Powerful Prayfule Sunday 2/28

Sorry for the late post, I've been working on getting a new blog template and the day got away from me. I never did figure out how to get the dates of posts fixed so I will worry about it tomorrow. Of course, if any of you have a clue or idea on how to fix the problem I would love to hear it.

So, today is the last day of February. Already two months have passed in the new year. Two very snowy months. But, soon the white will melt, our yards will get a long drink and become saturated and muddy in spots. But soon the flowers will bloom. Can you tell I am anxious for it to arrive. I cannot wait to be outside in the sun and warm air.

This February did bring the Winter Olympics, which I enjoyed watching when I could. It is great to see citizens of countries competing against each other countries and, for the most part, with good sportsmanship. Today part of the sermon was on citizenship. The majority of people are proud to be a citizen of the country they were born in. Unfortunately borders separate us and sometimes the differences are more important than what we share in comment. But, there is a citizenship that unites up. The moment you were baptized in the name of the Lord he claimed your life, heart and soul and you became a citizen of heaven. Isn't that nice to know that that no matter how pleasant your citizenship on earth may be that there is a much better citizenship awaiting you.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 3:20

Join me once again as we pray for each other. I welcome any and all cares and concerns and hope that all the readers add their prayers to mine.

As a side note, I may not have a post next Sunday. My son's basketball team is going to State and we will be gone most of the weekend. I am not sure I will make it back in time to post my Powerful Prayful blog.

Congrats K. M. Weiland

Norm Brown drew K. M. Weiland's name and they are the winner of Carpet Ride. Please send me your name and address to amydetrempe (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get the information to Norm. Congrats!

Stop by LadyScribes

LadyScribes, the blog I belong to with my critique group, has a great interview with author Laura Lee Ghurke posted today. She shared a bit of her writing process. Stop by if you get the chance. ladyscribes.blogspot.com

Spotlight on: Norm Brown

Author of: Carpet Ride
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-935171-08-9
Release Date: August 2008
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Available from Second Wind Publishing and Amazon


Near the end of their honeymoon trip across Oregon, Sam Stanley, his new wife Lynn, and her one-year-old son Andy, traverse a steep mountain road in a rented RV. In the middle of a blind curve they run over a long roll of carpeting angled across the road. Sam barely manages to avoid crashing down the mountainside. When he walks back up the road to move the obstacle—it’s gone.

Upon returning home to Austin, Sam learns that the crushed body of a business executive from Boulder, Colorado has been found at the site of their reported accident. The Oregon police suspect Sam in the obvious hit and run death; there is no roll of carpet. When deadly “accidents” continue in Texas, Sam realizes they were all supposed to die on that mountain.

AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?

NORM: At the beginning of the story, newly-wed Sam feels almost literally on top of the world. When knocked down and targeted by an unknown enemy, he discovers courage and strength he never knew he possessed. Carpet Ride is the story of Sam’s evolution from vulnerable victim to desperate defender of his little family.

AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing Carpet Ride, or did your story stick with the plan you had set?

NORM: When I first started writing Carpet Ride, I intended to have a single point of view character, Sam Stanley. As the story developed, I discovered that Sam needed help. He couldn’t be in Austin and Boulder at the same time. So I brought in his best friend, John Canton, as a rather reckless volunteer to help solve the murder of the Colorado man. I was surprised how John naturally took over a large part of the story-telling. I think the two intertwined plots came together nicely at the end.

AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?

NORM: The opening scene occurred to me when my son and I were traveling on vacation in a rented RV through the Coastal Wilderness of Oregon. While negotiating a frighteningly narrow curve on a high, lonely mountain road, I couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if something blocked the way. Like most novels, it started with that simple question: What if?

AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.

