Creative Writing Forces

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?

Christmas Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:19:00 +0000

When the subject of Christmas gifts comes up, most people think of packages wrapped in colorful paper and shimmery bows, sitting under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be opened.

When I think of Christmas gifts, I think of my dad, who passed away ten years ago this holiday season. He was a man of many gifts, including the joy he shared for the traditions of Christmas.

Dad loved light—especially the light that brightened a fresh-cut pine tree in honor of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each December first, like clockwork, Dad piled his family—all seven of us—into our Chevy station wagon and drove us to the tree lot where, shivering in the Chicago-winter cold, we oohed and aahed over each and every tree until we found the perfect one.

Once home, with the tree safely arranged in a metal stand and watered, Dad climbed the ladder to our attic (a mysterious place, indeed) where the Christmas lights were stored. He’d lower the battered cardboard box (re-used, season after season) to the floor below and dust it off.

Then my brother and sisters—five of us—gathered ’round him in the living room and waited, eyes huge with wonder, as he carefully unraveled the strands of lights and tested each one. No matter how stubborn the bulbs, dad always managed to get them working.

Beautiful, vibrant colors turned the room to a kaleidoscope, dancing over walls and windows with the feel of winter magic. One by one, my siblings and I each took the place of honor beside Dad, helping him to adorn the tree with light. Pine sap clung to our tiny fingers, but we didn’t care. All the while, our hearts soared with happiness and child-like wonder.

Finally, Dad gently gathered the Christmas star from the box. Hushed with awe, we waited while Dad chose one of us to hoist to his shoulders for the greatest thrill—placing the treasured beacon of light—the Baby Jesus Star—atop the highest limb. Somehow, Dad always sensed who needed that extra touch of attention, and there was never any argument.

With the lights in place (just in time for nightfall—always) we circled the tree and held hands to sing Silent Night. In the earliest years, the tune didn’t always carry and the words were sometimes off, but Dad didn’t mind. He knew we understood what the tree—and especially the lights—symbolized…the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The most wonderful gift of all!

The Most Precious Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Courtesy of www.jsmagic.net

Delia said it most perfectly in her post last week. Gift giving is about making a connection. That has never been more clear to me than this year as my husband and I celebrate our first Christmas without our children and grandchildren.

We have a large family. I have eighteen grandchildren and counting. My husband and I love to give our grandchildren something special for Christmas. In our family, special doesn’t mean expensive. It means unique. Personal. Gifts that take preparation and planning.

Recently, finding unique or special gifts for everyone has seemed overwhelming. More like a chore than a blessing. This year, because we just moved, we had no time to shop, plan or ship. We decided to send our family money so they can buy large family presents rather than small individual gifts. Simple and stress free. It seemed like a perfect solution…at least I thought so when we came up with the idea a few weeks ago.

But as Christmas approaches, I have to constantly remind myself that it’s the season. I have a small tree, a collection of adorable Santas and carols on my MP3 player. But still, the feeling is not there. I’m not thinking of gifts, planning them, storing, wrapping or anticipating my grandchildren’s faces when they open them. I’m not investing the time and the connection simply is not there.

I should have known better. I’ve been given the best example. The birth of Jesus Christ took more planning than I can comprehend.

He arrived to a young couple, in a strange and lonely place. Born in a manger, surrounded by animals with only shepherds to greet Him. A brilliant star announced His birth. For those who would hear, angels sang and far away, a frightened leader plotted to end the babe’s life.

Every element of that night creates an image, evokes an emotion. Tenderness, joy, wonder and even a little fear. We feel the emotions and with each intimate detail we make a connection with our Creator. We see how much He planned for us and how much we are loved. It is the most precious gift of all.

Hopefully, I won’t forget that lesson next year.

Peace On Earth and Goodwill To All Men,

Gift Giving: A Gift to Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:30:00 +0000

'Tis "the season"…

It's only appropriate that we talk about gift giving in December. And we will...that's our theme for the month.

Without being philosophical or looking up definitions of too-familiar words…without preaching the same old "it's more blessed to give than to receive" (because we all know that, don't we?)...I want to simply share my heart and my own opinion.

Here's the way I look at it: There are presents…and then there are GIFTS.

I uppercased the word "gifts" on purpose, because a real gift is a BIG THING. It's memorable, beautiful, touching…it means something.

You think I'm rambling. I'm not.

It's easy to run out to the store and buy something pretty, or useful, or that we know someone needs at a particular time. No problem to toss it in a box, wrap pretty paper around it and top it off with a colorful bow.

It's a wonderful thing to do, and I am in no way attempting to downplay giving or receiving beautifully wrapped presents. It's always nice to be the recipient (or better yet, the giver!) of a nice present like that. There's something special about receiving something so beautifully wrapped that you hate to tear into it and destroy the packaging.

A gift, on the other hand, most often doesn't come wrapped at all.

It's a daughter making time to spend the day with her mother…the gift of time. A son helping Dad clean out the garage or whip the yard into shape…a labor of love. It's inviting that shivering young homeless couple you see on the street into Taco Bell for a hot meal…the gift of kindness and caring.

I could come up with dozens of examples, but you get the picture. Giving of oneself. That's a GIFT. An unforgettable, beautiful, priceless contribution of selfless giving.

It's no secret that American economy is at its historical worst. Families are struggling to stay afloat—meaning they want to pay their bills and put food on the table. Sometimes it's impossible to do both.

And yet, with Christmas right around the corner, those same families will put themselves further into debt to place beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. When the new year arrives, they'll struggle even harder than they did this year to survive, because their monthly payments will have grown exponentially.

Why?

Those gorgeous presents, while they will no doubt be appreciated at the moment of receipt, will be forgotten in a few weeks or months.

But a gift would be remembered always, and in most cases, would cost nothing more than a little time and effort.

Over thirty years ago, my sister-in-law and young nephew found a way into my house while I was out somewhere during the last month of my first pregnancy. I was big and uncomfortable, had been sick the entire nine months, and was sweltering through horrible summer heat. In short, I was beyond miserable.

I arrived home to a house that had been spit-shined and smelled of lemon and Pine-sol. On the table was a little note, saying, "We love you! JoAnn and Melvin."

You can't put a price tag on something like that…even now, thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. It was a gift in the true sense of the word, and I'll never forget it.

This year, we've decided to scratch the whole "presents under the tree" scenario (except for a couple of inexpensive little things for the very young members of our family). We're making Christmas about all of us being together—my husband and I, all of our children and grandchildren—and having a wonderful dinner and lots of love and laughter. I plan to babysit my grandchildren for a few days and give their parents some time to themselves. That'll be my "gift" to them. Each of them are planning a similar kind of "gift" for each other.

I have a feeling this experiment will give us a Christmas to remember—in the best sense of the word.

Of course, we will also remember that the greatest Gift of all came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. He is still the reason for the season...and still the Greatest Gift!

What about you? What's the best "gift" you ever gave or received? Let's talk about it!

Thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:51:00 +0000

As many of you may know, my husband and I recently moved to the Middle East to live and work for two years. The country where we live is very open. The leadership is concerned for the welfare of its people and the community is hospitable and kind. We are very fortunate to be in this place.

