tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87969318305819438172024-03-13T07:17:12.978-07:00Mind Chocolatejennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-10714940224119442062013-02-08T18:47:00.002-08:002013-02-08T18:47:54.927-08:00Bloomfield Update<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4brKqSkQ1o/URW4mxOr86I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Tgjk67oeonY/s1600/Last+CHance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4brKqSkQ1o/URW4mxOr86I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Tgjk67oeonY/s320/Last+CHance.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hello out there! Checking in to let you know we're still alive and kicking, and still working on the launch for our new website. Hoping to do the photo shoot next week and that'll help the ball roll a little faster. :-) Meanwhile, we wanted to make sure you know about the Bloomfield series that we're a part of!<br />
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It's a series of stories set in the town of Bloomfield. It's written by different authors and is being released in different formats. Our books aren't in the line-up yet, but you'll see some of our characters! <br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-View-Bloomfield-Novel-ebook/dp/B008GU459I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360377687&sr=1-1&keywords=waiting+for+a+view+debby" target="_blank">Waiting for a View</a> by Debby Mayne<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Take-Trophy-Run-Bloomfield-Novel/dp/1433677296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360377248&sr=8-1&keywords=bloomfield+gail+sattler" target="_blank">Take the Trophy and Run</a> by Gail Sattler <br />
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3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Pigs-Parrots-Fly-ebook/dp/B00B8ZRAZ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360377626&sr=1-1&keywords=gail+sattler+when+pigs" target="_blank">When Pigs and Parrots Fly</a> by Gail Sattler <br />
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4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-Justice-Bloomfield-Novel/dp/1433677172/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360377844&sr=1-1&keywords=last+chance+for+justice+macias" target="_blank">Last Chance for Justice</a> by Kathi Macias (releasing May 2013)<br />
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5. Best Laid Plans by Martha Rogers (releasing July 2013)<br />
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Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BloomfieldClub" target="_blank">Bloomfield</a> on Facebook to keep us with news and contests. jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-5224358796352722162012-05-24T01:30:00.000-07:002012-05-24T01:30:01.340-07:00Did You Know......That you can still get Bliss for 2.99 on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bliss-ebook/dp/B0044KM0RI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" target="_blank">Kindle</a> and the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Bliss-jenness-walker?keyword=Bliss+jenness+walker&store=allproducts" target="_blank">Nook</a>?!!!!! <br />
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Here's what reviewer Michelle Sutton thought about it: <br />
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<em>Bliss was a cute story with a serious funny bone at its core. The heroine was
snarky, but in an endearing way. Sort of like a combination of Kristin
Billerbeck and Jenny B. Jones. I loved the humor in this story and laughed out
loud so many times I lost count. Indie was a great character and very
real.<br /><br />Her mother reminded me of a few of my friends' mothers when I was
in high school. She had that whole flower child thing going and since my friends
had flaky moms none of them knew much about church or faith either. I found
Indie's search for Bliss endearing and her spiritual journey well done. I loved
how she saw a difference in her new friends and how she decided that she needed
to find her own way to truth and no longer follow her mother's training. That
was great. I also loved the whole relationship with Nick. He was a great guy and
Indie was lucky to have such an attentive male friend.<br /><br />I would love to
see a second book in this series. The heat was just starting to pick up with
Indie and Nick. I want more! I want to see her roommate make a few changes in
her perspective and to crave the same faith that Indie found. The characters
seemed like real people to me, and the humor in the story was quite addicting.
Great read!</em> <br />
<br />
So if you haven't read it yet, now's a great time to buy! And...if you did read it and liked it...would you consider posting a review, mentioning it on Facebook or Twitter, or somehow spread the word? You would have our everlasting gratitude! :-)jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-46411517083918790852012-05-21T00:30:00.000-07:002012-05-21T00:30:04.051-07:00Celebrate!by Tracy Bowen<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eARlKyQZ3vI/T7mw7qEcHZI/AAAAAAAAAes/hFcyPRBJItM/s1600/784496_graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eARlKyQZ3vI/T7mw7qEcHZI/AAAAAAAAAes/hFcyPRBJItM/s1600/784496_graduation.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have I ever mentioned that I hate hats?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose I should clarify…I hate hats on me.
Because, honestly, I look completely ridiculous.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My co-author is adorable in a hat. I envy her that. I am
also jealous of her amazing knowledge of the rules of English grammar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s not start down that road or I will
be here all day. She is gifted in a lot of areas that I’m not, and if I start
listing them I may get depressed. Which would be a shame, because right now I’m
in a pretty good mood.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why, you may ask, am I in such high spirits? Well, for the
past several years, right about this time, I was overwhelmed with the amount of
work I needed to get turned in by a weekly Monday deadline for my college
courses.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But not this week. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week I get to sit down at my computer and write a blog
while avoiding my WIP, because I am feeling a just a tiny bit stuck with a
certain thread in my story. There is not a college essay or textbook in sight.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m done with school! For now, anyway. Eventually, I plan to
further my college education, but for right now I am going to bask in the glow
of the moment. This is a bucket list event. I’m getting the pleasure of marking
off the achievement of a lifetime goal. I took the long road to get here, but I
made it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So this week I’m going to slap a square hat on my head and
march down an aisle in front of hundreds of people. I will look foolish, but
don’t let my appearance deceive you. I am very smart. I will be holding a piece
of paper in my hands that says so.</span>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-22013463732025792192012-05-15T17:47:00.000-07:002012-05-15T17:47:06.416-07:00News!It's been a long time since I've visited this part of Blogland. If you want to get caught up on some writing-related ramblings, check out <a href="http://www.mbtponderers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ponderers' site</a>. If you prefer short bursts of communication (like me), Tracy and I are both on Facebook and Twitter. And, as for the Tracy and Jenness team...well, there's a lot of exciting stuff happening! I'll try to give you some of the scoop in a nutshell.<br />
<br />
1. A website is in the works! We're pretty excited about it. It's going to be fun, and is going to be designed by the amazing Jason Walker of <a href="http://www.websiteministries.com/" target="_blank">Website Ministries</a> fame. We're on his waiting list. Yes, he's my husband, and I still have to get in line. Figures. ;-) The design concept has been discussed, though, and it's going to be great. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1G5vHHmpCg/T7LzIEbDQzI/AAAAAAAAAd8/yVJlt6-LBuA/s1600/Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1G5vHHmpCg/T7LzIEbDQzI/AAAAAAAAAd8/yVJlt6-LBuA/s200/Trophy.jpg" width="200" /></a>2. Yes, we have been writing. Just not on here. :-) One fun project is the Bloomfield series. Nine authors are collaborating to write a series of books, novellas, short stories, ebooks, and more, based on a ficitious small town in Mid-America. Bloomfield has an active garden club, numerous quirky characters, and a lot of romance--must be due to the gorgeous roses blooming everywhere! The first book is written by Gail Sattler and it releases this fall. Think you can guess which characters were our brainchildren? Check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Take-Trophy-Run-Bloomfield-Novel/dp/1433677296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337127644&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrMcr-o6HoY/T7L1oq6NJ_I/AAAAAAAAAeI/GhbsWp1Epcw/s1600/Watson+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrMcr-o6HoY/T7L1oq6NJ_I/AAAAAAAAAeI/GhbsWp1Epcw/s320/Watson+013.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
3. I got a dog. Yes, I know. He's worthy of a blog himself. Maybe sometime we'll interview Watson on here. I'm sure he'll have plenty of juicy stories to tell...although he'll probably chase moths instead. <br />
<br />
4. Tracy is graduating!!!!!!!!!!! No picture for that one yet, but she's been working so hard over the last year to earn her college diploma. And soon she'll get to wear that beloved hat and gown and take a stroll down the aisle. So proud of my amazing co-author!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06GL7WlNC_s/T7L4zdLCozI/AAAAAAAAAeU/qro4U6xFV18/s1600/BlissCoverDraft.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06GL7WlNC_s/T7L4zdLCozI/AAAAAAAAAeU/qro4U6xFV18/s200/BlissCoverDraft.gif" width="129" /></a><br />
5. Bliss is available for $2.99! Yes, you read that right. Get it on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bliss-ebook/dp/B0044KM0RI/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337128608&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Kindle</a> (or the Nook, I believe) for only $2.99. And you don't have to even have a Kindle--you can download a free app for the your computer or whatever and read it there! (The print version is also still available online.) Oh, and if you've read it and liked it, would you consider posting a review online and/or recommending it to your friends? We'd love for more people to know about Indie and the rest of the gang!<br />
<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
<br />
Jennessjennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-2603524926639315722011-06-10T06:10:00.000-07:002011-06-10T06:10:00.717-07:00Thoughts On Rejection<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCw_HU7VmQg/TfEmcR0fTxI/AAAAAAAAAbo/V_05-k0byf8/s1600/Rejected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCw_HU7VmQg/TfEmcR0fTxI/AAAAAAAAAbo/V_05-k0byf8/s320/Rejected.jpg" t8="true" width="216" /></a>Writing requires a great deal of vulnerability. To achieve any level of success and have your dream realized you must put a piece of yourself into an envelope or a PDF and send it off to be judged. Anyone who is in this business knows that rejection comes with the territory. You try to mentally brace yourself for its impact, but there is a small part of you that holds out hope for some good news. In that secret place deep down inside you privately imagine that you are soon going to be informed that an agent or editor thinks you’re the greatest thing since…well, the last greatest thing. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Then it comes like a sucker punch to the gut, and you realize that all of the preparation in the world could not be adequate enough to fend off the hurt that you feel. <br />
