Monday, December 31, 2007

MY BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Hey all...some interviews have already been posted...such as Novel Journey's, etc, etc.
Here is the schedule for the remainder of my blog tour for my debut novel, "A Soldier's Promise."
Also, a HUGE THANK YOU to my friend Camy Tang for helping me to schedule this tour. She's been my winglady through this and I couldn't have pulled it off without her. www.CamyTang.com
Each interview and guestblog has different content. Enjoy as you're able:

Dec-19 hosting by Margaret Daley
Jan-1 Interview (this will be up the entire month of Jan) Lacy Williams
Jan-1 Interview, Stacey
Jan-2 Interview Lena Dooley
Jan-2 Interview and review, Susan Stitch
Jan-3 Guestblog, Danica Favorite-McDonald
Jan-4 Interview, Nike Chillemi Shoutlife ,Crime, Fiction and Faith
Jan-5 Guestblog, Angie Breidenbach
Jan-6 and 7 Interview and review, Brittanie (A Book Lover Forever), Brittanie (Xanga)
Jan-7 Interview, Lynette Eason
Jan-8 Short quote, Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Jan-9 Guestblog, Patricia Woodside
Jan-10 Interview, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Writing by Faith
Jan-11 Guestblog, Myra Johnson
Jan-11 Guestblog, Janet Dean
Jan-11 Guestblog, Peg Phifer
Jan-12 Interview, Leanna Ellis
Jan-13 Interview, Ronie Kendig
Jan-14 Interview, Camy Tang
Jan-15 Interview, Crystal Miller
Jan-16 Guestblog, Pammer James
Jan-16 Guestblog, Christa Allan
Jan-17 Blog post, Heather Diane Tipton
Jan-17 Review, Interview, Guestblog, Hope Chastain, Hope (Yahoo 360)
Jan-18 Interview, Cara Putman, also this review.
Jan-18 Interview, Mindy Obenhaus
Jan-19 Guestblog, Linda Rondeau
Jan-20 Review, Mary Connealy
Jan-21 Review and Interview, Cynthia Hawkins
Jan-21 Interview, Missy Tippens
Jan-21 Interview, Jennifer AlLee, Jennifer (Shoutlife)
Jan-22 Review, Deborah
Jan-23 Interview, Amber Miller
Jan-23 Review Sally Bradley
Jan-24 Review, Pattie Reitz, Psttie (blogspot)
Jan-25 Interview and Review, Deena Peterson
Jan-26 Review and Interview, Shauna Sturge
Jan-27 Review and interview, Dineen Miller
Jan-28 Interview and Review, Marjorie Vawter
Jan-29 Review, Donna Fleisher
Jan-30 Interview and Review, Michelle Rodgers, Michelle (Shoutlife)
Feb-29 Interview, Margaret Daley

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Featured on Jennifer Ailee's Blog

What are people saying about A Soldier's Promise?
 
Check out Jennifer Ailee's review from the 28th.
 
http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/2007/12/debut-author-cheryl-wyatt-book-review.html

--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Gotta Love American Ingenuity..LOL!




A friend who knows I love anything military, e-mailed me these pictures and the story behind them. I got a good chuckle out of it.

The Story: For those too young to remember, or maybe never knew, during the Vietnam conflict, carriers were so woefully short of ordinance that missions were often launched with only a half load just to keep the sortie rate up so that the REMF's in DC would not send out blistering messages about failure to support the war effort, etc.
Given that the loss rate approached, and sometime exceeded, one aircraft a day, all will understand that there was a degree of reticence to launch with less than a full load -- if I must dance with the elephant at least let's make it worth while. Nevertheless, the indomitable spirit of the carrier aviators, and their squadron-mates, prevailed in some rather perverse way.

I have every hope that today's successors to the mantel left at the Cubi "O" Club bar persevere as well. Kick the tires, light the fires, bolt for the blue and brief on guard -- last one up is lead. Back in 'Nam', if you weren't on USS MIDWAY in Oct 1965, I thought you'd get a kick out of one squadron's ingenuity. Yes, this really happened. Once again history is stranger then fiction, an d a lot funnier:

The USS Midway VA-25's Toilet Bomb.

In October 1965, CDR Clarence J. Stoddard, Executive Officer of VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet", flying an A-1H Skyraider, NE/572 "Paper Tiger II" from Carrier Air Wing Two aboard USS Midway carried a special bomb to the North Vietnamese in commemoration of the 6-millionth pound of ordnance dropped. This bomb was unique because of the type... it was a toilet!

The following is an account of this event, courtesy of Clint Johnson, Captain, USNR Ret. Captain Johnson was one of the two VA-25 A-1 Skyraider pilots credited with shooting down a MiG-17 on June 20, 1965. Clint Johnson was also a classmate and Company-mate of mine at the Naval Academy.

572 was flown by CDR C. W. "Bill" Stoddard. His wingman in 577 was LCDR Robin Bacon, who had a wing station mounted movie camera (the only one remaining in the fleet from WWII).

The flight was a Dixie Station strike (off South Vietnam) going to the Delta. When they arrived in the target area and CDR Stoddard was reading the ordnance list to the FAC, he ended with "and one code name Sani-flush".

The FAC couldn't believe it and joined up to see it. It was dropped in a dive with LCDR Bacon flying tight wing position to film the drop. When it came off, it turned hole to the wind and almost struck his airplane.

It made a great ready room movie. The FAC said that it whistled all the way down. The toilet was a damaged toilet, which was going to be thrown overboard.

One of our plane captains rescued it and the ordnance crew made a rack, tailfins and nose fuse for it. The squadron flight deck checkers maintained a position to block the view of the Captain and Air Boss while the aircraft was taxiing onto the cata pult. Just as it was being shot off we got a 1MC message from the bridge, "What the hell was on 572's right wing?"

Sunday, December 23, 2007

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE HITS WAL-MART!!!


Though my book doesn't "officially" release until January 1st...I'm hearing reports from several people from different states that they've spotted my book in Wal-Mart for the past few days!!!

In fact, one aunt said there were 9 one day...she went back the next day and there were only THREE left!

WOO HOO!

Let's pray those things fly off the shelves!

Quick!

Go to Wal-Mart....pick up your copy of A Soldier's Promise...it'd make a WONDERFUL stocking stuffer or last minute Christmas present!

It is also available on Eharlequin in Large Print and eBook formats.

Hugs,

Cheryl Wyatt

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Featured on Margaret Daley's Blog TODAY!