We are located in a true melting pot of cultures. Just in the short time since our move, I’ve met people from Sweden, Denmark, France, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Slovakia, the Philippines and Britain. I’ve talked to them about the differences in our countries and that opportunity has given me many reasons to count my blessings.

Every day I’m thankful that I come from a country where:

Help is available for the poor, the challenged, the sick or widowed.
Decent medical care is available…not affordable. Available.
Young men don’t have to leave the country to work and find wives because baby girls are aborted at three times the rate of baby boys.
All of my grandchildren will have the opportunity to better themselves through a college education - not just the ones the government deems smart enough to attend.
Access to information, news and opinions is not restricted or blocked because of government policies.
Racial and cultural bigotry is considered wrong and in most cases is even illegal.
We, the people, determine the course of our future through our votes.
My vote counts as much as my husband’s.
But most of all I’m thankful that my country was founded on the Christian values of love, hope and charity. I’m thankful that, as challenged and far from its roots as it may be, my country still affords me the right, the freedom and the obligation to stand up for those values.

This holiday season, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s also remember to be thankful for all those, then and now, who sacrificed to make their dreams of freedom our reality.

Thanks to Dreamstime.com for the photos used to create the collage above:

http://www.dreamstime.com/free-stock-photography-stars-and-stripes-rimagefree5433695-resi1032333

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-statue-of-liberty-rimagefree2647931-resi1032333

Blessings from the Top of the Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:03:00 +0000

Photo credit: GypsySoulMama

Proverbs 10:6 - Blessings are upon the head of the just…

It was a humdinger of a windstorm—unusually rough for California. Not anything approaching tornado severity, but enough to knock down a few trees, tear off a bunch of roof tiles and stir up some pretty nasty allergies.

Given my husband’s severe lung problems, winds have become something to dread. They often blow in a ton of allergens, bringing on a week or so of severe discomfort for him. Needless to say, we were more than a bit unhappy about the storm.

A couple of days later, however, hubbyy's Aunt Vera dropped by our place, her arms piled high with three plastic grocery bags. All of them were stuffed full of pecans from her trees.

“They were all over my yard, after that wind the other night,” she announced. “I had to do something with them, and I know how Johnny loves pecan pies.”

All of the nuts within her reach had been harvested prior to the storm. These nuts came from the upper branches, the ones she couldn’t get to. “I guess they would have stayed up there until they rotted without that storm,” she said, with a wry little shake of her head.

After Aunt Vera left, I looked at those three bags of snacking nuts—three pieces of plastic stuffed full of potential pies and other delectable desserts—and I saw them differently. They were the fruits of the storm…blessings from the top of the tree.

Good things beyond our reach. But God has a way of shaking them loose and raining them down all around us!

Now I try to look at the storms of life through less jaded eyes, as well. During the blizzard, it’s hard to see anything but toppled trees and destruction to property. It’s difficult to look past the blowing garbage and allergic reactions.

While the wind blows, it’s almost impossible to remember that after the storm, God always sends a rainbow. After the winds, we reap the sweet-smelling, clean air and sunshine.
After He tries us, He showers us with good things… things that were previously out of our grasp.

We must learn to hold on and just survive the storm. When it’s over, we get the blessings from the top of the tree.

Oh, God, how many times have You blessed me and I failed to recognize the blessing? Please forgive me of my blindness, and open my eyes to Your wondrous gifts! I want to see You…not only in the blessings that come later, but in the storm itself. Please open my spiritual eyes to the things I should be seeing. And Lord, thank You for all those blessings you rain down on me from the top of the tree!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Manners) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:30:00 +0000

Sometimes I’m so caught up in the day-to-day bustle of life that I forget how very blessed I am. The holiday season is a time to reflect…and hopefully take a moment to slow down long enough to draw a breath, step back, and count the many blessings that fill my life.

I’m thankful for a loving husband—a man with whom a share a real-life romance filled with love and laughter, adventure and fun (I tell my husband he’s cheap entertainment). Tim supports and encourages my passion for sharing the written word. I’m so thankful God brought him into my life.

I’m thankful for my daughter, Danni, who has grown into a beautiful young woman. Danni illuminates my life with her loving, generous spirit. She’s friend to everyone, and has a special place in her heart for the elderly and the hurting. She is truly a blessing to me.

My friends, especially my precious writing friends, are a reason to give thanks. These wonderful people completely understand when I mention the ‘voices’ that speak to me while I’m writing. I love them dearly.

But, most of all, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, who has given all of this and more to me. What an amazing blessing to know His love and grace are never-ending.

So, as this holiday season begins, I wish you blessings and peace, dear friends. May you take a moment to draw a breath, step back, and count the many blessings that fill your life.

Changing Colors: Kaleidoscope

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Children's toys have become so sophisticated. Today's child would be bored senseless with the ones I played with as a little girl.

I remember being utterly fascinated with a cheap cardboard kaleidoscope my Daddy bought with a couple of hard-earned coins. It was fantastic! Such a miscellany of colors, all coming together like minute shards of sparkly glass to create intricate shapes and patterns. Peering with one eye into the smaller end, I could turn a little fitting on the other end and see a stunning design of vivid blues and royal purples. If I twisted the tip the other direction, the colors changed…coalesced…melded together to form a gorgeous, light-filled pattern of bright greens, sunny yellows, and splashy oranges.

All those changing colors and patterns felt a little like magic to me. How else could a cheap toy produce so many new and beautiful results?

I always think about my treasured kaleidoscope during the fall, when the world changes colors around me. Vibrant greens become yellow or orange—sometimes even a beautiful deep purple—before turning brown and drifting to the ground. The rolling hills in this area of Oklahoma take my breath away with the all the different shades of green during the Spring and Summer. Then Autumn arrives, and it's as if Someone spins the adjustment wheel on a gigantic kaleidoscope, turning the green landscape to orange, red, yellow, brown…and that rare but beautiful shade of purple that will be always be my favorite.

As I watch the colorful change of seasons in the Fall landscape, I'm reminded of the panoply of moods and emotions…likes and dislikes…actions and reactions that make up a life. Each tiny turn of the wheel changes the pattern and recolors the scene.

Sometimes the turning of the wheel—the process of change—is not pleasant. I could be perfectly happy with the status quo. (Trust me on this—change is not my favorite thing!) But God knows I need to move on to the next phase (color) of my life. I need to experience something greater, learn something new, become someone more beautiful and complete in Him. If I yield gracefully to the pressure of the turning wheel, the end result will be breathtaking and wonderful.

Wherever you are in the seasons of your life, never forget that God knows exactly what He's doing. He never turns the wheel too far, and always handles it gently and with the utmost love, to create the best YOU you can be.

What do see on the other end of your cardboard kaleidoscope? Are the prisms of color coming together to form a stunning picture…or are you in that in-between phase where the colors don't quite make a cohesive shape? What helps you get through the sometimes-painful process of change?

Delia Latham

The Colors of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:09:00 +0000

Welcome to Creative Writing Forces, and the third week in October. As you know, this month’s theme is Changing Colors and I’d Like to share The colors of Life…

Life is like the changing colors of trees that line a sun-kissed horizon. Throughout our daily walk, we go through phases of bloom and loss, fullness and barrenness, vibrancy and brittle dullness, just as trees do. Through each phase, the roots of the trees remain strong and steadfast, like the roots of our faith and the promise of our Father’s unending love. No storm can conquer, no season destroy what God has put into place.

