BLUSH & CRINGE-SQUIRREL...The Fugitive

I'm so embarrassed I cannot even post ALL the details yet, but suffice it to say I was pulled over IN MY DRIVEWAY for going 62 MPH.

Don't ask. Please, just....don't...ask. LOLOL!

I'll give up the rest of the story after I've recovered from the trauma of neighborhood humiliation and relentless razzing from my husband, and distress only mortification can bring.

Fugitive-running from the law---only she didn't realize it until miles later.....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

BLOG TOUR-INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AMY WALLACE

Amy, I'm SO excited to have you visit my blog today. I remember my first American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Denver, Colorado . You were my conference mentor and I learned so much through our pre-conference correspondence about the writing industry. You have such a heart of mentorship. That brings me to my first question:

Wow, thanks, Cheryl! I remember our precious prayer time together~ that's a favorite conference memory.

1. How did mentorship play a part in your path to publication? Did anyone take you under their wings so to speak? How important do you think it is for established authors to reach out to those pursuing publication?

Mentorship is such a vital part of growing as a writer for both the mentor and mentoree! My first contact with a real writer came when I emailed Beth White about one of her books that I loved. She and I got to chatting and she invited me to check out ACFW. I did, and was blown away by the great friends and crit group I found there. Along with Beth, a few other authors took me under their wings to encourage and nudge along. Some took a look at a couple of my newbie chapters, but most answered questions and taught me through the ACFW loops and conferences. I'm now part of a mentor group that's a little less stringent than a crit group, and I also have a writing partner, my best friend, who is such a gift to my heart and my writing.

My first formal mentor (meaning we agreed together to be in a mentor relationship), Mary Griffith, taught me well to "pull others up" both personally and professionally by sharing what God has taught me. I think that advice is gold. I didn't get where I am by myself, and I don't want to waste what God has shown me by keeping it to myself. So I don't. At the same time, while I wish I could mentor tons of folks, I have to be careful and prayerful about doing that now.

2. I found Ransomed Dreams to be an extremely moving story, but carries such a message of hope. How did you get through writing the difficult parts of this novel? Did fear of loss try to come against you as a real-life mother as fictional Gracie's loss unfolded in the story? If so, how did you deal with that fear?

Great question and thanks so much for that compliment! Yes, fear did dog my heels as I wrote. There were many days in writing and editing the prologue especially that my family was late coming home from errands, and I'd cry out to God to not be put in Gracie's shoes. But our heavenly Daddy is so merciful and gracious. He made real His presence as I wrote and cried through typing the difficult parts of Ransomed Dreams. And in the end, what He showed me about my relationship with Him was worth all the tears.

3. Who was your favorite character to develop in this story and why?

Now that's a tough question. Kind of like picking my favorite form of chocolate. ;-) But I guess saying "All" wouldn't be answering the question. Since I have to pick, I'd say Clint and Steven. I loved their interactions the most. They rib at each other all the time, but are fiercely loyal and want the best for each other. In some ways they mimic my relationship with my best friend. Thankfully though, we don't have to protect each other with guns. And the world is safer because of that!

4. Other than a penchant for chocolate, do you and character Gracie have anything else in common?

We do share a love of chocolate, huh? ;-) Some of my friends have pointed out that Gracie and I have a lot in common. I don't see that as much because Gracie is who I want to be when I grow up. But she and I both have blue minivans, great looking husbands, lived in Georgia, and have best friends that drive us crazy with loving us so well. Gracie and I also wrestle honestly with God about the deep stuff of life.

5. Ransomed Dreams is your debut novel. I understand it is also the first story you ever wrote. How often does that happen? What advice would you give to first-time-authors who are pursuing the dream of publication?

I've been told that getting the first book you've ever written published doesn't happen often at all. I'm glad I didn't know that when I was writing it. ;-) But I'm not sure that holds true nowadays. I've heard about a good number of authors who've had the first books they've written published.

My advice is to write with passion the novel God is drawing out of your heart. Pray hard. Most importantly, trust the Lord's plan for you and rest in God being the Giver of all good gifts in His perfect timing. Don't stress about publication, but write and enjoy the writing. Dream big and hang out often in your heavenly Daddy's arms.

I started out doing just that~ dreaming big and hanging out with God to write~ and loved every minute. Then I got bogged down by the process of publication and stressing about all the details. I allowed the enemy to steal a lot from me during that time. That's why I want to shout from the hills to pray, rest in God, and enjoy the journey. Sure, the details need to be addressed, but God understands our path far more than we ever will. So trusting Him to direct you and resting in Him aren't just Sunday school answers, they're the best choice.

6. At what point did you start writing the other books in the series? What would your advice be to other writers regarding this?

I wrote Ransomed Dreams and then my agent shopped it around. After about ten rejections, some pretty harsh, I stopped working on the other books in the series. They demanded a lot of my heart, and while I'd completed an outline and done a ton of research for book 2, I didn't want to write it when no one seemed interested in Ransomed Dreams. But I didn't quit writing. I tried my hand at a number of creative non-fiction stories and had fun seeing many of those published in various compilations. I also kept writing fiction. I have two other completed manuscripts that are part of two different series, but they're in different genres. Someday I hope they'll grace a publisher's contract offer and make people laugh.

The answer about when I wrote the other books in the Defenders of Hope series is that I completed them after the series was contracted. I turned in book 2 last year and am still working on book 3.

My advice here is to keep writing what the Lord puts on your heart. If you know God has called you to writing, don't stop when rejections come or the enemy tries to fling discouragement your way. Keep doing what you were created to do.

