Super Duper Days January 31, 2008

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve heard all the hoop la-la over Super Bowl XLII and Super Tuesday. While the Super Bowl may not be as important as Super Tuesday (some diehard football fans may argue this point), both of these events have Americans across the U.S. excited. 

Sunday’s face-off between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will no doubt have millions of Americans sitting on the edge of their seats until the final second of the game. Likewise on February 5, millions of Americans will anxiously await the results of the caucus or primary of 22 states (including Tennessee). Fans and supporters will sport t-shirts and buttons and wave signs. Advertisers and presidential hopefuls will shell out millions on T.V. commercials. I’ll probably watch a few minutes of both contests, so I can have something to contribute at the water cooler.  

I don’t know much about football. I know even less about electoral votes and delegates. But I do know the outcome of both of these ‘Super Duper’ contests will have a big impact on our country. If you’re a betting man, you might lose a little money on Super Bowl Sunday. If you live in one of the 22 states going to the polls on Tuesday, you’ll lose a lot more if you don’t get out and vote.  So remember…Brady, Burress, Manning, Maroney; Super Bowl. Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney; Super Tuesday.

 

DON’T GIVE UP! January 27, 2008

One day last week author Sharlene MacLaren sent an email announcing her new book. The email not only talked about her accomplishments, but Sharlene talked about her JOURNEY to publication. Her message was especially encouraging to me because I had received a rejection letter the day before. Sharlene stated “it took me six years to land a mainstream publisher, and that was without an agent (because I couldn’t even find one agent who would represent me), and a rejection file much thicker than a Big Mac”. 

During those years, she kept questioning, — Why would God plant this HUGE seed of passion in my heart (this seed that keeps growing and growing) if He didn’t intend to use it for His glory someday?  After reading this question, I realized that Sharlene’s question is not a question that only aspiring authors ask. It’s a question most of us have asked or may be asking now.  

“If you believe in your heart that God has gifted you with a true desire and passion for writing, then I believe He didn’t do it in vain.  There is a purpose, a reason why we are passionate about things, and usually it’s so that we can GIVE BACK.  People who are passionate about hurting lives often go into the ministry, social work, or medical fields; people who love children go into education or childcare; people who love numbers become accountants, bankers, investors; people who love art and design and can look at a rickety old house and see its potential often go into interior decorating or even architecture — and people who love to write, and have a PASSION for words, usually wind up in the publishing field.  In a nutshell, in whatever area God bestowed you with gifts, those are the places you’re going to want to invest your time and energy.  I tell you, people, God makes no mistakes.   It’s when people lose their dreams, grow too lazy to continue the uphill fight, start feeling sorry for themselves, and then eventually give up — that they fail to fulfill God’s plans and purposes.

DON’T GIVE UP.  Look at your writing as an outlet of pleasure and fun if you’re not yet published, but DON’T GIVE UP just because you haven’t seen it happen.  Maybe there are areas that still need polishing, skills that still need learning, manuscripts that need fine-tuning, or simply stories in your head that still needs writing.  They won’t write themselves!  DON’T GIVE UP!  God loves you so much.  He just can’t wait to see you accomplish all that He has planned for you.  You are precious beyond imagination in God’s sight, and He made you just the way you are, passions and all.”  

What’s your passion? Your gift? Your purpose? Are you still pursuing it or have you given up? I hope Sharlene MacLaren’s email encourages you to keep following your dreams and rekindles the passion burning within. 

Sharlene’s newest book Courting Emma releases Spring 2008.

My Soul Cries Out January 22, 2008

The worst day of my life was the day I caught my husband cheating on me. You know those movies where the wife forgets some important papers for work and comes home in the middle of the day to get them, only to find her husband in bed with her best friend? I should have been so lucky.

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I love the way Sherri L. Lewis opens her debut novel My Soul Cries Out (July 2007). It’s a classic line that immediately makes you want to read more. I first heard about Sherri’s book through the ACFW loop when someone asked about controversial subjects in Christian fiction. After reading the excerpt in her website, I added the book to my ‘must read’ list. Sherri’s second book Dance Into Destiny came out earlier this month and has already received a 5-star review on Amazon.

 Sherri received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her short story, Christmas Fruit appears in an anthology titled Midnight Clear. Sherri is a co-founder of the Atlanta Black Christian Fiction Writers’ Critique Group. She is also a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as President of the organization’s Southeast Atlanta Chapter. She lives in Atlanta, GA.

Activist…Leader…Hero… Author? January 17, 2008

When you hear the name Martin Luther King, Jr. what words come to mind? Activist, leader, minister, father, hero? What about author?

Most of have heard of his famous “I Have A Dream” and “I See The Promised Land” speeches. If you’re a history scholar, you may be familiar with his Nobel Prize acceptance speech and Letter From A Birmingham Jail. However most people don’t think of Dr. King as a writer. In a day when most leaders, politicians, etc. hire speech writers to take on this daunting task, I’m amazed at the insight, creativity and sheer brilliance of King’s writings.

I think about the days when I sit at the computer, look at the screen and wait for something (anything) to pop in my head. And then there are the days when words are flowing so fast, you can’t write them down fast enough or at all (i.e. driving). Did Dr. King ever have this problem? Did he have influencers? Did he practice reading his speeches to his wife (or friends) before he gave them in public? How many edits and re-edits? Just thinking about these questions gives me encouragement.

Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration, a historian looking for answers or someone wanting insight, take some time to read or re-read some of Martin L. King’s works. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

 

100 Years and Counting January 14, 2008

January 15 is an important date for me. First it’s the birthday of Martin L. King, Jr. (I’m talk more about Dr. King in a later post) and second, it’s the date that nine young ladies founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Hundred years ago, the first Greek-letter organization established by African American college-trained women was established on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.  Led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, the Sorority grew and kept in balance two important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women of ability and courage.  

