writing
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What I’m Working On: Marketing and a New Book
This week, the marketing department from Kregel sent me a few pages of questions regarding my upcoming book. You may not realize that the publisher decides on both the title and the book’s cover. I have no problem admitting that I’m terrible with titles. In all the manuscripts I’ve written, there is only one with a title I’m really attached to and that I named completely by myself.
So, this is where we come to the point that The Lost may no longer be called The Lost. It’s kind of exciting. I feel like I’m about to get a great surprise. Of course, it’s also possible the book title will not change, and that’s good too. As you can see, I’m not real invested in this area.
The book cover is another thing. I’m fascinated by book covers. Some I love, and some I hate. There are few that don’t fall into one of these categories. More than any of my other stories, I’ve had a vision for what this cover would look like. But I’m not so great on the artistic design side. I’m even struggling to express the vision that’s so clear in my head. I’ve scrolled through hundreds of covers, and I’ve found a few to show as examples. I’ve also found quite a few books to add to my TBR (to-be-read) pile.
I have faith that the design Kregel decides on will be the right one. They’re professionals, and this is their area of expertise.
That brings me to the other things I’m doing.
I’ve replotted an older manuscript which I’m pulling together in it’s new, better form. This is a bit tedious, but I’m pleased with the new story.
I’m also planning for November and Nanowrimo. I’m so excited to be participating with thousands of other authors around the world. National Novel Writing Month brings professionals and hobby-writers together with the same goal, writing 50,000 words in the month of November. My goal will be something more like 70,000, but you get the point.
The new story has me exploring topics like driving under the influence, dementia, and life transitions under the worst of circumstances. I look forward to weaving these threads together.
Do you have any book covers you love? Please, post a picture in the comments area.
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The Balancing Act
Remember those memes that went around Facebook? The what I think I do, what my neighbors think I do, what I really do memes? Well, this is my blog version of what I really do.
Life as a work-from-home mom is an awkward balance that often finds me falling on my face. It’s like a set of scales, but instead of two pans to keep level, there are six. The tiniest addition to any category can send the whole contraption upside down.
I come from a line of folks who tend to have heart attacks and die at very young ages. To that end, my health is one of my priority areas. Unfortunately, for the last year and a half I’ve been plagued by injuries that have assassinated my running life. But a couple weeks ago I found a miracle in the form of a shot to the knee. CURE! Now I’m out walking the dogs each morning for a very brisk three to four miles. There goes an hour, but I’ve contributed to my health, and I listen to audiobooks while I walk, so I figure I’ve been entertained at the same time.
Last Friday, I was out in the fields, cruising my way back to my twenties (Hahaha), when my writing accountability partner called. It was a little early for our planned talk, so I hadn’t really messed up by not being home. We started our weekly tally of what we’d done and what we would commit to for the next week, when I came around a corner and saw a pony, not where she belonged. That’s how I found myself walking up my property, a pony in a headlock, while I tried to manage a discussion on the next week’s writing goals. This is a pretty good visual of how I balance the areas of my life.
I dream of a well-decorated living room, clean bathrooms, and clear kitchen counters. I live with blank walls, a paint job that’s half done, cluttered counter tops, and the consolation that at least there’s toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Each day I start with dreams of large word counts, brilliant blog posts, and a strong social media presence. Sometimes I get the word count in, but more often than not, my goals were too high for my brain to accomplish. And those brilliant blog post…haven’t happened yet. Don’t get me started on my love/hate relationship with social media.
The truth is, I can’t do it all. My family is my top priority, and that means I will drop whatever I’m doing for them. My house will never look like the pictures in magazines, and…that’s okay. There will be days when I exceed my word count goals and days when I fall horribly short. I will eat chocolate when I know I shouldn’t, and I can’t deny a growing coffee addiction. I will take time to pray when all is well, but sometimes try to fix problems on my own until I’ve made such a mess I’m forced to remember God is more capable than I am.
So, here’s to real life, and mercy, and humility, and growth. Here’s to the days that go well beyond our expectation, and those that crash and burn. And here’s to learning to live at peace with where we are, who we are, and what God can make of us.
Have a blessed day!
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Nashville 2016
Before
I just returned from Nashville, the home of the 2016 ACFW conference. As usual, the event was packed full of teaching, celebrations, and relationship building.