<br />
Rejection comes in several forms. Sometimes it comes with a list of things that are wrong with your story. Sometimes it comes with a list of things that you can do to improve your story. Sometimes it comes with no explanation at all, and you are left alone to scratch your head and wonder what you did wrong. <br />
<br />
What comes next tells the true tale of who you really are. It is the story behind the story. <br />
<br />
Do you dismiss the criticism and vent to all of your friends about how some stupid person had the nerve to find fault with <em>your</em> work? Do you ignore the advice and eat seven bowls of chocolate ice cream all the while mumbling that someone didn’t recognize genius when they saw it? Do you throw your hands up in the air in defeat while pitching your manuscript in the trash? Do you walk away and never attempt to tell a story again? <br />
<br />
Or do you work through the hurt and then take a long, hard look at your manuscript with honest eyes? Are you willing to do anything and everything within your power to become a better writer? Are you teachable? <br />
<br />
Your reaction to rejection reflects the truth about you. <br />
<br />
Having recently faced a publisher’s rejection I have been pondering this concept, and I have come to the conclusion that it is applicable to more than just the writing aspect of my life. You see, at the exact same time that I have been facing rejection as a writer I have also been facing rejection in some relationships. <br />
<br />
The reality is that a life fully lived is going to require some vulnerability on my part. I am going to put myself out there…and I am going to be judged. <br />
<br />
Inevitably, rejection will be a part of the process at times, and there is nothing that can be done to adequately prepare for pain that is soul deep. Sometimes it will come with a long list of my faults. Sometimes it will come with some advice on how I can improve. And sometimes it will come with no explanation at all. <br />
<br />
What am I going to do with this experience? Will I retreat in fear? Will I lash out in anger? <br />
<br />
Or will I work through the hurt and take a long, hard look at myself with honest eyes? Can I learn something from this process that will make me a better human being? Am I teachable? <br />
<br />
As a person, and as a writer, I wish that I could say that my first reaction to rejection has always been mature and well thought out. However, if I am going to speak honestly I have to say that I have felt hurt <em>and </em>angry <em>and</em> afraid. <br />
<br />
But I have felt the unwavering gaze of God on me in the swirl of my emotions. He is my one true thing. The One who sees all of my faults and does not walk away. The One who loves me in spite of me. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Grace given so lavishly generates a response deep within my soul. It makes me <em>want</em> to strive for excellence in every aspect of my life. And God is faithful to show me just where I need to apply my efforts. He has already pointed me back to some places in my life where I have been responsible for inflicting the exact same hurt that I am now feeling. Ouch. I am learning some important life lessons in an up close and intimate way. My words matter. My loyalty matters. I need to extend the same grace that I so desperately need. I knew these things in a peripheral sense, but there is nothing like making it personal to drive the point straight to the core of who I am. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are things that I need to learn about myself and the character of God that can only be learned through the pain of rejection. There are things that I need to learn about my writing that can only be learned through the pain of rejection. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Jesus, please help me to be teachable.</em> </div><br />
<strong>~ <em></em>Tracy Bowen</strong>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-2010952881183674782011-06-09T12:57:00.000-07:002011-06-09T12:57:16.695-07:00Indie's InterviewIndie decided to interview Tracy and I over on Ralene Burke's <a href="http://www.raleneburke.com/?p=110">blog</a>. Stop by and see how it went! And thank you, Ralene!jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-57480640962630540072011-05-27T07:54:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:54:52.556-07:00Best Roadtrip(s) Ever<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHSbzrY6OWI/Td-5vPtuZxI/AAAAAAAAAbg/GZSTWQ6QGCM/s1600/summer+trip+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHSbzrY6OWI/Td-5vPtuZxI/AAAAAAAAAbg/GZSTWQ6QGCM/s320/summer+trip+073.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a>As you probably know, it's almost summer. Which makes me think of watermelon, cookouts, reading in the sun, extra projects, and roadtrips. Oh, and Bliss, too, because it's such a good beach read. :-) We'll be talking about a contest in June for Bliss, but for now, let's talk roadtrip memories! Here are some of mine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. The summer after seventh grade, my parents bought an RV, and our family took a trip out West for the summer. Lots of memories from this--mostly of mishaps, like having to stop alongside the road in Kansas--repeatedly--because the wind would unravel the awning from the side of the RV. Or getting so badly sunburnt from tubing down the Wisconsin River, that when we went to the Mall of America the following day, my father was in a wheelchair. lol. But there were some great moments. Singing Zoe--yeah, you've never heard of them, have you?--at the top of our lungs, watching The Lion King a million times on the road, the buffalo wandering a few feet away from us in Yellowstone Park, and so much more. </div><br />
2. Running across Bell Buckle, TN. How fun! Loved that place, with its one row of great shops, and drinking from old-fashioned Coke bottles.<br />
<br />
3. Abbeville, SC, with it's cemetery with long epitaphs about Civil War soldiers, watching a hysterical play at the old Opera House, hanging out in the town square, and eating cheesecake in Abbey's Alley while an elderly man played the saxaphone by flickering lantern light.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4. Accidentally running across a historic site of an old Moravian village or something like that. It was practically deserted, but so picturesque and peaceful. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5. Dunnellin, FL. What a cute town! Antique shops and restaurants in old houses. The Front Porch restaurant with its amazing chocolate meringue pie! I could live there, I think. (The town, not the restaurant. Although...maybe.) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRP4EBGopP8/Td-6CYM48tI/AAAAAAAAAbk/yUgw7BNAreg/s1600/summer+trip+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRP4EBGopP8/Td-6CYM48tI/AAAAAAAAAbk/yUgw7BNAreg/s320/summer+trip+121.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay, I could keep going and talk about the Italian restaurant Papa Pia's in Memphis, or standing on the pedestrian bridge and listening to live music from one of the nearby restaurants in Chattanooga, or the bed and breakfast that had a pet pig called Esmerelda, or being invited to a random rehearsal dinner party at a hotel where we were staying ("because no one knows each other anyway!"), or...</div><br />
Fine. I'll stop. Now it's your turn! What are some fun or disastrous memories you have from past roadtrips?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>~ Jenness</em></strong> jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-65556235706752238162011-05-19T19:06:00.000-07:002011-05-19T19:06:20.436-07:00Fun Stuff!<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Last week, our publisher emailed us to let us know we finaled...in a contest Tracy and I hadn't even known we entered! Written World Communications submitted Bliss to the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Bliss was a finalist in the humor category (see below), and the awards will be presented in New York! Another book from WWC placed first in the religious category. Congrats to Caron, and to WWC! Click </span><a href="http://indiebookawards.com/2011_winners_and_finalists.php"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"> for a full list of finalists. </span><br />
<h2><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">HUMOR/COMEDY</span></h2><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">WINNER ($100 PRIZE):</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Buffalo Unbound</em>, by Laura Pedersen (Fulcrum Publishing) (ISBN 978-1555917357)</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">FINALISTS:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Bliss</em>, by Tracy Bowen & Jenness Walker (Written World Communications) (ISBN 978-0982937709)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Cascade Chaos: Or How Not to Put Your Grizzly in the Statehouse</em>, by William Slusher (Country Messenger Press Publishing Group, LLC) (ISBN 978-0961940751)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Journey to Virginland: Epistle 1</em>, by Armen Melikian (Two Harbors Press) (ISBN 978-1935097518)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Laughter: The Drug of Choice</em>, by Nicholas Hoesl (LaughterDoc Publications) (ISBN 978-0615437354)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Once More Into The Breach: A Personal Account: Reliving the History of the Civil War</em>, by Mark Brian Swart (Outskirts Press) (ISBN 978-1432763862)</span></li>
</ul>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-47349008373991114882011-05-09T16:15:00.000-07:002011-05-09T16:15:23.432-07:00It's a Love Story<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqzul74VGUk/Tch1PY1mfgI/AAAAAAAAAbM/Z6uE637B5uA/s1600/1330921_tree_of_love_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqzul74VGUk/Tch1PY1mfgI/AAAAAAAAAbM/Z6uE637B5uA/s320/1330921_tree_of_love_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you have been on planet earth over the past few weeks you may have heard something about a royal wedding. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the buzz…just a little. Now let me make it clear that I would not get up in the middle of the night for my own wedding, much less for a complete stranger, but I did have some curiosity about the big event, so I scoped out the news the next afternoon. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have no explanation for my interest. Given the choice between a chick flick and football, I will choose sports every time. This is not typically my “thing.” As much as I loathe shopping for clothes, you could not accuse me of being obsessed with fashion…yet I wanted to catch a glimpse of “the dress.” As much as I despise the thought of crying in public, you could not accuse me of getting all emotional at the idea of a wedding…but I did get a goofy smile on my face when she started down that long aisle. </div><br />
What can I say? There is a small part of me that loved the romance of it all. I loved the dress. I loved the pomp surrounding the ceremony that was so rich with tradition. I loved listening to the prayers and the vows because, let’s all be honest, everything sounds better in a British accent. I loved listening to the pure, authentic voices in the choir. I loved laughing at some of those silly hats. <br />