How does inspirational romance fit into the colors of our lives? Well, a good Christian romance is filled with a message that inspires hope and strengthens faith. For a brief time, the reader is transported to a place where, although the characters may not be perfect (is anyone…really?) they manage to find their way together. Love and faith shine like beacons, reminding readers there is always hope and a future for us—even during the driest, most colorless season, when all appears dull and lifeless.

I truly believe the colors of life are ever-changing to keep us aware and appreciative of God’s many precious gifts, given to each and every one of us. Romance is one of these gifts…a gift to be savored.

What do you think of the colors of life, and what season are you in? What inspirational romance has given you a bushel of hope? Please share your thoughts with us!

Remember, to celebrate our first month here at Creative Writing Forces we’re offering three great prizes. Those who comment on our posts will be entered into a drawing. There will be one lucky winner for each post this month, and this week’s prize is a $10 gift card to White Rose Publishing, home of your host bloggers…Delia Latham, Tanya Stowe, and me—Mary Manners. So we hope to find you here…enjoying the colors of life.

Mary Manners

Changing Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the first post of the new Creative Writing Forces…where we talk about all things writing. We hope you like our new look. We love it and want to give a big thank you to our designer, our own Delia Latham!

With our new look comes a different format and I’m sure you’ve noticed our biggest new feature, a listing of Amazon’s top five, best-selling Inspirational romances. We’re excited about this monthly offering. It’s the brain child of Mary Manners and we’re looking forward to some great posts about the best romances the Inspy genre has to offer.

We plan to post three times a month, once for each author. Look for our posts on Friday’s. We figure it’s a great way to end the week! Each month we’ll have a specific theme. For the month of October the theme is Changing Colors and I’m sure you’ll enjoy what we have to say on that topic.

To celebrate our first month, we’re offering three great prizes. Those who comment on the posts will be entered into a drawing. There will be one lucky winner for each post this month. We expect to have some lively exchanges and hope you all will take part! The first prize will be a copy of Redeeming Love. If you enter and win, it will be your opportunity to own this classic on the list.

The first place best seller this week is Karen Kingsbury’s Just Beyond the Clouds. No surprise here, Karen is one of the reigning queens of Inspirational fiction. First published in 2007, Just Beyond the Clouds continues to be one of Amazon’s best sellers. It’s the second in the Cody Gunner series, a sequel to A Thousand Tomorrows.

In second place on the best seller list is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, another all-time classic. For me, this book changed the face of Inspirational fiction. When it first released in 1991, I was just starting out and working for Affaire de Coeur magazine at a conference. I didn’t know anything about Francine or her work but everyone at the magazine was very excited about her return to writing. After becoming a Christian, she’d taken a break and everyone was eagerly awaiting her new book, Redeeming Love. No one was disappointed. It was gut-wrenching, true to the heart and full of redemptive love.

That’s something many of you may already know. But as I understand it, Redeeming Love was later edited to better suit the Christian market and re-released. Some scenes, mostly gritty scenes and love scenes were taken out.

I have some feelings about that. I am not questioning the decision-making process of Francine and her editors. They know her book best and I’m sure they made the right decision. I just know that for me, Redeeming Love was a groundbreaking book and one that made me take a second look at the Christian market. We all want books that edify our Lord, but there is no hole dark or deep enough that He can’t reach. I think as writers, sometimes we have an obligation to showcase those pits of despair and point our readers in the direction of healing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to escape! There is nothing like sinking into a Mary Manners story where she involves all of your senses whether it’s the sweet smells coming from a bakery or the visual of the scuffed shoes and worn jeans of her hero. And there is nothing like a Delia Latham story where you literally feel God’s arms around you in a great big hug from beginning to end. I just think there’s room in the genre for some stories with a little more dirt and grit. After all, the darker the despair the greater His glory in the end.

So what do you think? Do you like your inspirational reading completely sweet or would you like to see more stories with an edgy feel? Post a comment and tell us how you feel.

Welcome Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Creative Writing Forces where we talk about all things writing! I’m sorry it’s been such a long time between posts but I think the wait will be worth it. We have a new look and some changes I’ll think you’ll appreciate.

First off, I invited two of my fellow White Rose Publishing authors, Mary Manners and Delia Latham, to contribute to CWF. Mary Manners has been called White Rose’s ‘Wunderkind!’ She writes dynamite stories at a pace only a superwoman can keep! Believe me, she is Super! Her stories tackle everything from Sweet Treats to football and each one is jam-packed with her trademark ability to fully engage all five senses, taste, smell, touch and that special one, romance. I know, I know. It’s not a sense but it should be!

If Mary is the ‘wunderkind’ of White Rose, Delia is the sweetheart. Everyone at White Rose loves Delia and for good reason! She’s kind, caring and ultra-creative! She runs her own graphic design business as well as her writing career and I swear, she’s everywhere on the net. Where’s there’s good writing, you’ll find Delia. Her books reflect her open, nurturing personality. They draw you in, invite you to pull up a chair and stay for a while. You never want to put them down! And they always contain a touch of divine inspiration in the form of an angel or two!

I’m so pleased to have both ladies with me, but I have to say the real star of the new and improved CWF is our monthly feature. Every first Friday, we will post The Top Five Christian Fiction bestsellers from the Amazon rankings. We’ll discuss the ins and outs of the rankings, new authors, trivia about familiar ones and maybe even have an interview or two of favorites. We’ll also have a monthly theme that’s sure to generate some interesting dialogue.

We’re excited. We know it’s going to be diverse, lively and always entertaining. Hope you can join the fun and keep us on our toes! Look for our first post October 7!

Deadlines, writer's block and frustration. Oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:21:00 +0000

There isn't enough time in the day! That's been my complaint most of life. You'd think at some point, I'd learn to trim what I try to do or sleep less, something! But I don't. Like most of us, I just keep plugging along.

I had one of those inspired pieces that just needed to be written so I posted it on a friend's blog. I called it "Darkness and Light" but it should have been called "For a Little Boy." Please take the time to stop by and read it.

Carol Ann Erhardt is a fellow White Rose Author. Her post, "Perfect Just the Way You Are" is about surviving cancer and its aftermath. It's uplifting and to the point. I hope you'll find the time to read it to and you might even want to follow her. I do!

Take care until next time.

Here is the link:

http://carolannerhardt.com/cae/guest-authors/darkness-and-light-tanya-stowe

Last Stop on Blog Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:08:00 +0000

Blog Tour
Good morning! Today is the last stop on our month long blog tour! For our finale, we thought we would post our stories from our serial, Love is Blooming for those who missed it. Each story will be on a different site. If you visit the posts and comment, I'll enter your name in a drawing for a free copy of Tender Touch! Thanks all.