Most years I try to arrive the day before the conference begins. My introverted self needs some warm up time before taking my first meal with 600 other writers. This year, however, my husband and I had tickets for the Josh Groban concert, and I wasn’t going to miss that for anything. The venue was outside, the weather was perfect, and that man can really sing.
Before the concert started
The next morning my husband dropped me off at the airport, and I was on my way. Well, I was on my way after TSA checked my laptop for explosives. Apparently I was looking rather suspicious.
My cute driver
By the time I arrived at the hotel, right in downtown Nashville, most people had gone on to bed. After a day of travel, that was all I was thinking about too.
Flying into Nashville
During
The next morning I jumped right into conference mode. I connected with some authors who are also represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Agency. Their enthusiasm and kindness was very appreciated.
I took a great continuing ed class from the remarkable James L. Rubart. In the afternoon, I met with a couple editors.
Cara, Nancy, and me
On Saturday I was able to meet with one of the editors from my publisher, Kregel Publications. Dawn greeted me warmly and made me feel welcome and excited for this next year.
Saturday ended with the annual awards gala. All who attended were dressed for a fine evening. I watched as well-deserving writers were honored. The last award was given to Linda Brooks Davis. What a powerhouse of enthusiasm! I could have listened to this woman’s acceptance speech for an hour. She was wonderful.
After
I woke up the next morning and had breakfast with my friend Nancy then headed out to church. Down the road I found a Baptist church offering traditional and contemporary services at the same time. I chose contemporary. Not a surprise, but the music was phenomenal. The pastor shared about how we should serve, and I left with much to think about.
The plan I had months ago, when making my reservations, was to stay an extra day in Nashville, spending time with a friend. Unfortunately, she had to cancel. With my manuscript due to the publisher by September 1, this extra day turned out to be a blessing even without Jodie. I hunkered down in my hotel room and finished my final read-through.
By the time I was done, my eyes were strained, and my legs were aching for a walk. I took a long stroll around downtown Nashville. If you’ve never been to Nashville, you should consider planning a trip. It’s like no other place I’ve visited.
Monday morning, I took my first Uber to the airport. I tell you this because I’m sure it makes me sound modern and savvy. Haha!
My first flight was delayed, so I was moved to another airline. The first leg took me to Chicago. Wouldn’t you know it, thunder and lightning started right after we landed, and they shut down the airport. Of course my second flight was then delayed. I ended up sitting next to a with a man who had arms like the Hulk for the four and a half hours trip. But, I’m home now, and back to the keyboard.
I failed to take enough pictures, but here are a few.
This is just part of the line to get into the concert.
Ted Dekker giving the keynote
With Elizabeth Van Tassel
It’s food like this that causes me to gain a couple pounds at each conference.
With Voni Harris
Thanks to everyone who works hard to make ACFW function.
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Big News!
Time to Celebrate!
After waiting for what felt like eternity, I’m finally able to tell you the big news. I’ve signed a contract with Kregel Publications. They will be publishing my novel, The Lost.
Like just about every up and down in my writing career, this didn’t happen how I’d imagined it would.
A wonderful woman who’d been my mentor for about ten years passed away in early June. After the memorial service I wandered out to the field where our horse lives. Bella is good company even on days when I am not. As I was lovin’ on the horse, pondering the events of the day, my phone rang.
And it was my agent.
I answered, but of course, the connection was horrible and we couldn’t hear each other. Ugh!
She called again. Same thing.
Finally, on the third call, we’re able to communicate. When she told me Kregel wanted to offer me a contract, I was stunned. This news really took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. What a day!
As you can see, it’s now August. Turns out there are a lot of steps between being offered a contract and completing the process. Overall, it’s not a bad way to spend a summer.
In true writer-form, I think we should toast this occasion with…Coffee!
Or at least a coffee cup.
Recently, I discovered a company with unique and quality products. Tiffany and Jacob, of Camplight Apparel, believe in a positive message and giving back to the world. With each purchase from their online store, a donation is made to aid children in need. Camplight is currently donating to Harvest107, an organization working to build rooftop gardens for orphanages in Haiti.
To celebrate the new contract, I’m giving away one of the mugs shown above. All you have to do is be a subscriber. If you’ve already subscribed, you’re already entered. Drawing will take place on September 1, 2016 at 5:00pm pst.
