Tough Call

If you come here often, you'll know I whine a lot about how hard it is to get published. Not meaning to sound ungrateful you know, because I'm sure all those Amish fiction authors are having a good time in Book Writing And Actually Getting Paid For It World, but I've been down here in Been Writing For Centuries And Still Unpublished World for a loooong time. And you know, being modest here, but I'm pretty sure it's not my writing. Ten years ago, yeah, the writing sucked. Big time.
Now, not so much.
So what's a starving writer to do? Okay, I'm not starving. Don't send food. Wait...no, never mind.
I've been thinking about targeting some of the 'sweeter' houses. Had an email chat with my agent about it. She knows her stuff. Thinks it might be a good idea. But I realized today exactly what this means in terms of my writing.
It means, you know, writing books for houses that publish, ahem...that Amish stuff. And the like. Not that there's anything wrong with those books, 'cause they're selling, so somebody has to be reading 'em.
It's not me. To each his or her own, don't shoot. I mean shoot like shoot, not shoot like...okay whatever.
I have a couple of stories kicking around that I can resurrect and get ready to send out. In fact, I won't lie. I've been working on one this week.
But I'm in a little trouble. Here's why.
Can't Do This
Um. Yeah. Newsflash. I don't do sweet.
I also think I'll need a crash course in Perfect Christianity 101. Apparently I flunked the first one.
Here's the thing. And I'm really talking to myself so you don't have to stick around if you're busy. I won't hold it against you.
Do I write simply for the sake of getting published?
Do I write the stories God puts on my heart, even if they're too 'real' to stand a chance in a major publishing house?
Do I ignore the common sense decision that would say write a few sweet romances, get your name out there. You can always write those 'real' books later.
Or do I continue to just write and leave the rest up to God?
It's funny though, this story is getting good, better by the day. I like it. So I don't know.
If I finish it and it sells, will I have to trade in my old crusty self for a newer, sweeter model? (That's the sound of me puking).
Will I be forever stuck in Candyland?
Dang. I thought I had a plan.
Thought it was gonna work.
Now I'm not so sure I'll be happy if it does.
We saw Oliver Twist a few weeks ago. So...to quote Fagan, who I adore by the way, "I'm reviewing the situation. I think I'd better think it out again."

I Need A Little Hope Today

I don't know about you, but I am easily discouraged. I have never really been a 'go get 'em' type. More the type to hide under the covers when the going gets rough. Hey, I don't mind admitting it. I'm 44 years old so what you get is what you get. Take it or leave it.
My personality quirks don't always make for a good writer though. You need a pretty tough hide, and I don't always have one.
Lately I feel like I'm walking through a desert with no end in sight. Every now and then I think I see an oasis, but it turns out to be a mirage.
I read a book over three days starting on Friday. Just Between You and Me, by Jenny B. Jones.
I couldn't find a thing wrong with it. It was even written in first person, which I'm not keen on reading or writing.
It was so well written that I'm even considering writing something in first person myself.
But my shoes are filled with sand. My legs ache because I've been trudging through this flat, barren land for so long.
And it's hot.
What am I doing here? How did I get here?
How do I get out?
Yes, I've had a lot going on in my life the past year. Been busy building a house. Moving. Haven't had time to write. Haven't had time for a lot of things.
Is any of that really an excuse? Did anyone kidnap me, tie a blindfold over my face and dump me into this godforsaken land?
Nope. Somehow I ended up here all on my own.
Being in a desert is one thing. Being in a spiritual desert is quite another.
And there's plenty of blame to go round.
Not getting anything out of church. Worship sucks. Don't like Sunday school.
Don't have time.
I've said all of those things and more. I know some of you have too.

What do my lame excuses have to do with God?
If I don't do A, B, C or D, does God just disappear? Does He wash His hands of me and declare me a lost cause?
Or does He push back in the holy recliner, pick up a good book, and wait?

I have a sixteen month-old male Border Collie. We're having a few issues. He's still pushing his luck with me, testing me and seeing just how far I'll let him go.
I'm a pushover. He's got a cute face and big brown puppy dog eyes.
But if he ignores my commands, I know it's going to mean trouble down the road.
So I keep going out there with him, keep trying and waiting on him to get it. Some days when I say "Come!" I get an instant recall. Other days...well let's just say its a good thing dogs don't have fingers.
Eventually though, if I work at it and love him through those times I just want to strangle him, Noah will realize that it's much more beneficial to him to obey me than not.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm the same way with God. Not that I'm intentionally disobeying Him, but sometimes I'm just not paying all that much attention.

It doesn't really matter if nobody relates to this confession. I'm putting it out there because I want to. But if you are relating, let me encourage you.
This is not the first time I've been in the desert. Sadly, I am sure it won't be the last.
The way out is my choice. The map is sitting on my bedside table, waiting for me to blow the dust off it and check it out once in a while.
If you feel like starting over with me today, I found some hope here. Isaiah 40

Are you in the desert? Want out? Maybe we can find the road together.
If you've been there, offer some encouragement.
Let's talk.

My iTouch!

