SORMAG WORKSHOPS

SORMAG’s Spring workshops are open for enrollment.

Workshops begin May 7th. Click here to register –
http://sormag.com/schedule.html


A-Z Writing Tips -
http://www.sormag.com/WORKwilliams1.html

Timeframe: 4 weeks May 7th – June 1, 2007
Email Course
Cost: 50.00

This 4-week course will cover writing tips from A to Z for beginning
and advance writers. The twenty-six tips will be provided over the
duration of four weeks. Each week the students will receive 6 - 7
writing tips corresponding with a letter of the alphabet for discussion

Instructor: Barbara Joe Williams (Amani Publishing, LLC) is a former
business school teacher, guidance counselor, and reading instructor.
She is a freelance writer and an independent publisher living in
Tallahassee, Florida.

Writing Romance Novels (Part 1) -
http://www.sormag.com/WORKsoard1.html

Timeframe: 4 weeks May 7 – June 1, 2007
Email Workshop
Cost: 50.00

Do you love to read romance novels? Have you always thought you'd
like to write one? This four week course covers the basics of what
you'll need to know to get started on this exciting career journey. Lori
is the author of Become a Romance Writer and has published romance
novels through Thorndike's FIVE STAR line.

Instructor: Lori Soard has a PhD in Journalism and Creative Writing
and an undergraduate degree in English Education from Indiana University.
Her books include romantic comedies, suspense, mainstream and nonfiction
topics. She teaches for a college-accredited correspondence course and
creative writing to high school students.

The Fiction Writer's Self-Editing Workshop http://www.sormag.com/WORKstapleton.html

Timeframe: 2 weeks May 14 – May 18, 2007
Email Workshop
Cost: 25.00

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by confusing grammar, punctuation,
and editing rules? Don't despair! The Fiction Writer's Self-Editing Workshop
is the place for you. Whether you're a beginning writer or seasoned author,
you can learn simple, straightforward tips for self-editing.

Instructor: Rhonda Stapleton obtained her Master's degree in English
from Cleveland State University. She has a Bachelor's degree in English
from CSU, as well. Rhonda is a Principal Editor at Thomson West, a legal
publishing company, where she has worked for the last five years. In addition,
she has freelance edited novels, theses, student papers, and a college writing textbook.

See ya on the net - Building Your Online Presence - http://www.sormag.com/WORKhoffman.html

http://www.sormag.com/WORKhoffman2.html


Timeframe 2 weeks – May 14 – May 18, 2007 and May 21 – June 1, 2007
Email Course
Cost: 25.00

This course is geared toward the newly published authors or the author
who would like to promote their books online. This course will take you
step-by step to building an online presence.

Instructor: LaShaunda Carruth Hoffman is the publisher of Shades Of
Romance Magazine. An online magazine for readers and writers of multi-
cultural romance and fiction. She has eight years of experience in online
promotion. She believes in helping writers reach their dreams of publication
and introducing readers to the wonderful world of multi-cultural romance and fiction.

COMING IN JUNE

Mistakes First Time Authors Make
Writing Romance Novels (Part 2)
Detoxify – Your Life and Your Legacy Require it
How to Survive Your First Interview
Online Book Tours

Family Pictures

Nichaela & Itiah

ME

MOTHER

Stephaine, Robynn, Toni, Me, Nichaela & Itah

Sean On Easter

My First Column

I posted my first column - http://blogginginblack.com/

Check out what I had to say.

CFBA Author Intro: Paul Robertson

Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and former independent bookstore owner in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is his first novel.


The Heir


Jason Boyer Just Got an Inheritance to Die For

The fortune wasn't supposed to befall him. Jason Boyer had known all along his father's business empire would pass to different hands. Which suited him just fine. The money was crooked and the power corrupt. But when an accident claims the old man's life, everyone is stunned by the unveiling of the will. With the passing of the Boyer crown, power-hungry politicians and shady business partners all try to force Boyer's hand. Fighting the temptation of influence and riches, he simply wants to be a better man than his father--but attempting to stand for what’s right soon brings murderous consequences. As those closest to him are endangered--and news emerges that his father's accident may be something more sinister--Boyer finds himself fighting for his soul…and his life!


Is There Any Escape for The Heir?

All the money he could ever crave. In the splintering crash of a car plunging through a railing, Jason Boyer's life is changed. All the fame he could ever desire. But the last thing he wanted was the throne of his father's corrupt business empire. All the power he could ever wield.

The estate should have gone elsewhere, but the will was changed. And now everything is Jason's. But gaining the whole world just might cost him his life.

