Mark Your Calendar!!

Mark your calendars for April 17th

I'm excited to announce that my book, Be Not Afraid has a new face and is available now both in paperback and ebook form on Amazon.com.

Why do I ask that you mark your calendars for April 17th?  A one-day spike in sales can significantly increase the rank of my book on Amazon and even put it on track for a best-seller list that would allow even more people to hear about my book.  April 17th is the day that's been chosen to spike sales for Be Not Afraid.

To purchase your copy you must specifically  order from Amazon.com or Amazonkindle.com.

Also - once you've read my book (or any of my books) I ask that you post your review to encourage others to read it as well.

And remember - Book 2, *Testimony of Innocence* will be coming out later this year. You'll want to read book one in the series first...so why not purchase it April 17th.

To get more information about my book -- Go to my website www.author-deborahlynne.com to watch a trailer of the book, click here:  http://www.author-deborahlynne.com/#!books/vstc2=be-not-afraid

  

the jury pool, a new book, and more

Hi everyone. I hope life is still treating you well.

The other day I received a notice in the mail...I've been picked for the jury pool. Kind of cool. I've always wanted to serve on a jury. I came close once, but the people came to an agreement before the trail was to start...which was good because it saved our tax dollars. My husband has been in a jury twice for two separate cases and had no desire to be there. He admitted enjoying it after the fact. We'll see what happens this time for me. I'll keep you posted. According to the judge we can't talk about the trial itself but I can let you know if I get picked. So keep your fingers crossed for me. I'd love to serve. It truly is an honor and a patriotic thing to do. As the judge said, people fought for our rights and the courts are here to carry those rights out...that is why we have a jury.

Unfortunately this week I became a little "under the weather" as some people put it. Thank God, I haven't run a fever or anything like that, just a sore scratchy throat and a lot of coughing. Wears you out! With what all my husband has been through and is still going through, I dare not complain.

I guess with the holidays over, there isn't a lot to talk about. It was great seeing all our kids and extended family on a regular bases, but now everyone is back to their busy lives. With Rachael, of course we keep in touch via the phone (being that she lives 2222 miles away from us). Thank God for technology, because of it we can talk to her daily or even a couple times a day at not much cost. My mom was from California, and when the costs for one 3 minute call equaled your hourly pay, she didn't call home very often. Molly, Pete, and the boys we've been blessed and get to see a little more of them now than what we did  when we lived across town. (No walking this week because of jury duty and my cold or whatever it is). Chris, Rosie, Butch & Sundance stay so busy we don't even hear from them. I'm glad for them, but we miss them dearly.

All of you who read last week, know about our added addition, Kole. At first we worried we made a mistake. The whole purpose was to give Kali a friend to play with and of course we knew we would enjoy another kitten around the house. Finally on day 5 Kole jumped on Kali's back and held on with her front two paws as Kali dragged her around, and then they got into a heavy game of chase, turned into hide and seek. It was adorable. Now they play together. It's fun and entertaining just to sit back and watch.

The day before they started playing, they kept their distances. I tried to put the video in, but I did not succeed. Sorry. Trust me. They kept their distance. Even now that they play a good little bit, the still keep a little distance when not playing. Here's a picture of Kali and a couple of Kole, the new kitty.

Koby holding Kole his first day home.

Kole napping on Scott's shoulder why he sits and visits with Molly and the boys.

Here is big sister, Kali. She wasn't too excited when we brought Kole home to be her new friend. But it all worked out in the end. Praise God. Now they'll run around for ten minutes up to thirty minutes. Between watching the geese fly in and out, off the lake, and watching the kitty cats run around, life isn't boring around here.

This past weekend was a very exciting weekend for me. My publisher finished reading my manuscript for Testimony of Innocence, Book 2 of The Samantha Cain Mystery Series. She loved it. They discussed my book and decided to go back to Book 1 and give it a little face lift, showing it is a series book, as well as adding information about the second book at the end of Be Not Afraid. They also wet your appetite with giving the title for Book 3. This was so thrilling to me. I told Ramona Tucker, my publisher at OakTara, that she is my answered prayer from God. When I first starting writing, that was my prayer. For God to connect me with a publisher who believes in me and my writing. All my ideas for my books have been given me from God. He gives me a message to share, but lets the story be the forefront. I love God. He is so good!!

Let me give you a little glance of the new cover. Let's see if I can do this.

It worked. Isn't it great. Still the same wonderful cover they had already given me, but with a little more information. I love it!!

Tips for writing:

Allyn Stotz, author of a children’s book, The Pea in Peanut Butter, asked the question, “How do full time writers or stay at home moms who write, balance their life?”

You see, when she worked full time, Allyn knew she had a limited time to come home and write. Some how she managed. But now, through unforeseen circumstances she has the ability to be that full time writer. Some how the day gets lost and before she knows it very little has been accomplished in her writing.

One thing I do know is you can plan all you want, but as a published author there will be times when your book is in the publishing stages and your publisher will need you to do some things, changes, corrections or what-knots, to help bring your MS to the finished stages. THAT takes priority over any schedule. BUT I guarantee you’ll love every minute of it. Your work is being published. The gift God gave you is going in print for others to read and be blessed by. How can you not?

