What is a series bible…and why do you need one? by Lisa Phillips

Hello, fellow writers! *waves*

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Lisa Phillips. That is a COMPLETELY ACCURATE photo of me. (Guess who just realized she needs a headshot that’s not five years old?)

I love writing series novels almost as much as I love dogs. Don’t even get me started on my giant adorable Airedale ball of crazy. I’ll be here all day. I write for Love Inspired Suspense, and I indie publish on the side.

That’s two whole blogs right there. And who wouldn’t want to read one about dogs? I’d love to write about being a hybrid author—it’s a great way to make this writer career thing work. But it probably wouldn’t be as good as the dog one.

So…series bibles.
Instead of telling you why you might need one, I’ll do the writerly thing and SHOW you.

Here’s a quote from a book I wrote a few years ago. My first full series (so be nice, lol.) The first book is called Sanctuary Lost:

John looked at the guy in line ahead of him. Early thirties but he was nearly bald, his glasses drooped on his nose and he gripped his plate of mostly bread and green beans. “I’m Terrence Evangeline.” He pointed at an older couple by the salads. “That’s my mom, Shelby and my dad, Aaron. They run the town’s community arts programs.”

Now here’s a quote from book three, Sanctuary Breached:

“There is also the problem of Andy.”
Nadia glanced at the man for the shortest possible amount of time. Sure enough, Andy Evangeline was staring at her. Why, Lord? He’d been nursing a terminal crush for months now, and it didn’t seem to be easing off. Nadia was the focus of his attention every second he wasn’t at the recycling center. Who knew what he thought about when he wasn’t watching her or following her around. It was the last thing she needed in the middle of this.

See the problem?
Somehow *cough-distracted mom writer-cough* a secondary character who was Terrence Evangeline in book one, was suddenly Andy Evangeline in book 3.
Oh what, oh what, is a writer to do?

Here’s where genre came in super handy. See, I write romantic suspense. This particular series? It’s about a town of people all in the witness protection program, also known as WITSEC (witness security). People change their names in witness protection all the time, right?

Enter the solution. Book 5, Sanctuary Forever, we were back in town and ready to wrap things up—which of course meant I needed a solution.

“Hi, Andy.”
He crossed his arms on the counter and smiled. “It’s Terrence. I’ve decided to go back to my first name again instead of my middle name.”
Seriously?
He looked like he expected her to say something, but she didn’t. Why would she care if he was having an identity crisis? She didn’t even like the man and never had.

Two more series and a lot of books later, I’ve decided to make life easier for myself.

This is my new series. Aren’t my covers AWESOME? Seriously, my cover designer (now that I’ve decided to quit doing it myself *blog post alert*) is so good!
Me? More like, meh. But that was a solid business decision.

Another business decision I made with this series?

One designed to save me hours of headache?

A series bible.

Right now it looks a lot like a messy spreadsheet, but the moment the first character walked onto the page in Expired Refuge, I wrote down her name. Age. Occupation. Hair color. Defining features. Key personality traits. Family members who live in town.

And so on, and so on.

Every time I open that first draft document, the spreadsheet gets opened too. Is it foolproof? No, because I’m a human and we all make mistakes. But this will cut down on SO MANY continuity problems I don’t need and don’t have time for.

Businesses in town. Street names. People who lived there years ago. The name of the vet, who won’t get a novel about him until next year? All of it gets noted down.

So how about you?
Do you have a series bible, or a way to keep track of these details? I’d love to know your secret. Or maybe you could just tell me what the plural of “series” is, because clearly I have no idea.

And after you’ve left a comment, feel free to swing by Amazon, KOBO, Nook or Apple Books and grab a copy of Expired Refuge!! You can find out more at www.authorlisaphillips.com/coming-next

40 Writing Tips for the Professional Writer by DiAnn Mills

Writers today search for tips to help them move forward in the craft. The following are 40 ways to sharpen your writing tools.

