The 2009 Christy Awards

Denver – The tenth annual Christy Awards presentation was held Saturday evening, July 11, 2009, at the Denver Marriott City Center, in advance of the International Christian Retail Show. The dessert reception featured a keynote address by best-selling author and speaker Richard Foster, who presented a talk entitles "The Spiritual Formation of the Writer." Christy Advisory Board member Susan Brower of Zondervan emceed the event. To involve Christian fans not able to attend the event in person, a liveblog of the event was provided online, and an archive of the event can be accessed at http://www.ChristyAwards.com.

The Christy Awards honor the best in Christian fiction in nine categories. The Christy Awards Advisory Board is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Christy Awards.

Contemporary Romance
Beyond the Night
by Marlo Schalesky
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing

Contemporary Series
You Had Me at Good-bye
by Tracey Bateman
FaithWords

Contemporary Standalone
Dogwood
by Chris Fabry
Tyndale House Publishers

First Novel
Blue Hole Back Home
by Joy Jordan-Lake
David C. Cook

Historical
Until We Reach Home
by Lynn Austin
Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Historical Romance
From a Distance
by Tamara Alexander
Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Suspense
The Rook
by Steven James
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Visionary
Vanish
by Tom Pawlik
Tyndale House Publishers

Young Adult
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
by Cathy Gohlke
Moody Publishers

Choosing Your Creative Style

Randy Ingermanson is the author of six novels, which include the Christy award-winning “City of God” and “Oxygen” series. After receiving a doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of California Berkeley, Randy began to write character-oriented thrillers about "life at the intersection of Faith Avenue and Science Boulevard." He is particularly interested in the history of early Christianity and has published three time-travel novels set in first-century Jerusalem. Randy has also published several academic articles on the “Jesus Family Tomb,” which have generated widespread interest among Biblical scholars. He currently serves as author and publisher of Advanced Fiction Writing, the world's largest electronic magazine on how to write fiction. Randy and his wife have three daughters and reside in southern Washington. For more information, please visit his website.

Creating: Choosing Your Creative Style

There's an old saying in fiction writing: "Get it written, then get it right."

Fact is there's a huge difference between the creative phase (getting it written) and the editing phase (getting it right). If you try to edit yourself while you're being creative, you're going to give yourself a nasty case of writer's block.

So the old saying is great advice. Unfortunately, it's not enough.

How, exactly, are you supposed to "get it written?"

Should you just slam out that first draft without any planning, or should you plan it carefully and then slam it out?

If you want to start a war at a writing conference, ask this question and then put on your flameproof cloak.

Different writers will make wildly different claims on how best to write that dreaded first draft.
I've been thinking about this for many years, first as a clueless wannabe novelist, later as a published author, and most recently as a writing teacher. My well-known "Snowflake method" is one answer to the question of how you write a first draft. But it's not the only answer, and it's not the only right answer.

The more I've thought about it, the more I've come to see that different people are wired differently. Different people use different "creative styles" to produce their first drafts.

And that's OK.

I don't think anyone knows all the different possible "creative styles" that writers use. There's a spectrum, depending on how much planning a writer puts in up front. Normally, the more planning before the first draft, the less editing after it.

At one end of the spectrum is the "Seat Of The Pants" writer, commonly called the "SOTP" writer or sometimes the "pantser."

SOTP writers typically just start writing, often with no clear idea where they're going, who their characters are, or what's going to happen. The act of writing makes the story unfold. It's like driving through fog with the headlights showing only a few feet ahead. This is exciting to SOTPs, often excruciatingly scary.

But it works. Stephen King writes this way, as do many other famous novelists. If you write the SOTP way, you're in good company.

On the other end of the spectrum is the outliner, who writes a meticulous, detailed synopsis of the story before writing the first draft. Outliners don't have a cool acronym, nor do they have the sexy, stubble-chinned image of the SOTP. Outliners are sometimes regarded as emotionless accountants who want to keep chewing their gum long after all the sugar is chewed out of it.

But outlining also works. Robert Ludlum was a well-known outliner, with some of his novels requiring 150 pages of synopsis. Many excellent novelists find it impossible to work without a very long synopsis. If you're an outliner, you've got some great compatriots.

These aren't the only options, of course. Another approach is a modification of the SOTP creative style. I call this the "Edit As You Go" creative style, because the writer first writes a page or two, or even a whole scene, seat-of-the-pants. Then, instead of continuing on with the story, the writer edits the page or scene several times. I've heard of writers who edit it 20 or 30 times before moving on. By the time the page or the scene is done, it's in final form, ready for the editor.

"Editing As You Go" works. Dean Koontz writes this way. If you edit as you go, you're among stars. Just be sure that you aren't mixing the creative phase with the editing phase. Write first; then edit.

I'm known around the world as "the Snowflake Guy" because of a fourth creative style, which I call the Snowflake method. (Google it if you want all the details.) In the Snowflake method, you do quite a bit of planning up front, both with your characters and with your plot, but the longest synopsis you ever produce is only four pages. You leave the details of the story unexplored, so your first draft will have some surprises for you.

