Story Time . . . THE BIG 5-OH! – Interview and Giveaway!!

Story Time . . . THE BIG 5-OH! – Interview and Giveaway!!

by | Feb 23, 2010 | Uncategorized

For Story Time Tuesday this week we’re going to be talking to the hilarious Sandra Bricker about her latest romantic comedy, The Big 5-Oh! Having read her romantic comedies before, I can assure you this is a book you want to hear about!!

Sandie has graciously offered a copy of the novel to one lucky reader, so as usual, leave your comments below with a way to reach you.

~*~

About Sandra

Sandra D. Bricker has been publishing in both the Christian and general market for years with novels for women and teens, magazine articles and short stories. With 11 novels in print and 4 more slated for publication through 2011, Sandie has carved out a niche for herself as an author of laugh-out-loud comedy for the inspirational market. Last year’s Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas garnered three readers’ choice award nods. Sandie was an entertainment publicist in Hollywood for 15+ years and now lives in Tampa, Florida. To keep up with her blog, readers can visit http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com.

About The Big 5-Oh!

Olivia Wallace can’t remember a birthday that wasn’t marked by illness, tragedy or both. And now, as she emerges victorious over cancer and approaches The Big Five-Oh, she is determined to change her course. Better late than never, right? That’s what Liv believes when she leaves a snowy Ohio winter behind and runs away to Florida to regroup. Amidst a crazy cast of characters that include a dog with a lampshade collar, a rogue alligator and a flirtatious octogenarian, Liv finds the biggest birthday surprise of all … A second chance at love.

~*~

What’s your latest book?

The Big 5-OH! from Abingdon Press. It was released on the 1st of this month.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

The main character’s story begins as she’s coming out of a long battle with ovarian cancer. I’m a survivor myself, and I remember that feeling of “What now?!” … so I love Olivia’s willingness to dive completely out of her box to make a new beginning for herself.

That’s got to be challenging. I have several family members who have been through cancer, so I know secondhand what you mean. But back to books. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I love writing romantic comedy. There’s just something really liberating for me as an author when I get to pour my faith and my funny into the same project! As far as reading goes, I’m eclectic … but I really love suspense.

And I love reading your romantic comedies. =) Snowball remains at the top of my “hey, you’ve GOT to read this!” list. So is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?

Every one of my books has a soundtrack. For instance, for The Big 5-OH! it was Michael Buble. His music just gets to me, and I had one of his CDs playing almost the whole time I was writing. It was so inspiring, in fact, that he carried over to the next book with me. =)

Hmm, my soundtrack seems to be Playhouse Disney. I think yours might be more inspiring, LOL. Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?

Absolutely. I have an astounding circle of support for a chick with no family! So as I’m writing, there are two people who read as I go. Neither of them are writers; they’re both avid readers. Jemelle reads for continuity and flow; she’s an eagle-eye when it comes to this kind of thing. And Marian reads for entertainment value. She tells me whether I’m serving my readers by giving them a really fun ride. I seriously wouldn’t be the writer I am without these two women. Girl power!

Go, girls! Nothing beats those readers who are just readers. I’ve got a couple of them myself. Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

I’m one of the few full-time writers who also works a full-time job. I’m an editor out in Corporate America, so 40+ hours per week belongs to someone else.

You have my awe. Though I guess most of my hours like that go to my kiddos, so maybe I DO know how you feel! Now, here’s a fun question. If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)

I am just about to close on my very first home. I’d sail through five grand in a nanosecond buying all new furniture, lighting fixtures and adding on a lanai.

With you on that one! What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the hardest (or unlikeliest) but most rewarding to achieve?

I started my writing career as a screenwriter. The love I have for the medium has been building since I was a kid. So as unlikely as it seems, I really want to see my books cross over to movie and television screens! And then I’d like to follow in the footsteps of my hero: Nora Ephron.

They could make some laugh-out-loud scripts! What are you writing right now?

I’m writing Love Finds You in Carmel, California for Summerside Press. It should hit bookstores this October, so you can imagine how tight my deadline is!

