Blogger vs. Wordpress

I've worked on Blogger for several years. For the last 8 months, I've been faithfully posting daily blogs and before that, I kept up a weekly scrapbooking blog. I thought I knew Blogger pretty well, but I learned a lot this weekend when I asked folks which they preferred.

I got feed back from all sorts, many of whom had used both. Only one

News. Reviews. Previews.

I had so much fun planning this week. I've got some new blog ideas and am actually considering moving my blog over to Wordpress instead of keeping it here at Blogger. Have any of you done that? I'd love to hear your advice on the matter!

So I've got these new things that I'm so pumped about sharing. But I want to
wait to make it all just right before I do a grand opening! So excited!

Speaking of excited, did you notice the change in the header. I promise the picture that was there before was only a half-dozen years old, but it made me look much younger. So this one is only a few months old. My dinky twinky did a great job on it! (BTW, Dinky Twinkies is code for my twin girls. thus Dinky Twinky would be a single.) Precious Redhead said it made me look mysterious. I would be flattered except that yesterday she said my grin made me look constipated. I think I'll go looking for compliments elsewhere - just sayin'. :)

This weekender will offer:

• Some great blog articles from authors including Staci Stallings, Jody Hedlund, David Walker, and Julie Cantrell.
• Last week's blog review
• ROW80 Update
• Next Week's Blog Expectations

News

I'm getting better at visiting blogs, this week. Of course with my Grace Readers' Weekly, I don't have to rely only on my own blog touring. Some Twitter buddies offer their favorites as well.

Review

Last Monday, I got to share the Best Almost Kiss winner at the Clash of the Titles. I'm enjoying being part of their blog Alliance every other week. On Tuesday, I shared about my boy's rugby team at the University of Texas at Dallas in G is for Grrrrr! Highs and lows and how to live through them was my topic on Wednesday with another ROW80 update. Then I shared all I've learned about writing a Synopsis on Thursday. An interview with author and missionary Zeke Lam rounded out the week with a discussion of his book, Submission. Please visit the links here if you missed one of the articles!

ROW80 Update

Like I said, I'm inspired. I've written about 5k in a new story and am in the process of laying it out. I've taken two of my other stories, along with a serial I wrote using one of the characters, and am in the process of weaving the serial into my second story to connect them in a series. This third one that I'm writing now will complete the set and I'm really excited how things are going with it. 

I got better at blog visiting, started on Pinterest (I'm totally addicted!), began tweeting more regularly, and set up some new surprises for later. Oh and I also played volleyball for an hour and a half! So sore after sitting around for 2 weeks! Now if I could just get off of potatoes again!

Preveiw

I think my plans may change, but for right now, I'm planning to Review a brand new book by debut author Bonnie S. Calhoun on Monday. On Tuesday, I'll be highlighting the letter H. Hmmmmmm. I'll have another ROW80 update on Wednesday, along with an inspirational article about life and writing. On Thursday, I'll be chatting about learning styles and how they affect adults as much as kids. Then Friday will hold an interview with Author Fay Lamb. 

Hope you've had a productive week and will have a delightful weekend. I'm going to watch my Dear Boy beat up on the UT of San Antonio for the Texas State Rugby Championship! (That's the way I've pictured it in my head anyway.)

Have you blogged with both Blogger and Wordpress? Which do you prefer? Do you think I should switch to Wordpress?

Interview with Author Zeke Lam

My regular Friday posts are so much fun. I get to meet Christian authors who write all types of books. While my blog is Faith-Driven Fiction, from time to time a non-fiction author will grace me with an interview. Such is the case today.

I'm so excited to host Zeke Lam here today. His book, Submission, is available at Amazon. Connecting with him and learning about his book has been such a blessing.

Marji - Tell me about yourself.

