Especially for Writers

Posted on October 20, 2017 by

Posted in Authors, write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Three Tips for Better Sweet Romance

Posted on October 16, 2017 by

When Mom was sick, we spent an afternoon watching Hallmark movies, one right after the other. If you’re thinking I must have suffered from a sugar overload, you’re not too far wrong. But a full afternoon of lightheartedness can be a balm sometimes.

I’m terrible with names, especially when hit with several at once, so I don’t remember the names of the movies we saw, and I don’t remember the plot of two of the three movies. But one stood out, and though I can’t remember the title or the characters, I do remember why I’d watch it again, because I took the time to analyze why I would.

Let me share the tips I gleaned from my analysis:

  • Always keep the reader wondering.

The movie started out with an interesting premise and continued from there. Once the obvious questions were answered, another question immediately popped up. They were together once, now they’re not—how would they meet again? That one’s an easy and time-honored opener. How will they react to each other after all these years? They’re both engaged to other people now—how would they reconnect? How will the fiancés react to their soon-to-be-spouses’ former loves? How will each break up with their current fiancés so they can be available for each other?

All these questions are typical in a romance. Romance is formulaic, primarily because the formula works, so the author has to be unique and extra imaginative.

This movie had me asking other questions. (1) A whopper of a problem had to be overcome before the weekend, during which the hero was to marry his current girlfriend. How would the author handle it?  (2) Both characters were successful. Both were happy in their new lifestyles. They lived several states away from each other. Who would give up their life to pursue the relationship?  (3) Neither’s career had anything to do with the others’. After one decided to forfeit their lifestyle to pursue the other, how would they going to find common ground?

Those were just a few of the things that kept me wondering. If I thought a little harder, I’d find many more.

Develop questions that go beyond the formula. Romance readers already know the two will meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. They read to discover how the author will make it all happen. Give them something unique to fit the formula, then give them more. Keep them reading by posing new questions as soon as others are answered.

  • Make the heroine strong and intelligent.

She had a post graduate degree in agriculture and some amazing ideas in mind: big dreams that needed funding. Her life was interesting and fulfilling. She faced challenges head-on even though she got knocked down a time or two.

And the knock-downs didn’t make her cry.

I’ve read sweet romance books where the heroine cried at least once per page. Tears, sniffling, wetness, swiping cheeks, rubbing eyes, welling in the eyes—all the forms of crying or about-to-cry or trying-not-to-cry. After a while, I want to shake the character until her head rattles: Get a backbone!!!

Authors should illustrate the types of emotions that could lead to tears, but there are far more reactions to those emotions than crying. Let her act out, get snippy, withdraw into herself, double efforts that have already proven futile. All sorts of things. Having the female character cry at the drop of a hat cheats the reader and shows weakness in both the character and the writer.

  • Don’t make attraction the sole basis of the relationship.

Physical attraction is great, but you can’t build a life on it. “Happily Ever After” requires more. There must be some attribute about each character that draws the other, something truly admirable that the other recognizes and appreciates.

I’ve read novels in which the only thing the characters had going for them were “great eyes.” Being drawn into, lost in, held captive by those eyes. Or, just as shallow, the ol’ electric zing up the arm from the fingertip touch. The spark. The flash.

The idea that each considers the other “hot” is fine, but a relationship is built upon so much more.

Determine what would be important to each of the characters and portray that through the other. Would he make a great father? Show him with kids. Would he be patient with her mother? Show him with his own or illustrate his interaction with the elderly. Would he support her career decisions? Show him being supportive of others.

Same the other way. Would she stand beside him in tough times? Show her being loyal. Is she tough enough to live his lifestyle? Show her stamina and determination.

Let each character see how the other fits their needs. This is how they learn the other is the one.

Add depth to your romance by adding depth to your characters, their relationship, and their story.

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Especially for Writers

Posted on October 13, 2017 by

Posted in Authors, write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

How to Get Back to Work

Posted on October 9, 2017 by

Ordinarily, the best way to prepare yourself for an extended absence from your daily routine is to leave notes to yourself. Have a list. Make everything ready so you can quickly resume where you left off.

But then, there are those leave-of-absence occurrences that are unexpected, such as what happened to me during September’s Mom Week. I left on the 12th and came home with a terrible cold on October 4th.

It’s like this: Wednesday the 5th, Mom was scheduled for a scan to determine what was wrong with her stomach. We figured they’d adjust her medicine or give her something different, so after the scan, we headed out to lunch and bebopped around downtown Bryan for a while. Then we went home, got comfortable, watched a little TV, and received a phone call, “Get to the ER now!” Come to find out, they’d been trying to reach us all afternoon.

