Personal Interview

This is my most personal interview to date. Hope you will drop by. Your support and readership are a blessing.

 

http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com/

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

Wings of Refuge...Available now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT TOP PICK!

CHANCE TO WIN MS CRITIQUE

Hello all...

 

Another blog I'm part of hosts contests. This month, they're giving away a free, fifteen page manuscript critique my me.

 

Check it out. In order to enter you'll need to visit this blog and comment on posts through the week.

 

Drop by for a visit, even if you're not a writer.

 

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

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

Wings of Refuge...Available now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT TOP PICK!

A MUST-READ Article from Mike Hyatt of Thomas Nelson

There is an article by Mike Hyatt of Thomas Nelson that I read in Carnival of Christian Writers http://ginaconroy.com/groupblog/wordpress/?p=840 this month is a MUST READ. It can speak to you whether you're a writer or not. Very encouraging and thought-provoking.

 

 

My favorite two things he said....and which are going to become quotes that I set in front of my computer, are:
 
Stay humble. "To remain successful, you have to keep adopting the posture of a beginner." 
Trust God. "If you don't need God to pull off what you are planning, you are not dreaming big enough."

 

 
The rest is great too and better if you read it in context. I think it'll speak to all, challenge all, and encourage all. 
 
Here's the link. You'll find his link once you click this:
 
http://ginaconroy.com/groupblog/wordpress/?p=840

 

Once there, just click on Mike Hyatt's link.

 

Cheryl Wyatt

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

Wings of Refuge...Available now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT TOP PICK!

CONGRATS IPOD WINNER KYNDRA WATKINS

A huge congrats to Kyndra Watkins of Kingsport, Tennessee for winning an 8gb iPod Nano in my January Book Launch Contest.

 

Woo-hoo Kyndra!!!

 

 

I'll be running another contest in March, April, May for an Amazon Kindle.

 

Only my newsletter subscribers will be able to enter though.

 

 

To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, visit my Web site www.CherylWyatt.com and input your e-mail address in the space provided that says "Join Cheryl Wyatt's Author Mailing List".

 

If you have trouble signing up, simply e-mail me at Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (Close spaces).

 

Thanks to everyone who signed up for my newsletter, and celebrated the release of my debut novel.

 

 

Cheryl Wyatt

 

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

Wings of Refuge...Available now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT TOP PICK!

ATTENTION MARCH BLOG TOUR PARTICIPANTS

I haven't forgotten about you all. I've been sparse online due to severe ice storms which nixed our electricity....and my internet for a while. Needless to say that put me behind on the blog tour stuff.

I will be contacting you all tonight or tomorrow.

If I haven't contacted you by this Wednesday...and you asked to be on my blog tour, please give me a shout-out because it's possible my e-mails got snagged up.


Thanks for your patience as I get caught up.


Cheryl

FEBRUARY PROMPT REMINDER

Hey all...just a reminder that there are only a few days left to enter February's prompt.

This is a short month, so get those prompt entries in.

Scroll back through posts for details. Or click the FEBRUARY PROMPT REMINDER header above, or go here:

FEBRUARY'S PROMPT





Cheryl Wyatt

STEEPLE HILL MESSAGE BOARD--BABY BLUSH AND CRINGE

ROFL! I just got this (below in bold) comment/e-mail from my friend (Pamela James) who I met years ago on Steeple Hill's Message Boards (called forums now). www.steeplehill.com

For this to make sense, you have to know that when I first stumbled onto those eHarlequin boards I was on bedrest with a pregnancy.

Long ago, when I first met you on the Steeple Hill message boards, I remember this one post where you talked about the baby stepping all over your lover.

I could NOT figure that one out, ROFLOL. Kept me up part of the night too. The next day you came back and lamented the type-o. You'd meant liver.

So now we come full circle! LOL.
Love ya, girl.

