Nuance: Are You Really Saying What You Mean?

 

Do you consider the nuance behind the words you use? Or even the phrases? For the sake of communication and clarity, this is such a key element in our writing.  

“Nuance,” in the context of words, refers to shades of meaning. For example, do you want to use the word “truly” or “really”? “Really” implies “very,” so if you said “really sunny weather” you might mean “very sunny weather.” “Truly” implies “honestly.” So, if you said “truly sunny weather” you probably mean “the sun is actually, literally shining.” See the difference? Which one do you mean to say? 

Recently I titled a blog post: The Love of a Mother. Now, tighter writing would mean deleting the prepositional phrase: A Mother's Love. But that has a different meaning. I wanted the title to be more general, not as specific. I felt the second title might come across as referring to a specific mom, and I didn't want that. See the difference? Brings up another point, if your editor wants you to write tight and you lose the nuance you meant, please let him/her know. Share your reasoning. Editors want to help authors communicate what s/he meant to communicate. We desire clarity. And we're watching for your nuances.

So, we need to analyze our word choices and phrases so we’re sure we’re actually saying what we mean to say. (or that our characters are)

Nuance can get you into trouble when your words might mean something a bit more, shall we say, embarrassing? Have you ever ran your sweaty palms over your jeans? Let’s say your character needs to do that. Be careful how you word it. Having her shove her hands “down” her jeans is probably not what you mean to say. See what I mean? (I’ve had to rewrite a similar line in my own work, so I’m telling on myself here, but hopefully you get what I’m saying.)

I think Christian romance writers must especially concern themselves with nuance. Look at your phrases. If a non-believer could find implications you didn’t intend, rework them. That’s the way it goes in our culture. Many TV sitcoms make a habit (and train our minds to do the same) out of insinuation and innuendo that isn’t God-honoring. I can think of a specific 70’s show of three co-ed roommates that did this endlessly.

So, watch for nuances in specific words you’re using and also in your phrases.

Your turn. Can you think of any examples? Have you ever had a critique partner point out a phrase you’d written that could be taken the wrong way? Did you rewrite it? We’ve had some great laughs at our critique group over one-liners the writer never intended. How about you?

Ask O: Reaction Before Action Part Two

Happy Wednesday my writing friends!

Today we continue our discussion about reaction before action or effect before cause. It can be tricky, so to sharpen our skills, I created a paragraph filled with the little devils. Can you find them?

Wow! Excitement rippled through me when my husband announced that he didn’t have to work.
“Really? Not Job One?”
He laughed and shook his head.
“Not Job Two?”“Nope!”
“Job Three?”
“Yay! Papa doesn’t have to work!” My littlest scampered into the bedroom and jumped on our bed where we were talking. The other kidlets joined us and we hugged and giggled about planning our family adventure for dad’s day off.

Think you found them all? Let’s see if we can clean this up.

Problem #1: Excitement rippled BEFORE my husband’s announcement--classic emotional response coming before action.

Better: “Honey, sit down. You may not believe this. I don’t have to work today.”

Excitement rippled through me. Could it be true?

Problem #2: “He laughed and shook his head.” Perhaps a little more subtle, but you still must ask, why is he laughing? His chuckle comes because his answer to my question is no (which he shows by shaking his head.)

Better: He shook his head then laughed.

Problem #3: “Yay! Papa doesn’t have to work!” Ugh! This kind irks me the most. The child talks before we know a child's in the room. Technically, this one exemplifies effect coming before cause. The effect is the child talking, the cause is the child.

Better: Christian bounded into the room with an impressive Army kick and roll.

My husband grinned at Christian, but spoke to me.“I’m telling you. I don’t have to work at all today, not at any of my jobs."

“Yay! Papa doesn’t’ have to work!”

Problem #4: “…and jumped on the bed where we were talking.” We don't know where this scene takes place until the very last sentence. Thing is, if we don’t create a story world, readers will create their own. Then when we finally show them where we imagine the scene, we jolt readers out of the story and make them re-adjust. We don’t want them to work that hard.

