Monday, July 26, 2010

the colonel's lady

Recently Revell's art director contacted me about the cover for The Colonel's Lady. The art team is ready to begin work on it and I'm so excited! I told her about our lively discussion here regarding cover ideas, blue dress and all:) And she wanted to take a look at your comments! Thanks again for each and every one.

Once upon a time, TCL was The Locket, as you may remember. But I won't tell you any more than this as the locket itself is so key to the plot. No spoilers by this author:) Suffice it to say, I love antique jewelry. Many 18th-century lockets contained tiny portraits or locks of hair. I did ask that a locket be included on the cover. I always pray about the cover art. It really is the essence of the book or should be.

In a few more days I'll send the TCL manuscript into my editor. It's been fun this go round to develop a timeline for the book. I also wrote my first 'author's note'. Am wondering if readers ever read those brief pages (or page) at the back of the book that explains a bit about the history or events in the novel? Well, I loved doing it and hope it adds to the reading experience. History hands us so many fascinating things. It's a joy to elaborate a bit about what is fiction and what is fact before telling the reader goodbye.

I'm always a little sad to come to the end of a story. It's been such fun spending 400 pages with a mature woman this time after 2 teenagers:) I love Lael and Morrow but Roxanna is a breath of fresh air! Hopefully you'll feel the same. I can't wait for you to meet her.

Meanwhile, it's sunny and warm here at last. We just heard that this summer is the hottest on record for the entire country. Personally, I'd like the end of July to last forever. School begins here September 1 and then it's another book project to begin for me. I'm looking forward to telling you more about that soon, too.

Do you see a need in the Christian market for a certain type of book or series? What genre do you prefer or what type story would you like to see more of?

40 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see what the art team at Revell puts up, they do some great covers.

    I do actually read the author's note. Or I should say, I will skim it for interesting tidbits, but what I ALWAYS read are the acknowledgements, I even wrote a set for my latest WIP, just because I really wanted to. I put them up on my blog too. There was such joy in writing them.

    I really think that more books set in Kentucky, or excuse me, Kentucke (:-) in the 18th century are becoming popular, at least with me. I love reading that era and you do it so well. Can't wait to hear more about this new book!!

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  2. Casey,
    That's so neat you really read the acknowledgements (with interest, sounds like:) and that you did your own! You said something so key ~ that there was such JOY in writing them. That's just how I felt, too, when I did them for TFD. I'd love to take a look at yours! I find they say so much about an author - a real peek into them personally.

    I appreciate hearing what you like and would like to see more of. There's so little 18th-c. fiction out there. I do have Rita Gerlach's Surrender the Wind and JM Hochstetler's series, also Amber Miller's Quills and Promises series (hope I'm getting the titles and authors right)! Love that you remembered the original Kentucke spelling. I think I like it even better than the Y:) Bless you as you write today!

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  3. It's so exciting that we, your readers, were allowed to contribute ideas for your next cover. Can't wait to see it! It's hard to believe that you putting TCL to bed and you are almost ready to start a new project.

    I always read author's notes. I like to know the little extra details that inspired or educated the writers as they researched the story.

    This may sound weird, but I think there needs to be more "sin" in Christian fiction. A lot of novels (not yours) are a little too squeaky clean. I don't think it has to be anything graphic, but sin is just a matter of life. That doesn't mean the main characters should wallow in it. But heros and heroines can have a "past" and there can be peripheral charactes who never change their ways---You illustrated this really well in CML!

    I think there's a need for more Christian historicals that are not westerns, as in Texas/ranch/cowboy westerns. Different settings like 18th century Kentucke are a breath of fresh air!

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  4. Morrow's cover is really, really lovely. I can't wait to see Roxanna's (love the name, by-the-way.)

    I do read the author's note. I like to see where an author had to add their own flavor to what is already fact. I wonder than when I read your books. The transition is seamless, so I can't tell what isn't truth.

    Blessings to you!

    ~Britt

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  5. Mary,
    I understand what you are saying completely. I think one of the reason many Christian readers are turned off by CBA fiction is that it isn't "real" and is therefore labeled "shallow." I've heard so many concerns to that effect so you're not alone in voicing them. There does seem to be a real need for books that aren't afraid to deal with tough issues - or at least acknowledge them - w/o wallowing like you said:) Glad my books strike the right tone with you!

    So glad you put your 2 cents in about the cover. I so appreciate it! I really do hope we all love the finished product. My dream is to travel to Revell one day (in Michigan) and see how they handle the cover art. I know I'd learn a lot!