If you all haven't visited the Steeple Hill community...what are ya waiting for? You'll laugh and learn and grow to love the people you'll meet over there. Some of them have become some of my best friends...lifetime friends. Readers, writers, pubbed, not pubbed, not looking to be pubbed...doesn't matter. Everyone's welcome.

I'm known as "Squirl" or "Scrollsquirrel" over there. Thank goodness I finally learned how to edit my posts. LOL! Drop by and say hey!

Cheryl Wyatt

BOOK GIVEAWAY-ONLY UNI BY CAMY TANG

I'm so excited to announce my good friend Camy Tang http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/2007/12/only-uni-excerpt.html has another fabu book out!

 

Only Uni...Book Two in Camy's Sushi Series is here!

 

And I have three copies to give away!

 

Sign up for the drawing by leaving a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave your e-mail address (add spaces in it so Internet spiders don't phish your address) so I can contact you if you win. Deadline fo enter the drawing is 11:59 PM CST March 15, 2008

 

Cheryl Wyatt

 

www.CherylWyatt.com

BLUSH AND CRINGE-EDGY CHRISTIAN FICTION LIVERS

You know that problem I have with not being able to see typos until after they're sent?

 

Wellll...seems I pulled another embarrassing stunt.

 

Was trying to help promote this cool new site called....you guessed it...Edgy Christian Fiction LOVERS....

 

Only it came out Edgy Christian Fiction LIVERS

 

Scheesh....maybe I need to look into one of those voice-activated typing gizmos.

 

By the way...if you wanna check out that site....here's the linkage:

 

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com/

 

Cheryl-who hates chicken livers....
--
www.CherylWyatt.com

CONGRATS WINNER OF HER UNLIKELY FAMILY

CONGRATS going out to Carole who won a copy of Missy Tippens' debut novel, Her Unlikely Family (Steeple Hill Love Inspired).

 

Way to go Carole!

 

I've e-mailed you privately for your address.

 

All others who entered...THANK YOU! Stay tuned....I'll be giving away more books soon!

 

Warmly,

 

Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel

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

Wings of Refuge...Available now!
A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill LI ~ Jan. 2008  RT TOP PICK!
A SOLDIER'S FAMILY~ Steeple Hill LI~Mar. 2008 RT TOP PICK!

HOW SICK IS THIS?

Got a jury summons today. In the mail. From an actual courthouse. About an actual trial.

 

In the midst of my family's condolences....I'm secretly about to come unglued inside....

 

WITH EXCITEMENT!

 

I've never been summoned for jury duty before!

 

It is bad that I'm really hoping I'll get picked? I mean, hey..the suspense writer in me's thinkin' Ya know...this could benefit my writing. Could authenticate setting and sensory details if I ever write a scene that is stationed in a courtroom.

 

Yeah...you're right.

 

Maybe I need to get out more........

 

GGG

 

 

Cheryl

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

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

FEATURED ON FAITHWEBBIN TODAY

Faithwebbin has an exclusive interview up here:

 

http://faithwebbin.net/share/authors/?p=361

Hope you will drop by and say hey!

 

Back to work....I'm a day or two away from completing the polish of my contracted novel.....WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

 

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

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

GREAT ARTICLE ON CRAFT: HOOKS AND MORE

Anyone familiar with my writing knows how big I am on hooks. First sentence hooks, chapter hooks, scene hooks...all kinds of hooks. Nearly every reader letter I've had (two a day since November 2007) has mentioned "I couldn't put your book down."

In large part, I think that's God's grace on my writing....gotta give the one credit who most deserves it. That said, I think also part of the reason is that I learned (also by God's grace) how to execute strategically placed lines of text to hook readers and keep them reading.

There is a GREAT article on this, and other aspects of crafting fiction here today on historical author Jennifer Hudson Taylor's blog:

Enjoy!

