Creative Writing Forces

Newsletters replace CWF blog

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 07:29:00 +0000

Thank you for visiting Creative Writing Forces. This blog is no longer active. Feel free to browse through the existing posts...we think there are some outstanding articles available.

These authors are still available through their newsletters. We'd love it if you'd sign-up! Also, links to each of their blogs are still active in the lower left sidebar.

Tanya Stowe's Extraordinary Newsletter

As a special thank you for signing up for my newsletter, I’m offering a fun free read! LOVE BLOSSOMS is a sweet story of how a marriage can fade and wilt…and what it takes to make it blossom again. This lovely little free read, in PDF format, will be available to those who are new to my list.

(Note: If you have received the first edition, it means you are already a part of my newsletter family, but...you’re special too, so if you would like a PDF copy of LOVE BLOSSOMS, email me at Tanya@TanyaStowe.com and I’ll make sure you get your PDF.)

Delia Latham's Brushing Wings Newsletter

Brushing Wings arrives right into your email inbox every other month, with occasional updates in between when something special is happening. Each edition includes updates from Delia about her books, projects she's working on, upcoming projects, and - from time to time - a little rundown on what's going on in her life. Each edition also features an author interview or guest post and a devotional. Occasionally, a special feature might be included.

A winner is drawn (from the subscriber list) in every edition. Prizes vary, and are announced within the newsletter. Go ahead...add your name to the list, and get on the wing with Delia!

Heart's Haven Authors Chat It Up

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:19:00 +0000

Cheryl Malandrinos has graciously invited the Heart's Haven authors to visit her blog, The Book Connection, and talk about how these stories came to be. We're thrilled to be her guests, and would love to see you there, as well.

Cheryl started off with guest articles from Marianne Evans and Tanya Stowe. Check it out!

Marianne Evans' post on what it's like to write Christian fiction in a very secular world

Tanya Stowe's post on co-writing with multiple authors. Yep, it can get sticky! :)

Mary Manners and Delia Latham will follow with interviews.

Come keep us company! :)

Book Fun: Mama Was the Queen of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:55:00 +0000

The following article is adapted
from the recently released book,
Mama Was the Queen of Christmas
by Linda J. Gilden

A GAME FOR ALL

How will all the little holiday extras ever get done? I ask myself that question every year. And as much as I enjoy the holidays, there seems to be so little time.

One year I decided to let go of expectations and concentrate on celebrating Jesus. I came up with a plan to accomplish a lot of the extras in a very short time. I created a game!

“Come on, everyone,” I said. “We are going to play a game.”

There was minor grumbling but in the end everyone agreed a family game would be fun. And I was so excited about the end result!

“Just give me an hour of your time,” I said. “Then you can get back to your homework.”

I found a cute Christmas container and deposited little slips of paper, each describing a job.

“I am going to set a timer for twenty minutes,” I said. “When you draw a slip of paper, you have twenty minutes to work at your job. When the bell rings, you will choose another job and change what you are doing. In an hour, you will have helped me with three pre-Christmas chores.”

The papers in the container had jobs like:

Position the electric candles in the windows.
Put the greenery on the mantle downstairs.
Wrap presents. (Not your own, although most were willing!)
A smile face. This job was really important. The person who got the smile was to circulate, serve refreshments, and make sure everyone was having fun.
Address Christmas cards.
Plan a family activity that will help us concentrate on the real meaning of the season such as memorize the Christmas story from Luke, find someone to share the season with who hasn’t yet met the Savior, concentrate on a different aspect of Jesus’ birth in daily devotions, etc.
Make a Christmas goodie or edible treat. My family favorite is “Rocks!”

Christmas music playing in the background created a festive and jovial mood.

As it turned out, everybody was a winner in this game. The family gathered in the kitchen for a sample of “rocks,” pointing out that we had become happy little elves, proudly creating an atmosphere of merriment for the holidays.

Are there things you can do to make this holiday season less stressed for you and your family?

A RECIPE FROM LINDA: Rocks – Favorite Holiday Treat!

2 cups chocolate chips

1 ½ cups dry roasted peanuts
½ cup peanut butter
(1) 12.3 oz. box Crispix cereal
Confectioners Sugar

Melt chocolate in a large bowl in microwave oven. Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir well. Heat 30 seconds more or as needed to melt chocolate. Stir until smooth. (Chocolate could also be melted in a double boiler over low heat on the stove.)
Add peanut butter and stir until well blended.
Add peanuts and cereal and mix until thoroughly coated. A wooden spoon works best for this.
Put confectioner’s sugar in a plastic bag. Add cereal mixture, close bag tightly, and shake gently until mixture is coated with sugar. If you do a third of the mixture at a time, it is easier to handle.
Makes a lot! Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

About the book:

Mama Was the Queen of Christmas is a collection of stories highlighting “Mama's” role in the season as well as quotes, scripture, and practical suggestions for keeping the holidays focused on Christ. Mama presents creative ideas to plan a meaningful holiday season.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“For the Queen” helps the reader focus on the truth of each story. This feature includes suggestions for the reader to implement that truth in his or her life.
“For the King” points the reader to the One whose birth we celebrate through a personal activity.
“For the Court” suggests family activities to apply the truth in each story.

About the author:

LINDA GILDEN's favorite season is Christmas. But, truthfully, she and her family like to celebrate all year long, so can it really be called a season? Growing up in a home where the spirit of Christmas prevailed throughout the year, she knows she is blessed to have married a man who shares the same philosophy—Jesus is not just for a season but for a lifetime! Linda is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and several other books, such as Love Notes in Lunchboxes, Love Notes on His Pillow, and Mommy Pick-Me-Ups (all by New Hope Publishers), but Mama Was the Queen of Christmas is one she has wanted to write for a long time. Her heart’s desire is to see families enjoy each other and make memories no matter what the season. Linda lives in South Carolina with her husband, three grown children and children-in-law, four grandchildren, and a granddog, all of whom love Christmas as much as she does!

Blog Tag!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 09:07:00 +0000

I’ve been blog tagged by Delia Latham. I’m it and I have to answer the following questions about my newest book. Here goes!

What is the working title of your new book?

Well, I hope Leap of Faith is the working and final since it will be out December 14!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I honestly don’t know. I had just finished, White Christmas, a story about two very focused characters involved in politics and the public eye. I felt like I wanted to do a different character. This image of a sweet, fragile-looking, daughter of flower children popped into my head and Zoe Wyndham was born. Zack Manning, the computer software designer was her complete opposite. From there, the story took off!

What genre does Leap of Faith fall under?

It’s definitely Inspirational Fiction.

What actors and actresses would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

OK. I’ll certainly be dating myself here. A young Michelle Pfeiffer with long blonde hair for Zoe. Amanda Seyfried would be good, too, but Michelle has Zoe’s fragile look. Zoe’s not fragile by the way, she just looks that way!

