Write Now

Cathy Gohlke - Interview & Giveaway

2012-01-30T05:43:00.301-05:00

It is my pleasure once again to host Cathy Gohlke at Write Now. You might recall Cathy's other visits; she is the Christy Award winning author of William Henry is a Fine Name and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires.

Her new book, Promise Me This is hitting the shelves as we speak. It is, in my opinion, another winner. (Click here if you missed my review in last Thursday's post.)

Cathy is always a gracious guest who offers wonderful insight on writing and life. I hope you enjoy the interview, and don't forget to check out the giveaway details below.

Karen: Welcome back to Write Now, Cathy! I’m thrilled to have you visit us again. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed your book, Promise Me This. It was wonderful!

Cathy: Thank you for having me, Karen. I’m delighted to be here, and delighted that you enjoyed Promise Me This. The research into Titanic and WWI carried me away, and the story unfolded in all the ways I love.

Karen: What was your inspiration for Promise Me This?

Cathy: I’ve always been fascinated by Titanic—certainly the romance of the era and the magnificence of the ship, but especially the people who sailed, the passengers and those employed by the White Star Line. I’ve wondered about the hopes and dreams cut short that fateful night, and about those who survived—how did they go on with their lives knowing they’d been miraculously, magnanimously saved when so many died around them?

The first time I saw a copy of the ship’s manifest, I saw a gardener listed, Owen George Allum, third class, who’d sailed from Southampton. He reminded me of my great-grandfather, who’d emigrated from London just a few years before. Unable to find work as the gold leaf artist he was, he became a gardener for a wealthy Buffalo family, and developed new varieties and strains of flowers. From these two real people, the character Owen Allen was born, and I wrote a short story, “The Legacy of Owen Allen,” which eventually grew into the full length novel, Promise Me This.

Karen: I didn't realize this book grew out of a short story. Very interesting! How did you decide on the setting and the circumstances? It was great fun reading about the area in NJ where I grew up, btw. This was one reason why I was so excited about it. :)

Cathy: The facts of Titanic’s sinking provided the perfect backdrop for a story of self-sacrifice and heroism. Decisions were made that night—who lived and who died—and they were not all made by the officers of Titanic. In the history, and in the fictitious character of Owen Allen, I saw the perfect opportunity to paint a portrait of Christ’s love for us, of His sacrifice for the world. In the life of Michael, the abused young man he saved, and in Owen’s younger sister, Annie, who grieved mightily for her brother, I saw pictures of our response to Christ’s unmerited gift and His command to love one another as He has loved us.

The settings were the easiest of all to choose and the most fun to research. Titanic was built and launched in Belfast, Ireland (where my first character stows away), then sailed to Southampton, England, where she received her final outfitting. It helped that Owen Allum, the real passenger aboard Titanic, was a gardener from London. I walked streets and haunted cemeteries, museums and gardens in London and Southampton, snapping hundreds of photographs. I discovered so many wonderful details—the unemployment crisis caused by a coal strike, the building of Southampton’s town hall gardens, the girls’ school in which Annie could have enrolled, the name of the nursery and names of men who supplied flowers for Titanic, even the pub popular among her crew.

All of these and more found their way into the story. And then I traced, through research, Titanic’s route to ports in Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland, where at last she bound for the western sea. I followed the timeline of the sinking ship, the rescue of survivors by the Carpathia, and the help they received in New York. Where better for a gardener to plant his roots of Old World roses than in our own Garden State of New Jersey?

When I toured the delightful Leaming’s Run Gardens in Swainton I knew I’d found the perfect setting for Allen’s Run Gardens. The librarians of Cape May County Library in Cape May Court House, and the staff of Cape May County Historical Society were wonderful in helping me discover Swainton, 1912-1919, as was Somers Carston, a local historian. I realized from the timeline and settings of my story (Ireland, England, France, Germany, USA) that my characters would face the rigors of rationing and the horrors of WWI. The story naturally bent toward France and the nightmare at Verdun. Traipsing the hills and dales of lovely France and ferreting out the history with my husband and our son, who translated for us, was one of the great joys of my life.

Karen: It sounds like a wonderful experience. What a great way to do research! So is research, or another aspect of the writer’s life, your favorite?

Cathy: Research. I can get lost for months in the joy of digging up the past through travel—foreign or domestic, exploring cemeteries and diaries, old newspapers, attics and archives, rediscovering the places, insights and things that time forgot.

Karen: What part do you dislike? What steps do you take to work through this?

Cathy: I dislike being rushed through a story. A story, to ring true and unfold beautifully, needs to grow organically. A too-short deadline can thwart that process. I’m still learning to work through that. I try not to agree to deadlines I don’t believe I can meet, and I work very hard to meet those I’ve committed to. If possible, I work ahead. I’d rather have days off at the end than be rushed and worry that I’ve done a poor job.

And life, as we all know, has a way of happening. I’ve also come to understand that the birth of a book is a team effort, and my needs are only part of the process. All the other members of the team need their allotment of time, too—agent, editors of different varieties, proofreaders, design, marketing, publicists, sales team. Because I care about them—people with lives as demanding as my own--it makes me more understanding.

Karen: I never thought about it from that angle, and I appreciate your insight. I'm sure those you work with do too! I know that Promise Me This is just being released, but are there any new stories on the horizon? If so, can you give us a hint?