I am a guest on Margaret Daley's blog this week.

http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com/

Either cut and paste that link to your browser, or click the Title Header of this blog post to be taken to Margaret's blog.

She is having a drawing for the book this week for my first book--Love Inspired, A Soldier's Promise. Email her at margaretdaley @ gmail.com (close spaces) if you want
to be entered. Her interview with me will go up today. Scroll back to read my bio, blurb and review if you so wish. I hope you will race right over and leave comments on Margaret's blog...which is WONDERFUL by the way.

She LOVES flamingos.....as you will soon see.

While you're there....be sure and ask her about "Flo."

LOL!

Also.....her novel, Heart of the Family, Love Inspired, Dec. 2007 is a Top Pick! in Romantic Times!!!

You may still be able to purchase her book Buried Secrets, Love Inspired Suspense, Oct. 2007

and Family for Keeps/Sadie's Hero, LI Classic, Aug. 2007

Her website http://www.margaretdaley.com is full of helpful hints for aspiring writers as well.

Hope you will drop by the interview and leave a comment for Margaret or Flo. Grin.

Hugs,

Cheryl Wyatt (aka Squirrel)

Monday, December 17, 2007

Featured on NOVEL JOURNEY

We (me, God and A Soldier's Promise) are featured here today:

http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2007/12/debut-author-cheryl-wyatt-interviewed.html

If that link doesn't come through, either copy and paste it into your browser or click the "Featured on NOVEL JOURNEY" title header above.

Drop by and say Hey! if you have a moment! Let the Novel Journey gals know what a great job they do. It is a wonderful site with tons of interviews to lose yourself in.

Hugs,

Cheryl (aka Squirrel)

FUN STUFF COMING UP!!!


With the impending release of my debut novel in January, several blogs are graciously featuring me and my book over the next several weeks.

Some folks are doing reviews, some are doing interviews, some are having me do a guestblog. Most are going to be holding drawings for an autographed copy of my book on one (in some instances two) of their blogs. That's over 50 chances to win an autographed copy of my debut novel. So be sure and tell your romance reader friends and family.

On part of the blog tour, A Soldier's Promise main characters Amber, Joel and Bradley will be making guest appearances as well. :-) That should be fun, especially for those of you who've written to tell me that you've finished the book and hated to see the characters' stories end.

Also, the interviews aren't canned, meaning the same interview is posted on numerous blogs. Nope. We're bringing you all original content with this tour. Each interview features different questions than other interviews, and even some varying pictures. If the interviewer did happen to ask a question that I'd already been asked on a previous interview, I gave a different answer. LOL! For instance, if they asked what was the best piece of writing advice I've ever received, I'd mention the second best piece of advice.

So stay tuned for those blog links.

As soon as I get a concrete schedule for my blog tour, I will post it here.

Thanks for your support!


Cheryl Wyatt (aka Squirrel)

Friday, December 14, 2007

BIG Surprise

See if you can watch this "Christmas Surprise" video without crying.......
 
 
I couldn't......
 
REALLY touching.
 
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S285154.shtml?cat=118

--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Memories, Mammaries, and a Merry Blush and Cringe

Ye know....
 
The Spellchecker is wonderful.....
 
MOST of the time.
 
Thing is, it will not pick up on wrong word usage like is does misspelled words.
 
Which is fine...except when the misspelled word is spelled correctly as a word you didn't intend, and Spellchecker changes it to the wrong word....and I mean the WAY wrong word. I know, I know..spellchecker can't change anything without a human plinking a button. Or so we think.
 
I was proofreading my proposal today and THANKFULLY caught this:
 
Nolan stepped toward her on the bridge. Mammories assaulted him.
 
Hmm...THAT jumped out at me for sure. LOL!
 
I KNOW I typed in "Memories"......
 
Or so I thought.

--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Sunday, December 09, 2007

MAXIMum MAJOR BLUSH AND CRINGE

I've been crazy busy filling out interviews for my blog tour. It's been a whirwind but SO fun.
 
Anyway, today, I (THANK YOU GOD!!) realized after I sent a particular set of answers back to one of my blog tour participats, (waving to Nike Chilemi) that I posted the WRONG link to an author I'd mentioned.
 
In the interview, I mentioned that my heroine (Amber) in A Soldier's Promise looks exactly like a fellow Steeple Hill author.
 
So I provided the link.....
 
Except it was WRONG. I gave dot com when the author's official site is her name plus dot NET.
 
Not only wrong, the original link was for a Maxim model. EEEK!
 
MAJOR OOOOOPS!
 
REALLY glad I caught that before it went out on Nike's blog. LOL!
 
 Blushing Squirrel
--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

A drive-by-elf-sighting..he he he

Merry Christmas from myself and three writer friends....

Click the header up there, (A drive-by-elf-sighting...he he he) or cut and paste the following link into your browser for a funny Christmas serenade...


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1209778537


Cheryl Wyatt
Robin Miller w/a Robin Caroll
Dineen Miller
Ronie Kendig

Thursday, December 06, 2007

FEATURED ON CAMY'S LOFT

Camy Tang is doing a Twelve Authors of Christmas thing on her blog...and she's kicking it off with yours truly.
 
If you want to see a picture of my cutie patootie hubby and my little troop, check out Camy's Loft.
 
Oh, and she also interviewed me about Christmasy things....you can see our tree too. The one my husband won the argument over. LOL! (For ten years, I've wanted a white tree. For ten years, he's wanted a green tree. So we've had a small pink princess tree for the girls but no big tree because we were at a stalemate regarding the whole red tree, white tree thing.
 
His mom had a talk with him. Made him feel guilty because we haven't had a tree for our children. LOL!
 
He took us to the store THAT day. In fact, his brother and sister-in-law went with us tree shopping fully prepared to referee the white-tree/green-tree battle.
 
Shopping was interesting.
 
Suffice it to say we now have THREE trees. LOL!
 
A four foot white one in the living room.
An eight foot green one in the family room. (Hey, I let him have the biggest tree.)
The previous one foot pinkish-purple one in the playroom.
 
 
 
Hope you will check it out!!!!

--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

LAST CALL FOR BLOG TOUR PARTICIPANTS

Hey all!
 
Last call for Blog Tour participants for my debut novel, A Soldier's Promise.
 
If you have a blog and would like to feature me on it in January either by interviewing me, giving a free copy of my debut novel away, doing a review of the book or having me as a guestblogger, please contact me ASAP. Cheryl @ CherylWyatt dot com (close spaces and replace "dot" with "."
 
Thanks all!
 