Actors…I would have to say Ryan Gosling. He has that boy-next-door quality and a certain vulnerability…in the shape of a blonde flower child, who completely catches Zack by surprise.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Zack thinks Zoe’s pretty in a wispy sort of way, but she’s far too ‘other-worldly’ for practical Zack…until she shows up at his front door with a message about his job and Zack suddenly falls head over heels.

Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

Pelican Book Group will release Leap of Faith under their White Rose Division on December 14, 2012.

How long did it take to write the book?

Delia Latham says 3 or 4 months. She’s probably right, but it seemed much shorter than that!

Who or What inspired this book?

Well, I was invited by Delia, Marianne Evans and Mary Manners to participate in an anthology they were putting together. But once we started and began work, the ideas jumped onto the pages. The connections were incredible. I’m certain this series was inspired by our Heavenly Father and I’m quite sure He has great plans for it. I’m just along for the ride!

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

A slightly kooky heroine determined to follow God’s path for her, a path she’s certain doesn’t contain romance. A hero at a serious crossroads in his life with everything he ever wanted at his fingertips…and yet he can’t take the step. Throw in pushy angels, a grumpy caretaker and some wise friends, and you have a recipe for a great tale!

Now it’s my turn to tag someone else.

YOU'RE IT!

Cover picture, or words, that is the question…

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 05:47:00 +0000

What does it take to catch your attention, to make you actually carry a book to the check out counter…or click buy on the internet?

As writers we want a beautiful cover – but if you’re like me, I have no idea what that might be! But look at it from a reader’s point of view (which we all are). What do you like to see in the cover picture? Do you want people? Do you want to see what the characters “look like”? Or do you like beautiful scenery? How about adorable animals? Or maybe you don’t even know what hooks you. Take a peek at some of these and see how you feel about them. (If you’ve actually read any of them try not to let that have any bearing.) See how much of a pull each kind of cover has, and let us know. We could be looking at a trend here (or we may just find out that we all have our own preferences)!

Covers:

Lasting Love http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Lasting_Love_4dffbfb0eba98_200x300.jpg

Bahama Breeze

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Bahama_Breeze_4e858021a1de7_200x300.png

Fire Dragon’s Angels

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Fire_Dragon_s_An_4dfaefe0ba0d8_200x300.png

Reluctant Bridesmaid

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Reluctant_Brides_4e00019b7cd7a_200x300.png

I’m sure you can think of many more covers – or even turn around to look at some of your own books. So what do you think? See any kind of trend in your purchases?

But what if it’s the story line that has to grab you, what will it take? What do you look for? A very emotional blurb? Or ‘show me the worst cause I want to see what happens to make it better’? Or perhaps a little bit of mystery to draw you in? What do you think, action or emotion?

I know for me, the blurb definitely has to hook me, otherwise the cover doesn’t matter at all. Even if it’s the cover that caught my eye, which sometimes happens, the blurb is what counts. So make your blurbs count! Draw me in (oh, and the other readers, too!) and leave us wanting more so we can’t resist seeing what’s on those pages.

Donna Basinow

Guest Blogger

Maragart Ellington and Lukas North have a history to resolve. He's determined to reclaim the love he threw away ten years earlier. She’s afraid to let her heart be broken again. When the past repeats itself, can there be a different outcome?

Daffodils...available at White Rose Publishing.

Summer Reads: NOT a List...

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Summer seems to be the time for everyone to catch up on reading…or start reading. It’s fun to grab a good book and park oneself in a lounge chair at poolside (or oceanside!). Or sitting propped against a tree in the park—while the kids swing on the monkey bars (are those still around?). Or stretched out on your bed with the overhead fan blowing cool air almost convincing enough to make a reader believe she’s on a breezy balcony in Hawaii.

Well, this summer isn’t working that way for me. Life has a tendency to get in the way sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I won’t find a moment here and there to read a book or two! I mean, seriously, what better way to escape the real world and find a moment of pure perfection in a fictional one? :D

I don’t have a reading list all planned out and numbered and orderly…do you? (I really want to know!) But I do have my eye on a few I’d like to get to. So here’s my chance to make a list—but trust me, these books won’t be read in the order listed. I’m not that good a planner!

Serendipity by Cathy Mari Hake (No, it’s not a new one…but I just found it!)

• Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners

• Wounded Faith by Mary Manners

• Miracles and Mischief by Mary
Manners (Really looking forward to this series!)

• 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz

• Found in the Woods by LoRee Peery

Devotion by Marianne Evans

OK, so I’m not going to be able to list them all—and, of course, summer won’t last long enough to accommodate all the reading I’d like to do. But this is a start. A good one, I think!

What three books do you plan on reading this summer?

Summer Reading: Guest Blogger, Author Marianne Evans

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 04:25:00 +0000

Marianne Evans

Summertime.

Can you feel it breezing past? Has the spirit caught you? Have you allowed yourself the supreme luxury of simply kicking back during these longer days to soak in the sunshine, savor the sweet, fresh fruit tastes, catch a wave or two, or perhaps pick up a few great beach-reads by your favorite authors?

Later this month I’ll be headed to one of my favorite warm-weather spots, Lake Huron near Oscoda, Michigan. I’ll spend some time on a pine-shaded deck at my Mom’s house with a glass of wine in hand and a couple of deer wandering about in the yard. Or, you might find me lounging on a camp chair along a golden stretch of sand not far from the rippling waters of Lake Huron with cawing gulls swooping overhead and a sizeable bottle of SPF 5,000 at my elbow (because, yes, I’m that fair skinned, and yes, even with high-level protection, I still burn! LOL!).

In either instance, you’ll also find me with a book, so I thought I’d share with you a few of the titles that are locked and loaded on my e-reader, and find out what authors and titles you’d recommend so I can discover even more!

At the top of my summer list is Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury. This conclusion to her fabulous and incredibly well-written Baxter Family Series is sure to be beautifully told and a heart-tugger. After I dry my eyes following the reading a Kingsbury novel, I’m sure I’ll be in the mood for some nerve-sizzling suspense. Irene Hannon has a new release coming out on August 1^st, Lethal Legacy. Her books define page-turner to me (and I’ve lost many an hour of sleep as the result!) For dessert? How can you go wrong with Nora Roberts? Her Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy has been great so far, and I’m eager to discover how the series wraps.

Pelican Book Group is a publisher you can always count on for great Christian romance and fiction. An outstanding lineup of summer reads is sure to please: Mary Annslee Urban comes to us with Tapestry of Trust, a story of second chance love. Dora Hiers has a new offering titled Small Town Treasures, which is sure to be awesome. Janalyn Voigt, meanwhile, introduces us to the Tales of Faeraven with the release of DawnSinger, a story full of fantastic adventure, romance, and a perilous fight between good and evil.