WOW. That’s super-tight. And ooey-gooey and delicious-sounding. =) Any other upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?

In September, Abingdon Press will release Always the Baker, Never the Bride, a comedy about a confectionary genius who happens to be diabetic.

And Roseanna will be keeping her eye out for that one! Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?

Several, actually. I’ll probably get a good laugh when I admit that the first author whose novels made me want to write was Danielle Steel. And I found the inspirational market by reading This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. It was genius, and it lit the fire in my belly to make this my career. These days, I’m influenced by Kristin Billerbeck, Robin Jones Gunn and Colleen Coble.

~*~

Thanks for chatting, Sandie! Readers, Sandie can offer you a really cool extra. You can get a sneak peak at the first three chapters from the publisher!

You can also view the video trailer here.

For those of you not lucky enough to win the drawing, you can purchase the book from Amazon or CrossPurposes.

Void where prohibited. Contest ends 3/1/10. Winner will have two weeks to respond before another winner is selected.

Modern . . . Adages

by | Feb 22, 2010 | Uncategorized

Today’s the last day to enter the drawing for The Stones, so be sure to read the interview and sign up for the giveaway! I got a little off schedule last week, so we’ll be having another giveaway tomorrow for Sandra Bricker’s fabulous The Big 5-Oh! Sure to be a riot, so check it out!

~*~

Okay, it’s 7:40 and I just realized I hadn’t written my blog for today–you know, the one I usually schedule to post at 6. I’ve been a mite distracted, you see, with getting a proposal ready to send to an editor who requested it. And since said proposal is for a historical set in 1784, I’ve got absolutely nothing modern on my mind. So naturally I’m going to cheat and apply something old to my Modern Monday. =)

In researching how people talked back in that particular day, yesterday I picked up an essay by Ben Franklin. The whole premise is something like, “So authors don’t respect me, but you know what? They’re stupid. Do you snooty writers have any idea how often the common folks quote my Poor Richard’s Almanac? Well let me tell you a story.” And he goes on to write out this speech an old dude gives that is comprised almost entirely of Poor Richard quotes.

Which made me realize that 90% of American idioms and adages and cliches come to us from Ben Franklin. Seriously. “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise.” Ben Franklin. “Three may keep a secret if two of them be dead.” Ben Franklin. “God helps them that help themselves.” Ben Franklin.

I could go on, but suffice it to say it got me thinking about things that today we consider cliche. How often do we stop to consider that once they were new–even revolutionary? It can get tricky when writing a historical. I can write something that would be a startling turn of phrase to my characters, but my diligent critters will flag it as cliche.

But I’m talking modern. Right. (Grin.) I also ran into this a lot in the book now dubbed Love Me Silly. One of my character’s quirks is that she is very, er, talkative. And talkative people say so much that obviously cliches sneak in. But I made an effort to make the adages, idioms, and cliches uniquely her own. One example, from when she deliberately makes the hero jealous with tales of another guy:

Seeing him so green tickled her so pink that . . .

Yes, “tickled pink” is cliche. But juxtaposed with the turning green thing, which is also cliche, is fun and fresh and in keeping with my character’s voice.

Ben Franklin got his acclaim because he took sentiments everyone knew and arranged them in clever phrases, catchy rhymes, and punchy deliveries. That, I think, is what all we authors must do if we want people to remember our words. There are no new ideas out there, so we’re told. But we can tell about the old ones in new ways.

~*~

In wonderful, random news, A Stray Drop of Blood has been voted in as the May selection for ACFW’s book club. Woo hoo! This book club is a Yahoo! group that can be joined by anyone, so if you’re interested in reading the novel and then chatting about it with a collection of other readers, sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acfwbookclub. The first half of May will be when people have time to read it, and the second half it’ll be discussed. Then I’ll be having a live chat on June 7. Should be fun!

My Friend Michelle – Interview

My Friend Michelle – Interview

by | Feb 18, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my friend and fellow HisWriter, Michelle Greip. Michelle’s going to talk with us today about her medieval, Gallimore. You’re in for a treat! This lady is going to make you laugh.

