by Roseanna White | Nov 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
First, don’t forget that the book signing is still running! Until 7 December, you can order signed and personalized copies of 190 books by 70 authors. So click on that banner above and get shopping. It’s Cyber Monday, you know. 😉
And now only my real topic. My hubby and I were discussing books and series and sequels and prequels yesterday, and he summed it up rather nicely by saying, “any book in the same world.” That really stuck with me, because I knew exactly what he meant. Not that two books necessarily had the same characters or family, but they existed in the same fictional world, with the same fictionalized things.
See, I often decide in my contemporaries, “Well, I’ve already created this once, so I’ll just stick with it.” Which is a little strange when you consider that I’m using aspects of My World that I created for manuscripts that I never finished, half the time. But hey, it works. Example?
I once began a story set in L.A., about a fashion duo taking over the design company of their grandparents. The company was Cassidy St. Claire, known as CsC. I so liked the way this looked that when another character in a whole other series wanted to mention working with a designer (but I didn’t want to use a real one), I chuckled to myself and thought, “Well, it looks like Kori’s branching out into this . . .” and had my character in my NC books suddenly dealing with these already-known-to-me folks in L.A.
And when I need a menacing foreign dealer in something illegal? Well, why not use the Phantom Russe from this book I never intend to get published? I mean, he’s already established in my mind for this . . .
Oddly, I have yet to do this with historicals, perhaps because my stories span too many years to really use the same creations. My Biblical characters can’t really exist in the same world as my Victorian duke, right? But with modern settings, it’s so easy (and fun!) to borrow one’s previous creations. Or, as I did in one story, to give my best friend a cameo when my characters ventured to the mall half a mile from her house. =) Or to mention the rowdy teens at the ice cream place that she talked about in her books . . .
Am I the only one that does this, or can you think of times you writers have used the same world for totally different stories? Or that you readers have noticed it? (I’ve noted it in a few best-sellers, and it makes me grin.)
by Roseanna White | Nov 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
It’s official, folks! The Christmas Book Signing Bash is LIVE!!! We’ve already sold our first books, and we are ready and waiting to take your orders too. Hop on over!
This is still a little amazing to me–when I had this idea I was expected maybe 25 authors. Then maybe 50. We ended up with 79 (!!!!!) authors with 190 books. Yowza! (And hence why for the last three weeks I’ve barely had time to do anything else.)
Last night my hubby asked me, “So what are your expectations for this?”
I replied. “I haven’t had time for expectations. My only expectation was, ‘I can get this done on time, I can get this done on time, I can get this done on time . . .'” =) And we did. If you want to check out the cool setup he arranged on the book store side of things, go to CrossPurposesBooks. If you want to see how I spent my last two weeks, click on the picture above and go to the Christian Review of Books. Check out our new logo while you’re there! Courtesy of Tekeme, of course. =)
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a lovely day (with minimal book signing work, other than designing that graphic you see above, ha ha), a truly gorgeous dinner (you rock, Mom!), and are looking forward to a successful online event! (Pray, y’all–pray it runs smooth as glass. Pllllleeeeeaaaaassssse!)
by Roseanna White | Nov 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today goes to friends. Have I ever mentioned that I have awesome friends?
Now, I suppose that comes with some explanation. When I moved home to Cumberland, all my friends here promptly scattered. I still have one about 40 minutes away in WV, and I love her dearly. But otherwise, my family are about the only ones I get together with regularly.
But I have so many friends that I get to talk to daily. Thank you, Lord, for the computer age! I am so, so grateful for the amazing friends I’ve made through the writing community. Many of them I met originally at conferences, some I’ve never met, others once or twice after emailing regularly.
Thank you, Lord, for friends that will tell me how it is, who worry about me and pray for me. Thank you for friends who understand me enough to know when to give advice and when to just listen. Who trust me enough to vent to me and share their upsets and worries and concerns. Thank you for those who seem to share a brain with me, and for those I talk to so rarely that it’s exciting when I do.
