Good, Better. Best

'm sure many of you are pulled in different
directions with all the demands of life - children,
work, church, service, exercise, cooking, cleaning,
hobbies - wait, who has time for hobbies?

A leader in my church, Dallin H. Oaks, gave a
memorable talk entitled, "Good, Better, Best." He
explained with so many needful activities pulling us
in various directions - soccer practice, scrubbing
toilets, cleaning the counter for the tenth time today
(sorry that was my interjection). It's easy to lose
sight of the essential activities we need to be doing
- studying the scriptures, visiting the sick and
elderly, reading to our children, playing with our
children, praying and growing closer to the Lord.

This life is short. We need to be careful not to
squander our time with less than good or even harmful
things - mass media consumption, selfish pursuits that
don't lift or enrich our lives, idleness. We all need
downtime, which is why the Sabbath is a day of rest.
I'm not saying relaxing is wrong, but spending hour
after hour in front of a television screen will leave
us unfulfilled and in the end unrewarded.

As we focus on our families and prioritize to fit in
the important things, our joy and fulfillment will
increase.

One day we will be held accountable for how we use the
resources given to us. Time is one of our greatest
resources. I hope we can all focus that time on the
essential things - loving our families and serving
those in need.

Cami Checketts is the author of "The Fourth of July"
and "The Broken Path."
http://www.camichecketts.com
http://fitmomma.blogstream.com
http://anti-tvmommas.blogstream.com

I've Been Interviewed!

Hey Gang,

Fellow author Allie Boniface has interviewed me for her blog...check it out!

Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!"

So You Want to Be A Writer?

With the November digital release of Alvarado Gold and the quickly approaching print release in May, my cousin wanted me to talk with her grandson about being a writer.

I have yet to have this conversation since we live in different parts of the state and haven’t crossed paths recently, but I’ve been thinking about what I might say to him.

While, “Good luck with that,” comes to mind, it’s a little severe. To me there are three driving factors:

1. We have to be good: at plot, characterization, emotional logic and scene flow. Basically, you have to know your craft.

2. I also feel like there’s a considerable amount of luck to the process, too, but I think we make our own luck. We have to know what’s available to us, search out leads, enter contests, make websites, etc. No one’s going to find us if we don’t light our own candle a little.

3. And last but not least, perseverance. Keep plodding down that road, keep sending off submissions and don’t ever give up. If we fold at the first rejection or think our story is too good go be changed, edited or corrected, we’re definitely not going to make it.

While the writer’s life isn’t an easy one, it is definitely rewarding once that magic contract shows up in the mail. It isn’t the financial gain but the recognition that someone beyond our own tight circle of existence appreciates our hard work and it certainly doesn’t hurt the ego, either.

So my response to him would be, “Go forth, young man, and write.”

Blessings,

Victoria

Next Week at LASR

I'm happy to announce that an interview I did with The Long and Short of It Reviews will be posted next week. Following that, I'll be available for questions on their Yahoo group on Wednesday, April 23. This is my day off from work and I can't imagine a better way to spend it than with other readers and writers of romance. I hope you'll all find time to stop in.

In addition to the interview and the chat, two of my Orchard Hill Romances will be part of LASR's prize giveaway next week. So please, stop by and see what's going on.

Kara
Kara Lynn Russell
karalynnrussell.googlepages.com

What I learned at our local conference.

Wow. What a weekend. Awesome food, drink and conversation. I love attending our local conference in the Phoenix, Arizona area. In between networking, meeting author authors, whether published or not, editors, agents and attending workshops, getting any sleep was not a priority. But realistically folks, if you ever have a chance to attend a local or regional conference, go for it. I find it way less intimidating than going to a national conference and meeting people in the industry seems to just be easier. Just a word of caution. It is still not acceptable to slip a manuscript under the bathroom stall, and um, agents and editors are more approachable AFTER a visit to the bathroom.

Here are a few things I came away with from Desert Dreams.

1) Paranormals and Inspirational romances are still the trend.
2) Editors and agents disagreed on query letters. Agents primarily read them to get a feel for the book and the author. Editors went straight for the manuscript.
3) Both editors and agents agreed that the first 10 pages are key. If you don’t hook them then, you’ll get a rejection letter. However, some were more willing to read past those key pages if something intrigued them then others. So make that beginning shine.
4) Editors and agents are looking for a reason to reject you. So don’t give them one. Learn what they want, learn how to spell their name correctly, and always make sure that you send them your best work. Face it. Signing you means work and a relationship for a few years while your project is in the works.
5) Editors and agents want to see that manuscript so submit, submit submit.