Remind yourself of the blessings of being able to work from home. There are many. The greatest thing is you don’t have to spend time in the morning getting dressed up for work. You can write in you nightgown or PJ’s. You can do some of your housework you use to have to wait and do on Saturdays or stay up late during the week to get it done. Working at home you can throw a load on to wash before you sit down…and then of course toss them in dryer and fold them at the appropriate times. You can start supper simmering at your convenience. You don’t have to rush in after 8 or 9 hours working and try to desperately cook a meal for everyone to enjoy. Last but not least (as far as I can think of at the moment) is if something comes up you need to dash out to do, you can.

My suggestion is you plan out how many hours a day you want to write, and stick with it. Also if you’re writing a manuscript figure how many pages a day or a week you want to complete, and stick to it. Keep writing every day (maybe weekends off, YOUR CHOICE) until the manuscript is complete. Then you start the rewrites, corrections, tightening, etc…everything it takes to make your novel the best. The main thing is, you are your own boss…so boss away…and mind your boss. Hee-hee!!

ANTICIPATION

Hey there.

It's a new day of the New Year and I'm anxious.

What am I anxious about, you ask? Getting Testimony of Innocence off to my publisher. I finished it right before Christmas... the completed story and the rewrites and corrections, but a dear lady offered to read it one time through for those easily skipped typos that we (me as the writer, and my critique partners as the two who have combed through it several times for me) don't always catch. How can we miss them? Easily. We know the story and know what I mean to write, only our human brain sometimes picks up the words the way they were meant to be written. It was bad timing on my part, giving the manuscript to an unsuspecting sweet woman, and ask for it back around or before the first of the year. How dare me? I'm so bad! It was with a kind heart Charlotte offered to do this for me (plus she's an avid fan of Deborah Lynne novels). But I guarantee she hadn't planned on me dropping it in her lap, so-to-speak, right before Christmas.

I'm sorry Charlotte. I didn't mean to do this.


Other writers know when you write something, it takes a lot of time and love to see it through from the beginning to the end--But once you are so close it's like waiting 9 months for a baby to be born. Then the pain starts. Well I guess you could say, that's where I am. IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT IN THE END. On my part anyway. Thank you Charlotte. I can't say it enough. Thank you Marie and Emy too. They put a lot of their time into reading and rereading my work. I am so blessed! Thank You, Lord, for these people in my life!

Okay. Now I'm going to get off of me and onto the past week. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday time and are now ready to face the new year, doing what you have been called to do. Each day is new and opportunities are all around us. Don't hesitate to reach out and take hold of the experiences God has in store for you.

We started a new Bible Study last night. Of course it's another Beth Moore. How can you ask? Yes we do some that aren't hers, but when we can we do a Beth Moore Bible Study...even the ones she rewrites. We did the old and now are doing the newer version. She writes so full of the Spirit of the Lord, helping me and others understand God's Word so much clearer. Beth helps us to step into our own relationship with God, knowing He is there for us, in the good and the bad times. He will not only see us through our situations, but He will bless us too. I know that from one of the first Scriptures she (Beth) had us memorize.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6


And He does. For those of you who don't know Him personally yet, it's never to late to ask Him into your heart. He's there waiting for you, seeking you, wanting to dwell with you. Isn't that awesome?

Okay. I'm not preaching, just sharing.

On January 1...the first day of the new year...I did something I had never done before. I cooked a traditional southern New Year's Day meal. It's ham, cabbage, and black-eyed peas. Of course all my life I thought that was a worldwide tradition, representing health, wealth, and something else. I can't ever remember the third thing. I can recall saying years ago, "I guess I'm happy with my health and what ever my financial situation was, because there was no way on this earth I'd eat cabbage or black-eyed peas." I mean even when we lived payday-to-payday. I thought about it, but decided I was never that desperate. Of course all you who love cabbage and black-eyed peas, bless you. And as you know from the paragraph before, I know where my health and wealth comes from.

Anyway, I did it. Scott's best friend Jerry brought over a head of cabbage because Scott told him we could cook that traditional meal. (that was said around midnight New Year's Eve, after watching the glorious display of fireworks in the sky welcoming the New Year).  Ha-ha. WE?? He meant, they could watch the game and Debbie would make it. I told him I had no idea how to cook cabbage. He said, pull a recipe of the Internet. You're a good cook. You can do it. Well, I did just that when Jerry got to the house. Talk about poor planning. I pulled up the top rating recipe for boiled cabbage and ham, jotted down the necessary ingredients. Most of them I had, but still needed the ham and the black-eyed peas. In my mind, I planned on buying a can of those peas, so that wouldn't be a problem. Yeah, right. New Year's day? Down here in Louisiana go to the market and see how many stores still have cans on the shelf. I did find the fresh dried beans in a pack--and I knew how to cook red beans. I guessed it couldn't be very different. And I bought a portion of a ham, 3 oz without the bone and got to work.

By 2PM they were gobbling down the meal and talking about how good it was. Yes. They ate it and loved it...not me. I don't eat that stuff but was glad to know I could make it.

So New Year's day our New Orleans Saints won 45 to 17, and the men ate a hearty lunch. Then they watched another game or two and then ate left overs for supper (dinner). What did I do beside cook? I read a book and then watched a movie. That is my favorite thing to do when I'm not writing. Read something someone else has worked hard writing, or watching something that someone else wrote as a screen play. God gave us good imaginations. Look at the world today. We have so much of every thing, everywhere. Why? Because someone imagined and then put their hands to building or making or writing it until it existed. Yeah!!

