Hurricane Harvey and the Pirate: Happy Book Birthday! by Kathleen Y'Barbo

April 1, 2018 is the book birthday for my swashbuckling historical romance, PIRATE BRIDE. As with traditional births, this book was approximately nine months in the making, give or take. So happy birthday to the book of my heart, the book whose story people first came to me more than twenty years ago.

The book that survived a hurricane.

Yes. A hurricane.

Flash back to August 25, 2017—my birthday and the day that Hurricane Harvey slammed the Texas Gulf Coast. Suffice it to say the birthday celebration was postponed as the category 4 storm blew in with winds up to 130 mph.

As the rain fell and the waters rose—a year’s worth of rain in less than a week here in Houston—the September 1 deadline for completing PIRATE BRIDE loomed. Not so fun fact: so much rain fell on coastal Texas during that storm that the National Weather Service had to update their weather maps with new color codes for rainfall because there was no precedent (or color) to show that.

Never have I been so grateful for our decision to downsize to the top floor of a midrise building with third-floor interior parking even as I worried about friends and family who weren’t sitting as high and dry as we were. While the television played the unfolding drama of lives lost, families rescued, and even a news crew that was forced to evacuate their own newsroom while on camera, I continued to write the chapters that would form this book.

Maribel and Jean-Luc have been with me for more than two decades, and I would not miss the opportunity to tell their story. As I typed page after page, outside my window real heroes were saving lives. If anyone had a question as to whether there are still heroes in our midst, look no further than those who waded into chest deep water; who came from out of state with boats and all-terrain vehicles (thinking of you, Cajun Navy!); who opened stores and restaurants to feed, clothe and offer refuge (look up Mattress Mack Mackingvale for starters); and who swooped in after the waters receded to dig in (literally) to begin the long process of recovery.

So as I hold my copy of PIRATE BRIDE in my hand, I think of the torrents of rain that blew past my window as I typed this tale of heroes and privateers and villains who sailed the Gulf of Mexico. And while I hope that you’ll buy a copy of this book and enjoy it, especially given the fact I have wanted for so very long to tell this tale, I also hope when you hold it in your hands—or open it on your e-reader--you’ll also stop a moment and offer up a prayer for those who are still recovering from this storm.

And no matter what, keep writing…no matter what!

