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?

Top Ten: To Be or Not To Be ...

... Grateful.


I heard a story about an experiment that was conducted in New York. A guy dressed in ragged clothes carried a cup and a sign that said I'm Blind. He stood at a busy area on a sidewalk and collected $4 during his day-long posing. The next day, he repeated the procedure, only his sign

What Were Your Summer Good Reads?

This weekend, I had the pleasure of doing beta-reading duty for one of my critique buddies Patricia PacJac Carroll.

Can I just say that the pioneer historical is the best thing I've read all summer, and I've read some amazing books!

You'll hear about it more, but since she's only just starting her publishing journey, it will be awhile. I'm hoping to pick her brain next week, about her path.
Since I haven't read a book I could review this week, I wanted to clarify my recommendations. I've read 13 Christian Fiction books this summer and found something

Interview with Author, Jody Hedlund

Author, Jody Hedlund

Today you're in for a treat with a visit from Author, Jody Hedlund! 

I've gotten to enjoy a few treats from this amazing lady. The first was when I happened onto her blog, FULL of ideas, advice, and insight into the writing and publishing biz. I've learned so much!

The second treat was when I decided to take the plunge and read a historical fiction. I hadn't read anything historical since Jane Austen's books started being made into movies, but that was over a decade ago. I chose Jody's debut book, The Preacher's Bride and learned that I like historicals! Who'd have thought?

The third treat was getting to prepare for this interview. I've gotten the chance to know a bit more about Jody and have enjoyed peeking into her world. But the book itself was the biggest treat of all. Okay, so I LIKE

The Doctor's Lady - Pure Delight

9-18-11 Update - After re-evaluating some of my reviews, I wouldn't change a thing on this one! It is an amazing book!

View the trailer for this book - short, and very well-done! 

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund, isn't quite a PURE delight, despite my title. It also proved insightful,

Where's the Patient?

The last few weeks, after I've expounded on an A2Z virtue, I've applied it to the stories I've been reading lately. Some of the virtues don't show up in stories very often, but I think patience - my offering for the letter P - shows up all the time.

Granted, a good character, one that is realistic anyway, won't always show patience. Part of the "fun" of living the story along with the character is watching the endurance build through slights, annoyances, and frustrations until the point at which the emotion snaps. 

Case in point is within Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. The protagonist, Eleanor Dashwood, is emotionally pummeled from worry, broken promises, prejudices, and unfair practices. Add to that a deep hurt at losing the only man with which she'd ever connected, and it's easy to understand how her stable composure might crack when she learns that the man himself is

Guess Who's Stopping By??

I'm square-dab in the middle of reading The Doctor's Lady. During my trip home yesterday, I couldn't put it down. Good thing sweet hubby was driving! :)

Next Tuesday, I'm so excited that the author of the book, Jody Hedlund, will be dropping by Unravel to talk about this amazing story! Yes, I'm LOVING it! Did you doubt?

I hope to finish it up today and post a review as well, and will be giving away my copy! Make sure you follow me, either through the blogger follow or through the Facebook follow, to be entered. (And follow in both places to get an extra entry!)

More opportunities to enter will be coming up next week, so stay tuned!

Peace

I've been inhaling blogs on the craft of writing lately. It's truly generous of these experts to share their secrets with aspiring authors and I'm grateful to Jody Hedlund, Katie Ganshert, Elizabeth Spann Craig, Rachel Hauck, Susan May Warren and others for their offerings!

One of the things I've learned in the realm of suspense is the balance between tension and peace. A good

Whatever . . .

Jody Hedlund posted the other day about staying positive in blogs and Twitter. I've seen Kristen Lamb and Rachelle Gardner advise the same thing. Their words keep revisiting me week in and week out.

Keeping that positive attitude in blogs and interactions with folks really starts deeper

The Preacher's Bride

I'm so excited! I get to interview Author, Jody Hedlund in a few weeks over her new novel, The Doctor's Lady. Well, I want to do a good job, to give you plenty of insight into the world of this amazing lady, so I decided I'd better get to know her writing a bit. I bought her debut novel, The Preacher's Bride and finished it off in a very late night/early morning reading session.

What a remarkable book. Instantly it swept me into 1659's of Puritan England. I had read Pilgrim accounts of the era, but I never

Literary Contortions

Jody Hedlund's article on flexibility inspired another article by Elizabeth Spann Craig. Her article inspired me, as I happened to read it first. Both are excellent and worthy of your time.

Both blog authors are also published authors and write from their publishing experiences. I'm still in the pre-published stage, so I have a different slant on the flexibility focus.

When I started this journey, now about 2 1/2 months ago, I felt totally alone.  I know my forte is brainstorming and building ideas with others, but writing is a solitary career, right?

Favorite Articles of the Week

 Wow, today's post was so simple. My travels through the web showed me some amazing articles. I had 10 in no time. In fact, I had more than I needed. My only problem came when I had to reduce my list and then arrange them according to their impact factor.  Just a note that the list below doesn't reflect the popularity of the blog or the writing ability of the author. It is merely ranked by how they hit me when I first read them. All of the blogs are outstanding and I thank the authors for sharing their inspiration!