by Roseanna White | Nov 18, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I’ve noticed a trend lately. In action shows/movies, whenever bad guys are chasing the good guys through a public location, they always (and I mean always–I’ve counted at least three of these scenes in stuff I’ve watched the last two weeks) duck through some shiny, huge industrial kitchen. And more often than not, bullets follow.
Have you ever noticed that? Bullets turning heads of lettuce into cole slaw . . . ricocheting off polished carts of stainless steel . . . kitchen staff jumping out of the way and tossing bowls of who-knows-what . . .
What is up with that? I mean, I’m now laughing about it because I’ve noticed it in everything, but really. What’s the allure for the script writers, the choreographers? Does it make for exceptionally good blocking? Do the reflections off all that shining metal help with something? What??
So that’s my silly observation for the week. Pay attention, I bet you’ll start noticing kitchen-chase/shooting-scenes all over the place.
Anything you’ve noticed over and over in movies or TV?
by Roseanna White | Nov 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
And the winner of Margaret Daley’s A Daughter for Christmas is . . .
Natalie! (natalie_mclean1@ . . .)
Congrats, Natalie! I’m sending you an email now.
by Roseanna White | Nov 17, 2010 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Yeah, I know, I’ve already written about the post before. But that was the Persia version. This is the more familiar U.S. of A. =)
In researching how long it might take someone to travel by horse from Williamsburg to
Annapolis in 1783–in December–I came across some information about the post at the time. And, therefore, the post roads and regulations.
Philadelphia was the main Post Office, the kind of central workings. From there branched roads north and roads south. In the southwardly directly, the next major stop was (thankfully) Annapolis. From
Annapolis things either went over water by ferry or by land to (doo doo doo DOOOOO) Williamsburg. (Thank you, Lord!!!)
Now, the post roads were about the only dependable roads in the country at that point. They had to be–see, there was a rule that a postal rider must cover 100 miles in 24 hours. In those days, that was difficult. Riders often had to go straight through the night to make their deadline. And the pay, you wonder? For the six good-weather months of the year, April through October, they made 8 pence per mile. In October through April, they made 12.
Why was this helpful for me, you wonder? Because it is oh-so-important to realize that she was traveling solely by post road, which means quicker travel. But even they were tougher to get through in winter–another source I found said to take a good-weather estimate on travel and double it for winter travel estimates.
And there we have a lovely formula to figure out the timing necessary for my story. Lark’s letter would make it from
Annapolis to Williamsburg in two days. But it would take about a week for her to travel it by carriage, assuming some rain and mud and cold.
Boy am I glad to have figured THAT out!
by Roseanna White | Nov 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
I meant to post this forever ago but got sidetracked by a slew of Tuesday interviews . . . so here she be now. =) And Ashley just left a comment with an offer for a free book to one lucky commenter, so woo hoo! for you! See her comment below for details.
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Ally is a marriage counselor and a lover of love, a woman who has found happiness with her romantic husband and their life together . . . until one morning she discovers his addiction staring at her from the computer screen. All these years, he’s lied to her about something he knew was important to her. All these years, the relationship she thought was perfect was just a veneer over his need to look at other women. How is she supposed to go on now? How is she supposed to help other people mend their marriages when she’s not sure she even believes in them anymore?
Taylor Adams is a young girl who just wants to be appreciated. When smooth-talking Andy convinces her she’s a born model . . . and then leads her a little farther than she wants to go . . . she follows along just to get a morsel of his affection. But before long she’s over her head in the porn industry, trying to be someone she’s not so that she doesn’t have to see the aching, bleeding holes that have pierced Taylor through. Is there anything better for her out there? Or will she be forever judged by the people supposed to offer her forgiveness?
When these two women’s lives cross, both have wounds to keep them from opening up to the other–but through the overwhelming love of the Father who never disappoints, they see that beauty comes after the rain.
Exposed is by no means an easy book. Ashley Weis depicts the porn industry in all its ugliness and brutality, exposing the glamorous side for the mask it is. Also faithfully she portrays the hurts that result from a marriage wrecked by pornography, and the difficult path it takes to renew a relationship. No, this book isn’t easy–but it’s necessary. In our world today, porn is so often joked about, assumed to be common and acceptable for men, taken for granted. It’s high time a novel tackle the issue and demonstrate the true cost of porn–both for the viewers and the women who make a life from it.
This is one of the few books that has made me tear up at the end, which is especially remarkable since I knew how it ended through a conversation with the author long before the book came out. But seeing the touch of the Lord through these two stories, and the way He wove Ally’s and Taylor’s lives together . . . wow. If porn has ever touched your life, or the life of someone dear to you, this is a must-read. Or if you just want an engaging women’s fiction of, forgiveness, grace, and the healing power of love, this is also a must-read.
There were times when I found Taylor’s story more engaging than Ally’s, and times when I had to put the book down to give myself a short break from the stark reality within the pages. Still, it’s a strong book, well written and intense. Overall, I’d say that reading this book is an experience–one you’ll never forget. Beware: this is a story that will open your eyes.
***
Ashley Weis doesn’t just write fiction about this stuff–she also actively ministers to porn stars and encourages them in new lives, as well as encouraging those whose marriages have been affected by the industry and addiction on her blog, More Than Desire. A portion of all sales of Exposed goes to benefit the Pink Cross Foundation, XXXChurch.com, and Covenant Eyes.
by Roseanna White | Nov 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’m sorry. Due to technical difficulties (with my brain) this blog will not be bringing you glimpses into contemporary stories today. Which is to say, the writer of said blog’s poor little mind is so overwhelmed with the details and logistics of this online signing she’s planning that she can’t think of anything else.
