The Latest from Sarah Sundin

Congratulations to Sarah Sundin on her latest book, Through Waters Deep! She is a wonderful storyteller; her books are rich and engaging historical tales. If you are a fan of such, I highly recommend her stories.

Hi Sarah - Welcome back to Write Now!  Can you give us a peek at the story?

Hi Karen and friends! It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.

It sounds jam packed with adventure and intrigue. :) I love the cover. How involved are you in the cover selection process? 

I love it too! Revell sends me a titling and cover questionnaire well in advance. I share a bit about the story, characters, and setting, and I include pictures of clothing, uniforms, ships, setting, hairstyles—anything that could help them. Before the photo shoot, they often send me pictures of the uniforms or outfits to make sure they’re correct, especially the military insignia. Then they do the photo shoot and send me the cover. I give feedback, and they can make certain adjustments. For example, the first cover for Through Waters Deep had the wrong ship—it looked like a modern destroyer—and they changed it to a WWII-era Gleaves-class destroyer as in the novel.

Wow, there is much more to the process than one might think. The finished product looks great. Since your books are set in or around WW2, am I correct in assuming this period interests you? What originally drew you to write about this era? 

I heard my grandparents’ stories about their war years, and I was always drawn to the era. There’s a certain nostalgia—the great clothing and music and upbeat attitude. But there’s so much more. World War II showed us the very worst and the very best in human nature, and forces us to think what we’d do in similar situations. It was a time when ordinary men and women were placed in extraordinary circumstances, and learned they could do extraordinary things. This inspires us ordinary people today. 

It is indeed an inspiration. The details in your books are so authentic and lend realism to your stories. What steps do you take to maintain accuracy? 

I do a lot of research, finding the best books and websites on each subject and reading thoroughly. For Through Waters Deep, I was even able to conduct research at the National Archives in Boston, a fantastic experience. I also seek out personal stories to lend color and human touches. Whenever possible, I visit the location. I was able to spend a week in Boston last summer, exploring the sites for this series. I took tons of pictures and notes! 

I love the idea of adding color and personal touches. Your research and enthusiasm are evident in your stories. What’s on the horizon for you? Will we see another book in this series in the coming months?

Anchor in the Storm, Book 2 in the Waves of Freedom series, comes out in the summer of 2016. For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. She loves the wartime challenges of her new job but spurns the attention of society boy Ens. Archer Vandenberg, even if Arch is her brother’s best friend. As Arch’s destroyer battles U-boats along the East Coast in the darkest days of the war, Lillian uncovers a black market drug ring. Arch’s efforts to aid Lillian’s investigation and to win her trust fling them both into danger—from torpedoes, drug lords, and opened hearts.

Sounds exciting! Thanks again for coming by to see us, Sarah. Wishing you much success with your books! 

Thank you, Karen!  

About Sarah

Sarah Sundin is the author of seven historical novels, including Through Waters Deep (Revell, August 2015). Her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten is a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award, and her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

Connect with Sarah 

Website
Blog 
Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest  

Is there a certain era in history to which you are drawn? Why?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen

Meet the Blogger with Kenda Turner

Please join me in welcoming Kenda Turner for this month's Meet the Blogger. As you might have guessed, I met this smart and funny writer through blogging. 

Kenda and I are almost neighbors, since we live within 2 hours of each other. Perhaps someday we'll meet in person to discuss all things writing. :) 

I encourage you to visit Kenda's blog, for it's a virtual treasure chest of insight, information, and encouragement. She's a gracious hostess who provides much to think about.

Welcome Kenda! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog?

Hi, Karen—thanks for inviting me. I started blogging in January 2010. Going on six years now—that’s hard to believe. But at the time I told myself I’d blog as long as it was fun, and so far it has been. I began blogging as a prompt to write regularly and to share what I was learning as I went.

That's a good reason to blog. I'm glad you did. :) What is your blog about?

My blog, Words and Such, is mostly about writing topics—where I am in my journey and what I’ve learned along the way. It’s also about encouraging others as they travel the writing path. In addition, I share everyday life things, quotes, and favorite photos. Thus the tagline under my blog’s name: “a page out of one writer’s notebook.”

I love that tagline - it's so friendly and inviting. What benefits have you gained through blogging?   

I count the people I’ve met through blogging as one of the best benefits—it’s been great to get know others and to share writing experiences. I also feel that blogging has helped me hone the craft of writing and keeps me accountable to some of my writing goals.

The people are great, aren't they? What projects are you working on right now?                      

Right now I’m concentrating on writing middle-grade historical fiction, though I’ve also written picture books, devotionals, and inspirational pieces. I’ve written a children’s historical novel set in the late 18th century Ohio wilderness and am working on a second, a story that takes place during the Civil War.

Your books sound wonderful! Looking forward to reading them. What might people be surprised to learn about you?

That I have a landlady to thank for my name. I was the second child with an older sister. My dad’s name was Kenneth. The story goes that my parents wanted to name me after Dad, but didn’t particularly like the name Kendra (with an –r). It was their landlady who suggested the name ‘Kenda.’ And so, as they say, the rest is history.

Now that is interesting. I never would have guessed! What advice would you share with a newbie blogger?

Allow room to write just for the fun of it. We can get so caught up in goals, deadlines, and expectations that we lose sight of why we write in the first place. Play with words, find ways to stimulate creativity, explore options. Enjoy the process. 

You are right, the "fun" is so important. It's easy to forget that. Thanks so much for stopping by today, Kenda!

