Coming Soon...

I'm so excited for my friend and amazing critique partner, Cathy West! Her debut novel, Yesterday's Tomorrow, is releasing in just a few weeks, and she's gotten some really great feedback on it. I can't wait to hold a copy of her book in my hands! Though I've read different versions of it quite a few times, there's something special about seeing it with a cover and reading it all the way through solely for pleasure. Cathy, all your hard work is about to pay off!

Check out her book trailer:

Conference Banquet - The Stay-At-Home Version

On Sunday, September 19th, the ACFW conference was wrapping up. I wasn't able to attend this year for the first time in five years, so it felt a little weird to be staying at home. But it sounds like it was an amazing conference, my friends have been filling me in, I plan on buying the recordings, and the coolest thing is, I got to be "there" for the awards banquet. For the first time, ACFW set up a live blog so we stay-at-homers could keep up with the action.

The banquet is usually pretty incredible. Most people dress to the nines--the majority of the attendees are women. We like a chance to dress up occasionally, you know? And the food...we're talking exquisite-looking salads (even if the gourmet lettuce tastes like weeds), filet-mignon, gorgeous desserts. Amazing stuff. I usually end up taking pictures and texting 'em to my husband to make him jealous. :-)

So I thought to make it fun, maybe we could dress up here at home and eat something we don't usually eat for dinner. Have our own little mini-conference. We decided on an hors d'oeuvres supper. The food didn't exactly go together, but it was all good and it was something different. Homemade chicken fingers, Mexican layered dip and tortilla chips, fruit and dip.

I bought a few flowers for the occasion. As for the clothes...well, I wasn't sure. Dress up or not? I spent the afternoon debating, and then my husband walked out of the bedroom carrying his tux. "You're weird, but kind of fun, so let's go for it." So we dined on appetizers in our living room, keeping an eye on the computer, in our dress up clothes. :-)

It was a fantastic evening. Almost as good as being there, and since Jason has never been at the awards banquet with me, well, that was really special. When my category came up, Jason made a dash for the flip came, and we sat together, peering at the screen while the winner was listed.

Not me, as you already know. That prize went to the very deserving Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Though I haven't read the novel that won it, I read the Reluctant Burglar, and it was a lot of fun! Congrats, Jill!

Some other cool things that happened:

~ Janice LaQuiere, a former critique buddy, won her Genesis category.

~ Some other critique partners and friends were finalists, and though they didn't win, it was awesome they finaled! Some great stuff out there and some stiff competition.

~ Susan May Warren won the Mentor of the Year. VERY deserved. That lady is amazing. She overflows with writing wisdom and thrives on sharing it with others. Besides being an incredible writer (one of my favorites), she is an amazing teacher with a servant's heart. Check out My Book Therapy or her writing craft books or buy a recording of her workshops if you don't believe me. Or even if you do. :-)

~ There was a Lifetime Achievement Award given out for the first time at the conference. It was given to Carol Johnson. She is the lady that the Carol Awards (formerly known as the Book of the Year Awards) was named for. And here's why--many years ago, your options for Christian novels were almost nil. But Carol, an editor at Bethany House, took a chance on a certain author you may have heard of. She fought to have Janette Oke published. And a whole new world of opportunities were opened in the world of Christian fiction. So thanks, Carol. And congratulations on your much-deserved award.  

~ Many friends and admired acquaintances won their Carol Award categories. Jenny B. Jones--who is the first (and only, so far) person whose facebook status updates convinced me to buy one of her books--won two categories. Susan May Warren won the novella category, which is cool, because she has often said that The Great Christmas Bowl is the story closest to her heart. I got to know Christina Berry through Donna Fleisher, who mentored us both. Christina and I got our first contracts the same year, so it's been kind of fun to share the journey with her.

So there you go. It was a great conference, even though I didn't attend. Next year in St. Louis...  

Let Me Introduce...