Cathy: Band of Sisters will release in September 2012—the story of Irish sisters who escape an abusive English landlord, only to find themselves drawn into a web of human trafficking beginning at Ellis Island (1910-1911). Hope springs when an unlikely band of sisters and two good men ask and act upon the question we all face, “What would Jesus do?” The novel raises awareness of modern day slavery—there are more than twice as many people enslaved today as at the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade—and the role we can play in abolition.

Karen: Band of Sisters sounds like a winner, too. Can't wait to read it. Thanks so much for the sneak peek, and thank you for stopping by. Wishing you much success!

Cathy: Thank you so much, Karen. It’s been a pleasure! Promise Me This is available on-line or wherever books are sold. I love hearing from readers and can be reached through my website www.cathygohlke.com.

Giveaway Details

You must be a follower and leave a comment, with email address, on this post.
Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please include link with your comment where applicable.
Open to residents of the United States.
Deadline to enter is midnight EST, Friday, February 3, 2012. Winner will be notified via email and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, February 6.

Do you have any questions for Cathy? What period or event in history do you think would make a good fictional story?

Happy writing,

Karen

Promise Me This - Book Review & Giveaway

2012-01-26T05:40:00.002-05:00

Today's review celebrates the release of Cathy Gohlke's latest book, Promise Me This. Cathy has generously offered a copy for a giveaway (details below), and will be stopping by again on Monday with an insightful interview. Hope you can join us!

Promise Me This

By Cathy Gohlke

Tyndale House Publishers

Annie Allen is devastated upon learning that her older brother Owen perished when the Titanic went down. Her only remaining relative in England is Aunt Eleanor, and Annie has never been close to the bitter spinster. As details unfold, Annie learns that Owen requested a favor of a young street urchin and Titanic stowaway, Michael Dunnagan. Owen asked Michael to fulfill his American dream by going to Swainton, NJ, where Owen’s aunt and uncle own and operate Allen’s Run Gardens. He also requested that Michael bring Annie to America so she could start a new life, far from Eleanor’s disapproving eyes.

As Michael begins a new life stateside, he struggles under a heavy weight of guilt that he survived and Owen did not. He reaches out to Annie via letter, but she rebuffs his correspondence at first. Eventually though, she warms to Michael’s efforts to build a friendship and letters fly back and forth across the pond.

Michael works overtime to save enough money to bring Annie to NJ, only to see World War 1 erupt, making travel to and from England dangerous. In the meantime, Annie busies herself by training with the Red Cross, and she and a friend sign up to work with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in regional hospitals. As the war drags on, Michael is restless and more concerned for Annie’s safety, and embarks on a perilous journey across the Atlantic to see her. His arrival coincides with Aunt Eleanor’s mysterious dying wish that throws a cruel wrench into Annie’s plans to go to America.

Cathy Gohlke’s stories are not your run of the mill predictable fare. This Christy Award winning author has several books under her belt, with tales that envelop the reader with rich descriptions and intriguing plots. Promise Me This is no exception. Just about the time I thought it safe to turn a page and take a breath, Cathy ramped up the action with exciting twists and turns. As a fan of happy endings, I was relieved to see that these seemingly impossible knots were all happily untangled.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was that it was partially set in southern NJ, just minutes from where I grew up. Allen’s Run Gardens was fashioned after Leaming's Run, a real botanical garden in Swainton that we visited on numerous occasions. Cathy captures the essence of the area and era to lend authenticity to Annie and Michael’s emotional journey through tragedy and beyond.

I seldom give a five star rating to a book, but this one earned it and then some. In my opinion, Cathy Gohlke possesses the gift of bringing stories to life in an amazing way. If you haven’t already guessed, I highly recommend this book.

To learn more about Cathy and her books, click here.

Giveaway Details

You must be a follower and leave a comment, with email address, on this post.
Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please include link with your comment where applicable.
Open to residents of the United States.
Deadline to enter is midnight EST, Friday, February 3, 2012. Winner will be notified via email and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, February 6.

A Big Favor

My blog has been nominated for a Top Blog Award at eCollegeFinder.com. If you like my blog and would like to vote for me, click on this link and scroll down till you see Write Now, check the box, and click on VOTE. I'm told that visitors can vote as often as they like through February 3, 2012 at 5 pm. Thanks for your time and consideration!

Don't forget to stop back on Monday for the interview with Cathy. :)

Have you read any "five star" books lately?

Have a great weekend,

Karen

Dirt and Life

2012-01-23T05:40:00.048-05:00

Some people see dirt like this - brown and useless.

Others see dirt like this - full of life and potential.

I think George Washington Carver summed it up nicely when he said,

"People murder a child when they say,

‘Keep out of the dirt!’ In dirt there is life."

Indeed. Life.

And potential to learn, grow, and to savor with all of our senses.

Dirt enriches our writing by encouraging curiosity and discoveries, don't you think?

I trip over new things every day, it seems.

A thread of an idea here, a snippet of info there.

Before you know it, it's an article, a post, or a missing piece to the WIP.

Have you been digging in dirt lately?

What have you discovered?

How has it helped your writing?

Happy digging,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Groucho's Reading Advice

2012-01-19T05:29:00.031-05:00

Outside of a dog, a man’s best friend is a book.

Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Do you agree? :)

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a good one!

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

MyTwo Cents

2012-01-16T05:40:00.017-05:00

Just in case you are interested,

I'm offering my two cents as guest blogger

over at Susan J. Reinhardt's blog,

Christian Writer/Reader Connection.

Hope you can hop over and join us.

Thanks a bunch!

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

You Got a Problem?

