Merry Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and I actually have all my wrapping done! Usually I am scrambling at the last minute to get gifts wrapped and ready to go under the tree, but this year I had my huge helper, our granddaughter, Elf Madison. She is a great gift wrapper and loves doing it as well.

Elf Madison will spend today at her other grandma's house, where her aunt and greatgrandma live as well. They always have a lot of family gather at their house, so I am sure they will appreciate Elf Madison's energy and willingness to help.

Last evening, our daughter, Joelene called with a dilemma. She had come to town to pick up Elf Madison after work and when they got home, they realized they had no cookies baked for Santa! They decided they would make the dough last night and then bake and decorate the cookies this morning. Only problem was they didn't have enough eggs for the recipe, so Grandpa Pat and Pappy came to the rescue and took some eggs to them. Thank goodness they live less than ten miles away.

Another trip was warranted this morning because the cookie cutters are at my house! We got there only to discover we had failed to bring the sack with the "good" Christmas shapes, like the star and the bell and the Santa and the snowman and the holly! So, it was back home again to retrieve them.

I got to help with the baking and the decorating, but now my appetite is whetted for some good Christmas sugar cookies, so that is my project for today. I have plenty of colored icing left from the last cookie baking project, so it seems like a perfect way to spend the day!

There is no snow here, and that makes me a bit sad. However, I know they say there was no snow at the actual birth of the Christ child either, so despite the fairly "warm" weather, (45 degrees), the spirit of that Holy Night abounds in my heart.

As I write this, I am chatting with our son, who lives in the UK. We sent them two packages for Christmas and they received one on time, just today. At least they have a few gifts from home to open with more to anticipate over the next few days. Considering the havoc the weather has caused in London, I'm pleased that they at least got something! We will miss Jason and his wife Jaque terribly this year. In the past, we were able to anticipate that phone call where he would say, "so, mom, would it be a big problem to pick us up at Denver airport on Christmas Eve?" It never was a problem, even the trip we made one year on Christmas Day, but we knew there would be no such call this year.

Got interrupted with chores that were necessary, like getting to the stores for last minute items before they closed for the holiday.

We just returned from the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church. Tuesday evening, our pastor did a "longest night" service, which celebrated the winter solstice and spoke to the hearts of those who often experieince a "blue Christmas". Tonight's service, as is so appropriate, centered around the birth of the Christ child and what that monumental event means to all of us. With scripture, song, and narration, our pastor put is right there at the heart of the event, an awesome place to be! We celebrated the wondrous miracle of Christ's birth with communion and the lighting of each parishoner's candle as we sang the verses to Silent Night. The service ended with Joy to the World. Despite all the disharmony in the world today, it truly is a joyous time that we experience in the knowledge of Christ's love for each and every one of us.

I have a full evening ahead of me, despite all of my best laid plans. I finished baking the cookies just before we walked out the door to go to church, so now I have all of them to ice and decorate. I'm sure they won't come out near as nice as Elf Madison's! (see picture).

Tomorrow morning, Joelene and Elf Madison will come into town and spend Christmas morning with us, since Elf Madison's dad is working during the day. We will have a big breakfast of pancakes and bacon, watch the parade, and open gifts. Then we'll go to my sis-in-law's house for a delicious meal. I am so blessed to have a sis-in-law who loves to cook, so I don't have to do much of that over the holidays! I bought the turkey this year and all I have to provide other than that is a macaroni salad. (Don't even ask how something so unorthodox became a holiday tradition in our family. I really don't have an answer!)

All in all, I hope that amid all the feasting and gift giving and merry making, that the members of my family will keep in their hearts the real meaning of Christmas, the spirit of love and caring and giving, and the greatest gift we have all received in the birth of Jesus, the son of God.

May all of you reading this find Christmas joy in your hearts and experience the love and peace of our Lord Jesus!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Important versus Imperative

Decorating the tree in progress! (12/9/10)













It takes me by surprise this morning as I log into my blogspot account and realize I have not entered a post since the day after Thanksgiving. Seems like ages ago.

One of my favorite movies is the 1970 classic, Airport, starring Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, George Kennedy, and several other famous movie personalities. A scene that sticks in my mind is when Mel Bakersfeld's wife Cindy comes to the airport and confronts him about their marriage and the time he spends at his job as airport manager. She accuses him of placing more importance on the situation at the airport than on the commitment he had made to attend a social event with her that evening. He responds with the answer "not more important, more imperative".

This Christmas season, I find myself evaluating what is imperative versus what is important.

My imperative list

Reflect with a joyful heart on the true meaning of the season each day - if I don't do this, the rest of it makes no sense!

Get Christmas issue of Starsongs to layout and design editor - This took a lot of time, but absolutely had to be done. Although the magazine has other than Christmas stories and poems, who wants to read them after Christmas?

Get packages mailed to family out of state (and country) - always anticipate the mail is slow this time of year!

Get Christmas shopping done - wish I was one of those people who starts Christmas shopping in July, but I'm just not.

Get gifts wrapped - unwrapped gifts under the tree are not very exciting to a 9 year old on Christmas morning!

Keep the bills paid - Yes, money is tight this time of year, but I really don't want to be getting ready for Christmas in the dark!

My Important List

Attend Christmas activities - I try to participate in as many as I can, but if I miss out on one or two, I know there will be opportunities at other times of the year for socialization.

