A Time for Every Purpose By Davalynn Spencer

Davalynn Spencer

One wall of my office bears a dozen framed book covers, three literary awards, and a modified Winston Churchill quote that I purchased from a Christian gift shop following a book signing:

Winston Churchill
by United Nations Information Office,
New York [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

never 

never 

never 

never 

never 

give up.

Every colorful, artistically designed and titled cover on that wall came about after I was told time had run out. That it was too late for me to be a novelist. Too late to pursue my dream.

“You really should have started this years ago,” said the successful author who met with me in a one-on-one at my first writer’s conference.

Evidently, my skin was thicker than I thought, because I thanked her, gathered my portfolio, and went to the next workshop on my schedule.

That was the spring of 2008.

What the well-known, over-worked author didn’t know was during those “years ago” that she referenced, I was raising two children, traveling across the country with my rodeo bullfighting husband, and writing feature stories for Western magazines and inspirational publications.

Later I worked full time as a daily newspaper crime-beat reporter who had no creative energy left after a day spent sitting in a courtroom, covering fires or automobile accidents, or following Search & Rescue teams up Colorado mountainsides.

My dreams and I were exhausted.

However, God has a way of finding “a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Ultimately, I faced a decision. Would I pursue my dream, or would I give up, give in to a well-meaning naysayer’s observation? Would I sit back and vegetate on the latest television drama for the rest of my life, or would I improve my craft, sharpen my skills, pick up the torch?

Today, my desk sits across the room from that wall of framed book covers that circle the Churchill quote. Imagine how I answer when asked what advice I give aspiring writers.

What about you? Have you been told it’s too late to follow a dream? How did it affect you? Did you let up on the accelerator for a while, stunned by someone else’s lack of faith? Did you persevere in secret, enjoying the process and counting it worth the cost regardless of the outcome?

In our world of immediate gratification, trusting God’s perfect timing is an often uncomfortable, though fruitful, challenge.

I’d love to hear your story. Please comment below and share about God’s timing of His purposes in your life.

About Davalynn Spencer

Wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters, Davalynn Spencer writes cowboy romance, both historical and contemporary. She is an ECPA and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author and winner of the Will Rogers Gold Medallion for Inspirational Western Fiction. And she’s fairly certain her previous career as a rodeo journalist and crime-beat reporter prepared her for life in Colorado wrangling Blue the Cowdog and mouse detectors Annie and Oakley. Connect with her at https://davalynnspencer.com/ 

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The Miracle Tree by Davalynn Spencer

The Miracle Tree
by Davalynn Spencer

Laura Bell needs a second chance, not a new romance. Home to heal and start over, she finds the neighbor boy she once idolized is a sharp-edged former Marine with secret wounds of his own. Eli Hawthorne’s prayers are finally answered when Laura returns, but he’s half a man now, and his scars may be too much for her. Laura and Eli can fill the empty places in each other’s heart if pride doesn’t keep him from trusting God and fear doesn’t blind her to the miracle of the boy she left behind.

Promoting Book Signings by Davalynn Spencer

As we prepare to slip into 2015, I'm rerunning one of most popular Wednesday posts for the current year. In February, Davalynn Spencer provided much needed information for marketing our books. -- Sandy

Davalynn: When I worked as a reporter and religion page editor for a small daily newspaper, I saw press releases every day. I received a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul before it went on sale, and I knew about JK Rowling before most people heard of Harry Potter—all because someone wrote a press release and sent one to the newspaper where I worked.

I’ve stayed in touch with my reporter friends, and when I have a new book coming out, I shoot them an email to see if they’re interested in an interview. But I never assume anything and always phrase the request in a way that offers an easy out for them to say no.

Whether I’m promoting online or in print, I always write a press release for my books, tailoring it to the specific area if possible, especially if I’m sending “blind” without knowing the editor.

For example, last year’s book, The Rancher’s Second Chance, was set in the California foothills where I once lived. The release I sent to newspapers in the area focused on the locale and my former residency there. Releases I sent to papers in my current location mentioned “local author.”