~*~

About Michelle

Michelle’s been writing since she first discovered Crayolas and blank wall space. She seeks to glorify God by imparting Biblical truths through the medium of fiction…well, except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager.

~*~

About Gallimore

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.

~*~

What’s your latest book?

Most recent is Gallimore, by Black Lyon Publishing, which released December 2008.

I remember when I got it in the mail to review–my mother stole it before I had a chance to read it, LOL. Such a great cover! I need to remember to get it back from her so I can read it. For now, you can tell me about it. Is there a theme to this book?
Love and forgiveness are choices, not feelings. I don’t think Jesus particularly felt like having his back ripped open or getting nailed to a hunk of wood and left to die. Nevertheless, He chose to do so. Should we do any less?

Okay, OW. And point well taken. =) So what are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?

For now my bookmarks are in: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, The Raven Saint by Marylu Tyndall, and Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

My to-be-read pile is kind of frightening, actually, but at surfacing at the top is Pirate Latitudes: a Novel by Michael Crichton.

Your reading stack is my to-read stack. =) What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?

This is hands-down the slowest business known to mankind. Sheesh. Waiting for a response to a query, then a proposal, followed by a manuscript read, and finally hurdling countless committees…during which at any point in the process you can receive a rejection and have to go back to start.

I hear ya! Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?

I’ve got several critiquers who I trust will not let me out in public with literary toilet paper trailing on my writing shoes. Silverarrows, Y (who shall forever remain a capital letter), and Shannon McNear.

Okay, got a good grin out of that one. Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

Homeschooling and teaching (high school level Creative Writing and Civics). That and cleaning up the continual trail of destruction left behind in the wake of my behaviorally challenged dog.

Oh, I could tell you some stories about the destruction trailing a dog, LOL. What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the hardest (or unlikeliest) but most rewarding to achieve?

You mean besides hitting number one on the New York Bestsellers list for fifty-two consecutive weeks in a row? Then it would definitely be having one soul (thousands would be preferable) seek after and find the amazing God of the universe because of something I wrote.

I got both a grin AND an “ah” out of that one! Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?

Yeah. Good thing I was sitting at my home office desk…I hadn’t wet my pants since second grade.

LOL! What are you writing right now?

Currently I’m half-way through a historical set in 1795 England. The hero is an opium addict and the heroine lives with her brother who is an Anglican priest going mad.

Wow. That’s obviously just a stroll-through-the-country romance, right? 😉 Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?

Several…
Dr. Seuss – for whimsy
Ginger Garrett – killer prose and clever phrases
Charlotte Bronte – haunting settings
Charles Dickens – amazingly descriptive characters

~*~

Thanks for visiting, Michelle! You are such a fun lady to talk to. =) Hope everyone enjoyed getting to know her a little better. Check out her website at www.MMGriep.com

You can purchase Gallimore from the publisher.

Thoughtful About . . . Bartok the Jeep

by | Feb 18, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized

Again, TWO giveaways to remind you of! First is Friday’s of Deliver Us from Evil by Robin Caroll (romantic suspense), and then Tuesday’s of The Stones by Eleanor Gustafson (Biblical Fiction).

And while I’m reminding, don’t forget to check out giveaways of A Stray Drop of Blood on ICFW, A Fiction-Filled Life, and Mary’s Musings.

~*~

Okay, one of my quirks. I name my cars. And not just mine, mind you–I also named my then-boyfriend’s Jeep when he first got it back in high school. (Then-boyfriend equals now-husband, for those of you who aren’t aware.)

When David got his Jeep, it was only a few years old but had over a hundred thousand miles–it was a guy’s business vehicle, and he made a lot of trips with it. All highway miles, and it had been very well maintained. This was round about the time the Anastasia animated movie came out, which I adored. I promptly dubbed his Jeep Bartok, after the little white bat in the movie, which was by far my favorite character. (The Jeep’s green, but you know. Who cares about details like that?)

So, Bartok the Jeep underwent more commuting with David’s step-father, who drives for a living . . . and then went to college with us. College was 2.5 hours away, just close enough to mean we came home every other weekend or so. Far enough that those miles kept piling up on the odometer.

