tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73923932778809376852024-03-27T16:53:40.714-07:00The Writers AlleyWhere friends and stories meetSherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comBlogger2129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-34910337284462411382020-03-31T08:34:00.000-07:002020-03-31T08:34:12.728-07:00Why 2020 is NOT a loss<br />
When I first envisioned what I'd write about this week, God put on my heart tips for restarting your goals if the first quarter of 2020 wasn't all you envisioned it to be. Encouragement that it wasn't too late to begin and there was no shame in restarting.<br />
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That was before we knew what "social distancing" was. <b>Before EVERYONE'S 2020 wasn't what they envisioned it would be.</b><br />
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So I wouldn't dream of sharing planning techniques and logistics when much of what we had planned for tomorrow is cancelled and our physical, mental, and emotional needs depend on focusing our attention to the present. When people need gentle arms around them right now so much more than a nudge toward the future.<br />
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I've been listening a lot, looking to the truth tellers who have never steered me wrong. We are ALL trying to navigate something new here, and it looks different for everyone. But there are a few truths God has put on my heart that stay the same no matter how much our world changes.<br />
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<b>God's plans for us in 2020 are most certainly not cancelled. </b>He is not surprised or taken off guard by this global pandemic. Even in the scary and uncertain and uncharted waters, he is unmoving. And he is working. He's still on the throne. (<i>I've had to remind myself of that truth a lot</i>.) The truth is that he has ordained a plan for your life in 2020. We just have to trust in his goodness and sovereignty more than usual.<br />
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<b>"Am I being led by love or moved by fear?" </b>One of my favorite Emily P. Freeman quotes is still an excellent guiding question to ask ourselves as we evaluate how we spend our time and what decisions we make. While it's important to be practical and follow our leaders' guidelines to keep ourselves and others safe, someone who is led by love will actively seek to love on and serve others (for example, checking in on a grandma or a single person home alone) opposed to fear for their own future (i.e. a scarcity mentality/hoarding a basement full of toilet paper).<br />
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<b>Who we BECOME during this time is so much more important than what we do. </b>If you look around, some people have shifted into action to make sure life looks as normal as possible and they stay on track to meet their goals. Ahem, I'm talking about a friend. They're creating the perfect productivity routine. Researching and crafting a successful homeschooling plan. Starting a side project. Reading the Kindle backlog in its entirety. Training for a marathon and doing all the fitness challenges people are posting on Instagram.<br />
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Filling their days with whatever they can in the hope that busyness will equate to purpose.<br />
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Sometimes we get so focused on hustle that we neglect our hearts and miss the fact that much of the time, God's direction looks more like moving one step at a time with HIM than sprinting so hard we can't hear anything over the sound of our own breath.<br />
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Yeah.<i> Totally talking about "a friend."</i><br />
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The forced stillness, the change of scenery, and the threat to our livelihoods can tell us a lot about ourselves and where our values lie. Some of that will be ugly, hard to swallow. All of it is harder to discern when we're constantly moving, relatively safe, and going about a predictable routine.<br />
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But God can use that to reveal the important work he wants to do <b>in</b> us and <b>through</b> us and, most importantly, <b>with</b> us.<br />
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<b>Let me leave you with this benediction for 2020, whatever it looks like for us: </b><br />
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<i>May we focus on who he is with us in the present when we're uncertain about the future.</i><br />
<i>May hope rise because this doesn't change who God has always been.</i><br />
<i>May we be led by love instead of moved by fear.</i><br />
<i>May we listen more than we speak and discern what's TRUE from what's distorted by fear.</i><br />
<i>May we be more focused on what our hearts and bodies are telling us about what we need today instead of hustling for what we want tomorrow.</i><br />
<i>May we draw closer to the Father and become more familiar with the sound of his voice.</i><br />
<i>Amen.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurie Tomlinson is a wife, mom, future RN, and the award-winning contemporary romance author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DGOaYT" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s When I Knew</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjoouZ" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With No Reservations</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and </span><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Game</em><span style="font-family: inherit;">, currently featured in the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2NU0B84" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Upon a Laugh</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> novella collection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You can connect with her on her</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/laurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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<br />Laurie Tomlinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-13586450146676787202020-03-22T22:48:00.004-07:002020-03-22T22:48:46.801-07:00When the World Stops<br />
Where do I even begin?<br />
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Our world looks different than it did a month ago. Even two weeks ago, who would have expected this? No matter what your norm is-- work from home mom, traditionally working mom, single, married, etc.-- your life is different.<br />
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Sure, there are benefits. Extra time with our families. People crossing over political party lines to simply help one another. Slower pace. More crafts. Cute little driveway chalk drawings. Learning to bake every kind of cookie under the sun...<br />
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But if you, like me, are prone to your mental health taking a hit when things get overwhelming, you may also find yourself struggling. One minute you're watching a heartwarming video of people coming together or thinking how glad you are to read with your kid on the couch-- and the next minute you're facing anxiety and depression head-on as it hits you in waves that you have very little control and the whole world is quite literally shutting down.<br />
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We can say this realigns our focus on how little we control in life and how gracious and caring God is. That's true, and it does. But there's more than that, isn't there? There's the panic that burns in our chests and the breaths that are hard to catch as we get take-out food and sanitize our hands one extra time, as we cancel vacations, graduations, sporting events, and best-laid plans. Some of you may be facing unemployment. Some of you may have a loved one who has tested positive for the virus. This. Is. Hard.<br />
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I've been very up and down this week. I've had some emotional highs of sweet times with my family, and I've also had some anxiety attacks and depressive spirals. I've had too much caffeine and not enough water. I've grown overwhelmed by the scope of the spread, but perhaps even more than that, the scope of the shut down (and I'm very pro-closures, don't misunderstand-- its just hard to wrap your mind around). So I speak from a place of standing right beside you. I need to share these two things God has put on my heart, and I hope they will do a good work in you even as you may find yourself feeling lonely, isolated, or in chaos.<br />
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<li><b>We all experience calm and storm, but we have a choice in which seas we set our anchor.</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I keep thinking of the passage where Jesus calms the waves. "Peace, be still," he says to them in Matthew 8. Contrary to what some people may suggest, the Bible never promises us an un-bumpy ride. The Bible <i>does</i> promise us peace. In other words, it's okay to emotionally fall apart. That's your mind and heart and body's way of processing the potential and actual loss of a pandemic. You're scared. That's healthy. You're sad. That's healthy too. <i>We will never make peace and receive the Lord's word over us if we cannot first look at the waves head-on. Do not live in denial/guilt of how you think you "should" feel because all feelings are fine and good. Instead, spend that guilty energy opening your hands and releasing your fears as they come.</i></li>
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<li><b>Feeling whole and healthy has never been a first step/requirement to do what God has called us toward. </b>Every single one of my writing friends who I've spoken with about this has told me the same thing: I am struggling to write right now. And you know what? So am I. But God has begun laying on my heart the reiteration that <i>in my weakness, He is strong. </i>(2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Who says you have to fix yourself or your feelings before you can work in tandem with God? He wants to use you right where you are. Not feeling creative? Maybe lean into that despair as you write. Maybe there's a story in that. Feeling compassion fatigue? Maybe God is leading you to take some small but meaningful step, like mailing out cards to nursing homes or getting someone groceries or even financing school meals. <i>God is our hope, our anchor, and our peace, and He hasn't stopped using us just because we are scared. We cannot take ourselves out of the race simply because we're weary, nor do we have to keep running ragged. </i>God wants to use us IN our weariness through his OWN restorative power. </li>
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Dear writers, if there is ever a time to tell your story, it's now.</div>
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Turn your computer back on.</div>
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="medium" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159807486754442850/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #004b91; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: arial, tahoma, "times New Roman"; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); height: auto; margin: 5px 0px; max-width: 790px; padding: 1px;" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. Her debut novel <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dress-Shop-Street-Heirloom-Secrets/dp/0764237608">The Dress Shop on King Street</a> </i>releases December 3, 2020 from Bethany House. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's also an active member of ACFW. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on <a href="http://www.ashleyclarkbooks.com/">her website</a> - and while you're there, be sure to sign up for her newsletter!</span></div>
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Ashley Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448862585766728595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-28497887022347501942020-03-17T11:30:00.000-07:002020-03-17T11:30:46.378-07:00tips for staying calm, productive, & healthy while social distancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Hi, Alley Pals! Laurie here, taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming to talk about being homebound and working from home with the CDC’s new social distancing recommendations affecting so many people. </i><br />
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I’ve been a work-from-home mom for 8.5 years, ranging from full-time to working part-time and taking classes. I’ve also been quarantined for months when one of my kids had some unexplained symptoms, so I know the full spectrum of feelings that can come from circumstances you can’t control + responsibilities that don’t stop when global pandemics occur. <br />
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Today I’m sharing my best tips to stay healthy, balanced, and productive when homebound.<br />
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First and foremost, actively prioritize grace over fear.</h3>
The headlines and the empty grocery store aisles have demonstrated what fear can do in times like this. And fear breeds shame and all sorts of ugliness. So stay smart and apprised of your area’s recommended precautions, but avoid social media for the time being if it’s a source of fear. <br />
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If you’re having trouble reconciling fear with faith, I love this recommendation from a pastor friend of mine: When possible, focus on what we know to be true of God through His Word rather than trying to make sense of God through the lens of what’s happening in the world.<br />
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And on this subject, my favorite professor always said the best way to alleviate situational stress and anxiety is to turn our focus outward and actively look for ways to help others. Since we’re social distancing, you can order or drop off groceries for others if it’s within your financial means, pray of course, and check in on the most vulnerable in your community. The elderly, the hourly workers, and the children who rely on school lunches may be struggling more than you know. Solidarity and grace are maybe MOST important right now.<br />
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Give yourself a flexible routine (and your kids, if you have them!)</h3>
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On a more practical note, even if you normally balk at the idea of structure (I get it!), let me make a case for a flexible routine. Evaluating all you need to accomplish and then dividing up your day accordingly can decrease stress drastically by reducing the number of decisions you need to make. You don’t need to scramble for what to do with your time because it’s laid out for you. <br />
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And if you’re trying to work from home with kids, this keeps them entertained and gives them direction without so many questions. But, again, the keyword here is FLEXIBLE because we’re all about that grace right now.<br />
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Give yourself one thing to look forward to every day.</h3>
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When I was working from home with a newborn, this was the best advice someone gave me. It’s something that gives you life, maybe feels like a little luxury. For me, that would be an hour with a good book, baking with my kids, a yoga video with my favorite candles, or a hot shower with my yummy lemon body wash. <br />
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Making a bucket list of things you want to accomplish (fun and work) while you’re enjoying social distancing is another great way to stay on track and keep morale up.<br />
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Make space for creativity.</h3>
This is not a natural inclination for me, but the second I found out my kids’ schools were cancelled for three weeks, I made a bin and gathered all of the workbooks, coloring books, and play dough around our house so there would never be a shortage of things to do. I also put in a Target Drive-up order for cheap painting sketch pads and watercolors. Doing something with our hands that doesn’t require a lot of brain activity has been super therapeutic for us.<br />
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If practical things help ease your mind and alleviate some of your fear, your friendly microbiology student is here for you:</h3>
This is a list of things you might not think to do, shared not for the sake of driving mania or paranoia or OCD tendencies, but for those like me who can avoid worry by knowing they’re doing everything they can:<br />
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Follow CDC guidelines + the recommendations of your local health department. Regularly clean your cell phone, laptop, and other electronic devices. Remove shoes before entering your house. Change clothes after you’ve been in a crowded area. Take community hand towels out of your kitchens/bathrooms and give everyone their own that gets washed daily. Disinfect soap dispensers if you’ve reused/refilled them for a while. Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, refrigerator handles, and other things that get lots of touches. <br />
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Take good care of yourself!</h3>
You know the science behind this, but now is a great time to get in regular sunshine/fresh air, leafy green veggies, and plenty of water. Colorful foods (and reduced sugar) will not only support your immune system with naturally occurring vitamins, but it will clear your mind and boost your mental health. As will taking a walk outside or doing a yoga/stretching/fitness video on YouTube.<br />
