To make this fun I thought I’d play a little game and see if you can name the people in these photos. The person who gets the most answers right wins…books. I’ll probably keep the contest going until I get home!
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6. Please ignore the REALLY bad picture of me and concentrate on the person in the middle!
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Well, this will have to do for now. Internet connection is very slow!
Really I do! Lucy Brocklehurst is a quirky, lovable character with zany dating mishaps that make you really feel for her. She’s trying to make a living and pave a way in a male dominated field. As a Stockbroker she’s pretty good. In love and relationships, she needs some help!
Then she meets the hot new youth pastor, but her plans for love are foiled and the geeky guy in the pew across from her comes to her aid more than once.
Wrought with trouble in her personal and professional life, will Lucy find true love before her thirtieth birthday, or be single and homeless?
If you’re looking for a quick summer read that really isn’t heavy on the romance, but just enough to satisfy, then Table for One is my recommendation!
You can pick up a copy here at the Wild Rose Press or at Amazon!
Here’s What The Back Cover Says: Successful stockbroker Lucy Brocklehurst hasn’t had a date in four years. In a town where the ratio of single women to men is 7:1, she’s determined to wait on God for the perfect mate–as long as it’s the hot new youth pastor at her church.
Lucy will do anything to get his attention, including volunteering for the youth group. Through a series of misadventures on the teen outings, Lucy finds herself falling in love with a kindhearted chaperone named Edgar Flowers. But when their relationship grows serious, Lucy discovers the lengths his recently widowed mother will go to in order to keep them apart. What starts out as harmless interference turns into an all out tug of war, with Edgar as the prize!
Will Lucy crumble under the scrutiny of her would-be mother-in-law? Or can Lucy and Edgar’s budding romance survive the schemes of his meddling mom?
Georgiana Daniels is the wife of a super-generous husband, and the mother of a teen and two tots. After graduating with a degree in public relations, she spent several years in the business world, but now has the privilege of staying home and working on the stories she loves. Table for One is her first book. When not writing, she spends her time burning up miles on the treadmill, blogging, and participating in ACFW and RWA.
You can visit Georgiana at her blog http://georgianad.blogspot.com and come back Monday for my interview with this up and coming writer!
One of the perks, I’m finding, of being media at ICRS is that publishers send me books out of the blue, wanting me to interview their authors. Unfortunately I’m all booked up with over two dozen interviews, but I wanted to mention New Hope Publishers and the many books they sent me. Sorry, I don’t have time to supply links, but if the title catches your eye, do check them out.
Stronger Still: A woman’s guide to turning your hurt into healing for others by Edna Ellison
A Car Seat in My Convertible: Giving your grandkids the spiritual ride of their lives by Sharon Hoffman
A Mother of Miracles: 30 stories of the unmistakable presence of God
Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World by Kathi Macias
Certain Women Called by Christ by Paige Lanier Chargois
Wonderlust: A spiritual travelogue for the adventurous soul
Here are some other titles by other publishers:
The Attentive Life: Discerning God’s Presence in All Things by Leighton Ford
Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch
Be Last: Descending to Greatness by Jeremy Kingsley
Fun Fact: I met Dr. Gary Chapman at ICRS! It’s amazing how much confidence I have when I’m wearing a badge that says MEDIA. I saw Dr. Gary Chapman walking down the hall and went up to him, stuck out my hand, and introduced myself. I told him I was giving away his book on my blog, and he thanked me and then asked me about Writer…Interrupted. Really nice man! Then the next day he walked by me and said hello! Pretty cool, huh! And surprising at how outgoing I can be at times!
As a newly married, I remember watching to a Gary Chapman video series with my community group. It was a wonderful series, and one we should probably watch again. In fact, I think we still have it some where. Gary’s new book Love as a Way of Life looks just as promising.
Love As A Way Of Life
The Five Love Languages examines how a lifestyle of love can lead to deeper satisfaction in relationships and life goals. Eye-opening self tests, practical ideas for building daily habits of love, and inspiring examples guide readers in putting love to work in their daily interactions.
Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-five books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. Chapman, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, serves on the pastoral staff at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Get your copy here!
1. Describe some of the everyday situations that can be changed if a person has a foundation of love.
When love becomes the focus of ones life it will change every encounter we have with people. In the family, the husband is thinking, “what can I do before I leave for work that would be helpful for my wife?” Such thinking may lead him to take the trash out, put his breakfast plates in the dishwasher or feed the baby while his wife takes a shower.
In the workplace, employees are asking, “on my break, what might I do that would help someone else?” They will also make time to listen to a co-worker who seems to be having a hard time with a personal issue.
At the bank, post office, or cafeteria, the lover will look people in the eye and smile, perhaps opening the door to a conversation. They will express interest in what is going on in the lives of those they encounter.
The focus is not on “it’s all about me.” But, rather on “It is all about others.”
2. What is the take-away message of Love as a Way of Life?
Love as a Way of Life is designed to help the person who sincerely wants to make a positive impact in the world. I believe that is ‘most of us.’ Our biggest problem is that we don’t know how and we keep getting tripped up by our own selfish ambitions. The purpose of the book is to help us break free from the prison of selfishness and come to experience the satisfaction of truly loving others as a way of life. It is little acts of love that build up to a lifestyle of service.
3. Why do you need a foundation of love before you start figuring out our love languages?
The five love languages give information on the most effective way to express love in a meaningful way to a particular person. But, if you are not a loving person – don’t have the heart or will to focus on others – the information is of little value. Most of us must make a conscious change of focus from self to others if we are going to genuinely, and consistently enrich the lives of others. Love as a Way of Life is designed to help people make that change.
4. When did you realize the need for this book?
I first recognized the need for Love as a Way of Life when in a counseling session a husband said to me, “I’ll tell you right now, if it is going to take my washing dishes, and doing the laundry for my wife to feel loved, you can forget that.” I had just explained to him the concept of the five love languages and that his wife’s primary love language was ‘acts of service’ and that these acts would deeply communicate his love to her. I realized that he lacked the will to meet his wife’s need for love. He was locked into his own perception of what his role was to be and it did not include washing dishes and doing laundry. I knew at that moment that there was something more foundational than simply knowing a person’s love language.
5. What are the seven characteristics of lasting love?
I view love not as a single entity, but as a cluster of traits, which if developed will enhance all of life. These traits are:
Kindness: discovering the joy of helping others
Patience: accepting the imperfections of others
Forgiveness: finding freedom from the grip of anger
Courtesy: treating others as friends
Humility: stepping down so someone else can step up
Generosity: giving your time, money, and abilities to others
Honesty: caring enough to tell the truth
6. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to embrace these characteristics?
