Writing For Fame And Fortune by Richard L. Mabry, MD

I didn’t set out to be an author. From childhood, my career goals were first an airline pilot, then a professional baseball player, and finally a physician. As I matured, I realized the first one was a fantasy, the second one highly unlikely (although I did play a bit of semi-pro baseball), while the third was what God had in mind for me. I didn’t realize God also planned for me to write, but events after the death of my first wife made that path clear to me.

In none of these did I have an ultimate goal of fame and fortune—well, maybe the baseball thing, but nothing since then. But when I got my first writing contract, the dreams began. At my first writer’s conference, I was awestruck by the published writers there. These were people whose names were household words—maybe not in my household, but I was just getting started, so I could be excused for not knowing all of them. But I was certain that at least they were celebrities in their hometowns. Surely, they had to stop and give autographs in the grocery store or dry cleaners. And, undoubtedly, they lived in the lap of luxury. After all, they were published authors!

Bitter Pill is my sixth published novella, along with twelve full-length novels and a non-fiction book. Nineteen books, and no one asks for my autograph. I’ve decided that fame and fortune may find some authors, but not me. True, a row of books with my name on the cover are spread across the shelf over my writing desk, but with each book release there are no cheering crowds outside my window, no marching bands in the street. A few folks at church might ask, “When’s your next book coming out?” but otherwise it’s pretty quiet around here. And as for fortune? Afraid not.

Although I haven’t become rich and famous, my words have been read by many more people than the population of the town where I grew up. If I’ve succeeded in my mission, when those readers turn the last page of my books, they find they’ve been left with a message, one I hope sticks with them. I’ve been allowed to use the printed page as my pulpit. And that’s rich and famous enough for me.

Amazon Link

THINGS WERE GOING ALONG JUST FINE
UNTIL THE MIRACLE FOULED THEM UP.

“Brother” Bob Bannister is content with his life and his itinerant healing ministry, until one night he finds that the woman who walks off the stage under her own power isn’t one of his shills. At that point, doubts begin to intrude on his previously untroubled existence.

Dr. Abby Davis is tired of her family practice and at odds with God. Dealing with critically ill and dying patients has crushed her spirit to the point she’s ready to quit. But she soon realizes that there’s more to healing than ministering to the physical body.

Scott Anderson was the oldest graduate of his seminary class. Then again, most of them hadn’t turned away from a medical practice, hoping to atone for past mistakes (including his wife’s death) by ministering to men’s souls. Now he hopes he hasn’t made a colossal mistake in switching careers.

Each of these individuals becomes linked to the other, and each finds that God has a purpose for them—but, as it often does, the lesson comes with discomfort.

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical mystery with heart.” His work has garnered numerous awards, as well as praise from his contemporaries and reviewers (but no fame or fortune). He and his wife live in north Texas, where he works at being the world’s greatest grandfather, improving his golf game (without apparent results), and convincing his loved ones that staring off into space is sometimes necessary for writers.

Richard’s website is http://rmabry.com. He blogs regularly at http://rmabry.blogspot.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Why do I write? Who do I write for? by Taylor Bennett

Why do I write? Who do I write for?

Those are good questions—solid ones—but they’re not ones I ask myself often enough.

I spend so much time, hours and hours a day, writing. Thinking about writing. Reading other people’s writing. But when do I take time to ask myself why?

Why am I writing? Who am I writing for?

Do I write because I want to see my book made into a movie, win a major award, or become a NYT bestseller?

While all of those things would be nice…no.

That’s not why I write.

Do I write just for me? So that I can go on adventures within the pages of my own imagination?

That’s fun and all, but…no.

That’s not who I write for.

Do I write for the world? To make others happy, to churn out book after book that will win over the hearts of thousands?

Well…though I always hope others enjoy my work…no.

Then who DO I write for?

The answer is different for every author. Some do write for others, because they have a heart for a certain readership. Others write for themselves alone, to experience the joy of simply writing. Others write for the sheer thrill of navigating the publishing market, the wheeling and dealing with hotshot agents and editors.

Inside of me, there’s a small piece of all of these writers. Sometimes I write because of the story in my heart, the yearning I have to put it to paper. Sometimes I write for my audience, for others whom I know are just as in love with my characters as I am. Sometimes I strive to write with extra finesse, my hopes set on placing in a competition.