It looks like I'm going backwards again. New Year's Eve. Fireworks, parties, family, friends. I hope you all had a safe and fun New Year's eve night to bring in the New Year. Where we just moved to, they had a neighbor hood party and we were invited. Not knowing many except to say hello, we old folks chose to welcome the new year at home with just the one friend, Jerry. But it was a great night. I mentioned earlier the fireworks we saw. Most of them came from the neighborhood party, and another little party from across the lake. It was great watching them yet being far enough away that the smoke didn't effect Scott from being able to enjoy them too. You could see the clouds of smoke in the air. I've never thought about those men or women who light those beautiful fireworks on the levee from a boat, how they must have been surrounded by the thick smoke. I hope their lungs made it through.

2012 is here. I hope all of you enjoy it and make the most out of every day. Stay loving others. Keep smiling. Bring joy to those around you. Stay happy!! What was that old saying...don't worry, be happy. That is the way to live your life. God tells us not to worry but to bring everything to Him in prayer. So He tells us the same thing...and guess who said it first! :-)



writing tips:

The following tips I learned through a class I took on line with ACFW. I'm only sharing a few tips here on punctuation which was given to us by Kathy Ide - author & editor.

Commas, periods, apostrophes, quotation marks, dashes and ellipsis, and hyphens:

COMMAS are used when restating a noun, example - My husband, Scott, ate the cabbage.

Scott is not necessary in the sentence, but it reminds you of his name. It can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence, therefore, put commas.

When clarifying the noun commas are not used -  My daughter Rachael is thirteen months older than her sister.  By the sentence you can tell I have more than 1 daughter and by stating Rachael I am clarifying which daughter I was speaking of.

PERIODS are used separating sentences. The rule used to be the period was followed by two spaces. Now the rule is one space following a period at the end of a sentence. When using (parenthesis) within a sentence the period follows (the closing parenthesis). Same with a (question mark)?

APOSTROPHES are used to show ownership. Example - Molly's boys, Scotty and Koby, are my grandchildren. When it comes to names like Chris or Matthews, the rules very so check with your publishing house. The 15th Edition of the Chicago Manual of Style says (Chris's wife, Rosie, is adorable) words ending with the eez sound should get the added s, where as The 16th Edition of the Chicago Manual of Style says no extra s is needed. (Chris' wife, Rosie, is adorable.) The Christian Writer's Manual of Style agrees with the 16th Edition of the CMoS. So when writing for Christian publication do not use the added s. Another time apostrophes are used is when letters or numbers are omitted. An example of that would be don't for do not...omitting the o. Or the '80's for the 1980's. Another time apostrophes are used is when pluralizing a lower case letter. Example is...mind your p's and q's. However we don't use them when saying "no ifs ands or butts about it" even though it looks weird.

****

I've got to stop here for a while. Scott gets a chest scan today, so I'll continue when we get back. We love his doctors. They are taking such good care of him.

I'm back. I have a confession to make. I've been back almost an hour but I started working on my completed manuscripts final corrections. Charlotte finished and I picked it up. Thanks again Charlotte.

Now I'm forcing myself to set it aside and complete my blog. Thank you for your patience.

*****

Closing QUOTATION MARKS follow the period, question mark, exclamation mark, or comma. Example - My husband uses a saying my son-in-law, Pete, a bloke from England, taught him. "Bob's your uncle and Fannie's your aunt." "Do you like that saying?" "Scott loves it!" 


The exception to the rule is rare, but here is one. What gives them the right to claim, "Your characters are flat"?

DASHES & ELLIPSIS - Ellipses...are used for fragmented speech, usually accompanied by confusion, insecurity, distress, or uncertainty.  Example - "My glasses...where did I put them?" That's a common question I ask myself a lot. And like on the commercial, I (not the cat) find them on my head. Another time to use ellipses is at the end of a dialogue when the person's voice fades off.  "I hope I'm not too..."
Dashes (typed as two or three hyphens) are used to break a train of thought or an abrupt change in sentence structure. Chris can save the day--but will he be in time? Dashes are also used to show a person's dialogue being interrupted. "Boys, don't jump on the--" A crash from the other room quickly cut off her words.

HYPHENS - Compound modifiers containing nouns, adjectives, and participles are hyphenated when they are followed by a noun. Writing a novel is a time-consuming project.  But hyphens are not used when no noun follows. Writing a novel is time consuming.

Kathy Ide cleared a lot of things up for me on the class she taught through ACFW. I wrote these tips from my notes, and hopefully you will find them helpful. I still make some mistakes in my writing, but hopefully not too many on my punctuation. Thanks Kathy.

Take care, and God bless you all!!

2011 is coming to an end

Hello everyone.

Another year is coming to an end. Isn't it amazing how fast each year flies by? I know they say the older you get the faster the year zooms by. Here, I can only speak for myself. This one seemed to whiz by in an instant. (Did I give my age away?) Of course a lot of things happened this year, so I'm sure it wasn't as fast as I'm saying.

First major thing that happened in my life, was my husband healed of cancer. God saved his soul and his body all at the same time. Praise the Lord!!