Fortunately, what they’d thought was wrong wasn’t what actually was wrong, and the six hour surgery I’d prepped for in my mind turned out to be only an hour and a half. But it was surgery—which was followed a few days later by another procedure, an ablation, because her heart decided to be funky while she was in the hospital. I’d packed for four days, and by the time she left the hospital, I’d already had to do laundry twice.

So, following a week in the hospital, a week of recovering at the house, and a week of follow-up appointments, I was finally able to go home with, as I said, a horrible cold. The first day of a cold is always bad. I spent the second day too dizzy to drive. The third day, I gritted my teeth and made the 2.5-hour drive from her house to mine and went straight to bed. Thanks to my own condition, even something like a simple cold can knock me out of commission for a while.

Here we are now, Monday morning, and I’m ready to get back to work. Problem is, I don’t know where to start. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m gone for an extended period of time, I walk back into my world as if seeing it for the first time. Where was I? What was I doing? What was I supposed to be doing? What’s going on here?!

Now I need a plan of attack. I start with two major lists: what I was supposed to have done while I was gone and what has been added to my to-do list because I was gone.

Supposed to have done:

  • Write
  • Release newsletter announcing September’s giveaway winner
  • Write new newsletter
  • Update website
  • Schedule promotions
  • Play on social media (yes, it’s important—gotta keep your visibility up)
  • Bookkeeping (since my time away includes the end of the month)

Added:

  • A boatload of emails (though I kept up with most)
  • General household stuff that got neglected for three weeks (Oy vey!!!)

I have to prioritize and tackle the list a little at a time. Writing is my job and it’s a daily activity, so first I need to get back on my schedule. Emails are important because some are time-sensitive.

But beyond this, for day one of “return to work,” I’ll basically be making lists inside each item on the list. What goes in my next newsletter? What will I update my website with? What books to I want to push this week/month? What emails need immediate attention?

I need to figure out how much time to dedicate to each task. I’ll knock out some of the things on the list today. Household stuff has to be done. Can’t get around that. Even though no one will admit it publically, polite society expects one to have on clean underwear.

So, here are my plans today: Write, because that’s my job. Reclaim my house, because that’s my job as a homemaker/wife—and because my sanity demands an ordered environment. Make an assessment of other to-dos and determine an order for them to be done.

In other words, the best way for me to get back to work is to get back to order. Once I sort through what looks like a mountain of a mess and put it into smaller piles of categorized messes, I can prioritize the piles. From the looks of things, barring any other surprises and demands on my time, I should be caught up and back in the swing of things at least by Wednesday.

That’s how I do it. What do you do? Share tips, please.

 

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Especially for Writers

Posted on October 6, 2017 by

Posted in Authors, write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Newest in Christian Titles!

Posted on October 2, 2017 by

October 2017 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner — Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that’s obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she’s made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she’s chosen. She’s still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she’s not sure she can write anymore. She’s beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a “scandalous” book. And the fact that she’s falling in love with her pastor doesn’t make things any easier. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Waltz for Amber by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Amber, a struggling dance teacher, is desperate to make a success of her studio. The quickly approaching Christmas recital should help except for one problem—the high school music teacher scheduled the holiday program on the same night, causing a conflict for her students. Will she be able to sustain her business or will she lose everything in the pursuit of her dream? Chris is thrilled to be back in his hometown. However, his past won’t stay in the past, and the pretty dance instructor is a constant reminder of his failings. He wants to make up for his youthful mistake directed at her, but how? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Secret Christmas Twins by Lee Tobin McClain — Christmas came early for Erica Lindholm! Suddenly a mom to adorable twin baby boys and part owner of a snowy small-town Pennsylvania farm, Erica is living her dream. Until the boys’ estranged uncle, Jason Stephanidis, comes home to celebrate the holidays. The handsome, brooding detective turns out to be a natural with the babies…and with Erica’s wounded heart. But if Jason knew the truth about their identities, her picture-perfect life could melt away. Will Erica’s secret cost her everything? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Fall Into Romance by Melanie D. Snitker Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Each story takes you inside the heart of a small town—its people—and features adorable animal friends in need of a forever home.
Take a trip to Romance, Oregon, where falling in love has never been easier and happily-ever-after is guaranteed! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter — With her foreman out of commission, Resa McCall needs horse trainer Colson Kincaid to run her family ranch through the holidays. But having the handsome single dad back in Bandera, Texas, is unsettling. Colson broke Resa’s heart years ago, and she can’t risk getting close again. Still, working with him and bonding with his sweet little girl is making the ranch feel merry and bright. Being at Resa’s side stirs up emotions Colson thought were long gone. But he has a powerful secret that could keep them apart forever. Can Colson give Resa the one Christmas present that might finally bring them back together—the truth? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

