects.

See Ya On the Net: What makes your writing style unique?

Lisa Fuller: I incorporate my professional training in medicine and mental health into ministry through my writing.

See Ya On the Net: What are you doing to promote your book?

Lisa Fuller: Book promotions include book signing (in churches and book stores), speaking engagements, multi-media sources (radio and TV interviews) and Internet promotion.

See Ya On the Net: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Lisa Fuller: The most surprising thing that I found was the transformation of the book from the initial idea, transcript, and drafts, to the finished version. It was amazing for me to witness the change.

See Ya On the Net: What do you do to make time for yourself?

Lisa Fuller: The most important thing that I do to make time for myself is to schedule it. I find that if I don’t set aside specific time for myself, I will occupy my time with work or other activities.

See Ya On the Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

Lisa Fuller:

Mail: Dr. Lisa Fuller
P.O. Box 401259
Redford, MI 48240-9259

Phone: (313) 645-1596

Website: www.drlisafuller.com

Email: drlisafuller@aol.com

New Blog

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Here is something really different. But really cool.

Author (and blogger) href="http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/">Brandilyn Collins
has written a novel that comes out in August called Violet Dawn. It
is part of a new series she has started called the href="http://kannerlake.com/">Kanner Lake Series. She sent out
Advance Reader Copies to those who requested them and asked them to
choose a character that they liked. Then she asked the readers to
send her a make believe post from the character for a make believe
blog by the 'Kanner Lake' make believe residents. This is going to be
an actual blog, called...Scenes and Beans, full of ficticious bloggers
written by real bloggers who liked Violet Dawn. Confusing? href="http://www.kannerlake.blogspot.com/"> Well, it began, July 5th! Go check it out by pressing the href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2402/1433/1600/javajoint.5.jpg">button
for Scenes and Beans!
src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/scenesandbeans.jpg"
border="0" alt="" />

Summer Sale

The Story Sensei Summer Sale - A writers' summer event!

From now until July 15th, I will be holding a fabulous contest for my Story Sensei critique service.

I will draw the names of TWO lucky winners! They will each receive:

A free synopsis critique – up to 10 pages single-spaced, a $40 value!

AND

A coupon for 25% OFF any manuscript critique – whether full or partial manuscript, any number of words. For a 100,000 word manuscript, that's a savings of $250!

In addition, EVERYONE WHO ENTERS will receive a 10% OFF coupon for any service, whether synopsis, query letter, or manuscript critique (full or partial). For a 100,000 word manuscript, that's a savings of $100, just for entering.

Go to my Story Sensei blog and post a comment to enter the contest!
http://storysensei.blogspot.com/

Free Fun

Want a fun day with your kids?

Feed the ducks.

Yesterday I piled the kids in the car with two bags of stale dollar rolls and we headed to the park. I told the kids two days earlier we were going to feed the ducks, so they were on “let’s go” mode when I pulled up from work.

We packed popcorn, water and Off for the biting bugs.

We found a small pond that had about 15 ducks. They were a little skittish when the kids approached. Once they realized we were trying to feed them, they came a little closer to the edge.

I think my kids were a little disappointed. They thought the ducks would eat right out of their hands. After a few minutes they said they were bored.

It’s amazing to me how fast kids get bored. I told them to have patience the ducks would eat when they were ready.

I guess one of the ducks flew off to tell his other friends we had bread, because about five other ducks swim across the pond and skid in front of us. The children started laughing; they couldn’t believe how the ducks were fighting with each other over the pieces of bread. Before we knew it, all the bread was gone.

As we were walking back to our car, I thought about those birds. They relied on God to bring them food. They didn’t have money or a place to buy food. They lived on the pond and what ever food they got was a blessing.

God is good. He knew those ducks need something to eat and he sent us to feed them.

AUTHOR INTRO: T.L. Hines

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

TL Hines: I'm a Montana boy--raised here, went to school here, worked out of state a few years and decided I needed to be back in Montana. Not surprisingly, I suppose, I set my first novel in Montana (and my second one, for that matter). I've worked in advertising and marketing for more than 16 years, and also spent time as an editor of a trade magazine during that period, but I've dreamed of publishing fiction since I was 12 years old. Key trivia fact: as a teen, I was an undefeated 3-0 in air guitar competitions, in which I performed songs by ZZ Top.

As a writer, and a reader, I tend to love crime fiction and slipstream fiction--any work that depicts our real world, but throws in an element of the supernatural or fantastic. Why this is, I'm not sure. But I bet it has something to do with discovering Stephen King at a young age, and watching a lot of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" as a young buck.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

HINES: WAKING LAZARUS is a supernatural thriller about a man who has died and
returned to life three times, becoming a cult celebrity in the process. To hide from his fame, he changes his name and hides in Red Lodge, a small Montana town. But when children in the area start disappearing, and when a mysterious stranger shows up on his doorstep, he begins to discover he has the secrets to catching the abductor--buried in the mysteries of his own deaths. For a taste of the story, people can read the first chapter at my website - http://www.tlhines.com/firstchap.html

See Ya On The Net: What aspect of God do you most hope readers will take away after reading your book?