Since 1908, thousands of young woman have joined the legacy of sisterhood and service. Some of the sorority’s most notable members, include:

Marian Anderson, Opera star; concert artist

Maya Angelou, Poet; author; filmmaker

ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Author

Bebe Moore Campbell, Author

Coretta Scott King, Concert artist; activist

Gladys Knight, Grammy Award-winning singer; actress

Rosa Parks, Mother of the civil rights movement

Ntozake Shange, Playwright; author

and ME 

As Alpha Kappa Alpha embarks on this historic milestone, the organization has planned several events culminating with the Centennial Boule which will be held in July 2008.  The Boule will be held in the sorority’s birthplace—Washington, D.C.—and more than 20,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha will tell their communities, the nation and the world the story of nine women who started a movement, which changed the course of history. 

(Click here to learn about this wonderful organization)

Can I Get An Amen? January 10, 2008

After witnessing the suicide of a church sister, Minister Francine Amen is disgusted with herself for turning against the young woman and refusing to accept her claim of abuse by their pastor. Now, after a short stay in a psychiatric hospital, Francine is trying to pull her life and her ministry back together. But first she must face all of the people she has hurt so deeply—including her younger sister, Dawn. But can Dawn trust her? Francine used to date Dawn’s husband, Sly—who now seems just a little too interested in Francine’s recovery. As far as Dawn is concerned, Sly would be better off spending his time making amends to her for his own sins.  (To buy the book, click on the cover)

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Angela Benson has published nine novels, one novella, and a nonfiction writing book. Her books have appeared on national, regional and local bestseller lists, and she has won several writing awards, including Best Multicultural Romance from Romantic Times magazine, and Best Contemporary Ethnic Romance from Affaire de Coeur magazine. She was a finalist for the 2000 Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in Multicultural Romance.

Angela made a career move to Christian fiction in 2000 with the publication of Awakening Mercy, the first book in her Genesis House series from Tyndale House Publishers. Awakening Mercy was a finalist for both the RITA Award given by Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction. The second book in the Genesis House series, Abiding Hope, was published in September 2001. Abiding Hope was awarded the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance presented by the Romance Slam Jam. The third book and final book of the series, Enduring Love, is not yet scheduled.

Angela’s first hardcover title, The Amen Sisters, was released in September 2005 by Walk Worthy Press. The Essence bestselling title won the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance. The trade paperback edition released in November 2007.

Angela’s tenth novel, Up Pops the Devil, will be published by HarperCollins in September 2008.

MOVE THAT BUS! January 8, 2008

One of the members of ACFW and her family will be featured on this Sunday’s, January 13, episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Kim Woodhouse’s daughter, Kayla, has a rare and debilitating neurological disease, which prevents her from feeling pain. Extreme heat and cold could kill her. (Read more about the Woodhouse family).

I don’t remember how Kim’s family got nominated for the show, but I do remember an email on the ACFW loop asking all of the members to contact the show on the Woodhouse’s behalf. Kim informed us in a recent email that her family had more written in nominations than any other family in the history of the show (thousands! not counting the petitions from entire Churches). 

What did Kim have to say about the whole EMHE experience?  “Please be in prayer about this with our family.  We want the Lord to be glorified. We were able to share so openly about our love for the Lord and to share our testimonies, but, we have no idea what they will edit out.”

Writer and author, Amber Miller, traveled to Colorado for the reveal. She has the event logged on her blog and some great pictures (click here). 

Set your VCR’s, DVR’s and TiVos and help the Woodhouse’s yell “Move that bus”.

Just as good as Oprah January 6, 2008

One of the greatest wishes of most authors is to get their books into Oprah’s hands and ultimately selected as a book club selection. The book is almost guaranteed to become a bestseller. One day my brother called me with an epiphany. “If you can’t get your book to Oprah, why not send your book to X?” He had a great point. Plus what did I have to lose? The cost of a book?

X is not a household name like Oprah, but she’s getting there. I found an address, autographed the book and mailed it just before Christmas. I figured it would take weeks for the package to make it through all of the bureaucratic red-tape to get to my intended recipient. And IF she got the book, I’d get a form thank-you card/letter after more weeks. So, imagine my surprise when I opened my post office box (which is usually empty) Saturday and pulled out a letter from X. At first I thought it was junk mail, but my name and address were on the letter. Not only did I receive a letter thanking me for Everything Her Heart Desires, but it was personally signed (I held the letter to the light, plus the pen bleed through the stationery).

I don’t know if anything else will become of my act of kindness. I’d love for X to recommend EHHD to the masses, but if that never happens, I can always say “X has a copy of my book”.

 

 

Perfecting the Craft January 4, 2008

In my New Year’s post I talked about setting writing goals for 2008. One of those goals is to read at least three books on the craft of writing. The first book on my list is The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction by Ron Benrey.

This book walks you through the genre—what it is and isn’t, how plot integrates with a Christian message, how to approach edgy subjects, how to navigate Christian and mainstream publishers, and more. Coverage includes discussion of everything from mystery and romance, to historical and young adult. The guide has gotten several 5-star reviews on Amazon from authors and agents. Angela E. Hunt wrote “Practical, Useful Book worth its weight in gold”. Deborah Raney calls it an “Excellent, much-needed book “. (To read all reviews, click here). 

Ron Benrey has co-authored, with his wife Janet, seven Christian novels and a Christian romance novella, Once Upon a Shopping Cart. Benrey frequently teaches at leading Christian Writers’ Conferences and is a mentor at the Christian Writers’ Guild. An ordained elder at his church, Benrey also frequently teaches adult courses in theology.