Zeke - I am 27 years old and have been married to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, for 6 years. We have three children (4, 2, and 2 months) that we love very much. I have ministered since the age of 18 as a youth minister and evangelist. In addition to this, I operate a small business which constructs ornamental concrete such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. I also help out with the family furniture when time permits. 

Marji - What do you see as a purpose in your life.

Zeke - We are passionate to see Christ glorified through our lives, and constantly seek to use our lives to share the Gospel. This has led our family all over the world. Our most recent “adventure” involved us literally driving to a town in Texas, renting an apartment, and seeking the Lord. Although we knew nobody or anything about the place, God gave us an entire church fellowship in 2 days! This turned into an incredible 7 month stay that is surely not finished yet.

Marji - What motivated you to write Submission?

Zeke - Compromise is way too commonplace today. I have seen it in the church, in families, and in my own life. If revival is to take place in our society, God’s people must be willing to operate with the level of obedience and submission God requires. Mixing our opinions with God’s commands or desires is the very recipe for disaster. If we will fully release ourselves to Jesus Christ, and be willing to follow Him the way He commands, a shift will take place in our society! Ultimately, shortcomings in my own life with regards to submissions sparked this fire.

Marji - Oh wow! Yes, I've seen elements of this as well. What do you hope this book accomplishes?

Zeke - My hope and prayer is that Christians nationwide will be challenged to step into a realm of Scriptural obedience that will spark revival!

Marji - Did God show you anything particular as you were writing?

Zeke - I certainly experienced moments where I was convicted about the level of submission I lived under. God revealed to me the importance of denying any and all voices that seek to lure us from His presence. Submission to Him will position us for spiritual greatness!

Marji - Do you believe people struggle with the idea of "submission"?

Zeke - Yes, we all struggle with the idea of full submission. It means releasing our control and desires to the Lord. When we do not feel in control, it creates an emotion of insecurity. This insecurity is what makes us resists submission on many levels. When it comes to submitting to our Lord Jesus, we must reject these emotions, and faithfully surrender our lives.

Marji - Your subtitle mentions obeying only God's voice. What are some ways people can hear God's voice?

Zeke - God desires to interact with us in ways we could never imagine. The Holy Spirit is very much alive and active, but the question is, will we allow ourselves to get in position to hear Him. He speaks through the Scriptures, His written word. He speaks to our hearts as we intimately seek Him daily through prayer and fasting. He can speak through people and situations around us. God is not limited to anything and can therefore speak any way He chooses. The only real issue is that which restricts and hinders us from hearing.

I'm so glad Zeke came to visit with us today. Here is what folks have to say about SUBMISSION:

Prepare to be stirred by this authentic calling to return to Scriptural obedience.
—Pastor Gabe Turner, The Point Church of Charlottesville, Virginia  

In my opinion Zeke has laid his finger on the defining message for our time. This message is essential for believers everywhere…
—Eric Stephens, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries and Fellowship in Sugarland, Texas 

______________________________________________________________________________

What is the greatest challenge that the Church is facing today? Zeke Lam suggests that one word is the greatest challenge: submission, or the lack thereof. It is not external forces that nullify the testimony of a Christ-centered believer, but rather the failure to humbly submit to the voice of the Lord. This book will help you to live a surrendered life abiding in Christ.

• Is the approval of God more important to you than the approval of man?
• Is the presence of God evident in your life?
• Do you fiercely protect your intimacy with Christ?
• Do you desire to live a life of truth, free from the lies of the devil?
• Is God’s divine character visible to those around you?

Learn how to submit your life wholeheartedly to the Lord so that you can dwell continually in the secret place—a place of intimacy, surrender and joy.
______________________________________________________________________________

Zeke with children from the Dominican Republic

ZEKE LAM is the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers.

http://submissionministries.org/

Writing a Synopsis

I've learned quite a lot about writing synopses over the last several weeks. Mostly from my failures. I'm still not sure I have everything together, yet, but I thought I should at least share what I have learned.