Better: Provide a short beat of story world before the scene even begins: With a stretch and a yawn, I lug my tired self from bed. Before my eyes fully focus, my husband swaggers in, all smiles.

Problem #5: “The other kidlets joined us, and we hugged and giggled about planning our family adventure for dad’s day off.”

Better: You tell me! Leave your answer in the comments with a corrected sentence and I’ll even put you in a drawing to win one of my books!

Happy writing and God bless!

Ocieanna

www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

An Impossible Road to Publication by Dineen Miller

Being a writer isn’t easy. I have a feeling there is a sea of heads bobbing up and down out there. It takes a lot of work, and you get a lot of rejections. Sometimes the road to publication can seem downright impossible. . .

What made me nearly give up.

In the fall of 2010, I was so hopeful that we (my agent and I) had found a home for The Soul Saver—Lexie’s story. I believed that The Soul Saver and the nonfiction book I co-authored, Winning Him Without Words (Regal Books), were a perfect match, like Fireproof and the Love Dare.

Needless to say, I was pretty upset when the rejection came from what I thought was a sure thing and my last hope. What I considered the heart of my story was the very issue they didn’t want to deal with.

I was crushed.

God bless my wonderful agent who stood by me and encouraged me not to change the story, to just hang on a little longer. I went to God in prayer and laid The Soul Saver and writing fiction at His feet, asking Him to take the desire to write it away if I wasn’t supposed to. It was too painful.

Then I let it be.

A couple months later, God released me from doing design work (my day job)—something I’d been praying about letting go so I could write full time. Up until this time, I kept hearing, “Not yet.”

So why now? It didn’t make sense. Nothing had changed. I assumed it meant I would need more time for the SpirituallyUnequalMarriage.com ministry and our Winning Him book releasing in a few months.

This “release” happened on a Saturday. My agent called Tuesday to give me the unbelievable news that a publisher had made an offer on The Soul Saver.

How God opened the door for The Soul Saver in a place I least expected.

The Soul Saver seemed to cross genres with a story that fit women’s fiction, a thread of danger that fit suspense stories and a supernatural element as well. One house even said they liked the story but didn’t know how they would market it.

So when the offer came from a house I had already assumed wouldn’t be interested, I was floored. But isn’t that so like God? Like Gideon defeating 120,000 Midianites with just 300 men, God wants us to know that it’s Him who brakes down barriers and opens the door to the impossible.

Not only had God opened the door in the unlikeliest of places, He brought my story to a publisher that supported its connection to our Winning Him book and our marriage ministry. (Thank you, Becky Germany and Barbour Publishing!)

I have another story to tell—one I’m not sure will find a home. Sound familiar? But I know God is faithful. He’s the one who makes the impossible possible.

In addition to writing for Spiritually Unequal Marriage, Dineen Miller has won several prestigious awards for her fiction. She’s also a C.L.A.S.S. Communicator and has been featured on the Moody Radio Network, Family Life and Focus on the Family Radio.

Married for 24 years to a guy who keeps her young, she lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two adult daughters, who surprise her daily with their own creativity.

She is the co-author of Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage and the author of The Soul Saver.

Websites:

http://www.dineenmiller.com

http://spirituallyunequalmarriage.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dineen.miller

Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/DineenMiller.AuthorSpeaker

https://www.facebook.com/SpirituallyUnequalMarriage

Personal Blog:  http://authordineenmiller.com/journal/

Twitter:  @dineenmiller

GoodReads author page:  http://www.goodreads.com/dineenmiller  

The Soul Saver
Lexie Baltimore is in the supernatural battle of her life. In obedience to God’s calling, Lexie uses her dreams and sculpting to help others. But will she have enough courage to help herself when she becomes torn between her atheist husband and a godly man? As events unfold, Lexie becomes entangled in a twisted plot. Will she unmask the evil before it’s too late? 

See the book trailer here.

