Have you ever thought you needed to call someone just to catch up and then you realize months later you still haven't called? The longer time passes, the harder it seems it is to make that call. That's how I feel about blogging.
There was a time when I lived for blogging. There was a time when I blogged on multiple sites every day. I'm not sure what has changed other than my priorities.
I have two stories that are in, what I hope to be, the final revisions. So much of my free time is wrapped up in them.
Speaking of revisions, I'm in the seventh round on one story. As you can imagine it's like listening to the same song over and over. After awhile it becomes--old. I mean seriously, I rarely read any book more than once, so, after the seventh time my eyes are beginning to cross.
But there is a scripture found in I Thessalonians 5:18 that says we should give thanks for everything. This includes revisions, no matter how frustrating the prospect of opening the file may be.
I'm trying to have an attitude of gratitude even through trials and tribulations. And trust me when I say we've been going through a few. So, when I look at a manuscript that I have prayed over multiple times, and know that it still needs work, I thank God and pray that this next round will be even better than the last. However, after this morning's little foray into my manuscript, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe I'm taking two steps backwards. And I remember feeling the exact same way with the last set of revisions.
How do I know I'm progressing forward and not backward? I don't. All I can do is invite God into my circumstances and trust in His guidance, even if the revisions seem endless.
Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman
I just realized that I failed to post a review of a book I read back in July. It's another one of those books that I could not put down and read straight through.
I love the way Hillman counteracts the ugliness of child labor in the late 19th century with the goodness of Livy and Mrs. Brooks, the woman who runs the new orphanage. And of course, I love the romance between the former pick-pocket and the deputy. Stealing Jake is a must read and a definite keeper.
I only hope that Tyndale will one day decide to print Stealing Jake so it can sit on my bookshelf with the rest of the keepers.
*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary digital copy of this book. Their generosity has in no way shape or form, yada, yada influenced my opinion of this product.
Oh, and by the way, Pam Hillman is holding a KindlePalooza curious? Go here.
When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.Stealing Jake is not only well written, but the characters are beyond likeable and have excellent motives behind their actions. I believe Livy O'Brien is one of my all time favorite characters to date. She's confident in her newfound faith, caring, loving and bit brassy when it comes to rescuing those society would have thrown away.
Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better...but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.
I love the way Hillman counteracts the ugliness of child labor in the late 19th century with the goodness of Livy and Mrs. Brooks, the woman who runs the new orphanage. And of course, I love the romance between the former pick-pocket and the deputy. Stealing Jake is a must read and a definite keeper.
I only hope that Tyndale will one day decide to print Stealing Jake so it can sit on my bookshelf with the rest of the keepers.
*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary digital copy of this book. Their generosity has in no way shape or form, yada, yada influenced my opinion of this product.
Oh, and by the way, Pam Hillman is holding a KindlePalooza curious? Go here.
Exciting Research Find
As I was writing a scene yesterday I typed a word that I had no idea if it even existed during my time period. I was 99.9% positive it had, but I needed to be 100%.
scissors-origin 1350-1400 derives from the medieval Latin word cisoria (dictionary.com)
Dictionary.com wasn't my first choice for research, instead I typed 1850 sewing scissors into my google bar. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? The Graphics Fairy!
Oh, yes! I've mentioned her before. She is a treasure trove when it comes to all kinds of vintage clipart. Why would this matter to an historical romance writer? Because I'm very visual. I love to see things. And check this out!!
Aren't they fabulous? Yeah, I know, I'm a geek like that, but not only did I find out that scissors existed in the 1850s, but I get to see what they looked like as The Graphics Fairy found these in an 1850s catalog. And there are more here. I love these images so much that I'm trying to figure out what kind of art work I'd like to create with them, and of course, where I would put them since I don't have a sewing room. Although . . . we do own an upholstery shop. I wonder if hubs would be okay with these babies decorating his walls.
Anyway, instead of writing "She opened the bedside table and retrieved the scissors" I can now write, "She opened the bedside table and retrieved the fancy scrolled scissors". Of course, this is all part of my first draft, a bit of what we writers call 'vomitting on the page'. The fancy scrolled bit may not even stay, but at least I have a visual if I need it.
scissors-origin 1350-1400 derives from the medieval Latin word cisoria (dictionary.com)
Dictionary.com wasn't my first choice for research, instead I typed 1850 sewing scissors into my google bar. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? The Graphics Fairy!
Oh, yes! I've mentioned her before. She is a treasure trove when it comes to all kinds of vintage clipart. Why would this matter to an historical romance writer? Because I'm very visual. I love to see things. And check this out!!