The Snowflake method works. Every novel I've written has used some elements of the Snowflake. I hear from writers all the time who find that the Snowflake works for them.

I'm currently writing a book titled WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES, in which I cover these creative styles in more detail. Early in the planning process for the book, my editor asked me to make it a little clearer which style is "the right one."

I'm afraid I shocked my editor a bit. I told her there isn't any such thing as "the one right way to write your first draft." The best way for one writer will be the worst way for another writer.
I've met writers who thanked me effusively for the Snowflake method, which gave them hope after years of struggle. I've met other writers who told me that the Snowflake almost wrecked their story.

The same is true of ANY of the common creative styles. For some writers, SOTP is salvation. For others, it's damnation. Ditto for editing-as-you-go and for outlining.

The important thing is to find the best way for you. Your best creative style may be one of those I've named, or it may be some mix of them. That's for you to find out.

When you find the right way for you, stick with it. There really is one best way for you. Just don't assume that it's also the one best way for everyone else.

Visit Randy's Advanced Fiction Writing Blog for new tips.

Stranger than Ficton!

My son is a gourmet cook. Tonight, he fixed dinner for us. As he poured oil into a hot pan to saute some chicken, I was beside him being a good helper.

Suddenly, he says, "MA! Look at this!"

I leaned over his shoulder. The oil had separated into this formation! I grabbed the camera and shot a few photos.


It's too good not to share with y'all. Especially given my propensity to type happy faces. :)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Conference Things

Conference time approaches! There not many weeks left, and I can't wait! Here are some of my favorite things from conference:

Teardrops of joy when I see old friends' faces
Bright laughter ringing and warm hugs and kisses
Each morning worship as the choir sings
These are a few of my favorite things.

One blessed new author might get a first contract
Making appointments for editor contacts
Seeing my agent's name when my phone rings

These are a few of my favorite things.

Fresh ink on One Sheets and business cards in hand
Chocolate and coffee and ain't networking grand
Our worship band that will play as we sing
These are a few of my favorite things.


When rejected
And I feel sad
And start missing home
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

So be sure you register! Go to the ACFW website today!

Are You a Writer?

Are you unsure if you should join ACFW? Are you a writer who joined but is unsure this is where you belong?

We sometimes hear questions like these. You might find your own concern among them.

I'm not published yet. Do I belong in ACFW?

MOST of our members are unpublished, but are working TOWARD publication. You're welcomed with open arms. Here you will find training in fiction writing and information about the Christian fiction industry that will help you reach the Lord's goals for your writing. Note that His goals may or may not include publication, but we will work with you, encourage you, and pray for you while you find out.

I write non-fiction exclusively. Do I belong in ACFW?

Although some of our members write both fiction and non-fiction, almost everything ACFW does is geared toward the novelist and the Christian fiction market. Good writing principles carry over into both "camps," and using fiction techniques brings new life to non-fiction. But unless you write fiction, you may find it more beneficial to join one of the organizations that addresses non-fiction writing, publishing, and markets. Whatever you decide, you'll want to note that discussion on the loop needs to stay focused on fiction writing topics.

I just want to promote my book here. Do I belong in ACFW?

Our primary objectives are training writers, educating them in Christian fiction, and serving as an advocate for the Christian fiction industry. Promotion of our authors is not a key function but a great byproduct of the relationships made within ACFW. The connections you make here--as well as the opportunities for enlisting book reviewers and getting your book considered for New Releases and our Author lists on the website--will help get the word out to other authors and the readers who frequent our website. But your strongest promotional endeavors will come from other sources than ACFW. However, education ABOUT promotion and marketing is one of our strong suits. Sharing information about promotional opportunities happens all the time within ACFW.

I'm self-published. Do I belong in ACFW?

ACFW's mission and vision are to prepare novelists for success in traditional publishing, helping our members strive for excellence in the craft and develop skills that will help their books attract the attention of CBA publishers. Other groups may focus more on self-publication goals. From the beginning, ACFW has sought to prepare authors and their books for acceptance by CBA publishers. We aren't tailored to guide writers to well-respected self-publishers or to help promote self-published books. Self-publishing has a different dynamic, especially in the world of fiction. But there are still ways in which you may benefit greatly from ACFW membership. As you take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and information in our craft-training classes, our website archives, and our main loop, you will grow in your craft and become even more skilled at the kind of writing the Lord has designed for you, no matter what type of publication outreach He has in mind specifically for you.

I'm multi-published and have a strong marketing team, a great agent, and more contracts than I can manage. Do I belong in ACFW?

Do you need to know that other writers understand your challenges? Do you appreciate the encouragement of those who are blessed by what you write? If you are multi-published, you no doubt have learned the secret--that a writer can never stop learning. Just as a prolific author always is digging into (or back into) a craft classic, he or she can benefit from fresh ways of looking at subjects like POV, deepening emotion, writer's block, character motivations... Or you may find your greatest joy in ACFW membership is the opportunity to help other writers over the hurdles you conquered long ago, or in some aspect of mentoring through your knowledgeable answers to the main loop. You'll find both camaraderie with other multi-published authors and plenty of opportunity to assist the yet-to-be-published in their writing journey.