The summary has to cover the major plot points and address the protagonist's journey. Efficient, but inclusive, the writing must give spoilers, completing the picture of the concept. Vague writing has no place in this type of proposal. And while concise, the synopsis should still interest and enthuse. After all, it's the first impression that an agent or editor will have of a writer. Geared to hook the reader with an overview, a writer's entry will go a long way to achieving success when the reader comes to the end and is excited to keep going.

Yeah, well, that's the plan anyway.

I started my synopsis going through my protagonist's arc. Her regular life and goals started my essay. Then I explained how my inciting incident thwarted her progress. That much was easy, but I write mysteries and suspense. As I tried to describe the plot and all of it's twist, my writing became hopelessly confused. Even I was confused and I wrote the thing!

So I started over. This time I thought I had a handle on it! I explained my protagonist's arc from her point of view, then I added a major plot point from the hero's point of view. From there, I set up the antagonist's point of view, describing the details of the plot that way and finishing it up with general paragraphs that tied all the strings together.

It was better. Less distracting. But boring. Thank heaven for my critique partners. Lynne Gentry, Janice Olson, and Kellie Coates Gilbert took me by the hand and walked me through a new process. With their help, and some blogs that I found on the subject, I finally think I have a well-rounded read that hits the high points without becoming confusing or bogging down into details.

Let me tell you how I did it.

First, I used Beth Anderson's suggestion of breaking down my story data into single sentences. Doing that, I could easily see what were actual plot points and what subplots got in the way. This became the skeleton for my synopsis.

From there, I used Vivian Beck's suggestion of beginning with a back cover hook. She also suggested  an introduction to my characters. I sort of weaved that into the starting place of the story that I'd already figured out. I added the Goals, Motivations, and Conflicts like she suggested too. I'd learned a lot about that from Susan May Warren's book on the writing craft From the Inside Out.

After that, I went back to my plot points and added each as a couple of sentences. Making sure I used the Action, Reaction, and Decision that Vivian Beck suggested. (And she gives a great example of it!) I'd also learned that before, from a couple of the craft books I'd read. Just hadn't thought of using it in a synopsis! Bravo!

From there, I added my ending that I'd penned in my skeleton with some muscle and skin on it. But I wasn't done yet.

As a final section, per Kellie Gilbert's advice, I nutshelled the protagonist's arc and a broad theme of the book culminating in the spiritual lesson that my protagonist learned. (I do write Christian fiction!) It easily fits on a single page, reads smoothly, and covers the most important pieces of my story without getting knotted in the myriad of details.

As with any writing, but especially in this first impression piece, avoid to be verbs (passive), unnecessary adverbs or descriptions, and be careful of grammar rules. Oh, and synopsis writing should always be in present tense.

Do you have any tips for synopsis writing?

Highs and Lows

Okay, you non-race fans. Bear with me. There really is a point to this! I was watching an interview with last year's Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. In only his second Sprint Cup start, the 20-year-old (same as my Dear Boy) won the equivalent of the Super Bowl.

He was so green he had trouble finding Victory Lane. "I don't even know where to go," came over

his radio after his burn-out.

Only a few weeks later, his career lay in jeopardy by a mysterious illness. Five weeks, he was forced to watch, mostly from a hospital bed, his car race without him.

Thankfully, the man recovered and has qualified for his second Daytona 500 race coming this Sunday.

High highs and low lows. They're just part of life, whether you're a race car driver, a parent, an accountant, or a writer.

The highs inspire us. Carry us. And the hope of them drive us forward in anticipation. It's that hope that gives us our strongest motivation and propels us through most of our daily days. Reaching the highs is spectacular for a moment. Resting on it for too long can drag us down, but that element of reaching the high and the memory of it provide the fuel that creates our dreams in the first place.

If the highs inspire us, the lows direct us. As a teacher, misbehavior always resulted in redirecting. Not only did the word sound better than punishment, it was a more accurate description of what happened. I didn't want to stifle the creativity or the spirit of my students. I just wanted to funnel it into an appropriate area.

