Get Ready to be Inspired!

Great blog by Xochi E. Dixon on why you shouldn't miss the Write to Inspire conference this weekend in the Sacramento area. I'm having great fun preparing the talks.

If you need a break from day-to-day life, if you love to write, and if you're looking for moments of laughter (and even a belly laugh or two), come join us!

Hope to see you there.

Karen

Don't Miss This!

Want to write a book? Learn the secrets to getting published? Refine your craft and respond to the call to write? Then you'll definitely want to attend

The 2011 Write to Inspire Conference in Elk Grove, California!

This is going to be a great time of fellowship and learning together. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, come join us as we explore:

• Editor, Friend or Foe?
• What's in an Agent?
• Refine Your Craft
• The Power of Storytelling
• Taming Your Writing Dragons
• Finding Your Voice
• Marketing?? Yikes!
• Write Your Passion

As an added bonus, the conference is running a contest where you can get the chance to pitch your project to me for possible representation! So take the time for you and your call. I'd love to see you there! Check out the details here.

Oh, and let me know you're coming so I can be sure to look for you.

Karen

The Meaning of Edgy

Great thoughts on edgy writing. I looked up some definitions of edgy.

The Free Dictionary online says edgy means having a sharp or biting edge and Daring, provocative, or trend-setting.

The Online Slang Dictionary gives the following definition: Socially dangerous or daring; intellectually provocative; tending to induce unease or stress in viewers. Especially used to describe artistic and intellectual work.

Webster's defines the kind of edgy we're talking about as follows: having a bold, provocative, or unconventional quality.

Bold. Provocative. Unconventional. Trend-setting.

Those all sound like good things, especially for fiction. I want the fiction I write--and the fiction I acquire and edit--to be those things. That's edgy fiction I can support. That's edgy fiction that raises the bar. That kind of edgy is evocative. That's what I want to see from the writers I work with. Writing that moves and draws emotion from readers, but without slipping into the explicit. Evocative writing is powerful, emotive, and life-changing. Explicit writing is taking the easy out.

I hear over and over how villains, to be real life, need to use that kind of language. Or how that's the way people today talk, and to not have that in our fiction makes it less. And more often than not, that's one of the earmarks of what I'm seeing when someone calls their writing edgy. These manuscripts seem to fits the other descriptions of edgy:

• having a sharp or biting edge
• tending to induce unease or stress
• socially dangerous or daring

What do you all say? How do you feel about Christian fiction where the writer has used obscenities? How do you feel about writing that's explicit rather than evocative? Is that edgy...or over the edge?

Karen

Fantastic First Lines: Why?

Okay, so some of you shared your favorite first lines. Now I want to know one simple thing...

Why?

Why are those your favorite first lines? What about those line captured you? Drew you into the story?

Here's my analysis on the first lines I listed:


"It was Nathan's fault that I became God. It is, as I would learn, hell to be God." The God Game, Andrew Greeley (okay, that's two lines, but even just the first line is great.)

Line: "The city was silently bloating in the hot sun, rotting like the thousands of bodies that had fallen in street battles." A Voice in the Wind, Francine Rivers
Why I Like it: The drama and powerful word choices caught me. And stirred a question I wanted answered. What had happened? Thousands of bodies? Why?? I could tell as soon as I read this that someone monumental had happened, and would likely continue.

Line: "This is my favorite book in the world, though I have never read it." The Princess Bride, S. Morgenstern
Why I Like it: Intrigue! The protag's favorite book, but he's never read it? How is that possible? And, too, this has a kind of playful tone to it that I loved.

Line: "A storm struck on the night Laura Shane was born, and there was a strangeness about the weather that people would remember for years." Lightning, Dean Koontz
Why I Like it: This line stirred my curiosity right off: Who is Laura Shane, and what's the significance of the storm? And why are people still remembering that night?

Line: "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson
Why I Like it: Hyperbole at it's best. This was a kind of challenge: the worst in the history of the world? Oh yeah? Let's see you prove that. And the author did. Admirably!

Okay, so what is it that captures you about first lines?

Karen

More Responses to YOUR responses

First, let me express my thanks again for the dialogue on this series on publishing. You've all made me think, challenged, me, and even made me laugh. I appreciate you!

In my last entry, I responded to about half of those who left comments on my 11/18 post. Here are my thoughts for the rest...

