Welcome Blogger Extraordinaire Carrie Booth Schmidt

Welcome to your friday edition of TWA. So excited you could be here with us today!!

This week has been filled with some fantastic posts like The Anti-Marketing Plan by Mary Vee and a beautiful guest post with the ever-lovely Beth Vogt.

And today! TODAY, we're welcoming a person who has become such a great friend over the past year. Besides being an avid reader and all-around great gal, she is also the mastermind behind the blog Reading is My Superpower and a reviewer for Romantic Times.

Without further ado, let's get to this fun interview with the amazing Carrie Booth Schmidt!!

1.   ME: You have quickly become a top blogger for Christian authors with having such guests as Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, Becky Wade, Jen Turano, Jody Hedlund…and the list goes on.  What do you feel is something that’s brought about the wonderful explosion of interest in Reading is My Superpower and the magnificent Carrie Booth Schmidt

CARRIE: Well… first of all … LOL… I’m not all that magnificent. I just love to read and I love to push the books I read at other people J And I love the authors who write the books I love to read.  As far as what has brought about the crazy never-would-have-expected-this-in-a-million-years interest in my little blog – I have no idea LOL. Honestly, I’m so humbled that anyone cares at all what I have to say.

So… I asked my husband and this is what he said, “Well Pepper… I have to say that the real nexus of this interest is Carrie’s poignant and consistent … uh… respect and love of this particular niche. She has overwhelmed the niche by reading all the books.” So. There you have it. J

2.       ME: Eric cracks me up!!! Okay, so you are quite the reader (cough, cough – understatement of the DECADE). What are three top things you find that make a story go from good to GREAT?

CARRIE: First – it hits me in the feels. It doesn’t really matter which emotion, and in fact a range of emotion is even better. If a book can make me laugh AND cry – or swoon from suspense AND romance? It’s going to be a GREAT book in … well… in my book J

Second – the characters. A GREAT book has characters that just march right into my heart and set up camp for the duration of the read and beyond. I’m thinking right now of four books that I’ve read in the past year whose characters I actually do find my mind and heart drifting toward on more than one occasion. They become friends… and more importantly they leave an indelible impression on the reader that’s not easily replaced.

Third – redemption. I read and review mostly Christian fiction, but I love to read (it IS my superpower, after all) and I have a variety of “general market” authors that I consider among my go-to faves as well. What puts them in this category is that – somewhere in their story – they weave a thread of redemption. Something – someone – needs to be redeemed for the book to be GREAT in my eyes. It doesn’t need to be preachy (in fact, please let it not be) and it doesn’t have to be a come-to-Jesus moment. But I want to see a heart changed … or a situation reclaimed … or a rogue turned hero (SWOON).

3.       ME: Well, we all know I HATE swooning, right? (NOT) Your love for writing and reading have led you to some great ideas... in fact, you were one of the brilliant minds behind the Christian Fiction Reader Retreat. What was something that surprised you about this unique opportunity? What is one thing you would change for next time? What is something memorable that will linger with you forever about CFRR?

"stolen" from Annie JC's FB page ;-)

CARRIE: I was probably the least brilliant mind behind the CFRR – my partners in crime, Annie JC and Bonnie Roof, were the brains and the heart that made it such a success – but thank you J

Something that surprised me? How much friendship was in that room. These were people I’d (mostly) never met in person before that day, and yet we acted like we’d lived next door to each other for years. Such a genuine spirit of fellowship and unity, of LOVE. This is what the body of Christ needs to be – and can be. It was such a blessing and a joy to be part of.

Something we would change for next time? We might round up more help LOL. The three of us were pretty much in a stupor for a month or so after this year’s CFRR haha! Honestly, though, we’ll tweak some of the activities – add some, change some, etc. – and we’re praying now about future locations and dates.

Something that will linger with me forever? Well there are so many little things – like hugging you, PEPPER BASHAM, for the very first time in person! And giving KATE BRESLIN a ride in my car. I mean… I still can’t even. And when BECKY WADE walked up the author registration table where I was giving my spiel … and I lost all my words. But I think what will really linger with me forever is the story behind CFRR. How God took one woman’s years-long dream (Bonnie Roof) and within a couple of months, led her to two other women (me and Annie) who had the same vision. And even more so, how He wove this beautiful and precious friendship together between the three of us while we were planning CFRR.

4.       ME: I LOVED meeting you in person too, Carrie - though I feel like I've know you much longer. Okay, so since you got to meet so many people that have led to amazing interviews, are there any moments that really stand out to you in this first year of blogging?

CARRIE: Well… there was one of my very first interviews. With Melanie Dickerson. And I basically goobered all over myself – and her – in a serious case of fangirling. I mean – HELLO? I had devoured every single one of her books and now MELANIEDICKERSON (because you have to say her name like that, all together) is talking to ME! On my blog! It’s a wonder she still talks to me.