Anyway, instead of writing "She opened the bedside table and retrieved the scissors" I can now write, "She opened the bedside table and retrieved the fancy scrolled scissors". Of course, this is all part of my first draft, a bit of what we writers call 'vomitting on the page'. The fancy scrolled bit may not even stay, but at least I have a visual if I need it.
A Perfect Fit
I'm trying to find a balance between writing the first draft of one manuscript and revising another. It's not easy. And for the last few days I've hit a dry spot on both. Right now, that's not an option. I have to have revisions done in a few weeks, and so it takes priority, but I also set a goal for myself on the other manuscript. 15,500 words for the month of October.
It doesn't seem like a lot but when you add in the revisions of the other, it really does add up. Plus, God has been speaking loud and clear in a few other areas of my writing life. Needless to say, I have a few balls I'm juggling and trying not to drop.
But I wanted to share something with you. My story is set in 1856 and the scene I just finished up is one filled with grief. My heroine is struggling with her faith, with her belief God will carry her and those she loves through this dark time. There is a moment when she is trying to sooth her friend who is delivering her baby too early by singing a song. Because of the historical nature I needed to make sure I found a hymnal that had been written prior to this time. As soon as I saw the title My Faith Looks Up to Thee, I knew it was the right one. The lyrics proved to be more than a perfect fit.
It doesn't seem like a lot but when you add in the revisions of the other, it really does add up. Plus, God has been speaking loud and clear in a few other areas of my writing life. Needless to say, I have a few balls I'm juggling and trying not to drop.
But I wanted to share something with you. My story is set in 1856 and the scene I just finished up is one filled with grief. My heroine is struggling with her faith, with her belief God will carry her and those she loves through this dark time. There is a moment when she is trying to sooth her friend who is delivering her baby too early by singing a song. Because of the historical nature I needed to make sure I found a hymnal that had been written prior to this time. As soon as I saw the title My Faith Looks Up to Thee, I knew it was the right one. The lyrics proved to be more than a perfect fit.
Me Again
It's me again. Yeah, I couldn't come up with a better title. I was actually going to talk about the ACFW Conference, the one I didn't get to go to, but since conferences seem to be about pressing forward, I thought I'd share with you my new focus.
I know I've talked about moving on to the next project, at least I think I have. Anyway, I'm really excited. I've made a few decisions that I'm comfortable with for the time being.
1. I'm going to work on plotting a story set around 1860s. It's set here in Kansas in a town that was once a promising center. Now, it's little more than a ghost town, but the history is rich and colorful. I also can't wait to incorporate Bleeding Kansas.
2. While I'm plotting, I'll be hard at work revising my Biblical Romance. I was a bit hesitant. However, the story won't let me go and I believe God is urging me to see this one all the way through. I'll be blogging about that particular project at Christina Rich.
3. I have another project that is in the beginning stages. It's non-fiction and completely out of my comfort-zone. I have no idea if it'll end up being just a blog forum or if it'll turn out to be a full blown book. We'll see. Whatever it is, it is all at the urging of my Lord and Savior. I won't tell y'all what it is for now. Just know I'm super excited about this project. I already have pages and pages of notes and an outline. I need to find my scripture references and write it. ;)
4. All right, this is the biggie. I'm considering changing Renee Lynn Scott to my real name. I plan on keeping the blog template and blogger, but I'm not sure what all is involved with changing the domain name. I had wanted to keep RLS for my Westerns and Pioneers and use Christina for Biblical only. Now, I'm not so sure. And since every writer from here to Katmandu has an opinion, I'm not sure what is best for me. For now I'll keep RLS, but just be aware that it might change in the near future.
I love having a focus. It seems to make me breathe easier and my head not ache as bad.
Tonight I'm going to visit the library and load up on a few research books. And wouldn't you know it they have nothing to do with the eras I'm working on. Well, I might be able to get one or two.
I'll post in the next few days and let you know what books I'm reading for research.
I know I've talked about moving on to the next project, at least I think I have. Anyway, I'm really excited. I've made a few decisions that I'm comfortable with for the time being.
1. I'm going to work on plotting a story set around 1860s. It's set here in Kansas in a town that was once a promising center. Now, it's little more than a ghost town, but the history is rich and colorful. I also can't wait to incorporate Bleeding Kansas.
2. While I'm plotting, I'll be hard at work revising my Biblical Romance. I was a bit hesitant. However, the story won't let me go and I believe God is urging me to see this one all the way through. I'll be blogging about that particular project at Christina Rich.