Lessons Learned from the Movies Series: Part 4 by Fay Lamb

Hasn't it been helpful to read Fay Lamb's series this month? If you missed any of her articles, go the Search mechanism in the side bar and search by her name or by "movies." Enjoy her last installment!

Knock Your Reader Out; 

Don’t Let Him Pass Out

by Fay Lamb

Often a reader will grab a book to curl up with at bedtime. Reading relaxes them, tires them out and let’s them drift off to sleep.

People do the same with television.

But you don’t drive to the theater, pay hard-earned money, and sit in the seat to pass out. In the movie, The Rock, starting Nicolas Gage and Sean Connery, each new scene compounds troubles for Nicolas Gage. The girl he loves tells him she’s pregnant, he has to stop a terrorist from taking out the lives of millions of people in the San Francisco area, though he tells his girl to stay where she is safe, she follows him to San Francisco, Sean Connery escapes . . . the list goes on and on. The stakes are raised for the main character with each passing scene.

What authors want to do is give their readers a movie experience in their mind, one that doesn’t let their eyes fall shut before they turn the page. They want their reader’s eyes wide open, paged turned with anticipation of what is about to occur. They want to raise the stakes for their lead character.

Andrew, a master thief, has studied the layout for his latest heist. Yes, he’s a little rusty. He’s been out of the business for a few years. He can’t get caught. The woman he loves will die if he doesn’t get out with the loot. He’s factored in Detective Donovan, a royal pain in Andrew’s side since he was a street orphan trying to stay alive in the slums of New York. Andrew’s back for one last look at the layout, studying the case where the jewels are enclosed, making sure he looks like an everyday citizen enjoying the sights of the gallery where the diamonds are kept behind heavy glass and updated alarm systems. 

“I’d say these are worth more than you’ve ever stolen in your life, Drew. What do you say?”

Andrew can’t mistake the voice of his enemy. He turns and stares into the hardened gaze of Detective Donovan. “I didn’t know I had a record, Detective.” He looks back to the jewels, examining the press lever that will sound an alarm if he can get through the museum’s security system, past the lasers, and into the glass encasement.

“Maybe not, Drew, but if you’ll look to the doorway, you’ll see the one who will help me prove once and for all that you’re the master thief that’s stolen millions from the good people of New York.”

Andrew turns to look. He fights any show of acknowledgement, and turns back to the detective. “I don’t know anyone at the door, Detective.”

“She loves you, Drew. Loves you more than you deserve. Why don’t you just walk out of here, put your arm around the girl, and take her home. She needs you with her and not behind bars where I want to put you.”

Andrew shakes his head and walks off in the opposite direction. Hannah may want to think she’s saving him from an arrest, but life would be a prison without her in it, and he’s willing to take the risk.

Andrew’s not backing down. He’s up against seemingly impossible odds. His girlfriend is dying. He’s forced back into a life of crime to save her, but she doesn’t want him to take the risk. His old enemy is on the trail, and to save him, Hannah has enlisted his help. 

That’s called raising the stakes, and that will keep your readers awake.

~~~~~

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is soon to be released by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing. Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010. In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board. Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

~~~~~

Not your typical Christian fiction.

Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.

Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.

Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?

Because of Me is available through all fine book retailers, Amazon, and Mountainview Publishing, a division of Treble Heart Books.

Lessons for the Journey by Courtney Walsh

One of the many great things about belonging to a community of Christian writers is that people are willing to mentor and help others who are traveling on the road to publication. We don’t have to go it alone. Today, author Courtney Walsh is here to share some things learned on her own journey. Enjoy! ~ Dawn

Lessons for the Journey

by Courtney Walsh

At first glance, it seemed like my writing journey was going exactly as I’d planned. In the fall of 2008, I attended my first ACFW conference. By December, I’d signed with the agent of my dreams. By the following spring, I had a three-book deal writing books that combined my love of Small Town, USA, with powerful stories about forgiveness and a happy little twist of scrapbooking all into one neatly designed package.

I was on my way. Living the dream. Everything was coming up roses.

How naïve of me to think that this was the hardest part of my journey.