The Gift of Christmas Past by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall — Arson wasn’t the only fire that ignited between them. Promises shattered. Lies spoken. She was arrested. He returned to the safety of his wealthy parents.
Almost ten years later, Hadley and Monroe are both specialists in the field of speech therapy. They meet again . . . thrown together to help a four-year-old-girl rendered mute after being rescued from a fire. Years of secrets and anger beg to be set free as Hadley and Monroe try to push aside past hurts and find common ground in order to help the traumatized child and her family. Can the love of Christmas past drift into the present, bringing healing and hope for all? (Contemporary Romance from Woodsmall Press)

General Contemporary (includes Women’s Fiction):

Piper’s Passion by Lee Carver — Piper Jordan, an American reared in Brazil, had her pilot’s license before she could drive and her aviation maintenance certificate before her business degree. Pulled between two countries, two career paths, and separated parents, she strives to determine what is significant and what to do with her life.
Kyle Chamberlain, pilot with Outreach for Christ, wears a wedding ring that says he’s not ready to date again after Rosanna’s death. Wielding a wrench with the cutest pilot/mechanic he’s ever seen turns his head. But would a dynamic woman with her talents and eventual inheritance accept his missionary life in the Amazon? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)



Grace in Strange Disguise by Christine Dillon — Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn’t surprise her. After all, her father has always said, “Follow Jesus and be blessed.” But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn’t? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? So many conflicting explanations. Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart? (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Historical:

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano — When Aurelie Harcourt’s father dies in debtor’s prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet houseguest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company. When Aurelie decides to complete her father’s unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother’s disappearance–and perhaps even her father’s death. (Historical from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T Toney — In 1925, a thirteen-year-old boy witnesses a crime—the murder of a family friend—and must choose whether to remain silent as his father asks or defy mobsters and corrupt police to save his family. (Historical from Write Integrity Press)

Historical Romance:
Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander — In the midst of war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas, the cost of love . . . and of loving again. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

The Captive Brides Collection by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, and Gina Welborn — Journey along as nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of life’s greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


A Mountain Christmas Romance by Misty M. Beller — Stripped of the family so important to his Viking heritage, Matthias Bjork is now on the hunt for his sister. Despite combing the entire Wyoming Territory, he hasn’t found any substantial leads regarding his sister’s whereabouts, but he has discovered a most unusual woman.
Opal Boyd has finally found the haven she’s longed for all her life, in a most unlikely place—working for a German couple in this remote Wyoming mountain town. She learned long ago that most men couldn’t be trusted, but when a mountain man stops in the boarding house where she works, he seems to have the respect and affection of the two people she’s learned to trust implicitly.
But when Matthias’ search for his sister takes an unexpected twist, Opal is forced to make a choice that will alter the course of her life—no matter which answer she chooses. When Matthias’ decisions land Opal in danger, what must he sacrifice to rescue her? (Historical Romance, ACFW Qualified Independently Published)

Fool’s Notion by Lisa J. Flickinger — Feisty Alda Lealand braves fifteen hundred miles with a pack string of mules—and the help of an unexpected cowboy–to save the family farm. (Historical Romance from Forget Me Not Romances [Winged Publications])

Playing by Heart by Carmela A. Martino — Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the “second sister” means she’ll likely be sent to a convent instead. Ironically, Emilia’s pious older sister, Maria, would gladly become a nun. But Father won’t allow it—her brilliant language skills are too important to his quest for noble status. Emilia’s only hope is to prove her musical talents are as indispensable as her sister’s skills. First, though, Emilia must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. Before she can carry out her plan, though, Emilia’s mother dies in childbirth. In her sorrow, Emilia composes a heartrending sonata that causes the maestro to finally recognize her talent. He begins teaching her music theory alongside handsome violinist Antonio Bellini, the great-nephew of a wealthy marquis. The two begin as rivals, but Emilia gradually falls in love with him. (Historical Romance from Vinspire Publishing)

Historical Western:

Too Far Down by Mary Connealy — A citified mine operator and a tough western cowgirl are the most unlikely couple of all as they team up to fight the outlaws that want the Cimarron Ranch. (Historical Western from Bethany House [Baker])

Romantic Suspense:

Dangerous Ground by Gayla K. Hiss — Deputy Marshal Kate Phillips comes to the Great Smoky Mountains in search of answers concerning her uncle’s suspicious death, and finds herself in the middle of an ancient family feud and a land dispute with handsome first responder, David Jennings. (Romantic Suspense from Mountain Brook Ink)