ACFW is always looking to expand and enhance what we offer to both the newcomer and the veteran novelist. We understand that we can't meet every need, nor can we fully focus on every aspect of fiction that deserves attention. But we're working very hard to show that if you're serious about writing great novels, this is where you belong!

I Hate Housework

I have had friends who actually enjoy cleaning their houses. Personally, I think they have a missing gene, but that's neither here nor there. But I finally found the answer. From from my favorite theologian, Maxine!

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your computer

2. Name the file "Housework"

3. Send it to the recycle bin

4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN

5. Your computer will ask you, "Are you really sure you want to delete Housework permanently?

6. Calmly answer, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly.

7. Worked for me! I feel better already.

MacBook vs. PC

I did it ... I bought a MacBook and I'm loving it! But I have to say, there is a bit of a learning curve. I can't find things quite as easily as before, but only because I'm not used to what I'm seeing or where things are. However, each accomplishment feels like graduation day! And that's fun.

I love how intuitive my MacBook is. I especially love the fact the spell checker works online for me. If you've ever read my column in ACFW's Afictionado about my typing woes, you'll understand why this is such a big thing. Now I don't have to look like a writer who can't spell.

If you're MacBook savvy, how about sharing some of those neat little shortcuts? I'd love to take a couple of curves out of this road. :)

Ode to Rules ... or Rules Schmules

A lot of talk goes around the writing loops about the rules or guidelines of good writing. A lot of new writers see multipublished authors break them. And they do. But when they do, it's done purposely and with panache. Ya gotta know the basics first.

With that in mind, I wrote a little Ode to those Rules. You can read it in ACFW's e-zine, Afictionado then scroll down to the column Let There be Lite and click on "more."

A Tribute to Life and Loss

Keith Mills

It's with a very heavy heart that I blog this. Author Sara Mills and her three children have been dealt a heavy blow. Keith Mills, beloved husband and father, died April 7, 2009 from a massive heart attack.

Grieved by our friend's loss, many of us are doing this blog tour to show our support and love for Sara. If you aren't yet aware of Sara's books, she writes delightful mysteries. Her books, Miss Fortune and Miss Match (released through Moody Press) are on shelves now. Miss Match released in March.

Please take this opportunity to support our friend and order a copy of Sara's books. Visit her website or drop by Facebook and befriend her. The books below link to Amazon, where you can purchase her books.

Miss Fortune, Allie Fortune Mystery Series #1

By Sara Mills / Moody Publishers

In 1947 Allie Fortune is the only female private investigator in New York City, but she's kept awake at night by a mystery of her own: her fiancé disappeared in the war and no one knows if he's still alive. Until Allie finds out, she will have no peace. When there's a knock on her office door at four in the morning, Allie suspects trouble as usual, and Mary Gordon is no exception. Mary claims someone is following her, that her apartment has been ransacked, and that she's been shot at, but she has no idea why any of this is happening. Allie takes the case, and in the process discovers an international mystery that puts her own life in danger. Meanwhile, the FBI is working the case as well, and she is partnered up with an attractive, single agent who would be perfect for her under other circumstances-if only she knew whether her fiancé was still alive.


Miss Match, Allie Fortune Mystery Series #2

By Sara Mills / Moody Publishers

FBI agent Jack O'Connor receives a letter from Maggie, a woman he used to love, saying she's in trouble in Berlin. The FBI refuses to get involved, so Jack asks Allie Fortune to help him investigate. Allie and Jack pose as a missionary couple who want to bring orphans back to the United States. A child finds important documents that everyone in the city - Soviets and allies alike - want for themselves. Maggie refuses to tell Jack what the documents are, saying if things go wrong, they are better off not knowing. Through the course of the search, Allie's past is brought back to her, half a world away from home.

Sara, please know I and all the staff at Novel Journey are praying for you.

What's With Greeting Cards These Days?

Yesterday, I read a cartoon in the newspaper that reminded me of my mentor/buddy, Diann Hunt, and needing a break from writing, I went to the store to pick out a funny card to send with the cartoon.

I browsed the card section, enjoying a good chuckle—until I turned one over. Have you priced cards lately? $3.50! For a piece of paper with a joke on it? Not that Diann isn't worth $3.50, but come on. For $3.50, it should come in chocolate.

I could do better for half the price; I'm a writer. Right? I marched out of the store and drove straight to Office Depot. In the computer section, I chose greeting card software for $29.99 and a 15-pack of Avery premium cards and envelopes for $11.99. I'd create a customized card for my friend, and have the supplies to create all my card needs for years.

I was on a roll.

At home, I loaded the software, chose a funny greeting, tweaked it for Di, and loaded the card stock in the printer. Then I hit print. The software said to print a test page. Our printer isn't in my office; I share it with my husband, and it's in his office.

Across the house.