Those of you who've agreed to be on my blog tour...THANK YOU!
 
I, or Camy Tang...my marvelous friend who is helping me with my debut tour, will contact you shortly.
 


--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Sunday, December 02, 2007

CONTEST AND NEWSLETTER

Hey all, for the release of my debut novel (A Soldier's Promise) I'm
holding a contest in January for a chance to win an iPod and other
smaller goodies, including 10 128mb flash drives. If you're
interested, visit my Web site www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up for my
newsletter in the yellow box that says, "Join Cheryl Wyatt's Author
Mailing List." Only newsletter subscribers will be eligible.
 
Then with the release of my March book, A Soldier's Family, I'm giving away more great prizes....so hurry on over to my Web site and sign up for my newsletter today.

Also, I'm taking names right now for my blog tour for the January
book, which is an RT Top Pick. If you're interested, please e-mail me
privately. Thanks all!
 
If you can't hit the January Blog tour, and are interested in my March blog tour, let me know.

Cheryl Wyatt
Cheryl @ Cheryl Wyatt dot com

--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Available on Pre order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Order A Soldier's Promise on eHarlequin

Hey all!

Just zipping in here to let you know my profile and my book are now up on eharlequin. You can purchase it there for a discounted price.

YOU CAN CLICK THE BLOG POST HEADER LINK ABOVE TO GO TO THE SITE

There is a link on the page that lets you read an excerpt of part of the first chapter. There is also a link there to order the book in regular print or large print. AND..it's also available in ebook in several formats!

A Soldier's Promise received a Top Pick! from Romantic Times BOOKclub. It is also book one in my Wings of Refuge series with Steeple Hill's Love Inspired line. It will also be listed on eharlequin's miniseries site.

You may also go to www.eharlequin.com or www.steeplehill.com and type my name or my book titles in the author search box.

Hope you will order one (or two or three for your friends and family) today. I appreciate all of you who've already preordered one or both of my books, and those of you who are getting the word out about my books.

You are a tremendous blessing to me.

Warmly,

Cheryl

Friday, November 30, 2007

BOOK THREE SOLD!

Great news!

My wonderfabufullousoneofmyabsolutefavoritepeopleonearthrightnow-editor Melissa Endlich called today....book three in my USAF pararescue jumper series (Wings of Refuge) sold to Steeple Hill!

A Soldier's Sonnet (tentative title) will release in April, 2009 from Steeple Hill's Love Inspired line. For those of you who pick up books one and two in Jan and March 2008, "Sonnet" is Ben's story.

Whisper a hearty "thanks" to God on my behalf, okay? I've already been telling Him...but I'd really love for Him to be bombarded with praise....

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warmly,

Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel

Monday, November 26, 2007

Check this out...Seekerville Blog

I have been blessed with the extreme privilege of being a part of a group of writers called The Seekers.

Seeker History:
A few years ago, there were several unpublished writers who kept finaling in contests together. One of those writers decided to contact the rest of us (15 total) to see if we wanted to form a group and commit to praying each other into publication.

Our motto: Our focus on Him as we write toward the dream, We shall leave no woman behind. (T. Russo, 2005)

We formed a private group and decided on the name of Seekers, since we not only have contests in common, but we are all Seekers of Jesus.

Since the Seeker group started, eight of the fifteen of us have contracted with publishers and many of the rest have become agented.

Through prayer and openness, God has bonded us. Our friendships have flourished and we have grown close like sisters. I have laughed so hard with these ladies at times that my facial muscles were sore for days. I have cried over their rejections, rejoiced over First Sales (and in Mary C's case...the 19Th sale!!!), contest wins and finals. I've sat back in awe and watched God bless them with life's precious moments, and we've prayed each other through life's painful moments. I've learned a TON about the industry of writing (and predict you will too!), and I've grown in character as a Christian just knowing them.

These writers are women I admire, respect, and know with unwavering faith that every single one of them are meant to be published.

I'd love for you to come by our newly-formed Seekerville Blog and meet these fabulous women:

Click the post header above, or copy and paste this url into your browser: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

They are a wealth of knowledge, fun and a gazillion other things.

Since we have contests in common....meaning that's how we all met in the first place...our Seeker Blog is focused on writing contests.

We also have guest bloggers so I hope you will drop by often.

We will be giving away critiques as well. More info on that on the Seeker Blog...otherwise known as Seekerville...

Cheryl Wyatt

Grab a cup of java or tea and I'll see you in Seekerville.....

Friday, November 23, 2007

Interviewed on Editor Susan Lohrer's Blog

Editor Susan Lohrer interviewed me for a really short chat on her blog. Here's the link:  
 
 
If you have a moment, drop by and say hey. Susan's blog has some really neat content...including a previous discussion on what makes a yummy romance hero....
 
If the above link doesn't work, copy and paste it into your browser.
 
Enjoy!


--
www.CherylWyatt.com ~~High-Caliber Romance, High-Octane Faith~~  
Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

Availabie on Pre-order now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

A Soldier's Promise Receives TOP PICK! from Romantic Times!

Wonderful news!

My debut novel, A Soldier's Promise, received 4.5 stars AND a January Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine!

http://www.romantictimes.com/books_review.php?book=34242

Here's what the reviewer said:

"Cheryl Wyatt infuses A Soldier's Promise (4.5) with kindness, compassion and love. Plus, each character in this strong story is multilayered. When young Bradley, a boy dying of cancer, writes to the Air Force Pararescue team, he gets to meet jumper Joel Montgomery, who connects with Bradley and feels an instant and shared attraction to the boy's teacher, Amber Stanton. This absolutely fantastic debut novel proves that while challenges and boundaries are not always easily resolved, they're definitely worth the work."

---Robin Taylor-Romantic Times Reviewer


Cheryl Wyatt

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Children's Science Exam Answers..FUNNY!

This came from a gal in my local writers' group......

(eek...typed "grope" there instead of "group" at first...blush. Glad I caught that before it posted, especially since some of you subscribe to my blog posts and receive them before I catch all the mistakes. LOL!)

 

If you need a good laugh, read these childrens' science exam answers.......

 

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? (brilliant, love this!)
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? ( e.g., abdomen)
A: The body is consisted into three parts -- the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax
contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does "varicose" mean? (I do love this one...)
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarian Section."
A: The Caesarian Section is a district in Rome

Q: What does the word "benign" mean?'
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.
 