Christmas Captive by Liz Johnson — On his cousin’s Christmas cruise wedding, navy SEAL Jordan Somerton anticipated having the typical best man duties—not facing down criminals boarding the ship. But when the luxury liner is infiltrated by men determined to kidnap the flower girl, he’s plunged into an unexpected mission. Maid of honor and DEA agent Amy Delgado hasn’t forgiven Jordan for a misunderstanding in their pasts. But with her young niece targeted, she must draw on Jordan’s skills as a protector. Signs point to an inside job. With a traitor in their midst, can they ensure that every passenger returns home safely for the holidays…even as they find love amid deepening danger? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative:

Transfusion by Victoria Buck — The world’s first transhuman must save the world, or save the woman he loves. (Speculative from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Suspense:

Kill Zone by Rick Acker, Christy Barritt, Patricia Bradley, Braxton DeGarmo, Luana Ehrlich, Heather Day Gilbert, Heather I. James, Robert Liparulo, Jordyn Redwood, and Jan Thompson — Espionage, hacking, police procedural, international crime and intrigue, covert action, spy, secret police, revenge, snipers…and so much more! Ten brand-new, never-before published novellas of suspense, intrigue, and thrills from ten bestselling Christian thriller authors, all packed into this one anthology. (Suspense from Georgia Press LLC)

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Especially for Writers

Posted on September 29, 2017 by

Posted in Authors, write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Laws of Writing

Posted on September 25, 2017 by

I wish I could engrave this in every writer’s mind. Basically, it’s a simple tenet: you have to know the rules before you can break them. But let’s skip the “breaking” part and realize that we must know the rules.

We writers—we creative types—balk at the idea of rules and laws pertaining to our craft, but guess what? They’re there, and they make us better at what we do.

Often, potential clients will write to me, letting me know they want just a proofread, that they’ve already edited, that they’re pleased with the piece as is and just want to be sure they don’t have typos. These are the hardest manuscripts for me to work on because more often than not, what the client is “pleased with” is sub-par. Who wants to be par much less sub-par? But they’re not interested in an honest critique, just that they have no typos. So I do what I’m told. Usually. I accept this type of job less and less these days.

Their attitude should anger every indie author out there. Many indies are scrambling to overcome the stigma of being self-published and to a certain extent are winning. Being independent is gaining in respectability—particularly since so many big-name authors are dipping a toe into the more lucrative waters. But as long as there are writers who don’t care about the quality of their work, the stigma will remain.

I suppose I can’t preach to everyone, even though I try. If I could, I’d tell them to study the craft! Talent is great, but can you imagine how brilliantly talent will shine when coupled with mastery? Having a compelling story is great, but how much greater would it be if told in a compelling fashion?

Sigh. I guess my frustration is showing.

But seriously, if you’ve sent your work out for edit or critique by a professional, take the feedback seriously. Study up on the things that seem to be a weakness for you. And if you haven’t sent your work out for edit or critique, you should. Even the best of writers have professionals go over their work. Why should you be different?

Yes. My frustration is definitely showing. Rant over. I’ll hush now.

Posted in write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Especially for Writers

Posted on September 22, 2017 by

By the way, want a chance to win a copy of Coming Home? Come join me on Hallee Bridgeman’s Readers Write to Know!

And don’t miss the 10-novel giveaway! Ten Christian romance ebooks to one lucky winner! Learn more on my website, Linda W. Yezak.

Posted in Authors, write tips, Writing, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Also Known as Working

Posted on September 18, 2017 by

Writers are always working, even when they’re not sitting at the keyboard. Every experience is a writing experience. Earlier this year, we enjoyed a long weekend at Matagorda Bay, and now it’s a setting for my newest novella, Ice Melts in Spring (due out in 2018). Last week, I had to put Mom in the hospital for emergency surgery—which went great, but her heart started acting up, so she has another procedure to endure—and I can promise you, this too will one way or another wind up in one of my books.

Writers say write what you know, which is great advice when applied to human emotion. Doesn’t do you much good as a Sci-Fi writer if the world you’re creating doesn’t exist or a historical fiction author who has no possible way of experiencing life in the preferred era.

But every story involves characters, and every character has emotions. Certain emotions are truly difficult to imagine unless you’ve experienced them. Once you do, you can “write what you know” beautifully and dramatically. Otherwise, you rely on cheater methods that don’t really elicit the emotion you’re looking for from your reader.

So sitting at the hospital with an elderly mom is research. It’s working. While I’m stuffing worry deep inside and wearing a happy face and being a mature woman while wishing I could sit in a corner with a thumb in my mouth or wave a wand and make everything all better, I’m working. Doesn’t particularly feel like it. It feels like I’m stuffing worry deep inside, wearing a happy face, and faking maturity. But if ever one of my characters has to fake maturity, I’ll know just how to show it.

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