All in all, I had a very successful weekend. Now I’m practicing what I learned before I send out that requested manuscript. Because this industry is small and competitive, give your self the advantage. Good luck and God Bless.

Kim Watters

Potluck Post

Hi Friends!

Ever attend an event where the food served was termed “pot luck” where everyone brings a covered dish and/or dessert?

I love these as you never know what you’ll try that’s new, but you can always rest assured you’ll get something delicious!

Well I’ve titled this post, Potluck because so much has happened since the last time I shared with you that I figured it would be easier to report the events all at once… a virtual smorgasbord of news!

Now, where do I start? LOL!

On a personal note…Easter was BEAUTIFUL but quiet. We put new flooring in my bedroom (we’re stripping out all carpet and installing vinyl flooring throughout the house-finishing my bedroom got us to the half-way point) anyway, this made the weekend less eventful as we didn’t have company nor did we go very far. Of course we did bring our Angel Girl a basket and visit with her for a while. J All-in-all we had a great weekend.

On the professional side….finished round one edits for my 4th Tempered novel; proofreader has done her stint and now I’ll make one more run through the book then it’s off to layout – Yay! Still waiting on the cover but that’s in the works and I’ll share it with you as soon as I can.

I also received my 2nd round of edits for The Visionary and will begin working through that novel as soon as I send the other manuscript off.

My short story, A Hero for Jessica was released March 26th and has already received good reviews including a Reviewers Top Pick from Night Owl Romance!

For more information on any of these works, visit my personal blog and/or website and if you want to stay informed, sign up for my mailing list!

April 9th I’m off to Daytona Beach, FL for the NDA Cheer & Dance Championship to root for SFA pom/dance/drillteam which is coached by my son! So please, say a prayer for a safe trip and a national title or two. J

Oh, one more newsflash! Next week I’ll be spotlighting author Tracey H Kitts and her book Red on my personal blog so if you get a chance, run over and see what she has to offer!

Well, that’s about all for now Friends!

Until later take care, God BLESS and remember….You reap what you sow, therefore if you sow love, peace, joy and wealth then love, peace, joy and wealth will abound in your life!

Pamela S Thibodeaux
“Inspirational with an Edge!”

Booksigning for Web of Deceit

I'll be signing copies of
Web of Deceit
this weekend at our local writer's conference.
Saturday, April 5th

Other authors from across the country will be signing their books on Saturday afternoon, too.
Don't miss this event, which is open to the public!
Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort & Hotel
In the Santan Room
One San Marcos Place
Chandler, Arizona

Excerpt:

“No. I don’t wanna get out! I wanna go home. I wanna go back to San Diego, where I belong!” Matthew clung to the headrest on the driver’s seat.

Backing out of the passenger side door, Faith Callahan stared at her six-year-old son, and ran a tired hand through her hair. She knew this transition wasn’t going to be easy, but she hadn’t expected to see the open hostility in her son’s eyes or the staunch defiance in his posture.

She lowered her head momentarily and prayed for strength as she fingered the small, gold cross on the delicate chain around her neck. God had never let her down before. He wouldn’t do so now, even if she hadn’t been as attentive these last few months as she should have been.

“Matthew, we can’t go back. There’s nothing left for us there. Now please get out of the car like the gentleman that you are. Grandma Helen’s not expecting us for another hour so I thought I’d show you around.”

“No.”

Wilting under the heat of another sultry Central California day, she made a second attempt to extricate her son from the back seat of her silver Honda Accord. His arms slid from the headrest only to latch onto the door frame, his white knuckled fingers holding on with a Vulcan death grip.

One day, Faith supposed, she’d find the humor in the situation. Today though, the long drive, the rising temperature, and the weeks of stress and sleepless nights had done away with every ounce of patience she had left.

“Matthew Stephen Callahan, please get out of the car.”

“No!”

Her son kicked when she reached in again. After his sneaker-encased foot connected with her left arm, Faith backed off. She looked around. Fortunately, the unseasonably warm temperatures had kept most of the locals inside, so no one witnessed the incident, or her inability to control her son.

“It looks boring here. I’ll bet they don’t even have cable. I wanna go back to San Diego.” The desperation and uncertainty in Matthew’s voice almost broke her heart, making her question her decision to return to her childhood home.

For a moment.

She’d asked God for a sign a few weeks ago. Then she found an old box of Steve’s things in the hall closet. Trophies and pictures of Steve, Faith, and their friend Adam, from high school were stored inside. It didn’t get any clearer than that. Days later, their condo went on the market, and Faith packed their bags and headed for home. Home. Peace settled across her shoulders as if an invisible weight disappeared. Faith had to believe the good Lord knew what he was doing. If only he would work a miracle for her son.

Have a great weekend!

Kim