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In addition to your rhythms of prayer and rest, regularly check in on your mental health and don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional if you need extra help right now. Being proactive in these ways gives your mind and body the fighting chance they need.<br />
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<b>Stay well, my friends. Check in with us in the comments to let us know how you’re doing and what’s been helpful for you!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurie Tomlinson is a wife, mom, future RN, and the award-winning contemporary romance author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DGOaYT" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s When I Knew</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjoouZ" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With No Reservations</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and </span><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Game</em><span style="font-family: inherit;">, currently featured in the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2NU0B84" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Upon a Laugh</em></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> novella collection. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You can connect with her on her</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/laurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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Laurie Tomlinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-80649726369632612982020-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:002020-03-17T05:33:00.480-07:004 Musts for Winning Blog Content<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Good day! Alley Cat Julia here. Why not grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and settle in for a few minutes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you new to blogging? Or just looking for new ideas to shake up your current blog. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8F9mR6ba1PzsDhLLIaVQUNWic0gyH1ujNOA23jd627e17mq9czphlUWZClYIAC7P4B9v1_n5zdM0chjP2qdXER6t2lYnnKxfSQdGUktZESL1SxYYh9wTTpxpyzmnb5sjGD6-8yKlQc/s1600/monthfornew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8F9mR6ba1PzsDhLLIaVQUNWic0gyH1ujNOA23jd627e17mq9czphlUWZClYIAC7P4B9v1_n5zdM0chjP2qdXER6t2lYnnKxfSQdGUktZESL1SxYYh9wTTpxpyzmnb5sjGD6-8yKlQc/s320/monthfornew.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have unexpected free time this week, it may be a great time to look at creating a blog for the first time. Or changing something up. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In chatting with my fellow Alley cats and checking in with some expert bloggers I found some tips you may find valuable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) Keep on keeping on:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No surprise. Consistency is the number one blogging tip that came up with fellow Alley cat writers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.maryvee.com/">Mary Vee</a> says, "Without it, we cannot build an audience."</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary posts once a week on the same day. She finds this is a doable pace. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many great tools to help schedule your posts in advance. In the past I've used Google calendar. Another option for those who prefer paper over digital is printable calendar pages. For the content I write for Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies I like to do this so I can see several months worth of social media content at one time. I just display simple printable online calendars above my desk.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/">Laurie Tomlinson</a> suggests fellow bloggers, "Pick a number that's sustainable even if its just once a week or biweekly."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Anywhere from daily to several times a week is the advice ProBlogger gives. They suggest varying length based on how often you post and f</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">inding a routine that works with your skills, personality & schedule. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blogger Niklas has produced 40,000 words of blogging content per year simply by creating a daily blogging habit. He has some great tips at <a href="https://www.successfulblogging.com/how-to-blog-consistently/">Successful Blogging</a> about growing in consistency.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Producing great content consistently is the hardest part of blogging." He states that 90% of bloggers fail simply because they never make writing a habit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Classic author William Faulkner claimed, "I only write when inspiration strikes.Fortunately it strikes at nine sharp every morning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Niklas uses the <a href="https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique">Pomodoro technique</a>, writing in 25 minute bursts, a strategy that countless authors and other productivity gurus such as Michael Hyatt use to boost productivity. See Michael's post <a href="https://michaelhyatt.com/how-to-use-batching-to-become-more-productive/">here</a> for more on how to use batching to become more productive. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have a place to track your blogging goals? My favorite app for goal tracking is <a href="https://trello.com/">Trello</a>. Elle and Company has some great tips for <a href="https://www.elleandcompanydesign.com/blog/trello">using Trello as a blogger</a>. As a visual learner, I'm a bit addicted to color coding which may be one reason its one of my favorite organizational tools to use.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuraUkP8_HeUSql7_vrwLzEDhdMo5mWatspVHv3qr8cpV3Uf-FW5bTmoGsQOIWnLotJsU7Dc3h-pbfmyfnP0wdiTmSqG_GR4Atn68L3AJX9TdGeri3kWoPLTUp70wlwPgKVm7fi73vXLA/s1600/home-office-336373__480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuraUkP8_HeUSql7_vrwLzEDhdMo5mWatspVHv3qr8cpV3Uf-FW5bTmoGsQOIWnLotJsU7Dc3h-pbfmyfnP0wdiTmSqG_GR4Atn68L3AJX9TdGeri3kWoPLTUp70wlwPgKVm7fi73vXLA/s320/home-office-336373__480.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If things tend to slip your mind as they do for me (a bit after my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD we found out where the genetic link was...me!), google alarms may be your friend. Perhaps set alarms around the times you need to write or publish a post.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.coach.me/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.coach.me/">Habit Tracker</a> is a tool you may find helpful from Coach.me if you are not already using it. A friend and I used this program to send each other reminders and check in with each other. </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Huffington Post suggests 80% of people will read headline copy, yet only 20% will read the rest so picking a title that makes readers want to dig further is crucial. Knowing your audience and focusing on the crucial writing guidance to show not tell are some of the hints in <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-tips-for-writing-that-g_b_10724558">"7 Great Tips for Consistently Writing Good Content." </a></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) Great graphics</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just like we all have judged a book by its cover, readers will make a split-second decision about our blog based on its physical appearance. Winning graphics are a key factor in driving blog traffic to or away from our blogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some favorite sites:</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pixabay</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pexels</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unsplash</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Savvy Couple's List has more ideas for <a href="https://thesavvycouple.com/best-stock-photo-sites/">blog graphics.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't neglect copyright regulations, make sure you have the right to usage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alley Cat <a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/">Laurie</a> is a fan of <a href="http://www.canva.com/">Canva </a>and uses it to create stunning blog visuals with consistent font and coloring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The blog has some great ideas including <a href="https://www.canva.com/learn/create-50-visuals-using-canva-weekly-boost-online-marketing/">this post</a> which shares how to create over fifty visuals using their product. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Canva helped Kim George tap into her creative zone. She shares how to create sidebar images, email newsletter headers and more at <a href="https://yourchicgeek.com/canva-for-work-for-bloggers/">The Chic Geek</a>. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) Content that outlasts trends</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is your blogging topic one that readers will be interested in next month...or year? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Google drive, <a href="http://www.evernote.com/">Evernote</a>, and <a href="http://www.trello.com/">Trello </a>are just a few of the great tools available for keeping track of all those great topics we think of in the spur of the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Branding expert Gary Vaynerchuck gives <a href="https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/how-to-create-64-pieces-of-content-in-a-day/">hacks to create up to 64 pieces of content per day</a>. That's impressive! Offensive language warning, however, I was impressed with the way he used one piece of content in 64 different ways. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4) Keep them engaged and keep engaged with them</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://gr161.infusionsoft.app/app/orderForms/5-Days-to-a-Successful-Blog-Launch?cookieUUID=d18147d6-0d68-4bc0-92ca-015b3fc4e120"><br /></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://gr161.infusionsoft.app/app/orderForms/5-Days-to-a-Successful-Blog-Launch?cookieUUID=d18147d6-0d68-4bc0-92ca-015b3fc4e120">Hootsuite says <i style="background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box;">55% of visitors spend less than 15 seconds on a webpage.</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa;">To keep readership constant, we have to not only engage readers but connect by responding in a timely manner to comments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa;">Emotional connection can also be a key to reader's involvement, suggests Hootsuite. In a time when resources are overwhelming in quantity I find I often look to a blogger that adds humor and shares the more personal side of their journey. Vulnerability can be a very appealing quality. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0AOee880Z8l1DsvBxnu3StlVHaoga3i91JmQEqxK3cyV4akb8iZWUABEJhJCIsMZhEQa9NhYBfBH0V7YWWa5oqGLRpJQicecKIqQOjojbDHiXMtL7kb350SJQ_X_YchHmf-tM7uDkok/s1600/plum-4917370_1920.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/AVvXsEgI0AOee880Z8l1DsvBxnu3StlVHaoga3i91JmQEqxK3cyV4akb8iZWUABEJhJCIsMZhEQa9NhYBfBH0V7YWWa5oqGLRpJQicecKIqQOjojbDHiXMtL7kb350SJQ_X_YchHmf-tM7uDkok/s320/plum-4917370_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #3e4553; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In an everchanging landscape the key elements of a blooming blog are perennial: consistent content, winning graphics, choosing topics that of evergreen interest and focusing on the reader. Mastering these simple strategies alone is sure to benefit your blog.</span></div>
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<b>EDITED: So sorry due to health issues, Karen's interview will be on the Alley at a later date. But stay tuned!</b><br />
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<b>Want some more great blogging tips? I've followed Money Saving Mom Crystal Paine since she had a smaller personal blog almost a decade ago. Her tips have been transforming for me in the areas of time management and organization. I'd like to offer her blog start-up course to one individual who comments here and an extra entry for commenting on my Thursday evening video.</b></div>
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<b>To be entered to win, I'd love to know your favorite blog and what you've learned about blogging from it. What techniques do they use to keep readers engaged?</b></div>
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Julia Reffner is a magazine columnist, tutor, and writer of truth-filled fiction living in Richmond, Virginia.<br />
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<br />Julia M. Reffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11979214959063965164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-78997301146337420302020-03-09T04:00:00.000-07:002020-03-13T08:53:55.743-07:00Top Tips for Marketing as an Author and Reader PLUS Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi! <a href="https://sherrinda.com/" target="_blank">Sherrinda Ketchersid</a> here. </div>
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Spring is on our doorstep! A Season for New!</div>
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This month on the Writer's Alley we're introducing, discussing, and giving tips for some of those "new" chapters writers encounter. We have a lot to share! Last week, Mary Vee shared her<a href="http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2020/03/top-tips-for-before-and-after-receiving.html" target="_blank"> top tips for before and after getting a book contract</a>. Julia Reffner and Laurie Tomlinson will host later this month with great "new" topics for you. </div>
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As I began thinking about this post, I started kicking myself (not really, but kinda really) for saying I'd take this topic. Me talk about marketing? I hate marketing! And I'm still a debut author with my first book published last May, so what do I know about good marketing? Well, I'm going to share some things I've learned here today and Thursday night I'm going to do a Facebook Live on The Writer's Alley and share some of the Alley Cat's best advice for marketing. (Yikes! I said I'd do a Facebook Live too????)</div>
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So let's get down to it. First we'll talk about tips for the writer, then switch to tips for the reader.</div>
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<b><u>Top Tips To Do for the Writer:</u></b></div>
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<li>Begin early to search blogs you can guest post or get an interview on. If you are a member of ACFW and join their mail email loop, people will post when they are accepting guest bloggers on their blog. There are so many supportive authors who want to help you promote your new release. Schedule one a day the week(s) before and after your release. If you schedule more than one a day, it gets super busy and splits your focus. </li>
<li>Create a speadsheet of your author interviews, guest posts, etc. This will help in maintaining deadlines, sending all the required documents (book cover, author photo, book blurb, etc.), and other pertinent information.</li>
<li>Use Canva or some photo editing tool to create memes with quotes from your book and do a week countdown with them toward release day.</li>
<li>Follow book bloggers on social media and develop a REAL relationship with them - not just to promote your book, but share your love of books. When you have a book release, you can offer up a copy of your book for them to read and hopefully review.</li>
<li>Start a newsletter. This was (and still is) hard for me, but as we all know, social media changes on a daily basis and is not reliable in getting our news into the hands of our followers. But an email list is YOURS and you can share book news straight into your interested readers' inbox. </li>
<li>Start a website if you don't already have one. Readers want to know all about the authors they read, so have a page about you, a page for your book(s), and a blog. A blog is a great way to share behind the scenes stuff about your book, your writing life, your reading life, and more. Yes, you can do this through social media too (or instead of a blog). </li>
<li>Gather a launch team. This was incredibly intimidating for me to do. There are many ways to do this and you can google "how to start a launch team" and will get hundreds of ideas. I decided to tell my newsletter subscribers and was able to gather some that way. You could open it up on Facebook too. It is suggested to have a survey or sign up form so that you get serious minded people who will follow through with sharing and reviewing your book that they got for free. Create a Facebook group for them and share memes with them to post, as well as share the blogs you are on so they can spread the word too. There may be some on your team who can host you as well.</li>
<li>Hire a company that does blog tours such as <a href="https://justreadtours.com/" target="_blank">JustRead Tours</a> or <a href="https://www.celebratelit.com/" target="_blank">Celebrate Lit</a>. I hired JustRead Tours a few months after my release and could see an increase in sales. I highly recommend them! They were amazing to deal with and very helpful.</li>
<li>Try and set up book signings in your local book stores or libraries. </li>