 



--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com  www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Monday, November 19, 2007

PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY

Please pray for the Munaretto and Anderson families and friends of Joe Munaretto during this holiday season and beyond. Three little girls lost their daddy this past week. He served our country in the military as a doctor. He died of natural causes. His wife's name is Gina and is the daughter of two very dear friends, Larry and Carol Anderson.
 
Please, please, please lift up these families.
 
Thank you!

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

TRAUMATIZED BY.....CORNBREAD?

Yes. It's true. I have this severe (and I mean SEVERE in a neurotic way) aversion to cornbread. Here's why: when we were little and living in New Mexico, we had the nicest babysitter. BUT....she had one itty bitty ghastly penchant for making cornbread. She would put a big hunk of cornbread about the size of a small shoe into a HUMONGOUS green bowl....and pour syrup over it to the point that the syrup ended up being about three to four inches thick in the bowl.

Then she would pour milk, big dollops of butter and sprinkle sugar on top. Sometimes peanut butter.

And then (YICK!) make us eat it. Every. Last. Drop.

To this day, my sister and my brother (who is really my cousin but my parents had legal custody of him and he lived with us) cannot STAND to eat cornbread. Can't even stand to smell it. If any of us are in a kitchen and we get whiffs of the stuff...we'll flee.

My husband loves Jiffy cornbread. I'll cook anything for him, but I tell him..."with cornbread....you're on your own unless you want to see me urp." Even the smell makes me nauseous.

I had a discussion this morning with my cousin who moved from another state to near me recently. She also went to this baby sitter's growing up. We laughed because neither of us realized how traumatized we all were by this icky cornbread. She said she can't even stand to eat out of green bowls because of the whole ordeal. That made me realize why I can't stand to have green bowls in my house. I'd forgotten Nancy served the cornbread out of green bowls...always.

All of our siblings and cousins and even the baby sitter's own children...none of us can stand to eat cornbread to this day. LOL! I think maybe we all need to go to counseling......


(Nancy, if you're reading this....we love you....just not your cornbread.

Your goulash was out of this world though!!!!)

So, bloggers....what food did you eat growing up that you cannot stand now?

Talk away...it is much too quiet around this treehouse......


Squirrel

Cheryl Wyatt

Saturday, November 17, 2007

WONDERFUL FEEDBACK...THANK YOU!

Guess what I got in the mail right before I went to North Carolina?
 
MY BOOK! I got it through Steeple Hill's book club. So that means all subscribers who receive four books now have my book!!!
 
I came back home to about seven reader letters in my Inbox....all expressing how much they loved the book.
 
I never dreamed the elation and humility and profound gratitude I'd feel as I read (and re read and re read..LOL!) those precious letters.
 
So far all the letters have been positive.
 
The really great thing is I remember pouring my heart out to God in private prayer times years ago while researching, plotting and writing the first military stories, asking Him to please, please, please help me honor military servicemen and women and their families and not offend. Since I'm not military myself..but have family who is and was....this was one of my constant prayers and one of my fears...that I would somehow dishonor those who have served and sacrificed to keep us free. Only God could know how much it meant to me that most of those letters I received are from military personnel and or their spouses. 
 
Thank you for taking time to write to the authors whose books touch your life in some way. Readers, you guys think our books touch you...but I wish you knew how very much your letters mean to us. 
 
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. I am deeply touched.
 
Squirrel 

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Friday, November 16, 2007

CALL FOR BLOG TOUR PARTICIPANTS for A Soldier's Promise and A Soldier's Family

Hey all...
 
I'm going to be doing a blog tour in January and in March for my two debut novels.
 
If you're interested in being a part of one or both....drop me an e-mail or comment here, leaving some way for me to contact you.
 
Remember to put a space somewhere in the text if you leave your e-mail address so the phish and spiders don't scoop up your address.
 
I appreciate your readership!!!!
 
Warmly,
 

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Thursday, November 15, 2007

One use for STEW PID SPAM

Okay...so today I'm deleting my Spam folder...and I'm rolling my eyes as usual because....uh....hello...I don't NEED a you-know-what enlargement patch...well..because I don't exactly have a you-know-what.
 
I'm deleting, deleting, deleting when I see a new one.....
 
"Unleash the man in you."
 
Oh-kay.
 
Interesting since I'm a girl.
 
Stupid spam.
 
Here's the upside to this cyber annoyance....if you're a writer you really can get some interesting character names off the fake names those spammerr-errrr.....I mean people use.......
 

Spam-sick-Squiirel
--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Man Rules

My brother-in-law sent this to my My Space Inbox....I'm thinking my husband paid him to......
 
I must admit....it's pretty funny. I'm definitely using some of it to try and better nail the male point of view in my stories. LOL!
 


At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down finally, the guys' side of the story.

(I must admit, it's pretty good.)

We always hear "the rules" From the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.



These are our rules!

Please note... these are all numbered "1"
ON PURPOSE!


1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!


1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.

Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.


1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of them makes you sad or angry, then we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing is wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle, besides we know you will bring it up again later.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear!

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

 

Written by a guy......obviously! LOL!



--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

WRITERS' BRAINSTORMING RETREAT

I deeply apologize for the sporadic posting. I've been working on my next proposal and traveling a LOT. I have much to catch you up on...all exciting!  
 
Just returned from a writers' brainstorming retreat in the mountains of Franklin, North Carolina with fellow Steeple Hill authors Missy Tippens, Lynette Eason, and Zondervan author Camy Tang, as well as up and coming authors Pammer James who writes kick-bottom FBI suspense (Faith-Based-Intrigue), and Jennifer Hudson Taylor whose Carolina historicals will one day knock your socks off.
 
Until I get time to catch you up on blog posts, here are some links to pictures and posts about our brainstorm retreat from Lynette and Jennifer:
 
 
 
http://suspensewithatwist.blogspot.com/

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com  www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Thursday, November 01, 2007

CONGRATS ANNUAL PROMPT CONTEST WINNERS 2007!

Are you ready to find out who won my annual Squirrel's Story Starter Contest?

Drum roll please.........

First Place: Hope Chastain
Second Place: Lacy Williams
Third Place: Jean Kinsey

Honorable Mentions:

Melody Sproule
Nike Chillemi
Patricia Woodside
Shauna Sturge
Cheryl Rose
Kimberly Wesdyk
Laura Brizendine
Caren Fullerton
Steve Youngblood
Trudy Bally
Michelle Rogers
Cheryl Shaw
Lara Spiker
Kay Malone


First place winner received a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice, free copies of my January and March release, plus a gift pen and bookmark.