HINES: The book explores the aspect of God I still find amazing: that He works in all our lives, even when we're indifferent or antagonistic toward him. I didn't become a Christian until age 27--I considered myself an atheist before then--and that was the thing that most struck me when I sat down and began to think about my own journey to faith. God had been at work, trying to push me toward Him at many different points; each time I refused, God was patient and gave me another opportunity farther down the path.

See Ya On The Net: What was the most profound lesson you learned while writing this novel?

HINES: Even though you write a book for an audience--for other people--you're also writing it for yourself. You're writing to get something important about yourself on the page, even if you don't know what it is at the time. That, in itself, is a profound lesson: to realize the act of writing itself is as much telling a story about yourself as it is telling a story about your characters.

See Ya On The Net: What do you do to improve your craft?

HINES: I think the single best way to improve your writing is to write. Plain and simple. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's writing. The second best way is to read. Read the genre you're passionate about, of course, but also read other genres to discover what makes stories work. So I write every day, and I read every day. I'm not a big fan of books, tapes or courses devoted to craft. I don't care much for method at all, because I don't believe there is a true method that works for everyone. We each have our own unique method that works best for each of us. It's up to us to discover that method.

See Ya On The Net: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

HINES: I like this question, and it's an easy one for me to answer. Any time someone discovers I'm a writer, he/she always says one of two things: 1) I've always wanted to write; or 2) Oooh, I have a great idea for a book. My answers are: 1) Then you should write; and 2) Then you should write. I wish non-writers would understand that I don't really need more ideas. I have plenty--more than I'll ever be able to write about, because not all of them develop into full, novel-length ideas. So if a non-writer has a great idea for a book, and she's really passionate about that idea, she's the best person to write about it. Make that leap from non-writer to writer. Tons of us do it every day.

See Ya On The Net: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?

HINES: I think the single most important thing a writer can do nowadays is have a web presence of some kind. It may be a web site, it may be a blog, it may be a Myspace page, but it should be something. Being on the web will make many, many contacts for you, and will help you learn so much about writing by putting you in touch with several different communities of writers. Not coincidentally, those contacts will also help you start building a network of people interested in reading your work. It's all good.

See Ya On The Net: What is a favorite book from your childhood?

HINES: It probably won't surprise many people to find out my favorite book from early childhood was "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. I also remember ordering a book called "How to Build Your Own Monster," but was bitterly disappointed when it ended up being comical and didn't REALLY tell you how to build a monster. When I was 12, I discovered an obscure book by a writer few people have ever heard of: "The Shining" by Stephen King. That book made me want to write.

See Ya On The Net: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

HINES: I'm reading an interesting ARC right now called "Shadows in the Mist"by a first-time novelist named Brian Moreland. It's an interesting mix of military thriller and supernatural thriller, and I'm quite enjoying it. Recently, I also put in a few late nights on Ariel Gore's "The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show" and George Pelacanos's "The Sweet Forever." Every book keeps me up reading it, I suppose--I always spend the last few hours of my day reading.

See Ya On The Net: What resources do you use on the net?

HINES: Any I can find. Really. I enjoy blogging--although I'm more of a once or twice a week guy. I envy people who have the energy to blog every day; I'm not that organized. I've started podcasting. I have my main web site, and a special web site for readers called the Other Side--where people can sign up as Volunteer Publicists for my book, in exchange for unique prizes such as a share of royalties or a role in the next book. And of course, the net is the first place I turn to for research or questions. Google early, google often. I spend a fair amount of time in writing communities such as Zoetrope studios (www.zoetrope.com), Absolute Write (www.absolutewrite.com), and Dave Long's faith*in*fiction community
www.faithinfiction.blogspot.com

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you?

HINES: My web site is www.tlhines.com, which includes more than you'd every really want to know. All my contact information is there, ranging from email to Myspace and LiveJournal pages to IM contacts.

AUTHOR INTRO: Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. A finalist for the Christy Award in both 2003 and 2006, and a former missionary to Russia, Susan now writes full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

Everything's Coming up Josey

When Josey Berglund’s little sister marries her ex, Josey heads out of town…to Russia, to teach English for a year. If the snow, the subway, the market and the language don’t send her screaming, her love life just might. Will she survive Russia? Or God’s plans for her?


Visit Susan at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

The Story Sensei -- book doctoring

For a very affordable price, I pinpoint any structural issues that can
be fixed and offer suggestions to create a more cohesive, compelling
storyline. I can identify any weaknesses in story structure, character
arcs, writing style, and other aspects of a high-level structural
critique. I can also analyze your manuscript for key writing and story
elements.

Check out my website for more information, pricing, and what other
clients have said about my services:
http://www.camytang.com/sensei.html

AUTHOR INTRO: Lena Nelson Dooley

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Lena Nelson Dooley: Lena Nelson Dooley is a multi-published author with Heartsong and Barbour. Three of her books were voted as top ten favorites by readers, and this last year she was voted a top ten favorite author. One book took second place in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest in 2004. One book has been on both the CBD bestseller list and various bestseller lists on Amazon.com. She is married to the love of her life and they have two married daughters and four grandchildren. Lena and James love to travel.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

DOOLEY: Is there any way to escape from a pirate ship?