Part 1 - Tanya Stowe: www.creativewritingforces.blogspot.com

Part 2 - LoRee Peery: www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

Part 3 - Anne Greene: www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

Part 3 - Mary Manners: www.marymannersromance.com

Part 5 - Marianne Evans: http://www.marianneevans.blogspot.com

Sara's Story:

Spring was Sara Hunter’s favorite time of year. She leaned over her kitchen sink and looked out the window of her Southern California home. The pool was littered with leaves. Her garden over grown with weeds and tufts of grass sprouted like cities beneath her small orchard. Her garden was in need of serious tending…much like her life.

Sara shook her head. How had things come to this? A year ago her catering business was flourishing. So well in fact, they had sent her partner and daughter, Jennifer, to Paris to study pastry for three months under a world-renowned chef. Her son Jerrod and his lovely wife had just presented them with their second grandbaby. Life seemed complete and full, maybe a little too full, but satisfying to Sara.

Then her husband Jake had come home from work one day to tell her that his company was downsizing. He had two choices, take the severance package or relocate to Atlanta. Sara’s world started spinning. She loved her work and her home. The last thing she wanted was change. She told Jake to take the severance package.

“Why? So I can stay home while you work twelve hours a day, seven days a week?” he replied.

It was the spark that set off the explosion. It had been building for a long time. He worked weekdays. Catering took her away night and weekends, when he was home. They had drifted apart.

They argued about the move for months, right up until she dropped Jake off at the airport with two suitcases. It was almost a relief to have him gone. The constant bickering had worn her down. Once he was gone, she could concentrate on her business again.

At first, they checked in with each other once a week. Then less and less. There wasn’t anyone else involved, for her or for Jake. She was certain of that. It might have been better if there was. Anything would have been better than just watching her marriage fade away.

She hung her head. The house was quiet. Too quiet. She could hear the Grandfather clock in the hall ticking. It was going to be even quieter from now on. A week ago she’d sent Jake a letter with an airplane ticket. She’d asked him to come home to discuss their future. She’d told him if he didn’t come, she would know it was over and she would start divorce proceedings. She’d sent the letter certified. She knew he’d received it but he hadn’t answered. The plane was scheduled to arrive at LAX this morning at 9a.m.

It was two o’clock.

Time to face the fact that her thirty-year marriage was over. The tears that had come and gone threatened to flood through. She pushed them back again. Her garden needed tending. She didn’t have time to indulge in tears. She headed out the back door to the potting shed, slipped on her large sun hat and gloves and tackled the weeds with purpose.

The sun beat down on her back. Sweat trickled down the sides of her neck. The rich smell of the earth and the hard work made her feel alive. She finished the garden and looked up at her small orchard, knowing she’d been avoiding this area. She stood beneath the shade of the peach tree. Peaches for peach pie.

She and Jake had met in college. They’d dated for almost six months before she knew he was the one. She remembered the exact moment. They were starving students and had just enough money for one piece of pie at their favorite restaurant. They pooled their money and split the pie. She’d told Jake how someday, she’d liked to use her grandmother’s pie recipes and open a business. Jake told her how he planned to be the best human resources manager the planet had ever seen.

As he talked, his dark, wavy hair fell over his forehead and he pushed the last bite of peaches and crust toward her. He didn’t even think about it, just unselfishly handed her the choicest part. Love flooded through her and she told him so. How had she forgotten the look on his face when she said it?

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of buying their own home, he’d bought this peach tree. When Jerrod was born, he bought her an apple tree. Jennifer garnered her apricots. A cherry and a pear tree followed. In the years after, she used the fruit to bake her pies. Jake never complained when she quit her job to stay home while the children were little. When she said she wanted to start the catering business, he never questioned her, he just applied for a loan and helped her set up the business plan. In the beginning, he’d even helped her cook and serve. He’d always been there.

But when he needed her, when he’d asked her to support the career that had given them so much security over the years, she balked. Why hadn’t she even tried to make a concession or meet in the middle? How had her business become more important than her marriage?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered out loud as she gazed up at the sky through the budding tree branches. “If I could just have another chance....”

Her only answer was a bird, twittering high in the tree. The tears she’d been holding back burst through. She attacked the tufts of grass as if it were her own foolish mistakes she could dig out and throw in the trash. She sobbed and shoveled. After a while, the weeds were hacked and raked into a pile. Sara pulled off her gloves and wiped at her wet, grimy cheeks with the back of her hands. That’s when she heard the doorbell through the open window.

She wasn’t expecting anyone and she was a mess with her swollen eyes and mud streaked face. She wasn’t going to answer the door. When it rang a third time, she knew whoever it was wasn’t going to go away. She grabbed a tissue from the potting shed, wiped at her cheeks, plopped her floppy hat back on her sweat flattened hair and headed around the side gate.

A delivery truck was in the horseshoe shaped driveway and a teenage boy stood at her door. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, ummm, I have delivery for you, I think.”

“You think?”

“Yeah. There was a glitch. The computer crashed. We got the orders and the addresses but we didn’t get what gift went with what address. The computer’s still down so we thought the best thing would be to make the deliveries and let the customer choose which might be their gift.”

Sara’s heart jumped. A delivery. Could it be something from Jake? “Let me see what you have,” she said already turning toward the truck. The teenager barely beat her back to the van. He slid open the door and Sara looked at the gifts situated in boxes.

First he handed her a vellum envelope. She showed him her dirt caked hands so he opened it for her. Inside was beautiful, ornate calligraphy. It was an invitation to a restaurant she’d didn’t recognize.

“I don’t think this is for me,” she said.

Next he handed her a beautiful clear box of individually wrapped chocolates in gold paper. The box was tied with a giant, pink silk ribbon.

She shook her head and he reached behind the seat, pulling out a beautiful, antique bird cage. Sitting inside were two, teal-colored love birds. “They’re beautiful,” Sara murmured, “but I don’t know anyone who would send me those.”

At last, he pulled out a lovely green, glass vase with a dozen red roses. Sara felt all of the hope drain out of her.

“I’m sorry but I don’t think any of those gifts were meant for me. You’d better send them on to the next address.” She folded her arms and stepped back. Just as the delivery boy hopped into the back of the van, a small truck pulled into the driveway. The side of the truck said Delectable Edible Arrangements.

Sara’s heart jumped again. A young woman climbed out of the truck.

“Hello!” she said as she headed around the side. She took out a beautifully wrapped arrangement of cut, fresh fruit and walked forward. “I have a delivery for Sara Hunter.”

“That’s me,” Sara said, her gaze fixed on the sliced strawberries, blackberries, apples, peaches and apricots arranged in the shape of a tree. The young woman handed her a card.

Sara ripped it open. It said: Bad weather. Delayed in Denver. I’ll be home tonight. Keep the pie warm. Jake.

Clamping the card next to her heart, Sara’s gaze flew up to the bright blue sky. “Thank you,” she said. Then she hugged the young woman. “Thank you!” she said again, as she took the arrangement out of the women’s arms. “And thank you, too!” she called out to the delivery boy as she walked backwards to the house. “You’ll have to excuse me, now. I have some baking to do!”

Contest Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:42:00 +0000

Contest Winner!

Jane West is the winner of God's Healing Touch! Jane won the beautiful necklace with her submission of how God smoothed the path during a difficult time in her life and gave her a stamp of approval for the choices she had made.

Susan Holloway is a runner up and she will receive an ecopy of Tender Touch.