Second Place winner received a four month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice, free copies of my January and March release, plus a gift pen and bookmark.

Third Place winner receives a three month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice, free copies of my January and March release, plus a gift pen and bookmark.

Honorable Mentions receive free copies of my January and March release, plus a gift pen and bookmark, free copies of my January and March release, plus a gift pen and bookmark.

All other entrants receive a gift pen and bookmark.

Thanks so much for supporting my blog and for entering the contest.

It will start back up in January of 2008 so stay tuned.

PS> IF you entered more than three times in the year and are NOT on the Honorable Mention list, please e-mail me STAT.

Also, if you entered AT ALL this year, and I have NOT e-mailed you, please e-mail me STAT. Everyone who entered receives a little thank you gift from me.

Thanks all for supporting my blog with your readership and for entering my contest.

Warmly,

Cheryl Wyatt

Monday, October 29, 2007

From Max Lucado

Permission to forward.....
 
Found in Crosswalk UpWords from Max Lucado
 
The Gift of Hope
by Max Lucado

The aspiring young author was in need of hope. More than one person had told him to give up. "Getting published is impossible," one mentor said. "Unless you are a national celebrity, publishers won't talk to you." Another warned, "Writing takes too much time. Besides, you don't want all your thoughts on paper."

Initially he listened. He agreed that writing was a waste of effort and turned his attention to other projects. But somehow the pen and pad were bourbon and Coke to the wordaholic. He'd rather write than read. So he wrote. How many nights did he pass on that couch in the corner of the apartment reshuffling his deck of verbs and nouns? And how many hours did his wife sit with him? He wordsmithing. She cross-stitching. Finally a manuscript was finished. Crude and laden with mistakes but finished.

She gave him the shove. "Send it out. What's the harm?"

So out it went. Mailed to fifteen different publishers. While the couple waited, he wrote. While he wrote, she stitched. Neither expecting much, both hoping everything. Responses began to fill the mailbox. "I'm sorry, but we don't accept unsolicited manuscripts." "We must return your work. Best of luck." "Our catalog doesn't have room for unpublished authors."

I still have those letters. Somewhere in a file. Finding them would take some time. Finding Denalyn's cross-stitch, however, would take none. To see it, all I do is lift my eyes from this monitor and look on the wall. "Of all those arts in which the wise excel, nature's chief masterpiece is writing well."

She gave it to me about the time the fifteenth letter arrived. A publisher had said yes. That letter is also framed. Which of the two is more meaningful? The gift from my wife or the letter from the publisher? The gift, hands down. For in giving the gift, Denalyn gave hope.

Love does that. Love extends an olive leaf to the loved one and says, "I have hope in you."

Love is just as quick to say, "I have hope for you."

You can say those words. You are a flood survivor. By God's grace you have found your way to dry land. You know what it's like to see the waters subside. And since you do, since you passed through a flood and lived to tell about it, you are qualified to give hope to someone else.

What a wonderful God we have--he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
(2 Cor. 1:3--4 TLB)

From A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2002) Max Lucado

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Tricia Goyer's My Life, Unscripted.



I am surrounded by teens, tweens and girls approaching that time. 98% of them are girls. When I read an excerpt of Tricia Goyer's My Life, Unscripted, I let several of my nieces read it. I really wish this book would be recommended reading for junior high and high school girls. LOL! How I wish I'd read a book like this when heading into my teen years. Boy, would my decisions have been different.

Tricia's candid story and her insight was really touching and a pleasure to read. I got to know her a bit when my husband and I contributed to one of her previous books. GenX Parenting. You may still be able to order it on www.amazon.com. Check it out.

I was so impressed by that GenX Parenting book that I couldn't wait to get my hands on Unscripted. Now, I know you're not here to hear about me. So here's what Tricia has to say about her new book:

Tricia’s Script:


Looking back at my drama-filled teen years I now wonder … What was I thinking?

The truth? I wasn’t. I lived from day to day on every wave of emotion. Some days excitement and passion partnered up, pattering wildly within my heart.


Other days, depression and anxiety were my silent friends. I lived each day as it came, with no plan for my future, for my relationships, or for my heart.


I lived my life completely unscripted … and, well, it didn’t go well for me. Teen pregnancy and a broken heart were only two consequences. Yet my prayer is that when teen girls are asked Who’s Writing Your Life? their answer will be ME … with the guidance of God, My Director.


If you have teenagers, especially girls, or work with teens, do yourself and them a favor by ordering this book, or picking it up at your local bookstore. It should be available anywhere books are sold.

Another great place you could get it is at your local Barnes and Nobles. It’s part of their back-to-school endcap promotion!

INTERVIEW WITH TRICIA
__________________________________
my life, unscripted

Summary:


Drawing on Biblical prinicples, My Life, Unscripted guides girls through the tumultous teen years by teaching them to have a plan of attack before temptation or hardship come.

Tricia's Script:

Looking back at my drama-filled teen years I now wonder ... What was I thinking?

The truth? I wasn't. I lived from day to day on every wave of emotion. Some days excitement and passion partnered up, pattering wildly within my heart.

Other days, depression and anxiety were my silent friends. I lived each day as it came, with no plan for my future, for my relationships, or for my heart.

I lived my life completely unscripted ... and, well, it didn't go well for me. Teen pregnancy and a broken heart were only two consequences. Yet my prayer is that when teen girls are asked Who's Writing Your Life? their answer will be ME ... with the guidance of God, My Director.

________________________________
An interview with Tricia Goyer!

Q: Tell me about My Life, Unscripted



Sure! With real-life scripts, screenwriting terms, and timely topics, My Life, Unscripted helps teen girls explore their own inner struggles and outward relationships. It's my hope they'll learn the importance of "scripting" their own responses BEFORE challenging life-situations arise.


By contrasting real-life with TV/movies, it's my hope that teen girls will understand they don't have to get caught up in the drama. They don't have to face situations as they arise, but rather they can think about, pray about, and consider how to face these situations before they hit the big screen of their lives.



Q: Is it true that much of YOUR story shows up in these pages?



Gulp. Yes, I'm afraid so. In fact, I shared parts of my story that I SWORE I'd never tell a soul.



My teenage script (portrayed in the book as Trish Valley) wasn't one I'd suggest my daughter, nor my readers to copy.



Q: Tell me about these scripts.



The introductory script of Trish Valley shows a scene where Trish urges her mom to follow Trish's boyfriend into the McDonald's parking lot so she can "spill her news." The other girl in the car and her boyfriend's response to Trish's pregnancy are unfortunately not fiction. I wrote out the scenes as they would appear in an actual script. I even use all the correct terms and layout.