<br />
It’s a love story. And, at the end of the day, the woman in me responds to that. <br />
<br />
While I found the whole thing fascinating, there are times when I cringe at the thought of the royal wedding, because I know all of the gals are getting caught up in the idea of their own “prince” swooping in to rescue them from the pain and problems of their past and whisking them away to their very own well-planned out version of happily ever after. Having been married for almost eighteen years, let me just go on record as saying this scenario is not anywhere close to reality. Before you fall out of your computer chair and then climb back in it to send Matt mass emails full of sympathy because he has the sad misfortune to have me as his wife…let me explain. <br />
<br />
I came into this whole marriage experience with a lot of expectations. Marriage was going to be the great band-aid that made me all better. I wanted happiness. I wanted him to fix me…and yet at the same time I held myself back from him because my entire past experience had led me to believe that men will always hurt you. Talk about a lose-lose situation. Poor Matt. He never stood a chance with me. <br />
<br />
Matt is just about as close as a man can get to being the perfect husband. He gets me. He is not bothered by the fact that I am not into cuddling and sharing feelings--I need space--yet he knows I am romantic enough to appreciate flowers and love notes from him. He has incredible talent in the kitchen, and has made me some mouth-watering meals. His work ethic is off of the charts. He is very skilled, and is good at literally every single thing that he attempts. I have yet to see him take on a job that he does not complete well. <br />
<br />
He surprises me with things that really matter to me…like a freshly painted office. He supports me in every single thing that I do. He is an awesome, hands-on dad. He always makes an effort to let me know how beautiful he thinks I am, and there is not a doubt in my mind that, four kids later, he still finds me attractive. And--this one is very important--he makes me laugh. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In spite of this very “princely” resume, he could not rescue me from my past, and he could not carry the full weight of my entire future happiness. No human shoulders can. No man can, for any woman. While I am sure that not every woman walks down the aisle with all of the issues that I had, I am equally sure that most women have expectations that cannot be met. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At least they cannot be met in a spouse. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The core problem with the whole courtship process is that it is usually based in façade. We always put our best foot forward. No one goes on that first date thinking, “Well, tonight I will unload all of the baggage from my past…that sounds like fun!” And when we do finally start going through our luggage with a potential spouse we usually take out the sexy black dress. The stained t-shirts and the pajama pants we wear when we are feeling fat get left in the bottom of the suitcase. In one of the zipper pockets on the side we leave our expectations. We rationalize that it would be silly to go through the trouble of pulling them out…after all, surely our significant other can guess what they are because we were made for each other. A few weeks after the wedding ceremony we start to unpack, and the ugly truth is revealed. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My truest and deepest wish is that every woman would open her heart to the healing grace of Jesus Christ…as I did. His extravagant love rescued me in the truest sense of the word. Not only did He save me from my sins, He saved me from myself. The discovery of the trustworthy character of God gave me the courage to trust my husband. I stopped sabotaging my marriage. The freedom that I have found through my relationship with God has allowed me to release Matt from false expectations. While his love for me has helped my restoration process, he is no longer expected to be my sole source of healing and happiness. He can just be my husband. A job that he is doing quite well. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">God knows what lies beneath the facade, yet He is hard after our hearts. He has gone to extraordinary lengths to show us the depth of His compassion for us. There is nothing that He will not do to lavish His care upon us. He is the source of everything that is good and right, and He offers life-giving hope. He longs to fill every aching need that burns in our hearts. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>It’s a love story. <br />
<br />
<em>~ Tracy</em>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-4459294286476271842011-04-26T16:37:00.000-07:002011-04-26T17:43:06.963-07:00Your Great NameI love this time of year. The weather is amazing, and the flowers appear to be more vibrant. Easter, and everything that it represents, is one of my favorite holidays. It just seems as if you can feel hope lingering in the air offering new beginnings.<br /><br />As of two years ago I have added a new reason to find spring so special. On April 16, 2009, our family experienced a miracle.<br /><br />That evening we decided to take our kids to a park close by our home. Our eleven-year-old, Caleb, decided he wanted to ride his bike. We were going to be right behind him in our van with so we agreed to let him.<br /><br />To get to our destination we had to cross a two lane road. Caleb was in front of us so he got there first. I saw a car coming, and assumed that Caleb saw it as well. (If I had a dollar for every time I have told my children to look both ways I would be writing this little story from my vacation home in Europe.)<br /><br />And then I saw his foot move on the bike pedal.<br /><br />What happened next is without a doubt the most bizarre moment of my life. I knew exactly what was going to happen, and I also knew that I could do absolutely nothing to stop it. My husband realized as well, and immediately began screaming, “No, no, no,” over and over and over again. It was a blood-curdling sound like nothing I have ever heard from him before or since.<br /><br />Before our very eyes, the car struck Caleb full on.<br /><br />His body flew up over the hood of the car and disappeared. The vehicle came to an almost immediate stop. I frantically scanned for Caleb, but could see nothing. My husband was the first to jump out of our van and he began running towards the accident, still screaming that one word desperately. I sat stunned. My brain simply could not process what had just happened.<br /><br />I finally gathered my wits and yelled at our other children to not move a muscle, then I took off running as well. I was not hysterical. It felt like I was having an out of body experience…as if I was looking down at this horrible event as it happened to someone else. I rounded the back of the car that had hit him, and saw that Caleb was in the grass on the opposite side of the road. He was trying to push himself up on one elbow.<br /><br />My first thought was, “He’s moving! He’s alive!”<br /><br />My second thought was, “He should not be moving! We don’t know what is going on inside of his body!”<br /><br />I screamed at him, “Don’t move! Please, don’t move!”<br /><br />Though I have no memory of grabbing it, I looked down and saw that my cell phone was in my hands. Immediately, I called 911. It rang, and rang, and rang some more. I was frantically talking into the mouthpiece, “Pick up! Pick up!”<br /><br />Finally, a lady answered. When I told her what had happened she asked for our location. I relayed what road we were on and a few landmark buildings, but she kept saying she needed an actual physical address. To this day I have no clue what she wanted me to say. There is no physical address for car/bike accidents that occur in the middle of the road. I don’t think the third pothole on the right side of the road qualifies.<br /><br />Bystanders were already gathering, and since it was our neighborhood we knew most of them. One man sensed my frustration at the emergency operator and took the phone from my hands.<br /><br />I then dropped to my knees beside my son. His face looked horrible. One cheek was just raw, oozing flesh and his arm looked bruised and swollen. And that was what I could see. God only knew what was hidden beneath his clothing.<br /><br />I can tell you that fear is more than an emotion. It envelopes your body and takes over all of your senses. It smells like burnt rubber and freshly plowed dirt. It has the salty taste of tears, and crawls down your spine like clammy sweat. It looks like flashing lights. And it sounds like your child crying over and over again, “I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.”<br /><br />Before I knew it we were surrounded by a barrage of rescue workers. The scene was completely chaotic. Looking up from the ground, I saw the man who hit Caleb standing by his car with a look of utter shock on his face. My heart went out to him. He had not been speeding, and there was nothing he could have done to avoid what happened. I remember thinking, “Oh, that poor man. He thinks he may have killed my son.”<br /><br />I tried to get his attention and told him, “This is not your fault. He pulled out in front of you. There is nothing you could have done.”<br /><br />The medics were working with Caleb, and very quickly told me that because of contusions to his abdominal area that he would have to be life-flighted to a nearby hospital because of the possibility of internal injuries.<br /><br />My mind just went numb.<br /><br />Completely heartbroken, I crouched on the side of the road, my face in the dirt beside Caleb as they strapped him to a gurney. I just kept repeating, “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.”<br /><br />It was all that I could think to say. I knew He was our only hope.<br /><br />Caleb started going into shock as they loaded him in the ambulance that would take him to meet the trauma hawk that had landed in a field nearby. His body was shaking uncontrollably. They would not allow me to get in the chopper with him.<br /><br />And so there I stood, watching as my son was taken away. There is not a more helpless feeling on planet earth.<br /><br />Some friends drove me to the hospital. They prayed out loud as we sped down the road, but I still could not formulate a plea of my own. My mind just kept repeating that one word. Jesus. It felt like the longest ride of my life. I had no idea what news might be awaiting me when I arrived.<br /><br />Our evening of horror turned into a night of miracles when, after cat scans and x-rays, it was discovered that Caleb had no broken bones and no internal injuries. He was one sore, bruised, road rash covered little boy, but he was alive.<br /><br />We found out later that night the true extent of our miracle when my husband talked to the man who hit Caleb. He told us that every evening he drives a large service truck home from work.<br /><br />But not that night.<br /><br />On that night he was driving a little Honda Civic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><br />This past Easter Sunday morning I listened as “Your Great Name” was sung in church. I love that song. I suppose it is because the accident is so very real in my mind at this time of year that the words took on such special significance. <br /><br /><em>“Sick are healed, and the dead are raised, at the sound of Your great name.”</em><br /><br />As I walked through this memory and recalled how His name was the only thing my traumatized mind could think to say, I felt the full impact of verse fourteen in Hebrews chapter four.