Softball and Author?

by +AneMulligan  @AneMulligan

Brooke Cox is a creative and feisty old tomboy and softball player. Last October was her 30th wedding anniversary to her high school sweetheart, Tim. Their daughter Sara recently married and they proudly have 3 grand doggies. She has been writing or “making up stories” before she learned how to write. Unfortunately, she didn’t get serious about writing until after she had her daughter. She spent the previous years working her way through college. She  still managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude. By the way, there are days she would love to roll in infield dirt again.

What sparked the story for this novel?

A joke. I used to joke about how I never fit in with my immediate family. Then I got to thinking about it. I wanted to reach out to others who didn’t always fit in either. I wanted them to know the only One we need to worry about pleasing is Jesus. It went from there.

Share a bit of your journey to publication. Was it short or long?

L-o-n-g. I took classes on honing my craft for years, but the most important step I took toward publication was joining the ACFW.

What would you do if you didn't write?

I have a degree in Accounting, but I don’t like doing that. What I love is doing taxes, so I would probably get back into tax preparation. At one time I wanted to take the enrolled agent’s test.

What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?

I struggle with selling myself. I love the challenge of taking an idea and spinning it out into a story. But selling that story to a publisher or reader is difficult for me. First, I pray about it. Second, I read encouraging blogs and book from other writers. Third, I give myself a little kick in the pants.

Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?

No, I don’t really have a place as much as a mood. I can write anywhere as long as I have music to listen to. Music is my muse.

Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?

I love the creating aspect. I have often said that I believe my being creative is part of the reason God put me on this plant. And I am a math/science girl-not a grammar girl!  I’d rather work an equation than diagram a sentence.

Do you consider yourself a visual writer? If so, what visuals do you use?

My mind’s eye. When I write out a scene, I see it in my head as if I were watching a movie. And I will try to imagine myself actually there. For example, what do I smell or hear?

What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer?

1)   Give yourself permission to think outside of the box

2)   Never stop learning about or honing your craft

3)   Join a writer’s group. I have been in the ACFW for years and have made many wonderful and supportive friends there.

Then what 3 things would recommend not doing?

1)   Don’t ever give up

2)   Don’t compare yourself with other writers. You can always learn from them, but their writing journey is different from yours.

3)   Don’t write only to get paid. There are places I write for and don’t receive any money, but I get my name and work out there.

What's next for you?

Many things I hope. I have other book ideas I’m working on. I want to get into speaking, but I want to have a comedic edge to it. I love being goofy. I’ve had lots of practice at it. And I want to get into Christian novelties. I have used my poems as specialty gifts to my friends and they absolutely love them.

Deadly Doll

Adventurous twelve-year old Brooksie discovered a hidden room in her grandparent’s attic. She opened up an old hat box and found her mother’s favorite childhood doll wrapped up inside. Brooksie’s great-grandfather sent it from Alaska and it was believed to have burned in the trash pile years ago. After showing it to her father, he takes it from her. A few days later he was murdered and the doll becomes a faded memory until it reappeared six years later after a freak accident. What was it about the doll that people kept hiding it? Could finding the doll have played a part in her dad’s murder? If the doll had remained hidden would he still be alive? Brooksie and her best friend Darlene delve deep into the doll mystery which has them learning about a past that Brooksie never knew existed.

Along the way, Brooksie’s thirst for adventure and acceptance has the girls stumbling on the edge of danger. What shocking family secrets might she find and could they change her life? Will she finally understand why God made her so different from the rest of her family and will it draw her closer to Him? Can Brooksie finally accept who she is?

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Writing With God

By Rachel Hauck @RachelHauck

I've been writing full time for 11 years.

When I look back over my career, however mediocre or stellar it may be, (ha!) I'm amazed and grateful to still be in this writing game.

My first books were Heartsong romances, one written with author Lynn Coleman. I thought they were pretty darn good.

But I didn't win any awards or accolades. 

Chick lit was becoming a big hit about the same time and after reading Kristin Billerbeck's What A Girl Wants something clicked with me!

Georgia On Her Mind was my first chick lit. Earned a 4 star review from RT. "Hauck's first chick lit is splendid." 

But, no awards or accolades. 

