tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71001538955305828212024-03-20T03:56:06.066-04:00 Seekerville Archives A loving Christian blog by writers for writers and readers... browse, learn and enjoy!
The SeekersGlynna Kayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comBlogger3170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-825863042609998552018-01-01T21:00:00.000-05:002018-01-02T17:01:58.279-05:00Seekerville: The Current Blog AND The Archives!<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome to "Seekerville, The First Ten Years", the archives of our crazy popular writing blog. Within these posts you'll find a decade of information sharing, testimonies about craft, the industry, agents, editors, experiences and all the things that go into developing the career path of a published author... BUT... since this biz is changing almost daily and absolutely weekly now, we've renovated the blog with new bloggers, up-to-date information, new thoughts but the very same goals:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To reach out to readers and writers/aspiring authors and let them know we're in their corner. We've got their backs. We're cheering for them.... and you!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">GO HERE FOR THE CURRENT SEEKERVILLE</a> but if you need the wealth of information in the archives, well, help yourself.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>That's exactly what it's here for!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Seekers</b></span>Ruth Logan Hernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-88724311814908205082017-12-31T00:01:00.000-05:002018-01-01T17:03:27.491-05:00Seekerville's Annual Rockin' It New Year's Eve Party! <br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WHERE DID THE YEAR GO????</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, we say that every year, but this year is special... this year marked twelve years of being "Seekers" the group we formed to pray each other into publication.... and we all know how well that worked. God hears prayers and he gives us one another as helpmates. And it sure helped each one of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then we started the blog.... <b>Seekerville</b>... and we've had TEN GREAT YEARS of blogging, of teaching, of learning, of sharing... we've made friends and built relationships and won awards... but it's not about the awards. Or the page count. Or the follows. Seekerville was begun to create a friendly community, cost-free, where aspiring and established authors could meet and greet with readers and other writers and move forward. Where we can share our successes and failures and know we're not alone in a business that can get mighty lonely at times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we move forward again. We've got a few gals retiring, nothing unusual about that, but with that change, Audra and I wanted to look back and enjoy what these first ten years have brought to us. Faith, Hope, Love... and Laughter.</span></div>
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<b>From long-time villager and marvelous friend Vince Mooney:</b></div>
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<b id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4391"><i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4392"><span id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4541" style="font-size: large;">Seekerville was really the first internet Reality Show! </span><u></u><u></u></i></b></div>
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It was a quest!</div>
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It was the great escape from <u></u><u></u>Unpublished<u></u> <u></u>Island<u></u><u></u>!</div>
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It was lived in real time with real egos at risk! </div>
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<i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4403">Courage</i> was the byword.</div>
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<i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4405">Faith</i> provided the sustenance.</div>
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<i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4407">Persistence</i> was the life blood.</div>
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<i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4409">Prayer</i> providing a salvation.</div>
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<i id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4411">Love: the reward. <u></u><u></u></i></div>
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Yay on the great escapes from the Island, although we get the lure of island relaxation for our retirees... The Zac Brown band made a great song about sittin' in the sand, dippin' toes in the water... and time to read! :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3sXVxqDbFk" target="_blank">And of course there's always our favorite "Auld Lang Syne" from "It's a Wonderful Life"</a>... where an angel surely does get its wings!</div>
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Should old acquaintance be forgot? And never brought to mind? </div>
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Nope.</div>
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Not around here. We started this enterprise with fifteen authors... </div>
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and as life moves on, as folks find new roads and take new curves and bridge new waters, we're not afraid to move forward with it... because we're no strangers to change around here! </div>
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We've changed editors... agents... addresses... dress sizes... and dress sizes again! </div>
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We've lost family, we've lost friends, we've lost money... and gained all three as well, depending on the year.</div>
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We began as a team, but like any team, when folks retire the team brings on new players... who'd have imagined anyone but Jeter in pinstripes at shortstop? And yet Sir Didi Gregorious is doing the job wonderfully, three years later...</div>
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Times change, people change, but the goal remains... to welcome aspiring writers into Seekerville, to advise and counsel them, to embrace new readers because we love them to the moon and back... and to welcome some marvelous new bloggers into the fold as we bring more inspirational and Christian fiction to the public's attention.</div>
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But with those new opportunities come memories, those days of old. And some good days they were! </div>
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<b>From Cindy Woolard: </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuOGkdB1872mWkcV5MBceedDrnTRZ0krzXxQNg3w-Dh1GwpQ15H4LpZwlGV2payN1HJYQD7eA27lTSynymSo3kcSWkLF91CWaHmA0oGTo4WDxZ_dyztAoqZJKXkaYNq293Mf-hYUfzRk/s1600/Cindy+Woolard+Mr+Peppi+Pooh+Bear+14+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuOGkdB1872mWkcV5MBceedDrnTRZ0krzXxQNg3w-Dh1GwpQ15H4LpZwlGV2payN1HJYQD7eA27lTSynymSo3kcSWkLF91CWaHmA0oGTo4WDxZ_dyztAoqZJKXkaYNq293Mf-hYUfzRk/s200/Cindy+Woolard+Mr+Peppi+Pooh+Bear+14+weeks.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cindy's Peppi Pooh Bear!</b> </td></tr>
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Memories...there have been so many wonderful things
throughout the year(s) that to pick just one would be difficult. I have laughed
and I have cried over posts from the Seekers and comments from Seeker
Villagers. What really touches my heart is the 'heart' and 'love' poured out by
the Seekers. The prayers offered up for me when I had my knee replaced in
January 2016, I felt so blessed. Then this year, as a caretaker for my Mom, I
received support again through prayer. We lost Mom on 02/01/17, it was
devastating for me because she was also my best friend, but the Seekers were
there for me again, offering prayer and cards of condolences. I was so touched
by a group of wonderful women who have never met me but reached out to me with
love. I appreciate you all so very, very much!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySuFV10ciuq1WYWWb6yGEoQcLEAcmIZlypZpha4mKXbWk9LkXd8BEkbthJA5Myh7cZFIatekk6mMww3R5bRmJwEwu0fBUqgYBm3Nueaudsvxc2mg2CCua7w05_Vj6lj9TtfQSrjMhPFE/s1600/Karen+White+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySuFV10ciuq1WYWWb6yGEoQcLEAcmIZlypZpha4mKXbWk9LkXd8BEkbthJA5Myh7cZFIatekk6mMww3R5bRmJwEwu0fBUqgYBm3Nueaudsvxc2mg2CCua7w05_Vj6lj9TtfQSrjMhPFE/s320/Karen+White+and+me.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>RUTHY FAN-GIRLING OVER MEETING NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR KAREN WHITE!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6J1GQqMcGgEjDmk1AJhvN3NgKhCzl2TmXvC8w0qFteasZocXKLPijPOG_1bkrMyRX0XnmUdVzZwgKLJL4dzQy7LtD8B2sEHc3_xxRlQv3Q3V1lQXq17AAkUaXd7QUFNkYBp1pN0-vHE/s1600/Harlequin+Party+Janet+Missy+Ruthy+Deb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6J1GQqMcGgEjDmk1AJhvN3NgKhCzl2TmXvC8w0qFteasZocXKLPijPOG_1bkrMyRX0XnmUdVzZwgKLJL4dzQy7LtD8B2sEHc3_xxRlQv3Q3V1lQXq17AAkUaXd7QUFNkYBp1pN0-vHE/s320/Harlequin+Party+Janet+Missy+Ruthy+Deb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Janet Dean, Missy Tippens, Ruth Logan Herne, Debby Giusti at Harlequin Party!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOCyjHFcAqZbYRmogytPNclSlcfj1zb5KE-WoOfXV9OUZnW6_rWlXqmOWugZbFVtacvboTejIOPvlrGGaFvxbPl6WjSMWIWKUPy43VM2mIfcVN4UtgEXTmASA1SoZdrcwI_9A9MH9ncU/s1600/Harlequin+Party+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOCyjHFcAqZbYRmogytPNclSlcfj1zb5KE-WoOfXV9OUZnW6_rWlXqmOWugZbFVtacvboTejIOPvlrGGaFvxbPl6WjSMWIWKUPy43VM2mIfcVN4UtgEXTmASA1SoZdrcwI_9A9MH9ncU/s320/Harlequin+Party+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Debby Guisti, Missy Tippens, Darlene Bucholz, Janet Dean, Sandra Lee Smith, Myra Johnson, Ruth Logan Herne, Anita Mae Draper</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFol4TqUOX6gl1-Q1VHetF-j99w2dy2hQGmwu_Hog2hi5ZGva274qRrIBOnN4IdcNAgz4Og6lU6aobSCxenD6FDTxViIobDgF3cSQ9koMeR81kXDySJgt1oh7qTkxKO4d74QR6dRqGraU/s1600/Barbarascottpage237x335px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="265" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFol4TqUOX6gl1-Q1VHetF-j99w2dy2hQGmwu_Hog2hi5ZGva274qRrIBOnN4IdcNAgz4Og6lU6aobSCxenD6FDTxViIobDgF3cSQ9koMeR81kXDySJgt1oh7qTkxKO4d74QR6dRqGraU/s200/Barbarascottpage237x335px.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>From writer and editor Barb Scott:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Memories. Too many to list. Getting to know all of you
better is a blessing. </b></div>
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<b>Seekerville feels like home.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3QQqdzgAuZWy61RHuTtLa-satP5Lun16uhZcCV8v7bGaEsolWcFGujU-5147uk_kW6SCt0DikIB23e-v8oaO4pRQFa_NqxeE2Ii1MRQu26UPgSUaMUhxNaRs8xkFpsnC5yhlrgPQKIM/s1600/Virginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3QQqdzgAuZWy61RHuTtLa-satP5Lun16uhZcCV8v7bGaEsolWcFGujU-5147uk_kW6SCt0DikIB23e-v8oaO4pRQFa_NqxeE2Ii1MRQu26UPgSUaMUhxNaRs8xkFpsnC5yhlrgPQKIM/s320/Virginia.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;"><b> From multi-published author Mary Jane Hathaway: </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sometimes, years after you’ve written a book, you realize the ending was <b>THIS CLOSE</b> to being fantastic, but you simply weren’t a good enough writer at the time to get to it. And that’s okay. There’s no shame in looking back on old books and seeing flaws you didn’t see before. That means you’ve grown and changed as a writer. <b>Seekerville reminds me that we’re writers with a calling, souls on a journey. We do the very best we can, where we are, right now. It’s not about awards, royalties, or headlines. It’s about reaching readers with a story and honoring the Giver of this gift called writing. </b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0pRiWnNWsemFfy9d9ti0uJ1USbSuTDjSstZW5-gBAPerMCzH1z30aqNeUrPmAAOEnowRra3p958CJjDMNp-t65GexU7gKJ5FjLviQanUkTr9IB9LlzFohi1p7UyH4F4nSxvzOBnTRwM/s1600/PattiJo%252C+Mary%252C+Janet%252C+Julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0pRiWnNWsemFfy9d9ti0uJ1USbSuTDjSstZW5-gBAPerMCzH1z30aqNeUrPmAAOEnowRra3p958CJjDMNp-t65GexU7gKJ5FjLviQanUkTr9IB9LlzFohi1p7UyH4F4nSxvzOBnTRwM/s320/PattiJo%252C+Mary%252C+Janet%252C+Julie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Patti Jo Moore, Mary Connealy, Janet Dean and Julie Lessman!</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBks6-5K2hCAZKcBfC5eS1AvC0qqrK5v5QoNn2Ynkj4GiGeq4TkzR1rLERJM5WkRfj4Q_axIDeLga0WCHfH_5aSO-KcohKMw6HsNwcrIh1_RW5nBnEJADnLkTiMFoUThuV00L0iLKD3Q/s1600/Mindy+and+Mia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBks6-5K2hCAZKcBfC5eS1AvC0qqrK5v5QoNn2Ynkj4GiGeq4TkzR1rLERJM5WkRfj4Q_axIDeLga0WCHfH_5aSO-KcohKMw6HsNwcrIh1_RW5nBnEJADnLkTiMFoUThuV00L0iLKD3Q/s320/Mindy+and+Mia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Mindy Obenhaus and Mia Ross! </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgITUkQkAJqHx4w0T35FqBhPDupuzOCfL2ooBHkZbuwv-IYydxYMLoOwBQ6fA0AV2n5XOqNal0q8XtE1PP4Om2a6YJ9v6Fq5KdiaVp7yGulVoyhRdBYMKiUvpHb8WYT37qgLM8C4vR7vE/s1600/Missy+and+Tina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgITUkQkAJqHx4w0T35FqBhPDupuzOCfL2ooBHkZbuwv-IYydxYMLoOwBQ6fA0AV2n5XOqNal0q8XtE1PP4Om2a6YJ9v6Fq5KdiaVp7yGulVoyhRdBYMKiUvpHb8WYT37qgLM8C4vR7vE/s320/Missy+and+Tina.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Award-winning authors Tina Russo Radcliffe and Missy Tippens!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>From MH...</b><br />
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<b><i>It’ll be my first Seekerville New Year Party! How exciting!</i></b><br />
Memories...I remember meeting the Grammar Queen on this blog for the first time
and laughing out loud....reading about the process of writing, editing,
publishing, and promoting and thinking it’s really really hard for authors and
being grateful for those who continue to write....realizing that Julie Lessman
can make me laugh until I cry....<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>From Jeanne Takenaka:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Memories: One of my first times ever commenting on a Seekerville post, I was nervous and shy. It was a post Mary had written. And it may have had to do with first lines. I was so blessed by Mary’s feedback on my first line. It was helpful and fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved, LOVED meeting Seekers at my first-ever ACFW. I think that was the year that Tina offered to buy dessert for villagers who won the opportunity to spend some time with her. Other Seekers were there too. I was the shy, quiet one, who mostly listened and soaked in all the good-vibes shimmering around the table. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88zGbqLsQcvOAD2dxxKZpfNGy4pSsoSa6A4_umHNwbpPhf5eaVnj1MedBGo9O27aTyEjwl0J86JCm6S5q17XlJ8G0Km1ZbyXFcRn_bstaF8_201jVymFnUtBxYaPTcPbDijKHpC-DAQI/s1600/Tina+and+Jeanne+ACFW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88zGbqLsQcvOAD2dxxKZpfNGy4pSsoSa6A4_umHNwbpPhf5eaVnj1MedBGo9O27aTyEjwl0J86JCm6S5q17XlJ8G0Km1ZbyXFcRn_bstaF8_201jVymFnUtBxYaPTcPbDijKHpC-DAQI/s320/Tina+and+Jeanne+ACFW.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m so blessed by critique feedback I’ve received from Seekers. I’ve learned from each one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was fun to run into Debby Giusti, Janet Dean, and Missy Tippens in the hallway at ACFW a couple of years ago. Their warm smiles invited me into conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And meeting Ruthy! Loved our chance meeting one morning, during your dash in and out of ACFW 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was blessed by your prayers for me after I tore and had surgery on my ACL. Debby messaged me on Facebook. The fact that she took the time to reach out to me spoke deeply to my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each one of you ladies is an inspiration. I’ve been encouraged, uplifted and blessed by your comments, your words and your kindnesses in the time I’ve been a part of this community.</span></div>
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<b>From Sherida Stewart:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8-lA6Xj5C9dPLy-Zo-b5-xnYgayNm39v__CElcUbBzJ4Ndr3vPWIQm_LcOLS1TuYEwm2dxxrNEXb9mbFzS0YknHVE7kEXw_4_xevOR0naWpwdtHQ1zinyQV0gzjrJCAqXMdHphfzPtg/s1600/Sherida+Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8-lA6Xj5C9dPLy-Zo-b5-xnYgayNm39v__CElcUbBzJ4Ndr3vPWIQm_LcOLS1TuYEwm2dxxrNEXb9mbFzS0YknHVE7kEXw_4_xevOR0naWpwdtHQ1zinyQV0gzjrJCAqXMdHphfzPtg/s320/Sherida+Stewart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seekerville memories.....I immediately think of the fun,
laughter, tears and smiles shared among everyone in Seekerville. All of you are
dear friends. I appreciate the encouragement and felt the prayers offered on my
behalf. And I love winning books! There’s no place like our home in
Seekerville!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, one more thing . . . I have met some of the wonderful,
encouraging writers in the the Seekerville community. Carol Moncado—the amazing
GF cookie-maker and giver, Jackie Layton
and Patti Jo Moore are all such encouragers and uplifters. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From historical author Keli Gwyn:</span></b></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwETPPK0aX6Q40syyuVg-0fPtfo2ZluOwORf13ZHNMciXwG4wgh1uoB6fvbNaVCK6r0md-2qEaSg8eABQ1gXqCkQT5LlBD6swvcE0pr89pwlZ774nZl28zE0wY5S9aQsMdI7aScrgKBaA/s1600/Keli+Gwyn+Author+Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwETPPK0aX6Q40syyuVg-0fPtfo2ZluOwORf13ZHNMciXwG4wgh1uoB6fvbNaVCK6r0md-2qEaSg8eABQ1gXqCkQT5LlBD6swvcE0pr89pwlZ774nZl28zE0wY5S9aQsMdI7aScrgKBaA/s320/Keli+Gwyn+Author+Photo.jpeg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Keli Gwyn fell in love with Seekerville nine years ago when Tina went searching for her in cyberspace and invited her to guest post. Keli, a fluorescent-green newbie writer at the time, didn’t even know what a blog was, let alone how to comment on one. She quickly learned that the Seekers are known for being helpful since they coached her through that daunting experience. They’ve taught her a great deal since then, teased her a bit (waving at Ruthy!), encouraged her and celebrated with her. She’ll be forever in their debt.</span></b></td></tr>
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<b id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4609"><span id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4608"><b id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4614"><span id="m_-7018876744615229885yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512450226009_4615">And a note from Cindy Huff!</span></b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruth, I've been following Seekerville for years before I was
a published author. So much encouragement and helpful posts. Seekerville is
like family. I've discovered some wonderful authors to add to my reading
list.<br />
Cindy Huff</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And one from Marcia Scott:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think this will be my third or fourth New Year's Eve with
Seekerville, and there's not a more fun time or place I'd rather be! Bring on
the fun!<br />
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Like Cindy said, I've seen so much heart and love, and all of it truly meant.
The support from everyone makes the journey a bit easier. Just like family!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>From Jackie Layton come these sweet pics:</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHKASfa3K7mJXz0CPDG9v5Lr5l9_NR9hVvYGEc7ubC3bALhb-kU6VmUk5toljxudl2c2MfV9ZCiwqri4omTANxP3PZ0fd3USVsYRmHBpWFL_IpX8M4vwbozcW5KqOvg3k21xuU0fipfU/s1600/ACFW5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="908" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHKASfa3K7mJXz0CPDG9v5Lr5l9_NR9hVvYGEc7ubC3bALhb-kU6VmUk5toljxudl2c2MfV9ZCiwqri4omTANxP3PZ0fd3USVsYRmHBpWFL_IpX8M4vwbozcW5KqOvg3k21xuU0fipfU/s320/ACFW5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jackie and Sherrinda Ketchersid</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv-65XKLcy4j9fDeH_HvdZIAe1BJ4sgVqXlgWJJyYKGs0zxlC9p-AaUTPzg4bE04rz2xsqwACjV-LUkC1V1N0eONnf8xMGQ4eM2sk0Xu7b8-4Zs89GJBLTJeY90QYwLJJjRxGo3sOE3k/s1600/ACFW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="908" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv-65XKLcy4j9fDeH_HvdZIAe1BJ4sgVqXlgWJJyYKGs0zxlC9p-AaUTPzg4bE04rz2xsqwACjV-LUkC1V1N0eONnf8xMGQ4eM2sk0Xu7b8-4Zs89GJBLTJeY90QYwLJJjRxGo3sOE3k/s320/ACFW2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bethany McManus and Jackie! </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJE43V31kA3zGdPaOMgcs8d8yhtEsmcbYc_amXaZXvJh3yc7K9YAOBmBaFQxrdb1jP_p9rh1rwg1TDshuQKBknuM5OOXnBC3t3dYLwebW7GAmqLdMSWMHEGAHyesQfDSyZ2BJ4E2rUxc/s1600/ACFW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="908" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJE43V31kA3zGdPaOMgcs8d8yhtEsmcbYc_amXaZXvJh3yc7K9YAOBmBaFQxrdb1jP_p9rh1rwg1TDshuQKBknuM5OOXnBC3t3dYLwebW7GAmqLdMSWMHEGAHyesQfDSyZ2BJ4E2rUxc/s320/ACFW4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Jackie Layton, Sharee Stover, Connie Queen and Sherrinda Ketchersid</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><b><br />More from Vince Mooney!</b></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: small;">10</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Years of </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">Seekerville Memories </span></b></div>
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1. Being introduced to Seekerville by Cheryl Wyatt when I won a writing contest on her website.<br />
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2. Being asked by Mary Connealy to guest a Seeker posting.<br />
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3. Cheering as one Seeker after another got 'the call' sometimes many months apart! (I believe only one Seeker, Debby Giusti, had published when I first came into sight of Seekerville.)<br />
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4. Experiencing the thrills of having 10 guest posts on Seekerville and seeing the words I wrote beautifully laid out better than I could have imagined it. Thank you Tina!<br />
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<b>5. And best of all: spending a day with Ruth, Tina, and Mary when they came to <u></u>Tulsa<u></u>!!!!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like all of you, we cherish our memories... but we're also young enough to want to make new memories, break new paths, help more folks and keep the tradition going, so as we go forward... With a plucky and fun new staff to round us out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We anticipate more of the same!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Only different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And gosh.... we think that's okay and hope you do, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! And because Connealy cleaned a closet, we have TWO KINDLE FIRES TO GIVE AWAY TONIGHT!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leave a comment to be entered in any of our drawings today! And... Let's get this party started, my friends!</span><br />
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PLEASE FIND US AT OUR HOME ADDRESS... <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/"><b>Seekerville.blogspot.com</b></a><br />
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AND THANKS FOR STOPPING IN AT THE PARTY! WISHING ALL OF US THE VERY BEST 2018 THE GOOD LORD HAS IN MIND!<br />
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Ruth Logan Hernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.com659tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-21642590810510261222017-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:002017-12-30T16:57:12.814-05:00The Weekend Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYnXTl453Cw/WSZy_Z4bSlI/AAAAAAAAlWQ/K0eAzDk_m7IU_vVnH2rAW-WaLwyzHwVOwCLcB/s1600/WE%2BED%2BHEADERFINAL.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYnXTl453Cw/WSZy_Z4bSlI/AAAAAAAAlWQ/K0eAzDk_m7IU_vVnH2rAW-WaLwyzHwVOwCLcB/s320/WE%2BED%2BHEADERFINAL.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/p/legal.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">take a minute to read them here.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and <u>phone number </u>to claim prizes.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">Our new email address is Seekerville2@gmail.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday:</b> <a href="http://www.sandraleesmith.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sandra Lee Smith</b></a> chatted with folks about her decision to retire... and to save huts on the island for future retirees! Sandra, thank you so much for your years of writing, advising, laughing and blogging. You blessed us and so many others. Happy trails, friend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: Ruth Douthitt </b>was our special guest with her thought-provoking post<b>, "Is It Just My Imagination?" Vince Mooney is the winner of an ecopy of <i><a href="http://a.co/aRfASup" target="_blank">First Christmas in Paris.</a></i> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: <a href="http://www.sherrinda.com/" target="_blank">Sherrinda Ketchersid</a> </b>visited with her post<b>, "</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resolutions and One Words for 2018."</b> She brought along a little post-holiday merry! <b> Winner of a hand-decorated Moleskine journal and a $10 Amazon gift card is KayBee (Kathy B).</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Whoa... "next week" in Seekerville begins on SUNDAY this week as we ring in a new year... <i>and a new page</i> as we end 2017 with our annual <span style="color: red;">Rockin' It New Year's Eve Party..</span>. a poignant time as we wave goodbye to retirees who've served well and long and deserve their best hopes and dreams as they move on... </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And then we welcome a beautiful and delightful new staff to the mainland... </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Who will it be???</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Who's coming on board???</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What form of mischief is this???? :)</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>But that announcement is in Mary Connealy's competent hands as we sail into January 2, 2018...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A new year, a new calendar, some new staff, but the same dreams... of writing, laughing, loving, publishing, helping, aspiring, leading... And all beneath the banner of the Most High. Mark us blessed to be inspirational authors, and join us for our end-of-year celebration... which is also a New Year celebration! For while change is in the air, what hasn't changed is the love we have for our villagers, our readers, our colleagues and our God... </b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday: Closed for the holiday.</b><br />
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<b>Tuesday: Mary Connealy--</b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>On TUESDAY we are talking about CHANGE. Don't just accept it, don't even embrace it grudgingly...instead SEEK IT! </b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You might as well because it's coming anyway!!! </span></span><br />
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<b>Wednesday: <a href="http://amandabarratt.net/" target="_blank">Amanda Barratt </a>will be bringing us "Words are Light." Amanda will give you a chance to win a copy of <a href="http://a.co/jfBmdzp" target="_blank">My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls New York</a>, and since this is Seekerville, a chocolate treat! </b><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday: Join award-winning author <a href="http://authorcathygohlke.com/" target="_blank">Cathy Gohlke</a> when she primes us for a new year with a “Purpose Driven Fiction—God’s Calling on Your Pen," a truly inspirational post you will not want to miss! Giveaway included.</b><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday: <a href="http://www.audraharders.com/" target="_blank">Audra Harders</a> returns to kick off the new year with a message of encouragement to all who face "Word Blackout!"</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruthy <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/" target="_blank">(Ruth Logan Herne)</a> will be talking smokin' hot cowboys and great heroines over at Petticoats & Pistols on Thursday, January 4th as she gives us a glimpse of her upcoming Shepherd's Crossing series from Love Inspired... and how much fun it is to bring three Southern Belles into the rugged hills of Western Idaho... and the heroes waiting for them there! Join Ruthy as she chats about the fun of writing strong heroes and the heroines who meet them step-for-step.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's still time to win one of Julie's indie e-books during her last Facebook Live of 2017, so check it out, and you may be surprised how easy it is! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JulieLessmanAuthor/videos/10156349282288455/" target="_blank">Here's the video and HAPPY NEW YEAR! </a></span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And what an honor from our friends at Writer's Digest! Last spring they ranked Seekerville #11 in the <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/websites-for-writers-19-sites-with-great-writing-advice?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wd-jfa-nl-171226&utm_source=wir&utm_campaign=wir-nl-bak&utm_content=988271_EDT_WD171226&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">19 Most Excellent Websites for Writers! </a> and just gave a lovely shout-out in this blog post as they call for 2018 nominations. How sweet!Thank you to you, our villagers, for nominating us... and huge thanks to Writers' Digest for the recognition. It's our absolute pleasure to serve.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, December 30, 2017 marks a change for us in Seekerville... and changes always come with mixed emotions. We've got the coffee pot fired up, a selection of creamers, the tea leaves are fresh and aromatic and there are fresh Christmas cookies... nothing stale today! Stop in and chat... Grab a cookie (or two) and a cuppa... While we get ready for tomorrow's New Year's party! We might even put you to work hanging streamers!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Ruth Logan Hernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.com142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-28046505951134703642017-12-29T00:00:00.000-05:002018-05-02T13:00:09.942-04:00Best of the Archives: The Secret Life of An Inspirational Romance Writer and More...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with Tina Radcliffe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">This post first appeared in Seekerville on 7/30/15. Comments are closed today.</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my ordinary world, no one knows that I'm an inspirational romance writer. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week a co-worker asked about my recent absence. I shared that I went to New York City for a conference on my vacation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"A conference? What kind of conference?"</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Um, I do a little writing on the side."</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Oh, a hobby."</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Sigh. "Not exactly a hobby...."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a typical reaction to my revealing my secret life. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, there is the occasional flip-side of that. I have another coworker with whom I have shared that I write inspirational romance. She told me that her mother is a voracious reader. So I brought in a copy of my latest release, (in a brown paper bag, of course) for her mom.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That coworker came by my desk later with tears in her eyes and a stunned expression on her face. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I texted the cover of your book to my mom. My mother already read your book. She said it was really good. She wants to read it again."</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Your mom is a fan of mine?"