7. What is the one takeaway value you hope readers will come away from reading Ransomed Dreams with?

It's my prayer readers will see forgiveness lived out "with skin on" in a realistic way that nudges them into the Father's arms so that He can heal their hearts.

8. Suspense in this story riveted me to it. How did you so well-balance the evocative emotion with heart-pounding tension?

Uhm, God. I can't really take credit for that because while I put a lot of sweat, tears, and desperate prayers into the outlining process, God is the one who directs that path. I'd be staring at blank pages and stumped as to what should happen next and God would zing an idea through my mind and we'd be off and running.

One thing I think really helps that process is to know your characters well. Gracie, Steven, Clint, Sara, and Michael were so real to me that as soon as an idea started to take shape, I knew how they would react. But again, that only comes with time spent listening to God and what He wants to say through you.

I also write the type of book I love to read where the suspense is always moving, but there's time to allow the characters to develop naturally and grow in the midst of their circumstances.

9. What else do you have in the works? Release date for your next book?

Book 2, tentatively titled Healing Promises, is set for release in April 2008. This story explores how an FBI agent and his oncologist wife handle the diagnosis of cancer and a serial killer who eludes capture. Everything is reduced to one all-important question: Can God be trusted?

Book 3, set for an April 2009 release, moves into Michael and Hanna's story and this novel intertwines a woman's healing from sexual abuse with the FBI action plot centering on a racially motivated killer. The main question explored in this book is: What is justice?

10. Do you have a website or blog you'd like to share with readers and writers?

I do, and I love sharing about them because my awesome web designer hubby created them for me and they are chock full of resources and places to build community, like the discussion boards. My author site is Heart Chocolate www.amywallace.com and the book series site is Defenders of Hope www.defendersofhope.com On the Defenders of Hope site, there's a link to sign up for my newsletter where I share some Heart Chocolate thoughts, a kid-friendly recipe, and tips and links for keeping kids safe. My blog is the Peek-a-boo ICU http://peek-a-booicu.blogspot.com

11. I just loved the dog in this book. He seemed a constant presence. If you could write a one paragraph blurb (from the dog's keen point of view) to introduce you as the author of his owner, Gracie's story...what would Jake say?

Jake's the dog I've always wanted to have. But I can get into the head of a serial killer faster than a dog. That sounds creepier than I intended~ sorry! But if anyone wants to take a whack at this, email it to me and I'll find a way to add it to my website.

12. What is a typical writing day like for you?

A typical writing day starts after breakfast with my family on Saturday. I do a quick email run-through and then send a prayer update to my awesome prayer group. Then I edit last week's work before jumping into the next chapter on my outline. I often write straight through until dinnertime when I take a short break to eat and take a walk with my hubby and kids. After that I'm up until after midnight, putting in a twelve to fifteen hour workday.

13. How much does your relationship with God play when you go to write a story? How much do you draw from Amy, and how much do you draw from Him?

When I write a story, it's a partnership with God from beginning to end. Sometimes we wrestle, sometimes I try to walk away, but the best times are when I can feel Him typing through me as I work.

As I write, some of me finds its way into the story because writing is how I work out my salvation and how I seek to understand life. But I look at the story circumstances from the eyes of my characters even as I'm wondering how I'd react. Little details of my life end up on the pages too. Especially things like my favorite basketball team or cars I'd like to drive. Some of my embarrassing moments end up there too, like blurting out when I'm having a Top Gun "Take My Breath Away" moment. And no, I'm not about to detail that statement, except to say it doesn't happen until the end of Ransomed Dreams! ;-)

14. Tell us what The Call to publication was like.

It was an email from my agent that sent me to the restroom heaving. I literally felt like I was going to be sick. It pretty much paralleled my pregnancy test experiences with so many emotions swirling around my brain that it's hard to describe. It wasn't until I started to tell some friends about "The Call" that excitement won over fear and I began to let the joy bubble up inside.

15. What advice would you extend to readers who may feel their dreams have slipped beyond their grasp?

God is far from finished with you~ He has great dreams for you even when you can't remember yours. Nothing is impossible with Him, so hang onto His hand and trust Him to shower you with good gifts in His perfect time. Some of those gifts come in the form of trials you'd rather not experience, but when you walk through them, or better yet let the Lord carry you through them, His presence and peace will fill you and sustain you through it all.

Amy, thanks so much for being with us today. I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of Ransomed Dreams wherever books are sold.

Thanks so much for your awesome interview questions and for having me over today, Cheryl!

You're welcome, Amy! I loved having 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

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEBBY GIUSTI

I am so excited to announce an interview with Debby Giusti. We met at a conference as unpublished authors who both were seeking publication. Now we're BOTH writing for Steeple Hill! Anyway, I am pleased to present FABULOUS person and writer-extraordinairre...Debby Guisti to my blog:

1. Squirrel: Welcome to my blog, Deb! Nowhere to Hide is your debut release novel. CONGRATULATIONS! Is it the first book you'd written, and can you tell us a little about your journey to publication?

Hi Cheryl! Thanks for inviting me to your blog and for your interest in NOWHERE TO HIDE. Yes, it's my debut novel, but I've been writing for a number of years and have other completed manuscripts. Actually, I started doing articles for magazines years ago, then put everything on hold to raise my children. When they were in high school, I wrote for a medical laboratory magazine and a number of women's publications while I was also working on full-length fiction. Now, I'm spending all my time writing inspirational romantic suspense for Steeple Hill.