All the while, I'd been attending conferences, meeting people. I became Vice President, then President of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Writing, along with networking, got me in the door at Thomas Nelson with two more chick lits, Lost In Nashvegas and Diva Nashvegas.

I'd arrived! Thomas Nelson was my dream publisher. But I had a lot to learn about the business side of publishing. 

When my books released, there was no publicity person. Promises fell through the cracks. And in those days there were no blog tours or blog talk radio.

The Nashvegas books didn't sell well. No awards. No accolades. 

Except! Diva Nashvegas won the Maggie Award of Excellence. 

The nod came so out of the blue when I got the call I was confused. "What? Who is this?"

My next books did better. Two lowcountry chick lit/romances set in Beaufort, South Carolina. 

Sweet Caroline won ACFW's Book of the Year. Love Starts With Elle was a RITA finalist.

I hired the young publicity company, Litfuse, to do blog tours. My publisher had decided to do zero promotion for Love Starts With Elle. A decision they told me about but still hurt nonetheless.

So, I scraped together a few dollars and hired Litfuse. I learned you can't sit on the sidelines. 

I'd been on MySpace since Lost In Nashvegas. I tried to do some promo there but it was largely a confusing, weird social media site geared largely toward music.

All the while, I'm praying. I'm seeking God. I didn't want to spend my time writing if He'd not called me to do it.

Writing is too time consuming emotionally and physically to be chasing it if God had something else for me to do.

While writing Love Starts With Elle I said to the Lord, "I got nothing. My writing career is not taking off. I quit my corporate job. Hubby and I are not doing youth church any more. I lead worship but if I'm not there to do it, someone else will. We don't have kids. Hubs is very low maintenance. Hey! I'm 100% available. What do you need me to do?" 

Here's the kicker. God is so good I knew if I wasn't writing, I'd love whatever task He set for me.

About a month later, my editor asked if I'd be willing to write with country artist Sara Evans.

Sure!! I had such a peace. I knew this was next on my God-writing journey.

I loved those books. Writing them was fun. Very low stress. They didn't have the impact any of us wanted, but I knew I was doing what He'd called me to do.

Meanwhile, the Lord gave me the gift of The Wedding Dress. A USA Today Bestseller and Romantic Times Inspirational Book of the Year. :) 

My good friend Debbie Macomber says, "I was a 25-year over night success." 

That inspired me, doesn't it you?

Why am I telling you this? Not at all to brag. There's really not much to brag about. It's to remind you to stay with it!

Writing takes time. Writing takes patience and yes, having our ear against the heartbeat of Jesus.

There were times when other publishers wanted me to write for them. I never had peace about it even though my friends and several big name authors were writing for the latest CBA publisher on the scene. And doing well.

A few years ago my agent talked to me about co-writing as a way of helping another author while boosting my sales and earning potential.

Never had peace about that either. Soon after I ran into a physical issue that slowed me down for about four months. Had I had a co-writing deal going amid my own work.... Shivers!  

The Lord would've sustained me but HE knew! "Not yet Rachel."

He was building my faith and my testimony.

A few weeks ago while at the gym—how many of us know God speaks to us at the gym?!—I felt a release in my spirit over some things I'd been praying about.

I knew it was "go" time. 

But still? Going forward with prayer, "go time" might mean a year from now. 

In this business it's easy to become consumers of fear, envy and jealousy. It was hard watching other authors get the big book deals or touting their sales while I was languishing in "barely there" land.

But I have to run my race. Walk the journey the Lord called me to walk.

Jesus said this, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Writing with God means hanging on in the ups and downs. Leaning into Jesus. I have a ton of stories of God meeting me in the midst of writing, in the midst of worry, in the midst of pain. 

He always brings joy! He is good. He is faithful. Don't lose patience with the journey.

Be blessed!

*** 

Rachel Hauck lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery pets.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in uncomfortable chair to write full time eight years ago.

She’s the author of USA Today, EPCA and CBA best sellers, RITA and Christy nominated books. 

She also co-authored the critically acclaimed Songbird Novels with platinum selling country music artist Sara Evans. Their novel Softly and Tenderly, was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.

Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, a conference speaker and worship leader.

Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Visit her web site: www.rachelhauck.com.

