by Roseanna White | Aug 19, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I intended to wax philosophical and thoughtful this morning–not that I knew what I was going to be all brilliant about, but I figured I was due for some profound thoughts. 😉 Then I thought maybe I’d mention my friend Kimberly who’s coming up this weekend, perhaps link y’all to her awesome toy-making blog, Lord Circus (the toy-making’s awesome–the blog just started).
But then friend Dina ruined those goals by sending me an email telling me to look up Christian Agha Photography on Facebook, as he has apparently volunteered to take the photos of the young woman who also volunteered to model for my book cover. Now I’m far too excited about the shoot happening over the next few days to be concerned with wowing you all with my deep thoughts.
Because, let’s face it, book covers are crucial. I am super-duper excited to be working with Tekeme Studios again, because George did a fabulous job with A Stray Drop of Blood. But since I can’t very well beg his wife to model for every single cover WhiteFire has him design (snicker, snicker), finding a new model was my worry this time. So special thanks to above-mentioned friend Dina for finding me not one, but THREE girls willing to volunteer their time for the sheer fun of having their face on a book cover. And for finding an awesome photographer working for a song, too! How in the world did you manage that, Dina?? 😉
Basically, Roseanna is excited. And, as always, a little nervous. My hubby said something about the weirdness of relying on volunteers for all this, but to me, it’s confirmation that we’re on the right track, that these fellow believers are taking of their time to help me out–and you can bet if there’s anything I can do for them in return, I’ll be quick to offer!
That’s what I love about the Church, which we see so often in the Christian publishing world–we help each other. We love each other, even when we don’t know each other. We’re working for a common goal, and so we don’t mind giving a little in order to get the message out to others. We promote each other, work for each other, serve each other, just like Jesus instructed us to do. So thank you, all you wonderful people helping my dream become reality. Thank you for helping me get my stories out there. And thank you, Lord, for leading me to the right people at the right time.
God rocks, doesn’t He? =)
by Roseanna White | Aug 18, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
So, just wrote a book about Esther, right? (Okay, more about another wife in the harem, but Esther was there too, and important.) Based it partially, obviously, on the book of the Bible named after her. Which stops in the twelfth year of her hubby’s reign.
Assuming said hubby is Xerxes, that means he was killed 8 years later. Esther would have been, in all likelihood, in her early twenties when she was widowed. Ever wonder what happened to her after that?
While reading Jewel of Persia, my hubby asked that question and demanded I figure it out. 😉 He offered his opinions on where she’d be likely to go, what she would likely encounter. And I gotta tell you–it’s intriguing to consider.
See, my reading of Esther, to go along with the history we have on Xerxes, requires that Vashti (a.k.a Amestris) is not killed, just deposed. I have to read it this way, because Amestris was Queen Mother during her son’s reign, after Xerxes’ assassination. Now, assuming all I do . . . can you imagine?? Can you imagine being the queen one day, then the next not only is your husband dead, but you’re under the control of the woman you replaced? A woman notorious for being bloodthirsty and cruel?
Yeah, um. I’m guessing Esther didn’t stick around the palace and hope that her marriage contract would see her set up in luxury for the rest of her days. I’m guessing she got out of Susa–fast.
But my little brain still has lots of questions it’s mulling over. What about Mordecai? Would he have fled too? (Probably.) Would Artaxerxes, well known for his kindness to the Jews (see Ezra and Nehemiah) have helped her or taken his overbearing mother’s side? (My answer–both, depending on who’s in the room, ha ha.) Where would they have gone? How long did she live? Did she ever remarry?
Which leads to a whole new realm of “Can you imagine?” questions. Like, can you imagine going into hiding, probably not letting anyone know who you are, then eventually having to confess to a would-be second husband that you’re the widow of Xerxes? As in, the former king? That you were the Esther??
Oh yeah. Many, many interesting plot points in the making. Roseanna is going to have so much fun with this! LOL.
by Roseanna White | Aug 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
My goodness, it’s giveaway central here on Writing Roseanna lately, isn’t it? Lucky you. 😉
Today I’m so happy to welcome Ashley Weis to my blog. I met Ashley at the ACFW conference last year–we saw each other at the airport in Baltimore but didn’t realize we were headed to the same place until we got out of the SuperShuttle at the hotel together. We quickly compared schedules and realized we’d be flying home together too, so decided to sit together on the flight back from Denver.