THE HEIR is a Grisham-like tale of intrigue and murder with a lot of humor and well-drawn minor characters.

Endorsement:

"In THE HEIR, Paul Robertson serves up politics, privilege, and murder with a side of acerbic wit. What a fabulous book--a great mix of angst, humor, and ultimately, hope."
T.L.HINES--author of Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On

WRITING RESOURCES

Are you a freshman/sophmore/junior or senior writer?

http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/freshman.html

AFTER THE SALE

http://www.lorraineheath.com/articles/after_the_sale.htm

AGENT INFO

THE ASSOCIATION OF AUTHORS' REPRESENTATIVES
http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do

http://www.karenafox.com/agentlist.htm

Romantic Times Agent List:
http://www.romantictimes.com/index.html?/g_writer/g3_agent.shtml

Guide to Literary Agents
http://literaryagents.org/

The Association of Authors' Representatives
http://www.publishersweekly.com/aar/

Preditors and Editors
http://www.sfwa.org/prededitors/

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/

Writers.Net - Literary Agents
http://www.writers.net/agents.html

Agents
http://www.absolutewrite.com/ebooks/ebookAgents.pdf

Romance Agents List:
http://www.passionatepen.com/agentlist.htm

RWANational.org

http://www.writingcorner.com/tips/agents/agent-editor.htm

How to Query an Agent

http://hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/agent2.html

Career Planning

Career Plan for Fiction Writers

http://www.crayne.com/carrplan.html

The Four D's of Success

http://www.laurenkellogg.com/Articles.html

COST TO TRAVEL

Cost to Travel in 1880

http://www.theseverts.net/Italy.htm

DICTIONARY

http://www.onelook.com/browse.shtml#all_gen

NAMES

http://www.behindthename.com/ for meaning.

To find the most popular name by birth year:

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

Put your character's name in the blocks and learn about them.

http://miva.zodiacal.com/acro.mv

Native American names

http://www.20000-names.com/female_native_american_names.htm

http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/ame.html

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/natamnames.htm

http://www.babynameworld.com/indian.asp

http://www.babynamenetwork.com/origin.cfm?origin=native%20american

http://www.bchealth.com/services/birthcenter/nativeambabynames.shtml

Place names
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/nat_am/names.htm

http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/IndianPlaceNames.html
http://archnet.asu.edu/archives/ethno/places/places.htm

Online Press Kit

http://www.michelemartinez.com/pressroom.htm

http://www.alesiaholliday.com/mediakit.cfm

Query Letters

http://www.sydneylaineallan.homestead.com/QueryWorkshop.html

http://www.eclectics.com/articles/query.html
Synopises

http://jaxinedaniels.com/SynopsisProject.htm

White House

Life is like in the White House

http://www.beyondbooks.com/gop00/3.asp
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/statediningroom.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Writer's "Cheat Sheets"

http://www.inkalicious.com/cheatsheets.php

THE TWELVE STEPS OF INTIMACY by Linda Howard


This is one of the basics in romance writing....copy it out!
The original website where this was printed is no longer in
existence.

Here are what they are...
1. Eye to Body
2. Eye to Eye
3. Verbal Contact
4. Hand to Hand
5. Arm to Shoulder
6. Arm to Waist
7. Mouth to Mouth
8. Hand to Head
9. Hand to Body
10. Mouth to Breast
11. Hand to Genitals
12. Genitals to Genitals

These twelve steps were taken from studying monkeys...

If you take the steps too quickly, it doesn't set up intimacy
well. Say, you meet a man at a party. It's eye to body first.
But what if a man came up behind you, put his hand on your
derriere...step back fellow, you're moving too fast.

AUTHOR INTRO: Keri Wyatt Kent

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of five books and a co-author or contributor to several others, and is currently working on two other books. When she’s not busy traveling around the country to speak and lead retreats, she’s writing. She’s a regular contributor several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, MomSense and Outreach magazine, as well as the several websites and blogs. She’s a member of Willow Creek Community Church, where she teaches in women’s ministries and also volunteers in children’s ministry.

She and her husband Scot have been married for 16 years and live with their son and daughter in Hoffman Estates.

Oxygen: Deep Breathing for the Soul

Keri’s latest book, Oxygen: Deep Breathing for the Soul, will breathe new life into your relationship with God. A devotional unlike any other, this unique tool guides the reader through meditating and reflecting on Scripture using six different spiritual practices. Rather than daily readings, Oxygen offers a chance to reflect deeply on one gospel passage each week. Go deeper into Scripture while learning spiritual practices such as prayer, meditative reading, journaling and solitude. Oxygen is a tool that will help you deepen your understanding of Scripture and help you connect with Jesus in a meaningful way.