<li>Have a Release Day Party and celebrate your special day with friends and family. You will sell lots of books, so have plenty on hand. Make it simple. Cookies and punch. Talk a little about your book and how it came to be. It is a fun way to mark an important day in your life.</li>
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<b><u>Top Tips To Not Do for the Writer:</u></b></div>
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<li>Don't try to do everything. You can't do it all and will burn out and not enjoy the whole experience of your book releasing into the world if you are stressed. Pick a few things to do and do them well. You don't have to join every single social media. Find what you like best and do it.</li>
<li>Don't focus just on yourself on social media. Try following the 80/20 rule. Share about others or non-book news 80% of the time and 20% about your book news. </li>
<li>Don't follow reader groups just to advertise your book. Social media is about developing relationships and that is the goal, not just promoting your book.</li>
<li>Don't spend a boat-load of money on Ads without doing your research. Some say Facebook ads are dead and others have huge success with them. Some say Amazon ads are the way to go and others say it's a waste of your money. Do your due diligence and find out what will work for you.</li>
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<b><u>Top Tips for the Reader:</u></b></div>
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You might be thinking, "What? Why do I need to market my favorite authors?" Let me tell you, authors desperately need you, the reader! All authors are expected to market their books, even authors who publish with the big publishers. If you love an author's work and want to see more books from them, do your part in spreading the word about those beloved stories. Here's how you can help:</div>
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<li>Write a review and post on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, and other sites. Reviews matter and help to boost the book in the "algorithms" that showcases books to others.</li>
<li>Follow authors on social media and like/comment on their posts. This helps to build their platform that publishers want to see.</li>
<li>Share author's news on social media, like new releases, book sales, etc. Word of mouth sells books.</li>
<li>Subscribe to an author's newsletter. This keeps you informed of news, but also, publishers like to see an author's growing email list.</li>
<li>Join an author's street team and be active within the group. This is huge to an author. They need people who love their books and want to engage.</li>
<li>Ask your library to carry an author's book. More eyes on a book gets an author more readers.</li>
<li>If you like a book, share about it on social media. Again, word of mouth sells books. </li>
<li>Do a giveaway for a favorite book on social media.</li>
<li>If you are on Instagram, do a cute <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bookstagram/" target="_blank">#bookstagram</a> to feature a book. There are so many creative ways to share your love of books. </li>
<li>Nominate a book for your book club. Ask the author to Skype in for discussion. </li>
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There are so many ways authors and readers can help each other in sharing their love for books and marketing those books. All authors were readers first and as a reader, should do their part in promoting others' books besides their own. It's a lot to take in, right? But if we are being honest, sharing our love for story isn't all that hard. Be real and authentic. Just a few lines and a simple photo of your book of choice is all it takes to spread some book love.</div>
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<b>In regards to marketing and promoting books, what other ways can you think of to get the word out about your book or your favorite reads?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><u>GIVEAWAY</u></b></span></div>
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***Giveaway closed and winner has been chosen.</div>
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The winner chosen by random.org is Patti Jo, aka CatMom. She has been contacted by email.***</div>
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In the comments, answer the question above for a chance to win your choice of:</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Market-Book-Third-Writers-ebook/dp/B071NPVK28/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRouEKyYv1ls42VaaTr1lHO-kVOooSetRLdNMHb-Nrc8uI3_PbOyaEkRsmR2vkPR_LzxtFrbK-EOxFMP8CsLF6oZuj1sKdf5vcjgCRsmD9q0DX5ejjYMqc68hx7KKlegTIeeB3fTU8wMZ/s200/How+to+Market.JPG" width="135" /></a></div>
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Your choice of any Alley Cat book still in print. Go <a href="http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/p/our-books.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see all the books!</div>
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Winner will be selected Friday, March 13, 2020</div>
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<b>Also, stop by Thursday night at 7 pm Central for a Facebook Live talking about promoting books: tips for the author and the reader. </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>See you then!!!</b></span></div>
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<b>BONUS:</b> If you would like to browse through my collection of marketing articles I've found on Pinterest, just go<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sherrinda/marketing/" target="_blank"> HERE</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Sherrinda Ketchersid </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is a lover of stories with happily-ever-after endings. Whether set in the past or present, romance is what she writes and where her dreams reside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sherrinda lives in north-central Texas with her preacher husband. With four grown children, three guys and a gal, she has more time and energy to spin tales of faith, fun, and forever love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When not writing, Sherrinda loves to read, paint in her Bible, and play with her adorable scruffy dog, Phineas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Find her on...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Website: <a href="https://sherrinda.com/" target="_blank">sherrinda.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SherrindaKetchersidAuthor/">facebook.com/SherrindaKetchersidAuthor/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/sherrinda/">instagram.com/sherrinda/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twitter: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sherrinda">twitter.com/sherrinda</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sherrinda/">pinterest.com/sherrinda/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19022507.Sherrinda_Ketchersid" target="_blank">goodreads.com/SherrindaKetchersid</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bookbub: <span id="goog_1414177877"></span><span id="goog_1414177878"></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sherrinda-ketchersid" target="_blank">bookbub.com/sherrinda-ketchersid</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sherrinda-Ketchersid/e/B07Q5Y8QHF/" target="_blank">amazon.com/SherrindaKetchersid</a></span></div>
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Sherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-887538859405136462020-03-02T01:00:00.000-08:002020-03-02T01:00:02.376-08:00Top Tips for Before and After Receiving A New Book Contract<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi! Mary Vee here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring is on our doorstep! A Season for New!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month on the Writer's Alley we're introducing, discussing, and giving tips for some of those "new" chapters writers encounter. We have a lot to share! Julia, Sherrinda, and Laurie will also host weeks this month.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alley Cats Celebrating a Contract</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this first week of March, I am discussing the "New Book Contract." The differences between what we expect and what happens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The season before we receive a book contract is not easy. I know. We write manuscript after manuscript, pitching our stories to agents and/or editors, study the craft, hone our skills, then write another manuscript. Time passes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Before Receiving Book Contract Tips</i>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Read more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Choose to set aside time to learn something new about writing. Attend conferences. Read books on writing. Participate in online writing groups.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Be open to the critique of others. Join a critique group. I belong to two groups. One is designed for writing, reading our work aloud, and receiving encouragement. The other is submitting a chapter online and receiving content, grammar, and other forms of helpful advice. The key to benefiting from feedback is: listen to your heart, your story, and your characters as you make changes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Take the time to present only the very best edited copy when sending a query, proposal, or pitching to an agent or editor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Read the Publishing House's Guidelines and follow them completely. A great book can be rejected even at this point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to friends and family, our encouragers who hold us up when we become discouraged, we march on, submit, write, and wait.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Oh, how we wait for the golden email: an offer for a book contract. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the news arrives at last -- CELEBRATE!! Tell everyone. Laugh. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are about to become an author. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like high school or college commencement, this is not the end of our work, but the beginning of chapter two in a writer's career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter two- After Receiving the New Book Contract Offer</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. The greatest favor you can do for yourself at this point is to <i>have an agent</i>. The wording in contracts is power-packed with legaleese so specific to book publishing that a family lawyer would struggle to accurately decipher the wording. Never pay an agent for this service. Agents are paid when you are paid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Edits. Before and after the contract there will be layers of editing. Content. Line. Fact check. And more. Publishing houses vary in how much they will edit the manuscript. This will be discussed in deeper detail this Thursday night when I interview Ashley Clark. Details below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Cover survey. This is a fun step. The publishing house will send a detailed questionnaire about the manuscript. This information will be used to design your book's cover. This survey is worth every minute you spend filling in the blanks. Years ago, a writer wrote down the wrong hair color for the main character. Fortunately, she saw the problem in the first cover draft, and the artist changed the hair color for the final cover. We'll discuss this more in the Thursday interview. Ashley really enjoyed this step. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Edits. At some point, the publisher will send galleys to you. The galleys have your manuscript formatted for publication. Limited changes will be allowed, however, if you catch one of those crazy errors that always slip through...a homophone problem, a missing letter, etc, these can still be fixed. Be sure to read through the galley carefully. It's the last chance to correct errors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Promotion. Marketing. Who could promote this amazing story about to be published better than the author? We know the story best! This is the time to put on a creative hat. There are marketing classes at writer's conferences, books, and online groups to learn from. Try not to waste time inventing wheels. Why invest in promoting? Isn't this bragging? No. Not really. Think of it this way. Say you went on a trip. At some point, you get hungry. A billboard catches your eye. A restaurant you like is at the next exit. Had the sign, or the ad on the GPS not been there, you wouldn't have known. Marketing simply lets readers who like this genre know the book is available for purchase. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's the steps before and after </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Tackle the steps one at a time. Don't rush. Each one is worth every minute spent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Read/follow directions carefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Ask for help from those who have walked the journey before you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Share your experiences. There are those who want to walk with you. AND these treasured souls are the ones who will be there to listen, congratulate, and offer advice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JOIN US THURSDAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/thewritersalleyblog/posts/?ref=page_internal">The Writer's Alley Facebook Page</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I am interviewing Ashley Clark, one of the writers here on the Alley. Ashley received her first book contract this year! Congrats, Ashley! She is going to walk us through the steps from that golden book contract email to publication. </b>You are invited to toss out comments, ask questions, and give answers/advice to other commenters during the interview. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, what questions do you have? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Post them in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Vee has been a finalist in several writing contests. She writes suspense and mystery stories featuring characters like us. Her stories have gained recognition in the Selah and Phoenix Writing Contests. <i>Daring To Live</i> showcases a woman slipping into the depths of homelessness then discovers the only way to escape is to turn from the lies. Mary's years as a counselor, missionary, and caseworker to the inner city, Crow Indians, and peoples of Central America have strengthen the characters who live in her stories. She currently resides in the north with her hubby and two of her three children. Mary loves traveling, hiking, mocha, movie scores, and The Creator--the giver of our worth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary would love to connect with you! Click the links below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/">Mary Vee's Website</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/">Mary's Blending Sites and Stories Blog</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter">Twitter: @MaryVeeWriter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-66935881143647533512020-02-24T06:35:00.001-08:002020-02-24T06:51:04.425-08:00The Making of A Heroine: A Purrfect Romance Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week, we spoke about <a href="http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2020/02/my-kinda-hero-purrfect-romance-week.html">My Kinda Heroes </a>according to my own Rom Com DVD collection. I listed several heroes, but one hero that many of YOU mentioned as a favorite was Jack Callahan from <b><i>While You Were Sleeping</i></b>.<br />
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As I thought about the topic of heroines this Purrfect Romance week, I considered why <b>Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock)</b> made a good heroine. If you recall, she truly saved Jack's brother from a train--becoming a bonafide heroine by that very act, but so much more goes into a heroine than that, right?<br />
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No matter if you are watching a movie, reading a book, or considering the women in your life who seem to fit the bill of a "heroine", there are a number of qualities that make a gal a heroine--in her own right--with the hero opposite her, not defining her, but worthy of completing the journey alongside her in the end: a rich back story, authenticity, and redemption are a few fleshed out so purrfectly in <b>While You Were Sleeping...</b>read on, then share your own!<br />
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<b><u>Back Story-</u></b>Lucy lived alone, ate alone (well, she had a cat), worked on holidays that most people spent with family, and had a dad-shaped hole in her heart. She managed, but we know as the viewer that it wasn't an ideal situation for her. She was enduring, not necessarily thriving in, the loneliness of an orphaned girl in a bustling world. We root for heroines who stumble upon their chance to change the trajectory of their journey from glum day-to-day to life-giving adventure. A girl stuck in a tower has a chance to get out? A servant escapes her step-mother's clutches and visits the palace? Heroines who take the chance on something different win our hearts and the hearts of those they meet along the way.</div>