All in all, there’s plenty out there to please any mood, and any reader! Pick up a few and enjoy. Don’t forget to recommend the books that are at the top of your ‘must read’ list. I can’t wait to find even more great stories to devour!

Happy summer, and happy reading!

Bio:

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Summer Daze

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:49:00 +0000

For most moms, summer means more why's, more noise, and less 'me' time. But for this mom, summer means just the opposite. You see, during the school year I teach seventh grade math (I know...weird for a writer, right). I am surrounded by noise, why's, and, with mounds of papers to grade and lessons to plan, I most definitely have less 'me' time.

But, this summer has been a little different. My daughter, Danni, is preparing to embark on her very own college adventure and journey into adulthood . It's a time of change for both of us, and each day--each moment--has been bittersweet. It has been a time of reflection and a time of thanks for all the wonderful memories we have shared over the past eighteen years. Time really does fly...I can attest to that. And God is so good...I can attest to that, as well.

So, I find myself the meat in the sandwich, with my mother on one side and my daughter on the other. It's a strange place to be. What's there to do on a warm (OK...hot) summer day in this time of transition...

Write, of course. For me, summer will always be associated with luxurious sun-drenched hours of my keyboard and me, alone, while I sip coffee (half-caff vanilla bean) and the voices chatter in my head. My husband has given up on trying to understand how my brain works, but my writer-friends...they understand completely and I thank God for them each and every day.

Summer daze...wonderful.

School's Out: What's Goin' On?

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 20:10:00 +0000

School schedules have made hubby and me little difference for well over a decade. Our four children have been beyond school age and on their own for almost thirteen years.

This year, however, we have two sons (both returning college students) and one grandson (13) living with us. A 7-year-old grandson is also with us every day while his mother works. So the education system’s summer schedule has made a huge difference in our normally quiet lives.

Noise is probably the biggest change. We’re accustomed to a pretty quiet existence most of the time. Those loud, happy family gatherings one attends expectinglots of noise and chaos…that’s everyday life in our house now. And I now understand why I heard my mother and grandmother often make the statement, “I know why God gives us our babies when we’re young.”

The local YMCA is a lifesaver, especially since the weather is so hot. The boys love splashing around in the pool at the Y. Here at the house, they spend more time than I approve of playing video games, but unfortunately, I don’t have enough “oomph” to make something more active happen—especially when the temperatures are so hot outside that not even the bugs want to go out and play. Thank God my grandsons’ parents “do things” with them on evenings and weekends.

So with school break having just started, I’m wondering how all you wonderful mothers out there keep your teens and pre-teens occupied. Surely I’m not the only inquiring mind that wants to know… :)

Please, please…let’s talk about it!

June News

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000

It’s time for our monthly update. First off, we’re very pleased to announce that we might have more novelettes contracted for the Heart’s Haven series. Yep! All three of us, Mary, Delia and I, plus Marianne Evans proposed two more holiday stories apiece for the series. That means eight more fantabulous romances set in our favorite bungalows on the edge of the Angelina Forest. There’s no contract yet, but look for more info soon!

This month, June 1, saw the release of Love in Lone Creek, Book 4 in Mary’s Lone Creek Ranch Series. Miracles and Mischief, Book 1 in the Miracles in Mill's Landing Series, is coming this summer. Also, Wisdom Tree, coming October 5th, is available for pre-order from Pelican Book Group and at Amazon.com. There’s still time to get in on that giveaway for the Nook or Kindle so hurry over to the Pelican Group website for details.

On the home front, Mary’s daughter graduated from high school. They had a grand party and lots of celebrating. Now after all the fun, Mary is settling in for a summer of writing…and preparation to send her precious girl off to college. It’s a big transition so let’s all send prayers in the direction of the Manner household!

Delia has begun her new work as editor and just finished her first novel. She’s gearing up for a big celebration of her own. Gypsy’s Game, the last of the Solomon’s Gate Series is circulating to rave reviews. Since the series is done, she’s contemplating a game/contest/giveaway so everyone can celebrate with her. Stay tuned for all the inside info on Delia’s End of the Series Party. Of course, you’re all invited!

In the fall, Delia plans to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. If you are planning on attending, give her a shout out. Delia would love to connect.

My new website, courtesy of the delightful Delia, is up and running. I love it! If you get a chance, hop on over to www.TanyaStowe.com and pay a visit. I have a new theme and it fits right in with my next announcement. I made my first romantic suspense sale to White Rose Publishing. Never-Ending Night definitely has an unusual story line that fits in perfectly with my new theme. I have no release date yet, but as soon as I have a cover, I’ll be posting that. I’m so excited to see this story out there. It’s one of my personal favorites and it’s my first mystery/suspense.

After eight months overseas, I’m preparing to return home for the summer. I’d appreciate your prayers for a safe trip and return for my husband and I. I’ll be traveling and moving around a lot so I’ll be out of touch. But I’m leaving you in good hands. Marianne Evans will be visiting with us in July and in August, Donna Basinow will be our guest. These ladies are the greatest and they will have lots to share with you. I know you love them as much as we do!

I will take time out from my travels to attend the Romance Writer’s Conference in Anaheim so if you plan on attending, let me know so we can say hi! I can’t wait!

Take care all, and happy summer reading!

Traditions: Just the Way Mama Did It

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:28:00 +0000

Tradition: The handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.

Most families have traditions that have been passed down through the years. Some are familiar and shared by other families, as well. Others are specific to a given family, and would most likely be considered odd or unusual by others.

The thing about traditions is that they’re not typically right or wrong. They just are. Things we do because…well, that’s the way it’s always been done. Mom (or Dad) did it, and her mom (or his Dad) did it, and so on down through the generations.

Remember the story about the bride whose husband caught her cutting off the ends of the roast before putting it in the pan? “Why are you cutting off the ends?” he questioned. “That’s good meat.”

But my mother always cut it off,” she said. “And nobody makes a roast like Mama.”

The husband rolled his eyes, but didn’t push the matter until the next time his mother-in-law came calling. During their visit, he encouraged his wife to question her mother as to what secret lay behind discarding the ends of a roast. The young woman presented the question, to which her mother replied, “I don’t really know. I do it because that’s the way my mother fixed a roast.”

By now, the young husband was beside himself, and insisted on placing a call to his wife’s grandmother. Upon hearing the question, an amused Grandma laughingly admits, “Why, it was the only way to make it fit in my little roasting pan!”

Sounds hilarious, but it’s only one of many such examples. Various stories have made the rounds: turning canned goods upside down and opening from the bottom (tops were dusty when Great Grandmother brought them up from the cellar); cutting two inches off the top of a new broom (Grandma’s broom closet was short); fastening cotton balls onto a new screen door to keep out the flies (Mom stuffed cotton balls into holes in her worn out screen door).

