When We Don’t Get Things Write

Yes, I used the word “write” instead of “right” on purpose. Today during home school, I reviewed the differences between the two words with my youngest son and we worked on writing sentences for each word. While we worked through the correct use of each word, I pondered with another writing issue. A few days ago, I started reading a new book and discovered early on that the author had made a mistake. This isn’t something new and, to tag onto Maureen’s post, it’s part of the writer in me that I can’t turn off.

Except this error wasn’t a typo or anything simple, it was pretty big—an oversight, I’m sure, but still I thought maybe I was the one who was wrong because I couldn’t imagine this author or publisher would have missed this.

I’ve chosen to go with the grace card on this. I mean, we’re only human, right? We can’t be perfect all the time. We can’t get things right, every time, even when writing novels. I’ve made mistakes in my own stories, so I can’t throw any stones.

There is the element of artistic license, as well—when we choose to change the facts up to fit with our stories.

Here’s a question for you—do you feel that writers have any responsibility or obligation to get the story right—it’s fiction, isn’t it? Often writers include a letter to the reader to explain fact versus fiction, but sometimes not.

As readers, what is our responsibility to understand the difference between fact and fiction? How often do we believe the author, trusting that something we read in a novel is truth (beyond the obvious fictional storyline)?

Thoughts?

Blessings!
Elizabeth Goddard

EasDon’t Think About the Cross this Easter by James L. Rubart

The cross has not only become the symbol for Easter, it’s become the symbol for all of Christianity.

The reason I say “become” is because it hasn’t always been that way. For the early Christians, the symbol of Christianity was the empty tomb. And by early, I don’t mean the first few years of the church.

The cross didn’t become into prevalent usage in art or churches until the 4th century.

Forgive me for repeating myself, but it was the EMPTY TOMB that the early Christians kept in the forefront of their minds.

Do we do the same?

I’m not trying to lessen our attention on the cross, only make sure we give equal focus to the power of the resurrection -which is the triumph of Life over death. It is the picture of our rebirth into men and women who have become the temple of God and have the Spirit living in the new Holy of Holies, our hearts.

He is risen. The tomb is empty. Let us focus and rejoice in that, the greatest news of all time, and live our own resurrected life because of what He has done.

Happy To Be Here by Tara Randel

 Hello! My name is Tara Randel and I’m excited about posting here at Christians Read.

I’ve been writing for what seems like forever, but published since 2000. It’s been a long process, a lot of ups and downs along the way, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Writing is a passion for me and I believe that when you have a God-given gift, you should use it.  So with a giant leap of faith, I decided to take a chance and put my work out there. I’m so glad I did.

Since writers spend so many hours at the keyboard with only the stories in our heads to keep us company, it’s great to have a place to interact with readers. First and foremost I’ve always been an avid reader and love being in a community that allows me to touch base with others who love to read.  And being able to share my faith journey with others? That’s icing on the cake. We all have different paths we’ve traveled down.  Every one of us has a different life story and no matter what we’ve been through, when we band together, we grow stronger. You never know where life will take you and sitting here at my computer, writing this blog, is one of those places I never imagined I’d be.

This journey of life is not for the faint of heart, with all kinds of ups and downs and everything in between, but books help make the way more enjoyable. I know I have my absolute favorites, as I’m sure you do too, the dog-eared copies we can’t get rid of so we can reread those books from time to time. Books take us away from the day-to-day and bring us to a place where everything is right with the world as we spend a few hours immersed in a story we love. I’ve always been an avid fiction fan, but I have to say that most times in my life when I’ve needed a lift or answer to a problem or want to know God better, I reach for my Bible. No matter what I do, for me, it all comes back to books.  

In  August, Orange Blossom Brides, my newest title, will be released by Harlequin Heartwarming. I’m excited to be a part of this new line. While not an inspirational line, I believe the stories will still be an inspiration. The books I have previously published are similar to the Heartwarming line. Love. Family. Small town values. Books your daughters and granddaughters can share. I love the to write about those values. 

So I’m ready to take a new journey. Won’t you join me?