</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"YES!!"</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those moments are far and few between, but they are absolutely priceless. They make me want to shout!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"I'm an inspirational romance writer! I'M AN INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE WRITER!"</b></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So although I'm not fabulously rich and famous.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And no one recognizes me when I walk down the street.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And though I don't dress in full tiara mode.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or sit in on a mountaintop waiting for a word from God.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>There are a few perks to this gig...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I write fun and sassy books about real Christians and their daily struggles and my name is on the cover of those books.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I get paid for that honor.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My book is on the shelf in the grocery store!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm honored to have the privilege to share my faith in a way that is truly me. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>And once or twice a year I get to meet my tribe at a conference. And there is nothing like it. That amazing feeling of being surrounded by like-minded individuals who really, really get me.</i></b></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each year the tribe grows a bit more as I reconnect with old friends and add new ones. It's truly an amazing honor and a kick in the pants as well. I'm not ashamed to admit I need my people and yes, they do validate me in a real and very necessary way. After</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> five days with my peeps am ready to go back to the cave and back to my solitary life for another year or so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>As Seekerville begins its eleventh blogging year, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Seekerville,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Holidays! 2018 will be a year of exciting changes for me. After an entire year of prayer, I have decided that this is the time to retire from Seekerville. <b>Today is my last day in the role of a Seeker author.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I have spent ten wonderful year<span style="background-color: white;">s in the ministry called Seekerville, and </span>I have been blessed over and over again by the many amazing people who continue to touch my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You can still keep up with me by signing up for my <a href="http://bit.ly/2angfWP">newsletter here</a> or checking my updated <a href="http://www.tinaradcliffe.com/">webpage here </a>to see where I will be in 2018. You can also email me at contact@tinaradcliffe.com</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My One Word for the upcoming year is <b>BEST.</b> The best is yet to come! I'm beyond excited to see what the Lord has in store for the next ten years. I'm also delighted that I can visit Seekerville in my new role as Villager.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pray that 2018 is a year of harvest for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tina Radcliffe</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My dear Seekervillagers, what an adventure we’ve shared over the past 10 years! However, the time has come for me to step back from my Seekerville responsibilities so that I can devote more focused attention not only to the writing I love but to the everyday things that make life worth living—faith, family, home, and friendships. Being a part of Seekerville has been such a blessing, especially getting to know so many dedicated writers and readers as friends. I promise to visit often, and I’ll be watching right along with you to see what changes are in store for Seekerville in the New Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> I hope you’ll stay in touch with me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://twitter.com/MyraJohnson" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and my </span><a href="http://myrajohnson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white;">. I also share book news, giveaways, and other fun stuff in my newsletter, so please </span><a href="http://myrajohnson.com/newsletter-signup/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">subscribe</a><span style="background-color: white;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">By the way, Grammar Queen has a new home, too! She now has </span><a href="http://bit.ly/GrammarQueen" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">her own page</a><span style="background-color: white;"> on my website and will be conducting future lectures via my blog. You can also follow GQ on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/TheGrammarQueen" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;">. She's always happy to take questions, and you may find yours answered in an upcoming class!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Myra Johnson</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Somebody pass the Kleenex—please—because this announcement is not easy for a CDQ! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like Tina, I also have felt God’s leading to retire from Seekerville, so on December 31st, I will be retiring as well to focus more on God, family, and writing. But actually, I prefer the term “Seekerville alumni” rather than retiree because I hope to retur</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n </span>with</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> guest blogs here and there. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is not an easy transition for any of us because the Seekers and all our Seekerville friends are family, so I’m trying to think of it more as a move to a different state where I don’t see my family quite as often as I used to. :) But we can still stay in touch <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">through </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JulieLessmanAuthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Julie's Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> page or my </span><a href="http://www.julielessman.com/contact-julie/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, so please don’t hesitate to come by to say</span> “hey,” okay? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and you’ll still see me in the comments section with plenty of caps and exclamation points to let you know I’m still around! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HUGS!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQcC2KLjFPQA4NDZE_PE9nMRhC0gYAJLWPTqwOTEzIlea_Fzg2vsQ06y6LuXZKOlhmn1JcHDoNEMQoYVygEdOgCwZm4ZelmUuCs-T8o_9QqPDQbZ7DAGJijjXQmOvRLGxSWSbWeTmaME/s1600/2014-11-13+05.28.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="762" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQcC2KLjFPQA4NDZE_PE9nMRhC0gYAJLWPTqwOTEzIlea_Fzg2vsQ06y6LuXZKOlhmn1JcHDoNEMQoYVygEdOgCwZm4ZelmUuCs-T8o_9QqPDQbZ7DAGJijjXQmOvRLGxSWSbWeTmaME/s200/2014-11-13+05.28.57.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harlequin’s decision to close the Love Inspired Historical line has had me examining the pros and cons of continuing to pursue publication. I’m still awaiting God’s direction. Wherever He leads, I’m so grateful for the privilege of having had published books on the shelves and the blessings publication has brought into my life. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I especially want to thank those who’ve read and reviewed my books and encouraged me during this fabulous journey.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the uncertainty about the direction of my writing, I’ve made the very difficult decision to retire from Seekerville. I never dreamed when we stepped into cyberspace ten years ago that Seekerville would become this amazing, close-knit community of writers and readers. As we’ve prayed for each other, celebrated and commiserated with one another during life’s ups and downs, we’ve evolved into what feels like family. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This isn’t goodbye. I’ll be a frequent visitor to Seekerville to keep up with all of you and to support my Seeker sisters moving forward. </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for sharing your lives with me! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> May the Good Lord bless you mightily, as you have blessed me! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Janet Dean</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Villagers, as</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I am retiring from writing, (</span><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2017/12/sailing-off-unpubbed-island.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">see my post here</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>) I will also be signing off on the Seekerville blog.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I plan to visit and enjoy the new directions my treasured </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seeker friends will travel. Happy writing and reading, everyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sandra Leesmith</b></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-20161846369915567362017-12-28T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:45:27.165-04:00Resolutions and One Words for 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>with guest Sherrinda Ketchersid.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas has passed and I’m breathing a sigh of contented relief. The parties are over, the presents are unwrapped, and it is quiet in my house. I have an empty nest, so the times when everyone is under our roof, laughing and playing together, well, it is the most wonderful time of the year. While I love the loud roar of family about me, I must confess I enjoy the silence that comes when they leave. This is the time I clean up, organize, and begin to dream of the year to come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I used to but never could keep them. I don’t know if they were too drastic or if I chose the wrong thing to focus on, but I never could make those resolutions a habit. Then I heard about the <b><a href="http://myoneword.org/" target="_blank">My One Word </a></b>revolution. What you do is choose a word that you want to focus on for the year. Just one word. It is a word that will shape your life and everything you do for the coming year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This choosing of My One Word has changed my life.</b> I no longer fail at keeping resolutions. There is no more guilt – no more failure. Now I make decisions based on My One Word. I chose my dreams, goals, and activities based on My One Word. Every little step I take falls under my word. It was about progress, not perfection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me share some of my past words and how they have shaped me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2014: ANTICIPATE</b>–After a financially difficult year, I wanted… no, needed… hope. I wanted to anticipate a year of blessing from God. I don’t mean I expected riches and comfort, but God did bless in that area. I got a new job with a $6,000 increase a year, with a smaller commute. Our cars did not break down that year. It was the year we were able to get back on our feet and help others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2015: BRAVE–</b>I’ve never been a brave person. I’m one of those people who cares too much about what others think. I don’t want to buck the system or rock the boat. But y’all, that is no fun! So this was the year I opened an Etsy shop, I spoke at a teacher meeting about my Bible Journaling, and I did some things I’ve always wanted to do, but was too afraid to try. This was by far my favorite year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2016: SURRENDER</b>–Yep. I dislike this word and I didn’t want it to be my word, but God kept putting it before me, so I… surrendered. I didn’t know why this had to be my word, but by the end of the year, it made complete sense. This was the year where difficult family situations arose and I had to put aside my Etsy shop and time for me in order to focus on others. It was a time I had to give up control and leave things in God’s hands. It was a perfect word for that year and I gained peace in the beauty of surrender. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2017: THRIVE</b>–After surrendering so much the year before, I wanted to thrive! This was the year God allowed me to write again. God led me to set aside writing five years earlier due to it becoming an idol in my life. In December 2016 I felt the nudge to write once more, so I prayed about it and God answered my prayer with an email from an incredible published author who wanted to mentor me in 2017. Don’t you love it when God answers prayers so beautifully? And boy, did I thrive! Here is what I have learned this year:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned how to edit a manuscript.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out of the 6 writing contests I entered this year, I finaled in 4 of them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started a newsletter – even though I’m not published or have much to say yet! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a wonderful writing community to encourage and motivate me on the journey.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve stepped up and organized our church’s ladies Bible studies this year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To get healthy, I began a low carb eating plan and have lost 46 pounds so far. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After prayer and planning, I took a leap of faith and quit my good paying job to pursue my writing and calligraphy. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So are you curious what my One Word is for 2018? It is CULTIVATE.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I’ve really been taking stock of different areas in my life and feel like I need to tend those areas better. Whether it be my spiritual walk, my relationship, my writing, lettering or homemaking, I want to till up the hard soil and make it a place where I can grow in each of those categories. I don’t want to get stagnate and lifeless. I want to flourish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cultivating takes work and discipline, yet the fruit of that labor will be worth the effort!</b> Just think of the possible fruit that could come from cultivating: hearing God better, deeper marriage, stronger friendships, stronger writing (get an agent or book contract!), extra income, and a lovely, organized home. That sounds like a great year to me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a writer, I intend to cultivate my writing this year by incorporating the following:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Critique group – I have joined a group where I will be sharing my work. Yes, this is scary, but the rewards will be tremendous.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read at least 1 book on the craft of writing per month. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep following Seekerville and learning from the masters. (This is a given, but I need to join in on the conversation more and ask questions!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep writing daily.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After I finish my second manuscript, try a different, more marketable genre. (Medieval is currently not the right era for the Christian market.)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blog twice a week. This was difficult while working full time.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Newsletter once a month. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read one fiction book a week, especially in a different genre. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pray this is not too ambitious, but since I will have more time this year, I want to utilize every minute. I want progress, not perfection. I want to grow and tend to the things that matter most. It doesn’t have to look perfect. In fact, messy forward motion is still progress. Get your hands dirty and make what matters a reality in your life. It will be worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you have a My One Word for the New Year, or do you make New Year’s resolutions? What are you looking forward to most in the year to come? In what area do you want to make progress in during 2018?</b></span></blockquote>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> Share in the comments for a chance to win a hand-decorated Moleskine journal and a $10 Amazon gift card. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2017 Genesis finalist, Sherrinda Ketchersid is a born and bred Texan, preacher’s wife, mother of 4 children, and grand-mom to 3 cats. With the children grown and out of the house, she spends time weaving her love of romance with history to bring joy and the hope of love to those who may one day read her stories. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can connect with her through:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personal blog: <a href="http://www.sherrinda.com/">Sherrinda.com</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sherrinda.ketchersid" target="_blank">Sherrinda Ketchersid</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/sherrinda" target="_blank"> @sherrinda </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sherrinda/" target="_blank">@sherrinda</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Monthly Newsletter <a href="http://eepurl.com/c46ROv" target="_blank">Sign-up here.</a></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com180tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-65826000323725638142017-12-27T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:35:53.743-04:00Is It Just My Imagination?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with guest R. A. Douthitt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>“That’s not how I imagined it would be…”</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever said this or heard someone else say it? I attended the ACFW Writer’s Conference in Dallas, TX back in September and heard a few writers say this over the 4-day conference. Basically, what they meant was that just because they were published (some with 3 book deals with a well-known traditional publisher), the writing life didn't turn out like they had imagined it would. I wanted to blog about how "life" in general may not look like we had imagined it would be and what we can do about that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These authors made me think back to The Book of Ruth Bible study I was teaching at my work. Contentment is just one of the themes running through this book like threads of a tapestry. Naomi found herself alone in a foreign land with her daughters-in-law, desiring to head back to Bethlehem where she heard God had ended the famine. Only Ruth heads to Bethlehem with her. As a result, these two women take quite a risk traveling home to where things might not work out like they had hoped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, we never hear Ruth complain. Naomi laments to her friends when she returns, which is only human, right? I mean, she had lost her husband and sons. But we never hear Ruth utter one complaint nor does she ever question Naomi’s intent. Ruth obeys, trusts, and hopes. I’m certain that if we asked Ruth, she would tell us that her life didn’t turn out like she had imagined it. She was a young widow now living far from home and family, trusting in God’s Law, her mother-in-law, and a total stranger for her well-being. Yet, not one complaint comes from her lips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our imaginations are powerful, aren’t they? As writers, we rely on vivid imaginations! But sometimes what we imagine our writing journey to be might set us up for disappointment. I have a feeling that’s what happened to those writers I spoke with at the conference. I know I have imagined a literary agent signing me, finding an interested publisher, and selling my books for a nice advancement. Six years and eight books later, that vision still hasn’t come to fruition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Putting all one’s hope into a detailed imaginary life is a theme of my Christmas book, “First Christmas in Paris,” based on a true story from our marriage. In the book, Rachel finds herself married and alone. Her married life isn’t off to the start she had always imagined it would be. As a result, her lack of contentment begins to taint her thinking. Sometimes we women tend to romanticize life too much: Our wedding day, honeymoon, 2.5 children, lovely house, and life ever after. If any of these life events don’t match our imagination, then we set ourselves up for disappointments unless we understand that God's plan is perfect and ours is flawed. Yet, each life event is only a thread in our tapestry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I have had the pleasure of walking through the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This mansion is adorned with priceless art and tapestries. Each tapestry tells a story of some sort: a coronation of a king, peasants in the field, or Greek mythology. Set apart from the final product, each thread in the tapestry isn’t all that impressive. But put together, the tapestries are exquisitely detailed. And so it is with our lives. Put together, the threads that make up our life tapestries can tell quite a powerful story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where's the hope in all of these musings? God’s word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the perfect author, God gives us two characters hit hard with inciting incidents that would probably make most people give up. In this story, God gave us a lovely tapestry to admire in Naomi and Ruth when our own lives disappoint. As a little girl, I had imagined my wedding day in vivid detail. I had seen “The Sound of Music”, and fell in love with the wedding scene. So, when my wedding day plans were rudely interrupted by the United States Marine Corps, I was not a happy bride-to-be. Twenty-nine years later, now my writing journey isn’t how I had imagined it would be. I lost my older sister to cancer followed by the passing of my mom five months later. Now, family and the holidays aren’t how I imagined they would be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, where’s the hope? Do I give up when things don’t make sense? Do I give in to disappointments?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No. I look back to Ruth’s excellent example in God’s word: Trust and obey even when things don’t make sense. Ruth put all her hope in the God of Naomi, a God whom she had never seen. She hoped that Naomi had her best interests in mind. She trusted in Boaz who had shown good character. And the result of all this trusting and hoping in the unseen and unknown? Contentment. God gave her restoration through a loving husband of integrity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruth, a Gentile woman, is part of the lineage of our Savior, Jesus. We speak of her excellent example over three thousand years later. What an honor! Ruth’s tapestry is almost beyond compare. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do we want to be remembered: Lacking contentment even when we are obviously blessed? Or content no matter what our circumstances are?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matthew 6:33 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“…while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 4:18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even if our writing journey doesn't look like we had imagined it would we must go by faith and not by sight. If we go by sight (comparing our writing journeys to the journeys of others) we will live in disappointment, struggle with contentment, and lose hope. But if we trust in God and His perfect plan, then we have hope in Him. Only then will we be able to write about that hope and contentment in our stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, in the end, isn’t that the reason we are writing our stories anyway? Yes, learn to be content so that you can write about that contentment in your stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And your life will finally become all that you had imagined it will be in Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So, how can you be more content with what God has given you and how can you show contentment through your stories? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Seekerville is giving away an ecopy of<i> First Christmas in Paris</i> in honor of Ruth's visit. Leave a comment to enter. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://a.co/h2xp8w0" target="_blank">First Christmas in Paris</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s Thanksgiving 1988, and Rachel receives a call from her husband of only five months asking her to meet him in Paris at Christmas. But because he is stationed on an aircraft carrier, she won’t be able to speak to him again until face-to-face in the hotel lobby. Hopeless romantic Rachel flies to Paris to reunite with her Marine husband and if everything goes according to plan, Rachel and Denton will experience their first Christmas in Paris. If not, Rachel might find herself wandering the rainy streets of Paris alone. Before cell phones, faxes, and the internet, can a couple of newlyweds connect in Paris for a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas together?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ruth Douthitt is an award-winning author of books for middle-grade readers. Her Christmas novella, “First Christmas in Paris,” is based on a true story and was released this month. Next year she plans on releasing “Leaving Eden,” a women’s inspirational novel about a war correspondent returning to small-town life after the Iraq War. Ruth illustrates her children’s books and also teaches women’s Bible studies. She lives in sunny Phoenix, AZ with her husband of 29 years and their little fat dog. </b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect with her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Author-Ruth-Douthitt-245592525512882/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and on her <a href="http://www.thedragonforest.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </span></b><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-55939156754325156152017-12-26T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-15T12:24:30.706-05:00Sailing Back To Unpubbed Island<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Everyone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Almost here. Are you ready?</td></tr>
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Did you have a marvelous Christmas?</div>
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Are any of you celebrating Boxer Day?</div>
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And 2018 is just around the corner.</div>
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Oh my, what a wonderful time of year.</div>
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You are probably wondering what I’m talking about when I say I’m sailing back to Unpubbed Island. No it wasn’t a typo. I’m actually planning to retire from writing at the end of this year.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Seeker get-together and we meet face-to-face for first time.</td></tr>
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This winter has been kinda tough and although I’ve managed through it with flying colors, it has illuminated what I’ve been suspecting all along. God has another plan for me. It’s as simple as that.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun at our first Seeker get-together</td></tr>
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For the past year, I’ve been hearing the call. When things started happening, I stopped writing and truthfully haven’t missed it one single bit. That is a strong indicator that its time for me to move on.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seekers at Atlanta RWA</td></tr>
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Now that doesn’t mean I’m giving any of you the excuse to join me on the island- tempting as it might seem. We all have situations in life and there are many posts in the archives that give good advice on how to mush through them. In fact, some of my best writing was during times of stress and struggle with life’s issues.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie and Sandra head for the beach before Anaheim RWA</td></tr>
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But this time is different for me. When I’m called to something and everything around me seems to fall in place for that to happen—well, I’ve learned enough over the years to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chuckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe you do get a little wisdom with age.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthy and Sandra roomed together in Orlando RWA. Guess what Ruthy loved most.</td></tr>
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These past years have been a wonderful blessing and experience for me. Some of my most treasured friendships are the writer friends I’ve met and the fun times at writing events like craft fairs, conferences, writing meetings, etc.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with Seeker friends in Anaheim RWA</td></tr>
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I’ll be sad to not be hanging out with my Seeker friends. They have been one of the prized joys in my life. My experiences here in Seekerville have kept me up to date with social media (Thank you Miss Tina) and have blessed me with so many of you new friends via the Internet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEwh4ur5AwQJkt4oavW1QxIFRkcFKY156C7veHztthG6q4XNhqqwxe0TQOYkqcS4uF-B9KULeLyKb2_vmrhKV8ekxXKrpcY2kEDIzBAYsD6Ok-OdsblzZmyYOpEu7Ok59jM4R_Z9JvGI/s1600/pamandtina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEwh4ur5AwQJkt4oavW1QxIFRkcFKY156C7veHztthG6q4XNhqqwxe0TQOYkqcS4uF-B9KULeLyKb2_vmrhKV8ekxXKrpcY2kEDIzBAYsD6Ok-OdsblzZmyYOpEu7Ok59jM4R_Z9JvGI/s320/pamandtina.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam and Tina at ACFW</td></tr>
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Over the years, I’ve seen the Christian fiction industry grow by leaps and bounds. I’ve watched Seeker friends become published and establish their own presence on the Internet. I have helped many to the publishing process and I’ve been published by some of the top names in the industry. What more could I ask for? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seekers had fun in Atlanta</td></tr>
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So I’ve made a couple trips back to the island and will be dusting out my hut and hanging up my hammock. Ahhhhh Paradise.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthy and Sandra enjoying the beach.</td></tr>
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And the great thing about retiring from writing is that I will finally be able to really tackle my “To be read” pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cara and Sandra roomed together in Denver and visited the Rocky Mountains</td></tr>
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So folks, the books I’ve written are still out there on Amazon. And I’ll catch a ride on a passing sailboat once in awhile and come visit you all. But for now, I’m going to kick back and re-acquaint myself with sand trickling between my toes and the sound of waves lapping on the shore.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting a workshop at RWA</td></tr>