I walked to the printer, added a sheet of plain paper for the test, went back to my office, and clicked "okay". Then I walked back across the house to the printer to check the test page.

I noted the direction of the arrow, indicating how to put it back in for the second side, walked back across the house to my office and clicked "okay print."

I then went back to the printer (did I mention it's in my husband's office across the house?) to see my card. But instead, it's printed page two of the test. On my good card stock.

Sigh.

I reloaded 2 sheets of regular paper on top of the card stock to repeat the exercise, walked back to my office, hit print again. Back at the printer (I'm beginning to wear a path in the carpet), instead of another test page, it's printed my card—on regular paper.

Gritting my teeth and thinking that a three dollar and fifty cent card was looking better by the minute, I reloaded the card stock, stomped back to my office and clicked print. The card printed. On the right paper. YES!

I put the sheet back into the printer in the direction according to the test arrow, ran back to my office and clicked "print card inside."

Back at the printer, I removed my wonderful, customized card. I folded it and read it. The front was perfect. I opened it.

The inside was printed upside down.

I mailed it anyway. Stupid card cost me $35.94. Diann had better like it.

How a woman's brain works

Finally, we have the perfect explanation.

Brain Teaser

I love brain teasers. Here's a new one:

What nine letter word in the English language is still a word when each of the nine letters is removed one by one?

STARTLING

S T A R T L I N G

Remove the L and you have S T A R T I N G

Remove the T and you have S T A R I N G

Remove the A and you have S T R I N G

Remove the R and you have S T I N G

Remove the T and you have S I N G

Remove the G and you have S I N

Remove the S and you have I N

Remove the N and you have I

Perks of reaching 50 (or being over 60). Notice these are all in big print for your convenience.

Kidnappers are not very interested in you. Your expiration date is too short.

In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. You're harder to hold onto. The wrinkles keep slipping in the kidnapper's grasp.

Your friends no longer view you as a hypochondriac. They have more illnesses than you ever did.

There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

Things you buy now won't wear out.

You can eat supper at 4 pm and pay less for it.

You quit trying to hold in your stomach no matter who walks into the room. You're just happy if your muscles hold your legs up.

You sing along with elevator music.

Your eyes won't get much worse.

Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

And remember the words of that great theologian, Jack Nicholson, once you're over sixty, never trust a fart.

Family Secrets

To promote her new fiction release, Daisy Chain, Mary DeMuth has a new blog called Family Secrets. Some are sad and can lock people in a prison of secrecy and fear for years.

My daddy's family had a secret.

To find out what it was, go to Mary's blog, Family Secrets on Monday.

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.

In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.

Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.

MaryLu Tyndall ~ Guest Blogger

Best-selling author of The Legacy of the King’s Pirates series, MaryLu Tyndall writes full time and makes her home with her husband, six children, and four cats on California’s coast. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but expose Christians to their full potential in Christ. For more information on MaryLu and her upcoming releases, please visit her website.

Live Life out on the Plank

I love the Sea. To me it has always represented life, adventure, freedom, as well as uncertainty, danger and chaos. As a child, I could sit on a sandy beach and stare at the sea for hours on end, but I rarely went too far into the water. You see, I grew up shy and insecure and afraid of life. I preferred to avoid stressful situations at all costs.

If I grew up on a ship, I’d be the one down in the hold, reading a book or guarding the cargo, putting up with the loneliness and stale air and rats just so I’d be in my comfort zone. At school, I trembled when I was called in front of the class to give a report. I avoided all social situations, and I didn’t apply for jobs that pushed me beyond my limits.

I tried to live the “safe” life, never taken any big chances. Even in my love life. I stayed away from those men who made my heart skip a beat and stuck with the safer ones who wouldn’t break my heart. But I was unhappy, unfulfilled.

God had given me big dreams even before I believed in Him—dreams like becoming an astronaut, flying a jet, sailing around the world, writing a novel. Did I do any of those things? I started a few of them, but my fear kept me stranded on my island of safety.

Then I became a Christian and discovered that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7. Oh, I loved those words! They really spoke to me. I wanted to be that kind of person. I mean, we only get this one life to do things for God, this one chance, and I knew from Scripture that God had a unique purpose and plan for my life. Yet years went by and still I cowered, learning, and growing in God, yes, but not answering His call to go forward.

Finally, one day I gave in to the burning in my soul to write a novel. I didn’t plan on submitting it. No way! I couldn’t stand the rejection. But then God got me laid off from my job. I needed income and I needed it fast. God had pushed me to the edge of a long plank hanging off my ship of safety and he was asking me to jump in. So, I did. (Actually, I think He pushed me!) Was it scary? Yes! Did I get rejections? Yes! Did they hurt? Yes. But I also got a contract!

Now, I’m writing my 6th novel and I’m swimming along just fine. I speak to groups, I do book signings, radio interviews, things I would never have dreamed of doing before. I get an occasional heart-sinking review, but I also get some good ones too and more importantly, I get letters from readers who have told me my stories have brought them closer to God. I’m living the adventure God planned for me. Now, I’m wondering what took me so long!