JENNIFER'S BLOG ARTICLE ON GREAT BEGINNINGS

USING PLOT and CHARACTER-SPECIFIC ANALOGIES

As I'm polishing my contracted novel in preparation to send in, I'm going through the manuscript, making sure that my analogies and metaphors (two rhetorical devices) are plot and character-specific. When I say character-specific, I'm referring largely to the characters' careers, personalities, interests or hobbies that are predominant through the novel.

By definition in Websters:

Metaphor-a figure of speech in which the context demands that a word or phrase not be taken literally, as the sun is smiling; a comparison which doesn't use like or as.

Analogy-connection between things that are otherwise dissimilar;a conclusion or opinion that if two things are alike in some respects they must be alike in others.

So, for instance, if I have a character whose career is a NAVY fighter pilot, he might think or say things like: "Her words jerked him back like the arresting wire on an aircraft carrier." (an arresting wire is the cable thing that catches the jet, acting as a brake).

If I had a character whose career was a nurse, she (or he, since I love to turn stereotypes on their heads) might think or speak or relate to other characters in medical terms. Example: His smile infused her with strength.


Or if I have a character who is a teacher, she might think in teacherly terms.

If the character's favorite pasttime was fishing...(such as Joel's in A Soldier's Promise) he might introspect things like: Bradley's mouth gaped like the nine pound bass Joel hooked yesterday.

If I'd used that analogy...and fishing wasn't a vital part of the plot...it wouldn't make much sense and is a waste. Much better to use plot and character specific analogies.

Remember....the analogies normally use like, but metaphors do not.

Hope this helps.

Have fun analogizing!


Cheryl Wyatt

LOSS OF A PHENOMENAL WRITER DAWN THOMPSON

I just heard sad news that author Dawn Thompson passed away this week. I knew she was in and out of the hospital and ICU..but hadn't heard she'd died not quite a week ago.

My condolences to her family, friends and chapter mates.

I don't know where Dawn stood with God when she died...I hope she was at peace and is in Heaven with Him and free of pain and suffering this moment.

I do know she was an absolutely phenomenal writer who gave and gave and gave to the writing community...vast resources of her time and expertise to other authors.

I will sadly miss her amazing voice and her great gift of story.

Cheryl Wyatt

BORROWED PRAYERS-for those serving and their families

I am reinstating my borrowed prayers on my blog, starting today. It's just a prayer you can borrow and pray if you so choose or if something in the prayer speaks to you.

God hears. God cares.

One thing I ask you to do is (no matter what your view of war is) pray for the soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and otherwise deployed, and their families. Just in the past two weeks, I have received several reader letters requesting prayer for a serviceman (or woman) who has been wounded in action.

One reader's son-in-law gave his hand for freedom...please pray for him and his newlywed wife. No need for names...God knows who this young man is. He's had several surgeries...so please pray he's able to function.

Another boy from Cody...his entire company was killed by a roadside bomb and he is in critical condition. Improved from grave I think...so there is hope for this boy. PLEASE keep him and his family in your prayers.

BORROWED PRAYER
God, watch over those serving, and their families. Protect them, help the roadside bombs to be detected before they can detonate. Please help boost the morale of the soldiers and help people know how to reach out to them and their families. The best gift we can give each other is prayer. Lead us in what to pray for our nations, God. In a sense, your son died for freedom too...so we could be free from being seperated from you forever in eternity. Thank you that He's risen and reigns over death. Thank you for being a God of mercy and love. But also a God who will stand up and fight for the oppressed, which is what we're doing in Iraq. Because it could easily be our country. We are blessed to have been born in the US, Lord...but that was by your choosing. Help us never take our freedom for granted. Show yourself, Lord to those serving and their families. Be real to them. Magnify yourself. Give the families of those who've given limbs and life for freedom everything they need. Be their comfort and their strong tower and their Refuge and their hope. Help people to be obedient, look past themselves and reach out. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JUGS, HUGS and A SAGGING BLUSH and CRINGE

I was sending an e-mail to a contest entrant, letting them know they were officially entered.