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  6. Britt,
    So glad you like Roxanna's name ~ it was my great-grandmother's and she went by Roxie. Kind of old-fashioned and archaic but still lovely and feminine, I think. I think the names you're using in your WIP are wonderful. They stayed with me long after I read your post.

    Cover art is so interesting. In this last blog tour, I actually had a couple of readers say they loved the book but didn't like the cover. I was so surprised! Maybe because I think it's just right. Not sure why they didn't care for it but everyone has such different tastes. I've often groaned about some of my favorite author's covers, too:) Anyway, glad you like CML's cover!!

    Bless you so much today. Hope things are settling down for you ~ prayers are with you.

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  7. I read author's notes, acknowledgements, dedications...good grief I even read the CIP and the ISBN and copyright date. Can't help it -- it's the library training for the latter anyway. :-)

    Love that your cover is being planned. What a fun job that would be -- illustrating covers of books for Revell -- they do such a great job.

    As to what I'd like to see in Christian fiction. Variety. I love my cowboys and wild west but I love other time periods and places as well. It makes me feel like if I wrote about some place in Canada my manuscript wouldn't be marketable but since I haven't been to the states let alone lived there I can't really write with authority.

    I'd also like to see more of a multicultural blend -- because that's what life is. I often wonder what an Asian woman feels like when she goes to the store and is presented with a wall of white faces looking out at her?

    I like what Mary said about characters with a 'past'. I was pretty discouraged as a reader never mind writer when I began to read the dos and don'ts of Christian fiction writing. It was discouraging because I felt like I didn't fit the cookie-cutter mold of a 'good' Christian and I'd never felt that way before.

    I'm heartened by so many writers who are pushing those barriers because I think they are standing up for their readers as well as their desire to write the story of their hearts.

    I'd love some more YA fiction -- it seems hard to find. At least at my Christian bookstore (you keep selling there, Laura!!!!)

    I'd love more romantic suspense and contemporary novels. It seems like whenever I go to buy books there's a wealth of historicals and I have to dig to balance it with contemporary.

    I could go on, but, alas I am out of time. Aren't you lucky? LOL

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  8. I read author's notes, acknowledgements, dedications...good grief I even read the CIP and the ISBN and copyright date. Can't help it -- it's the library training for the latter anyway. :-)

    Love that your cover is being planned. What a fun job that would be -- illustrating covers of books for Revell -- they do such a great job.

    As to what I'd like to see in Christian fiction. Variety. I love my cowboys and wild west but I love other time periods and places as well. It makes me feel like if I wrote about some place in Canada my manuscript wouldn't be marketable but since I haven't been to the states let alone lived there I can't really write with authority.

    I'd also like to see more of a multicultural blend -- because that's what life is. I often wonder what an Asian woman feels like when she goes to the store and is presented with a wall of white faces looking out at her?

    I like what Mary said about characters with a 'past'. I was pretty discouraged as a reader never mind writer when I began to read the dos and don'ts of Christian fiction writing. It was discouraging because I felt like I didn't fit the cookie-cutter mold of a 'good' Christian and I'd never felt that way before.

    I'm heartened by so many writers who are pushing those barriers because I think they are standing up for their readers as well as their desire to write the story of their hearts.

    I'd love some more YA fiction -- it seems hard to find. At least at my Christian bookstore (you keep selling there, Laura!!!!)

    I'd love more romantic suspense and contemporary novels. It seems like whenever I go to buy books there's a wealth of historicals and I have to dig to balance it with contemporary.

    I could go on, but, alas I am out of time. Aren't you lucky? LOL

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  9. I read author's notes, acknowledgements, dedications...good grief I even read the CIP and the ISBN and copyright date. Can't help it -- it's the library training for the latter anyway. :-)

    Love that your cover is being planned. What a fun job that would be -- illustrating covers of books for Revell -- they do such a great job.

    As to what I'd like to see in Christian fiction. Variety. I love my cowboys and wild west but I love other time periods and places as well. It makes me feel like if I wrote about some place in Canada my manuscript wouldn't be marketable but since I haven't been to the states let alone lived there I can't really write with authority.

    I'd also like to see more of a multicultural blend -- because that's what life is. I often wonder what an Asian woman feels like when she goes to the store and is presented with a wall of white faces looking out at her?

    I like what Mary said about characters with a 'past'. I was pretty discouraged as a reader never mind writer when I began to read the dos and don'ts of Christian fiction writing. It was discouraging because I felt like I didn't fit the cookie-cutter mold of a 'good' Christian and I'd never felt that way before.