Christmas letter and Christmas cards - I spent the most time on this one this year, even though it was not on my "imperative" list. It is the one time of year when I can get the same information out to family and friends, but if I don't, I figure those closest to me already know about the most important things in my life anyway.

Christmas baking - Who doesn't love to see their table adorned with those brightly decorated star, bell, and Christmas tree sugar cookies? Still, I don't need the calories!

Housecleaning - Falls way low on the list at this time of year, but I do try to keep the dust off the Christmas decorations. No matter how much vacuuming gets done, pieces of tinsel manage to magically appear everywhere but on the tree.



Hubby doesn't know it yet, but that old, old TV will be replaced with a new one on Christmas morning! (SHHHHH!)


Blogging - Obviously didn't make it to the imperative list, but still very important. Even though you haven't heard from me in a while, please know I wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas Season and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

What's imperative and important to you this season? I'd love to hear your comments!

Thanks for reading my blog!

The Day After Thanksgiving

Yes, I know, most self-respecting bloggers put up a post the night before or the morning of Thanksgiving and label it something obvious like "Thanksgiving Day".

Remember, though, I am the procrastinator, so I'm usually a day late! Hence, you will find this post a little different from the typical Thanksgiving Day greeting, although I hope it conveys an important message for writers and non-writers alike.

Yesterday at this time, I was so full I could hardly move. Today at the same time, I'm searching the house and wondering what to eat!

Thanksgiving is that time of year when we become overloaded with food, family, and fun. It's all wonderful at the time we are enjoying it, but the next day, we kind of breathe a sigh of relief that it's all over.

Kind of reminds me of a writers conference, where I get information thrown at me for hours, stay up half the night preparing for the next day, and totally immerse yourself in the magic of socialization with others who understand what I am talking about and how I think!

In the case of both, there is a valuable and lasting takeaway.

Thanksgiving should remind us of how much we have to be thankful for all year long, not just on November 25th, or whatever date the holiday happens to fall. We come together to celebrate our bounty once a year, but we easily fall into the routine of taking our blessings for granted as Thanksgiving recedes into the background of our busy lives.

We as writers can be like that. A thousand ideas for that best-selling novel and good intentions for prospective magazine submissions crowd our brains while we surround ourselves with the knowledge, expertise, and advice of mentors at a conference. We get home and we tuck that wisdom away and forget about it until time to attend the next "feast of information".

We need to strike a balance in our personal and our writing life. Enjoy the feast, but be thankful for the bounty and make use of the blessings all year round!

Thanks for reading my blog!

What Do You Read?

I ran across this post on Facebook tonight. It is a list of 100 books of which the BBC believes most people have read only six. Bold titles are those I have read, italics are those I’ve either started and never finished or read an excerpt.

When I add up my tally of read books, I come up with a tally of 21. I have to admit, though, that at my age, I don’t remember all of the titles.
Have I heard so much about such and such book that I assume I must have read it? Okay, so worst case scenario, I’ve read fifteen. So, if I have my figures right, that means I’ve read 2.5 times, or 250% more books on the list than it was predicted I had read. (Okay, I admit, I’m a numbers person!).

Anyway, it was just this evening that I found myself questioning what kind of books I really like to read. I think the answer is that I am an eclectic reader. I enjoy western and romance, thriller and mystery, books about the rich, books about the poor, books that take me behind the scenes (think Airport – those of you who remember it), books about the average family, books that inspire, books that challenge my intelligence (sometimes that’s not very hard to do!), and books that teach me something. (Yeah, I know. Run on sentence for sure!).

Ask me who my favorite author is and I really couldn’t tell you. I don’t watch for any particular author’s new book to hit the shelves. Half the time I don’t even remember the names of the authors who wrote the books I read, unless they are personal friends, of which I have many writers who are. Heck, at my age, I sometimes can’t even remember the name of the book! That’s why I keep a list of what I’ve read, but if I forget to add the title to my Excel file, it’s probably forever lost to my memory. Ever start a book, get half way through it, and suddenly you know the ending because you realize you’ve read it before. Been there, done that.

I love to read! I never miss the opportunity to devour a few words. I’ve been known to devour a few words while waiting in line at Wal-mart, sitting in “park” while traffic streams by from the opposite direction in a construction zone, sitting in line at parent pickup before my granddaughter gets out of school, and of course, there are those two to three minute commercials during a TV show (DVRs have kind of knocked out those reading moments, though).

What do you read? Where do you read? Why do you read?

Copy the list into a blank page on your own computer. Take the test. Let me know how you came out. Oh yeah, for the non-numbers folks, all you need is a number between one and one hundred. No need to report the percentage. I'll understand!

Thanks for reading my blog!

1 Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series – JK Rowling (all)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four – George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
11 Little Women – Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 – Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch – George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis
34 Emma – Jane Austen
35 Persuasion – Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis De Berniere
39 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh – AA Milne
41 Animal Farm – George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving
45 The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies – William Golding
50 Atonement – Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi – Yann Martel
52 Dune – Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
62 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History – Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road – Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick – Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
72 Dracula – Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses – James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons – Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal – Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession – AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple – Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web – EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks
94 Watership Down – Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet – William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

Interview with author Karen Witemeyer

Karen, welcome to Patti’s Porch. Hope you brought
a light sweater. You might find the air a little cooler
here in Colorado than you are used to in Texas.

Being near the glorious mountains is worth a few goose bumps. Thanks for having me over.


Tell us about your book, Head in the Clouds.

