My Characters Talk to Me

Before I write a book, I live with my main characters in my head long enough to get to know them well. They come to me at different times during the night and day to tell me about themselves and show me what's happening to them. Some of the scenes play like a movie in my mind. At other times, a character will just talk to me, giving me information I need to include in the book.

On several occasions, secondary characters come to me after I've written a book and tell me I need to write their story. This happened with Emma in Sown in Dark Soil, and I had to back up to tell her story. Therefore, Cleared for Planting became the first book in the Appalachian Roots series. Then Hawk said I needed to conclude his story, and he comes back in Uprooted by War.  Readers often say they'd like to see another book in a series, but, if I feel the series is over and don't have a character telling me otherwise, I won't try to write another one. However, I'm glad that readers love the characters enough that they want to see more of them, and I understand that.

I planned for Off the Streets to be a standalone, but Gwen's son Brandon, wanted his story told, so I wrote Without a Dream. The same thing happened with the In from the Storms series. I first meant to only write two books. Mountain Storms would tell Aileas's and Ian's story, and Past Storms would tell about Ian's sister, Jeannie. However, Brady, Aileas's stepbrother, convinced me to add his story to make a trilogy, and Dust Storms finished the series.

These characters become so real, some of them return after I've published the books they're in. They tell me more things, even though I can't go back and add them to the novel. However, it's like meeting with a good friend. It's always good to see them again and catch up a little. It sounds a bit crazy, right? Of course, I know this is just my imagination, but that doesn't keep me from appreciating it because it makes my books come to life for me, and hopefully for my readers as well.

_____________________________

Bethsaida

I find biblical history and geography fascinating. I like to know where things mentioned in the Bible were located and how they fit into the lives of the important characters. Perhaps you can guess that one of my college majors was history. I like anything that gives me a clearer view of these ancient times because it helps me better understand the Bible.

The town of Bethsaida is mentioned seven times in the Bible. The name literally means a town of hunters and/or fishermen. We don't know its exact location, but most researchers believe it was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee because Pliny the Elder wrote of it being there. There are three sites in that region that could be Bethsaida's location, however. Three important biblical figures in the New Testament called it home: Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). Herod Philip II gave Bethsaida the status of polis and called it "Julia."

Jesus was near Bethsaida when He fed the 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:10-17), and he was just outside the town when he restored sight to the blind man in Mark 8:22-26. Depending on its exact location, it might have been close to where Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to rest and escape the crowds. Recent discoveries have unearthed buildings that could have been at Bethsaida but nothing to indicate with certainty that archaeologists have definitely found the town.

_____________________________

 A New Trend in Book Covers

Have you noticed the new style of book covers that are becoming quite popular? They have drawn or painted graphics that appear flat or bland instead of the photographic illustrations I'm used to seeing. At one time, they were used mainly in juvenile and young-adult fiction, but I am seeing them used more and more in adult genres today. Their popularity among cover designers and authors seems to be growing

I may be old-fashioned, but I don't like these new covers as well as the ones that look more realistic. I guess I equate it with the stories not being very realistic either or perhaps being juvenile. I certainly don't find them appealing, and they don't make me want to read the book. However, I may be in the minority because surely there's been market research done on them, and I don't think authors would be using them so often if they didn't sell.

What do you think? Which style of cover do you like better, and which one makes you want to buy and read the book? I'd love to hear what you think.

_________________________________

Standing on the Promises or Sitting on the Premises?

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8: 12).

Most Christians would agree that the world today needs God's light. However, we should ask ourselves what we're doing to shine His light to others. Are we carrying His Word like a high-powered spotlight to lead people out of the darkness? Are we looking for ways we can show His love, especially to the destitute?

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few (Matthew 9:37-38).

If each person who professes to be a Christian would get off the sofa, develop a servant's heart, and follow God's commandments in obedience, the Christian faith wouldn't be declining, and our churches would be packed each time the doors opened. We need workers for the harvest. Where are they? Where are you?

Wherefore take unto you the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:13).

Christians need to be willing to put on the armor of God and move to the front lines instead of remaining on the sidelines. God didn't mean for us to sit but to serve. Faith demands action. Love for our fellow man requires that we get involved. When we come to the end of our lives on earth, what we've done with Christ and how well we've served God in obedience will be the only things that matter. How's your heavenly report card looking? Are you working for his kingdom on the front lines or are you sitting on the sidelines?

________________________________

Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern

The last book I'll be publishing in the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen series is now ready for preorder. It will publish on October 25. In Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern, Fern Russell gets caught disobeying her parents and seeing a man they don't approve of. They send her off to a private school in the little-known place of Big Lick. Fern is surprised to discover she likes the family where she's assigned to stay. Their shy, older son touches her heart, but she won't be disloyal to the beau she left behind. Waiting is hard, but that's exactly what she'll have to do to find out what the future holds. She bakes both men forget-me-not cookies. Which one will end up not forgetting her?

Big Lick Academy was a real place, close to where I now live. It's been fun researching the history and the time period. The headmaster of the school wanted the students to participate in the many community events, so they would stay busy and hopefully out of trouble. The out-of-town students roomed in private homes in the thriving community of Big Lick, named for a salt lick nearby. Dr. Black not only opened and ran the academy, but he was also the minister of a Big Lick church.

An interesting side note is that I used to sponsor a junior history club when I taught school. Each year, my students would do projects to get to go to the state convention. One of my students did a large model of the early town of Big Lick, which won an award and is now displayed at the local history museum. Little did I know at that time that I would be using his model as part of my research for a book.

I love how this book came together and how Fern comes to realize what her heart has been trying to tell her. How she conveys this epiphany involves her forget-me-not cookies, which are a type of macaroon. As a bonus, the recipe is included in the back of the book. I think you'll enjoy both the story and the cookies. It will be available in paperback, KU, Kindle, and Audible.

Link to book

___________________________

 The Bread of Life

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst  (John 6:35).

With fall upon us, my husband loves for me to start making homemade bread, something I usually do more of throughout the fall and winter. Historically, bread in one form or another was a staple in most cultures. This was certainly true for the Israelites. Maybe this was one of the reasons Jesus called Himself The Bread of Life. He should be the staple in our spiritual diet.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life (John 6:47-48).

Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior also gives us eternal life. He's our sustenance, our life-giver, now and forever. As you know, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But did you know the word, bethlehem, means  "place of bread?" How appropriate! Jesus gives us life and life more abundantly.

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me (1 Corinthians 11:24).

In the Upper Room at the Last Supper, Jesus broke the bread and distributed it among his disciples, saying that the bread represented His body, given as a sacrifice for all. He told them to continue holding this communion to remember. Yes, Jesus is our Bread of Life.

______________________________

Books and Blogs

I've always thought that a good writer could write almost anything they wanted to. I used to write for magazines, and, with the proper research and interviews, I wrote on many topics I knew little about. I guess, the old adage that there're always exceptions to any rule holds true here, however.

One of my favorite authors, who writes wonderful novels, just became part of a team who blogs daily.  Her blogs are rambling pieces that wander all over the place with little cohesiveness, and they're hard to follow. I was shocked because her novels are nothing like this, and I've never seen anything similar with the other authors I follow.

I don't know what to make of it. Does she have a competent editor who keeps her on track in her book manuscripts, or is there another reason for the difference? I wish I knew. I find it discerning, but I plan to keep reading those page-turning novels, although I may approach her blogs with more caution. 

______________________________