NORM: Like most everyone else, I collected quite a pile of form rejection letters from agents and publishers. I also entered portions of my unpublished manuscript in several contests. It was very encouraging to become a finalist in two of them. The contest judges provided some good feedback that you don’t get from form letters. In another online contest put on by Gather, I met the gentleman who was just beginning to form a new publishing company, Second Wind Publishing. Carpet Ride became one of their first publications.

AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?

NORM: If you believe in your book, refuse to become discouraged. You never know what can happen.

AMY: Besides Carpet Ride, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?

NORM: I am currently working on a new novel, tentatively titled, Finders Weepers. It’s not a sequel to Carpet Ride, but does feature a couple of important characters from the first book.

AMY: How can we find you on the internet?

NORM: Readers can contact me through my website: www.normbrownauthor.com
I’m also on Facebook as Norm Brown.

AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?

NORM: The nicest compliment I’ve heard concerning Carpet Ride was from several people who said that they really “connected” with the main characters. What makes you, as a reader, really care about what happens to a fictional person in a novel?

AMY: Readers, are there any questions you would like to ask Norm?

Norm Brown has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of Carpet Ride. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.

Let’s Talk Musicals

Last year I posted about favorite Christian songs. I noted that I often travel to and from work in silence. However, on those rare occasions when I want music I either listen to the local Christian Channel, Classic Rock Channel or a CD of my favorite musical of the moment.

Right now my favorite CD is Wicked. I just love that show and hope I get a chance to see it again. The songs are fun to sing but there is one in particular that I love – For Good. It is about friendship and probably my favorite in the entire show.

Other musical numbers I enjoy and need added to a play list are Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha, Could We Start Again Please from Jesus Christ Superstar, They Were You and Try to Remember from The Fantasticks, Some Things are Meant to Be from Little Women, Seasons of Love from Rent . . . Well, this list could go on, and on, and on. I really like musicals if you haven’t gathered. I just finished working on Music Man, with familiar songs like Gary Indiana and Seventy-Six Trombones and I had a wonderful time backstage, as I always do.

Do you have a favorite musical or musical song? If you are not into musicals, do you have a favorite song of all time and is there a reason why this one song either brings a smile to your face, tears to your eyes or a memory to your heart?

Anxious for Spring - Powerful Prayful Sund - 2/21

I think Spring must be my favorite time of the year. It is the season of hope and renewal. Nothing gives me more energy than seeing the grass turn green and the daffodiles open. What about you, what is your favorit season and what is your favorite thing about spring?



It is Sunday and another powerful prayful day. Please join me in praying for each other and if you have a specific (or general) need or praise, I would love for you to list it in the comments.

Traveling

I am blogging at http://www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com today on the importance of travel for an author. Stop by and let me know your thoughts if you get a chance.

My Muse is a Guy

I have come to some interesting conclusions of late with regard to my muse.

1) My muse is a male. This shocked me as much as it probably shocks you. After all, I write historical romance and one would think a female muse would be the inspiration behind the story though I admit it is small minded of me to assume a romance is written by a female. But, now that I know his name, he is certainly not a she.

2) His name is Patrick. Why do I know this? This name consistently appears in my novels. I don’t know why. I try to never use the same name twice (which is very difficult by the way). Yet, the name Patrick always figures in. I didn’t even notice until one of my critique partners pointed it out to me. I don’t even know any Patricks. While it is my brother’s middle name, he is the last person I am thinking about when I envision these secondary characters. Which is rather interesting because even though Patrick figures into almost every novel, he never takes the lead, is never the hero. He is always the secondary. I wonder what the psychology is behind that.

3) He is jealous. I discovered that in these past two weeks. While Patrick had all but abandoned me while I was trying to write, he made an appearance when it was impossible for me to indulge him. During December and a good portion of January I did what I could to coax him out of hiding so I could get more work done on my current WIP. But, no matter how hard I tried, I struggled to get the right words on the page. Then, at the beginning of February I began work on Music Man where I was in charge of hair and makeup. The more I became busy with the show the more Patrick started talking. I mapped out scenes and dialogue ran through my head. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything about it because I was too exhausted by the time I got home. So, Patrick likes to play games. If I want him around, he plays hide and seek but the minute I turn my attention to another creative endeavor he is front in center demanding that I pay attention to him.