<br /><br /><em>“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.”</em><br /><br />In the grief-stricken utterance of His name, He heard the cry of my heart.<br /><br />The suffering and death that He so willingly endured allowed Him to take on the role of the Great High Priest. In the glory of His resurrection He has become the intercessor.<br /><br />Every single moment in our lives when we feel the impact of the painful, sinful world in which we live, He comes running to our side. He crouches in the dirt and despair that surrounds us as our minds scream in desperation, “I don’t want this! I can’t take this!” His heart breaks when our hearts breaks.<br /><br />And there as we struggle to survive our darkest moment, He stands before the Father on our behalf. His wounds strongly plead for us.<br /><br />Every hope that we have is fulfilled in that one precious name.<br /><br />Jesus.<br /><br /><em>“Jesus, worthy is the Lamb, that was slain for us, Son of God and man, You are high and lifted up and all the world will praise Your great name.”</em><br /><br /><strong>~ Tracy</strong>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-62853658772060194732011-04-16T10:51:00.000-07:002011-04-16T18:56:38.264-07:00Becoming Authentic<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ratwn6uiQH8/TanW6Ki28zI/AAAAAAAAAbI/NtwyK7NdwyE/s1600/832752_mask_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ratwn6uiQH8/TanW6Ki28zI/AAAAAAAAAbI/NtwyK7NdwyE/s200/832752_mask_3.jpg" width="150" /></a>Okay, confession time. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love clean. When my house is so strongly filled with the fumes of bleach and Pine Sol that my eyes start to burn, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling. Now, granted, that may be a high from the cleaners...but take my word for it: I really do like a sparkling house. Especially floors. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While I am sure that the men in my life still think I am a little over the top about my obsession with clean floors, I have come a long way from where I used to be. You are reading the ramblings of a woman who used to vacuum every inch of carpet in my house and scrub the kitchen and bathroom floors on my hands and knees <em>every single day</em>. Sometimes more than once. OCD, anyone? </div><br />I was raised in an atmosphere that put a lot of emphasis on appearance, but there was all manner of evil hiding beneath the dignified, saintly facade. I learned early on that the ugly stuff is supposed to be hidden, and I became a hard core people pleaser. The result? Someone who internalized a lot of pain and anger. It ate away at me like an insidious cancer, leaving me panicked. So then I ended up doing a lot of things that gave me the illusion of control...like keeping a perfect house. I fell into the clutches of an enslaving lie: If the outside looks good, that makes up for the fact that the core is appallingly rotten. Enter Facade Tracy--the Queen of Cover-Up. And no, I am not referring to make-up. <br /><br />By the grace of God I met someone who helped bring the pain and anger from my past into His light. For the first time in my life I was real before Him. Not that He hadn't known me before, but I have come to learn that the acknowledgement of who we are is not for His benefit--it's for ours. The discovery of His love for me--just as I was--and of His trustworthy character, changed my life. <br /><br />This area of authenticity is a place God is continually working on. You would think I would just learn my lesson and be done with it, but apparently I am hard-headed. Who knew? Being honest about my past before Him was wonderful and freeing, but the clutches of the facade are long-reaching, and to this very day, its tentacles are grasping at my heels.<br /><br />It is hard to be real with myself. Honestly, there are some things about me that just ain't pretty. It would be easier to pretend they don't exist and go bleach something. It is hard to be real with people. Let's face it...people can be very judgmental. We all love a good fingerpointing session. It distracts us from our own faults.<br /><br />I am sickened when I realize just how much time and energy I have put into efforts that make me feel in control of my life, and worrying about what others think of me. God has been killing Facade Tracy. She is dying a slow, painful death. He is rooting out the motives behind my every action. It has been downright painful.<br /><br />But I have met an interesting gal: Authentic Tracy.<br /><br />Facade Tracy wants everything to be perfect at all times because that makes her feel in control. Facade Tracy does not care if her family cannot be comfortable in their own home because they fear messing up her hard work.<br /><br />Authentic Tracy also likes clean...but she knows that family is more important than things. Authentic Tracy knows that she can't be a good wife, raise cherished children, go to school full-time, and write books while living in a spotless house. Perfect simply isn't on my agenda--I don't have time for it. Something has to give. <br /><br />That something has turned into a dust bunny behind my fridge that is so large I am thinking about buying it a collar and giving it a name. It can be our new family pet. <br /><br />There is not an area of my life that has not come under His scrutiny. Why do I wear the things I wear? Why do I go the places I go? Why do I act and react the way that I do?<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This past year has been full of hard-earned lessons. God has been teaching me that I can work till I am blue in the face, but there will always be someone who will find fault with me. And if they can't find a fault, then they will make one up. People cannot be pleased. God has also been teaching me that control is an illusion. There are some things that cannot be dominated. It would be easier to capture the wind. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>I don't want to make people happy with me. I want God to be happy with me. <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>I don't want to be in control. I want God to be in control. <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>I don't want a fake, plastic life that only looks good from the outside.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>I want to be real. jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-10584700914575925282011-03-11T06:24:00.000-08:002011-03-11T06:24:31.494-08:00Don't Feed The AlligatorsJenness blogged about the writing journey over on the MBT Ponderers' blog. Read it <a href="http://mbtponderers.blogspot.com/2011/03/dont-feed-alligators.html">here</a>.jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-28059118324240104592011-02-01T07:27:00.000-08:002011-02-01T07:27:00.550-08:00Interview with Christy Barritt<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TUdnicqnUzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7jhHsm_0igk/s1600/Barritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TUdnicqnUzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7jhHsm_0igk/s200/Barritt.jpg" width="195" /></a><em></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>We're so glad <a href="http://www.christybarritt.com/">Christy Barritt</a> could be with us today! Christy is the author of the hilarious Squeaky Clean mysteries, and has recently signed on with Love Inspired Suspense. </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Christy, thanks for stopping by. Do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I absolutely love the blondie brownie sundae at Applebee’s. It’s covered in white chocolate and the blondie brownie is sooo warm and yummy! I love it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><em>Give your own definition of chick lit. </em><br />
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The best way I can describe chick lit is that it’s literature about real women. That’s what I find so refreshing about reading and writing it. The books are about women who think and sometimes act the way I do in real life! The stories address imperfect women with insecurities, who can be snarky at times and sweet at times, women who love God but still screw up sometimes. They’re books I can relate with!<br />
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<em>You are now writing for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295818060_2" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Love Inspired Suspense</span>. How has that changed your writing style? Have you needed to change your tone to write for the category? </em><br />
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Writing for LIS is definitely a change. I like writing for the line, but the style is very different. LIS knows exactly what formula their readers want, and writers must follow that formula every step of the way. With my previous books, I was definitely freer to think outside of the box. I’m excited to write my chick-lit and for LIS, though. I love being able to tell stories, and I get to do that through both genres!<br />
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<em>Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share? </em><br />
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The one that stands out happened a couple of years ago. I had a rare evening to myself, so I decided to relax in the bath and have a little pampering and spa treatment at home. These are things I never have time to do anymore now that I have two children! Oh, and I had laryngitis that evening also. After the bath, I put my robe on. My hair’s in curlers. A green mask is covering my face. And you know what happens? The doorbells rings. On my way to answer it, I stub my toe. So, I’m jumping on one foot, trying to cry out in pain but unable to because I’ve lost my voice. I answer the door and it’s the UPS man. I know I must have been a sight for sore eyes! Lesson learned? Next time just pretend I’m not home. <br />
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<em>Do you have any writing quirks? </em><br />
<br />
I have a tendency to injure my characters and then forget about their injuries the next chapter. I have to really watch myself there. I also love drinking Coca-cola and eating cheese crackers while I write. I’m trying to change that, however, because it’s not great for the waistline!<br />
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<em>If you were going to co-author a novel with someone, who would you choose? Why? </em><br />
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Author <a href="http://www.maryconnealy.com/">Mary Connealy</a> and I have been critique partners for years. I think we’d have a blast writing something together because we both get each other’s sense of humor.<br />
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<em>What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?</em><br />
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I love <a href="http://www.sirimitchell.com/">Siri Mitchell’s</a> Kissing Adrien. I also really liked <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295818060_3">Sharon Dunn</span>’s Ruby Taylor series and <a href="http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/">Kristin Billerbeck’s</a> What a Girl Wants.<br />
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<em>Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?</em><br />
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I’d go back to Scotland with my best friend--my husband. My husband’s family still lives over there. We visited five years ago and had a great time. I’d love to go back again sometime. It’s such a beautiful country.<br />