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Thanks to all of you for being such a wonderful part of my life. You all are a gift from God. Best wishes on following your dreams and your own plans. I am praying for all of you to succeed in your writing endeavors. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra with a fan of her desert animal children's books</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI9UAnhTynRQGnhH2r7ZJ00MrLHvgQ-78qH4eu8kzsOYd2L_Y9-bi4fUdZaSJeXOjZoomJzEoCXDLparRC0_KQOvJtbIs1NJT5JtbzptAeQh6WQ2kPEZDEQkqm3VBnGQTYNycMM9Rvvo/s1600/New+1093+B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI9UAnhTynRQGnhH2r7ZJ00MrLHvgQ-78qH4eu8kzsOYd2L_Y9-bi4fUdZaSJeXOjZoomJzEoCXDLparRC0_KQOvJtbIs1NJT5JtbzptAeQh6WQ2kPEZDEQkqm3VBnGQTYNycMM9Rvvo/s200/New+1093+B.jpeg" width="144" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sandraleesmith.com/">Sandra Leesmith</a> wrote sweet romances to warm the heart. Sandra loves to play pickleball, hike, read, bicycle and write. She is based in Arizona, but she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motorhome and enjoy the outdoors. You can find Sandra's books here on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sandra+leesmith">Amazon</a>. Three of Sandra's most popular books are also audio books at <a href="http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=sandra+leesmith&x=0&y=0">Audible</a>. You can read more of Sandra's posts <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/search/label/Sandra%20Leesmith">here</a>.</span><br />
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Sandra Leesmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911169281960710923noreply@blogger.com124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-62388568932968618312017-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:36:18.854-04:00Seekerville is Closed to Celebrate Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Seekerville is closed today and tomorrow to celebrate Christmas.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> Merry Christmas to our precious friends in Seekerville.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Isaiah 9:6</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</b></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-15321505268439525982017-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:37:44.380-04:00The Weekend Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/p/legal.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">take a minute to read them here.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and <u>phone number </u>to claim prizes. Send to <a href="mailto:Seekers@Seekerville.net">Seekers@Seekerville.net</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="mailto:Seekers@Seekerville.net"><br /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="text-align: start;"></span><b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"> Please note that December 29th, 2017, our email address changes to <a href="mailto:seekers2@gmail.com" target="_blank">seekerville2@gmail.com</a>. Update your address books!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Monday:</span></b> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Janet Dean</b> shared her post "<b>Let Christmas Decorations Enrich Your Writing." Winner of "A Daddy for Christmas" and an Amazon $10 gift card is Edwina.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: Debby Giusti </b>shared her <b>"Advent Reflections on the Writing Life!"</b> <b>The winner of a copy of Debby's Publishers Weekly bestseller, <i>Undercover Amish</i>, is Connie </b>(</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com).<b> Merry Christmas!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: </b>Sally Shupe was your hostess with her post<b> "Running is Like Writing." Winner of </b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Illustrated Bible Verses Wall Calendar 2018 is Sherida Stewart.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday: Closed to Celebrate the Birth of Our Lord.🎄🎄🎄</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday: Sandra Leesmith will be bringing you a surprise post. Join her and help her celebrate.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: <a href="http://www.thedragonforest.com/HomePage.html" target="_blank">Ruth Douthitt</a> </b>is our special guest with her thought-provoking post<b>, "Is It Just My Imagination?" </b>Stop by and you could win an ecopy of<b> <i><a href="http://a.co/aRfASup" target="_blank">First Christmas in Paris.</a></i> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: <a href="http://www.sherrinda.com/" target="_blank">Sherrinda Ketchersid</a> </b>visits with her post<b>, "</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Resolutions and One Words for 2018."</b> She brought along a little post-holiday merry, a hand-decorated Moleskine journal and a $10 Amazon gift card for one commenter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Friday: The Best of the Archives featuring a classic post from our ten years of blogging. Comments are closed on Fridays to catch up on reading and writing.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ2u3sCcx6DxuTa94x-h4fYNUyqblCgqavkieF12VZiAdkVhPHnpvCLuyB9jicLHLI0dm16-rn7FJoregdjRbMkD1dhN3p7q3fMFWc_vbEBu5pcw8LsydXX3z4pf9AFSYVZJIr08H0pA/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ2u3sCcx6DxuTa94x-h4fYNUyqblCgqavkieF12VZiAdkVhPHnpvCLuyB9jicLHLI0dm16-rn7FJoregdjRbMkD1dhN3p7q3fMFWc_vbEBu5pcw8LsydXX3z4pf9AFSYVZJIr08H0pA/s400/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The gals of Seekerville are looking forward to partying with you at our annual Seekerville Rockin' It New Year's Eve party... This year's party will be focusing on Auld Lang Syne... Good friends, good times and great memories... AND THEN... we welcome new times, lovely surprises, and a wonderful spirit of anticipation and excitement as we open 2018 with joyful hearts! "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 </b></span></div>
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<b> </b> <b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's not too late to order a book for Christmas. But you might want to kick back after the hustle and bustle of the holiday and enjoy the warm beaches of Hawaii. Sandra Leesmith's latest release <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ASandra+Leesmith&keywords=Sandra+Leesmith&ie=UTF8&qid=1513256125">Love's Healing,</a> is available in ebook and print. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Merry Book Release to Tina Radcliffe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The first book of the Big Heart Ranch series has released with</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Claiming Her Cowboy</i>. <a href="http://bit.ly/2klUvwB" target="_blank">Get your copy here.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today only! Download a Christmas gift from Tina Radcliffe. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://amzn.to/2D6nvQB" target="_blank">I'll Be Home for Christmas. </a></i></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for the link love!</b><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.janefriedman.com/2017-book-publishing-headlines/" target="_blank"> A Look Back at 2017 Publishing Headlines: 5 Issues Raised for Authors</a> (Jane Friedman)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/75679-twitter-events-connect-agents-and-writers.html" target="_blank">Twitter Events Connect Agents and Writers</a> (PW)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/12/whats-book-perfecting-art-elevator-pitch/" target="_blank">So What’s Your Book About?, or, Creating the Perfect Elevator Pitch</a> (WHW)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://nybookeditors.com/2017/12/the-beginners-guide-to-working-with-deadlines/" target="_blank">The Beginner's Guide to Working with Deadlines</a> (NY Book Editors)</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://harlequinblog.com/2017/12/picture-this-how-to-start-your-own-bookstagram/" target="_blank">How to Start Your Own Bookstagram </a>(Harlequin Blog)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://blog.janicehardy.com/2017/12/understanding-pay-per-advertising.html" target="_blank">Understanding Pay-Per Advertising</a> (Fiction University)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2017/12/will-ever-buy-mostly-ebooks-2017-results" target="_blank">Will you ever buy mostly ebooks? 2017 results!</a> (Nathan Bransford)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/2017/12/11/cinematic-scene-building-by-kris-bock/" target="_blank">Cinematic Scene Building</a> (Romance University)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://k-lytics.com/facebook-news-feed-algorithms-affect-authors/" target="_blank">How The New Facebook Algorithms Affect Authors </a>(k-lytics)</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Last Weekend Edition Before Christmas.<br /> We're doing a countdown of gifts for readers and writers! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBookishLtd?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Available on Etsy at LittleBookishLtd.</a></b></b></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-6262189819031106382017-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-22T09:16:00.677-05:00Best of the Archives-The Contest Road<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOejn80CwnQuinNsAmHwou_xjIT0SqB6Redkbq5mSwLx6gwG5JRxoeyTz9NolWzM9NQ2lREaBGxZo1H1NhQ27xqDwbgENjoWFEFRbayQEDInOX8BO1sCbbIyZDEjKjvDj5s1lTAmHDRQ/s1600-h/Golden+Days+cropped+cover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119521501741864082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOejn80CwnQuinNsAmHwou_xjIT0SqB6Redkbq5mSwLx6gwG5JRxoeyTz9NolWzM9NQ2lREaBGxZo1H1NhQ27xqDwbgENjoWFEFRbayQEDInOX8BO1sCbbIyZDEjKjvDj5s1lTAmHDRQ/s320/Golden+Days+cropped+cover.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my very first ever column for Seekerville. It first appeared on 10/10 and 10/09 of 2007. It was a two part blog which I've combined into one here today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it's still pretty darned SHORT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ten Years of Seekerville.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ten Wonderful Years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Contest Road Part #1</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started entering contests almost as soon as I got my first book finished and I credit contests with leading me to publication.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are a countless number of writer’s contests, did you know that? I did well, placed third in the first contest I entered. I was encouraged and I kept doing better as the years went by. The contests are critiqued by the judges and I learned a lot from those critiques. Also if you are a finalist, you get judged again. This time, by editors and agents. So this is a chance to get your work in front of people who might buy your book or sign you as a client. There came a time when I expected to final in any contest I entered. If you Google Mary Connealy Contest Diva there’s a website with a list of people who’ve won a lot of contests and I’m on it. I kept track for the last two or three years before I got a contract and I’d finalled in eleven contests with five different books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I entered my manuscript Petticoat Ranch in ACFW’s Noble Theme contest in 2004. I was a double finalist, another book of mine, China Doll, was in the running, too. When I heard I was a finalist, I decided to attend the 2004 conference. A member of my online critique group said I could room with her. I had never been on a plane before and I had never gone on vacation without my husband before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t know if you can imagine the guts it took for me to go. My husband, was great about it when I told him I wanted to go, spend all that money on my writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you think about it. Me, saying to my husband, “Honey, I want to fly to Denver and spend three days in a hotel with someone I met on the internet…” Well, he was a pretty good sport about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Contest Road </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pt #2 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP20GU7mU5Fjh82GZx-A1SDvbYCnDO6yjWg055xBShxQqYk5Uu8VCHFQ7yHj04rd7thzpwmvbDToOE7106Vg5HQXUTxyKEyPJ_Wcky8FsStA855-MeIWnt6Z1RXSZriWWVr13p_QXR1xU/s1600-h/Petticoat+Ranch+cover.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119904015824213202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP20GU7mU5Fjh82GZx-A1SDvbYCnDO6yjWg055xBShxQqYk5Uu8VCHFQ7yHj04rd7thzpwmvbDToOE7106Vg5HQXUTxyKEyPJ_Wcky8FsStA855-MeIWnt6Z1RXSZriWWVr13p_QXR1xU/s320/Petticoat+Ranch+cover.bmp" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, I won The Noble Theme contest and also placed third. I got a lot of requests at the conference to send in my book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also got a really simple request from Cathy Marie Hake an author I didn’t know. She asked me to send her my first three chapters. She just wanted to see how I wrote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also had an agent looking at my work before this conference. He hadn’t offered to represent me, but he had expressed interest. When I emailed him to tell him I’d won the contest and tell him I received about fifteen requests from agents and editors for maybe five different books, he offered me a contract, so I got an agent, which is almost as hard as getting a book sold.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsZ-5dQ48kfXZJwxUnuZ8dDmpcGOSu89U-Pzv1jThiJvUsoAoIbUAu5jKrj4dyLvy6WgnKebNVD6mdyMW-vUDMA9zOj73wXXYFHwRh6rYP9Inu0Ge6cwgsYcuYO1rtKirk0Q75b-pGSLv/s1600/Mary+2015+V+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsZ-5dQ48kfXZJwxUnuZ8dDmpcGOSu89U-Pzv1jThiJvUsoAoIbUAu5jKrj4dyLvy6WgnKebNVD6mdyMW-vUDMA9zOj73wXXYFHwRh6rYP9Inu0Ge6cwgsYcuYO1rtKirk0Q75b-pGSLv/s320/Mary+2015+V+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cathy Marie Hake also kept in touch. She said she thought I was ‘ready’. No editor had yet seen that light, but Cathy’s encouragement kept me hoping. Plus, by this time, I had about twelve books written and I’d had so many rejections I had a hide like a rhino, so submitting work didn’t even faze me. (In the interest of full disclosure I believe I stole the 'hide like a rhino' line from Janet Dean, although it could be another Seeker. We're all tough...most of the time)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay, well maybe I crawled under my computer desk and sucked my thumb for a day or two every time I got another rejection but other than that I was fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just before the next year’s conference, Cathy Marie Hake told me she wanted to pitch my name to write a book as part of a three book series set in historical Alaska. I worked on a proposal and talked</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the phone with Cathy a lot before the 2005 conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every year at the conference the acquiring editor for Heartsong Presents gives a contract to an unpublished author. I was so hopeful! I knew there was a chance it could be me. The Heartsong editor said someone else’s name and there’s only one, so okay, I’ve been rejected before. I kind of expect it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then she said, “And this year we’re giving two contracts to first time authors. We’re offering a contract to Mary Connealy.” I get chills saying that! It was a wonderful, thrilling shocking moment. I had to go up and get the contract, in front of 350 other writers, all clapping. A great, great moment in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it happened as a direct result of contests…well, contests and ten years of hard work of course.</span>Mary Connealyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-4238756589451527932017-12-21T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:42:35.275-04:00Running is Like Writing<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>with guest Sally Shupe.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traveling this road to publication, I’ve made some observations regarding the similarities between running and writing, both of which I love. Turns out, they are alike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My word for 2017 is expectation. What this means to me is working toward something even as I am waiting for something to happen. I am actively looking forward, anticipating, what will happen when I run and when I write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you’re expecting a baby, company to visit, winning a race, or becoming published, you don’t sit and wait. No. You work toward something, even as you expect it to happen. You plan and arrange the baby room, clean house, run, write, write, write! If you’re running a race, you don’t just one day decide I’ll go run a 5k. You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You to train, practice, regularly run to finish the race. If you don’t put in the time, you can’t compete with other runners. If you don’t put in the writing time, you can’t compete when you do get a contract. There are deadlines. You must finish manuscripts. You plan. You don’t wait until the baby gets here to put together the nursery. Before he or she comes, you read books, read reviews on baby things, prepare the baby room. When you know company’s coming for dinner, you clean house, hide the laundry (don’t you?), prepare what you think they’ll like to eat and drink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It’s the same with writing: you research agents and publishing houses, read submission guidelines, talk with other authors. If you submit your work without checking these things, it’s a sure way to get rejected. If you want to read 300 books in a year, you can’t do that in a day. You plan ahead. How many books do I need to read a week to reach this goal? How many words do I need to write a week to reach my goal? How far, or how long, do I need to run?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you expect to win a race, you have to run. If you expect to be published, you have to write. Don't spend your time watching other people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started running, I had to get the right equipment. Shoes, clothes, a watch. You definitely don’t want to run for longer, or farther, than you intended . Starting out, I alternated walking and running until I could run for 20 minutes. Then I worked my way up to 3 miles. The most I’ve run so far is a 7.4 mile race. My goal next year is to run a half marathon. One of the perks of running is when the second wind hits, I feel like I can run forever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For writing, I start with an idea for a story. Writing down snippets of dialogue, a scene, characters. My equipment is my computer or pen and paper, research documents, craft books. As with running, when I first start to write, I may only go short distances. Then I start flagging, breathing hard, the sagging middle hits. Desperate thoughts enter. Can I finish the story? Why did I even start? Feelings of aloneness creep in. Then I see glimpses of the finish line. That’s where this story is going. The second wind hits. In running, that’s when the steps come faster. A breeze rushes through my hair. I see the finish line. Breathing evens out. My focus is on finishing. I cross the finish line. Supporters, cheerers, all wait with high-fives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where were the supports along the journey? Whether running or writing, they’re the ones you come across in your journey and talk to. They have advice on running or writing. They cheer you on, celebrate all those little wins, counting down with you to the big win. And once you’re published? It’s time to look toward the next book, and then the next one. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-4QxFb1Du4/Wjk46NiCzsI/AAAAAAAApfg/amOCFT8MEcIRoPUFzR3zM8oXquCwiZ-twCLcBGAs/s1600/Sally%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-4QxFb1Du4/Wjk46NiCzsI/AAAAAAAApfg/amOCFT8MEcIRoPUFzR3zM8oXquCwiZ-twCLcBGAs/s320/Sally%2B3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What have I learned on this journey? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Prayer changes things</b>. It changes your thoughts, gives you insight, orchestrates that meeting you never could have arranged on your own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Don’t get distracted by others who write faster or slower; get published; write more, or less, words than you do</b>. Only you write like you do. Only you run like you do. Only you can write your words. If you spend your time watching other people, you won’t write. You’ll be discouraged. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-If you don’t put in the work, read craft books, get feedback, you won’t reach your goal of publication</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. If you just write words with no focus, they won’t go anywhere. Same with running. You might cross the line, but it won’t be pretty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Watch your pace. </b>Just as you can’t run 26 miles in an hour, you can’t write a book in an hour. Space it out. Break it down. And breathe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Watch what you’re putting in</b>. If you eat a lot of fast food, you can’t run. Read what you write to see what’s out there, what works, what doesn’t. Research what agents and publishers are looking for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MejD3GNHEEY/WjlA3iYpSeI/AAAAAAAApfw/9ciXnFna5sMJV6rLfqjc182UnPUnEqCYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Sally%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MejD3GNHEEY/WjlA3iYpSeI/AAAAAAAApfw/9ciXnFna5sMJV6rLfqjc182UnPUnEqCYwCLcBGAs/s320/Sally%2B2.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-If you get tired of running, change your course.</b> Run somewhere different. Same with writing. Write something different. Write something for fun, take a break. Brainstorm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Surround yourself with people like you, whether runners, writers, authors, agents. </b>You need people who know the business, who understand what you’re doing and why. Tell them about your journey. If you feel alone, you won’t continue. When it’s cold and rainy, you don’t feel like running. Having that support system in place, gets you running. Same with writing. If someone is expecting your word count for the day, it’s harder to say I didn’t take time to write today. But if you can’t run for a while, or can’t write for a period of time, don’t beat yourself up over it. Take it day by day. The words will still be there. And I’ve had things happen that’s helped my writing that wasn’t in place if I’d continued forcing myself to write. I’ve also found when I can’t run for a few weeks, once I can get back out there, I can still go 20 minutes. I can still run for 2 miles. I just pick it back up and continue on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-When you finish the race, the book, it’s time to re-evaluate</b>. Take time to see what worked, what didn’t, and start training for the next race or book. Evaluate how well you did, what, if anything, you need to change or approach differently. Can’t live on pizza for two weeks? Prepare meals ahead of time to clear time for writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>-Give yourself grace</b>. I had to learn this one recently. After excessive water damage to our home, I haven’t been able to run or write. We’re still in the process of getting the house back together. But, I am looking forward to getting back to it. I’m outlining what I’ll be working on, planning when I can go running again. During this time, I jotted down ideas and dialogue for the story I’m working on. I even jogged through the house a few times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 Do you have a vision? Work out a plan to make that come to pass. Remember, God is able to do exceeding, abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> How about you? What do you do to energize your running, writing, or reading? When you hit a bump in the road, how do you get around it?</b></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYWtGhCJcDg/WjlByVH1O9I/AAAAAAAApf8/YLGAaL4b5UcdDv0MeABEVYKehnnEK6pfACLcBGAs/s1600/61qx3NDKHeL._SY498_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYWtGhCJcDg/WjlByVH1O9I/AAAAAAAApf8/YLGAaL4b5UcdDv0MeABEVYKehnnEK6pfACLcBGAs/s320/61qx3NDKHeL._SY498_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seekerville is giving away this reader, writer or runner calendar to one commenter in honor of Sally's visit. Leave a comment letting us know you want to be entered for<b> The Illustrated Bible Verses Wall Calendar 2018. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu7WubCMPDU/Wjkyq2u7QuI/AAAAAAAApfM/tvsbBYIbq0cX1QmdmBky9mBoc1JBvWmOQCLcBGAs/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu7WubCMPDU/Wjkyq2u7QuI/AAAAAAAApfM/tvsbBYIbq0cX1QmdmBky9mBoc1JBvWmOQCLcBGAs/s320/me.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband,
two grown kids-a daughter still at home and a son nearby, and a whole bunch of
pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the
mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian
romance, with two completed manuscripts and three more in progress. They are
part of a series located in small town Virginia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a
freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students
working on dissertation papers; a copy editor for Desert Breeze; a content
editor for Prism (just became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for
various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business
FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and just recently became a PRO
member of RWA; loves genealogy, running, and crocheting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect with Sally:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sallyshupewritings/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/SallyShupe1" target="_blank">Twitter </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sallyshupe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:sallyshupe1@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sallyshupe1/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sallyshupeseditingservice.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-schreiner-shupe-8217a639?trk=hp-identity-name" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-9600652526966656212017-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-20T06:46:10.290-05:00Advent Reflections on the Writing Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb_sjMiSWmhnC5XGSCyX3QUfwrrTfvNYygmXsBawZSFfcW3Qw658zp57phIEfkNwCAVXkp_mRZaZl6vjL0C5IlqahP4IQY6fQ2KS9Ynd7uem2XyHYssGTzBZ-IONa_jH0Kvw_WIa8phY/s1600/ADVENTREFLECTIONS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb_sjMiSWmhnC5XGSCyX3QUfwrrTfvNYygmXsBawZSFfcW3Qw658zp57phIEfkNwCAVXkp_mRZaZl6vjL0C5IlqahP4IQY6fQ2KS9Ynd7uem2XyHYssGTzBZ-IONa_jH0Kvw_WIa8phY/s400/ADVENTREFLECTIONS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Debby Giusti<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two thousand years ago, the world awaited the
coming of the Messiah. As scripture tells us, when Christ was born a star
marked the spot over Bethlehem, shepherds rejoiced and Magi payed homage to the
King of Kings. All that had been foretold was brought to fulfillment in Christ
Jesus, yet many people at the time failed to recognize him as their Savior and Lord. They expected
a worldly king and powerful ruler instead of a tiny infant lying in a manger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fSMiU5lIeZqC0EOgFQYdPvcX_Bv6pd1O4ElhwOcKkxGwe88GZz6brWH7GhAKGvsUETqYSgMLW4yKU3-062PC3qcfObX4To7Oua_IkHki2kP919bNetadaLtI4vD3587OBPrbVvf8Y-w/s1600/IMG_4644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fSMiU5lIeZqC0EOgFQYdPvcX_Bv6pd1O4ElhwOcKkxGwe88GZz6brWH7GhAKGvsUETqYSgMLW4yKU3-062PC3qcfObX4To7Oua_IkHki2kP919bNetadaLtI4vD3587OBPrbVvf8Y-w/s640/IMG_4644.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Third Week in Advent.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, we—like the people of old—anticipate
the coming of the Christ Child. Our period of waiting is called Advent and encompasses the first four weeks in
December. During this time of expectation, we prepare, once again, to welcome Jesus
into our hearts and homes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEpBEqTA3O-LITcT01I6RL2RqJ3DMgVfVC5usAe288mLJDwjCGfSkO0DeJFHpkktrmKO__NtRmtatcfiAOTUAzhPSuA2rASavjkpexJGyUsUT_QFYhQGchAWiO0nw78oKLdSDB606MqE/s1600/IMG_2458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEpBEqTA3O-LITcT01I6RL2RqJ3DMgVfVC5usAe288mLJDwjCGfSkO0DeJFHpkktrmKO__NtRmtatcfiAOTUAzhPSuA2rASavjkpexJGyUsUT_QFYhQGchAWiO0nw78oKLdSDB606MqE/s400/IMG_2458.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The star identifies the place of Christ's birth <br />
in Bethlehem.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical
year, and in spite of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the days
leading to Christmas are a perfect time for reflection. The shopping and
decorating, the cards and gift wrapping can wait. Let’s take a few moments to
reflect on our writing journeys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhPDjxv8uWPGyWgiqFD_ia2pU6hEXsOBzi9CNEbUK1wNPcj_tfsgMz_DDUBK1QtKCClcqqWpYwLyohJ-J57FomHuV2etYpEiW4FdWFQl2hfxyanzdt4YM29qg9EhGXN0i5cwBdYnjBkQ/s1600/In+spite+of+the+hustle+and+bustle+of+the+holiday+season%252C+the+days+leading+to+Christmas+are+a+perfect+time+for+reflection_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhPDjxv8uWPGyWgiqFD_ia2pU6hEXsOBzi9CNEbUK1wNPcj_tfsgMz_DDUBK1QtKCClcqqWpYwLyohJ-J57FomHuV2etYpEiW4FdWFQl2hfxyanzdt4YM29qg9EhGXN0i5cwBdYnjBkQ/s400/In+spite+of+the+hustle+and+bustle+of+the+holiday+season%252C+the+days+leading+to+Christmas+are+a+perfect+time+for+reflection_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Throughout December, the weather where I live fluctuated
greatly and the changing temperatures frequently brought fog that clouded the
view from my window. Peering outside, I was reminded of our human inability to see
beyond the present. We can plan for and anticipate the future, but as finite
creatures, we have a clouded view of where we’re going and sometimes even
question where we have been. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECRJR9G_Zi8ssRVp1GWStV0DSbqtUwIxTwmNJaLwAXTA3WlcUg1KAP1hIoWpJ_gKBTGn_TUvZvUpAyy9JAA2g0omN5IypvV75mR2NW1xYjJj7RZESxqTmZ_eXQ09OhVxVYEeyhZt1i9E/s1600/Without+clear+vision%252C+we+could+miss+the+true+meaning+of+the+twists+and+turns+of+our+lives+and+all+that+has+brought+us+to+this+moment+in+time_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECRJR9G_Zi8ssRVp1GWStV0DSbqtUwIxTwmNJaLwAXTA3WlcUg1KAP1hIoWpJ_gKBTGn_TUvZvUpAyy9JAA2g0omN5IypvV75mR2NW1xYjJj7RZESxqTmZ_eXQ09OhVxVYEeyhZt1i9E/s400/Without+clear+vision%252C+we+could+miss+the+true+meaning+of+the+twists+and+turns+of+our+lives+and+all+that+has+brought+us+to+this+moment+in+time_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without clear vision, we could miss the true
meaning of the twists and turns of our lives and all that has brought us to
this moment in time. We look too often at that which has not come to fulfillment
instead of the positive steps we have taken forward. Like the unbelievers of old, we misinterpret
signs that point to what is to come. Often, this brings discouragement
and despondency and may cause us to give up dreams that are closer than we
think to realization.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Perhaps we have set our sights on a certain
achievement or goal. It might be a request for a submission or a book contact.
It could involve catching the attention of an agent or editor or making a best sellers’
list. It might be to finish a manuscript or write a certain number of pages within an allotted period. If we haven’t achieved our goal, we may wonder </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">if we are wasting
our time and energy on a dream that will never come to fruition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We’ve said it often here in Seekerville. The
writing journey requires hard work and determination. We have to keep moving
forward in spite of struggles and rejection. Writing detours happen, but we can’t
give up. A wrong turn is not always a mistake. Sometimes it leads us along
a fresh path that ends in a new destination we never would have imagined if we
had stayed on the chartered course that seemed so appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of looking at what we haven’t achieved,
let’s look at what we have accomplished. Have we become stronger writers over
the past year? Do we have a firmer grasp of POV and GMC? Are we creating multi-dimensional
characters who change and grow? Do we open with an insightful incident, include
the five senses, end scenes with hooks and cliffhangers, ratchet up the emotion
and provide a believable black moment and a satisfying resolution to our stories?