But really – EVERY interview I do with an author, I have to pinch myself a little because I’m totally living my dream right now! So grateful.

5.       ME: Yep, I totally understand. That happened to me when I met Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, and Liz Curtis Higgs for the first time. You either yell it out or say it in a hushed whisper :-) I wasn't so in 'awe' when I met Ruth Logan Herne for the first time as I was like "Do I hug her or wrestle her?" I absolutely LOVE that woman!!

       And you do interviews so well, btw!.

      You are NOT just a reader and reviewer, but also an amazing blogger. As aspiring bloggers, what would you recommend to people who are starting a blog (or…um…seem to get lost in trying to keep one consistently?)?

CARRIE: Love what you do. And blog consistently. Even if “consistent” for you is just once or twice a week. Be consistent about that so people know what to expect.

As far as book blogging – go into it because you love to read and because you want everyone to love the books you love. If you’re only doing it to get free books, you’ll burn out quickly.

6.      ME: Gread advice! Now, last but not least (and probably PRETTY tough), can you give us ten of the top books you’ve read in 2016? (Note that I didn’t say THE top 10, just 10 from your top….you know, 50)? J

CARRIE: Can I choose to not answer this question? LOL

In no particular order (and each one of these represents at least 10 more on my list) –  these 10 are GREAT examples of those traits of GREAT books I was talking about in question #2.

The Lady & The Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti, The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall, The Thorn Healer by *cough cough* Pepper Basham, If I Run by Terri Blackstock, Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar, The Things We Knew by Catherine West, Told You Twice by Kristen Heitzmann, The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep, and Unblemished by Sara Ella.

And I already feel bloggers’ guilt for the ones I didn’t mention… lol.

So....do you guys have questions for Carrie? She's a fantastic brainstormer, by the way ;-)

CFRR in Review

A month and a half ago I had the wonderful experience of participating in something NEW! If you’ve been on social media, you might have heard about it. At the end of August, the very first Christian Fiction Readers Retreat happened in Nashville, TN.

So…what is CFRR?

At first it was a dream – but with the right people in charge, it became a reality. From a wish whispered to Julie Lessman three years ago by Bonnie Roof, to a treasure-of-an-opportunity in Nashville, TN. Three devoted readers and bloggers decided that there needed to be an opportunity for readers and authors to meet together and mutually encourage, support, and uplift one another.

CFFR was born.

Bonnie from Overcoming with God, Annie from the blog Just Commonly, and Carrie from Reading is my Super Power cast a wide net to gather readers, bloggers, and authors alike to meet to learn, teach, laugh, pray, and worship together. It was such a unique and amazing opportunity.

So I’m going to give you a brief overview.

The theme of the conference was Honoring God Through Christian Fiction

YES! Readers + Authors + Jesus????? Add some chocolate and you have a perfect day! :-)

The atmosphere lit with a beautiful merging of learning, conversations, prayer, prizes, praise, and laughter.

Bonnie, Carrie, and Annie kicked off breakfast by sharing how the Lord blew their socks off with miracles in preparation for the retreat. Authors they never imagined showing up and response from readers that surprised them – definitely pointing to how this retreat as something lots of people had been waiting for!

Debby Giusti started the retreat off right with prayer. Interspersed through the panel discussions, presentations, and speed chats, was some praise time offered by Caryl McAdoo, Melony Teague, and Rachel Dixon.

The dynamic duo of Mary Conneally and Ruth Logan Herne (Seekerville Divas) hosted a presentation on their own writing journies (as well as some hysterical interactions between the two of them), followed by the amazing Julie Lessman, who shared her gripping testimony. Tamera Alexander came next, encouraging authors with her own struggles and successes along the writing journey. 

The first panel discussion included authors Carrie Turansky, Gabe Meyer, Jan Drexler, Jennifer Slatterly, Laura Frantz, and Myra Johnson. They answered questions related to the ‘writer’s life’ – and just proved that even within our sameness there are a lot of differences :-)

After lunch…in a very “Hogwarts looking’ dining room – where I sat with some new friends as well as sharing wonderful space with my lovely Krista Phillips, my adorable Rachael Wing, and my cute & sassy Sarah Monzon, we returned to the main rooms for worship and then back to some fun afternoon activities.

Laura Frantz spoke next, bringing her sweet spirit, fantastic southern accent, and beautiful personality to the audience by asking them questions.