But, above all of that, I want to write for my Creator. The One who formed me in my mother’s womb, the One who gave me a love of writing before I even knew my alphabet. I pray to God each day, ask Him what He should have for me—in my life, my writing, my everything.

God knows best.

Sometimes, God makes it easy for us to know what His will is. He opens doors or closes windows that we just can’t ignore. Other times, His prodding is subtle. I’m learning to listen for that Divine, good will in all areas of my life, but especially in my writing. I’m still a young writer, one who hasn’t yet figured out her path in this literary life. But I know that God has a plan for me, for my writing.

And that’s why I want to write for Him.

What does writing for God mean?

In the Bible, we’re called to do everything unto the Lord, and we definitely shouldn’t leave our writing out of that. But how? How do we write for the Lord?

There are countless ways.

Whatever we do, we can do it for the Lord—whatever we write, we can write for the Lord.

If you write silly rhyming picture books…you can write them for the Lord.

If you write hard-hitting news articles…you can write them for the Lord.

Blog posts and devotionals and novels and short stories—you can write all of them for the Lord.

When we write for the Lord, we are simply laying down our work before Him. Asking Him to guide and direct our minds and hearts as we put words on a page. Sometimes His direction is clear—a push or prodding to tackle a certain topic. Other times, His hand is lighter. Just a vague whisper, a nudge in the right direction.

Writing for the Lord doesn’t necessarily mean we write for the Christian market, or even any market in particular. It simply means that we allow Him to fill us with His truth, to the point where we’re so full of God’s word that we simply can’t keep it from spilling out of us and into our words.

If we strive and aspire to write for the Lord, we have the great hope in our hearts that He will use our writing in ways we’ve never thought possible. A clean romance novel with a message of love and redemption can be just as effective as a pastor’s salvation message. We never know what will touch one person, one life, and what will give that individual a better glimpse of God’s kingdom.

And even if some of our writings never see the light of day—even when we write just for us, with no intention of publication—we can still use the act of writing as a way to worship.

No matter what we do with our writing, no matter who we’re writing for, we can use our writing to praise the One who first put words into our heart.

The One from whom all blessings truly flow.

Porch Swing Girl 


What if friendship cost you everything?
  
Stranded in Hawaii after the death of her mother, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is desperate to escape. She has to get back to Boston before her dad loses all common sense and sells the family house. But plane tickets cost money—something Olive gravely lacks.

With the help of Brander, the fussy youth group worship leader, and Jazz, a mysterious girl with a passion for all things Hawaiian, Olive lands a summer job at the Shave Ice Shack and launches a scheme to buy a plane ticket home before the end of the summer.
But when Jazz reveals a painful secret, Olive’s plans are challenged. Jazz needs money. A lot of it. Olive and Brander are determined to help their friend but, when their fundraising efforts are thwarted, Olive is caught in the middle. To help Jazz means giving up her ticket home. And time is running out.

Taylor Bennett Bio: Homeschooled since kindergarten, Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of Porch Swing Girl, released by Mountain Brook Ink on May 1^st. When she’s not reading or writing, Taylor can be found playing her violin or taking walks in the beautiful Oregon countryside. She loves to connect with readers via her author website, as well as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (her favorite!), Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Links:

Website: http://taylor--bennett.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaylorBennettAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writer__taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylor.bennett.author/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Taylor__Bennett/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66039360-taylor-bennett
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY14wY1VlyfoQlEJ_D6kkxQ
Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Porch-Swing-Girl-Tradewinds-Book-ebook/dp/B079QM574Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518563702&sr=8-1&keywords=taylor+bennett+porch+swing+girl 

A Divided Heart by Susan Tuttle

I was reading 2 Kings 17 recently, and it reminded me of how many times Israel tried to serve God with a divided heart, and it never worked. They refused to tear down the high places and wondered why they remained ensnared in sin. That phrased “divided heart” kept resonating in me in regards to writing.

See, I don’t care if your books are CBA or ABA because I fully believe God gives us the borders of our territory and the people within that he desires us to reach. But what does matter is what you’ve built within those borders. Israel constantly lost their witness because they repeatedly fell into sin. Why? They refused to tear down the high places. They tried to serve multiple gods at once.

