Book Release Day!!!

Today is the day that For the Love of Dogs is officially released!

The cover is actually from photostock used (with permission) from Guide Dogs for the Blind...but that lab is a dead ringer for my own pup. In fact, so far I have raised six guide dog puppies and all six are tucked somewhere in the book!

The story is set in 1969 and is about a young woman who is losing her sight. She ends up getting a guide dog from a fictitious organization,meets a guy...and, well, let's just say her life is never the same. That's the short version.

If you like dogs, and like love stories, you'll enjoy this book. All of the book's royalties are being donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind, by the way. It's available here.

Here's a longer version, an excerpt from a review that I really liked...

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s “For the Love of Dogs” is an encouraging and deeply wise book. It’s a book which teaches you how to put things in perspective, how balance matters most and how good things can emerge from events that look desperately horrible at first. It is a book about love, about forgiveness, about wisdom in
many forms and first and foremost, it’s a book about trust.

Samantha and Kathleen, the twins who were raised by their grandparents while their parents worked as missionaries, are doing quite well, managing The Running Deer, a ranch devoted to the production of olive oil.

It’s the days of Woodstock and the man first landing on the moon, so the benefits of the olive oil are not so well known yet. In spite of that, the ranch is getting a lot of national recognition and even receives a couple of important awards. While on the surface all looks smooth, there are a lot of undercurrents threatening to destroy the idyll.

First of them is Samantha’s near blindness, which is progressing rapidly. While Samantha manages nicely with the help of a cane, she is all too well aware that one day soon the last shreds of her vision will be gone, yet she refuses to get a service dog. Her new neighbor, Jack, who trains them, is just too annoying for words, and she will not admit that she needs help.

After finally giving in and learning to trust –and what a hard lesson that was! – Samantha returns to the ranch and finds it in utter turmoil. Her twin has a miscarriage and sinks into deep depression, her beloved grandmother, Nonna, is clearly getting befuddled and her brother-in-law, Pete, is being threatened by two hoodlums. It will take a lot of courage, wisdom and even more trust for Samantha to disentangle the twisted mess and see the things as they really are.

In addition to the well constructed and multi-layered story, which drew me in within minutes, it was the author’s strength in creating strong, likeable and well-rounded characters. Nobody’s too good to be believable, and everybody shows at least some weaknesses. Each of them has a distinctive voice, which goes double for the sweet Etienne Number Five, the elderly Frenchwoman who delivers one of the most important
messages in the book, “Everyzing iz a matter of balanz.” The characters are so well built that I found myself even feeling sorry for the two hoodlums. Who could not feel sorry for somebody this inept?

Under the Category of Weirdest Moment of My Life

I seem to be a magnet for strange circumstances.

Once, a man sitting next to me on an airplane quietly passed. As in...died. I thought that topped the Weirdest Moment List...until a few days ago.

Early Saturday morning, my son left for work around 5 a.m. I heard him lock the front door and fell back to sleep. For some reason, I woke up around 5:30 and stretched my arms over my head.

My hands landed on something large and furry, curled up on my pillow.

I bolted up...a cat (A CAT!!!! AND WE DON'T HAVE A CAT!) politely jumped off the bed. I screamed. My husband woke up with a start. I told him there was a cat in our room and he told me I was dreaming. I pointed to the cat...and Steve was then convinced. He jumped out of bed and called, "Here kitty, kitty." The cat politely (this was a very nice cat, if I do say so) sashayed out of our bedroom, followed Steve to the front door...and calmly went on his way.

Now...there are a few questions that remain to be answered.

Like, how did the cat get in the house in the first place?

I'm pretty sure it must have sneaked in while my son was leaving...though he completely denied any wrong going. (Yeah, right). The timing was just too...coincidental. And I really think if it had come in any sooner, our dog would have sniffed it out. Our dog takes her sniffing duties very seriously.

But that still leaves me with one other question. Why, in a household with five sleeping people...did that cat jump on MY pillow?????

