Movie Re-Makes -- Dark Shadows!

There are some stories that are retold to a new generation and are true to the original, yet updated for modern tastes. How many versions of A Christmas Carol have you seen?

Recently I saw both the newer and the original version of True Grit. I enjoyed both and was amused that the script was nearly word-for-word identical. Honestly, I liked the newer version. 

Now I'm awaiting the May 11th theatrical release of Dark Shadows. While the title may not mean much to many people, if you were a teen girl in the years between 1966 and 1971, you remember rushing home from school to catch the latest episode of the soap opera.

I had even convinced my mother to have the TV on when I breezed in from school. And if I was late, she'd watch the first few minutes and report to me so I could keep up with the story. 

So are you from the 60s and 70s? Did you watch Dark Shadows? Are you going to check out the movie version?

In other news, the actor who brought Barnabas Collins to life, Jonathan Frid, passed away two weeks ago today. I wonder what he thought of the upcoming movie.

Writing in Limbo

My first two (published) novels were contemporaries, meaning they are set in the present time. Mostly, I wrote about stuff I knew, and that didn’t require research.

Right now I’m in a crazy in-between place in the writing process. A place I’ve never found myself before. A crazy, limbo-like writing situation—and limbo is something the dictionary calls a region on the border of heaven or hell. Yup, that sounds right.

Lately I’ve been wondering about the delirium that gripped me when I decided to write a historical novel. Actually it’s worse than that—I’m writing a time travel historical novel, so I have the pleasure of researching more than one time period for this book.

And thus I find myself wanting to plug away on my word count instead of doing research. I just want to push ahead with the story, but those pesky little historical and geographical details are screaming to be accurate.

If I don’t write, I feel unproductive. But I need to research to be able to write. I’m stuck in a region on the border of heaven or hell: limbo. Good news—I trust I’ll survive.

The photograph above illustrates where I'm going in my research. Can you guess where/when that is?

Another NEW Titanic novel!

In keeping with my Titanic novel theme this week, I'm delighted to introduce you to another new Titanic novel, TITANIC: Voyage of Intent by Mary Davis. Mary is a Colorado author who I've known for over a decade.

I've already read this book, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. Actually, I had a very late night because I didn't want to stop reading. Yes, it that's good!

TITANIC: Voyage of Intent is about a young woman who follows a murderer to save her brother.

Will trying to save her brother's life cost Brenna her own?

Brenna Kelly's brother has been accused of a murder he didn't commit and sentenced to die. Brenna follows the real murderer aboard the luxury liner Titanic to find the proof to save her brother from the gallows. Little does she know that her fate is as tenuous as her brother’s.

Cliffton Statham is charmed by Brenna and sets out to help her and win her affections. But his flimsy relationship with his uncle puts his future in jeopardy, and he must decide between Brenna and saving himself. Can Brenna find the proof she needs in time? Will love be a help or a hindrance?

Will the icy waters of the Atlantic be the end of them all?