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<em>If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose? </em><br />
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This is a little tricky because I’ve been reading lots of suspense novels lately, and I wouldn’t want to live in any of those novels—they’re too scary and tragic! <br />
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<em>If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?</em><br />
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I’d want to be a Broadway actress. <br />
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<em>Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.</em><br />
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Writing advice: Write because you love to do it. If you get too caught up in getting contracts and good reviews, you’ll be miserable. <br />
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Other advice: Believe in yourself and it will be so much easier for other people to believe in you also!<br />
<br />
<em>Thanks so much for sharing, Christy. It's always nice catching up with you! To learn more about Christy, check out her website </em><a href="http://www.christybarrit.com/"><em>here</em></a><em>. </em>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-47593927674485483102011-01-20T07:20:00.000-08:002011-01-20T07:20:00.686-08:00Interview with Susan May Warren<div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TTd0UU4beFI/AAAAAAAAAaE/FMNwBJqGXfA/s1600/SusanMayWarren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TTd0UU4beFI/AAAAAAAAAaE/FMNwBJqGXfA/s200/SusanMayWarren.jpg" width="200" /></a><em>We're honored to host </em><a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/"><em><span style="color: black;">Susan</span></em></a><em> May Warren on Mind Chocolate today! Susan is one of our favorite authors, an amazing writing teacher/mentor, and an award-winning author who is the life of the party. (And she wears hats!) Susan has written somewhere around thirty books in various sub-genres of romance. She also founded the amazing writers' organization</em><em> </em><a href="http://www.mybooktherapy.com/"><em><span style="color: black;">My Book Therapy</span></em></a><em>.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Susan, we are so glad you stopped in today! Please g</em><em>ive your own definition of chick lit.</em> </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’m going to define Chick Lit in relationship to women’s fiction. Women’s Fiction is the journey of a woman and her relationships during a season of life.<span> </span>Chick lit is a slice of life, with a humorous bent. </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?</em> </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh, I’ll share a recent one…. I was on a plane to the West Coast, which is a fairly long flight from <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">Mpls</span>.<span> </span>I was tired and crabby because I had a late connection and had to virtually run to my gate in <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">Mpls</span>.<span> </span>Thus, when I got on the plane, the overhead compartments were already full.<span> </span>The only room for my carryon was where they stored the <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">blankies</span> for the plane (you know, the ones they say they don’t have?).<span> </span>So, here I am, moving these slippery blankets in their plastic containers to other places on the plane, shoving them <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">inbetween</span> other suitcases, etc.<span> </span>Finally, I get the space opened up and I lift my bag. It’s heavy and of course it doesn’t fit, so I’m wrestling it in.<span> </span>To make matters worse, I’m leaning over the guy seated in the seat below, and I’m pretty sure he’s looking up my shirt. No, he doesn’t offer to help.<span> </span>I finally get the bag in, check my ticket and turn to find my seat when I realize someone is sitting in it.<span> </span>He’s climbed into the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295479339_0">window seat</span> on the wrong side, with two elderly ladies next to him.<span> </span>So, instead of making everyone get up, I accept the window seat on the other side of the aisle. Of course, there are two beefy guys between me and the window.<span> </span>And, while the aisle seat fellow gets up, the middle seat fellow stays put so I have to <i>climb over</i> him to get into my seat.<span> </span>Nice.</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yes, I’m fairly crabby by this time, and I’ve been on the road a lot so I really miss my family.<span> </span>When we get at <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">cruising</span> altitude, I open my computer and pull open a slide show of my family and turn on a sappy <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295479339_1">Michael <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">Buble</span></span> song (Hold On) and spend some time just gazing at my lovely family and praying for them, missing them.<span> </span>The music seems a bit low and I’m one of those rock and roll girls - I like my music loud – so I turn the volume way up so it just fills my brain.<span> </span>It’s a very perfect, sad moment and I’m sort of lost in it when someone taps me on the shoulder. I look up to see a fellow standing in the aisle, holding his earphones in his hand.<span> </span>He’s mouthing something and I make it out just as I pull my earphone from my ear…</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Ma’am, your music is blasting throughout the entire plane.”<span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yes.<span> </span>I’d plugged the earphones into the wrong jack.<span> </span>Which meant Michael <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">Buble</span> was crooning out “Hold On…to me tight…” throughout the entire cabin of the huge plane.<span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And you know how quiet those planes are.<span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I waited all three hours before I got up to go to the bathroom. </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Do you have any writing quirks?</em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Popcorn makes me write better.<span> </span>(Rachel calls it “<span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">Popcrack</span>.”)</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>I loved the Heirs of Anton series. If you were going to co-author another novel, who would you choose? Why? </em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I would love to write with <a href="http://www.rachelhauck.com/">Rachel Hauck</a>- we would have a blast!<span> </span>But I so loved writing with <a href="http://www.susankdowns.com/">Susan Downs</a>, I’d definitely write with her again, too.<span> </span>(I loved that series, too!) </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">CBA</span>?</em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I loved <a href="http://www.sirimitchell.com/">Siri Mitchell's</a>, <em>The Cubicle Next Door</em>. <span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?</em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Italy.<span> </span>My husband.<span> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>J</span></span> </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose? </em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I think it would be interesting to visit the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295479339_2">Gilded Age</span>, where my current <span class="yiv1133921907SpellE">WIP</span> is set although I don’t think I’d like to live there.<span> </span>As for a novel…could I live in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1295479339_3">Mitford Series</span>? <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>J</span></span> </div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?</em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love to teach – I’ve always wanted to be a high school or college English teacher.<span> </span>And I’ve always been in love with theater – so I’d love to pursue being a playwright.<span> </span>Oh, that’s writing.<span> </span>I think it would be neat to produce movies, too. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>J</span></span><span> </span>In a different life, perhaps.<span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not. </em></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">They are combined:<span> </span>Pursue faithfulness and you will find significance.<span> </span></div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1133921907yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Thanks for having me! </div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Thanks so much for joining us, Susan! To learn more about Susan and her writing, check out her </em><a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/"><span style="color: black;"><em>website</em></span></a><em>. </em></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-16789129674642140822011-01-17T19:43:00.000-08:002011-01-17T19:43:15.632-08:00Really??I'm having a hard time believing it's halfway through January already. Seriously? Between sickness, travel, company, proposals (the book kind), work, and whatever else, the new year has not gotten off to a good blogging start. <br />
<br />
However...we have a new addition to our writing family. I'd like to introduce *Willis, my new laptop. So far we're getting along great. I miss the scrollbar thing on my touchpad, but just about everything else is wonderful so far. My husband chooses well. :-) Hyacinth is sticking around--don't worry about her. (Because, yes, I can hear the gasp of concern from our vast crowd of readers...Creepy, eh? :-) ) <br />
<br />
Anyway. Happy 2011! Hope it's going well for you! Tracy and I are planning for an interesting and busy year. We're wrapping up a proposal right now and are waiting to hear back on others. But you don't really care about all of that. Deep inside, you're longing for me to shut up and announce who one that free copy of Bliss last year. (See? I totally know what you're thinking. Those web-cam things are amazing...)<br />
<br />
So, the lucky winner is...<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
Jessica! <br />
<br />
Please email your snail mail addy to <em>fiction at tandjbooks dot com. </em><br />
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Thank you all for commenting! Stay tuned on Thursday for an interview with none other than Susan May Warren! <br />
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P.S. I was kidding about the web cam thing--I cannot see you or hear you or read your mind. I know you were concerned. <br />
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*Still trying out names. Willis may only be temporary.jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-12726779181812977942010-12-21T18:24:00.000-08:002010-12-21T18:24:40.603-08:00Merry Christmas!I love this time of year! Hope your Christmas prep is almost done and you're ready to relax and enjoy the holidays...and to remember the real Reason for the season. <br />
<br />
As you look at the gifts under the tree, well, we have one to add to it! For Christmas, Tracy and I want to give away a copy of Bliss. (Which does have a few Christmas scenes in it, by the way.) <br />
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<em>You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about what novel you would choose to live in. Or, well, just comment below. :-)</em><br />