2012-01-12T05:40:00.164-05:00

Years ago my sister shared a line from a movie she'd just seen. I can't recall which movie it was, however, the line went like this:

"It's not a problem, it's a situation."

I thought it was a clever statement, and have often turned it over in my mind. It's a good thing, I think, to view problems this way. Life is full of these "situations" so we can learn, don't you think?

If we were never challenged, how would we know what stuff we were made of? What would we have to spur us on to count our blessings and appreciate life?

Bottom line: problems invite creativity and progress. The choice is ours, we can choose to view them as stumbling blocks or as useful tools.

While I don't always like, but can appreciate life's problems, I see the value in them for our writing. Just think of all the ideas that can be found within - story plots, article ideas, blog posts, poems, and other great stuff.

(FYI: This post, What is a Problem? over at Idea Sandbox was the catalyst that prompted my ponderings. It's brief, so if you have a minute, hop over!)

How are your problem solving skills? What "situations" have you encountered? Have you used any in your writing?

Have a great weekend!

Karen

P.S. You get brownie points if you remember what movie that line was in. :)

Image credit: Stock Exchange

Creative Endurance?

2012-01-09T05:34:00.092-05:00

Ever stop and think how creativity and endurance might intertwine?

Are you creative?

Of course you are! You are a writer, after all.

Do you have endurance?

Well sure, you say, I can write a blog post without getting winded.

So do you think you have creative endurance?

Six Steps to Building Your Creative Endurance by Jarie Bolander may have your answer.

It explains the ins and outs on maintaining long term creativity.

Just how do we do that?

By honestly assessing the barriers that hold us back,

like lame excuses and wasted pockets of time, and taking productive steps forward.

Good stuff, and very inspiring. I encourage you to check it out!

What hinders your creativity? What boosts it? What do you do to maintain it?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Do You Wallow?

2012-01-05T05:24:00.153-05:00

What goals have you set for the year? I've set several, but have mostly been pondering the big picture.

Why?

Because I realized recently that I've been wallowing.

How?

By allowing circular conversations in my head to discourage and defeat me.

They go a lot like this:

"You don't know enough to apply for that writing job."

"You don't have the right clips to send to that editor."

"You've wasted too much time, there's no sense in starting now."

Just so you know, I am normally an optimist, you know, a glass half full kind of gal. But I let down my guard through a handful of events over the past few years. I know better, but I let it happen anyway. And you know, sometimes it just seems easier to stay in the mud and wallow, rather than make an effort to pull yourself out.

But I've had enough. I've beat myself up way too much, sniffled and sniveled over things I can't change. It's a new year, and the future is all I have. It's time to move forward.

What's my battle plan?

1) When tempted to wallow, push through and redirect lousy thoughts. Seek Godly wisdom, pray, and affirm positive truths.

2) Frame the big goals. Attack the WIP more diligently and actively seek more freelance work.

3) Assess how my time is spent, and target wasted areas as potential for productive use.

4) Count my blessings, and rejoice in the accomplishments, no matter how small.

So what about you, ever find yourself wallowing? What do you do? The future is all we have! Who's moving forward with me?

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Coming Attractions

2012-01-02T05:59:00.211-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's 2012, can you believe it?

I'm excited about Write Now's upcoming events!

What kind of events, you ask? How about interviews, giveaways and
other goodies? Here's a peek:

Christy Award winning author Cathy Gohlke will be stopping by in February to discuss

Promise Me This, which brings readers aboard the Titantic and onto the shores of
New Jersey, not far from where I grew up.

Another of my favorite authors, Ann Gabhart, will visit as well. Her latest book,
Words Spoken True, debuts in February, and we'll get the scoop on this
historical gem set in Louisville, KY in 1855.

Good friend and writer Carol Alexander drops in to share her experience on writing an
ebook. Carol is also a homeschool and homesteading expert, so I expect that we'll glean much from her words of wisdom.

I'm also excited about Jeanette Levellie's book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top,
which is being released in April. Jen will be hopping over for a visit to explain
how we can get chuckles on top of grace every day.

March marks my third blogoversary, so of course, we must celebrate with a

chocolate giveaway, don't you think?

That is just a portion of what's on the horizon for this year. Stay tuned, it's going to be a good year!

What are you looking forward to?

Wishing you the best in 2012,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

We Interrupt This Blog Break...

2011-12-27T05:41:00.054-05:00

Just a few announcements...

Okay, remember that post back in October when I asked you to sell me on Twitter? I've been thinking about your input (which was very helpful, btw) and yes, I did it. I jumped back on. So if you use Twitter, look me up, will you? I'm KLELange. :)

Most of you know that I teach online writing classes for homeschool students, grades 9-12, at the Homeschool Online Creative Writing Co-op. I'm offering sessions in Creative Writing, Flash Fiction, and Writing the Essay beginning on January 10, 2012. There are still openings, so if you or anyone you know are interested, click here for details.

The Coffeehouse for Writers is gearing up for the new year. Classes begin January 2, 2012 and include great workshops like Creating Characters, Writing Scenes, Blogging for Profit or Pleasure, Writing for Children, Social Media and more. Instructors include Jennifer Brown Banks, Kathryn Lay, Victoria Grossack, Sandra Kischuk, and Ayn Hunt, to name a few. Don't forget, yours truly teaches the Basic Boot Camp for Writers. Visit the Coffeehouse site for details.

Hope you are enjoying good times with friends and family. See you in 2012. :)

Happy New Year!