***

Mary, tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

That’s hard to say. I think maybe all my characters might be an offshoot of myself, in one warped way or another. I pour my heart into them and feel what they feel. Some might be an aspect of myself. Others are the opposite of me and are how I might imagine I would be if I were like them. For instance, Marty in Marty’s Ride: Marty is brave and races after danger to save her nieces. I’m more like Piglet. “I-I’m j-just a little bit af-fraid.” Also, Brenna in my latest book that is set on the Titanic: She follows a murderer to save her brother. I would love to think that I could do something like that, but more likely the Piglet side of me would come out. But I can live vicariously through my characters and do things I never could or would do in real life.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I have written over a dozen books both historical and contemporary romance. My first published novel is a romantic comedy. This most recent one is a historical romance. Several of my books have been put into compilations. You can see all my published books on my Web site. The one’s you don’t know about are the unpublished ones. I have half of written WWI novel, the first of a trilogy, I still hope to get published one day and a story set in the future but not sci-fi. Both are romances. And in the next few weeks, I’ll be self publishing a historical novella set in Colorado I wrote many years ago that never found a publishing home. I also have a time travel that is looking for a home as well as a historical novel.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Many ways. I use a baby name book and go through the same pain I did in naming my children. I collect names from movie and TV credits. Someone else went through the pains to name their children. And some times my characters name themselves. It’s nice when they let me know. Some times a character will keep it a secret and make me figure it out. But I can’t write a story about a character until I have a name. The right name.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Dyslexia. I don’t know that I have overcome it, I don’t think I can. But I have learned how to cope with it. I have learned how to do things my own way, but don’t ask me what I do different from you non-dyslexic types. I have been asked how I do things different, but that would mean I understand how the rest of you think to know how I’m different. Maybe you can tell me how you think different from me. One thing that is difficult is spelling. I swear my Spell Checker is going stop telling how to spell the same words over and over and over. I swear some times I can hear it saying to me, “If you don’t know how to spell that word by now, I’m not going to tell you.” Also, if I can’t spell a word close enough for Spell Checker to find the right word for me, I think of a synonym that I can spell and look that up in my thesaurus. And in that word’s synonym is the word I want.

How can readers find your book on the Internet?

The Kindle version is available on Amazon. Soon TITANIC: Voyage of Intent will be available for Nook and other eReaders as well as a paperback version.

This week: new books featuring the Titanic

Unless you live under a rock, you know that the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster was commemorated on Sunday. The Titanic movie's been released in 3-D, there was a Titanic mini-series on television last weekend, and to continue satisfying our Titanic curiosity, there have been new novels written that feature the tragedy.

Today I'm pleased to introduce Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal by Kathleen E. Kovach and Paula Moldenhauer. (I bought the eBook on Friday and have only read a few pages. I'm absolutely intrigued and can't wait to get back to it!)

A secret. A key. Much was buried when the Titanic went down, but now it’s time for resurrection.

April 1912 - Olive Stanford boarded the Titanic determined to protect all she held dear. Her secret will go with her to the grave—but how can she face the afterlife carrying the burden of her actions?

April 2012 - Portland real estate agent, Ember Keaton-Jones distrusts men, with good reason. Ever since her great-great-grandfather, Thomas, deserted the family after the fateful sinking of the Titanic, every Keaton male has disappointed. Ember is on the brink of a huge sale when a stranger shows up with a key to a century-old secret challenging everything she believes. She meets forward-thinking Jeff Dawson who is working in the family’s musty antique shop and finds an unexpected ally in unlocking the mystery of her past. But can they undo the legacy of Thomas Keaton's betrayal?

Carefully researched, this engaging tale includes true stories of the Titanic embedded in historical fiction.

***

Both Kathy and Paula are good friends of mine, and I'm honored that they agreed to stop by my blog for a visit.

Paula, what is your favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie?

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but this one from Jane Austen’s, Persuasion, is one I treasure, “I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.”

I see myself in it, especially in my spiritual walk. A while back I was in a difficult season and felt angry with God. Then I struggled with the guilt of those emotions, which hurt just as much. As I wrote out my struggles, the Holy Spirit helped me process. Suddenly those words spilled upon the page, “weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.” It was like the Lord showed me my heart. Sure, I was human. I’d been weak and resentful, but I’d never stopped loving Him, and He knew it. It was very comforting.

Kathy, when did you first discover that you were a writer?

I have told stories all my life, even before I knew how to write. My mother would ask, “Now, Kathy, is this a real story or a made up story?”

Once I learned how to put words on paper, I wrote a poem about a fat cat in a black hat. I sold hand-written copies of that poem to my friends, complete with a drawing of a fat cat in a black top hat that looked more like a dusty snowman with whiskers. I charged a nickel and I made 25 cents. This, in my mind, made me a published author. After that, I wrote poems, short stories, I even became an award-winning author when I won the 9th grade writing contest with my entry, “I Was A Female Dog, An Autobiography By George.” It was a true story—about my female dog named George.