    I'm heartened by so many writers who are pushing those barriers because I think they are standing up for their readers as well as their desire to write the story of their hearts.

    I'd love some more YA fiction -- it seems hard to find. At least at my Christian bookstore (you keep selling there, Laura!!!!)

    I'd love more romantic suspense and contemporary novels. It seems like whenever I go to buy books there's a wealth of historicals and I have to dig to balance it with contemporary.

    I could go on, but, alas I am out of time. Aren't you lucky? LOL

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  10. Laura,

    I love reading the historical "extras" so I'm glad you're putting it in :).

    Hmmmm...what would I like to see more of...your work for one :). I'm so glad Julie is putting out a series on the 20s as I haven't seen much on that era.

    I would like to see more books set in third-world countries. I think the persecuted church is very inspirational. In particular I would love to see books set in India, which has a special place in my own heart. I have a feeling someday Chris and I are going to India to bring home a daughter...though it hurts my heart to think of what she will have to go through.

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  11. I feel like I see plenty of sin in characters' lives. If anything, many authors are at a point where the character has already repented and are trying to do what is right. That is one reason why I like Christian fiction, because my body isn't always tensed wondering what bad thing the character may do next. Honestly, I have read so many books that I see both--where there is too much bad stuff and then where things just don't seem real. I guess it depends on what you are reading.
    I sometimes read the author's note and then sometimes I don't. It just depends on how I feel and how much time I have.
    Something I would like to see more of is life lessons. I know I can pick fiction books that have those so I guess the Christian market and the market in general already has it all. It just depends on which book you pick up. I wouldn't want everything to be the same, and sometimes that is why I specifically read a certain author's book. I know if I am in the mood to read a certain thing they will more than likely have it... if that makes sense.
    If you're wondering if you should change your usual genre or type of story, that is up to you. I would pick up one of your books and read it just because I know I have enjoyed your books in the past.

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  12. Aw, I cant wait to meet Roxanna! And your characters always seem mature to me, not silly teenagers ;) I love lockets as well and old jewelry....so I am going to have a long wait for this book!

    As for 'what's needed' in Christian fic....hmmm.....I'd like to see more stories that deal with honest and well-rounded characters. Also, I think about 99% of Christian fic deal with the courtship phase and not 'what happens after 'happily ever after' (Morrow was a happy exception to this) I'd love to see a series from you that deals perhaps with a family's saga moving west. Perhaps from Kentucky on the Oregon Trail? :) I think it would be interesting too to see a saga that includes Native Americans in the lineage and how that affects an on-going story.

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  13. Kav,
    You always give me the heartiest chuckle ~ and I so need that at times! ISBN and copyright dates ~ I read them, too! I was so glad when they didn't stick my birthdate in there like they do some authors. Can't figure why some books have them and some don't. Any ideas there, anyone?

    I think some Canadian fiction would be wonderful coming from your pen! There's a certain wildness and beauty that comes to mind when I think of Canada (though I know you live in the city). That's something that is really lacking. Alaska seems to be covered pretty well but Canada not nearly enough:) In my humble opinion.

    I've heard that historicals have a shelf life 3x longer than contemporaries. Not sure why. I like reading @ different time frames, too. I've also heard that westerns set in the late 19th-c. sell the best of any other book. Since I'm so ignorant about marketing I pick up little bits here and there but don't understand how selling works.

    And I so agree with you ~ doing cover art would be heavenly!

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  14. Oh Kav,
    Forgot your other excellent point ~ multiculturalism. How true is that! I do know that Revell is putting out some fiction to that effect. And I hear Camy's work is excellent that way. But again, I am so new to this I don't know much about that side of things.

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  15. Julia,
    That is so thrilling to think of you adopting one day. India is such an amazing country. I'll never forget the dinner we had with the Indian missionary Paul Pallai a few years ago who operates one of India's biggest orphanages. He is such a spirit-filled man with such a heart/burden for his people.

    After reading The Book of Martyrs I can see how that would be wonderful to include more of their stories today. Since you keep up with things, I'm sure you know that there are more Christian martyrs today than ever before. Kind of mind-boggling when we sit in our comfortable church pews over here. They need our prayers so very much.

    Julie's roaring 20's books are so unique:) She is an amazing author and friend! You are in for a treat with A Hope Undaunted. I think I've said this before (and sorry if I sound like a broken record) but I endorsed this in March and think it's her best yet!!

    Bless you and Chris and the littles today.