Angelina de la Fuente Delgado, the pampered daughter of a wealthy merchant, is on her way home from a trip to Spain when her ship is attacked by pirates. The brigands capture her and her aunt and steal all the merchandise on the ship. After forcing most of the crew to walk the plank, they sink the vessel into the Atlantic. Brian O’Doule, who is secretly in love with Angelina, is also kidnapped by the pirates. Driven by feelings of guilt for not preventing the disaster, he does everything in his power to protect the women and to find a way for them all to escape. Will Angelina ever see her home and her beloved father again? Or will she be forced to marry the fierce pirate captain, Etienne Badeau?

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

DOOLEY: With all my books, I want the reader to see how other people deal with extreme stresses in their lives and allow God to make a difference.

See Ya On The Net: How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?

DOOLEY: Actually, even though I'm writing books number 13 & 14 this year, I get really excited whenever a book sells. My husband knows that I will be excited the rest of the day. I hope I never get over that flush of excitement. Each new sale is a special gift from God, and I celebrate it.

See Ya On The Net: Any advice for those striving for the same goal?

DOOLEY: Keep on, keeping on. The only writers who sell books are those who submit. . .submit. . .submit. However, you should always keep your eyes on the Lord and listen to His voice. Maybe what you're going through right now is the process, and to Him the process is important. We grow as writers and as Christians through the process.

See Ya On The Net: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

DOOLEY: That it is a real job. A writer works just like they do, maybe even more, for every penny they earn.

See Ya On The Net: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?

DOOLEY: Make yourself visible--on the Internet, at local bookstores, at conferences, etc. Partner with your publisher every way they make available.

See Ya On The Net: What is a favorite book from your childhood?

DOOLEY: Most of the children's books I read were way before most of the reader's times. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. Any Nancy Drew book. Then as a teenager, I loved Gone With the Wind.

See Ya On The Net: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

DOOLEY: Web of Lies by Brandilyn Collins

See Ya On The Net: What resources do you use on the net?

DOOLEY: I use the Internet a lot for research. It's valuable to a writer of historical fiction, but I even use it for contemporary books, too. I have a web site which is very active, which includes a monthly newsletter. I also have a blog where I interview a different author each week. I give away one of my books every month on my web site, and on the blog, we give away at least one book a week.

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

DOOLEY: I have contact information on my web site:

www.lenanelsondooley.com

It has a mailing address and e-mail address on the web site.

My blog address is:

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

WRITERS

Every day I’m introduced to a new writer. It amazes me how many people are out in the world telling their stories.

As writers we believe this job is a solitary job, but if you think about it, it’s really not. There are many others just like us. Yes we write alone, but there are ways to connect with those who feel as we do.

The internet introduced me to those kindred spirits. The ones who understand waking up in the middle of the night because a thought won’t let you sleep. Those who get, writing on a napkin while eating lunch. Are those who can feel your pain when you receive another, “This isn’t for us” letter.

To my fellow writers keep striving for the dream. Keep writing your stories, one day they will be appreciated.

Race For The Cure

Last Saturday I experienced my first walk for breast cancer. For years I’d heard of this race, but never participated. Our church registered a team and I decided to join. We met at the church at 5:30 a.m. I’m not a morning person, but this morning I was wide awake and excited for the cause. Everyone had on their Race for the cure t-shirts and we boarded the church bus for downtown St. Louis. We parked in the City Hall parking lot, sang a song and then prayed.

I was amazed at how many people were participating in this race as we walked to the registration tables. We had one person to register and while she did, we were given pink papers to walk in someone’s honor.

I walked in memory of:

Gloria C. A co-worker who was my first contact with breast cancer.
Precious B. – a co-worker who lost the battle a few months ago.

In Celebration of:

Mae J. – My aunt who is fighting the battle
Trellis J – A church member who is fighting the battle
Fran G. – A church member who is a survivor
Minister Pat – A church member who is a survivor
Alveria W – A church member who is a survivor

We took group pictures and headed off to the vendors. There were many vendors giving out little treats, like scarves and towels. What impressed me was how kind everyone was. I’m use to the pushing and shoving you see at the big expos. No one was like that; everyone was trying to help someone receive a gift.

While going to the vendors, I was separated from my team. There were so many white t-shirts there was no way I could find them. Not one person I knew came by me. I stood in the middle of the street and said, Lord what am I going to do? I don’t even know where the race starts.

Helpful hint for races or any activity where you in a group: Get the members telephone numbers, that way if you’re lost you can find each other.

Of course I didn’t have anyone’s numbers. However, the Lord was looking out for me because my sister was also participating in the race with her job and she came walking up the street. THANK YOU JESUS. We ended up walking together. I know it was God who wanted us to.

I had a bag full of goodies and the race was about to start. I highly recommend taking your goodies back to your car before the race starts, but since I didn’t have time, I walked with mine.

The race was amazing; at first we were walking really slowly. We couldn’t figure out why everyone was walking so slowly. Then we hit a dip and we were able to see who was ahead of us. A block full of white and pink shirts were walking and running. We all did a deep AHHH!, because we didn’t realize it was that many people ahead of us. A few blocks of walking we looked behind and another AHHH!, escaped us as we saw the many people behind us.