Bartok now has approximately 370,000 miles. Yes, you read that right. Three hundred seventy THOUSAND miles. (We’re doing all we can to get it to a million. Think the Jeep folks will give us some kind of prize for that??)

Well, when a fifteen year-old Jeep has that many miles, you just have to assume it’s going to be even quirkier than I am. That weird jingle? Yeah, that’s been there for years. The vibration in the dash? Get used to it.

But sometimes Bartok goes beyond quirky and into growl-inducing. Yes, it’s to be expected. But when the thing follows up weird noises and fritzed-out dash lights/blinkers/heaters with not restarting? Not. Cool. Luckily, this happened the other day when we were at the Library, so had it not started back up, we would have at least been stranded with limitless reading material. =)

For those curious, my hubby managed to jiggle wires in the steering column until the key would turn and we could get home, but still. I had to give Bartok a pat and say something like, “Poor old boy. We’ll get you fixed up.”

Because you just can’t abandon a work horse that will gladly travel over chunks of ice, puddles of slush, barrels of mud, and feet of snow. A machine that keeps going and going as that half-mil mark draws ever closer on its odometer. A member of the family that will probably outlast the more stylish and luxurious Xander, who lives in the garage bay beside it.

So here’s to Bartok. You deserve a toast, baby. We’ll get you all fixed up with a new relay or whatever in no time. (And will have that rust fixed soon too!) Three cheers to you, ol’ boy!

Remember When . . . Your Hair Went White?

Remember When . . . Your Hair Went White?

by | Feb 17, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized

Wow, TWO giveaways to remind you of! First is Friday’s of Deliver Us from Evil by Robin Caroll (romantic suspense), and then yesterday’s of The Stones by Eleanor Gustafson (Biblical Fiction).

And while I’m reminding, don’t forget to check out giveaways of A Stray Drop of Blood on ICFW, A Fiction-Filled Life, and Mary’s Musings.

~*~

So, those of you who have been reading this blog for months may recall my mention over the summer over of a story idea that would take place in post-Revolution Annapolis, Maryland. I got the go-ahead to put together a proposal for it, so now I have all these 1780s tidbits floating around my head. Hope y’all are interested, cuz you’re about to get some of them!

One of things I’m coming across for my particular stretch of time–late 1783 through early 1784–is that fashion was drastically changing for the first time in a couple decades. For quite a while, the hairstyles had gotten larger, more extravagant, and were either powdered or covered with powdered wigs. Then all of a sudden hats got more extravagant, and hair was all of a sudden worn in loose curls, totally down, in a natural color.

For decades dresses had been large, hooped, bustled (though that wasn’t the word for it at the time) and frilled–especially formal wear. Then in the mid 1780s Marie Antoinette all of a sudden introduced the “chemise gown.” So named because instead of volume, it was a simple swath, sashes, a precursor to the empire styles we know and love from Regency days. When it first appeared on the scene, to most it looked like nothing more than an undergarment, hence the name “chemise.”

Interesting, huh? I’m always so intrigued by how fashion can change subtly, subtly, and the WHAM! All of sudden hemlines rise (in the case of the 1920s), necklines plunge, volume decreases, undergarments change, hair goes from up-to-the-ceiling to totally down . . . and why, I ask, do my settings always seem to be in those transition years?? I don’t plan it that way, but every time I look up the fashion for my particular year, I find it to be in transition, not what I associate with the “typical” for an era. Sheesh. 😉

Another thing that struck me yet again is the corset. They were called stays at the time, but still. It was a corset. Corset were worn by all women for centuries and centuries, even well into ours. They made a brief exit in the early 1920s, but women didn’t like the bulges that emerged without them, so they quickly came back in, though in a more comfortable form. What happened to that?? I mean, I’m all for comfort, but seriously. I find it strange.

And that sums up my musings on fashion for now. I got a few books out of the Library I’m going to be looking at tomorrow, so who knows what weird little factoids I’ll have for you next week. 😉 Hope everyone has a fun Wednesday!

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