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We'll choose a winner next week. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas from the Bowen and Walker households to yours. jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-66023541735212206462010-11-30T18:01:00.000-08:002010-11-30T18:18:54.994-08:00Interview with Rachel Hauck<div class="yiv656750942yiv340144934yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><span class="yiv656750942yiv340144934Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, "new york", times, serif;"><span class="yiv656750942yiv340144934Apple-style-span"><span class="yiv656750942yiv340144934Apple-style-span"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TPWjZ-0J_kI/AAAAAAAAAZo/RzA8umvdMUE/s1600/RachelHauck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TPWjZ-0J_kI/AAAAAAAAAZo/RzA8umvdMUE/s200/RachelHauck.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><em>We're honored to host </em><a href="http://www.rachelhauck.com/"><em>Rachel Hauck</em></a><em> on Mind Chocolate today! Rachel is a sweet friend and fellow Floridian, a wonderful writer and worship leader. Love this lady! Rachel is an award-winning, best-selling author of the Low Country novels. She's also big part of the </em><a href="http://www.acfw.com/"><em>ACFW</em></a><em> conference as well as </em><a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/"><em>Susan May Warren</em></a><em>'s </em><a href="http://www.mybooktherapy.com/"><em>My Book Therapy</em></a><em>.</em><br />
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<em>So, Rachel, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?</em> <br />
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No, just chocolate in all forms! <br />
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<em>Give your own definition of chick lit/lit fiction.</em> <br />
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Oo, good one. A woman's journey toward a goal or destiny that involves, faith, friends, family, career and hunky man. :) <br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN"> </span><br />
<em>You taught about chick lit at the ACFW conference a few years back. Could you give us a workshop in a nutshell? :-)</em> <br />
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Oh, girl, what are you thinking? Um, be funny. Be deep. Create a wide stage with a humorous supporting cast, don't be snarky or mean, tell the story with dialog, don't be introspective. How's that? <br />
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<em>Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?</em> <br />
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Well, I was a career woman for many years before I was married. I traveled the world and the country for four years before moving to an in-house job. One winter, I was in Spain, and my interpreter decided he was in love with me. Oh, mercy! He was married. I wasn't. And he gave me the willies. He flew to his home city over the weekend and about nine that night, a note was slipped under my door by a hotel staffer. It started out, "Dear Princess..." Oh no oh no oh no! <br />
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I felt sick, and slimed and a bazillion miles away from my friends. I just prayed. It was all I could do! And what a privilege to be able to pray. Monday morning, he tells me how he thought of me all weekend. He was with his family! More oh no oh no oh no! <br />
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A few nights later, our cab driver went insane or something and got lost taking us to our hotel. By then even I knew the route! So we're driving around Madrid and I preached to my interpreter the entire time. Gave him the Gospel of Jesus Christ straight up and full on. End of crush on ole Rachel. ;) God be glorified! <br />
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<em>Do you have any writing quirks? </em><br />
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You mean writing itself is not a quirk? <br />
<br />
I do tend to pick last names that start with H or W. I have to have a Diet Coke or two to get started. I have to run through email and social media before writing. And call <a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/">Susie Warren</a>. Sometimes I read before I take up my own project. <br />
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<em>You've already co-authored a series with <a href="http://www.saraevans.com/">Sara Evans</a>--which we're going to have to talk to you about later on! But is there someone else you would love to write with? Why? </em><br />
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I'd love to write with <a href="http://www.debbiemacomber.com/">Debbie Macomber</a>. She's such a warm, fabulous story teller. I've learned a lot from her. I'd like to write with Susie because we practically write each other's books anyway. But writing with a co-write is not easy. Sara and I have done extremely well together, and I don't take that lightly. Once you start getting into story and plot, how to write and what to write, all the rules change. Sara and I have our partnership divided in clear lines so we don't step on each other's toes. <br />
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Really, I'd love for one of my own books to just take off to the moon!! <br />
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<em>What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?</em> <br />
<br />
Well, got to bow to the master <a href="http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/">Kristin Billerbeck</a>. She writes great stuff. I think her Ashley Stockingdale series is fabulous. My other favorite lit author would probably be <a href="http://www.sirimitchell.com/">Siri Mitchell</a>. <br />
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<em>Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?</em> <br />
<br />
Whoa, you used dream and research in the same sentence. I'm not sure that's allowed. My dream trip would be to a ranch in Montana, or a beach house in Fiji. If I happened to get some research done, then so be it. I'd take my hubby for sure. <br />
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<em>If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?</em> <br />
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Live in a novel? Hmmm... Maybe in Mitford, <a href="http://www.mitfordbooks.com/">Jan Karon's</a> great North Carolina world. <br />
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<em>If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?</em> <br />
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This is it. My dream career. All my "eggs" are in this basket. <br />
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<em>Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.</em> <br />
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Writing advice would be to take it one day, one book at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself but stay tuned into the industry and publishing. Get involved in writer's groups, work on your craft, work on networking. <br />
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None writing related would be to really, really, really get a hold of the fact Jesus loves you. He's declared you are worthy. Don't let anyone steal that from you. And take care of this matter before really trying to do the matter of writing.<br />
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Thanks for having me! GREAT questions. :)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><em>It was truly a pleasure having you here, Rachel! Thanks for joining us. </em><em>To learn more about Rachel and her writing, check out her </em><a href="http://www.rachelhauck.com/"><span style="color: black;"><em>website</em></span></a><em>. To celebrate the release of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Lowcountry-Romance-Rachel-Hauck/dp/1595543392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291169472&sr=8-1">Dining With Joy</a>, her latest Low Country book, there's a FANTASTIC give-away on her <a href="http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com/2010/11/dining-with-joy-release-day-november_15.html">blog</a>, so go check it out! (I'm about to. This is one I can actually enter!)</em></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-48158639317860854232010-11-25T13:42:00.000-08:002010-11-25T13:45:16.687-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 107:1Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-18285503655854862252010-11-23T15:27:00.000-08:002010-11-23T15:27:15.380-08:00And The Winner Is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TOxMDTM7odI/AAAAAAAAAZg/byJZG9N1XF8/s1600/Cool+Beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TOxMDTM7odI/AAAAAAAAAZg/byJZG9N1XF8/s200/Cool+Beans.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Tonya Slagenweit! Enjoy, lucky lady. <br />
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Thank you all for participating! <br />
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<em>Everything seems to be going perfectly for Maya Davis: She has a great job at a coffee shop, gets along with her parents, and is happily single. That is until her best friend unknowingly starts dating Maya’s high school sweetheart, her annoyingly perfect brother moves back to town, and her co-worker starts showing interest in her. What is God trying to teach her about life, love, and commiserating over coffee?</em>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-52088602426248559712010-11-18T17:28:00.000-08:002010-11-19T05:14:21.609-08:00The IntercessorI had just sat down to write a devotional for this blog, and the text came with the news. My friend has been sitting at the bedside of her father. The vigil is almost over. <br /><br />He is dying. <br /><br />Honestly, at first I just sat staring at the computer feeling completely helpless. Her family situation has always been complex, but no matter what the complications, at this moment in time she is simply a daughter watching her father slip away. I am a fixer. I want to do something to make it better. <br /><br />But sometimes there is no better. Not here. Not on this side of eternity. <br /><br />My eyes moved from the blinking icon on an empty screen to a piece of paper taped to the wall of my office. <br /><br />“The moment we get tired waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside us helping us along. He does our praying in and for us, making prayers out of our wordless sighs and aching groans. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and keeps us present before God. That is why we can be sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:26-30 The Message. <br /><br />I could not help but think of the role of the great high priest as outlined in the Old Testament. He was a human representative who stood before Almighty God in a holy place that was set apart specifically for the meeting of humanity and the Divine. According to directions from God Himself, a beautiful veil of ornate workmanship set apart that sacred space called the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle. No one dared enter upon the threat of death, except the great high priest. Once a year he followed the cleansing rituals, adorned the priestly vestments, and with fear and trembling would enter into the very presence of God. His purpose was to sprinkle the blood of a spotless lamb on the mercy seat. He was the intercessor. He reached out to God on behalf of himself, and God’s people. <br /><br />And then my thoughts moved to the cross. In my mind’s eye I could see Jesus as He took upon Himself the weight of the world. <br /><br />The Son did not don priestly vestments. Instead He was viscously stripped of His clothing. He did not follow the cleansing ritual. His body was covered with saliva from their contempt, sweat from His arduous journey to Golgotha carrying a cruel cross, and blood from the agonizing stripes placed upon His back. <br /><br />It was brutal. <br /><br />It was beautiful. <br /><br />For in that moment of agony when He cried out, “It is finished”, that veil was torn and Jesus obtained the position of the Great High Priest. <br /><br />No longer was a weak and frail human being responsible for bridging the great divide between divinity and humanity bearing the insufficient blood of lambs. The perfect spotless Lamb had been sacrificed. <br /><br />I may be helpless, but He is not. The Son now stands before the Father, and is pleading on behalf of my friend. <br /><br />And for me...for you. <br /><br />"Making prayers out of our wordless sighs and aching groans." <br /><br />He is the intercessor.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-26650002360834947802010-11-16T17:17:00.000-08:002010-11-16T17:19:09.122-08:00Interview with Erynn Mangum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TOIFxAiBtcI/AAAAAAAAAZY/JDOvyV_jmAI/s1600/Erynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TOIFxAiBtcI/AAAAAAAAAZY/JDOvyV_jmAI/s200/Erynn.jpg" width="134" /></a><em>Today we have the hilarious </em><a href="http://www.erynnmangum.com/"><em>Erynn Mangum</em></a><em> as our guest author. Erynn is a proud new mom who writes about quirky characters and coffee...lots of coffee. The first time I read one of her books, my husband walked into the room and laughed at the smirk on my face. Fun stuff. :-) </em></div><div></div><div><br />
