by Roseanna White | Nov 3, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Yes, more from Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack today. Largely because it’s two hours after my usual posting time, and I have no other brilliant ideas. =)
Beware! Beware! He’ll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
As pride increases, fortune declines.
Ambition often spends foolishly what avarice had wickedly collected.
Creditors have better memories than debtors.
Death takes no bribes.
A good example is the best sermon.
All would live long, but none would be old.
A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.
Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.
Beware of him who is slow to anger; he is angry for something, and will not be pleased for nothing.
(In other words, don’t make Roseanna mad! 😉
Danger is sauce for prayers.
Bad commentators spoil the best of books.
Approve not of him who commends all you say.
And my favorite from this batch . . .
Clean your finger, before you point at my spots.
Happy Wednesday, all! Hope ol’ Ben’s wisdom brightens your day. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m bringing you something a little different–and totally awesome. For full details you need to hop over to
Go Teen Writers, but I’ll give you my spin on it here. =)
My awesome writing buddy / best friend ever,
Stephanie Morrill, is embarking on a new, totally exciting project, and she needs some input from the young adult crowd. Here’s the gist:
Out of Reach is a story about a teen who’s writing–and eventually publishing–a novel. And Stephanie wants YOU (or the teen in your life, depending on how old you are, ha ha) to help come up with the novel the character is writing.
How stinkin’ cool is THAT? By checking in on
Go Teen Writers, you can lend your input, participate in the conversation, and have a part in the creation of a novel-within-a-novel to be published by Stephanie!! Stephanie has the info you’ll need on how it will tie in with her character’s life, and I for one can’t wait to see what cool things lurk in the minds of the teens that read
GTW.
Hop over! This isn’t an opportunity to be missed!!
by Roseanna White | Nov 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
One of the most challenging things about writing a book, in my opinion, is jargon. Technical lingo. Those words peppered throughout speech that say, “This person is an XYZ, and he knows his stuff.”
There’s a fine line to walk–you don’t want to overwhelm a reader, but you want them to get the impression that you as a writer know what you’re talking about. And more, you want to creating setting, mood, and accurate characterization through these word choices.
I just finished reading a super-fabulous historical, Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall. One of the things I expect of MaryLu’s books is a wonderful knowledge about tall ships and seafaring, and she knows how to strike the balance between showing me the details of a ship and not making my eyes glaze over with it all. I closed her book and thought, “Wow. She obviously knows her stuff. She imparts her wisdom. The characters come across perfectly. And I shiver at the thought of ever writing anything on this topic, because how in the world would I keep it all straight?”
And though, yes, I deal with this issue in historicals all the time, the first story to pop to mind when I contemplated it was my contemporary, Seized. My hero is an ex-SEAL, so he uses military jargon all the time among his friends.
Now, I’m an avid watcher of NCIS (and was of JAG back in the day), so I at least know TV jargon. =) Not exactly dependable research, but they’re pretty good at establishing setting and mood, anyway. I read a lot. I visit a lot of websites when I’m researching something. But I’m never quite sure I’m getting the jargon right until one of my critters goes, “What are binocs? Binoculars?” and I lift my brows and realize I hadn’t even intentionally peppered that particular shorthand in. I like it once that starts happening, when I can stop thinking about it so much and just let it flow.
Stop for a minute and think about some of your favorite books. When I do, I realize they all have this jargon-thing in common. The characters are so very much themselves that they think with these words, use them to make unique-to-them analogies, and convey a definite image. How about your favorites?
Hope everyone had a safe and fun weekend! My little fairy and turtle were adorable and polite as they skipped around the neighborhood, so I’m a proud mama. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Melanie Dickerson’s The Healer’s Apprentice is . . .
Sheree! (neednspace@ . . . )
Congrats, Sheree! I just sent you an email.
by Roseanna White | Oct 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m welcoming Alice Wisler to my blog to talk about her latest novel, Hatteras Girl. Given that this takes place in the Outer Banks of NC, I’m already a fan. =)
Alice gave a hearty “Sure!” to my question about doing a giveaway, so as usual, leave a comment below with an email address for a chance to win a copy of this beautifully beachy book! And be sure to follow if you don’t already!
~*~
About Hatteras Girl
Twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.
There’s one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag.
When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis’s past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?
~*~
About Alice
Alice J. Wisler lives and writes in Durham, NC. Rain Song was her first novel (Christy Award finalist 2009), How Sweet It Is, her second (Christy Award finalist 2010), and now her third is Hatteras Girl.
In 1997 she founded Daniel’s House Publications after the death of her son, Daniel, and writes cookbooks, poetry and articles pertaining to parental bereavement. She teaches Writing the Heartache grief-writing classes both online and at conferences. Since Alice was born in Japan, her favorite foods are sushi, tempura, and unagi domburi (eel over steamed rice). She also enjoys it when her husband Carl cooks English and German dishes.
~*~
What’s your latest book?
My inspirational novel that just came out from Bethany House this month is Hatteras Girl. Set on the coast of North Carolina in the lovely Outer Banks, this is a story of Jackie who wants to find an honest man and own a bed and breakfast.
Sooooo love the Outer Banks. Got married there, in fact. =) What’s your favorite part of the story?
I like the parts that deal with Minnie, who has lost her husband to a fishing accident, because in these sections I could create an atmosphere around the sadness of loss and grief. Loss and grief is a very real part of life and in each of my novels, I incorporate them. My son died in 1997 at the age of four, and so I know a lot about sorrow. On a lighter note, I like the parts of Hatteras Girl that take place in Aunt Sheerly’s hair salon because they are for the most part, silly and fun.
My daughter just turned five, so even imagining that loss . . . I appreciate the juxtaposition of the tragic with the silly, though. That too is life. But back to the book. Is there a theme?
The theme is finding your dream and living it. However, sometimes before you can march forward with a dream, you have to wait upon God. So Hatteras Girl has to do with being patient (hard for Jackie to do) and waiting.
Oh, so true. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I enjoy reading contemporary women’s fiction and writing it as well.
What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
Oh, my dream office would be an actual office with a door, bookcase, lots of fresh flowers, and window. My current “office” is a computer hutch in the corner of my living room.
An office with a door! That one could use to shut out the world–ahhhh. =) Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Right now, going on book signings and taking care of a six-week old Boxer puppy named Levi.
We had a Boxer too–a reverse brindle named Aegis, who is currently retired to my MIL’s acreage rather than our tiny, steep little yard. Okay, next question. Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?
Yes, I was in the kitchen and I literally jumped up and down when I listened to the phone message from my agent saying she wanted to represent me.
=) What are you writing right now?
Right now I’m editing my novel, A Wedding Invitation, that comes out next fall. It has a little romance and is about two former teachers at a refugee camp who join to help an Amerasian woman find her mother.
~*~
Thanks for visiting, Alice! Readers, you can check out her website at http://www.alicewisler.com
and find her books at Amazon and CrossPurposes.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 11/4/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. Having successfully launched two homeschool grads, she now spends her time writing fiction, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years, as well as a fantasy series and contemporary mysteries and romances. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.