I think what affected me the most about the race was the many survivors who were young. When I think of breast cancer I think of older women, but this disease doesn’t discriminate it touches all ages.

My sister and I walked and talked and before we knew it, we were crossing the finish line.

Walking across the finish line was wonderful and exhilarating. I use to walk a mile a day but I haven’t done it in months. My hubby kept teasing me that I wouldn’t make it, but I refuse to give up. Walking at the pace we did didn’t strain me or tire me out, so I was comfortable the whole race. It did make me realize I need to get some exercise back in my life.

Next year I plan on signing my daughter up, I think its time she learned about supporting a good cause.

To all those who supported the Race For The Cure, thank you and look forward to walking with you next year.

St. Louis is the #1 city with 65,000 participants.

AUTHOR INTRO: Mata Elliot

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Mata Elliott: My name is Mata Elliott. I’m 38 years young, married 12 years, and I have one son. When I’m not writing I enjoy taking long walks, reading, and eating chocolate. I’ve been writing stories since I could hold a pencil and form words. I considered the idea of writing a book at a young age and actually started writing a novel as a teenager. I never got past the first chapter and soon threw out the idea. At the age of 29 I started writing Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’, and this time I couldn’t put it down until it was finished.

See Ya On The Net: Tell us about your current book?

ELLIOTT: Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’, published by Walk Worthy Press, is my debut novel. It is the story of a young woman living with a painful secret. Years ago when she was a college student she made a decision that has haunted her since. Trapped by guilt, regret, bitterness, self-doubt, and unforgiveness, she is unable to love herself and the man God has put in her life.

See Ya On The Net: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

ELLIOTT: I would like readers to come away encouraged. Knowing that God is a loving and forgiving God and that He wants us to not only forgive others but also ourselves. Once we ask God for forgiveness it is done. Nothing anyone says about your past matters. You are forgiven. I also hope to send the message to any woman that is hurting that she does not have to suffer in silence or live in oppressive isolation. It is not true that no one else is going through what you are. Pain is pain, so find a safe person to talk with and get help.

See Ya On The Net: How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?

ELLIOTT: Wonderful! I still can’t believe it some days. When I first began submitting my manuscripts and received rejection letters, naturally I felt discouraged and wondered if I should keep trying. God spoke to my heart and reminded me that He’s in charge of the doors of my life. Seek Him, trust Him, and obey Him, and He would open the door He had for me when He was ready.

See Ya On The Net: Any advice for those striving for the same goal?

ELLIOTT: Yes, do not listen to negative words. Stand on the promises God has given you regarding your writing (which may be different than the promises He has given others) and hold onto those promises no matter how many rejections you may receive. While you’re waiting to hear good news, keep learning all you can about writing and the industry, network with others writers, and keep God first in your life.

See Ya On The Net: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

ELLIOTT: Writing is a full-time job. I may be at home during the day, but I’m not home watching television or painting my toenails. I am writing. And even if I’m not sitting at the computer, I am doing things like reading and researching, which is all a part of constructing a novel.

See Ya On The Net: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?

ELLIOTT: I am new at promotion but I’m already learning that you have to be proactive. This is my new motto which I overheard one writer say to another, “Everybody wants your book.” Of course we know not everyone really does, but it’s a good way to psyche yourself out during promotion. I live in urban America so I’ve been approaching people who are waiting for buses and subways and telling them about my book as I hand them a bookmark. The results have been positive because people love free stuff. No one is more introverted than me, so if I can step out and promote, you can do it too! Tell everyone about your book!

See Ya On The Net: What is a favorite book from your childhood?

ELLIOTT: One of my favorite stories from childhood was Charlotte’s Web. I must have read it a hundred times. I love animals and always have so I’m sure my fascination with the story was because of the animals. Growing up in the city, it was nice to have a glimpse into the life of Fern, one of the main characters and a little girl who lived on a farm.

See Ya On The Net: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

ELLIOTT: Francis Ray’s Trouble Don’t Last Always. I love a good romance and this is one I found difficult to put down.

See Ya On The Net: What resources do you use on the net?

ELLIOTT: It varies. When I’m writing a story, if I need medical information I go to WebMD or something comparable. If I need help with a Bible verse, I often visit Crosswalk.com. The resources on the net are limitless it seems, so if I have a question I’ll simply Google it and I usually find something beneficial.

See Ya On The Net: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

ELLIOTT: I love to hear from readers. They can contact me or sign up for my mailing list at info@mataelliott.com. And please visit my website http://www.mataelliott.com/.