2. I just loved Matt Lawson, the hero of this book. How did you manage to pin down the male point of view so well?

Since I grew up as an Army brat, married a guy in the Army and now have a son who's followed in his dad's footsteps, the take-charge type of guy seems to come naturally to me. Matt is a former cop from Miami who's seen it all, but he's got a big heart and a tender side, especially where Lydia and Tyler are concerned.


3. Do you plot your stories? Or fly by the seat of your pants when writing?
Because my books are suspense, I like to have a detailed outline before I begin to write. Of course, inspiration often takes over and new plot ideas sometimes appear. Usually, I keep any of the "surprises" in place until I finish the first draft. Then I decide it they need to be cut. More often than not, those jewels that seem to come from out of the blue provide new facets that enrich the story.


4. How do you get to know your characters? What is that process like?
I jot down a list of traits and have a good idea about my characters' back story, motivation, goals and conflict. Then my critique partners quiz me by asking all sorts of unusual questions about my hero and heroine. I end up learning even more about what makes them tick during the Q&A.

5. What is a typical writing day for you?
I try to start everyday with prayer and scripture, then settle in at my computer mid-morning and work until late afternoon. After dinner, I often return to my office to catch up on emails.


6. How do you manage your writing time, with family time and church committments, etc?
When my children were young, they always came first. That's probably why it took me so long to write anything in those days. Now that they're grown, I have the luxury of a full workweek. Saturdays are usually filled with meetings, shopping trips or errands. Sunday morning is church, and the afternoon is spent relaxing and getting ready for the upcoming week.

7. This plot was really intriguing. What kinds of things spark story ideas? And when do you know that an idea is a keeper...ie, will turn into a full fledge book? An idea usually perks around my brain for a few months while I'm working on another story. When I'm ready to get serious about the idea, I do a modified version of Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Priniciple by starting with a one-liner, then building to a one-page outline, then chapter outlines, then finally a fairly detailed outline of the book. By getting the main points on paper, I'm able to see the holes that need to be filled. All that prep work makes writing the book so much easier.

8. This book was both riveting, and moving. What is your secret for evoking emotion in readers with a scene?
I'm going to get a big head, Cheryl, with all your compliments! No secret formula for emotion, but I think that making the characters take risks increases the emotion, whether they're emotional risks or physical.

9. Given a choice between riding a roller coaster, or feeding ducks at a park, which would you choose? Why? What about your heroine, Lydia? Which would she choose and why?
Lydia and I are both afraid of roller coasters and would prefer to sit at the park and feed the ducks. However, if Lydia's son were in danger, she'd do anything to protect him--even ride the big coasters!

10. I loved this story so much, I'm wondering what else you have in the works? When is your next release? Title? Publisher/line? When and where can we pick it up?
SCARED TO DEATH, my second Inspirational Romantic Suspense from Steeple Hill, will be in bookstores in August. It's set in a small fictional town in Georgia, called Mercy, where bad things are happening to good people. My third book from Steeple Hill will be out in March 2008.

11. Do you have a website you'd like to share with readers of this blog, so they can come visit?
I hope everyone will stop by my web site at http://www.debbygiusti.com/. Sign my guest book and learn the details of the Cross My Heart contest I'm running from now until the end of May.

Thanks so much, Cheryl, for this great interview. Your readers might like to know that we met at the Romance Writers of America conference in 2005 when we were both unpublished and hoping an editor would be interested in our work. Now, we're both Steeple Hill authors. Congratulations on all your success! And thanks for letting me visit.

Yes, Deb! I still get giddy thinking about it. And also, for those of you attending Nationals (RWA this year) Debby will be presenting a workshop and I hear she's a FABULOUS speaker. I plan to be there. Debby and I and hope to see some of you there.

Warmly,

Cheryl

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

www.CherylWyatt.com http://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

HOUSTON! WE HAVE A SERIES TITLE!

Here is the (tentative) series title my editors emailed me this week.

 

WINGS OF REFUGE: These soldiers of the skies are fearless, faithful
and falling... in love

 

 

What do y'all think?

 

I really like it. It won't go on the first book, but hopefully will be on book two and every book from the PJ series that they buy afterward.

 

Thanks to everyone who helped me titlestorm series ideas.

 

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

APRIL PROMPT FOR SQUIRREL'S STORY STARTER

As always, write a 500 word scene using one of the three scene starter sentences. Try and use at least five of the ten prompt words in your scene. I'm looking for emotion in this prompt. Make me laugh, make me cry, make me mad at a villian. Doesn't matter, just move me. If you don't FEEL something when you write this scene...rewrite it until you do, and email it to me at Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (remove the spaces before and after the "@".

 

Winner will receive a new Steeple Hill release of their choice.

 

Happy writing!

 

SCENE STARTERS:

 

"It's for the baby."

"That was the last time I saw him."

"I can't imagine why she'd ever forgive me."

 

PROMPT WORDS:

pain

hallow

hollow

unrest

offense

charges

loss

freedom

forgiveness

mercy

--
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

METHOD TO THE MADNESS PLOTSTORM

Okay, so I'm back from stalking Mickey Mouse just in time to explain my last post. LOL!

 

I cut and pasted it from a journal entry I wrote over 15 years ago....only I didn't realize part of it was missing and there were actually TWO journal posts in there instead of one.

 

But let me save face here and turn this around. As I read through what I sent...I resisted the urge to delete the embarrassing thing because I realized something.