My friends are a rich tapestry, one that not only makes the wall of my life pretty, but which insulates me from the seeping cold of winter. I love each and every one of you. Each thread, in your spectrum of colors.
As for finding
Joy in the negative . . . I can’t actually think of a negative this morning. What a shame, LOL.
In non-Thanksgiving news, the setup for the online book signing is nearly complete! It won’t be officially open until Friday, but we’ve already seen our first sale, LOL. This should be fun! Spread the word!!
by Roseanna White | Nov 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m going to have to go with “my family” for wonderful things I’m thankful for.
I’m grateful for my parents, who always told me I could be anything I wanted, who encouraged me and loved me without condition. Who worked so hard to make sure we always had more than enough and are so proud of every accomplishment. I love you guys so much!
I’m grateful for my sister, who is also one of my dearest friends. I love how over the years we grew from squabbling kids to women who support and defend. You rock, Jen. =)
I’m thankful for my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, who provide such a rich tapestry of love and laughter.
I’m so, so grateful for my husband. God blessed us beyond measure when he introduced us at a young age. We’ve enjoyed nearly ten years of marriage, and each moment has been amazing. Yes, we occasionally fight–but I love that we actually like each other, that we enjoy spending time together, that we work well together. I’m so thankful for a honey who understands my every thought (or nearly, LOL), and with whom I have so many unexplainable jokes. Thank you, Lord, for a love that still makes me heart race every time I he comes home.
And of course, my adorable children. Though exhausting and sometimes frustrating as all children can be, they are so, so precious. Thank you, Lord for that unquenchable spark of life and cheer in Rowyn. I think he could laugh half the day–and spend the other half “vrooming trucks.” =) And You outdid yourself on the sweetness scale, Lord, when you crafted Xoe. I love that nearly all her games involve giving something to others, whether it’s a pretend letter to her brother’s toys or a “welcome home” card for her cousin.
And today, the “thankful in the bad” thing comes from them, too, LOL. They each woke me up once last night, and I couldn’t get back to sleep after the second. So I’m tired and a little sore this morning–but grateful. Thank you, Lord, for unexpected cuddle time with my kiddos. And for the prayer time while I lay awake. (Now if You wanted to help me wake up, that would be appreciated too. 😉
Have a great Tuesday, everyone! It’s the Thanksgiving Party at Story Time this morning, so my kids are pretty excited. =)
by Roseanna White | Nov 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
A popular theme this week, right? 😉 Well, some themes need to be taken up.
All month I’ve had my daughter drawing pictures in what we’re calling her “Thankful Book.” It’s just a book staples booklet of white paper. On the front she wrote, “Lord, I’m thankful for . . . ” and each day she colors a picture on a new page to finish the sentence. I figure I’ll do a version of that this week on my blog.
I want to start out with the scripture my dad used in his sermon this weekend. From Ephesians 5:18-20: “but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
One of the things he expounded on which really struck me was that giving thanks always for all things means thanking God for the bad along with the good. I really want to get the hang of that, LOL. It’s easy to thank him for the bad once it’s passed and we can see the good that came from it, but during? That’s tough. So this week, I not only want to thank Him for something good each day, I want to stretch myself and thank him for something bad. Anyone want to try this with me?
Today, Lord, I’m going to start out as my daughter did (which made me so proud) and say, “I’m thankful for Jesus.” He is my hope, my light, my life. Without Jesus . . . well, I’d be looking for Jesus. =)
I’m also thankful for this work load that has kept me so busy and exhausted this past week. Do I know if it’ll be “worth it”? No, I don’t. Did I learn something from it (other than, “Let’s give ourselves more time next year”)? Picture me shrugging. But God is the one who renewed the idea for this book signing in my mind at the precise moment He did, He is the one that stirred such an interest in it among the authors. So thank you, Lord–I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
What are you thankful for today?
by Roseanna White | Nov 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m happy to welcome Alice K. Arenz to my blog to talk about her latest release, Mirrored Image.
Alice has graciously offered a copy to one reader (U.S. only), so as usual please leave your comments below with an email address. And be sure you’re a follower!