I got an iTouch for my birthday. I'd been reluctant to get one, as it looked way too complicated for me. However, my father, the giver of all things Apple, presented me with one last week. I should have known. With Apple, nothing is ever really complicated! I've learned how to do most things I need on it. Its not a phone, but if I use skype, it can be! Of course I've been spending too much time checking it out, but that's another story!
I have to say the biggest perk with the itouch is being able to download books! I love to read, but our bookstore selection here is pretty pitiful, so I usually do a big order from Amazon a few times a year. Well, now I don't have to. I downloaded the Amazon Kindle application, and voila, at the touch of a button I have whatever book I want at my fingertips! I'm so happy about this. Yes, I know, you have to get used to reading on a small handheld device, but it isn't a big deal, I promise you! I'm rejoicing at the fact that I will no longer have to lug a bag of books with me up to Canada each summer as I have done in the past. They'll all be right there on my iTouch. I will however have to make sure I stock up on ordering them in advance though, as we have no wireless up there!
SO anyway...given the fact that I now have the ability to read the books I want to, I'm asking for recommendations.
I don't care if they're Christian or secular. Tell me what you've read lately that has stuck with you. Why are you recommending it?
If I decide to read a book you've recommended here, I'll tell you what I thought of it!
Looking forward to reading...

Sunday Reflections

How was your week? I'd tell you mine was fine if I could remember it. Oh, yeah, okay...it's coming back to me now.
It wasn't bad. I had some interesting conversations with a few people. We got a laughable bill from our architect, wanting even more money. I did get to spend last weekend with our daughter, so that was pretty awesome. Oh, and my flight back from Boston took one hour instead of two, thanks to some gnarly tailwinds, my kind of flight! And I had a birthday.
Funny how they kind of creep up on you.
I like birthdays. I'll be honest. I enjoyed opening up my Facebook page and seeing a lot of messages from people wishing me a Happy Birthday. I know some people don't like birthdays, but hey, what's not to like? Most people are going to be nice to you, you might get a few presents or cards, a dinner and cake if you're lucky! Just ignore that whole getting older thing and its all good.
I'm always amazed at how old I actually am. Not that I'm ancient or anything, I just don't feelany older. That's either a good thing or it means by the time I hit sixty I'll be decrepit and living in an old folks home. In any event, birthdays force me to sit back, take stock of the past year and thing about where I want to go from here.
So let's see. Not published yet. That's kind of disappointing.
Other than that small non-accomplishment, I have to say my life is going pretty well. Sure, I have up days and down days, but then who doesn't? There are definitely things I need to work on, and I don't have room to list them all here. I guess the main thing for me right now is deciding where I'm going with this whole writing thing.
God and I have been having some discussions about that this week.
I won't share any more than that, as I'm still in the listening and waiting part...and sometimes I don't shut up long enough to hear anything. So basically, I don't know where I'm going.
I know where I want to go, but I'm not sure it's where He wants me to go.
But one thing I do know, wherever I do end up in all this, it's going to be okay.
So what do you do on your birthday? Ignore it? Celebrate with gusto? Make resolutions for a better year?
I'm curious. Talk to me.

International Fiction Gets The Nod...

My Dad used to tell me (still does from time to time) if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. When I was younger, I tended to give up pretty easily. As I matured, that changed. I think it has something to do with an underlying stubborn streak that developed somewhere along the way. We'll blame genetics for that I think. Anyway, now as a forty something year old, I wouldn't call myself tenacious by any means, but I guess I like a challenge. I am a writer after all.
When I first stepped up on the soap box and started talking International Fiction, I wasn't sure where it would lead.
However, I'm happy to say that there are many other authors out there who feel the same way as I do. We've started a Fan Page on Facebook to promote our genre and lots of people have joined, which means nothing really except to show that there IS interest. What's really exciting though, is that a new publisher "Written World Communications" has decided to publish stories with foreign settings. Thanks to CEO Kristine Pratt, who listened to what I had to say regarding International Fiction, they've jumped on the bandwagon and decided to embrace it! This is great news for myself and other authors outside of the US, as well as anyone who is writing International Fiction. I hope it pays off for all of us!
I appreciate everyone who's given support and encouragement to myself and the rest of us, keep it coming!

It's My Profound Pleasure...

to introduce you to my lovely and talented critique partner and friend, Jenness Walker!

See, told ya she was lovely!
Jenness and I have been friends for oh, about four years now. We met in the strangest of places. If you know us, you'll guess pretty easily, but I'll go ahead and tell you - it was through an online forum. Yep, we were both going to be attending the American Christian Fiction Writers conference for the first time, we were on the boards talking about our writing and how to pitch (neither one of us knew how and we were terrified) and we started shooting pitches back and forth. Next thing we knew, we were meeting up in Dallas. We became critique partners shortly after the conference, and the rest, as they say, is history. She still can't get rid of me.
We both became agented authors in the same year. We used to dream about publication together. Now I'm happy to say, I'm the only one who's still dreaming. Jenness has realized her dream with her debut novel, Double Take, published through Love Inspired Suspense.