Karen

Photo Credit: Stock Exchange

Thank You!

2011-12-15T05:35:00.063-05:00

It has been a wonderful year of blog blessings. Thank you all so much for sharing my writing journey in this way. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me!

I am looking forward to spending 2012 with you all, learning, laughing, and helping each other along. Good things are ahead, don't you think?

This concludes my posts for 2011. I am taking a break until January 2. See you then!

Sending love, blessings, and warm wishes to you and your family,

Karen :)

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

You Didn't Even Know

2011-12-12T05:28:00.108-05:00

Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.

Daniel Boorstin

Have you considered what you've learned this year?

Or what you didn't know you didn't know?

I have.

For instance...

It's great fun to co-author a novel.

Challenging too, but oh so rewarding.

It leads to character development.

Yours and the people in the book.

What have you learned this year?

Did you know you didn't know it?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Great Plans?

2011-12-08T05:39:00.086-05:00

So I had planned on a fabulous post today. You know the kind. Insightful. Witty. And of course, thought provoking.

But after a string of events this week, including losing an important document, I decided I had to ditch insightful and witty.

My back up plan? A recommendation.

I suggest that you run, don't walk, over to Heather Sunseri's blog Balance with Purpose for the Ultimate Gift Giving Guide for Writers. My personal favorite, the Starbucks gift card, is on the list, but you might be partial to the underwater writing slate. Or the mug - be sure and check out what it says.

I'll try for insightful and witty another day, okay?

Which gift on Heather's list is your favorite?

Happy weekend,
Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Breaking Out

2011-12-05T05:32:00.150-05:00

Do you ever get writer's block?

Or ever just hit a spot where you can write but the words just don't have the flow or spark they normally do?

What do you do about it?

Do you:

Read?

Pray?

Journal?

Exercise?

Brainstorm?

Clean house?

Keep writing?

Take a break?

Eat chocolate?

Go blog hopping?

Jump on Facebook?

Consult your writer friends?

When I am challenged, I do a sampling of these things. Sometimes I'll work on a different project, like if I'm stuck on the historical fiction WIP, I'll write a blog post.

I also like to try writing exercises to refresh and stretch my creativity. For example, I joined Stumble Upon recently and found the My Creative Team Thinking blog. Their Creativity Boosts offer a prompt or other activity, like Dictionary Excursion, where the dictionary is used to find words to write a 250 word story. It's intended use is for individuals but I'm sure it could be adapted for group use too. I think the results would be rather amusing. Click here to give it a try.

So tell us, how do you break out of a writing slump? Have any additional tips and tricks to share?

Keep writing,
Karen

P.S. I have a book review over at Pen and Prosper. If you'd like to take a peek, click here. Thanks a bunch! :)

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Thursday's This and That

2011-12-01T05:30:00.176-05:00

Happy December! It's hard to believe that 2011 is nearly over. Is it just me, or did the months fly by pretty quickly?

Have you met your writing goals for the year? If not, there is still a bit of time left. I have a few loose writing ends that I plan on wrapping up before the end of the year. Anyone care to join me?

Well, as promised, here is a bit of this and that. Perhaps one of these links will help inspire some end of the year writing.

In need of encouragement? Brian Klems article, How to Gain Perspective on Your Work might offer just the boost you need. He discusses the importance of stepping back, letting projects rest, and engaging in other therapeutic activities. Good stuff.

The Cincinnati Review welcomes submissions of poetry, prose, and nonfiction from writers of all levels. They pay $25-30 per submission. Click here for details.

The First Line Literary Journal accepts four part stories using a first line that they provide. There is a line for each seasonal story. For example, spring's line is, "There are a few things you need to know before we start." They pay on publication. More info can be found here.

Freelance Writer Linda Formichelli, of The Renegade Writer blog, recently became certified as a Fitness Coach and offered free fitness coaching sessions to a limited number of people. I had the privilege of being chosen and found that Linda's not only a good writer, but a good coach. Here are my thoughts on our session:

My session with Linda provided plenty of food for thought (no pun intended!) – from my fitness routine to my eating habits. Her questions challenged and motivated me to stretch in areas I hadn’t considered. She offered suggestions to help get back on track by building new and better habits. I appreciated her friendly style; she’s personable and immediately makes you feel at ease. She generated a healthy dialogue, allowing time to pause and consider without pressing me for immediate answers. I was hoping that our session would serve as a catalyst for a fresh start; I wasn’t disappointed. I came away with tools and info that I can implement to build and maintain a healthier lifestyle. To learn more about Linda's Fitness Coaching, click here.

Here's a handy post by Nancy Ragno over on Jane Friedman's blog - 10 Phrases to Purge From Your Speech. Are alot, alright, and irregardless words we should use? Hop over and find out!

Author and fellow chocolate lover Emily Benedict is offering a free download of The Father Christmas Confessions. Check it out here.

Veteran freelance writer Jennifer Brown Banks is offering a new email service for writers called Jen's VIP Club. She offers info on blog gigs, insider's tips and tools, discounts on creative services, and more. Cost is $7 per month. Stop by Jennifer's blog for details.

What's on your plate this weekend?

Have a wonderful weekend,

Karen

Image credit: Stock Exchange

Light It!

2011-11-28T05:40:00.074-05:00

Once upon a time we were all a bit younger. Some of us enjoyed writing, and knew we wanted to be writers. Others, well, maybe not as much.