For some of us, we wait years for our first manuscript to be sold. For others, we agonize for months over whether or not an agent will represent us. For still others, we get to watch on the sidelines as God uses the things we want most (a career in writing) as a teaching tool.

And we all know that sometimes, being a student can be difficult.

My first book, A Sweethaven Summer, was finally released in February of this year.

And boy, was it a learning experience. I’ve discovered there are three things every writer should know as they set off on their journey, and if these are embraced, they can separate you from the masses.

Lesson One: Be eager to learn.

As writers, this is absolutely imperative at every single point of our careers. Whether we’re just starting out or we have twenty-five books in print, learning—and a desire to learn—keeps what we do from getting boring. It keeps us from getting stale. More importantly, it makes us easier to work with.

Lesson Two: Be flexible.

Throughout this journey, my publisher has gone through some major transitions. As a result, I’ve worked with three different editors (all wonderful) and my release dates have been changed more than once. My own plans have gone awry more times than I can count, and through it all, I’ve been reminded time and again, to stay flexible. You cannot worry about things that are out of your control. Expect change. It will happen whether you want it to or not. Turns out, getting the book deal is only the beginning…

Lesson Three: Be willing to work.         

I sometimes say if I’d known how much work this was going to be, I may not have had the courage to go forward. In some ways, I think God blessed me by revealing things in steps and only as I needed to know them. From editing, to marketing, to connecting with readers, to making sure every bio online is actually about you…a writer never really stops working. The bottom line—no one cares more about your career than you do. No one else has the same kind of passion to see your book succeed. So you have to channel that passion into hard work.

If you aren’t willing to put in the time at each step of the publication process, you can’t expect great results.

I believe wholeheartedly that writing is a rewarding, wonderful endeavor, but that’s not to say it’s going to be easy. Regardless of where you are on your journey, allow it draw you closer to the One who gave you the desire in the first place. Whatever you’re believing for—an agent, a contract, a certain number of copies sold—hand it over to Him. And continue to look for the lessons in the journey. 

Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooking designer, theatre director and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, will be released in February, 2012 by Guideposts/Summerside, followed by two additional novels in the series. She has also written two papercrafting books, Scrapbooking Your Faith and The Busy Scrapper and is currently working on her third, The Scrapcrafter’s Idea Book (F&W Publications, August, 2012.) Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and is a frequent contributor to Group Publishing curriculum, newsletters and other publications. She has also written several full-length musicals, including her most recent, The Great American Tall Tales and Hercules for Christian Youth Theatre, Chicago. Courtney is a member of ACFW and is the current PR Manager for Webster’s Pages, a scrapbooking company. 

To learn more about Courtney and her books, please visit:

Her blog at: www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com

Her website at: www.courtneywalshwrites.com

This-n-That Thursday: Four Self-editing Tips

As writers, we probably all develop habits that don’t serve us well. The thing is . . . it’s sooo much easier for us to point out other people’s blatant errors than it is for us to see how mistakes blemish our own stellar writing.

We may even have our own little pet peeves. One of my critique partners has it in for prepositions. (A preposition links a noun, pronoun, or phrase to another part of a sentence.) She zeros in on any unnecessary words like: to be, of, on, for, from, at, etc.

As a freelance editor, I see common bad habits formed by writers. Can you tell what doesn’t work in the following examples?

~ Dawn

Tip #1

“What time should we leave for the concert?” John asked.

“Five o’clock will be early enough. Did you know that Larry is riding with us?” Mary queried.

“That’s awesome!” he exclaimed.

 

Explanation:

We don’t need to include words like asked, queried, or exclaimed if punctuation is already doing the job. It’s much better to use an action beat. Have the person do some type of physical movement or display a facial expression.

Tip # 2

“I thought you were going to get the car fixed by Monday,” Kathy said.

“I never said it would be done by then,” Greg denied.

Explanation:

If the dialogue does the job, there is no need to explain. In this case, we don’t need to write that Greg denied saying the car would be fixed by Monday. His words are enough.

Tip #3

“I bet those flowers are from your secret admirer,” Mark winked.