Since I enjoy Regency romances as well as those set in the American West, I thought it would be fun to blend the two by bringing an English nobleman to Texas.

Here's the official blurb:

When a recovering romantic goes to work for a handsome ranch owner, her heart’s not the only thing in danger.

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--
and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford
distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee,
and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide
be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her
heart on the line?

On your web site, you describe your journey to publication as “bumpy”. Share your ups and downs to publishing success.

It doesn't take new writers long to learn that rejection is an inevitable part of this journey. But deep inside, we all hope we'll prove to be the exception to the rule. I had been attending the ACFW conference for several years and meeting with agents and editors on other projects with no success. However, in 2007, I was sure that God was opening doors for me. I met Karen Schurrer, a Bethany House editor, while volunteering in the preconference set-up room. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a "divine appointment." Then I sat at her table for lunch later in the week, and after we all gave her our pitches, one brave lady (not me) asked if we could send our proposals. Another divine intervention. After conference, I sent in my proposal, and miracle of miracles, they asked for the full manuscript! God was definitely at work. I was certain an offer was right around the corner. Instead, I found a rejection. This couldn't be right? God had opened all the doors. What had gone wrong?

As it turns out, there is such a thing as a good rejection. My first novel was turned down because the plot was too similar to something they had recently published. However, they liked the writing enough, they asked to see more. They also mentioned that they liked the dress shop I had introduced. Could I make another story centered around a dress shop. Now, you have to understand, the dress shop in the original manuscript burned to the ground in the prologue. It wasn't exactly a pivotal ingredient. But I wasn't about to tell them no. So I worked up another proposal focused on a dress shop.

In the meantime, I was more than halfway through writing my second novel, so I took a chance and sent them a synopsis for it and asked if they would like to see it when it was finished. They agreed to take a look at it. So by conference time in 2008, I had a completed manuscript in addition to the single chapter I had put together for the new dress shop book.

By January 2009, I had a three-book contract set to release with the dress shop book first. That book became A Tailor-Made Bride, my debut release in June 2010. The second completed manuscript became my latest book, Head in the Clouds.

You love to write about the American west, which brings to mind a cattle rancher hero. Yet, you chose a British sheepherder. What precipitated your choice?

I read a lot of historical romances, and while I love a rugged, hard-working, no-nonsense cowboy hero, my heart also pitter-patters over those dashing charmers that grace the pages of Regency novels. So I thought it would be fun to find a way to combine the two. They raise a lot of sheep in England, so sheep ranching made more sense than cattle ranching, and the area of Texas where I chose to set my story historically ran more sheep than cattle. Believe it or not, the wool industry was big business in Texas in the 1880s.

Why did you choose to inflict little Bella with the handicap that you did? Have you had experience in dealing with a mute child?

No, I have not had direct experience with a mute child, although sometimes I wish my three children came with a remote that had that option wired in.

In graduate school, I studied school psychology and learned about the various ways trauma can manifest itself in children. Isabella had suffered dramatic grief and loss and was haunted by the possibility of future danger. She reacted by withdrawing into herself. She withdrew to such an extent that she stopped talking. Elective mutism is rare, but I thought it fit well with her situation


Head in the Clouds is your second book. Tell us about your first novel, A Tailor-Made Bride.

Tailor-Made is a fun story that pairs
a seamstress that values beauty with a
livery owner that condemns vanity.
He thinks she's shallow. She think he's
arrogant. But both couldn't be more wrong –
or more right for each other.


Tell us what part Crown Fiction Marketing has played in the promotion of your books.

CROWN is a marketing group geared toward Christian historical fiction authors who write stories set in 19th century America. We support one another and help promote each other's books by writing reviews, handing out bookmarks, spreading the word about new releases, anything we can think of to help. We are also great at simply cheering one another on – something I always need. I would highly recommend the group to anyone who writes for this specific genre.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I'm a combination. I need to have a general idea of where I'm going before I start. I need to know my characters and their background, I need to know the major plot points and have a clear idea of the beginning and the end. After that, I just sit down and see where each chapter takes me. I usually stick pretty close to the synopsis, but I'm always surprised at the character nuances that emerge or how an unplanned scene fits so perfectly into the spiritual thread. God definitely gets all the credit for the creativity.

What does your writing schedule look like?

I work full-time outside the home and have three school-aged kids who keep me busy with soccer games, band practices, and Math meets so my schedule is crazy to say the least. What seems to work best for me is to set weekly writing goals instead of daily word count goals. That way, I have the flexibility to make up for lost time if a family or work event takes me away from the computer. I'm also one of those odd ducks who loves to edit as I write. This makes my pace much slower, but once I finish the manuscript, I'm actually finished. My goal is to write one polished chapter a week. My books tend to be about 40 chapters long, so this pace works well for me in getting out a new book every year. I still have to find time to do rewrites, marketing, and all that other fun stuff, but somehow it all manages to get done.

What do you like most about the writing process? Least?

Editing is my strength. I have a strong perfectionist streak, so I love to tinker with things to make them better. Plotting is what makes me pull my hair out. I don't consider myself to be a naturally creative person, so coming up with new story ideas is a struggle. I pray a lot, read a lot, and daydream just enough to keep the inspiration percolating until an idea develops that is publication-worthy. Brainstorming with editors and other writers is also a great way to get my creative juices flowing.

Do you have a new project in mind?