All of my two readers probably already know about my writer buddy and co-author, Tracy Bowen. But I don't think I've ever introduced her properly.

Meet Tracy: The mother of four very funny boys. The wife of an even funnier husband--I'm talking stand-up comedian funny. The owner of the largest assortment of flipflops I have ever seen. The fryer of some really awesome chicken. The decorater of many a banquet. And the woman with a sense of humor and writer's brain and personality that perfectly complements mine. It's such a pleasure writing with her. I miss her when we're not involved in a project!

How did we get started?

Tracy and I were choir buddies, hanging out in the alto section, talking when the director wasn't looking. (I could do that--the director just happened to be my father.) I also followed Tracy's blog (don't look for it--she hasn't updated in ages. lol. But a new one is coming soon!), and she always managed to crack me up with her unique take on things or her drama queen storytelling skills. It helped, of course, that she had plenty of real-life fodder to pull from. Surviving an airplane crash in a soybean field in Santa Claus, GA, for example.

One day, Tracy mentioned she'd love to write a book. At that time, the chick lit genre was all the rage, with its snarky heroines and light-hearted take on life. In my idea file was this little tidbit I really wanted to take somewhere that would fit perfectly in the chick lit world. But I'd tried to write a romantic comedy already, and though I called it funny, an editor called it slapstick, which equaled a rejection. So one more funny blog from Tracy, and I was ready with a proposal.

"I have this idea. What would you think about writing it with me?" Tracy was game. After a long brainstorming session during an even longer walk on the beach (which took my feet a few days to recover from), we had a story.

After much research, we came up with a "contract" for co-writing. With a plan in place, we figured we wouldn't end up suing each other or getting into random cat fights during choir practice. Tracy Bowen and Jenness Walker were now officially writing partners.

It took a while. We did character sketches. We experimented with writing processes. We finally settled into a system that has worked well for us. (Tracy writes the skeleton of a scene, complete with her great one-liners; I come along and flesh it out while she works on the next section. I send my stuff back, she agrees or points out any issues, etc.) We submitted the first three chapters to a writing contest and Bliss placed in the Genesis Contest. The writing was slow, but we made progress.

Soon we signed with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray from Hartline Literary Agency. We went out to dinner at a steakhouse to celebrate. And we didn't spill A-1 on the contract, either. Then we went back to writing.

When we were a couple chapters from the end, we took an editing retreat. At a country inn about 30 minutes from home, we sat on our twin beds for two days. Tracy read from the printed copy on her lap. I followed along and made approved changed on the laptop. Then, while I implemented the more involved changes, she whipped out the skeleton for the rest of the book. It was a crazy couple days, let me tell ya. But the end result? Tons of fun.

While we waited for Bliss to find a home, we started another project, then got involved in the group project I blogged about last week. Then, just in the past couple months, we got some news on Bliss again. The chick lit boom has faded, so though we did get some interest in it from a big house previously, they couldn't make a place for Bliss. So when a start-up company with a different type of publishing model (similar to the one Marcher Lord Press is using) made us an offer, we decided to go for it. Last month we signed a contract and Bliss should be released later this year. I'll post more details when I can.

Meanwhile, Tracy and I are working on creating a joint blog/website. We had a kind of an impromptu photo shoot together with Erica from Erica J Photography. We revised Bliss and are working on some marketing stuff for it as the release date looms.

Now my awesome writing buddy has started a project on her own, as well. It's non-fiction, and it's so cool to see how she's grown as a writer. As for me, we both cheer when I manage to make a funny all by myself. :-) Even though we both have separate works-in-progress and plans for many more, we love writing together. It was amazing how we never argued once through this entire process. We had very few differences, but when we didn't see quite eye to eye, it still never got to the place where we had to bust out our co-author contract to see who got to make the final decision. It's been a great experience having a built-in brainstorming buddy, encourager and accountability partner, and it's a partnership we plan to continue indefinitely.

Thanks, Tracy, for being such a great friend and co-author. Couldn't have asked for a better one!