1. Pray for your writing ministry
2. Read in the genre you are writing
3. Read a craft how-to book each month
4. Read a marketing book each month
5. Study the bestsellers like a text book
6. Study daily a blog about the craft
7. Study daily a blog about branding, social media, marketing and promotion
8. Establish a daily writing schedule and stick to it
9. Establish goals for every area of your writing career and analyze quarterly
10. Analyze your career quarterly and make changes if necessary
11. Participate in a writer’s group, either online or face to face
12. Invest in a professional writer’s conference
13. Invest in time and knowledge to raise your visibility in the publishing world
14. Invest in text to voice software
15. Invest in techniques to learn effective speaking
16. Learn your genre and be an expert
17. Learn Facebook and post regularly
18. Learn Twitter and post regularly
19. Learn how to blog effectively and do it
20. Learn how to Instagram and post regularly
21. Use your knowledge and expertise on social media to help and encourage others.
22. Use the 80/20 rule in posting on social media.
23. Use a scheduling tool for social media posts
24. Use an app to check grammar on all writing projects
25. Mentor a serious writer who needs assistance
26. Edit everything you write before pushing Send.
27. Follow social media experts online
28. Follow writers online and post to them
29. Follow editors and publishing houses online
30. Develop a data base for libraries
31. Develop your brand
32. Schedule events not book signings
33. Visit bookstores and introduce yourself to manager or PR person.
34. Request permission to take photos with store owners and librarians. Post and tag on social media
35. Create a spreadsheet for blog posts
36. Create a social media library for all platforms
37. Create a street team.
38. Give back more to your street team than you expect from them
39. Remember your agent and editor(s) on special occasions
40. Remember your marketing and promotion team on special occasions

There you are! 40 tips to help you move forward in your writing career. What tip can you give that’s not mentioned above?

Amazon Buy Link

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the direc-tor of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media spe-cialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com

Let’s Get Real by Patti Jo Moore



When I think about books I’ve enjoyed reading, and think about why I enjoyed those stories so much, it’s usually because I became totally absorbed in the lives of the characters. A particular character became real to me, and for a while, I lived that character’s life. As an author, I strive to make my characters real to my readers—with flawed lives in a world that’s far from perfect. I’ll admit I do usually have a lovely heroine and a handsome hero, but they aren’t perfect by any means.

Sometimes when I’m in the midst of writing, I focus on a particular aspect, but later realize other details need to be changed. For example, I struggle with having enough conflict in my writing, so I might be completely focused on making sure my story has adequate conflict. But when I re-read the sections I’ve written, I may find that the scenery, weather, etc. is always “too perfect” and not realistic. Is the sun always shining? Is a fictional town totally clean and safe, with no worries about crime? (Wouldn’t that be wonderful in real life!)

Another consideration are children and/or pets in the story. As we all know, both children and pets can be quite unpredictable, so unless it’s a brief scene where the little ones (with or without fur) only make a quick appearance and their behavior doesn’t impact the story, take this into consideration. Especially if you have children who play a major role in your story, remember there likely could be crying, pouting, or tantrums involved. I’ve heard that some authors tend to shy away from writing stories with children, but I love to include little ones in my stories when applicable—especially since I have fond memories from my own children’s lives and my kindergarten teaching days.

If your character is baking a cake in a scene, maybe s/he suddenly realizes a trip to the grocery story will be necessary because there are no more eggs in the refrigerator. Does your character see someone interesting while on the errand? For characters who drink coffee or tea, maybe the drink spills and causes a mess. That not only creates frustration for your character, but depending on where the drink landed, it could even add to your story (maybe the character had been perusing important papers when her coffee spilled on them). Your character’s health is another aspect to think about. Does your character ever have a headache? Have to miss a special event due to sickness? These details can make your characters more believable to readers.

These are only a few examples to remember when we want our stories to seem realistic. Unless you’re writing fantasy, of course. 😉 For those of us writing contemporary or historical fiction, we want our readers to really imagine themselves in the shoes of our character, and for a little while, to live our character’s life.