All of us have some of these characteristics to some degree. Most people see love as being better than hate. But most of us are comfortable to live somewhere between love and hate in a lifestyle that is fundamentally focused on self. We feel good when we are making money, accumulating things, gaining status, but in time these things do not ultimately satisfy what I call the ‘true self’. The true self longs to make the world a better place to live. To do something to help those less fortunate than we.
However, we all suffer from the malady of being ego-centric. I call this the ‘false self’. It is that part of man that pulls him to focus on self-preservation and a self-centered lifestyle. This is not all bad. Indeed we must meet our own physical and emotional needs in order to continue life. It is when we never get beyond this self focus, that life becomes a ‘dog eat dog’ world where everyone is out for self even at the expense of others. Such a life never brings long-term satisfaction. However it is often later in life that people discover the emptiness of selfish living. I’m hoping that Love as a Way of Life will help people discover the satisfaction of developing the ‘true self’ earlier in life.
Creston Mapes
Todd and Jedd Hafer
Ted Dekker
TL Hines
Mike Dellosso
What do these names have in common? They’re the authors of the last books I’ve really liked. And I’m beginning to realize that some of my favorite books all have male protagonists and are written by men. So what does that say about me?
Not quiet sure yet, but maybe that I like suspense, mystery, thrillers and a plot that moves. These authors deliver all that.
Now there are female authors like Brandilyn Collins who rank up close to the guys and I still have yet to read her latest book Crimson Eve, and Lisa Samson always delivers, but when it comes to a guaranteed enjoyable read, it seems like I need to stick with the guys!
I have to admit this is one of those books I picked up just because of the title. I’m looking forward to the fun read…maybe on my long drive to Orlando! :0
Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and ’00’s, who roller skated through the ’70’s into the ’80’s with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.
After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, destermined to see the world. But, she’s traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.
Rachel met Tony, her husband, in ‘87, at church, of all places. They married in ‘92.
They don’t have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.
With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ‘ 04, Lambert’s Pride, a romance novel. My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Elle’s living the dream-but is it her dream or his?
Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she’s found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.
Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She’s never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.
But Jeremiah’s just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she’s serious about their relationship, Elle will take “the call,” too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle’s friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.
Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
There wasn’t enough time to spend with Amy on Monday, so she’s back again!
Why did you choose the genre of Christian Fantasy for your first published book?
I love fantasy and grew up reading anything I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, most of that was secular fantasy, which really caused some corruption to my soul. Although I was raised in the church, I began to question what I knew was truth as a young teen and found myself beginning to believe in Druidism, witchcraft, occult and other harmful teachings. God rescued me in college, and I gave up all of what I had surrounded myself with. In writing Seed of Seerling, I wanted to give Christians the option of enjoying a purely fantasy novel but also develop a deeper love and understanding of God.
The characters in Seed of Seerling struggle with personal and spiritual sacrifice. How can their struggles help us?
We live in a fast paced society that puts great emphasis on personal success. To achieve that success that we yearn for, even as Christians, we will often sacrifice the things that are most important. Abortion, neglect of children and even neglect of service are the penalties Christians often pay to “get ahead” in the game of life. My characters learn that true sacrifice is giving up our own wants and desires to serve the higher calling of the One True God.
What do you want readers to gain from reading Seed of Seerling?
It is my greatest desire that anyone who reads my book will question their own walk with Christ and their own calling for the Lord and dedicate themselves entirely to Him.
You have said that your goal is to help bridge the gap between Christian fiction and self-help books. How do you plan to go about this in your own writing?
I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.
I understand that you had a kidney transplant in 1999. How did the four and a half years of bad health change your Christian Walk and ministry?
It came a huge shock to me and my family when, after giving birth to my second son, I became ill with renal failure. Of course I questioned God about why I had to do dialysis for four and a half years without any matches of a kidney. But, I can honestly tell you that He changed me in that time and used me in powerful ways that humble me to this day. One example is when in 1996 I was diagnosed with Vasculitis. My entire vascular system shut down. I remember the day when the doctor came into my hospital room and told me and my husband that he did not believe I would live beyond the weekend. At that time my children were four and two years old. God healed me. It was hard and painful, and I endured a years worth of chemo therapy and many weeks worth of painful procedures while still doing hemo dialysis, but God healed me.
The miracle is that almost an exact year later, a seven year old girl whom I was acquainted with through dialysis became very ill and was hospitalized. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with her. I shared my story of Vasculitis with her mother, a nurse since our symptoms were so similar. The doctors refused to do the expensive tests on Jessie since they said the disease was almost unheard of in children. Her mother persisted, and they found that she did in fact have Vasculitis. If it were not for my own near death experience a year before, that little girl might not be alive today. We praised God that I had almost died, so Jessie could have life. She is now happy and healthy with her own new kidney in North Carolina. This is only one example of God’s faithfulness in what I perceived to be my tragedies.
Were there any moments during the long time of illness that you felt God close to you/speaking to you? Oh, yes. When I was told that I would not live past the weekend in 1996, I began to sincerely pray that God would send a Christian woman to be the wife of my husband and mother to my beautiful boys. God clearly and audibly spoke into my heart while I sat in my hospital bed and said, “My foolish, foolish child. You are that woman that I have sent.” From that day on I knew my doctor was wrong and am hear today, alive and healthy because of God.
What words would you use to encourage someone today who is close to giving up on their dreams of ministry? Never give up, even when things seem at there worse. I have dreamed of and believed God had called me to be an author since I was 12 years old. It took many trials and several turns in the road, but I am now living that dream and thanking him daily for every chance He has given me. Everything is in His timing!
How does your family motivate and challenge you in writing? I have the best family in the world. My house may be full of testosterone, but it is also filled with caring, loving men who encourage and lift me up when I am down. My husband and two sons have been the greatest encouragers and reminders of God’s love.
What are your goals for future books? Seed of Seerling is the first book of the Crossroads trilogy. I am currently finishing the second book King of Harkan and am working on two Christian children’s books. I also write skits and plays and will eventually be compiling them all into several books for sale. However, the book I know God is calling me to write is the story of what He has done in my life. I am currently waiting on His timing and His inspiration.
Who are the authors that have inspired you? I have been most inspired by the Old Testament stories of the Bible. My favorite authors are Frank Peretti, Francine River, Jane Austin…oh the list goes on and on and on.
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I knew at the age of 12 I was called to be a writer. God kept giving me ideas for characters and full stories that I played with and developed but never had the ambition or knowledge of how to publish. When I was in high school I constantly had girls and boys coming up to me and asking me to write stories about them. We’d sit in typing class where I would read the short stories that I had come up with. It seemed to entertain them.