That three-plus hour flight turned into a definite God-thing. Ashley’s husband is now the designer of the WhiteFire book covers–so kudos on the awesome image of A Stray Drop of Blood goes to him–and Ashely herself was sweet enough to model for us, so the Abigail you see on my cover is actually her. =)
Ashley’s debut book is releasing in September, and I know this is a book that digs deep into the heart. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! It didn’t take much conversation to realize that Ashley is a woman of incredible talent and passion, and I’m honored to help her in promotion.
Ashley’s offering a complimentary copy to one lucky reader. To enter for a chance to win it, please leave a comment below with an email address. You must be a follower to enter.
~*~
About Exposed
(from Ashley’s website)
Porn shreds the Happily Ever After page from the story of marriage. Then, it goes back to the beginning to tear out page after page on the way. When it’s trashed all of the marriage it can, it perforates the heart and with the gentleness of a murderer … porn rips out love.
That’s the story of Jessie and Ally Graham, a married couple struggling to cope after porn rips their marriage to pieces. They are not perfect, but they are real.
As you follow the story of Jessie and Ally you will also read the story of Taylor Adams, a young girl who naively falls into the porn industry and discovers how harmful it can be.
Throughout the pages of Exposed you will see the aching truths hidden behind the porn industry’s mask. Taylor’s story is not reality for every porn star, but it is for many. I have chosen to omit language and details to protect the minds of my readers, but the porn industry can be much, much worse than it is portrayed in these pages. Also, the wife’s story may seem melodramatic to some, but it is loosely based off of my story and the story of many women who write to me. No story is the same and some may be better or worse than the lives I’ve chosen to show in these pages, but for many of us … these stories are painfully real.
~*~
What’s your latest book?
Exposed: A Novel (Winslet Press) September 2010
I’m so excited about this book! What’s your favorite part of the story?
Well, ultimately I’d have to go with the ending. I love the redemptive qualities of it. But there are pieces throughout that stick with me. I love a lot of the flashbacks of Ally and Jessie’s marriage. Their romance is beautiful.
Guess you can’t go into too much detail about that ending, huh? 😉 What was the hardest part to write?
Honestly, this book flew right outta my fingers! It lived inside of me and needed to breathe, so it never gave me time to slow down. I’d say, for me, the emotional parts were difficult to write though. My critiquer (Mary DeMuth) always told me to elongate those scenes. I guess naturally I didn’t want to “go there.” But Mary helped bring it out of me.
Critters are invaluable like that–and if Mary critiques half as well as she writes, she’s definitely worth listening to! What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
Truth, even when it hurts. And that there is beauty after rain and purpose in our suffering.
Ah, “Beauty After Rain” is your tagline–love that. Is there a theme to this book?
Redemption. Love overcomes all things.
What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
To write? Not women’s fiction, believe it or not! I like to write non-CBA contemporary fiction. And I like to read contemporary fiction. I’m not a huge women’s fiction fan, even though I ended up writing a novel that is 100% women’s fiction.
Just goes to show that you never know what the Lord might impress upon you, eh? What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
Actually, I’m reading nothing but the Bible. I’ve read so much lately. I just need a break to focus on Him. I just finished Mary DeMuth’s beautiful novel, Life in Defiance. Gina Holmes’ Crossing Oceans. Those were both amazing novels. Next, I want to read something different, something unique. Not sure what that is yet.
Have you tried Lisa Samson? I have a feeling you might like her stuff. But let’s shift it up a bit and ask a fun question: What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
Oddly, they are the same – my couch!
Sweet! Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
Mary DeMuth. =)
Can we pick her up at the local supercenter? 😉 What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
Phew. That people aren’t always what they seem. That it’s much more businessy than you initially think. How much an author is required to market their own book even with a publisher. All of it. The entire process. All of the querying, the rejections, the process the board goes through, agent details¾all of it. It’s a whole new world, a new fantastic point of view!
Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
Mary DeMuth is my super woman. Susan Meissner critiqued for me as well. But no family, no writing group, no friends. Just Mary and good ol’ Sooz.