 

That last post STRONGLY resembles my rough drafts. No kidding. That's sort of how the patches of scenes go down into the computer. If a person were to read through Chance's story (the one we've been plotstorming together) right this moment...it would seriously resemble that last Nurse Bible and the Dumb Waiter post. It wouldn't make a lick of sense. But in my first pass, I resist editing. I concentrate all my effort on getting it written instead of getting it right. Then on second...and third...and fourth pass to infinity..I somehow (hopefully) pull it all together into a cohesive story sequence that ends up making sense. LOL! I go in usually on first or second pass and put in transistions (sentences linking scenes if I haven't already) and fill in the places that are sparse and incomplete.

 

I do sometimes get scenes out of order, and I hate that, but there seems to be no help for it. If I don't write down the scenes as they appear in my mind I often mentally lose or forget them, so what you saw in that last post is strikingly close to how my rough drafts look.

 

So there you have it...a method to my madness.

 

Incidentally I started plotstorming the book after Chances on the way back from Florida on my Alphasmart. After I finish Chance's story and send it off to my editor, I will begin posting that plotstorm as well. It will be interesting for those of you who've followed the plotstorms, or who come back and read them later, once you've read the books. So hopefully they'll sell! :-)

 

I'm also going to try and figure out how to rearrange my blog to make it more user-friendly. I will try and lump all my plotstorms together, as well as my Blush and Cringes, etc. If anyone knows how to do that on blogger...by all means explain it to me. LOL! I would like to give the reader the option of reading the posts progressively or reading them by subject.

 

Okay...off to answer three hundred more emails.. EEEK.

 

Thanks for supporting my blog with your readership!

 

Blessings,

 

Cheryl (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

March Prompt Contest

Squirrel's Story Starter for March:

 

As always, write a 500 word scene using one of the Scene Starter Sentences. Incorporate at least 5 of the 10 Prompt Words below. You may use any variation of the prompt word. In this prompt, I'm going to be looking for tone. So strive to use your writing to set the tone of the story. Whether it be dark, light-hearted, cozy, mysterious, comical, romantic, funny, soul-stirring, etc.

 

Scene Starter Sentences

 

"Maybe we'd better not go this way."

"Something smells dead."

"Last time I saw her, she was riding a clown car in the parade."

 

 

 

Prompt Words

 

lethal

hidden

gray

motive

vase

church

licorice

flame

newspaper

clipping

 

 

Email your story to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (Lose the spaces before and after the "@" sign.)

 

Deadline for entry is April 1. Winner will be notified the first week in April. Prize will be a new Steeple Hill release of your choice. Visit the website to see which books are available this month. www.SteepleHill.com

 

Happy Writing!

 

Squirrel

 

Oh...and by the way...I had my first ONLINE INTERVIEW! Posted here:

 

cballan.wordpress.com/

 

If you have a moment, check it out, especially if you've wondered why my nickname is "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

REVISIONS OFF! BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PLOTSTORM

Mailed my revisions the end of last week despite my computer crash. Thank God for flash drives. LOL!

Okay, so now I'm going to come back to our regularly scheduled plotstorm for book three.

Most of the story is rough drafted. What I'll be doing this week is called layering. Since I'm below my word count (which is good considering I haven't really added in all my sensory and setting descriptions) I will go through and layer in stuff***. So right now, I have the basic bones of the story down, broken up into chapters, and I know my characters upside down and inside out. So let's go over what we've done so far. Characterization was pretty much complete on first pass. The main issue there is to be sure your characters are likable and sympathetic, but not perfect since they need to grow during the story, and have some kind of spiritual or emotional epiphany. With the characters being well-developed, I have also (in the story) established in the readers' mind my characters' goals(what do they want to obtain or accomplish by the end of the book?), motivation (why do they want this goal? What is driving them to obtain this? Why is it so important to them?) made clear in the story by different means###. The different means### can include during dialogue (short snippets), brought up on introspection (briefly, you want NOT to have huge dumps of backstory. No more than a few sentences at a time. Sprinkle it throughout, don't dump it all at once on the reader.). I have also tossed major wrenches and hurdles at my characters throughout the story.

Conflcit: I've upped the stakes and made it seem to the reader like there is no way things are going to work out okay between the characters. Not only relationally, but with their individual story goals. And though this is romance, your heroine's sole goal can't be to get the guy and vice versa. They need personal goals, and it's great if their personal goals clash with or challenge the developing romance. Just a note here about relationship conflict. It's best for the conflict not to be based solely on misunderstanding (meaning with good communication, the heroine and hero's probs can be worked out). It's also best if your characters don't constantly bicker. I mean they can, but don't make that THE conflict. It's a mistake I made when starting out. I thought argument mean conflcit and conflict meant argument. Be creative. Even positive things can bring about conflict.

Okay so I'm going to be going through the story right now and making sure it is coming across as cohesive and in a logical progression. I'll also be making sure I've tied up all loose ends(such as the fact I started out chapter two having a cat and forgot about it at some point in the story until chapter 12 LOL!), and addressed all issues(such as feeding and nurturing the poor forgotten cat). I'm going to be adding in (layering) stronger setting and sensory description. For example: A scene as I have it now may read:

Chance sat in the chair and faced the window while he sipped his coffee. He just knew that everthing would be okay. He trusted Manny and Joel.

Since it's best to show readers instead of tell them, and also you want to strive to write in deep POV (Point of View) I may rewrite or change that to something like: White snowflakes glistened in the lamplight as Chance stared out the window. Mesmerized, he lowered himself to the oversize footstool. Its plush softness enveloped him like a hug from a friend. Warmth from the fireplace rested on his back. Pine wood crackling and coffeepot gurgling another pot of French Roast were the only sounds both competing with and calming his thoughts. Chance lifted the cool ceramic to his mouth and drained the cup of the last drop, running his fingers over the silver scroll cross embelleshing the white enamel. Sugar and cream sludge doctored his taste buds as a sweet, overwhelming peace flooded his emotions. It would be okay. Joel and Manny said so. And he trusted them with his life . . . and hers.