Have we received praise from a critique partner or contest judge? Do we
understand story and the parts that make up the whole?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAApoM5qUNDqoBcDAuY84kQxIDNA54s8_fQZp_FJ8S96QAxuZbUlZYVnycDc70PlUEn0rLCphU0NT6YQjTKUcDVHqSHSseKEwjbpsOa7f86h8hzMnnYaG5kiQp9cS9uGWAjd_hjLe9wk0/s1600/Any+forward+progression+means+you%25E2%2580%2599re+moving+in+the+right+direction_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAApoM5qUNDqoBcDAuY84kQxIDNA54s8_fQZp_FJ8S96QAxuZbUlZYVnycDc70PlUEn0rLCphU0NT6YQjTKUcDVHqSHSseKEwjbpsOa7f86h8hzMnnYaG5kiQp9cS9uGWAjd_hjLe9wk0/s400/Any+forward+progression+means+you%25E2%2580%2599re+moving+in+the+right+direction_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look at your own journey and find the positive
growth—even the small steps forward—you may have previously overlooked. Any forward
progression means you’re moving in the right direction. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we gather around the manger this Christmas
to welcome the Christ Child, let’s give thanks for the many blessings the Lord
has bestowed upon us and especially for the many ways he had led us through the
fog to a new realization of his love and mercy.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dyTBbXREf3uCOEm6MiztWxs2j9SBZaKFWzWAa98r8VYeMEFlmHbcapri_hCPP5VitH3OLeVDfa3dlSBrCAosSgy4yGDPjQmkJoFrmtINgx_Z2qX9l4W5-qJ8-iFBBvaODvsU7Fx4u-w/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dyTBbXREf3uCOEm6MiztWxs2j9SBZaKFWzWAa98r8VYeMEFlmHbcapri_hCPP5VitH3OLeVDfa3dlSBrCAosSgy4yGDPjQmkJoFrmtINgx_Z2qX9l4W5-qJ8-iFBBvaODvsU7Fx4u-w/s400/IMG_3866.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nativity Scene on display at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing
for <i>Undercover Amish</i>, the second book
in my Amish Protectors series. I’m praying for each of you throughout this
Christmas season and asking the Lord to shower you with abundant blessings now
and in the New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy writing!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Debby Giusti<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.debbygiusti.com/">www.DebbyGiusti.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmeHM9XLloszJXdSM8CBp_D5X0wlrn4oOS_7d5VBPz3pz5GgZDTyGbPHzgnE6IfkxwnJmc-PRMcIva18CMCBfzGpcJ55pgQk0LpkzHUCcrDn6El-ZZILCoRAfUyqzIGXwbQLuVLgXYsA/s1600/9780373457359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmeHM9XLloszJXdSM8CBp_D5X0wlrn4oOS_7d5VBPz3pz5GgZDTyGbPHzgnE6IfkxwnJmc-PRMcIva18CMCBfzGpcJ55pgQk0LpkzHUCcrDn6El-ZZILCoRAfUyqzIGXwbQLuVLgXYsA/s400/9780373457359.jpg" width="252" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Undercover Amish<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Debby Giusti<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="A11"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">After Hannah Miller’s mother is murdered and her
sisters go missing, someone comes after her. Now the only way she can survive
is to entrench herself in an Amish community…and rely on Lucas Grant, a former
police officer who is planning to join the Amish faith, for protection. But
finding refuge for Hannah— disguised as Plain at a secluded inn—pulls Lucas
back into his old life. And when Lucas discovers the criminals after them may
be the people who killed his partner, the mission to take them down becomes
personal. With the assailants closing in, though, can Lucas stop them…and
finally put his past behind him to start an Amish life with Hannah?</span></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="A11"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Order <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Undercover-Amish-Protectors-Debby-Giusti-ebook/dp/B06XBY3SWQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1500405543&sr=8-8&keywords=Debby+Giusti" target="_blank">here</a>! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watch for <i>Amish
Rescue</i>, book three in my Amish Protectors series, available April 2017! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Debby Giustihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-23385829587698196662017-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:002022-03-24T17:01:55.272-04:00My Name is Pam and I am a Hoarder<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhqFRNg7mdJljj9qKLMQQfoMquJgU0S9uVOOWnIX8PXDF4KH7zVrFoIIKpUnomxdbdmG-SsJHA5nvr49TUGC3ll_jRg4STJUTFD_dQCZelYpw7cLzAB6KQNhsMDWqmmawScvajk4qfjM/s1600/IMG_6610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhqFRNg7mdJljj9qKLMQQfoMquJgU0S9uVOOWnIX8PXDF4KH7zVrFoIIKpUnomxdbdmG-SsJHA5nvr49TUGC3ll_jRg4STJUTFD_dQCZelYpw7cLzAB6KQNhsMDWqmmawScvajk4qfjM/s400/IMG_6610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Daddy peeled pulpwood to buy the clock on the left. My in-laws gave us the one<br />
in the center for a housewarming gift. The clock on the right belonged to my husband's grandparents.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s official. <b>I am a hoarder.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But I’m also a two-weeks-before-Christmas-neat-freak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yikes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Does this mean I have a split personality?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Every year about this time I go on a cleaning spree. It’s short-lived (unfortunately), and I usually only get a small amount done before the Christmas guests descend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year is no exception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don’t have time to clean, to search and destroy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I need to be writing, working on blog posts, preparing for marketing calls. But the junk in the dining room calls. Junk that’s been there for years. YEARS, I tell you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You think I jest? I do not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Twenty years ago, I carved out a little corner of the dining room for my writing. Back then, I had a desktop computer, so I made a “corner” desk out of my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine table and a great-uncle’s hand-made desk. Very appropriate for an historical author, wouldn’t you say?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMUpQ5jVltDqB3byYJYWjXbp1uDUc79x8usDGTSHFdMdYrfzauC1SWpx_yze8yd86tGdaIsP5A0QZu3huCriNo2NhKDI5ttB__2QtxZA31B54FNZJ4cprAWk-m7ld4LXcpB1L0bag41o/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMUpQ5jVltDqB3byYJYWjXbp1uDUc79x8usDGTSHFdMdYrfzauC1SWpx_yze8yd86tGdaIsP5A0QZu3huCriNo2NhKDI5ttB__2QtxZA31B54FNZJ4cprAWk-m7ld4LXcpB1L0bag41o/s320/IMG_6605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desk made by a great uncle many years ago.<br />
(Sans all its clutter...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ21JBglH8vIae7WcANljwqbrQMMpetOA65NmSiIteCKNZfefObuGNDf2S1e5vx43EJcuZnjsKhkfpwK3zNvckNrFGGnOVvonJkbGmlKKq6i-tdygSdVUnacltYDeKlMCPkO1A8UWunVE/s1600/IMG_6606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ21JBglH8vIae7WcANljwqbrQMMpetOA65NmSiIteCKNZfefObuGNDf2S1e5vx43EJcuZnjsKhkfpwK3zNvckNrFGGnOVvonJkbGmlKKq6i-tdygSdVUnacltYDeKlMCPkO1A8UWunVE/s320/IMG_6606.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My grandmother's treadle sewing machine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Also blessedly clutter-free)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eventually, I stopped using that corner to write. I bought a laptop and moved to a nice, comfy recliner in the den. Three laptops later, I’m still happily writing from my love seat recliner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And the little corner where my grandmother’s desk and sewing machine sat? All the old “stuff” was still tucked inside the drawers, the old computer forgotten, boxes stacked on the foot peddle. More boxes and books got stacked on top. Eventually, it was easier to ignore the mess than to try to go through it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ve watched a few episodes of hoarders, but it’s never dawned on me that I have my own hoarder tendencies. Books and papers seem to be my Achille’s heel. However, the advent of ebooks has helped cut this problem for me in recent years. The scenario used to go something like this…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’d attend a conference where there were free books from sponsors, a book store, or even ICRS where publishers gave away signed copies of their authors’ latest. I couldn’t resist. My suitcase would be full of books. I’ve even been known to ship boxes of books home from conferences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But that box would likely get stacked on top of the last box of books I brought home. Or stacked in front of another box. Which was stacked on top of the rejections from publishers and agents. Which was in front of the contest entries and score sheets from oh… 2007. Which hid the Faith Hope & Love newsletters from 1998-2001, of which I was editor. To be honest, they were some really <i>beautiful</i> and <i>artistic</i> newsletters and a labor of love, so I’ll be keeping those.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHtbLGKtXJxN9wFU0Te7ZQpHtlw3RHPTTeOC67-oglkwRWUfgiAoD4VDQNJJviGjIpTfUeQ2s4el8voiCIw04KJPcx1ESl3Ttr_X8LpGbrWSguH_3HINaI55SjDHOBK4KT-DWU2ETBiU/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHtbLGKtXJxN9wFU0Te7ZQpHtlw3RHPTTeOC67-oglkwRWUfgiAoD4VDQNJJviGjIpTfUeQ2s4el8voiCIw04KJPcx1ESl3Ttr_X8LpGbrWSguH_3HINaI55SjDHOBK4KT-DWU2ETBiU/s320/IMG_6618.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody's Clutter...Ahem</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anyway, you get my point. You don’t have to be a hard-core hoarder for things to just pile up. Because it’s easier to shove something in front of it, and shut the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don’t shut the door. Put in some bright new light bulbs and shine a light on the clutter and get rid of it now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’re readers and writers, so our homes are easily overrun with books, papers, and electronics. And, for those of us who work from home and/or run multiple family businesses, the mountains of paper multiplies ten-fold. It’s no longer just racks and racks of clothes, old TVs, and worn out shoes that we couldn't bear to part with. It’s boxes and boxes of tax records and receipts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Overwhelmed with the idea of taking back your space? Here are some ideas to get you started…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Electronics</b> - New computer this year? Wipe the hard drive on your old one and either sell it or donate it. Don’t just stick it in the back room, thinking you’ll use it later. Do the same with the old TV, DVD player, cell phone, etc. And what about all those chargers that no longer fit anything? Ay yi yi!!!! If it still works, take it to Goodwill. Do it NOW.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">When Christmas is over, and you received that new Kindle, iPad or computer, don’t shove the old one in the back room. Get rid of it! If you don't, ten years from now, you’ll regret it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Old books</b> - This is really hard for me. I have thousands of books. Books that the libraries don’t even want. I even have a box of books that I loaned to the library in 1998 and when they finished with them, they asked if I wanted them back. I couldn’t bear to see them destroyed. But look how many times Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers was checked out while on loan to the library. Makes my heart glad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Books that are signed and personalized are probably ones you’ll want to keep. Once you decide which books you will keep and which ones you can part with, here are <a href="https://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-used-books/" target="_blank">10 Ideas on where to donate used books.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Tax Returns and Receipts</b> - Yes, you can scan old receipts. I haven’t gone that route. Instead, I keep my old tax receipts in boxes and rotate the oldest out every year. Come to think of it, I’m behind on that. When I finally do clear out old tax records, I do like to keep my tax returns, just not all the receipts and statements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return. Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction.” - IRS.gov</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Junk Mail -</b> Do you receive a lot of junk mail? Discard it immediately. Even better, chunk it before it gets inside your home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And, I'll let you in on a little secret. It's so much easier to concentrate on writing (or just reading!) when your space is free of clutter. Or at least I find this true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do you find that you're less stressed in a clutter-free environment? How do you deal with clutter every day so that you don’t one day wake up and realize you’re drowning in stuff? What’s your Achilles Heel when it comes to <i>clutter</i>?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Throw your name in the comments for a chance to win a Grab Bag of clut...uh...BOOKS!</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's Wishing Each and Everyone a</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">and a Happy (Clutter-free) New Year!</span></span></b></td></tr>
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Pam Hillmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604636348596615139noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-89946674044077768322017-12-18T00:01:00.000-05:002017-12-24T21:54:37.822-05:00Let Christmas Decorations Enrich Your Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7EXA5jQ6uTwzp31fT67zQaBcnApRKPjDc3hC02IL5gSBG3YjJul01nvYf9Pps4TygjsGVRzOiEV0pils5YoMUMlkmQ27kh92vb6RQ1L1LG8SZ7Xzck8cZgVRkAMKw_xrIe2Yh2TLWtY/s1600/2014-11-13+05.28.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="762" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7EXA5jQ6uTwzp31fT67zQaBcnApRKPjDc3hC02IL5gSBG3YjJul01nvYf9Pps4TygjsGVRzOiEV0pils5YoMUMlkmQ27kh92vb6RQ1L1LG8SZ7Xzck8cZgVRkAMKw_xrIe2Yh2TLWtY/s320/2014-11-13+05.28.57.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Janet here. Step into our house this time of year and you'll immediately know that we love Christmas by the Nativities, trees, garland, centerpieces, Dickens Village displays, candles, Santas, wrapped packages... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">You get the point. So what does our Christmas decor have to do with writing? you may ask.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It struck me as I sat gazing at our transformed great room </span><span style="font-size: large;">that I'd developed a setting rich with sensory details that not only evoke the five senses, but also elicited in me a wide range of emotion. I thought it would be fun to look at how Christmas decorations impact us and then transfer what we notice to our storytelling. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQpZ165C-6p7_ejUaHbOT2mg7JEpMpOpnDRmp8zr10jAM212VLDNLC9c1Siyu8YXemsNiOlME79r8RiDkr53jpIghXxn7kkCgFcx41n6YCUKQB17e1I3jgr888cSHy8b9k0peQSq4-Y/s1600/FullSizeRender1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQpZ165C-6p7_ejUaHbOT2mg7JEpMpOpnDRmp8zr10jAM212VLDNLC9c1Siyu8YXemsNiOlME79r8RiDkr53jpIghXxn7kkCgFcx41n6YCUKQB17e1I3jgr888cSHy8b9k0peQSq4-Y/s320/FullSizeRender1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tablecloth is a quilt my hubby's grandmother made.<br />
The covered candy dish belonged to my grandmother.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed was that my decorations and other elements of Christmas stir the senses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The jewel-tones, sparkle and glamour of our ornaments delight the eye. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Velvet-covered balls, prickly boughs, glass birds feathery tails, the soft snow in village scenes all beg to be touched, especially by inquisitive little fingers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHjXKlgli_1HwC-iJzPo7es4Yxwm8VbOvIEdmfiAgXHCLPopwaqYvr-DqIsMe1iMr3QWFkoR_MobRI9JaLsVkDyyc29jbZsVHyefuzfJUavwPcoNqzDaokA1LIbg2eQ1vMflTZJSqgOs/s1600/FullSizeRender3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHjXKlgli_1HwC-iJzPo7es4Yxwm8VbOvIEdmfiAgXHCLPopwaqYvr-DqIsMe1iMr3QWFkoR_MobRI9JaLsVkDyyc29jbZsVHyefuzfJUavwPcoNqzDaokA1LIbg2eQ1vMflTZJSqgOs/s320/FullSizeRender3.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Carols are playing softly in the background at my quiet house, bringing me peace and joy. Perhaps at yours the music is barely heard over the laughter of children or the noisy snowplow running past your windows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At Christmas, our taste buds and noses have a field day with the aroma and flavor of homemade goodies. I don't use scented candles due to allergies, but if you do, perhaps the fragrance of vanilla or cinnamon candles drifts in the air. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKQP-pywd2Kv-VdurwHSG1yZnbVAhziS4g5bTyAbu8zSfWbrROWgdohuZCWs3YpNVVruIrHj46YCE1mwiqMXQivEKr92LkdHNpQKzPsIvS8egOTbIlPQS2HCTLe_XwhwMFjbBuMQEXDU/s1600/FullSizeRender5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKQP-pywd2Kv-VdurwHSG1yZnbVAhziS4g5bTyAbu8zSfWbrROWgdohuZCWs3YpNVVruIrHj46YCE1mwiqMXQivEKr92LkdHNpQKzPsIvS8egOTbIlPQS2HCTLe_XwhwMFjbBuMQEXDU/s320/FullSizeRender5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad wore this tie and hat every Christmas </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strong writing evokes the senses. Christmas is a great time to notice the impact of the heightened awareness of the senses, then translate that to the descriptions in your novel's setting. Ev</span><span style="font-size: large;">ery scene brings a new setting. Even if the location is the same, the character whose head you're in sees the setting differently depending on what's going on with him externally or internally. For example, think of the impact of your Christmas decorations on a serene evening, then imagine how they'd impact a character grieving a terrible loss at Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My decorations don't merely evoke the senses. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Most have some age, many have huge sentimental significance, others are fun and battery operated like this Santa in my kitchen "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree." </span><span style="font-size: large;">One glance at our nostalgic ornaments reminds me of little ones now grown and loved ones missing at the table, yet forever entrenched in our hearts. </span><span style="font-size: large;">All these ornaments produce memories and those memories carry emotion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take some time and look at the details around your decorated house. Do some of the decorative elements have you choking back tears, sighing with contentment or giggling like a kid? If so, grab a pen and write down what you're feeling. Don't name the emotion, like happy or sad. Instead describe the emotion, the reactions you're experiencing inside and out. Record your thoughts. Record what produced the emotion and why. Once you have a whole list of emotional triggers and reactions, you can use them to elicit emotion in your stories, any story, not just a Christmas story. You can always switch up the trigger for something else, just as long as it's meaningful for your character. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing makes fiction more believable than the stuff we take from real life. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-bDw40UK5DBRnxZgffIs-AlMCywSCec0_7pTbi9anUkNDNUWIbVQq97ZX6cNAyJ7rBneOY8cOzTYEtNcgdKORXjztyIVHYwNycg0WaPThx-k7ddHlL-IGzaP4mijPYISY4V6_NacnbM/s1600/FullSizeRender6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-bDw40UK5DBRnxZgffIs-AlMCywSCec0_7pTbi9anUkNDNUWIbVQq97ZX6cNAyJ7rBneOY8cOzTYEtNcgdKORXjztyIVHYwNycg0WaPThx-k7ddHlL-IGzaP4mijPYISY4V6_NacnbM/s320/FullSizeRender6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our grandchildren are teenagers now and no longer <br />
run their little fingers through village snow.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll share an example. Outside my kitchen window is a one-antlered reindeer made of small logs and twigs with a tassel nose and google eyes. It was given to me by my daughter when she was twelve. Right before Christmas that year she got mad at me about something and said she would return my Christmas present, except she'd broken it and couldn't. She's</span><span style="font-size: large;"> a grown woman now with teenagers of her own. I'm proud of the person she is, of her strong faith and love for her family and yes, her love for me. If you're a mom, perhaps you can identify with a mother-child conflict that could lead to this scenario.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cherish that little reindeer. S</span><span style="font-size: large;">ome days the memory he evokes makes me laugh. Other days, when I'm feeling nostalgic, the memory bring tears to my eyes, as it does now. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqb64lyJsSC0SxGj9qTTDQMl1BiC0hcRp1NCiczvakA50MB2m6_-I8VQzcowfcGnhZlqNUQU2Qm9acYTfu282GduD7XkATI-EMjH2dXniF5L48cUXRn-gQYKUwHa_033MvmjFe4v6w_Y/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqb64lyJsSC0SxGj9qTTDQMl1BiC0hcRp1NCiczvakA50MB2m6_-I8VQzcowfcGnhZlqNUQU2Qm9acYTfu282GduD7XkATI-EMjH2dXniF5L48cUXRn-gQYKUwHa_033MvmjFe4v6w_Y/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my broken Christmas gift </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I type this, tears flood my eyes and start</span><span style="font-size: large;"> running down the back of my throat. My nose is running and I've got this awful lump wedged in my throat. Now I'm feeling ridiculous and laughing like a nincompoop, but the tears are still there. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Cause you know what? I miss that young girl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But time flies and there's no going back. Except in our memories. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I may never use that a little one-antlered reindeer in a story, but don't want to waste the emotion it triggered. Give your readers that same experience by utilizing what creates emotion in you, and they'll love you for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For many of us, the older we get the more nostalgic we become. At least that's true of me. If you're young with small children, immersed in the busyness of daily life, you may not "get" this post at all. If so, talk to a parent, listen to their ornament induced memories and borrow that emotion t</span><span style="font-size: large;">o enrich your stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I realize for some that memories of the past hurt, especially at Christmas, and it's too painful to go back there. If so, my prayer is that God will give you peace that passes understanding this Christmas. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a07daYElfjY5AOITiFYpNCadM7-ghPZi3cwcN2WYpHDF3Si0PDjUjwXAYqLpIAI8bCcIzFhe5vz7gX21DeTw3CrntooAYYuJAMFJAqxzwv9Q9X6qywSoFaHHgbViG1Ze1z28UShnUuE/s1600/janet-dean-a-daddy-for-christmas-cover-low-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a07daYElfjY5AOITiFYpNCadM7-ghPZi3cwcN2WYpHDF3Si0PDjUjwXAYqLpIAI8bCcIzFhe5vz7gX21DeTw3CrntooAYYuJAMFJAqxzwv9Q9X6qywSoFaHHgbViG1Ze1z28UShnUuE/s320/janet-dean-a-daddy-for-christmas-cover-low-res.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Readers and writers, what in your decorated house evokes emotion? </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Share in the comments for a chance to win an eCopy of my heartwarming novella "A Daddy for Christmas" and a $10 Amazon gift card.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i>When
Rafe Rafferty discovers he’s a father, he returns to Bountiful, Indiana, to marry
the mother, only to learn she died after childbirth and her sister Tess is
raising his child. Rafe falls head over heels for his daughter and for Tess
Russo, a woman who doesn’t trust easily. Especially the man she thinks
abandoned her sister. Can Rafe prove he’s worthy and conquer the protective
walls Tess has built around her heart? <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For breakfast I've brought homemade coffeecake, egg bake, cinnamon apples, coffee and tea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Janet
Dean grew up in a family who cherished the past and had a strong creative
streak. Her father recounted fascinating stories, like his father before him.
The tales they told instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to
write. Janet is a two-time Golden Heart finalist, Genesis and Carol finalist
and a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction
Writers. Her Love Inspired Historical novels are also Golden Quill, Gayle
Wilson Award of Excellence, Booksellers Best, Inspirational Readers Choice
Award and Holt Medallion finalists. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Janet Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498270462296096254noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-35921937235049637042017-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:48:04.460-04:00The Weekend Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/p/legal.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">take a minute to read them here.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and <u>phone number </u>to claim prizes. Send to <a href="mailto:Seekers@Seekerville.net">Seekers@Seekerville.net</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"> Please note that December 29th, 2017, our email address changes to <a href="mailto:seekers2@gmail.com" target="_blank">seekerville2@gmail.com</a>. Update your address books!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday: <a href="http://www.missytippens.com/" target="_blank">Missy Tippens</a> </b>shared fun and unique gift ideas for readers and writers. <b>The winner of a writerly "paper" tea towel is Jeanne T!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday: </b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Literary agent Jessica Alvarez with BookEnds Literary Agency</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was our very special guest!! She shared her insights with her post, <b>"Dissecting the Query."</b> Stop by to ask questions. In honor of Jessica's visit, we're giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Merry Christmas. 🎄🎅 <b>The winner is Walt Mussell.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: <a href="http://www.julielessman.com/" target="_blank">Julie Lessman</a> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shared some of her favorite tips for adding "joy" and humor to the world via our writing in</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> "Ho-Ho-Ho! Funny You Should Say That, Part 3." </b></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The winners of any one of Julie's indie e-books are</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Rachael Koppendrayer, Patti Jo, Barbara Scott and Cindy Regnier.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday, <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/" target="_blank">Ruthy</a> </b>invited all of youse to share New Year's Eve with the Seekers... and is so excited by the memories you shared! Thank you! Winners of an e-copy of either<b> <a href="http://amzn.to/2wN3J9c" target="_blank">"The Lawman's Yuletide Baby"</a> </b>OR <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2if8DqC" target="_blank">"Welcome to Wishing Bridge"</a></b> are Dana McNeely and Jill Weatherholt! Congratulations! Give us a shout and let Ruthy know what e-mail your prize should go to! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday: Janet Dean</b> suggests a walk through your decorated house in her post <b>"Let Christmas Decorations Enrich Your Writing."</b> Leave a comment for a chance to win her novella "A Daddy for Christmas" and an Amazon $10 gift card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday: Pam Hillman is your hostess.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: Debby Giusti </b>blogs today! She'll share an<b> "Advent Reflection" </b>about the writing life. Be sure to leave a comment to be included in the drawing for a copy of her <b><i>Publishers Weekly </i>bestseller<i>, Undercover Amish.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: Sally Shupe </b>is our special guest with her post<b> "Running is Like Writing."</b> Stop by to chat and offer your insights on this topic. You could win an Amazon gift card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Friday: The Best of the Archives featuring a classic post from our ten years of blogging. Comments are closed on Fridays to catch up on reading and writing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>SAVE THE DATE AND COME PARTY WITH US IN SEEKERVILLE, MY FRIENDS! Great conversations, times gone by, days to come, let's welcome 2018 in together with a fun day of memories, great food, eggnog and bubbly... and remember why we do what we do, writer or reader... Because we love it! Join us here in Seekerville for a great virtual, no-calorie celebration!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Tina Radcliffe's December newsletter comes out next week. That means there's still time to sign up for all the fun, giveaways, exclusive content, and you'll have the inside scoop on the launch of her four-book series, Big Heart Ranch, AND A SPECIAL HOLIDAY FREEBIE <a href="http://bit.ly/2angfWP" target="_blank">Sign up here.</a></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7pGbiasqjlLtmseTwEhQ3FwAp_tEAHDiWE97tXBWe6aFn1GvvAJl07DxIkO3tL6O1M_6hbKEu0xzXS7qXEcIXgRSJqeyWP4o8UpH0juOOuIxmAWOkQ83dS-kyDSeZRm4bNlHfTmf4DUr/s1600/FACEBOOK+LIVE+PROMO_CHRISTMAS+STORY.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7pGbiasqjlLtmseTwEhQ3FwAp_tEAHDiWE97tXBWe6aFn1GvvAJl07DxIkO3tL6O1M_6hbKEu0xzXS7qXEcIXgRSJqeyWP4o8UpH0juOOuIxmAWOkQ83dS-kyDSeZRm4bNlHfTmf4DUr/s400/FACEBOOK+LIVE+PROMO_CHRISTMAS+STORY.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Join <a href="http://www.julielessman.com/" target="_blank">Julie Lessman</a> for her <span style="color: red;">LAST Facebook Live</span> of the year when she shares a true Christmas story from her past where prayer changed her perspective for the better. LOTS of surprise giveaways, so check it out on <span style="color: red;">FRIDAY, DEC. 22 AT NOON CST</span> on Julie's Facebook Author Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JulieLessmanAuthor" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for the link love!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.janefriedman.com/book-launch-plan/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.janefriedman.com/book-launch-plan/" target="_blank">A Book Launch Plan for First-Time Authors Without an Online Presence</a> (Jane Friedman)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://bethanyfiction.com/2017/12/14/seven-ways-to-hint-that-you-want-books-for-christmas/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://bethanyfiction.com/2017/12/14/seven-ways-to-hint-that-you-want-books-for-christmas/" target="_blank">Seven Ways to Hint that You Want Books for Christmas</a> (Bethany House Fiction)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/12/episodic-vs-epic-go-bigger-writing/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/12/episodic-vs-epic-go-bigger-writing/" target="_blank">Episodic vs. Epic: Go Bigger with Your Writing</a> (Writers Helping Writers)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writerunboxed.com/2017/12/11/the-power-of-a-writing-group-for-publishing-success/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writerunboxed.com/2017/12/11/the-power-of-a-writing-group-for-publishing-success/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29" target="_blank">The Power of a Writing Group for Publishing Success</a> (Writer Unboxed)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://annerallen.com/2017/12/easy-author-blog-10-tips/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://annerallen.com/2017/12/easy-author-blog-10-tips/" target="_blank">Easy Blogging for Authors: 10 Tips for a Successful Author Blog</a> (Anne R Allen)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://thewritepractice.com/rowling-rules-of-writing/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://thewritepractice.com/rowling-rules-of-writing/" target="_blank"> JK Rowling's 8 Rules of Writing</a> (The Write Practice) An oldie but goodie!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/12/winning-the-anxiety-war/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/12/winning-the-anxiety-war/" target="_blank">Winning the Anxiety War</a> (Writers in the Storm) <span style="color: red;">**Highly Recommended Post!</span></b></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-40909796789036148152017-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:002017-12-15T00:01:38.399-05:00Best of the Archives: Using Time Wisely<b><span style="font-size: large;">This post didn't first appear anywhere...