What activity do you like to do in the spring?

Gardening. I love to see life reborn in the garden, to clear away the dead leaves and trash to find things springing up again. It’s a picture of hope.

Visit Keri:

My website is www.keriwyattkent.com, and I just started blogging at www.keriwyattkent.blogspot.com

I blog each Thursday at www.boomerbabesrock.com/blog and I write a monthly column at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/features/foryoursoul.html

Instructor Needed

Do you have a workshop you would like to offer to writers or readers?

SORMAG WORKSHOPS are currently looking for instructors.

Dates open are May 1 – November 20th.

SORMAG WORKSHOPS are online workshops for writers and readers.

Workshops can be 1 day to 4 weeks. They are held online at yahoo.com.

This is a nice way to make some extra money.

Please do not reply to this message, if you're interested in being an instructor, send your topic to: sormag@yahoo.com

I will send you more information on being an instructor for SORMAG workshops.

Look forward to working with you.

LaShaunda
http://sormag.blogspot.com

CFBA: Author Intro: Annette Smith

Annette Smith:

In 1997, Annette was working as a home health nurse. She traveled the back roads from house to house, caring for ill and injured, homebound people. Because of her unique position in the lives of relative strangers, she often found herself bearing solitary witness to intimate behind-the-scenes situations full of grace and meaning. The desire to honor both a particular patient and a poignant scene involving the woman and her husband prompted Annette to write a fictionalized story, The Anniversary.

That first story appeared as a column in the Houston Chronicle newspaper and as an essay in Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Later it became a chapter in Annette’s first and best-selling book of short stories, The Whispers of Angels, that has sold more than 100,000 copies

Since then, Annette has penned four more books of stories, two volumes on parenting, and the Coming Home to Ruby Prairie trilogy.

Annette and her husband Randy, a High School teacher and coach, make their home on a wooded lot in Quitman, Texas. They are the parents of two young adult children, Russell and Rachel, both out on their own. Wally, a grateful, rescued mutt provides warmth and entertainment and keeps the Smith’s empty nest from feeling too lonely.

In addition to writing, Annette continues to serve part-time as a registered nurse. She finds the people she works with and the patients she cares for provide great inspiration for her fiction.


A BIGGER LIFE


Joel Carpenter did not plan for his life to turn out like this. He never meant to be a single dad, working at a hair salon in Eden Plain, Texas. But after making a careless choice four years ago, his marriage was permanently shattered. Now at twenty-seven, he finds himself juggling custody of his preschool son with Kari, the ex-wife he still loves, and sharing Sunday dinners with a group of other single dads.

Joel regrets the choices that brought him to this place, but it's not until the worst happens that he learns how much he still has to give. In the midst of deep tragedy, he learns that forgiveness is way more important than freedom. Hopefully it's not too late!

A BIGGER LIFE is a story of love in the midst of heartache, and friendship in the midst of real, everyday life.

Finding Time To Write

I'm doing some serious procratinating this month. I just don't feel like doing anything. That's bad because I want to finish this revision so I can move on. I've even given myself a motivator. The new Rochelle Alers book when I finish.

Now if only I can stay focus. Those emails and blogs keep calling me.

CFBA Author Intro: Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Web Of Lies, Dead of Night, Stain of Guilt, Brink of Death, and Eyes of Elisha just to name a few.Brandilyn and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.She also maintains an informative blog called Forensics and Faith where she daily dispenses wisdom on writing, life, and the Christian book industry.

CORAL MOON

The figure remained still as stone. Leslie couldn't even detect a breath.Spider fingers teased the back of her neck.Leslie's feet rooted to the pavement. She dropped her gaze to the driveway, seeking...what? Spatters of blood? Footprints? She saw nothing. Honed through her recent coverage of crime scene evidence, the testimony as last month's trial, the reporter in Leslie spewed warnings: Notice everything, touch nothing...

Leslie Brymes hurries out to her car on a typical workday morning...and discovers a dead body inside.Why was the corpse left for her to find? And what is the meaning of the message pinned to its chest?In Coral Moon, the senseless murder of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen spirals the small Idaho town into a terrifying glimpse of spiritual forces beyond our world. What appears true seems impossible.OR IS IT?And as Brandilyn would say...

Presently this Kanner Lake Series of books has its own character blog called Scenes and Beans. Stop by and visit the folks from Kanner Lake!