 

Community by Hannah Alexander

Set in Jolly Mill, MO

What a life! I grew up in California, where freeways were already prevalent, crowds were the norm, and traffic in our valley north of LA was already bumper-to-bumper. Yes, I grew up as a valley girl.

My father, however, always dreamed of having a farm of his own, so when I was still too young to have a say in the matter, we packed up and moved to Southwest Missouri, where we lived 1/4 mile from the DIRT road, 1/2 mile from our nearest neighbor, 7 miles–an hour-long bus ride–from a small town school where I eventually graduated, but not before buying my own car to escape the hideous bus ride.

At first, and for years afterward, this transition was a shock to my system. My parents knew about country life. They grew up far from town, knew how to be country folk. All I knew about it I’d learned from them. I discovered that I spoke a different language from my neighbors down the road. For instance, do you know what botten bread is? My new best friend–who grew up in a two-bedroom house with seven brothers and sisters and no indoor plumbing (!!!!)–finally explained to me, very patiently, that botten bread is bread that’s been store-bought instead of homemade. Have you ever had cracklin’ bread? Daddy taught me this one when we  (meaning he) butchered our first hog and rendered the fat. Mom took what was left floating in the lard and baked it into muffins, which, if you bit into the wrong one, would break teeth. I won’t even go into the horrors of mountain oysters, and Daddy’s laughter when I found out he was going to cook them for us to eat. At least we did have indoor plumbing, for which I was exceedingly grateful after spending a few nights with my country friends.

We had a smokehouse for smoking meats, a pump house for the well pump–which, if it broke down, meant we had no water–and a barn that caught fire our first year there when we had over a foot of snow. And that was when I discovered the power of community. My parents were shoveling snow onto the fire, frantically trying to rescue animals from that barn, when we heard the put-put of a strange engine coming down the 1/4 mile driveway. Neighbors from a mile down the road had seen the glow in the sky. The snow was too drifted to drive to our house, and there was no fire department, so they hopped onto their John Deere tractor in the freezing cold and drove through the snow to our house with their shovels. Other neighbors followed, and they fought that fire as long as they could in the middle of the night in the freezing snow. With their help, we managed to save two litters of baby pigs, which I got to feed every day. I still love little piglets. Babe is one of my favorite movies

I’m still learning the meaning of community, and since I live amongst those same people who came to our rescue through the snow, I now write about it. There is a power and connection in physical community that transcends email, that shows the gritty part of human character that lives right alongside the nature of a good heart. When we post online, we usually show our best selves. It’s human nature. When we live near each other and see one another’s foibles and learn to accept one another as we truly are, that’s how a powerful community is forged. It’s why I love our small town atmosphere, why I characterize the small towns in my novels with the same kind of community. It’s what works for me.

Learning From Experience by Hannah Alexander

Have you ever made an awkward move and tripped? Most folks do. Have you ever spaced out and found yourself unintentionally running a stop sign or a traffic signal? I have a friend who once glanced down at her cell phone to enter a number and glanced up again, too late to stop herself from ramming into the pick-up that had suddenly stopped in front of her. I have another friend who panicked when a spider lowered itself on a web into her face while she was driving and had a fender bender–which is why I always keep my windows shut tight when I park my car, even in the garage. I would have bent a fender, myself, if that had happened to me.

Another friend was driving with a puppy loose in the car–no, wait, that was me, back when I was young and stupid and didn’t know about pet taxis. I managed to get the puppy out from under the brake pedal before I had to use it. Oh, and then there was the time, when I was a teenager, when I drove along an empty interstate highway to work while applying nail polish. It’s amazing, but the only wreck I ever had was the fault of the other driver. Looking back, I realize I was danger on wheels for a few years. Never be like me.

Life is full of distractions. Driving has become almost a mindless act after decades of experience, and sometimes we don’t realize how vital our behavior is behind the wheel.

I received some stunning news last night that came as a warning to me, and I hope will warn others: Life is precious, so take precautions.