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's appearing here now because time is one of those very physical yet existential things and sometimes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We run out of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And nowhere does that happen more than at the very busy holiday season! So today, take a moment and do one of those "examinations of conscience" we all talk about...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">List your time wasters. Not here, of course, because comments are shut off so we can all have a writing day!!! But list them on paper. Or a phone list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Social media?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Too much TV?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Too much reading?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Internet browsing?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Game playing?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Note the lack of actual people interaction in the ways we waste time these days. Not going to lunch with friends... or meeting folks for coffee... or having people over for dinner... WHAT????? People in our house???? If you have puppy petting or kitten holding as a time waster, then you're doing all right. I salute you! And if you are watching Phineas & Ferb or Christmas movies with small children, I give you a pass... )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Writers have a singular job most often. Part of the reason I kept my day job part time (25 hours/week) is because I need normal, fun, young people around me to keep me in touch with today's young family. Today's harried mother. Today's tired dad.... because the way they talk, act and think is SO DIFFERENT than when it was my turn pushing that pram/stroller.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's different if you're writing historicals... because your vantage point is removed by a century or two.... :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But for contemporary writers, I think we benefit by being present among people on a regular basis. Not online people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Like the flesh and blood type! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We're coming up on a new year (and our amazingly fun Rockin' It New Year's Eve Party in Seekerville on 12/31!) and with this new year we have that opportunity to be different... and maybe to make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Seek and ye shall find... Knock and the door will be opened unto you..." </b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We founded our group of Seekers and this blog on that premise, that bit of encouraging Gospel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't give up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do not despair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do not go gently into that good night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Move forward... at your pace. Not mine. Not Missy's. Not your mama's! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At your pace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But when you examine those time drains, those wasters, those water-down-the-drain-pullers... dump a few. Open your time frame. Reassess on a regular basis. If where you want to be is HERE....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But you are actually HERE.......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then do what ya' gotta do my friends to cover the distance. You've got the tools right there, in your hands... at your fingertips.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Go get 'em! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And wishing you a beautiful and bountiful, peace-filled Christmas, wherever you are and whatever you're doing... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">May God bless and keep our military and their families safe and sound, and may every father and mother, son and daughter, come back home to their seat at the table for 2018... there's my wish!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5frcyEAPCDEyYORsa4lL_3dbUi_EfIizrS49Wpahc8Ikjc7ks3ZWPXpC5et7ZzVF7XKnj1YND0estxP580bc4zJeJjmw6XKd0k0CKLj_93IgyD7zCuLBYRvFKV3wH8a4tK24JgeCCLuU/s1600/bigstock-Welcome-Home-Yellow-Ribbon-45469012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5frcyEAPCDEyYORsa4lL_3dbUi_EfIizrS49Wpahc8Ikjc7ks3ZWPXpC5et7ZzVF7XKnj1YND0estxP580bc4zJeJjmw6XKd0k0CKLj_93IgyD7zCuLBYRvFKV3wH8a4tK24JgeCCLuU/s320/bigstock-Welcome-Home-Yellow-Ribbon-45469012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77WGCZ_SXPKzqJ6Qb7_FCdA5ADoW6de3hj9qi0QcvdRmHAJ802NxxaNX2PeI9xRFOv2_R2EU209rZ8JcUenkiqM63BK2tZhDZnnzgXq0Vl25I5JnXISYccRbBzKwCCgavMKvXScPqVpQ/s1600/pro+shot+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77WGCZ_SXPKzqJ6Qb7_FCdA5ADoW6de3hj9qi0QcvdRmHAJ802NxxaNX2PeI9xRFOv2_R2EU209rZ8JcUenkiqM63BK2tZhDZnnzgXq0Vl25I5JnXISYccRbBzKwCCgavMKvXScPqVpQ/s320/pro+shot+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Multi-published, bestselling Ruth Logan Herne is currently holed up in a snowy cave in Western New York, surrounded by the ghosts of pumpkins past and hopeful of some really great food and fun over the Christmas season. Her chickens fear the snow, her donkeys appear stoic, and her dogs think cavorting in snow is great fun.... Which means all systems "normal" in her crazy, fun-filled life! Friend Ruthy on facebook, follow her on <a href="http://amzn.to/2BcGhHO" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruth-logan-herne" target="_blank">Bookbub</a> or Twitter to make her editors happy...(Ruthy loves, loves, loves happy editors!) and be sure to stop by the Yankee Belle Cafe during the week to see what she, Mindy Obenhaus, Missy Tippens, Jan Drexler and Cate Nolan have going in the kitchen... or just in their lives! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Comments are closed today because, well... there's work to be done, people! :)</span>Ruth Logan Hernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-33817028609430109152017-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:002017-12-14T00:01:05.283-05:00New Year's Eve Party Invite, All Are Welcome!<span style="color: red; font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">MERRY CHRISTMAS, SEEKERVILLE!!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Are you tripping the light fantastic on 12/31?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet Dean, Debby Giusti and Missy Tippens</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Are you being wined and dined by a handsome fellow or beautiful lady?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNWURJym2kSC3YWYq_23RYWfcZJONuI6sJ3sR-JVy-oG9gWycl7UGHw846eB3rp6iam0s201ccBagWMEMi-q4ZSw5C_RHziTfB3v7W7gLjzo-UDbD16sldPLZaTuI66JNW8vuwi1QBrEz/s1600/christopher-sardegna-1733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNWURJym2kSC3YWYq_23RYWfcZJONuI6sJ3sR-JVy-oG9gWycl7UGHw846eB3rp6iam0s201ccBagWMEMi-q4ZSw5C_RHziTfB3v7W7gLjzo-UDbD16sldPLZaTuI66JNW8vuwi1QBrEz/s320/christopher-sardegna-1733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/AdfaEuotl_Q?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Christopher Sardegna</a><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Are you being picked up in a limo (or an Uber car), and whisked off to an evening of fun and frolic?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMmmRD8MceMOPtqxE8r9jG_8utQXCBGM_Hjao-erE6gDut-yHaRMK45mAv3XCrtTV6qse1yjWHkb13bCJmN74w_boTMoYIs45fQHslvE_cOv6590LdvxeL2OOLGnbTb2cXrJ94fUt9713/s1600/scott-webb-137957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMmmRD8MceMOPtqxE8r9jG_8utQXCBGM_Hjao-erE6gDut-yHaRMK45mAv3XCrtTV6qse1yjWHkb13bCJmN74w_boTMoYIs45fQHslvE_cOv6590LdvxeL2OOLGnbTb2cXrJ94fUt9713/s400/scott-webb-137957.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/6nzYYtJtVDk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Scott Webb</a><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">SWEET!!!! Audra and I are wishing you the best of times, because that sounds like a crazy fun day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">But for the rest of us... the stragglers who may or may not be in bed by nine. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqd9guHWJIbFFL7elX5O3TK9BDMxQsxM1c6JjRi6RNb620OoQWCQ8v8T3-9jIktRGoOsAIboGNzL2TWZX_cnRyIAwWf4LXRg9tQ0Jjm8NfsFlD1bZ748GVzzizt1LglDPrCuNuHRRS8SY/s1600/patrick-wittke-391958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqd9guHWJIbFFL7elX5O3TK9BDMxQsxM1c6JjRi6RNb620OoQWCQ8v8T3-9jIktRGoOsAIboGNzL2TWZX_cnRyIAwWf4LXRg9tQ0Jjm8NfsFlD1bZ748GVzzizt1LglDPrCuNuHRRS8SY/s400/patrick-wittke-391958.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/ROfDWF-x1P8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Patrick Wittke</a><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The folks who partied with so many family and friends over December that we're content with some peace and quiet as a change of pace...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0F2j4v1tYJ98s0PFgPuGFl16K6lkKUe8tG1FvP2oSRwlGtMrpjihPsqH0dm3SEP6VuP6fiaGc4nfzm1ww5vpZsrsfEnp1AHbfIGjkChZ7XdWfGhZlKeYP-ZldnKExyYqU7k7sJUmUJOQ/s1600/15319093_10154019773697823_8036324423868414489_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0F2j4v1tYJ98s0PFgPuGFl16K6lkKUe8tG1FvP2oSRwlGtMrpjihPsqH0dm3SEP6VuP6fiaGc4nfzm1ww5vpZsrsfEnp1AHbfIGjkChZ7XdWfGhZlKeYP-ZldnKExyYqU7k7sJUmUJOQ/s320/15319093_10154019773697823_8036324423868414489_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The people who quite willingly stay at home and toast the New Year in with the Times Square ball drop, glad that we don't have to fight for a subway spot at 12:30 A.M....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b>WE'RE THROWING A PARTY IN SEEKERVILLE!!!!! </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstdElGxBTt9zcyyQxgGkpIDulT-YckfCD4ayDuA2AFYIQv6dR9qr-XnW0vlfRTXK7_c0-jVBkQlCZNSxC_0jk8TTD2MMv02ubpNMpXzvzLSVEbYQHXodThkziJfRU6SYqtbChY6Kg1tU/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstdElGxBTt9zcyyQxgGkpIDulT-YckfCD4ayDuA2AFYIQv6dR9qr-XnW0vlfRTXK7_c0-jVBkQlCZNSxC_0jk8TTD2MMv02ubpNMpXzvzLSVEbYQHXodThkziJfRU6SYqtbChY6Kg1tU/s320/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Come one, come all to our annual <b>Rockin' It New Year's Eve</b> party where we'll laugh and talk and sing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3sXVxqDbFk" target="_blank">Auld Lang Syne just like they did on "It's A Wonderful Life"</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My friends, it's that time again when Audra and I invite you to have a little cyber fun with us on December 31st! We're having folks stop by and offer their good wishes and we've got a giveaway box of Seeker treasures... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And all you need to do is show up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Yup, that's right. Show up and wish your friends a Happy New Year as we say a fond farewell to 2017... and welcome a new year in together, as friends, family and colleagues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Now here's what I need you to do... come closer, so I don't have to shout....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">If you could send me a Seekerville memory, we'd like to use them during our New Year's holiday bash... Last year we had fun with pets, but this year we want people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">We want you! Photos and remembrances are welcome here!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">You can send the memories to me at <a href="mailto:loganherne@gmail.com">loganherne@gmail.com</a>... Or post them in the comments below. That's it... that's all you have to do! We'll put them together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And to all of our new villagers, all of our not-so-new villagers, all of our friends and colleagues that follow Seekerville and support our goal to help writers achieve their goals...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Merry Christmas. We love you. We thank God for you all the time, and we're awfully glad to have had this time with you! As we enter into the sacredness and busyness of the Christmas holiday season, we're quietly working on stories (just like you should be!) and happily spreading the joy of a baby, born in a manger. King of kings. Lord of lords. Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Everlasting Father.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBtRykNw_zIeVdATshhjbYxDeqM0caiauipauglZKfhsIxXRwjbHJbcUp6ZRdouZaug6A1SwT9xEs_h0ZHo6UlPEEkBzER3ElUG2LssPbfa20x1iBCGAWVQs7T2w1fOJIIbL7j4fAUy8V/s1600/bigstock-The-Story-Of-Christmas-2393866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBtRykNw_zIeVdATshhjbYxDeqM0caiauipauglZKfhsIxXRwjbHJbcUp6ZRdouZaug6A1SwT9xEs_h0ZHo6UlPEEkBzER3ElUG2LssPbfa20x1iBCGAWVQs7T2w1fOJIIbL7j4fAUy8V/s400/bigstock-The-Story-Of-Christmas-2393866.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Wonderful things to contemplate as we tiptoe along Advent's contemplative path. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And shameless plug here: Books make wonderful Christmas presents... for kids and grown-ups alike! And here's a chance to win e-copies of Ruthy's latest!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I'm doing e-copies because there's no time to mail things the next few weeks and I love, love, love the convenience of beautiful stories at our fingertips... Sweet! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Stop in and leave a comment... or a memory... and we'll chat about old times gone and your plans for the future! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Multi-published, award-winning inspirational author <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/" target="_blank">Ruth Logan Herne</a> has over 40 novels and novellas to her credit, and she is absolutely loving her job... Hidden in the dark of a Western New York farm where lake effect snow becomes a regular vocabulary term this time of year, (note the Buffalo Bills football game Sunday 12/10!!!) she quietly writes in the dead of night before her day job... and hangs out with little kids and dogs and miniature donkeys on a regular basis. You can find her here in Seekerville with her Seeker buds or friend her on Facebook, follow her on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Logan-Herne/e/B004KQJKW4" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruth-logan-herne" target="_blank">Bookbub</a> (authors love that!!!) and chat about life, love and food at the Yankee Belle Cafe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">To get Ruthy's quarterly newsletter, send her a request at <a href="mailto:loganherne@gmail.com">loganherne@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:loganherne@gmail.com" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!</a></span><br />
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<br />Ruth Logan Hernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.com103tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-73173743080503831292017-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-13T00:01:15.595-05:00HO-HO-HO! Funny You Should Say That … Or Putting Humor in Our Writing! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaB_IcBQRu7MtwwikzfAmQfYBGVTZpU9CbxTr_LCq9zIGL1qRig5cGz5PDjapusCoWbgZLPq6CJf1l9OluhDZwAd4_87jewc218jd0CNTkHkdZGFcYW2C0mLYCvi5jnbIlFS-Uj4Iqs8H/s1600/DSC03924+julie+overdressed+2011lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="445" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaB_IcBQRu7MtwwikzfAmQfYBGVTZpU9CbxTr_LCq9zIGL1qRig5cGz5PDjapusCoWbgZLPq6CJf1l9OluhDZwAd4_87jewc218jd0CNTkHkdZGFcYW2C0mLYCvi5jnbIlFS-Uj4Iqs8H/s400/DSC03924+julie+overdressed+2011lr.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">A joyful heart is good medicine,</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><i>— Proverbs 17:22</i></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don’t know about you youngsters out there, but at the ripe old age of 67, the <i>last</i>
thing I want is dry bones! Had my bone density a while back and
I’m just a hair shy of normal (my bones, mind you, not my
personality!), so I cannot risk reading depressing, dry, slice-of-life
books. Frankly I’m a Calgon-take-me-away type of gal who, come to think
of it, has dry skin as well. Bottom line? The older we get, the less
there is to laugh about, which is <i>exactly</i> why we need humor in our writing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Especially</i> this time of year when holiday stress can take its toll. So, l thought this was the appropriate time to update one of my favorite blogs from the past about humor to put a little HO-HO-HO in our writing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-size: large;">🎄</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">WHY</span><span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">INFUSE</span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: red;">HUMOR</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">IN</span> <span style="color: red;">YOUR</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">WRITING<span style="color: red;">?</span></span></b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎄</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX7EJD0JcJliRC_abv-TWKyjmRaqXxISVl8zGunHT5l4kml3RSrMmqRh29UzPCNbghq6chT0rxmAr9ZIg22C0JoJhmgHUKmTIc-5gsx8dPJqVZkB-fVFmxss0o97DPzub5eNi7kmjAuPr/s1600/Mary+connealy+calico+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="181" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX7EJD0JcJliRC_abv-TWKyjmRaqXxISVl8zGunHT5l4kml3RSrMmqRh29UzPCNbghq6chT0rxmAr9ZIg22C0JoJhmgHUKmTIc-5gsx8dPJqVZkB-fVFmxss0o97DPzub5eNi7kmjAuPr/s200/Mary+connealy+calico+canyon.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>1.) HUMOR CAN SET THE TONE OF YOUR BOOK OR CHARACTERS: </b>Mary Connealy’s <i>Calico Canyon</i>
is about a teacher who, in the process of attempting to tame five
hellion little boys and their pa, accidentally ends up as a ma and wife
to them instead. I'm sure you'll agree that the first line of this true
Connealy classic sets the mood for the entire book, which is a light and
humorous read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The five horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in. Late as usual.<br /><b><i>—Calico Canyon</i>, Mary Connealy</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_K9pmjoUaRC2yqb_I_jUAKn8FGsTMWVTYFRQiQVC_Qsp1d6ofV8LGCtgpcM0pBTp8FhOBTgz8Kh9TIzwjmp39t7dGUxr2mNOhpu9JkP-3w41WqjktO4kpYBUyqvc6o8dZ7wxEtXFI3Ts/s1600/KILLION+JPGS_IsleOfHope_2500+copy+for+AMAZON+KINDLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_K9pmjoUaRC2yqb_I_jUAKn8FGsTMWVTYFRQiQVC_Qsp1d6ofV8LGCtgpcM0pBTp8FhOBTgz8Kh9TIzwjmp39t7dGUxr2mNOhpu9JkP-3w41WqjktO4kpYBUyqvc6o8dZ7wxEtXFI3Ts/s200/KILLION+JPGS_IsleOfHope_2500+copy+for+AMAZON+KINDLE.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Next, in book 1 of my Isle of Hope series, <i>Isle of Hope Unfailing Love</i>, I wanted to not only clue the readers in as to the what the story was about (a former wild girl/now a woman of faith who returns to her hometown after eight years to make amends to the father she defied, the boyfriend she deserted, and the best friend she betrayed)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">but I wanted to add a little humor to lighten the subject.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>When it comes to burning bridges, I am the Queen of Kerosene.</i><br /><b><i>—Isle of Hope</i>, Julie Lessman</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now, it’s no secret I am a first-line freak (see my Seeker blog entitled <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/07/perfect-pickup-line-or-how-to-hook.html">The Perfect Pickup Line ... Or How to Hook a Reader!</a>),
but when you can slap a little humor in that first line, to me, it’s
pure Nirvana, such as in the excellent following examples:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZs4f3sO1de8PtJBYCc8mIQzkC1QokafBAb71PNRXxlvI5_LMjKNfkDnK_ZYjlGJmU91mnhBtzMpn2xfCnt44jKF61WntHcz8UewsDkVvOb1VzKb83dOFA91XuMcLbbICtcufve2LFWmM/s1600/Missy+Tippens+Her+Unlikley+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="179" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZs4f3sO1de8PtJBYCc8mIQzkC1QokafBAb71PNRXxlvI5_LMjKNfkDnK_ZYjlGJmU91mnhBtzMpn2xfCnt44jKF61WntHcz8UewsDkVvOb1VzKb83dOFA91XuMcLbbICtcufve2LFWmM/s200/Missy+Tippens+Her+Unlikley+family.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If
there was one thing Josie knew, it was the smell of a rich man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And
whoever had just walked into the diner smelled like Fort Knox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>—Her Unlikely Family, Missy Tippens</i></span></span></b></span> </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Unemployed. Single. And out of brownie mix. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> —<i>A Valentine’s Wish</i>, Betsy St. Amant</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> 2.) HUMOR CAN ENDEAR YOUR CHARACTERS TO YOUR READER AND PROVIDE A CHARACTER DEPTH THAT FEELS NORMAL, NATURAL, AND INVITING. </b>In this scene from <i>A Love Surrendered</i>,
Charity O’Connor is the “quirky” sister who provides most of the comic
relief in the series, which helps to make the family “feel” so </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HAMGNntcQ_1SFRlXlyHom_sBPXctd90Oux_2bV7WKEJyZXpBo-_bauQh52y_iixdv-djVl04mk_ANngzxtjOVMxpwntiUX50o-6ywYbMVkrEihixAy_mnVqscfZF9K8c42SsdDqlk0uy/s1600/A+LOVE+SURRENDERED_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="467" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HAMGNntcQ_1SFRlXlyHom_sBPXctd90Oux_2bV7WKEJyZXpBo-_bauQh52y_iixdv-djVl04mk_ANngzxtjOVMxpwntiUX50o-6ywYbMVkrEihixAy_mnVqscfZF9K8c42SsdDqlk0uy/s200/A+LOVE+SURRENDERED_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">much more
fun and close like a family should be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Ouch.” Steven grinned, biceps taut as he folded his arms. “Poor Mitch—bet that hurt.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Not
as much as it hurt Henry. Mitch went off like a rocket’s red glare.
Haven’t seen the love of my life lose it like that since …” She paused
to think, head cocked and hand to mouth. “Well, I guess since yesterday
when he cut his face with the razor I used on the neighbor’s dog.” She
scrunched her nose and shivered. “Beggar’s lice and skunk. Don’t
ask—it’s not pretty.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>3.) HUMOR CAN BRING BALANCE AND COMIC RELIEF TO A SERIOUS SCENE: </b>In the following scene from <i>A Heart Revealed</i>,
the heroine Emma Malloy is devastated by something that has happened to her, which in turn devastates the hero Sean O’Connor
who is in love with her. To lighten the tone of what is a <i>very</i>
serious last quarter of the book, I layered humor into this
heartbreaking situation by having Charity O’Connor, the quirky busy-body
of the family, try to weasel information out of her brother . <b>Note the
heavy use of stoically comical facial expressions/humorous posture on
the hero’s part combined with Charity’s relentless probing regarding her
best friend Emma.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">She tapped her foot on the leafy
pavement. “Something’s up, Sean, I can feel it in my bones, and so help me I
will badger you all the way home if you don’t spill it now.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">His frustration blasted out in a
cloud of smoke. “I can’t tell you, Charity, I promised.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Oh, fiddle, that’s an easy fix. I’ll
just ask the questions, and you give me that stone-face look of yours that will
tell me everything I need to know.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“But that’s not right.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Sure it is,” she said, dismissing
his concern with a wave of her hand. “I do it with Mitch all the time.” Head
cocked, she chewed on her lip. “Okay, it’s something that happened at work, but
it has to be personal because Emma’s steady as a rock in all business matters,
right?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He stared, trying not to blink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Okay, good, a personal situation
at work that involves a person other than you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">His jaw dropped. “I never said
that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Sure you did, when you did that
pinching thing with your nose as a stall tactic.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He crossed his arms to his chest,
emotional battlement to ward off the enemy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Now ... let’s see,” she said,
finger to her chin. “Somebody upset Emma pretty badly, which means it has to be
someone who doesn’t work at the store.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Why?” he asked in exasperation,
his patience as thin as his energy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Charity blinked. “Why? Because the
woman who bolted up my steps was as pale as death,” she said, enunciating
slowly as if explaining something to Henry. “Which means it has to be someone
she feels threatened by, and that rules out everyone at Dennehy’s.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">His lips compressed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">She gave him a quick nod and
started to pace, head down and arms folded. “Okay, so it has to be an outsider
she’s afraid of and probably a man.” She halted mid-stride, eyes spanning wide.
“Wait, it’s not that bum who beat her up, is it? You know, her neighbor’s
boyfriend?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Swallowing his discomfort, he gave
her a blank stare, facial muscles relaxing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">She blew out a sigh of relief. “Oh,
good. For a second there, I was worried.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“How the devil do you do that?” he
said in a choke, lips parted in shock. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;">She tapped a finger to her head. “Stone
face, remember?” Her mouth flattened. “ It’s a gift—honed to perfection by
Mitch Dennehy.”</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>4.) HUMOR PROVIDES CONTRAST TO DRAMA, DEEPENING THE EFFECT OF BOTH IN A STORY:</b> I personally love to
sprinkle in short, dramatic one- or two-word sentences/thoughts in my
writing, but if I put them in every paragraph, they would lose their
effect since there is no contrast to give them punch. It’s the same with
humor and drama—a mix of each provides contrast to sharpen both your
prose <i>and</i> your story.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqexSzgVYuJG3YABdEx6ai807hIH6vHX_4h6vO5_8SYM3V7LrJOzNPWjLMSJM-Ec7FBljPzyOubRN7apurLgsX3sNU2n6YvL33d_Yq54HfkEKJ3fESioZJnbD2IKnwH4j2QZ_eMsus-Hfn/s1600/A+PASSION+MOST+PURE_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="466" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqexSzgVYuJG3YABdEx6ai807hIH6vHX_4h6vO5_8SYM3V7LrJOzNPWjLMSJM-Ec7FBljPzyOubRN7apurLgsX3sNU2n6YvL33d_Yq54HfkEKJ3fESioZJnbD2IKnwH4j2QZ_eMsus-Hfn/s200/A+PASSION+MOST+PURE_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In this scene from <i>A Passion Most Pure</i>,
the heroine Faith O’Connor meets her manager Mitch Dennehy for the
first time, an encounter that is both dramatic and traumatic for her. Upon introduction, Mitch proceeds to bait
and pick on Faith, so to play up the drama, I incorporated traces of
humor (i.e. analogy of the blush of her cheeks spreading like blight in
the rainy season and comparing Faith’s tension to straddling a mule
about to buck rather than a horse since a mule is more comical). I think the slight touch of humor helps to sharpen the delivery
of a dramatic and hard-hitting punchline that not only puts her bully of a
manager in his place, but conveys the message that she will not tolerate
ridicule.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Mitch
didn’t say a word, only eyed her with practiced superiority, and the
blush on her cheeks spread like blight in the rainy season. Michael
watched in fascination as a smile fluttered on his department editor’s
lips. Mitch’s penetrating blue eyes drifted from the tiny hands pinched
white in Faith’s lap, to the soft tendril of hair that curved the nape
of her neck. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">There was no mercy in Mitch’s smile. “Michael tells me you were a copywriter at <i>The Boston Herald</i>, is that right?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Faith hesitated, then sucked in a shaky breath. “Yes, I mean I did write some copy …”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Mitch nodded. His cocky smile worked its way into a grin. “<i>Some </i>copy? Have you done any feature writing before?” He was waiting. They were all waiting.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">The hot stain on her cheeks infected the tips of her ears. “No, I haven’t done much feature writing, exactly …”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">“Any reviews, editorials, hard news?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">She tensed as if straddling a mule about to buck. “No, I’m afraid I don’t have much experience doing any of that …”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">“Well, then, Miss O’Connor,” he mused, his eyes laughing at her, “Tell me. Is there anything you <i>can</i> do?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">The
air stilled to a deathly hush. Slowly, she lifted her chin to stare at
him with as much defiance as she could politely display. “Yes sir …” she
said, producing a smile that was anything but, “I can be on time.” </span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎄</span></span>22</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">WAYS</span> <span style="color: red;">TO </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #38761d;">INFUSE</span> </span><span style="color: red;">HUMOR</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">INTO</span> <span style="color: red;">YOUR</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">WRITING</span></b></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎄</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There
are dozens of simple ways to incorporate humor in your stories such as
good word choice (i.e. the example above in point 4 where I use the word
“mule” instead of the more expected “horse” in the phrase “straddling a
mule about to buck”), as well as exaggerated emphasis with punctuation
such as ellipses and dashes, pacing, timing, silence, facial and body
gestures, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">That
said, following are a number of favorite ways I like to inject humor in
my writing, but today we will only cover the<span style="color: blue;"> <b>first three of twenty-two points</b></span>, points A, B, and C, which are <b>prequel points to my original Part 1 blog post. </b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">NOTE: To spare you a ridiculously LONG post, points 1- 4 can be found in Part 1 <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/12/ho-ho-ho-funny-you-should-say-that-or.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> (simply scroll down to where the points are listed mid-blog) and points 6-19 can be found in Part 2 <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/04/funny-you-should-say-that-part-2.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ready? Here we go on points A, B, and C … </span></span></div>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A.)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pick Character Name To Infuse Humor</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">B.)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Slapstick Activity</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">C.)
Humorous Thoughts/Internal Monologue</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Analogy/Metaphor/Simile</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Facial Features</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pun</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.)
Sarcasm</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.) Jokes
and Quips</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6.)
Slapstick Dialogue/Internal Monologue</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7.)
Serious Subject/Humorous Take</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8.) Play
on Words</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">9.) Scene
Set-Up</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">10.)
Self-Deprecation</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">11.)
Sibling Rivalry</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">12.)
Quirky Personality</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">13.) Fib </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">14.) Name
Calling</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">15.)