Thank you, Jane and Susan for sharing your healing stories and a special thanks to Devine Dezines for the lovely necklce.

Now, here is Jane's story!

HOMELESS NO MORE

A year ago I was homeless. Not on the street; I lived with my daughter. I had a small income, so it wasn’t too bad. But all my belongings were stored at my aunt’s basement across town.

A friend told me of a condominium for sale near her, and I mentioned it to my daughter who thought it might just be the thing for me, although I didn’t have enough money to buy one. She called her real estate agent, and we went looking at several.

The one closest to my daughter said “home” when I walked in. My daughter offered the down payment, and I could make the payments as rent. This unit, the only one with furniture in it, reminded me that I had none, and the cost of buying everything would be monstrous. I imagined myself on a sleeping bag in the bedroom until I could buy a real bed, eating off a card table until I could get one, etc. Maybe now wasn’t the time to move into my own place. But I prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and direction.

The agent told us that the owners’ sister had lived in the place, and she didn’t want the furniture. Would I like to make an offer. Would I? The furniture was quality, lovely and better than I could have afforded. Only one piece I didn’t like: a daybed in the smaller bedroom. That was the one piece they did NOT want to sell!

I clearly saw the hand of the Lord in this. He gave me the desire of my heart, down to the last detail. I love my cozy, blessed home. Every detail of getting it was a miracle, and I’ll always be grateful for his loving kindness and provision.

Contest!! Win a beautiful necklace!

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Here's a little excerpt from Tender Touch...

Royce watched in amazement as Lacy nodded and sat on the road, mindless of the dirt. She carefully cupped one hand around the swelling at the back of Alex's head and the other she placed near his ear. Then she closed her eyes and dropped her head. She held that pose a minute, then another.

Across from her, Penny clasped her hands together and pressed them to her lips. Even in the shadows he could see her lips moving in silent prayer. Royce had long suspected Lacy was a hands-on-healer. Now he knew it to be true.

His Irish mother had believed in the gifts of the spirit. Prophesying, speaking in tongues and hands-on healing were just a few. Once when his sister had been struck down with an illness, his mother had taken her to a woman she said had the gift of healing. The two women had prayed over his sister for hours on end. She got better but Royce had always believed it was due more to their loving care than the woman's healing abilities.

It was obvious he was going to have to reevaluate his opinion. Lacy had a true gift from God. So why did she try to keep it a secret?

We may not have stories as miraculous as Lacy’s, but we’ve all experienced God’s healing touch in our lives. It may have been a physical ailment or an emotional wound but the Lord has touched most of us or someone we know. I want to hear those stories!

Send me your healing story and I’ll choose 3 stories to post on my blog. After I’ve posted the stories, readers will vote on their favorite and the winner will receive the handmade necklace from Devine Dezines, pitcured below. What better way to thank the Lord for his gift than to share the story with others!

Stories should be single-spaced and no more than 350 words. Submission through email of your story signifies your agreement to allow me to post the story on the blog. I have limited space so I'm sorry but any submission over 350 words can't be considered. I'm looking forward to some great stories!

Email: Tanya@TanyaStowe.com

Destiny's Dream -- Delia Latham

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:17:00 +0000

Good Morning to everyone recovering from Winter’s latest blast! My friends in the Midwest will be digging out for days to come. During the last storm, today’s guest, Delia Latham was caught in the worst of the blizzards. Thankfully, it won’t stop her from visiting with us today. Welcome, Delia, and tell us a little about yourself.

Delia: I’m a born-and-bred California gal, recently transplanted to Oklahoma. Ever heard of a California Okie? That’s me.  I’m the mother of four adult children and nine grandchildren/great-granchildren. (No, I’m not old enough to be a great-grandmother, but we’re blessed to have “merged” family members that we love as our own.) I love to spend time with my family; I love to sing praises to my Savior; I love to read and write, and all things writing related; and I enjoy designing bookmarks/business cards/posters/flyers, etc. I’m blessed to be able to stay home and concentrate on my writing, and I’m fortunate to have a husband who supports my addiction.

Tanya: I knew we had a lot in common, like grandchildren and California, but just for the record, my husband sings during worship too and I’ve always called my writing an ‘addiction’. It’s good to know the Lord brings us like-minded people together! Since we also have White Rose Publishing as our publisher, let me ask you what do you consider the benefits of epublishing … besides the fact that we both love White Rose!

Delia: Our world is becoming more and more rushed. Time is of such essence for today’s busy reader, and they have to be able to read on the go. E-books make it possible for them to do that—plus, of course, e-books are less expensive. Everyone likes that! From a writer’s POV, I still love seeing my book in actual print. I love holding that tangible result of all those hours of writing in my hands. Touching it. Inhaling the scent of new pages. Seeing my name splashed across that front cover.

But e-publishing is becoming more and more popular, and I think it is definitely where the future of publishing is going. I’m still trying to learn how to integrate my old-fashioned tastes and preferences in this “brave new world.” If I ever manage to do that, perhaps I’ll be able to come up with a better answer to this kind of question.
Tanya: What is your favorite ereader?

Delia: I have a Kindle. It’s my favorite because it’s my only e-reader – and the only kind I’ve ever tried. LOL

Tanya: The Kindle seems to be the most popular at this point but I wonder with the new color Nook, how long the Kindle will hold that #1 position. It will be interesting to watch in the time to come.

Your new Inspirational release is called Destiny’s Dream. Can you tell us about it?

Delia: This is actually the first of a 3-book series called Solomon’s Gate. It’s based around a Christian dating agency (Solomon’s Gate), and the men and women who find true love beyond its portals. Book One is the story of Destiny May, founder of Solomon’s Gate. In the process of setting up the agency, Destiny finds her own true love—with a little divine intervention. Here’s a blurb:

Is a little respect too much to ask at a parent’s funeral?

Apparently it is for Destiny May. Her mother’s “going away party” is crashed by an unfamiliar and totally irreverent guest. Difficult to ignore, Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting for the occasion. When it turns out the annoying stranger is not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day’s dreary proceedings.

From the beginning, their relationship has some kinks–starting with Destiny’s determination to found a Christian dating service in their conservative town of Castle Creek. A highly esteemed investment broker, Clay has little respect or patience for such a frivolous profession. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm’s way.

Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses … and Cupid’s arrows are known to fly straight to the heart.
Tanya: Can you tell us your favorite scene?

Delia: It’s really, really hard for me to choose a favorite scene! I have several, a few of which are between Destiny and her sister, or Clay and his brother. But I’m sure your readers would prefer one of the scenes between Destiny and Clay, so here’s one of my favorites:

Across the room, Clay paced, casting an occasional worried glance their way. Destiny smothered a grin, knowing how deeply he was affected by the tears of a woman—any woman. She gave her friend’s shoulder a gentle squeeze and left her in Claire’s capable hands while she crossed to his side.

She kept her voice low, not wanting her words to embarrass him. “You were a real hero tonight, Gallagher.” He’d just have to deal with the adoration in her eyes—she couldn’t tuck it out of sight.

Even as predictable color rose from his neck upward, a muscle twitched in his jaw. He blew out a heavy gust of breath and took her by the shoulders. His blue-gray eyes burned into hers. “You gave me the scare of my life, lady! I don’t want to have to live through something like that ever again.”