Do you have issues with your muse? Is it a male or female and do they have a name?

Characters

Today I am blogging at http://www.Ladyscribes.blogspot.com. I would love for you to stop by and leave a comment. Most of these ladies are in my critique group and are writing very informative articles.

Love! Powerful Prayful Sunday 2/14

I am sorry that I missed posting my prayer blog last week. I don't really have a good excuse except that the weekend got away from me. Last weekend Music Man opened at one of the local theaters and I am in charge of hair and makeup. The show closes today and the run has been a blast.

But, that is not the purpose of this post. Today is about Love.

For God so LOVED the world He gave His only begotten son. John 3:16

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. 1 John 4:16.


Can there be a greater gift than love? This one emotion has the power to make a person smile, laugh or cry. It pulls at the heart and can cause butterflies in the stomach.
I hope that each of you have an abundance of love in your life. That you receive it in abundance and have others to shower it upon.

Let's share our love by praying for each other. Please list your concerns and praises in the comments and I will pray for you each day this week.

Spotlight on: Mickey Hoffman

Author of: School of Lies
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-935171-29-4
Release Date: October, 2009
Genre: Mystery

Available from Second Wind Publishing and Amazon


High school teacher Kendra Desola opens an anonymous email and is shocked to find a fake photo showing she's getting way too friendly with male students. She intends to stop this lie before it circulates, but before she can locate the source, the suspicious death of a colleague brings the police on campus.

Kendra now fears the email was a set up, to make it look like she had a motive for murder. What if the cops get wind of the email and buy the "evidence" that she's a child molester, or a murderess, or both? That you can't trust anyone, Kendra already suspects from the get go, but that you can't trust in the truth becomes something she has to learn as she faces off against unknown adversaries to prove her innocence.

AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?

MICKEY: The book is a mystery with a dose of dark humor. I think that most people have strong high school memories and perhaps suspected that their teachers were not showing their true selves while on the job.

AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing School of Lies, or did you story stick with the plan you had set?

MICKEY: The characters tried very hard to take over and I had to reign them in. It's hard to boss teachers around and as for adolescents, do I have to say more?

AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?

MICKEY: Although this book is fiction, I want readers to know that the book draws inspiration from my years as a Special Education teacher. Many of my real life experiences were so bizarre that these things were almost unreal when they happened. So why not write a novel?

AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.

MICKEY: I almost had to write the book so it wasn't really a journey to get that far. The writing part wasn't too difficult but then came the revisions and those were incredibly painful. After I got the book into "shape" I did what everyone does, I guess. I sent query letters out to agents and publishers that publish my genre. I am happy and grateful that one, Second Wind Publishing, accepted my book.


AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?

MICKEY: Make sure you are committed to going through with the process and develop a very, very thick skin.

AMY: Besides School of Lies, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?

MICKEY: School of Lies was my first book. I have a project in the works but let's leave that for another time.

AMY: How can we find you on the internet (facebook, twitter, myspace, blog, website addresses)
MICKEY: My website is www.mickeyhoffman com
My blog is www.mickeyhoffman.wordpress.com
My facebook page is under my name.

AMY: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

MICKEY: No animals or humans were actually harmed in the making of my novel.

AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?

MICKEY: I'd love to hear from you after you've read my book! You can send me comments on my website.

AMY: Readers, are there any questions you would like to ask Mickey?

Mickey Hoffman has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of School of Lies. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.

Spotlight on: Deborah J Ledford

Author of: STACCATO
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
ISBN: 978-1935171171
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Genre: Suspense Thriller

Available from:
Second Wind Publishing: http://secondwindpublishing.com/Staccato.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Staccato-Deborah-j-Ledford/dp/1935171178/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255532354&sr=8-1
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Staccato-ebook/dp/B002P3LB5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1264730016&sr=1-1
Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ, as well as other independent booksellers.