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<u><b>Authenticity</b>-</u>Lucy Moderatz wore her dad's old coat, held no airs about her as she pretended to be the girlfriend of Jack's snobbish brother (who was in a coma for most of the movie). Lucy tried to hold a mask up, but she just couldn't manage to hide her true, down-to-earth self. When a hero falls for the authentic heroine, we know that her worth is valued above her status, above her actions, above her flaws. We see a heroine being loved for her whole self, and that makes a purrfect romance.<br />
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<b><u>Redemption- </u></b>When I was first writing, I would write heroines with a hardened heart, thick skin, sour responses--manifestations of wounds-for sure-but not very likeable, and certainly not heroine material for the beginning of a story. These manifestations are redeemable, but the audience needs to realize the wound quickly if they must invest in the heroine. Heroines may behave badly, but only if we understand why, and find hope that ill behavior hints to forthcoming redemption. Lucy lies to Jack's family very close to the beginning of the story. But, we see her reasoning, her need, her chance to redeem the lie and the wounds of her past. We are sold on the fact that Lucy is the heroine, not just of the love story, but of her own story.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">YOUR TURN: What do you love about a good heroine? Who are your favorites? Be sure to stop by our <a href="http://facebook.com/thewritersalleyblog">Facebook Page </a> on Thursday and chat with me and Pepper about Heroines! Last chance to win our giveaway...and a copy of the brand new The Heart's Stronghold novella collection!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Angie Dicken</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"> credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she's a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer's Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie writes historical romance and historical fiction. She enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband.</span><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>Find her on:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">Website: <a href="http://angiedicken.com/" style="color: #ff850d;">angiedicken.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://facebook.com/dicken.angie" style="color: #ff850d; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook.com/dicken.angie</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/agdicken/" style="color: #ff850d;" target="_blank">instagram.com/angiedicken/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/angiedicken" style="color: #ff850d;">twitter.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16329791.Angie_Dicken" style="color: #ff850d;" target="_blank">goodreads.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BookBub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angie-dicken" style="color: #ff850d;" target="_blank">bookbub.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Angie-Dicken/e/B01N5WNVZD" style="color: #ff850d;" target="_blank">amazon.com/angiedicken</a></span></div>
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Angie Dickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11794268733490363528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-85809510264261828232020-02-17T02:00:00.000-08:002020-02-24T06:41:38.199-08:00My Kinda Hero: A Purrfect Romance Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have always loved curling up on the couch with a good book. But I'll admit, curling up on the couch with my DVD collection and choosing an oldie-but-goodie love story is a purrfect pastime too.<br />
For Hero week on The Writer's Alley, let's chat about the men in my DVD collection! In the comments, would love for you to share yours...and any CBA/Clean read heroes you can think of that might fall under each of the following categories:<br />
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<i>(And don't forget to check out the info below for <b>a fun opportunity to celebrate Heroes later this week </b>and an <b>ADDITIONAL giveaway </b>to the Purrfect Romance Alleycat bundle)!</i><br />
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BOY NEXT DOOR TURNED MAN: They are the guys who’ve always been there. They see their heroine through awkward stages, not-so-great stages, and the woman they’ve become. These men have grown up, just like their heroine, but their soft side for the heroine offers hope in all she’s lost and has come home to find again. From my collection:<br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Matty from<b> Thirteen going on Thirty </b></i></li>
<li><i>Jake from <b>Sweet Home Alabama</b></i></li>
<li><i>Justin from<b> Hope Floats </b></i></li>
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ENEMIES...OR NOT: It’s always fun to see the trope of a hate-love relationship where the love wins in the end. Whether there is a secret being covered up, or a conflict of interest, the hero finds redemption when his vulnerable side comes out—his family life woos the heroine—or the heroine brings out his own soft side beyond their conflict. It’s always fun to see how the writers will bank on the moments that crack the tough exterior. From my collection:<br />
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<ul>
<li> <i>Andrew from <b>The Proposal </b></i></li>
<li><i><b> </b>Ben from <b>How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days </b></i></li>
<li><i> Joe from <b>You’ve Got Mail </b></i></li>
</ul>
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SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE: They’ve loved before. And they aren’t quite sure they can love again. As an audience member, it’s easy to fall in love with a hero who gave his heart away only to return with a wound. We want to help them in their pain, we want to drag them along and stand them right in front of the heroine and say, "hey, look at him"! These heroes have backstories wrapped up in a different woman, but all they’ve gone through brings them to a new heroine and the love story of a lifetime. From my collection:<br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Bob from<b> Return To Me </b></i></li>
<li><i>Sam from </i><b><i>Sleepless In Seattle</i></b></li>
<li><i>Graham and Miles from </i><b>The Holiday</b></li>
</ul>
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<b>MORE HERO TALK! You can nominate your favorite heroes in CBA or Clean Reads by checking out the <u>pinned post</u> at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2903795059680784/" style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Heroes on The Red Carpet Event </a>. Be sure to join in the fun on Thursday night! </b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">YOUR TURN: Comment for a chance to win the Purrfect Romance giveaway. Any good romantic heroes to add to the list? How about your favorite in CBA or clean reads? </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Angie Dicken</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"> credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she's a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer's Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie writes historical romance and historical fiction. She enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband.</span><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><b>Find her on:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">Website: <a href="http://angiedicken.com/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;">angiedicken.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://facebook.com/dicken.angie" style="color: #ff850d; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook.com/dicken.angie</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/agdicken/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">instagram.com/angiedicken/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/angiedicken" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;">twitter.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16329791.Angie_Dicken" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">goodreads.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BookBub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angie-dicken" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">bookbub.com/angiedicken</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Angie-Dicken/e/B01N5WNVZD" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">amazon.com/angiedicken</a></span></div>
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Angie Dickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11794268733490363528noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-36543159818426634702020-02-10T05:10:00.000-08:002020-02-10T05:10:17.696-08:00Romantic Gestures...the many 'expressions' of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-cebada4d-7fff-26ae-796f-2f2f3b389387" style="font-weight: normal;">Pepper here, and we're talking about Romantic Gestures today!!</b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cebada4d-7fff-26ae-796f-2f2f3b389387" style="font-weight: normal;">How do people in books and movies (and real-life) show love? Oh!! Let's count the ways :-)</b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cebada4d-7fff-26ae-796f-2f2f3b389387" style="font-weight: normal;">Let's start with the little ways :-)</b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cebada4d-7fff-26ae-796f-2f2f3b389387" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Small gestures</b></span><br />
<i>These are "simple" everyday ways of showing love.</i><br />
Let's hear what some readers have to say about examples of this type of love expression:<br />
<b>Kristine:</b> He goes out on below-zero days to clean off her vehicle and starts the car so it's warm when she leaves for work."<br />
<b>Summer</b>: A foot rub after a long day of work, putting the kids to bed.<br />
<b>Denise</b>: Getting up and making coffee every day before she leaves for work, even though he doesn't HAVE to get up for two more hours.<br />
<b>Rachel:</b> sweet notes hidden around the house, or a note "just because"<br />
<b>Paula: </b>writing a poem on their 48th anniversary and showing love by going shopping with her (because he hates shopping).<br />
Author<b> Janine Rosche</b> added: I love a good running of fingers through hair.<br />
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Other ways: using his/her skills to build something unique for the one they love. Supporting the other person's dreams/passions/likes. Giving the other person time and resources (when possible) to explore those interests. Finding ways to keep each other safe. Keeping a letter/book/gift of your beloved because it came from or belonged to them. Or Colonel Brandon staring with such rapt wonder at Marianne as she plays the piano in Sense and Sensibility. Sacrifice can be small or big, so can acts of protection.<br />
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<b><i>One of the most romantic gestures EVER (which fits into both small and grand gestures category) is KNOWING the "loved" person by listening, remembering, and finding ways to express they've "heard" you and want to celebrate the things that matter to you!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Grand gestures</span></b><br />
<i>These are the ones that are usually celebrated on movies, right? </i>"Big" things.<br />
Does the hero uproot his life in order to be with the heroine? Does he work all summer on a project in order to pay for something the heroine wanted? A trip for her to take? Does she race across an airport and get on the intercom to stop him from catching his flight so she can tell him she loves him?...um...oh wait...I digress ;-)<br />
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<b>Julia Lynch </b>reminded me of Gilbert Blythe giving up the Avonlea school for Anne.<br />
In my case, my husband worked out our finances so that we could take a trip to Ireland at the end of March (for ME...because I love traveling/research. Him? Not so much :-)<br />
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<b><i>Bottom line: Time and intention are super romantic, no matter how big or how small. </i></b><br />
<b><i></i><br /></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Non-kiss touches</span></b><br />
<i>Romantic touches come in all shapes and sizes</i>...and they can be just as unique to the couple as favorite gestures, but there are a few that show the sweetness and meaningfulness of touch.<br />
Stacey shared that her husband will take her in his arms when she gets home and say, "I'm so glad I get to be home with you." (cue the 'aww').<br />
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What about the moment on <i>North & South </i>with the hero and heroine touch fingers while she's serving him tea? A guy pushing back a girl's hair from her face? A hand to the small of the back? Linking arms as two lovers walk? Holding hands? Caresses to the face (super intimate). Dancing. Tender glances. HUGS!! (and so many more).<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Kissing</span></b><br />
Okay, so this is one of my favorites, but I have to tell you, I'm not a fan of watching kisses on movies if the couple looks like they're trying to eat each others' faces off. I do love kisses like..well, as I mentioned above, the kiss in <i>North & South</i>!! Tender, gentle, intentional, sweet...Mama Mia!!!<br />
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A kiss is NOT just a kiss!<br />
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Romantic kisses come with stories behind them.<br />
There is intention, knowledge of each other, care, and, yes, there can be a sense of awe and passion too!<br />
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Kisses of love are expressions of something that's already happening in the heart and, in my opinion, are just extensions of the appreciation, knowledge, tenderness, and delight two people have in (and for) each other. Without the story behind the kiss, there really isn't any romance in it.<br />
<i><b>Kisses are kind of like the exclamation marks of a million conversations between two people who love each other. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Words</span></b><br />
It goes without saying...hee hee...words DO matter in romance. But it's more than just sweet words. Of course, there are compliments and expressions of appreciation, but there are also thoughtful discussions, intelligent conversations, careful questions to show care, encouragement, healthy debates, and so much more.<br />
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One note about the art of innuendo: It's a beautiful thing to see subtlety in stories that show the love and romance growing between characters - the messages between the lines. Even in those more "intimate" moments that are tastefully and beautifully rendered.<br />
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Author <b>Rachel McMillan</b> reminded me that there are some beautifully subtle expressions of love shown in the movie/book T<i>he Magic of Ordinary Days</i> when Ray begins reading archaeology books so that he can have something to talk to Livy about (and so she won't feel alone). What about Mr. Knightley's rushing back from London to check on Emma's wellbeing after he finds out about Churchhill's engagement?<br />
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A few recommendations from Rachel regarding well-written intimate innuendo in romance is Laura Frantz's <i>The Lacemaker</i>, Jolina Petersheim's <i>How the Light Gets In</i>, Deanne Gist's <i>Tiffany Girl</i>, and Kate Breslin's <i>As High as the Heavens</i>...for a start :-)<br />
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<i>I'd LOVE to hear about some of your favorite romantic gestures shown in movies, books or REAL LIFE...and, to make things more interesting, you can't list the kissing ones :-)</i><br />
<i><br /></i> Plus, join me on Thursday evening at 8am EST for a FB live chat about Romantic Gestures in fiction & movies! Bring some examples from your favorites and we'll swoon together :-)Let's talk romance!<br />