AUTHOR INTRO: Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Jill Elizabeth Nelson juggles many hats--Christian, wife, Mom, housing manager, and yes, author. She's thrilled if the adventures that spill from her imagination in the To Catch a Thief series can raise awareness about art theft, deemed "a looming criminal enterprise" by the FBI. Jill and her husband Doug have raised four children and live in rural Minnesota.

BLURB: Reluctant Burglar


Stolen Indian artifacts . . .

A dead museum guard . . .

A missing wife and mom. . . .

A baby in mortal danger . . .

Museum security expert Desiree Jacobs and FBI agent Tony Lucano scramble to unearth the horrifying secret that links every incident. The investigation thrusts them into the path of something dark and sinister.

Something that craves blood sacrifice.

WEB SITE: http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/

Question for the month: How do you introduce your book to a new reader?

Oh, that’s easy. I clobber the person over the head with a copy and holler, “You need to get one of these . . . or how about a dozen for friends and family!”

No, actually, I like to balance boldness with good taste. I’ll talk to anyone about my writing. In fact, I think I light up like a hundred watt bulb when somebody asks. But I like the conversation to be comfortable for everyone, which means the subject has to come up in a natural manner.

If someone is truly interested in hearing about my books, I focus my initial summary on genre and main characters. For instance, in the case of my To Catch a Thief series, I tell the person that I write romantic suspense about a museum security expert and an FBI agent tracking down art thieves. If interest lasts past that, I offer overviews of individual book plots, minus “spoilers,” of course.

CFBA Author Intro: Tom Morrisey

Tom Morrisey is the author of four previous novels and numerous short stories, a world-renowned adventure-travel writer whose work has appeared in Outside, Sport Diver (where he serves as Executive Editor) and other leading magazines.

He holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Toledo and an MFA in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University. He lives in Orlando, Florida.







IN HIGH PLACES


For Patrick Nolan, every climb tells a story. And now maybe it's his own …. He's right at the rim, staring over the cliff's knife edge and wondering how things went wrong so quickly.

It all started after arriving home from a weekend climbing trip with his father, Kevin. That's when word reached them. In a silent moment, they'd lost the person most important to them—her death raising unanswerable questions and dangerous doubts.

Launching a new life in a new town to escape their pain, son and father find themselves in danger of being torn apart forever. As his father seeks a route to solace on the dangerous high face of the rock, Patrick finds a path to hope with the unlikeliest of allies—a pastor's daughter. Together they must discover the one answer that can bring Patrick and Kevin back from the brink of the precipice.

Visit Tom at: http://www.tommorrisey.com

Author Intro: Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia , was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia , Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota .

Reclaiming Nick

Nick Noble hadn’t planned on being the prodigal son. But when his father dies and leaves half of Silver Buckle—the Noble family ranch—to Nick’s former best friend, he must return home to face those he left behind. And to make sure that the Silver Buckle stays in the Noble family.

Award-winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she’s determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she first anticipated. So does resisting his charming smile.

As Nick seeks to overturn his father’s will—and Piper digs for answers—family secrets surface that send Nick’s life into a tailspin. But there’s someone who wants to see the Silver Buckle leave Noble hands, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if it means taking a life.

2007 Goals

Goals For 2007

APRIL

Revision of Desires of The Heart

Week One:

Week Two:

Week Three:

Week Four:

March

Revision of Desires Of the Heart

3 chapters a week

Week Two: two chapters

Week Three: one chapter

Week Four: nothing

CBFA AUTHOR INTRO: Mary Lu Tyndall

M. L. (MARYLU) TYNDALL grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul--a longing for something more.

After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart.

Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable.

One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opened her hardened heart to see that He was real, that He still loved her, and that He had a purpose for her life, if she's only give her heart to Him completely.



THE RELIANCE

A YOUNG BRIDE separated from her husband just as a child has been conceived...

A GRIEVING HUSBAND tempted to take his anger out through the vices of his past...

A MARRIAGE AND A SHIP threatenend to be split apart by villainous Caribbean pirates...

In THE RELIANCE, Edmund Merrick tormented by the apparent demise of his pregnant wife Charlisse, sails away to drown his sorrows. He turns his back on God and reverts to a life of villainy, joining forces with the demented French pirate Collier. When his mind clears from its rum-induced haze, will Edmund find the will to escape?

Seemingly abandoned by her new husband, Charlisse battles her own insecurities as she is thrown into the clutches of the vengeful pirate Kent, who holds her and Lady Isabel captive.

Will she be swept away by the undertow of treachery and despair? Can Edmund and Charlisse battle the tempests that threaten to tear them apart and steer their way to the faith-filled haven they so desperately seek? Or will they ultimately lose their love and lives to the whirlpool of treachery and deceit?