Mary Kay, I hear your frustration with editors and publishers being hesitant to take on a book dealing with deep issues, such as family violence or rape. I've turned some of those books down myself. But not for the reasons you may think. It's not because I, or my publisher, was afraid of the topic. It's that there wasn't anything, either in the treatment or voice, that presented the topic in a new or powerful way. If I'm going to put a book out there to help people facing such horrific things in their lives, I need to offer them something more than what's been said before. I'm not saying your books don't do that, I'm just saying there's a lot more that goes into deciding what we will and won't publish than sticking with the tried and true. I'll explore that more in a future post. You are right, though, that we all need to be talking about the books that have struck a chord within us. In fact, if any of you would like to list such books in the comment section, please do so.

Becky, I hear your concerns, but, to use your words, horrors if you think editors think that's what it's all about. I'm afraid my not taking the time to explain all of our conversation in the workshop gave you a wrong impression. The editors' comments on format weren't a mistaken direction at all. I specifically asked them what kinds of formats we need to use to reach new readers. We'd already discussed craft and content. Believe me, editors are deeply invested in both. And they spend a great deal of time evaluating the books that work and learning from them. They'd be foolish not to, and if there's one thing these folks aren't, it's foolish. The editors in Christian publishing are bright, passionate, and oftentimes just as frustrated as you are. I'm sorry if what I wrote in my blog gave you any other impression.

Kristi, I hear you, but publishing on the whole is faster, more demanding, and harder than ever before. You're right, you do have to earn back in 12 months; 18 at the most. None of us can afford the long-term scenario you posed, especially in light of the advances being demanded nowdays. And so few books earn back...ever. You'd be amazed how much money publishers have to write off EVERY YEAR from unearned advances. More on that later, too.

Jlo, I appreciate your thoughts. I have to say I wouldn't be willing to publish a book with the F-word in it. This is just my vote--and we all get one--but I don't believe there's any context in which that word or other violent obscenities can honor God. Even so, I respect your decision to keep it in. You're the author. The final call on content is yours. (Yes, you all can quote me on that!) And I respect a publishing house's decision to not acquire a book, whatever the reason. It's vitally important for publishers to hold fast to who they are, and for books to find the right fit in a publisher. There are a number of manuscripts I loved, but knew, for whatever reason, that the books wouldn't be a good fit for my house. So the best thing I could do for the author was to let the book go.

Jamie, wonderful illustration and reminder. We can dialogue and brainstorm and wring our hands ad nauseum, and not accomplish a thing because we're trying to do it all ourselves. We've GOT to remember Who is in control, and do our best to serve Him in whatever role we have.Work hard, but rest in Him for the outcome.

Pammer, thank you, thank you for this: "as Christian publishers, we have to hold up to intense scrutiny. If we travel too closely to the world, why do we ask to be set apart? To be seen as separate or better? Because in a larger picture Christian fiction is still the new kid on the block and we are held to higher standards to prove ourselves." Absolutely right.

Marci, I could kiss you! Yes, yes, and yes. The retailers have a huge impact. They've been called the "gatekeepers" for a number of good reasons. Mostly, though, they are the ones in the trenches. They see, firsthand, the response of the readers. They hear the accolades; they bear the brunt of the angry reader slamming a book down on the counter and demanding an apology (and a refund). And with so many stores going under, the climate at Christian bookstores is, to say the least, tense. So yes, retailers and publishers and authors all need to be working together to find ways to do this whole publishing and selling books better. But even as I write that, I know we've all been trying. And I know the limited funds for making change. So what's the answer? Hmmm...watch for a future post to address this very thing!

Colleen, absolutely. As Pammer said, as Christians we're held to a higher standard. Not by the readers or retailers, but by the One who assigned us this task, be it writing or publishing. Writers need to express the range of life--the depth of darkness and the heights of light--without using the easy outs of graphic language, sexuality, violence, or preachiness. Publishers need to operate wisely and honorably.

Crystal, excellent points! Especially about these issues sometimes putting publishers and writers at odds with readers. Which is why the responsibility rests so heavy on the editors' shoulders to KNOW those readers and communicate who they are and what they want in a way the others in the house can hear and receive. I studied multiple languages in college (French for 12 years, Spanish for 4, Russian for 1), but none of that prepared me for speaking Sales', Marketing's, and Finance's languages. That's somethine editors need to learn. Well. And I'd encourage writers to learn them as well.