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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW's Genesis and Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, showcases her Appalachian heritage and family history, as well as her love for humor, the mountains, and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to dozens more, and a love for chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Pepper loves to connect with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more about her and her books at <a href="http://www.pepperdbasham.com/">www.pepperdbasham.com</a><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Pepper Bashamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-58223058500932640042020-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:002020-02-03T06:17:06.566-08:00The Purrfect Romance - Why Romance?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi975vNJrrw2mOCk1IrEfTxv_hh0S0SXl1BSLr8RdV4buM_sbQ9KoYXmzqPzP1B0QOK1VjYrm5d5dA_0dWvbFdF4_0_hsK10cniF0dp_xU7MC2O9_mW4aFwqEnAxwZZDEVY-fStJqNadKI/s1600/week+1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi975vNJrrw2mOCk1IrEfTxv_hh0S0SXl1BSLr8RdV4buM_sbQ9KoYXmzqPzP1B0QOK1VjYrm5d5dA_0dWvbFdF4_0_hsK10cniF0dp_xU7MC2O9_mW4aFwqEnAxwZZDEVY-fStJqNadKI/s400/week+1-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfjzff5rCLioWYi7RRhVgFyHY7SFiezak9CgmdgowomyoW5eg2micZ65eJ_Am8g5Dh5uIcuCWTKKlTvMx9TPsu5wkyVTcMBjIBFQQan_4jAXB6NSStOzyUlqQPYyY06WABk1FzChUCoNy/s1600/PurrfectRomance2+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfjzff5rCLioWYi7RRhVgFyHY7SFiezak9CgmdgowomyoW5eg2micZ65eJ_Am8g5Dh5uIcuCWTKKlTvMx9TPsu5wkyVTcMBjIBFQQan_4jAXB6NSStOzyUlqQPYyY06WABk1FzChUCoNy/s400/PurrfectRomance2+%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pepper Basham here! And guess what?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s February.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And you know what that means?!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ROMANCE TALK!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, as many of you know, I’m a big fan of romance-talk all year long, but February gives me a little extra excuse to celebrate big time! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking of big…the romance genre is the largest selling fiction genre out there – mainstream or Christian. So…maybe there are lots more people than just ME who find romance fascinating all year round too </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…(Yes, I’m looking at all of you people who keep the Hallmark channel on 24/7 </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😉</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> #mypeople</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever wondered WHY romance is such a "hot” commodity?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, here are a few of my thoughts, but I’d LOVE to hear yours too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We love STORY.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> It’s in our genes. For millennia, story has been the way to captivate, explain, inspire, capture memories, provide encouragement, and offer hope. Hi<u>stories</u> are made up of STORIES. Jesus used stories to teach deeper truths in a winsome way. So, while romances are stories about relationships, growth, and love…at the heart, they’re <u>stories.</u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u><br /></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Relationships without the everyday commercials</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> - Most readers of romance are women…and we enjoy watching relationships happen. Even moreso, we like to see things turn out well (thus the reason why most romances are happily-ever-afters- HEA). If you’re like me and want to ‘fix’ everything, but know you’re human and haven’t been bitten by that radioactive spider yet, fiction provides a wonderfully condensed way for us to see broken people in broken relationships find fulfillment, community, and love within a few hundred pages and everything is FIXED (with all the mundane laundry, vacuuming, and toilet cleaning taken out to keep the pace going). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr_3vTM44PuF2XPoKVxRH9EfrH6LrYO44etLPeBKRhn1Xi8hfClboatXkZvJea_vOsOSC_HB9i3s7Lv_LXY9_wEkuoliKp-mvfcKdYuqx-_OTqkE_9Ykn0YZGJGVX4-oATMg4N1gPe2Vp/s1600/PurrfectRomance3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr_3vTM44PuF2XPoKVxRH9EfrH6LrYO44etLPeBKRhn1Xi8hfClboatXkZvJea_vOsOSC_HB9i3s7Lv_LXY9_wEkuoliKp-mvfcKdYuqx-_OTqkE_9Ykn0YZGJGVX4-oATMg4N1gPe2Vp/s400/PurrfectRomance3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Escape</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – Stories provide a way for us to travel, experience, enjoy, and learn from worlds, people, and places that we’d never see in real life. And, most readers aren’t looking for a ‘real’ escape from their lives, but, similar to a vacation, romances provide a little bit of ‘magic’ in the everydayness of life. Instead of turning on the television to escape into a sports game, romance readers flip open the page. (or maybe they do both. Touchdown!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HEA</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – let’s go back to that for just a minute because there’s something to this! According to <i>Psychology Today</i>, readers of romance novels are not a population of women who are pining away for unrealistic or unmet expectations, but in fact, are people who are “happier overall” (</span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-real-story-risk/201212/the-allure-romance"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-real-story-risk/201212/the-allure-romance</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">) Why? Because, as Peter Pan so wonderfully pointed out to Wendy Darling…HAPPY THOUGHTS make you fly!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So…in other words, the way of our thoughts goes the way of our behavior and perspective (hmm…that sounds Biblical! Philippians 4 for a start) </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> So, let’s get those thoughts shifted in a happily romantic direction!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We, here at The Writer’s Alley (affectionately called Alleycats), are so excited to celebrate this month of Purrfect Romance with you!! In fact, you’re so important to our celebration, we want to make sure you get involved. How, you might ask?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Let me count the ways</b> </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This Thursday we’re going to have our first Instagram Slam. What is an Instagram Slam? Well, it’s when we take over Instagram to post your FAVORITE romance books of all time!!! (okay…or of the last 6 months. “Of all time” is too big for some of us to handle). We’ll spend all day on Thursday, February 6<sup>th</sup>, ‘showing the love’ of romance books that have left us feeling all the wonderfully romantic HEA feels. Don’t forget to tag the featured author, share it with us (@alleycatwriters), AND use some of the hashtags #PurrfectRomance, #AlleyCatWritersSlam or #InstagramSlam. We also have a graphic you can grab from down below to add to your post!!...check it out:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Next week, we’re talking KISSES and I plan to host a FB LIVE, so bring some of your favorite fictional kissing books to the table for some lipsmacking conversations. You know I’ll bring mine </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😉</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The week of February 17<sup>th</sup>, AlleyCat, Angie Dicken, will be chatting about top romantic heroes and why we love them, following with a FB live later in the week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And the last week of February, Angie will bring to light some fa</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ntastic romantic heroines and the two of us (Angie and Pepper) hope to offer a FB live together later in the week to discuss YOUR favorite heroines in romantic fiction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Icing on top of the love cake?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have an awesome giveaway planned for those who participate. All you have to do is comment on this post to be added to the drawing…and each additional comment you make on the other posts throughout the month will be an additional entry for you!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, let's talk! Why do YOU read romance?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge</i>, showcases her Appalachian heritage and family history, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pepper loves getting to know readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You may also learn more about her on her website at </span></i><a href="http://www.pepperdbasham.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.pepperdbasham.com</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Pepper Bashamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-64048389509119615172020-01-21T07:52:00.000-08:002020-01-21T07:52:39.606-08:00Tipful Tuesday: The Key to Writing a Memorable Story Is...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLrwNRsUhCQIJk8b71l_qW3nq-w4fgV-RGzNBiVVTer-Sm9rNe0gJu76n1HuDOpvtrUMX_dybwKr42kvgVPxHbkhT29uovrYmzvm2Oqm9fA72918ykFTWHBgK8CcfumylmXsBqTxX8mju/s1600/Slide1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLrwNRsUhCQIJk8b71l_qW3nq-w4fgV-RGzNBiVVTer-Sm9rNe0gJu76n1HuDOpvtrUMX_dybwKr42kvgVPxHbkhT29uovrYmzvm2Oqm9fA72918ykFTWHBgK8CcfumylmXsBqTxX8mju/s320/Slide1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key to writing a memorable, lasting, bring-the-reader-back-for-more story is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously. Our stories are best, the scenes flow, the characters are genuine when we insert the experiences from life rather than sit at the screen and attempt to create what happened next. Using these experiences will make the scene natural--and--it will intrigue, interest, and invite readers to want more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's an example. Yesterday, I wrote this scene: younger adult brother arrives at older sister's house. He hasn't seen her in four years, and he didn't tell her he would visit. She opens the door. We are in his POV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To play the scene out, the worst I could do at this point is have the sister break into tears. Tears of joy, tears of memories. So happy to see him tears. etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second worst I could do to portray the scene is to have her ask a million questions. "What are you doing here?" "I didn't know you were coming? "How have you been?"etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both of these would be expected. Have been done a million times. Reasons for readers to scan over the scene until something good happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, I considered my own family dynamics. Four girls and one boy. I was an older sister to my brother. Being the perfect, wonderful person that I am, I couldn't possibly help this poor male character in this moment. BUT, I recalled MANY stories told by my husband. He, the younger brother of an older sister. Oh the tales he spun of his youth. The terrible sister, that he really loves. The horrible things she did, that he never retaliated for. Uh huh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, now I had great fodder for a humorous scene. She opens the door, and while projecting her absolute joy at his unexpected visit, she casts out the first insult, the kind only a sister shares with her brother while holding the door open for him. He returns the favor with brotherly harassing, picks up his suitcase and walks inside. In the muddled flinging of banter from days gone by, seasoned with grins and laughter, they greet each other and are now ready to move forward in the scene. Oh yes. This reads really well and hopefully leaves the reader feeling at home with these characters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've used my favorite childhood cake made by my grandmother who always ripped open the label in the store to read the ingredients. The cashier always wondered why she bought an open package. Grandma said the cake didn't taste as good when she didn't. See? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you sprinkle you into your stories, they will flow and be memorable. This, by the way is your voice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your turn. Think of a memory from the past that could flavor a scene in your story. OR, tell one that you have used in a story already written. I'm excited to read them. :)</span><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mary Vee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Mary Vee</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Mary loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-83952392398242425842020-01-07T11:11:00.000-08:002020-01-07T11:11:30.211-08:00TipfulTuesday: The Hidden Promise In Our Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I confess. I am one of "those" shoppers who walk through a bookstore, glancing at covers and titles, seeking one to pick up and peruse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The huge Barnes and Nobel in my mall put up a new display for "new releases". I glanced through the forty books beautifully shelved. Sadly only one cover caught my attention. I walked on to the next display.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My point today will not be that a great cover sells. Although it sure helps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My point also is not the title, back cover, and/or the first page enhances sales...although they seem to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The key to a fabulous book is this: If a reader is enticed to buy a book, then takes it home and snuggles up in their comfy living room chair, opens the cover and doesn't read the whole story in her normal time, she will set down the book with the fabulous cover, amazing title, enticing back cover, and intriguing first page and most likely not pick it up again.</span><br />
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One writing instructor (sorry can't remember which one of the many I've heard) said:<br />
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<i>We the writers make a contract with the reader, </i></div>
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<i>promising a story that will follow a course so compelling</i></div>
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<i>she has to turn every page until the last.</i></div>
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This year, let's focus on ... not so much fixing a sagging middle, although this too is important--<br />
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But a growing overarching story that, like blowing up a balloon, expands, becoming with each word. Becoming what? Why the next recommended book by very appreciative readers.<br />
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For this reason, I chose today's photo. Colorful, cheery, glass-blown balloons floating in a Venetian store.<br />
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Some pitfalls to watch for:<br />
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1. While your MC should have a problem that gives the story purpose, she must be likable. Think Cinderella. We love her and feel for her plight from the beginning. Had the stepmother been the MC we probably would have put the book down.</div>
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2. When adding backstory, be careful not to repeat. Even when sprinkling in this essential information, as we are taught to do, readers will remember what was said before.</div>
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3. Shake up the beats. Lordy, lordy, do people really cry so much? Smile so much? Laugh so much? Instead, use setting, sounds, nature, anything that "is" to shake up those beats. Expand this essential storytelling time to bring meaning to the scene. Help readers see.<br />
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Let's aim for stories that "Become" until the last page.<br />
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~Mary Vee<br />
Photo by Mary Vee<br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-15214334166142124322019-12-24T13:32:00.001-08:002019-12-24T13:32:30.963-08:00Merry Christmas<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />We are so happy to spend another Christmas with you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As writers, we are ever on the lookout for fresh, inviting ways to make our narrative and dialogue inviting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Christmas stories. Yes, even the Hallmark ones! And while the stories repeat the same message, they somehow invite us to read or watch yet another story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you have a manuscript that takes place during the Christmas season or another time of the year, you can use Christmas when describing. Seriously! Because of God’s goodness, it is timeless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I'm hoping you will help grow this Christmas list for all of us to morph, borrow, or simply use:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sweet like candy cane (use in kissing scene)<br />Warm as Christmas fire (hugs, kindness, etc.)<br />Merry as a child opening a Christmas gift<br />Joyful as Christmas music (spirit)<br />Sparkling like Christmas lights (eyes)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your turn: Add an inviting Christmas picture to our list. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Merry Christmas!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~Mary Vee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo by Mary Vee</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-26361455511751116402019-12-10T07:45:00.000-08:002019-12-10T07:45:38.278-08:00The God Effect in Stories<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even as writers we don't always see details or truths or influences flowing in our books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all readers will either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT there are the many who will notice amazing details that spark their interest, cause them to think and respond to ... well... us, and their friends, and ... others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I posted a photo. My thoughts: this is a dreamy place. A dock reaching out to a lake surrounded with trees. The unique aspect from my pov: part of the dock is underwater. This looks good... I thought. It was a photo story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than almost any other photo I've posted, this one sparked many responses. A few responders mentioned the dreamy doc setting. BUT the majority noticed a detail I had not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the foreground, small, and not in my thoughts, was a tool my husband uses. It rested on a wooden plank. Underwater. Although silver, it didn't especially stand out since the sun didn't reflect the shiny surface. Commenters asked questions that grew into conversations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How odd, I thought. I didn't even see it there when I took the photo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As writers called by God to tell stories, we describe scenes, use interesting dialogue, explode action on the page, and develop relationships. Behind the scenes, God is using our work to touch lives in ways we don't even realize.