Here are a few pointers for the news media:

• Never assume anything – especially with friends. You can be more casual in your approach with friends, but show them the usual courtesy and give them a way out to graciously say no.
• ALWAYS address the editor/reporter by name. If you don’t know them, find out.
• Include “hooks” that will make an editor/reporter want to interview you either over the phone, in person, or via email.
• If you are having a book signing nearby, include accurate information about when and where, and any giveaways or drawings you plan to conduct.

Book signings can be intimidating, but they are a great way to meet readers. Set one up at your local library, book store, or gift shop.

I am always more comfortable if I don’t sit down (unless I’m actually signing a book). I enjoy browsing during the in-between moments. This also gives me an opportunity to interact with people who may not be there to buy my book, though I keep a watchful eye on my book table.

While browsing, I pass out bookmarks—an incredibly inexpensive way to advertise. I get 250 for about $50 from Uprinting.com and I often use them like business cards. My website is printed on the bottom so readers have access to a buy link for the ebook or online suppliers. That way, bookstore owners are not offended by me pushing the book from an online dealer. After all, we need book stores.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Stay on your feet unless actually signing your name. Keep an eye on your table when you’re away from it, but move around.
• Offer bookmarks to people not at your table, with a casual remark like, “May I give you a bookmark?”
• Place a bookmark inside the books you sign.
• If you have more than one book, display copies/bookmarks of previous titles at the corner of your table.
• Send the person who allowed your book signing a hand-written thank-you note. These little gems are becoming quite rare and the effort will make that person feel appreciated.

Do you have anything to add that will be of help to others? Have you sent press releases to newspapers and received interviews from them? Tell us your experience with press releases and/or book signings.

~~~

Martha Stanton isn’t looking for love. The light went out of her soul when her husband fell to a bullet in St. Louis. Now, back in her hometown of Cañon City, she's convinced she'll never know happiness again. Until she crosses paths with a darkly mysterious Colorado Ranger.

Haskell Jacobs has a mission. And the beautiful, flame-haired widow sure isn't it. But Martha is somehow mixed up in the crime that brought Haskell to the rough-and-tumble town…and soon, she's entangled in the lawman's heart. But the danger that lurks around them is all too real. Can they find strength and love in each other before it's too late?

~~~~

Wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters, Davalynn Spencer began her writing journey in the national rodeo market and as a newspaper journalist, winning awards in both arenas. Today she continues to win acclaim with her inspirational western romance placing second in the 2014 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, and finaling for the Selah Award and the Holt Medallion. Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College, and with her handsome cowboy, has three children and four grandchildren. They make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. Connect with Davalynn online at www.davalynnspencer.com, www.Facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer.com and on Twitter @davalynnspencer.

Writing through Adversity and Obstacles by Davalynn Spencer

Davalynn Spencer

When Angie Arndt invited me to share about persevering in times of adversity I double-clutched. Persevere through hardship and danger? Seriously? And write at the same time? Oops – sounds like this blog’s name. Unfortunately, Angie’s invitation could not have been better timed.

I don’t like adversity unless I’m heaping it upon my characters. It’s not something I care to experience myself. I’d rather imagine how someone feels when difficulty strikes than write about it from a personal perspective.

But that is not life. And that is also why we must have adversity and obstacles in our stories. They make our fiction real.

This year I was excited about Thanksgiving break because the college was closed for a week and I didn’t have to teach my writing course. How tasty the anticipation: no interruption of going to-and-from the paying job while working on my next novel.

And then, just after dawn Monday morning, the neighbor’s Belgian Malinois escaped from their compound (yes, it’s a compound) and lit into our elderly Queensland heeler. On our turf. Three against one. Not a pretty scene.

How could I write while our Blue was at the vet’s all day on pain killer and antibiotics, being stapled back together?

How could I write after unprovoked violence broke into my quiet, country lifestyle?

How could I write with such anger surging inside that I felt like a living, walking, talking volcano?

I couldn’t. But it was okay.

My personal writing goal is 2,000 words a day. Sometimes I get in more, sometimes less. But having and reaching that goal fuels me with a sense of accomplishment.

The day Blue was attacked, I logged 70 words. That number is not a typo, and I have two points to make:

1. I wrote.

2. I cut myself some slack.

If I would allow someone else time to grieve, simmer down, and start healing emotionally, why not do the same for myself?

The emotive power of that difficult day will easily be pulled from my memory and inserted into a future scene. But I didn’t have to do it that day. Or even the next.