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My Winding Path to Publication

Author Kimberly Rose Johnson

Posted by Michelle Griep

No two writers’ journeys are the same. Here’s one author’s story of her road to writerly success. Meet author Kimberly Rose Johnson.

For most of us success doesn’t happen overnight. Most of us see success in increments over time. Perhaps the victory is so small we don’t even notice it except in hindsight.

As a newbie writer I attended my first writer’s conference in 2006. I didn’t know anyone there except one woman, Miralee Ferrell, whom I’d briefly met online and emailed a couple of times beforehand. When I saw her there I introduced myself. As it turned out we hit it off, became friends, then critique partners, and she is now my publisher. I certainly didn’t see that coming! It goes to show though, that you never know who or what will make a difference in your personal or your writing life.

We are in the midst of conference season, and once again I will be heading to the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference where I received my first glimpse into how to write while sitting in a workshop taught by Randy Ingermannson, famous for his Snowflake method. After taking his class I went back to my room and wrote a short story based on what he taught. I then submitted to a mystery and suspense magazine—my first sale.

This little success was enough to keep me working hard for six more years until I sold my first novel to Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Present’s line. I then went on to sell four more books before they announced the line would close this June.

That announcement really messed with my head. It took several months before I could decide what I was going to do next. Then my good friend I met all those years ago asked if I would allow her to publish, Island Refuge, a book I’d written a couple of years ago. Not only did she want to publish that book, but she wanted it to be a series. I was cool with that. J I had the proposal already written up for a series and knew exactly what I would write. Island Dreams is the next book in the Wildflower B&B Series, and it will release in August.

That is how I came to be published by Mountain Brook Ink. My writing life has come full circle. My first friend in the writing world is now my publisher.  Talk about a winding path!

About the Book: Island Refuge

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake? 

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her. 

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together. 

About the Author:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab. Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three. Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order. 

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Why Would a Fiction Writer Write Non-Fiction?

I live, eat, and breathe historical fiction. No, really. Sometimes I won’t answer to people unless they call me Jane Eyre, which annoys the bejeebers out of my husband. It’s a hoot to mess with cashiers and sign my checks Jane Austen. Kind of rotten about that lawsuit, though. And I admit, it’s just a tic creepy when I fake a British accent and dress like Charles Dickens. I think it’s the moustache that really throws people.

With that background in mind, what in the world am I doing dipping my toes into the pool of non-fiction with my latest release Writer Off the Leash? It all started with a blog. Grab your milk and cookies, kids, because here comes a story.

Way back when dinosaurs roamed the face of the earth, I staked out my little corner of the internet and named it Writer Off the Leash. I didn’t want to be pinned down to a particular topic, though writing is what I most often post about. I wanted to roam into other neighborhoods like religion, philosophy, and where the best chocolate chip cookie recipe can be found.

Lo and behold—quit blinking, an angel will not appear—that little plot of cyberspace grew, attracting readers from all over the place. Yes, even Hoboken, New Jersey. I know, right? Anyway, these readers started leaving comments about how I should compile all my writerly advice into a book format.

I froze. Me? Put out a non-fiction book? What do I know about truth telling? I’m a historical fiction writer for Pete’s sake. But the voices would not shut up . . . not the ones in my head, the commenters on the blog.

So, I did what any self-respecting, strong, not-so-young woman would do. I caved into peer pressure. I found a buddy who had an interest in the inner workings of publishing and was willing to take my material and figure out how to morph it into paperback and ebook formats. And voila! Harpy type music and a glittery sprinkle of fairy dust later, Writer Off the Leash: Growing in the Writing Craft was born.

I’ve learned a lot from going the self-publishing route. Who’d have thought a cover involved so many many decisions? Editing requires a gazillion read-throughs. Then there’s ISBN’s and Library of Congress and on and on and on. Why did I suffer through it all?

I wanted to blow the lid off stodgy old-school rulebooks and make it clear that writing can—and should—be fun. Here’s a blurb:

Are you a writer at heart? How can you tell? And if you are, how do you go about composing and selling the next Great American Novel? WRITER OFF THE LEASH answers these questions and more--all in an easy to understand, tongue-in-cheek style. This is more than a how-to book. It's a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn't know how to take their writing to the next level.