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  16. Thanks so much, Adrienne,
    You make such a good point. By reading so much and becoming familiar with certain authors, we can pick and choose what type of stories we are needing or in the mood for, etc. I love life lessons, too, and wish there were more out there.

    I will say I don't like books that are too realistic and deal with such gritty issues they depress me. You're right that sin is so "out there" already. I'm probably not making sense but I did understand your thoughts.

    Hope you're having a good day and staying cool way down south:)

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  17. Oh Laura, I know your cover will be beautiful. I'm so intrigued by "the locket!" I hope it has a prominent place in the cover! Maybe a closeup of the locket with a decidedly feminine hand touching it as it lies against the blue dress? Ooo! Or maybe have a closeup of the locket as a hazy background, and the hero and heroine as the main focus? I love the covers on the new Christian fiction. It is amazing. And how fun would it be to get to actually plan it!

    And yes, I, too, read the author's note, and the acknowledgments. Sometimes I read them before I read the book, and then again, when I've had a chance to digest the book, and get to know the author! It's for SURE I'll read yours! LOL

    What would I like to see? Oh my. Right now I'm overwhelmed with what's already OUT there! I love historical. I love contemporary. One of the things that's come up is being more realistic. I have mixed feelings about this. I've read some that actually bothered me while reading, but then I stop and think about how sometimes REAL testimony bothers me, too, but gives me a new point of view concerning that particular issue. Maybe it will make me have more compassion for someone who has gone through different issues than I've had to face.

    I do love that your books are in a different era of history than most. I remember reading Gilbert Morris' "House of Winslow" books, and honestly, I got tired of them. I'm not a "saga" person, I'm afraid. (Ooo, look! shiney! hehe!)Three or four books, and I'm done.

    But you know what? You're one of the few authors I've read for which I'd make an exception to that rule! I'd read your books 'til the cows come home, dearie!

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  18. Heather,
    So glad you're back! When this deadline is over I'll be back to blog visiting:) I miss that.

    Love your ideas for what you'd like to see for fiction. They really dovetail my own. We tend to like the same type books. And I'm so glad you liked that Morrow married mid-book. I was a bit concerned as I know some readers don't like it when that happens as it kills the momentum for them, but married love has a romance all its own so I thought...why not?:)

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  19. I have heard of those books and authors, but hadn't really put that together with that era or region. I will have to keep that in mind. :)

    Here is the link to my acknowlegments. I hope you get a second to check it out, I think you might be surprised at what you find. :)

    http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2010/06/acknowledgements.html

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  20. How wonderful that Revell will soon be working on TCL cover!! They do some great covers, with Morrow's being one of my favorites! I'm praying right along with you that the Lord will bless the cover and that it will be all you hoped for and more :)

    Oh, and I just love lockets! They're so romantic and a little mysterious, like you have a special secret resting close to your heart. Can't wait to see why a locket plays an important part in Roxie's story (LOVE her name, too, BTW).

    And I read books cover to cover, literally! So, I LOVE reading the author's note, as I think it's an important part of the book, and sometimes can add another layer to the story, separating the fact from the fiction. It's also a personal note from the heart of the author, so that makes it special, too :) Recently, I was so blessed by the author's note at the beginning of Kathleen Morgan's "Daughter of Joy", it actually made me cry and helped to set the framework and "truth" behind the story. Can't wait to read your author's note, Laura!

    As far as types of books I would like to see more of... well, I LOVE historicals, and as you and others have pointed out, there is an abundance of them, so no complaints on that count. I truly love and appreciate how unique YOUR books are, dealing with Native American's and incorporating their traditions. You gave me a look inside of a way of life that I had no prior knowledge of and made me fall in love! So, more books like that would be VERY nice. Even some books with pirates, like Marylu Tyndall's would be wonderful additions, just a break from the usual stuff. And I do love what Julie Lessman has done with the early 1900's and the way she pens the "family saga". I love when a character's story continues in other books, and if they still have their voice, even better!

    Can't wait to hear about your upcoming book projects, Laura- still praying, too :) Hope you get to enjoy many more warm and sunny days, my friend!!

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  21. I love reading author notes. I like to find out what is really fact and what came out of the author's imagination. Can't wait:):)

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  22. Thought about you tonight as I was coming home. It was after 10 pm, and still 82 degrees.

    I'm so looking forward to seeing the cover for The Colonel's Lady. When I was telling my mom about the book this weekend, she suggested a white dress with blue flowers. ;) She asked me to thank you for the birthday wishes. She started reading CML before I even left the house! I must admit I'm very curious to know what she'll think of it.