A lovely young woman named Tammy cleaned our clinic yesterday. It’s been her job for three months. She actually works three different jobs–cleaning, refereeing basketball and night shift at Casey’s. I received a call from her roommate last night that Tammy, who always wears a seatbelt in the car, somehow went off the road along that same interstate where I used to polish my nails. She was found thrown from the vehicle and is in critical condition in ICU. It’s likely she had dropped something–a cell phone, for instance–and unbuckled for just a few seconds to retrieve it. That’s all it takes. Now we’re praying she survives.

Have you ever complained because an older person moved too slowly? I understand it can be frustrating to get behind a slow-moving vehicle on a two-lane road with no place to pass, of course, but there are times when those older people have slowed their actions because of lessons learned the hard way. They’ve slipped and fallen one too many times, and now they’re suffering pain because of it. I’m beginning to understand that better. If I’d moved more slowly when I was younger, if I hadn’t been so rash and impulsive and fallen so many times and done injury to my body, I might feel younger than I do.

If you’re smart, you’ll learn from your mistakes. If you’re brilliant, you’ll learn from the mistakes of others and possibly save a bump or two along the way. Please, if you are inclined to, would you pray for our Tammy today?

Is It Well with Your Soul? by Kathi Macias

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound
(Philippians 4:11-12, NKJV).

Lately I can’t get the words to that wonderful old hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” out of my mind. In fact, I’ve been singing it all morning. After a few choruses I began reflecting on the state of the hymnist who penned those faith-filled words just after losing his entire family. He wrote with a broken heart and, no doubt, had to wipe away many tears in the process, and yet his faith was not damaged or destroyed. He could declare, amidst devastating pain and loss, that he knew his soul was safe in the nail-scarred hands of His Savior.

Now I’m examining my own faith, particularly in light of my own writing. Is it well with my soul—regardless of circumstances? Am I reflecting that in the words I pen, mindful that others will be reading them? I find it easy to trust God and sing His praises when the biggest challenge I face is meeting a writing deadline or planning a special holiday meal. But what about when my “world” caves in—when I lose a loved one or my only source of income dries up or I discover I have a terminal disease? Is everything still “well with my soul” then, or do I find myself questioning God as if I knew more or cared more or planned better than He?

Not only in my writing but in my everyday life, I want to be like the hymn writer who declared that it was well with his soul, even when everything familiar and cherished was stripped away, don’t you? Of course, the only way to get to that point is to immerse ourselves in His presence and love now, while our situations are still relatively positive. I’m recommitting myself to do that, daily and wholeheartedly. Will you join me?

The End of a Book by Elizabeth Goddard

My son recently finished reading Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke. He loved the story but he said it made him feel sad that the book had ended. Funny that we continue to read when we’re immersed in a story—to pull from Maureen’s earlier post—only to rush to the end. It comes all too soon, especially if we love the story.

Many times I feel a little down like my son because I finished a great novel, and I wanted to spend more time in that world.

Too often when I finish a novel, I’m not sad but rather frustrated because the ending was rushed. As one friend put it, she wants a long, savory ending. Reviewers and readers alike complain when there isn’t an adequate and lengthy ending, but often the ending can’t fade out like music because of the word count limits or requirements of the publisher. There are ways around this, of course, and that is to cut words elsewhere in the story to give more breathing room at the end. But most of the time cutting back on another element isn’t a good solution either.

Have you read books where you felt the ending was a little rushed? Or are you the type of reader that’s ready to put the novel down as soon as the mystery is solved?

 

Perfect Reading Weather by Elizabeth Goddard

Lazy summer days or warm cozy evenings beside the fire. Which would you choose for enjoying a good read?

It’s been raining here for days, and our backyard is a lake. Though snow is a rare event in central Louisiana, I love gray skies, whether they bring rain or snow. I’m sure I’m in the minority, but my preference probably stems from the fact that I work from home and don’t have to drive in inclement weather.

How I love a rainy day, cold or not. To play up the ambiance brought on by this week’s weather, I tried a new vegetable stew recipe and baked a fresh loaf of bread—all good smells filling my home.

