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…And a Happy New Year!

December 31, 2012

December 31, 2012 -

The last day of another year. It’s gray and overcast here in Michigan today. Apparently the sun did not think it necessary to ring in the new year with us in this state. I rather hope it makes more regular appearances in our backyard in January and all of 2013.

I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions, are you? Truthfully, I don’t even have a list of my goals. What I do have is the knowledge of many deadlines looming ever closer, and the realization that once we put our son on the plane back to California, my “break” time will come to a swift end.

We’ve had a wonderful Christmas with all of our boys home and our future daughter-in-law joining in as one of the family now. 2013 will be a big year for them, as wedding bells are ringing louder with each passing week. Seven months is not so very far away!

Besides all of the busy-ness that will come with the wedding, I have two books to write – one a novella (due March 1) that probably needs an overhaul, the other  - a novel on Rahab that has not yet been started.

Rebekah’s release date draws ever closer. My first book signing is at Woodside Bible Church in Troy, MI on January 13th between services. If you can make it, I’d love to meet you!

My editor is reading Rachel’s story now, and I hope she likes it! Edits for that will probably come in January too.

And Revell is doing a blog tour for Rebekah in early February. I will be part of a blog hop on January 9th, right here, so stay tuned!

As we look ahead to all of the things that need doing, things that were put off during this time of celebrating Christ’s birth, I am reminded that my biggest goal for 2013 isn’t the work or the writing or even the upcoming wedding. It is to know Jesus better tomorrow than I do today. To reflect more of His character, to trust His guidance, and to rest in His promises. 2013 will bring a lot of changes for my family, as I’m sure it will for yours. Change is inevitable, good and bad, whether we plan it or it takes us by surprise.

I want to be accepting of the changes with joy, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

Happy New Year!

Selah~

 

by jill at 5:11 pm in , , , ,

Book schedule breakdown and blessings

September 20, 2012

Last year at this time, I was in St. Louis and the ACFW Writer’s Conference and rooming with my friend and former critique partner, Maureen Lang. What a fun weekend! This year the conference is in Dallas, but alas, I am home. I Skype-chatted yesterday with another friend and critique partner who is there this year. Brought back many memories of conferences past. I hope all who are attending this year have a wonderful time, learn lots, and come home challenged and renewed.

This morning in Michigan a thunder storm  rolled through overhead. What a glorious sound! We don’t get storms often here, but they are fun to listen to and watch when the come – though the cats would not agree.

I crested the 20,000 word mark on Naamah yesterday. The story is allowed to be 24-27K in length so it is nearing the end. I’ve been asked when the Loves of King Solomon will release. Unfortunately, I have no idea! I am contracted to write one full-length novel and one novella each year. Here is the breakdown, for those who might be interested:

Rebekah, book two in the Wives of the Patriarchs series is in the final stages of editing. It releases February 1, 2013

Rachel, book three in the Wives of the Patriarchs is written in the first draft and due to my editor in December. I plan to start editing it, reading it aloud to myself, and polishing any difficult places in October.

Naamah, book one in the Loves of King Solomon novella series is almost completed in the first draft. It is due to my editor in March 2013.

Next year, January 2013, I will start work on Rahab’s story, book one in the Brides of the Promised Land series. Once I complete that first draft and take a break, I will begin the second novella about Abishag in the Love of King Solomon series. Deadlines fall in December and March, but in between the writing of each book or novella, there will be edits on the previous book, coming from my editor. So it is a juggling act between stories at times. Fortunately for my addled brain, I am very familiar with King David, so Solomon’s era is not completely new to me.

Of course, all of the knowledge in the world does not create a good story. That takes research and time and prayer (not in that order). Some days the work is fascinating (especially during research moments and the thrill of a new discovery), and sometimes the work is just work that needs to be completed. This novella series is a new venture for me in that the novellas must stand alone, but also fit together in one book in the end. Tricky task.

Other than that, life is full. The older I get the more life’s challenges send me to seek God’s face in prayer. There are so many needs! So many problems with no solution.