(BTW, Crystal, my hubby is an ISTJ, so I DO know where you're comin' from. And while I'm mostly Golden Retriever, I do think I have a smidge of Siberian in me, so no. I won't keep chasing the ball. In fact, you throw it too much and I'll sit there, looking at you with that, "You threw the ball. You want it, you go get it" expression I so often see in my Sibe's eyes.)

Again, wonderful comments all. Thank you so much for participating in this dialogue. You're helping me learn as we go, and I appreciate that a great deal. In fact, your thoughts and insights have convinced me to take this discussion back to my publishing house to see what they think of it all. So watch for thoughts from sales and marketing in my upcoming blog posts.

Peace to you all today.

Karen

Comments on Your WHO ARE YOU Comments

GREAT dialogue, all! You're giving me all kinds of confirmation and challenge for my next series of posts. In fact, there's so much in all you wrote that I wanted to give a few reactions/responses. I've split this into two posts, so if you don't see a comment on your response, not to worry. It'll be in the next blog post.

Photoqueen, Lynette, and C.J., concerns about sales are definitely a part of the equation. Okay, a BIG part. But not for the reason so many think. It's not about just making . It goes far deeper than that. I'll delve more into that in my next series of posts. And Kathy, I hear what you're saying, but the issue is more about fiscal responsibility than a comfortable bottom line. If publishers don't make a profit, they don't stay in business.

Lynn, I agree. Francine's books are the epitome of powerful fiction, Christian or otherwise. She delivers true-to-life stories with depth and TRUTH.

Nicole, most marketing teams really aren't ineffective. Every house I've worked at has had a cracker-jack team, B&H included. They've found ways to do great marketing with minimal funds. If you want to pinpoint a marketing problem, it's that: Minimal funds. I've said for a lot of years that the way publishing houses assign marketing dollars is backwards. Books selling like hotcakes don't need as much marketing. They're selling already! We need to put more substantial money behind new books to build them. And why do marketers get a way in anything? Because they know their segment of the market better than anyone. I WANT marketing on my team, helping make wise decisions. As for the chasm between pub boards and fiction readers, well...yes. But that's because it's not their job to be tuned in to those readers. It's the editors' job. We're the bridge for that chasm. With returns and refunds, though, you're right on the money. If a reader isn't sure s/he will like a book, pick it up at a library first. Retailers aren't lending books, they're selling them. And returns to publishers? Huge issue. Returns are killing some publishers...more on that later.

Kathleen and Courtney, great wisdom in this: build name brand trust, earn the right to take readers off the beaten path. That's what Francine did. By the time readers had finished her Mark of the Lion trilogy, they were ready to follow her anywhere. Gave her great freedom--and great responsibility--as a writer. Courtney, the beauty is that you can still let your voice come through loud and clear, even as you're building that trust in your readers. In fact, you need to do that. Because it's your voice, your true voice, that will touch hearts.

Tricia and Cara, absolutely. We need to spill our hearts, and do so in authentic, well crafted ways. It's not easy, but it's so worth it! Michelle, yes, we need to speak our readers' language, and to be vulnerable. It doesn't help anyone to write books that don't address real issues in real ways. And Kelli, you're right: publishers ARE doing all of that now. They are putting out wonderful, highly crafted books that deal with real issues in honest ways. And publishers definitely are taking more risks than ever before--maybe not as much as we'd like, but it is happening. And backlist? Oh, Kelli, RIGHT ON! Backlist is what sets the Christian market apart from the general market. Backlist keeps us alive. So are we doing all we could with it? Are we being wise and strategic? Wait for a future post to see!

Rel, contrary to what you might think, bad press doesn't put publishers off. Shoot, I've seen sales and marketing people tickled all shades of pink by bad press. After all, you know what they say: Bad publicity is still publicity. And if it stirs up some controversy, all the better, because that means more and more media outlets will pick up on it. But if bad press is accompanied by poor sales...well, that makes it especially hard to convince the finance folks it's worth the risk. So the key seems to be jumping on whatever publicity we get and making it work for us.

Well, I think this post is PLENTY long, so I'll save the rest for the next one.

Peace, all.

Karen

Who Are You? (pt. 3)

So, there we were, a room full of editing professionals, faced with the question of whether or not we liked--or respected--our end consumer: the reader.