Growing up, I don’t think my family understood me. I know they thought I was strange because I preferred to read a book or write a story than do anything else. My husband, of 18 years, also says that he thought I was strange when we first met. After we got married he would get so angry with me for not doing dishes or laundry and instead reading and writing all day. He also thought it was weird when I would jump out of bed in the middle of the night or early morning and run for my journals, but he patiently endured all my strange ways. Now that I have finally done something with my stories, he is very proud of me. He likes to tell his friends that he’s married to a woman who has four or five worlds living in her head. I tell him it’s more like ten. Our two sons are also an inspiration in giving me ideas and helping me with scenarios when I get stuck.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
After years of poor health, I finally got a kidney transplant in 1999. We moved from southern
What do you write and why this genre?
I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t write down what God gave me. I feel that I would unfaithful with the gift He has given me if I kept everything bottled up for myself as I used to do. I chose the genre of Christian Fantasy for my first published book because as a teen I delved heavily in fantasy stories. Unfortunately, the only things around were secular and very bad for my spiritual well being. It is my prayer that God will use my writing to bring adults and teens to a deeper relationship with their heavenly Father as well as good, clean entertainment.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
My book Seed of Seerling is scheduled for release
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, writer, and working?
I have to admit that it isn’t as easy as I would hope at times. When I sat down to write the first book, my family did take a back seat for about a month. Something they did not like. Now, I’m learning to write in my spare time or when my family is busy elsewhere.
I am blessed to have two children who communicate even though they are boys. I love to ask them questions and hear about their lives. We take time almost every day to just sit and gab. I also stop everything I’m doing when they walk in from school or when they sit next to me and start talking. Those are the best times.
My children are teenagers now, and my husband and I have more time alone, which really helps our marriage. We take time to go out on special lunch and breakfast dates when they are in school, and we go for long walks in the evenings. It also helps that we both like sports, especially volleyball. We’re on adult leagues together. This helps build our relationship, relationships with our friends and keeps us both in shape.
I have the best full time job in the world. My boss is understanding about my writing and supportive. When I need time off, I get it. It’s the best of both worlds.
Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, working, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?
Yes, I do believe that you can be a great mom, get the stuff you need to get done and also meet your own goals. However, I feel everything needs to be kept in perspective in order of importance. My most important goal outside of my own relationship with God is my family. God gave them to me, and it’s my responsibility to make sure they get my best. I find that when I honor the Lord with my life, He makes it possible for me to have the rest. Keeping in shape does take a back seat, but only because we live in a very cold state, and most of the things I like to do require good weather.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
I did feel as though I neglected my family when I sat down to write my first book. It was hard to find a balance between my family, writing and working full time. Praise the Lord that with the second book, I’m finding a better balance even though it means that this book is taking me twice as long to write.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
I may be strange, but interruptions really don’t bother me much. My stories live in my head. All I have to do is write them down. If I have to stop and do something else, it’s okay because I’m carrying the story with me. If I forget an inspiration, I just chock it up to God must not of wanted that there anyway. He always gives me what I need when I need it.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
See above for answer.
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?
My biggest storms come in the form of self-doubt. That’s where my husband comes in. He always reminds me why I’m writing and keeps me grounded in reality by reminding me that it’s okay if someone doesn’t like my stories. My children are also huge supporters. They give me ideas for stories all the time and even help me come up with characters at times.
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?
I’m an observer and always have been. Traveling in a car, sitting in a café, watching people in a mall…these are all ways that I stop, listen for God’s voice and observe what is going on in life. Inspiration also comes when I’m reading my bible or worshiping. The best inspiration for my stories has come when I’m actually sleeping.
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
I believe that everyone needs to be in a home church where they can minister and be ministered to. Helping people gets me out of my head and back into the reality of what God wants from me.
Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?
Yes, I had four and a half years of illness where I did dialysis. My health was very bad, and I had a few times where my doctors didn’t think I would survive. With my health so poor and trying to mother two small boys, I felt as though God had taken away my creativity. I went most of that time without writing anything. I felt as though a piece of me was missing, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it back again. It was difficult for my spirit to give that up, but I look back and understand how vital it was that I concentrate on my family and health. I just didn’t have the energy or ability to do more than that during that time period.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
No! This is what I’m called to do right now, and I want to do it all for God’s glory. I’ve been through a time in my life where I thought my gift had been taken away. Now that it is back, I’m going to do it all for Him. If He decides to point me in a different direction one day, then I pray I will be listening to follow His path.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
Don’t give up! No matter what is going on in your life, keep writing and put the effort into trying to find a publisher. Writing always came easy for me, sharing it with others was hard. I was afraid of rejection, but my husband constantly reminds me that rejection is a part of life. Not everyone is going to like, read or want my work, but someone may. Keep at it!
Chuck Black first wrote Kingdom’s Edge to inspire his children to read the Bible with renewed zeal. This captivating expanded parable led him to write the Old Testament allegories, Kingdom’s Dawn and Kingdom’s Hope. Chuck added three more titles to the series, Kingdom’s Call, Kingdom’s Quest, and Kingdom’s Reign which were released in May of 2007.
Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and currently works as an engineer for a firm designing plastic consumer products. He has a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the United States Air Force. Chuck and his wife Andrea have six children and live in North Dakota.
It is Chuck’s desire to serve the Lord through his work and to inspire people of all ages to study the scriptures in order to discover the hope and love of a truly majestic King and His Son.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory!
As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized.
Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Vincero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion.
When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra’s castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra.
Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are…the Knights of Arrethtrae!
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
Suzanne Woods Fisher—COPPER FIRE–A NOVEL
Suzanne Woods Fisher’s just-released historical novel Copper Fire, is the sequel to the three-time award-winning Copper Star, a World War II love story inspired by true events. Fisher was a contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her work has appeared in Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, and Marriage Partnership. She has contributed to ten non-fiction books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs. A wife and mother, Fisher lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The best thing about being a writer, she feels, is that all of life becomes material for writing. It’s all grit for the oyster.
Suzanne can be found at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, four children (one married, two in college, one in high school), and raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I’ve always loved to write…largely because I wasn’t very good at anything else!
How did you get your first “writing break?”
I was on the staff of my college newspaper and met a young student named Ginny. We became fast friends. Sharing a love of writing, we kept our relationship going through letters. A few years later, after we had both married and had started families, Ginny called me to ask if I could take over some freelancing jobs. I jumped at the chance. I started writing for Christian Retailing, then Christian Parenting Today, and eventually became a contributing editor for that magazine. And those relationships have opened other doors.
What do you write and why this genre?
