are so much fun. I’m an October baby and I love sharing my birthday month with the blaze of fall colors. This past week I’ve celebrated by: an autumn drive through the Catskill mountains with special friends, sharing hot apple cider and fresh cider donuts at the local Carrot Barn, attending a Polish Harvest Festival at the church my parents were married in, lunch with an old and dear friend at my favorite tearoom, bouquets of flowers from my sweet husband and dinner out with my hubby and another precious friend of the family. Lovely : ) To finish it off, we’re going to a Marriage Retreat later this month in PA with my favorite people from Bethel church of LI. 

How do you celebrate your special day?

Does your past reflect how you celebrate?

I have good memories of birthdays as a child. My mother didn’t go to extremes but she always made me feel special. Cake, ice cream, balloons, presents and birthday parties. Yet not everyone has happy memories. As we create our characters for our stories, imagine how their childhood experiences still affect them today. Perhaps they never had a birthday party. Maybe they choose to totally ignore their birthday because of this memory. Or they might go to extremes and do the opposite with a huge celebration. The more I write stories, the more I realize the past does affect our choices in life.

I’m wondering – in your current WIP, how would your character celebrate their birthday?

On a positive note, thank God He redeems us from all the difficult things of our past!

                       Ouch. Have you had days like this?

We live in a world of hurt. Every person responds to their hurts in a different way depending on their background. If we are willing to examine our own sensitive areas where others have offended us or wounded our feelings in some way, we will be more skilled in writing about the hurts in our character’s lives.

One of the hardest things I struggle with is when people misunderstand me and there is no resolution. Some of those tough situations have been within churches or under a particular ministry. And yes, there have been times I’ve felt like the guy in the picture : ) Unable to stand and when I finally do get up, feeling battered and stomped on.

Usually strangers aren’t capable of hurting us too deeply . It is always those we love and care about, the wounds of a friend, family member, church congregant or leadership.

When we can’t figure out why they act like they do, if we examine their background and experience, some of their actions make more sense. They hurt others because they are not handling their own hurts well. Anger, sarcasm, bitterness, guilt, unforgiveness, and judgement in someone’s attitude may be covering up a world of hurt in their own lives. As we begin to understand this, we are more able to navigate through our bruised feelings and extend grace to those who have hurt us.

What hurts you the most? Can you trace your reaction back to your early years?

Writers, are you able to write some of these personal hurts into your character’s lives for a more meaningful story?

I have a few girlfriends that are daring and love adventure. A safari in Africa, riding in an open Land Rover with a tiger following close behind. Crossing an unsteady swinging rope bridge over a river of alligators. Bungee jumping. Zip lining across high mountains. For all their courage, I’m sure they still own their private fears.

Just like our characters.

I’m not drawn to daring stunts. I don’t like dizzying heights.

Or hungry reptiles and animals.

Or crazy tilt a world rides at fairs.

Is it fear that keeps  me away from such things? Perhaps. If so, I am a contented coward. Yet I can face some things that would make a grown man cry. Dental work. Root canal. I don’t like it. But I can deal with it. Most of the time : ) I also have courage to stand up for my personal convictions. Sometimes at the cost of misunderstanding from others and the loss of friends or the loss of a job. I don’t like speed yet I love the momentum of a plane taking off. We’re all a strange mix of fears and courage.

Just like our characters.

There are so many types of courage. A soldier in battle. A person facing a life threatening disease. A mother raising children in this generation. A firefighter entering a house ablaze with flames.  It all takes courage.

I’m wondering… 

What are you afraid of?

In what areas do you show courage?

How can you relate these things in developing your characters?

Christmas is coming. I know, I know, much too soon to be talking about it. Every year I look forward to reading new novels set during the cold and wintery holiday season. But it’s too early for Christmas.

I’ve just finished up some summery stories written around coastal towns and fun beach reads while listening to the waves lap against the shore as perfect background music.                                                                                                                                                              

I’ve read some stories set in the springtime but few based on the fall season.

I can think of a couple: Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt & Autumn Dreams by Gayle Roper. 

I need suggestions for books written around the fall or Thanksgiving holiday to read against the backdrop of a color-burst autumn in upstate New York. 

 Any suggestions of books you’ve read/written or new novels coming out?

 What is your favorite season to read/write about?

Please note: All those who commented on last post regarding goals – I believe we can do it! Four months  and counting to reach our One Major Goal by year end. Please keep me informed of your progress.

As a farewell salute to summer – when you leave a comment on this post you’ll be entered into a drawing to win Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate. Winner to be announced around next weekend.

A country farmhouse view from the kitchen...my home setting. I’ve used characteristics of my own house in some of my stories. But I had the best experience this spring when I came upon the perfect layout for my latest WIP.

