Browsed by
Category: Kat’s Writing Tales

McConaughey lost 40 pounds to play the role of a man with AIDS.
Probably I won’t see many of the films up for the Golden Globe Awards, but I kinda watched the presentations on Sunday evening.
Several of the stars I wanted to win, like Tom Hanks for “Captain Phillips,” were left sitting on their chairs, instead of racing to the platform. But when Matthew McConaughey’s name rang out, I watched him.
Wow, his first major award. He looked like a little kid receiving his first bicycle. But what stood out to me the most is the opening of his acceptance speech.
Of the film McConaughey said “This film took 20 years to get made. People declined to make it 86 times. We got together with a group of people who laid skin on the ground. That was one thing. A year later, it’s living. It’s very present. And I’m standing up here with a Golden Globe. That’s incredibly rewarding.”
When any of our writers talk about rejection, we need to read McConaughey’s statement again.
THIS FILM TOOK TWENTY YEARS TO GET MADE.
PEOPLE DECLINED TO MAKE IT 86 TIMES.
 I’m printing the above and pasting it to my desk. I know we are looking at the years to produce a film, but what about our years in publishing a book—I’m glad McConaughey shared that information, it’s a great reminder of the dedication of writers, producers and the actors, too.

I first met Troy Griepentrog two years ago at the Heart of America Christian Writers Conference (HACWN) in Overland Park, Kansas where he represented Focus on the Family.

In a ten minute interview we talked about a story I’d written. Troy listened intently. Smiled often. Commented on a few ideas of mine—I left the interview feeling I’d met a new friend. Later at lunch we talked a bit about Colorado Springs.
This year Troy again represented Focus at the HACWN conference. He told me he doesn’t have a facebook—but he does browse there once in awhile to check out what is happening around him. Several things I learned about Troy in our short meetings. He has a great sense of humor, he constantly encourages writers, and he loves the Lord. He looks young—in reality he is Grandpa Troy.
Lionhearted Kat: You work for Focus on the Family publications, what is your position?

Troy: I’m a senior associate editor of Thriving Family magazine, and I edit marriage topics primarily.

For the full story see:  Interview and Reviews

A new interview on the interview and reviews page. 
Unfortunately, I didn’t meet Gloria Penwell at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference when her husband Dan encouraged me to publish my book. But because of mutual friendships and Lee Warren working with her at CLASSeminars, we’ve now connected.
I’ve posted an interview with Gloria—take time to read it. She has been around the CBA market for a number of years and is full of wisdom.
Still Lionhearted, Kat
 
 
Continued notes from Kat from the Q and A panel:
When our Q and A panel received questions from those attending WordSowers meeting in November, most people didn’t put their name on them. Jeanie added her name, and even if she didn’t, we know about her contract with “Chicken Soup” and applaud her tenacity—
The sign on my desk says,
If you don’t submit, you can’t sell.
Jeanie’note-question:
 “My story will be in an upcoming Chicken Soup book.
Is there a protocol for promoting that without being pushy?
I currently have a (new) website, (new) blog, (new) author’s
facebook page, and (new) twitter account.”
We need to do more than applaud Jeanie’s sale—she’s moved ahead in building the blog, getting her facebook up and going and is on twitter. Yahoo, Jeanie. Great job.
Is there a non-pushy way to promote your book? Any book?
With “Chicken Soup books” you are paid for the manuscript and given 10 free books. What you do with the book from there is up to you. Of course, the publisher hopes that every author will sell books for them, but how?
In my case, I waited years to be accepted by “Chicken Soup Finding Your Faith.” I might not have promoted the book, but when I spoke in the northwest this summer, offering books after my presentation worked well.
How would I share a compilation if I didn’t speak? In the beginning—maybe 2005, I held book events at Parables, Divine Truth, Borders and Barnes and Nobles. Did I make any more money? No, but I connected with managers in each bookstore. When I did self-publish my book, those same managers allowed me to hold more book events and even carried my book in their stores.
When I sold any compilation in a church setting or to family and friends, I bought the books at half price—sold them for list price.
I didn’t quit my day job. This isn’t a huge money maker, but you begin to build your platform and your portfolio.
Angela Meyer held a book launch party when her book “Hope Starts Here” published. Why not hold a book launch party with “Chicken Soup?” Yes, it’s lots of work, but if your book is published in January or February, everyone needs a reason to celebrate and you will start building your audience for the future. Invite family, friends and ask them to invite more people. Most of them want to celebrate a new publication—get the word out, Jeanie Jacobsen, you are an author.

Check out the Book Reviews and Author interviews. This is the latest release by author, Karen Kingsbury.