Friends, we can’t have anything within our territory but God. We can’t be seeking to please men with our words or content. We can’t change what we know God asked us to write to suit an agent, editor, or publishing house. And we can’t be solely seeking accolades and sales numbers. We must constantly seek him and honor him. Our focus must remain on what he’s called us to, and the message he’s given us to tell. If we try to write with a divided heart, we will lose our witness.

This is so hard in this day and age. Some of us have been called to subtly share while others can be more overt in what they write. God uses it all. It’s not the style I’m questioning, it’s the heart behind it. And the only one who knows if your heart is divided is God.

Remain close to him. Present everything you do to his all-consuming fire and see what withstands it. Make sure you are honoring him above all else. Everything else is his to manage.

 

Susan L. Tuttle lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of three. She’s firmly convinced that letters were meant for words, not math, and loves stringing them together into stories that inspire, encourage, and grow women into who God created them to be. Romance, laughter, and cookies are three of her favorite things, though not always in that order. You can connect with Susan at her blog, Steps, Facebook, or Twitter.

Writing is a Tough Process by Terri Weldon

Do you ever have days where you feel like you’re beating your weary writer’s head against a brick wall? I know I do. First I have to come up with a story idea, then brainstorm, then plot (which I’m horrible at), and then write my masterpiece. Only after I read the first draft I discover it isn’t a masterpiece. Sometimes I think there’s hope for the book and other times I think it is more boring than the phone book. 

I’ve never met a first draft that didn’t need work. Sometimes I have too many ly words, or I’ve used a weasel word 325 times, or a character lacks motivation, or worst of all I discover the book is flat boring when the hero and heroine are on their seventh coffee date. More rewrites!

And then when I have the story spit shined and polished I hand it over to my most trusted reader. Does she love it or hate it? To be honest she has never hated one of my stories yet. But she always finds plot holes, places where my character is acting out of character, and boring spots. Can anyone say more rewrites?

When I’ve typed my poor fingers down to nubs I bravely send my manuscript off to two friends. They are good friends and don’t let me embarrass myself. Translation – my manuscript looks like a vampire used it for a napkin. 

So I set to work on what I hope are the final rewrites of my manuscript and finally type the end for what I hope is the last time. Now you know why so many authors suffer from headaches! 

Do I accept every suggestion my favorite reader makes? Do I incorporate all the changes my friends suggest? No, because when all is said and done it’s my story and my voice. However, more often than not they’re right and there is room for improvement. 

Now that I’m finished (can you hear me snickering) I send my book in for consideration to be published. If I’m lucky and it grabs an editor’s attention and is accepted for publication there are always changes required. If I receive a revise and resubmit letter there are definitely changes to be made and still hope for publication. The only time I don’t need to make additional changes is when I receive a rejection. Hmm, when I look at it like that additional revisions don’t seem so bad. 

Don’t get me wrong writing is tough, but I love it. If I didn’t there are much easier things in life to tackle. Plus I love writing stories that show God’s love and plan for my character’s lives. How about you? Have you found any shortcuts to help speed up the writing process? What keeps you writing? I’d love for you to leave a comment and let me know.
Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an award winning author by night. Her novella The Christmas Bride Wore Boots won the best novella category in the 2016 Lyra Awards. She enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, spending time with her family, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in the Heartland of the United States. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and RWA. She is a member of the Seriously Write Team (www.seriouslywrite.blogspot.com). Readers can connect with Terri at www.terriweldon.com


Ellie Alexander is in love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, Natalie, and Stephanie, her three unmarried, unattached granddaughters, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker . . .
A Match Made in Williamstown by Lady of Love Inspired Romance Jean C. Gordon — Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.

A Match Made in Sheffield by Terri Weldon— Natalie Benton bounced from one foster home to another until she landed on Ellie Alexander’s doorstep. Natalie’s vagabond childhood caused her to yearn for a secure life, which led to Natalie’s five-year plan: complete her law degree, marry the perfect man, become a partner at Montgomery, Haynes, and Preston, and produce one child. Getting arrested wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. Needing a public defender wasn’t in her plan. Falling for Grady Hunter, her public defender, definitely wasn’t in her plan. Can Grady convince Natalie there is more to life than her five-year plan? Is Ellie the only one who sees a future for Natalie and Grady?

