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.

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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.

Celebrate! by Joy Massenburge

I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Ps 119:16 NKJV

July 8, 2019, release day of “A Heart Surrendered,” should have been the happiest day of my life. Maybe it would have been if I hadn’t replayed all the things that needed to happen over the next thirty days—get blog post material out on time—promote the book signing events—get fifty reviews as soon as possible for the Amazon algorithm—the book is at #15, stimulate a buzz to get it to #1.

Instead of climbing, the numbers fell. Maybe Harambee Press, the new African American Christian Fiction imprint for Lighthouse of the Carolinas, should have chosen a more experienced writer to be their first release. What if I’ve hindered their vision to unite the ethnic voices so underrepresented in the Christian market? On and on my days fill with what ifs, maybes, should’ves and would’ves. Where writing had always been my delight, it became a burden.

“Joy, when are you going to celebrate?” My husband asked three weeks later.

It was then he reminded me how far I’d come since July 2015, when I first decided I’d leave my job at the end of that year, giving myself two years to focus on the craft of writing. July 2019, my dream of being a hybrid author, independently and traditionally published, came true. Although “A Heart Surrendered” hasn’t reached #1, Amazon describes the book as “Tops in African American Christian Fiction, Kindle Store and Books.” There are currently 25 Amazon reviews, 4.7 out of 5 stars. One reviewer boasted:

“I loved it. Romantic and convicting with well-rounded, characters facing real world problems. Tugged at me on a spiritual level. Well done!”

Creating word pictures, provoking Christ centered thoughts, and evoking hope in readers is all I was ever called to do. So focused on the results, I forgot my why. I had so many things to be thankful for, yet, where was my praise?

Warning to all writers! Stop. Take the time to celebrate what God has done. Celebrate your stories. “The End” is a big deal. Celebrate the readers you reach. Every best seller began with one reader. Celebrate every milestone, every step of the way and let His name be exalted.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

So focused on the results, I forgot my why. #SeriouslyWrite #amwriting

~~~~~~

Joy crafts the love stories of pastors and their kids. She was born the sixth child of a pastor. She married a football player turned pastor…they raised pastor’s kids; a son and two daughters.

During the week, she works as an assistant to Jacob George, CPA, PC. She serves as American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW-East Texas) chapter’s Founding President. When she’s not writing or recording audio books, she is speaking at retreats and conferences throughout the East Texas area.

She resides near Tyler, Texas. You can find her curled up on her back-porch swing reading a good book with her grandchildren, caretaking for two donkeys and a dog, or filling her five-acre country home with fifty-plus people for a Blue Bell ice cream party.

Promises, Promises by Marie Wells Coutu

Your story is a promise.

If you’re writing fiction, you’re making a promise to your reader that he or she will find entertainment, adventure, and perhaps inspiration in your novel. The reader expects to be transported to another time and place, where she’ll “meet” interesting characters.

If you write romance, she’ll want to fall in love with the hero.

If you write science fiction, your reader wants to discover new worlds.

Readers of historical fiction may expect to experience life in an earlier time period.

In addition, your tagline, your back-cover blurb, your cover, and your opening line all contribute to your promise. Each one helps to set expectations, create a mood, and entice the reader.

What happens if you fail to fulfill your promises? If the tagline hints at romance, but the hero doesn’t show up until midway through the story, the reader is likely to be disappointed. If the cover appears to show adventure but the story is a slow, relaxing tale set in an Amish community, there will be a disconnect—and the reader is likely to throw the book across the room.

How can you be sure you’re fulfilling the expectations of your readers?

1. Be clear in your own mind what your story is about.

2. Know what genre best fits the story. To be sure, brainstorm what your plot might look like if you wrote it in a different genre. For instance, does your romantic suspense plot work better as a fantasy instead? Or as a military thriller? If the answer is “no” to all the other genres, you’ve got the right one.

3. Be familiar with the primary conventions of your genre. You don’t need to shoehorn your story into a formula, but if you’re writing a romance, your readers expect a HEA (Happily Ever After), so you need to give them that kind of ending.

4. Determine your primary Story Question, write it down, and post it where you’ll see it when you’re writing each scene. Then pay attention to whether the scene contributes to answering that question.

If you take these steps, chances are good you’ll fulfill the expectations of your readers. Live up to the promises you make with each story and your readers will likely come back for more.

Your story promises entertainment, adventure, & perhaps inspiration. 4 tips to fulfill your #promise. #amwriting #writingtips @mwcoutu @MaryAFelkins

Marie Wells Coutu finds beauty in surprising places, like old houses, gnarly trees, and forgotten treasures. When she’s not writing about finding restoration and healing through God-designed journeys, she enjoys taking broken things and making them useful.

The Secret Heart, her newest release, was named a finalist in both the 2018 National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Awards and the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards sponsored by Florida Writers Association. Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the Selah Awards Contest and a semi-finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards. An unpublished historical novel set near Golden Pond has been a finalist in five contests.

You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook author page, her website, MarieWellsCoutu.com or follow her on Twitter or on Amazon.com

The Best Chocolate Comes From Côte d'Ivoire by Peter Leavell

We want more from ourselves.

I mash the remote to watch someone make chocolate cake with chocolate chunks, chocolate frosting, and chocolate candles.

I’m on the couch and reach for the Peanut M&Ms on the coffee table. I drop the remote. Argh. I lean over and pick it up and set it on the armrest. Thankfully, I didn’t have to drop the raised footrest.

I refocus on the food connoisseur, who is taking the time to choose chocolate either from Ecuador or Côte d'Ivoire. I admire the stock snapshots. The cook makes his decision.

When it comes to flour, Europe is worried about Brexit, so their grain may be stressed. Russia is currently outproducing the U.S. in grain exportation, but the cold war is heating up again, so best not buy Russian flour. U.S. flour is the staple, but the chef is feeling like a change. He goes with flour made from Canadian wheat. We’ll see.

He never changes where he procures the eggs. The Buff Orpington chicken gets moody during the summer and longs for human connections, so the farmers bathe, massage, and council every chicken in hopes it lays the highest quality eggs. The hens have a great 401k, four weeks paid vacation, and double chicken-feed-and-a-half for two eggs.

Non-GMO, pesticide free, classical music playing during harvest of rapeseed produces the highest quality canola oil.

Mixed together and lovingly poured in a handmade Chinese stoneware dish, he bakes it in an equally handmade kiln to evenly heat.

There’s an admiration party at the end, when they light the chocolate candle which turns out to be ten-minute-long fireworks show.

I admire the cook’s dedication. The unrelenting focus on perfection and quality. If I was a chef, I would give it that much effort.

But no. I’m a writer.

I slog through another draft. I ignore a section that could be heightened with more research. I don’t rewrite the section that needs it. And the first page is fine as it is.

Meanwhile, somewhere, a mediocre chef turns on the TV and watches a show about the time it takes to write a book, admiring the effort of the author who recreates scenes at locations to get everything right, and rewrites three drafts, and the chef thinks if she were a writer, she’d put that much effort in.

Writers, here’s your permission. Go all in with your writing. You already admire the people who are obsessed. That admiration means it is inside you.

You admire greatness. That means you have greatness waiting inside of you!

Now, go be fanatical.

Cooks can be fanatics, writers can too! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

The Best Chocolate Comes From the Ivory Coast! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

You admire greatness. That means you have greatness waiting inside of you! Click to tweet it! @peterleavell #writerslife #motivation #seriouslywrite

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. A novelist, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com