Okay that's a quick and rough and extreme example but you have all sensory in the scene now so the reader will FEEL like they're RIGHT THERE WITH CHANCE.
Sights (snowflakes), sounds (crackling and gurgling, french roast), smells (Coffee & pine), touch (softness of footstool, warmth from fire), taste (sugar and cream).

I've also deepened the emotion by giving him the peace and by having that snippet of internal monologue (It's going to be okay). I've also deepened his characterization by showing (not telling) the reader that he trusts his fellow teammates. I've also nixed two unneccesary words (That and just.) MOST of the time, you can take those words out of the sentence and still maintain the effect you want. And your text is less clunky. About the only time I'd leave a "that" or "just" in there is in dialogue if a character has a tendency or a quirk of using one or the other. Then I'm make certain no other characters have that same quirk or use that particular word in their speech. You want your characters to be as distinct from one another as possible.

Okay, that's it for today. We'll talk more about writing in Deep Point of View another time.

Hope this helps.

Warmly,



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

www.CherylWyatt.com http://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

EXCELLENT BOOK! A Season for Grace

I just had to pop in here and put a plug in for a book that deeply moved me.

A Season for Grace by Linda Goodnight

http://www.lindagoodnight.com/

You may still be able to order this from www.Steeplehill.com or www.Amazon.com or anywhere else books are sold.

I cannot wait for the next two books to come out. The opening to this story made me SOB! It compelled me to read the rest because I wanted things to turn out to have a happy ending for the hero of this book so badly. If you want a deeply touching story with strong characters and a page-turning plot, go out and pick this book up.

I'll past pics of the sequel too. There are three books in the series. This book will definitely go on my keeper shelf.

I receive the books from the Harlequin book club (See the Harlequin site for more info on that) but I also went out and bought like five more copies, one to give away and four to give to my mom, two aunts and my maternal grandmother because they'd be familiar with the Oklahoma setting.

Okay I'm off on a tangeant, this is a deeply moving story and I can't say enough good about it. I think it's probably one of the best books I've ever read.

Off to polish my revisions.....

Squirrel

Donald Maas is a Genius and other life oddities

Did you know he's a genius?

Well, he just is because I say so. LOL!

If you're an aspiring writer, I think his books are one of those MUST reads.....like once a year at least. There are certain craft books that I read over and over.

Donald Maas' Writing the Breakout Novel and the Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook are two such books.

I'll be listing others along the way.

Short blog today....got several women coming over for prayer this morning and my house is a wreck.

My husband is shaking his head, reading over my shoulder...he's like, "Who cares about your house? Everyone lives the same. Only all you women don't know it because you nutt up on a cleaning spree thirty minutes before folks show up."

Okay, confession time....I actually DO have an entire (small) walk-in closet that I insist my family keeps empty so when I see someone pull up, or call to say they're dropping by, or as in the case of this morning...when I've been on a revision spree and haven't had time to clean....I start tossing and shoving stuff in that closet. I even got those cheap 88cent apiece white round laundry baskets...yes you guessed it...to throw stuff in and stack in the closet.

Can't believe I'm admitting that.

Oh...and I posted yesterday via email but it still hasn't shown up yet so I guess internet goblins ate it or something but I had a writer's worst nightmare happen yesterday. IN the middle of my CONTRACTED revisions....my less than a year old laptop computer crashed. So I call tech support and all I hear is a message that says, "For tech support, please visit our Website." LOL! Okay, now, thankfully I have a desktop in order to do that, BUT how do they expect people to do that who only have one computer? And that computer crashed so bad it won't even start up in Safe Mode? LOL! Oh the oddities of life.

Thankfully I had recently backed up my files on flash drive....so I only lost a few hours worth of revision work. I already made the work up yesterday, then I realized while looking at my flash drive that I think I lost two stories I typed in my alphie then transferred. Well a story and a half! ACK! Now THAT is a total bummer. So I'm praying God and the Geek Squad come through for me and are able to retrieve those files. The guy looked at me wierd when I said, "If it comes down to saving the computer or saving files....I want the files."

He kind of looked at me wierd...but only another writer would understand such a loony request. LOL!

Okay, people are pulling up....talk to ya's later.

Squirrel

HOW VERY INTERESTING

At least to me.....HEEHEE

Remember in one of my last PLOTSTORMS for book three how I mentioned I hate the story?

Well today in working revisions my editors requested for book 2, I ended up cutting a scene which focused too heavily on a secondary character (who just happens to be the hero of book 3) because it detracted focus away from the hero and heroine. (I always do that by the way. Go on minor character tangeants. Gotta be more mindful of that.) However....I realized one of the chapter opening hooks COULD actually start out book three and be a stronger beginning chapter than what it is now.

I think that's why I'm not yet happy with book three because the opening isn't what I'm used to writing. It starts out too calm, too lacsidaisical (Sp). I prefer to start with a major disaster, or turning point, crossroads, point of decision or chaos in the character's life. If I use the scene I cut to open book three, the book will start out better I think. So I killed the proverbial two birds with one stone today....not only did I get some major revising accomplished, I now no longer hate book three. LOL!