Alliteration</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">16.) Props</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">17.) Shock</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">18.) David and Goliath Factor</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">19.) Kids</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -31.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>A.)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CHOOSE CHARACTER NAMES YOU CAN USE FOR HUMOR:</b></span> </b> Since my latest novel, <i>For Love of Liberty,</i> is a romantic comedy about a hero and heroine who butt heads, I purposely chose a hero name </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">— Griffin McShane </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">—</span></span> that the heroine could make fun of, which she does quite frequently, referring to him as Griffin McVain, Griffin McShame, Griffin McPain, and Griffin McBlame. Here's a sample, which I hope highlights the humor and fun in store for both the characters <i>and </i>the readers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNKD0qwEz-_R8AMZbCAAfrezAi_yZ_9ME-sIUxeAPadMQRqjTNICHYW-ncT-MeD15HX0FDKSfxKpmU_TMw8P9y6O2R0SNE9pmSqVRDgy-Pr-FpKiqIa8QGLGrzlDt4LtYegnl179lUzt_/s1600/JulieLessman_ForLoveOfLIberry_eCover_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNKD0qwEz-_R8AMZbCAAfrezAi_yZ_9ME-sIUxeAPadMQRqjTNICHYW-ncT-MeD15HX0FDKSfxKpmU_TMw8P9y6O2R0SNE9pmSqVRDgy-Pr-FpKiqIa8QGLGrzlDt4LtYegnl179lUzt_/s200/JulieLessman_ForLoveOfLIberry_eCover_2500.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abominable.” </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Miss Willoughby’s voice rang clear and concise from the back of the
schoolroom, spelling primer in hand as she offered fourteen-year-old Liberty “Libby”
O’Shea an encouraging smile. “Since everyone has been eliminated from the
spelling bee except you and Mr. McShane, Miss O’Shea, we’ll need both the
definition and usage of the word in a sentence in addition to the spelling, all
right?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, ma’am.” Libby’s smile tightened, the presence of
seventeen-year-old Griffin McShane a few feet away girding her with the resolve
to put the cocky know-it-all in his place. “Abominable,” she repeated in a loud
voice, her mind immediately tracking to the most appropriate definition: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Griffin McVain.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She cleared
her throat. “A-b-o-m-i-n-a-b-l-e. Definition: something unpleasant,
disagreeable, repulsive, disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, insufferable,
despicable, and horrible. Sentence usage …” She bit back the squirm of a smile.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Griffin McShane is an abominable rogue.</i>
Shoulders square, she notched her chin up. “Spilling ink on a classmate’s term
paper is an abominable thing to do.”</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6wx1JDToznzhImVfA5ZyTZKAiIzIkHMqSqOS-gbBxqLAP2ZQfSXva7NQrHhWp_8p9RAQfugv_LAVzMwZgzay4p5yVJ1L2W0JERGY1NNbly4wLiC4PpylF9R_Y5TvHI6WLhjHl7-QWgf5/s1600/KILLION+JPG_HisSteadfastLove_2500px_AMAZON+KINDLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6wx1JDToznzhImVfA5ZyTZKAiIzIkHMqSqOS-gbBxqLAP2ZQfSXva7NQrHhWp_8p9RAQfugv_LAVzMwZgzay4p5yVJ1L2W0JERGY1NNbly4wLiC4PpylF9R_Y5TvHI6WLhjHl7-QWgf5/s200/KILLION+JPG_HisSteadfastLove_2500px_AMAZON+KINDLE.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I believe in making my character names do double duty. Such as in my series Isle of Hope and my latest book in that series, <i>His Steadfast Love</i>, in which I chose the name Katherine Marie O'Bryen for the heroine, who is a sarcastic type with a temper. But since fishing off a dock is a big part of this series, I changed the spelling to Catherine so I could have her brother coin the nickname "Catfish" for the “chatty twin with a big mouth as
bristly as a catfish.” Extra humorous mileage I was able to build in.<b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>B.)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>SLAPSTICK ACTIVITY: </b>The movie <i>McLintock</i> with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is one of my favorites because I'm of the age and era where humorous head-butting and manhandling in movies was in vogue (i.e. John Wayne carrying Maureen O'Hara through the streets of a Western town in her chemise in <i>McLintock</i> or </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rock Hudson storming Doris Day's apartment to carry her in her pajamas through the streets in <i>Pillow Talk</i>). It was light and funny slapstick activity, which is what I tried to do in my latest novel, <i>For Love of Liberty</i>. The trick, I think, is to allow humor to soften what would normally be outrageous manhandling to heighten the head-butting in a <i>Taming of the Shrew</i> type of plot. Here's a clip from <i>For Love of Libert</i>y to show you what I mean:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Oh,
no you don’t, mister.” Launching herself forward, Liberty spurted around him,
arms pasted to the jambs to block his way. “We <i>are</i> going to finish this conversation.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<i>Over-my-dead-body</i>,” he growled, heating
more than her cheeks when he rudely plucked her up by the waist and set her
aside so hard, she wobbled.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Oh—good
idea!” She tripped him with her foot, biting back a smile when he flailed like
a puppet before regaining his balance. “But first we’re going to talk, you …
you … ill-mannered mule!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Okay,
that’s it.” A squeak left her lips while her body took flight, her squeal quickly
lost in an unladylike grunt when he tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of
feed. “And I’ve never met a mule with manners, Miss Bell, but if I do, I’ll be
sure to send him over to give you some tips. Del, I’ll be back shortly.” He
slammed the door hard, drawing the attention of several men who issued jovial
greetings as they passed, their low chuckles broiling her cheeks all the more.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Put me down right now!” she hissed, wiggling and pummeling
his back with her free hand while she clutched her purse with the other.
Passing the mercantile next door, she noted the dropped jaws of several
well-dressed women. Another rush of blood scorched her face, both from anger
and the humiliation of hanging upside down like a bat. <i>“Let-me-down-this-instant!</i>” she gritted out with renewed fury,
battering him all the harder. “You are acting like a complete barbarian!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Well, no surprise there.” He stomped down the wooden
sidewalk, locking her legs against his chest when she tried to kick him. “What
do you expect from somebody who starves babies and women—chivalry?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Ha!” she shouted, banging shoulders that felt like boulders
while she commenced to bashing his head with her purse. “You wouldn’t know the
meaning of chivalry if Daniel Webster personally defined it for you, you … you
… overgrown bully!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“No, but I sure can spell it, lady, along
with royal pain in the—” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Afternoon, Finn.” A man offered a casual tip of his hat,
continuing on down the boardwalk as if Finn McShane manhandling a woman were an
everyday occurrence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>C.)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>HUMOROUS THOUGHTS/INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: </b>One of the easiest ways to add humor in a story is through a character's thoughts or internal monologue. Here are some examples to show you what I mean:</span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">— <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For Love of Liberty</i> by Julie
Lessman</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">Martha gently brushed the blue ribbon, a look of awe
shining on her face. “I honestly didn’t think we’d stand a chance since Finn’s
booth is so amazing, but I’m overjoyed we did.” She looped her arm through Liberty's.
“What are you going to do with your share of the award money, Libby?”</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Hire a gunslinger.</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMVduej6U18MB_ejeMqLzjNLTigniYT3QtKR6IidVJgBZRmVssfnhO97_rZ8yRXISvTWJS572Ir9cf0lsju_copHC2ms26JdODHhenOChFBk9GuiJq8pAFwj7t0nAZ8haRrum2n7wrEe3/s1600/A+LOVE+AT+ANY+COST_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="465" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMVduej6U18MB_ejeMqLzjNLTigniYT3QtKR6IidVJgBZRmVssfnhO97_rZ8yRXISvTWJS572Ir9cf0lsju_copHC2ms26JdODHhenOChFBk9GuiJq8pAFwj7t0nAZ8haRrum2n7wrEe3/s200/A+LOVE+AT+ANY+COST_LOW-RES+COVER.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">— <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love at Any Cost</i> by Julie
Lessman </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">A grin
inched across his face as his eyes slowly trailed back up as naturally as the
dimples that deepened with the lift of his smile. Heat suffused her cheeks, as
much from the obscene number of petticoats Mother’d insisted she wear as the
Romeo’s frank perusal. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Flattery will get
you nowhere, mister.</i> Her lips took a slant. Though it’d certainly gotten
Mark’s ring on her finger. She issued a silent grunt. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A history lesson unto itself, </i>she thought,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>the smell of horse manure from buggies lining the terminal oddly
comforting. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt;">And appropriate.</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Okay,
that’s it—our first three points A, B, and C in this prequel post. And trust me—you don’t want to miss
the next four points in my original post, <b><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/12/ho-ho-ho-funny-you-should-say-that-or.html" target="_blank">Funny You Should Say That Part 1</a></b> and the subsequent post that finishes this series up, <b><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/04/funny-you-should-say-that-part-2.html" target="_blank"><i>Funny You Should Say That Part 2</i></a></b> because they are FUN!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Giveaway: </b> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNKD0qwEz-_R8AMZbCAAfrezAi_yZ_9ME-sIUxeAPadMQRqjTNICHYW-ncT-MeD15HX0FDKSfxKpmU_TMw8P9y6O2R0SNE9pmSqVRDgy-Pr-FpKiqIa8QGLGrzlDt4LtYegnl179lUzt_/s1600/JulieLessman_ForLoveOfLIberry_eCover_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNKD0qwEz-_R8AMZbCAAfrezAi_yZ_9ME-sIUxeAPadMQRqjTNICHYW-ncT-MeD15HX0FDKSfxKpmU_TMw8P9y6O2R0SNE9pmSqVRDgy-Pr-FpKiqIa8QGLGrzlDt4LtYegnl179lUzt_/s200/JulieLessman_ForLoveOfLIberry_eCover_2500.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Leave a comment and humor tips of your own if you like,
humorous samples of yours or other writers, or just the name of humorous
authors you enjoy, and you will be entered to win an e-copy of my latest novel, <i>For Love of Liberty</i> or your choice of any of my indie e-books. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hugs,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Julie</span></div>
Julie Lessmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406395645316139292noreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-39348436045816454882017-12-12T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:46:41.448-04:00The Anatomy of a Successful Query <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>with guest blogger Jessica Alvarez.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for having me guest blog on Seekerville today! I’m going on my seventeenth year in publishing and I must have seen thousands of queries in that time. As an agent, I’ve written my fair share of queries too. One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that publishing is all about who you know. This might be shocking to hear but in seventeen years, I have never gotten a new author through a pitch session. Up until this year, I had never gotten a new author through a contest. One author through a contest in seventeen years! So how do I find new authors? Through queries. Next to having a great manuscript, the query is your single most important tool in finding an agent or editor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m going to give you a peek at the query that led to Seekerville’s Tina Radcliffe becoming my client. You’ll see where it all began and what she did right. After that, I’ll give you a look at a terrible query to highlight some common mistakes. Let’s dig in and get to Tina’s query:</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Ms. Alvarez,</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Literary Agent Natasha Kern and fellow author Terri Reed have recommended I email you. I am currently published with Harlequin Love Inspired. My last three-book contract was fulfilled recently with Second Chance Cowboy which will release in December 2016. I have sold seven books to Love Inspired since 2007.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My editor and I have worked together on a concept that I am ready to submit. It is a proposal for a four-book series, called Second Chance Ranch. It is a children’s ranch for orphaned, abused and neglected children. It is owned and operated by the orphaned Maxwell siblings: Lucy, Travis & Emma. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her Temporary Cowboy is the first book of the series for Harlequin Love Inspired. Ranch director Lucy Maxwell has spent her entire life caring for others. Second Chance Ranch is her life. Much of the ranch’s funding comes from the foundation of millionaire, Meredith Brisbane. When Meredith’s cynical nephew, Jackson Tucker, takes over as in-house counsel for the foundation, he objects to the donations to the ranch and butts head with the ranch director. Lucy challenges Jack to see where the money goes, and his aunt thinks that’s a splendid plan. Jack’s planning a visit to the ranch and instead ends up lassoed into being a temporary cowboy for the summer. The gruff city attorney finds himself on a trail ride in the middle of nowhere and being followed around by five-year-old orphan and triplet, Dub Lewis. Working with Jack on a daily basis, Lucy wonders exactly what she got herself into. When Jack’s hardened heart begins to crack, she has to remind herself that he won’t be around for long. No one is more surprised than Jack when he realizes that Second Chance Ranch has irrevocably changed him. He’s fallen in love with Lucy and Dub. He’ll do everything he can to win her trust, and make her open her heart to the possibility of becoming a family.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been a member of RWA and ACFW. I am a two-time Golden Heart finalist, a two-time Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 Carol Award winner. My 2015 release, Safe in the Fireman's Arms, is the recipient of the Holt Medallion Merit Award and is a Bookseller's Best Award finalist. Additionally, I write short stories and have sold over twenty short romances to Woman’s World Magazine. I also manage a thirteen-author blog, which is a four-time Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award recipient. Seekerville has recently hit the two million views mark.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this time I hope to partner with for someone for long-term career planning. Thanks so much for your time and consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tina Radcliffe</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONTACT INFO REDACTED</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Admittedly, Tina had a leg up when querying me. The first thing she does in her letter is mention that she was referred by a client of mine and another agent. If you have a referral, USE it. It won’t get you an automatic request, but it will certainly grab an agent’s attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other great thing Tina did right away was mention her publishing history. Some people like to close with that information, and that’s fine, but always include specifics. If I get a query that says “I’ve had several books published in the past” or, even worse “I’ve published books under another name”, I don’t know if they’re self-published, traditionally published, with a vanity press or, in the latter example, even what name they’re under. If the information isn’t there, it could be an oversight, but it makes me wonder if there’s a reason you’re hiding that info. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing to note, you don’t need a referral or publishing credits to grab an agent. The vast majority of my clients had neither. They sent me a regular ol’ query. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for the blurb paragraphs, Tina starts off with a bit about the series. Personally, I prefer to save that info for after the blurb. But, in this case, it works with the paragraph above it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main blurb tells me title, where it is in the series, and which publisher it’s aimed at—all good info to have. Note, if you’ve written a single-title romance, you don’t need to tell me it’s been written with Bethany House in mind. But, if you’re writing category-length, it’s helpful to know where you think that book might fit. Arguably, the agent reading the query should know, but when I see a query for a 50,000-word romance and you don’t tell me it’s aimed at Harlequin, I don’t know if you realize that it’s category-length and you have limited options. Plenty of writers are unaware that most single-title romance is at least 80,000 words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the rest of Tina’s blurb paragraph, if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t say this is the most amazing blurb ever, but it gets the job done. It shows me an understanding of her market, introduces the protagonists and their conflict. I generally prefer to see a blurb that doesn’t mention the names of secondary characters, but it’s fine here because they’re important to the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, finally, Tina closes it out politely and with her contact info. That’s all you need to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, let’s take a look at a bad query (I wrote this myself).</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Stephany Gomez:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am writing you because I’ve always wanted to be a writer. My parents, and friends have always told me what a good writer I am. This book’s about a boy who falls in love with a girl when they both go to the same party. It is 130 pages long and I put it up on Amazon to see if people would like it. I’ve only sold five copies so I think I need you to publish it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jennifer Martin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know this is obviously bad, but there are slightly better queries that fail for many of the same reasons. First, get the agent’s name right. Mistakes happen, but proofread, please!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other big fail here is telling me that everyone thinks she’s a good writer. Trust me on this: no query was ever improved by a writer telling an agent that her parents think the book is good. Unless your mother is Nora Roberts, her opinion isn’t worth zilch to an agent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next problem, the story sounds like every other romance out there. You need to make your story sound unique and special. That is the number one reason why I pass on projects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last two sentences fail in every way. Including the page count instead of word count is the mark of an amateur. Also, please, don’t put a book up on Amazon as a trial. Self-publishing is a valid option and if that’s what you want to do, that’s fine, but once it’s up there, your chances of getting an agent or traditional book deal for that same book have shrunk exponentially. If self-publishing fails, your best bet is to sit down and write a new book before querying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the final fail is that she’s addressing an agent as if she were an editor. An agent helps you find a publisher for your book, but doesn’t actually publish it. Not being aware of the difference is another indication the author is an amateur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What I want everyone to take away from this is that it’s your query that will help get you an agent much more than a pitch appointment or contest win. Get down to polishing those queries and send them out! </b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I’ll be answering questions in the comments, so please share some problems you run into with your queries and I’ll do my best to help.</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jessica Alvarez is a Senior Literary Agent at BookEnds. After ten years as an editor, she joined BookEnds in 2011. She began her publishing career as an editorial assistant at Harlequin where she had the opportunity to acquire and edit a wide array of fiction, specializing in historical romance and inspirational romance. Jessica left Harlequin in 2008 to pursue freelance editing, and completed projects for various publishers, including Thomas Nelson. You can learn more at <a href="http://bookendsliterary.com/" target="_blank">bookendsliterary.com. </a></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Seekerville is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to one of today's commenters in honor of Jessica's visit. So stick around, ask all those burning questions and let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com138tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-21621613263344030472017-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:002017-12-11T00:01:00.272-05:00Cool Christmas Gifts for Readers and Writers<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Missy Tippens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every year or so we've shared some gifts for writers around
Christmas time. I thought it would be fun to do that again this year. Tippens
kids, if you’re reading this, well, I hope you get some good ideas! :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought I’d start with the more practical and head toward
the…not so practical (to put it mildly!). I'm including links but not all photos. So please don't get distracted by shopping and forget to come back. :) (By the way, I don't get any kickback if you purchase these items. I'm just sharing for fun.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z-8Gw2VBbVytpW_3d9DPJhsbZut360D0ptW1Gm-Rpfv8jHvFiZao9xC5STCMiJ1qX6lUdzouUHq6CaPGsxbbQmpYccbrwsbuUbs930KXnanAQKY_7Mi0jTHV-no81W4uZ1HG1JubInc/s1600/Joy+Chrismon+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z-8Gw2VBbVytpW_3d9DPJhsbZut360D0ptW1Gm-Rpfv8jHvFiZao9xC5STCMiJ1qX6lUdzouUHq6CaPGsxbbQmpYccbrwsbuUbs930KXnanAQKY_7Mi0jTHV-no81W4uZ1HG1JubInc/s400/Joy+Chrismon+2016.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A year or two ago, my sister-in-law got me of these <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/literary-candles?country=US&aw_cid=766724817&aw_aid=44035870767&aw_dev=c&aw_loc=9010779&aw_key=&aw_mtype=&aw_net=g&aw_ad=183512967314&aw_pos=1o5&aw_shopid=27112&aw_prod_partid=194850162537&gclid=CjwKCAiAjanRBRByEiwAKGyjZdKRz1DxQdxx1Nfb5p2tiVWEXlNFE_F505MdmEftTg2hBVCYh5dcIBoCTBAQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">literary inspired candles</a>. Very nice gift!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And of course, we all love fun mugs. There are so many good
ones!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a <a href="https://www.zazzle.com/funny_writers_two_tone_coffee_mug-168273686144044433" target="_blank">Zazzle site</a> that has a lot of mugs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Punctuation-Grammar-Christmas-Ceramic-LaTazas/dp/B071SCW6VM/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1512801829&sr=8-33&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">this one</a> cracked me up: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqzqYEsmHkmqUz5Gh3Y4yMdU77MOXoeJJc8EcuHv4yYlWsP2uzQfjj7qbchQu8PGGD_TWm-pJoY-FbSCmXwryYMQRUP69TIIYmSLGU1LtcTJCghfR9c3tq3eomhQ7nsZJMz4DeJFkVfg/s1600/61UAc8tBpAL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqzqYEsmHkmqUz5Gh3Y4yMdU77MOXoeJJc8EcuHv4yYlWsP2uzQfjj7qbchQu8PGGD_TWm-pJoY-FbSCmXwryYMQRUP69TIIYmSLGU1LtcTJCghfR9c3tq3eomhQ7nsZJMz4DeJFkVfg/s320/61UAc8tBpAL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">photo from LaTazas & MAUAG Funny Mug Gifts<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">. (Link above)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/WRITER-CAPABLE-TRANSFORMING-CAFFEINE-SYNONYMS/dp/B01AU9TP5G/ref=sr_1_107?ie=UTF8&qid=1512802179&sr=8-107&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">Another cute one</a>! Talks about a writer being a person who can convert caffeine into books. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really loved these <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/paper-print-tea-towel" target="_blank">tea towels made of fabric that looks like writing paper! </a>She’s sold out for now but I’m hoping she’ll have more
soon. Oh! I just found another store that has one. So you can <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/121522940/white-lined-paper-towel-decorative?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tea%20towels%20for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_2" target="_blank">try here</a> as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Definitely in the land of the practical: a gift card to play
at your favorite office supply store! Yes, I know you writers understand what I mean by playing. Is going to buy pens and printer paper a chore??? NO. A
visit to the office supply store is FUN! ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And for readers and writers, a gift card to your favorite
bookstore is always appreciated!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, among the practical category, are gift subscriptions
and memberships. How about subscriptions to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Audible.com so you can listen to stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Magazines for writers like Writer’s Digest or Publisher’s
Weekly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Netflix or Hulu type subscriptions so you can study
movies! That’s one of my favorite ways to internalize story structure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Or for a different type of inspiration, how about
membership to a botanical garden nearby. We joined the <a href="http://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a>
this year and have really enjoyed it. You could also buy an annual pass to
local State Parks or National Parks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Along those same lines, consider asking for season tickets
to your favorite music or theater venue. For several years, I’ve bought a
4-concert season ticket package to the <a href="http://www.atlantasymphony.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.</a> And just
this year we bought season tickets to one of our local theaters, <a href="http://www.auroratheatre.com/" target="_blank">AuroraTheater</a>. I find inspiration in any of the arts and imagine you would too! Plus,
we’re supporting fellow creative folks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of you may work on the couch or in a room that's not strictly an office. Pam Hillman was talking about this recently for moving her research books and supplies. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Safco-Products-5213BL-Storage-Drawers/dp/B002JFT8AC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1512837080&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=rolling+storage+cart&psc=1" target="_blank">Rolling carts </a>can be one way to move your office around and then to store everything away when company comes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Does your laptop heat up when you work on your lap? Try a laptop cooling pad. Here's a <a href="https://www.newegg.com/Laptop-Cooling-Pads/SubCategory/ID-319" target="_blank">list of popular ones</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, moving into the more unusual gift category. A lot of
these are created and sold by individuals or through Etsy and places like that.
