Near Miss Day - Hobbit Be Gone

It's Near Miss Day, and I just an interesting article on the Tolkien Society Page about the prolific writer, J. R. R. Tolkien. Apparently, he suffered a bout of trench fever and was sent to a military hospital days before he would have fought in a battle. The battle turned out to be a bloody one with many lives lost. Who's to say Tolkien wouldn't have died in that battle? If so, then he would have never written The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. I'd say it was a near miss....

You can read the full article here:

Tolkien Society

March is Ideas Month!

It's March! That means St. Patrick's Day, Spring cleaning, and my birthday. March is also known as Ideas Month. Need some help generating ideas? I've included some of my favorite methods for inspiring ideas and idea mapping.

Generating Ideas

Seventh Sanctum

One of my favorite places to go when I'm stuck and need help with generating ideas is Seventh Sanctum. Since 1999, this free online generator has inspired writers randomly in areas such as characters, names and naming, skills, abilities, and traits. Site owner, Steve Savage, is a computer programmer and writer. He says, "This site is designed to help people get their mojo going and have a good time well doing it. Go on, kick around, and join the fun" I agree. I use the site almost exclusively for character naming of minor characters, but occasionally I use the character generator for minor characters to kick start my inspiration. 

45 Master Characters

I have several GO TO books that use while plotting every book. My favorite is "45 Master Characters" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. Not only does the author explain how to use mythical models for creating characters, but the book includes worksheets for developing your characters. And there's more! At the end of the book, Ms. Schmidt breaks down the hero's journey into male and female roles. She calls them the feminine journey and masculine journey. Use the worksheets to plot out the path your characters will take.

Idea Mapping

A visual representation of the inner workings of my mind. For those of you who've tried to talk to me, only to be met with a, "huh?" - it's because ALL this and more is going on in my brain at any given moment.

This picture above show how I  map out all the ideas I've generated into a 3-act, linear format. Pantsers will not appreciate this at all, but all you Plotters are getting really excited right now. The color coding and post-it systems are my own, but I follow the Hero's Journey strictly. 

You don't have to write fantasy to follow the hero's journey!

Another book I recommend is "Story Structure Architect" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. In it you will find how to structure the Hero's Journey for every genre. Of course, I use the Romance structure. The most important feature of this book is learning how to set up your plot conflicts over the course of a 3-act structure. Timing is critical in novel writing. Authenticity is crucial. 

Inspiring Ideas

Still need idea inspiration? I recommend Pinterest. Start a board for your WIP. Do searches for various keywords and see what pops up. If you can, print out a bunch of pictures in color and pin them on a real-life pin board to look at while you write. Maybe create a scrapbook based on your findings. 

March is full of possibilities. Make this month's focus about generating ideas.

Close Up with Kit Morgan

My author feature today occupies not one, but FIFTEEN spots in the Top 100 on Amazon in our category! Her name is Kit Morgan, and I guess you could call her the "little writer on the prairie." And if by "prairie" you mean an eBook empire, then you'd be right. Her stories of romance on the western frontier are beautifully written and masterfully crafted. I'm pleased as punch to share literary space with her in the Top 100. She left a few spots open, and I slid right in. Thank you, Kit!

"...whimsical, fun, inspirational sweet stories that depict a strong sense of family and community."

 

Buy now on Amazon!

 

Buy now on Amazon!

 

Buy now on Amazon!

These are just a few of this talented author's collection of bestsellers. I can only hope to achieve what she's achieved in her career. A shining example of "the dance," the writing dance, that is.

How much does a publishing contract cost?

So you're a wanna-be bestseller. No big contract. No agent. Only an unpublished manuscript and dream. Publishers won't give you the time of day because you don't have an agent. Agents won't give you the time of day because they are only picking up clients at writers conferences, and even then, only the ones who have done some things and know some people and have a proven track record with a self-published book are making the cut. What things do you need to do? What people do you need to know? Just how much does a publishing contract cost anyway?

Things you need to do yearly:

1. Attend a workshop
2. Attend a conference
3. Join a local writer's group
4. Join a national writer's group
5. Establish a web presence
6. Book promotion

People you need to know (no specific names):

1.  book reviewers
2. librarians
3. writer's group presidents/ vice presidents
4. established authors with agents and contracts
5. mentor authors

Now let's talk numbers:

Average workshop cost $75-200
Average conference cost $300-500
Local writer's group dues $20-100
National writer's group dues $80-400
Website (not optimized) $100-200
Book promotion $500-1,000

Okay, math people - not me, that's what calculators are for - let's see what this all adds up to. If you factor in just 1 workshop and 1 conference per year, joining 1 local and 1 national group per year, and only promoting 1 book per year, you come up with:

$1,075 - $2,400 / year.....just to put yourself out there in hopes of talking to the right person who will lead you to the right event with all the stars aligned in your favor.

Oh, but it gets better. This blog post is full of sunshine, isn't it?