Squirrel

MY DUFUS MOMENT

Okay, or call it a blonde moment or whatever but I was cutting tons from my ms for revisions and the word count kept RISING instead of falling. ROFL! Finally figured out it was because I had Track Changes on and the word count thing was reading ALL of it...even the parts I'd cut out. I thought I had to cut like 7000 words because my word count had swooned up to nearly 70000....

So when I accepted all the track changes in a copied document.....my word count dropped to 61000! ROFL!

I was freaking out because I was like WHERE are these words coming from!!!!!??? I kept cutting ENTIRE scenes...even half a chapter...and the word count STILL went up. LOLOL! I was starting to freak out a little bit there.

Sigh.

Those of you following my PLOTSTORM THREAD....please stay tuned. I had to change gears from writing book three (our plotstorm book) when I sold book 2. Since book two will release in March of 2008 (YIPEE!!!) things will move faster as far as things I have to turn in to my editors. So I promise we'll get back to the PLOTSTORM by April.

THANK YOU FOR FAITHFULLY SUPPORING MY BLOG WITH YOUR READERSHIP!

It's important to me to personally respond to every comment, but sometimes I can't track your email addresses. So if you've left a comment and haven't heard from me...don't be shy, leave your email address so I can comment back. Just be sure to leave spaces before and after the @ sign or something so internet spiders can't scoop up your addy and spam you.

If you've taken time to come to my blog, I'd like to take the time to personally thank you.

You all are important to me and I appreciate you. If you're lurking, come out and play with us! :-)

Blessings,

Squirrel

BLUSH AND CRINGE

Okay,

I haven't posted one of these in a long time but my face is STILL heated with this one.

My husband recently set up a new email account and wanted me to send him an email to check it.

Well, silly me, I sent him one....

Only it was fairly racy if you know what I mean.

I called and asked him if he got it.

No.

SO in a panic I go back to my "Sent" folder......not only had I NOT used his name in the opening, I EMAILED IT TO MY KIDS' CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OFFICE!!!!

Can my mortification get any worse than that?

Sigh.

Squirrel-at it again.

WELCOME AUTHOR SHARON HINCK & INTERVIEW ON "RENOVATING BECKY MILLER"

I'm excited to introduce Bethany House author Sharon Hinck to my blog.

Hope you enjoy this interview. Please visit Sharon's website at www.sharonhinck.com

1. Welcome to my blog, Sharon! My first question is, how did you come up with the amazing and unforgettable character of Becky Miller?

Hi, Cheryl! Thanks for letting me visit!As I brainstormed the character of Becky, I looked hard at what was driving some of the ongoing struggles in my life and the lives of my friends. I’m part of a small group women’s Bible study, and week after week, we kept talking about the same issues (pressures, struggles with sense of worth, purpose, wanting to serve God and not sure our efforts were making a difference). So I let Becky reflect those issues in a somewhat exaggerated way — with her daydream life to give insights into some of the subconscious ways women view themselves. I wanted to see where her good-hearted but driven nature would take her – and what I might learn from her.

2. What sort of things did you do to develop her character to the point she became as real and identifiable as she is?

Before I started writing full-time, I was doing rubber-stamping demonstrations in homes – about two a week for several years. I’ve been in hundreds of homes in various circles of women. And I listened, absorbed, and mulled about how women in our culture feel today. I think some of that helped inform her development. But I’m the kind of writer who gets acquainted with the characters ON the journey. I set Becky lose and watched what she did, and that’s how she became real (so real, that at times I accidentally started to pray for her during my devotion time as I was praying for other friends – LOL!)

3. Do do you plot first? Or get to know your characters first? How do you process a novel from your imagination?

I start with "what if" questions. What if a young mom tries her hardest to do something for God, but feels like she is a failure? How will God meet her on the road? What if she makes the best choices she knows how to make and people insist on blaming her for the problems she encounters? Or in my new book . . . What if Becky and her family decide that life has become hectic and stressed, so buying a fixer-upper house in the country will solve all their problems? What kinds of things might go wrong? And what if Becky faces the same challenge many of my friends have, of aging parents/in-laws? And what if her dream job is becoming a nightmare?

4. Did you put any of yourself into this book? If so, what parts?

I think many of Becky’s friends reflect various sides to my nature. Becky’s passion and pain are very familiar to me – but the plot line is completely her own.

5. How do you decide your book's theme?

It’s such an organic process – I start with a few questions I want to explore, but sometimes new themes emerge and surprise me. In Renovating Becky Miller, I knew I wanted to look at Becky’s need to "fix" things. But later I also noticed how characters did good things from tangled motives, and I hadn’t realized that would be a theme.

6. When can we expect to see the next book on the shelves from you and where can interested readers order/buy one?

The next release is The Restorer – coming out May of 2007 from NavPress.You can visit my website anytime to see my current books in print, and what’s coming up next. I have several novels coming out in the next few years, so to keep informed, readers can sign up for my "Book Buddy" ezine. Once a month I sent a free ezine with a devotional thought, info on events and new books, behind-the-scenes fun, prayer requests, and a prayer for my Book Buddies. All you need to do is leave your name and email (which is ONLY used for the ezine) on the "Contact Sharon" page of my website: www.sharonhinck.com. The Secret Life of Becky Miller and Renovating Becky Miller are both in major bookstores around the country (if it’s not on the shelves, just ask them to order it in for you) and can also be ordered online or through my website links.

7. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

There are days I’m still not sure! :-) But I keep asking God if my writing brings Him joy, if it can be of use to comfort others, and if being a writer is the place He wants me right now. As best as I can discern, the answer is yes. It’s a delightful surprise to me, because growing up I REVERED authors. To me that was an impossible dream job. So to have God call me to contribute in this realm is scary and amazing.