Whether it’s writing a novel and submitting it, or talking to your neighbor about Jesus, or taking that job that scares you to death, or saying yes to that handsome guy or pretty girl who keeps showing interest, or speaking at a conference, if God keeps knocking on your heart to do something, DO IT. Do you want to stand before God after your life is over and hear him say, I had so much more for you, if you had just believed and stepped off the plank.

In fact, don’t step off, don’t wait to be pushed, jump in! Jump into the adventurous, beautiful sea and then rise up and start walking on the water. Take a hold of your Savior’s hand and don’t let go. You’ll experience the abundant life other people only dream about!

Worlds collide when a pirate lady meets a godly naval captain

Faith Westcott abandoned her shallow faith when a series of tragedies struck her family. To save herself and her sisters from forced marriages, this fiery, born-to-the-manor redhead is a lady by day and a pirate by night. How long can she maintain this dual identity before she’s caught red-handed?

The God-fearing Dajon Waite, who scours the Carolina coast, expunging it of pirates and smugglers, is a more-than-capable captain in the British Royal Navy. But when he is asked to take on the guardianship of Faith and her sisters, he’s headed for deep water. Having vowed to avoid women, what will he do when he finds himself falling for Faith?

Sir Wilhelm Carteret has always gotten everything he desired, but Faith seems to be unaffected by his charms. When he devises a plot to rid himself of his competition, more than Captain Waite’s reputation is at stake as alarming secrets are revealed.
Will Faith regain her trust in God only to find herself headed for the gallows? Will Dajon scuttle his good name—and neck—to save her?

T’was the month after Christmas, and all through the house,
nothing would fit me, not even a blouse;

The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste,
at the holiday parties had gone to my waist;

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber)

I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared,
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared;

The wine and the rum balls; the bread and the cheese,
and the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please.”

As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt,
and prepared once again to do battle with dirt.

I said to myself, as only I can,
“You can’t spend a winter disguised as a man!”

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished,
’til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick.
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn’t that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

So, how's YOUR New Year's dieting going?

MY MUSE ARRIVED!

Today I received the best Christmas present I've ever gotten! My critique partner and fellow editor of Novel Journey, Jessica Dotta, captured my MUSE in a bottle and sent her to me.

Now I'll always know where to find her.

This has to be the most creative gift for a writer I've ever seen. Thank you so much, Jess.

Even Shadrach had fun with the box you sent it in.

Christmas Traditions

Our family had some fun Christmas traditions when the kids were small. My husband is British, so we had a traditional Christmas pudding, which is really a fruit cake. Now I like regular fruitcake, but not plum pudding. It’s too rich and heavy. Neither did any of the kids. The only people who liked it at all were my husband and his parents. His sister didn’t even like it.

Our kids and nephews hated it. But ... they ate it. Why? Because the Brits hide coins, wrapped in wax paper, inside the pudding.

With all the children (ours & nieces and nephews) finding dimes, nickels and the occasional quarter, all went along smoothly for a number of years. That is, until my husband, Terry, decided to spice thing up. He wrapped up a 100 dollar bill in wax paper and hid it inside his cheek. Then, during the course of dessert, he suddenly pulled it out, unwrapped it and held it up for all to see.

The kids went wild, not knowing it was planted.

A new tradition was born. Every year, Dad (or Uncle Terry) was the “lucky” one who found the big money. Finally our nephew Shawn (who’s now a detective with the LAPD) figured out he was going to get Uncle Terry’s piece of the pudding. As Terry moved his hand toward a plate, Shawn yelled, “I want that one!”

Terry, being a gentleman, obliged. As he reached for a different plate, Shawn hesitated and said, “No, I want this one.” They went back and forth for a full 5 minutes. Poor Shawn really thought he could outsmart his uncle.

It was years before the kids found Uncle Terry out. Then they spread the fun whenever they had neighbor kids in for Christmas. “Hey, you gotta try the Christmas pudding! They hide money in it!”

Now their children are anxiously awaiting the Christmas pudding with mixed emotions.

The photo above is from my agent's site. Janey Benrey made that Christmas pudding and has the recipe on her Pippa Hunnechurch Mysteries website. Just click on the photo to get the recipe and start a new tradition in your family.

So what are your families' Christmas traditions?

Merry Christmas!

2008 is nearly over and Christmas is here. Oh, excuse the dog hair and any drool marks, please. Shadrach insisted on helping me write this. And when Shadrach insists, well, he's pretty persuasive. You can see below what he does when he wants out and Terry won't pay attention to him.

Now y'all see what we mean by insistent. Life has been interesting with Shadrach in the house. As he's grown, we had to replace our car with a van.

What? You mean everyone doesn't buy a van to cart their dog around in? Well, butter my backside and call me a biscuit. We thought that was normal.

Shadrach has reached his teens (in dog years), and as a teenaged male, his testosterone levels have soared. He's becoming protective ... very protective. While he isn't normally aggressive, the van is, after all, HIS territory. Last week, Terry saw our Baptist preacher, Richard, in the video store parking lot. He called out a greeting and said come on over and see the "puppy" (he had Shadrach in the van for his daily ride).