I fell into the latter category. I liked to write, but never dreamed of becoming a poet or novelist. I was content to write a bit, pen letters to friends and family, and read. I didn't fancy myself as a storyteller, but I did enjoy reading a good one. Little did I know where I was headed...:)

How about you? Did your interest or passion in writing start early? Or were you a later bloomer like I was? Was there a certain spark that ignited the fire? Or did it come slowly and methodically? Please share!

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-21T05:45:00.043-05:00

I am thankful for faith, family, and friends.

I am thankful for each new day that brings hope and promise.

I am thankful for the ability to enjoy the wonders of God's creation.

What are you thankful for?

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

See you next week.

Blessings,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Advice From the Hockey Rink

2011-11-17T05:35:00.037-05:00

"You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Wayne Gretzky

I’ll admit it; I'm a hockey fan. My sons are to blame - they played hockey, and they got me hooked. So it’s no surprise that this quote by Mr. Gretzky, aka hockey’s The Great One, caught my eye while at the bank.

Our bank posts inspirational quotes on a message board in the lobby. As a writer, these mind joggers provide food for thought. One seldom sees quotes from hockey players, too, so it was a nice surprise. I chuckled as I left the bank and continued to mull over these words of hockey wisdom.

Mr. Gretzky’s words make sense; if you don’t shoot, you won’t score. If you don’t score, you won’t have a shot at winning the game. So, I pondered - how does this apply to life? If we don’t try, we can’t fail. But, if we don’t try, we don’t learn. And if we don’t try, we can’t succeed.

I wondered, how many shots am I missing because I fail to make an effort? How many writing opportunities do I pass by because I think I don’t have enough experience? What part of my calling hasn’t been fulfilled yet because I am afraid to step out, or invest the necessary time to grow?

Life has its challenges and surprises, hills and valleys, and days where we don’t want to take shots at anything. If we believe our steps to be ordered by the Lord, though, then He can lead and show us which shots to take. I don’t want to miss the benefits of the journey by not taking shots. Do you?

What do you think of Mr. Gretzky's advice?

Happy weekend,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

November Blessings

2011-11-14T05:40:00.246-05:00

I hope you had a great weekend! My weekend included a double blessing.

I received a blog award from two wonderful bloggers.

Saloma Furlong from About Amish and Linda Maendel of Hutt-Write Voice

have blessed me with the Tell Me About Yourself Award!

The award guidelines are as follows:

1) Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2) Share 7 things about yourself.

3) Pass the award on to 15 other bloggers.

So, here goes:

Thank you Saloma and Linda!

I enjoy your blogs, and am honored that you passed the award to me.

Seven things about me?

Hmm, what haven't I told you about myself? Let's see...

1) My summer job as a teen was at my Dad's shoe store.

My friends always asked if I got free shoes. Yes. But technically, Dad paid for them.

2) I've met several NHL players in person. My family and I attended

autograph sessions with Ron Hextall and Garth Snow, to name a few.

3) I had to transfer from one high school to another in my senior year.

We moved about 20 minutes from my childhood home.

It wasn't in the same school district, so I had to leave the friends I'd had

since kindergarten. I was not happy. But I got over it.

4) My favorite beverage at Starbucks is a tall Green Tea Frappuccino.

So if we ever meet there, I'll probably order that.

5) One of my all time favorite authors is Lucy Maud Montgomery.

6) One of my favorite books by L.M. Montgomery is The Blue Castle.

I think it would make a great movie.

7) I love Williamsburg, VA. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon.

I'm passing the award along to:

All of you!

I decided that I do not want to choose. You all have been

wonderful friends, and I appreciate your support so much.

Thank you, and enjoy the award!

What November blessings are you enjoying?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Fall at Longwood Gardens, Stock Exchange

Book Review - A Lasting Impression

2011-11-07T22:03:00.000-05:00

A Lasting Impression

By Tamera Alexander

Bethany House

Attorney Sutton Monroe is adjusting to post Civil War life in his native city of Nashville, TN. Not only did his father and his best friend perish during the war, Sutton is working to regain his family's land, which has been seized by the government. He hopes that his appeal will find favor with officials in Washington.

Claire Laurent nearly stumbles into Nashville, after being forced to leave her home in New Orleans. Her father has forced her to paint forgeries for his art gallery, something she wasn't comfortable with but couldn't get out of. Her father insisted they needed the money for Claire's mother's medical expenses.

Wealthy Adelicia Acklen, the mistress of the Belmont Estate just outside of Nashville, is in need of a personal liaison. Claire, though seemingly unqualified, applies for the job. As the interview winds down, Claire is resolved to finding another position in town. Imagine her surprise when Mrs. Acklen hires her!

Sutton's and Claire's paths intersect at Belmont. He is Mrs. Acklen's legal consultant and is commissioned to do a background check on Claire. She struggles to please Adelicia while fighting her conscience and troublesome past. They quickly form a friendship, but Sutton senses Claire is hiding something. He must, of course, protect Adelicia's interests.

What happens next? I'll not tell, but I will say that neither Claire nor Sutton are prepared for the rocky road ahead. Be prepared for a bit of action, mystery, and yes, even blackmail.

I loved this book; I was completely swept into this delightful story. Rich details, an interesting plot, and appealing characters combine for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ms. Alexander paints a marvelous story of redemption, love, and courage. I hope that she writes another installment in this Belmont Mansion series very soon.

What is the best book you've ever read?

Still telling myself I am taking a break this week...See you next Monday!