A Little Texas Sunday Church Humor

My niece Hilary sent this to me...all the way from France!

Friday Feature: Author Debra Brunt

Can you give us a little bit of information about your publishing history?

I started writing articles for publication in 1980. In the nearly 30 years since then, I’ve written more than 1,400 published articles and four published books. In 1998, God took me on a lengthy detour from fulltime writing. In the last 10 years, I’ve primarily written two ongoing columns, a weekly and a monthly one. However, during that decade, God did surprise me with a couple of unexpected writing blessings: He opened the way for me to write devotions for the Focus on the Family women’s website and to publish my fourth book, Focused Living in a Frazzled World: 105 Snapshots of Life.

When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?

To my surprise, the publisher came looking for me. After publishing three books with a denominational publisher, I spent seven years in a ministry position that allowed little time for writing and no time for preparing and sending out book proposals. Near the end of those seven years, I was approached by a subsidy publisher who had seen and liked my writing. I made the investment in order to get my foot back in the book-publishing door.

What has been the best part about being published?

By far the most fulfilling part has been finding out that, perhaps months or years after I wrote an insight or told a story, someone read it – and God used it to speak directly to their need of that moment.

What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your book?

I want each “snapshot” in Focused Living in a Frazzled World: 105 Snapshots of Life to offer readers the blessing of an aha! moment when they really see what they’re seeing. I want readers to learn to see life differently and, as a result, to live their lives differently.

What do you wish you had known when you first started out as a writer for publication?

I wish I had known how religious I was – but at the time I wouldn’t have seen it or believed it. I wish I had known how easy (and devastating) it is for us Christians to try to get our significance from things connected with Christ, rather than from Christ himself. Yet because I didn’t know those things, I now have true stories to tell and insights to share that can help others experience freedom in Christ and fully live out their God-given identity.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

In writing, as in life, I’ve gone through different seasons. As a young wife, knowing God wanted me to write for publication, I learned as much as I could from writers’ magazines, writers’ conferences and other helps. Then I plunged in, quite successfully. In that first season, I wrote primarily for denominational and regional publications and often had as many assignments as I had time to write. At home with a toddler and a new baby, I wrote my first book (a devotional for young women) because a publisher for whom I’d written numerous articles called me and asked me to do so! Two other books followed, and lots and lots of articles.

Then, I entered a frustrating season: With our two daughters in elementary school, I had more time to write. I had developed better writing skills. Eagerly, I tried to write for new markets and to publish another book. But every door that seemed to be opening slammed in my face. The article-writing assignments continued, yet no matter what I did I couldn’t seem to move beyond the “box” that held me.

As our daughters entered middle school, I entered a paid ministry position. In order to fulfill family and work responsibilities, I had to lay down every writing endeavor, except for a weekly newspaper column and a monthly column in a women’s devotional magazine. I had to fight to find time to write those two columns. Repeatedly, I asked God if I should quit writing them. He told me to persevere and, as mentioned above, even gave me grace during those years to write a series of devotionals for Focus on the Family women’s website and to compile some of the best of my Perspective columns into my book, Focused Living in a Frazzled World.

Now, I’ve entered another new season. Our daughters are grown. I’m helping my parents as they face the challenges of aging. With regard to my life and my writing, I’ve catapulted out of the box! I’m in a totally new place, at once wonderful and challenging. I describe that place on my website, www.keytruths.com, and on my new blog, http://religioushasbeen.blogspot.com, where the picture of me riding a mechanical bull says it all. Before, I had a passion to write. Now, I have a passion to tell what I’ve seen and heard. I have a passion to help others catapult out of religious boxes. I have another book inside me, clamoring to be born. It’s tentatively titled, You Get Your Life Back: Confessions of a Religious Has-been. My struggle? To find the keys to get this message out to the many churched or formerly churched people who are, in the words of Matthew 11:28 (MSG) “burned out on religion.”