Although physically he is no longer a hundred percent due to the damage to his lung, Scott is so much better off than he was after the lung collapsed August 2010. He is saved and at peace with God. Scott had to take early retirement due to his disability, but the Lord has taken care of us. Our home is filled with His peace and joy. We are so grateful. Scott's weight had dropped to 114, skin draped over his skeleton body, but is now up to 145ish. Of course one of his medicines might have caused some of the weight gain. I'm glad to say most of it is due to his appetite increase. Scott still has his days of not eating well, and days of feeling poorly (pnemonia hit 4 times this year and maybe even 5 if you count Thanksgiving week of feeling poorly, fever rising, but we kept it under control and doctor gave him meds keeping him out of the hospital that time) spending most of the day in his recliner mixed with shortness of breath when he attempts to move around--but plenty of good days too. We are so blessed.

Another major blessing that happened to us in 2011, we had an addition to our family. Our son married a wonderful woman on 11-11-11. Not only were we blessed with this sweet thing becoming a part of our family, but we gained her grandmother as a family member. She, (Nana, Ginny), is like a sister to my husband and I. We love her dearly...and she loves us!! Rosie's whole family is lovely and loving. We are so blessed.

A key change in our life, one we weren't sure was supposed to happen but we left it in God's hands, was the sell of our home of twenty years. Sold, then we bought a new home...a retirement home...a house a little smaller than our old one with a lot less outside work surrounded by a  small yard with little maintenance. This being winter time, so far there has been no maintaining the outside, but when summer rolls around I'm sure I can handle it. And whatever Scott feels up to doing he can, but here he won't have to do a thing.

All-in-all 2011 was a great year. We are thankful for all the blessings God has poured on us.

This past week was a busy week, but full of love and family. We celebrated the Singletary (my side of the family) Christmas this past Friday at our new home. The fun and love of all filled our home. It was fulfilling, enjoyable. You know, one of those days that you feel so warm and toasty, like you're curled up in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace reading a good book (preferably by Deborah Lynne ha-ha). Perfect. As long as you live you'll miss the loved ones who have gone on before you, but make sure you find plenty of time to enjoy the ones still living. And the great thing is, we'll see our loved ones who believed also, in Heaven. Praise God!

Speaking of that, Have any of you read the book Heaven is Real? My sister-in-law, Brenda, loaned it to me and I finished it this past Friday. The young boy who experienced Heaven told his story over a period of time to his parents and then his dad put it into a book. The boy at the time of his near death experience was the same age Rachael (our oldest daughter) was when she had the brain tumor. What an awesome testimony this young boy has been able to share. His experience answered so many questions people have all the time about different things, but figured, well that's one I'll ask God when I'm there. But through the innocence of this young boy some answers have been given in advance, but mostly his experience reiterated how right-on the Word is...which as a believer I know the Word is the truth. If anyone says something contrary to what the Word says, than he or she is the one in error. The Bible is never wrong. Well sometimes we interperate it incorrectly by trying to take a partial line or a complete Scripture verse out of context. Sometimes we hand pick here and there trying to make the Word tell us something when in our hearts we know that wasn't what God meant or said or whatever. Anyway, I'm getting off track here. I just meant to say, it was a very interesting book and a good read.

Saturday night we went to Bethany World Prayer Center, South Campus, for Christmas Now. What an awesome celebration! The music was great...as usual. The song that stood out the most was Little Drummer Boy. Our main drummer, Andra, at Bethany sang the song, but joining him on stage were other drummers and the set up and timing of the beating of the drums was so overwhelming, breathtaking, awe-inspiring I pray Bethany down loads the whole of Christmas Now...including Pastor Jonathan Stockstill's short but direct and to the point message where all can see. What a blessing!!

Sunday morning, the day of celebration arrived and all is right in our world because we are only temporarily here in this world. Our world is our eternity in Heaven. Jesus came to save. Praise God, He did. Believers in Jesus Christ are at peace in this world because they know they will live eternally in Heaven.

Thank you Lord for that peace you give us. Help us to be all You've called us to be!!

For an update on my latest novel, Testimony of Innocence...it is completed. A friend volunteered to read it through for me one more time before sending it off to my publisher, Ramona Tucker with OakTara Publishing. Of course, I accepted and gave her a copy of the completed manuscript. I'm so excited and can't wait to get it to Ramona. We'll be posting details of when the release is expected in 2012 on my web site so remember to check in periodically at www.author-deborahlynne.com to keep to the most up-to-date information.

I hate to pass on my update on weight loss, but go figure--This holiday month I have put a couple of those pounds I had lost back on. It's so hard to remove unwanted weight, but so easy to pack it back on. So I'm back at 24 pounds lost since I found 2 of the earlier ones. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I TRULY WASN'T LOOKING. So sad, but I admit, I loved the chocolate chip cookies, hershey candies, crackers and dips, and other tidbits that sat around in candy dishes in my home. I'm sure the roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, greenbeans and the other items in our dinner menu didn't do it to me. It was all the goodies laying around. And when you bake part of it, it is so hard to resist. Trust me. I know. But 2012 is a new year. Hopefully, yes most definitely, I will get myself back on track and continue to drop more weight.

So to all of you who read my blog, enjoy the rest of 2011 and look forward to 2012.

Think of the possibilities. Be all you can be!

Writing tip:


I know I skipped this part last time. Sorry.

The thing that comes to mind as I sit here and try to think of something important to share with other writers is this...take criticism well. People who take time to critique your work are sharing what they find distracting to your piece you want to release. They are trying to help you make it all it can be. Sometimes their suggestions may not be what you want to hear, but you need to listen. If more than one tell you the same thing, for sure do not ignore their advice. You are still the writer, but if you want to be a writer people enjoy reading, take time to listen and then take time to fix the problem.