My favorite is historical fiction, because it becomes a fascinating puzzle to fit true events into a storyline. I work hard at representing history in an accurate way—I want readers to enjoy a good story but to finish my book confident in what they’ve learned. Also, I try to write about interesting people who have been overlooked. For example: Louise Tracy, wife of Spencer Tracy. In 1942, Louise Tracy started a foundation (The John Tracy Clinic) to teach oral communication (lip reading and speaking) to pre-school age children. She and Spencer had a deaf son, John. Louise ignored the conventional wisdom of the day (sending John to an institution to learn sign language) and had remarkable success teaching him to communicate. There’s a deaf child in my novel Copper Star. I contacted the JTC while writing Copper Star and was able to write it into the storyline, with their blessing. Louise Tracy was a remarkable woman. Way ahead of her times! I loved being able to bring attention to such a woman through this novel.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
In late August, Grit from the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers, will be released from Vintage Spirit. I wrote Grit with three other very talented authors.
And another piece of great news! I just received a contract from Revell/Baker for a non-fiction book called Amish Peace in an English Life. It won’t be out until 2010…but ‘everything Amish’ is filling up my head right now.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
My favorite books (authors, too) point the way to God’s high path. Philip Yancey is my all-time favorite. I’ll read anything he writes. Working faith out in real life is the reason I write. A lot of my articles got started because I was trying to figure something out…generally, about raising kids. I was seeking ideas and encouragement. It’s important to me to help point readers to the Lord for answers, strength and guidance. Whenever I hear people start to lament about how hard things are in this day and age (and there are plenty of things to get stressed over)…I think of Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” There is nothing new under the sun that He can’t understand or guide us through.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
I am constantly trying to find a balance. I don’t think I’ve ever had a typical day! Not with four kids and a corporate-guy husband, a steady stream of puppies we raise for Guide Dogs for the Blind, added into that mix is my parents. My father is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease…and it is incredibly challenging. My goal is to try and get three to four hours of concentrated work in, nearly every day. I can’t get much more than that in, yet I think that’s reasonable. I don’t want a spine that ends up resembling a question mark.
Did you write when your children were at home? Why or why not?
Yes, I tried to squeeze writing around naps, school, preschool, etc. Just magazine articles, though, when the kids were little. Short, quick, tight deadline. Interviews on phone calls were very hard to do (this was all pre-internet)
If you did write when your children were at home:
When did you find the time to write, and did you ever feel like you were neglecting your children when you write?
I think I felt as if I was often preoccupied. Not entirely present or “in the moment.” Sometimes, even if I’m with others, my mind can be a million miles away, mentally writing. Still working on that!
Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?
Ah, a constant battle! Being a writer is an odd career. To write well, one needs quiet time, space, discipline. But to write anything of substance, one needs relationships, activity, meaningful time with the Lord! I really love a quiet morning at home, but I am aware of the need to be open to interruptions and see them as beneficial to my life, not as intrusions.
Is it any easier writing now that your children are grown?
Yes! Mostly, I’m more seasoned. I’m a better writer! And on a practical level, I have more control over my time. Sort of.
Is parenting your grown children easier than raising them while they were young?
Easier? No. Different, yes. I think my kids on my mind just as much, and in my prayers just as much, but the problems get bigger as they get bigger. So does my faith, though, in seeing how the Lord has carried us through things.
What would you say to moms who can’t wait until their children are older so they can write more?
I would recommend that they journal on a daily basis and capture moments of childhood and early parenting. I encourage people to practice journaling as they would practice piano scales, exercising the craft. Journaling helps them to learn to pay attention and to remember details. But there’s no reason they can’t be writing. That’s the beauty of writing…all of life is material!
What interruptions in your writing didn’t you expect once your children were older and out of the home?
Just the other night, I received a panicky phone call that my dad had disappeared from his Alzheimer’s Board and Care facility. The police officers were out looking for him…and we finally found him (through the help of a guardian angel).
Taking care of my dad can get very consuming.
How do you handle these interruptions in your writing life?
I try to have the mind of Christ and make myself see the situation from His point of view. Otherwise, I can get very resentful. But when I try to think the way Christ thinks, it helps me yield to the circumstances, and I start to feel more tenderhearted toward my dad and his current needs. I even start remembering all of the kind things he has done for me in my life. Takes work, though, to
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
Sometimes it works, sometimes it just doesn’t. But I have a better sense of the big picture of writing. Not every hour is “billable.”
Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?
Not really set aside, but definitely to keep it in balance. I know the Lord wants us to be careful we don’t turn writing into a golden calf. It’s a wonderful passion, but it shouldn’t be a substitute for more important things.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
Rejection can be very disheartening. It’s taken a while to work it through so that it doesn’t derail me. I think it’s just part of the writing gig…not necessarily a message from God to stop writing.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
This is an industry in which “no one is looking for you.” Behind every published piece, a writer has a fat file of rejection letters. But, ah, there’s just something about that published piece that makes up for that rejection file! Persevere!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A while ago, I went to my first writers’ conference expecting to connect with editors, plug a few queries, well, you know the drill. I left the conference with something even better: Three new writer friends all at the same “career place.” We have kept in touch (a cinch for e-mail junkies), edit each others’ work, and are even writing a devotional together to encourage new writers called Grit for the Oyster. I went to the conference with one intention; God had another one in mind. So my parting words are: Stay open. Stay optimistic. And remember that if God calls you to write, He’s not calling you to be the best, just to give your best.
Find Suzanne on-line at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Copper Star (ISBN: 0-9793327-4-5) and Copper Fire (ISBN: 978-0-981-5592-0-9) are available at Amazon or other on-line booksellers, at Suzanne’s website, or can be ordered through your favorite bookstore.
It’s June 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book’s FIRST chapter!
and her book:
Mixed Bags (Carter House Girls, Book 1)
Zondervan (May 1, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
In sixth grade, Melody Carlson helped start a school newspaper called The BuccaNews (her school’s mascot was a Buccaneer…arrr!). As editor of this paper, she wrote most of the material herself, creating goofy phony bylines to hide the fact that the school newspaper was mostly a “one man” show.
Visit the Melody’s website to see all of her wonderful and various book titles.
Don’t miss the second book in this series: Stealing Bradford (Carter House Girls, Book 2)
And one of her latest, A Mile in My Flip-Flops will be featured on FIRST Blog Alliance on July 1st!
Product Details:
List Price: $9.99
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310714885
ISBN-13: 978-0310714880
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
“Desiree,” called Inez as she knocked on the other side of the closed bedroom door. “Mrs. Carter wants to see you downstairs.”
“The name is DJ.”
“I’m sorry, but your grandmother has instructed me to call you Desiree.”
DJ opened the door and looked down on the short and slightly overweight middle-aged housekeeper. “And I have instructed you to call me DJ.”