I'm currently working on the rewrites for my next novel called To Win Her Heart which is supposed to release in May, 2011. It is set in Texas in the late 1880s and asks the question – what happens after the prodigal son returns? So many times, we focus on the wonderful homecoming the lost son received from his father, but have you ever asked what life was like for him after the celebration was over? How did he relate to his bitter older brother or the servants and townspeople who were only too aware of his past arrogance and wild living?

In my story, I play on those very questions. My hero is a man recently released from prison who has returned to his faith roots and rededicated his life to the Lord. The heroine is a woman who has been disappointed by men in the past and has little tolerance of those who don't meet her high standards. In an effort to make a clean start, Levi hides his past and Eden believes she has finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back her affections?


If you could give only one piece of advice to new writers, what would it be?
Be committed to mastering the craft, tenacious in submitting your work, flexible enough to move when the industry moves, and grounded enough in who you are as a person and as a child of God not to lose heart when rejection comes. Accept the lessons of humility you learn now, for you will need them later when you find success.

Thank you for visiting Patti’s Porch today, Karen. It’s been a pleasure to spend some time with you. I wish you much success with your writing career.

Thank you. It's been a joy to be here.


To learn more about Karen and her work, be sure to visit her web site.

Thanks for reading my blog!

The 20/20/20 rule

Do you find yourself staring at a computer screen for hours at a time? By the time I fulfill my responsibilities as editor of Starsongs, read a few blogs, check email, etc., the time slips by and before I know it, three or more hours have slipped by. It can be mighty hard on the eyes. Is there a way to prevent eye strain in our technological world?

I heard this tip on the news the other day and thought I would pass it on. Look away from your computer screen every 20 minutes. Focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help relieve some of the stress to your eyes.

As a person who has struggled with limited vision all my life, I know the importance of preserving the vision I do have. Protect your vision by treating your eyes right! Keep them healthy!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Who Are You?

Every week, I receive a report on the number of people who have visited my blog. Used to be just a few, hardly worth mentioning. Lately, the numbers have increased significantly. I seldom see any comments, though, which does not surprise me. I read several blogs throughout the course of the week where I don't necessarily leave a comment. I may email the person directly in some cases.

My question to my readers is this: Who are you? I'd love to know who is reading my posts and if they are helpful or entertaining not. Are they too far apart (probably!). Is there any particular topic you would like to see covered on this blog? Even if you are one of those people who assume I know you read my blog, send me a line or two anyway.

Either speak up in the comments section or drop me an email at pattishene(at)pattishene(dot)com. Doesn't have to be elaborate and if you don't want to answer the above questions I posed, that's fine as well. I'm just curious to know who all is out there in cyberspace that stops by!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Interview with author Erin Rainwater

In addition to our passion for writing, Erin and I share a professional career. We are both Registered Nurses, but the parallel does not end there. Erin served as an Army nurse who worked with soldiers and veterans. I worked as a psychiatric nurse at a VA hospital for a number of years.

Erin, welcome to Patti’s Porch. Despite the fall season, we are still having some warm days, so thanks so much for the cyber lemonade!

Tell us about your book, Refining Fires.

Refining Fires is genuinely distinctive in that it’s divided into three parts, each with it’s own protagonist but whose paths cross by God’s weaving hands. In the first story, “Refining Fire,” a former Army nurse is forced by circumstances to work for a disfigured and bitter veteran. The refining of this man, Peter Cochran, is no easy task, but God is no quitter, and neither is the heroine in this romantic tale, Clare Canterbury. Her determined efforts elicit renewed life from his body while evoking a raw yearning in his soul. But this is only the beginning of their love story. Next you’ll meet a young girl who must delve into the deepest reaches of her soul to find the “Blind Courage” needed to face overwhelming odds if she is to save her mother’s life. The love Peter and Clare share has an immense impact on this remarkable child. Lastly, a “Kept Woman” must decide between following through on her plan for self-destruction or heeding the words of a lost love regarding just “who” has been keeping her all along. Refining Fires goes beyond simple, formula romance. It’s comprised of three stories about people seeking redemption all rolled into one larger story. Each character undergoes a refining process in his or her own personal furnace of affliction. As their paths cross and their lives intertwine throughout these stories, God’s loving hand is evident, providing the courage and tools each needs to persevere, achieve victory, and come out refined.

And by the way, the publisher of Refining Fires, Torn Veil Books, has made it available in both print and eBook formats, satisfying both the tech-minded folks who love their electronic reading devices and those who simply must hold the book in their hands (like me).

It is obvious that your nursing experiences impacted this story. Have you cared for patients with wounds, physical, emotional, or both, similar to Peter’s?

I have had some incredible and unusual experiences throughout my nursing career and while I served in the Army, and yes, some of them made their way onto the pages of my books. When the Vietnam War ended, I was privileged to care for returning POWs and MIAs. Nightmares were common to them, and I had to be careful in approaching them in the middle of the night, just as Clare does with Peter in one scene in Refining Fires. One patient I had in Korea had fallen on a white phosphorus grenade and had burns similar to Peter’s.

Tell us about your other two books.