Mentors

So, I posted the list of the Carol Award finalists, and you might have noticed it happened to have my name on it. :-) Well, it also had a couple of special writers who have served as mentors to me, and so I thought I'd do a little shout-out to them and to others who have encouraged or strengthened my writing over the years.

1. Mr. Holden--My seventh grade teacher who wrote drilled prepositional phrases into me and once wrote a note at the top of my paper, saying that God needed a writer like me.

2. Mrs. Wright--My high school English teacher who wasn't stingy with praise but was definitely prepared to show me I hadn't arrived quite yet.

3. Daphne Hogstrom--My correspondence course teacher who didn't hate me for my procrastinating ways, taught me about POV shifts, and almost got invited to my wedding since she put up with me for so long.

4. Donna Fleisher--Published novelist and freelance editor who critiqued my first finished book-sized manuscript. I learned SO much from the notes in the margin and the four tapes she made explaining her thoughts and various rules, etc. She was such a vital part in taking me to the next level in my writing. AND she became a wonderful friend.

5. Susan May Warren (a Carol Award double finalist)--Though I'd written and rewritten my first manuscript and my rejection letters were getting nicer, I still hadn't landed an agent when I went to my first writers' conference. I was disappointed since Susan's editing slots had filled up. When she found that out, she took my first chapter (my WAY too long first chapter) and read through it during one of the meals, adding comments and then talking to me about it later. One the first page she wrote that I could definitely write, which is exactly the encouragement I needed then. Now, I'm involved in Susan's My Book Therapy organization, which has chats on Monday nights about the writing craft, holds retreats, has an ezine, etc. As far as mentors go, Susie's at the top of the pile. :-)

6. Rachel Hauck (a Carol Award finalist)--Rachel's also involved in My Book Therapy and taught at the retreat I went to in February. Rachel is the one who asked me to do the devotional at last year's conference and who encouraged me and prayed for me and offered to stand on the platform beside me when the nerves hit big-time. She talked to me about agents when I had questions. She looked over the first chapter of my most recent work-in-progress. She met Tracy and I for lunch and just talked writing and everything else.

7. Then there are all the contest judges, like Meredith Efken and Gina Welborn and many anonymous others who have been willing to volunteer their time to critique my contest entries and give me valuable feedback.

I'm sure I'm missing some, and, of course, there are all of my wonderful critique partners, but that's another post altogether. But I just wanted to thank you all so much for how you have helped me to grow as a writer. Thank you for all the time you've given, and for all the encouragement and wisdom and advice.

You are very appreciated.

Just Because...

Meet my sorta-part-time dog:

Ain't he cute???

Writer Friends

Today I'm going to lunch with a couple of writer friends. We'll eat (probably something chocolate), we'll laugh, and we'll talk about our own little made-up worlds. Probably figure out how to kill somebody off (while scaring any eavesdroppers away), or what the perfect black moment would be (in other words, how to make the heroine's life so wretched, she hits rock bottom and maybe a little lower), or...well, can't give any spoilers now, can we?

And we're going to drive for an hour and a half to do this.

Is it just me, or is there a very unusual bond between writers, especially Christian writers?

I exchange crazy and encouraging phone calls and texts with one writer. We met on a forum, and our writing careers have sort of parelled so far, making us confidantes. We've met in person three times.

I chat online, almost daily, with an amazing critique partner who lives in a different country. We did that before we actually met in person. We're hoping to have a little writing retreat this summer, if I can find the right priced airline ticket.

At two different times, I agreed to be roommates with two lovely writer ladies I'd never met before. Stayed up till 2 or so talking about...well, everything with one of them. Goofed off in the hotel hallway with the other and became a huge fan of her writing.

And there are so many more who have reached out and walked alongside me during their own writing journeys. I hardly know these people in their real lives. But I can't tell you how much they mean to me. They've prayed, brainstormed, critiqued, shared chocolate, gave fashion advice, answered random story-related questions, uplifted, bemoaned the process, and just been there for another writer, not expecting anything in return.