Q: In addition to teen pregnancy, what are some of the other "scripts"?



Do I have to tell? Well, I guess it's in print now! Let me see: fists fights with a rival, sneaking out of my parents' house, getting caught by my boyfriend kissing his best friend--does that give you an idea? Do I have to go on?



Q: No, you can stop there. But WHY? Why did you decide to share these stories?



First, because I want girls to understand the heartache of unwise decisions. I want to them to be able to relate to me, rather than feeling preached at. Also, I wanted to share my stories because many young women have faced the same type of situations, or they know friends who have. And finally because they are great object lessons for the importance of following biblical truth. That is something I did learn!



Q: What does your teenage daughter think about this book?



Leslie thinks it's great I'm able to connect with other teens. She's heard these stories for a while! She was 11-years-old when we first started volunteering together at a support group for teenage mothers together. As I taught the young moms things like nutrition and potty training, Leslie assisted adults in babysitting the toddlers. And while we loved giving and serving, it was the ride home that soon became the most meaningful part. As Leslie sat in the passenger's seat, I could see her mind considering my life as a teen mom, and she started asking questions.



Although it was hard to talk about my past mistakes, I knew this was an ideal opportunity to share real-life truths with my daughter. Each person walking this earth has regrets. Our talks showed me that instead of hiding my past troubles (and hoping my kids didn't find out) sharing my mistakes could actually give my daughter a better understanding to why values and wise decision-making skills are important.



Q: So now you're "having a heart-to-heart" with other teens through this book?



I sure hope that's how they see it! Those first talks with my daughter brought us closer, but I knew not every girl has had someone to offer advice such as: "build a supporting cast of people you can trust" or "consider the character qualities you'd like for a leading man."



Q: Okay, so your book is for teens, but what about the moms out there who feel they have past mistakes they don't want to share?



Well, they could each write a book about their teen years! Ha- just kidding!



But for those moms out there, maybe your teen years were not as drama-filled as mine. Or, if they were, maybe you are fearful of sharing them with your teen. The truth is, teens learn best not with information and knowledge, but rather by hearing life examples and understanding how decisions can affect all parts of our lives. So, time to get brave, Mom. Open your heart and share what worked and what didn't. It just might help your daughter write a better script for herself.


Oh, yes, and consider buying your daughter My Life, Unscripted! Hopefully every teen girl can get some take-away to scripting a bright future!



Places you can find Tricia on the net:

Tricia’s Blog: It’s Real Life

Tricia’s Website: www.triciagoyer.com

Tricia's Upcoming Releases:

A Shadow of Treason (Moody Publishing) 2007
Generation NeXt Marriage (Multnomah) January, 2008

Also, on Wednesday, October 30, 2007, I’ll do a drawing for a copy of Tricia's My Life, Unscripted. To participate, simply leave a comment on this post!


Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Cheryl Wyatt aka "Squirrel"

Monday, October 22, 2007

Steeple Hill Harvest Festival This Week!!

Hey all!

Steeple Hill is having a Harvest Festival. Come on over and join the fun! Many of your favorite authors will be there. Many opportunities for prizes the authors have donated...so what are you waiting for? Come visit at

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?50@@.4a84a266/0

Schedule of Events:

Monday October 22nd
Harvest Cook-Off with Allie Pleiter
(Readers will post candy-related recipes on the boards. Winning recipe will
be announced on Friday)

Great Moody Pumpkin Writing Challenge with Janet Tronstad
(Using 250 words or less, write a partial scene set in a pumpkin patch
anywhere in time or place that shows a mood. Winner will be announced at the
end of the Festival)

Referral contest: For every person who posts and says they were referred by
someone, the referrer will be entered in a drawing for a prize on Friday.

Delurking contest: Every person who posts saying they've delurked will be
entered in a drawing for a prize on Friday.

Tuesday October 23rd
Dunking for Authors with Cheryl Wyatt
(since Cheryl's books aren't available yet, we'll be giving away books from
other authors as prizes)

Wednesday October 24th
Buried Secrets Scavenger Hunt with Margaret Daley
(Readers will read excerpts from Margaret's recent release, Buried Secrets,
and answer questions)

Thursday October 25th
Pin the Tale on the Author with Cheryl Wyatt
(Again, we'll have prizes from other authors. Readers will match correct
author and title)

Friday October 26th
McKaslin Moments with Jillian Hart
(A trivia game based on Jill's McKaslin books)



--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com  www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Sunday, October 21, 2007

ATTENTION STORY STARTER ENTRANTS

Hey all,
 
Before I announce the big winner (or winners..that's right...could be TWO!) for the annual prize of a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of your choice, I want to double check that I didn't miss any entries to Spam.
 
For the next week, until Nov 1st, please comment here if you have entered my prompt contest 10 or more times out of the last 12 months.
 
The first week in November I will be notifying the winner or winners and, with their permission, posting their names here on my blog.
 
I will also post the top ten entrants for this past year, so stay tuned.

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com  www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

BLUSH AND CRINGE

Okay, since I was tagged with a Blog Friend Forever award by my friend Camy Tang ( Web site: http://camytang.com/ or Blog: http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/  ) and she mentioned my infamous Blush and Cringes (do u know how many of those I've chickened out and deleted seconds after sending? LOL!) I thought I'd better post one.
 
Today after church we were eating at what my husband calls the human food trough (Golden Corral). I'd been praying to be able to remember teachers who encouraged my writing journey. Difficult since we moved three times during high school.
 
As I came back from getting my second helping of scrumptious food, I passed a man who looked familiar. Though he wasn't actually one of my teachers, I remembered him coordinating the Friends in Christ club....which is one of the places I came to know God for the first time. I asked him if he was Mr. Carrol, and he said yes. I remember thinking how unfair that he doesn't look a day older than I remember him, and yet I'm sure I've aged in 20 years. LOL!
 
Anyway, I asked him if he remembered the creative writing teacher's name. He went through a couple names. I remembered one as being a teacher who encouraged me to pursue writing. I told him her doing that and about me recently contracting two Christian novels with an Inspirational publisher. http://SteepleHill.com/ He was very happy for me. Prior to that though, his face kept kind of twitching and he'd eye my neck. I knew I'd layered my clothing so it couldn't be too much cleavage or something. I thought maybe as I told him what year I graduated, he thought I had to many jaw wrinkles for that or something.
 