Happy writing, my friends! 😊

Sadie's Dream

In a coastal Georgia town in 1900, a young woman prepares to serve as a missionary in Africa.

 

After being jilted the previous year, she's certain she's meant to remain single.

 

When she meets a handsome businessman from Savannah, she begins struggling with doubts.

 

Over time she learns that the Lord's plans are best, and dreams really can come true.

 

 

Patti Jo Moore is a lifelong Georgia girl who loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee. A former kindergarten teacher, Patti Jo writes “Sweet, Southern Stories” that always have a happy ending. Her Emerald Coast Romances series is published by Forget-Me-Not Romance and all three books are available on Amazon. Patti Jo is excited about her first historical romance to be released soon. Sadie’s Dream, also published by Forget-Me-Not, will be available on Amazon. You can find her on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore, and also at her CatMom’s Corner blog. http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com  

Lessons Writers Can Learn From Throwing Axes by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Recently my husband, son, and I went to a local axe-throwing establishment. Right off let me say I loved it. Two hours hurling axes at a wooden target and scoring multiple bull’s eyes, what's not to love?
There were groups of all ages and axe throwing abilities. Some of us were newbies and it showed. Others like the bearded, Viking-hair-shaved, kilt wearer who brought his personal bag of axes were obvious pros.
As I threw axes at targets, I realized there are lessons writers can learn from throwing axes.
• In axe throwing if we're going to hit the target, we have to get in the game, grab an axe, step up to the line, and throw the axe toward the target in front of us. As writers, if we want our words to hit the target and find an audience, we need to get in the game, step up to the line, and put our words on the page.
• If we hurl an axe toward the target and it doesn't stick the first, second, even third time, we pick the axe off the floor and throw it again. If our first attempts to hit the publishing target bounce off the wall and land with a solid thud to the ground for all the world to hear, we pick up that manuscript and send it into the publishing world again.
• Just because our axe hits a bull’s eye once doesn't mean we'll score another bull’s eye on the next go round. Nevertheless, we keep trying. We may score an acceptance with one manuscript then miss with the next one we pitch. Nevertheless, we keep trying.
• When we throw the axe and it doesn’t score a bull’s eye, we don't discount the 1s, 2s, and 3s we have scored. All points big and small add up for the grand total. They don’t have to all be bull’s eyes. Each step forward in our writing journey is important no matter how small we may feel it is. We don’t dismiss those which seem insignificant in comparison to our overall goal.
There are no disqualifiers for hitting the target - wooden or written. What truly matters is a willingness to get in the game, grab that axe, step up to the line, and give it our best shot. Over and over and over again. Enjoying each step of the journey along the way.

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a former elementary school educator and full-time writer with a passion for God, history, and travel; passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She has written numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog, and Let the Earth Rejoice. She has won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out Sandy’s blog, Woven and Spun. twitter.com/SandyKQuandt

What My Westie Taught Me About Writing by Terri Weldon

While trying to decide what to write my blog post about I noticed my Westie stretched out on the floor enjoying a nap. It suddenly occurred to me that Crosby was quite the writing instructor. In fact, he has taught me several things.

1. NEVER Give Up. When Crosby wants something he never gives up. And guess what? The majority of the time he gets what he wants. I’ll give you an example. We purchased new living room furniture. No one stays in the living room. We spend all our time in the TV room. So, I decided Crosby could only get on the ottomans. That way my new accent pillows would look plump and attractive longer. He played along at first. Then one day I walked through the living room and he was on the love seat stretched out across my beautiful new pillows. Of course, I made him get down. Was that the end of it? No way. He kept going back to those pillows. And now there is one member of my family who ignores it when he’s on the pillows and my resolve is weakening. How does this relate to writing? Be persistent. Keep going after what you want. There are a lot of talented writers out there, but it’s the writer who refuses to toss away her keyboard that succeeds.