<em>Erynn, do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence? </em><br />
<br />
I love, love, LOVE <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_0">homemade chocolate chip cookies</span>. The Charmingly <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_1" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Chocolate Chip Cookies</span> from Trader Joes are the closest to homemade that I've found that you can buy store bought. I also love chocolate milkshakes. :)<br />
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<em>Give your own definition of chick lit.</em><br />
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I think chick lit is has changed a little bit over the years. Before, the characters needed to be in their thirties, desperate for love and pretty sarcastic. Now, I think it can encompass different ages, different motives and different voices - as long as it's fun, entertaining and has that twinge of romance!<br />
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<em>Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share?</em><br />
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I'm forever putting my foot in my mouth, so awkward moments are pretty much a daily occurrence for me. Sadly.<br />
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<em>What about any crazy college Bible study stories? </em><br />
<br />
I was SO lucky to be a part of some amazing college Bible studies - and yes, most of the scenes in my books are usually directly related to some of the ones I lived through! I remember we used to meet at this house that four guys shared and they would roll out huge area rugs right before everyone came over and then roll them back up right after everyone left so they never had to vacuum their carpet. Bleugh!<br />
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<em>Do you have any writing quirks? </em></div><div><em></em><br />
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Oh gosh - I never do the same thing twice. Sometimes I sit on the couch, sometimes I'm at the kitchen table, sometimes at the desk. Sometimes I need coffee, sometimes a chai tea, sometimes just good old fashioned water. Usually I'm wearing sweatpants. I went through a phase where I chewed gum the entire time I was writing and let me tell you, I had enviable jaw muscles.</div><div><br />
</div><div><em>If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose to write with? Why?</em><br />
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Honestly, I don't know that I could co-author a novel. I think I write in such a scattered, unorganized way that I would drive any other writer absolutely insane. Plus, I never know where I'm going to take the story until I'm in the middle of writing it. Such habits do not a good co-author make.<br />
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<em>What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA?</em><br />
<br />
Love <i><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_2">Fools Rush In</span></i> by <a href="http://janiceathompson.com/blog/">Janice Thompson</a> - I read that recently and just cracked up. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_3" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;"><a href="http://www.robingunn.com/">Robin Jones Gunn</a></span> is always a magical read - I can only read her every so often though because I get so envious of her storytelling abilities! </div><div><br />
<em>Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who?</em><br />
<br />
England and Austria. I want to go see where <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_4" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Jane Austen</span> grew up and I want to do the Sound of Music tour. I can think of several really fun storylines that could happen on a Sound of Music tour. :) As far as people I would bring, I'd make it a girls trip and bring my mom, sister, grandma and a couple of my bestest friends. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Also, I think it would be too fun to write a story in Australia and I would definitely want my husband to come with me for that one. After growing up watching <i>Man From Snowy River</i>, I think Australia is such a romantic place!</div><div><br />
<em>If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose?</em><br />
<br />
Sheesh! This is a hard question! Can I have multiple lives? I'd pick <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_5" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;"><em>Pride and Prejudice</em></span>, but they hadn't discovered deodorant yet, so that might be more of a See And Not Smell place I'd like to live. And I would love to have gone on the road trip in <i><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_6">Elvis</span> Takes A Backseat</i>, because seriously - a life-sized statue of Elvis was in the backseat. But I think my top choice would be <i><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289880551_7" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; cursor: hand;">Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs</span></i>, because y'all, they had milkshakes falling from the sky. </div><div><br />
<em>If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?</em><br />
<br />
Every person I've ever talked to who is a photographer is absolutely in love with their job - I think that would be my next choice. Can you imagine a more fun job than capturing all of the priceless moments in people's lives? </div><div><br />
<em>Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not.</em></div><div><br />
</div><div>Writing-related advice: Accept criticism with a critical eye. Everyone is going to have a different thought on where your manuscript should go - listen to the advice that you believe really makes your work better and ignore the advice that changes your vision for the book. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Non-writing-related advice: Don't get distracted while blow drying your hair or you might end up sucking hair into the wrong end of the dryer and that is painful. Be sure to break in the shoes you are planning on wearing during your wedding before your wedding day. Running while holding a bottle of water is harder than it seems, particularly if you've lost the cap to the bottle. I'm full of very important pieces of advice. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you SO much! This was fun!! :)</div><div></div><div><br />
<em>Thanks for joining us, Erynn! </em></div><div></div><div><br />
<em>To learn more about Erynn and her writing, check out her </em><a href="http://www.erynnmangum.com/"><em><span style="color: black;">website</span></em></a><em>. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Beans-Maya-Davis-Novel/dp/1600067115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289880899&sr=8-1">Cool Beans</a>, the first book in her Maya Davis series</em><em>. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about what novel you would choose to live in. Or, well, just comment below. :-) </em></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-58690833256988393872010-11-16T11:55:00.000-08:002010-11-16T11:55:08.776-08:00And The Winner Is...Making Out Like A Bandit! :) <br />
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Thanks so much everyone for participating in this give-away! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Blend-Tea-Shop/dp/0736930159/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289937046&sr=8-1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TOLgYLquB2I/AAAAAAAAAZc/DLxX98Ibx1w/s200/PerfectBlend.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><em>If you enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, you’ll love this perfect blend of recipes and romance set in a small town with a big heart.</em><br />
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<em>Steph Vandergrift is in need of a job. She left everything behind to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, never imagining he would stand her up at the altar. Now, hoping just to get by until she can decide what to do next, Steph thinks she’s found the perfect position at the local tea shop. </em><br />
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<em>Kendall James, one of the kindest and most eligible bachelors in the area, meets Steph and proceeds to pursue her. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her runaway fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always seemed to blend so well. Are they truly meant to be together, or does God have something else in mind?</em>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037203207929436420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-6048964163608989702010-11-12T06:50:00.000-08:002010-11-12T06:50:40.567-08:00Change<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Tracy and I had finally finished writing and editing Bliss. We were ready and excited to find the perfect publisher for it as we went to a writers’ conference that year. We were going to pitch together for the first time. Nerve-wracking, but much better than facing the editors alone. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">But then we received some news that made it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> nerve-wracking. Chick lit was supposedly out. A taboo term. The year before, everyone wanted that genre. This time, no one was buying it—they all wanted historical romances instead. So we went to one meeting, smiled, and said we had a light-hearted women’s fiction story. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">He smiled and said, “Are you trying to avoid the term ‘chick lit’?”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">We had a story we believed in. Full of laughter (at least we cracked ourselves up, and I heard my grandmother got a kick out of it, too) and a meaningful journey about faith and relationships and the true Source of bliss. But the markets had changed. What were we supposed to do with this thing that we loved, believed in, poured our heart into? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">The world’s kind of like that, isn’t it? You think you have things figured out and they change. You think you’re trucking along just fine, and suddenly there’s a tree in your path and your life takes an unexpected twist and you don’t know what to do or what lies ahead of you. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Well, you know what? There’s Someone Who never changes. You’ll never go to church one Sunday and find out that God decided to change up the requirements for salvation. He loves you. That will never change. He has a bird’s eye view of your life. He will be there to help you, to hold you, to guide you. He is the I AM. He was, He is, and He will be. Forever. </span></span></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-41039088644063536142010-11-09T15:25:00.000-08:002010-11-09T15:25:12.910-08:00Interview with Trish Perry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TNHtKNdu7BI/AAAAAAAAAZM/U9zCKcScWao/s1600/Trish+Perry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TNHtKNdu7BI/AAAAAAAAAZM/U9zCKcScWao/s200/Trish+Perry.JPG" width="163" /></a></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Today, our dear friend and award-winning author <a href="http://www.trishperry.com/">Trish Perry</a> is hanging out with us on Mind Chocolate. </em><em>A fellow <a href="http://www.acfw.com/">ACFW</a></em><em> member, Trish is the first published author I ever met! Thanks for joining us, Trish. </em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Do you have a favorite chocolate indulgence?</em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oh, the list is endless—very hard to choose a favorite. But every once in a while Costco will feature the Fudgie Wudgie company’s wares, and I actually stock up when they do. I was smack in the middle of a hard-core diet the last time around, and I bought a couple boxes anyway and froze them. They’re in there, in my freezer, like jewels of the Nile. My favorite flavor is Belgian Chocolate Walnut. Amazing stuff.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Give your own definition of chick lit. </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hmm. I actually shy away from that genre title these days, because of the shallow connotation it now carries. I tend to call my books romantic comedy or contemporary romance (and let the humor come as a bonus). I think many readers now think of “chick lit” as being about young women whose lives revolve around shopping, dating, and falling down. Even though I inject plenty of humor in my romances (I <i><span style="font-style: italic;">love </span></i>to laugh), my gals tend to deal with more in their lives—family struggles and secrets, personal growth, coping with loss and other challenges, deepening friendships, and things like that. Of course, romance plays a huge role, and there’s always at least one hunky man in my heroine’s life. But I do hope readers think of my books as more substantive than a lot of books in the chick lit genre.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Do you have any chick lit-like moments from your own life that you could share? </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just like the chocolate question, there are so many to choose from . . . but here’s one for you. Even though I’m older than your standard chick lit heroine, this one is real. Nearly two winters ago, my teenaged son and I took several drives to check out colleges in our state. We tended to use an entire weekend when we made those drives, packing for an overnight stay so we could cover several schools in the same general area. We rushed on one of these trips, because he was formally scheduled for a morning interview and tour at a college three hours away from home. We got there in time to catch a shuttle bus to the campus, but when I got out of the car, I realized I had forgotten to bring shoes. I tended to make those long drives in my socks, just to be comfy. But I had forgotten to throw my shoes in the car, and I hadn’t packed a spare pair. I had to let my son take the shuttle to the interview while I got back in the car and drove all over the rural college town seeking <i><span style="font-style: italic;">any </span></i>place where I might find some shoes to buy. The place was like a retail-free zone—plenty of tractor and feed stores, but little else—and I kept going into places in my socks, asking where I might buy some shoes. Someone at a consignment shop finally directed me to the K-Mart, one town over, where I bought the cheapest pair of sneakers I could find. I turned a few heads on that little journey.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Do you have any writing quirks?</em></span></span> </div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve noticed after the fact that many of my heroines have daddy issues. This truly is a quirk, because my own dad is a total gem and has never treated me with the neglect, conditional love, or ridiculous demands that my heroines’ fathers often do. Maybe it’s because I feel so confident in him that I’m comfortable putting my heroines through such grief.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>If you were going to co-author a novel, who would you choose? Why? </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What a good question. I’ve never co-authored a novel before, but I’ve discussed it with a couple of women I respect. Maybe we’ll end up working together at some point in the future. Miralee Ferrell is an amazing brainstormer, and I love her to death. So she’d be one person to consider. The other person I’ve chatted with along these lines is Debby Mayne. I think she and I would blend well. Both of those women think much the same as I do, and neither of them has the slightest bit of ego problem about them. </span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What are one or two of your favorite lit novels from the CBA? </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I thought Kristin Billerbeck’s <i><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288825233_0">What a Girl Wants</span> </span></i>was excellent and far more on-the-money than some of the other Christian lits that came out around that time. She “gets” the voice for the genre. And, again, I’m not sure about the genre classification, but Sandra D. Bricker has written some especially fun ones. I really enjoyed <i><span style="font-style: italic;">The Big 5-0. </span></i>although I imagine some readers would wonder about a lit heroine at that age. My advice? Read it. You’ll love it. Sandie’s hilarious. </span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Where would you go on your dream “research” trip, and would you take anyone with you? Who? </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’d love to tour Europe (and if we’re dreaming, I’m dreaming a huge budget for this trip—I want comfort). If I took someone with me, it would probably be my adult daughter or my sister, or one of the women I’ve mentioned above. I’d even be happy bringing my son—he’s a fun, terrific person—but he’d probably rather not make that trip with mom . . .</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>If you could live in a novel, which one would you choose? </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m so content in my real life, that I’d have to choose one of my own books that are set right here in my general area. I wouldn’t want to live in a different time than now, because I’m spoiled rotten by modern conveniences. And I have so many friends and loved ones who mean so much to me, that I’d notice their absence if I lived in a book far away.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>If you weren’t pursuing writing, is there another dream career you might be chasing?</em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’d still have to do something artistic, or at least something that happens via the right hemisphere. Probably acting or reviewing. There’s something about fictional stories that simply fascinate me. I don’t even enjoy good nonfiction or memoir as I do fiction. That element of human creation pulls me in like nothing else. To some extent I think of God as the creator of nonfiction and memoir. Fiction is how His creations wish it could be or imagine it could be. If I weren’t creating those fantasies myself, I’d want to be involved, somehow, with how others create such things.</span></span> </div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Finally, share two pieces of advice—one writing-related and one not. </em></span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971yiv1540952358yiv504796124msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Writing related: Begin every day by thanking God for your gift and turning everything about it over to His will. That way you’ll always know you’re writing what He wants you to write.</span></span></div><div class="yiv544541971MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv544541971MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Non-writing related: Know where your shoes are at all times.</span></span><br />
<br />
Ha ha. Good advice, Trish! :-) <br />
<br />
<em>To learn more about Trish and her writing, check out her <a href="http://www.trishperry.com/">website</a></em><em>. She has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her recent release <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Blend-Tea-Shop/dp/0736930159/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1">The Perfect Blend</a>. You can get your name put into the hat up to four times. 1. Tweet this link and let us know. 2. Post this link on your facebook and let us know. 3. Follow our blog. 4. Comment below, telling us about any chick lit moments in your life. Or, well, just comment below. :-) </em></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796931830581943817.post-67204770749723272702010-11-08T20:41:00.000-08:002010-11-08T20:41:39.845-08:00And The Winner Is...<div class="productDescriptionWrapper"><div><div>Ann Lee Miller! </div><div> </div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You, you lucky lady, will soon receive a pretty copy of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shore-Thing-Otter-Bay-Novel/dp/0805448756/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1289277261&sr=8-2">A Shore Thing</a></em>. </div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TNjPNoL_ZjI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/XfsBr8kzIYk/s1600/ShoreThingCover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRU5p3ePruc/TNjPNoL_ZjI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/XfsBr8kzIYk/s200/ShoreThingCover.JPG" width="131" /></a><em>Callie Duflay just isn’t like the rest of her family. While they’ve built white collar lives, she prefers getting her hands dirty by working with children and local California causes. When Callie learns that a beloved piece of untouched property in her town of Otter Bay may soon be developed, she confronts the architect assigned to the project. </em></div><div><em></em> </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Gage Mitchell may be an easygoing, eco-friendly professional, but he’s not about to back off this job no matter how cute Callie or her pet pooch, Moondoggy, may be. His reasons and hers are noble—both have a heart for protecting God’s creation, and the truth is these two would be perfect for each other outside of this face-off. But will they ever figure that out? </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em></em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thanks, everyone, for chiming in. And thanks so much, <a href="http://www.juliecarobini.com/">Julie</a>, for hanging out with us!</div></div></div>jennesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907894280802037080noreply@blogger.com0