Editors are a freaky bunch. They love to think and debate and share ideas and dissect and explore. Get a whole room of editors going and nothing is sacred. At the same time, everything is. At their core, editors recognize--and love--the power of words. Spoken, written, sung from the rooftops--words contain the power to create and cultivate, encourage and empower...or decimate and destroy. These particular editors also love God and His Word. So their drive is work on books that impact lives rather than books that just entertain.

So, what did they say, these learned, insightful, imaginative folks? At first, nothing. They stopped--really stopped--to consider the answer. Editors are great at pondering.

I am, of course, an editor. But I'm also a writer. And I'm an ENFP, which, according to the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, means I'm basically a Golden Retriever. So no surprise I can't ponder long. Or let others do so. My mind always bounces to the next thing to explore, and I find that's often how you discover answers. So as they pondered I turned back to the white board and wrote: "Who is your audience?"

Responses flew:

• Predominately female
• Age range: 34-80s
• Over 40
• Conservative Faith/Evangelical
• Most likely Republican
• Mother
• Mostly stay at home
• Some professional people
• Men, but not a lot
• Usually women bought for the male readers
• Very few in 18-34 age range

From there the discussion morphed into how to reach our current audience better, as well as reaching those beyond:

• the 18-34 demographic
• those who aren't overtly Christian but interested in spiritual issues
• men
• Post-moderns
• ...and on and on.

Again, ideas flew. From using technology better and more strategically (e.g., e-books, book readers, online downloads), to reconsidering format (imaginative use of packaging, layout, content), to allowing for open-ended books (e.g., story isn't all wrapped up at the end, leave some questions unanswered). Ideas fairly sizzled through the room.

As I listened, I had--you guessed it--this incredible feeling of deja vu. I'd been in this very dialogue already this year. Twice, in fact. Once at a retreat attended by nearly 100 published authors. The second time at the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. Editors, writers, even readers...we're all struggling with the same issues.

Now, don't hear me saying there isn't a place for books that primarily encourage and entertain. Books that don't ask hard questions, but give the reader a wonderful, wholesome story. I don't think the majority of us want to eliminate those books. Not at all.

But in all these conversations I heard the same frustration of being held back, of not being able to write with authenticity. I'll never agree that Christian fiction--or fiction written to glorify God--should contain graphic language, sexuality, or violence, but I understand the frustration. Writers, editors, and--from your responses--readers want fiction that digs deep, that challenges and pushes as well as comforts and encourages. All of us want to be iron sharpening iron.

So, you say, why don't you all follow Nike's admonition and JUST DO IT? What's holding us back?

Before I answer, I'm curious what you think the answers are. What do YOU think holds publishers, editors, and writers back from writing the kinds of books they want to do? The kinds of books many of you have said you want?

Look forward to your insights!

Karen

Who Are You? (pt. 2)

So what were the editors' answers to the question "What makes a Christian book Christian"? Some answered as follows:

• Written from a Christian world view
• Story offers hope
• Core of the story shows importance of faith in Christ

Similar to the things you all wrote in your comments (thought I think your responses went far deeper.) But I was also peppered with the following:

• It's safe
• It doesn't challenge the status quo
• It doesn't leave anything unsettled, everything's resolved
• Quality doesn't match that of ABA fiction
• Easy answers
• Doesn't make readers think
• Affirms readers beliefs and perspective
  

Notice a trend here? Now, before you get upset or think these folks are totally out of touch, let me point out that this view of the reader comes most often from what we hear from retailers rather than from the readers themselves. And, be honest now, there are some readers who fit those descriptions. But even more don't.

So listening to what was said, writing down their definitions on the white board, I came to a conclusion. I turned to those gathered and offered the following: "You really don't like this consumer much, do you?"

No response. But I could tell that, indeed, they weren't crazy about this person. This simplistic non-thinker who only wants books that offer a kind of pablum to the masses determined to hide in their safe churches and faith, never questioning, never facing real life.

Can't say I blame them, can you? I wouldn't care much for that kind of person, either. But here's the thing: I don't know many Christians like that. And I sure haven't met many readers like that. From the reader letters I get, it's clear those who read Christian fiction are looking for books that not only make them think, but that challenge them--even PUSH them--to go beyond themselves and what they think they know. In the letters and emails I receive from my readers, I've found people who are facing life's ambiguities and inequities full-force. Yes, they long for something to give them answers. But even more than that, they long for something to tell them, quite simply and honestly, they're not alone. They're not the only Christian out there who:

Doubts
Struggles
Wrestles with God and living a life of faith in an insane and hostile world
Doesn't appreciate easy or pat answers
Wants to KNOW God. Intimately. Even when it's scary or uncomfortable or painful. Which, as anyone who's walked a hard path knows, it is. Often.