I visited a dear friend in SC in her home and felt like I had stumbled into my character’s house. The room layout, antiques, books, decor, patio, yard – surely I had been here before. Only in my imagination. My friend and I had never discussed her home or decor  and I had never visited from NY – so it truly was a complete surprise.

I walked from room to room, marveling at the similarities in my story. What a gift! It is much easier to create a setting from a visual image. I did take pictures (with permission) and will use them for inspiration as I write.

Some authors present wonderful settings. My favorites include the Mitford series and the different locations in Robin Jones Gunn Sisterchicks series. I know there are others –The Rose of Winslow Street, Wonderland Creek, Making Waves...the list goes on.

Do you have a favorite book you’ve read where you are completely drawn into the setting?

NOTE: Last week’s winner is Carolyn Boyles.

Words have different meanings depending on the setting. This adorable sign would probably have an entirely different meaning if placed in the downtown district of a busy city. However, this particular sign is placed on the side of a country route in a small town. And it means exactly what it says – pick up your chicks here. The soft, fuzzy, yellow pets sold at a country feed store to parents wanting to surprise their children at Easter.            

I do love the marketing appeal from the sign and I giggle every time I drive past it. But it is a reminder to me how setting really does have a major part in our stories.

How do you develop setting for your story?  

How do you weave appropriate description without becoming boring?

Remember, we must choose our words carefully. 😉  

 The word for today is HERO.

Two major problems this week: figuring out how to add feedburner to   my blog so y’all can sign up and get my new posts, and a fairly new washing machine that broke down and needed a new part.

My HERO husband found the solution to both problems. He researched online for info on machine breakdowns, took the machine apart and installed new switchty thingie, saving us from a painful mechanic bill. Now it is humming along in the background, also saving me trips to the dreaded laundromat. 

And HERO husband studied feedburner directions and installed it on my blog so my site designer doesn’t need to be bothered with it. Please do subscribe so I can tell HERO husband his work is not in vain!  

What does this have to do with writing?

Good question.

Every romance has a hero in it.

Who is your favorite hero?

In your writing, what qualities does your hero possess?

Welcome to my friend, Melody Nobles Gibson, who will be my guest post this week. Melody walked through a difficult time recently but is wiser from the trials she faced.Grieving from  the loss of her mother and also facing the possibility of a drastic change in her life and her future, she was overwhelmed with burdens. Yet our faithful God brought her through. I hope her words speak to you and encourage you.

“I am happy to be happy! Considering that I did not think I could come out of the darkness of grief and unbelievable sadness, I feel eternally grateful that I have. It has been in baby steps. God used friends, preaching and glimpses of Himself all along the way and I held on to His hand tightly. The journey was incredibly beautiful and equally sad. However, I learned many things that will hopefully stay with me forever. One of them was the steadfastness of God’s love. It is indescribable. It is not overwhelming. It is complete.  A Presence. A Peace. A Purpose.

    God has given me a clear message so my mind will stay focused on today. I asked Him honestly about a “direction” since it seems that I have lost a whole year.  My mind wants to drift back into the past and relive some things which are detrimental and even deadly to the present.

    “STAY!” was His immediate reply.

    “Stay? Huh? What does that mean, Lord?” I asked.

    “Command your mind to stay in the present whenever it wants to go back.” He replied.

    “Command my mind like I would a dog? That sounds weird, but it does make sense,” I agreed.

    “Yes. Stop Thinking About Yesterday!” He added.

    STAY:Stop thinking about yesterday.

I understand now. I really understand.  “WOW! That is awesome, Lord. That sounds like it will work. When do I start?”

    “Right now!”  🙂 

   What new books have you read recently that you can’t stop thinking about?

 I love those stories that linger on. You wonder how the characters are doing. You keep going over the scenes in your mind. Yes, the author definitely accomplished what they set out to do. 

Please leave a book recommendation. Along with the reason why you enjoyed the story so much.

Was it the quirky characters?

The unusual setting? Or the intricate plot? 

Was this your favorite genre or something different from what you usually read?

Writing

Opportunity!

Following last week’s Rejection Road, it’s time to work on our submissions. Moving towards Spring with thoughts of sunshine and flowers here is a new writing challenge taken directly from Birds & Blooms:

.  

Backyard Blunder Contest

Do you have a funny birding or gardening story to share from your backyard? Send your best “backyard blunder,” and the winning story will receive $500.

To enter, email your true story (no more than 400 words) to contests@birdsandblooms.com. Please put “backyard blunder contest” in the subject line. Deadline March 15, 2012.

For a complete list of rules:

 http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Contests/Backyard-Blunder-Contest