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If this isn't incentive to set aside time to write, edit, and write more, I don't know what is. Our stories are important in ways we don't understand. A tool used by God to impact someone we may not know...for His glory. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps the story you have written or are writing is God's tool to impact your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, friend, ready to write?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has a reader pointed out something amazing in your story you didn't see?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#story #writing #behindthescenes #MaryVeeWriter #Godeffect #thewritersalleyblog</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mary Vee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Mary Vee</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-2049626451503931312019-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:002019-11-26T06:10:08.238-08:00The Lord's Blessings...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God has been so very good to us, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He not only calls us to be writers, but then he blesses us with opportunities to turn our work into fruit. Signing with agents. Publishing books. Meeting other writer's we've only know on FB. Applying our writing to other avenues. Sometimes, setting the work aside for a time. All for God's glory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God is good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is how God has blessed us. In the comments, tell us how He's blessed you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pepper Basham</b>: God blessed my writing in so many ways. I publish three books this year, two novels and one novella. I also taught my first class at ACFW. (from Mary: A great class on how to write a good hero)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sherrinda Ketchersid</b>: God blessed me with my first book, <i>Lord of Her Heart</i>, published in May.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Krista Phillips:</b> God blessed in an unusual way. He asked me to set my writing aside. He has shown me it is important to set things aside for a season, to let it grow stronger, and be more fruitful. (note from Mary- Krista's book, <i>Match Me If You Can </i>was published earlier this year.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Casey Herringshaw:</b> God blessed me with a desire to write. This is such a blessing. An intimidating one, but a blessing nonetheless. AND, I saw so many of you at ACFW!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mary Vee:</b> I am thankful for the two stories God helped me publish. One a Christmas story: <i>Sylvia's Secret, A Christmas Story </i>the other a fantasy: <i>Fire and Thorn, A Fantasy. </i>AND--in all the crazy road trips and conferences I went to this year, God let me see all but one Alley Cat. As a bonus, I even saw many of you at those conferences. I am soooo thankful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ashley Clark:</b> I'm so thankful to have found a home for my stories at Bethany House.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Angie Dicken</b>: I have been so thankful to have readers share in the celebration of my third novel, <i>The Yellow Lantern</i>, my third novel release.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Julia Reffner</b>: I've really been blessed to lead a small group at Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies. It's a way I feel God is able to use my writing on a daily basis and I'm loving it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Amy Leigh Simpson</b>: God blessed me with a new agent this year</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Laurie Tomlinson</b>: God helped me to finish a very difficult manuscript this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Karen Schravemade:</b> I'm thankful I was able to fly from Australia to attend ACFW for the first time in eight years. It was a blessing to hug my Alleycats in person, some of whom I met for the very first time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cara Putman</b>: I am thankful to have survived this busy year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now it's your turn! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please share God's blessing in your writing life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~Mary Vee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo by Mary Vee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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<br />Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-60126507761646024932019-11-21T03:30:00.000-08:002019-11-21T03:30:00.683-08:00 The Artisan Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you read a book lately that really spoke to your heart? I have to say that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Soul-Crafting-Your-Life-ebook/dp/B00DB3A3GY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397476321&sr=1-1&keywords=the+artisan+soul">The Artisan Soul</a> by <a href="http://erwinmcmanus.com/#author">Erwin Raphael McManus</a> is one of those books for me. From the very first chapter, the words I read made my soul burn with yearning, agreement, and connection. I've highlighted most of the book so far, wanting the words to be imprinted on my heart, for they encourage and motivate me to be creative, to be brave, to risk, and to truly be an artist.<br />
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McManus is not just an artist. He is a creative who uses his gifts to further the work of God. He started a church in LA, CA called Mosaic where the people of his congregation use their creative talents for the Kingdom. And what he calls us to in The Artisan Soul is a life of creativity...every day...no matter the medium or vehicle through which we create. What he teaches is that every soul is a creative soul, whether they think so or not.<br />
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"...the great divide is not between those who are artists and those who are not, but between those who understand that they are creative and those who have become convinced that they are not."</blockquote>
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We are all creative. We are created by a creative God who made us into His image.<br />
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"Yet what humanity needs most is for us to set creativity free from this singular category of the extraordinary and release it into the hands of the ordinary. Creativity should be an everyday experience. Creativity should be as common as breathing. We breathe, therefore we create."</blockquote>
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A person might say that not all people are creative and that saying everyone is just sets a person up for failure. But as people who have the Spirit of God living within them, we are creative beings. We want to create whether it is through decorating a room, cooking a fabulous dish, writing a short story, blogging, painting, making a yard look good, or crocheting a blanket.<br />
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Being creative doesn't mean there won't be failures. There will be.<br />
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"...we live in the fear that if we aspire to be more we will discover ourselves to be less. We live in fear of failure, convinced that failure will prove us to be frauds. We have bought into the lie that creative people never fail and hence failure is proof that we are not creative."</blockquote>
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"Fear is the shadow of creativity....The creative act is inherently an act of courage....To make our lives a creative act is to marry ourselves to risk and failure...creativity is born of risk and refined from failure. If we are at the core both spiritual beings and creative beings, then the artisan soul is where we live when we have the courage to be our truest selves."</blockquote>
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It's so hard to step out and risk it all to share our creative selves. When we hit send on the manuscript we have written, we feel we are sending a part of very essence out for the world to judge. We fear we will be judged as inferior, which reflects on who we are at our core. But those rejections are the building stones of creativity. They are what grounds us and molds us. We are indeed "refined by failure".<br />
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This book is one that should grace every artist's bookshelf.<br />
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<b>Do you consider yourself creative? Do you embrace your artistic soul? Or is it hard for you to say you are an artistic person...whether it is with words, paint, landscape, or food, etc? </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sherrinda Ketchersid is a born and bred Texan, preacher’s wife, mother of 4 children, and works part-time as a bookseller at Amazon. With the children grown and out of the house, she weaves tales of fierce knights and their ladies in a time where men were warriors and women had to be strong enough to keep them in check.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After taking time off from writing, she has returned with a new motto in place to spur her on. “Writers write. Everyone else makes excuses.” ~Jack Bickham. No excuses this time. She is weaving her love of romance with history to bring joy and the hope of love to those who may one day read her stories. Her first book, <a href="https://sherrinda.com/books/">Lord of Her Heart,</a> released in May 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-29415421684323473192019-11-06T21:19:00.002-08:002019-11-06T21:19:41.045-08:00Face Your Writing Fears<br />
First of all, a big cheer for all of you who are doing NaNoWriMo! I tried Nano once. Two days later I gave up and started eating ice cream. I'm kidding! But really, I am <i>not</i> the type of writer who can crank out word count that quickly so if you are, I really do applaud you, and I stand a bit in awe of you as well.<br />
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Today I want to talk about something we as writers all face: fear.<br />
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Newer writers will sometimes ask, "How do I get over my fear of writing something that stinks?"<br />
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The answer is usually, "You don't."<br />
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I know-- I'm Miss Positivity today, right? But bear with me.<br />
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You will never get over your fear of writing poorly. And that's because to write well, you inevitably end up pouring your heart into the thing. And if you poor your heart into the thing, you are going to care about it deeply.<br />
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You <i>can</i> however, write through and beyond your fear, which is a different thing entirely.<br />
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If you're writing as a Christian writer, you have the amazing assurance that God is at the helm of your story-- and that is not something to take lightly. Because God's work in us is never wasted. I can tell you that even the books I wrote that didn't sell changed me as a writer and me as a person, and I am <i>so glad</i> looking back that those books aren't floating around in the world because that is no longer the writer I am today (hello, chick lit) and readers would be totally confused.<br />
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If you learn to accept those feelings of anxiety over inadequacy, you can acknowledge them and refocus. Typically, I've learned my own fears stem from the perception of scarcity. What if I go to all this work and no one reads it? What if I get this contract and it's the only one I have? What if people think I'm only mediocre?<br />
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Many of my friends and students have expressed similar fears-- what if I embarrass myself? What will people think of me?<br />
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You know what all of these questions have in common? The mislocation of our identity. As writer. As author. As child of God. In reality, there is only one opinion that matters, and He is the one who has equipped you in the first place. You don't have to prove yourself good enough or worthy because He makes you those things.<br />
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It's only when we shift our perspective to the security that can be found in our deeper-rooted identity that we can begin to implement strategies to draw it out. Get away from the lies and the fears you have believed. Try writing them down so you can see in ink how silly they sound. Try going to a coffee shop for a change of scenery as you work on your next scene. Try "writing" via dictation, or write on the notes app of your phone. Do whatever you need to do to write from a place of <i>freedom</i> over fear. Because the fear may not go away, but that doesn't mean you have to let it rule you.<br />
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="medium" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159807486754442850/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #004b91; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: arial, tahoma, "times New Roman"; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); height: auto; margin: 5px 0px; max-width: 790px; padding: 1px;" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her <a href="http://ashleyclarkwrites.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #004b91;">personal blog</span></a>, Facebook, <a href="http://pinterest.com/writerashley/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #004b91;">Pinterest</span></a>, and Twitter. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">She is represented by Karen Solem.</span></div>
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Ashley Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448862585766728595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-90253348123244201052019-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:002019-11-01T06:00:07.655-07:00Mentoring + Partnership = An Exciting Publishing Model by Lindsay Harrell<i>Pepper here!! I am so excited to welcome author Lindsay Harrell today to talk about a brand new opportunity for authors of every level of publication! Without taking up more time, here's Lindsay!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Mentoring
+ Partnership = An Exciting Publishing Model</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Guest post by Lindsay Harrell</i></span></div>
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One of the most difficult things in today’s world of publishing is finding a place in the market. There are a lot of readers out there, but with so many books on the physical and digital shelves, discoverability can be an issue.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not only that, but it’s so easy to feel like writing is a solitary endeavor. It can be lonely holed up in your office at home, plugging away at your computer, day after day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know personally that I wouldn’t be where I am in my publishing journey if those who had gone ahead of me hadn’t taken the time and energy to slow down, reach back, and guide me through some of the more difficult hurdles of the course. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Susan May Warren is one of those authors. Through her organization, <b>My Book Therapy</b>, she has been in the business of teaching authors to get published, stay published, and build brilliant careers. And, it’s worked—every year she has seen more of her students published, winning awards, and going on to flourish.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been blessed to be one such author! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQKnFLX6BMES4vAQK_S2IK9UlJr6A8u1ReqpsOfnJLry9fOITGskgVpiY9i9qbIRBuMgDwS_fEcNELGLytk6lcAxBCDNFPIUJc9tF5kJunr9l0DUlU4BS9Bg5rUsPbjnp-82D4hSd6014/s1600/heart-1776746_1280+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1280" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQKnFLX6BMES4vAQK_S2IK9UlJr6A8u1ReqpsOfnJLry9fOITGskgVpiY9i9qbIRBuMgDwS_fEcNELGLytk6lcAxBCDNFPIUJc9tF5kJunr9l0DUlU4BS9Bg5rUsPbjnp-82D4hSd6014/s320/heart-1776746_1280+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of a mentor’s key characteristics is a heart for others, and Susie has that in spades. We got together this summer and started talking about ways to help other authors who are ready to be published but having a difficult time finding their place in the crowded market, and Susie shared a vision with me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The awesome thing about visions? Sometimes, they become reality. In this case, the vision Susie and I discussed has grown into </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Pepper/Downloads/sunrisepublishing.com"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sunrise Publishing</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">—a publishing venture that combines mentorship and partnership between established authors and newer authors.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunrise is the dawn of a new kind of publishing (one that has actually been around for a long time, thanks to James Patterson and so many other authors who have partnered with aspiring authors to help them build their readership!). It’s designed to help launch new or rebooting authors into the readership of an existing author, build the existing fictional world of the lead author, and offer readers a remedy to the story hole they are seeking to fill.