There is nothing more distracting than to find an author you love, maybe even have read a lot of his/her books and you find errors in their latest novel. Minor errors that could have been fixed. These were overlooked by her, her critique partners, and proof readers at their publishing company. Sometimes an error will slip through the cracks, no matter how famous the author is or how big the publsihing house is.  It happens. But as the author it is your job to go through it as many times as necessary and get rid of the errors. Make your manuscript or short story or poem the best it can be.

I have two wonderful critique partners, Emy White & Marie Barber, who do a stupendous job critiquing my writing. I'm so thankful for them. And throughout my career others have helped and I'm grateful to them too. They are all the best!!

So my advice to you is allow fellow members of your writing group or special friends you've connected to, be a help in making you all you can be in your writing career. Criticism is a must if you want to grow as a writer. Remember, they are not putting you down or your writing. They are only suggesting ways to make it better.

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New Year's Eve is a night to be careful. A lot of people over celebrate, and sometimes do it in a way that is very unsafe to others as well as to them self. So enjoy the rest of 2011 and be careful on 12/31/11. Take care of you and others by making right choices.

Time is a gift. Use it wisely. Bye for now!

The Frost of a New Day

Good morning everyone.

As I sit here sipping my morning coffee and looking out the various windows around me a light chill sweeps through me.

No. Its not the temperature inside...a perfect 71.

Frost covers the roof-tops all around the lake so I know its a little nippy outside. According to my iPhone it's 37 degrees this morning. Those of us who have a place to call home, with a roof over our heads and warm covers to snuggle up in at night on our soft (or hard) beds, are so blessed. This is the time of year its roughest on people who have to live on the streets or in their vehicles. I'm not sure what made me think of this, this morning, because I try to stay positive and share all the blessings from God--which I know are many. But I think this morning God is telling me to remind all of us that we are blessed to be a blessing. So if you see someone not as blessed as you, or someone you can give a hand to, or money to, or a coat to, or whatever you can do, listen to the Spirit inside of you and do what He tells you to do. We are blessed to be a blessing. The great thing about that is when God opens a door for us to bless others, we are blessed again. What a loop to be in!!

Well this week our lives have been busy again, but this time its been with unpacking...getting our house in order, so the house can become our home. It's about to come to completion. We have one more room (my soon to be workout room) with boxes of stuff (I don't know what all could be in those boxes) to unpack. We'll take care of that, one box at a time.

Yesterday I got my new office in order...well almost. I've unpacked all but about 5 of the boxes, ordered a new desk, and organized the room. The desk will be in tomorrow and then I'll be able to finish it. I've been writing at the dinning room table or the coffee table which is wonderful...Thank God for my lap top. When my office is complete I'll enjoy paying bills (sort of) and writing in there. My desk will allow me to enjoy the view outside of two windows while I write or whatever I deem important at the time. Those windows I do not plan on putting up coverings or window dressings. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Any suggestions? Feel free to share. Maybe I'll go with some sheer type of covering so I can continue to enjoy outside. Of course, right now the whole house has NO WINDOW dressings. It makes my husband and I think twice about how we are dressed before walking around the house. But the window coverings have been ordered and bought so by this time next week I believe my windows will be dressed as well. :-)

I'm going to be adding pictures today...if I can figure this out. I've taken several with my iPhone and downloaded them on my laptop, but now I have to figure out how to get to them so I can post them on this blog.

I do believe I am getting the knack of this. I'm only putting two of the many pictures I have taken, but this will give you an idea of our new home and the bountiful blessings we are receiving. I noticed in all the pictures, I forgot to take one of the front view of the house and the ones I've taken of the lake don't do it justice. 

This morning a gaggle of geese or ducks or whatever they were, instead of flying past, they dipped down and played in the water for awhile. I guess what is cold for us isn't as cold for them. There were 17 altogether. Not sure how many are in a gaggle, but these birds usually fly over in the mornings in a V form. Until today, they've never stopped to my knowledge. It's really cool watching them play. 

There is another big bird, a tall brown one, we've named him/her Tutu. He comes and pulls a fish out for breakfast and then takes his time eating it. Our cat, Kali, would give anything to get out there and mess with the big thing...or at least she acts like she would. So tough behind the glass watching at a distance, but we always say she portrays the true meaning of scaredy cat. A slight unexpected movement in the house (like the dropping of ice by the ice maker) and she runs for her life. BIG SCAREDY CAT. We enjoy her immensely.

As you could see in the first picture, our tree is up. No bulbs on it yet, just lights, but I've started wrapping presents. With the blessings we've been given, it is so great to give to others. Don't get me wrong. It's always great to give to others...but after all we've received it's a huge blessing to be giving to others. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? Giving? He gave us the greatest gift of all...His Son. Now we celebrate every year by giving to others. I hope y'all have a very blessed Christmas this year!!