Richard stuck his head in the window and Shadrach almost ate him. Actually, Shad just barked and lunged at him, but when 175 pounds of dog barks, it's very deep and very loud. To his credit, Richard jumped higher than I knew a preacher could. We apologized and told him we didn't know why Shadrach did that since he never barks at Methodists or Presbyterians.

I'm a bit confused about this new behavior. He never tries to bite anyone, but he sure seems to get a charge out of people's reactions when he leaps and woofs at them.

Well, other than the adventures with Shadrach, all the family is fine. Greg has proven to be a born salesman and is consistently top salesman at the dealership where he works. Terry is painting up a storm, and Ane continues to converse to imaginary people and write down what they say.

Y'all have a Merry Christmas and a may God bless your New Year.

Michelle Griep's Gallimore

I'm excited my crit partner, Michelle Griep's, debut book releases Dec 15th. Here's the book trailer.

Congratulations, Michelle!

Michelle is my crit partner and I couldn't be more excited about this book getting published. She's an accomplished storyteller.

Here's the back cover copy and some review blurbs:

Jessica Neale's faith is lost the day of her husband's death, and with it, her belief in love. In a journey to find peace, she encounters a gentle, green-eyed stranger who leads her to the ruins of the medieval castle, Gallimore.

On his way to battle, Colwyn Haukswyrth, knight of Gallimore, comes face to face with a storm the likes of which he's never seen, and a woman in the midst of it who claims to live centuries in the future. The Lady Jessica of Neale is an irksome, provoking bit of woman to be sure. And she's about to turn his beliefs on end. The product of a family rooted in pain and evil, Colwyn has focused on naught but himself-until Jessica.

To a mysterious prophecy stitched on a tapestry, through the invasion of Gallimore itself, Colwyn and Jessica are bound together by a lesson in forgiveness and love-a bond that might be strong enough to survive the grave.

Reviews and Other Information:

"Time travel, handsome knights, bone-chilling castles, breath-taking romance, an ominous battle between good and evil, and much more, Michelle Griep's splendid debut novel, GALLIMORE, will capture your heart and your soul and leave you begging for more." Author MaryLu Tyndall

"...An historical love story with twists and turns that may leave you breathless at times, tearful at others, hopping mad, terrified and wistful." Author Kelly Klepfer

Louie Giglio - Laminin

This video made a profound impact on me. If you're going through any trials, watch this video. You'll be blown away!

As a Baby Boomer ...

My birthday is in a few months, January 5th to be exact - in case any of you are into buying gifts or sending cards. But it made me start to think about age. What is it and why does it matter?

Hollywood would have us believe youth is the paradigm, and anything after twenty-nine is just a faded has-been. To that I say bean soup.

With age comes wisdom: The wisdom not to care what others think but to enjoy life, the wisdom to not hold back but share what you know with an open hand. What counts is not the number on your driver's license, but how you think.

I don't think old. I have to admit I'm sometimes startled when I pass a mirror or see a photo of myself. I wonder who that old gal with the wrinkles is. Inside, I'm still thirty-one. Who am I trying to kid? My kid's thirty-one.

So I dress how I want regardless of current styles. I'm into pleasing me instead of people I don't know. More important, I'm listening to God and following what He wants me to do. I hope to have left behind someone in whose life I made a difference.

And at the end of my life, I want to be like a runner heading toward home plate and slide toward into the grave, chocolate bar in one hand and a grande mocha latte double shot in the other, body wrinkled and used up, screaming, "WooHoo – whatta ride!"

Women Who Read

One morning a husband returned after several hours of fishing and decided to take a nap. While he slept, and though not familiar with the lake, the wife decided to take his boat out and read in the peaceful setting. She motored out a short distance, anchored, and read her book.

Along came a game warden in his boat. He pulled up alongside the woman. “Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?”

“Reading.” Isn't that obvious?

“You're in a Restricted Fishing Area.”

“I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.”

“Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know, you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.”

“For reading a book?”

“You're in a Restricted Fishing Area.”

“I'm really very sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.”

“Yes, I see that, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.”

The woman closed her book. “If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault.”

“But I haven't even touched you!” The game warden backed away, hands up and palms spread.

“That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.”

“Have a nice day ma'am.” The game warden turned and motored away.

Moral: Never argue with a woman who reads; it's likely she can also think.

Are You Discouraged?

I received an email from a prayer partner, a fellow writer, who was discouraged. She'd been hurt by a critical remark about her work. She's not a beginning writer, so it was a personal preference remark—that came at the wrong time. She began to question her calling.

Since I had just gone through this, and the Lord had to send me a confirmation (Poor Abba-Father, I keep Him so busy propping me up), that I shared this with her.

God doesn’t hurt us, nor does He discourage us if He wants us to stop writing. He persuades us by changing our hearts and desires and passions.

I discovered this when God wanted me to move beyond the drama ministry I’d started at my church and led for 11 years. Where I’d always been passionate about it, and considered it my ministry, suddenly my passion died. I longed for someone else to lead it and take it new heights. I gave up ownership happily.