I’d love to! I published two historical love stories, both of which I’m thrilled to say readers are praising. The first is True Colors, a Civil War-set romance/adventure about a government nurse, Cassie Golden, who feels called to leave her safe but lonely Pennsylvania farm to tend the Union wounded in Alexandria, Virginia. Her father was a physician, so she believes she is well-equipped for caring for patients with acute illnesses and wounds. But nothing has prepared her for all she comes to deal with. Love and conspiratorial intrigue enter her life there, both arriving in the form of an intelligence officer, Major Michael Byron. When duty sends him away, Cassie becomes unwittingly enmeshed in a mosaic of espionage, kidnapping, imprisonment and murder. Their unanticipated reunion only creates a chasm between them as sweeping as the one dividing the nation. Only the truth can bridge such a chasm. And truth is in short supply.

The other story, also a romantic adventure, is The Arrow That Flieth By Day. The title is taken from Psalm 91, and has a recurring role throughout the book. The story begins just after the ending of True Colors, and takes place in 1860s Colorado. Mandy Berringer is Cassie’s first cousin, and is on the last leg of a homebound journey to Denver when a mistaken accusation by Indian warriors diverts the course of her life. Believed dead by her family, Mandy will do anything to get home. But a disabling accident, an epidemic, an unexpected love and a tragic loss prolong her separation from her family until she is finally reunited with them—only to be devastated by what she finds. Dakota, the man she loves, undergoes crushing trials of his own, and their search for each other leads them on separate journeys into new tests of faith and enduring love.

What advantages and disadvantages do you see in self-publishing?

Not very long ago there was a huge difference between traditional and self-publishing, but the gap is narrowing, I believe. The up side is that the author controls all of the content, retains all the rights, and has final say on the title and cover. As POD (print on demand), the book never goes out of print. The publisher I chose pays royalties monthly, which is practically unheard of. There are obvious down sides, including the fact the author pays to have the work published, although it doesn’t have to be nearly as expensive as some publishers make it. The author has to do all of his/her own marketing and promoting. However, traditional houses are requiring more of that from their authors these days. But with self-published books, it really is harder to get your foot in the door of bookstores, libraries, and other venues. Not impossible, just harder. I can honestly say I am happy with the way things have turned out with my books. I receive my validation from the Lord, from readers’ and reviewers’ comments, and from the awards I’ve won. The stigma of self-publishing is slowly disappearing as more accomplished authors who have studied the craft choose that route for publication. I actually am acquainted with two self-published authors who are up for Pulitzer Prizes next year!

Tell us about your first place awards!

Last year True Colors won the Gold Medal in Historical Fiction from the Military Writers Society of America. That was followed just two weeks later by another First Place award in Historical Fiction from the Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards. Talk about an exciting time!

Marketing has become a major responsibility of all writers. Would you share ways that you have marketed your books?

Marketing, aka shameless self-promoting, is outside my comfy zone, as it is for most writers. But it is part of the package deal nowadays. It goes without saying that I have a web site, www.erinrainwater.com (catchy, I know). I went in person to local libraries and numerous bookstores (both indies and chains) with books in hand, requesting they carry them. I sent out I don’t know how many emails to book clubs. I had very little response on those, but the ones who did respond invited me to attend their discussions, and those are FUN! I’ve sent out media releases. I’ve emailed radio stations, and have been interviewed on a few. I contacted my county’s school library board, who ended up recommending both my earlier novels for placement in their high school libraries. I’ve been interviewed on numerous blogs this year (thank you, Pat!), and have been interviewed on a few internet radio shows. I don’t run my own blog except for the one on my Amazon page that I only occasionally update, so I am most appreciative of your giving me space to share my characters and their stories. One form of salesmanship some marketers advise is something I absolutely do NOT do, and that is to perceive everyone I meet as a target, homing in on every clerk or new acquaintance or passenger next to me on an airplane. If the conversation goes in the direction of who I am and that I’m a writer, fine. If not, I just cannot bring myself to treat everyone as a potential sale.

Do you have another writing project in progress?

Not at this time. I only write when I feel the passion inside me for a story that simply must come out. None of my books were written for the sake of a contract or under deadline. If and when the passion of a story seizes me again, I’ll write it because I won’t be able to rest until I do.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not writing?

Reading remains a favorite pastime. And I love my volunteer work at the USO at the Denver airport. I enjoy hiking and picnicking in the Rockies, and anything that involves my grandkids.

Thank you, Erin, for stopping by today!

Visit Erin's web site to purchase her books.

Below is my review of Refining Fires:

Are Some Wounds too Deep to Heal?

Sometimes, a person has been wounded so badly that they build a wall to keep everyone out. That’s when God often sends someone with the strength to scale that wall. In her book, Refining Fires, Erin Rainwater pairs two such characters. Resistance reigns and sparks fly until it seems there is no hope for a resolution.

The author draws on her own experiences as a nurse who served during the Viet Nam War and cared for wounded soldiers to create this tale. She has crafted a story that speaks to the physical and emotional scars of one such injured veteran and the woman who dares to reach out to him with compassion, mercy, and love.

The second phase of this three part story tells of a young girl with a physical handicap who confronts her uncertainty and fear to save the life of her mother.

The satisfying conclusion of the book tells the sad story of a young woman who has a bruised and battered heart. She finds a healing balm to soothe her broken spirit.

Erin Rainwater cleverly weaves three stories into one with characters that face real life weaknesses and overcome them with strength that comes from the most unexpected place.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Looking for Bliss??

What is bliss? My online dictionary describes it as "supreme happiness, utter joy or contentment, paradise". Not quite what I'm talking about here.

This post is not meant to expound on the merits of bliss, but to introduce Written World Communications' very first novel entitled Bliss. We here at WWC are super excited! Within a couple of months, we have published three magazines and a novel, with lots more to come.