A Match Made in Freedom by Lisa Belcastro — Stephanie Gould loves life on Martha’s Vineyard . . . until she runs into Kay and Tim, her former business partner and her ex-fiancé, who just returned from their honeymoon. Surprised by the heartache she thought was gone, Stephanie heads to the Berkshires to visit family and friends. Arriving in Stockbridge, Stephanie meets Captain Henry Lewis. Little does Stephanie know, her grandmother has already met Henry, and Ellie thinks Henry is perfect. Stephanie has no interest in dating, Henry included. If only Henry didn’t turn up everywhere Stephanie goes. When he walks up beside her at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stephanie can’t deny her attraction, but she’ll do her best to fight it.

Buy Links

Amazon Kindle & Print: http://amzn.to/2pb4HuK 

Nook, iBooks & Kobo: https://www.books2read.com/u/3neJnB
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/2qbmqEtMatchmakers  

 

 

Taking the High Road by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” You may remember its closing lines:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Often in our writing career, we come to a fork in the road, as described by Frost in his magnificent poem. One fork I call the High Road and the other fork I call the Low Road.

The High Road is the road of integrity and virtue, the road marked by obedience to God’s way of conducting our writing career. The Low Road is the road of compromise and rebellion, the road marked by disobedience to God’s way of conducting our writing career.

 

For example, there are times in our writing career where we may be tempted to water down the Gospel for the purpose of landing a contract. Or we may be tempted to stretch the limits of decency in the language or content of the fiction we write. Whatever the temptation, we have a choice to take the High Road or the Low Road.

 

Are you at a crossroads in your writing career now?  Are you trying to decide which road to take as you move forward in your journey? Are you being tempted to compromise God’s Word for the sake of a sale? If so, I urge you to take the High Road, the road marked by integrity and virtue. The road that will not allow compromise for the purpose of success.

 

The road that glorifies God.

 

And that will make all the difference not only in your writing, but also in your life.


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Copyright 2014 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA. All rights reserved.
Originally published in the Christian Authors’ Network (CAN) blog.
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Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of riveting fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Her latest release, A Sicilian Farewell, is Book 2 in the Italian Chronicles Trilogy. The idea that sparked the trilogy was an event in the life of MaryAnn’s paternal great-great-grandmother. Book 1 of the trilogy, The Madonna of Pisano, was released in 2015. Book 3, Return to Bella Terra, will be released in December 2017, Lord willing.

When not writing, MaryAnn loves to read, paint, and play the piano and cello. She resides in New Jersey with her husband of 47 years. They are blessed with two precious adult daughters and five rambunctious grandchildren. You can learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at www.maryanndiorio.com.

 

Title: The Diet of a Writer: What Feeds Us – Part IV by Susan Tuttle

The past several months we’ve been talking about what feeds a writer. From actual snacks to technical growth to the friendships we have. Today I want to talk about the staple of our diet. The part that feeds our very spirit and should breath life into every word we write: God.

We can forgo every other part of the diet we’ve spent time talking about, and our writing may suffer in quality, but it could survive. If we miss out on this piece though? We might as well put away our typewriters and not write down another word on paper.

See, writing is a God-given gift. It is the one thing all of us share in common. It spans genres and publishing varieties. No matter why, what, or how you write, you write because when God created you, he placed this gift inside of you. It was the purpose he created you for. And not acknowledging the gift-giver leaves a hole right in the center of anything you write.

Last month we talked about how friends can fill us up. They can, and they are an important part of our lives. But we also need to spend daily time with God for him to renew our vision, bestow direction, and breath life into us—and the words we write. We don’t simply write for entertainment. We write for Him. For his message to be heard.

Some of us do that overtly. Some do it subtly. But we all should be doing that. I encourage you to protect your daily time with God. Begin each writing session by praying over your keyboard. Seek him for direction and invite him into the process with you. He longs to partner with you in the very gift that he gave you. The stories you write with him will far surpass anything you could ever write on your own.

What fills us as writers? Many things. But the only thing we truly need is God.

