by Roseanna White | Jul 28, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Most of you have probably already seen me post this elsewhere–or gathered it from my previous blogs this week–but it’s official. I am done-done-diggity-done Jewel of Persia!
Okay, so I finished the story. I’m not exactly done with it. There will yet be tweaking, trimming, and editing. Still. Always a heady feeling to realize you’ve reached that final point in a book. I did that at 10:45 p.m. last Friday.
Saturday, I proceeded to type up a cast of characters, as recommended by friend and critique partner Dina. My hubby scoffed at this and said, “Oh, it’s not hard to keep them all straight.” I hope he’s right. Especially because as I started making my list, it soon swelled to fifty–50!–characters.
Now, I cannot be blamed for this. It’s history’s fault. Herodotus–and even the writer of the book of Esther–name so many stinking people. Had they not, I would have clumped several figures into one. I mean, how many brothers does one king need? But alas. In the interest of accuracy . . . my compromise was to not name anyone with whom I could get away with it. So though my heroine had seven servants, we only know the names of three. Though she had nine siblings, we only know the names of four. I tried to keep it reasonable, really I did! LOL
Another kinda grump I’ve had since finishing it is considering what comes afterward. My hubby (and publisher) wants to know what happened to Esther and the other wives and children after Xerxes is assassinated 8 years after the close of my book (and the Biblical book). A quick perusal online told me one thing, so I sat down with my Bible . . . and quickly decided the online sources were dead wrong. Which is annoying, because I mentioned something in my Author’s Note at the end of the book that I’m not sure holds. Grrrr.
Oddly, this again comes back to names. My online source was crediting something to Artaxerxes I that actually belongs to Artaxerxes II. Which wouldn’t be an issue if these people used more than three or four names. What’s up with royalty anyway? That cast of characters proves there were plenty of names in the ancient world, so why was everyone in the Achamenid dynasty named Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, or Artaxerxes?? I mean really. 😉
Grumps aside, I’m still floating on the sensation of being finished . . . and actually looking forward to diving into edits and trims next week!
by Roseanna White | Jul 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
Okay, I’ve done it again. I’ve been so busy finishing up Jewel of Persia that I’ve barely been reading these past few weeks. I took quite a few books with me on vacation, decided to read the Nora Roberts I got from the library first, and just managed to finish it this Sunday. As in, nearly two weeks after starting it.
Good thing I have a finished manuscript under my belt now, or that would be downright embarrassing!
The point being, I have nothing much to say today about one book in particular. So I’m going to talk about a few.
First, have you all read The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series and/or directed your teens to it? It’s a super-awesome YA series, the third and final book of which just released. So Over It. They were all awesome, but this one is hands-down the best. I mean, it’s set largely in Hawaii. Do I need to say more? I can–I can go on and on. In this one Skylar faces down the demons from her past, and what she learns makes her redefine everything she’d founded the last year of her life on. Forced to reevaluate what it means to be a daughter, a sister, a friend, a girlfriend–and most of all a Christian–Skylar must finally get over her hangups so she can move on with her life.
Next, I have sitting in my bag Cara Putman’s Stars in the Night. The cover is gorgeous, and the book sounds soooooo good. It’s about movie stars touring the country on a train in the 40s to sell war bonds–and the sister of one late starlet, determined to find her sister’s murderer, no matter the danger. I really hoped to start this one on vacation, but alas. I kept writing instead. =)
I’ve recently picked up Sandi Patty’s The Edge of the Divine, which releases next week. I’ll be posting an interview with Sandi soon, which is pretty exciting for me. I think she might be the most famous person I’ve ever interviewed, LOL. This book is about how through a year of weight loss brought on a surgical procedure, she grew in faith and came to some great epiphanies about living life on a spiritual edge, hand-in-hand with the Lord. Though I’ve never shared her particular struggled, the insights she pulls from them are right-on and relevant for anyone, especially women. I’m especially loving the scripture she uses.
I’m also going to start tonight (or re-start, rather, on my hubby’s new tablet) Wounded S
pirits by April Gardner, which is due out this fall. I opened this one up and gave a blissful sigh. Native Americans! I looooooove these amazing people and their cultures, but it’s been many years since I’ve read a book about them–I suspect that’s a genre that kinda burned itself out in the 90s, and now it’s going to have to climb slowly out of the ashes. April Gardner is a solid writer, and I can’t wait to see what she does with her very intriguing premise!
And enough from me. Stuff to do. =)
by Roseanna White | Jul 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
Nice title, eh? Given that “modern technology” is a thing in itself. Oh yes. I’m brilliant this morning before my coffee. =)
Anyhoo. Here in the White household, my hubby just ordered a tablet (kinda like a Kindle but capable of internet access), and we’re super excited to receive it. For the last two months he’s been spitting out phrases like, “If I had a tablet, I’d do this right now.” And given that “do this” often includes helping me with my stuff, I was all in favor of ordering one. And now I’m thinking, “When David gets his tablet, I can borrow it to . . .” =)
Which got me thinking about the roles technology plays in my books. As a rule, I don’t mention any specifics because I don’t want to date my manuscripts. But sometimes I have characters who are so interested in it that it can’t go without mention. In Yesterday’s Tides my hero, Rem(ington) is a techno-guru at the CIA. So he’s one of those guys that travels with two bags. His laptop case, and the one for everything else.