I had the pleasure of critiquing this novel in all its various stages, and I have to say the finished product is pretty darn good. I won't give a review here, because I'm biased, but here's the blurb, and when you're done reading my blog, go on Amazon and order Double Take! You won't regret it!
Cole Leighton can barely believe his eyes. A woman on his bus has just been abducted—in an exact reflection of a scene from the bestselling novel he's reading. Someone is bringing the book to life…and isn't above forcing an innocent woman to follow the story to its tragic end. Using the novel as his playbook, Cole catches up with the beautiful victim—but rescuing Kenzie Jacobs doesn't keep her safe for long. The killer is writing his own ending, and none of the twists and turns lead to happily ever after.

Jenness Walker fell in love with books before she could even read them. Growing up, she read while she walked in line, ate lunch, played the clarinet, showered and brushed her teeth. Unfortunately she still hasn’t figured out how to clean the house with a book in hand. Blessed with a vivid imagination—sometimes too vivid—Jenness loves to create her own stories as well. Her writing journey has spanned over twenty years so far, from the contest she lost in first grade to the creative writing correspondence course she took through high school and the first novel she penned in college. Now Jenness lives in Florida with her beloved Web site–designer husband and almost-equally-beloved laptop.

A Busy Week

You ever wake up and realize the whole week has disappeared? Yep, that's me today. I have an excuse though. I've been traveling. Enjoying some quality time with hubby and daughter, who came over from her school in Canada to meet us for a few days in Boston. Right now I'm sitting in the lobby of our hotel, waiting to see my sister, who's driving in for the day. I can't wait!
I love just getting away from it all, not having to worry about the everyday chores at home, being able to relax, and of course, shop! I'll be celebrating my birthday on Monday, so this has been a great little trip. It doesn't take much to make me happy!
So while I enjoy the next few days, I'd like to hear from you.
What makes you happy?

The Road is Long...

With many a winding turn...
I've always loved that song. Not only because it's a cool song and I like the old stuff, but because of what it means.
Would you carry your brother or sister?
Maybe you've been carried. I know I have. I don't know that I've carried anybody else through a tough time, but I'd like to think so.
There's something amazing to me about the complexity of human relationships. I always jokingly say I'm not a people person and I could live quite happily alone on a deserted island, but I think I'd probably go nuts without my friends. I need to know they're there, even if we don't see each other every day. Even if I'm avoiding the world because I just don't want to deal with it, or I'm in the middle of a manuscript and don't dare come up for air, sooner or later somebody will come over and drag me out of my cave.
Then there are those friends who stand with me in my writing journey. I'm so grateful for each one of them, the mentors, the cheerleaders, even the ones who tear my writing to shreds, in the nicest possible way.
Over the past week I wrote about the difficulty of getting stories with foreign settings published.
I feel so passionate about it that I know I've been called to go down that road. The long, winding road.
That leads us to who knows where.
Okay, I'll stop singing.
It's exciting though, because I'm not alone. I have friends, some of whom I have yet to meet, that are willing to go along for the ride. I think it's safe to say that the birth of International Fiction has arrived.
We're tossing various ideas around, one of them being the creation of a blog where we can promote our new genre and get feedback from the folks that matter - you, the reader.
I'll post more on that when it happens. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to write that novel set in Bermuda.
But for now, share my excitement at the prospect of what is to come, pray for us as we venture into unknown territory, and stay tuned for news!
Let me know your thoughts. What do you think when you hear 'International Fiction' ?

Survey Says...

Okay readers, bloggers, friends, countrymen...I need your help!
Some of you may know that I am the Director/Moderator for the Beyond the Borders group, within American Christian Fiction Writers. BTB consists of those of us who belong to ACFW but happen to live outside of the United States. Most of us are not American.
Lately, we've been having a discussion (passionate at times!) about the strange phenomenon that books with a foreign setting are a very difficult sell within the Christian market. Many of us have written stories that take place in different countries, and have yet to place them with a publisher. It would seem that the majority of readers who buy Christian fiction only want to read about stories that take place on American soil.
What gives?
We know that it's possible for authors to write (and sell) books that take place in foreign lands, but most of the time these are well-known authors and not such a risk to the publisher. We also know it comes down to numbers, and the publisher will not take a chance on a new author if they don't think the book will do well. They have the facts and figures we're not privvy to obviously, so it would seem that right now there is no market for the kind of books we're writing.
But I think what I'm struggling to understand is the fact that Americans only want to read stories about Americans, in America. Really? Is this true? If so, why?
I grew up in Bermuda in a heavily British-influenced society. My reading was as varied as possible. I read British authors, American authors, stories that took place all over the world, and I loved them! Still do.
I have to wonder if there is an untapped market out there. Perhaps there are folks who wouldn't set foot in a Christian bookstore because they do want something different, and it's not there. Yet.
I wonder if someone were to create a website dedicated to giving a taste of what we 'foreigners' can write about, how would it do? Would you read the stories and give honest feedback?
So I'm curious and I want to hear from you and everyone you can possibly pass this information along to. Tell us what you're reading and why, and whether you would buy a book that had a foreign setting. If not, why not?
Let the games begin!
(This is cross-posted over at Writers' Rest).