~*~
About Mirrored Image
Eccentric newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase and by-the-book Detective Jeff McMichaels clash over the murder investigation of Lynette Sandler – a woman who looks eerily like the popular columnist.
The uncanny similarities of the two women’s lives and a rash of attacks on Cassie, lead her to the conclusion that she, not Lynette Sandler, was the murderer’s original mark.
For McMichaels, the Sandler case becomes more than just a test of his mental acumen. Despite departmental regulations and his own common sense, he finds himself drawn to a woman he was determined to dislike. But can he keep her alive long enough for their relationship to grow?
~*~
About Alice
Alice K. Arenz not only writes classic romantic suspense, she also writes cozy mysteries under A.K. Arenz. The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, was a finalist in ACFW’s 2009 Book of the Year contest. The second in The Bouncing Grandma Mystery Series, The Case of the Mystified M.D., was a 2010 ACFW Carol Award winner (formerly Book of the Year). Arenz is the mother of two and grandmother to four. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two Himalayan cats.
~*~
Hi Alice, thanks for visiting! What’s your latest book?
MIRRORED IMAGE, Sheaf House, Oct. 1, 2010
It sounds intriguing. What’s your favorite part of the story?
When the action starts getting a bit hairy for the heroine. J
LOL. One of those who love to tortures her characters, are you? =) What was the hardest part to write?
Can’t tell you or it would ruin the story. But if you read MIRRORED IMAGE, I know you’ll recognize the part immediately!
And she’s coy too. LOL. What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
Enjoyment. I want them to be glad they spent the time and money reading this book – not to regret it!
That’s why I read! I can totally get behind that purpose. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
My favorite reading material are mysteries, suspense, thrillers, so I guess it’s only natural that they would be my choice to write. I like surprises, too – like the comedy that comes out in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery Series. My husband is urging me to write a straight comedy – um . . . I guess “straight” and “comedy” don’t really go together.
A little humor just makes a book fun and memorable, doesn’t it? What’s one of the oddest or most interesting things someone has ever said about you?
I think she’s nuts because she not only hears voices, she actually believes they’re trying to get her to write their story!
LOL. What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
Dream would be neat and clean with a place for everything and everything in its place. Reality . . . can we stick with the dream? I was really getting into it!
Sure! I have a dream like that too. Somehow my reality . . . may look much like yours, LOL. Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
Book? Try books. Always on my desk in easy reach are two dictionaries and one thesaurus. In a nearby nook, are more reference books, including The Chicago Manual of Style, a couple of notebooks I put together eons ago with discriptions of color, character and characteristics – just about everything you could think of or might need when writing – and, most importantly, my Bible. Those other things might correct my spelling and answer questions on style, but what’s in my Bible gives me life.
=) Mine’s usually right near me too, unless I cart it elsewhere through the day. Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
This is an easy question. =) I rely heavily on my daughter Kelly, who has been helping me with my comma disability since she was in high school. She’s all grown up now with a daughter of her own, who she’s homeschooling.
Kelly and my husband Chris are my first readers & proofers, but all my family – daughter Randi, grandkids, and sons-in-law – are invaluable support.
I think Kelly and I would get along well. Three cheers for commas! 😉 What are you writing right now?
Right now I’m working on what used to be called a contemporary gothic/romantic suspense, but would now likely be called romantic suspense. The title is AN AMERICAN GOTHIC, which is a bit tongue-in-cheek – the “gothic” is actually the manuscript the heroine is writing. A paragraph or two of this second story begins each chapter, foreshadowing what’s coming in the main story.
Oh, that sounds cool! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
AN AMERICAN GOTHIC is scheduled for release on Oct. 1, 2011
Thanks for having me today!
~*~
Thanks for visiting, Alice! Readers, you can check out her website at www.akawriter.com. Look for her book at Amazon, or ChristianBook. And next week she’ll be participating in the big Christmas Book Signing Bash, so check her out then too!
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 11/26/10. 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. 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.