Links Library

ADVERTISMENT HELP

http://www.adsalespeople.com/

AFRICAN AMERICAN SITES

http://blackquest.com/link.htm
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/cfapps/free/displaysubject.cfm?sid=1

AGENT INFO

AAR
http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do

AUDIO ACROBAT
http://www.audioacrobat.com/learnmore/samples.htm

BLOGS

A Christian Worldview of Fiction
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/

ANATOMY OF A BOOK DEAL
http://www.robertgregorybrowne.com/wordpress/

http://www.authorsblogs.com/index.php

http://www.barbarajoe.blogspot.com/

Camy’s Loft
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

http://www.cherlynmichaels.blogspot.com/

http://christianauthorsnetwork.blogspot.com/

http://christianfiction.blogspot.com/

http://dianapeterfreund.blogspot.com/

http://www.fallible.com/

http://www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/

http://www.gailmartin.blogspot.com/

The Master Artist
http://tpr.typepad.com/themastersartist/

Trapped By Mormons
http://www.nataliercollins.com/weblog/index.php

YA Paranormal Authors
http://yaparanormal.blogspot.com/

BOOK PROMOTION HELP

http://www.anniejenningspr.com/index.htm

http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com/archives.htm

https://www.printingforless.com/cardsbookmarks.html

http://www.jessett.com/

http://dotcom-productions.com/Training/help-section/help-section-designing_a_website.htm

BOOK PROMOTION SITES

http://www.cataromance.com/home_page

Steeple Hill
http://community.eharlequin.com/WebX?14@715.MCb7aPZKMGN.27@.2cb8426b

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair
http://www.mohistory.org/content/fair/wf/html/Educators/page5.html#1

http://www.costumesocietyamerica.com/

Expressions of American Ancestors
http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/amerispeak.htm

MAGAZINES

Affaire de Coeur
http://www.affairedecoeur.com/

Brown Skin
http://brownskinmag.com/

PUBLISHING
http://everyonewhosanyone.com/index.html

REVIEW SITES

http://www.faithfulreader.com/index.asp

TV LINKS

http://www.spoilerfix.com/

WRITING ORGANIZATIONS

http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.org/

WRITING SITES

http://www.authorlink.com/

http://www.autocrit.com/Critnow.cfm

Back Space
http://www.bksp.org/

http://www.childrenswriter.com/

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY BLOG TOUR!

Christian Fantasy is one genre I haven’t had the pleasure to try. So when I heard about this blog tour, I thought it would be a nice way for me to learn about the genre and hopefully find a book that opens the door for me to start reading it.

I will admit there have been two books that have captured my attention.

Narnia – I do have a copy, just haven’t had a chance to read. I enjoyed the movie so much, I bought it.

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul - I’ve always liked dragons and the chapter excerpt I read intrigued me.

So I guess I’m ready to start this new genre.

If you’ve never tried Christian fantasy or Science Fiction, I invite you stop by this site and check out what we’ve been missing.

http://www.christianfictionreview.com/fantasyfocus.html
Then stop by the other sites on the tour. Tell them I sent you.

https://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/

Mirtika Schultz’s Mirathon blog
Insights from Beth Goddard
Jason Joyner’s Spoiled for the Ordinary
Marci’s Writer Lee blog
Sally Apokedak’s All About Children’s Books blog
Steve Trower’s Old Testament Space Opera blog
Cheryl Russell’s Unseen Worlds blog
Shannon McNear’s Shenandoah’s Eclectic Musings

If you’re fantasy/science fiction lover, tell me about the books you’ve read. I need a few to add to my BOOKS TO READ list.

Author Intro: Cathy Messecar

See Ya On The Net: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Cathy Messecar: Cathy Messecar is a newspaper columnist, wife, mother and grandmother. She has published many devotional articles and won several writing awards. She lives with her husband, David, on Leaning Tree Acres Farm in Montgomery, Texas.

SYOTN: Tell us about your current book?

MESSECAR: The Stained Glass Pickup is a collection of inspirational newspaper columns that glimpse God’s uncommon wisdom. The columns were originally published in my home congregation bulletin, then in The Courier, Conroe, Texas on the religion pages. The meditations end with special prayers. My passion is to share how Jesus life-supports Christians every day, and to help people to notice his moment to moment care. The title, The Stained Glass Pickup, is from the first devotional in the book, about a rancher who prays aloud for his high school age daughter while he drives her to school.

SYOTN: What aspect of God do you most hope readers will take away after reading your book?

MESSECAR: I want readers to remember that God is the only constant in life, ever present. His arms are wrapped around us. He's leading us by the hand. He's whispering his love song each moment. I want them to tune their dials to his station.

And, I especially want to help them learn how to pray "in Jesus' name." I want to assist readers in knowing that Jesus' name at the end of a prayer is not just a tag line, a parting phrase, an exit line. That praying in his name is the most potent part of their prayers.

Did you know there are over 250 names and titles given to the Son of God in scripture? And then I've made my own list of descriptions of his actions, nearly 200. Such as, Jesus, who brought real character to the family tree, and Jesus, who told a story about a woman sweeping a house, Jesus, who fished on dry land--on mountains, in synagogues, at a well, and in a graveyard. Well, I guess you see I could go on and on with the answers to this question. There's just something about that name.

SYOTN: Tell us about your publishing experience?

MESSECAR: I've been writing about 18 years, the first five or so for a church bulletin. I've written for The Houston Chronicle, The Amy Foundation's Newsletter Pen & Sword. These periodicals: Power for Today, Christian Woman, Sisterhood Magazine and others. Several of my essays are in anthologies, God's Abundance and God's Abundance for Women.

Currently I'm writing for Houston Community Newspaper, The Courier. I'm in my fifth year of writing a weekly column. I also E-mail it out to 4,000 each Friday.

SYOTN: Do you think an agent is necessary?