3. I have another project that is in the beginning stages. It's non-fiction and completely out of my comfort-zone. I have no idea if it'll end up being just a blog forum or if it'll turn out to be a full blown book. We'll see. Whatever it is, it is all at the urging of my Lord and Savior. I won't tell y'all what it is for now. Just know I'm super excited about this project. I already have pages and pages of notes and an outline. I need to find my scripture references and write it. ;)
4. All right, this is the biggie. I'm considering changing Renee Lynn Scott to my real name. I plan on keeping the blog template and blogger, but I'm not sure what all is involved with changing the domain name. I had wanted to keep RLS for my Westerns and Pioneers and use Christina for Biblical only. Now, I'm not so sure. And since every writer from here to Katmandu has an opinion, I'm not sure what is best for me. For now I'll keep RLS, but just be aware that it might change in the near future.
I love having a focus. It seems to make me breathe easier and my head not ache as bad.
Tonight I'm going to visit the library and load up on a few research books. And wouldn't you know it they have nothing to do with the eras I'm working on. Well, I might be able to get one or two.
I'll post in the next few days and let you know what books I'm reading for research.
It's Not About Me
Every now and then I read a book and I wonder what in the world I am even thinking about writing. I read one of those books this week. AND it's a debut novel. Yes, there was one minor place where I had to suspend my disbelief and another where I thought the author should have wrapped up an incident a little better. BUT, all in all, this debut author may have just set the bar for those of us who pray will come behind her.
Who is this debut author? Karen Kirst. Her book, The Reluctant Outlaw, takes place in the refreshing setting of the Smoky Mountains. Her heroine, Juliana O'Malley, is a spunky, spit-fire who never wavers from her convictions or her love of her Lord, even when she's at the mercy of a kidnapper and a gang of outlaws. Evan Harrison is a man bent on justice, need I say more?
All right, I'm not going say anything else. You're just going to have to read it. To read the back cover blurb and an excerpt click here.
Anyway, I'm not writing this post to solely talk about Karen's book. Nope. I thought I'd share a bit of my growth.
When I first began writing and I'd come across a really good book, I'd find myself in a pit for days. "I can't write like that" "I'll never be good enough" "I quit". Of course, I always picked up my head. Sometimes it was with the help of friends others it was just because I can't not write. It's so much a part of me. And with each word, each sentence, each paragraph, each chapter I know I improve.
But there is more. I don't want to write just like Karen Kirst, Renee Ryan, Vickie McDonough or Karen Witemyer. I want to write like me however that is God would have me write. I was reminded the other night that none of this is about me. None of it is about the authors listed above. It's about God and what He does through each of us.
Who is this debut author? Karen Kirst. Her book, The Reluctant Outlaw, takes place in the refreshing setting of the Smoky Mountains. Her heroine, Juliana O'Malley, is a spunky, spit-fire who never wavers from her convictions or her love of her Lord, even when she's at the mercy of a kidnapper and a gang of outlaws. Evan Harrison is a man bent on justice, need I say more?
All right, I'm not going say anything else. You're just going to have to read it. To read the back cover blurb and an excerpt click here.
Anyway, I'm not writing this post to solely talk about Karen's book. Nope. I thought I'd share a bit of my growth.
When I first began writing and I'd come across a really good book, I'd find myself in a pit for days. "I can't write like that" "I'll never be good enough" "I quit". Of course, I always picked up my head. Sometimes it was with the help of friends others it was just because I can't not write. It's so much a part of me. And with each word, each sentence, each paragraph, each chapter I know I improve.
But there is more. I don't want to write just like Karen Kirst, Renee Ryan, Vickie McDonough or Karen Witemyer. I want to write like me however that is God would have me write. I was reminded the other night that none of this is about me. None of it is about the authors listed above. It's about God and what He does through each of us.
Acid Reflux Remedies
Sometimes technology gets the best of me. Like to day, I wrote a fabulous post on Amish remedies for acid reflux and how sauerkraut actually came from the Chinese, and POOF! It all disappeared into cyber space. Not a single word was saved.
Oh, well.
The wind is out of my sails. Just know that I'm looking for a cure for my acid reflux. I've decided to try sauerkraut, and then a mixture of apple cider vinegar and ginger.
If you have any ideas I'm open to suggestions, but just know I prefer a more natural approach. All those over-the-counter drugs are wreaking havoc on my insides.
Oh, well.
The wind is out of my sails. Just know that I'm looking for a cure for my acid reflux. I've decided to try sauerkraut, and then a mixture of apple cider vinegar and ginger.
If you have any ideas I'm open to suggestions, but just know I prefer a more natural approach. All those over-the-counter drugs are wreaking havoc on my insides.
What Now?
Now that LATP is out on submission, I don't dare stop. What I mean by that is I must move on to the next story. My dilemma, which one?