2. Know Your STRENGTHS. Crosby is cute and he knows it! I don’t know how, but from a young age he knew if he stood on his back feet, put his front paws on the arm of my chair, laid his little chin on his paws, and looked at me with those big dark eyes he could pretty much write his own ticket. CAUTION do not try this with editors and agents. That is absolutely not what I’m saying. But know what you’re good at and write that. Colleen Coble is a master with setting. Sharon Srock, Women’s Fiction Author, writes about friendships between ladies that will make you want to be a member of their clique. Find your strength in writing and work to master it.

3. ENJOY All Aspects of Your Life. Crosby loves to ride in the car, eat, be petted, play outside, and go walkies. Make sure you have balance in your life. Don’t let your writing take over your relationship with God or your family. Go on a date with your spouse, take the teenagers to the latest Avenger movie, or go shopping and have lunch with your sister.

Do let writing come before activities you don’t enjoy. When I first started writing I wrote fast and had a blast. I couldn’t wait to get those words on paper. There was no internal editor looking over my shoulder. Write your first draft with that abandon.

Create a writing schedule and do your best to follow it. Tailor the schedule to suit your life. If you work at a day job you aren’t going to have the hours to devote to writing that a fulltime author will. Don’t compare yourself to others. I can guarantee you Crosby never compares himself to another puppy on the street and finds himself lacking.

Do you have a pet? Have they taught you anything about the writing life? I’d love to hear your story and see a picture of your fur baby.

Terri Weldon feels blessed to be a full time writer. 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.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.terriweldon.com or Blog: Seriously Write or Facebook

Writing Lessons I Learned While Eating Chocolate By Rhonda Herren Starnes

I don’t know about you, but when I write, I get the munchies. My current writing treat of choice is Dove Promises, dark chocolate with almonds. Yummy! I’ll reward myself with one or two pieces when I reach certain writing goals…. daily word count, pages edited, etc. As an added bonus, I get a little note of inspiration and encouragement. Today, I thought I’d share with you four writing lessons I’ve learned while eating chocolate.  

Lesson #1: If you don’t take chances, you’ll never succeed.
I’ve wanted to be a published author since I was twelve-years-old. I would talk about it all the time, constantly saying, “One day…” However, it wasn’t until six years ago when my hubby called me on it, telling me either write a book or stop talking about it, that I finally sat down and wrote. Since then, I’ve written three complete books and started two others. I’m still not published, but I’m writing and entering contests and participating in pitch opportunities. It’s all about getting your work in front of the right person. Take chances!

Lesson #2: Just Write.

I must admit this one is hard for me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a middle school language arts teacher and I’m used to correcting grammar, or if it’s because I’m a picky person. However, on the rare occasion, when I am successful at silencing my inner editor, I am much more productive. Even if half of the words end up being cut, I end up with more (usable) words in a shorter amount of time than I do when I’m sitting at my keyboard correcting and/or rewriting every sentence trying to make it perfect as I go. So, just write!

Lesson #3: Revise, revise, revise.
The book isn’t finished just because you typed “the end.” That’s when the real work begins. Never submit the first draft of a manuscript to an editor, agent, or contest. Read it. Revise it. Read it, again. Revise some more.

Now, with that said, you don’t want to get caught in a revision cycle that never ends. At some point you need to hit send. Just make sure, you’re submitting a manuscript you put your best effort into. Show your best work!

Lesson #4: Don’t let rejections stop you in your tracks.

Time for full disclosure. Having an editor or an agent reject your manuscript hurts. And it really hurts if you were given a chance to revise a manuscript and resubmit it for consideration only to receive a rejection in the end. I’ve had that happen, more than once. The last time it happened, I let self-doubt take over. How could I get this close and still not get a book contract? Is my writing so bad that I’ll never get a traditional publisher to take a chance on me?

The self-doubt engulfed me for an entire year. During that time, I only wrote one proposal (three chapters and a synopsis). That’s all. Writing was painful.