I go back to the table, sit down......and discover I have a huge splotch of potatoes, gravy and corn below my neck, above my collar. I mix those items together and eat them like that. I'm not kidding when I say there was a quarter size glob on my skin. Have no idea why I didn't feel it hit. Who knows. Anyway, I'm 99.9% sure he noticed it but was too nice to mention it. LOLOL! No wonder he was twitching and blinking and trying not to stare. LOLOL!
 
God knows how to keep us humble, eh?
 
I tell you, people don't believe me when I tell them I need an adult size bib when I eat. LOL! Until after they eat with me.....
--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com  www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

SONY READER OR IPOD?

I'm holding a contest in a couple of months where I'll be giving away either a Sony Reader, an iPod. I thought about giving away an Alphasmart before, but I'm trying to have a prize that appeals to readers, writers and non-writers alike.
 
So let's have a vote.
 
Would you prefer the newest iPod, or a Sony Reader?
 
Don't know what a Sony Reader is? It's a digital book reader.
 
 
 
Check out this site for more info.
 
 
 
And the link for eBooks:
 
 
Please leave a comment, or an e-mail letting me know which you'd prefer.


--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com  www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Dear King....

Ever have those moments when life's flurry melts away,
 
and you realize
 
an emptiness so deep
 
it stops you in your footsteps
 
to wonder
 
why you're feeling so down and out of sorts
 
when moments ago you were laughing?
 
Then you recall how long it's been since you
 
connected with Him
 
Then an answer so swift and truth so sweet and a longing so strong

snuffs out the melancholy
 
drizzle
 
of forgetting
 
if even for an hour
 
what it's like to be with Him.....
 
 
I had that kind of moment today. So I wrote Him a letter......and, upon the tablet of my heart, through knee-mail...I felt His answer scripting across my soul....
 
Maybe it will minister to you, but mostly, I hope it causes your spirit heart to take pause, and the lungs of your soul to breathe deeply
 
of Him
 
and live again
 
in His presence
 
in unbroken communion.
 
I'll post the poem here:
-----------------------
Dear King
by Cheryl Wyatt October 15, 2007


Dear King,

It was bloody and brutal
and I cannot
imagine
you having to
die
without honor
so willingly.

 .      .        .       .      .

Dear Princess,

I was humbled and honored
and I could not
imagine
me having to
live
without you
for eternity.
 
 
--------------------------
Introspective Squirrel

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Sunday, October 14, 2007

BAYOU BASH WITH ROBIN CAROLL








Hey Bloggers!

Welcome to this "limb" of Robin's blog tour!!!

I have the extreme pleasure of posting from Arkansas where I've spent the weekend with Robin Caroll.

Her family and friends put together a Bayou Bash to honor her for the release of her debut novel, Bayou Justice.

We traveled with Robin to Louisianna for her Bayou Bash and book signings at Shreveport Barnes and Noble, and Pierre Bossier Mall's Border Books.
I got to see the Bayou up close! I've never seen one before.

Great news.....Robin SOLD OUT OF BOOKS AT BOTH SIGNINGS!!! She sold close to 100 books in all! She also held a drawing for a Cajun basket, which she put together. Her agent, Kelly Mortimer, handmade her THE cutest alligator soap bar! It was even glittery! Bayou Bling!

I hope you enjoy her Bayou Bash and debut book signing pictures as well as her interview. (Posted below)


Robin’s Interview.

1. If your main characters from Bayou Justice could blurb you, the author, what would they say?
Coco: Robin can be demanding and stubborn, but at least she understands the area and the wildlife.
Luc: Robin is grounded spiritually and creative.

2. What is the best part of working with an editor? Seeing how someone else in the industry interacts with my characters, and getting her perspective.

3. What is it like to get reader feedback from non-writers? It’s gratifying to hear people discuss these characters I’ve lived with for so long, as if they’re real people.

4. Bayou Justice is book one in a series. Though each book can stand on its own, what links your stories together? Clearly, the Bayou setting. But also the strong family ties that are so popular in the Cajun culture.

5. Out of all the characters in your Bayou Series books, who has been the most challenging to write and why? Felicia in book three (Bayou Judgment, to be released from Steeple Hill Suspense in May 2008) because she is the least like my own personality. I had to use other inspiration to capture her traits and qualities.

6. On that note, where do you draw inspiration from for your characters and plots? For plots, from news, newspapers, and I ask a lot of “What if?” and I imagine the opposite. Meaning, I ask, “What if the opposite had happened?” Example: A court removing a child from foster care because of abuse, I would “What If” the court was removing the child from foster care when it was in the child’s best interest to stay? That’s how my mind works when I’m plotting. Characterization: I draw inspiration from aspects of people I know or have met, a little of myself, and by observation. I’m a huge people watcher. I love to study how people interact.

7. Speaking of reader feedback, what would be the highest compliment a reader could give you? That the story spoke to them or moved them in some way.

8. You recently had your first book signings, which were a HUGE success! (Robin sold completely out of books at both locations-Shreveport’s Barnes and Noble and at Borders! Wahoo!) What would you advise debut authors regarding coordinating their first book signing? Set it in an area where you have a lot of support such as the area surrounding the setting of your story, or your hometown, etc.

9. With a published book out now, people (aka bookstore owners, librarians, etc) will introduce you as “Robin Caroll, the author of Southern Mysteries of Suspense to Inspire your Heart.” What part of your identity prior to publication would you least like to lose? Meaning, if God Himself were to introduce you to a group of people or angels, what would you hope Him to say? “This is my daughter who is obedient.”

10. If aspiring authors could have seven tools crucial to publication, what would you say those are?
Strong prayer life. A desire to learn. A good network of other writers. Strong critique partners. A vast reference book library. (Example: Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook). Determination. Perseverance.

Thanks for a wonderfully insightful interview, Robin!

You're welcome!


Thanks for stopping by Robin's blog tour! Don't be shy....pull up a seat, post a comment and spend some time with this fabulous Romantic Suspense author.


Visit Robin's Web site here: www.robincaroll.com
There are more pix of her Bayou Bash and book signing there...and you HAVE to see the Cajun basket she put together! It even had crime scene tape around the basket! LOL!

Bayou Justice is IN STORES NOW!
Be sure to order the next books in Robin's Bayou Series:
Bayou Corruption Feb 2008
Bayou Judgment May 2008
Bayou Paradox Sept 2008

Link to Robin's site or blog for news on upcoming releases.

C'est tout! (Cajun for "That's all!")

Squirrel

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

VIEW MY COVER ON BARNES AND NOBLE DOT COM!!!

