Wednesday's Word: Timing

I finally got that long awaited phone call that all authors look forward to from the day they pen that first page of their novel. A publisher called me and said they wanted to publish my book. Covenant Communications has offered me a contract for my novel I Cannot Serve Hitler (working title). The book is a work of fiction, but it is based closely on the life of an actual LDS boy who was forced to be a Hitler Youth and fight in the German army at age sixteen.

I'm really excited about the prospects of this work finally becoming available for people to read. I've been working on it for over two years now. So then why did I not feel like jumping for joy after I hung up from that phone call--like I have envisioned for the past six years? (That's how long I have been writing seriously).

Timing. I had to hurry and cut the phone call short because I had to take my daughter to a doctor's appointment, so I didn't get to savor the call. On top of that, I've got my first novel coming out in a month. I made the decision to self-publish it just a few weeks ago, and I'm scrambling to get my ducks in a row to make it happen. Major stress. Especially because I'm learning as I'm going, and making mistakes. Now I have an other manuscript to format and comb over, as they want it in a timely manner even though it won't be scheduled for release until 2014, (sigh). Also, my current WIP sucks and needs major revision if I'm to have pages to take to my weekly critique group.

Tip for all of those authors out there that are anticipating that ever-important phone call and want to savor its long-awaited sweetness: don't answer the phone when you are stressed. Let them call you back another day.

I'd love to hear stories of  when other writers got that call. Whether it was to you, or an author friend of yours, what was it like?

(The picture shone won't be the cover of the book, but it's one that the gentleman I interviewed for my story gave me to learn more about the Hitler Youth).

Announcing my Book Release and my Book Cover

Finally, my first book is coming out. I'm launching it on March 24th. Keep posted for more details to come. I thought I'd share with you the blurb on the back cover, as well as my book cover. Tell me what you think, and/or if you'd be willing to help me with some of my promotions.

Hattie is barely twelve when her pa’s “business adventures” disrupt her family and move them to the new town of Tropic,Utah, nestled in the shadows of old Ebenezer Bryce’s Canyon. Her pa views the town as opportunity. Hattie is hopelessly shy and views it with apprehension; she dreads the task of making new friends. More than anything else, Hattie wants to be like her father—not afraid of meeting new people, talking to strangers, and standing up for herself. So it is with trepidation that she accepts her pa’s challenge and promises to make new friends.

Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn’t have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for oneself.

Promises is a heartwarming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of Hattie Adair Jolley and her children, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.

Wednesday's Word: Encouragement

Last week I returned home from my critique group ready to toss my year-old manuscript in the trash. My group had just got through slashing and marking up the first 100 pages, and I truly thought it was hopeless. A day later, one of the sweetest ladies you could ever hope to meet--and a fellow member of my critique group--sent me an e-mail, telling me she admired how I could take so much criticism and still plow forward, and that she really like my story despite all that was said. The next day I went to the LTUE writers' conference and received encouragement in the form of ideas. As I shook off the shackles of discouragement, pieces of my story fell into place and I had a clearer picture of what I needed to do to my story. I even became excited, for I could see the true potential of what I had. But that could have never happened without encouragement.

Words of encouragement
are as precious as gold.
That "your work has merit,"
needs to be told
to you as a writer,
and your fellow writers too.
What goes around, comes around,
so encourage others what ever you do.

Getting in the mood . . . to write

Valentine's Day is all about love and giving and/or receiving gifts that express that love. Or in some cases, put you in the mood for love. Therefore, I found it very fitting that my post today on The Writer's Dojo talks about getting in the mood to write, and how it boils down to loving your story.

Hop on over to www.ninjaswrite.com and check it out. And don't forget to become a follower and take advantage of the daily writing tips that will help you on your way to become a ninja writer.

And don't forget that today is also LOVE YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE DAY. Support this great cause by buying a book (other than on Amazon). My husband gave me a Barnes and Noble gift card for Valentine's Day. I can't wait to go and spend it. But now I'm in the dilemma of what book to choose. I think I've narrowed it down between Brodi Ashton's Everneath, Shannon Hale's, Midnight in Austenland, or Divergent, by Veronica Roth. Any suggestions?

Love your local bookstore this Valentine's Day

I just want to encourage/remind everyone to love your local brick and mortar bookstore this Valentine's Day and buy a book. An author friend of mine, Lisa Asanuma has spearheaded this movement. I think it's an awesome idea and is worthy of all of our support. The last thing we need to have happen in this ever-changing world of ours, is to have the traditional bookstore disappear. We need to hold on to these havens where a person can go and skim the pages of a book, feel the crisp new pages between their fingers, smell the aroma of a new leather binding, and shop in the old-fashion way. This one day surge of book-buying might not change the world of publishing, but it will at least make a statement. Check out Lisa's blog for more details.

Wednesday's Words: Life, The Universe, and Everything

The LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything) Science Fiction Symposium begins tomorrow. This gathering is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with fellow science fiction and fantasy authors, and hone your skills even further, (for an amazing low cost for a writer's conference). I attended my first LTUE conference four years ago when it was actually free. At that time it was still held in an upper floor of the Wilkinson Center on the BYU campus. It was a rather small, intimate gathering. But in the last four years it has grown significantly. This year it is being held at UVUU in the Sorensen Student Center.

This growth only reaffirms what Orson Scott Card said in his keynote address in 2008. He mentioned that there was a disproportionate number of science fiction writers who were LDS. His explanation for this anomaly was the fact that the LDS religion contains so many elements that already sound like science fiction to those outside our faith, (i.e., a war in heaven/pre-mortal life, miraculous power of the priesthood, worlds without numbers, our potential to become like God, etc.), that we just have to write what we know.

 Those of you who write science fiction and fantasy, there's still time to sign up. You don't want to miss this.

Ninja Instructor--ME?

I've just taken on a role that is both exciting and intimidating. I will be one of five instructors helping the amazing Ali Cross to teach aspiring authors to be ninja writers.Ali has been inspiring writers for the past year or so on her own blog, comparing the writing process to that of becoming a ninja. But recently she has created a new blog dedicated solely to the ninja writing journey, The Writer's DoJo. This past Saturday, Ali more or less kicked the blog into full motion by hosting the first NiNoCon, an interactive, on-line writer's conference. I attended several sessions and found it very helpful and informative.

If you are interested at all in the process of writing, you'll want to follow the blog, The Writer's DoJo. Every day will offer a new tip, inspiration, and/or motivation, etc., to assist authors on their journey toward becoming the best writing ninja they possibly can.

I have the dubious honor of being the instructor to post the first of many lessons to come. It is on the topic of meditation. Hop on over and see what meditation and meat & potatoes have in common.