Next was one of those ‘surreal-thank-you-Jesus-for-letting-me-be-here’ moments where I sat on a panel entitled Pucker Up (talking about romance and smooching in fiction). I was on this panel with the following AMAZING authors – Ruth Logan Herne, Melanie Dickerson, Kristi Ann Hunter, Janet Dean, and the ‘kissing queen herself’ Julie Lessman. WOW what fun!!!! I loved chatting about how a kiss is NEVER just a kiss – it should always have much more than just lips-on-lips. (though that part is fun too :-)

A Reader panel gave us authors a chance to hear from our audience about what they enjoy most about stories and authors. Readers like to hear from us, people!! And they want organic books that are realistic.

Speed Chats ensued – where authors moved from group to group like speed dating. So much fun and a great way to get to meet new people.

The next author panel about Imaginary Friends featured Kara Isaacs, Becky Wade, Carrie Fancet Pagels, Sarah Monzon, Dani Pettrey, and Mesu Andrews (who is now in my neck of the woods in western NC :-)

My thoughts:

I LOVE readers!!! Getting to meet readers, engage in conversations, find out what they loved about our stories, made this retreat truly spectacular. That touch point in closing the gap between authors and readers was amazing.

This retreat was the perfect combination of stories, readers, authors, and Jesus. The room exploded with joy and acceptance.

The retreat offered something unique in the realm of Christian fiction. Our writer’s conferences are fantastic, but this opportunity moved our words from a ballroom to an intimate fireside chat.

I can’t wait to experience it again in 2017!!!

In celebration of CFRR, I have a giveway for you!!

Some of the questions asked in the panel discussions are below. Pick TWO and answer to be entered into a CFRR-inspired giveaway!!!!

1.       What was the moment that you KNEW God had called you to write?

2.       What's the funniest/weirdest thing that's happened to you on your writing journey?

3.       Do you prefer stand-alones or series? 

4.       Do you prefer more passion in your books-both spiritually and romantically-or less? 

5.       How do you prefer to interact with your favorite authors? Through social media, or via newsletters?

6.       Speaking of just right, what elements do you think must be in the perfect fictional kiss? 

7.       What's your favorite kissing scene that you've written? 

8.       If your characters could describe YOU as an author, what would they say? 

A winner will be announced next Friday, October 21!!

Kissing Panel Notes - #smoochysmoochy

How many of you stopped by just because of that title? Oh I hope you did!! Because today on The Writer’s Alley we’re going to talk about kissing.

(Just so you know, our very own Amy Leigh Simpson has some GREAT archived posts on kissing too....so if you like this one, you'll definitely want to check hers out ;-)

I have notes from a few experts who converged on Nashville two weeks ago to share their insight on kisses.

If you haven’t heard the first annual Christian Fiction Readers Retreat happened on Nashville on August 24^th. It was a full day event of readers, bloggers, reviewers, and authors – learning, laughing, eating, and hugging! Authors presented and there were several panel discussions.

I was part of the Kissing Panel. Just so everyone knows, there was no kissing involved. Just talking about kissing :-)

Oh yes! And guess who I got to share that amazing panel with???? Are you ready for this (dreamy sigh from my inner fangirl)

Julie Lessman, Ruth Logan Herne, Melanie Dickerson, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Janet Dean!

#pinchme

Anyway, the hostess of the panel (Carrie Schmidt) was kind enough to provide hand fans for the discussion – but let me tell you, despite popular belief the discussion didn’t get TOO spicy (except maybe when Julie Lessman shared examples :-) (no surprise there)

Most of the time, we talked about the heart behind kissing scenes and that goes much deeper than lips on lips.

What do I mean?

There are some very important aspects to writing a good kissing scene and they don’t necessarily focus on the physical contact! (WEIRD, right?)

A great kissing scene eventually involves some healthy smooching, but the reason why the smooching is memorable has less to do with the pucker and more to do with the heart.

You know what I’m talking about?!

If you threw two people on a page together and immediately had them smooching, for no reason whatsoever, that would either be gross, weird, or totally animal-instinct sort of reaction. We would NOT call that romance.

Ah! The key word!

Romance.

All the ladies on the kissing panel write ROMANTIC fiction – and THAT’s what makes their kissing scenes different than the awkward example I mentioned above.

Three keys unlock the door to a beautiful kissing scene.

1.       The Buildup – the ‘story’ behind the kiss is what makes the kiss believable.

How did the story get to this point that a kiss is an organic extension of the moment? Even surprise kisses happen with some sort of ‘background’ to the. If there’s no buildup to the kiss, then the kiss is less believable.

2.       The Characters – the people involved in the kiss is what makes the kiss meaningful.

Would these characters kiss? Is there enough going on emotionally between them to make a kiss the next step to show their affection. Kisses change things. The total dynamic of a relationship changes when two people smooch.

3.       The Description – the description of the kiss is what makes the kiss memorable. 
       This should be your last consideration on the quality of the kiss, because the first two form the basis for this third part of the kiss. The description. One of my heros will respond very differently in a kiss than another one of my heroes. (same for my heroines). The internal responses of the characters from the buildup of the story and their own personal characteristics changes how they’ll physically relate to one another. Will it be hot and heavy? Gentle? Desperate? Slow and easy?