I already have another story in the revision process which is taking me a little longer than I would like, but that is all right. I'm after a standard of excellence. Besides, I thought I could give myself a few days off. Okay, maybe more than a few days.
Anyway, I've written in the past how I'd like to have three projects in various writing stages. I'm not sure that is a realistic goal, but I'd like to try and work it with two. Since I'll be polishing up my Biblical and sending out to my critique partners over the next few months, I thought I would work on something in the pioneer era, especially since I've been told by many people to never begin a second story in a possible series until you know if you can sell the first. I'm thinking I should shelve my ideas for book 2 and book 3 in The Heart of an Outlaw series. So, that leaves me with one of several ideas I've come up with surrounding a once bustling town about twenty miles northeast of Topeka.
Supposedly, one of the founders happened to be Wild Bill Cody's father. Cody's uncle owned a printing press and his aunt ran it. This all several years before the Civil War broke out, during a time known as 'Bleeding Kansas'.
With immigrants looking for the American dream and with anti-slavery Bostonian and pro-slavery Missourians settlers all moving into grab up land in order to earn the right to vote, the era is filled with all kinds of conflict, which makes for an excellent plot.
I have one in mind that I'm itching to plot out on my index cards. And although I know it's been done before I plan on using scriptures from Proverbs 31: 8-31with a bit of a twist. BUT, I have a story that I've already begun and I'd love to finish it. I just don't know if the publishing world is ready for it as it is a bit out of the box when it comes to writing inspirationals.
On one hand I want to write something that might be sellable and on the other I want to finish what I've started. Above all I want to glorify God with my words and after many prayers I have no leading on which direction I should go. Do I step out and just write or do I wait?
I already have another story in the revision process which is taking me a little longer than I would like, but that is all right. I'm after a standard of excellence. Besides, I thought I could give myself a few days off. Okay, maybe more than a few days.
Anyway, I've written in the past how I'd like to have three projects in various writing stages. I'm not sure that is a realistic goal, but I'd like to try and work it with two. Since I'll be polishing up my Biblical and sending out to my critique partners over the next few months, I thought I would work on something in the pioneer era, especially since I've been told by many people to never begin a second story in a possible series until you know if you can sell the first. I'm thinking I should shelve my ideas for book 2 and book 3 in The Heart of an Outlaw series. So, that leaves me with one of several ideas I've come up with surrounding a once bustling town about twenty miles northeast of Topeka.
With immigrants looking for the American dream and with anti-slavery Bostonian and pro-slavery Missourians settlers all moving into grab up land in order to earn the right to vote, the era is filled with all kinds of conflict, which makes for an excellent plot.
I have one in mind that I'm itching to plot out on my index cards. And although I know it's been done before I plan on using scriptures from Proverbs 31: 8-31with a bit of a twist. BUT, I have a story that I've already begun and I'd love to finish it. I just don't know if the publishing world is ready for it as it is a bit out of the box when it comes to writing inspirationals.
On one hand I want to write something that might be sellable and on the other I want to finish what I've started. Above all I want to glorify God with my words and after many prayers I have no leading on which direction I should go. Do I step out and just write or do I wait?
Golden Claddagh 2nd Place
The results are in. Bewitching the Highlander took 2nd place in Golden Claddagh's Celtic category. Feedback is on it's way, hopefully it's something along the lines of keep pressing on.
A Little Girl's Dream
Annie Oakley and I were brainstorming some ideas of how to increase her fundraising donations for her dance team. And she said, too bad I wasn't little anymore.
*sniff, sniff* Too bad. Those were the days when I helped her get ready for performances, when I brushed blush onto her pale cheruby cheeks, when I shoved her tiny arms through the armholes and slipped on her itty-bitty tap shoes. Those were the days when smiles came naturally and that all to infamous teenage scowl was nowhere to be seen.
Besides her curly red hair, her love for dance hasn't changed. If anything, her passion for the art has only grown deep and rooted into her soul.
She's no longer that adorable little dancer that received ooos and aaaahs. No, now she has a grace and maturity that only comes from one who feels the movements in her blood. And when it comes to ballet, instead of ooos and aaaahs, she now makes people catch their breath.
Ever since she sat enthralled at her first showing of The Nutcracker her dream has been to dance. She has since learned to appreciate the varying dance forms outside of ballet. Now it doesn't matter if she twirls with the fluidity of the classics, pops to hip hop, digs with the Roaring Twenties, or shuffling she loves to dance. She can't hear a song without choreographing moves in her head. She breathes and sleeps dance.
Her passion is no different than mine for the written word. It's so much a part of us we can't not do it. It's who God created us to be.
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