What better to go with a rainy day and good food than a good book?

I began my hunt for just the right one. When I couldn’t find anything to fit my mood in my over-sized TBR (to be read) pile or on the shelves, I started searching on my Kindle, and then finally went to the Kindle Store. We have so many choices these days! Seeing a few good candidates, I then downloaded reading samples.

Do you download and read samples before you buy?

I’ve mentioned reading samples before, and that it’s even more important for authors to catch readers’ attention quickly. But we should already know that. Even in a bookstore readers can peruse as far into a book as they want until they make that final decision to buy.

But I don’t want to waste a good rainy day trying on books to see if they fit. So I eventually settled on a romantic suspense by one of our very own Christians Read authors. As I write this article the rain is coming down  harder, and I’m looking forward to settling into a comfy chair with my bowl of stew, bread and my good book.

Have a blessed day!

A New Year’s Resolution: Follow Your Bliss by Vicki Hinze

It’s New Year’s Eve.  A chance for new beginnings.  We can have them any time, of course, but there’s something about a new year that engages our minds in greater opportunities.  Maybe it’s focus, or resolve.  Maybe it’s that we spend more time thinking about our lives–how they are and how we want them to be.  Regardless of the reason, it seemed like a good time to share a bit of wisdom gleaned from the past.  I hope that it helps you look forward with enthusiasm and eagerness, with joy.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS:  Loving What You Do

©2011,2013 Vicki Hinze

Recently, I spent the entire day doing background work on a fabulous new series: creating settings and the rules of the realm, characters and developing plot lines. I love those days because the flush of enthusiasm burns like a welcome fire, the interest level is sky high and focus is tight–so tight that the mind is snapping with possibilities: Oh, oh, include this! Ouch, forget that–oh, wait, what about this!  See where it goes– if this happens? Dang. Hit a wall, a mud puddle, a panacea!

The birth of fiction is energizing on a writer and that makes it energizing on a book. On a series, it’s like live wires cracking and whipping in a storm. And the writer gets to experience all the emotion of creation and feel that warm glow that lets him or her know they are definitely onto something special. It’s an awesome experience.  And a rewarding one for a writer.

Backside to leather requires discipline, and on warm, sunny days, it can be hard-won discipline. So immersing in this polar opposite of unbridled creative energy is a wonderful experience on its own–and a perfect balance to the disciplinarian.

The difference?  Loving what you do.  Whether you write or do something entirely different, if you do what you love, you experience that same unbridled enthusiasm and zest for what you’re doing.  (Secret:  that’s a sign that you’re on your right path in life.)

By the time I stopped working that night, I felt as if I’d run a marathon and I was totally drained. I fully expected that when I shut down and relaxed, my mind would continue to whirl for hours. It often does.  But what actually happened surprised me.

My mind didn’t whirl. Instead, my mind was calm–and on a different, though related, topic.  And that was on analysis and how much time we (meaning you and me—the human beings and not you and me, the writers) spend analyzing everything.  So much time that too often we don’t have time to experience life!

We think about what happened, why it happened, how it happened, who it happened to, why it happened to them specifically, of all the other people indirectly impacted, and what will trigger it happening again–if it can happen again, and if it can’t, why it can’t and if that can be altered.  Or how to keep it from happening again, who’d have to do what to make sure it was stopped… See what I mean?

I’m not saying that analysis isn’t valuable, it is. But it’s like anything in excess, it’s, well, too much, and we lose the good in it under the weight of the excess. If we are moderate, we know what we need to know and we are content with that, then we have more time to actually live life rather than be distracted from it by excess analysis or anything else.

It happened. Does it matter why? Will it change circumstances to know why? If so, explore the reasons. If not, live instead.

It doesn’t pay to rehash the past for the sake of rehashing it. If you’re paralyzed on forward mobility because of the past, then revisit it.  But get what you need and then get back to forward momentum because each day spent dwelling on the past is a day spent not living in the present with an eye toward the future. Days such as that cannot be recaptured or regained.