That’s how God would make you feel if you weren’t supposed to be writing for Him. When we publish is up to Him. That part of it we have to give back to Him as a sacrifice of praise.

But when you’re discouraged or hurt, remember that's from the enemy! After all, you only get stabbed by the enemy's arrows when you’re in the front lines of God’s army.

Think about it. If you’re spinning your wheels, wasting time writing and not doing what God called you to do, is Satan gonna bother you? No way. He’s going to leave you alone in peace to fritter away your time.

But if you’re doing what God has called you to do, then Satan is going to throw everything he has at you to discourage you. So be of good cheer, as Paul always said.

Every year, I think this is my year to get that contract. If God says no, then next year will by my year. Just try to enjoy the journey, and know that when the arrows come, you're on the right track!

MySpace, ShoutLife, Facebook ~ Oh My!

I jumped onto Facebook as soon as I heard about it from other writers in ACFW. Another great place to make friends and build a following. However, soon after I got on, I started getting all these "pokes" and "drinks" and "gifts" with the admonishment to poke, drink or gift back to the giver. And each time you had to sign up for something new to go to the next level of "giver".

Two hours later, I realized I had gotten no writing done, but all my friends had been "poked". Terrific. A writer with no book but lots of poked friends.

I deleted my account.

I left MySpace.

I remained on ShoutLife and Shelfari, but I limited my involvement. They cost time. Time I should be writing.

I recently went back to Facebook after a lot of consideration. But this time, I built my account with the firm resolve NOT give in to pokes, prods, gifts, drinks, or causes. If I gave in, I'd never get a book out.

These communities, while good for building networks, can be time-robbers. So please don't be offended when I ignore you, other than a friendship request, or to answer a note. It's not just you. I'm an equal-opportunity offender.

Murder on the Ol' Bunions

Murder on the Ol' Bunions
By S. Dionne Moore
Published by Heartsong Presents
ISBN 978-1-59789-639-9

Back Cover:
LaTisha Barnhart's bunions tell her something's afoot as she delves deeper into the murder of her former employer, Marion Peters. When LaTisha becomes a suspect, the ante is upped, and she is determined to clear her name and find the real culprit.

She's burping Mark Hamm's bad cooking to investigate his beef with Marion ... getting her hair styled at a high falutin' beauty parlor to see what has Regina Rogane in a snarl ... playing self-appointed matchmaker between the local police chief and a prime suspect ... and thinking Payton O'Mahney's music store lease might be the reason he's singing out of tune when discussion of Marion's murder arises. LaTisha's thinking she just might use the reward money to get her bunions surgically removed. But she's got to catch the crook first.

Review:
Murder on the Ol' Bunions opens sassy and never quits. I fell in love with LaTisha's indomitable spirit and impudence. We talk about characters leaping off the pages of a book, and LaTisha does. Well ... maybe not leap. LaTisha limps. Bunions, you know.

Moore didn’t give us a generic lovely, young sleuth. LaTisha Barnhart is an overweight grandmother and bossy. While the supporting cast have equally distinct personalities, Moore maintains a good balance of characters throughout. By the time I turned the last page, I truly didn't want this to end. I laughed all the way through it, and never guess whodunit.

This is Moore's debut book, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next one: Poly Dent Loses Grip. Novel Reviews gives Murder on the Ol' Bunions a high recommendation. A perfect read for a spring afternoon.

Be sure to see LaTisha's post on Novel Journey.

The Shape of Mercy

The Shape of Mercy
By Susan Meissner
Women's fiction
Published by WaterBrook
ISBN 978-1-4000-7456-3

Back Cover:
Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with her family's expectations and takes a part-time job from eighty-three-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles. The mysterious employer asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.

Immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped, unable it fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstitions. Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.

The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships to Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?

Review:
Susan Meissner at her best—The Shape of Mercy is a unique and captivating story where past and present intersect. Masterfully drawn, the compelling characters will live on in your heart long after you close the book.

Though I knew Mercy's sad end going in, I was as drawn into her life as Lauren, wondering what Mercy had done to be accused of witchcraft. Her only crime was being a little different and having a rival in love with the same young man. In an age where superstition grew to hysteria, all it took was an accusation to seal Mercy's fate.

Meissner is brilliant at pacing, and Lauren's story unfolded bit by bit, making it difficult to put down. It's hard to say which character was my favorite, and the surprising ending crowned a memorable read. I give The Shape of Mercy my highest recommendation. It's a five-star read.

Book Give Away

In honor of today's release of Havah the Story of Eve, by Tosca Lee, she is giving away a copy of Havah, a book called Legend by David Rohl (about the possible location of Eden’s garden), and two DVDs on Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, on her blog today and over the next couple of weeks.

To enter, go to Tosca's blog and leave a comment. Just click on the book cover and good luck!

I've been tagged ... again

I'm supposed to tell you five random things about myself then tag 5 other people.