A few days later I hit 1,800 words and was quickly back on my regular schedule.

Sometimes persevering through adversity means letting go of our need to perform, produce, and press on to our detriment. Sometimes we simply need to let God heal the hidden wounds in our hearts and minds and emotions.

He’s much better at it than we are.

 

About the Author

The Snowbound Bride
by Davalynn Spencer

Davalynn Spencer writes cowboy romance, a skill she’s honed since marrying a professional rodeo bullfighter and raising another. Her most recent title is “The Snowbound Bride,” one of twelve historical novellas in Barbour’s collection, The 12 Brides of Christmas. She is represented by Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency and makes her home on Colorado’s Front Range with her handsome cowboy and their Queensland heeler, Blue. Connect with Davalynn on her website, Facebook page, Goodreads, and Twitter.

"The Snowbound Bride" from The 12 Brides of Christmas

On the run from a heartless uncle, Arabella Taube hides in Nate Horne’s farm wagon just as a harsh winter storm sweeps into Colorado. Despite Ara’s mysterious background, Nate’s mother thinks she is the answer to a prayer and the hope for his future.

Promoting Book Signings by Davalynn Spencer

Marketing is a daunting task for authors, so it helps to collect as many tips as we can find. Today, author Davalynn Spencer offers helpful advice about press releases and book signings. -- Sandy

Davalynn: When I worked as a reporter and religion page editor for a small daily newspaper, I saw press releases every day. I received a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul before it went on sale, and I knew about JK Rowling before most people heard of Harry Potter—all because someone wrote a press release and sent one to the newspaper where I worked.

I’ve stayed in touch with my reporter friends, and when I have a new book coming out, I shoot them an email to see if they’re interested in an interview. But I never assume anything and always phrase the request in a way that offers an easy out for them to say no.

Whether I’m promoting online or in print, I always write a press release for my books, tailoring it to the specific area if possible, especially if I’m sending “blind” without knowing the editor.

For example, last year’s book, The Rancher’s Second Chance, was set in the California foothills where I once lived. The release I sent to newspapers in the area focused on the locale and my former residency there. Releases I sent to papers in my current location mentioned “local author.”

Here are a few pointers for the news media:

• Never assume anything – especially with friends. You can be more casual in your approach with friends, but show them the usual courtesy and give them a way out to graciously say no.
• ALWAYS address the editor/reporter by name. If you don’t know them, find out.
• Include “hooks” that will make an editor/reporter want to interview you either over the phone, in person, or via email.
• If you are having a book signing nearby, include accurate information about when and where, and any giveaways or drawings you plan to conduct.

Book signings can be intimidating, but they are a great way to meet readers. Set one up at your local library, book store, or gift shop.

I am always more comfortable if I don’t sit down (unless I’m actually signing a book). I enjoy browsing during the in-between moments. This also gives me an opportunity to interact with people who may not be there to buy my book, though I keep a watchful eye on my book table.

While browsing, I pass out bookmarks—an incredibly inexpensive way to advertise. I get 250 for about $50 from Uprinting.com and I often use them like business cards. My website is printed on the bottom so readers have access to a buy link for the ebook or online suppliers. That way, bookstore owners are not offended by me pushing the book from an online dealer. After all, we need book stores.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Stay on your feet unless actually signing your name. Keep an eye on your table when you’re away from it, but move around.
• Offer bookmarks to people not at your table, with a casual remark like, “May I give you a bookmark?”
• Place a bookmark inside the books you sign.
• If you have more than one book, display copies/bookmarks of previous titles at the corner of your table.
• Send the person who allowed your book signing a hand-written thank-you note. These little gems are becoming quite rare and the effort will make that person feel appreciated.

Do you have anything to add that will be of help to others? Have you sent press releases to newspapers and received interviews from them? Tell us your experience with press releases and/or book signings.

~~~

 

Davalynn Spencer’s love of writing has taken her from the city crime beat and national rodeo circuit to the college classroom and inspirational publication. When she’s not writing western romance or teaching as an adjunct professor, she enjoys speaking and leading worship at women’s retreats. She and her husband Mike have three children and four grandchildren and make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. Connect with her online at www.davalynnspencer.com,  www.Facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer.com and on Twitter @davalynnspencer.