Susan L. Tuttle lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of three. She’s firmly convinced that letters were meant for words, not math, and loves stringing them together into stories that inspire, encourage, and grow women into who God created them to be. Romance, laughter, and cookies are three of her favorite things, though not always in that order. You can connect with Susan at her blog, Steps, Facebook, or Twitter.

Susan contributes on the first Thursday of each month.

The Rich Life A devotional written by Alexis A. Goring

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

~Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

 

My Dad: “Alexis, you love too much money!”

 

Me: “I don’t love money; I recognize my need for it!”

 

This is a real-life script of a conversation that replays often after I vocalize my desire to be wealthy and never in need financially. Allow me to explain: For the past several years, I’ve been struggling financially but excelling in creative pursuits, which is part of my dream, thank God. But as with any creative person, you deal with the being a “starving artist” before you hit the big time and boy, am I still in that stage!

 

It can be discouraging to work so hard yet still be a “starving artist” but I’ve realized my need to stay grateful because I’m not “starving” in a literal sense when it comes to access to good food or agape love. I’m only starving financially, which is actually a blessing because I have the support of family and friends who care about me. If anything, this whole experience is teaching me to trust God with little so He can trust me with much (Luke 16:10-12). But even if He doesn’t make me famous or wealthy, I will still serve Him because He is wonderful and my true treasures are in Heaven, not here on Earth.

 

Through it all, I’m also learning how to be content with what I have and enjoy the blessings as they are ever present. You see, I’ve realized that despite being financially “poor” and going through the issues related to that struggle, I am rich in the things that matter!

 

I realize that I’d rather be rich in the things that do matter than poor in the things that don’t matter. Making a six-figure salary and being able to afford everything that my heart desires does not matter. But being surrounded by loved ones who support and encourage me does matter! Spending time with people who genuinely care about me, and not being able to afford lavish adventures is what I’d choose over gorgeous yachts, private jet planes and fancy dinners in exotic locations.

 

Becoming closer to God while drawing near to Him during tough times and being refreshed by His Presence and His Word is an experience that I would never trade for the world’s wealth and wisdom. Why? Because everything that is part of this world, all of the material possessions that we hold dear on Earth and all of the pursuits we want to achieve, are all fading away as this world nears end. 

 

So I decide to invest in eternity…an eternity spent with Jesus Christ in the places He’s prepared His faithful followers in Heaven.

 

 

I hope that this devotional will encourage your heart and I pray that God will bless you with riches that matter. 

 

A Second Chance by Alexis A. Goring

 

Newly single food critic and newspaper reporter Traci Hightower is done with dating. After the man of her dreams left her at the altar on their wedding day and ran off with the woman she thought was her best friend, Traci resolves to focus on work and resigns herself to being a bachelorette for life.

Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. However, Marc’s compassion and kindness are of invaluable help to his newly widowed sister Gina Braxton who is trying to raise her two kids in the wake of her firefighter husband’s death.

Traci and Marc may be the perfect match, but they don’t know it yet. With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, there is hope for a happily ever after for these two broken hearts.

 

Purchase link for A Second Chance

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2kAP4HX

 

Author Bio:

 Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

 

Social Media Sites: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex

Website: http://www.screenwriteralexis.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7260528.Alexis_A_Goring

“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write Out of the Chrysalis by Delia Latham

I am often the slowest, most obstinate of students—depending on the lesson. Do I want to learn it, or is it something the teacher says I need to learn?

Every time I write a book, I sit at the feet of the Ultimate Teacher and carefully pen the words He speaks to my heart and soul. The process can be painful, especially when the words I hear within my heart differ from the ones my head says are “right.

God uses those difficult writing days to teach me. Sometimes He shows me old things in new ways. Other times, it’s all new. I just hold on tight and hang on for the ride.

Author Confession: I am a pantser. I rarely outline a book, or lay out a plot. I do come up with a basic story line, mostly because publishers aren’t willing to offer a contract without one. (Imagine that!) Because of this ‘dive right in and sink or swim’ method, I often do research midstream, when I find myself dealing with topics I don’t know enough about.

My favorite learning moments, however, happen when God opens up His Word to me as I write.

• A familiar scripture takes on a whole, new depth of meaning.
• I’m blessed with an epiphany into a subject I thought I had long since mastered
• Something I’ve learned backwards, forwards and inside out suddenly takes on depth and life—becomes real in the deepest part of me.