Cool thing, though, about that workshop discussion is that it didn't end there. In fact, it led us all deeper. And I'll tell you how and where.

In a minute.

First, I want to know who you think today's Christian fiction reader is? Why do you think s/he reads fiction? What are you hearing from the readers around you about the books they're reading? And, if you care to share, what novel have you read lately that lived up to your expectations?

So share your thoughts...and stay tuned for Part 3.

Karen

Who Are You?

Well, ECPA PubU has come and gone, and I'm here in Illinois on vacation. Okay, it's supposed to be vacation, but I've spent a boatload of time dealing with work. Ah well, as I told folks in Twitterland, publishing waits for no (wo)man's vacation.

Anyway, though PubU is over, several of the conversations keep running through my mind. Questions. Posits. Debates. Explorations. So many topics floating around that caught my attention, only to be pushed aside by the next equally challenging--or troubling--topic. In some ways, publishing is in such a state of flux. In others, it's utterly grounded and unshakeable. Good and bad on both sides.

The final editorial community workshop on Monday was especially fascinating--and worrisome. Our first topic: What makes a Christian book Christian? The answers came fast and furious, but before I share them, I want to know what you think.

So, as a reader, what are you looking for in a book, especially fiction, from a "Christian" publishing house? What do you expect to find. What do you expect NOT to find? What makes a book "Christian"?

Please share your thoughts. And then I'll let you know how our conversation went...and what other questions it led us to.

Peace!

Karen

Live from the Airport in Minneapolis!

Well, ACFW is over, and I'm sitting here in the airport waiting for my flight to board (1/2 hour to go!). Can't wait to get home. Will only be there 6 days, but man! Am I gonna enjoy it.

I posted some pix from the MASSIVE author book signing at the Mall of America yesterday on my Twitter account, but thought I'd share them with you here, too. More than 100 Christian novelists loaded up into 3 school buses and took the Mall of America by storm. The Best Buy rotunda never knew what hit it! Tables were set up all around the stage in front of a tall column with two large screens. On those screens were pictures, information, and video trailers of the authors and their books.

Impressive, huh? Brandilyn Collins thought so, too. You can see the amazement on here face as she watches the show...

That's Judith Miller behind her to the right.

ACFW didn't just have us sign, though. They set up panels for all during the signing. I was on the first panel in the Best Buy rotunda with my buds, Angie Hunt, Jim Scott Bell, and Brandilyn. We sat right in front of those videos and pictures, which I thought was good. If we got boring, they could just watch the screens!

It was a blast, though, because not only were we talking to the folks seated in front of us, there were people peering at us from all four floors of the mall, And the tall matrix of escalators was right in front of us, so folks listened as they rode. I even saw a few people stop and try to go back down the escalator to keep listening as we talked. Very fun.

I enjoyed talking with all the people who stopped by, like this woman and her adorable little baby , and directing them to the amazing authors at the tables. I was seated between Jim Bell and Angie, and just down the table were Angie Hunt, Brandilyn Collins, and Susan Meissner. Talk about heady company!

Angie, Brandilyn, and fans

Jim Bell & Mama Ruth (Brandilyn's mom)

Karen and Susan Meissner, tired but happy!

Jim Bell & John Robinson, mugging for the camera

Karen & Brandilyn

People were so kind and excited. It made the two hours (on our feet, thank you very much) pass in a flash. By the time we herded back onto the school buses, I was ready for a nap, but I had 7 15-minute meetings with authors waiting for me, so settled for a LARGE cup of coffee and a handful of peanuts.

All in all, I think this was a brilliant idea on the part of ACFW. I know it was a HUGE amount of work for them, but they pulled it off. Beautifully. So if they ever decide to do it again, make sure you come. It was history in the making, folks. Besides which, it was flat fun!

Peace to you today.

Karen

Live from ACFW in Minneapolis...well, sorta

Oh. My. Gosh.

I'm sooooooooo tired. Did I mention I'm tired. Man, am I tired.

Okay, enough whining. Besides, I'm too tired to whine.