1. I rode with my dad to work when I was little, and we picked up Wernher von Braun, the German rocket scientist, who came to America after WWII. My mother and I would drop them off at work (I can't remember if it was Boeing, North American, or some other aircraft company) and drive home.

2. I tried to fly off the balcony of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium during Peter Pan. Only my mother, grabbing the hem of my dress, stopped me.

3. When I was ten-years-old, I won a corn-on-the-cob eating contest, beating grown men. I've always loved veggies.

4. When first married, my husband and I rode a Harley chopper.

5. The biggest lesson I ever learned was never turn your back on a cactus when using the desert as a restroom.

Now I'm tagging: Lisa Ludwig, Sandra Moore, Diann Hunt, Roxanne Henke, and Camy Tang.

ACFW's BOTY & Genesis Winners

BOTY

Debut Author
Sushi for One? by Camy Tang, Zondervan
Bayou Justice by Robin Caroll
In Between by Jenny B. Jones

Contemporary Novella
Finally Home by Deborah Raney, Barbour Publishing
Moonlight & Mistletoe by Carrie Turansky
Remaking of Moe McKenna by Gloria Clover

Historical Novella
Love Notes in Love Letters Anthology by Mary Davis, Barbour Publishing
Beyond the Memories by DiAnn Mills
The Spinster & The Tycoon by Vickie McDonough

Lits
Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh, Multnomah Books
Sushi for One? by Camy Tang
Tie: One Little Secret by Allison Bottke & The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt

Long Contemporary
Within This Circle by Deborah Raney, Steeple Hill Books
Like Always by Robert Elmer
Autumn Blue by Karen Harter

Long Historical
1. Tie: Veil of Fire by (Marlo Schalesky, RiverOak
Where Willows Grow by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Bethany House
2. Tie: Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake & Then Came Hope by Louise Gouge
3. Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist

Mystery
Your Chariot Awaits by Lorena McCourtney, Thomas Nelson
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn
Sticks And Stones by (Susan Meissner

Short Contemporary
The Heart of Grace by Linda Goodnight, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley
Wedded Bliss by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Short Contemporary Suspense
Caught Redhanded by Gayle Roper, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy
Tie: Nowhere to Hide by Debby Giusti & Her Christmas Protector by Terri Reed

Short Historical
1. Tie: Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman & Barbour/Heartsong Presents
Golden Days by Mary Connealy, Barbour/Heartsong Presents
A Wealth Beyond Riches by Vickie McDonough
A Time to Keep by Kelly Eileen Hake

Speculative
The Restorer’s Son by Sharon Hinck, NavPress
Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee
DragonFire by Donita Paul

Suspense
Black Ice by Linda Hall, WaterBrook Press
Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins
Abomination by Colleen Coble

Women’s Fiction
Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney, Howard Books/Simon & Schuster
Watercolored Pearls by Stacy Hawkins Adams
A Promise To Remember by Kathryn Cushman

Young Adult
In Between by Jenny B. Jones, NavPress
Sara Jane: Liberty’s Torch by Eleanor Clark
Saving Sailor by Renee Riva

GENESIS

Chick lit, Mom lit, Lady lit Category:
1st: Erica Vetsch, Pam On Rye
2nd: Lynda Schab, Mind Over Madi
3rd: Tiffany Kinerson, Stand On My Own Two Hands

Contemporary Fiction Category:
1st: Dan Case, The Voice
2nd: Christina Berry, Undiscovered
3rd: Jim Rubart, Book of Days

Contemporary Romance Category:
1st: Annalisa Daughety, Love is a Battlefield
2nd: Kathleen Haynes, The Quarterback Club
3rd: Cara Slaughter, Joanna's Treasure

Historical Fiction Category:
1st: Mona Hodgson, A Thimble's Worth
2nd: Rachel Moore, A Trail of Waves
3rd: Lori Benton, Trouble The Water

Historical Romance Category:
1st: Patty Smith Hall, Flights of Freedom
2nd: Karen Witemeyer, Cloud by Day
3rd: Erica Vetsch, Marriage Masquerade

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Category:
1st: Jane Thornton, Menace
2nd Donna Alice Patton, Wrestling Demons
3rd: Janice Olson, Don't Look Back

Romantic Suspense Category:
1st: Jenness Walker, Deja Vu
2nd: Dani Pettrey, Quest
3rd (tie): Kelly Ann Riley, A Cowboy's Prayer
3rd (tie): Jane Thornton, Be Anxious

Science Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory Category:
1st: Chawna Schroeder, Metamorphosis
2nd: Lynda K. Arndt, The Song of Blood and Stone
3rd: Valerie Comer, The Girl Who Cried Squid

Women's Fiction Category:
1st: Heather Goodman, 50 Things To Do Before I Turn 30
2nd: Cynthia Ruchti, They Almost Always Come Home
3rd: Kristian Tolle, When Autumn Comes

Young Adult Category:
1st: Carla Stewart, An Unexpected Journey
2nd: Stefanie Morris, The Dragon of Delarest
3rd: Kasey L. Heinly, Broken Glass

Congratulations to all