It’s so easy to just roll with the flow. Do things a certain way because it’s the way they’ve always been done, and never question why.

My mother always added a “dollop” of mayonnaise to her mashed potatoes (and they were yummy, I tell you!). I watched her do it all my life. When I got married and started cooking, I automatically added a “dollop” of mayo to my mashed potatoes. It never even occurred to me that not everybody made mashed potatoes with mayonnaise until visitor after visitor commented on it while watching me cook. (By the way, both of my daughter’s now make their mashed potatoes with mayonnaise.)

I also traditionally make potato yeast rolls on holidays, and have been asked many, many times for the recipe, which I’m always happy to provide. My youngest daughter makes them now, as well. Here’s the thing, though. Everyone I give the recipe to later insists that I’m withholding something, because their rolls never turn out quite the same. I have no idea why that is, because I certainly do not withhold anything. My daughter, whose rolls always turn out perfectly, just like mine, says it’s because…drumroll, please! The recipe calls for a cup of lukewarm mashed potatoes, and no one else puts mayonnaise in their potatoes. Ergo, the missing ingredient in those poor ladies’ flat, heavy yeast rolls is that their mashed potato recipe did not include mayonnaise.

I love family traditions like that. Those are the little things that define a family, don’t you think? If all families did everything the same way, it would make for a pretty monotonous world.

What traditions have been passed down through generations in your family?

News Flash!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:52:00 +0000

The theme this month at Creative Writing Forces is traditions and we’re excited about creating our own new “tradition.” We’d like to keep our friends and readers informed of our ongoing activities. It can be a little difficult to stay ahead with blogs, websites, loops and oh yes...writing new stories! So we’ve decided to use one of our monthly posts to update everyone on our current events.

We’ll start with Delia Latham. Our very own Delia has just accepted a new position as an acquiring editor with Inspired Romance Novels. This is what Delia has to say about her new company. “We publish romance only, in a variety of genres and lengths - from Short Novellas (starting at 10,000 words) to Plus Novels (85,000+). We're a fledgling company, established in 2011, but plan to be around for a long time. While our focus is on novels that "inspire love, hope, and healing," and we do insist on sweet/inspirational novels, we do not insist that there be a gospel message, as long as the story is clean. We're also open to material that steps outside the box on the edgy side of inspy, ifa writer can successfully color outside the lines without crossing previously mentioned guidelines. For complete submission policy visit Inspired Romance Novels. You may submit to dlatham@inspiredromancenovels.”

Delia says she is looking forward to working with new authors and their stories. As one who has personally experienced Delia’s expert editing, I can say those authors will be the lucky ones!

For those who are concerned about missing out on Delia’s wonderful stories, you can stop worrying! She has two novels/novellas in the works and has just signed a contract with White Rose Publishing for a short story titled Treehouse. She has no release date for this short story but she’s eagerly looking forward to the release of the Heart’s Haven Collection early in 2013. This collection of romances was written with three other White Rose authors, Marianne Evans, Mary Manners and me, Tanya Stowe. Delia’s offering is called Jewels of the Kingdom and kicks off this wonderful collection of stories about a quirky landlord and his very special cottages.

I’m going to slide into my current events here because they also involve Delia. My biggest news of the month is the revamping of my website. After months of a frustrating search for a theme and colors that captured something of the real me and my writing, I turned to Delia. In a flash she pinpointed a theme I think captures the feel of my stories. I’m so pleased with the work she’s done, I can’t recommend her enough. I’m sure Mary Manners would agree because Delia designed her website and this site! If you are interested in seeing more of Delia’s graphics work, here is the site for Delia's Designs.

We’re in the final stages of completing my site and I can’t wait to show it off. I’ll be posting the announcement and the link on my Facebook page as soon as it goes live. I would really appreciate it if you would “like” my author page on Facebook. Then you’ll be the first to get the announcement and see the unveiling of my new web design. Oh, and the new FB cover page Delia also designed! Tanya Stowe Fan Page

I also have two books in the works. The last one, Tender Trust is Penny and Alex’s story from Tender Touch. My offering for the Heart’s Haven Collection is called Leap of Faith. I have an unscheduled article about adjusting and writing in a foreign country at The Romance Reviews and I’ll be doing a guest blog June 2 at Coffeetime Romance. I’m writing about my favorite author, M.M. Kaye and how thirty years after reading her books, I find myself in the exotic lands she wrote about.

Last but certainly not least is Mary Manners. Miss Mary is in the midst of end-of-the-school-year busy-ness…teacher evaluations, student testing and more evaluations. Mary said she would appreciate any prayers sent up for her as she winds up the year and sends her students off to another grade level. I’m sure Mary is looking forward to the lazy days of summer and mowing her three acres of lawn with her push mower. For those of you who don’t know, Mary plots while she’s mowing. Those of us who are her fans, we’ll be praying for less stress at school and more rain for tall grass!

Stress doesn’t slow our Mary down though! This Friday, May 11 will see the release of a new story, Wounded Faith . As usual, Mary doesn’t back down from the difficult topics and this lovely little story deals with the after effects of an accident caused by a drunk driver.

Love at Lone Creek, book number four in the Lone Creek Ranch series will be released June 1, 2012. Look for more information and updates on this story next month. On The Coming Soon Page you’ll also see information about another release, Tapestry of Trust, but I’m going to just mention it as a teaser. Come back next month for more info on both of these new releases from Mary!

The popularity of Mary’s books has prompted our publisher, Pelican Book Group, to feature another of her upcoming releases in a special fall promotion. Mary’s book, Wisdom Tree and Marianne Evan’s Devotion are available for pre-order at Amazon and Pelican. Pre-orders earn participants the opportunity to win a Nook or a Kindle! Check out the beautiful advertisement on the home page of the Pelican Book Group for details.

For even more insight into the amazing workings of Mary’s mind, read her featured interview at The Booktrailer Showcase. The more I read about Mary, the more I know how fortunate I am to call her a friend.

Well, that’s our news for this month. I’m already looking forward to more updates and the next installment of our new “tradition.”

God Bless!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:26:00 +0000

Traditions

The older I get, the more I reflect on the traditions of my childhood. Not the big things, but those little things that lay nestled in my heart like spoonfuls of warm chicken noodle soup. My mom always made a double-chocolate cake layered with vanilla pudding and chocolate chips for each of my birthdays and my dad’s ode to the Fourth of July was a lighted flare staked in our tiny front yard as my siblings and I cheered and clapped with glee.