Fortunately, I have wonderful writing sisters and friends who encouraged me and lifted me from the cloud that surrounded me. I’m focused and ready to succeed, now. I’ll never get my year of writing time back, and that saddens me. However, I can’t dwell on the past. I have books to write. Don’t dwell in the past! The road may be bumpy, keep going!

Rhonda Herren Starnes writes stories of romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They have been married for thirty-three years and have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Rhonda is an ELA teacher with twenty-two years of experience. Other than the obvious task of teaching her students how to read, write, and communicate effectively, she sees her number one goal as an educator to be that of a motivator. She wants her students to learn, by her example, to go after their dreams.
Awards/Accomplishments:
• 2014 Love Inspired Suspense Killer Voices, finalist.
• 2015 Love Inspired Suspense Blurb to Book, finalist.
• 2016 Wisconsin Fab Five Silver Quill Award, Inspirational Category Winner.
• 2016 ACFW Genesis, semi-finalist.


https://www.facebook.com/RhondaHerrenStarnes/
https://twitter.com/Rhonda_Starnes
www.rhondaherrenstarnes.com

Eat Your Vegetables by Tina Radcliffe

The writing journey is unmistakably challenging. At eleven traditional books in I can tell you I am only just beginning to understand how much I don’t know.

We live each day with more ups, downs, and rattles than a wooden roller coaster The path is often murky, the gratifications and paychecks shaky and definitely not timely.  It’s also a calling that keeps us humble though it requires us to toot our own horn to be heard. Should we toot too loudly, there is someone out there who will happily point out our shortcomings.

This calling requires introverts, people who live in their heads, to become social beings. Not only must we master our craft, but we must master the art of selling ourselves. We write the copy, and spin the copy, and sell ourselves like a bottle of Pepsi.

We routinely have our patience, our sanity and our ability to juggle six things at once tested. Often we fail. I contend that there is no balance in this profession. Even boundaries are precariously drawn and often smudged at the edges.

It’s also a lonely journey. Despite our ability to reach out and touch, the creative process is still a solitary endeavor.

Yet, we persevere because we don’t have any other choice. How can we not write?

 So I offer the few bits of wisdom I have picked up along the way. 

• Keep the faith. Keep that relationship strong and hold it close. It’s the only thing that stands between you and a world filled with destruction and chaos. 
• Write letters. I mean this. Pick up a pen and paper and send a card or a note of encouragement to those who mean something to you. Don’t forget this old-fashioned nicety.
• Tell your loved ones that you love them. Daily. Say the words.
• Don’t forget kindness as you go through your day. The world will buffer you like a cold storm, but your one smile when your eyes meet another’s can make someone’s day spin around from despair to hope.
• Your words matter. This is a calling. You don’t get to decide to hide your calling under a basket. Your job is to step into your gift.
• Do not abandon what you know to be true and right while you pursue your dreams. 
• You really cannot get up unless you fall down. 
• And finally, eat your vegetables. Chocolate is fine and dandy but good vegetables while sometimes boring will keep you strong and clear-eyed.

May the writing force be with you.

A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina Radcliffe is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a three-time ACFW Carol Award nominee, and a 2018 ACFW Mentor of the Year recipient. Her 11th book for Harlequin Love Inspired, Her Last Chance Cowboy, released in February 2019.  In addition to novel-length fiction, Tina has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. A former library cataloger, Tina is a frequent presenter on writing topics and an online instructor. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance and eats her vegetables.  Sign up for her author newsletter and market newsletter at https://www.tinaradcliffe.com/

 

 

Her Last Chance Cowboy   

She came seeking family…
Will she find love at Big Heart Ranch? 