BTW (text talk for by-the-way), as busy as we've been these past few weeks, it has caught up with Scott. Even though everyone tells him not to do anything, he can't just sit and watch others do it for him, so of course he has helped as much as his lungs would allow. Apparently he helped a little too much and he has been very run down this week. A cold set in several days ago. In fact on Thanksgiving night he had 99.7 fever. That's not much to most, but a lung cancer survivor who's immune system isn't as strong as it used to be and lungs damaged more than a little, colds can turn into pneumonia quickly. If his fever gets to 100.5 we are to go straight to the hospital. But thank you, Lord, his temperature never got higher. Of course from that day forward Scott rested and stayed inside taking better care of himself and hoping to get better. Finally Monday we got a hold of his doctor and she ordered him medicine. Now he is taking it and in a few days we hope he will be shaking this cold that is trying to keep him down. Keep him in your prayers. Thanks!! :-)

One more thing before we move on to the tip for the week, I found out, even though very few people have clicked to follow me, my blogs are being read all the way over in England. 

Hello Janet! Nice to have you reading my pages. I hope you enjoy and continue to stay with us. We love having you. I love having you connected. 

Everyone, feel free to become a follower by clicking on "follow" or by just continuing to read weekly. Feel free to comment on the blog comment part itself, or keep doing as you have by sending emails and notes behind the scene. But I'd love to have your comments where all can see and maybe we all start feeling connected.

So enough chit-chat from me on day-to-day living!! 

Writing tip of the week:

Known authors who sell millions of books don't have to worry about hooking you on the first page, but newer authors and want-to-be-soon published authors have to stick to the beginning to get that hook line in there. My suggestion to you is look back at some of your favorite books. Read the first line, the first paragraph and see what hooked you. This was something drummed into my head at the various conferences I've attended over the years.

Looking back at my 4 published novels in the order of release, I believe my first paragraph did what I tried to accomplish. Hook the reader by making him/her ask them self questions. Let's see.

Grace, a Gift of Love -- 

Finally she was there. Was Dena Lewis crazy for coming to a place she didn't know? She had to be...at least a little bit, she told herself. 

All in God's Time --

With elbows resting on her desktop, Meagan rubbed her hands together as she released a long sigh. "I have to do it," she said aloud, "one more time."

Be Not Afraid --

A scream pierced the darkness outside the office. Samantha Cain's head popped up as she glared out the big window. She froze. Her heart pounded as an icy chill slid slowly down her back.

Passion from the Heart --

"Over my dead body!" A deep harsh voice cut through the air like a knife.

Hopefully with the first paragraph of each of my books, the reader asked him or her self questions. In the first novel, Grace, a Gift of Love, where was this girl Dena? And why would she have to be crazy to be there? Hopefully those 2 questions made the reader want to read more. In the second novel, All in God's Time, the reader could see Meagan was pushing herself to do something, but what? And why was she sounding so low? What was going on in her life? The third book, Be Not Afraid, by the first sentence the reader knew something bad had just happened. And reading the 1st paragraph the reader knew fear had hit Samantha Cain full force. Where was she? Who screamed? What is going on? Why doesn't she get out of there quickly? In Passion from the Heart, the 4th book, I was hoping the 1st line grabbed peoples attention. Over my dead body...oh. What was this all about? And the voice -- deep, harsh...cutting like a knife. Who was this person speaking too? Why are they being threatened?

Again, check out some of your favorites, and then reread what you're writing. See if you grab the readers attention in the first paragraph. Remember, there are help books in the library that tell you about hooking your reader. I hope my little tip today has you thinking about your latest manuscript. Get fired up and go see what you can do to turn it up a notch. Keep up the good work. Keep on writing.

And keep on reading my blog. When you're finished go to my web-site www.author-deborahlynne.com and read the first chapter of any of my books you've missed. Maybe that will entice you to go to Amazon.com and order one you don't have. Remember Be Not Afraid is the first in the Samantha Cain series and book 2 will be coming out in the middle of 2012...Testimony of Innocence. I hope you find you'll want to stay with me through the entire series. Tell a friend, tell a neighbor, tell a loved one. Thanks for being my friend. 

Take care and God bless you. He wants to, you know. 

Like it says in John 10:10 The thief comes but to steal, kill, and destroy. I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

Talk to you next week!

A Bright New Day

Good morning everyone. Today is another glorious day God has given us. I don't know about the weather around your home, but down here in the south we've been blessed with perfect weather. Love the cool breezes and the clear skies.

For the record, The Louisiana Book Festival that was held this past Saturday, was filled with people, fun, food, music, and so much more. Again, the weather was perfect. I hope all of you who live Louisiana way, were able to make it out there. Those of us who are called to write, when we begin we feel we are all alone, but let me tell you there were so many authors at the festival it took many tents to have covers for our tables to house us all. Some were even sitting out in the beautiful sunlight, soaking it in as they met readers of our books. Let me fill you in on a little secret. Meeting you readers is a joy and highlight in our lives. As much as we love getting lost in our writing, whether it is truth or fiction, we love the one-on-one contact we have with you. So thank you all who made my day and other authors like me. :-) I hope you had as much fun as we did.