 “Mark, they’re an anniversary gift from my husband,” laughed Carrie.

 

Explanation:

It’s impossible to have verbal words expressed through action. While we can wink before, during, and after speaking . . . we can’t “wink” words. Nor can we “laugh” them. Well, maybe if we tried really hard, but we would look and sound pretty funny. And we might choke in the process. ;-)

Tip #4

Kelsie walked to the department store because she needed to shop for clothes. But she also needed some blush, so she first walked to the makeup counter and purchased some blush. Then instead of taking the escalator, she walked up the stairs to the second floor. After walking around that area, she tried on some clothes and then decided to purchase several pieces of designer clothing.

Explanation:

Phew! Okay, that paragraph is pretty silly, and perhaps a little exaggerated. But you get the idea. I frequently see repeated words in the same sentence, paragraph, and page in manuscripts I edit. The writing starts to feel redundant and doesn’t make for exciting reading. It can be challenging at times to find alternative words, but most of the time, it’s possible. For instance, the following words can be used for walk: stroll, saunter, meander, amble, march, pace, stagger, hike, etc.

Kelsie walked to the department store because she needed to shop for clothes. But she also needed some blush, so she first walked to the makeup counter and purchased some blush. Then instead of taking the escalator, she walked up the stairs to the second floor. After walking around that floor, she tried on some clothes and then decided to purchase several pieces of designer clothing.

Those are my four pet peeves—ah—self-editing tips. What are yours?

Ask O Wednesday: How Do I Defeat Reaction Before Action?

Happy Wednesday, my writing friends!

I’ve been teaching a six-week history course for junior highers at our homeschool co-op. One requirement is to teach and discuss two literature selections. The first one rocked—The Scarlet Pimpernel. “Zounds!” It’s splendid!

Lately, I’ve been working on the second selection--a Lewis and Clark story from a dog’s POV displayed on my Kindle.

I’m sorry to say that this book drives me crazy! It’s confusing. I don’t know what’s going on. I have to re-read and re-read. And then I’m still not sure what’s happening. The root of the confusion is the old cause-before-effect problem. Reaction before action. Nasty beast. It manifested its ugly mug in several ways.

Dialog

A scene moves along nicely. Seaman (Meriwether Lewis’s dog) sniffs a flag pole and bumps noses with another dog, and then, bam! Out of nowhere a strange new person strikes up a conversation. Another joins in. It’s Thomas Jefferson.

I’m jolted out of the story into a cascade of questions.

Where did person number one come from and when did President Jefferson arrive? What are they doing and how are they related to the dog? How do they fit into this point in the plot?

How to Stop

It can be tempting to shock readers with a surprise character, shown through dialog, but in my experience, it rarely works, rather, causes crazed frustration (at least in my case).

I try to step back and introduce the new folk through my point-of-view character’s lens. I don’t always spell out all the details. For instance, the author of the Lewis and Clark dog book could’ve shown a tall man with red hair entering the scene. He could’ve portrayed an air of authority, and then disclosed the presidential identity through dialog.

That would’ve helped.

I feel better just sharing…

Tune in next week for part two of this topic.

What are some ways you fight the wicked vice of reaction before action? 

I'd love to hear!

Happy writing!

Ocieanna

What I've Learned from Other Authors by Beth Shriver

I had a thought the other day about how other writers have affected me and what made me start writing. I can remember when I read my first series; it was, Narnia, of course. J Because I enjoyed that series so much my father suggested that I read one of Stephen Lawhead’s books. Steve was in my dad’s Bible study group, so he told me to come down after class and Steve would bring me an autographed copy of his book, The Dragon King. I could have cared less. I wanted a lion not a dragon. Needless to say I ended up reading the entire series and loved it! Since then I have always had a book close by, or I’m writing one. My taste for books has widened. I can’t pick just one genre but I can tell you what a few authors have taught me about writing.