I thought about this for a long time that night. And I thought of all the events I’ve rehashed in my mind time after time–good events and bad ones–and what a waste of life that rehashing really was. Memories are great, but to have them you have to make them. And if you’re stuck rehashing the past, well, the only memories you’re making are memories of memories. Living life has so much more to offer!

I awakened the next morning and this ran through my mind again–analysis or life–only this time, the thought was about what religions and philosophers throughout time have said on the subject. I had to smile. Had I thought of this topic in this context first, the answers were there waiting for me. But there is good that comes in working through something in your mind until you explore it fully and determine what you think about it, and in your mind, resolve it–provided you’re not avoiding a solution because it requires an action you don’t want to take.  That’s avoidance, pure and simple, and you always come out on the losing end in that.

Joseph Campbell, bless him, nailed it in short order. “Follow your bliss.”

I am smiling here. Follow your bliss kind of sums it all up and punctuates the point with a bright red bow.

If you do that–follow your bliss–you’re going to be spending a lot more time loving what you do and living, and a lot less time analyzing that which changes nothing.

Living . . .?  Changing nothing . . .?

Yes, definitely follow your bliss…♦

_____________________________

Vicki’s latest releases:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Selflessly to Those Who Need It Most

Tomorrow is Christmas, but I must admit that Christmas Eve has always been my favorite time of year. When I was a child it seemed “magical,” as we waited for Santa to bring us the gifts we would open the next morning. I know now, that though Jesus most likely wasn’t born on the night of December 24, the real gift of Christmas is what we celebrate on this most loved of holidays. I also know, as a former biblical counselor on a large church staff, that this is the time of year that heightens all our emotions–whether joyous or heart-wrenching. Right now I can’t help but think of the many families impacted by the most recent school shooting. Regardless of where they stand on the purpose for Christ’s birth, this has got to be the most difficult time for them that any human can experience.

We’ve all lost loved ones at some point in our lives, but our children–torn away by a murderer’s bullet? No pain can compare–except perhaps that of the Father, as He watched His only Son suffer and die at the hands of His own creation. And that’s the answer I give when asked, “Where was God when this horrible massacre took place?” He was where He always is, sitting on the throne in complete control and yet weeping with those who weep, hurting with those who hurt, mourning with those who mourn–because He’s been there and He knows better than anyone the tragic outcome of evil, selfish choices. The Scriptures say that God bottles our tears, and that one day in heaven He will wipe them all away. Until then, He stands waiting, His nail-scarred hands extended and ready to carry us through to the other side.

I see practical and creative ways popping up all over where we can offer assistance to those who are experiencing grief beyond imagining right now–places to donate meals, money, flowers, etc.–and I encourage you all to take advantage of those opportunities whenever possible. But I also encourage you to pray, not just now when the pain is fresh but for a long time to come because this isn’t something anyone will get past quickly or easily–possibly not ever on this earth. We may never personally meet any of those who have lost loved ones in this shooting, but we can give them a selfless gift at Christmas–a commitment to pray for them for as long as we have breath to do so. Then one day, when we have “graduated to heaven” and met those precious little ones who went on ahead of us, God will wipe away our tears as well.

A very blessed Christmas to you all, beloved.

Is Reading Dangerous to Your Health? by Elizabeth Goddard

I have enough writing deadlines these days (which is a good thing) that my health might be suffering.  Okay, there’s really no question. And that’s a bad thing. You see, I don’t have time to do much more than write, which means I’m sitting.

A lot.

TrekDesk Treadmill/ Amazon.com

I need to exercise. This isn’t about making excuses either. I used to run every day until about two years ago when I started writing on double deadlines.  But you don’t have to be a writer to have this problem.

If you’re crazy about reading this could be you too. Maybe you’re not a couch potato, technically speaking. But do you spend hours reading every day? Still, I don’t think we’re going to see the Surgeon General Warning on books, at least anytime soon.

Thinking about this reminded me that years ago before I was a published and had writing deadlines to meet, I spent the time reading, and a good part of that time I spent riding a recumbent bike while I read.