I’m a medium physical descriptor. I give some detail about the physical contact but then leave room for the imagination, but there are plenty of authors who write in different ways. More or less – the first two keys of the kiss have to be present regardless of the physical description level.

So – here’s a sneak peek of a ‘kiss’ from my upcoming November release, The Thorn Healer.

READY?????? First look right here!!!

(setup – August (the hero) told Jessica (the heroine) she’d have to kiss him first because he knows she’s had a really bad experience in the past from an unwanted kiss. He’s just been hit in the head and rendered unconscious for a very short time)

She sighed against his hair, a sudden relief washing over her as she tied the cloth in place. David had been unconscious for a week. A minute or two presented a much better prognosis. August pulled back from her and she placed her hands on his shoulders to help him orient himself. Those periwinkle eyes stared back, clearing with each blink.

            “Jessica?”

            Her name had never sounded so sweet. “Nice to see those eyes, Mr. Reinhold.”

            He squinted and winced, attempting to straighten his back. “What happened?”

            “The rafter beam fell and you pushed me out of the way of it.”

            His gaze rose to hers. “Are you injured?”

            She smiled, softening her hold on his shoulders, and wondered how she ever mistook him for a villain. “Your speedy reaction saved me from any harm, but you? You hit your head, I assume, from coming down hard on the floor.” Her gaze dropped to his chest and her makeshift bandaging skills. “And the beam grazed you with enough force to leave a mark.”

            He touched his forehead, grimacing as his fingers inspected the impressive lump now turning a lovely shade of green, and then he looked down and ran a hand over the cloth across his chest. “You…you did this?”

            “I am a nurse, you know.”

            His smile wobbled into place, and the spark returned to his eyes as he scanned her body. “I am grateful, I’m sure.” He examined a loose piece of the cloth between his fingers. “And this? This was from your petticoat?”

            She crossed her arms, her face warm. “Desperate times, Mr. Reinhold. Your life was much more important than the welfare of my undergarment.”

            His brow tipped in that attractive way of his and she prepared for the impish aftermath. “I’ve been wrapped in your petticoats? I believe a wedding is necessary now.”

            Jess stood to hide her smile. “You, August Reinhold, are an incorrigible flirt.”

            He struggled to stand so she braced his arms with her hands and assisted him the remainder of the way. His muscles flexed beneath her touch, budding the awareness of his shirtless form with a bit more potency. They stood close, much too close for a bare-chested man who was unashamedly wearing pieces of her petticoat.

            “Only with the right woman who is in desperate need of an incorrigible flirt.”

            She fought the urge to look away and instead, stared back, drinking in the sight of him, whole and somewhat safe. In fact, besides the knot swelling on his forehead in brilliant colors, his appearance left a feverish wave running through her body. Or perhaps it radiated from his skin, infecting hers with an intoxicating need to feel encapsulated by his strength one more time.

            “I think you’re going to be fine,” she whispered, her gaze dropping to his lips.

            “No, I still suffer from an ailment only you can cure, Mause.”

            “Do you?” She swallowed her fear and edged a step closer into the foggy heat. “I’m afraid your malady requires training for which I’m ill-equipped.”

            “I suspect you are a quick study.” The tenor in his voice reverberated low.

            She touched his cheek. “Not as quick about things of the heart, I’m afraid.”

            “Then take your time. I’m a willing patient.”

            He didn’t hurry her, made no movement to rush but merely stood there, waiting for her initiation, bending slightly to give her more ready access to the items of her fascination—his lips.      She drew close enough to feel his breath on her mouth, and she hesitated, flipping her gaze from his lips to those eyes. His brow rose in question, but otherwise, he didn’t move an inch, and she smiled, finishing the distance.

            His lips were soft and warm beneath hers, sweet and inviting. She waited for the fear to overrun the curiosity, but it didn’t. Instead, he gently stroked her lips with his own, ever so slightly. She pulled back to take in a breath and check his status. Did his pulse pound in his ears too? Was breathing becoming increasingly more difficult? He opened his eyes and looked at her with such tenderness, such life, it welcomed her to bridge the gap for another sampling. She cradled his face in both hands and brought her lips to his again.

Okay, you’ll have to read the book to find out how all this turned out ;-)

Any advice you want to add to the kissing panel? I’m all ears and I’ll even blow you a kiss for your thoughts :-)

***************************************************************

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader's Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, shortlisted for the Inspy Awards, and most recently a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times. The third book in the Penned in Time series, The Thorn Healer, releases in November, and Pepper has more books planned to arrive in 2017 – so stay tuned!!