Sorry to say I haven't written my monthly blog in a very long time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
With each blog I have always kept my readers up on what's happened in my writing life as well as my personal life. It seems I was always sharing good news with everyone. You all know after Scott (my husband of 43 years) passed, I stepped away from writing all together...not just my blog but even my novels. After a year of no writing (2014) but a lot of time spent with God and His Word, He brought me back with a vengeance. The next year (2015) I not only started writing a devotional sharing what God had put in my heart while healing me of my loss, I wrote three fiction novels as well - all 3 mysteries. Two adult fiction - and one young adult. The YA I believe will be book one of a series for Junior to High School kids to enjoy. Cooper Parks' Adventures is the title of the series. I haven't given the first book a permanent title yet. After that I rewrote one of my earlier books that was no longer in print.
Five novels all together. Sorry to say, not all of them have been released, one I'm still writing (the devotional). But the good news is April 2016 All in God's Time - Revised became available. And then June 1, 2016 - Hidden Secrets was released as well.
Against Her Will, Book 4 of the Samantha Cain Series, is still waiting for release, but if I don't hear from my publisher soon, I will cancel the contract and go another way. I will connect with another house for publication. So don't give up on me or my Samantha Cain stories.
I've truly started putting out query letters to find an agent to represent me with my YA fiction, so hopefully by 2017 I'll be connected with the right house--and more Cooper Parks' books will follow. I have ideas on 3 or is it 4 more. It's in my file so don't worry that I have to depend on my memory. LOL
The devotional is still free for your reading via my website - www.author-deborahlynne.com. January through September is available at the present time. I found out after I'd gotten through a few months of reading them from my website, I could pull each month up from my iBook icon (the free reader on iPads and iPhones). All you have to do is pull it up through the website, then click that month. When it comes up it will ask if you want it in your iBook file, click on it and it will put it there. It's like opening your Kindle or Nook and clicking on it. It's pretty cool. Eventually it will be in book form...one book...a yearly devotional. It all comes from words God has opened up to me...from Scripture and then how He blessed me with those words. I've gone on to share them with you in this devotional...hoping to help you through whatever you may be going through and encourage you to keep Him close through it all.
So I'm moving forward in my writing. Keep you eyes open for Deborah Lynne novels. If you live near me you can catch me at up-coming festivals or you can always order any on line or through your favorite book store. Here are my latest two:
This summer I took a trip with my dear friend Emy to Folly Beach SC. It is a beautiful little town. The sand is so white and the water so clear. We had a great time with her sisters and brother and their families. Most of you who know me, know I'm a beach lover. It's really the roar of the waves as they wash ashore that keeps me going back for more. To me it's the best setting to read another new novel. Yes, I have to say, I am an avid reader. I love mysteries and romance. If you're a writer, put a beach scene or a lighthouse on the cover and YES you've got my attention! The food and family time was a joy to share in. Two birthdays were celebrated - a sixty year old and a 30 year old. Perfect celebrations for both. I was blessed to be allowed to share in their summer vacation. Thanks Novaks!
A few days after I returned from SC, I went on another trip. This one took me to Green Bay Wisconsin. It was the Writers Police Academy conference. Not only did I get to hold a gun and shoot it, I took down some criminals (on the screen, simulation not real)...of course sometimes my shot was a little off kilter. Most of the time I fired three times quickly...because I was scared. I COULD NEVER BE A POLICE OFFICER, but it's fun to write as if I am. (because you know every author is their hero, heroine, and even some of the secondary characters...we play all the roles.) One thing I have to say I learned, and had already seen it in action sorry to say, is policemen are guilty until proven innocent, where as we the people are innocent until proven guilty. I know there are some bad policemen out there, but the majority of the officers are putting their lives on the line for us because they believe in what they do...serve and protect. At this conference we got to mingle with a lot of policemen, k-9 patrolmen, SWAT, firemen, and more. We learned about blood spatter, proper investigation procedures, TAZERs (I shot that too, Squealed when I did) and so much more. We got hands on experience at a crime scenes. We watched as Emergency Response stepped in at a head on collision, saw pictures of true crimes (not exactly as what the TV and movies get to portray--thank God), and more. It was a conference I'll never forget. I learned so much and am very grateful to the men and women who took time out of their busy schedule to help us grow as writers. If you write mystery or suspense I suggest you sign up next year, WPA, when it is offered. But you have to be quick. They fill up fast.
Before I returned from this trip, I got emails, texts and phone calls about the beginning of flooding in the Baton Rouge area. When I landed in New Orleans, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I kept believing my home would be fine. God answered my prayers. My kids were blessed as well. Unfortunately a lot of people lost their homes and its entirety. The massive clean-up has been going on for over a week now. The flooding extended well out and around the BR area, including several small towns around us. It even touched areas several miles east and west of us. Massive water is a very dangerous thing. Keep the victims of the destruction in your prayers. Thanks!
There won't be a little section in this blog helping you new authors today. Sorry. But know if you live near Baton Rouge I will be teaching a class at the Jones Creek Library to help beginners get their first book ready for publication, even if you are just thinking about writing a novel. I'll have a lot of handouts with helpful tips on the do's and don'ts of writing. I speak on each as well. So join us. It's a class you won't want to miss if you are thinking about writing or have already begun. I promise it will be a helpful class. Saturday September 24th from 2-4 at The Jones Creek Library on Jones Creek. I hope to see you there.