Inez’s dark eyes twinkled as she gave her a sly grin. “Yes, but it’s your grandmother who pays my salary, Desiree. I take orders from Mrs. Carter. And she wants to see you downstairs in her office, pronto.”
DJ grabbed her favorite Yankees ball cap and shoved it onto her head, pulling her scraggly looking blonde ponytail through the hole in the back of it.
“You’re wearing that?” asked Inez with a frown. “You know what your grandmother says about?—?-”
“Look,” said DJ. “My grandmother might pay you to take orders from her, but I’m a free agent. Got that?”
Inez chuckled. “I got that. But you’re the one who’ll be getting it before too long, Desiree.”
“DJ,” she growled as she tromped loudly down the curving staircase. Why had she let Dad talk her into living with her grandmother for her last two years of high school? She’d only been here since last spring, late into the school year, but long enough to know that it was nearly unbearable. Boarding school would be better than this. At least she’d have a little privacy there and no one constantly riding her?—?-telling her how to act, walk, look, and think. She wished there were some way, short of running away (which would be totally stupid), out of this uncomfortable arrangement.
“There you are,” said Grandmother when DJ walked into the office. Her grandmother frowned at her ball cap and then pasted what appeared to be a very forced smile onto her collagen-injected lips. “I want you to meet a new resident.” She made a graceful hand movement, motioning to where an attractive and somewhat familiar-looking Latina woman was sitting next to a fashionably dressed girl who seemed to be about DJ’s age, but could probably pass for older. The girl was beautiful. Even with the scowl creasing her forehead, it was obvious that this girl was stunning. Her skin was darker than her mother’s, latte-colored and creamy. Her long black hair curled softly around her face. She had high cheekbones and dramatic eyes.
DJ noticed her grandmother smiling her approval on this unhappy-looking girl. But the girl looked oblivious as she fiddled with the gold chain of what looked like an expensive designer bag. Not that DJ was an expert when it came to fashion. The woman stood politely, extending her hand to DJ.
“I’d like to present my granddaughter, Desiree Lane.” Grandmother turned back to DJ now, the approval evaporating from her expression. “Desiree, this is Ms. Perez and her daughter Taylor.”
DJ shook the woman’s hand and mumbled, “Nice to meet you.” But the unfriendly daughter just sat in the leather chair, one long leg elegantly crossed over the other, as she totally ignored everyone in the room.
Grandmother continued speaking to DJ, although DJ suspected this little speech was for Taylor’s mother. “Ms. Perez and I first met when my magazine featured her for her illustrious music career. Her face graced our cover numerous times over the years. Perhaps you’ve heard of Eva Perez.”
The woman smiled. “Or perhaps not,” she said in a voice that was as smooth as honey. “According to my daughter, kids in your age group don’t comprise even a minuscule part of my fan base.”
DJ smiled at the woman now. “Actually, I have heard of you, Ms. Perez. My mom used to play your CDs. She was a serious Latin jazz fan.”
“Was?” She frowned. “I hope her taste in music hasn’t changed. I need all the fans I can get these days.”
Grandmother cleared her throat. “Desiree’s mother?—?-my daughter?—?-was killed in a car accident about a year ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
DJ sort of nodded. She never knew how to react when -people said they were sorry about the loss of her mother. It wasn’t as if it were their fault.
“Desiree,” said Grandmother, “Would you mind giving Taylor a tour of the house while I go over some business details with her mother?”
“No problem.”
Grandmother’s recently Botoxed forehead creased ever so slightly, and DJ knew that, once again, she had either said the wrong thing, used bad grammar, or was slumping like a “bag of potatoes.” Nothing she did ever seemed right when it came to her grandmother. “And after the tour, perhaps you could show Taylor to her room.”
“Which room?” asked DJ, feeling concerned. Sure, Taylor might be a perfectly nice person, even if a little snobbish, but DJ was not ready for a roommate just yet.
“The blue room, please. Inez has already taken some of Taylor’s bags up for her. Thank you, Desiree.”
Feeling dismissed as well as disapproved of, DJ led their reluctant new resident out to the foyer. “Well, you’ve probably already seen this.” DJ waved her arm toward the elegant front entrance with its carved double doors and shining marble floor and Persian rug. She motioned toward the ornate oak staircase. “And that’s where the bedrooms are, but we can see that later.” She walked through to the dining room. “This is where we chow down.” She pointed to the swinging doors. “The kitchen’s back there, but the cook, Clara, can be a little witchy about trespassers.” DJ snickered. “Besides, my grandmother does not want her girls to spend much time in the kitchen anyway.”
“Like that’s going to be a problem,” said Taylor, the first words she’d spoken since meeting DJ.
“Huh?” said DJ.
“I don’t imagine anyone is going to be exactly pigging out around here. I mean aren’t we all supposed to become famous models or something?” asked Taylor as she examined a perfectly manicured thumbnail.
DJ frowned. “Well, my grandmother did edit one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world, but I don’t think that means we’re all going to become famous models. I know I’m not.”
Taylor peered curiously at her. “Why not? You’ve got the height, the build, and you’re not half bad looking .?.?. well, other than the fact that you obviously have absolutely no style.” She sort of laughed, but not with genuine humor. “But then you’ve got your grandmother to straighten that out for you.”
DJ just shook her head. “I think my grandmother will give up on me pretty soon. Especially when the others get here. She’ll have girls with more promise to set her sights on.” At least that was what DJ was hoping.
“Has anyone else arrived?”
“Not yet.” DJ continued the tour. “This is the library.” She paused to allow Taylor to look inside the room and then moved on. “And that’s the sunroom, or observatory, as Grandmother calls it.” She laughed. “Hearing her talk about this house sometimes reminds me of playing Clue.”
“What?”
“You know, the murder game, like where Colonel Mustard kills Mrs. Peacock with a wrench in the observatory.”
“Oh, I never played that.”
“Right .?.?.” Then DJ showed Taylor the large living room, the most modern space in the house. Grandmother had put this room together shortly after deciding to take on her crazy venture. Above the fireplace hung a large flat-screen TV, which was connected to a state-of-the-art DVD and sound system. This was encircled by some comfortable pieces of leather furniture, pillows, and throws.
“Not bad,” admitted Taylor.
“Welcome back to the twenty-first century.”
“Do you have wireless here?”
“Yeah. I told Grandmother it was a necessity for school.”
“Good.”
“This house has been in our family for a long time,” said DJ as she led Taylor up the stairs. “But no one has lived here for the past twenty years. My grandmother had it restored after she retired a -couple of years ago.” DJ didn’t add that her grandmother had been forced to retire due to her age (a carefully guarded and mysterious number) or that this new business venture, boarding teen “debutantes,” was to help supplement her retirement income. Those were strict family secrets and, despite DJ’s angst in living here, she did have a sense of family loyalty?—?-at least for the time being. She wasn’t sure if she could control herself indefinitely.