I'm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, attending the American Christian Fiction Writers' (ACFW) conference. I heard one person say there's over 500 people here. I can believe it. Since it's pretty much an all-day jaunt for me to get here, I flew in on Wednesday, arriving around 5 pm. Had a really nice dinner with my agent, Steve Laube, and even managed to talk him into letting me to into a few stores. (He, we were at the Mall of America! I mean, come on!) He handled it real well, too. I'm proud of him. Even walked into the women's clothing store with me.

The conference burst into full swing on Thursday, with attendees, agents, and editors all arriving from around the country. Had some folks, like author Wanda Dyson, who weren't sure they could get here from Houston, but they made it. Of course, Wanda has a tree in the middle of her house, but she said she figured she couldn't do anything about it, so just locked the door (which, when I heard that, made me laugh. I mean...there's a TREE that's fallen in the middle of the house. A locked door isn't going to secure it. But I figure God will, so no worries.)

I had a number of sobering conversations with published novelists who are struggling with a discouragement. Let's face it, publishing is only getting harder. People who've been writing for years can't see to get contracts lately. But Angie Hunt, in her keynote address, hit on so many of the issues I heard brought up...reminding us that dreams are important, but what's even more important is the One who gave us those dreams. We need to do what we're called to do, and leave the rest up to His will and timing. Focus on Him. The rest will follow as He chooses. Great words of truth from a woman submitted to His will.

The editors' panel last night was fun. I met Allen Arnold, from Thomas Nelson publishers. He and I seemed to be the only extroverts on the LARGE panel of editors, so we had fun tossing comments back and forth. I'd like to find time to sit down and talk with him about his views on Christian fiction. I'm sure we won't agree, but that's okay. I like to hear other people's thoughts.

Today was solid with 15-minute meetings with authors, lunch, and then a dinner tonight where I took my B&H authors out to Kincaids--a scrumptious restaurant. John Olson, Leanna Ellis, James Rubart, and the newest addition to our fiction line, ACFW president Robin (Caroll) Miller, spent the whole night laughing and telling stories. I'm amazed both Jim and John survived their college years. They each have harrowing tales to tell of experiences on mountains. I'm just glad God was watching out for them! My life would have been far less blessed without those two.

Forgot to bring the card reader for my camera, so I swiped this shot from Camy Tang's blog. From l-r, this is Steve Laube, Jim Rubart, Randy Ingermanson (who also is here) and John Olson. Great men, all!

So here I sit, now, absorbing all that happened today, weary but content. I love this world, this universe peopled by those who are often more comfortable in their created worlds than in reality. I mean, where else can you hear people talking at one end of the hallways about the best way to kill someone and dispose of the body, and at the other about the kind of vegetation that exists on a planet where people are oppressed by a race of clones? God has given us such a gift with imagination.

And I'm delighted and honored to get to play here.

Blessings to you!

Karen

There's a Party Coming!

And you're invited!

What is it? A booksigning with...ready for this?...over a hundred Christian novelists! (No kidding. See the list below.)

When? September 20th, 2008, 1-3 p.m

Where? The Mall of America in Minneapolis.

So if you're going to be anywhere close to The Mall of America, stop by and say "Hey!" (And if you're a born-to-shop person like I am, that place is just this side o' heaven. I mean, the parking lots are so big they're named after states! And there's a restaurant there where you can get ostrich steaks. AND there's an amusement park in the middle of the mall. All that plus a host of Christian novelists? Sing it with me: "Who could ask for anything moooore...")

I'll be there, along with 126 others, handing out chocolates, participating in a panel on writing and publishing, signing books, and generally having a grand time. I'd love to meet you, so (as my Tennessean buds would say) y'all come!

In case the prospect of meeting me and getting free chocolate isn't enough, here are the other novelists you'll get to meet:

• Tamera Alexander, Jennifer AlLee, A.K. Arenz, Diane Ashley

• Janet Lee Barton, James Scott Bell, Joseph Bentz, Terri Blackstock

• Robin Caroll, Patricia Carroll, Jeanie Smith Cash, Eleanor Clark, Debra Clopton, Gloria Clover, Mary Connealy, Lyn Cote, Kathryn Cushman, Brandilyn Collins
  

• Margaret Daley, KM Daughters, Susan Page Davis, Mary Davis, Janet Dean, Megan DiMaria, Brandt Dodson, Lena Nelson Dooley, Cecelia Dowdy, Sharon Dunn, Wanda Dyson
  