I always waited for Dad to come home from work, sitting on the front steps with a scuffed and tattered baseball clutched in my hands. It was his tradition to toss a few pitches to me before going into the house to greet Mom and wash up for dinner. And, on snowy Chicago winter days Dad made it a tradition to help me run my paper route with his beat-up Chevy station wagon. He’d drive through the snow while I bundled the papers and tossed them onto front porches. It was then I soaked in his best advice, “If you’re going to do a job, do it right.”

I’ve carried on some of the traditions of my childhood with my daughter. For example, when Danni turned seven I bought her first two-wheel bike and taught her to ride, same as my parents did for me and each of my siblings on our seventh birthdays. I also make her a lunch for school, as my mom did each and every morning for years. Sometimes I tuck a note inside.

My husband and I have also begun a few of our own family traditions. We love leaving little notes for each other—taped to the car’s steering wheel, tucked beneath a bed pillow, at the dinner table, slipped into a pocket or shoe. The favorite Danni and I share is notes tacked to the bathroom mirror. When she started to drive, I began to leave sticky notes for her each morning. “Have a great day. I love you. Be safe.” She framed the mirror with them, and then one day the notes disappeared. I thought she’d thrown them away, but later cried when I found she’d tucked each one carefully into a shoebox for safekeeping.

I wonder which traditions Danni will fondly remember, and which she'll carry on with her own family. Traditions are the vines that connect memories and lives. What traditions do you share with your family…your friends?

An Inner Renewal

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Spring is my favorite season, hands down. I love watching the Earth renew itself…pushing Old Man Winter back into his hidey-hole and—like some wonderful, secret fairy godmother—dressing the world in a brand new, stunning green frock.

As leaves cloak the formerly bare branches of the trees, and a soft blanket of grass warms the cold ground, my heart takes on a renewal of its own. Watching God redress the world makes me aware that He loves me even more than He loves this planet. He’s willing to make me new and clean every day, to give me new life, new purpose, and a clean slate.

Recycling has become a familiar concept, as concerned people and organizations make an effort to repair the damage we’ve caused on our environment. Realizing there was a problem was the first crucial step in the process…but that recognition becomes useless if we don’t do our part to heal the wounds we’ve cut into the world we live in.

And so it is in my heart and life. God gives me a new heart, a clean life, a renewed purpose. What I do with those showers of blessing is up to me. Have I been truly renewed, enough to maintain the new life He offers? Or will I allow old habits, old sins, old wants and desires, to creep back in and darken the sunshine of new life He has given?

My daily prayer echoes that of David in Psalm 91:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

If I can pray that prayer with a pure heart every morning, and take the refreshment of His answer with me into each new day…surely I can live an entire lifetime in the constant Springtime of heavenly renewal!

Renewal...Pass it On

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:46:00 +0000

Last week I was in Chicago to present a workshop at The Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. I'd been looking forward to the trip for nearly a year for more than just the convention. You see, I grew up in Chicago, and lived there until I turned twenty. I have especially fond memories of my neighborhood, Elmwood Park, mainly because of the wonderful teachers who encouraged and inspired me to write.

I made a trip to my elementary school, once home of Miss Carr, Miss Moreale, and Miss Vestuto. Of course, it's been years (decades, really) since I attended, so the trio remain only in my memory. But the current principal was gracious and happy to spend a little time reminiscing with me.

Miss Moreale, a thin wisp of a woman, was the school librarian. I remember the first story she ever read to me...Sam, Bangs and Moonshine. I fell in love with the book and felt like I had finally found a kindred spirit in the little girl who spent her days making up stories for her mischievous cat while her dad was away fishing. Miss Vestuto, tall and strong, organized special programs, including creative writing groups, and invited me to join. Miss Carr...oh, dear, sweet Miss Carr came to school an hour early each morning to read over the stories I wrote and help me edit them. She was patient and kind-hearted and made me feel like the most important person in the world!

These three women inspired me to write, and are also the reason I became a teacher myself. I am deeply thankful for their kindness and guidance. Visiting Elmwood School once again made me remember where I came from and where I long to go. It renewed my desire to share my stories with others, and to pass along a spirit of renewal and encouragement to the students I teach and the readers I touch. I only pray that I am half as inspiring to others as these three wonderful women have been to me.

Whose life can you touch today? Renewal...pass it on.

Renewal

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

© Elena Elisseeva | Dreamstime.com

My husband and I have known each other since we were eleven years old. We met in the seventh grade, dated through high school off and on, and were married the summer after we graduated. We have been married for thirty-nine years.

Of course, no one wanted us to get married. They said we were too young and too inexperienced. They were right to be concerned. Forty-eight years is a long time to live with someone else’s weaknesses. It’s hard enough to battle your own faults, year in and year out, constantly striving to do better, and to forgive yourself. Forgiving someone else is even more difficult. Each time the same old issue pops up, it wears you down, until it just seems easier to turn around and walk away. Most people do. They divorce or simply turn their back on their marriage and live separate lives because it’s easier.

My husband and I had our share of troubles. We had four children and struggled to raise them on a single income. Our lives were filled with dance, sporting events, my husband’s music ministry and my ‘on the back burner’ writing career. Most of the time we had a thirty minute window in the evening to discuss problems, share information, grab a bite to eat and run out the door to the next event.

When I finally started to work, I would come home, carrying the weight of my job on my shoulders, to find back packs on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink and two teenage boys upstairs bickering and yelling. All I wanted to do was lock their bedroom doors and throw away the key. Most of the time I knew it would be my job to fix everything while my husband ran off to rehearsal. That led to a lot of frustration. But on some days, he would walk in the door and smile at me with his tilted little smile and suddenly, I would feel sixteen again. Young. Refreshed. Renewed.

Our children grew up and brought more people into our lives. Friends. Wives, husbands and then grandchildren. One of the greatest joys of my life has been watching my children parent. It’s a blessed way to see the fruit of all our hard labor come to fruition.

With each new grandchild, my husband and I relived the birth of our own children and experienced the rebirth of our love and commitment to each other. We have eighteen grandchildren now and consider ourselves abundantly blessed. However, with each new child comes new responsibilities, new chores, new problems and our lives, although abundantly blessed, were more complicated than ever.

Then the Lord opened an amazing door. My husband and I were offered an opportunity to simply walk out of our lives. Our home was maintained by one of our sons and his wife. Our children and grandchildren’s lives continued without interruption. But we were able to travel to a foreign country to work and begin a new adventure.

We jumped in with both feet, ready for this experience. But eventually, the new adventure became routine. The dust settled and my husband and I found ourselves alone. We adjusted to a new and foreign country. Our financial problems were resolved. Our children and grandchildren’s day to day struggles were no long our struggles.

We were free for the first time in over thirty years to enjoy each other’s company. And we took advantage of this. But as we spent more time together, we also found things to disagree about. The same forty-year-old issues reared their heads again. But this time, there was nothing and no one to distract us from the old arguments, and the same ugly resentments. It was just us…and God.

