Self-portrait in Words

Yesterday was a tough writing day. I wrote less than 50 words. Several times. You see, I've been asked to craft an "author's bio." Why is it so hard to describe ourselves?

It's odd how I can pump out1000 words in a few hours if I'm writing fiction, but if you ask me to write 50 words about myself--I'll struggle all day.

I kept thinking of a line in the movie version of Anne of Green Gables: "If you'd only let me tell you what I imagine about myself, I'm sure you'd find it much more satisfying."

Hmmm. Come to think of it, that might be a much more satisfying project -- write an imaginary author bio. Oh, wait--that doesn't get my homework done, does it?

*Sigh*. Back to work.

Let's see... two kids, three cats, four dragons.  No, better scratch that. Hmmm...

Friday Book Pick: Tempting Titles for Teens

I'm a little late getting my Friday Book Pick posted for the week, but I am still excited to get it out for those of you looking for good books for the weekend. It's still Friday on the West Coast, anyway. This week I'm highlighting some great new young adult titles.

For suspense lovers: Brandilyn Collins is one of the Christian market's best suspense authors and she and her daughter Amberly recently paired up to write a series of books for the young adult market. In the Rayne Tour series, Shaley O'Connor, the sixteen-year-old daughter of a rock star, has it all—until murder crashes her world. I've read the first two books of the series: Always Watching and Last Breath. A third book, Final Touch, released in May and I'm looking forward to reading it, as well. This is much more intense than the stuff I typically read as a teenager, but this generation is also more accustomed to CSI than Little House on the Prairie. As in all of her books, Collins expertly weaves her suspense with a solid Christian message.

For Fantasy Fans: In the past I have recommended Bryan Davis' books (see previous Friday Book Pick) and I hear that he has several new titles out that fantasy/speculative fiction fans would enjoy. Another writer that I have recently discovered is Andrew Peterson. His whimsical style is engaging for all ages, and the odd character and creatures that populate his books (such as"Toothy Cows") will definitely keep readers turning pages in wonder. I thoroughly loved the first book of his Wingfeather Series, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.  How can you resist a title like that? I can't wait to jump into Book Two, North! Or Be Eaten: Wild escapes. A desperate journey. And the ghastly Fangs of Dang.

For Lovers of Historical Romance: I recently received a new book, The Healer's Apprentice by debut author Melanie Dickerson. Good historical romance written for teens is difficult to find, so I'm eager to check it out.This re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty tale sounds like a fun read and I can't wait to dig in. If I love it, I'll be sure to feature it a Friday Book Pick of it's own.

Have a great weekend and get reading!

Titles that make you go, "Huh!"

Have you spotted any really great book titles lately? You know what I mean -- the kind that stop you in your tracks and make you go, "Huh! Now THAT'S clever!"

I was walking through our library's young adult section (my son has now reached that unfortunate age -- you know the book section where all the vampires hang out) and a book practically jumped off the top shelf at me.

Little Blog on the Prairie.

Obviously not a book that my son would pick, but I had to take it home, regardless. The cover art of a girl in a sunbonnet listening to earbuds sealed the deal for me. I'm not sure if it's because I was one of the scores of "Little House" obsessed girls from my generation or the fact that I love blogging -- but the title truly spoke to me. And I had to know what was behind it.

I still remember another library book -- years ago -- finding it's way into my bag just because of it's catchy title. Slug Tossing and Other Adventures of an Unlikely Gardener. I am not much of a gardener -- but I had to find out what the author meant by "slug tossing."

There's nothing like a great, catchy title to capture a reader's interest. I remember someone saying that a good book cover (title and/or artwork) buys you a few seconds of a reader's interest. If it's intriguing enough, the reader might pick it up for a closer look. If they bother to pick it up, they might flip it over and read the back-cover copy. If the copy is interesting enough, they might read the first line of the first chapter. If the first line is interesting enough... Well, you get it.

So now you know why authors agonize over their book's title and why editors and publishers sometimes require them to change it. A book's title is critical to getting it off the shelf and into someone's hands.

So, what great titles have you seen lately? Why did it catch your interest?

Friday Book Pick: A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

Happy Friday! I hope you are looking for a good weekend read, because I am very excited to let everyone know about Sarah Sundin's newest book, A Memory Between Us. Her first novel, A Distant Melody, has been my favorite book of this past year (see Book Pick from April 8, 2010). I couldn't wait to get my hands on this second book and read more about the Novak brothers, World War II B-17 pilots who discover faith, love and courage as they navigate the skies. Clearly, with Sundin's characters, love is "in the air." A Memory Between Us is the second book of the Wings of Glory Series put out by Revell, but each novel (telling the story of a different brother) could easily stand alone.

In A Memory Between Us, Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she carries a shameful secret that keeps her from giving her heart to any man. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways? (Description borrowed from Sarah Sundin's website).