I’m not sure what happened to that bike. Did it end up in a garage sale? Or sent to the Goodwill?

I’d love to have it back.

Fortunately, I’m not the only one with this all-consuming work schedule so there are many exercise machine solutions out there. I might even think about asking for one of these contraptions for Christmas. Think about it—you can read and write while you exercise on a TrekDesk Treadmill or any number of other offerings.

Sounding like a commercial isn’t my intention.  I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve tried the various exercise machines that allow you to read or use your laptop while you exercise. What do you like or dislike? I really want to know.

This could be the answer to my exercise problem.

___________________

Elizabeth Goddard

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of over a dozen romance novels. Treacherous Skies is her newest romantic suspense.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let’s make a few lists.

A. I wrote several pages listing everything that I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving. I started with breathing. That’s right. We should be thankful for each and every breath. If you start there when creating your list, you realize the list can go on and on. The list is infinite.

You better understand the scripture:

1. O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.1 Chronicles 16:34

Or . . .

2. Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

God’s love is infinite. It never ceases, therefore our thanksgiving and praise should never cease.

The list of thanksgiving scriptures goes on.

B. Then I also wrote a list of things needing prayer, and things overshadowing my Thanksgiving. Two things that loom darker than the rest are:

1. Israel

2. Black Friday

The two hardly seem to go together, but there it is. There’s nothing more I can do for Israel except pray and prayer is most powerful. (And yes, our  nation needs major prayer too.)

On Black Friday, I have a question for you. I have never been one to brave the chaos on Black Friday, which has now morphed to include Thursdays, too. If you’re one of those brave souls, I assume you’re in it to save hundreds of dollars, otherwise what’s the point?

I’ll share with you that my dear grandmother beat the crowds to the Dollar Store one Black Friday. That’s right—the Dollar Store. Ahem. . .there wasn’t exactly a crowd there either. But picture that in your mind, and I hope it makes you smile.

Back to the topic. Are books ever on your list of items to grab during the chaos? No? Do you ever enter blog contests to win a free copy of an autographed book? They make great Christmas gifts to the book lovers among your friends and family. If you’re not interested in taking the time to comment on blogs for free books, perhaps consider shopping at your local Christian bookstore. If we want to remain thankful for the ability to shop at these stores, we need to support them.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Be Blessed!

Elizabeth Goddard

Time to Read by Elizabeth Goddard

More often than not I run across people who don’t read. It’s not because they don’t have an interest in reading a good novel, it’s because they don’t have time.  Someone went so far as to say it was more about getting hooked on a book or series of books, and then getting distracted from work or life or chores or family. I’ve heard this same “excuse” several times lately from various people.

You’ve heard that we make time for things we consider important.  But it’s difficult to find time even for the important things, isn’t it? So how does one fit reading into a hectic schedule?

It’s true that you can get hooked on a book and then other things get pushed aside. There’s the other side of the equation where the important things interrupt your book world in the middle of a great scene and you have to put the book down.  A painful experience, to be sure.  I understand the mindset that if you never pick up a good book to begin with, you won’t have to feel the pain of putting it down when life interrupts.  You won’t have to worry about neglecting the more important, the more necessary things of life.

Then why put yourself through it? How important is reading for pleasure anyway?

To an addict, reading is as vital to life, to the soul, as air is to the body. Okay, maybe that’s going a little far, but once you’ve experienced where words can take you, time is no longer your master because you become a time-traveler.

Time isn’t your enemy. Time is your friend.

Why do we write…or read?

As an author and also an avid reader, I suppose I could say I read and write because I love to do so–and that would be absolutely true. But there’s more to it, especially as Christians. Every now and then we get a glimpse of how God’s purposes in the midst of the books we love, and it puts things back into perspective. That’s what happened to me with the very recent release of my 2012 Christmas book, Unexpected Christmas Hero. I’m posting the story below. Will you consider joining with us in helping to reunite this family? Thank you!