Paula, how do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m not sure I do, but this seems a very important question! Besides writing and serving as ACFW CO coordinator, I’m mom to four, ages 14 – 20, two of which we still homeschool. Right now they are all living at home. What keeps me sane is Jesus, Jerry, and my prayer group!

I also crave quiet time and the beauty of nature. It shows when I don’t take enough quiet hours to curl up in a soft chair and prayer journal or read with a cup of hot tea close by (lady grey in the morning, white pear in the afternoon, chamomile in the evening). If it’s a cloudy day or dark, I light candles. Sometimes I listen to classical or worship music—something without words. I need to smell the flowers—literally. I do better when I take time to walk in the sunshine with my husband. (I need to get back to that. He’s worked up to walking/jogging 3 or 4 miles a day while I’ve sat at the computer eating dark chocolate. *sigh*) The jokes of my teenage boys, the delight of my daughter, and the hugs of the whole family also ground me. Two months ago I started a gratitude wall. So far I’ve recorded 116 blessings in colored sharpie. I try to write three a day. It’s too easy to focus on the problems or the stresses instead of the moments of joy and beauty we’re always surrounded with.

Kathy, what makes you feel alive?

The Colorado Rocky Mountains. My husband and I love to camp and fish, and I feel energized when I smell a crackling fire, or cast a line into a mirrored lake. Odd that I love the mountains when so far the books I’ve published are set in Florida, San Francisco, and Southern Oregon. My first book was set in Colorado, but it hasn’t been published. I cut my teeth on that piece, and it shows. lol

Please tell us about the collaborative writing experience.

Paula: The story brought out our strengths. Kathy loves to plot while I tend to do a really rough skeleton and fly by the seat of my pants. We plotted carefully at first. I learned a lot, though I kept teasing Kathy saying, “Can we start writing now?” But our writing styles and personalities blend very well. We’re both pretty easy going and have similar passions, so most of the time we found collaboration only strengthened our original thoughts. I think it strengthened my understanding of story structure and plotting. It also gave me some good “friend” time with someone I already adored.

Kathy: And I could say the same thing. (Hugs to Paula!) I wouldn’t write with just anybody. But Paula exudes so much grace that I knew if we had any misunderstandings they would be resolved quickly. Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal is a contemporary story with a historical frame. She started writing the contemporary heroine’s point of view and developed her while I worked on the hero. But she was also researching the historical. When that storyline started to become more than we had originally planned, she asked me to take over the contemporary so she could concentrate on the historical. We essentially wrote two different stories, and I like that better.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Paula: We’re super excited about the story. It feels like a high-concept idea with lots of intrigue and a strong romance thread. We’re also excited about writing a story that is a little outside the traditional Christian publishing market. We wanted to tell a story that might help someone who doesn’t know Jesus consider who He is. While we hope our Christian readers follow us, we tried to write in such a way that someone without faith will find it believable—and maybe even wrestle with God’s place in his or her life. Much of it explores the idea of generational bondage—how the choices of those who’ve gone before us affect how we think about life.

Readers can find Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal on Amazon, and will be coming soon on Nook. There will also be a physical edition. We’ll post information here as it becomes available.

Writers, you can find some wisdom from Paula, Five Tips for the Publication Journey, on The Inkwell Blog.

Please stop back on Thursday--I can't wait to introduce another Titanic novel to you!

Another good book: Wish You Were Here

In the past year I've become acquainted with another local author, Beth Vogt. I'm delighted that my occupation has allowed me to meet so many interesting and talented people. Beth's a down-to-earth, fun lady, and I'm honored she's my friend.

Her debut novel, Wish You Were Here, releases May 1st. An especially fun part of the novel for me was that it was set in Colorado, in places I'm familiar with.