A quick update on my family life-- Our oldest daughter (who lives in California) will be flying in Saturday to spend almost 2 weeks with us. Our baby, our son, is getting married 11/11/11 and Rachael is coming in early for it. We are so excited. And I got word this morning she is 4 tenths of a pound away from reaching her goal of losing 45 pounds before coming home. She'll make it!! Our middle daughter, Molly, is enjoying a visitor from England. Her husband’s stepdaughter flew in to America. She planned to spend some time with friends in New York, but took several days out of her trip to fly down here and meet her dad's wife. They were waiting to tell her the good news of the baby-on-the-way. I think Molly & Pete will be celebrating their 3rd wedding anniversary in February. What better way, then by planning a new child in their lives? Remember that old movie, Yours, Mine & Ours? And of course, the remake. Anyway we have our own personal experience with that. Loving it and looking forward to the OURS. Boy or girl??? We don't know yet. But we all look forward to which ever...it may even be one of each. My husband is a twin. :-) Last but not least, Chris, our son, and Rosie, our future daughter-in-law have been busy working while trying to finish up on the last few things involved in their wedding plans. 11/11/11 is right around the corner. We are sooooo excited.

The closing of our house of 20 years and passing it on to the next owner, is right around the corner. We love our home God blessed us with and we pray the new owner will find as much peace and joy as we've had. Most people who come to visit, when they sit in the living room comment on the peace they feel in our home. I love that. It's the peace from God and we know it. I prayed about 30 years ago for this home and God answered the prayer 20 years ago. Wait on God, and it's always the right thing. The only reason we're moving on is to downsize and we believe this is God's will for us. Our new home is gorgeous, sits on the edge of a lake, and it’s a small community of houses. Beautiful houses. We are being blessed again and we know the peace is coming with us!! Praise God!!

Writing tips for today:

When I first got started writing, I had written 5 novels before ever sending out a query letter. I never thought about selling my manuscripts. I wrote them for the pleasure it brought me...never thinking others could enjoy them (except my mom and our dear friend, Rhonda). When I was encouraged to try to get published and I sent out my first query letter, the response came that they would love to see the first three chapters and an outline of my manuscript. The first three chapters were easy, but an outline?? How do you take a 50000 - 60000 word count manuscript and turn it into a 3-page outline. That was hard, let me tell you. But I did it, and after a very long wait, I was rejected. Why? Because I did a lot of head hopping. 

What is that? It's the way they used to write so the reader knew what every character was thinking as they spoke. It is the omnipotent way. But TODAY we write in a certain character or characters Point Of View--POV for future references. Writers either right in the main character's POV in first person (I this, or I that) or they write in 3rd person (he or she did, blah blah blah). When you write in 3rd person, you can stay in the main characters POV or you can occasionally go to another characters POV but you have to do it in block form. The best thing is when writing a scene you determine who's POV you need to be in. If writing a mystery, sometimes you'll want to write in the killers POV without giving away who he/she is, but you want to get some of the killers thoughts across to the reader, usually increasing the tension or fear. You can also write in 1st person with the occasional 3rd person chapter. The first I ever saw this was when reading a James Patterson suspense novel. One short chapter here and there was in the killer’s head. Later I noticed in Sue Grafton novels as well. They do a wonderful job of it. The main thing to remember, when writing and you want to have more than one POV in a scene, remember to block it out, and be in the character who best grows the story, keeping it moving forward. Don't hop back and forth. Give your character either a chapter to his/her self and when its within another chapter give them several paragraphs, maybe even a few pages...which is what I mean by blocking it out.

Another thing I learned with my first rejection and a few more rejections later (of course I learned it over 10 years later) is when a publisher rejects you and gives you specific reasons they rejected it, take time to fix those things and then resubmit. I was told once you are rejected, they’d never look at it again. But a published author, whom was getting an autographed copy of her book, told me that wise piece of wisdom. Basically we want to learn from our rejections and grow as a writer. So keep on writing and keep on growing.

Till next week, have a blessed time. By the way, I've been emailed by several who have tried to become a follower on my blog, but for some reason it hasn't allowed anyone...yet my iPhone tells me people have started following. I don't see any comments or people showing yet, but I'll get with my web-master, Moore by Design, and get that remedied. Hopefully quickly, but don't give up trying. I'll let you know more next week. 

a busy, happy, week -- followed with tips on writing

Good morning everyone. This is only my second blog. Hopefully you'll find it enjoyable as well as helpful, so you'll keep coming back.

Even though my week started out disappointingly, it got better with each passing day. I don't know about you, but I gather with a group of women every Tuesday night. We do a Bible Study. This Bible Study is Beth Moore's renewed, updated, version of Breaking Free. It's great and she's wonderful if you don't already know it. Anyway, our group had to cancel last Tuesday. I don't know about you, but when I miss gathering with those women and talking about Our Lord, it was like I was missing something. It's just like starting every morning reading His Word. On a morning something happens and you don't get to start your day that way, it's like the rest of your day is out of sync. You can't cope as well with situations that arise. The good thing is, even if we have to put God off, He doesn't put us off. But me, I feel so much fuller, so much more content, so much more ready to face this world when I start with Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

Wednesday, I met with the group of men and women who join me as I read 2-3 chapters every week. We are almost finished with a novel I've been reading and the tension is mounting. We're all loving it.

Thursday we had our new home inspected. Praise God, the only major thing wrong found was the insulation and the builder is taking care of that. It wasn't too major at all. The few smaller things are being fixed as I type if they haven't already. Time is nearing for our closing. First the inspection of our home is being done for the buyer. Our house, although old, is in great shape, so there shouldn't be a major problem. Keep us in your prayers that everything goes smoothly. Thanks everyone.