50% of all published authors (non-NY) make an average of only $500/book. Kinda disheartening.

Okay, very disheartening.

But there is light at the end of this dark, depressing tunnel. It will pay off. The system is set up to weed out all but the best writers. The good news is that great writers are making great money. They put themselves out there, got the attention of an agent, landed the big contract, and now they are living the dream. If you believe in your writing and invest in yourself, then it will happen for you eventually.

The best thing you can do is accept that you will have to spend money (or be a very smooth talker) until you land an agent. Getting the agent is essential. Whenever I think about how much money I've spent versus how little money I've earned so far, I remind myself that this is how much an agent costs. And repeat.

Agents are expensive these days. I still don't have one. And I'm still spending more money than I make as a writer. But I have hope. I pray every day, and I know that writing is my calling. God is going to make a way. Hang in there, writer friends.

Beware of those who try to scam writer hopefuls. If there is any 1 specific area I would recommend spending your limited dollars, it would be attending a conference and scheduling time with an agent.

Until then, I'll pray for you and you pray for me. Keep the faith!

In touch with Tamera Alexander

Who is Tamera Alexander? To be frank, she's my #1 competition in the romance market. As in #1 bestselling on Amazon. Not to mention, she holds the title of USA Today Bestselling author.

One day.....

A writer can dream, right?

Let's meet her formally:

"Tamera Alexander is the USA Today bestselling author of numerous books, including A Lasting Impression, A Beauty So Rare, To Whisper Her Name, and From a Distance. Her richly drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide, as well as multiple industry awards.

These awards include two Christy Awards for Excellence in Christian fiction, two RITA awards for Best Inspirational Romance, three Gayle Wilson Awards of Excellence, two Bookseller’s Best Awards, and being listed among Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction, among others. 

After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville where they enjoy life with their two adult children who live nearby, and Jack, a precious—and precocious—silky terrier."

For more about Tamera, please visit her website at: www.tameraalexander.com

A few things we have in common:

1. We both have Southern roots.
2. We both have two children.
3. We both have a beloved dog named Jack.

 "Bestseller Alexander will delight fans..."
~ Publishers Weekly about A Beauty So Rare 

Blurb:

Eleanor Braddock—plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty—knows she will never marry. But with a dying soldier’s last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America—and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path—building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor. 

 

Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows’ and children’s home run contrary to Eleanor’s wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground—and a love neither of them expects.

But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.

Buy the Book: Amazon

For a few, precious hours my novel, HOLDEN, ranked higher than hers on Amazon. Still, I'm pleased to be holdin' in there 15 slots away at #16.

Book Royalty

New York has long been considered capital of the literary world, but one of the greatest book influencers of all-time comes from the small, Texas town of Hawkins, catapulting unknown authors to bestseller stardom and leaving quite a windblown wake from all the pages turning so fast.

Sure, it helps a writer's career to be preceded by fame and have some nice connections, but there are also the stories of regular joes who made it to the big time on a twist of fate - writers like Amanda Hocking and John Locke of the eBook platform and mothers, J. K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. My favorite is Colleen Hoover, a single mom and social worker from East Texas, who became an eBook millionaire in just a few months.

All of these prolific authors relied on reviews and word-of-mouth to send their sales soaring. The same remains true for all writers. It's the bread and butter of the industry. Every time my novels hit #1 on Amazon in category, it's been the direct result of a feature of ENT (eReading News Today). I'd like to talk about a book reviewer and influencer of epic proportions, a woman so important in the book world she's been featured on Oprah.

Kathy L. Murphy owns Beauty and the Book in Hawkins, Texas and founded the Pulpwood Queens Book Club in 2000. Since then, she's made history over and over again. Oprah, Diana Sawyer, and Good Morning America are just a few of the many heavy hitters who have covered the world's first and only beauty salon/ book store. Media darling, Kathy, launched her book club - Pulpwood Queens - from her salon, which now boasts 550+ chapters around the WORLD! Their mission is to "promote authors, books, literacy, and reading all while having some BIG TIME FUN!" 

Whatever she does, she does it big. Big book signings, big literacy events, big hair! Okay, I added that last one. Her influence and the club's popularity launch writers careers. She showcases writers and treats them like royalty. I haven't had the pleasure of getting picked up by Kathy and her crew yet, but a writer can always dream. In the meantime, I'm just grateful that there are people like Kathy in this world who are so willing to help little-known writers like me. 

I salute you, Kathy, and all the Pulpwood Queens and other influencers who pick the jewels from piles of rocks and put them on display for all to see. It's no wonder your tiaras are so stunningly adorned!

50 Shades of White

50 Shades of White

What I love most about the inspirational market

Prism Book Group

The inspirational romance market is one of the fastest growing in the entire industry. For me, it's easy to see why. Christians are always looking for entertainment that doesn't interfere with their faith. Below, I've created a list of 50 reasons I love reading and writing inspirational romance.