MESSECAR: I'd love to work with an agent. However, I don't think a writer has to have an agent to land a book contract. I have completed a women's fiction, and I'd really like for an agent to represent "Morning Glory Summer," the proposed title. I'd rather be writing than querying many publishers and attending many writers' conferences.

SYOTN: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

MESSECAR: I'm not a whiner, so this doesn't really bother me, but I wish non-writers understood that a lot of time goes into the crafting of a finished work. So, if Mary Lou, asks me to write Uncle Delouey's obituary, because "It'll only take you a minute, hon." Please think again, all you Mary Lous. Writers may work several hours on smaller projects with 5 or more drafts before it reaches personal standards. I love to help others, but I can't help on every writing project.

SYOTN: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?

MESSECAR: Yes, think outside the Christian-bookstore-box. Because the title The Stained Glass Pickup has a "truck" word in it, I plan to ask local truck dealers to allow me to place a complimentary copy in their waiting areas. I'm asking the same of my doctors, hairdresser, etc. My publicist is querying national truck stop gift stores, too? The complimentary copies will have ordering info in the back of each book. I'm querying Western Wear Stores that have gift areas to see if they will stock The Stained Glass Pickup.

SYOTN: What is a favorite book from your childhood?

MESSECAR: From early childhood, a family Bible story book with full page color pictures--hmm--don't know the title. From my late teens, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte`

SYOTN: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

MESSECAR: Tamera Alexander's new fiction release with Bethany House: Rekindled. It literally was a page turner. Good plotting, characters with savvy and grit--part saint, part sinner. Sequels are coming to keep me awake this fall.

SYOTN: What resources do you use on the net?

MESSECAR: http://enwikipedia.org (encyclopedia, dictionary, search link, every topic)

www.studylight.org (plenty of commentaries, lexicons, concordances, Bible versions)

www.jerusalemperspective.com (Jesus' teachings in the context of his culture)

www.flylady.net (for the "overwhelmed, over extended, overdrawn." If it's noon and anyone is reading this in your pjs and last nights make up, you need this site.)

SYOTN: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

MESSECAR: I'd love to get any feedback from readers, positive and anything that will help me grow as a writer and Christian:

P. O. Box 232
Montgomery, TX 77356

writecat@consolidated.net
www.stainedglasspickup.com
www.cathymessecar.com

Grey Anatomy Fans

May 14th episode

Oh my goodness!

I can’t remember the last time a show made me scream.

What will I do on Sunday nights without GA.

The writing is superb. I can’t wait to get the second season on DVD.

Are you hooked too?

Barefooted

Growing up, you could always find me without shoes. I loved going barefooted. People use to tell me your feet will be big as a house if you don’t put on any shoes. My feet are a size 7 they grew after I had my first child. I use to wear a six.

I never was a shoe person, I didn’t get the infactation with shoes. That is until I found out I own more sandels than any other type of shoes. Today I realized why, its as close to barefoot I can get in society.

I love when the weather turns warm, because I can put on my sandals and prance around and no one will tease me about my barefeet.

Junie B

My daughter was introduced to Junie B this weekend. She’s sucking the books up. She checked out two books and she’s on the second one now. Yesterday I told her it was time for bed and she had her nose in the book. She didn’t even hear me. I had a flashback of me at that age, up all night reading books. Those were the best times of my life.

I’m truly grateful my children have a love of books, like I do. They look forward to going to the library and picking out a book. Its like another form of candy to them.

Author Intro: Kim M. Brewer

See Ya On The Net: Tell us a about you the person and the writer.

Kim M. Brewer: Kim M. Brewer, wife, mother, and missionary accepted the charge to work in the vineyard spreading the good news about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since this time she has spoken and ministered in song at various churches in the Detroit area, as well as in the states of Philadelphia and Kentucky. She has a passion for the Fine Arts and has performed in the Stage Play, "A Mother's Love" and "A Child Shall Lead Them" each time being cast as a leading role.

She has ministered since the age of five. She is an active member of her church. She is a member of the ministry staff at St. John's Tabernacle New Pentecostal Church. She is a graduate of Mumford high School in Detroit, Michigan and attended Detroit College of Business in the Administrative Field. She has been employed in the field for the last 20 years making many contributions to the private business sector.

With a witty style and the ability to use humor as a buffer, she tells stories full of conflict that deal with the issues of everyday life as she integrates them with a twist making them educational, informative and enjoyable. She has been able to incorporate self-confrontation which allows her to look at the inner-self and share her experiences so that others faced with the same or similar adversities will have a road map to dodge the pitfalls or life.

Lessons she has learned over the years allow her to be flexible and open to new and exciting avenues. She has now embarked upon another avenue that God has sent her way in the literary field with her recently released Grief: The REAL Deal - A Realist's Perspective.

She has a zest for life and believes in living each day to the fullest. She is currently working on her second book entitled, Straight! No Chaser: Surviving Alcoholism Second Hand, where she talks about the trials and tribulations of alcoholism of our loved one's and how we cope. Mrs. Brewer resides in Detroit, MI with her Husband, Deacon Geoffrey Brewer Sr., and is the loving Mother of four children.