Our failures treat us to the same instruction. Like a mouse in a maze reaching a dead end, we have to pick up and turn our enthusiasm to a different path. The lows threaten to rob us of hope and a positive attitude, but they don't have to.

In fact, they really don't have the power to do that. Dead ends only look like they stop us, but it depends on how we react to them. We can allow them to stop us, sit on our hineys and whine. Or we can pull a u-ee and try another possibility. (There are always other possibilities.)

Now this article isn't an explanation of me making a drastic change. On the contrary, I'm riding on hope right now with my new story idea and am writing more than I have in months. But I have to be ready for set-backs: passes from agents, strong critiques, even poor reviews. I don't expect them, but I have to be prepared for them so that when they come I can use them for growth instead of wrapping my emotions around them into a fetal position.

All of my goals, including reading, visiting other blogs, even my exercise, are on an upswing. It hasn't been that way the whole time, but I've been able to find something to be pleased about with every update, even on weeks when I topple big.

Where are you this week? What's spurring you on, or what's holding you back?

G is for ...

... Grrrrrr

I've had a brand new experience recently. My son joined the University of Texas at Dallas Rugby team last fall and we got to recently experience our first game. I get. No I really do. But I have to admit it is quiet a spectacle for a new fan.

First, there's the scrum. That's where the 8 forwards from each team connect up and push against each other. One of the players rolls the ball into the center of the circle. Using their feet and sheer strength to push against the other team, the ball must be forced out behind one of

Yea for the Almost Kiss Winner!

*guest post by Raquel Byrnes

The Almost Kiss clash has been a whirlwind of romance, breathless moments, and possibilities! Your responses to the excerpts were amazing.Both books were great examples of riveting Christian Fiction available out there, but there can be only one winner and I am happy to announce that book is...

A Thyme for Love by Pamela S. Meyers!

Pamela's winning Almost Kiss excerpt was full of sparks and surprises.  Here's a small snippet of the great scene:

...Marc tipped my chin up with his index finger. “April, you’re sweating.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed my forehead. I had nowhere to look but into his eyes and, once there, I couldn’t pull my gaze away. Good thing I didn’t want to. His eyes went to my mouth and he leaned closer. I lifted my chin in anticipation. So much for the boss’s orders... 

He brought his mouth closer, and the tiny elevator started to spin. Then everything went black.

If you missed it, drop by Clash of the Titles to take a peek at One Breathless Moment... We received positive reader response for this spunky romance. "Great tension! I was riveted to every word!" "Love the anticipation and butterflies in the almost kiss scene..." "The setting was marvelous, the tension leaped off the pages." A Thyme for Love is a wonderful example of the awesome Christian fiction available.  This week, an exciting new Unpublished Novel Clash begins. It's hosted by our very own April Gardner! Make sure you come by for another chance to vote and WIN a free book!

Interview with Author, Joana James

Joana James is a young author that I've recently met through the Facebook group Grace and Faith Author Connection. You can find their blog HERE! It's a wonderful group that brings together authors and bloggers who support, encourage, and promote one another. Joana is fairly new to the group, and I'm delighted to welcome her to Faith-Driven Fiction today!

Her new Young Adult novel is available at Amazon for only $3.99.

Holiness

I've been thinking about the song by Sonic Flood called, "Holiness." Lately I've been coming into contact with people - well-meaning people - who are a little off track. They want to do this or that good thing, but they have hidden reasons for their actions. Private agendas. A personal benefit of some sort for the good that they are doing. I confess, I've even seen the tendency in myself. I think it's easy to rationalize the goodness of the act, but in doing so, we're really lying to ourselves.