***

This is the cover for my 2012 Christmas novel, Unexpected Christmas Hero, which just released from New Hope Publishers in mid-October. It is a story about a family (mother and two small children) who become homeless when their husband/father dies unexpectedly and leaves them in terrible financial straits. The family is befriended by a homeless Vietnam vet who becomes their “unexpected Christmas hero,” despite his own precarious position. I recently learned from my publisher that the man on the cover (Willard Parker) truly is homeless but graciously agreed to pose for this photo. He told the photographer that he is separated from his family and would like very much to be reunited with them (particularly his grown daughter). So I thought about all you wonderful blog followers and social networking friends and decided, Why not band together and try to make this happen for Mr. Parker? I am posting the story from the photographer below so you can see how Mr. Parker ended up on the cover. If you recognize/know Mr. Parker and/or have any information about his family, please leave a comment here with your contact information or email me at ezyrtr@ca.rr.com. Meanwhile, please pass this information along to anyone you can–via your own blogs, social networks, email loops, whatever way possible to help get the word out. Let’s make this go viral and bring this family back together!

Story from photographer/designer:

We (designer and photographer Michel Lê and spouse Christine) were Christmas vacationing in Asheville, NC.

I had Kathi’s book cover to design and needed photos of homeless people. Christine remembered seeing homeless people under some bridge in town. I grabbed my camera and off we went.

After unsuccessfully circling around for an hour, I decided to call it off and head back.

That’s when God told Christine to persevere, and to go in a different part of town. And there he was, Willard Parker, the perfect physical representation (in my opinion) of Kathi’s Unexpected Christmas Hero‘s main character. We stopped the car and asked him if he was homeless and willing to pose for a few photos, after explaining to him the book story.

Willard said yes and was very accommodating. While driving to a suitable place for the photos, Willard offered us a glimpse of his life. He lost his house a few years back. He has a daughter somewhere north (maybe Detroit?) whom he lost touch. Willard also believes in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We had a sense of great sadness in his life, that it didn’t turned out the way he hoped for. WIllard had a very humble and kind spirit. But we sensed a quiet yet powerful sparkle and desire for life. He longed to see his daughter, and we felt how hard that would be for him in his present situation. He is basically illiterate as I found out (when I asked him to read and sign the Model Release).

I wanted to buy him lunch in a restaurant but he politely declined (maybe for fear of not being “part of the crowd”). We gave him some money and left, with a heavy heart and deeply moved.

While designing the cover, I prayed that the one with him would be chosen (there were others being considered), so I could send him a few copies, that in turn he could send one to his daughter (assuming we locate her). I prayed that God would make this happen, that He would flood his daughter with new love for her dad after seeing him on a book cover, that she would be proud of him, that she would have a great desire to reunite with him, just like we long to reunite in love with our Father. I hoped and prayed for it to happen. It would be the greatest Christmas gift of all for Willard.

Then the cover with Willard was chosen and the author decided to launch a campaign to find Willard’s family and reunite them. Thank You, God! We hope/pray that many of you will join us to spread the word. Sooner or later, someone out there will recognize Williard’s picture and/or name and know how to contact his family. Thank you all for being part of this! Now let’s get to work and see what God can do!!!

Readers, Writers, and Book Clubs

As my speaking engagements explode and I find myself on the road nearly as often as I’m home writing my next book, I must admit that of all the groups I speak to–writers’ conferences, women’s retreats, church and civic events–there’s nowhere I’d rather go than to a book club. Granted, many of them have only a handful of members, but those members are avid readers and absolutely LOVE to buy autographed books from authors. I recently had an opportunity to speak to a HUGE book club up in Fresno, CA, and it was such a wonderful experience that I wrote a feature article about the event for The Book Club Network’s magazine. (You can read it and check out the magazine at http://www.bookfunmagazine.com.)

The more I thought about how much I enjoy dropping in on book clubs as a writer/speaker, I thought I’d love to get some feedback on the topic from readers–and that would be you! So chime in, please. I’d love to hear your experiences regarding these groups. Are they still relevant today, since the advent of e-readers and online social interaction? What to do you think, dear book lovers?