When pregnant single mother Hannah Vincent shows up professing to be the half sister of the Maxwells of Big Heart Ranch, horse trainer Tripp Walker is wary. Wounded before, he doesn’t trust easily. If only Hannah and her feisty five-year-old daughter weren’t so impossible to resist. Now, despite his doubts, joining this little family is quickly becoming the cautious cowboy’s greatest wish.

https://amzn.to/2EyRVN6

5 Tips For Writing Romance Novels By Linda Goodnight

Linda Goodnight offers some practical advice on how to write a better romance.

Tip #1 - A romance novel starts with great characters.

Make them strong, realistic, flawed, sympathetic characters that we can like. Even if he’s a damaged bad boy in need of redemption, the hero should be a man with deep worth, a true hero whose actions
show he respects and admires the heroine even as he’s struggling not to fall in love with her. Create a heroine worthy of that respect and admiration. Whiney, wimpy, helpless heroines without their own goals and dreams turn today’s readers off.

Tip #2 - Create realistic conflicts.

One of the major complaints against romance novels in the past has been silly, contrived conflicts. To avoid this, think of your characters as people. Real people have problems, fears, inner wounds, etc. Notice how these are all internal. While a romance may include an external issue between the main characters to move the story along, their main
conflict is internal.

Tip #3 - Focus on the emotional journey

Go deep inside your characters, figure out their emotional baggage, what hurts them, what are they afraid of, etc., and then show those emotions on the page. The heart of your book is inside your characters. Letting the reader see this internal angst adds to the conflict discussed in #2 and creates motivation for the character’s behavior.

Tip #4 - Keep the romantic relationship front and center.

While it’s great to include interesting subplots, always bring your reader back to the reason for the novel--the developing relationship between the man and woman.

Tip #5 - The Happy Ever After is a must in romance novels.

Consider it the emotional pay–off your reader has been longing for. This union of two hearts, this transformation from alone to committed love, is why she/he has followed the characters through all their trials. Don’t skimp on it. Tie up the plot’s loose ends and finish the story with an “ahhh” moment. If your reader tears up or swoons or smiles as she
closes the book, chances are she’ll be back for another of your stories.

"I could give you dozens of tips for writing a good romance novel..."    Linda Goodnight

NY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels to touch the heart as well as to entertain. Her emotional stories of hope have won the RITA, the Carol, the Reviewer's Choice, and numerous other industry awards. A small town girl, Linda remains close to her roots, making her home in rural Oklahoma. She and husband have a blended family of eight, including two teenagers recently adopted from Ukraine. Many of her books are about family and children and rightly so, as she draws her deeply emotional stories from her surroundings, her great love of family, and from personal experiences as a nurse and teacher. Connect with Linda on Facebook, Twitter, or at www.lindagoodnight.com

This post originally appeared on the Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writer's Blog in January 2018.

Writing through the storm by Connie Mann

Some of life’s seasons are smooth sailing. They are calm and filled with gentle breezes and the lazy feeling of a day at the beach. Others start as a small rain cloud, then build up to a tropical storm, and before you know it, you are fighting the raging winds and stormy seas of a full-blown hurricane. For our family, that hurricane’s name was Alzheimer's, and the target it chose was my father.

How do you keep writing when your family is in crisis? Where do you find the time to sit down and focus your thoughts enough to actually put words on paper? How can you possibly meet deadlines when you never know what the next moment will bring? It is a challenge I have been wrestling with for over five years and it isn’t easy. Below are some things I’ve learned, which I hope will encourage you, when you face a storm in your life.

1 – Be realistic

If you realize you're not going to be able to meet a deadline, the time to speak up and ask for an extension is well before the due date. Don't wait till the day before to say something. Publishers can often adjust scheduling, but it will be much easier for them if they have plenty of advance notice. The challenge for me is that I always underestimate how long something will take. It requires taking a very critical look at exactly what I can and cannot do in the allotted time frame. Admitting I need more time is very hard, but is sometimes necessary.

2 - Keep your mind in your story

I had heard about people who wrote books at the sickbed of a loved one, but I will admit I was skeptical. How on earth could you possibly write at a time like that? But I found out it is possible. Maybe not writing long passages, but as I sat by Dad’s beside in the early morning hours, I pulled out my yellow legal pad and jotted plot ideas and character sketches and other things that kept the story at the forefront of my mind.

