Friday Round-Up - #76

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to your house! Are you having the traditional turkey or some other special dish? We'll be celebrating God's goodness to us with close friends up north.

I'm thankful for:

1) Jesus and the salvation He's made available to all who receive Him.

2) My wonderful family. Love to Mom, Rick, Shannon, and Mike.

3) All of my friends, who love me in spite of my flaws.

4) My Blogging Buddies and Internet friends, who encourage me on my writing journey.

5) For health, provision, and progress on the home repairs this year.

6) My country - still the most free nation on earth.

Have a great weekend!

Author Interview - Kristin Heitzmann - Part I

Let's give a warm Christian Writer/Reader Connection welcome to author, Kristen Heitzmann. Be sure to read the whole post. There's a surprise at the end! 1. The Edge of Recall featured a Labyrinth Landscape Architect. How do you come up with such unique ideas?

My daughter, Jessie, and I were going to write The Edge of Recall together, and she actually chose the characters' professions. A history major, especially fond of the Medieval period and Literature, she is intrigued by Labyrinths. We thought it would be a neat element to work in, especially as they occur so frequently now as prayer walks in hospitals and retreat centers. We didn't get to complete it together, but I dove into the concept and found it sufficiently mysterious to support the suppressed memory and monster elements in the plot.

2. How do you go about writing a novel? Plotter, SOTP, combination, research?

I don't outline. My stories emerge organically from the characters and perhaps a main idea. It's much more fun for me that way, although lately the idea of structure has begun to appeal. I do research extensively, and sometimes that drives the plot as well.

Next week, we'll continue with Part II of Kristen's interview. To celebrate having her with us, I've decided to do a drawing for her book, The Edge of Recall. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address, using the spam busting format. Example: susanjreinhardt (at) gmail (dot) com. The deadline is Saturday, November 28, 2009, at midnight.

Legalese: The contest is open to residents of the U.S. only due to various state laws. No fee is required to enter this drawing.

The Big Rocks Go First

I heard a story once about a college professor. He brought a large jar, rocks of various sizes, and sand to class. He challenged his students to get all of the rocks and sand into the jar.

Some put the sand in first and the smaller stones, but found they wouldn't all fit. Others tried varying combinations. After numerous failures, the professor instructed the class. "You always put the big rocks in first. Then you put the smaller stones and sand. If you reverse that process, the big rocks won't fit."

What a life lesson for us! Make time for the big stuff, and then add all the smaller tasks. Over the past weeks, I've made a quality decision to get the most important things done first. My morning devotions and writing 3,000 words are given top priority. No longer are they the items that are way down on my to-do list. They get done. Period.

Some days, because of an appointment or life interrupting, the writing gets moved to the afternoon. I end up squeezing my writing time into my partially filled jar, trying my patience and my resolve. Some of us have full-time jobs, families, and church commitments that take up a chunk of our time. Our writing may be one of the smaller stones added after the big rocks are put in the jar.

Where does writing fit in your life? Is it one of the large rocks, a smaller stone, or sand that filters between all the crevices?

Friday Round-Up - #75

Cathy Bryant, at Word Vessel, reports on Thomas Nelson's plan to create a self-publishing company.

Tiffany Colter, at Writing Career Coach, posts on, "Writing: Making Work or Making Progress." Have a great weekend!

On My Nightstand - Menu For Romance by Kaye Dacus

Since a close relative is a graduate of Culinary Institute of America and Johnson & Wales, Menu for Romance piqued my interest. Kaye Dacus got the details right.

Watching couples kiss at a New Year's Eve banquet, Meredith Guidry vows that next year she'll be a participant and not an observer. Tired of waiting around for a certain Executive Chef to ask her out, she decides to cut her losses and find someone else.

Major O'Hara, Executive Chef and friend, has made a vow of his own. A delicate family situation and past rejection hampers any thought of marriage and family.

Meredith's interest in handsome contractor, Ward Breaux, wakes him to the possibility of losing her forever. He sets out to win her heart, but is still torn over his unusual circumstances.

I enjoyed the setting, occupation, and characters. Combined with a great story line, this book is a winner. I'm looking forward to more books from Kaye Dacus.

To Recommend or Not Recommend.That is the question.

Last Monday, we discussed reviewing versus recommending books. As a follow-up, I'd like to share my personal convictions on the subject.

Early on, I decided there were several types of books I would not read or recommend. Material that focused on the occult without the truth of the Word of God topped that list. Since fantasy and sci-fi are not enjoyable to me as a reader, I also eliminated them.

Other than these books, I determined to explore new genres. This was a stretch for me as I tend to have favorite authors and stick with them. I've discovered the delights of traipsing through Regency England and the early days of America. Political fiction, contemporary fiction, chick lit, Suspense, and mystery have occupied a place on my nightstand.

Do I recommend books based on the writing or based on my enjoyment as a reader? I don't think I could separate the two aspects of my personality. As a writer, I appreciate a well-written book and can spot lapses. If, however, the story engages me as a reader, I don't think it's necessary to point out minor flaws in excruciating detail. Bottom line: I liked this book, and this is why I found it worthwhile. It doesn't mean it's perfect or that I agree with every single statement.

If I find a book strikes me as horrible, offensive, or boring, I simply don't review it. Out of the many books I've read, only a few fell into these categories. While I'm part of the blog network for several large publishers, I've been extremely choosy about the books I select.