The song has been playing in my head over and over as I am praying this evening. It says, " Holiness is what I long for; holiness is what I need. Holiness is what You want for me." I always change the word "want" for the word "ask." I think holiness is a choice

Purpose

I visited a blog today that totally inspired me. My own little corner of this great virtual existence is tenincy. (Yes, that's a word I've used all my life! Long I in the middle - tea-nIne-cee.) I've been tickled that ANYONE came by and have LOVED "meeting" folks online. Some of them, I'm getting to meet up close and personal from time to time. That's fun!

But after almost nine months of daily blogging, I'm not quite reaching the goals I

F is for ...

Me and Sweet Hubby - I am so blessed!

Family.

I know I've already done an F entry for the week (you can find my original F entry HERE!) but being that it's VALENTINE'S DAY, I just had to give an online hug to my favoritest people in the whole, wide world!

Iron Man - Goofy Nephew and my amazing mom.

I just LOVE spending time with my kids, my brother and his family, and all of the extensions. 

My mom has the greatest sense of humor and it has spread to my brother, his son, and my son. As a result, we can't usually make it through a meal without laughing ourselves silly.

Dear Boy and Goofy Nephew
doing what come naturally.

(Yeah, I think the restaurant was really happy to see us leave!)


Speaking of laughing, I love to make my sweet hubby crack up. He's the quiet type, but he tosses in zingers every once in a while and when he gets tickled, his giggle is delightful.

"Granny" is Awesome Sis-in-law's Mom.  Goofy Nephew didn't
realize he was in this shot. Too funny!

Me with my mom and my brother. Yes, I'm a good little Texas
girl and I call my brother, "Bubba"!

All of our holiday and birthday celebrations include my mom and brother, his family and my sister-in-law's mom. We go together well.

Sis and her family with my dear boy.

One of the reasons we get to enjoy so many Christmas celebrations is because of the wonderful lady who became my dad's third wife. 

My wonderful step-mom and Dear Boy.

Though Daddy is gone, she makes sure we get to have family time at every opportunity. My sister and her kids complete our celebration. Don't kids just MAKE a party?

Delightful Dinky Twinkies.

DTs with Precious Redhead.

And speaking of kids, my house if filled with laughter and singing. Few harsh words and fewer raised voices. I love the sweet smiles of my girls and how they chatter and laugh together.

And I never even got to my excellent in-laws!

I'm blessed and I know it full well. 

Tell me about your family!

F is for ...

Faith-Driven Fiction.

What's that all about?

Fiction with my type of Texas Sassy tends to have a romantic flavor. It also delves into mystery and suspense. But that's not all. My characters go beyond quirky. They're laugh-out-loud, folks that anyone can relate to. Far from perfect, their flaws add both humor and poignancy to my stories.

Part of the poignancy that they draw comes from their journey of faith. My goals for my writing are sort of hard to communicate. I know there are women all over the country who, like me, love a good romance with elements of suspense or mystery intertwined, but they don't like the extra "junk" that often gets passed as romance.

My writing goes beyond clean and I don't mean the squeakiness of it. I'm so encouraged when I read through a crisis of faith. A time when a broken person reaches out to God. I've certainly been there, more than once. I love writing those sections into my stories, allowing my characters to enjoy a personal relationship and reliance on their Savior in various stages. It is my hope that my stories will encourage women like me who don't often read non-fiction, but need the Spirit to show His truth.

So that's Faith-Driven Fiction, and the play on my name - Laine, Lane - makes it more connected to me. I won't always highlight fiction on my blog, but my faith is part of my everyday life, so it's there, and should you ever have a question about it or about me, I hope you'll feel comfortable to ask. I'm not the pushy type.

What does faith mean to you?

News. Previews. Reviews.