Problem was...I typed so fast then hit send without proofreading...and of course noticed as it sent that I'd accidentally hit a "j" where there needed to be an "h"...

so the e-mail went like this:

You're officially in!

Jugs,

Cheryl

Okay...for that to be really funny...you'd have to know the day I had yesterday (my birthday) when I was lamenting (allll day) the facts that (1) I thought for an entire year I was 37 when really I was 38-turning-39. And (2) gravity has won the battle....not quite to the point that I look like I have two sets of arms instead of one...but still. 'Nuff said.

Hugs (not Jugs)

Cheryl-a casualty of gravity.

CONTEST ADDENDUM

Some of you (mostly Mozzilla users) are having trouble getting my Website slot to take your e-mail address. If this is happening...don't worry...simply e-mail me at Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (close spaces before and after "@") and I will subscribe you.

 

You will then receive an e-mail, asking you to confirm your subscription. You'll need to click that Confirm or Subscribe link within the e-mail...because I have a double-opt-in newsletter.

 

E-mail me if you have any trouble.

 

Thanks all for the fabulous response to my contest....celebrating my debut novel!!!

 

And while we're at it.....since I'm such a romantic at heart.....HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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

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

LAST DAY TO ENTER MY DEBUT BOOK LAUNCH CONTEST

Today is the LAST DAY to enter my January-February contest celebrating the release of my debut novel (A Soldier's Promise-Jan 2008-Steeple Hill Publishers) from my Wings of Refuge series which features a team of US Air Force Pararescue Jumpers (PJs).

 

Only subscribers to my quarterly newsletter will be able to enter.

 

This is a contest where everyone wins something...even if it's a nice pen and postcard, signed by author. But there are LOTS of other great prizes. Read on....

 

Newsletter sign up is easy. Visit www.CherylWyatt.com and enter your e-mail address in the space that says, "Join Cheryl Wyatt's Author Mailing List"

 

The main prize is your choice between an 8 GB iPod Nano, an AlphaSmart Neo (www.alphasmart.com) or a six-month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of your choice. www.steeplehill.com

 

Other prizes include: (I'm giving away several of the following...so there are lots of chances to win!)

---"Hold On" Worship CD which features skydivers in formation on the cover

---Free, autographed copies of (my debut novel) A Soldier's Promise...(a Romantic Times Top Pick.)

---128mb flash drives

---$10.00 certificates to Barnes and Noble

---chances to name a character in one of my upcoming books, with your name mentioned in the acknowledgements

---nice pens and autographed postcards

 

To enter, sign up for my quarterly newsletter via my Web site (instructions above). Then send an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt.com (close spaces before and after "@")

 

Be sure to put "CONTEST" in the header. 

 

Deadline entry is Midnight, Central Standard Time TONIGHT February 14, 2008.

I will draw winners' names February 15, 2008 and notify them in a week, so be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you sign up.

Winners...when I notify you, I will also be asking permission to list your name (first, last, doesn't matter to me) and state or country you're from on my WINNERS blog announcement. But don't worry...your e-mail and snail mail addresses will stay safely tucked with me. I won't pass them on or post them anywhere.

For the release of my March book, (A Soldier's Family—also an RT Top Pick--available on pre-order now), I will be giving away more great prizes (hint: Amazon Kindle anyone?), but remember, only my newsletter subscribers will be eligible for entry, so stay tuned.

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

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

ANOTHER MUST-READ INDUSTRY BLOG

NOTICE...I FIXED THIS LINK...had several folks e-mail me saying the previous one I posted didn't work.

Sorry 'bout that.

Try this new one.

Even if you're not targeting CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) publishers...you won't want to miss this blog. It's written by a literary agent who has also been on the publishing side of the industry.

It's a great blog with lots of helpful info. Very funny and informative.

Enjoy!

Rachelle Gardner's Ramblings Blog

If the link doesn't work...past this into your browser:

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Wyatt