We had been married for many years before I found God and we invited him into our marriage. But He’s been there ever since. It was God who carried us through the power struggles that almost destroyed our marriage. God carried our whole family after our granddaughter’s stroke in the womb and subsequent brain damage. He sustained us through our family’s teenage pregnancies, miscarriages, divorces and deaths.

God consistently finds ways to renew us. He brought us to this new situation to show us once again, that prayer is our most powerful “counselor.” We’re coming to new understandings about old issues. I’d say it’s about time we grew up, but God’s much more patient than I am! We’re talking about new topics and laughing at each other’s jokes again. And yes, sometimes when my husband smiles at me with his sweet, tilted smile, I feel sixteen again. Young, refreshed and renewed.

Time Management Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

As a woman who shares time as a wife, mother, teacher and author, I am well-versed in the importance and benefits of time management. How many of us have wished for just one more hour in the day? Well, if you were granted that hour, what would you do with it? It sure is something to ponder.

Over the past several years, I've uncovered and honed a few writing strategies (on the business/marketing side) that work for me. Maybe they will work for you, as well:

1. Make a list: I make a list each evening for the following day, jotting down things I need to do. This way my mind is clear when I go to sleep (fertile for dreaming up new characters and plot lines). Using a list also gives me a sense of accomplishment as I mark off each item.

2. Keep a calendar: I map out tasks by day, week, month and year. This includes writing deadlines, release dates, promotional commitments and marketing opportunities, blog posts, speaking engagements, etc. Keeping a calendar also creates a record of my writing time and activities for tax purposes.

3. Create folders: This includes both virtual and hard copies. I separated my emails into folders for ads and invoices, submissions, supplies purchased, newsletters, etc. I also keep a hard copy of everything submission or tax-related, in separate folders. I have learned that it takes less time to be organized than it does to hunt for something I need and can't find.

This is just a short list of some of the writing-related strategies that have helped me. Now, I'd love to here some of your strategies.

The "Write Direction" -- A Guest Blog by Dora Hiers

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:00:00 +0000

© Jossdim | Dreamstime.com

Are Your Scales Tipped in the “Write” Direction?

“Bye, sweetie. Be careful driving back.” I plant a kiss on my youngest son’s cheek through the open car window, the smell of freshly washed clothes drifting my way.

He rolls those twenty-year-old eyes. “Mom, you don’t need to remind me. I’m a big boy.”

“Not too big to let your mom do your laundry.” Smiling, I watch him drive away, headed back to his dorm, then race to my desk.

With a quiet house and the scene that had eluded me all week finally fleshed out, my fingers blaze across the keyboard…

"Honey, if you’re looking for that kind of action, you’ve got the wrong room."

"What?" McKinley gasped. She knew that voice, that rich timbre with just a hint of teasing. Always teasing, forever flirting.

Renner Crossman.

Oh, no! What kind of twisted sense of humor did James suffer from? She didn’t want to see Renner. She only wanted to know that he was in the hotel.

McKinley tilted her head back, inching her line of vision up to Renner’s face. Just to be sure. A lot could change after ten years. Look at her. She was a prime example.

She heard his deep intake of breath. Shock? Yeah, well, she could relate.

"Kinny?"

Ten years faded into yesterday. Those espresso-colored eyes still gleamed with mischief. Or was it something else? Maybe he hadn’t changed that much.

His hands tightened around her arms, pulling her against him. She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest.

Renner.

His heart thumped a tune with hers. His breath whispered against her hair. And the scent of his aftershave was like a dear friend. She sighed.

What was it about him that latched on to her innermost dreams and desires and wouldn’t let go? His grin? His have-no-cares-in-the-world style against her organized, have-to-know-everything-beforehand outlook?

He looped his arms around her back and pressed his forehead to hers, just like he used to do. When he’d made her feel loved and cherished. Protected. Special.

A clamp tightened around her stomach, cut off air, and she almost tossed the cookies she’d scarfed down in place of dinner. Gag.

Special.

Yeah, right. More like used and abused. Thrown away with the trash.

She wasn’t safe in here, either. She braced her hands against his chest and jerked a step back, telling her brain to reject his familiar, comforting scent. She would take her chances in the hall.

The ringing of a cell phone rips me from the scene. My fingers still as I stare at my oldest son’s smiling face.

Not now, John.

But I knew better. If I didn’t answer my cell, the house phone would ring next. I glance at the time. Four o’clock. “Hey, John.”

“Hi Mom. Are you busy?”

“Yes.”

“Doing what?”

I shake my head. Does he think a book writes itself? “Writing.”

“Can you pick up Mason from daycare? I’m working overtime.”

He’s working overtime. What about me? I need to answer blog interviews, design blog posts, answer readers, write long-past due reviews, catch up on social networking. And I need to finish this scene while it’s still fresh in my head.

I glance at my grandson’s picture. A smile tugs at my lips.

“That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Eccl 3:13 NIV)

And what a gift!

A job that I enjoy and the flexibility to make time for my family when they need me. How could I complain?

Work or play? Today that’s a no-brainer.

What about you? Which direction are your scales tipped?

About Dora Hiers:

After a successful auditing career, Dora left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. When her youngest son didn’t want her hanging out at school with him anymore, Dora started writing heart racing, God-gracing books. Dora belongs to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Carolina Christian Writers. Dora and her husband make their home in North Carolina. When she’s not writing, Dora enjoys reading and family gatherings. She despises traffic, technological meltdowns, and a sad ending to a book. Her books always end with happily-ever-after’s.

Her newest release, Journey's Edge, releases through White Rose Publishing on March 30th.

Dora Hiers

The Thing About Time

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:30:00 +0000

“How did it get so late so soon?” ― Dr. Seuss

(Couldn't resist using this quote, in honor of his birthday today...)

Time flies. OK, so it's a cliché, but it's a true cliché. Time has wings, and it uses them to full capacity. A day is gone almost before it's started. Kids are grown before parents realize they're not kids anymore. One day you're sixteen, the next you're sixty. (That scripture about life being a vapor? True stuff, people!)

In this age of hurry, hurry, hurry and go, go, go, "time management" has become the phrase of the hour. So let's talk about managing time.

Since I'm the one writing this little dissertation, here's my two cents on the subject: It can't be done.

Now before you shoot me for a pessimist, listen up.

Time is what it is. It goes by at the same speed it always has…sixty seconds in every minute…sixty minutes every hour…and on and on the story goes. The problem is that we as a society have become too busy to fit everything into the slot of time allotted. There simply aren't enough hours in the day. (Sorry, I can't seem to help myself. Clichés are really working for me right now…)

So what's the solution? Well, time is never going to change. What can be changed is the way we handle it. See how this works? We have to do the changing. There are exactly the number of hours in the day that God intended, so that's enough…to do what must be and should be done. No more.