I like supporting small businesses that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here’s one I found that I love. <a href="https://www.poketo.com/collections/stationery-alpha-desc/products/weekly-keyboard-pad-in-lilac" target="_blank">Sticky notes for your to-do list</a>. I can imagine it stuck onto a keyboard or on a monitor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lithographs. I love this <a href="https://www.litographs.com/collections/little-women/products/women-scarf" target="_blank">scarf made from Little Women</a>!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-416gJ-XA7ppAIdWOOwyu_gxDWJ7jSHMyk8pkqG-Cxnb9K9AL_F8yp1Le-shdthEalSQB-cCfNdCmo59usTSscQ7f2DX3Po76yc7hH2Ez2c2T9HUOELugOlndTOqbhUUTXk9idY0mzc/s1600/women_scarf_inf_script_navyblue_zoom_square.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-416gJ-XA7ppAIdWOOwyu_gxDWJ7jSHMyk8pkqG-Cxnb9K9AL_F8yp1Le-shdthEalSQB-cCfNdCmo59usTSscQ7f2DX3Po76yc7hH2Ez2c2T9HUOELugOlndTOqbhUUTXk9idY0mzc/s320/women_scarf_inf_script_navyblue_zoom_square.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from Lithographs.com. (Link above)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This could be great fun for readers as well as writers: A <a href="https://www.popchartlab.com/products/100-essential-novels-scratch-off-chart" target="_blank">100 Essential Books</a> scratch off chart! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Lakeside-Collection-GetSet2Save-COMINHKPR141524/dp/B01LDKPSEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512801466&sr=8-1&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">Typewriter Coasters: </a>An old-fashioned typewriter holds a set of coasters. I always have a drink near me as I work, so I love coasters. One of my <o:p></o:p>friends bought me a wonderful set of quilted coasters last Christmas. She said she thought of me as soon as she saw them. (Thank you, Beth!) You might be able to find something similar.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwJi2nYroUQ_N7HSSiXBrtTXl6TuyizDh64iBAx629Wj7H-YCrhymE3-lQwDeZJvhBprbHEb4EgOd9VkqhWowczbQhzagFSGzh7hLUBikDE_An_i_9cDKfMR6uBqT1b4SNQww7kKinNA/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwJi2nYroUQ_N7HSSiXBrtTXl6TuyizDh64iBAx629Wj7H-YCrhymE3-lQwDeZJvhBprbHEb4EgOd9VkqhWowczbQhzagFSGzh7hLUBikDE_An_i_9cDKfMR6uBqT1b4SNQww7kKinNA/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay, I found more mugs I like! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Lines-Literature-Coffee-Slaughterhouse/dp/B01D6TGVHW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1512801466&sr=8-14&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">First Lines coffee mug</a> that has great first lines from multiple novels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this one made me laugh out loud: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/259704208/bookmark-you-mean-quitter-strip-mug-11oz?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_3" target="_blank">Quitter coffee mug</a> (Bookmark? You mean quitter strip?!) LOL</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sN4BDi2HAc0F-CDBbgYC-K-WaS8xR9btUgHqUfl3EHthIGq56PKa6F4GcfOjvXBgxirOMgq5FUepk-IlrTADFP6OHyx2SfoVcDhOn8Gtan5oEg-vizZ1ArL9zt1PRbUWBiB8RREkrQU/s1600/il_570xN.1153985839_mjxs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="570" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sN4BDi2HAc0F-CDBbgYC-K-WaS8xR9btUgHqUfl3EHthIGq56PKa6F4GcfOjvXBgxirOMgq5FUepk-IlrTADFP6OHyx2SfoVcDhOn8Gtan5oEg-vizZ1ArL9zt1PRbUWBiB8RREkrQU/s320/il_570xN.1153985839_mjxs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: MGAPDX store on Etsy (link above)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And one last mug that says: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/553379378/pray-write-repeat-mug?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Christian%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_9" target="_blank">Pray, Write, Repeat.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charming-Keychain-Beautiful-Keychain%EF%BC%8CTIME-WRITE/dp/B0768B4WQ4/ref=sr_1_112?ie=UTF8&qid=1512802179&sr=8-112&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">keychain </a>that’ll remind you to write. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LED-Pilots-Night-Writer-NAVIGATOR/dp/B01GWWW91M/ref=sr_1_139?ie=UTF8&qid=1512832497&sr=8-139&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">light up pen </a>to catch ideas that hit you during the night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's another one that made me smile. A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/3dRose-dpp_194447_2-Read-Funny-Proofread-Gifts-Wall/dp/B00NW0IP20/ref=sr_1_148?ie=UTF8&qid=1512832661&sr=8-148&keywords=gifts+for+writers" target="_blank">Proof Read clock</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpvIZZYbVuSg3Bc1nsGW80aWa5HV46g-o19bevvxlXDnm-I8RNxzYlW-e7AU93ojwB7Yv-NTSeuLgxJIU1T4Epbbrm9_aOwZUBs4YYBrXcGe7QNIMHk9YSNFB51JK2dYiGN4_YET2G6w/s1600/91Py0xwqf%252BL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1500" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpvIZZYbVuSg3Bc1nsGW80aWa5HV46g-o19bevvxlXDnm-I8RNxzYlW-e7AU93ojwB7Yv-NTSeuLgxJIU1T4Epbbrm9_aOwZUBs4YYBrXcGe7QNIMHk9YSNFB51JK2dYiGN4_YET2G6w/s320/91Py0xwqf%252BL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from 3dRose on Amazon (link above)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Need a fun way to brainstorm and keep track of details and like to work on paper? You could use this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/552186963/writers-block-gift-for-writer-gift-set?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_5" target="_blank">gift set with it's included booklets</a> for characters and locations and scene ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are a gazillion journals out there, and I'm sure many of you collect them and use them. I thought this one was nice because it is a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/545090368/writing-prompt-journal-creative-writing?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_31" target="_blank">Writing Prompt journal.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now to some fun items. I love jewelry, and there are some really great pieces of jewelry for writers and readers. You just have to do a search and will come up with many. Here are a few I loved:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/466589023/xmas-gift-quotes-earrings-gold?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sc_gallery_10&plkey=ca35b6a10b84e1082016cbe983df16041b489bf3:466589023" target="_blank">Quotation Mark earrings</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/library-card-stamp-pins-set-of-2" target="_blank">Library card and stamp pins</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this beautiful <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/190576341/mystery-writers-charm-bracelet?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_47" target="_blank">Mystery Writers Charm Bracelet</a>. </span></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiva3ZwfEuSsw3C6id6xUa52yKRE7Upv5G_Lxiqgfr6_Sp5c2xusiaDpXgKhtrCCfiWyWNhbdxtz_6he-PZ7ZLi6kxUJQnY8CLs54iqv9h66hMvwwoUNYcCRTWCAYhchsZnX0Lmf-Z9AGc/s1600/il_570xN.1291003480_5bo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiva3ZwfEuSsw3C6id6xUa52yKRE7Upv5G_Lxiqgfr6_Sp5c2xusiaDpXgKhtrCCfiWyWNhbdxtz_6he-PZ7ZLi6kxUJQnY8CLs54iqv9h66hMvwwoUNYcCRTWCAYhchsZnX0Lmf-Z9AGc/s320/il_570xN.1291003480_5bo5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: PattieTierney Store on Etsy (link above)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Old-fashioned typewriter key jewelry is also a favorite--like <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/208135753/black-typewriter-key-necklace-monogram?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_42" target="_blank">this necklace</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a place to order <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/474927807/gryphon-and-child-bookplate-book-reader?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_15" target="_blank">Bookplates. </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For fun, a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/499963386/shakespeare-tea-gift-set-william?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_36" target="_blank">Shakespeare tea bag set</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/153258947/famous-writers-bookmarks-digital-collage?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_19" target="_blank">Famous writers bookmarks.</a></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And finally, one of the crazier gifts. Here's some h</span></o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ard core decorating for book lovers. A <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/253840865/books-duvet-books-bedding-books-duvet?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_10" target="_blank">duvet cover</a> that looks like a set of books! They a</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">lso have a shower curtain to match. :) Who needs to go to the library when you have giant books all around your home?! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you've had a little fun with this post and maybe even found some shopping ideas. You can also send your friends and family members here for ideas.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhcKYDx_rIanccce-D3mQA56xcWJ5fRTG5wVr7nuHV7QI0w9D5V0INX8RutQuESGzU6XLeh7RKbRuplq96mVZXP5yfwNUGhaKl14sdsZ9GDxJVSxYaS9W7JoZERXXA3Gr-n-GloOZGGc/s1600/il_570xN.1003747522_jzlj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="570" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhcKYDx_rIanccce-D3mQA56xcWJ5fRTG5wVr7nuHV7QI0w9D5V0INX8RutQuESGzU6XLeh7RKbRuplq96mVZXP5yfwNUGhaKl14sdsZ9GDxJVSxYaS9W7JoZERXXA3Gr-n-GloOZGGc/s320/il_570xN.1003747522_jzlj.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Dirtsastudio store on Etsy (link below)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY! As long as the site doesn't sell out, I'll be giving away one of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/121522940/white-lined-paper-towel-decorative?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tea%20towels%20for%20writers&ref=sr_gallery_2" target="_blank">notebook paper tea towels.</a> (If it sells out, I'll find something similar or do an Etsy gift card.) Please let me know in the comments if you'd like to be entered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd also love to hear what your dream gifts are for Christmas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After more than 10 years of pursuing
her dream of publication, <b>Missy Tippens</b></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">, a pastor’s wife and mom
of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love
Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best,
Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie
Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Romance Writers of
America RITA</span><sup><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">® </span></sup><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Award. Visit Missy at </span><a href="http://www.missytippens.com/"><span style="color: #1b615c; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">www.missytippens.com</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/MissyTippens"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">https://twitter.com/MissyTippens</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"> and</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers"><span style="color: #1b615c; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers</span></a></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Missy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-68678287798560047522017-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:49:32.412-04:00The Weekend Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/p/legal.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">take a minute to read them here.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;">It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and <u>phone number </u>to claim prizes. Send to <a href="mailto:Seekers@Seekerville.net">Seekers@Seekerville.net</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: red;"> Please note that December 29th, 2017, our email address changes to <a href="mailto:seekers2@gmail.com" target="_blank">seekerville2@gmail.com</a>. Update your address books!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday: <a href="http://www.maryconnealy.com/" target="_blank">Mary Connealy </a></b><a href="http://www.maryconnealy.com/" target="_blank">t</a>alked about <b>authenticity. T</b>he winner of a copy of <b><a href="http://a.co/e2SnFnk" target="_blank">Calico and Cowboys</a> is Natalya Lakhno </b>and, because it's Christmas she picked an extra winner, <b>Annie Rightler a</b>nd, because her migraine headaches sound so rough, she's also sending a copy to <b>Valri. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: Janice Hardy </b>of Fiction University<b> </b>returned to Seekerville with her post<b> "What Are Your Characters Afraid Of?"</b> <b>Terri Weldon is the winner of an ecopy </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>of her latest in the Skill Builders Series</b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">, <i><a href="http://a.co/80I7jM4" target="_blank">Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means).</a></i> Mindy H is the winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Card</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Angela Ackerman </b>returned to Seekerville with her post,<b> "Overcoming The Hurtful Past: A Character Arc Snapshot."</b> Angela and Becca Puglisi are the authors of the indispensable Writer's Guide Thesaurus series including their new release, <b><i><a href="http://a.co/bOmXdqr" target="_blank">The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma! </a></i></b>Angela is generously giving away two ecopies. <b>Winners are Laurie Wood and Susan Ann Mason.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday: Missy Tippens will be blogging! Be sure to drop by to chat.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday: </b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Literary agent Jessica Alvarez with BookEnds Literary Agency</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is our very special guest!! She'll be sharing her insights with her post, <b>"Dissecting the Query."</b> Stop by to ask questions. In honor of Jessica's visit, we're giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Merry Christmas. 🎄🎅</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday: <i>Joy to the World! </i>Julie Lessman shares some of her favorite tips for adding "joy" and humor to the world via our writing in "Ho-Ho-Ho! Funny You Should Say That, Part 3." </b>In honor of Christmas, Julie will be giving away LOTS of her books, so come on by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday: Stop by and join <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/" target="_blank">Ruthy Logan Herne</a> as she chats about our upcoming New Year's Eve party and BEGS FOR YOUR HELP to make it the best New Year's Eve in Seekerville... well... ever! </b>She's got a choice of an e-copy of Welcome to Wishing Bridge OR The Lawman's Yuletide Baby for a lucky commenter!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Friday: The Best of the Archives featuring a classic post from our ten years of blogging. Comments are closed on Fridays to catch up on reading and writing.</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b> <b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Set your clocks and calendars for our annual Rockin' It New Year's Eve Party, friends! December 31, 2017, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, stop by Seekerville and chat about old times, second chances and new beginnings as Seekerville waves goodbye to 2017 and welcomes 2018. The prize vault is open and a great menu is planned.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57sxHDKNwRTQ1FloQ7r3cI_PPzU2pPVkbJ0B9OwPBB1OztDY8lpoI_8mwMTe8qd3NNn1ekV_BfNV8nNlSaH6YNjFKYDW1qBPcdUn1KvapaLiauZLiGcNR_UtHpvtVt69KKLnwKlKWmEU/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57sxHDKNwRTQ1FloQ7r3cI_PPzU2pPVkbJ0B9OwPBB1OztDY8lpoI_8mwMTe8qd3NNn1ekV_BfNV8nNlSaH6YNjFKYDW1qBPcdUn1KvapaLiauZLiGcNR_UtHpvtVt69KKLnwKlKWmEU/s400/New+Year%2527s+Meme+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Best of all, a sweet conversation about the joys of writing, hoping, loving and dreaming, featuring <i>your</i> favorite Seekerville memories</span><span style="color: red;">!</span> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Send yours to Ruth Logan Herne at <a href="mailto:loganherne@gmail.com">loganherne@gmail.com</a> in the form of a meme OR just write 'em out old-fashioned style. Hostesses, Audra Harders and Ruth Logan Herne want to include your thoughts, memories, hopes, and dreams in this year's party... so hop into your e-mail and let's hear from you!</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">YEE-HAW, Julie Lessman's brand-new novel, <i>For Love of Liberty</i>, is raising a ruckus and racking up 5-star reviews, so come on by and check her out! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Liberty-Silver-Lining-Ranch-ebook/dp/B0772CMKYN/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1510154572&sr=1-1&keywords=for+love+of+liberty" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>!</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9q1lK8z0Ftkz9iwa1FGu2t7BBDvxuWu5uIiNn4mpNmzzyJe8k20QTUI71m9kkihsb-1D5dP_5zMj7rJVFW4RvSA_X6YAWf-RiLFY3t_ehDYlUCmnRlb5YHNZ6j2MiTuep8vkc1UC5wk/s1600/51Ii1Qtag3L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9q1lK8z0Ftkz9iwa1FGu2t7BBDvxuWu5uIiNn4mpNmzzyJe8k20QTUI71m9kkihsb-1D5dP_5zMj7rJVFW4RvSA_X6YAWf-RiLFY3t_ehDYlUCmnRlb5YHNZ6j2MiTuep8vkc1UC5wk/s320/51Ii1Qtag3L.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Don't miss Janet Dean's heartwarming novella, "A Daddy for Christmas" set during the Depression and available on Amazon for $.99. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for the link love!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/18402/" target="_blank">What Authors Need to Know About the New Tax Bills</a> (Authors Guild)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/2017/12/04/weaving-magic-the-five-threads-of-dynamic-narrative-by-cate-hogan/" target="_blank">Weaving Magic: The Five Threads of Dynamic Narrative</a> (Romance University)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.janefriedman.com/ethics-and-literary-agents/" target="_blank">Ethics & the Literary Agent: What Rights Do Authors Have?</a> (Jane Friedman)</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/2017/11/03/supplying-breadcrumbs-how-to-hint-at-a-characters-emotional-wound-angela-ackerman/?utm_content=buffer22cbd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">Supplying Breadcrumbs: How to Hint at a Character’s Emotional Woun</a>d (Romance University)</b></span><br />
<a href="https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/12/9-tips-for-your-website-due-diligence-starting-now/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/12/9-tips-for-your-website-due-diligence-starting-now/" target="_blank">9 Tips for Your Website Due Diligence Starting NOW</a>! (The Book Designer)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amarketingexpert.com/bestseller-characteristics-indie-author/" target="_blank">5 Characteristics of a Bestseller Every Indie Author Must Nail</a> (AME)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.janefriedman.com/find-literary-agent/" target="_blank">How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book</a> (Jane Friedman)</b></span><br />
<a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/2017/12/08/no-you-dont-have-to-write-every-day-by-kimberly-dean/" target="_blank"><br /></a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/2017/12/08/no-you-dont-have-to-write-every-day-by-kimberly-dean/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_2053697059"></span><span id="goog_2053697060"></span>No, You DON'T Have to Write Every Day</a> (Romance University)</b></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-43023994667927656722017-12-08T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-08T00:00:25.715-05:00Best of Archives: Using Setting To Deepen Your Character<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following Best of Archives by Sandra Leesmith was published April 22, 2014. See below for a new setting for Sandra in her new release LOVE'S HEALING. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello Seekerville, </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sandra here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have Chocolate Velvet coffee in the pot ready to enjoy. I have a beautiful platter of spring fruit, sliced and ready to nibble on. Also, the baker here in the RV park I'm in, bakes the most delicious cinnamon rolls. I had him bake up a separate batch for us. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">photo from www.nellisgroup.com used with permission</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever thought of setting to deepen your character? I tend to use setting a lot in my stories, but I didn't consciously think I was doing so to deepen character, until I went to <a href="http://www.marybuckham.com/bio.html" target="_blank">Mary Buckham's</a> workshop at the Desert Dreams conference earlier this month. She did an excellent job in showing us how to do that with her examples and demonstrations.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was so impressed. She has several craft books on how to deepen character with setting, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009MRLXQW" target="_blank">Writing Active Setting.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Mary Buckham is a bestselling ABA author who writes Thrillers and Urban Fantasy so some of her examples could be graphic, but her method of showing you how to use setting is powerful and a must read. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What she does is take a simple statement of description and then show you how she would write it to show character.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In LOVE'S PROMISES the setting of Lake Tahoe is not only important in the plot, but is a great setting to show characters as well. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Purchased by <a href="http://lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com/p/book-design.html" target="_blank">Stone Lily Design</a> - used with permission </span></td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example in LOVE’S PROMISES, I could write.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Monica stood on the deck watching the sailboat go by. She leaned over the rail and looked into the clear water of Lake Tahoe. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In LOVE'S PROMISES the setting of Lake Tahoe is not only important in the plot, but is a great setting to show characters as well. But look how we can involve that same setting to show Monica’s emotions and deepen her character.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Monica glanced at the sailboat skidding across the crystal blue water of Lake Tahoe and leaned against the railing of the redwood deck that hung over the cliff. Thirty feet below, water lapped against the granite stones, a rhythmic sound which normally would have soothed her. Not today. She tapped her foot impatiently and rolled her eyes. </i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you see how using the five senses help use the setting to show deeper characterization? The sailboat is skidding across the water and the water lapped against the granite stones. The strong active verbs show her restless impatience. We hear the water lapping and the sailboat is skidding across the water.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is another example where we see Monica’s property: We could simply write:<i> Monica drove her Jeep Cherokee up the road. She saw his Bronco. Why was he here early? She saw him across the creek. </i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, if we add emotion and senses the setting of her property deepens the characters and we see their reaction to each other.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Shifting her Jeep Cherokee into gear, Monica worked her way up the steep road skirting her property. She needed to grade an easier drive into the place. She sighed. Another set of permits. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>She crested the hill and spotted a Bronco with government license plates parked at the end of the road. Her heart quickened. What was his motive for coming early? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Automatically, she set the brakes, released her seat belt, and swung out of the high vehicle. Before her legs touched ground, she searched the area. Greg Linsey wasn’t in the Bronco nor in the near vicinity. Biting her lip, Monica headed for the creek. “Morning.” His shout caught her up short.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>She searched the dense brush downstream and saw movement on the other side of the gurgling water. He stepped from out of a clump of brush and crossed the stream looking like an ad from a sports magazine. Disconcerted by her reaction, Monica waited for him instead of meeting him halfway. </i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rough road brings frustration. We crest a hill and spot the Bronco. She asks what his motive for coming early. We see the dense brush and hear gurgling water as she looks for the direction of the sound of his voice. This setting shows off her reaction to seeing the handsome planner again.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this scene Greg and his friend approach the famous Fanette Island, but instead of an elaborate description, we see the reactions to seeing Monica and her friends. Before this scene, Monica’s friends were in a speedboat showing Monica a beach and had almost ran into Greg and his friend on their sailboat. Sailboats have the right of way and Greg’s friend was rightfully annoyed.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Do you see what I see?” Carl hollered from the bow where he was trimming the jib sail. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Greg looked in the direction where Carl pointed. Docked at Fannette Island—or as the locals called it, the Tea House Island—was the boat that had almost run them down. Greg intended to sail past it until he spotted the redhead standing in the stern. His heart picked up speed. Monica Scott. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Hang on,” he shouted as he quickly came about. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“You going to land there?” Anticipation sounded in Carl’s voice. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Greg nodded. “Forget revenge, buddy. I’ve got other motives for landing.” </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Carl stared at Greg and then at the shore. He whistled through his teeth. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Greg watched her hand an ice chest to the man on shore. Evidently he’d been piloting the boat. Were they involved with each other? Another woman appeared and, with relief, he recognized who they were. The couple he’d seen her with at the South Shore Club. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>He tacked closer to shore. Monica noticed him then. He waved and had to chuckle at the look of surprise on the faces of all three of them. Monica grinned. Good. She recognized the humor in the situation. </i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn’t do this as well as Mary Buckham does, but I think you get the idea. You can not only see the sailboat approaching Fannette Island, but you feel their emotions. You also see that a situation becomes a source of humor which is characteristic of our hero.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">photo by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emerald_Bay.jpg" target="_blank">Michael on wikimedia</a> used with permission</span></td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julie Lessman sent me a couple samples of her writing that uses setting to show character development.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Excitement pulsed in her veins like the bay beneath the keel. Heart swelling with pride, she watched Bram straddle the tiller, so incredibly solid and male and tall. He emanated a strength that swirled heat in her belly as much as the wind swirled the waves, and when he tossed a grin over his shoulder, her heart soared along with the sea gulls overhead. “Alcatraz at your service, milady,” he shouted, sandy hair lashing in the breeze like a tawny-haired pirate who had truly pirated her heart. She clapped her hands in delight as the island loomed with its Cape Cod lighthouse, rising from the sea like some sinister presence growing before their eyes.</i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you see the ship, the San Francisco Bay and the island of Alcatraz? But you are also seeing the hero and learning some of his characteristics as she compares them to the setting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> —<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=julie+lessman" target="_blank"><i>Surprised by Love</i>, by Julie Lessman</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In another scene, Julie shows character in the setting.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Marcy stood at Mrs. Gerson’s kitchen window, in bleak harmony with the rivulets of water that slithered down the pane. It was a slow and steady rain, endless weeping from a gray and dismal sky, and Marcy felt a kinship with it. It showed no signs of letting up, much like the grief in her heart over the loss of her husband. A silent mourning over a spouse who was still very much alive, but whose love was as cold and dead as any corpse.</i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can’t you feel Marcy’s grief as the rivulets of water slither down the pane?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> — <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=julie+lessman" target="_blank"><i>A Passion Denied</i>, by Julie Lessman</a></b></span></div>
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</span> We also have some great articles in our archives with more examples of how to use setting to deepen your story. Scroll down the list on the right to the word <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/search/label/Setting" target="_blank">Settings</a> and several posts will appear. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first article that appears is written by me and describes how I used setting in LOVE'S REFUGE and other books I wrote. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w1VT1MAG-QZ5xM6_AzbdkEQ23fWS6lLmT4_sHhr2mdBmyS7Z4_u63Oz-I3ogQIIN-SdHOj61a75fzGGmNNELVibQ4S2U5PEyvj18K1Vlm2idRfWG8hMhTKwtmWIU3nAIcPDQkzrdgzU/s1600/Loves-Refuge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w1VT1MAG-QZ5xM6_AzbdkEQ23fWS6lLmT4_sHhr2mdBmyS7Z4_u63Oz-I3ogQIIN-SdHOj61a75fzGGmNNELVibQ4S2U5PEyvj18K1Vlm2idRfWG8hMhTKwtmWIU3nAIcPDQkzrdgzU/s1600/Loves-Refuge.jpg" width="126" /></a></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Janet Dean wrote <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2009/06/setting-isnt-just-time-and-place.html" target="_blank">Setting Isn't Just Time and Place</a>. Janet does an excellent job in using her settings in her historical novels. She explains many examples in Courting the Doctors Daughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Check out another post I wrote in 2016 entitled </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7100153895530582821#editor/target=post;postID=1856718427602174800;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=497;src=postname" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Setting Your Scenes </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">and gives examples from our Seekers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzKSvw2B40GY5HxtBKFuChPYggRJ-xwRtCtO9FGuRi2JSx9WySAbBEVYQq_81ATDWa8LYUGVRhgYdik-KvFxoA722e_wwUYFzH9OyzNjg9XwOP_N6aDICRXSmYbd1pN9cap2KoAd0aMM/s1600/superstition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="969" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzKSvw2B40GY5HxtBKFuChPYggRJ-xwRtCtO9FGuRi2JSx9WySAbBEVYQq_81ATDWa8LYUGVRhgYdik-KvFxoA722e_wwUYFzH9OyzNjg9XwOP_N6aDICRXSmYbd1pN9cap2KoAd0aMM/s320/superstition.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are no comments on Fridays so we can catch up on our writing. But do not be dismayed. I have a special gift for all of you. The ecopy of my novella, <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asandra+leesmith&keywords=sandra+leesmith&ie=UTF8&qid=1512655906">HOLIDAY HOMECOMING</a></b> is free today on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asandra+leesmith&keywords=sandra+leesmith&ie=UTF8&qid=1512655906">Amazon. </a> Or you can order a print copy if you need a stocking stuffer for Christmas.</div>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Debbie fell in love with surfer, David Martin. Against her parent’s
wishes, she married her first love. Would the help of an angel and the
influence of the Christmas season bring forgiveness and redemption?</span><!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
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And so you know, <b>HOLIDAY HOMECOMING</b> is the prelude to my new release that is coming out today also. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_asc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asandra+leesmith&keywords=sandra+leesmith&ie=UTF8&qid=1512655906">LOVE'S HEALING</a></b> is available today, December 8. Remember that books make great Christmas gifts. And who doesn't want to jump into the setting of Hawaii on a cold winter day? </div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The secret destroying him, could destroy the one he's
dared to love. </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt;">While visiting her son in Hawaii, Debbie Martin meets
retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Roberts. She realizes she is finally
ready to put the memories of her deceased husband to rest and move on to a new
love. But will Brian’s secret destroy their love? Will their love heal old
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And maybe there is a hint of an angel in this story as well.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sandraleesmith.com/">Sandra Leesmith</a> writes sweet romances to warm the heart. Sandra loves to play pickleball, hike, read, bicycle and write. She is based in Arizona, but she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motorhome and enjoy the outdoors. You can find Sandra's books here on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sandra+leesmith">Amazon</a>. Three of Sandra's most popular books are also audio books at <a href="http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=sandra+leesmith&x=0&y=0">Audible</a>. You can read more of Sandra's posts <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/search/label/Sandra%20Leesmith">here</a>.</span><br />
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Sandra Leesmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911169281960710923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-54521143241501909442017-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T18:55:38.977-04:00Overcoming The Hurtful Past: A Character Arc Snapshot<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>with guest Angela Ackerman.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of all the pieces of backstory we should understand as the author, none will have a greater impact on your story than the <b><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/09/what-is-an-emotional-wound/" target="_blank">Emotional Wound</a></b>. The reason for this is simple. In real life, the people and experiences from our past have made us who we are today—they have shaped us, in good ways and bad. It’s no different for our characters. Formative experiences from their past steer who they become, and no experience is more altering than a psychologically traumatic one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These wounding experiences generate fear and pain, and unresolved, will embed pieces of festering shrapnel which will eat away at a character’s esteem and self-worth. The result is a character who holds back in life, adopts dysfunctional behavior as a shield, develops skewed biases about how the world works, and internalizes destructive false beliefs about her own self-worth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sounds like a recipe for a deeply unfulfilling life, doesn’t it? It is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until our character is ready to revisit this backstory wound, identify the problems and fears that are eroding her happiness, and adopt new attitudes that will help her move forward in a healthier way, the wound will continue to keep what she wants and needs most out of reach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you thinking “character arc” right about now? You’re bang on! This scenario, taking a character from broken to whole, is known as the Change Arc. This is the most common type of arc and is all about transformation and growth. Full of ups and downs, it can be difficult to write, so let me share a blueprint to help. I’ve included hyperlinks for all the big working pieces, so if you haven’t read <b>The Emotional Wound Thesaurus</b>, they can help to show how everything fits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>THE JOURNEY OF LETTING GO</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the start of a story, the character is seeking to obtain <b>her goal</b> (outer motivation), which she may be pursuing to either avoid something undesirable or to satisfy <b>a yearning</b> (inner motivation). The pursuit of this objective is difficult or may seems impossible. There might be <b>roadblocks</b> in the way and people or forces standing against the character (outer conflict), but the unmet need continues to drive her toward her goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the story progresses, she gradually gains small insights into <b>the things that are holding her back</b> <i>(inner conflict)</i>, what she fears and why (the <i>wound</i> and <b><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/02/help-character-wounds-list-common-themes/" target="_blank">the lie)</a></b>, and how her habits and biases (<b><a href="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2017/11/16/emotional-shielding/" target="_blank">emotional shielding</a></b>) are probably not helping her cope. With these baby steps of self-growth, she learns and matures, adapting to her current circumstances and achieving minor successes that increase her confidence. These successes may be akin to false positives, though, because she hasn’t fully rejected the fear and false beliefs that are causing her damage. Still fearful of emotional pain, a lot of her shielding remains in place. She also continues to embrace the lie; she doubts whether she really deserves the goal but is cautiously hopeful things will work out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A point will come in the story when she hits an impasse or suffers a significant setback. This is her dark moment, where she hits rock bottom. She sees that she can’t win going forward as she has been—that if she wants her goal, she must examine her position honestly and <a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/06/story-midpoint-mirror-moment-using-heros-emotions-transform/" target="_blank">take a closer look at some of her internal issues.</a> This means she must confront her emotional pain and challenge the lie she believes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Depending on the nature of the wounding event, gaining insight</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> can be painful, but it has to be done. The character must eventually awaken to two things: first, she must see her wound in a new light, admitting that it has held her back and kept her from being happy and fulfilled. Second, she must view herself differently, in a kinder light, and believe she is worthy of something better and is deserving of happiness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This<a href="http://elizabethspanncraig.com/6494/overcoming-emotional-wounds-how-to-show-your-character-is-beginning-to-heal/" target="_blank"> self-awareness</a> will change her view of herself, allowing her to replace her disempowering beliefs of unworthiness with <b>empowering beliefs</b> (that she is worthy, has value, and is capable of achieving change). This new, balanced perspective frees her from any feelings of blame, responsibility, or unworthiness she carries about the past, which shatters the lie and replaces it with the truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Refuting the lie and putting the wounding event into perspective enables her to forgive herself (if necessary) and be free of the fear that has steered her actions to date. It also changes her misconceptions about the world and how it operates. She is no longer held prisoner by fear; instead, she has hope and is infused with determination. Complete, centered, and embracing her true self, she does what is needed to achieve the goal, even if it means making personal sacrifices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moving past the wound will not remove her fears completely, but because she believes in herself, and she knows what she must do, she is able to embrace the challenges ahead. Despite the forces that stand between her and her goal, she is ready to move forward by shedding the negative qualities that are holding her back and either adopting new, positive traits or honing forgotten ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As she moves toward her goal, she may be tested by encountering a situation similar to the wounding event. This will trigger the same fear, but her newfound strength and belief in herself allows her to master it instead of being mastered by it. Once she successfully navigates this situation, she will gain her goal (provided you are writing a HEA). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are stepping stones you can use to show your character’s own journey from incomplete and unfulfilled to satisfied and whole. Remember that wounds will never be forgotten. But once the character faces the past and sees it differently (and lets go of any lies or self-blame she may feel) she has an inner strength she lacked before. Moving forward, she will behave differently, deploying healthy coping strategies and harnessing positive qualities to stay centered and on the path to wholeness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you write this type of Character Arc journey? It’s one we can all relate to as unfortunately emotional pain is not limited to fiction. Aren’t we all seeking ways to move forward and heal? A good reason to remember to be kind to ourselves, and to others.🙂</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leave a comment today and you could win a copy of <b><i><a href="http://a.co/4bqjasI" target="_blank">The Emotional Wound Thesauraus.</a></i></b> Angela is giving away two ecopies! Thank you, Angela. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And Angela brings a special opportunity to Seekerville, you can watch a terrific Emotional Wounds Webinar for a discounted price and help a fellow writer. <a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/emotional-wound-webinar-purchase-page/" target="_blank">Details here. </a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttw7XfbkuE4/WheZAo31Z8I/AAAAAAAApRs/S0RJVb5GUxMZ2C_UTmM-l7ecj84lZ5O1ACLcBGAs/s1600/Angela%2BAckerman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttw7XfbkuE4/WheZAo31Z8I/AAAAAAAApRs/S0RJVb5GUxMZ2C_UTmM-l7ecj84lZ5O1ACLcBGAs/s320/Angela%2BAckerman.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Angela Ackerman</span></b><span lang="EN-CA"> is a writing coach,