DJ stopped at the second-floor landing. “The bedrooms are on this floor, and the third floor has a ballroom that would be perfect for volleyball, although Grandmother has made it clear that it’s not that kind of ballroom.” She led Taylor down the hall. “My bedroom is here,” she pointed to the closed door. “And yours is right next door.” She opened the door. “The blue room.”
Taylor looked into the pale blue room and shook her head in a dismal way. “And is it true that I have to share this room with a perfect stranger?”
“Well, I don’t know how perfect she’ll be.”
“Funny.” Taylor rolled her eyes as she opened a door to one of the walk-in closets opposite the beds.
“I try.”
“It’s not as big as I expected.”
“It’s bigger than it looks,” said DJ as she walked into the room and then pointed to a small alcove that led to the bathroom.
“Do I get any say in who becomes my roommate?”
“I guess you can take that up with my grandmother.”
Taylor tossed her purse onto the bed closest to the bathroom and then kicked off her metallic-toned sandals. “These shoes might be Marc Jacobs, but they’re killing me.”
“So, you’re really into this?” asked DJ. “The whole fashion thing?”
Taylor sat down on the bed, rubbing a foot. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good.”
DJ felt the need to bite her tongue. Taylor was her grandmother’s first official paying customer to arrive and participate in this crazy scheme. Far be it from DJ to rock Grandmother’s boat. At least not just yet.
“Well, thanks for the tour,” said Taylor in a bored voice. Then she went over to where a set of expensive-looking luggage was stacked in a corner. “Don’t the servants around here know how to put things away properly?”
“Properly?” DJ shrugged.
Taylor picked up the top bag and laid it down on the bench at the foot of one of the beds and opened it.
“Don’t you want to go down and tell your mom good-bye?” asked DJ as she moved toward the door.
Taylor laughed in a mean way. “And make her think she’s doing me a favor by dumping me here? Not on your life.”
“Here are some more bags for Miss Mitchell,” said Inez as she lugged two large suitcases into the room, setting them by the door.
“Put them over there,” commanded Taylor, pointing to the bench at the foot of the other bed. “And don’t pile them on top of each other. This happens to be Louis Vuitton, you know.”
DJ saw Inez make a face behind Taylor’s back. But the truth was DJ didn’t blame her. Inez might be a housekeeper, but she didn’t deserve to be treated like a slave. Suddenly, DJ felt guilty for snapping at Inez earlier today. She smiled now, and Inez looked surprised and a little suspicious. Then DJ grabbed the largest bag, hoisted it onto the bench with a loud grunt, and Taylor turned around and gave her a dark scowl.
“Thank you,” she snapped.
“Later,” said DJ as she exited the room with Inez on her heels.
“Mrs. Carter wants to see you downstairs, Desiree,” announced Inez when they were out on the landing.
“Again?” complained DJ. “What for?”
“Another girl just arrived. Your grandmother wants you to give her a tour too.”
“What am I now?” asked DJ. “The official tour guide?”
“That sounds about right.” Inez gave her a smirk.
DJ wasn’t sure if she could stomach another fashion diva with an attitude problem, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to risk another etiquette lecture from her grandmother either. Once again, she clomped down the stairs and made her appearance in the office, suppressing the urge to bow and say, “At your ser-vice, Madam.”
“Eliza,” gushed Grandmother, “This is my granddaughter, Desiree Lane. And Desiree, I’d like you to meet Eliza Wilton.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Desiree.”
DJ nodded. She could tell by how formal her grandmother was acting that Eliza Wilton must be someone really important?—?-meaning extraordinarily wealthy?—?-even more so than the Mitchells. And that’s when she remembered her grandmother going on about “the Wilton fortune” this morning at breakfast. Of course, that must be Eliza’s family.
“Nice to meet ya, Eliza,” DJ said in a purposely casual tone. This girl was pretty too, but not like Taylor’s dark and dramatic beauty. Eliza was a tall, slender, impeccably dressed, blue-eyed blonde. She wasn’t exactly a Paris Hilton clone?—?-and she didn’t have a little dog as far as DJ could see?—?-but there was a similarity, except that Eliza’s face was a little softer looking, a little sweeter, but then looks could be deceiving.
DJ wondered if the Botox was starting to wear off, as her grandmother studied her with a furrowed brow, probably comparing her to Miss Perfect Eliza. Naturally, DJ would not measure up.
“Eliza is from Louisville,” said Grandmother. “Her parents are presently residing in France, where her father just purchased a vineyard. But Eliza’s grandmother and I are old friends. We went to college together. When she heard about what I was doing up here in Connecticut, she encouraged her daughter to send dear Eliza our way.”
“Lucky Eliza,” said DJ in a droll tone.
Eliza actually giggled. Then Grandmother cleared her throat. “Desiree will give you a tour of the house,” she said. “And she’ll show you to your room.”
“Which is .?.?.??” asked DJ.
“The rose room.”
Of course, thought DJ as she led Eliza from the office. Next to her grandmother’s suite, the rose room was probably the best room in the house. Naturally, someone as important as Eliza would be entitled to that. Not that DJ had wanted it. And perhaps her grandmother had actually offered it to her last month. DJ couldn’t remember. But she had never been a flowery sort of girl, and she knew the rose wallpaper in there would’ve been giving her a serious migraine by now. Besides she liked her sunny yellow bedroom and, in her opinion, it had the best view in the house. On a clear day, you could actually glimpse a sliver of the Atlantic Ocean from her small bathroom window.
DJ started to do a repeat of her earlier tour, even using the same lines, until she realized that Eliza was actually interested.
“How old is this house?”
“Just over a hundred years,” DJ told her. “It was built in 1891.”
“It has a nice feel to it.”
DJ considered this. “Yeah, I kinda thought that too, after I got used to it. To be honest, it seemed pretty big to me at first. But then you’re probably used to big houses.”
“I suppose. Not that I’m particularly fond of mansions.”
“Why aren’t you with your parents?” asked DJ. “In France?”
“They’re concerned about things like politics and security,” said Eliza as they exited the library. “In fact, they almost refused to let me come here.”
“Why?”
“Oh, I think they felt I was safer in boarding school. If our grandmothers hadn’t been such good friends, I’m sure they never would’ve agreed.”
“So, you’re happy to be here?” DJ studied Eliza’s expression.
“Sure, aren’t you?”
DJ frowned. “I don’t know .?.?. I guess.”
“I think it’ll be fun to go to a real high school, to just live like a normal girl, with other normal girls.”
DJ tried not to look too shocked. “You think this is normal?”