3 - Take opportunities where you find them

There were a couple of days at the end of Dad’s battle, while Mom and I took turns at the hospital, that I was able to come home and realize I had a few scant hours to get some words on the page. I'm the kind of person who needs a deadline to accomplish anything, so this worked in my favor. Since I'd been thinking about the story, I knew what I wanted to write, so I was able to make the most of those little snatches here and there and make some progress. Getting up crazy-early in the morning also worked some days.

4 – Take care of yourself

No one person can do everything, which is something I have a hard time admitting. But it’s absolutely true. Give yourself permission to take a nap, turn the ringer down on your phone, and draw some boundaries around your availability. I was surprised to discover that allowing myself to think about my story was actually a great mental break. Give yourself lots of grace. And when people offer to help, don’t brush their offers aside. Take them up on it.

5- Keep your perspective

Eccelsiates 3:1 tells us that, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every [a]purpose under heaven.” For me, the hardest thing about this season was knowing Dad’s “happy ending” would be when he crossed onto heaven’s shore, which he did on July 17, 2018. But after a valiant three-week battle, and the struggle with Alzheimer’s for years before that, we can’t wish him back. Though we will miss him like crazy, he is whole and healthy today, and better than he’s ever been. And we had the privilege of walking him home.

Life is an ever-changing mix of seasons, and staying afloat is a lot like piloting a boat. It requires skill and agility and a trust in the one who made the waves.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)

When the storms hit, do what you can and let the rest go. Stand on God’s promises, enlist help, and do what you need to do—for your writing and for your family. Know I will be cheering you on.

Bio: Connie Mann is an author and a USCG-licensed boat captain. During this stormy season of her family’s life, she wrote the 3-book Safe Harbor series (Waterfall) and has written the first novel and a novella for her upcoming series with Sourcebooks. She is hard at work on the second book in the series. She also pilots a boat for her local school system, so when she’s not writing, she takes local school children out on the Silver River, showing many of them their very first alligator. You can find Connie online at: www.conniemann.com.

DEADLY MELODY (Safe Harbor #3)

Home is where the heart is. The danger, too . . .

The Martinellis were the closest thing to family Cat Johnson ever had. That’s why she ran—to protect them from her threatening past. The orphaned child of classical musicians, she’s been lying low in Nashville, and performing at the No Name Café. When Cat reluctantly agrees to attend the wedding of her beloved foster sister, the plan is simple: make a quick appearance at the Martinellis and then disappear again. Instead she’s thrust headlong into a nightmare.

After a wedding guest is murdered, Cat’s past descends with a vengeance. So does handsome and inquisitive Safe Harbor cop, Nick Stanton, who will stop at nothing to uncover the town’s secrets. That means exposing Cat’s as well. The more intimate Nick’s feelings for Cat become, the more driven he is to find out what she’s hiding.

As things in Safe Harbor take a terrifying turn, Cat realizes that the man she’s afraid to trust might be the only one she can turn to.

 

Amazon Link: Deadly Melody 
 




Deadly Melody

LESSONS FROM LEVI: How observations of my cat remind me of my writing journey By Patti Jo Moore

Hello, my name is Patti Jo and I am a Cat Lady.  

I will admit it. In addition to being a retired kindergarten teacher and newly-published author, I will openly admit I LOVE cats. Since I also love books and writing, I recently thought about the similarities in the mannerisms of my cats (all six of them, but particularly Levi) and my writing journey. 

Whether you’re a veteran writer or brand-new to this wonderful—and sometimes discouraging—journey, you’re certain to find out that it’s not all fun and games (or contracts and contest awards), but rather a lot of hard work. And waiting. Persevering is essential, because if a writer wants to be published, she/he must persevere. When I observe Levi trying to retrieve a toy mouse from underneath the sofa, I notice his perseverance. He knows he wants that toy mouse, and he’s determined to reach it with his paw. If a writer’s goal is to be published, then in addition to learning the craft and writing the best story possible, the writer has to keep trying. Sometimes over and over. For years and years.