Short Synopsis:
Three world-class pianists. Two possible killers. One dead woman. Who is her murderer? Who will be next? STACCATO: Retribution played double-time

AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?

DEBORAH: Thank you for featuring me and my debut thriller novel on your blog, Amy. I realize this is primarily a romance readers forum and I hope I don’t scare any of your followers away. Please know that although STACCATO is a suspense thriller, there is a main thread of romance throughout the entire novel. In essence, Nicholas Kalman’s journey is all about finding out who killed his lover—and how far he is willing to go to seek retribution for her death.

AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing STACCATO, or did you story stick with the plan you had set?

DEBORAH: I began my writing career as a screenwriter, and STACCATO started out as a script. Years later, I turned STACCATO into a novel. The original concept remained the same: I knew I wanted to implement classical music, and that the nemesis would be the pianists mentor. Before I begin actually writing a novel I’ve worked out the first 5 chapters, a few climaxes, the title, ending, and some choice dialogue I want to implement. The rest of the novel writing journey is a wild ride of discovery.

AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?

DEBORAH: Years ago, I discovered a poster while shopping in a frame store. The photographer is Peter Esposito from his “Angst in the Night” Angst Noir Series. The moment I saw this powerful image, a sub-plot came to mind. This is the original concept for what is now the STACCATO book cover. The characters came later, but I knew the hero of my series, Steven Hawk, would be an African American deputy of a sleepy southern county, and that the other lead in STACCATO, Nicholas Kalman, would be a twenty-year-old professional pianist.

AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.

DEBORAH: My writing journey is quite a long one. As I mentioned, I began as a screenwriter back in the ‘90s. I wrote my first as of yet unpublished novel back in 2000 and the first draft of STACCATO was completed in 2005. Therefore, my journey as a published novelist took nearly a decade. 2007 I submitted STACCATO to a Gather.com online contest sponsored by CourtTV (now TruTV) and made it to the semi-final round along with two other now Second Wind authors, Lazarus Barnhill and Pat Bertram. I’m told the formation of Second Wind Publishing is due to this contest.

AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented/unpublished author, what would it be?

DEBORAH: I went through the agent process and suggest other writers do the same. Studying markets/agents/appropriate publishing editors is essential for all writers hoping to break into the industry. The more you learn and research the better prepared you will be once an offer for representation and publication comes your way. In the end however, I found Second Wind Publishing on my own and didn’t find the need for an agent. Be open to all possibilities—and know that being represented by a “bad” agent is worse than having no agent at all.

AMY: Besides STACCATO, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?

DEBORAH: I hope to have the second book of the Steven Hawk/Inola Walela series ICE ON FIRE available summer, 2010. I am also a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize and my award-winning short stories appear in numerous print publications as well as five anthologies. I invite you to read a few of my short stories available on my website: http://www.deborahjledford.com.

AMY: How can we find you on the internet?

DEBORAH: You can find me on just about all of the social networks. Primarily:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000454722747
Twitter: http://twitter.com/djledford
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3081880.Deborah_J_Ledford
I write a monthly article at my publisher’s blog the 5th of every month: http://secondwindpub.wordpress.com/
The first 6 chapters of STACCATO are available as a free download at my website: http://www.deborahjledford.com


AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?

DEBORAH: Classical music is a major element to STACCATO and I’m considering a CD companion. I spent endless hours researching appropriate pieces of piano music to highlight scenes and characters’ emotions throughout the novel. Would a recording tie-in to the book be of interest to you as readers?

AMY: Readers, are there any questions you would like to ask Deborah?

Lady Scribes

I am blogging today at http://LadyScribes.blogspot.com. Please stop by and tell me about your writer's journey and the heat level (or lack there of) you prefer in your romance novels.