I was listening to Spotify as I put on my makeup this morning, and they played one of my favorite songs – Blessings by Laura Story. I leave you with her words:

by jill at 11:16 am in , , , , , , ,

Tips for that first writer’s conference

August 14, 2012

I have received a couple of messages today that reminded me how close the ACFW Conference is! Unfortunately, I will not be attending this year. :( I will miss the Revell author dinner. :( :( And I will miss the fun of seeing so many people I rarely see in person but know through online groups and past conferences. For those of you who are attending – have a wonderful time!

For first time attendees or those new to the writing/publishing world, I want to give you some encouragement. This conference is superbly run and a wonderful way to connect with editors, agents, published authors, and authors-in-training. Whether you are a veteran or newbie, there is something for you.

The first conference I ever attended was the ACFW Conference in Kansas City. I think we had around 200 people in attendance, and Karen Kingsbury was the keynote speaker. I had joined ACFW (ACRW at the time) the year before and was pretty familiar with many of the people (through ACFW’s online email loop). I was not prepared, however, for the overwhelming feeling I experienced. I was completely out of my comfort zone, and that first night I slept two hours. The rest of the night I wrestled/argued with God as to why I should go home! And truly, if I could have hopped a plane and run away, back to my family, I would have.

Of course, two hours of sleep makes one emotional, so I was fairly weepy the next day! But I found out I wasn’t the only new, not-yet-published writer who felt the same way. That is why I wanted to write this post – for those of you who might have the same fears. The conference has changed a lot since that first one, and ACFW has grown tremendously! Last year at the ACFW Conference in St. Louis, we had far more than 200 people. I can’t recall the exact number, but I’m pretty sure it was over 700. Probably more. But whatever the number, there were a lot of people there! And for an introvert like me, crowds can be somewhat intimidating – even if people know your name. How much more so when you are new!

So here are some tips that might make your conference experience less overwhelming!

  • Prepare well ahead of time. Plan which outfits you will wear which days. Pack smart and leave room in your suitcase for books you will want to purchase.
  • Practice your pitch until you can say it with confidence. (It should be one sentence.)
  • Know your story well enough that you could easily explain it. (Practice in front of your pets, your spouse, a mirror, or whoever will humor you and listen.)
  • Don’t feel like you have to attend every class you signed up for.
  • Get enough rest. It is great fun to stay up late and hang out with people, but if you need downtime, take it.
  • Be gracious enough to allow others to speak, but not so timid that you never take your turn.
  • Be kind to yourself. Don’t over think things. Forgive the slights of others as you hope they will forgive you; consider them unintentional.
  • Pack your smile. I never leave home without certain grooming items, but no makeup or hair product can replace a smile. Wrinkles even disappear when you wear one! :)
  • Spend time with the Lord. Whether you visit the prayer room or spend time listening to the Word as you walk the treadmill, find time to talk to God. Conferences are places of high expectations. Those expectations may be met in wonderful ways. They may also be dashed with terrible lows. Tell God how you feel. Even if no one else is listening, He cares.

My first conference was in 2001, I think – or whatever year that first conference was held. (My how time flies!) That one taught me to stick it out even when I wanted to leave. God assured me in that sleepless time of wrestling with His will, that He wanted me there. So I stayed. In 2006, (the year I really didn’t want to attend) I won the Genesis contest and was on top of the world! That was one of my best conference experiences, though the wait to hear who won was rather nerve-wracking! In 2009, my husband and son went with me. Michal was up for a Carol Award in the Debut author category. I had such high hopes! And a memorized speech. But didn’t get to give it. That conference taught me not to think too highly of myself or my abilities!

Whether the conference experience was good or not quite what I’d hoped, I have never come away without learning something. God has used each one to mold me, to shape my character, to refine my rougher spots. And I am forever in that place of learning. He knows exactly what we need, whether it be encouragement to keep going, confirmation that we are on the right path, or disappointment to show us we’re not ready. We’re not quite there yet. Publishing doesn’t mean we have arrived at some spiritual high place. It is just a journey some of us take to fulfill the work He’s given us.

My prayer for you is that you will attend this year’s writer’s conference(s) with a seeking heart. An attitude of humility and willingness to be taught. A graciousness that accepts those things that don’t go quite how you’d hoped. An ability to forgive those who slight you but probably didn’t mean to. And love for your fellow writers. And if you are new to such an experience, look for other people with those “deer-in-the-headlights” expressions and say “hi!” Make friends with those who look lost and you suddenly won’t be so alone.

