Collaborative Efforts 

The book publishing industry has been rapidly changing, and authors feel it more than most. For example, publishing houses once did most of the marketing for a book, but the author is usually expected to do most of it today. In an effort to get some support, authors are banding together to help each other. This can be true in all phases of the writing process. 

One example is where a few authors come together to write. I have read standalone books, where more than one author wrote a section of the book. More common, are the series where a different author writes a different book in the series. One of the big advantages to these is the authors share fan bases and therefore build additional sales, which can lead to a larger following.

Online marketing, such as release parties or themed parties, do much better when several authors work together to host them. They can divide the time on duty, help with the gifts, and promote each other. I have been to many of these. The most recent one showcased colonial novels by five authors on the East Coast.

Authors are also getting together to share costs of things like attending writers' conferences, buying booths at book fairs and festivals, or even purchasing advertising. Holding joint book signings can also bring larger crowds. With a little creative thinking, you can probably think of many more ways collaboration could help authors, and the friendships formed are an added plus.

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Charlie Brown

The comic strip, "Charlie Brown," was first published on October 2, 1950, by Charles Schulz in nine newspapers. To start with it was known as "Li'l Folks" but was later changed to "Charlie Brown." Schulz said that the character of Charlie Brown represents the common person most of us can relate to.

Charlie Brown began with a few friends and his gang evolved. On the last, there were also Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Sally, Franklin, Frieda, Pigpen, Rerun, Violet, Shermy, Peggy Jean, and "The Little Red-Haired Girl." Each one had their own unique personality and way of interacting with Charlie Brown. Some of these characters even had their own spin-offs.

By the 1960's the comic strip had become very popular, and other outlets promoted the characters - television specials, theater productions, a movie, toys, greeting cards, and products with the logos. Popular episodes and themes included Charlie Brown's Christmas, kicking the football, the baseball team, flying kites, the psychiatrist booth, the Great Pumpkin, and Valentine's Day. Charlie Brown made his last appearance in a comic strip on February 13, 2000, the day after Charles Schulz passed away. However, Charlie Brown has become immortal.

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Accepting Sin

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11)

More and more, our society today has become accepting of many sinful acts. In fact, some are actually encouraged, and at best, most aren't taken seriously. Have we gotten to the point that people hardly recognize it? Look at the unwed mothers, adultery, "alternative lifestyles," looting, violence, drugs, gang activities, and disrespect. The world too often sees sin as acceptable.

How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:2b)

Even the Church hasn't taken the stand it should. Many have been desensitized until they view sin as unavoidable, and they rationalize that they're only human. Instead of trying to prevent it, they become resigned to it. This chips away at God's Word, and I can imagine Satan's gleeful grin. 

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him (1 John 3:6).


Unconfessed sin creates a chasm between us and God. Intentional, deliberate sin destroys our relationship with the Lord. When we continue to willfully sin, we are choosing evil over God, and one could question whether or not we've ever been truly saved. The people who are truly saved want to get sin out of their lives. They may still fail at times, but when they do, they are quick to fall to their knees in repentance. Where do you stand? The Holy Spirit was sent to help us overcome sin in our lives. Let Him have his way.

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Imagination and Writing

Of course, imagination plays a great part in writing a novel. The story stems from the author's imagination and ability to see the story unfold. But I think authors should also trust their readers' imagination.Generally, avid readers choose books over more visual forms, such a movies, because they get to imagine the scenes, as well as be able to know the characters' thoughts.

I read many books, however, that are so stuffed with descriptions, details, and explanations they bog the story down and make it boring. An author should weave in enough details (not write paragraphs of them) to make the story come alive while not becoming so heavy-handed that they suck some of the life out of it. If the information doesn't move the story forward or isn't crucial, don't include it.

I admit that I skip over many of the long descriptive paragraphs in a book. Most of them are not needed and should have been edited or taken out. I want character and plot development. I want to see what is going to happen or at least how the story gets to a foreseen conclusion. I don't want to get trapped in pages of passive prose. What about you? How do you feel about this?

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National Lobster Day

September 25th is National Lobster Day. Lobster became popular as an American food in the mid-1800's. Prior to that time, it was considered as fit only for servants, prisoners, or the very poor. In fact, it was well into the 20th century before the food became sought after.

Lobsters are caught in baited, one-way traps dropped from boats and marked with colored buoys. The traps are made from either plastic-coated, galvanized steel or wood. Of course, all the early ones were wooden. A lobster fisherman might tend as many as 2,000 traps. Lobster boats, also known as smacks, have a holding area to keep the lobsters alive.

Farming lobster for commercial use has never been very successful. For one thing, lobsters tend to eat each other, especially when kept in close quarters. Their growth rate is also too slow.

As they grow, the lobster must molt, and they may change colors. They have ten legs, live on the bottom of the ocean, and use their antennae as sensors. A lobster may live to be about 70 years old, growing larger all the while. The largest lobster on record was caught in Nova Scotia and weighed over 44 pounds.

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Judgment Day

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).

We don't like to think about standing before God to be judged, but each one of us must do so one day. Some mistakenly think that if they ignore spiritual concerns, they will have no effect on them. Wrong. Denying God does not make Him less real or His Word less true.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad ( 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The truth is that we all serve one of two masters. We either serve God of we serve Satan, and if we do nothing, we serve Satan by default. Likewise, we will all be judged and either be sent to an eternity with God in Paradise or an eternity in hell with Satan. We are saved as a free gift by accepting Christ. However, once we are truly saved, we will want to please our Heavenly Father and put serving Him above all else.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

Neither can we seek worldly rewards and expect to still be rewarded by God. The world's values are opposed to His, and we must not love the things of the world more than we love God. How committed are you to your faith? Where do you think you'll stand on judgment day? It's not too late to start making the right choices.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:34 & 41).

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A Trunk Full of Books

I have learned that carrying books with me almost everywhere I go pays off. Although some authors rely completely on online or bookstore sales, I make much more on those I sell myself, both the ones from the traditional publisher and the indies.

I'm constantly surprised by the number of readers who don't do much online, won't consider an e-reader, and want a book they can hold in their hands and turn the pages. I also ran across a statistic today that caused me to stop to think. One-half of the people in the world never use a computer.

I sell most of the books I have at book signings and presentations, but I also sell a significant number from people asking about them and where they can be purchased. By saying I have copies with me, I make it easy for them, and the purchase is immediate, before they have time to forget. Having my books available is part of the fun of marketing.

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