He tugged her to him, apparently unconcerned that his mother and Karyn were in the room. Burying his face in her hair, he held her so tight she could feel his heartbeat. She snuggled against the wide expanse of his chest, loving the masculine smell of him, basking in the assurance of safety his huge embrace provided. There was something to be said for being hugged by a man Clay’s size.

“Well, if it gets this kind of reaction, maybe I’ll just make a habit of scaring you senseless,” she teased.

A low growl emitted from Clay’s throat. He loosened his hold just enough to fix her with a glare that actually managed to be frightening in a completely thrilling sort of way. “You will not do this again—ever!” It was a quiet roar, but a roar nonetheless.

Destiny reached up to pull one corner of his oh-so-yummy lip away from his teeth, and then grinned.

He eyed her as if he might be thinking of bringing in a straight jacket. “Mind telling me what that was all about?”

“Just checking for fangs, tiger.”

One dark brow shot up. His chuckle was evil—she could think of no other word for it. “I’ll show you fangs, lady!” With that, he pulled her close once more and lowered his mouth to within an inch of hers, so close she felt his warm breath against her lips. She was glad of his unyielding stranglehold, otherwise her useless knees would have dropped her right to the floor.

But with Clay’s arms around her like a velvet vice, the only place she was in danger of falling was in love. She couldn’t breathe until his lips met hers, and then she couldn’t think, either. With no mind or muscle of her own, she melted against him.

Tanya: This was one of my favorite scenes too, this one and a suspense scene full of tension near the end. But I won’t give anything away! All of us have a strength or strong point in our writing. For some it’s fabulous settings, characterization, great plots. What do you think is your strong point?

Delia: Good question, Tanya. I hadn’t really thought about this until recently, but I’ve been told repeatedly that my characters are very real and my dialogue is completely natural and believable. Maybe that’s my strong point…? I must confess, I love writing dialogue, especially when I can insert a little humor here and there. I’m not one of those people who comes up with snappy replies in real life—I’m a little shy and awkward around people until I know them well. I suppose writing snappy dialogue gives that part of me a chance to emerge. Whatever the reason, I love it!
Tanya: I completely agree. Your characters are believable and memorable. I also love your humor. I find it so hard to write humor so I envy anyone who can do it. Destiny’s Dream is full of light-hearted humor and a little suspense.
Where can we find you and your book and what can we expect from you next?

Delia: Kylie’s Kiss is the second book in the Solomon’s Gate collection. I don’t have a release date yet, but I’m hoping that everyone who reads Destiny’s Dream will be waiting with bated breath for the next book.

My books are available on Amazon, as well as through my publisher(s), White Rose Publishing and Vinspire Publishing. Visit my website at http://www.delialatham.net/ and my News, Reviews, and Interviews blog, My Book Bag. You can follow me on Twitter, “Like” me on Facebook, and subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter, The Bookshelf.

Tanya: Thanks so much, Delia, for making the time for us! Everyone check out my 4 Star review of Destiny’s Dream on Amazon when you purchase your copy. Also, Delia’s blog, My Book Bag, is a delight. It’s chock full of interviews, book reviews and just plain fun. Stop in and sign up to follow!

This concludes February’s showdown of the ereaders! The Kindle was the hands down winner. My little poll was just for fun but probably does in small measure, reflect the real market. It will be interesting to watch as it grows and changes. Competition is fierce!

We’ve also heard and seen some interesting perspectives about epublishing from authors in the business. One thing about epublishing we can all say is that is here to stay. As ebooks are released faster at lower, more affordable prices, print publishers are being forced to change how they do business…and that is changing the face of the industry. I’m excited to be a part of it. I hope you are too!

Listen To Your Heart -- Cindy K. Green

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:48:00 +0000

Today my guest is multi-published writer Cindy K. Green. Previously a middle school English & History teacher, she now homeschools her own children and writes in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense, Fantasy and Historical romance. No matter what she writes, she always throws in a bit of humor and fun.

Her most recent release, Listen To Your Heart, contains some romantic suspense. Kit McCauley can hardly believe her eyes. Of all men, she believed Beau to be true blue and not one to step out with another woman behind her back. Sparks fly and secrets are revealed which just might be the undoing of her upcoming wedded happiness.

Beau Tucker thought he’d left his past East of the Mississippi. When a stranger from Chicago comes looking for him, his world spins out of control. He has to listen to his heart and decide where he belongs.

Tanya: Sounds mysterious, Cindy. Without giving anything away, what was your favorite scene in this book?

Cindy: I’d have to say it’s the first time a person from Beau’s past shows up in town. The interaction between Beau, Kit and this mysterious person is great. It all comes from Kit’s POV and her take on the whole scene is priceless. Just when she thought everything was perfect with her wedding weeks away, a snag to her happiness steps out from the dusty street.

Tanya: All of us have a strength or strong point in our writing. For some it’s fabulous settings, characterization, great plots. What do you think is your strong point?

Cindy: I’ve been told that readers enjoy my characterizations and dialogue. I do find dialogue to be the easiest for me to write and I love creating my characters. When I’m writing a story outline many lines of dialogue come to me and I include that into the outline too. I do take a lot of time figuring out my characters especially if there are several in a book. I want each one to stand out.

Tanya: Beau sounds like a character I definitely want to read about! In every book the creative process usually takes us somewhere we didn’t plan or plot. What was the surprise in this book?

Cindy: The whole book was a surprise to be honest. I wrote this as a sequel, but this one focuses on Beau and his past. I really didn’t know all this about Beau when I wrote the first book. As I started to think about a plot for a sequel, this whole back story came to me.

Tanya: What do you love about this book?

Cindy: Definitely the characters and the interactions. It was a whole lot of fun to write and I hope readers will enjoy it just as much.

Tanya: Writing teachers tell us that readers don’t read stories to find out what happens. They read because of the characters. If that’s the case, you have a couple of winners with Beau and Kit! I’m looking forward to reading it. It’s available through Champagne Books.

I’m doing a little poll, Cindy. Do you have a favorite e-reader? Why is it your favorite?

Cindy: It’s funny you ask. As a matter of fact, I just received the Color Nook (Available through Barnes and Noble) from my husband recently. I have to say that overall I really love it. It is perfect? No. None of the readers are perfect, but for what is out there right now it is probably the best. I can read color children’s books to my son. It even has a function to read the book aloud. Epub files read terrific on it. The device functions very well and has a large screen to read off of and yet I can still hold it in one hand if need be.

Tanya: The color Nook came out shortly after I bought my original Nook. I’ve been wondering how it measures up. Thanks for the info!

Since you’re published in multi-genres, you can probably give us some insights into epublishing. In your opinion, what are the benefits?

Cindy: As an author, the main benefit is that we have more opportunities. The large print publishing houses only print so many books a year and only take on a small number of new unknown authors each year. The epublisher isn’t that restrictive. If you’ve written a good book, you have an opportunity to be published. Does it mean the writing is subpar? Of course not. There are just a whole lot more choices for a reader out there.

Tanya: I agree completely, Cindy. I think you’ve put things in great perspective. Thanks for taking time with us today. Where can my readers find out more about you?