It's actually a simple matter of being realistic. Trying to fit twenty-six one-hour projects into a twenty-four-hour day simply won't work, friends. Do the math.

All the hoopla about time management boils down to accepting your limitations, and learning when to say "no more." And it's important to do that before your schedule reaches the point of combustion.

In all truth, it's a matter of priorities.

Sleep has to happen, so if you give yourself the eight hours you need, you really only have sixteen available hours in a day. Eating is also not optional, so take away another couple of hours, and you have fourteen left to work with.

Now here's one of the key elements to time management: DO NOT FILL UP EVERY MOMENT. Down time is important. Family time is crucial. Slide those things into your calendar FIRST, and work the rest of the world around them.

Will it be difficult? Yep. But only until you make it a habit. Once you do, and prove to yourself that you can accomplish everything you really have to accomplish in the eight to ten hours at your disposal, it'll get easier. You'll learn to love your new life, and wonder what ever made you think you had to perfect the whole world in a single day. Even God needed six days to do that…and even God allowed Himself time to rest.

What makes us think we can do any better than that?

Question: What is your tried-and-true trick to manage your time (yourself!) most effectively?

Humor Crafting

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0000

I’ve always believed that there are two kinds of writers, story crafters and word crafters. I’m a story crafter and I can spin a great yarn but I have to work really hard at making the words sound right. Word crafters can make the words sing, but sometimes have to work at getting their stories just right. Of course, there are exceptions and some people are great at both, but for the most part, writers fall into one or the other category. The bulk of our training as writers is spent making our weak side stronger.

Our conversations this month about humor made me question if writing humor fell into the same two-sided mold. I’m not a funny person and I don’t write humorous stories. My humor, when I write it, comes out as dry wit, sometimes so dry it disappears! So I had to wonder, can you learn to write humor like you learn to craft words or stories? Or are you just gifted with a humor muse?

I asked my friend Charlotte Carter if she thought humor can be learned. Charlotte just made her 58^th book sale. She’s written for multiple publishers over the years in many genres. Charlotte is a funny person, witty and always willing to laugh at herself. Her humor translates into her writing and she says that there is some level of humor in all of her books.

“Granted humor may be harder to write than angst, but I believe everyone can learn to use the tools of humor just as we authors learn to communicate other emotions. If you start off with a 'fish out of water' story, a character with a comic perspective on life or a bizarre circumstance, smiles and chuckles are bound to follow. Humor comes from a sense of reality that is exaggerated and distorted. Humor begins with "What if..."

Charlotte points out that “When there are kids involved, there's usually humor. I had one heroine who was a beautician by trade; everyone she met she described their hair. I had a Mrs. Doubtfire meets the Amish; a mermaid who needed to get pregnant by a human male (fish out of water?). I wrote a Shadows with an ugly green mist that sucked the innards out of folks, particularly the dead bodies who ended up in the mortuary where the mist lived. I chortled all the way through that one; don't know if the readers did.”

I’m ‘chortling’ reading her comments, so I’m certain the readers enjoyed the green mist book. It’s plain that Charlotte’s personal sense of humor translates into her writing but she feels it can be learned. The best book she has read on writing humor is The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus.

Charlotte is also teaching a class at the RWA National conference in July titled “Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Scream, Make ‘em Laugh. Charlotte says that her role model for writing humor is Susan Elizabeth Philips and she’s just glad the editors let her play.

Dorothy Howell, writing as Judith Stacy, has done more than twelve books for Harlequin Historical. Her heroines are always spunky and find themselves in those ‘fish out of water’ situations Charlotte mentioned. Dorothy also writes the hilarious Haley Randolph mystery series where fashionista Haley meets murder and mayhem. Her next book, Tote Bags and Toe Tags is due out in June…and I don’t think with a title like that I need to say any more about Dorothy’s humor!

However, I can say that in person, Dorothy is a warm, quiet, sometimes shy person. You would never believe she’s the creator of the snarky Haley. But with over one million books in print, it’s obvious Dorothy can tickle anyone’s funny bone. Dorothy had these tips for anyone attempting to write humor.

“Trust your instincts about what is funny but be cautious about offending readers. Also, if you're not laughing at your own humor don't expect anyone else to.”

Well, that answers my question. If my dry wit is so dry it disappears, I think I’ll be writing more angst. But maybe if I take Charlotte’s class….

Are you laughing at your own humor or are you headed out to find the book? Tell us what you think!

Humor: A Survival Tactic

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Humor is a funny thing. OK, I admit it, pun intended.

Kinda like Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream, it comes in 31 flavors. Some like one taste, some like another. And some don't like ice cream (or humor!) at all.

Just my opinion, of course, but those are people to be pitied – in both cases.

A sense of humor is often all that keeps me pluggin' along. God has one too, you know—one needs only to look around at the world and the people He created to see it. I won't explore that thought too deeply… I'm sure you all have your own interpretation.

As long ago as Bible times, humor has been recognized as a healer. Consider Proverbs 17:22, which states, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Ever wondered about the origin of the phrase, "Laughter is the best medicine"?)

God knew that humor would sustain us through the tough times. That's why everyone has one…some people just refuse to bring theirs into play. You'll recognize those people by the early wrinkles and the sour expressions on their faces, by their dark outlooks on life, and by their complete lack of happiness.

Henry Ward Beecher said it well: “A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.” The ability to laugh cushions the ride and makes the bumpy road bearable.

Bill Cosby, the King of Humor, values that quality highly. “You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.”

Definitely part of humanity's survival kit. You gotta love it! :)

I often wish I were a funnier person. As a reader, I love books whose characters make me laugh. As a writer, I'd love to do that for my readers. Once in a blue moon, I think I do, but I certainly don't consider myself a humor writer.

Some writers I've read whose humor elicited big smiles or even belly laughs are:

Cathy Marie Hake
Mary Conneally
Debra Ullrick
Stephen King (Sorry…I know he doesn't fit in the inspirational niche, but his sense of humor is phenomenal. Even in the middle of the most gruesome, horrific scenes, he often inserts humorous dialogue or situational comedy. It makes the unbearable bearable.)

That little list is just off the top of my head…I didn't give it a lot of thought. And that's the point. I remember those authors because they made me laugh—and offered interesting storylines, as well as excellent writing.

Let's talk about that. Does humor in your reading material matter to you? Which books/authors do you appreciate for their ability to include great humor?

A Song for the Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Laughter is a song for the soul and glue to a marriage.

My husband and I laugh often. We laugh at ourselves and at each other--over big things, small things, and everything in between. When the going gets tough...we laugh!