I especially love that beautiful instant when the teacher—the Ultimate Teacher—shines a light in my heart and gives me a new understanding of some human weakness, enabling me to handle that behavior in my characters with accuracy and God-given wisdom.

Uninvited and unplanned, butterflies fluttered into my latest release. I’ve always found them lovely, graceful—almost magical. They’re one of the few insect-like creatures I can stand to look at, much less touch. (You guessed it…I’m severely bug-phobic.) I knew they started life as caterpillars. But that’s a mere scratch on the surface of an entire, fascinating world I knew little to nothing about.

Through my study on butterflies, God opened my eyes to the need for concerned Christians who are willing to be a protective cocoon for someone less fortunate—someone whose life is on the cusp of a wrong turn. He spoke to my heart about stepping out of a comfort zone and into a place of faith and trust. He unwrapped a cocoon and showed me the chrysalis effect.

Caterpillars don’t have a fairy godmother who turns them into butterflies in an instant. It’s a process that takes place in carefully planned, necessary stages. The caterpillar cannot become all he was born to be unless and until he spins that cocoon and submits to each of those stages of change.

God used the worm-to-wonderful chrysalis effect to teach me about obedience and submission, about myself, and yes…about writing.

As Christian writers, we must be willing to give our writing, and even our writing process, to the Lord. Without him, we produce nothing more than empty words. With Him, we can create something alive and real, with the power to touch and heal human hearts and souls. That should be a goal for each of us. Submit to the Ultimate Teacher’s classroom curriculum, and wrap a cocoon of God’s love around our writing. Only then can our efforts emerge in full beauty. Only then can they wing their way into the hearts of our readers, and maybe even change a life or two along the way.

Psalm 25:5 (KJV)—Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation.

Blurb:

An uncharacteristic, last-minute decision to do something "wild and crazy" before entering the stressful world of forensic science sends Raine Presley to Cambria, California. Against a cloud of disapproval from her slightly manipulative, over-protective parents, she signs a seasonal lease at the beautiful Paradise Pines Lodge...and winds up over her head in life and love.

Declan Keller's just minding his own business—literally—when Raine drops into his world and turns it upside down. He's far too busy carving beautiful shapes out of chunks of wood to be babysitting a gal from Pasadena. Even so, his father’s promise to an old friend obligates him, despite a looming deadline that could make or break his career in the art world. He’s praying for anything but Raine when she comes along.

Neither Declan nor Raine is prepared for the seemingly divine influence of Paradise Pines—and Miss Angelina Love. A mysterious lady who may or may not own the lodge, Miss Angie possesses an amazing talent for mending ruffled feathers, spouting proverbs, and somehow bending even the most determined of hearts to the power of love.

Available on Amazon, and most other online booksellers.

Bio:
DELIA LATHAM is a born-and-bred California gal, raised in a place called Weedpatch and currently living in East Texas with her husband, Johnny. She enjoys multiple roles as Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. She has a "thing" for Dr. Pepper, and loves to hear from her readers. Contact her through her website. Subscribe to Delia’s bi-monthly newsletter and receive a FREE short story!

My Journey to Publication by Dana R. Lynn

Thanks for the invitation to be here today, Terri. It’s always an honor to be asked. 

Anyway, I was thinking about what I wanted to say, and I thought about my own journey to publication. I had wanted to write since I was a kid. I can’t even tell you how many manuscripts I had started only to throw them out (cuz back then we used paper). Sometimes, I would get as far as the second chapter before life intruded. 

Could I have plodded along, writing little bits here and there? Well, yes, I supposed so. But you see, I had no idea what I was doing. And quite frankly, once I started a project, the idea of getting thousands of words down was intimidating. So, I would allow other things to get in the way. I was a wife and a mother. I could barely find the time to fit everything in. I didn’t see how I would be able to fit in writing. Eventually, I decided I was called to be a reader, not a writer. And reading was easier, anyway.

Easier, yes. But not satisfying enough to satisfy the desire to write, the itchy feeling I would get whenever a new idea popped into my head. One day, in 2013, I saw that Harlequin was starting their then annual So You Think You Can Write contest. I decided to give it one more try. Imagine my amazement when my chapter made the Top Fifty. Suddenly, I had a major publisher requesting that I send in a full manuscript. Umm…it wasn’t nearly ready yet. But I was motivated. In less than two days, I finished it and submitted it. 