Along the lines of Lawhead, Lewis and Tolkien, I enjoy the allegory that makes you think beyond the obvious and dig deeper. John Jakes made me appreciate historicals, which was a major feat after having the most boring history teacher ever. The first romance I enjoyed was, Mrs. Mike, showed me that a realistic story about relationships could be done tastefully. Janet Evanovich taught me how to add humor into my stories. Even the darkest or most serious of books can use a little comic relief to bring out another side of a character. The classics made me realize the changes in the literary industry and to learn from the ‘greats’.

I’m not a big horror fan but reading Stephen King’s, The Stand, was powerful and filled with symbolism. My dad has read all of the Louis L’Amour books at least twice. Louis may as well have lived at our house as often as he was there in thought. My dad taught me to look for the ‘take away’ in his books which gave the story more meaning. Francine Rivers took a giant leap when she wrote one of the first ‘edgy’ Christian fiction stories. Her Mark of the Lion series is still my favorite. Francis Chan wrote a non-fiction book that was so incredible I started reading non-fiction again.

Last but definitely not least is, The Way, my first Bible, you know the author. I wouldn’t have chosen to write in the Christian market if I hadn’t studied the Book when I was a teenager and on into adulthood. Because my faith is as much a part of me as taking a breath, the Christian undertone that is weaved into my stories is not forced. Its how I think and how I feel, not a sermon, just a way of thinking about life when you’re a Christian, and if you’re not a believer, how to get there. I don’t ever want to write preachy. I want readers to tell me if I do, but if my story doesn’t show that Way of living I’m being a hypocrite. I hope I’m finding that balance in my writing and in life.

What authors inspired you to write?

What authors and in what genres do you like to read?

Childhood memories of her grandfather's ranch came alive as Beth wrote her first Amish story. Her parents grew up in the country, so she understands pastoral life and respects those who make a living off the land. She frequents a nearby Amish community just south of Fort Worth for an occasional church service or brunch with the bishop and his wife. And on the way home she stops at the community store to get some plum jam!

In 2003 Beth began writing her first book. A couple of years later it was published and she has been writing ever since. Beth received a degree in social work from the University of Nebraska and was a case worker before starting a family. Beth followed her passion and has written in a variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Literary Agency.

Beth's latest book, Annie's Truth, is book one of the Amish romance series, Touch of Grace, Annie must leave the security of her family and community to find her true identity when she discovers she was adopted as a newborn and raised by her Amish parents.


Connect with Beth at www.BethShriverWriter.com

Lessons Learned from the Movies Series: Part 3 by Fay Lamb

Our task as writers is to engage our readers, right? One of the ways we do that is to include the golden element: conflict! Writer and acquisitions editor Fay Lamb is back today to share some helpful tips on including conflict in your fiction. Enjoy!

The Cry for Conflict, Conflict, Conflict

by Fay Lamb

There’s a reason we authors hear the word conflict over and over. Teachers of creative writing shout it from the rooftops: “Conflict. Conflict. Conflict.” Yet so many authors fail to heed this wisdom.

“I go to movies and read books to relax. I don’t need conflict in my life.”

Oh, yeah? Take a look at the movies and books being watched and read. Whether the audience or the reader realizes it, they are loaded with conflict. Name a bestselling novel or a blockbuster movie, and anyone whose read or seen them can tell you about the conflict.

Let’s look at a sweet little love story like Sleepless in Seattle. That’s just about two people falling in love, right? No conflict there. Look again. Meg Ryan’s character thinks her boyfriend is perfect for her. Tom Hanks’ character misses his wife. He’s not looking for another girl. Enter Jonah and the pseudo-doctor on the radio. Enter conflict. These two individuals, minding their own business, going through life, thinking they are happy, or at least coping, are suddenly hit with conflict. Hanks begins to think about moving on after his wife’s death, and he begins looking for someone to date. Meg is drawn toward the man she hears on the radio, and from there forward, their lives are never the same. They’ve been thrust into conflict.

Conflict makes the literary world go around and around. When the conflict is resolved, the story is over.