As person, I am a fun loving, energetic wife and mother of four children. As I was raised with a strong sense of family, it is very important to me that I instill the same. I am extremely active in my church and consider my faith in the Lord to be my driving and sustaining force. I am a realist, meaning that I see a situation and realize it for what it is worth and I begin to develop solutions that are effective for the situation at hand, instead of seeing the glass half full or half empty I am the person who will create ways to either fill it completely up again or just empty it out completely, and by some chance I have to deal with the halfway mark, I find the most realistic way of dealing with it as it relates to a circumstances that I may be dealing with. I enjoy life everyday that it is granted as I am not sure when or what day may be my last. I am a hands-on type of person who loves to be in the core of projects as I enjoy seeing them come into reality as oppose to a concept on paper or an idea in one’s head. I enjoy the Fine Arts and I have a love of music that ranges from Jazz to R & B, but my passion is Gospel as I enjoy singing very much, I enjoy nothing more than singing the praises of and to the Father who has equipped me with all of the talents that I have. I enjoy acting as it is a way of self-_expression. I enjoy nothing more than becoming a character other than myself and watching how the audience interacts or feeds off of the individual I am portraying. I enjoy feeding off of their emotions and energy and this helps to make my performance that much more believable. As a writer, I am one who enjoys a good story and seeing that my real life has been one story after another, I enjoy writing about real life, once again showing emphasis on being a realist, I like to write about things or conditions that will empower and enlighten people from all walks of life. I write about things that will not only stimulate one’s intellect, but encourage and humor as well. I write in a way that will allow people to laugh at their mistakes and mishaps while giving them constructive and creative ways to correct situations that they may be experiencing that they wish to enhance. Another side of my writing consists of Poetry, this allows me to create love, words of beauty and/or thought provoking ideas allowing me to show my flexibility in an arena filled with greatness that I am honored to now have a book to rest along side of. Writing to me, is freedom at it’s finest.

SYOTN: Tell us about your current book?

BREWER: Grief is a journey through the ups and downs, twist, and turns that the death of a loved one takes you through. Kim Marshella Brewer shares her own grief and pain while at the same time she shares valuable information that will prepare us for the inevitable. Loaded with tears, laughter, and practical instructions when it comes to grief, this book is The Real Deal!

Often Psychologist and professionals will produce material that touches on the subject matter and will explain it for a professional's point of view. However, Kim M. Brewer conveys the message in laymen's terms with an in-your-face approach that have been need for so long. Through her very own experience, she will captivate you as no other has while dealing with such a heart wrenching topic.

Learn how to deal with the most communed asked or unasked questions such as:

The Plug: To pull or not to pull, who has the power
Family Car and Family Gathering Etiquette 101
Flesh and Blood vs. Adoptive Rights and Want-to-Be's
The rights of Parents, Spouses, Siblings, and Ex's
Property and Finance, who's in charge
How to prepare Living Wills and what are they good for
The Hierarchy of the Black Family Structure, who has rank and status
How do we handle children and grief
How to deal with death and dying head on
How to avoid family feuds and conflict
And much, much, more!

This book is sure to be an important source of self-help to anyone's collection!

Grief: The REAL Deal “A Realist Perspective” is a literary work that has recently been completed and published by PriorityOne Publications. This book describes in detail the plight of the loved ones who are facing adversities dealing with debilitating illnesses of family and friends that create situations where they are placed in a caregivers capacity, the handling of preparation to finalizing of arrangements for a deceased loved one when no prior preparation has been made, all the way to helping others realize the importance of planning and evaluation of ones finances and property, and how to properly provide for children who may be left to chance in the event of a parents passing unexpectedly. This book literally takes you through the real life journey and hardships of the author who has made it her mission to provide any reader with practical step by step information and tools that will without a doubt prepare one to face the uncertainty that death causes for us all. Though a topic most would rather not discuss, it is so important that we do as it is a certainty of life that will affect all at one point in time or another. It is the hope that people will received the REAL idea behind the project which is to learn to Respond Effectively After Loss!

My inspiration behind the writing of this work stemmed from the fact that I could no longer stand to see history repeat itself in a negative manner. After having so many of my loved one die from many different circumstance and watching what grief and the lack of preparation and cooperation was doing to my family and friends, I knew in my heart of hearts that I had to tell the story. I had to make people aware of the pit falls ahead and give them a detour from making mistakes that could be costly and most devastating. I was tired of my people being ill-informed and uninformed or courses of action that should be taken before the unthinkable becomes their reality. Years and years of torment and anguish over making repeated mistakes drove me to want to help even if it meant allowing my vulnerability to be displayed for all to see. Through must prayer and fasting, I received a Word from the Lord to go forth and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He would be with me come what may. And though not, the most popular subject matter in the world, it has all been worth it whenever I am approached by someone who wants to know more, or perhaps someone who has read the book who states that they can identify with any situation within it, or that it has helped them or informed them of things they did not know. I can honestly say that neither my work, my tears, nor my pain has been in vain. Just knowing that fact the God can use me and my experiences to be my brother’s keeper was inspiration enough.

SYOTN: What aspect of God do you hope readers will take away from your book?