Saturday, I got to go to my grandson, Koby's soccer game. It was a tie 3-3. They played very well. It was fun to watch him play as well as my son-in-law, Pete, coach the team, along with Pastor Phil. Saturday night I picked up my mother-in-law, "Sister Spinner", "Twirlybird", Leona for church, and I have to say the worship at Bethany South was awesome. Pastor Jonathon lead the music. He is now the head Pastor at Bethany. Brother Larry stepped down to follow the new path God has for him. He's travelling the world helping pastors grow in the Word, helping start more and more churches around the world. Anyway, he preached Saturday night and of course it was also so filled with the Lord, we were all blessed with the Lord's presense. What a fabulous service!!

Sunday my husband, Scott, and I went to my brother and his wife's church. (Richard & Brenda). They were celebrating their 60th anniversary of Brownsfield Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Bridges shared a wonderful message and the church was filled. The people of that church was very friendly and welcoming to all strangers. They didn't treat us like a stranger. They treated us like a brother or sister. It was great. So welcoming.  Following the service was a fantastic dinner on the grounds. Remember, I'm counting calories, and I have to say, I kept myself in control. Not really "I". The one fruit of the spirit I have so much trouble with, self-control, but I've been praying for God to grow that in me. He was successful Sunday. The food was so plenty, and so good but I ate very small portions of several things. My total calarie intake including 2 cookies was 365. And the fellowship was such a blessing. I love a group of people sharing God's love. It's like everyone is glowing, reflecting His light. What a blessing that was to be invited, and to go.

Monday we worked hard, with the help of our son, Chris, cleaning out the attic and dragging stuff to the street curb. In Scott's shape, he has to take it easy and do a little at a time, but he did wonderfully, taking breaks as needed and oxygen when he felt short winded. Also taking down a swingset that we put up when our oldest grandson, Scotty, was two. He is now 15. Oh wait, he'd say "I'm 15 1/2, Granny." I stand corrected. Those nuts and bolts didn't want to come apart. It was built solid, but it got taken apart and we dragged it to the street. After carrying the last of the stuff from the store room out to the curb we received a phone call from our middle child, Molly, the mother of my two grandchildren. Her and hubby, Pete, wanted to stop by. Turns out they had some great news for us. We're going to be grandparents again. They are expecting a baby...and if its a girl she will be named Abigail Grace, and called Abbey. Isn't that addorable? I love it. We're very happy for them. And the boys are extactic...a baby sister or brother. I'll keep you posted on that as she grows. I meant Molly, but it could be Abbey if it is a girl. hee-hee.

Now we're at Tuesday, day of the blog. I haven't done anything yet, but spent my time with God which was great, but as I was typing the blog I received a text from my oldest daughter, Rachael, who lives in California. Rachael is the one who inspired me to count calories to lose weight, using the "My Fitness Pal" on my iPhone. Anyway, she has lost 43 pounds. That is so exciting. We're very proud of her. She will be home in less than 2 weeks for Chris' wedding. Chris is marrying my future adorable daughter-in-law Rosie on 11/11/11 and Rachael had planned to lose 40 pounds by the wedding. She has passed it. I've lost 15. The kids say I should count the 4 I lost right before I got started. That wasn't by counting calories. It was by walking parts of California when we went on a vacation, and since I hadn't been doing anything but taking care of a sick husband for a year, my body actually dropped a few pounds. Anyway that would mean 19 pounds lost.

Hopefully, you've found my week interesting. I know I've enjoyed living it. As I've said so many times and will keep on saying, God is so good!!!!

Tips for those who are thinking of writing or have already begun:

The first thing I want to say, if a story is spinning in your head, get started writing. Don't worry about all the rules and regulations on writing as you begin your story. You'll learn those as you go, and you can start putting them into your story on the rewrite, and the rewrite, and the rewrite. (there is no telling how many times you may have to rewrite your story). Then when you start your second story, you'll have learned plenty. But don't stop learning more. Writing is a gift, writing publishable material is a craft. The more you learn, the better your stories become and the more enjoyable the read becomes to your followers. Besides, a story is never written perfectly the first time. If you try to do that, you'll interfere with the creative side of your brain. Let your story flow out of you, and then go back and start correcting. Write-write-write

The next tip I want to share was given to me early in my writing career. Read what you enjoy writing. Take time to enjoy the genre you like to write in by reading books available on the stands or in your reader today. That is if you want your books published, if you write, to one day be a published author making money off your sales. If you only write cause you love to write and don't plan to share, that's another story. So my second tip of the day is, Read-read-read.

The last tip I will share today (and next week we'll get into the meat of writing itself) use help books. There are so many help books out there. You can buy them, order them, or check them out at your nearest library. On every genre you will find the help book you need. Dwight Swain has wonderful help books that I find explain things easily. Not only does he help with the structure of your sentences and paragraphs (things we older people quit thinking about after being out of school for over 15 years), he also talks about characters, POV, outlines, query letters...he covers the whole gambit of improving your writing.

Next week we'll start on POV. If any of you have special things you'd like me to touch on, feel free to send me an email at deblynne8@gmail.com and let me know. I'm here to help. And know as I'm helping you and even though I have 4 books out and a 5th one about to go to my publisher, OakTara, I'm still reading helpful writing tips, I'm still reading in my genre, & I still write my rough copy without trying to fix it as I go. The 3 tips I shared above will be things to continue throughout your whole writing career. And if you're like me, you'll want that to be for a very long time.

Take care. God bless you. AND keep writing... and/or reading my blog. See you next week.