Andrew is an ex-master thief. He’s getting back into his old life of crime because Hannah, the woman he loves, needs chemotherapy neither can afford. Can you imagine the conflict that could be born from this plot? First of all, Hannah tells him if he returns to his thieving ways, for whatever reason, the next time he’ll see her is at her funeral. What a choice? Watch her die or wonder where she’s gone to die. Add another obstacle to Andrew’s goal. Detective Donovan has been on Andrew’s trail since he left the petty street crime and claimed the title of master thief, but Andrew’s never been caught. Donovan’s come close to nabbing him a few times, and now he’s dogging Andrew’s every step.

Andrew has to now factor Donovan into his scheme.

Every stumbling block toward your character’s goal gives the author what s/he needs to keep his/her story going: Conflict. Conflict. Conflict.

~~~~~

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is soon to be released by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing. Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010. In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board. Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

~~~~~

Not your typical Christian fiction.


Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.


Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.


Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?

Because of Me is available through all fine book retailers, Amazon, and Mountainview Publishing, a division of Treble Heart Books.

Your Goose is Cooked. Or is It? by S. Dionne Moore

Not only do authors take different paths and make a variety of stops along their journey to publication, so do stories. Some books are taken down detours, but still find their way into the hands of readers. Author S. Dionne Moore (Sandra Moore) shares how she resolved a dilemma with one of her mystery novels—the final in a series—when a line was discontinued before the book’s publication. ~ Dawn

Your Goose is Cooked. Or is It?

By S. Dionne Moore

LaTisha is back in the third and final book that details her sassy tongue and tender heart. This is the book that almost didn't happen. When Barbour Publishing discontinued the mystery line, Your Goose is Cooked was known as Recipe for Deceit, but the end of the mystery line was announced before its release date. What's a writer to do?

LaTisha wanted so much to have this story told. Everyone wanted to know what happened to Mayor Taser and his—uh, loving wife after his appearance in Murder on the Ol' Bunions. I never thought I would release these as e-books, but Barbour reverted rights to the story and the authors put our heads together. So this is the story that almost wasn't. I'm so thrilled to finally allow LaTisha's fans to get a glimpse into her life with Hardy as they get ready to celebrate their 40th anniversary, buy and run Maple Gap's restaurant, Your Goose is Cooked, and solve the mystery of the hired gun who turns up dead during the mayoral election.

For every story there is always a need for an audience. E-books are hot and becoming hotter. Though the price wars wage on and many authors hesitate to stick their toes in the waters that is e-publishing, there are also success stories. The main concerns for e-books of any type and at any price range, are that they are well written and well edited, the latter being a common mistake of new authors.

You cannot put out a book that is not edited and expect to maintain the integrity of the work. Getting a freelance editor to work on your story is an expense, yes, but it is one that is well worth the cost. One of my friends has asked not one or two, but over a dozen people to read and critique the work in order to avoid errors of spelling, grammar, plot and pacing. That's better than nothing, and the feeling is that most people can catch grammar and spelling errors. But it really takes a professional to catch your story’s plot and pacing issues and suggest solid fixes that take your work to the next level.

What do I recommend when looking for a freelance editor? Ask around for suggestions of professionals who have edited within your genre, then ask them questions and pay close attention to their experience. When you are in the middle of having your manuscript edited, it is not the time to decide you don't like the editor's feedback. Do your homework ahead of time, then sit back and watch your story get shined to a high gloss!

Kudos to Jamie Chavez for editing Your Goose is Cooked.

S. Dionne Moore is an award winning, multi-published author of the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series as well as six historical romances, three of which are published in the single title, Promise Brides. Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Moore moved to Greencastle, PA in 1993, then to Mercersburg in 2009. Moore enjoys life in the historically rich Cumberland Valley where traffic jams are a thing of the past and there are only two stoplights in the whole town. 

To learn more, please visit:

http://www.sdionnemoore.com

http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com

Twitter @sdionnemoore 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sdionnemoore/

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/156156  (link to book on Smashwords)

http://www.spyglasslanemysteries.com/  (Link to all Spyglass Mysteries)