• Lynette Eason, Meredith Efken, Leanna Ellis, Sharon Ewell Foster, Miralee Ferrell, Tina Ann Forkner, Darlene Franklin, Jonathan Friesen

• Rhonda Gibson, Terri Gillespie, Debby Giusti, Beth Goddard, Cathy Gohlke, Rene Gutteridge, Cathy Marie Hake, Kelly Eileen Hake, Karen Harter, Rachel Hauck, Roxanne Henke, Cynthia Hickey, Patti Hill, Sharon Hinck, Joan Hochstetler, Steven Hunt, Angela Hunt, Denise Hunter

• Annette Irby, Jennifer Johnson, Jenny B. Jones, Golden Keyes-Parsons, Deb Kinnard, Julie Klassen; Kathleen Kovach; Harry Kraus
  

• Patti Lacy, Maureen Lang, Jeanne Marie Leach, Tosca Lee, Julie Lessman, Michelle Levigne, Sherri L. Lewis, Elizabeth Ludwig, Christine Lynxwiler
  

• Richard L. Mabry, Sharlene MacLaren, Gail Martin, Debby Mayne, Vickie McDonough, Andrew McGuire, Susan Meissner, Becky Melby, Dana Mentink, Amber Miller, Judith Miller, Sara Mills, Siri Mitchell, Nancy Moser, Janelle Mowery, Elizabeth Musser, Mark Mynheir

• Jill Nelson, Mae Nunn, John Olson, Donita K. Paul, Trish Perry, Marta Perry, Allie Pleiter, Cara Putman

• Deborah Raney, Sandra Robbins, Paul Robertson, John Robinson, Martha Rogers, Cynthia Ruchti
  

• Gail Sattler, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Shelley Shephard Gray, Virginia Smith, Lynette Sowell, Candice Speare, Kathryn Springer, Denice Stewart, Sarah Anne Sumpolec, Michelle Sutton, Camy Tang, Donn Taylor, Janice Thompson, Cindy Thomson, Missy Tippens, Carrie Turansky, ML Tyndall
  

• Amy Wallace, Susan May Warren, Linda Wichman, Beth Wiseman, Cheryl Wyatt, Kathleen Y'Barbo
  

Hope to see you there!

Karen

Never Turn Novelists Loose on a Friday Night...

What do you get when you take around 80 published novelists, hand them digital cameras and a list of the novels they've all written, then set them loose on an unsuspecting hotel for a race to see who can come up with the most creative pictures for said titles?

Um...pandemonium comes to mind.

On Friday night at the ChiLibris retreat, we always have a fun night to get crazy. One year we did karaoke (you should hear Robert Elmer belt out "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie..."), another year we went to a dinner theater where we got to take part in the play (after Randy Alcorn and I acted out our scene, in which he was a gangster and I was his moll, the real actors said they hated it when the amateurs were better than they were. ) This year, as I said above, we broke into 9 teams, were given a list of ChiLibris authors' titles, and had a race to see who could act out the most titles in an hour. Here are a few of the things my team came up with. Guess who they chose to act things out...especially the crazy or goofy stuff?



Team Members: Janet Benrey, Cara Putnam, and little Rebecca (with Nancy Moser and yours truly standing behind them). I gotta say, Cara was a heck of a trooper racing all over the hotel with Rebecca on her hip. And that sweet little baby girl was an absolute angel!
Book Title: Open Arms

Speaking of Rebecca, she was the perfect focus for the next book title: Eyes on the Prize:

Team members: Moi, Cara Putnam holding Rebecca, and Janet Benrey (apparently swearing the baby in for something...not sure what the raised hand was about, but hey, we were in a hurry...)
So on to the next one...

Team members: Janet Benrey being blessed oh so believably by Meredith Efken
Book title: Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner

Team Members: Nancy Moser, Janet Benrey, and yours truly. The fella behind us is a poor guy we grabbed and begged to help us out. You'll know why in a second.
Book Title: Escape from Fred by Brad Whittington (Yup, the poor guy is playing Fred, from whom we're all escaping...)