For those of us who love historical fiction, Sundin's writing is like enjoying a luscious dessert: every bite is better than the last. Even though her novels are longer than most current historical romances, I keep finding myself wanting them not to end. (If you read my post a few weeks back about wanting MORE -- this is a definte case.) She immerses her characters into the history of the time period, weaving in tantalizing details about daily life and historical events. The characters struggle with challenges that are not so different than our own, making it comfortable for the reader to step into the story and immediately feel at home.

If you are interested in learning more about World War II and the experiences of those who lived through it, I encourage you to subscribe to Sundin's blog, Under His Wings. She supplies daily "Today in WWII history" tidbits as well as posts about what life was like during wartime.

The only problem I see now is this -- how am I going to wait until August 2011 to read the third book in the series, Blue Skies Tomorrow?

From the Bottom of My Soles...

If you've been wondering why I haven't blogged in the past two weeks, I have been too busy walking on air. I'm really not sure that the soles of my feet have touched the ground yet.

After 40 days in the desert... okay more like months of tortuous silence from the "professionals" in the publishing industry, I've suddenly seen a flurry of activity. Things are starting to look up for my little novel. After months of sitting on the bench, my little player is finally seeing some action. Nothing firm -- just promising.

I'm also looking at another major re-write, but that doesn't come as unwelcome news.

Months ago, I asked advice from some writer friends about whether I should make some specific (and big) changes to the book. Most of them said, "Don't change anything right now." One solitary friend said, "Go with your gut -- if you feel the story should move that direction, do it!" I decided to sit on my hands until I heard feedback from the submissions I had already made, but an uneasy feeling haunted me.

I have been praying about it. "God, I don't want the book to sell just so I can say I'm an author. I want it to be the story You intended. Help me to get it right."

So, my heart soared when I got the news. "It won't sell as is, but would you consider making a few changes?"  The changes? You got it -- exactly the ones I was considering.

So, there's a lot of work to do, and no promise of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I know enough about the publishing industry to keep my dreams cautious -- it may still come to nothing. But, I'm still skipping along the path and excited about what I might discover along the way.

Thank you -- everyone -- for your prayers. I recently posted to Facebook, "I'm walking on air."  My friend, Terry, wrote back to me, "maybe that's because so many are on their knees." Amen to that and thank you from the bottom of my soul.  Or, maybe it should be, "...from the bottom of my soles!"

Take a Deep Breath

Yesterday, after a day at the Oregon Coast, my family was climbing up a long stairway leading from the beach and I stopped to wait as my son poured sand from his shoes. When we resumed climbing, I thought I'd impart some wise words to my (almost) eleven-year-old son.

Me: (panting) "Do you know how you climb a mountain?"
Him: "How?
Me: "One step at a time. Do you know how to eat an elephant?"
Him: "Why would you want to?"
I sighed.
Him: "Okay, okay. How?"
Me: "One bite at a time."
He laughed.
That was the limit of my motherly wisdom. So, for a few moments all you could hear was our heavy breathing as we struggled up the steep hillside. I was taken off guard when he came up with his own bit of philosophy.
Him (gasping for air): "Hey, Mom... Do you know how we live our life?"
Me: "How?"
Him: "One breath at a time."

Love that.

Happy Labor Day, everyone. And remember -- from your first to your last -- just take it one breath at a time.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6 (NIV)

Stepping into a Memory

Have you ever wished that you could relive moments from your life? When I was a kid, my family spent some happy vacations on Harstine Island in the southern end of the Puget Sound. We biked, fished off the dock, looked for shells on the beach and swam in a community pool.(I've even posted a funny story about it before!)  I have often looked back at those memories and wished that I could go back and do it all over again. This summer, I got the chance.

I hadn't been back in decades, but everything was pretty much as I remembered it. The deer, the beaches, the forest, the pool, the trails... It was like stepping into a memory.

Except for one major thing -- I was now the parent.

I was the one who had to say, "No, you can't take home that dead crab." And "Fishing is about patience, honey." And, "No, you cannot feed (or pet) the deer -- even if they do come up and ask." And don't forget, "No, you can't roast marshmallows until you finish your hot dog. On second thought... who cares -- go ahead."

But there were benefits to being the parent, too. Watching my kids' excitement when they gather shells at low tide. Witnessing frustration turn into glee when my son finally lands his first fish. "It's a WHOPPER, Mom!" (All five inches or so of it.) Taking photos of my daughter dancing ballet at the water's edge. And feeling my own heart ache at the tears in her eyes after I thoughtlessly mentioned the idea of cutting up her first fish to use as bait ("You can't KILL Mrs. Flappy!").

Somehow, the joy of watching my kids experience life is even better than remembering my own childhood fun.

Do you suppose it's that way for God the Father, too? Does He really look on us with that level of pride and joy in His heart? The Bible says that He does -- and with even more feeling that our weak human hearts can muster! One of my favorite verses comes from the book of Zephaniah. "He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph 3:17b NIV).

Not many people get to step back in time. But the best part of this vacation was watching my kids step forward. Remember, God is watching your steps today and He is taking great delight in what He sees.