Is this just a writer thing? Or do other groups find these amazing connections as well? You scrapbookers, speak up. Does discussing little photo corners and cropping tools (um...can you tell I don't do scrapbooking???) create bonds that could last the rest of your life?

Writer friends, I'm so grateful for you. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Now, it's your turn. Yes, even you non-writers (aka Normals). Who is an unlikely friend God has placed in your life?

My Hero

A while back I asked what you loved about your own personal hero. Well, today is my hero's birthday, so I figure it's my turn to talk about him. So here are a few things that I adore about my husband:



1. I never have to fill up the gas tank. Seriously. How spoiled am I? And he knows I hate to drive, so on trips he's at the wheel while I relax and pick the music. If I have to go somewhere I haven't been before, he'll sit me down with google earth and walk me through every turn. And I don't think it's JUST because he wants his truck to come back home.



2. He makes up songs and stories, does different voices and styles and makes me laugh so hard I'm almost crying. I guess we need to have children just so someone else can truly appreciate his "Blacky the Green Dragon" tales when they can't sleep.



3. He is so amazingly talented. I didn't have a form for potential suitors to fill out during my dating years, but looking back, I think I would have put website designer as a necessity on the application. :-) It's fun to watch him create, and to see how he uses his talent to help others. And he makes sure my computer and whatever other gadgets I need are in working order.



4. He believes my love language is gifts, so there has been more than one trip where he had a gift and/or a card for me to open every single day.



5. He takes my writing seriously. Insists on sending me to conferences even when we can't really afford it. Talks out a certain aspect of the plot I'm struggling with. Tells me he's proud of me. Tells other people he's proud of me. And he actually read my debut novel without me asking him to.



There are many more things I love about him, of course, but he's going to kill me, and I don't want to freak his students out any more than I already have. :-) But he takes care of me, and he makes life fun. And he has a heart for God. I'd say I'm very lucky, but I'm not sure I believe in luck. So, thank you, God. Very, very much.


Happy Birthday, Jason. I love you. And even if Brogan's picture is on my computer background, you're my true hero. :-)

Quote for the Week

There are some truly amazing writers out there. Not just in their work, but just in who they are. Rachel Hauck is one of those people. I've learned a lot from her, especially when it comes to being surrendered to God in your writing and in your life. Here's a great quote from her:

"You can't write about what you don't have in yourself. The spiritual journey of a character is often the fragrance of God in and on the author. If you aren't going deep in God, spending time at His feet, praying, worshipping, fellowshipping with others, your spiritual message will be flat. Always. Your message will feel forced and tacked on."

She was referring to writing, but it relates to how we live, as well. If you don't have your own growing relationship with God, how can you tell others about Him? It'll be forced. Unbelievable. Forgettable.

I want my life and my writing to have that fragrance of God. But that's not going to happen unless I'm continually in touch with Him. Something to think about...

Happy Valentine's Week

I kind of short-changed Betsy's darling book the other day when I climbed on my soap box. So let me add a few more things. Betsy is one of the hardest working writers I know. I'm pretty sure she's a publisher's dream--meeting deadlines early, being flexible, able to come up with ideas for suggested projects fast and doing all her homework. Plus she's sweet, fun, loves pink, blogs reguarly and has a strong online presence. AND she's photogenic. :-)

I'm going to say that's all because I was once in a critique group with her. I'm a great influence. Unfortunately, you all know how bad at blogging I am, so I guess I can't take ALL the credit. :-)

Now, there was only one book left at Walmart the other day when I was there, so I've decided to make sure at least one of you has an opportunity to own an autographed copy of A Valentine's Wish. The rest of you can get it off amazon or something. :-)

So, to enter your name in the pot for a free book, leave a comment telling me one thing you love about your own personal hero. (a.k.a. husband or boyfriend or dream guy) :-)

Hope you had a fantastic Valentine's Day! (And if you didn't read about Betsy's book before, go back a couple posts and check it out!)