Will there be more non-fiction in my future? Maybe. This has been a fun detour, but if I listen really hard, I hear voices from the past calling me. For now I’m returning to historical fiction.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. Follow her adventures and find out about upcoming new releases at her blog, Writer Off the Leash, or stop by her website. You can also find her at the usual haunts of Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

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7 Things I've Learned Since Getting Published

author Jill Williamson

Posted by Michelle Griep for JILL WILLIAMSON

1. I need time to write a great book. 

I’m a pleaser, so when I got my first chance to sell books off a proposal, I agreed to tight deadlines, wanting to make my publisher happy. I had to write faster to meet those deadlines, and I believe the books suffered for it. I now know that it’s okay to ask for the time I need to write a book. And it’s also okay to say no to selling off proposals. Some authors thrive by selling off proposals. But I’d rather write the book first, then sell it. I need a certain amount of time to do my best work.

2. I’m not the next J.K. Rowling. 

When I started writing, I wanted so badly to be the next J.K. Rowling. But after years of rejections, then years of mid-list authoring, I’ve learned that I’m not her. (Duh.) I’ve also learned that there is already one J.K. Rowling. The world does not need two. There is also only one Jill Williamson. And I have lived a pretty cool life, thus far. If I spend all my efforts trying to be someone else, who will be me? No one. And I will be leaving a void in God’s creation. I have a purpose that only I can achieve. So I must stay true to me, my life, and the stories I have to tell. I must be the best me I can be.

3. Word-of-mouth is what sells books. 

I can pour all my effort and money into marketing and promotion, but in the end, my bestselling books are the ones people talk about. They’re the ones that “avid” readers read, “sometimes” readers read, and the “I never read” readers read. People often say that controversy sells. But that hasn’t been true for my books. I’ve learned that there is no formula to get people talking about my books except to write the very best book I can write.

4. I’ve got a slow start. 

These days, readers are easily bored. They want instant entertainment. And if you spend too much time setting up your story, you might lose readers. I’m guilty of this in my books. I’ve always liked the “zoom in” beginning, where the “camera” shows my character living his life before the inciting incident upsets everything. But I’ve learned this isn’t the best way to grip readers, especially if they decide not to hang around long enough to get to the good part or give me a second chance. So I’m working on trying new things to hook readers. It’s important to always be learning.

5. I need to get better at pitching books. 

 When people ask me about my books, I tend to stumble my way through the answer. I’m never prepared. And I always feel like I’m bragging and want to change the subject. And if they ask more questions, I end up babbling through my old story pitch that was never the greatest. This is no way to sell books! I have been working on developing a simple way to explain what I write and a short high concept statement/logline for each of my books/series. I’m an introvert and pitching doesn’t come easy, but if I’m prepared, I can do my best.

6. Don’t read reviews. 

This is different for every author, but because of my personality, reading my book reviews does one of two things. 1) I either become happy because the review was good, or I 2) become depressed because the review was negative. This is a pride issue for me. I want everyone to love me and my books. I’m happiest when I am liked by others. And I have a difficult time separating my books from who I am as a person. So a negative review feels personal, even though it isn’t. It’s better for me to focus on writing and ignore reviews. I can learn my weaknesses in other ways—from beta readers, editors, and my agent. I don’t need to walk into trouble on purpose. It’s best to steer clear.

7. Things will go wrong, but that’s okay. 

I’ve had typos in final books (some that were my fault, some that were made in typesetting). I’ve had wrong covers. I’ve had edits done on the wrong versions of my books. I’ve had spoilers posted in online store descriptions. And I’ve had books printed with the wrong stories inside. In the beginning I panicked. I felt as if these things would ruin my career. I now know better. Mistakes happen. Always. I’ve never had a book go perfectly from start to bookstore sale. Yet people keep buying my books and leaving positive reviews. Readers continue to email me kind messages. All is well, even with a mistake here and there. So when mistakes happen, I try to stay calm and remind myself that it will get fixed and forgotten.

Bonus: Here's Michelle Griep's review of Jill's latest, REBELS . . .

Ahhh. Hear that? It's a satisfied sigh. Rebels ties up all the loose ends into a tidy little bow on a gift of a story. There are a few plot twists and turns I didn't see coming, but thankfully no characters that I adored were killed in the process. If you know of a teen or young adult who loves dystopian, I recommend this trilogy.

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