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Here’s how it works: Every year Sunrise will choose a lead author in one particular genre. (Susie will be the lead author in year one, so we can work out the kinks!) Once we decide on the kind of stories the lead author is looking for, we put out a request for submissions. (</span><a href="https://sunrisepublishing.com/submission-process/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You can see our submission process here</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once the lead author picks the draft authors, they will start working on stories. Over the course of the year, the lead author will mentor the draft authors (with the help of Sunrise) to create six novels.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These novels will be traditionally published (print, ebook, and audio) over the course of the following year on all platforms. (We will be using Kindle Unlimited as part of our publishing plan as well.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our main criteria is voice. We are not looking for someone with a platform, but instead, draft authors who are interested in learning, understand the basics of writing, and are willing to work hard. Most of all, we are looking for serious authors who want to launch their careers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If you feel you know an author, ARE an author, or represent an author who fits this criteria, check out our opportunities this year at </span><a href="https://sunrisepublishing.com/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">https://sunrisepublishing.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Submissions for our first series are due November 10th. (If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you at </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">lindsay@sunrisepublishing.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know that whoever gets to work with Susie next year will be so incredibly blessed!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At Sunrise, our hope is to offer authors two things that they might currently be missing: a clear place in the market—with lots of new readers—and the clear knowledge that they are not alone on this publishing journey. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WLRPe-ebPeIL_g0K7PsFTzyCZhx2pnW5dlmmLzX2fBo0t8mqddgq8GBLGeG-l5iGlTh-RLsNyaDAtVPa-IXyCHwqyqyWbynX4YUtOakgfq_75jUqo2OqmOvzZ_hJnw-B2iXkEPCIohmM/s1600/lindsayharrell.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here’s to the dawning of a new day!</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who has been a mentor in your writing career? Does Sunrise Publishing sound like an intriguing opportunity you might be interested in? </span></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lindsay Harrel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is a CBA best-selling novelist and lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. With more than 13 years of editing and writing experience, Lindsay now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels for HarperCollins Christian Publishing and working as Editorial Director at Sunrise Publishing. She has a passion for not only helping authors improve their stories and find their voice, but also getting messages of hope out into the world. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Pepper Bashamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-66906326709017177702019-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:002019-10-29T07:00:00.178-07:00When Introducing a New Character...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all the zillions of characters introduced since the first book published eons ago, several probably stand out to you. You could probably rattle off several, right? Sure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, we've read--and probably have written--some characters that have evaporated from readers' minds the second the page was turned. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thinking about the many characters who are introduced like this: a man wearing blue jeans a brown jacket and round glasses ...and blah, blah blah...his hair was brown, walked into the room. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually, these character introductions droll on for a whole paragraph, and sometimes more. I'm bored. Seriously, the unique glasses did not help me see this guy as anyone interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Authors don't need to specifically describe a character when introducing them. A character simply needs to stand out from the crowd.**<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Say my established characters are sitting in a restaurant and a waitress enters the scene. She is important (after all she is the one who killed the detective, but the readers won't know this until page 273.) She is wearing the same uniform as all the other waitresses in the restaurant, so why bother mentioning her black pants, white shirt, and company tie? She also has her hair pulled back like all the other waitresses and has a name tag that no one can read until she stands at the table. All of this can be summed up with a waitress burst into the room. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes her interesting is the tattoo above her wrist. Ah, now we know which waitress. Your turn. Tell me what the tattoo looks like. Where have readers seen similar markings before? Uh-huh. Now you have it. The seed introducing this waitress has been planted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a unique description initiates a good character introduction. What other striking details say something about the waitress's personality? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the reader is distracted by the action, he/she later remembers the way this waitress scanned the restaurant. A typical waitress focuses on her tables, her orders, her food that is ready to be delivered, but the waitress with the tattoo kept tabs on the entire restaurant. Why? Now that the clues are all in on page 273, we remember that it was the waitress with the tattoo who kept tabs on the entire room who happened to pick up a steak knife from the floor, twirled it around to sit point side out on her tray. Like a knife pro.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this is a suspense story, we, the writer, will let this waitress, the one with the tattoo, fade after the introduction, not totally disappear from the storyline. She will make tiny, periodic appearances before page 273, so insignificant the readers will be shocked in the discovery, aghast they hadn't seen the clues laced in story after a fabulous introduction.</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> muwhahaha. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a suspense author. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may write a different genre. You too can introduce characters in a memorable way. Look back at the moment when your hero or heroine first stepped on stage. He may seem like the amazing handsome hero...but aren't all heroes? What caused the heroine to take notice of him and only him? What helps the hero notice the heroine over all the other girls. Something is different. What is it</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Mary Vee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo by Mary Vee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Vee's newsletters take readers on virtual trips to various places. No umbrella. No packing. No passport. Explore something new in each letter! Sign up today at </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/dITkz5" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://eepurl.com/dITkz5</a> The next newsletter hits email boxes on November 15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHCzjniVZBhzM5wSnCucZOtXOkAr_uYDq39qiLKxkGeY1gx6OiBmmKuO8wK7vwp0z6UO8uc9UtTmHZ40HBYpdAVLzsgawL2l7l97M3yLgZC8czzqB-wDhkQyU27IYLGCBBZSfkWN9BbN/s1600/Sylvias-Secret-A-Christmas-Story-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHCzjniVZBhzM5wSnCucZOtXOkAr_uYDq39qiLKxkGeY1gx6OiBmmKuO8wK7vwp0z6UO8uc9UtTmHZ40HBYpdAVLzsgawL2l7l97M3yLgZC8czzqB-wDhkQyU27IYLGCBBZSfkWN9BbN/s200/Sylvias-Secret-A-Christmas-Story-Kindle.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sylvia's Secret. A Christmas Story</b>. I have a new book release! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fifteen days before Christmas, the staff at Sylvia Duvet's mansion discover she is missing. Her daughter arrives at Detective Carhill's office in a panic, concerned the gossipers and media will create their own story, embarrassing the family name. After all, a wealthy widow only disappears if...she simply can't bear to think of the possibilities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link below to read more.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-53977100191800139162019-10-24T10:27:00.002-07:002019-10-24T11:26:04.654-07:00Truth Bombs for the Hesitant Difference-Maker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As followers of Christ, our number one calling, job, and purpose on earth is to make his name known. That's the common denominator further specialized by the gifts and talents and desires the Father has placed in our hearts.<br />
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If we're writers, we write to spread the truth. If we're speakers, we preach it. If we're teachers or parents, we shepherd little ones. If we're natural-born leaders, we rally people.<br />
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And when we're obedient to this calling, we're vulnerable. There's nothing that makes the enemy squirm more than to see someone using their gifts to light up the darkness in the world. One of his favorite ways to trick us is by whispering lies into our ears. </div>
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<i>You're not enough.</i></div>
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<i>You're not important.</i></div>
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<i>You don't have what it takes.</i></div>
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<i>It's not the right time.</i></div>
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<i><b>Nobody's listening.</b></i></div>
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Today, I want to speak truth into your heart so you can remember it the next time you delete a post, close the speaking engagement or job application, archive the book proposal, or skip an opportunity with the belief that the right time will be later. </div>
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You, brothers and sisters, <b>already have what it takes</b>, through the power of the Spirit in you, to do this good work. <b>You are qualified. You are able to be used right where you are, right now, with what you have in your hands.</b> And if you feel like you're still en route to your big dreams and destination, you'd better believe you can make plenty of difference along the journey. </div>
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If you have a posture of obedience to make his name known and the truth you're speaking aligns with the Gospel, then he will open the doors, make the connections, and direct your words to the lives who are meant to receive them.<br />
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Whether it's the five people on your newsletter list, the 5000 in the crowd you're speaking to, the one woman you see at the grocery store after work several times a week, or the children your hands tuck into bed, <b>your work and your words matter to the Lord. </b>Whether you are the one on the stage or the one making sure her microphone works or building her up before her book releases, <b>your purpose is important. </b><br />
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When more brave souls wake up and see through the lies and decide to do the work, even scared, that's when the enemy's agenda is thwarted and every small <i>yes</i> makes a huge ripple through this world.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Laurie Tomlinson is the award-winning contemporary romance author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DGOaYT" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s When I Knew</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjoouZ" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With No Reservations</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Game</em><span style="background-color: white;">, currently featured in the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2NU0B84" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Upon a Laugh</em></a><span style="background-color: white;"> novella collection. </span><span style="background-color: white;">She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You can connect with her on her</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/laurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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Laurie Tomlinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-29583715363985264202019-10-09T22:16:00.002-07:002019-10-09T22:16:29.747-07:00The Post-Conference Slump<br />
Ashley here! I don't know about all of you, but I am still battling the after-conference slump as I try to return to my normal routine after ACFW. I'm still so tired, I miss my friends, and I'm behind on everything! Sound familiar?<br />
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Mary recently blogged about the importance of sending those requested manuscripts to their intended agents/editors, to which I say a resounding YES! Make that happen.<br />
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But in the meantime, if you too are wrangling to make your day-to-day more writing friendly, let's talk about some tips that may be helpful. And let the record state, I am very much preaching to myself here!<br />
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<li><b>Start small.</b> I have this bad habit of feeling like every little thing I do has to be perfect, and often, the desire for perfection prevents me from taking little and necessary steps toward a goal. I feel like it has to be done masterfully, and if I can't do it masterfully, I'll wait until I can. And then... I never get anything done. Sound familiar? Consider Zechariah 4:10 which tells us do not despise small beginnings. Starting small will help you build steady momentum.</li>
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<li><b>Rest.</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I know, I know. Easier said than done. But try to catch any rest you can, be it physical rest, mental rest, or emotional rest. If you're pushing hard to get a proposal done, give yourself a little breathing room before sending it off. Your subconscious may be working harder than you realize. Try to squeeze in a nap this weekend. Visit a coffee shop or a bookstore or spend an extra five minutes snuggling a dog. You have to give back to your heart if you want to create from a healthy place.</li>
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<li><b>Dream big. </b>You'll have plenty of time to be emotionally paralyzed by the fear of rejection. Purposely remind yourself of the highs and excitement you felt during the conference, whether they were professional, or God-moments, or moments with friends. Let your heart dwell among those places a little while, and let your hope be fed.</li>
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<li><b>When all else fails, watch a Hallmark movie. </b>You only think I'm kidding.</li>
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<b>Let's hear from you! What do you have to add to the list?</b></div>
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="medium" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159807486754442850/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #004b91; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: arial, tahoma, "times New Roman"; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmrURkSjd3Saj7xMQGyxCn3769xgS4k7yB3vUnjSeBlCWUr2GP_KV3ag1yjoCvt3PD_KUj_5N5GSvEsyXPLjzBE5ph5ZP-B0AvVF8r_jsnps5m9qBjWmttgye74PeNoKnGKFTT4wJPQ/s1600/1964945_689225584475784_913829893_n.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); height: auto; margin: 5px 0px; max-width: 790px; padding: 1px;" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">Ashley Clark's debut novel releases next fall with Bethany House. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on <a href="https://ashleyclarkbooks.com/">her website</a>, Facebook, and <span style="color: #004b91; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/writerashley/" style="color: #ff850d; text-decoration-line: none;">Pinterest</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">She is represented by Karen Solem.</span></div>
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Ashley Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15448862585766728595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-57634478248403702182019-10-01T14:26:00.000-07:002019-10-01T14:26:03.875-07:00Resolve to Send the Requested Proposal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#TipfulTuesday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And yet another writing conference has ended. We scribbled reams
of notes, made new friends, and hopefully had invitations to send documents to
an agent or editor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most of us have had a day to rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's resolve to work on those requested documents this week.