Happy reading,

Karen

I received this review copy from Bethany House, no compensation was received.

Thursday's This & That

2011-11-03T05:39:00.190-04:00

I can't resist sharing a few links every so often. Hope you don't mind. :)

Is children's poetry your thing? The Institute for Children's Literature is offering a Children's Poetry Contest. Hurry, deadline to enter is November 10, 2011.

If not poetry, then how about fiction for kids and young adults? Sue Bradford Edwards gives pointers on How to Avoid Parenting Your Characters at the Writer's Digest site in this article.

Jessica Bell's book, String Bridge, is making its debut this month. For info on this women's contemporary fiction novel, visit the String Bridge website, or stop by Jessica's blog. I am sure she would love to see you!

Never discount humble beginnings. Why? The proof is in this article - Before They Were Famous - The Oddest Jobs of 10 Literary Greats.

November/December 2011 classes at the Coffeehouse for Writers begin Monday, November 14. Most of you know that I am the instructor for Basic Boot Camp for Writers there. FYI: writers at any level are welcome to join Boot Camp, which is a refresher of the basics, the in between stuff, and a whole lot more, with interesting and fun prompts and assignments. Check out the other great Coffeehouse offerings, too. Classes are reasonably priced and there's something for everyone!

I am taking a break next week. Will be back on or about November 14.

What are you doing this weekend?

Thanks for coming by,

Karen

Photo Credit: Stock Exchange

Sell Me!

2011-10-31T05:30:00.110-04:00

Do you love Twitter?

Hate it?

Like it a little?

I was on Twitter a few years ago but decided to get off.

Why?

Reason # 1 - It didn't interest me.

Reason # 2 - I had a few undesirable followers (those with unsavory websites).

Reason # 3 - I didn't have time to add one more thing to my schedule.

Why am I telling you this?

Reason # 1 - Many of you use Twitter and rave about it.

Reason # 2 - I've heard it is a useful social media tool.

Reason # 3 - I'm told that you can screen followers.

I've been thinking about it lately and I'm curious.

If Twitter is so fabulous,

then maybe I need to consider getting back on.

This is where you come in.

I need you to sell me on Twitter.

Why do I need to return to Twitter?

What makes it so great?

Or, if you don't care for it, tell me why.

I'm awaiting your thoughts.

Go ahead.

Sell me!

P.S. On a Non-Twitter Note...

Congratulations to Melissa Sugar, winner of Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin!

Thanks to all who stopped by for the interview and giveaway.

Happy writing,

Karen

Image credit: Stock Exchange

How Do You Like Your Change?

2011-10-27T05:24:00.093-04:00

"Change is good, but dollars are better."

Unknown

I saw this on a t-shirt years ago and had to laugh. I agree.

But then, if you get enough change, it adds up to dollars, right?

Joking aside, how do you handle change?

Do you embrace it or chafe when it pops up?

I handle certain kinds of change well. You know the kind -

Hubby says, "How about we go out to eat tonight?"

"Yes, dear!"

I'm totally there, you know? I'm all for being flexible in that respect,

but not so great with other kinds of change. I like a routine and

prefer to know what's up ahead. But we don't always know, do we?

That's why I'm thankful that God is in control. No matter what happens,

nothing takes Him by surprise. He's still on the throne.

What kind of change do you embrace? What kind makes you run for cover?

What keeps you balanced and on track?

Have a wonderful weekend,

Karen

Don't forget, there's still time to enter the giveaway for a copy of

Sarah Sundin's Blue Skies Tomorrow.

Hop back to Monday's post for details. Giveaway ends this Saturday at noon.

Image credit: Stock Exchange

Sarah Sundin - Interview and Giveaway

2011-10-24T05:33:00.146-04:00

Please join me in welcoming Sarah Sundin, author of the Wings of Glory Series.

Karen: It’s great to have you back, Sarah! Congratulations on your latest release, Blue Skies Tomorrow. How did you feel completing the three book series? What was your original inspiration for this series?

Sarah: Writing the final chapter was difficult and required several drafts. The Novak boys and the women they love had been my constant mental companions for almost a decade. It was hard to say good-bye, even if they did have their happy endings.

The idea for the first book, A Distant Melody, came out of a “what if” question—what if a man and woman met at an event, truly clicked, and parted before exchanging contact info? Wouldn’t it be romantic if he went through great effort to track her down? My husband and I watched a History Channel special on the US Eighth Air Force based in England which flew over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, and I was hooked. My great-uncle was a B-17 bomber pilot with the Eighth, so I had access to family stories plus his personal letters. My research fascinated me so much, the story expanded to become a trilogy, with each book focusing on one of three brothers.

Karen: Of the three books, which character is your favorite?

Sarah: That’s like asking which is my favorite child. I have three children, unique and lovable in their own ways. Some days I like one better than another. Don’t gasp. You do it too. But I love them equally. It’s the same with my characters. I adore them, am exasperated by them, and try to figure out how they tick.

Karen: I am sure that you found a lot of interesting facts with your research for these books. Was there anything that you unearthed that really took you by surprise?

Sarah: In Blue Skies Tomorrow, the heroine experiences the Port Chicago Explosion, where 320 sailors were killed in the largest US Home Front disaster in the war. Most of the men killed were black. I thought I understood the explosion and the mutiny trial that followed (it happened in my home county), but my research changed my mind. I knew there was a great deal of racism and discrimination at the time, but the details of this disaster really brought it home to me.