1. They display Godly relationships.
2. They lead readers toward what is right.
3. They are founded on strong Christian values.
4. No physical immorality included.
5. Virtue and purity are upheld and encouraged.
6. Readers benefit from the idealistic examples of what falling in love should be like.
7. Filled with well-shaped convictions.
8. They support turning eyes and heart to seek God's purpose.
9. Expectations of love that are focused on the right occupations.
10. They feature characters that are called to love and serve.
11. They share prayers.
12. Relationship that are not founded upon fleeting things.
13. They show committed relationships founded in the Lord's plan.
14. They focus on things that help Christians grow and flourish.
15. The emphasize that forging a relationship with God is the most important thing in life.
16. They show that life is hard and people struggle - God makes it all bearable.
17. They feature strong protagonists that only become stronger together with God at the helm.
18. Emotional depth.
19. Focus is NOT on being perfect, for all fall short of the glory of God.
20. Strict guidelines that govern what can and cannot be included within the pages, though you must make sure you only gets books from ACFW-approved publishers.
21. They inspire an emotional response.
22. Faith impacts the characters' decisions.
23. They contain solid theology.
24. They provide encouragement. 
25.  Christ is the Redeemer, not a overly-muscled and scantily clad hero.
26. Hope lies in Christ, not the hero.
27. God doesn't always wrap up the loose ends, and that's okay. They provide an accurate depiction of life's messes.
28. Helps us grow as believers, as they often included sermons. It just might be the message you need to hear.
29. More realistic expectations about relationships and spirituality than secular novels.
30. They promote satisfaction with real life.
31. Paints a beautiful picture of Christian life.
32. Alpha males are replaced with more genuine heroes - strong, but not dominant and aggressive.
33. They break all the stereotypes about romantic fiction.
34. They are about the whole experience.
35. They feature real people, spiritual crisis, and sin.
36. They deal with real world issues.
37. The characters are believably flawed in a beautiful way.
38. They inspire people without being too preachy.
39. People from all walks of life read inspirational romance.
40. Readers feel safe reading inspirational romance.
41. Great stories are enhanced with a great message.
42. Christian authors are tools for God and use the talent and creativity they were blessed with to turn others to God.
43. Christian romance is all the good stuff without the graphic stuff.
44. There's something out there for every reader.
45. Christian writers entertain and enlighten.
46. Love and romance, experienced in union with God.
47. They are light, entertaining reads.
48. Christian romances teach that God works in our lives.
49. Christian romance value marriage and family.
50. They are the only books that encourage you to read another book first: the Bible!

There you have it, friends. In completely random order, 50 great reasons to read Christian romance. My publisher, Prism Book Group, has a fantastic line-up of inspirational titles. All of which are approved by ACFW. You can visit their website at www.prismbookgroup.com for descriptions and excerpts.

Here are my inspirational titles, available on Amazon:

What happens when you're living the dream and things suddenly change? Micara Lee's charming existence starts slipping away as land developers threaten the town she loves.

What happens when your dream doesn't align with God's plan for your life? Garrett Hearth finds out when an injury ends his athletic career. Disenchantment and wavering faith keep him from the life he desires. Micara's beautiful spirit touches Garrett's heart... but can she help restore his faith and convince him to live the life God has planned for him?

Their happiness and the legacy of Sweet Home, Texas hang in the balance.

Buy now on Amazon!

 

Return to Sweet Home, Texas!

High school administrator, Sparrow Walker, has just moved to Sweet Home into a rental house closer to the school. The Hearth family eagerly welcomes her to town. But the eldest son - workaholic and heart shy Gabriel Hearth - isn't too pleased about having his son's pushy principal living next door.

Sparrow's concerned determination could prove to be Gabriel's saving grace. If only she can convince him to go along with her plan. Proud and private Gabriel isn't exactly willing, so she decides to turn the tables - using her behavior management tactics on him! With her program in place, this time for the parent instead of the student, it's up to Gabriel to make the next move and risk falling in love again. If he can't, he just might lose the one woman strong enough to love a man like him.

Buy now on Amazon!

Shy and self-conscious, Irelynn's natural instinct has always been to withdraw with her sketchbook. The last time she picked up a paintbrush, however, was the day her father killed himself.

Now put in the position as stand-in for her boss, Irelynn must overcome her wallflower ways and run Hearth Dairy Farm while he's away on vacation. A twist of fate leaves her short a manager, and ruggedly handsome Holden Hearth steps in to assist her.

Second son in the Hearth family, Holden welcomes the chance to spend time in his hometown and confront his disappointing past, even if it includes a bit of hard labor. He's grown from a geeky kid with glasses into a successful businessman. Despite what he went through - enduring the teasing and bullying - he's ready to show Sweet Home what he's become.

Working at the dairy brings Irelynn and Holden together, and the attraction is instant. But as Holden breaks down the personal barriers between them, uncovering the truth about Irelynn's artistic ability, she resists him every step of the way....until she, too, decides to confront her past and come to terms with who she really is.

Buy now on Amazon!