Review by Kat Crawford
Fifteen Minutes is available to purchase from Amazon.com. 
Note: I received this book as part of the Fifteen Minutes blog tour from Fiction Addict. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.  
Review copy provided by the publisher.
When I read John Kings’ description of finding names for book characters, I flipped in my Bible to the Genesis passage where God gave Adam the “naming” task.
“There were around 70 main characters in Centennial, and to find names that sounded appropriate for the parts they played, as well as being in keeping with their family origins and their time in history, was an important and pleasurable part of our research, rather like a game of literary Scrabble.”
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” Genesis 2:19 (niv)
The Bible doesn’t say Adam whined. There is nothing recorded that says, “But God, I’ve never named anyone before.” No, Adam named every living creature and we know God continually said, “And it is good.”
Those helping Michener name the characters for Centennial didn’t whine, sometimes in their discussions they argued over what they believed a character might say or do, but mostly they enjoyed building the cast on paper.
What task has God given you? Maybe not naming animals or people, but if you complete the task without complaint will you hear the Lord say, “And it is good.”
Prayer: Our gracious father in heaven, help us to welcome with open arms whatever you call us to do for you. Amen
There are three things that are too amazing for me…
The way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden.
Proverbs 30:18-19 (niv)
“…in 1936 and 1937, during the years of the great duststorms, I had caught on film a percentage of the images I would later use in my novel, Centennial.” James Michener photographed dry lands that broke men’s hearts, little towns not yet dead, but dying, the roll of the prairie, the look of an old house. “It was the persistence of these images that kept the ideas vital,” Michener said.
Imagine Michener’s delight when in the late 1960’s he dug around through his treasures and found the old Kodachrome slides and they were in remarkably good condition.
There are many things we cannot understand. Proverbs said the way of the eagle, a ship or a maiden—but oh so much more. Who can understand how the forty year old photographs remained vibrant. The slides were good, but also the memories in Michener’s mind of those days gone by.
Who can understand our memories—the day we saw our first eagle or fell in love, priceless moments. But what about the tragic times, those painful traumatic events? Sometimes in reliving the journey like Michener did, we help someone else see life differently.
Prayer: We praise you for what every day brings because we know each new day is a gift from you. Amen
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.
~Proverbs 12:1
Read your email thoroughly before you reply.
Freelance newspaper work is tough. When I wrote a weekly column for the Plattsmouth Journal, I interviewed many gospel singers. Many times I interviewed individuals “cold,” no website to give me background. (The calls reminded me of years before when I sold pre-need cemetery arrangements. I stuttered in the beginning—but got the job done.)
Once when I needed to interview a country gospel soloist, someone gave me her email. I sent questions. She shot back immediate answers—and added a note. I read her answers, but didn’t digest the material in her note. Later I sent her a quick email, “Is there a time I can call you? What time zone are you in Texas?”
She emailed me, “I’m in Omaha—how about now.” I re-read her email and found all the information I needed.
Because of my haste, I apologized with a red face. The experience reminded me of other lessons I learned the hard way. Spiritual lessons. If I’d slowed down and taken time to pray and then listen to God before bringing up a sensitive subject with my husband or my co-worker, my tone of voice and my attitude—could they have been softer, more understanding?
Prayer: Lord, you are never too busy to listen to me or to advise me. Help me to slow down long enough to not pray and go, but pray and know before I speak. Amen
Photo by Deb Heartscribeforhim

 

“I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.”
~Psalm 119:147 NIV
In years gone by my husband and I spent time in the woods. He liked to fish in the quiet early morning hours. I loved to sleep away from home. In the quiet, no husband and no phones, I took time to renew my energy—to spend time reading my Bible.
Often I used those hours at the campfire to write my weekly newspaper column, “Sunshine and Smiles.” By the time Gary filled the cooler with his mess of fish, I felt well rested, my spirit well nourished, my commitment for the week completed and ready for time to share coffee with him, my best friend.
Not everyone has time for a campfire, but everyone can make the opportunity to start the day refreshing their mind, body and soul reading their Bible.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
~Psalm 63:1 niv
A lot of the US is in drought, a dry and weary land where there is no water; many souls are spiritually dry—come to the water—seek Him.
Prayer:  Thank you Lord for being our continual source of refreshment. For giving us moments of peace and quiet even when we don’t have the opportunity to camp. And thank you Lord, I never had to clean a fish. Amen
You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
   when you make friends with Madame Insight.
Proverbs 3:13 (msg)

Recently Pastor Aman of an Arabic Christian church preached in our morning worship. A translator stood to his right, sometimes looking puzzled. Pastor Aman repeated his phrases and the translator would smile and give us his English version.

Before giving us his scripture for the day, Pastor Aman said, “One day I followed a taxi with a bumper sticker that said:

Don’t follow me because I myself am lost.”
 
What a great bumper sticker for writers. We need to choose wisely in whom we follow, Jesus first, author fan pages with wisdom and also good informational blogs. No matter the genre we write, we need to study God’s Word, and ask Him to guide our minds and fingers.
These Proverbs spoke to me today:
Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well…

No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he’ll keep you safe and sound.
Proverbs 3:21-22, 25-26 (msg)
Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me to guard my mind and soul. Thank you, too for the promise You will be with and guide me in all my ways. I only need to ask. Amen
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
A foot long word lover!
A few weeks back I read a post where Cec Murphey said, “When we try to correct sloppy writing we don’t have to become sesquipedalians (look it up). Say it in direct, easy-to-understand words. If we do, we communicate. Get it? We actually communicate with readers and they understand what we mean.”
I looked up Sesquipedalians. It means “given to using long words.” The Latin sesquipedalis means measuring a foot and a half.
In some of my first writing I used the Thesaurus to find extraordinary words. It didn’t take me long to understand that a foot and a half word stopped the reader mid-sentence and editors didn’t appreciate my efforts, either.
Scripture is written for the average reader to understand. Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 is simple and direct.
PRAYER: Lord, you know writers struggle to find ways to keep readers reading. Help us to ask for your guidance and not be afraid when we submit an article. Amen

 

“I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you what is best for you,
Who directs you in the way you should go.”
Psalm 48:17b (NIV)
 
It’s good to study successful authors. James A. Michener sold forty books. In reading “In Search for Centennial,” Michener wrote, “I am not interested in writing anything which does not concern me immediately and deeply, and if I do write I want to do so in a way that summarizes all the knowledge I have at that moment…I write in order to educate myself, to organize my thoughts, to discover the depth of my own convictions—” (pg 77)
I could have written the above. Those are my feelings and the sentiments of many of my author friends.
The only difference between Michener and those in my circle of authors is what is foremost in our minds. Michener traveled the world and wrote history—great history. Books we can gain knowledge from. The writers I know up close and personal are concerned deeply about keeping God focused and hope in some small way to change hearts and minds for Him .
Prayer: Father we thank you for the opportunity to write for you. Direct our paths today. Amen