I read the book and was delighted to offer my endorsement:

One kiss can change everything! Wish You Were Here takes the reader on an emotional journey with Allison Denman as she struggles to find her place in this world. Allison comes to grips with the truth that playing it safe is not the same as living to the fullest—a good lesson for all of us. Beautifully written, Wish You Were Here is a lovely debut novel by Beth K. Vogt that illustrates the plans we make may not be God’s choice for us. A fun and satisfying read!

You can pre-order it on Amazon now! And you can learn more about Beth at her website.

Dear auto manufacturers: Where's the common sense?

Occasionally I'll see or hear something and wonder what's happened to common sense. So today I'm offering you a rant . . .

Lately I've been hearing about the amazing touch screen displays that will be commonplace in new cars.

Do we really need another distraction? Another reason to take our eyes off the road? Aren't enough tragedies caused by something other than driving capturing the attention of the driver?

Here's another touch screen I found online. It does so much, it's amazing. Or is it? I like push button radios in cars. You can feel the button you want to push. You don't have to take your eyes off the road.

With texting and talking on a hand-held phone being the cause of so much misery and death, why are the automobile manufacturers eager to put another distraction into our cars?

Snow on Tulips and God's Gifts

This is an encore post, one I wrote in 2010. This past Tuesday's spring snow brought it to mind. It's a good post to ponder -- timely for me in so many ways.

I hope you feel the same . . .

The past few days have been lovely -- warm and sunny. People have been breaking out their sandals and wearing T-shirts without jackets around here.

I've been delighted to see my tulips pushing through winter's barrier. I noticed them springing from the rock-clad earth in their emerald majesty, asserting their desire to grow and bloom. But now they've hit a snag, or so it seems. The cold and the snow has cloaked them in a chill that will temporarily suspend their growth.

Life can be like that, and sometimes we can feel a bit like those tulips. Things are clipping along, we're accomplishing what we need, and then we're emotionally or spiritually covered in a dusting of snow.

Perhaps the path we'd been on seems troublesome to follow. It's not difficult to assume all is lost, our goals are slipping from our grasp.

But for the tulips, the late-winter snow is a blessing. My dad used to call a late snowfall poor-man's fertilizer. Turns out that expression is more than folklore. Snow has nutrients and, of course, moisture. What seems like a hindrance is actually beneficial. Snow that falls on thawed earth penetrates into the soil, delivering nutrients and moisture that promote growth and health.

So if you feel like you've been stuck or hindered by the unpredicted, don't stress. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 (The Message)

Fifty-Seven Truths I've Learned in my Fifty-Seven Years, part 4

Thank you for joining me on this journey of presenting some of the truths I've learned in my lifetime. I hope to keep learning and growing.

I'm not sure how old I was in the photo on the left or why I looked so serious. Perhaps even then my intuition told me life is a roller coaster. One day can be fabulous and the next a heartbreak. Fortunately I'm one of those gals who brush off the dust of bad circumstances and move forward.

Here's the final installment of my 57 truths learned in my 57 years:

1. Take care in sharing personal information. Some people actually care, but the others are just curious.

2. For your health, shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Buy and eat fresh, not processed, foods.

3. Remember the 1^st rule of etiquette: Never make someone else feel uncomfortable!

4. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Finish a job you’ve started. People respect people who follow through.

5. Do the right thing.

6. Don’t hold on to your regrets. Move forward with lessons learned.

7. It’s okay to put space between you and someone who tears you down. You don’t owe allegiance to anyone who doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

8. Use things, not people, and love people, not things.

9. There is room for both holistic and traditional medicine in your life. Be wise with your health.

10. Do unto others as you would have done to you.

11. Speak the truth in love.

12. Don’t worry and fret about growing older. It’s better than the alternative, and each decade has its own appeal. It is true that with age comes wisdom.

Please feel free to share some of your truths! I'd love to hear them.