8. What is your favorite scene in Renovating Becky Miller and why?

I kind of liked Thanksgiving dinner...especially when the kids chose odd items (like bloody teeth and locks of hair) for the decorations that symbolized things they were thankful for. That’s the kind of weirdity that makes family life fun.

9. Given the choice of an evening out with a group of friends, or a quiet movie evening at home, which would you prefer?

I’m a people person, but when I’m overtired, I’m a home-body. Lately I’ve needed more quiet time at home to recharge.

10. What about character Becky? What would she choose?

I think Becky feels out of the loop if she’s not interacting with people frequently. She’d LOVE an evening out with her friends.

11. What was the funnest part of writing this book?

I got to rent stacks of movies and call it "research" for the cinematic daydream scenes. I got to invent wonderful horrible remodeling disasters for Becky that I didn’t have to live through (I’ve had enough of my own over the years). I got to vicariously enjoy the rich relationships that she has cultivated.

12. What was the most challenging?

Allowing some of the conflicts and struggles to drag out for her. I like Becky, so I feel bad when I write a scene where she is hurt – and I want to quickly write a scene to fix everything for her. But that’s not good story-telling.

13. The most rewarding?

There were many times that Becky taught me things. She made some choices I might not have thought of. Watching her grow in her faith, and gleaning insights from the things that happened to her was very rewarding – and when I hear from a reader that they have been challenged, inspired, or encouraged – that’s also very rewarding!

14. What does a typical writing day for you look like?

Different every day. :-)

15. If Becky Miller could blurb you as the author who wrote his story, and how well the two of you worked together, using typical Becky style, what would she say if she had to write a back cover author blurb?

Calling all fictional characters! Come interact with Sharon – a writer who is good at listening to voices in her head. Go ahead and spin yarns in her thoughts. She’ll probably expose more than you’d like about your worst habits, but she’ll care about you and make sure your story has a happy ending. As long as she’s well supplied with pots of hot tea, she’s pretty easy to work with and she’ll let you get away with taking the story in the direction you want instead of insisting she gets her author’s way.

THANKS SHARON! I cannot wait to read your next book!!!!

Thanks again for letting me visit. These were fun questions, and I hope everyone will enjoy remodeling an old farmhouse with Becky and her family and friends.

Squirrel

NEED HELP WITH SERIES TITLE-PRIZE INVOLVED!

Thank you, everyone for your congrats! Even the lurkers who haven't posted. Come out and play with us...don't be shy! :-)

I had my USAF PJ (Pararescue Jumper) series named "Wind Warriors" for the working/tentative title for the series.

My editors are asking for other ideas.

So send me some title ideas for my PJ series...and if we use your title, you will receive a nice gift basket from me. You will also receive a free autographed copy of each of the books when they release.

Come on guys! Help me TITLESTORM! :-)

The series consists of a team of USAF Pararescue Jumpers (Skydiving combat and rescue paramedics who are considered Special Forces soldiers.)

Each man on the team has a story. There are 7 men on the team. So far I've sold two of the seven. Each story features one guy from the team.

These are Inspirational Romances, and Love Inspired is a family-oriented publisher. So with that in mind...send me your ideas! As many as ya want.

Be sure to let me knwo your email address so I can contact you if we choose your idea.

You might want to leave a space before and after the "@" sign if you post your addy in the comments of my blog so Web "spiders" do not vacuum up your email addy from the internet and S pam ya.

You can send me the idea through commenting on this post, or you may email your ideas to me at:

Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (lose the spaces before and after the "@")

Blessings,

Squirrel

PLOTSTORM UPDATE

Well I am over 60 thousand words into the story and still need to flesh out some scenes. That means I have the basic bones of them, but some need meat added. Meat can be setting and sensory descriptions, etc.

Also, right at this particular moment I HATE MY STORY and am severely DISGUSTED with it.

But....I get that way with EVERY story I write at some point in it.

So what do I do? Banish it to the recycle bin? NO....I push through this barricaide no matter how much I don't want to.

I received my revision notes on the book that just sold (book 2-USAF PJ series) and one of the things my editor wants me to do is strengthen the ending of the book. I had to laugh because I remember about thirty pages before the end of the book I got SO sick of it, I just wanted out of it. LOL! So I wrote the quickest ending possible, plus I always overwrite by several thousand words so I had to be brief. So I'm going to try really hard not to do that abrupt Scooby Doo ending with book three that I did with book two....NO MATTER HOW SICK I AM OF THE STORY!

LOL!

No matter how ready you are to be done.....let it brew before you send. Take my word for it...your story will be MUCH stronger.

On the other hand...don't edit it to death.

So I am trying to go through book three right now and read for pacing and to cut unneccessary words. I'm also making sure passive sentences are active and that I haven't overused certain phrases, and that I have strong verbs. I set the story aside for a few days so I could see it with fresh eyes. Once I get all the scenes fleshed out the rest of the way, and make sure everything makes sense, I will go through and proofread the entire thing about three times, giving myself several days between times. Occasionally I will set it aside for two or three weeks, so I can really see it with fresh eyes. But since I'm sending it to Robin and my critters, I don't necessarily have to do that this time until after they send me their suggested changes and I complete those. Then I'll set it aside and let it gel. Then whip it back out to polish anything that needs polished.

So I'm fleshing out scenes right now and flushing out gunk...which this story seems to have a lot of. I tend to repeat myself in several forms, almost like I forgot I already wrote a certain scene and I rewrote it a different way or something. I've found several instances in this Plotstorm story that I have been annoyingly (to me) repetative or running certain themes into the ground.