I read some great articles this week - well what else could I do? Stuck in bed, I couldn't focus enough to write very much, so I read through blogs. Thomas Umstattd never ceases to amaze me! I know that I my little corner of the internet isn't very crowded, but his suggestions always hit home with me. Logical, reliable, and reasonably within my grasp of understanding. Well, mostly. His information

Writer's Tip: Polishing

I don't do it often, but once in a while, I treat myself to a manicure or a pedicure. Just the sight of my elegant fingernails or sassy toenails makes me beam. It's ridiculously inconsequential when taking in the broad scope of life, but it makes me feel so much better.
Adequate. More equipped to meet the task I must face and conquer that puppy.

You better believe I'll be sporting a new mani/pedi before ACFW conference next fall and homeschool prom this spring! Oh yeah!

It's the same thing with my manuscript. I know I've mentioned some of these tips before, but they are a timely reminder for me! This isn't the revision part of my project - the rewriting that takes my draft and puts it in a completed story form. I've finished major rewrites, but now I'm on a word hunt for any extra faux pas that I can fix.

First, I look for verb choices. I do a FIND action in Word and look for all of my wases and weres. Some of them need to stay, but I go through all of them to see if an alternative is better. I do the same thing with could, should, and would.

Next, a search for my pet words comes up. Mine are at least, and just. But I'm also guilty of repeating great words too quickly. It's not that they're pets. They got into my head and got used again to close to where they had been used before. That's a hard one because I don't know what word they are. It and that are search subjects, too. If I can eliminate them entirely, I do.

I don't stop with that polish, though. Checking out the beginnings of my paragraphs and my sentences to look for too much repetition is essential.

Finally, I check the endings of my sentences and especially my paragraphs to make sure I ended on strong words. Ideally, the strongest of the sentence.

So I'm putting on the final clear coats and giving Cat's Eyes a quick buff before placing it on my shelf. No, I'm not done with it. This one's good. It will be on a real shelf some day. But now it needs a brother or a sister to join it! :)

What are some of the key ways you polish?

E is for ...

... Easy.

I have a friend who is an office manager. She has an Easy Button from Staples on her desk and it just draws the hand. I can't go into her room without pushing it. "That was easy" in a high-pitched computer voice rewards my hand smack. I wish

Interview with Author Lillian Duncan

Deception by Lillian Duncan is bound to be my next read! I'm that intrigued and SO GLAD I set up this interview with her! First, I LOVE the cover. So stinking cool. Second, it's about identical twins, just like my dinky twinkies! Sold!

I "met" Lillian through a group of authors and blogger who support each called Grace and Faith Author Connection. They can be found on Facebook and Twitter, and all of their links are available at their WEBSITE.

I have to tell you, I'm loving these interviews more and more! Not only do I get to know the different folks involved better, but I get a first hand look into their books. So if you have a book - especially a new one or one coming out soon, contact me to host you on my blog! My email is at the top left just under the picture of my family.

Marji - This book gets me all excited, but before starting in

Writer's Tip: Continuity

Continuity is imperative!

A television show that I used to love to watch was MASH. (Have no time to watch anymore!) I can’t really recommend it due to language and topics, but it makes me laugh. Still, it had SUCH

The KEY!

While I've been treading water, I haven't felt that I'm really accomplishing my goals like I have in the past. I didn't set specific daily revision counts and wouldn't have met them if I had because I haven't been working in a daily manner on anything. Lack of consistency.

And consistency is KEY!

It's not like I've been inconsistent in everything. That's not the case. I've been posting a blog article everyday. I've gotten much better at visiting other blogs, though I'm still not where I'd like to be on

D is for ...

... Doggies.

I love my puppies. Sometimes I think I’m the only one who does. But they’re so cute and predictable.

Marcie is my beagle mix. She’s almost thirteen and really acted it about a year ago. I wasn’t sure how much longer she would be with us. Sleeping all day and doing little else, I thought it might be her last year.

Books that are COMING SOON!

I am so excited about some books that are on the horizon and due out in the coming months! I've had the pleasure of "meeting" several of the authors and like them and enjoy their blogs so much that I'm chomping at the bit to read their debut books!