Fifty-Seven Truths I've Learned in my Fifty-Seven Years, part 3

To celebrate my 57th birthday, I decided to share 57 truths I've learned in 57 years. This is the third installment. I'm posting it in sections because I don't want to overwhelm--after all, a list of 57 is quite long. :)

The photo on the right is a picture of the house I grew up in. My parents bought it new, a few months before I was born. I think it cost them $12,000, and it came on a half acre of land. My mother would die if she saw an AC unit in the upstairs front bedroom window. We always put it in the side window.

1. Floss daily, and get a yearly check-up. Your good health is a gift you give to your loved ones.

2. The most egregious human rights violation in the world today is abortion.

3. When someone shows you who they are, believe them! ~Maya Angelou.

4. Beware of people who are incapable of experiencing joy for others’ accomplishments. They’re petty and jealous and would love to see you fail.

5. If you’re about to open a canned good and the lid is bulging, don’t! It’s got botulism. Toss it out.

6. There are big moments in life, but the most important seem to be the little things: a shared laugh, a shared cry, a hug, a kiss, and kindnesses. Cherish the moments.

7. Trust Jesus, and even in your darkest moments you’ll never be alone.

8. As much as you can, plan ahead. Never let your gas tank go below ¼ full. If you’re expecting a snowstorm, stock up. Don’t be caught by surprise and have to run out without gas in the tank or during a blizzard. Some hassles can be avoided. Avoid them!

9. Be generous in giving grace to others. My dad often said this statement: There but for the grace of God, go I. You never know what your tomorrow holds. Be kind.

10. Some people aren’t trustworthy. If you’re like me, you want to believe the best of everyone, but be realistic, and guard your heart.

11. Find someone who gives you butterflies in your tummy, shares your values, and makes you laugh every day—then marry him/her!

12. Make your bed every day. You’ll feel better when you walk into your room, and it’s so nice to slip into crisp bed sheets at night. This is one of those simple luxuries you can give to yourself.

13. Beware around people who are desperate to be “little miss (or mister) front and center.” People are only rungs on their ladder to success. They’ll step on you and crush you after you’ve given them your friendship.

14. Mistakes are never wasted as long as they either make you humble or help you learn a better way.

15. Just because someone says (or writes) something doesn’t mean it’s the truth. Learn to be wise and discerning.

Fifty-Seven Truths I've Learned in my Fifty-Seven Years, part 2

Last week I celebrated my 57th birthday and began a blog series about fifty-seven truths I've learned in my fifty-seven years. I hope you go back and catch up on truths one through fifteen.

I was born in 1955, square in the middle of the boomer generation, ten years after World War II ended, and at a time when our nation was prosperous and looking toward a bright future. I graduated high school in 1973, the year Roe vs. Wade overturned the ban on abortion, the Watergate scandal was coming to light, and the World Trade Center (NYC Twin Towers) open to the the public.

The photos are my hospital bill from when I was born. My mother gave them to me when I became an adult. The total cost of the birth and hospital stay for both my mother and me was $115.50. The photo below is the back of the bill which details how the hospital accounts for the cost.

Here's another installment of the 57 truths I've learned in my 57 years:

1. There will be sorrow in your life. However: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

2. It’s best to forgive, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it is. Forgive.

3. The truth is always the easiest and best “excuse.”

4. Eat a good breakfast, with some protein, every day. Your body will thank you.

5. Take time to enjoy nature. Breathe in the fragrances, listen to the sounds, it will soothe your spirit.

6. Read something every day, it will expand your world.

7. Be generous with compliments, you just might make someone’s day.

8. You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can change your attitude—and sometimes that makes all the difference in the world.

9. Remember, you can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake—it’s a choice.

10. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other’s gold. Yup, I remember that tune from my days as a Brownie.