Please bear with us. Tomorrow there will be a book review (got three different books I need to write one for . . .) and Wednesday should bring history without issue. But today–ugh. It’s Monday, I’ve already had internet issues, and, well, I have a new pile of email concerning this spectacular event I need to tackle before the school day begins.
So . . . carry on. Nothing to see here (today).
Oh! In exciting news, though, WhiteFire Publishing just snatched up a fabulous new author, whose debut novel Unveiled will be available later in 2011! If you want to check it out, drop in on Christine Lindsay. =) We’re very excited to be bringing y’all this marvelous story of love and intrigue in India!
by Roseanna White | Nov 12, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today I’m happy to have Vannetta Chapman here to help get us in the holiday spirit (continuing last week’s theme . . . đ She’ll be chatting about her debut novel, A Simple Amish Christmas. This week we have no need to run it as a giveaway, because EVERYONE can get it free from the Kindle store until November 15!
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About A Simple Amish Christmas
Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year-old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. Her time of rumschpringa is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness as the Christmas season is in full swing. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer. Her passion for healing has caught widower Samuel Yoder’s attention. Will she also capture his heart? Annie has several important choices to make, all on the morning of A Simple Amish Christmas.
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About Vannetta
Vannetta Chapman has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfatherâs birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta is a multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America. She currently teaches in the Texas hill country. A Simple Amish Christmas is her debut novel. She is hard at work on a three book Amish murder mystery series set in Shipshewana, Indiana. Written for Zondervan (a division of Harper Collins), these cozy mysteries will begin releasing in 2011.
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What’s your latest book?
A Simple Amish Christmas released from Abingdon Press in October 2010.
It sounds great! What’s your favorite part of the story?
My favorite part of the story was the medical portions.
I liked describing how Samuel and Annie worked together to meet the medical needs of their community. Although the Amish do see Englisch medical practitioners for major medical needs, they still depend on lay-persons for minor problems. I enjoyed coming up with these scenarios and developing the interplay between the characters.
Oh, that would indeed be fun–and challenging. What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
A sense of God’s grace. That he does have a plan for each of us. That even when we leave home and come back changed, even that can be a part of God’s plan. He can use anything to his purpose.
We’ve been discussing this at church and Bible study this past week. So very true. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I honestly just enjoy writing. I don’t think about genres. Now that I’m published in the Amish genre, that’s what my contracts are for–though I write Amish romances for Abingdon and Amish mysteries for Zondervan. But I honestly don’t think about that. I think about writing stories about characters who will come alive on the page, and then later I mold it to the publisher’s slot. As far as what I read, I do read practically every genre. I’m an avid reader–usually reading about 4 books a month (And yes, I read on the Kindle and paper versions too).
Three cheers for diversity! =) What are you reading right nowâand what do you want to read next?
I’m reading Amy Clipston’s book, A Plain and Simple Christmas, because she sent me a lovely signed copy. I’m also reading Amish Grace, the story of the Nickel’s Mine tragedy. The subheading of this book is “How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy,” which is perfect. It’s really the story of God’s grace and mercy in the lives of this very close-knit community. Lastly I’m reading Ends of the Earth by Tim Downs. It’s my first “bug-man” book. I heard Tim at ACFW this year, and I wanted to try one of his books. I’m enjoying it very much. Oh, and I’m reading Pinheads and Patriots by Bill O’Reilly.
Well goodness, you didn’t specify you read them four books a month all at ONCE. đ Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
I do keep a stack of Amish books handy. But the thing that has helped me the most–I’m currently working on book 2 of my Amish mystery series–is a photo album. I used part of my advance to go to Shipshewana, Indiana. While there I took a lot of pictures, and I actually printed them all out. Normally I just load them on my computer. This time I put them in a photo album, and I look in that thing every single day … checking plants, buildings, the littlest details. It’s been amazing how helpful those pictures have been.
Oh, that’s so awesome! Making a mental note to do that after I take a research trip here in a few weeks . . . But back to you. đ What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the hardest (or unlikeliest) but most rewarding to achieve?
I suppose I have the same goals that most writers have–big goals. I plan to make writing my full time job (and yes I’ve read Chip McGregor’s opinion on that). I plan to be at the top of the bestseller charts. I plan to publish 2-3 books per year. I sit down and write out my goals each year. But more than the specific goals I write down are the spiritual goals related to my writing. I have to continuously check my “compass” and make sure I haven’t strayed off course. That would seem hard when you’re not entirely sure where God is leading your career, but it seems to me that God is saying “Do what you promised me.” That might be different for every person, and for every writer, but for me that means to continue to write books about God’s grace.
Amen to that. If we’re not writing for Him, what’s the point? Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?
I was teaching a class of sophomores when I received the call that I had sold my first book. I stepped outside the classroom to take the call, which I never do. And of course afterwards, I wanted to call someone and squeal, but I had to go back in and finish teaching. We learn patience in all sorts of ways.
Oh my goodness, talk about a test of patience! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series
2011
Zondervan
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Thanks for visiting, Vannetta! Readers, you can check out her website at http://www.vannettachapman.com/
and her blog at http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/. You can purchase her book at Amazon or CrossPurposes . . . or wait and buy a signed copy during our fabulous post-Thanksgiving signing, as she’s one of our authors. =)
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, sheâs 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 booksâŚto offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.