Karen: Did I hear something about you and your family going to Italy and France this summer? It must have been fabulous! Was the trip writing related?

Sarah: It was fabulous! My husband and two younger kids and I went to Provence and Italy, part family vacation, and part research for my next series. Not only did we see tourist places like Pompeii and Rome and Avignon, but I was able to see the ancient Greek (yes, Greek!) temples at Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno, where the 93^rd Evacuation Hospital was based, sink my toes in the sand of the Anzio landing beaches, and get remarkably close to the active French military airfield at Istres le Tubé, where the flight nurses were based. There was something special about being able to smell the air and feel the sand and hear the cigales (the cicadas in Provence).

Karen: Sounds like a great trip! Tell us, what is your favorite aspect of the published author’s life?

Sarah: My favorite part is being able to do what I love most and call it a job. There’s so much I love—when an idea sparks, when the story flows, when a sentence sings. And when readers say that God used words I wrote to change their hearts—well, that just gives me goose-bumps.

Karen: What is your least favorite aspect?

Sarah: I’m not fond of marketing plans, and I don’t care for some aspects of promotion—it often feels like bragging to me. But it’s a necessary evil.

Karen: Congratulations on your new three book series, Wings of the Nightingale. I’ll look forward to reading all of them! Can you tell us a little about it?

Sarah: The Wings of the Nightingale series follows three World War II flight nurses who discover love, friendship, and peril in the skies and on the shores of the Mediterranean. The first novel in the series, With Every Letter, will release Fall 2012. Loner Mellie Blake longs for adventure as a flight nurse, while Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver tries to overcome the legacy of his infamous father. In North Africa and Sicily, Mellie pioneers air evacuation while Tom builds airfields under fire. An anonymous pen pal correspondence helps them unlock their true identities.

Karen: Sounds like a winner. :) Thank you for stopping by to see us today. I’m sure my followers would join me in wishing you all the best with your upcoming books.

Sarah: It was a pleasure, thank you!

Stop by and see Sarah at her blog, Under His Wings, or at her website. She'd love to see you!

Giveaway Details - Please Read Carefully :)

You must be a follower and leave a comment, with email address, on this post.
Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please include link with your comment.
Open to residents of the United States and Canada.
Deadline to enter is noon EST, Saturday, October 29, 2011. Winner will be notified via email and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, October 31.

Do you have any questions for Sarah? What genre do you like to read for pleasure?

Blessings,

Karen

Do You Follow?

2011-10-20T05:33:00.179-04:00

Blogging is a great experience, isn't it? We get to express ourselves and connect with others in our area of interest. I've tapped into a wealth of knowledge and discovered fabulous links through writing posts and following blogs. The biggest plus, though, is the terrific people I've met. I've gained critique partners, and more importantly, treasured friends.

In addition to the general blog experience, I've been thinking about my blog following policy. When I gain a new follower, I usually follow their blog too - if they have one and I can locate it. There are a few exceptions:

If I cannot embrace the content, such as something I find offensive or contrary to my convictions.

If the blog is written in another language. I am only fluent in English; I know just enough French and Spanish to be dangerous. :) I've tried the translating feature but the results (for the ones I've tried) were, shall we say, rather interesting.

While we're on the topic, Jody Hedlund shares her insight in this post, How Important Are Blog Followers? Jody discusses making connections and measuring worthy content through followers. Does she think the amount of followers a blog has indicates success? Hop over and see!

This is completely off topic but wanted to share...

Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents' blog offers great info for writers and is featuring a few book giveaways this week. One deadline I spotted was October 22, so if you're interested, scoot over soon. I was thrilled to learn I won a copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents. Click here for more details.

What is your blog following policy? Do you reciprocate when someone follows your blog?

Have a great weekend,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

A Foot in the Mouth?

2011-10-17T05:35:00.106-04:00

How many times have you stuck your foot in your mouth lately?

Not so bad, perhaps, if you have feet like this:

But rather lousy if you have feet like this:

I wonder what Abraham Lincoln was thinking when he said,

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

Wonderful advice, and very helpful if we heed it.

As writers, we have an advantage. Putting pen to paper adds more more hoops to jump through before we risk a foot or two in the mouth.

Pondering this, I mentally listed the things I do to avoid this dreaded occurrence.

Spell check - It may not catch the foot before it heads into the mouth, but it can signal something wrong or out of place, making me slow down and rethink it.

Reading my work aloud - Spots rough or awkward text, one more opportunity to think about what I said before tossing it out there.

Critique partners - Another set or two of eyes, what a blessing! I have a handful of people I trust for good, honest input.

Letting it rest - I try to give finished work at least a day to rest, then check it again before sending it out. If I don't have a day to spare, then whatever is possible, even if only an hour or two. I can lose my objectivity (and just get tired of looking at it) after working on something a while, so a step away is a big help.

So, okay, I still stick my foot in my mouth on occasion, but I have noticed that my writing has enhanced my awareness of what comes out of my mouth. Most of the time. Just ask my husband. :)

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Rhonda Schrock, the winner of The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund! Thanks to everyone who stopped by last week for the interview.

How do you keep from putting your foot in your mouth with your writing? Care to share any foot in the mouth episodes with us?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Book Review - A Whisper of Peace

2011-10-15T22:01:00.001-04:00

A Whisper of Peace

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Bethany House

Lizzie Dawson is determined to fulfill her mother's dying wish - that Lizzie reconcile with her grandparents. Once peace is made, Lizzie plans to go to California to live with her father. The mountains of Alaska have always been her home, though. She is concerned about fitting into 1898 society in San Francisco. Surely it will differ from the wilds of the Yukon, won't it? No matter, she must join her father.