11. Offer a sincere apology, and then don’t ruin it with an excuse.

12. It’s always best to err on the side of compassion. You don’t know what someone else is going through.

13. Nurture your dreams, and do all you can to make them come true. Don’t be sidetracked by naysayers.

14. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Find out what you need to do, and learn how to do it.

15. A smile really is your best accessory.

I hope you stop back on Thursday for the next portion of my list.

Fifty-Seven Truths I've Learned in my Fifty-Seven Years

I was born fifty-seven years ago on the 81^st day of the year 1955. My mother was a stay-at-home mom, and I was her 4^th and last baby. My dad was a meat cutter for the A&P grocery store. He made $47 a week, and on that salary he supported a family of six, paid a mortgage, and maintained two cars.

One wouldn’t think that turning 57 would be cause for reflection, after all, it’s those other birthdays: 18, 21, 30, 40, and 50 that get all the attention, but this birthday has invited me to pause and consider some of the truths I’ve learned in my nearly six decades.

And lucky you, I’m going to share. (Since a list of 57 might be a bit too long, I’m breaking it up into four posts.)

Fifty-Seven Truths I’ve learned in my Fifty-Seven Years

1. God is real! Make every effort to get to know Him.

2. A little appreciation goes a long way.

3. It’s not always about you.

4. No one needs to be kind to you, so appreciate kindnesses shown.

5. It’s always windiest on garbage day. Don’t gripe about it.

6. Be thankful to God for your blessings. When you count them up it will make you happy.

7. If someone gossips to you about others, chances are they’re gossiping about you too.

8. If you’re not sure something in the fridge is good or spoiled, throw it away. It’s better to lose the few dollars the item costs than to get food poisoning.

9. Choose friends you can admire. Bad company corrupts good character, but good company elevates you.

10. There’s always something to be thankful for.

11. You won’t be successful at everything you undertake. That’s okay. Move on.

12. Life is hard, but God is good!

13. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

14. If someone’s determined to be mad, there’s nothing you can do about it.

15. Rain must fall for flowers to bloom. Every day can’t be filled with sunshine.

Evocative Stuff

I’ve always loved evocative stuff: something written, a sound, an aroma, the way morning light sifts through a leafed-out tree and creates dappled patterns on a lush, green lawn, a song, an image—you get the picture, right?

When I write, I aim to transport someone to a place or time they can call up from their own memory bank. I want the reader to feel, smell, see, or hear what my character is going through. I want my reader to reflect on their emotions, actions, and thoughts.

Art has a way of touching the soul of the person involved in reading, listening, or seeing the art. Isn’t that amazing? Do you know the song Someone Like You by Adele? It’s been scientifically proven that the melody in that song evokes an emotional reaction.

I have the ability to get lost in art. Look at this portrait by Andrew Wyeth. It’s called Wind from the Sea. Doesn’t it make you wonder? What’s going on in the room?

Is it a happy event or is someone mourning? Are there children playing outside? Can you hear their happy squeals?

This is a famous Edward Hopper portrait called Nighthawks. It makes me wonder about the people sitting in that tavern late at night. What's happening in their lives?

What about you? Do you appreciate evocative art? Does it transport you? Does it stir up questions, emotions?

Here's an interesting article from the NY Times about your brain on fiction and what evocative scenes do to your brain.

Writers: Make Money Writing!

I'm happy to host my friend Janice Thompson to discuss her latest eBook, Make Money Writing. I met Janice several years ago at an ACFW conference. She a great writer, a terrific encourager, and a delightful lady.

I've already downloaded a FREE copy of Make Money Writing, you should do the same--by this Saturday, March 17th. After that it goes back to the regular price of $4.49.

Welcome, Janice. Can you tell us about your latest venture?

Thanks for having me. I’m thrilled to share about my latest book, MAKE MONEY WRITING, which is now available from amazon for kindle users. The book, which is loaded with helpful hints for freelancers, is free from March 12^th – March 17^th. After that, it will sell for $4.49.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing experience?