I think it's because I'm taking a couple weeks longer to finish it. It would have been less trouble in the end if I would have been able to write the rough (mess) draft in under seven days but I've been avoiding the story like the plaque because I'm to the hard part.

I'll also layer in emotion with the fleshing out, so with flesh comes heart to the story.

Hope these plotstorms are helping you all!

Squirrel

ANOTHER SALE!!!!!

BOOK TWO OF MY PJ SERIES SOLD TO STEEPLE HILL TODAY!



YYYYYIIIIIPPPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PRAISE GOD!!!!! I'm so humbly thankful! I cannot contain my joy.

Just wanted you guys to know!

And I'm about a chapter or two away from finishing Book three. Prayers are appreciated so that one will come together like it's supposed to.

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING MY GOOD NEWS!

Squirrel

PLOTSTORM GONE WILD

LOL!

Okay, I'm to 52 thousand words but I had a problem in that the hero's sister got bossy and started demanding her own story. So I let her run amok and about 2500 of those words will be transplanted into her story. Maybe even more than that because as I look at my word count cap, which is 65 thousand, I am going to have to cut down on my subplot. So one plot thread can actually be transferred to the sister's story.

I had no intention of writing the sister as a heroine of a book until she came to life on the page and took over. Then my mind went ablaze with her plot. I tried, really, really tried to only pay attention to her brother and his current story....but she wouldn't leave me alone. That strong and persistant of a character deserves her own story. She made a special place in my heart and now I can't wait to get the PJ series finished so I can do her story. She's an avid caver and I can actually launch another series off her caver and rappelling friends.

Now, if they'll all just LEAVE ME ALONE for a couple more days so I can finish Chance's story.

I haven't heard back yet on whether they're gonna buy book two, but I did get to add more input to the cover ideas of book one.

I'm SO excited about it and let me tell you a neat story!

The cover I envisioned for A Soldier's Promise had to do with a soldier hugging a little boy. I was getting ready to email my editor with that idea, as well as picture images similar to what I was envisioning when they asked me for ideas and an email poppedup from her. I hadn't told her the idea yet. I read the email from her and guess what it said? The art department were leaning towards a cover with a soldier hugging a little boy!

How cool is that!

So I hope that's what I end up with.

The folks on the books vision team thought up the title A Soldier's Promise and I am SO pleased with it!

I am freaking out because some of the writers I've known for years, who were unpublished with me, but contracted before me...their books are starting to hit the shelves!!!!

www.abbygaines.com

www.camytang.com

www.maryconneally.com

Another person who was unpubbed when I first joined ACFW and I just saw her book in Lifeway today!

She has several out now and I whoop and holler every time I see her name on the spine!

www.kimvogelsawyer.com/

and there are SEVERAL, SEVERAL more in the works!

It is SO totally awesome and amazing to begin to see their names on the covers!

I cannot wait to see more and more of my writer friends' names adorning covers of books they've labored over, literally for years and years some of them. Pouring their heart and tears and time into these stories and to be able to see tangibly a dream coming true that God put in a person's heart.

That's how it's gonna be when I hold my own book in my hands. I'll probably freak and be removed from the store the first time I see my book on a shelf at Wal-mart. OHMIGOSH!!!!!!

OHMIGOSH!

It's ACTUALLY going to happen! I'm really, really, really not dreaming!

OH what am I saying! Yes I am going to dream...because I know the giver of them and am believing in faith that He has many, many more books in store for me.

I can't wait to connect with my readers. I think that's the one thing I'm looking forward to more than anything. For even one letter from someone saying the book touched them in some way.

Check out these covers of my friends' novels!

And by all means....go pick up these books! Petticoat Ranch is out NOW and so is Abby's book.

You can get them anywhere books are sold.

Squirl

Tagged!

Tagged by Cindy Woodsmall. http://cindywoodsmall.blogspot.com/

So I'm supposed to tell you six things about myself.

1. I am allergic to Guinea Pigs
2. I love high powered machine guns and Harley Davidsons
3. I'd rather have a salad than ice cream but you wouldn't know it by looking at me
4. I will love you forever if you send me a box of Pecan Spinwheels
5. I wanted to be a professional race car driver when I grew up, and won every drag race I ever entered.
6. I have a phobia of popsicle sticks.

I'm tagging these six people:

http://dreamy_danica.bravejournal.com/
http://pammer.blogspot.com/
http://michelleswritingspace.blogspot.com/
http://syndihawkins.blogspot.com/
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
http://www.heatherdianetipton.blogspot.com/


Squirrel

FEBRUARY PROMPT CONTEST

Well here it is....the moment you've all been waiting for.....

 

(Drum roll please....)

 

FEBRUARY's PROMPT CONTEST:

 

Write a 500 word scene beginning with one of the below scene starter sentences, using at least 5 of the 10 prompt words. (See bold items below)

 

Email submissions to me at Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (lose the spaces before and after the "@") by February 28th, 2007.

 

As always, you retain all rights to your work and I do not print or publish it anywhere.

 

Winner will receive a new Steeple Hill release of their choice.

 

HAPPY WRIITNG!

 

Scene Starters:

 

"Last time I went there it was a disaster."

"Please do this one thing for me?"

"I can't go there if he's gonna be there."

 

Prompt words:

 

Old

Flame

Photograph

Mystery

Dance

Crash

Car

Illness

Forgiveness

Moth

 

Squirrel

 

 

--
www.CherylWyatt.com Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

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

www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com