Write. Edit. Polish. AND set a reasonable date to send the information to those
who asked for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps you heard an agent or editor say, "I have requested
proposals for wonderful stories at conferences. Many are never sent to
me." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We find the courage to make the appointment, present our work to
the agent or editor, then go home and listen to the one who wants to ruin the
gift given by God. Don't listen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's start right away. Make a plan to complete the work to the
best of our ability. Then, and this is the big one, pray and press the send
button.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am working on two proposals. I would like to send them to the
two individuals who requested the documents within one month, two at the most. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How about you? How can we pray for you? We are cheering for you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~Mary Vee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#TipfulTuesday #ACFW #Conference #MaryVeeWriter #resolve #WritersAlley #writingcommunity</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Vee's newsletters take readers on virtual trips to various places. No umbrella. No packing. No passport. Explore something new in each letter! Sign up today at </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/dITkz5" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://eepurl.com/dITkz5</a> The next newsletter hits email boxes on November 15.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHCzjniVZBhzM5wSnCucZOtXOkAr_uYDq39qiLKxkGeY1gx6OiBmmKuO8wK7vwp0z6UO8uc9UtTmHZ40HBYpdAVLzsgawL2l7l97M3yLgZC8czzqB-wDhkQyU27IYLGCBBZSfkWN9BbN/s1600/Sylvias-Secret-A-Christmas-Story-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHCzjniVZBhzM5wSnCucZOtXOkAr_uYDq39qiLKxkGeY1gx6OiBmmKuO8wK7vwp0z6UO8uc9UtTmHZ40HBYpdAVLzsgawL2l7l97M3yLgZC8czzqB-wDhkQyU27IYLGCBBZSfkWN9BbN/s200/Sylvias-Secret-A-Christmas-Story-Kindle.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sylvia's Secret. A Christmas Story</b>. I have a new book release! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fifteen days before Christmas, the staff at Sylvia Duvet's mansion discover she is missing. Her daughter arrives at Detective Carhill's office in a panic, concerned the gossipers and media will create their own story, embarrassing the family name. After all, a wealthy widow only disappears if...she simply can't bear to think of the possibilities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link below to read more.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christmas is Mary Vee's favorite holiday. She loves to travel to places like New York City and Paris. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her king. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-12215444602276309582019-09-26T02:00:00.000-07:002019-09-26T02:00:01.590-07:00Hope for a Writerly Existential Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've reached a point in your writing life where you dread sitting down at your laptop, you're not alone. <div>
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If you've found yourself questioning if you're writing the right thing or wasting your time and resources, we've been there. </div>
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If you're wondering if you can even call yourself Writer anymore if Procrastinator, Second-Guesser, and Impostor seem like more appropriate titles, even the <i>New York Times</i> bestsellers have felt that way.</div>
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Let's do a little heart work today. In your favorite journal, the comments of this post, or even a clear corner of your mind, let's start with this question:</div>
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<b>What does low maintenance, joyful, sustainable writing look like for you? </b><b><br />What do you need to do to get there?</b></h4>
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I wish we had a blog post with the perfect answer for you, the secret formula to clear, productive writing regardless of inspiration, mood, or energy levels. </div>
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If we told you that, you might focus more on the <b>doing</b> than the <b>being</b>.</div>
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But we do have some reminders as you work through this question:</div>
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<li>A little bit of progress in regular intervals really adds up.<br /></li>
<li>Writing is like a muscle that needs exercise and gets easier with repetition.<br /></li>
<li>If you're called to be a writer, it may look different in different seasons. Sometimes it might even be just for your own eyes, but every. single. word serves a purpose.<br /></li>
<li>When trying to redefine your writing life, *WHY* you write is more important than *WHAT* you write.<br /></li>
<li>If you wait for the energy burst, the whiff of inspiration, or the right mood to start writing, it may never come. You create the energy, the inspiration, and the mood by writing scared, writing often, and writing anyway. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RACDMspOXKwUN20d8EI2a5fCMWGdiDcxjnOZU_77iVP4XUNSPQGjscnbdWmwGYzTEc6L4epNRe3QWITyqazENfWY3liAOVShladMvuuKNph5m3nhbQHqjs6qemtMif4YttMm3OPMqHY/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RACDMspOXKwUN20d8EI2a5fCMWGdiDcxjnOZU_77iVP4XUNSPQGjscnbdWmwGYzTEc6L4epNRe3QWITyqazENfWY3liAOVShladMvuuKNph5m3nhbQHqjs6qemtMif4YttMm3OPMqHY/s200/IMG_5203.JPG" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RACDMspOXKwUN20d8EI2a5fCMWGdiDcxjnOZU_77iVP4XUNSPQGjscnbdWmwGYzTEc6L4epNRe3QWITyqazENfWY3liAOVShladMvuuKNph5m3nhbQHqjs6qemtMif4YttMm3OPMqHY/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Laurie Tomlinson is the award-winning contemporary romance author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DGOaYT" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s When I Knew</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjoouZ" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With No Reservations</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Game</em><span style="background-color: white;">, currently featured in the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2NU0B84" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Upon a Laugh</em></a><span style="background-color: white;"> novella collection. </span><span style="background-color: white;">She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You can connect with her on her</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/laurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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Laurie Tomlinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-74402570981705148252019-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:002019-09-10T05:00:01.880-07:007 Conference Countdown Tips-It's Two Weeks Away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvmqWC7tmsyd08HY6AN78WKbY_iYL6sZBzl1QqfmzrvCRLi4R0FEolr59tRjbTe4x87xo_rMaNQQq0caMbCr3AJ32ix_bkVV-JhFtOI5Mv7McIHNKr2bo-EyqI5V0EB8f3cZjXQMy6wZh/s1600/IMG_4092.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvmqWC7tmsyd08HY6AN78WKbY_iYL6sZBzl1QqfmzrvCRLi4R0FEolr59tRjbTe4x87xo_rMaNQQq0caMbCr3AJ32ix_bkVV-JhFtOI5Mv7McIHNKr2bo-EyqI5V0EB8f3cZjXQMy6wZh/s400/IMG_4092.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am an unusual mix. I make lists, organizing my day, yet when a conference approaches, I come down with a terrible case of procrastination. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This can be a deadly disease...for the story we hope to pitch, the classes we think we might be taking, the individuals we might get appointments with, and the crucial networking we can do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This alone is a good reason for me to start preparing TODAY for the conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Let's start with the easy task. What outfit should I wear to the awards ceremony? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had this taken care of two months ago. Note the word had. Last night, I tried on my dress and looked in the mirror. Sigh. I rummaged through other dresses back in my closet and chose one. Tried it on. Added accessories and checked the mirror. Yes, I could check this off my list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If there will be a character costume night, try this outfit on as well. Put all the pieces in one place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. For networking, check your business card stash. If you have bookmarks or any other related items get them out. Blow off the dust. It may be too late to order more. Perhaps a local vendor can make up a few for you. Yes. You should bring business cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Prepare or review your one sheet. At the first conference I attended, I had no clue what this was. A one sheet is an organized flyer providing information about one, or one of the manuscript/s you will pitch at the conference. Editors and agents will say, "Do you have a one sheet?" in your meetings. Search our blog's topics for past posts addressing one sheets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Practice your pitch ten times every day. Know it as well as your name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. As conference time draws near, I will look over the scheduled classes. The houses and agencies represented at the panels. I reread the information provided for the agents, editors, and mentors. The more prepared I am, the less nervous I will be, and the better chance I will have to well represent my manuscript.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Gather all flight, shuttle, hotel, and conference reservation information. Have you asked someone to take you to the airport? Will there be someone there to pick you up when you fly home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. The conference has an app. The best feature is the updates. You will know classroom changes, additions, cancellations. Download the app ahead of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are a few of my favorite reminders. What did I forget? Take a sec and comment below something to remember for the upcoming conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Alley Cats are excited to see you there. Nearly the entire group is able to attend this year. Look for us. Say hi!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Photo by Mary Vee</span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#TipfulTuesday #ACFW #Conference #MaryVeeWriter #procrastination #WritersAlley </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Mary Vee's newsletter, readers take a virtual trip to various places. No bug spray. No packing. No passport. Explore something new in each letter! Sign up today at </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/dITkz5" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://eepurl.com/dITkz5</a> The next newsletter hits email boxes September 15.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Mary's books: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm">https://amzn.to/2Fq4Jbm</a></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Mary Vee -</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking top Mary’s list of ways to enjoy a day. She was homeless for a time, was a teacher, a missionary, and married an Air Force vet. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her King.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Visit Mary at her </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryveewriter.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.maryvee.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Blog</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and her ministry blog to families: </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.mimaryvee.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #042eee; font-family: "helvetica neue";">God Loves Kids</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Or chat on </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryVeeNeverGiveUpStories/?ref=bookmarks" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="color: #551a8b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MaryVeeWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span><br />
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Mary Vee Storytellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15235494928887348835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-1913266366187129662019-08-29T09:04:00.001-07:002019-08-29T09:04:12.923-07:00The Next Right Thing + A GIVEAWAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Laurie here with a book recommendation! If you've been reading my posts for any length of time, you know my love language is goals and dreams. This book, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Zwguml">The Next Right Thing</a></i>, and the podcast that it sprang from, have been so instrumental in my life. (And it's on super Kindle sale!)<br />
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To put it figuratively, I tend to sprint toward my goals at full speed until I get to a brick wall. And the author, Emily P. Freeman, is a gentle voice that not only encourages me to slow my pace and find some peace, but shows that in most cases, that brick wall of a dream is totally doable. I might not be able to plow through it, but I can climb it, brick-by-brick -- one "Next Right Thing" at a time.<br />
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The story of how and why I went back to school is a long and complicated one, but the right one. Despite the fact that my favorite shows growing up were <i>Rescue 911, Trauma: Life in the ER, </i>and <i>Dr. G: Medical Examiner, </i>I didn't think I had what it took to be in the medical field, but I always felt drawn toward it. After graduating with an English degree, I worked in PR, started a family, and the bricks in that wall started getting taller. The programs I'd looked into would all required 8+ prerequisite classes, losing my income for a little while, upending my family's routine, missing my kids' formative years, derailing my writing career. That was if I even remembered how to balance an equation or study for an exam.<br />
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So finding Emily P. Freeman's podcast and then reading her book helped show me that I didn't have to have all the answers and ducks lined up ahead of time. I didn't even have to quit writing and my family wasn't going to suffer if I was working hard for a season. All I had to focus on was the Next Right Thing, the closest brick I could reach on the wall.<br />
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It somehow feels like ages have passed and *yesterday* that I enrolled in that first chemistry class almost 2 years ago. I'm now beginning my 8th prerequisite, waiting on my last transcript to clear on my nursing school application. And I've found all of the doubts I had were unfounded because, when the Lord calls you to do something, he gives you the strength and the tools and the favor to do it, even if it doesn't look exactly how you envisioned it.<br />
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<b>What's the dream that feels insurmountable in your life? What brick walls have you scaled with the Lord's help? Since it's Laurie and Sherrinda's birthday week, we're giving away Kindle copies of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Zwguml">The Next Right Thing</a> </i>to a few lucky commenters! Good luck!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Laurie Tomlinson is the award-winning contemporary romance author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DGOaYT" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s When I Knew</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2QjoouZ" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With No Reservations</em></a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Long Game</em><span style="background-color: white;">, currently featured in the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2NU0B84" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Upon a Laugh</em></a><span style="background-color: white;"> novella collection. </span><span style="background-color: white;">She believes that God’s love is unfailing, anything can be accomplished with a good to-do list, and that life should be celebrated with cupcakes and extra sprinkles.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You can connect with her on her</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.laurietomlinson.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/laurietomlinson" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #8b9437; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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Laurie Tomlinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.com2