So, let me tell you a little bit about Bliss - the book, that is! First, a note about the authors.

Tracy Bowen lives in South Florida with her husband and four sons. When she is not breaking up wrestling matches and keeping up with the demands of feeding five males, she fights her way out from underneath sweaty piles of gym clothes to fulfill her dream and calling to write.


Jenness Walker lives in South Florida with her beloved website designer husband and almost-as-beloved laptop. When she's not writing suspense on her own or brainstorming fun stuff with Tracy, she loves to read, decorate, and dream about her next road trip. Double Take, her first novel, was a Carol Award finalist. Learn more about Jenness at her web site.

Here's a blurb about the book:Indie Moore sets off to find ultimate happiness in South Florida. But in her quest for comfort and fortune, she encounters mishap and mayhem. Not quite the glamorous world she envisioned for herself, she finds a home in a trailer park, a job scrubbing toilets, and a roommate with volatile emotions. Laugh and cry with Indie, the Miss Adventure of misadventure, as she blunders on land, by sea, and in church, seeking love and a sense of belonging....seeking Bliss....

Bliss can be purchased here for Kindle at the low price of $5.95! The print version is available here for $14.95. Shipping and handling is free until October 15th!

But wait, there's more! You're invited to a Bliss Beach Party and Booksigning:

Date: Wednesday, October 13th

Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Place: Hobe Sound Christian Bookstore
11295 SE Gomez Ave.
Hobe Sound, FL 33455.

Can't make the party in person? Don't despair. You can join in right here! Yep, that's the wonder of modern technology, and you don't have to wear your Sunday best. You will see all the action, but no one will be able to see you! Come dressed in your most comfy jammies and slippies if you like. However, if you really want to get into the spirit of the event, put on that swim suit and sit on a beach towel on the floor with your computer in front of you.

Come share the excitement as Written World Communications celebrates the launching of its very first book - with many, many more to come!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Caleb Breakey Interview

Looking for my interview with Caleb Breakey? Click on my "Kids/Youth Getting Published" tab.

Look to the Next Challenge

Last night, the Colorado Rockies suffered the last in a long line of losses that eliminates any chance for them to make it to the playoffs this year. As I watched the post game report, it hurt my heart to watch those players interviewed express their discouragement, knowing their dream of world series competition had faded away. However, in the background, fans continued to cheer. Despite the disappointment of last night, I glimpsed a spirit of hope for the 2011 season rather than remorse over the games played in 2010.

I lay awake until late last night thinking about what I had posted in yesterday's blog as opposed to the attitude I saw at Coors Field last evening. We all have disappointments. We all fail. We all fall short of the goals we hope to achieve in one way or another. That doesn't mean we should dwell on the past. It doesn't mean we should fear failure in the future. It certainly doesn't mean we should quit reaching for those seemingly unattainable goals.

One of my favorite lines of all time comes from a Gunsmoke episode entitled The Guns of Cibola Blanca - Part I. The line is spoken by actor Milburn Stone, playing the part of the ever wise Doc Adams. "Any failure is unimportant if you don't surrender to it." Isn't that a great philosophy!

I just did a word search for "failure" in the Bible. Know how many times I found it? Once. And even then, it is referred to in a positive connotation. It is found in I Thessalonians 2:1 and Paul is speaking. "You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure." On the other hand, I found three pages of references to the word "success".

God doesn't want us to fail, but when we do, He doesn't want us to dwell on that failure. He wants us to take the time to figure out what went wrong, do something to fix it, then try again. He stands by us during our failures and rejoices in our success.

As the Colorado Rockies chalk up the 2010 season and look to 2011, I put behind me Sunday's failure and look toward devoting my energy to the success of tomorrow's ventures.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Missing the mark

I was so excited to have the opportunity to teach one of the lessons in our Spiritual Gifts class. I prayed about it all week, I asked for prayers from others, and I thought I was ready.

Guess I wasn't. Maybe I was too self-confident. I thought I knew my material and that I had some stories to emphasize the points I was trying to make. Although they meant something to me, I doubt that anyone listening connected with what I had to say.

My plan was to have a few quiet moments with the Lord in order to open myself up to him as a vessel to pour out His message prior to class. That didn't happen. A series of other events took me by surprise and broke my concentration in a big way.

It is easy to blame our failures on circumstances and situations. I blame this one primarily on no one but me.

I doubt anyone learned a thing they were supposed to in that class. I learned a thing or two, though. I learned that I don't know near as much about spiritual gifts as I thought I did, and that mine definitely is not teaching.

It has taken me two whole days to write about what happened Sunday afternoon because I find it hard to put into words the way I felt when I left the church. Humiliated. Defeated. Sad. Most of all, really, really disappointed.

However, Romans 8:28 tells us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Good has come out of this experience. I realize that just because I want to do something doesn't always mean it is in line with God's plan. I need to do a lot more listening and not so much talking about what I can and can't do to further His kingdom.

I spent some time after Bible study this morning with a dear lady, a long time member of our congregation, who has a lot of insight and saw that I was hurting. She invited me to her home and I was able to express to her the frustration and self-condemnation I've been feeling. She helped put me back on track so I can turn my attention to the path I'm supposed to follow and pursue the ways I'm supposed to serve.

I had a great time teaching a group of young people about magazine publishing and I enjoy giving Toastmasters speeches. Standing up in front of a group of people to talk never really bothered me. This time, though, everything just went very wrong.