Hey! I made a cool discovery this morning. I searched to see if my book was available on Barnes and Noble for someone who has a gift card.....

It's not only available for pre-order there now....YOU CAN SEE THE COVER!!!!

Go to http://barnesandnoble.com and type in the search bar, "A Soldier's Promise by Cheryl Wyatt"

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that cover!!!!!!!!!

Hope you all go take a look and pre-order the book. Heck, order two or three or five or ten and give them away to your friends and family. LOL!


Warmly,

Squirrel

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

FEEDBACK REQUESTED and WRAP-UP OF SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER CONTEST

Hey all,
 
Lacy's comment reminded me I need to bring you up to speed on what's going on with the contest.
 
The annual winner will be announced in November. I am going over all my spreadsheets for the year and making certain of how many entries each person had. Then I'm e-mailing entrants to verify numbers.
 
This is taking some time. Winners will be announced in November. If you've won, I will be contacting you with permission to announce your name (or names!) on here. Yes, there could be a tie, which means more than one of you would get the 6 month Steeple Hill subscription.
 
You guys have been wonderful, wonderful, wonderful this year and I have seen your writing grow from one entry to the next.
 
Next year, I might consider implementing the offer of sending your entries back critiqued. I will be asking for your feedback on that. The critique/feedback would be confidential between the entrant and I. As in the entries, nothing is made public.
 
Next year, I'm also considering announcing the monthly winners on the blog. Let me know what you guys think about that. If you've entered, don't be shy, let me know what you'd like changed as well as what you hope doesn't change about the monthly prompt contests. I'm open for suggestions and comments here.
 
Also, there will be more incentives to enter next year. If you send a friend to enter, that will earn you more points toward winning the annual prize.
 
I may change the way I do things because people coming in in June don't have the same chances that someone coming in in January have to win the annual prize. Once the contest grows so folks know about it, that won't be a problem. But right now, folks are still stumbling onto the contest for the first time.
 
Suggestions are welcome.
 
Talk away!
 
Squirrel

--
Cheryl Wyatt   Gal. 2:20   Pouring my vial of words over Him.

www.CherylWyatt.com   www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Mar. 2008

www.Steeplehill.com   www.Loveinspiredauthors.com

Monday, October 08, 2007

TALLADEGA!


' DEGA BOUND!!!






Gentlemen....START. YOUR. ENGINES!!!!

Can you hear the Vrrooooom?

I'm back from the races and can still hear it. LOL!

Was MIA from blogdom for a few days. Went to the NASCAR race in Talladega, Alabama.

Since my good friend Camy Tang informed me that ideal blog posts are 250 to 400 words, I'll keep these shorter from now on. LOL! I'll spread the info out.

Above are pics from the Mountain Dew Series Truck races.

I'm sorry to inform you that all the good wrecks happened as we left the park Sunday. LOL! Seriously, glad no one got hurt, but cars got crunched for sure. Disappointing for drivers.

We hope to be in Atlanta Motor Speedway at the end of the month.

Met some wonderful people while we were there. More info and pics in a different post. For now, suffice it to say we got to hang the entire weekend with some of the greatest people to walk the planet. Downhome kind of people who, once you meet them, you don't want to leave their presence.

Most were affiliated with the River band who does NASCAR entertainment. http://www.abandcalledriver.com/ and Bob's Party Bus folks. Fun weekend! Great music!

Took lots of notes while I was there and got several ideas for really unique character careers. In addition, for future sensory descriptions I had notecards. At the top of each, I'd written: "Sight", "Sound", "Touch", "Smell", etc. I filled out each of them. So when I go to write these stories, I'm not having to rely solely on my brain to recall it all. LOL!

I took copius pictures of the strangest things so I could get my scene and setting descriptions accurate and realistic. Took lots of notes and asked tons of questions.

If you write and go on vacation or a research trip, take notecards with you.

I kept them on me at all times as I walked around. I tried to be supersensitive to everything. Even down to what the red dirt looks like. (Do you know how hard that stuff is to get out from between your toes?)

Talladega has THE most wicked fire ants. Found out that sensory detail the hard way when one crawled in my dusty crock and couldn't get out. So it kept stinging me. That, or there were two in there. OUCH. Still hurts. Write down everything you sense, see, hear, smell, see, feel, touch, taste (like the mouthwaterint jumbalya our cajun friends served us. Needed a fire extinquisher when I breathed afterward though. LOL! GOOD food. Great people) even if you don't use it. Even nuances of their accents, I listened.

When one of my senses took something in, I'd write a description of it. Be intentional about it. If I didn't know what something was, I'd ask the people with us, or experts around me what that was. For example, the alcohol gasoline smell and why there are a team of rappellers gearing up before the race.

Tune in this week to find out more. I'll devote the time to talking about where some of my character and story ideas come from...because this weekend...after being around 400,000 people....I have some GREAT character ideas. GRIN!

No story ideas yet. On this future racing story, I'll have to know my characters first I guess.

Remember, I'm working on my PJ (Pararescue Jumper) series right now. I worked on the synopsis on the drive to Talladega, bowed out of Friday's concert and race to proofread, then polished it on the way back. I'll probably keep tweaking it until I get my critique partners' verdicts then mail it off.

I start researching books 6 months to five years before I begin writing them. Since I'm contracted and things may move a little quicker, it will probably be more like six months to a year before I switch gears (pun intended) and speed off with a new, non-military series.

We'll see what comes of it. Regardless, we had a BLAST this weekend.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

ROBIN CAROLL's BAYOU JUSTICE



Robin Caroll's first book in her Bayou series will be hitting the shelves ANY DAY NOW!

Robin also writes for Steeple Hill. She's sold four books now to Steeple Hill Suspense, all in this series.

So I hope you will order her book or pick it up anywhere books are sold.

Her work has gotten rave reviews from top places like Romantic Times Magazine, etc.

She is an outstanding writer and a wonderful friend and I feel like I'm telling the world about my new niece or nephew being born as I'm posting this.

I'm so thrilled for her. We've cried over rejections together on the phone, and we've celebrated our finally contracting our books. I count it a blessing that I got to be on the phone with her the very moment her debut novel arrived at her home. She sqeaked! Then was utterly speechless except for sniffling...and I was shrieking and crying! LOL! I hope she gets to be on the phone with me when my books arrive. Or maybe not....I may blow her eardrums out. LOL!

Check out Robin's site here! She has a contest going on right now for a cajun basket giveaway!

www.robincaroll.com

Squirrel

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