Eliza laughed. “I guess I don’t really know what normal is, but it’s more normal that what I’m used to.”
“But what about the whole fashion thing?” asked DJ. “I mean you must know about my grandmother’s plans to turn us all into little debutantes. Are you into all that?”
“That’s nothing new. Remember, I’m from the south. My family is obsessed with turning me into a lady. That was one of the other reasons my parents agreed to this. I think they see the Carter House as some sort of finishing school.”
Or some sort of reformatory school, thought DJ. Although she didn’t say it out loud. Not yet, anyway.
He’s back for the CFBA tour. You can read my interview with Mike here and my review here. He’s also written a blog post for me about his cancer and writing interruptions. Continue down for more info on The Hunted if you’re not convinced to run out and buy it! Okay, you don’t have to run out and buy it thanks to Amazon. Just click here!
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mike now lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jen, and their three daughters. He writes a monthly column for Writer . . .Interrupted. He was a newspaper correspondent/columnist for over three years and has published several articles for The Candle of Prayer inspirational booklets. Mike also has edited and contributed to numerous Christian-themed Web sites and e-newsletters.Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, the Relief Writer’s Network, and International Thriller Writers. He received his BA degree in sports exercise and medicine from Messiah College and his MBS degree in theology from Master’s Graduate School of Divinity.
You can read a great interview with Mike, over here on TitleTrakk.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A town’s deadly secret will drive one man to the edge of his faith…
After learning of the disappearance of his nephew, Joe Saunders returns to his childhood home of Dark Hills to aid in the search effort. When Caleb is found, badly mauled and clinging to life, Joe embarks on a mission to find the beast responsible. But the more Joe delves into the fabric of his old hometown, the more he realizes Dark Hills has a dark secret, shrouded for three generations in a deadly code of silence.
As Joe unravels the truth behind a series of unexplained animal attacks, murder, and corruption at the highest level of law enforcement, he is led to a final showdown where he must entrust his very life into God’s hands. Will his young faith be strong ehough to battle the demonic forces of The Hunted?
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.
What I Say:
Review: Though I was in the middle of reading two other books, when I got The Hunted in the mail I couldn’t help cracking the book open. Several days later, I shut the book. Not because I couldn’t get into it, but because I FINISHED it! That’s right. I can’t believe I read a book in less than a week! In fact, I would have finished it last night, but I couldn’t keep my eyes opened any longer.
The Hunted grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. Joe Saunders left Dark Hills long ago, but returns when he learns his nephew is missing. What he discovers is incomprehensible. A rogue lion roaming the woods and terrorizing the town? In Pennsylvania?
Joe, along with Maggie who knows more about the “secret” than she lets on, is pulled into the mysterious and deadly attacks on the residents of Dark Hills. As he draws closer to the truth, he must choose whether or not to draw closer to the God who has let him down.
I was intrigued with the storyline and the “secret” plaguing the little town of Dark Hills. This book kept me reading way past my bedtime! The writing was exceptional for a debut novel and the pacing kept me turning pages. Though I’m squeamish with “bloody” descriptions and not a fan of “horror,” The Hunted didn’t overdo the violence (way to stick with your convictions, Mike) and told what was necessary for the story. Bravo, Mike.
What they say:
Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti-if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted.
–C.J. Darlington, Cofounder and book editor, Titletrakk.com
A spine-tingling tale of hidden secrets, buried hopes, and second chances. A story best read with all the lights on and an extra flashlight–just in case!
–Amy Wallace, author of Ransomed Dreams
Mike Dellosso’s pins-and-needles thriller hurtles the reader down a dark and twisted path. I dare you to take this one home!
–Jill Elizabeth Nelson, author of the To Catch a Thief suspense series
With hints of Frank Peretti and Stephen King, The Hunted is a chilling debut.”
–Creston Mapes, author of Nobody
A vicious enemy, a family secret, a thirst for revenge, and a need for reconciliation all drive The Hunted from intriguing beginning to thrilling conclusion.”
–Kathryn Mackel, author of Vanished
Read this someplace safe as you experience the incredibly descriptive world of The Hunted. And sleep with the lights on.
–Austin Boyd, author of Mars Hill Classified trilogy
I struggle with being a Martha. My mind is always going with things I should be doing. It’s hard to just rest, especially hard to just rest before the Lord, but I know it is soooo needed, especially if I’m to do and be all he has called me to do and be.
Then why do I fall back into my Martha ways? Why don’t I just sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary? I’m hoping this new book is going to get to the heart of the matter. This book’s subtitle says: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life. Seems like something I could use right now, how about you?
What They Say:
Joanna Weaver was voted the Most Promising New Writer of 1997 at the Mount Herman Writer’s Conference. She has authored Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and written for publications such as Focus on the Family, Home Life, Aspire, and The Evangel. A pastor’s wife for more than eighteen years, she and her husband have counseled many couples, both those approaching their wedding and those struggling in marriage. The Weavers live in Montana and have taught young married classes and spoken on the topic of marriage throughout the northwestern United States.
About Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World:An invitation for every woman who’s ever felt she isn’t godly enough, isn’t loving enough, isn’t doing enough.
The life of a woman today isn’t really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord’s feet…but the daily demands of a busy world just won’t leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him…yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.
Then comes Jesus, into the midst of your busy life, to extend the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters from Bethany. Tenderly, he invites you to choose “the better part”–a joyful life of intimacy with him that flows naturally into loving service.
With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us–Marys and Marthas alike–can draw closer to our Lord: deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.
What I Say:
What I like about this book is that it starts with the traditional story of Mary and Martha, but sheds new light on the two sisters. Whenever I read the story, I pictured Mary as a slacker and Martha having to pick up all the slack. But through Joanna Weavers words and my own study of Biblical times, I’ve come to realize that it’s more realistic for Mary to have started out helping in the kitchen, as was the woman’s custom. Though eventually she ended up at Jesus’ feet. Somewhere along the way from getting ready for company she made her way to Jesus’ side.
I want to be like Mary, though question more like Martha. “Lord, don’t you care?” Many times I feel overwhelmed with day to day drudgery (much of which I probably take on by myself and might possibly not be the will of God. Maybe I should consult him first) and wonder why no one cares. Why no one helps. Chapter Two addresses this issue. But Jesus does care. Though sometimes not the way we think he should.
Some other chapters I have yet to read include THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CURE, LIVINGROOM INTIMACY, KITCHEN SERVICE, BALANCING WORK AND WORSHIP. This seems like a very practical book and is loaded with biblical and personal testimonies from other Marthas.
Joann Weaver will be giving away 7 copies of Having a Mary Heart at her blog, so go on over and tell her Portrait sent you!