Sure! I write under the names “Janice Thompson” and “Janice Hanna.” I just signed contract #79 (For QUEEN OF THE WAVES) and have written in a variety of genres, including romance, historical, contemporary, cozy mystery, juvenile fiction, non-fiction and more. I’m best known for my light-hearted contemporary novels and for my quirky characters. I’m pretty passionate about writing, and even more passionate about helping others discover their writing talents and abilities. For the past seven years I’ve worked as a full-time freelancer, earning my living with my books, teachings, articles, and write-for-hire work.

Why did you decide to write this book?

For several years now I’ve divided my time between freelance writing and teaching. So many aspiring writers discover that I’ve published several books and they come to me to ask the inevitable, “How do I get published?” question, usually followed by, “Is there really money to be made in publishing?” Over the past couple years I’ve put together several freelance writing courses to answer their questions, but I felt the need to do more, so I compiled all of my mini-teachings into one book.

Will readers get all of the same materials they would get in one of your courses?

No, the courses are very specific to their individual topics. MAKE MONEY WRITING covers a variety of areas of interest to the freelance writer, including: earning top dollar, magazine article writing, write-for-hire work, writing the novel and/or non-fiction book, the submission process, succeeding as a freelancer, and more. The book is not a textbook. Instead, it is motivational in tone and focuses on offering encouragement to freelancers and giving them basic tips for success in each of the areas listed above.

Can you tell us a little more about the book?

Sure! It might make more sense to share some of the chapter titles because they will give you an idea of some of the topics readers will find in the book.

Earning Top Dollar

Jumping the Hurdles

In the Beginning. . .the Writer Set Goals

What Industry Pros are Saying about Goal-Setting

Write. . .for Hire!

Revolutionize Your Writing

Girls Just Wanta Have Funds

Double Your Word Count in Two Weeks

Cash in on Magazine Articles

Sync Up

Freelance Lingo

Stop, Drop and Roll (Adding the Crisis Scene)

From Mii to Wii (learning how to incorporate the “we” factor)

Make ‘Em Laugh

Elevating Your Elevator Pitch

Seven Days to Better Writing

Five Things a Writer can Learn from American Idol

Got Moxie?

Becoming a Public Speaker

Writers are from Mars, Readers are from Venus

. . .and much, much more!

What other projects are you working on?

I’m currently writing QUEEN OF THE WAVES, a novel set aboard the Titanic. Very compelling story, I must say! And I’m tickled about my upcoming release, Wedding Belles.

You mentioned your courses. Can you tell us what’s going on in that world?

Yes, thanks for asking. I’m tickled about the recent release of my Non-Fiction Writing Course. I recorded this course in the studio several months ago and had a blast doing it. I’m convinced this is the most comprehensive package I’ve ever put together. Non-Fiction writers should be able to take this course and find some degree of success building their platform, writing short pieces and fully developing a non-fiction book. There’s even information on how to pitch (and ultimately market) the non-fiction book.

Here are the ten topics within the course:

From Magazines to Books: Building Your Platform

Understanding Non-Fiction Book Types

Best Selling Topics

Compiling Your Information (Braiding the Book)

33 Tips to Strengthen Your Writing

Incorporating Fiction Techniques in Your Non-Fiction

The Submission Process

Making the Sale (Includes all aspects of the contract/sale/edits/production)

Marketing Your Book

How to Stay in the Game

As with all of my courses, this one is available online at www.freelancewritingcourses.com.

How can readers get the free kindle book?

They can follow this link to amazon. The book will be free from March 12^th – March 17^th and will revert to is usual $4.49 price after that.

Janice, how can readers reach you?

I love to chat with my readers! To learn more about my books, visit:

www.janicehannathompson.com

To learn more about my writing courses, including my new non-fiction course, visit:

www.freelancewritingcourses.com

Facebook: JaniceHannaThompson

Twitter: booksbyjanice