Other Considerations

I recently had a listener for one of my audible books complain about the narrator. She said, "The narration I did not enjoy. His character voices were silly and a bit like a couple of kids playing dolls." I don't agree with her, and no one else has complained. In fact, I like his expressive voice, and other listeners have indicated they do, too.

But what most listeners don't realize is that there're other important factors in choosing a narrator. I have some horror stories to tell among the fourteen books I've put on Audible so far. One narrator took over six months to produce a book that shouldn't even have taken six weeks. He did an excellent job, but I thought he was never going to complete it, although I kept encouraging him to do so. Needless to say, I never ask him to record another one.

Then, on a more recent book, I had promised another producer the last book in a series because of his strong audition on the book the reviewer complained about. I was excited about the new narrator, both his audition and his strong communication skills, so I sent him a contract which he accepted. He submitted, and I approved his first fifteen minutes, but then, I didn't hear from him for two weeks. I messaged and asked him for an update, and he blew up as if he were highly offended. After many messages of explanations, he asked if he could withdraw from the project.

Producing an audio-book in this way is a partnership. It's important that the author and the producer be able to work together and develop a trust. It helps to find a good narrator and stick with him or her. That way, you understand each other and know what to expect. There's certainly more to consider than a good voice, although that is important, too.

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National Scrabble Day


April 13th is National Scrabble Day. Alfred Butts, an amateur artist, invented the game when he found himself unemployed as an architect during the Depression. He first called the game Lexiko and then Criss-Cross Words. Although he produced a few sets himself, the game never became very popular.

In 1948, however, James Brunot of Connecticut, one of the original owners of Criss-Cross, agreed to pay Butts a royalty on each game sold, renamed the game "Scrabble," and began manufacturing them in an abandoned schoolhouse. Legend has it that their break came in 1952 when the president of Macy's played the game while on vacation and ordered it to sell in his New York store. After that, Brunot was unable to keep up with manufacturing demands and sold the game to Selchow and Righter. Hasbro later ended up with the rights. In the meantime, the game had become so popular it had spread around the world.


Like many authors, teachers, and lifelong learners, I love the game. In fact, surprisingly, I have never been defeated, but friends and family have quit playing me. My stiffest competition came on a cruise ship during a rainstorm against an elderly woman. I won by the skin of my teeth, but I was sweating it for a while. Now, I'm ready to celebrate National Scrabble Day. Anyone up for a game?

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No Defense

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? (Mark 14:61).

When Jesus was arrested and put on trial, He gave no defense. For the most part, he remained silent when questioned. His main purpose in taking human form and coming to earth was to die for the sins of mankind. He knew He must die if we were to have eternal life with Him, and it was the Father's will that he do so. 

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53).

He had the power to call down legions of angels. He could have spoken a few words and changed anything or everything. Instead, His steadfast, undying love sent him to the cross for us. As Blake Western wrote in Astonished Beyond Measure, "His silence was the silence of majesty. It was the silence of love."

Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life, that I might take it up again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:17-18).

Blake goes on to say, "The fact is that they did not take the life of Jesus. Jesus gave His life. No army could take His life unless He willed to give it. His silence was not an admission of guilt." "He gave His life in order that we might live.... To avoid the cross is to abandon all hope. The cross is the doorway to life."

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From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea

I have just published my second Christian nonfiction book. From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea is about the prophets, Elijah and Jonah and the lessons they teach. (Check it out with the link under the picture, and it's also on Kindle Unlimited.) Although their stories are very different, these prophets also have some remarkable similarities. Both men have left strong legacies of faith, and we can learn from those, as well as from their failures.

I always have both a fiction and nonfiction book at some step in the writing process. However, it takes me much longer to produce a nonfiction because it often takes more research, and I'm extra cautious. I feel I'm called to write both, but I also feel a special responsibility with the nonfiction. Novels actually come easier for me, although I began my publishing career writing magazine articles.

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I also make myself available to teach the lessons from my nonfiction books in a Bible study free of charge. Participants may purchase a book if they'd like, but it isn't necessary. The Bible always serves as the main text. On the Road to Jericho is the other nonfiction I have available now. It contains lessons from Jesus' teachings as He traveled from Galilee through Jericho and into Jerusalem for the last time before the cross. I design the books so they can read straight through, used as a daily devotional, or presented as a Bible study. And as always, all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children. To God be the glory!

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National Tartan Day

March 6th is National Tartan Day to honor the strong Scottish heritage in the United States. The Scots came to the American colonies from almost the very beginning and had a strong influence. When the new nation was formed after the Revolutionary War, nine of the thirteen governors were Scots. And of the forty-five U. S. Presidents, thirty-four had Scottish ancestry.

The Scots are noted for their independent spirit and resourcefulness. They fill all walks of life from inventors, doctors, and scientists to writers, artists, and musicians. In the United States today, there are over eleven million people who know they have Scottish roots.

Highlands of Scotland

My husband and I are two of those Americans whose ancestors can be traced back to Scotland. In 2019, we went to Scotland to celebrate our fifteenth anniversary. I grew up in the Appalachians, and it was amazing to see how much parts of the Scottish highlands looked like my mountains back home. I can see why the Scots heavily settled there. And I like the idea of celebrating National Tartan Day.

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To Jerusalem for the Last Time

Jesus had been on a journey. He'd traveled from Galilee, taking the longer route through Jericho into Jerusalem for the Passover. He knew this would be His last days, and His teachings are especially important along the way. He met the rich young ruler, healed the blind, told the story of the Prodigal Son, gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, met the little tax collector, Zacchaeus, and taught many other crucial lessons.

Jerusalem

To get from Galilee to Jerusalem via Jericho, a traveler followed the Jordan River. This route was only about 23 miles longer than going through Samaria, but it was much more rugged. It required a steep climb in a hot climate. Jericho lies 812 feet below sea level, while Jerusalem sets 2,600 feet above sea level. This steep elevation change takes place in a sharp, fifteen-mile climb that winds through a barren stretch of cliffs, canyons, rocks, robbers, and wild animals.

When Jesus gets to Jerusalem, the crowd there for the Passover welcome Him with praises and shouting. He rides into the city on a borrowed donkey among shouts of "Hosanna" and a carpet of palm branches. In just a few days, some of these same people will shout, "Crucify Him!" Are we like that too? Is our relationship with Jesus on-again, off-again? Are we fair-weather friends who jump ship when the going gets rough? Thankfully, Jesus is never like that. He's always true and faithful. Let us be the same.

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What Type of Books Sells Best?

I have always been told that nonfiction books sell better than fiction, but I haven't found that true. My nonfiction book, On the Road to Jericho, hasn't sold nearly as well as my four top-selling fiction books (Mountain Mishap, When Winter Is Past, Mountain Storms, and Past Storms). Part of the reason may be that I published eleven novels before On the Road to Jericho came out. But as a Christian author, I feel led to write both.

I have another nonfiction book ready to be published in a few days. From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea: Lessons from Elijah and Jonah has been several years in the making because I'm extremely careful to have the content right in the nonfiction books I publish, but I'm very proud of both of these.

I have some ideas for a third Christian nonfiction. I like to keep one going in some stage of the writing process at all times. I would be interested to know what other authors have found about sales when they write both. I know many Christian authors do write both, and I'd love to hear readers' thoughts, too.

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