Clay Selby and his stepsister Vivian are headed to minister to a native tribe near Fort Yukon. Visions of converting the masses swirl though Clay's mind; he'll start by starting a mission school and church. Vivian makes the trip to assist him, hoping to redeem herself for past sins.

In any other world, Lizzie, Clay, and Vivian might not be friends, but they forge an interesting bond out of need and loneliness. The natives tolerate the Selbys, curious about their ways. When the head of the tribe learns of their alliance with Lizzie, he orders them to break ties with her. Lizzie has long been ostracized from the tribe because of her mother's so called transgressions. Faced with the ultimatum, Clay and Vivian must make a hard choice.

Does this book contain action and adventure? Yes. A bit of romance? Yes. Surprises? Oh, yes! Sawyer weaves yet another wonderful story that will engage most historical fiction fans from beginning to end. Vivid detail, unexpected twists and turns, and fabulous characters all add up to a heartwarming and entertaining tale.

I always look forward to new books by Ms. Sawyer, and this one did not disappoint. I finished it in record time; it was a great read.

Are you a fan of historical fiction?

Happy weekend,

Karen

I obtained this copy from Bethany House for review purposes, no compensation was received.

Jody Hedlund - Interview and Giveaway

2011-10-13T05:29:00.176-04:00

I'm excited; author Jody Hedlund is visiting us today! She's also offered to give away a copy of her latest book, The Doctor's Lady. Check out giveaway details below.

Karen: Welcome to Write Now, Jody! I’m thrilled to have you back. Congratulations on your latest book, The Doctor’s Lady! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and getting to know Priscilla and Eli. What was your inspiration for this book?

Jody: This book is inspired by the true life story of Narcissa Whitman, the first white woman to brave the dangers of overland trail and travel west. In 1836, she married Dr. Whitman, and then the next day left her childhood home and would never return so that she could help start a mission among the Nez Perce natives.

It was my hope in this story to bring Narcissa Whitman to life. This heroic woman has often been ignored and at times even disparaged. In reality, she exuded incredible courage to attempt a trip many proclaimed foolishly dangerous. It was called an “unheard-of-journey for females.” Because of her willingness to brave the unknown, she led the way for the many women who would follow in her footsteps in what would later become known as the Oregon Trail.

Karen: Are there any characters in your books (The Preacher’s Bride and The Doctor’s Lady) that you identify with more than the others?

Jody: In The Doctor's Lady, I probably relate the most with Eli. I'm incredibly independent like he was, and I think I can do a lot in my own strength. I have a hard time asking others for help but have been learning to rely on others (especially my husband) during these past few years of juggling a writing career, homeschooling, and mothering.

Karen: How much time did you spend researching before you wrote each book?

Jody: Each book tends to be slightly different in the amount of time it takes me to research. The Doctor’s Lady took me approximately eight weeks of reading, plotting, and understanding the time period before I was finally ready to write. My first book, The Preacher’s Bride, took me longer—closer to twelve weeks—simply because the time period and the setting were more foreign.

Karen: As a wife, homeschooling mom, and writer, I imagine that spare time is hard to come by, but when you have a moment, what do you enjoy reading?

Jody: I always enjoy reading historical fiction of all different eras. In fact, I recently read Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran which is set during the time of ancient Rome. I also branched into a young adult series that my daughters were reading, River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren.

Karen: If you could offer one tip on time management, what would it be?

Jody: Be intentional. The one thing that has helped me the most over the years is setting a daily word count goal and sticking to it. I started with only 500 words a day during my earlier books. Eventually I moved to 800 words, and now I’m at 1000 words per day.

I think it’s important to find what’s manageable but then challenge yourself just slightly above that. At the minimum, I think most writers can squeeze in 300 words per day. Consistent writing day in and day out will eventually lead to a completed book.

Karen: Okay, I must ask, what’s your favorite writing snack?

Jody: My favorite non-sweet snack is nachos and cheese. My favorite sweet snack depends on my mood. Of course I like chocolate! But I also occasionally like pie (particularly Apple, Blueberry, Cherry pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company which is just around the corner from my house!).

Karen: I can’t wait to read your third book. Can you give us any hints about it?

Jody: I’m really excited about my next book because it’s set in my home state of Michigan. It takes place during the 1880’s at a time in history when the lumber era was at its height. Although the story isn’t inspired by a true person the way my first two books have been, I do include several real people, particularly a real villain by the name of James Carr who was notorious in central Michigan for his violence and for introducing white slavery into the state.

The heroine of the story is a young woman, Lily Young, who is looking for her sister who’s caught up into the degradation of lumber camp life. While Lily searches for her missing sister, she fights against the evil that runs rampant around her, and she fights not to lose her heart to the lumber baron who turns a blind eye to the lawlessness of the lumber business.

Karen: Thank you so much for spending a little time with us today. I wish you all the best with your future writing endeavors. :)

Jody: Thank you for having me!

Visit Jody at her website or blog. I am sure she'd love to see you!

Book Giveaway Details

You must be a follower and leave a comment, with email address, on this or Monday's post.
Gain bonus entries by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please include link with your comment.
Open to residents of the United States only.
Deadline to enter is noon EST, Saturday, October 15, 2011. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, October 17.

What exciting things do you have planned for the weekend?

Have a great weekend,

Karen