    I believe I risk getting on a bully pulpit or a soapbox by writing what I think the market needs. :) I admit I'm a little Eurocentric. I love books which are set in Europe, say from the Renaissance forward. Of course, I will also read just about anything set in Russia. As for American settings, please more colonial and Federal period (say up to the 1830's, maybe 1840's.) I think those are unique settings, and I enjoy them.

    Also, I wanted to thank you for the prayers for Pike county. Thankfully, my family is fine and wasn't flooded this time. I know quite a few people who were though, and I went to high school with one of the people who died. :(

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  23. Good morning Laura! So I tried to post a comment last night, but blogger said it was too long :( But it wasn't any longer than some of the other comments here, so I don't know what happened?

    So not to risk blogger telling me I talk to much again ;) I'll make this short.

    So excited about the new cover! And I'm praying right along with you that it will be everything you hoped for and more!

    LOVE lockets! They're so romantic and a little mysterious, like you have a special secret resting close to your heart :)

    Love author's note, too! I usually learn fun facts from them, or others are so sweet they make you cry. Can't wait to read your author's note!

    And I think there should be more books like YOURS out there! I truly love and appreciate how unique your books are, dealing with Native American's and incorporating their traditions. You gave me a look at a way of life I had no prior knowledge of and made me fall in love! So, more books that step outside of the usual plot would be VERY nice :)

    Can't wait to hear about your upcoming book projects- still praying, too :) Hope your day is warm and sunny, my friend!!

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  24. Looking over what I wrote last night, I realized I forgot to mention the author notes. At the very least, I scan over them. If it's an author I really like, such as you, I read every word. I think, especially with historical fiction, it is quite fascinating to find out what the author learned while researching the book.

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  25. Wow, how neat to meet someone who runs an orphanage over there. I babysit for a 3-year-old boy and his parents are involved in starting an orphanage for children of martyrs, particularly girls as there is a great need. I will keep your friend in prayer, I'm sure his work is much needed.

    Thanks for your prayers for us. We just started our homeschool year (which is odd, I know...but when you have a 5-year-old that is begging to start school how can you argue with that??).

    Blessings & prayers.

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  26. Regina,
    Love your locket and cover excitement! It's so thrilling when that cover pops up in your email inbox for the first time. I always hold my breath when I open the attachment:) Of course the art team on the other end is waiting for your reaction:) That's fun, too. The really interesting thing is that a real cover model is used for our Revell covers. So that young woman is really out there walking around somewhere. I've often wondered if they read our books:) Ann Gabhart, on her first Shaker book, The Outsider, met her cover girl through a reading group as the model's mom was in it. And then Dee Gist used her daughter for one of her covers. The possibilities are fun ~ and endless!

    I'm with you and like a series to conclude within 4 books. The Sackets is one I could go on with but those are exceptional. Love the movies, too.

    Love your take on more realism in fiction. It really can be a ministry and testimony. I went to a conference a couple of years ago and the keynote was Betty Norberg. She writes about some messy issues as a CBA fiction author and is so talented. I think she handles her books with a whole lot of grace. I tend to like the happily ever after scenario as real life is so harsh, but I do think those books have their place.

    Wish I read more contemporaries like you!

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  27. Hey, Laura! How's it going on the other side of the country? :) I do like to read author's comments, notes, dedications... anything, pretty much, to give an idea of the story behind the story.

    For what is needed - depth. I can read a gazillion dumbed-down books that I breeze through - but I really love to get a book that has solid character development, unexpected twists of plot, and real-life. The idea of having sin in the book is a good one - not that you necessarily are writing a sermon, but we also need fiction that guides us to God. Redemption and hope and the desperation that drives us to seek more of the Lord in our lives. A real portrayal of life and struggle and hope. :)

    And I loved it that Morrow married mid-book. I always want to know more of the story and this was a refreshing change. I'd love to see a book where the character remained single - and not necessarily by tragedy.

    Looking forward to the next book already!
    Jerri

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  28. Oh Michelle,
    I covet your 82 degrees. It's 54 here today but the fog just rolled away and now I see blue sky:)

    You and I love Russian settings. Linda Chaikin is one of our favorite authors and I'm wondering if you've read her books set in Russia. There's one about a midwife that I haven't read. The Midwife of St. Petersburg? Can't recall exactly. Love the word "Euro-centric" as it has a nice sound:)

    So hoping your mom has a great bday today! Hope she likes CML ~ thanks so much for giving it to her. That delights me. Her idea for a white dress with blue flowers is lovely and would fit the time quite well as that kind of fabric was common.