Cindy: You can got to my website at www.cindykgreen.com or visit my blog,

http://cindykgreen.blogspot.com/ . You can also join my newsletter and email me

at newsletters@cindykgreen.com.

Thanks, Cindy, and please let us know what we can expect from you next!

Mary Manners -- Tender Mercies

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:59:00 +0000

My guest today is Marry Manners.

Mary lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband, Tim, daughter, Danni, and the cherished pets they've rescued from local animal shelters...dogs Abby and Molly, and cats, Lucky and Gus.

She enjoys the outdoors, and especially loves the cooler autumn weather. She loves cultivating flowers, taking long walks with her wonderful husband, and reading romance novels while lying in her hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

Mary is with us today to talk about her latest book, Tender Mercies.

Here is an excerpt:

When Lexi Taylor resorts to hosting an online auction to raise money for her fledgling youth center, Thursday's Child, the last thing she expects is to be matched for a date with…

…Cooper Jackson…hometown hero and former championship-winning University of Tennessee quarterback. Lured by the promise of a lucrative NFL career, he broke off their engagement without so much as a backward glance six years ago. Now he's come home to Knoxville to nurse an injured knee and his wounded pride--and he wants Lexi back.

A heartbreaking secret stands between them…and Lexi plans to keep it that way. But when Cooper's gentleness and renewed faith coax the secret to the surface, will forgiveness draw them close…or will their love be shattered forever?

Tanya: I’m only half way through with Tender Mercies, but I’m enjoying it a great deal.

All of us have a strength or strong point in our writing. For some it’s fabulous settings, characterization, great plots. What do you think is your strong point?

Mary: I think for me it is emotion. I have such an arsenal of life experiences that I can really feel what my characters are feeling. I also have a great deal of experience with kids (I have been a teacher for 25 years…everything from special education to first graders to middle-schoolers) so I really like to weave kids into my plots.

Tanya: I agree, Mary, 100%. Your emotional development is strong and engaging. The characters sweep you up. But you’re also a very visual writer. From the first scene I had a clear picture of Lexie and Cooper and their surroundings.

Without giving anything away, what was your favorite scene in this book?

Mary: Oh, I loved when Lexi waited to be matched with her date for the online auction…the description of the TV announcers…the scents…the sounds. And then her reaction when Cooper was revealed...wow!!!

Tanya: Sounds like you’ve had some personal experience. Have you ever been in television studio?

In every book the creative process usually takes us somewhere we didn’t plan or plot. What was the surprise in this book?

Mary: The surprise for me was Lexi’s sister, Terri, and Andy’s reaction to seeing his mom again. Terri took on a personality of her own…there was no stopping her.

Tanya: I’m not there yet so don’t tell!  But I have to say, Lexi’s relationship with her sister and Andy is unusual. A lot of Christian romance writers shy away from difficult relationships or gloss over them. All stories have their tragedies or there wouldn’t be any conflict, but few of them deal with ongoing struggles in families where family members won’t change and others are forced to pick up the pieces. Those are the real challenges in life and I think you portray them very well in your stories … and you give hope and direction.

What do you love about this book?

Mary: I love the Knoxville feel and the hometown landmarks. I love the way Lexi and Cooper are so real and so easy to relate to.

Tanya: I loved Knoxville too! I think I said before I felt as if I knew he town and I’ve never been to Knoxville. Good job!

Do you have a favorite ereader? Why is it your favorite?

Mary: I actually do not yet own an ereader. I use my computer, but am definitely in the market for one. Any suggestions???

Tanya: Welllll…I own a Nook and love it. But most of the people I’ve polled have a Kindle. I bought the Nook because it had the most current updates but the industry is changing so rapidly, I’m sure they’ll all have the same technology soon, if they don’t already! So all I can say is explore the options and choose the one with your preferences.

In your opinion what are the benefits of epublishing?

Mary: I love that the books are immediately accessible, and that the cost is significantly less than print copies.

Tanya: I think that’s great too. In today’s competitive market, it’s hard to grow your writing skills and develop. Epublishing offers a newer writer the chance to develop and grow and build a readership.

As a reader, the communities are really helpful. I’m inundated with choices but once I found a favorite, publisher, White Rose, of course! I was able to connect with a community and purchase with confidence. And because it’s so inexpensive, I’ll take a chance on a new writer. That’s how I found you! And I’m quite certain I’ll be buying your books in the future.

Thanks so much for stopping by on your busy blog tour, Mary. One thing I’ve learned as I’ve been following you in your blog travels is that you have 2 sons in the Air Force. My daughter-in-law is in the Air Force too. Nice to know we’re in the same family! I’ll be praying for them.

Masquerade Marriage -- Anne Greene

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:32:00 +0000

My special guest today is fellow White Rose author Anne Greene. Anne and her hero husband, Army Special Forces Colonel Larry Greene, have visited twenty-five countries, including three communist countries. After falling in love with several countries and their people, Anne set a number of her books in exotic locations. A visit to Scotland resulted in her newest book release, Masquerade Marriage, published by White Rose Publishing.

Tanya: Welcome, Anne. It’s wonderful to have you and I’ve already found something we have in common. I love to travel, too. What do you love about this book and what inspired you to write it?

Anne: During a long visit to the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland I became intrigued with why Highland Clans no longer occupied the Highlands. You’ll find the surprising answer in my book Masquerade Marriage. I’m of Scottish ancestry as are so many Americans, and bagpipes music makes my heart sing. I fell in love with the awesome country and the friendly, complex people. So, being a writer, of course I had to write of what I love. I love the clear fresh air of Scotland, the handsome people, the amazing openness of the country, the castles, and the Scots violent, adventurous history. Readers have asked for a squeal, so in the next few years I plan to add Cailin and Fiona’s love stories to Megan’s legendary love.

Also, I love expressing my faith in story form. I can NOT include faith in my writing. I am a new creation in Christ so I have a Christian worldview. I have deep beliefs and a few boundaries that cannot be crossed. I want my books to have meaning and take-away value. I want my readers to take a deep delicious breath and say—Oh, now I understand what God is saying. I love showing how beautiful God’s way is.

Tanya: I love that part of writing inspirational stories, too. Showing God’s hand in our characters’ lives is a great blessing.

Without giving anything away, what was your favorite scene in this book?

Anne: You do ask hard questions. Every scene I write is a favorite scene. But I always love the scene where the hero and the heroine first meet. In Masquerade Marriage, the scene occurs just before Megan weds Brody. Here it is:

Like a determined hero, the fugitive warrior strode through the door at the far end of the tiny stone kirk.

Megan’s eyes widened. Her clenched jaw relaxed. Some of her dread dissolved.

“Impressive.” Molly, Megan’s Irish maid, whispered from where they stood together in the vestibule.

He stopped in front of the hand-carved altar and half-turned toward her. Megan pulled in an uneven breath. This Highlander, wearing formal kilts, was no scrawny lad grown older, nor was he a big, hairy Scot with a bushy beard. The tall, strapping soldier stood with legs braced as if about to do battle.

Her heart skipped. Though she’d known Brody when she wore short skirts, this blond warrior was far more than she expected. Her pulse throbbed in her temples. Doubt niggled her brain. Brody was too tall, too obviously a Highlander. How could she hope to pass him off as a Lowland Laird? He appeared to have too big a chip on his shoulder to let her command him.