Developing a “thick skin” is vital—and this can be a real challenge for those of us who tend to be sensitive. Susanna (one of my female cats) adores Levi; yet I’ve witnessed a time when Susanna was quite perturbed that Levi was in her napping spot, so she promptly swatted him with her paw. Poor Levi simply turned away, overlooking his sister’s feisty mood. How wonderful if writers could handle less-than-kind comments about our writing with the same acceptance. Sometimes the comments/suggestions certainly do have validity. Other times the reader might be in a ‘feisty mood’ and the author’s writing receives comments that should not be taken to heart. And of course rejections from agents and editors can be difficult to accept, especially if we’ve gotten our hopes up anticipating a positive response. Yet if we can remember those rejections are part of this journey, so we must move on, continue working hard, and keep a hopeful, positive outlook, how much better we’d feel. (Yes, sometimes easier said than done, I know).

Not long ago I was feeling extremely tired as I strived to write a certain amount of words in one day. By afternoon I’d reached the point of feeling I was in a daze. A daze that no amount of coffee and M&Ms could snap me from, and I was frustrated. Glancing from my desk over to the bed, I saw Levi (and several other kitties) snoozing away. I simply needed a nap! No, this isn’t rocket-science, but sometimes we writers become so determined and focused that we fail to ignore what is needed at that moment. I closed my laptop, sleepily headed to the bed, and joined several felines in a nap. I’m happy to say that after my thirty-minute snooze I was refreshed and able to tackle that manuscript with a fresh perspective. And make my word-count goal. 

As a Christian, for me personally the most important aspect of my writing journey is seeking the Lord’s will and writing the stories He would have me to write. I’ll admit that as smart as Levi is, I haven’t seen him actually reading the Bible.😉 But one day as Levi sat next to my Bible on the kitchen table, it was a reminder that I’d not had my quiet time with the Lord that day. I’ve found my writing and my day in general flows more smoothly when I’ve had time in the Scriptures. 

No matter where you are in your writing journey, I hope you’re enjoying the process. And if you’re having a day that’s left you feeling frazzled and frustrated, maybe you just need to take a little break or even have a catnap. Who knows? You might return to your writing with such renewed energy it’s as if you have nine lives. 

South Georgia farm girl Emma Hopkins hopes to put her past behind her as she moves to a lovely community on the Florida gulf coast. Tired of living in fear from a past relationship, she enjoys working in her aunt’s gift shop.

For three years businessman Thomas Wilton has carried guilt for his sister’s car accident that left her in a wheelchair. When his boss insists moving from Alabama to the Florida panhandle will be beneficial for his career, Thomas reluctantly agrees, although he hates leaving his sister.

After Emma and Thomas meet, a relationship quickly develops, but is later jeopardized by a misunderstanding. When Emma’s life is threatened, Thomas realizes how much he loves her.  Can their seaside romance become a happily-ever-after?

 

A Seaside Romance Amazon Buy Link

 

 Patti Jo Moore writes Sweet, Southern Stories which is fitting since she’s lived in Georgia her entire life. After teaching first grade and kindergarten for twenty-one years, Patti Jo had to retire early due to severe spinal/back issues (resulting in four surgeries). She realized the ending of her teaching career was the beginning of her writing career—and she loves what she’s doing. In 2017 the Lord blessed her with her first grandbaby and her first publishing contract—and she’s still smiling about both. Her first book is A Seaside Romance published by Forget-Me-Not books (available on Amazon in print and for Kindle), and she will have two more books in her Emerald Coast Romances series. Patti Jo loves Jesus, her family, and cats, and loves meeting new friends. Connect with her on Facebook:   Author Patti Jo Moore or her CatMom’s Corner blog: http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com