There was the time I attempted to get into the hammock my husband had slung a bit too high between two oak trees in our backyard. After several failed tries to hoist myself up and in beside him, I flipped us both into the dirt. So much for a relaxing nap beneath the cool shade of the tree's leaf-laden branches. I quickly reminded him that's why I stick to running--less danger of maiming a teammate. He countered by lowering the hammock and placing a step-stool beside it.

The hardest I've ever laughed was the time my husband and I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. As we waited in line to pay our bill, he bent down to peruse a candy display. Suddenly...rriiippppp! There went his pants. I was OK until he turned his back to me an, glancing over his shoulder, asked, "Is it bad?" The baby-blue boxers peeking through a gaping hole in his khakis had me howling. Needless to say, he skipped the candy.

Of course, I've had more than my fair share of laughable moments. My husband says I'm the Three Stooges all rolled into one--constant supervision required. Most of the time, I have to agree!

What tickles your funnybone and gets your laughter rolling? We'd love to hear your stories!

New Things

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:50:00 +0000

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Becoming a new creature in Christ (a whole new you!) certainly outdoes any other "new" thing life might present. I offer no argument.

In the world of the mundane, however, nothing else beats the satisfaction and excitement—whether quiet or boisterous—of getting something new. A new baby tops the charts, with a new house or car coming in a close second. And isn't it exciting to see those first new shoots of life emerging from the ground when Springtime rolls around after a long, hard Winter?

But it doesn't have to be something momentous…a new book will suffice. A pretty top, right off the J.C. Penney's rack, that screams "you" in every stitch. A spankin' new throw pillow to brighten your living room.

Anything new brightens our days and brings joy into our lives.

Sometimes it's not even in the getting of something new, but in a fresh discovery. I love finding great authors that are new to me. When I read my first Mary DeMuth book, I was overjoyed, despite the less-than-joyful subject matter of Daisy Chain. Mary's book spoke to me. Something in her writing called my name, drew me in and made me a part of the story. Oh, what abundant satisfaction! Seriously, how many times in life do we find an author whose writing does that?

It also elicited a new discovery in myself: That's how I want readers to feel about my books!

I've shared one of mine (although I discovered Mary a few years ago). Here's another: E.A. West's novella, The Key to Charlotte, rocked my world. I loved her voice and the natural, seemingly effortless way in which she presented the difficult topic of autism. I will absolutely be reading more of this author's work. She's new to me, and "discovering" her has added joy and inspiration to my life.

I've actually found pleasant surprises between the pages of several White Rose Publishing books. May I suggest my co-bloggers here on CWF, Tanya Stowe and Mary Manners? Also, Marianne Evans' books are aways a joy to read—grab her novella, A Face in the Clouds, for a test read. Check out Clare Revell by reading Time's Arrow or Cassie's Wedding Dress.

Who is the latest author you've "found" that speaks to your soul? What book have you read that made you want to run right out and find more by that author, and what was it about that book that elicited such a reaction in you?

Let's talk!

Note: Since we had so little response to the call for favorite books, we've decided against the poll at this time. Be sure to tell all your friends about CWF!

A New Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:33:00 +0000

New things can be really wonderful and fun. One new thing for me this year is a Kindle Fire…a Christmas gift from my husband. Yes, I’ve finally entered the digital age (a big thing for me, as I LOVE the feel of paper in my hands). But, what fun it’s been to explore new books!

After registering my Kindle, I went directly to the Amazon Kindle store to search for free books. There, I found Jenna’s Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater. It’s a full-length romance, and absolutely free. I’m not finished reading it yet, but so far it’s been added to my growing list of favorites.

As an author, I’m often asked which books and/or authors have influenced me the most. Some of my all-time favorites include The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks (I cry every time), anything by Beverly Lewis, including her hit Rose Trilogy, and Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury.

This year, with my new Kindle, I plan to seek out new authors, as well as the tried and true. Affordable digital prices make amassing a huge library easy.

And, as an aside, my daughter received a Nook. I’ll keep you posted on the Battle of the E-Readers!

Let us know what your favorite books of 2012 (or all-time) are. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Reader's Poll for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a safe and fun beginning to 2012. Here at Creative Writing Forces we’re looking forward to a great year of posts on everything writing…from new ventures to motivation. Can’t wait to get started, but we felt we couldn’t really begin the New Year without a tribute to the old. There are some odds and ends we needed to tackle…like what our favorite book of 2011 just might be!

As you know, at the beginning of every month, we post the top five Inspirational books listed on Amazon. Now for everyone’s information, ours included, Amazon’s rankings change every hour! There’s no way we could change the listing that much, so just be aware that our posting is relative only to the hour during first of the month when we check! As soon as we log off, it could be different.

We post those listings to let our readers know what books are popular and who’s reading what. We hope it will encourage our readers to try a new author, to let them know their favorite author is climbing the lists with their latest release or that a beloved older book is just as popular as ever. In short, we just want to generate talk about books!

With that in mind, we’d like to spend the month of January talking about our favorite Inspirational books of 2011…and we’d like to know your favorites! For the first two weeks, we would like you to comment. Let us know the name of your favorite Inspirational book for 2011 and why you liked it.

January 16, the nominations will close and on January 20, Delia will post with a voting poll. The voting will end on January 23 and Mary will post the books that rose to the top of the poll. Even if you miss the deadline and aren’t able to nominate your favorite book, please comment and tell us about it. At least we’ll get to ‘talk it up.’

There are no grand prizes, no real winners, just some good ‘buzz’ about books we loved. It will be fun, busy and hopefully, we’ll all come away with a reading list to tackle before we really jump into 2012 and all the great books waiting to be released!

I’m a lot like Amazon. I can never pick a favorite book. Most of the time, my favorite book is the one I just read and it changes every time I pick up a new one. But I do tend to look for unusual story lines, memorable characters or stand-out points.

Having said that, there are two books I just have to mention. The first is “The Covering” by Dana Pratola. It’s a great book for many reasons. Dana’s writing style is engaging and pulls you right in, but she shows that writing sensual doesn’t have to be sinful or sexual. She also tackles spiritual warfare and shows that Christians not only do battle spiritually, but they do win. We need to see more of that! I have to give Dana kudos for tackling two tough subjects.

The next book I’d like to nominate is The Purple Knot by Raquel Byrnes. This one is a real genre-bender! Raquel skillfully melded a mystery/detective story with the heart-rending faith challenges of an Inspirational. She paved the way for grittier stories of real life Christian faith walks and still managed to give us a Happy Every After! Her details about the life of a private detective and today’s drug market were informative and thought provoking… and gave me something new to add to my prayer list!

I read many other wonderful books that I loved and don’t have the space to mention but these two books stood out in my mind because they pushed the boundaries of the genre. I would love nothing more than to see Inspirational books crossing over and sending a positive message where it needs to be heard most.

How about you? What was your favorite read of 2011?