Those are some impressive critters! Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Oh, I don’t know … changing diapers, feeding babies, staring at walls wondering what my name is, cleaning the floor, enjoying the invention of the Sleepy Wrap, our design business, emails from women who are healing from their husband’s sex addictions, etc. We are super busy people. We often lose our brains under couch cushions.
LOL. I know that feeling! If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving of gifts to charities allowed!)
An orphan.
Well sheesh, that’s a make-me-teary-eyed answer to a supposedly-silly question! What a loving heart you have, Ashley! What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the hardest (or unlikeliest) but most rewarding to achieve?
I really have no idea. I guess I’m always reasonable. Shocking.
Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?
The time I called myself and said, “Hey, self, I’m publishing your book for you.”
Is that what you meant? Haha!
Well, knowing a bit about the actual thought process that brought to you that point, I know that probably was a big moment–when the decision was made! Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
Sure. The morbid thoughts. Always imagining life if my husband dies. Zoning out at restaurants and hearing my husband say, “Are you being a writer again?” Oh, the list goes on.
What are you writing right now?
My grocery list. Seriously. I’m done writing for now. I need to focus on my young family and our design business. But there is a book in my heart inspired by Tupac Shakur. It would be ABA and it’s about the ugliness of racism, the beauty of people throughout history, and the heart of a drug dealer. For now, though, I’m taking a break for a few years to chill out and write for enjoyment. Although I may do some non-fiction books for More than Desire, the blog I have for women healing from the shadows of pornography.
Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
My grocery list?
LOL. Yes, be sure and publish that for us. =) Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
Charles Martin. But Exposed is written in a different tone than what I’d write if it were contemporary fiction, instead of women’s. I think I have a general “voice,” but really … I have many, many tones and sometimes I allow myself to be more poetic than others. For my next book, from the POV of a drug dealer … it’s going to be tough to make it sound all Charles Martiny. =)
~*~
Thanks so much for visiting, Ashley! As everyone can see, Ashley is a woman of great heart, great depth, and great love for what the Lord has put in her life. Please check out her website at www.ashleyweis.com.
She’s taking pre-orders for Exposed now, and you can enter into a fabulous contest she’s running if you visit www.exposedanovel.com.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Contest ends 8/23/10. Winners will have two weeks to claim prizes.
by Roseanna White | Aug 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
Hey, I’m blogging about what’s on my mind today. 😉 I’m sitting here thinking, “Okay, I need to detatch the munchkin and go get coffee. Coffee. Coooofffffffeeeeeeeee.” But I can make this about my contemporaries. Really I can.
I grew up aware that most people drink coffee, but in a split household. My mom always had her two cups each morning (though she often has tea instead these days), but my dad does NOT drink coffee. Or hot tea. Or hot chocolate, mostly. He doesn’t drink anything hot. As my sister and I grew up, we pretty much liked it all. For a while, we drank more tea than coffee. Then more coffee than tea. I have a few friends who don’t like coffee, some who drink it like water . . . you get the point.
More often than not, when reading a book, people just drink coffee, or just don’t. It’s never a big deal, and that’s totally cool. But when I craft my characters, whether or not they’re coffee drinkers can sometimes be a huge part of their personality.
Take Davina for instance. Davina detests coffee and is so die-hard a tea fan that she has a whole ritual around tea drinking. Her best friend and the hero are both coffee drinkers, and he at one point jokes that Davina couldn’t make a decent pot of coffee to save her life, though maybe if she drank it once in a while . . . to which she replies, “Why would I do that to my poor tongue?”
Then there’s Louisa. Louisa has never developed a taste for coffee, but she works at her mother’s inn and makes a perfect pot. She knows the science of it, the art of it, and would probably be glad to give you a few fun FYI about bean selection, how to ground it, where to store it, and the correct ratio of grounds to water. Now, she wouldn’t volunteer this info–but if you asked, she could tell you. The hero, an avid coffee drinker, when informed that she made the perfect coffee in his hands replies with, “Oh, you finally got a taste for it, did you?” Which betrays that he remembers his preferences of nine years ago, though he keeps trying to say those memories are long forgotten.
My point . . . do I have to have one of those? LOL. I think my point is simply that even things as small as whether or not a character drinks coffee, tea, or nothing at all can really play into who they are. Each small decision about them shapes who they are. And once you know them, you can have a ton of fun using those little things to make points.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, 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. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.