BREWER: It is my prayer that they will see that God is a God that does everything decent and in order, when we are down to nothing, God is always up to something he always has a plan for us. This is a lesson that he has tried to instill in us forever. Planning and trusting God to carry you through the rough times ahead is a must. I would hope that people will understand that life happens to all and no matter how painful a situation may be; we must be about our business while we can. Last but not least, God desired a family the chief end of man was to be here to glorify God. He desired unity and love, we are a want of God not a need. He designed family to love one another the greatest love evident by him sending his only son down from heaven to die for us and save us from our sins. That same love that our brother in Christ extended to us we should show toward our family and realize that material things can't compare to what we should mean to one another. If you ask the question What would Jesus do, be prepared to do just that! Be about it, don't just talk about it!

SYOTN: Tell us about your publishing experience?

BREWER: As it has been stated that I really did not have a goal to pursue writing, I really did not know what to expect. I have, however, witnessed others in action that actually set out to accomplish this goal and I have heard their comments and concerns so I had an idea that it would be exciting to say the least. I have such a feeling of accomplishment within that is pretty much indescribable. The idea of being referred to as an author is a bit sobering but to have an actual finished printed product that you developed is great. It is still in the early stages so I’m sure that once it becomes more and more apparent that there is a market and a customer base for the information that I have compiled, that I will be completely and truly beside myself with feelings of Joy. It has definitely been a lot of hard work which I truly expected. I have learned and obtained a wealth of knowledge, that will make it an easier process the second time around. As I had a Christian publisher who believed in my project, it made a lot of the ragged edges smooth, but the best part was knowing that they were supportive of my book before one was sold. However, to know that this is a work of truth, love, and even hardship that no one can take away from me makes me feel 10 feet tall and in life I’m only 5’3”!

SYOTN: Do you think an agent is necessary?

BREWER: As I did not have representation, I am not fully qualified to answer this question; however I can only surmise that it would have been easier to have someone who know the ends and outs of shopping a deal to represent you and ask the really tough questions. Since funding was not available to secure such a person, I was forced to read and educate myself quickly regarding this aspect so that I was not completely in the dark. So, in a lot of ways not having an agent still worked to my advantage.

SYOTN: What would you like other non-writers to understand?

BREWER: Please realize that this is an investment, one that can be very costly. Do not attempt to take short cuts in an attempt to save money at the risk of producing a product that could become a train wreck. Allow those you know who have been down the road prior to you to assist you with valuable information. Do not proceed with Desktop Publishing prior to professional edits be made to your manuscript, thinking that your edits are good enough. One reason being that Authors and Writers are two totally different things, an Author has an idea and can put a story line together out of sheer creation as to where a Writer knows all of the mechanics of writing and can pull your piece together to perfection. An Author will read the work the way it is meant to be read whether there are words missing or not because they know how it should read, i.e. The forest was in full bloom, the blossoms were everywhere that is how it should read, however typographical errors do occur without one knowing and that same sentence written by the Author and proof read by the Author can read as follows: The forest was in full, the blossoms were everywhere. The Author will sometimes read it as they know it should read. Do not be a hero cutting out the middleman to save you a buck or two. Take the necessary precautions to insure you have a work worth printing and better yet, worth reading.

SYOTN: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?

BREWER: Have patience, Rome was not built overnight and there is a method to the madness you must take yourself serious as a writer if you hope to have others follow suit. Realize that everyone will not care for your style of writing or your story line. Be prepared to take criticism of the constructive nature as well as the types that will just be administered by negative people who do not wish to see you succeed and know the difference between the two. Build yourself a WEBSITE PAGE. Get your face and the title of your work out there by any means necessary, legally! Create flyers and brochures that you have accessible whenever needed. Carry your books with you where you are i.e. if eating lunch, place them on the table in plain view, you never know who may walk by with an interest in your product to purchase or extend and invitation for you to be a guest, speaker or vendor for their function. Whatever you do make sure your product and promotional items look good! Color is eye candy too many use it, it works. Contact a marketing person who specializes in promotion.

SYOTN: What is a favorite book from your childhood?

BREWER: My Little Book of Prayers and Curious George

SYOTN: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?

BREWER: Mine:) and Blessings by Sheneska Jackson

SYOTN: What resources do you use on the net?

BREWER: My Website - kimmbrewer.com

Google

Yahoo.com

Aol.com

Amazon.com

SYOTN: How can readers get in contact with you?

BREWER: Website: kimmbrewer.com

Email: ggkbrewer@aol.com or kimmbrewer@yahoo.com

Mail: Real Life Ministries

P.O. Box 35798

Detroit, Michigan 48235

Phone: 313-477-2529


Photograph by Dahyrl Gooden Photography

Falling In Love

Last month while packing up my office, I came across some of my diaries. I’ve started reading them and reminising over my past. Last night I read the one where I fell in love with my husband. I think I blushed through the whole book. I felt like I was falling in love all over again. It reminded me why I decided to marry this man and why I’m still married to this man. I’m glad I took time to write those feelings down.

Sometimes when marriage gets hard we forget about why we’re married.

Online Promotion

I just agreed to do my first live presentation about online promotion. I’ve done presentations online but never in front of people. This will definitely be an experience. How do you take an online presentation and turn it to a live one?