What's your philosophy on the fine art of reviewing/recommending books? Do you feel it's necessary to reveal every flaw even if you enjoyed the story? Since we covered some of these issues in the comments last week, what genres do you enjoy? Have you broadened your reading tastes by sampling other types of fiction?

Friday Round-Up - #74

As authors, giving our characters a stage is vital to a satisfying reading experience. Linda Yezak, over at Author Culture, talks about setting descriptions. How do you avoid boring the reader, while making the setting vivid?

One of my new Facebook friends, Teri Smith, contributes to A Novel Writing Site. While the lessons are geared for homeschoolers, there's much basic information for aspiring novelists.

Kathy Ide, over at Pixnpens, lists some pitfalls to avoid when writing dialogue.

On My Nightstand - The Atonement Child - by Francine Rivers

Well-known author, Francine Rivers, handles an explosive topic with truth and diplomacy. The Atonement Child tells the story of Dynah Carey, whose perfect life is forever changed by rape and an unwanted pregnancy.

Dynah feels helpless and alone as her fiance, family, and friends struggle with the reality of an uncertain future. All of them agonize as Dynah seeks answers on whether or not to abort her child.

The author deals with the intense fears, suffering, and future considerations of each character. Atonement Child drew me in and gave me a glimpse into the heart of a woman so dreadfully wronged.

This book was my introduction to Francine Rivers' writing. I can see why she's a respected Christian author. I'll be picking up more of her books.

Review, Recommend, Endorse, Critique

Recently, there's been some discussion about book reviews. If a review lacks any negative comments, it's immediately suspect. I'd like to share my thoughts, and then have you chime in with your opinions.

I decided to pull out Mr. Webster and my Synonym Finder to determine the meanings of the words in my title. Here goes:

1. Review - As a verb it means to amend or alter, to review an opinion. Synonyms: critical article, critique, criticism, commentary, editorial, evaluation.

2. Recommend - to present as worthy of confidence, acceptance, or use, commend. Synonyms: commend, mention favorably, promote, speak well of, put in a good word for, approve, sanction, condone, support, endorse, suggest, offer, propose, warn, caution.

3. Endorse - To express approval or support, especially publicly. Synonyms: approve, give one's stamp of approval, sanction, warrant, seal, vouch for, stand behind, confirm, authorize.

4. Critique - an article or essay evaluating a literary or other work. Review. Synonyms: review, notice, report, article, editorial, essay, blurb, commentary, analysis, pan, slam, swipe.

A critic is a person, who judges, evaluates or criticizes literary or artistic works. The definition of a reviewer is similar: a critic, commentator, evaluator, judge, connoisseur, assessor.

Looking at these definitions, would you consider yourself more of a reviewer or one who recommends a good book? I stand in the second camp: I recommend books I've enjoyed.

Friday Round-Up - #73

Since many of us are looking to shed a pound or two, I thought Susan Panzica's take on physical and spiritual fitness might strike a chord.

For all you chocolate lovers out there, Donna L. H. Smith has a chocolate blog. It's not only chocolate, it's organic chocolate.

Perhaps you've heard the talk about the FTC's new rulings concerning book reviews and giveaways. Publisher's Weekly recently talked to them and cleared up the confusion. You can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Have a great weekend!

On My Nightstand - The House on Grosvenor Square - By Linore Rose Burkard

Since my foray into Regency Romance began with Linore Rose Burkard's first book, "Before the Season Ends," I looked forward to Ariana's new adventure. She's snagged London's most eligible bachelor, Mr. Mornay, and plans her wedding.

Ah, but all is not peaches and cream. Not everyone is delighted with the match. Her beloved's housekeeper fears Ariana will dismiss her, and she'll be out on the street. Mr. Mornay's enemy is angry and seeks revenge, using Ariana to get back at him.

The author gets Ariana into so much hot water that I want to rescue her. The book has a high tension level and deserves the term Romantic Regency Suspense. This is no tea and crumpets novel. Right to the end, I wondered what other evil would befall our hapless heroine.

If you're a big fan of Regency Romance, you'll love, "The House on Grosvenor Square."

Name That Book

Every aspiring author is urged to use a working title for their book. Lately, I've been noticing titles often reflect some interesting line in the book that captures the essence of the story. Christina Berry's book started life as, "Undiscovered," but was changed to, "A Familiar Stranger." Other authors have reported similar experiences.

The working title for my book is, "Echoes of the Past." This resulted from a trip to Gettysburg eight months before I began pounding the keys. Gettysburg's town square is quite old. Cars whizzed around the square in a strange juxtaposition to history, and I sensed the echoes of the forefathers voices fading away. When we got home, I tried to write a poem, an article, something, but could not get it down on paper. It needed time to simmer on the backburner of both my heart and brain.

One day, Beloved and I were talking about "the Gettysburg experience," and he jumped up. "That's it. That's your book, and you'll call it Ghosts of the Past, and you'll have the first draft done by December." I caught his excitement and changed the title to, "Echoes of the Past."

At a recent writers conference, I asked an author about the title, and said I was thinking about changing it to, "The Moses Conspiracy." She thought it was a lot more powerful than the original. So, I will be changing it as part of this edit. I don't know if either of these names will stick, but for now they inspire me.

How do you come up with your titles? Is it a struggle? Do you brainstorm with a critique partner or writers' group?