Today was the fourth and final drawing for the month. I had so much fun, I decided to give 2 prizes. Congratulations ptodd@ aeneas.net–you are the winner of a L. Nuchell messenger bag. spijs @aol.com is the winner of a basket of Christian fiction books. Send me your addresses and I’ll send your prizes.
If you didn’t a prize in this month’s drawing, don’t despair. I’ll have more contests and drawings before the the end of the year. Keep checking back.
In an earlier post, I mentioned an art exhibit by sculptor Ellen Fossey McGowan. I finally got a chance to view the entire collection. Ms. McGowan’s work is wonderful. Three pieces that interested me in particular pertained to writing, of course.
“Friday Book Club”
“Nap Time”
“Bookstore Romance”
If you live near Lambuth University, stop by to see Ms. McGowan’s sculptures:
Lobby of Varnell-Jones Hall
October 1-November 2, 2007
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Weekdays only)
Opening Reception: October 27, 20073:00 to 4:30 p.m.
For those of you who live too far away to see the exhibit in person, check out Ellen McGowan’s website, www.ellenmcgowan.com. She has several photo galleries.
Congratulations. Our winner this week is rlumpki1 @ utk.edu. Send me your address and claim your prize. I hope you like fresh brewed coffee…your Starbucks gift card is on the way.
Next Friday is your final chance to win. If you haven’t subscribed, you’d better hurry. Time is tick, tick, ticking away.
I got a call from my local bookstore that the book I ordered was in
. Stacy Hawkins Adams’ latest book (#3 of the Spirit and Soul series) Watercolored Pearls continues the story of three friends—Serena, Erika and Tawana—who are struggling with common issues that many women in our modern society face: feeling lost after becoming a stay-at-home mom, controlling jealous tendencies, surviving an abusive relationship, being a single parent, balancing work and motherhood.
I read an except from the novel, so I can’t wait to crack open those pages and continue Serena, Erika and Tawana’s journey. I’m especially excited to read Stacy’s book after meeting her at the ACFW conference last month. Although I don’t show it, meeting authors whose books I’ve seen in bookstores is equal to seeing Denzel or Halle or some big sports figure or singer. But the best part about meeting Stacy was her genuine spirit and her willingness to guide new writers. She gave me her card and told me to call her if I needed anything.
For more information on Stacy’s first two novels, Speak to My Heart and Nothing But the Right Thing, visit her website www.stacyhawkinsadams.com. To learn more about the author and the concept behind Watercolored Pearls, read Stacy’s interview on Christianbook.com.
I’m ready to kick my roommate out. She’s gotten on my last nerve. For the past year, she’s practically taken over my house, my car, my seat at church (imagine that, bothering a Christian writer while she’s trying to hear the Word). Some days she talks so much, I can’t get a word in. For those of you who know me personally, no I haven’t lost my mind—I don’t think. I’m talking about Deborah Phillips, the main character in my book.
Okay, so you’re thinking ‘Is she sure she hasn’t lost it’? I saw a saying the other day that I think most authors would agree with: I don’t tell my characters what to do. I just take dictation.
Well, I’m tired of listening…to Deborah anyway. I think she’s said her peace and it’s time for her to pack up and go. Besides I only have one spare room and this morning someone else wanted to move in. I don’t know her name, but I could see her just as vividly as if she were standing right beside me. Following me back and forth between the bedroom and bathroom. I would barely get dressed. She kept stopping me, telling me her tales. Begging me not to pass judgment. Trying to explain how she got herself in such a predicament. I can already tell she’s going to be a pushy one.
To all of my preview readers: make sure you get plenty of rest over the next few months. I got a feeling I’ll have a new tenant by January.
Tyler Perry’s latest movie hits theaters Friday. Why Did I Get Married is the story of eight married college friends reuniting for their annual retreat in the snowcapped mountains of Colorado. They come expecting fun and relaxation, but get a completely unexpected surprise. Career-driven Dianne (Sharon Leal) and her supportive, but fed-up husband, Terry (Tyler Perry), are joined by popular psychologist and best-selling author Patricia (Janet Jackson) and her architect husband Gavin (Malik Yoba), who share a secret tragedy that finally comes to light, while Angela (Tasha Smith) and Marcus (Michael Jai White) argue constantly, but remain in love. Also in attendance is their good friend Sheila (Jill Scott), a sweet woman with a distorted self-image stemming from weight issues that are exacerbated by her emotionally abusive and philandering husband, Mike (Richard T. Jones). Unlike any other year, this trip changes the dynamic of the group with two new additions: Sheila’s supposed girlfriend, Trina (Denise Boutte), who is secretly sleeping with her husband; and Troy (Lamman Rucker), an ex-Wall Street stockbroker who has put his career on hold to care for an ailing father.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, head to your local theater.
I have been working zealously trying to get my current manuscript (the one you’re probably tired of hearing about) ready to submit to editors and agents. In the process I’ve had to think about a question one agent asked me at the ACFW conference. She wanted to know what made my novel, which deals with spousal abuse, different from other stories on the same subject. I hadn’t thought much about how my story differed, but I did know without a doubt that the Lord led me to write this story, so there must be something in it He wants told.
I started writing the story a year ago. While I consider myself a romantic, I prefer stories with mystery, suspense, intrigue. So I started my second story with a young lady hiding in a closet. I didn’t know why she was in the closet or who she was hiding from, but it sounded sinister. Three lines later, I find out she is in an abusive relationship. Not quite the mystery and intrigue I wanted, but that was the story my character wanted to tell.
I didn’t know anything about domestic violence, not personally anyway. The story would call for a lot of research on my part. I had no idea when I started telling people the premise of the novel I’d have survivors offering to tell me their stories. These were not women who ‘knew someone’; these were women who preserved through abusive marriages and relationships.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In honor of all of the women who shared their stories and in memory of those who never got the chance; take a few minutes to visit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website. There are events and projects all over the country where you can participate, donate or volunteer.
In Loving Memory of Laura (10-12-2006)
Congratulations harv31349 @ aol.com. You are the winner of a $10.00 Wal-Mart/Sam’s gift card and a copy of Sharon Ewell Foster’s Passing into Light. Please send your name and address and I’ll put your prize in the mail.
You don’t have to be jealous of this week’s winner. Next week it could be you. But you can’t win if you haven’t subscribed (look to the right, find the subscription link and follow the directions).
Readers who loved the first three Colton Parker Mysteries will devour this latest entry in the fast–paced and highly recommended series.
After closing a high profile case, Colton Parker’s life is beginning to turn around. His detective agency has money in the bank, a growing clientele, and the relationship between Colton and FBI agent Mary Christopher is beginning to blossom. Things are looking up…until his daughter, Callie, vanishes.
The search for Callie will lead Colton into a world he has never seen. A world where everything is wrong—and wrong is right. A world where light is exchanged for darkness, and the truth is sacrificed for a lie.
If Colton is to save Callie in time, he will need to confront evil where it dwells. A confrontation that will affect both father and daughter for all eternity.
I haven’t finished reading The Lost Sheep yet, but from all the buzz and reviews, it’s going to be good. To read an excerpt, visit Harvest House’s website. There’s an interview with Brandt on the “Keep Me In Supense” blog. If you want to know more about Brandt and his other books, check out his website.