Visit Mary at: http://www.mltyndall.com/

Do You Have An Avon Lady ?

I'm selling avon again and its so much fun. AVON has some terrific new products.

If you're in need of an Avon Lady, let me know. I can send you a brochure. Doesn't matter where you're located, I can put it in the mail.

In need of some extra funds, AVON is the way to make it happen. Interested in making some money, let me know and I can help you start your AVON business.

I'm Back

My new year officially starts this month. I was on bedrest for the month of January and enjoying my new baby for the month of February. So I really didn’t have time to go over my goals for 2006 or make new ones for 2007.

Being pregnant kind of made a dent in most of my writing goals, because I honestly didn’t have any desire to write. So half of 2006 I wrote in my head and nothing on paper. I was just too tired.

I’m hoping this year will be different. I’ve come up with a few ideas for some of my manuscripts and a couple for some new ones.

So I’m ready to get started. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing.

CFBA Author Intro: Mark Andrew Olsen

MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King), The Hadassah Covenant, and Rescued. The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children.






THE WATCHERS:

Just below the surface among the family of God lives another family tree--one traced in spirit, invisible and ageless, known as the Watchers. For two thousand years they've seen beyond the veil separating this world from the next, passing on their gift through a lineage mostly overlooked. Throughout history they've scouted the borders of the supernatural frontier, but now their survival hangs by a thread. And their fate lies in the hands of a young woman, her would-be killer, and a mystery they must solve....

"Congratulations. You just reached my own little corner of cyberspace.
Who am I?
Abby Sherman, that's who.
Who are you? And why are you checking me out?
Drop me a few pixels, and let's find out!"

With that innocent invitation, Abby Sherman unwittingly steps in the crosshairs of history, and thus begins her harrowing tale--taking her from ocean-front Malibu to the streets of London, the jungles in West Africa, the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, and to the very gates of heaven itself!A sneak preview of eternity becomes her one-way ticket to danger--and discovery….Two lives collide in a globe-circling adventure involving both peril and discovery: Abby, a young woman whose visions of heaven turn her into a Web-celebrity; and Dylan, a troubled young man sent by an ancient foe to silence her. From California beachfronts to Nigerian rain forests to Jerusalem and back again, THE WATCHERS is high-octane blends of action, mystery, and spiritual battle spanning centuries.

A woman's awe-inspiring vision launches her on a quest through distant lands and ancient history, face-to-face with eternity and into the arms of a family line on the brink of annihilation...A man who is hired to exterminate her discovers the folly of blind loyalty, then learns how to wage war in a realm he never believed had existed...An extraordinary saga of the unseen war against evil, the reality of the supernatural, and the transforming power of forgiveness.

CFBA AUTHOR INTRO: Tricia Goyer

TRICIA GOYER is the author of five novels, two nonfiction books and one children's book. She also was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference Writer of the Year in 2003. In 2005, her novel Night Song, the second title in Tricia’s World War II series, won ACFW's Book of the Year for Best Long Historical Romance. In 2006, her novel Dawn of A Thousand Nights also won book of the Year for Long Historical Romance. Tricia and her husband, John, live with their family in northwestern Montana.

Tricia is a members of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. She also has a blog, It's Real Life and a parenting blog Generation NeXt.

A Valley Of Betrayal


For reasons beyond her control, Sophie finds herself alone in the war-torn Spanish countryside, searching for her beloved Michael. His work as a news photographer has taken him deep into the country wracked by civil war. What was once a thriving paradise has become a battleground for Nazi-backed Franco fascist soldiers and Spanish patriots. She is caught up in the escalating events when the route to safety is blocked and fighting surrounds her.
Secrets abound in the ruined Spain. Michael is loving but elusive, especially about beautiful maria. The American who helped Sophie sneak into Spain turns up in odd places. Michael's friend Jose knows more than he tells. When reports of Michael's dissappearance reach her, Sophie is devastaed. What are her feelings for Philip, an American soldier who comes to her rescue?

Sophie must sift truth from lies as she becomes more embroiled in the war that threatens her life and breaks her heart. On her darkest night, Sophie takes refuge with a brigade of international compatriots. Among these volunteers, she pledges to make the plight of the Spanish people known around the world through the power of art.

Acclaimed author Tricia Goyer creates a riviting cast of characters against the backdrop of pre-WWII spain. Love, loss, pain, and beauty abound in A Valley Of Betrayal, the first book in her new series, Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War.

Tricia's blog is: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/