Thanks, Karen!

About Kenda

Kenda Turner lives and writes in Cincinnati OH. Her publishing credits include Cup of Comfort and My Dad is My Hero anthologies, devotionals, children’s magazines, and, most recently, an article in the SCBWI Bulletin (Summer 2015).

Connect with Kenda on her blog Words and Such

Do you sometimes lose sight of the "fun" part of writing? What are you up to this week?

Happy writing,

 

Karen 

Photo credit: Free Images

Miscellaneous Monday

Happy mid-August! Hope you are staying cool. Couldn't resist sharing the latest fun and fabulous finds. :)

Lay versus Lie, how do you know which one to use? Brian Klems explains here at The Writer's Dig. He even provides a handy chart to help keep it straight.

Fiction writers, having trouble getting those scenes just right? Check out Live Write Thrive's post where Rachel Scott Thomson shares How Fiction Writers Can Ramp Up Tension and Pacing.

Looking to write for magazines? I recommend Carol J. Alexander's new course, Break Into Magazine Writing. Class begins late September 2015. Visit Carol's site for details. 

What is the definition of canoodle? How about goombah? Jean Fisher defines these and other interesting words in Twenty Five of the Funniest Words.

Do you use idioms in your writing? The Grammarly Blog highlights common idiom meanings in You Can Bet Your Bottom Dollar We Love Idioms and It's a Barnyard Full of Animal Idioms.

And finally, this made me smile: "A metaphor is like a simile." Author Unknown  Yes, it sure is!

What are you up to this week?

I'm taking a break until 9/7/15.  Enjoy the remainder of August! :) 

Happy writing,
 
Karen 



Photo credit: Free Images - En Choo

Apostrophes & Possessives

Do apostrophes or possessives trip you up? If you're like me, an occasional refresher is helpful. The apostrophe's basic function is easy, but there are other uses such as:

• To form a plural of a letter: I got all A's and B's.
• To form a plural of a number or symbol: 6's or %'s
• When a word is discussed as a word: The sentence contains too many hey's and dude's.
• To abbreviate a year: She graduated in '03.

Possessives get tricky too. It helps to remember that the "owner" is the word immediately before the apostrophe. Ask, is it possessive or plural, or is it possessive and singular, or possessive and plural? Then use the apostrophe like so:

• Singular versus plural possession: the horse's trainer, the horses' trainer
  
• Compound word possessives: editor in chief's office, sister in law's birthday
• Plural compound word possessives: brothers in law's cars (more than one brother in law)
  
• For an indefinite pronoun: anyone's guess, everybody's favorite
• Individual possession: Micah's, Allie's, and Nat's books (they each own their own book)
• Shared possession: Tim, David, and Becky's book (they all own the same book)

 
Then, don't forget:  

• Do not use an apostrophe for possessive pronouns: its, yours, ours, his, hers, their

Do apostrophes or possessives challenge you? What helps keep things straight?

Happy writing,

Karen



Photo credit: Free Images

Meet the Blogger with Emily Ann Benedict

Emily Ann Benedict and I met through blogging and quickly learned that we share a love of books and chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order...) The motto on her website is Live, Love, Edit. I love that. This sweet and talented writer has written several books, including Only Angels are Bulletproof.


Welcome Emily! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog? 

Thank you, Karen! I started my blog back in 2008 in conjunction with the release of my first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof. Blogging has been a recommended source of outreach for writers as long as I've been writing. I don't think I ever would have started without all the marketing gurus saying it was absolutely necessary.

It is a good way to get the word out about your books, isn't it? :)  What is your blog about?  

My blog focuses heavily on books and writing. I love to showcase good authors as well as talk about the craft and industry, but I also have plenty of posts just on life in general. God has never let my life go according to plan, so my journey has not been boring. 

Seldom is a writer's journey boring! What benefits have you gained through blogging?  

Honestly, the best part has been the people I have met through blogging. A lot of the people I have corresponded with, worked on projects with, or have learned a great deal from I met through blogging. The blogging community is also very supportive of one another. 

I agree, the blogging community is wonderful. What projects are you working on right now? 

I am planning putting out the final book in my Father Christmas series in the Fall of this year. So, some serious editing is in store. I am also in the beginning stages my first joint project in a new genre altogether. I am hoping we will get to reveal more details about it soon. 

Looking forward to hearing about the new project. What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

It usually throws people off to find out my day job is in the construction industry. My dad inadvertently raised me to follow him into construction. So, by day, I'm a project coordinator for an architectural firm.

Sounds interesting! What advice would you share with a newbie blogger? 

The two best pieces of advice are post as consistently as possible and visit/comment on other people's blogs. I actually struggle with both, due to time constraints, but if you want readers, you have to reach for them. Plus you do get the benefit of blogging buddies! 

Good advice. Thank you so much for joining us, Emily! 

Thank you so much for letting me do this, Karen! 

More About Emily in Her Own Words...
 
Project Coordinator by day, Writer by night, and frequent Blogger during lunch hour. So, basically, I'm an average American. I specialize in writing Suspense and Comedy with a healthy dose of Hope mixed in.

Visit Emily

Blog
Emily's Novels
Website Special note - Get a free download of one of Emily's books when signing up for her  newsletter.  



Do you have any questions for Emily? Do you blog during your lunch hour like she does? 

I've a guest post up on my publisher's blog, if you have a minute, stop by and check it out.

Have a great week!

Happy writing,

Karen