I didn’t win the contest. I didn’t care. For the first time in my life I had finished a manuscript. And I had received feedback. Feedback that encouraged me to learn. And to try again.  Eight months later, I received a contract from Love Inspired Suspense. I will never forget the joy of hearing my editor’s voice on the other end of the phone. It was amazing.

I learned several things. If God gives you a dream, don’t give up. Wait upon His timing. He picked the perfect time for me to realize my dream. The second thing I learned is the need to continue to learn about the writing craft. Figure out what you want to write. And if there is a specific publisher, what are their guidelines? Another important lesson I learned was to find other authors and learn from them. I did most of this online, through Facebook groups. I also joined a small critique group. 

Finally, and this may be the most important, is pray. If God has a writing ministry in mind for you, then He also knows who He wants you to minister to. Allow yourself to be led by Him.

Thanks for letting me come today! I have a new novella out, The Heiress’s Timely Hero, loosely based on the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Plus, I added in a little time travel spin.

Blessings!

The Heiress's Timely Hero

 

Anne de Bourgh’s life is in danger. From her own family. Her only hope is a man who claims to be from the future. His story is impossible, yet her instincts, and her heart are drawn to this stranger. Will he save her? Or will trusting him cost her everything?

Morgan James has faced his own mortality. Now, he feels like a shadow of his former self. Without purpose. Until now.

Five years ago, his sister went through a time portal on the family estate in England, and returned with her husband, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. He knows going through the time portal is dangerous. He also knows Anne will die a horrible death if he doesn’t.

He intends to save her. What he doesn’t plan is to fall in love with her.

But danger has followed them. Is there no time or place where they can find happiness?

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/Heiresss-Timely-Hero-Bride-Book-ebook/dp/B01MYDR99X

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-heiress-s-timely-hero

  Dana R. Lynn grew up in Illinois. She met her husband at a wedding and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children, two dogs, one cat, one rabbit, one horse and six chickens. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries in her church.

What’s Your Wish for this Christmas? by Terri Weldon

Christmas is a magical time of year. While I’m remembering the miraculous birth of my Savior I’m filled with hopes and dreams renewed for my life and the lives of those I love. Do you have a special Christmas wish? I know I had several this year. 

I dreamed of releasing a Christmas novella in 2016. On December 1^st The Christmas Bride Wore Boots became available on Amazon. I was blessed to see the realization of one of my Christmas wishes. Writing is a blessing and I thank God for allowing me to write for Him. 

Another one of my Christmas wishes was for health for my family. Health is a universal Christmas wish. Let’s face it, when we’re worried about the health of those we love writing books or getting a new pair of UGG slippers doesn’t seem nearly as important. And while my sister is facing surgery it looks like everything will be fine. 

My final wish is one that gets slid onto the back burner all too frequently. It shouldn’t and hopefully it is just me and you don’t suffer from this problem. I want to grow more and develop a deeper relationship with Christ. After all, it is His birth I’m celebrating. 

What about you? What is your Christmas wish this year?

The Christmas Bride Wore Boots:
Berryhill Brides Book 1

Pastor Jacob Thompson is in need of a director for the living nativity program and veterinarian Molly Kincaid offers to take on the job. The task involves far more than Molly bargained for, nonetheless she’d do anything to help out the man she secretly loves – even sew costumes or cast eight-year-old Wesley Simpson as an angel.
 
Jacob’s daughter Emma longs to have a mommy of her own, but the widowed pastor has vowed to never remarry, and isn’t ready to open his heart to love again. Molly dreams of filling the void in both their lives, but fears she lacks the necessary qualities to be a pastor’s wife.

As Molly and Jacob work together on the living nativity, their feelings for one another grow. Will Molly realize she is just what Jacob and Emma need in their lives? Can Jacob be released from his grief stricken promise? Could this unlikely duo prove to be a match made in heaven?

Amazon: The Christmas Bride Wore Boots
Kobo:  The Christmas Bride Wore Boots

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in the Heartland of the United States. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and RWA. Her novella, The Christmas Bride Wore Boots, released in December 2016. Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or Blog: Seriously Write