    Very sorry to hear about the person you went to school with. Kentucky has had some unusual weather this summer. I tend to think of it as "end times" weather but guess this sort of thing has been happening since time began. Glad your parents are safe.

    Hope you're having a good day today!

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  29. Amanda, Blogger is bullying us both! I left a long comment over at another blog and it was deleted, too, and since I'm busy right now, I just gave up. Thank you for not doing that!!

    Lockets are so lovely and mysterious. Am not sure how this one snuck into my plot as it was unplanned. I even wrote an epilogue for this book which occurs 5 years after the final chapter to let the reader know all the characters were okay:) Sometimes loose ends don't feel good. I'm still getting mail about Captain Jack! Maybe I wrote the epi. as I was having a hard time saying goodbye to them myself.

    I'm with you and like books that teach me something or introduce me to something in history I'm not familiar with. Makes the story that much more interesting. Since I love Ann Rinaldi's books so much, I guess it's only natural that mine would have such a historical bent. I think Nancy Moser is another author that brings real history to to life so very well. And her author's notes are excellent:)

    Bless you for persisting!! It sure blesses me.

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  30. Hi Kristen!
    I know you've had a busy summer down your way with camp and baby and all:) I love reading author's notes too almost as much as the novel itself. Hope you like mine. It was fun to write ~ a first!

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  31. Julia,
    Oh my, I forget that to littles school is more play:) That is what is so fun about homeschooling at that age ~ they really want to learn and are totally unaware of the work. A beautiful thing.

    Your friend's minstry sounds so needed and heartfelt. Thanks for your prayers for the Pallai's. He is getting older and having some health issues. Many of the children that come out of their orphange go into the seminary that he's started and go out into India as itinerant missionaries which is so dangerous there. Our prayers can help a lot.

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  32. Michelle,
    Regarding author notes, you've made such a good point ~ we really do learn so much while writing. New worlds open up to us if we deal with history and like to present all the little details. I never mind going on rabbit trails when I write as I always learn so much!

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  33. Casey,
    Going over to read your acknowledgements now! Bless you for the link! I need to get back to my blog visiting:)

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  34. Hi Jerri!
    So blessed that you're my reader:) It's kind of cold out here, that's how it's going, but Paul and I are headed to sunnier climes next week where it's 100 or more ~ can't wait!

    Yes, DEPTH! So vital to a story, at least for me. And you. And I love how you sum up sin driving a character to God and showing the redemption along the way. I am trying to add more spiritual depth or layers and am praying about that very thing. It's harder to do than one thinks ~ at least well.

    In The Colonel's Lady, it would have been so easy for me to have my lead remain single. She is unmarried and that is an issue in the book. I have quite a few single friends who would probably really like it left that way in a novel.

    Bless you for stopping by. Please come back for a visit:)

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  35. Oh Laura, an epilogue?! I LOVE when an author does that as it does tie up the "loose ends" and it's also kind of an extra bonus for the reader ;)

    And I NEED to get my hands on some Nancy Moser books! I desperately want to read her "How Do I Love Thee?"!! Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barret Browning's love story is so romantic *sigh*

    And prayerfully blogger will behave and stop causing us nice, long-winded Christian's such grief! :D

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  36. I decided to return here to comment to your comment on my blog. I figured you would see it better here, since my post is old. :)

    Thank you for your kind comment, you will NEVER know how much you mean to me. Your comment on my writing, made my day. I couldn't have been happier. Thank you!!!

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  37. Casey,
    You are so very welcome. I'm so pleased that the Lord brought us together ~ and i just love when you post excerpts of your work!! I see His light in you and in your writing. Thanks for sharing yourself and your journey. It really blesses me.

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  38. LOL, I guess my first comment did go through after all! It wasn't there the other day, but I just received a follow-up email with it, came and checked the post and sure enough, it's here. Blogger is so strange, it actually reposted one of Kav's comments 3 times, but it wasn't like that the other day. Weird...

    Well, as long as it's not deleting them you can't get too upset. Praying your day is beautiful and blogger bullying free :)

    Blessings,
    Amanda Stanley

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  39. I love reading the author's notes! *smiles*

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  40. Hello nmetzler:!
    I'm so glad and hope you read mine! You have a beautiful blog. Love that you have milk cows and a Godly husband to boot:) You're welcome here anytime. God bless you.

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