And go in God’s grace. I wish I could join you!

Shalom~

by jill at 9:08 pm in , ,

In One Generation

July 27, 2012

I can’t believe July is almost over! I have had a much-needed break from actual writing or editing, which has been wonderful. Instead, I have been digging into Solomon’s life and doing a lot of research reading. I love that I get to read and call it work! Of course, some texts are drier than others and it actually is work to get through them, but for the most part I find research fascinating.

I had a luncheon interview with a writer friend from church this week. She is doing an article for our church newspaper, and she graciously allowed me to talk about Solomon. A part of writing not talked about much is the part where we process the information that is overloading our brains. To do that, I like to tell others what I’ve learned. Sometimes verbalizing the information gives me fresh insight into something I missed before. Of course, there is the risk of just sounding like a history geek. It’s worth the risk when you get to talk about something you love. :)

Solomon is such an enigmatic character – hard to understand and figure out. I keep asking, “Why? and How?” How could he stray so far from God’s truth? Especially after the Lord appeared to him and specifically warned him not to worship other gods – he did it anyway! Why? What was the draw? How could a man who loved the Lord in his youth fall away in old age? (And by today’s standards, he was not that old when he died – maybe 59!)

The saddest thing I noticed that was a result of Solomon’s fall was how it affected the next generation. His son not only lost half of the kingdom, the people turned to the worship of idols throughout Jerusalem. In one generation the worship of Yahweh dwindled, even with His magnificent temple on Mount Moriah standing as a shining reminder to them all. They replaced the living God with the worship of Molech and Chemosh and other detestable idols who demanded human sacrifice.

I don’t get it. Except for the fact that the idols probably gave the people some sort of excuse for their sin or a way to prove themselves, to DO something to earn the gods’ favor. Easier to do something than to admit that we can do nothing to earn grace. The worship of Yahweh required humility and repentance. Maybe that was the difference. I’m still figuring it out.

It’s kind of a sobering thought though at how quickly truth can slip from our grasp. If we don’t live in light of the truth in our daily lives, our children will notice. And if we aren’t genuine in our faith, letting it change us on the inside and reflect God’s love to those around us, why should the next generation accept what we believe? Our example holds a greater power than we might think. And the more influence a person has (as in Solomon’s case) the greater his reach. As the leader is, so goes the people.

In one generation.

Selah~

by jill at 11:05 am in , , ,

On writing…characterization…

January 29, 2012

One nice thing about writing is having friends who write as well, friends who get the way your imagination works. I have the added privilege of having kids who write, and over the years they’ve taught me much. Recently, one son showed me a new way of outlining, which he is finding useful for his own story. That exercise got me thinking about how to adapt it to my style and apply it to my work.

Normally, I start a novel with a paragraph by paragraph summary of the whole, which incorporates points of view from every character. I get a glimpse of each character’s purpose and motives that way, but not in great detail. I normally get to know the characters better as I write. But this time I decided that those paragraph summaries can be useful if they are also expanded – to rewrite the summary from one point of view at a time.

So taking one section of the story (since I usually break them into three or four parts) at a time, I am working to understand that section from the points of view of each prominent character.

In Rebekah’s story, I got to know Laban and Jacob, but Rachel and Leah are still a bit of a mystery to me. Rather than try to figure out what I didn’t know first, I decided to begin with what I did. So I started with Laban, who could be labeled the villain. By exploring his motives and actions, I can see how he relates to the other people in the story. That helps me to understand why the other characters acted as they did.

After walking through part one with his thoughts and motives in mind, I started over again from Rachel’s point of view, covering the same ground, but from a completely different perspective. I’m planning to do the same with Jacob and Leah and perhaps some side characters. Once I have these summaries outlined from each angle, I will have a better idea of the overall story and which characters deserve the most stage time in each given section and scene.

Every writer tackles how to plot and characterize in different ways, but it can help to come at things from a different approach now and then. If you write, what techniques work best for you? Please feel free to comment on my Facebook page or in an email.

Happy writing~

by jill at 8:16 pm in ,
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