international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/"><i>The Emotion Thesaurus</i></a></span><span lang="EN-CA">, as well as five others
(including </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/the-emotional-wound-thesaurus-a-writers-guide-to-psychological-trauma/"><i>The
Emotional Wound Thesaurus</i></a></span><span lang="EN-CA">). Her books are available in six
languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists,
screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. Angela is also the
co-founder of the popular site </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/">Writers
Helping Writers</a></span><span lang="EN-CA">,
as well as </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://onestopforwriters.com/">One Stop for Writers</a></span><span lang="EN-CA">, an powerful online
library built to help writers elevate their storytelling. Find her on </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaAckerman">Facebook</a></span><span lang="EN-CA">, </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://twitter.com/AngelaAckerman">Twitter</a></span><span lang="EN-CA">, and </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/writers_helping_writers_angela/">Instagram</a></span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-73029786591060999872017-12-06T00:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T19:01:34.100-04:00What Are Your Characters Afraid Of?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with guest Janice Hardy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear is part of every story (and not just on the writer's side!). It motivates our characters, helps our readers understand what's at stake, and gives us emotional layers to plot with. It's a natural aspect of being human, even for characters who aren't swimming in the same gene pool as the rest of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often, when we're creating a character and choosing their strengths and weaknesses, we look only at the big fears. These are the fears that are likely driving the plot or character arc and are central to the story. For example:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>General fiction fears</i>: Losing your job, your home, your children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Romance fiction fears:</i> Being alone, a cheating lover, meeting new people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Fantasy fiction </i><i>fears</i>: Death of you or a loved one, a returning evil, the fate of the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The type of story typically determines the type of fear at the core of that story, but all of these central fears could apply to any story regardless of genre. They're all something readers can relate to no matter where the story is set.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But that's not the only fear we'll toss into the mix. Our characters will have both rational and irrational fears, personal quirks and phobias, past traumas or experiences that left a mark, and so on. Odds are, whoever the character is, there's a deliciously deep well of fear to drink from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example, being alone applies to everyone, as does losing things you care about, or having your "world" change in disastrous ways. A "returning evil" could be a dark lord from the Land of Guwen, or an old nemesis from high school who tormented you for four years. Losing a job, home, or child applies to the contemporary heroine as much as the fantasy hero or the romance couple. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which is a ton of fun to write, and why fears are vital to great storytelling. Everyone has them, and they affect everyone differently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's explore how we can use our characters' fears to write compelling fiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fear Is a Fantastic Character Motivator</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Basically, people act to get something they want or to avoid something they don't want. Fear and desire are at the center of everything we do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every story will have a goal and the protagonist will spend the story trying to achieve that goal. But it's also common in an early draft for the writer to not yet know why their protagonist is risking heart and soul to achieve that goal, and the story flounders. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look at the protagonist (and/or the other characters) and ask:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What are they afraid of in this story? In this scene?</b> Fears affect the story in many ways, so you'll have big, plot-driving fears and small scene-advancing ones. You'll also have fears that affect the character arc or internal conflict. In pivotal scenes, you'll probably have multiple fears working against one another to create the most conflict. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Why don't they want this to happen?</b> If the goal is to avoid something, there's a reason, and it should be more than, "because the plot says so" in some way. Failure matters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Or...Why <i>do </i>they want it to happen?</b> If the goal is to achieve or cause something, how will this benefit the protagonist? How will this avoid or alleviate a fear? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How does the motivate them to behave?</b> The fear in the scene will cause the protagonist to behave in a way that affects the plot, story, and/or character arc. Even if that fear causes them not to act, such as a scared romance protagonist being too afraid to talk to the love interest and missing a chance at love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the protagonist isn't afraid of <i>something</i> in every scene, that's a red flag there's nothing at stake. Low to missing stakes usually leads to a <i>meh</i> story that might be well written, but readers find themselves not caring about the characters or the outcome of the plot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fear Helps Our Readers Understand What's at Stake</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the toughest questions a writer can get is from readers asking, "Why should I care about your characters and your story?" Stakes are a big reason why. This is why we see a ton of underdog stories about the little guy succeeding over the big guy, but very few about the successful folks winning yet again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>No one cares about winners who always win.</b> We want to see the struggle<i> not</i> to lose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What does your protagonist have to lose? They should risk something by getting involved or acting in whatever way the story needs them to, even if it's small. It could be something physical, such as a risk of injury, or emotional, such as a hit to their confidence, or major, such as their life or happiness. If there's no consequence for failing, there are no stakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What will this cost them?</b> If they fail in a scene, what happens? If they fail in the story, what happens? On the flip side, how does success in the scene affect them? Winning could demand a price just as easily as losing if the victory comes at the expense of a best friend or moral principle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If there's nothing at stake, that could be a red flag there's not enough conflict in the story, or the goal isn't personal enough for the protagonist. Remember--without conflict, there <i>is</i> no story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fear Gives Us Emotional Layers to Plot with</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since fears can be both rational and irrational, they're great tools to plot with. The desire for a goal drives the plot forward, while fear creates conflicts internally as well as externally to make achieving that goal a challenge. Phobias and past experiences might cause a character to behave irrationally in a critical situation and send the story in an unexpected direction. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can you force your protagonist to face their fears?</b> A great way to add conflict to a scene is to put the protagonist up against something they're afraid of. Not only do they have the external problem to deal with, it's compounded by the fear factor. It also offers potential scene settings that could play off those fears, such as a fear of heights, the dark, or social situations. Making the protagonist uncomfortable adds tension and keeps things unpredictable for readers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can the protagonist's fears make them fail?</b> Sometimes you need the protagonist to fail without them looking like an idiot. Fear can give the protagonist a plausible reason to mess up without looking incompetent. This is also a great tool to cause a failure where readers least expect it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How might the protagonist's fear cause them to struggle?</b> For stories with strong character arcs, fear is vital, because it creates that necessary struggle to overcome a problem. Struggling is good, as it makes readers care more about the characters they like and causes them to root for them. A lack of struggling suggests a lack of conflict, which could mean the characters are just acting out the plot and not truly driving the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If there are no emotional layers or struggles to be found, that could be a red flag for unengaged characters that are just doing what the plot tells them to do. For highly plot-driven stories, such as thrillers or procedurals, this might not be an issue, but for more emotional stories, such as romances or contemporary fiction, it hints at a serious problem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear might not be fun in real life, but it's a wonderful tool to use in a story. It rounds out a character, causes them to act, and shows why acting is important to the overall tale. It binds a story together and weaves through the plot, subplots, character arcs, and even theme to tell a tale readers will lose themselves in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Check out my newest book, </span></b><a href="http://amzn.to/2vtCHns"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Understanding Conflict (And What It </span></i></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Really <i>Means</i></span></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">)</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">, an in-depth guide to how to use conflict in your fiction.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Today Seekerville is giving away an ecopy of </span></b></span><a href="http://amzn.to/2vtCHns" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">Understanding Conflict (And What It </span></i></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">Really <i>Means</i></span></b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">)</span></i></b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to one writer. And if you are a reader joining us today, we have a $10.00 Amazon gift card. </span></b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Janice-Hardy/e/B00LUSWJ82/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Janice Hardy</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> is the award-winning author of the fantasy trilogy, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Healing-Wars-Book/dp/0061747084/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Healing Wars</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">, and multiple books on writing, including </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2vMA3fc"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And </span></i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Really<i> Getting It</i></span></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">), </span></i><a href="http://amzn.to/ZhXzN8"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Planning Your Novel: Ideas and Structure</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">and </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2c4eQlu"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">She's also the founder of the writing site, Fiction University, and a frequent speaker at writing conferences across the country.<i> </i>For more advice and helpful writing tips, visit her at<i> </i></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Janice/Dropbox/Writing/BLOG%20TOURS/Tour%20Posts/Ready%20to%20Go%20Posts/SENT/www.Fiction-University.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.fiction-university.com</span></a></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><b> or @Janice_Hardy.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://blog.janicehardy.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Website</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/janice.hardy.184?ref=profile"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Janice_Hardy"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2868311.Janice_Hardy?from_search=true"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Janice-Hardy/e/B00LUSWJ82/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469456572&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/janice-hardy/2124705"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/no/artist/janice-hardy/id364554906?mt=11"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">iTunes</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/apachesolr_search?author_filter=Hardy%2C+Janice"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">Indie Bound</span></a></b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-3360787822351866172017-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-05T00:00:05.804-05:00National Blue Jeans Day and Getting Into Character<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Welcome to National Blue Jeans Day.</b> This post is an update of one done in August of 2015. Comments are closed today. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMHqE08aX64/VcWSSnZKSeI/AAAAAAAAcKE/J8KrlKhKpX0/s1600/Fotolia_79735328_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMHqE08aX64/VcWSSnZKSeI/AAAAAAAAcKE/J8KrlKhKpX0/s320/Fotolia_79735328_XS.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right now I'm working on my fourth book in my Big Heart Ranch series, which will release in 2019, and I'm very excited about this book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is Tripp Walker's story. Tripp is a horse whisperer. A six-foot-five lean cowboy with a scar down the left side of his face, whose history of abuse and neglect as a child runs as deep as those of the children of Big Heart Ranch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like the idea of getting into the head or the boots of this cowboy who is actually a pretty funny man of few words. And those words tend to be to the point. Even if that point hurts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why does a writer get into character? We do this so our readers will relate to our protagonist/s. So they care. We want them to care enough to continue to turn the pages and to think about our characters after the book has ended. We also want to show how this character is different from every other character in the book. <b>Even the blue jeans they wear show they are different. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But how does a writer get into character?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ve invited a few of my friends to share their methods with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting to know my characters is fundamental to my writing process. I cannot write them until in my head they "live, move and have their being." To facilitate this, I fill out a character profile on each major character—kind of like what I'd want to know if I were going to date them. I find photos—actors work best in terms of picture availability—that match the character forming in my head with someone I can study on screen for mannerisms that will make my characters come to life on the page. Then, I take my characters with me wherever I go—to the grocery store, carpool, church, etc . . . I try to see the experience through their eyes, not my own. By the time I've finished this "research phase", I know my characters well enough that I'll know their favorite hymn and what "moves" them. Finally, once they've completely jelled, I start writing. My final step will sound weird—but the normal ship sailed without me a long time ago. Utilizing a signature character fragrance found in lotions, soaps or candles, I'm able to quickly step into their essence and write their story each day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lisa Carter-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Cherokee-Trail-Lisa-Carter/dp/1501800582">Beyond the Cherokee Trail</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I write a story, I need to know the characters, especially their internal conflicts and any fears or secrets they might be hiding. Often they've been wounded, sometimes by a misconception, sometimes by a lost love, sometimes by a mistake they've made. Seeing life through the lens of that wound creates a false self, what screenwriting consultant Michael Hauge calls a false identity. Once I understand my characters' brokenness and the baggage they carry, I'm ready to begin my story. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Debby Giusti-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Person-Interest-Military-Investigations-Giusti/dp/0373446861/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439770323&sr=8-1&keywords=person+of+interest+debby">Person of Interest</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The easiest and fastest way for me to get into my characters head is to take a walk. The walking is enough activity to keep the left brain occupied so my creative right brain can get into it. Then I walk and picture myself in their world and imagine their reaction to it. Other tricks I use: I have photos of each main character and a list of their flaws, their goals, wants, needs, etc. I can quickly glance at that list and photo and picture their character. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sandra+leesmith">Sandra Leesmith</a></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrH495f52N4/WiE62ovTmXI/AAAAAAAApWk/AHp3jp1agN4IznIQWJWfYCiBfPtDYAFcQCLcBGAs/s1600/haley-phelps-62815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrH495f52N4/WiE62ovTmXI/AAAAAAAApWk/AHp3jp1agN4IznIQWJWfYCiBfPtDYAFcQCLcBGAs/s320/haley-phelps-62815.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo Haley Phelps @Unsplach</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ask myself what the character is feeling. If I can write realistic emotions, then the rest usually falls into place. If I'm having a particularly difficult time with a scene, I stop writing in narrative form and start making lists. I'll go back and list everything that's happened to my character recently and then write down some basic emotions. "Elise is feeling angry because..., so that anger is going to come out when she..." I'll make a list of the things I want her to feel and unique ways to describe those feelings. I'll also make a list of descriptions to sprinkle in. I work right on through the five senses and then add the sentences I come up with to bland spots in the scene.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Naomi Rawlings-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Unfading-Light-Historical-Christian-ebook/dp/B00RS9604Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Love's Unfading Light</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To write my characters' stories I must know their backstory inside and out. Once I have a handle on what they’ve experienced and the difficulties that’s caused, they become very real to me. When writing their story, I feel what they’re feeling, as I would feel the heartache and joy of a dear friend. I don’t use music, fragrances or pictures to trigger them. The fastest way for me to get into their story is to read the previous scene. If that fails, I reread the profile I created that includes everything of importance I know about them. Not what they like for breakfast, but vital stuff like their wounds and issues—Jeff Gerke calls these the poison or knots that keep them from changing—their strengths, goals and motivations. Once I’m engaged by what makes them tick and what they want and why, I’m ready to travel their bumpy road, showing their view of their world--often a skewed view--through their senses and reactions. When I find myself speaking their dialogue as I type, I know I'm connected. <br /><b>Janet Dean-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bounty-Hunters-Redemption-Janet-Dean-ebook/dp/B0111N1AP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1439771181&sr=1-1&keywords=the+bounty+hunter%27s+redemption">The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, since I AM a character, it’s pretty easy for me to get inside my characters’ heads, especially the quirky ones like Charity O’Connor.I find that brainstorming on the treadmill works wonders in this regard because once my feet are flying, the dialogue does too, and nothing gets me into character faster than writing dialogue. Another thing that helps, crazy as it sounds, is a hand mirror. I keep one close so I can act out character expressions and personalities. Sometimes I even try to emulate people/characters I love and relate to. For instance, my disfigured, sweet and shy heroine Emma Malloy was actually modeled after Francine Rivers’ amazing Hadassah heroine from the Mark of the Lion series. A poor imitation, I realize, but Francine’s depiction really helped me shape Emma and get inside her head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Julie Lessman-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Collection-Beautiful-Christian-Stories-ebook/dp/B00USY8QL8/ref=la_B001JSA6RY_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439771496&sr=1-11">Grace Like Rain</a> (With This Kiss Historical Collection)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Desperate love of freedom... and an even more desperate yearning to put the past behind her. That's how I got into character for Magdalena Serida, my church-sponsored Chechen refugee in "Refuge of the Heart". War can take a normal person and push them to unheard extremes, but inside they're still that normal person. I had to envision every decision, every emotion from both angles. How would Lena react to this? And how would a war-torn tortured soul see it? And each action then had to embrace both sides. A woman at odds with herself, faced with new chances. Reading about the Chechen insurgency and following news clips on the Internet helped me shape her past, but pretending to be Magdalena helped me mold her future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ruth Logan Herne-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Refuge-Heart-Ruth-Logan-Herne/dp/1616369531/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439771820&sr=8-1&keywords=refuge+of+the+heart">Refuge of the Heart</a></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQxyqNSnIA4/WiE8j5hgOnI/AAAAAAAApWw/uA64z0lmOpUU2w7n7ocQOTS3CKz7N73qACLcBGAs/s1600/aj-colores-383678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQxyqNSnIA4/WiE8j5hgOnI/AAAAAAAApWw/uA64z0lmOpUU2w7n7ocQOTS3CKz7N73qACLcBGAs/s320/aj-colores-383678.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> AJ Colores @Unsplash</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way I get into a character's head the quickest is to focus on three Ps: picture, profession and personality. What a person looks like, what s/he does for a living (paid or unpaid) and what traits s/he possesses can tell me a lot about her/him. I find a picture of a person that looks like my character and keep it handy. Is s/he tall or short, attractive or plain? Does s/he have any distinctive markings, features, etc. that would affect her/his way of relating to others?I use metaphors, similes, language, etc. that someone in my character's chosen profession would use. If there's a particular jargon associated with the profession, I work those words into my character's thoughts and dialogue. I keep my character's personality in mind and think about how that would affect her/his choices, actions, speech, etc. Is s/he serious, silly, snarky or sweet? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Keli Gwyn- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Dreams-Love-Inspired-Historical/dp/0373283172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439772040&sr=8-1&keywords=family+of+her+dreams">Family of Her Dreams</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I often do a mix of things to get into a character’s head:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find a photo to keep their face/personality fresh in my mind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Give them a dominant characteristic and perspective on the world that colors their thoughts (a Wyoming rancher is very likely going to see some things differently than a big city surgeon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Write a few “first person” paragraphs from the character’s POV explaining to me their background, their goal, motivation & conflict, and their thoughts regarding their love interest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I ask them questions--it’s amazing what your subconscious dredges up about the interior life of a character if he’s given the leeway to speak his own mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writing the opening chapter helps solidify the character when I can see and hear him/her in action.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Glynna Kaye-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rekindling-Widowers-Heart-Hearts-Hunter-ebook/dp/B00VQIXRQE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1439773602&sr=8-7&keywords=glynna+kaye">Rekindling the Widower's Heart</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the course of getting to know my hero/heroine, I usually zero in on a few key likes/dislikes. I find a favorite (or in one case hated) food. I also tend to associate a scent. And I always (ALWAYS) have a playlist with songs specific to the characters and the book. The playlist is key because once I put that on, I'm in the story. The songs are so familiar to me that my brain tunes out the words, but the tune keeps me grounded in the story and in character. For my upcoming release, Christmas in Hiding (LIS, October 2015), I focused on Christmas scents and foods. If I needed to get into character, I brewed a cup of peppermint tea and had a chocolate cookie with it. Often the tea grew cold as I wrote, but the scent was there to remind me. I also had a sachet with a balsam scent that kept me in the Christmas spirit. Ironically, I didn't use Christmas music while writing this book. My heroine, Callie, loves the song "How Great Thou Art." I had that on constant repeat as I wrote. It never failed to put me in Callie's head and heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cate Nolan-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Hiding-Love-Inspired-Suspense/dp/0373447019/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439934641&sr=8-1&keywords=Christmas+in+Hiding">Christmas in Hiding</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for me (Tina here), well, the first draft of getting into character utilizes Michael Hauge's, <a href="http://www.storymastery.com/shop/dvds/heros-two-journeys-dvd/">The Hero's Two Journeys</a> techniques. Hauge says that our number one job is to draw the reader into the world we have created by identification. How do we help the reader to identify or empathize with the character? <b>By giving them at least two of the following:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Make the character the victim of some undeserved misfortune.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Put the character in jeopardy. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Make the character likable.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Make the character funny.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Make the character powerful. </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Second draft and each one after that is where I really dig in and channel my characters. Yes, really, channel them. If the word "channel" makes you think of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh5b29cM0KA">Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost,</a> then go ahead and think about walking a mile in your character's moccasins. Whatever gets you in their head and into deep point of view.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A quick refresher on deep point of view. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ashley Baxter @Unsplash</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Deep Point of View was a phrase that I came up with when I was trying to explain my writing style. Point of view can be subjective (picture a hand-held camera on top of a character's head) or objective (picture something like a security camera, bolted into place in the corner of a room). In my books, I use subjective point of view, but I'm not satisfied with merely showing the reader what that camera sees from its perch atop a character's head. I bring the camera down, inside of that character's head, so we see the world through that character's eyes. We hear things through his ears. We smell what he smells, feel what he feels, think what he think. With deep POV, I write using words that that character would use. I tell the story with that character's voice. "</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> Suzanne Brockmann</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that you have methods for getting into character I want to show you what happens when you get into character. Pick any Keeper book on your shelf and chances are the author is terrific at characterization. These are books you read over and over again because you know the characters inside and out. Why? Because the author got into character and dragged you along.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pete Bellis @Unsplash</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some examples of authors who know how to get into character. They put you right in the scene. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Python turned slowly in his chair, and Annabelle felt as if she'd been punched in the gut. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>He was square-jawed and tough, everything about him proclaiming a brash, self-made man-a roughneck who'd flunked charm school the first couple of times around but finally got it right on the third pass. His hair was thick and crisp, its rich color a cross between a leather portfolio and a bottle of Bud. He had a straight, confident nose and bold dark eyebrows, one of which was bisected near the end with a thin pale scar. The firm set of his well-molded mouth proclaimed a low tolerance for fools, a passion for hard work that bordered on obsession, and possibly-although this might be her imagination-a determination to own a small chalet near St. Tropez before he was fifty. If it weren't for a vague irregularity to his features, he would have been unbearably gorgeous. Instead, he was merely drop-dead good-looking. What did a man like this need with a matchmaker?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Susan Elizabeth Phillips-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Match-You-Chicago-Stars-Book-ebook/dp/B000FCKBJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439778411&sr=8-1&keywords=match+me+if+you+can">Match Me If You Can</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>She looked up-and up again-into his face. The Phoenix website hadn't identified which PI held which credential, but based on this guy's polished clean-cut appearance-not to mention his authoritative bearing-she'd be willing to bet he was Secret Service. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>As for her plan to bolt ...she wavered as his eyes sucked her in. Dark as obsidian, they searched, discerned, and reassured all in the space of a few heartbeats, prompting her to draw three rapid conclusions. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This was a man who would listen, evaluate, and come to sound conclusions.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This was a man who would treat her story with respect.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This was a man she could trust.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The silence lengthened, until the receptionist hidden from her view behind the PI's broad shoulders cleared her throat.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A fleeting frown marred the man's brow, then he released her hand, took a step back, and waited.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The ball was in her court.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Without overanalyzing her change of heart, she took a deep breath and tightened her fingers around the handle of her briefcase. "I can spare a few minutes."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Irene Hannon-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deceived-Novel-Private-Justice-3/dp/080072125X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1439778439&sr=8-5&keywords=deceived">Deceived</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Reacher took a shuttle from the bus depot to the Portland airport and bought a one-way ticket on United to LAX. He used his passport for ID and his ATM card as a debit card. The one-way walk up fare was outrageous. Alaska Airlines would have been cheaper, but Reacher hated Alaska Airlines. They put a scripture card on their meal trays. Ruined his appetite. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Airport security was easy for Reacher. His carry-on baggage amounted to precisely none at all. He had no belt, no keys, no cell phone, no watch. All he had to do was dump his loose change in a plastic tray and take off his shoes and walk through the X-ray hoop. Thirty seconds, beginning to end. Then he was on his way to the gate, coins back in his pocket, shoes back on his feet, Neagley on his mind. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lee Child<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Luck-Trouble-Jack-Reacher/dp/0440246016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439779284&sr=8-1&keywords=bad+luck+and+trouble">-Bad Luck and Trouble</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So what do you think? And what are your tips for getting into character?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One more challenge. Stop and think really quick about the hero and or heroine of one of the books on your Keeper shelf (including a virtual Keeper shelf). Or a memorable secondary character. I bet you remember their names without looking.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Two of mine are Jaine Bright and Sam Donovan (heroine & hero from a contemporary romance-not inspirational). Only a few of you will know what book I am talking about. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful Tuesday, and flaunt your blue jeans! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.tinaradcliffe.com/">Tina Radcliffe</a></b> now lives in sunny Arizona where there are two seasons: hot summer and cold summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She is a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner for <b><i>Mending the Doctor's Heart. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tina is delighted to partner with Love Inspired and Harlequin for the Big Heart Ranch series. The first of these books, <b><i><a href="http://a.co/1VJtCX5" target="_blank">Claiming Her Cowboy</a>, </i>releases December 19, in print and January 1, in ebook format.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To celebrate this new series, join in on First Dibs Fridays on her Facebook Author <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tinaradcliffeauthor/" target="_blank">page here.</a> Fun giveaways every Friday in December. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To keep up with her giveaways, <a href="http://bit.ly/2angfWP" target="_blank">sign up for her newsletter here. </a></b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo Courtesy Rhonda Starnes Red Boots Photography.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com