Thank you and God Bless! #TexasStrong

Have you faced a time when you had no choice but to write through less than ideal circumstances? 

~~~~~~

Bestselling Kathleen Y’Barbo, winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Romance of the Year, is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee with than two million copies of her more than eighty books in print. Find out more at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Assembling Your Cast by Angela Arndt

Who were you in high school? Were you the class clown? The popular gal or guy? Surely you weren’t the bully! 

Throughout my teaching career, whether tutoring a group of seven-year-olds or teaching ethics to an auditorium of corporate executives, I've always found certain roles within groups. In fact, some roles are so vital to the group dynamics that if one person leaves, someone else will take his or her place. 

In fact, one year I had a bully in my class who was so hurtful to others that the principal expelled her mid-term. You can imagine my surprise when her favorite target soon took her place as the aggressor in the classroom.

Using Roles to Create Flawed Characters

If we want to imitate life with our stories, we need to use these roles to create complex characters, not one-dimensional stereotypes. Casting misfits who become heroic even with their flaws are a great way to create and maintain interest in your story.

Character Roles

Character roles within most groups, especially those who are together for a long time, are usually set. The roles include:

• The Intellectual One: the smartest one in the group.
• The Popular One: the one everyone loves.
• The Athlete: the most athletic and competitive.
• The Loner: the shyest, with the least number of friends.
• The Clown: may not be the funniest, but still tries to make people laugh. The Clown usually has a secret or is hiding something.
• The Rebel: Resists authority, usually because someone in authority has abused his or her power.
• The Cheerleader: people-pleaser, feels an intense pressure to be the best at everything, make everyone happy.

But don't stop there. Combine these roles and add another characteristic that can be turned on its head by the end of the book. For example:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

Mary Lennox, Socially Awkward Loner to Authoritative Cheerleader. Begins the story as a spoiled, unhappy little orphan until she finds someone who is worse: her sickly cousin. From the first stamp of her foot at his crying tantrum, she begins to change.

Colin Craven, Poor Little Rich Kid to Enthusiastic Outdoorsman. Mary’s cousin, Colin, is a depressed invalid, convinced he’ll grow a hump and/or die before he grows up. With Mary’s help, Colin changes to a child who can't wait to get outdoors and see life.

You can use roles to create supporting characters, too.
Dickon, Mischievous Guide. Dickon doesn’t change but remains the children’s encouraging guide throughout the story.

Mrs. Medlock and Ben Weatherstaff, Grumpy Caretakers. Both fill the same role, one inside, the other outside.

Archibald Craven, Depressed Loner. Colin’s father shares his son’s depression over the loss of his wife. Although he’s an absentee father, when he finally returns to find his son walking, he also changes to find hope for the future.

The Princess Bride (movie)

• Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts – Poor Loner to Swashbuckling Hero
• Buttercup – The Picky Princess to Loving Wife
• Inigo Montoya – Revenge-Seeker to Swashbuckler Hero
• Fezzik – Gentle Giant
• Vizzini – Arrogant Intellectual

Next time you want to create a satisfying cast of characters, consider the roles your characters play, then add a surprising characteristic to create dimension to your story.

Want to try it yourself? Choose a classic such as The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe or your own story and identify the roles used to create the main characters.

About the Author

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance, telling stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations set in small Southern towns. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their “back roads” and find their own joy in the Lord.

Angela has a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their furbabies: Beau, Harley and Buddy the Wonder Dog.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work by Mary Manners

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

by

Mary Manners

 

One of the greatest things about writing is that there is always something new to learn. As a former student, then a teacher and principal, I have spent the first half (okay...perhaps a wee bit more than half) of my life in a literal classroom. Now, I am happy to say that I spend my days in a virtual classroom, happily writing and soaking up every bit of information I can find about the publishing trade. One of my most inspiring lessons to date has been the value of teamwork.

 

No matter how much I learn, there is always someone who knows more than I do. So I watch and listen...and take notes to apply that learning. One of the best ways to do this is to work with a network of writers, whether within a formal writing organization or simply as part of an informal group of authors who band together to share ideas and knowledge. Because helping others succeed helps all of us.

 

 

 



 

I was blessed a year ago when I was invited to join with a group of six other authors to produce The Potter's House, a collection of stories with themes of hope, second chances, and redemption. Had I realized just how little I knew about the world of publishing back then, I might have run from the invitation. Instead, I strapped in and joined the ride. Along the way I have watched, listened, and learned from those who are much more experienced and knowledgeable, but also eager to assist.

 

Authors are a friendly lot. They are happy to help one another and to share ideas. I am honored to be part of a profession where helping others actually makes all of us stronger and better.

 

~~~~~

 

The Potter's House - Promises Renewed

When Brianna Caufield hosts an online auction to raise money for her fledgling youth center, the last thing she expects is to be matched for a date with Jackson Reed. Lured by the fame of an NFL career, the hometown hero and all-star quarterback broke off their engagement without so much as a backward glance. Now, washed-up and wiser, Jack’s come home with renewed faith and a changed heart—and he wants Brianna back.

 

No matter how much she still cares for Jackson, Brianna knows the secret she harbors will destroy any chance of a future together. Can Jack find a way to coax the secret to the surface? And if he does, will forgiveness draw them closer together…or will their love be shattered forever?