Joanna’s blog: http://joannaweaver.blogspot
Joanna’s website: www.joannaweaverbooks.com (Coming Soon)
Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp
Mary Connealy is the author of Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon, Alaska Brides, a three book series including Of Mice and Murder from Heartsong Presents Mysteries, and the South Dakota Brides series from Heartsong Presents. She has recently signed an exclusive contract with Barbour Publishing for eighteen books through 2012.
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I just seem to have always tended toward expressing myself with the written word. I always wrote too long on the essay tests. I have writing
I wrote my first romance novel at age 12, long lost. Probably for the best!
I think God just gave me this love for writing. I don’t really think about being a writer as something I do. It’s something I am. That’s kind of odd but it seems to be true.
I’ve got four daughters. I was a stay at home mom for twenty-seven years and I did almost all my writing with the girls underfoot. I didn’t really start writing seriously until the youngest was in school.
My husband is a farmer. He milked cows for those twenty-seven years and, about the time he was going to crack-up for exhaustion, we decided the girls were old enough and I went to work and he sold the cows. Now he has beef cows instead and row crops, corn and beans mainly. I teach GED. The baby graduated from high school last spring, three months after Petticoat Ranch released. I didn’t see it those ten years I was writing without being published but now I can be very content that God gave me a new season in life.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
I won a contest. I won the Noble Theme Contest sponsored by ACFW. Because I was a finalist, I worked up the nerve to take the first trip of my life without my husband and get on a plane for the first time every. It was the
Because of the attention of placing first and third, I got a lot of requests for submissions and caught the interest of my agent. Of all those requests only Barbour Heartsong wanted to see more. They didn’t buy the book I subbed to them but they did say they liked my writing. Cathy Marie Hake was my real break. She asked me to come in on a three book series set in historical
At the 2006 ACFW Conference in
What do you write and why this genre?
I write in three different genres but primarily historical western, romantic comedy suspense…yes Gina, it is
LOL! Hey, it’s selling, isn’t it!
Besides
I love writing in the different genres but I always come back to historical. There’s just something that soothes my heart about a tough cowboy looking in confusion and a pretty little lady, as they try to figure out why they can’t stop coming back to have another fight.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
Oh, man do it. Use whatever of this you want.
Of Mice and Murder (cozy mystery)
Clueless Cowboy (Heartsong) November
Bossy Bridegroom (Heartsong) December
Then in 2009 Gingham Mountain the third book in the series that started with Petticoat Ranch, as well as two more longer books and two more cozy mysteries. It’s a really exciting time for me.
You are one busy and blessed lady. I guess all those years writing without publication is finally catching up to you!
What do you attribute your 18 book deal to?
Well, for one thing, I’d never EVER had been able to say yes to all these contracts if I hadn’t had twenty finished books on my computer before I signed the first contract. I’d have never made such a commitment.
So, write adn keep writing. Do NOT write one book adn commit years of your life to trying to get it published. I mean sure, commit your life to trying that, but also keep writing.
Of the eighteen.
One HP that was part of a three book series written by three separate authors. That’s my first book.
Then a contract came through for Petticoat Ranch. Petticoat Ranch, when the contracted it, they asked if I could have the manuscript to them in TWO WEEKS. That is unheard of. I suspect some opening popped up, someone reneged on a contract somehow…death maybe???
If I hadn’t been able to say yes, sure, no need to wait two weeks. HERE, I attached it to this email…hey might have passed me over
Petticoat Ranch, Bk #2
Then they bought a cozy mystery, the line was just starting, and they wanted a three book series Bk #3, 4, 5
Then Petticoat Ranch sold well enough they wanted a second book…I say, “It’s a three book series adn all three are already done. They bought one and said maybe on the next one. Bk 6.
Then they bought a three book HP series, two of which were done Bk 7, 8, 9
Then Barbour decides to expand their fiction line and I’m here with my arm waving saying, “I’ve got a third book in this series done adn I’ve got two more already done in the next three book series and a solid proposal for the third.
My agent met with BArbour’s president, I think at ICRS last summer and here comes this offer for a nine book exclusive contract…18.
So there was luck, being in a good place to react when Barbour starts expanding. And there was preparation, having all these books ready and proving … by having them ready … that I am capable of writing more.
How important do you think entering contests are? I’ve had mixed feelings about contests especially since every time I enter the Genesis I get two really high scores and one really low score. It’s turned me off from contests, but I’m considering entering one more…deadline is tomorrow! I just wonder if it’s better to spend my $30 getting a good synopsis critique by a fiction editor instead.
I consider contests to be the thing that led me to publications. Winning the Noble Theme Contest in 2005 led in a pretty direct way, to HP offering me my first contract. I believe in contests. And if you hate the criticism, then just consider it part of growing a thick hide. You need one to survive.
I think you learn from the critiques, even the ones you don’t think are fair, because you can get an idea of where people lose their way in your book. So if they make some mindless comment and you say, “You didn’t understand my book, moron.” You can also ask yourself, why didn’t they understand. If someone doesn’t understand whatever your heroine’s career is and says in their judges comments, “You know NOTHING about synchronized swimming.” well, there’s something to be learned from that because of course you know all about synchronized swimming. But the reader missed your point, so make your point BETTER.
I’m sure this is somewhat my ego talking, because I’ve had those wildly divergent scores too, but I like to think that if you’ve got a really unique, strong, different voice, you will have a strong affect on people, and not always a good affect. So someone is just unhappy with your book because it’s so different. But different is good. But that’s also why it takes a while to get published because you need the right editor in the right mood with the right needs to get that contract.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I want to make people laugh while being faithful to the gift God gave me.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
I’m afraid my answer isn’t going to please writing moms? Uh oh. I didn’t exactly balance it. I did the writing for all those years while the kids were in school and now they’re grown up.
I think it would be incredibly tough to be doing the things I’m doing now, lots of weekends at book signings, traveling, not a lot, but some, late nights writing and doing promotion online. I see people do it but I’m not sure how. I feel like, at least for me, God gave me a season of motherhood (a LONG season) and now He’s giving me a new direction, a new ministry.
Did you write when your children were at home? Why or why not?
At school. I did some after they’d come home at night, but my children were always my priority. Well, that sounds noble, honestly the noisy little monsters wouldn’t leave me alone, so yes, they were my priority whether I wanted them to be or not!
Honestly, Gina, I see my life now and we’re not as well off financially as a lot of people we know. People who had both parents working all the years the kids were growing up. Our house isn’t fancy. We drive old cars. We don’t take fancy vacations and our idea of a great date night is Taco Tuesday at Barney’s Bar in
But those are just passing feelings and we KNOW the choices we made were the right one. Our daughters are wonderful people. Not perfe