In Seized, my hero is the dude on the ship that monitors radar and other computer feedback (it has a name. I can’t think of it right this second. Pre-coffee, as I already warned y’all), so he’s pretty handy with the machines too. Will get interesting when he’s trying to teach the basics of 21st century technology to the heroine, who has never even dialed a phone.
I’ve noted in recent years that one way I can tell older books by some favorite authors versus current ones is the technology present in the stories. Picked one up a while back and laughed when the character was attacked somewhere away from her home, and she had no way to communicate with the hero. This day and age, a cell phone would be whipped out in about half a second–or else the author would have to make it clear why she couldn’t.
Technology does indeed shape our lives–how does it shape our stories? Any funny or just brilliant examples of how you’ve seen it utilized in a book you’ve read or one you’re writing?
by Roseanna White | Jul 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m pleased to welcome Cathy Bryant to my blog. Cathy hosted me over at WordVessel when my novel debuted, and I received such a warm welcome that I hope y’all show her an awesome welcome here too!
As usual, please leave your comments below with an email address for a chance to win a copy of Cathy’s book!
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About Cathy
Cathy Bryant’s debut novel, Texas Roads, was a 2009 finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis competition and is available wherever books are sold. A Texas gal by birth, Cathy lives with her husband in a century-old Texas farmhouse, complete with picket fence, flowers, butterflies, and late summer mosquitoes the size of your fist.
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About Texas Roads
Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quaint country charm, quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over…except for the cowboy who gives a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating secret propel her down a road she never expected to travel.
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What’s your latest book?
My latest book is TEXAS ROADS (published under my imprint, WordVessel Press, March 2010).
What was the hardest part to write?
The scene where Dani uncovers an age-old secret was very emotional. I can only speak for myself, but emotional scenes are exhausting to write. Sports writer Red Smith said: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” That’s what writing emotional scenes feels like to me.
LOL. What a fabulous analogy. I just nearly killed my heroine today (again–this chick has some bad luck!), so yeah. I get it. =) What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
First of all, I hope they glimpse God’s goodness and sovereignty even in the midst of trying circumstances. I also hope as they visit Miller’s Creek, Texas, they feel they’ve arrived in a place that is both charming and vaguely familiar.
Oh, I love it when a setting becomes a friend. Is there a theme to this book?
Yes. The theme of the book is finding home, and comes from my own spiritual journey. For years it seemed my family and I were destined to be Texas nomads. Just about the time we’d start to put down roots, God yanked us up and transplanted us to yet another small Texas town. I longed for a place we could make home, but God had a lesson He wanted me to learn. No place on earth will ever truly be home for believers. Only God can fill that home-sized hole in each of our hearts. Only He was intended to.
This verse from John 14:23 became the theme verse for the novel: If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and We will make Our home with him. Dani Davis, one of the main characters, takes the same spiritual journey I did a few years ago.
“Texas nomad”–I love it. And a fabulous lesson. Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
My hubby and I recently took a “Texas Roads” trip to see the beautiful bluebonnet display in the Texas Hill Country. We stopped at a convenience store in one small town. I stayed in the car while my husband went in. When he came out, he found me eyeing an older gentleman standing nearby. I nudged him and said, “That’s Bo Miller.” (Bo is one of the minor characters in the story.) A few minutes later, we stopped at the town’s Library. As we were walking in, we passed a lady dressed in pioneer attire. She sent us a sunny smile and a “hello.” We looked at each other and both said at the same time: “Mama Beth.” (Mama Beth is one of the main characters in the story, a wise old woman who serves as a mother figure for Miller’s Creek.) I love running into people that remind me of my characters!
And two in the same trip? Jackpot! LOL. What are you writing right now?
I’m currently working on book two in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series, tentatively titled A Path Less Traveled (and hopefully available in the Fall of 2010). Here’s the basic storyline:
Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband’s life, she determines to make a life for herself and her son without outside help. But will that entail leaving the place that’s etched on her heart?
Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller’s Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he’s not prepared for falling in love–especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career.
Will Andy and Trish be able to see beyond the obvious to take the path less traveled?
The story will feature Andy and Trish, but will also include the old friends from Miller’s Creek.
Sounds great! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?
I would have to credit Francine Rivers for first drawing me into the world of Christian fiction. I remember sobbing (on more than one occasion!) as I read Redeeming Love. I knew then I wanted to touch people and make a difference in their lives through the stories I wrote.
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Thanks for visiting, Cathy! Readers, don’t forget to check out WordVessel. You can purchase Texas Roads at Amazon.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Contest ends 7/29/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim book.
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.