Team member: Yeah, you guessed it. We grabbed the apples from behind the buffet glass, where they were a very pretty decoration. The ribbon...well...don't ask where we got that. Suffice to say I was glad to get it off my head.
Book title: A Big Apple Christmas (a Christmas compilation by various authors)

Team members: Nancy "Bruiser" Moser, Meredith "Baby Face" Efken, Janet "The Negotiator" Benrey, and Karen "Red" Ball. Yeah, we're sitting at a bar. No, we didn't drink! And our cigars are pens and straws. Hey, you work with what you got, you know?
Title: Wagered Heart (can you see those are hearts we're betting with?) by Robin Lee Hatcher

Team member: Yup, me again. Just love havin' little crocodiles nibblin' my ears.
Book Title: Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark

and last but not least...

Team member: the same one they always pick to be crazy. Wonder why that is...? Maybe because I was the only one brave (sounds so much better than stupid...) enough to not only open the fire extinguisher case but take the extinguisher out. The others were sure the alarm would go off if I opened the little glass door. I told them it wouldn't.
Thank heaven I was right.
Book title: Operation Firebrand by Jefferson Scott.

Of course, that's not all the titles we did. I think there were around 35 titles to do, and we got 27 or 28 of them. All the teams were racing around the hotel, jumping into position, snapping the picture, then taking off again. And we all dragged unsuspecting hotel guests into the frivolity. It's amazing, really, how willing people are to take part in something when they can tell the folks asking are having a blast. And believe me, we were! Sadly, our team didn't win, but that's okay.

We'll get 'em next year!

Karen

Face-to-Face with 4 a.m.!

I don't know about you, but there are very few things that will get me out of bed at 4 a.m. I can think of only a handful:

• My darlin' daddy needing to be taken to the ER. Amazing how wide awake I can be at 4 a.m. when that happens. Thankfully, it hasn't happened often.
• My puppy making those terrible hurking sounds that let you know your rug is about to be ruined.
• Fishing. I'll get up even earlier to go fishing. I love it. I knew I'd become a true fisher-woman the day I baited my hook with leeches and maggots. Yeah, I know, gross. But the fishies love 'em!.

• The call of nature. But only if it's screaming.
  

Yup, that's about it. Until yesterday, that is. That's when I discovered a whole new, fun reason to get up at the crack of dawn (rather than the crack of noon, as I far prefer...). What reason could that be? Well, check it out:

Seated from left to right:Tracy, Jenny, Nerolie, Lyn

Back: Rel, Angela, Nolene, Marg, Wendy and Sheryle

These lovely ladies, who live in Australia, have formed a book discussion group. You may know one of them: Rel Mollett. She has a marvelous blog, Relz Reviews, in which she keeps folks informed on Christian fiction and authors. I've known Rel through the internet for a number of years, since she wrote me after reading one of my novels. I've long been impressed with all she's doing to promote Christian fiction, so when she told me her group was reading my book, What Lies Within, (which a number of them are holding in the picture, bless their hearts!) I told her anytime they wanted to talk with me about it, I'd be there.

Be careful what you promise.

Now, I knew there was a time difference between Oregon and Australia . I mean, I'm not stupid. But I didn't realize just how LARGE a difference there was. So when Rel told me I'd need to be on the phone at 4:30 a.m. to talk with them, I only hesitated for a second. Well...okay, two seconds. But I was so excited at the prospect of talking with a room full of Aussies who'd read my book, it didn't take me long to get past the shock. Thankfully, Rel took to heart my advice to shoot me a number of reminders. With the short term memory issues I have thanks to Fibromyalgia, it's always a bit of a risk expecting me to remember something out of the norm. But with Rel's reminders--and PostIt notes all over my computer, bathroom mirror, and alarm clock--I was up and out of bed Friday morning at 4:10 a.m. (I only hit the snooze once. Aren't you proud?)

I made my way to my still dark office and waited. And sure enough, right at 4:30 a.m. Pacific, the phone rang, and there on the other end was Rel--and a chorus of greetings and laughter from the others. We talked for an hour, hitting on everything from why novelists use prologues to what an editor does to a bit of my own faith journey. And though I had to listen extra careful to be sure I understood what the ladies were saying (I loved their accents!), I had no trouble at all hearing the warmth, excitement, and joy permeating the women in that group. The hour passed as though it was a second, and when it was time to say good-bye, I told the ladies I wanted a picture. To remember them. To pray for them. And to show all of you.

So take a good look at those smiling faces. Though I only spent an hour on the phone with this wonderful group, I felt their love for each other and God. And, believe it or not, for me. So considering all I got from my time with them, getting up at 4 was not just okay, it was a real blessing.

Thanks, ladies, for a wonderful time together. May God bless each of you richly!

Peace--

Karen