Betsy's Book

I read a cute Valentine's Day story the other day that just happens to be written by my dear friend Betsy St. Amant. This girl loves polka-dotted shoes, God, and her fireman husband (I'm assuming not in that order. hehe), and she's nicknamed The Writing Machine. By me. :-) Love this girl, and A Valentine's Wish is almost as fun as she is.

"Unemployed. Single. And out of brownie mix." With that for a first line, how could you resist? Warning: this story WILL make you crave chocolate. Here's a summary of the book:

Unless youth pastor Andy Stewart finds a suitable wife fast, he'll lose his job. Yet the woman of his dreams is his best friend. And Lori Perkins is still smarting over a failed engagement, so he can't just declare his love. His plan: he'll be her secret admirer and woo her anonymously with flowers and chocolates. And then, when romance is on her mind, Andy will confess his Valentine's wish--to spend his life with her. There's just one little problem. Lori seems to think her secret admirer is someone else!

To learn more about Betsy, check out her website (which my brilliant hubby designed) at http://www.betsystamant.com/. And, of course, you can buy her book on Amazon. Treat yourself to a nice Valentine's present to go with that box of chocolates. :-)

Happy Valentine's Day

Apparently we need to have more holidays, since that’s the only time I actually blog. But anyway. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d give an outline of Jason and Jenness Walker’s love story. I think it’s kind of fun, but then, it’s my life.

1. We lived next door as babies, but have no memories of that.

2. Which means my first memory of Jason was in his home in FL after they moved away. (Our parents remained friends.) I despised going to the Walker house, because that meant my brothers and Jason and his brother went into the boys’ room and hung out, barring me from entering. So I was stuck in the living room with a keyboard to keep me company. On one visit—I was probably 10 or so—Jason and my brother Anthony condescended to join me in the living room for a few minutes. I was wearing my favorite dress, and Jason looked at me and said, “You look pretty.” I was in mid-blush when he added, “Pretty ugly.” Chortle, snort. He and Anthony walked away laughing, and I hated him for years.

3. And then he moved to town as a high school junior. I pretty much ignored him until we went on a missions trip to Mexico together. And there, watching over the twinkling city lights of Saltillo, we fell in love. Well, I did, anyway. Jason was too busy flirting with the other girls and passing messages through my best friend that he couldn’t date me.

4. Which obviously wasn’t the case, since we were inseparable for months afterward and then started dating. The truth is, he was scared of my dad. Poor fella.

5. We lasted for a year, then I broke up with him the summer before I became a senior. I didn’t want to, but felt like I needed to. (He still razzes me about that.)

6. Soon thereafter, I was ready to get back together. I told him in a fish store. He basically told me, not if you were the last woman on earth.

7. I don’t like fish stores.

8. But I had a dream—it said I was the only girl he could ever marry for love. Apparently some of my dreams come true. Terrifying thought.

9. We finally became friends again. Good friends. In fact, no one would ask me out because they thought Jason and I were more than friends. Which became rather aggravating, since he insisted that we weren’t and never would be.

10. So I went to a wedding. Met a fascinating guy. Actually asked for his email address. Came home and talked about him. A lot. I finally got an email from him—kind of a form letter thing saying he’d changed his email address and here’s his new one. Then, at the end, there was a P.S. that said, “Oh, by the way, this is really Jason…”

11. It’s dangerous to have a computer guru guy. You’ve been warned.

12. I got fed up with Jason. He didn’t want to date me but didn’t want anyone else to, either. So I decided to go out of town to a youth convention. Maybe I’d meet a few nice guys there, without Jason hovering.

13. Jason tagged along.

14. After I finally accused him of “acting like you like me!!!!”—figured that would get him to run for cover—he looked me in the eye and said simply, “I do.”

15. In 2003, we both said, “I do.”

So...what's your love story?