Brody’s thick sandy hair swept the collar of his linen shirt. Lace-trimmed cuffs matched the white jabot at his muscular throat. A silver broach clapsed his crimson and black tartan to his wide right shoulder. His Claymore, dirk, and thick sword belt startled her.

Megan suppressed a shudder. The English outlawed kilts. With his dress, Brody spat in the face of the English and further imperiled his life. Why?

His intense sapphire stare blazed a trail across the empty wooden pews toward her. His eyes made her feel dizzy as if she just danced a fast reel with a lively partner.

Molly grinned and handed Megan the bridal flowers.

What had she gotten herself into?

Anne: In my books I want to show that God is in control. A person doesn’t always see God’s hand working in their lives unless they look back in wonder at what God has done. Discovering God’s will for one’s life is both vastly rewarding and extremely helpful. I want my readers to laugh and cry and love and dream and stretch their own imagination as well as learn some new things. I want to broaden their horizons, and bring spice and excitement into their lives.

Tanya: You’ve certainly succeeded with Masquerade Marriage. It’s full of excitement. I already have my opinion, but what do you consider your strength in your writing?

Anne: When I started writing, plot was definitely my strong point. Then I concentrated on characterization. My readers tell me my characters really come alive for them. But I would have to say unique voice is my strongest point.
Tanya: I agree but I think scene setting is also one of your strong points. The battle scene at Culloden still stands out in my mind. You made it real and memorable and that’s a gift!

In every book the creative process usually takes us somewhere we didn’t plan or plot. What was the surprise in this book?

Anne: Every page is a surprise. I am a pantser. That means I don’t plot in advance, I just sit down and write the book. I have tried plotting out a book in advance, including storyboarding, and that just doesn’t work for me. I don’t even work from a sketchy synopsis. And my characters always take me for a rollicking journey chock full of surprises

Tanya: Wow! That makes me scared just thinking about it. I’m a plotter but I do have to admit, my characters always take me someplace I don’t expect to go.

Your book is available from White Rose Publishing in both print format and ebook format. Do you have an ereader? What is it?

Anne: I have a Kindle. I love it because I travel extensively and with my Kindle I can take research books with me as well as books to read for pleasure. I take it to doctor’s offices and other appointments where I know I’ll have to wait. When I was with my husband during his military duty in Korea, if I ordered a book from Amazon it took literally weeks for the book to arrive. When I ordered books from Amazon for my Kindle, I could read them in minutes! Having a Kindle is awesome. I really recommend for every reader to invest in one.

Tanya: One more vote for the Kindle! I did a poll on my blog and more Kindle owners responded than Nook owners. I happen to have a Nook but according to my poll, the number one benefit to ereaders is the convenience.

What do you consider the benefits of epublishing for writers?

Anne: A book is published so much faster. From a publisher’s first look at a manuscript to the published edition on-line takes only a matter of a few months, rather than ten to eighteen months or longer. And ebooks are immediately available world-wide. Of course, they are less expensive as well. The ebooks I’ve seen from White Rose Publishing are masterfully written.
Tanya: Thanks, Anne, for your insights. You made some great points. What can we expect from you next?

Anne: I also write contemporary suspense novels. I have a sassy detective novel, a modern day cowboy suspense, and a Coast Guard mystery, all set in my home state of Texas in the works. Did you know parts of the Civil War were fought in the west? I have a novel in the pipes that is a second book of a family saga which occurred in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I also have a World War 11 Women Pilots love story. I’d love to know if your readers prefer historical novels to contemporary novels. I’m taking a poll, so maybe they could leave a comment and vote?

Tanya: Hear that readers? Anne needs your opinions! What’s your favorite? Contemporary romances or a rousing, robust historical? Did my personal feelings show through just a little? Hey, I’m a reader too!

Look for more fun info about Anne, including some pictures she’s painted and photos of her travels at her website, www.http://AnneGreeneAuthor.com. She also has a blog at White Roses in Bloom.com.

Thanks, Anne for sharing with us today!

Ebooks 101

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya Stowe) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:29:00 +0000

After a month of computer problems, I’m finally ready to jump into 2011! My first foray into the new year deals with the basics on a topic near and dear to my heart. Since the publication of my ebook, I’ve had many questions about this new format. Some of the questions I didn’t have answers for so I decided to do some research. Here’s what I learned about ebooks, epublishing and the different ereaders.

Ebook is short for electronic book. It’s that simple. The text of the story is created electronically. It’s a digital image readable only on an electronic device … a computer or a specially designed device called an ereader. Even though you can use a computer to read them, ereaders are devices specifically designed for ebooks.

Like computers, ereaders have their own specific format and often, won’t talk to each other. For instance, Amazon owns the Kindle and the Kindle format can’t be read by Barnes and Noble’s Nook. Apple has the Ipad, Sony has a reader and multiple other companies have joined the ereader bandwagon. Even though most formats are not interchangeable, almost all ebooks can be purchased in PDF format and all ereaders can read PDF format. PDF stands for public document format and was designed by Adobe to enable the exchange of documents between programs.

Initially ebooks were offered in libraries and designed for specific groups but they soon found their way into niche publishing. In the romance genre, the larger publishers deal in mass marketing. That means what more people want, more people get. Years ago, chic-lit hit the publishing field and was so popular, it drove other genres out of the field. At least, publishers rushed to fit into the escalating market and dropped other genres. They stopped buying historicals and some called the genre dead. Paranormal romances slowed to a crawl.

But paranormal writers knew there was a large number of demanding readers looking for paranormal romances. Maybe not as many as chick-lit readers, but still a stable market. So they took their stories to the internet and created a thriving paranormal publishing wave that’s still going on … but has now taken over the larger publishing houses as well. With the introduction of the Twilight series, vampires, werewolves and other dark paranormal creatures rule the industry! In fact, in July of 2010, Amazon reported that for the first time, ebooks out sold hardcover books 140 to 100.

Because epublishers don’t have the expensive overhead of brick and mortar buildings, printing costs, or middlemen, they can afford to experiment, to take a chance on an unusual book that doesn’t fit the reading tastes of the masses. Epublishing has become the center of niche publications, catering to diverse readers from erotica to Christian/Inspirational. In fact, according to a publishing firm’s researchers, romance is the fastest growing genre in ebooks. Within the romance genre, you only have to click on any epublishing site to see that erotica is the hottest ticket in town. No pun intended!

My experience also shows that the Christian/Inspirational market is growing as well. Publishers have room to take a chance, to break out and feel their way, hopefully into the next breakout trend. So if you have a new idea for a story, an unusual concept that doesn’t fit into the large publishing house agenda, I suggest you look take a look at epublishing.

During the month of February, I’ll be talking to readers and writers about their favorite ereaders, what they like and don’t like. Please, leave a comment below for my unofficial poll and tell me all about your favorite ereader.

We’ll also be visiting with some of my lovely fellow White Rose Authors, Anne Greene, Mary Manners, Cindy K. Greene and Delia Latham. We’ll be talking about their latest releases and why they love epublishing. Be sure to stop in and say hi!