Somehow I just missed the mark.

Thanks for reading my blog!

"Love Me Tender" Blog Tour

Today, it is my pleasure to welcome Janice Hanna Thompson, one of many friends and fellow writers I met at a writer's conference. Janice has developed a unique and fun way to introduce her new book to her readers. I'll let her take it from here. Welcome, Janice!

Note from Janice Hanna Thompson, author of LOVE ME TENDER:

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by to share in the excitement of LOVE ME TENDER, my latest inspirational romance. When I heard about the new “When I Fall in Love” line at Summerside, I flipped! Why? Because I love the ‘50s, and I love music! (The line is based on song titles from the 1930s to the 1970s.) I happen to be a playwright with a really fun musical comedy titled JOHNNY BE GOOD, a story that’s near and dear to my heart. I decided to put a twist on that stage play and turn it into a rockin’ romantic novel! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this “Hollywood Heartthrob” interview with four of the main characters from the novel.

Hollywood Heartthrob, “Man About Town” Column

Welcome, readers! This is Sunset Sam, columnist for Hollywood Heartthrob magazine, here to interview several characters from LOVE ME TENDER, a new book by author Janice Hanna Thompson. I read the book in preparation for this interview and had a hip-hip hoppin’, be-be-boppin’ time reading about the characters down at Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe in Laguna Beach. I’ve been to Sweet Sal’s many times, of course. Everyone in Hollywood knows it’s all the rage. Where else can you get a big, thick cheeseburger, hot, salty fries and the thickest chocolate malts in the country? Now that I’ve enticed you with the food, let’s have a little chat with some of the key players in our story. We’ll start with Debbie Carmichael, daughter of the owne

rs of Sweet Sal’s.

Debbie, could you tell us a little about what your day-to-day life is like?

Most of the girls my age are in college, but I decided to stay in Laguna Beach and help my parents out at our family run soda shop. I have the best life ever! I live across the street from the Pacific Ocean, and love spending time at the cliffs, watching the waves lap the shore. When I’m at the soda shop, the jukebox is always playing. I’m gaga over Elvis’s new song, “Love Me Tender.” It’s all the rage with teen girls right now. Of course, I’m also head over heels for Bobby Conrad, but don’t tell my friends, okay? They think I’m more mature than most of the other teen girls who hang out Sweet Sal’s. Of course, I’m a little distracted by that new guy, Johnny Hartman. He’s so sweet and handsome, and I hear he’s a great singer, too!

Johnny, I read in another article that you came all the way from Topeka Kansas to Hollywood to make it big. How does Hollywood compare to Topeka?

There’s really no way to compare Topeka to Los Angeles. People out here (in California) are more up on current styles, the hottest tunes and the hippest actors and actresses. Back home, folks are so grounded. That isn’t always the case here in L.A. I hope I don’t sound too stuck up when I say that back in Topeka, I was a big fish in a small pond. And because my dad’s

a pastor, I had plenty of opportunities to sing in church. But out here in L.A. no one even knows who I am. My agent, Jim Jangles, is working hard to get me a gig on television. I’m auditioning for Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts soon. Say a little prayer for me!

Bobby, I understand you were slotted to sing at the fundraiser at Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe, but had to cancel. Could you explain your sudden departure?

Yes, I was scheduled to sing at the fundraiser, but just got word that I’ll be filming my new movie that same weekend. I was really disappointed to have to tell the Carmichaels the news, but hopefully they understand. I think it’s going to be okay, because my agent, Jim Jangles, is sending his latest prodigy—a kid from Topeka named Johnny Hartman—in my place. I hear he’s quite a singer.

Sal, could you tell our readers about some of the Hollywood stars you’ve met over the years?

First of all, thanks for including me in this interview! It’s been decades since I was a teen, but I still secretly read Hollywood Heartthrob magazine. (Shh! Don’t tell my husband, Frankie, or my daughter, Debbie!) I’m blessed to be the co-owner of Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe in Laguna

Beach, and I’ve met a lot of stars who’ve come through on their way to places like Dana Point and San Diego. Here’s a list of some of my favorites: Doris Day, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Ozzie and Harriet. There are dozens more, of course. I want to personally invite all of your readers to stop by Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe so that they can see the photos on our walls! And while you’re here, why not enjoy a creamy chocolate malt?

Debbie, a little birdie told me that you and the other girls in Laguna Beach are gaga over Elvis, Pat Boone and Bobby Conrad. Now that you’ve gotten to know (and love) Johnny Hartman, what would you say sets him apart from the other great singers you’ve known?

Oh, no doubt about it. . .Johnny isn’t just a great singer, he’s got a heart of gold. I especially love his strong faith. Unlike so many of the other singers in town, he doesn’t put himself first. With Johnny, it’s God first. . .all the way! And when he sings. . .man! That voice! It’s a smooth as velvet. (And it doesn’t hurt that he’s so dreamy! Talk about handsome!)

Johnny, you’ve been asked to fill in for Bobby Conrad at the Laguna Beach fundraiser. Can you tell us how you’re feeling as you look forward to the big day?

I don’t mind admitting I’m a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be? Thousands of girls from Orange County and beyond are looking forward to seeing Bobby Conrad in person. Now I’ve been asked to fill in for him. I’ll be lucky if they don’t boo me off the stage or toss rotten tomatoes at me! Hopefully my new love song—the one I wrote for the gorgeous Debbie Carmichael—will win them over. I hope so, anyway!