 

~~~~~

 

 

Mary Manners is a country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime sharing her joy of writing. She has two sons, a daughter, and three beautiful grandchildren. She lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, two rescue cats, Colby and Jax, 12 chickens and 13 fish.

Mary writes stories full of faith and hope. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, and flavored coffee. She enjoys connecting with reader friends through her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.

 



 





That Pesky Little Voice in My Head by Laurie Lucking

Laurie Lucking

What have you experienced on the road to publication? What have you learned? Have you heard God’s voice along the way? Author Laurie Lucking shares her personal journey. ~ Dawn

That Pesky Little 

Voice in My Head

I’ve always been a reader, but for most of my life, I was convinced I wasn’t a writer. Stories flitted through my daydreams all the time, but in school, creative writing never felt like a good fit. So I let my stories live on in my head and pursued other interests.

After college, I went to law school and worked at a large law firm for several years. But when my husband and I had our first son, I decided to become a stay-at-home mom. I loved the time with my baby, but restlessness plagued me.

One beautiful day that fall, I pushed his stroller down a path, brainstorming about what I could take on as a creative outlet. The thought “You could write a book” spoke clearly into my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. I was bad at creative writing. But the thought wouldn’t go away, and eventually I decided to give it a try, certain I’d quit within a week.

Instead, I fell in love. Without the parameters of an assignment, I could take my time and write whatever I wanted. My head became so filled with my story, I couldn’t type fast enough when I found opportunities to sit at my computer. As months passed, the scenes formed into a complete manuscript.

Then I got another mental nudge. What if you published it? I began to cautiously look into the publication process, and soon I was hooked again, this time by the idea of my own words turning into one of the adored books that lined my shelves. I edited my story to the best of my ability, drafted a query letter, and began submitting to agents.

That’s when the rejections started pouring in. I kept trying, but eventually it became clear this manuscript was not destined for publication. The failure hit me hard, bringing back all my initial doubts about writing. Fortunately, a new story was floating around in my mind, begging to be written. So I tried again.

This time, I was in a writing group, had a set of fabulous critique partners, and had attended several conferences. My manuscript went through multiple revisions as I learned more about the craft and implemented feedback. In July, 2016, I met the editor of Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing at a conference, and in early 2017, I squealed and sobbed when she offered me a contract. My debut YA fantasy novel, Common, released this past February.

I now have no doubt that the little voice in my head came from God. Not necessarily because the world needs my books, but because I needed to take this journey. Through it, I have learned so much about patience, humility, perseverance, and surrendering my ambitions to God. I’ve grown in ways I never could’ve imagined and found a new closeness with my Creator by embarking on my own creative process.  I look forward with excitement (and a bit of trepidation!) to what He has in store for me and my books next!

Common

Common

Only one person knows of the plot against the royal family and cares enough to try to stop it—the servant girl they banished.

Leah spends her days scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and meekly curtsying to nobility. Nothing distinguishes her from the other commoners serving at the palace, except her red hair.

And her secret friendship with Rafe, the Crown Prince of Imperia.

But Leah’s safe, ordinary world begins to splinter. Rafe’s parents announce his betrothal to a foreign princess, and she unearths a plot to overthrow the royal family. When she reports it without proof, her life shatters completely when the queen banishes her for treason.

Harbored by an unusual group of nuns, Leah must secure Rafe’s safety before it’s too late. But her quest reveals a villain far more sinister than an ambitious nobleman with his eye on the throne.

Can a common maidservant summon the courage to fight for her dearest friend?

An avid reader practically since birth, Laurie Lucking discovered her passion for writing after leaving her career as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom. When she gets a break from playing superheroes and driving windup cars, she writes young adult fantasy with a strong thread of romance. Her debut novel, Common, released in February from Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, and her short story, “Threshold,” was published in a Fellowship of Fantasy anthology titled Mythical Doorways. Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW chapter and a co-founder of Lands Uncharted, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. A Midwestern girl through and through, she currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and two young sons. Find out more by visiting www.laurielucking.com.

Social Media Links:

Website: www.laurielucking.com

Blog: www.landsuncharted.com

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