Bobby, many Christians have a hard time hanging onto their faith once they achieve stardom. You seem so grounded. What’s your secret?

I always try to honor God in everything I do—whether it’s movies or songs for the radio. There’s a verse that I love, and it’s one I try to live by: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The way I look at it, if I make a choice to put God first, He’s going to bless me above and beyond anything I could ever ask for, anyway. Even if He didn’t bless me, though, I would still serve Him. It’s really the only way to live a fulfilling life. (And trust me when I say that people out here in L.A. are looking for ways to live a fulfilling life!)

Sal, we were sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems. How is he doing now?

Praise the Lord, Frankie seems to be doing a little better. His heart attack several months ago really shook us up. And we got behind on the mortgage, which has made me a little nervous. Still, I choose to trust God. And now that everyone in town is banding together to put on the fundraiser to save the soda shop, I’m feeling more hopeful than ever!

Debbie, is there anything you’d like Hollywood Heartthrob readers to know as we end this interview?

Yes, I would like people to know that it is possible to live in Hollywood—to be a big star, even—and still be a person of faith. I’ve witnessed it in Bobby Conrad’s life, and in Johnny’s, too. I’d also like to share that putting your trust in God is really the only way to go. Some problems are just too big for us to handle on our own. When my dad got really sick, I made up my mind to try to “fix” the situation. What I’ve learned is this—only God can truly “fix” anything. And trust me when I say that His “fix” is far greater than anything we could ever dream up!

Thanks so much, folks! It’s been a great interview.

Well, there you have it, Hollywood Heartthrob fans. This is Sunset Sam, signing off for this week. See you next time!

Find a book trailer for Love Me Tender here.

Books can be purchased on Janice's site or at Amazon.

GIVEAWAY INFO: Janice Hanna Thompson is hosting a giveaway on her facebook page. To enter, leave a comment on her page with the name of your favorite ‘50s star (movies or music) and explain why you liked him/her. The drawing to win the Be-Boppin’ ‘50s Basket ( filled with great ‘50s memorabilia) will take place on the weekend of October 29th – 31st. Why? Because that’s the same weekend Janice is directing a local (Houston) production of JOHNNY BE GOOD the musical comedy that served as inspiration for LOVE ME TENDER

To visit Janice’s webpage, go here.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Blessing or Curse?

I just read a great article that someone posted on Facebook by literary agent Steve Laube. Go here and take a peek. It talks about the doubts of a writer. Ever been there? If you've written anything in you life, from a thank you note to a novel, I'll bet you have.

Tonight, I am feeling melancholy. Why? Because I've been so unproductive with my writing these past few days. I've started projects I had every intention of completing, but there is a hesitancy that holds me back. I've promised a couple of people that I would do blog interviews with them, and I can't even think of decent questions to ask.

Steve entitled his piece "The Curse of the Writer", and he is so right. A blessing to be able to put words on paper when they flow right, a curse when they stay bottled up inside. Tonight, words remind me of a crowd of people leaving a large area all at once and trying to squeeze out a narrow exit door. Everybody expends their energy to get free, but nobody gets anywhere. Progress stops as people trickle out of the door one or two at a time.

Phrases filled with power vie for attention in my brain, but something has them all jumbled up in a mess. They try to force their way out in random order, so nothing that appears on paper makes any sense.

Writing is a lonely business. Steve talks about that too. Reminds me of a piece I wrote a long time ago. I'll share it here.

Loneliness touches each of us at one time or another. There is the emptiness of love lost and love betrayed, the sorrow of death or absence of a friend, the abandonment of an elderly person by family members, the frustration of being misunderstood by others. Most desolate of all, perhaps, is the loneliness of hopes and dreams not yet realized. My loneliness stems from the desire for creative self-expression.

This desire, like a hunger deep in my heart, demands satisfaction. It burns in me constantly, so intense that it simulates physical pain. It is a thirst that parches my soul and craves gratification. It leaves me with a sense of discontent, restlessness, and dissatisfaction with the other aspects of my life.

The dissatisfaction is of my own making. I’ve been granted free will. I make my own choices. I stare at a blank piece of paper and I have the ability to cover it with words what will communicate meaning. I hold the key that will unlock my deepest emotions and allow them to flow in some constructive form. Yet, I question what I want to write, to whom, and why.

The question of why is the most complex. Why I have a drive to express my perceptions, my beliefs, my feelings on paper is not easily explained. Maybe it is a God-given gift to be employed toward positive change in some other human being. Possibly it is a part of the genetic structure that is me. Perhaps it is a means of escape from all that is painful and all that is real.

The necessity to escape leads me to a fantasy of hopes and dreams that only I can understand. It is a region as yet unexplored, uncharted, undefined, without form or boundary. It is a world that even those I love cannot share, for it is a product of my imagination.

Imagination removes me from reality and I lose touch with those around me. I withdraw into a world of my own and become more and more isolated. I conceal myself in a cocoon that yearns for transformation. Desperately, I struggle to find words to place on the page that will someday free me from the prison of my loneliness.

Maybe tomorrow I will feel better.

Maybe tomorrow I will be able to create something worthwhile.

Maybe tomorrow I won't feel so sad.

Maybe tomorrow I will be able to think of something positive I have done.

Maybe tomorrow I won't dwell on all the things I need to do that I haven't done.

Thanks for reading my blog!