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

I can recall times in grade school when the teacher asked for volunteers to read parts in plays in our school reader. I desperately wanted to read one of those parts – but did not raise my hand. No surprise: I didn’t get picked. Whether you want to read aloud in school or you want other people to read what you’ve written, it’s vital to present yourself. That doesn’t mean bragging or pressuring people or pushing others down. For me, it means seeking every appropriate venue to confess who I am and what I do, to tell what I’ve seen and heard with candor and humor – and then see who comes forward to connect.

One of the most effective ways I’ve found to present Focused Living in a Frazzled World is to read excerpts from it when I speak. Before the book’s release, I presold copies at a discount rate. When the book came out, I sent an email announcement to my database list. I’ve also done book-signings and an interview that aired on Focus on the Family Weekend Magazine. Online, I’ve promoted the book through:

my website: www.keytruths.com,

my blogs: http://perspective.keytruths.com and http://religioushasbeen.blogspot.com,

my Facebook page,

and the two free e-columns I send out. (You too can sign up for Perspective and/or for Key truths, Open gates at http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101137250569&p=oi.)

Where can readers find a copy of your book?

Readers can order Focused Living in a Frazzled World: 105 Snapshots of Life online at my website, www.keytruths.com, and at amazon.com and www.tatepublishing.com. They can also order Focused Living through any local Christian bookstore.

Yesterday's News

I heard on the news yesterday that a recent poll of women revealed that 25% of those polled would rather win America's Next Top Model than win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

Have we learned nothing about body image in the last few generations?

In other "yesterday's news"...Adam Lambert nailed it again last night on American Idol! His creative bent combined with phenomenal talent make him pretty unbeatable. I've never voted for anyone, not once. but my money is on that boy to snag the top spot. Even if he doesn't...he has a music career ahead of him.

Another newsworthy event...the U.S. Postal Service is considering dropping Saturday mail. At first, I felt sorry. But then I realized that most of my mail consists of bills or junk mail.

Not so sorry to miss out on Saturday's delivery.

Now...if it were UPS or FED EX cutting out a delivery day, then I would be sorry. Yesterday, the big brown truck delivered my newest book! Six big cartons, hot off the press. Looks awesome!

It officially releases next Tuesday, but is already up on Amazon with a discounted price.

Have a happy Thursday!

Watching Religiously

Are you watching American Idol this season? We are!

Mainly...it's fun and light TV and it isn't about the economy or Iraq. (Or...in the month of March...basketball.)

I can't believe the talent...every single one could make it in the music industry. I think my favorites are Danny Gokey and Lil Rounds, but the one I have to watch is Adam Lambert. There's something about him...that Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire" he did was weird but memorable. Hate it or love it...you'll remember it. Imagine being at a concert and having him perform it. Wow.



I read an interesting article in the Sunday paper...over half of the remaining eleven finalists have regularly performed at places of worship. Three of those six contestants have worked as worship leaders at their respective churches back home.

Nice!

And how do you like The Other Judge? Paula is still as erratic as ever...I like the way The Other Judge balances her out.

And the biggest question of all...does anyone stand out as THE star to you?

Some Dog!

This dog video was sent to me by Linda, who saw it on Angela Hunt's blog. Now that is some dog...

The Story Behind the Story

Last Thursday, I attended a benefit for an adult literacy program that featured Annie Barrows, co-author of the best selling book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Annie's aunt, Mary Ann Schaffer, was the one who wrote the book.

"Mary Ann was witty," reflected Annie, a petite woman who had to stand on a box at the podium to reach the microphone. "She was always writing--though she never saw herself as a writer, and she never finished anything."

The Guernsey story began in 1980 as another aborted book project for Mary Ann. She had gone to the Channel Islands to chase down a book idea and ended up fogged in at the airport for thirty-six hours. According to Mary Ann, said Annie, "she spent the entire time in the men's room under a hair dryer trying to keep warm."

But when Mary Ann did venture from the men's room, she stumbled on some books in the airport...all kinds of information about the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. When the fog lifted, so did Mary Ann. She left the airport without ever actually seeing Guernsey island, but as a self-taught expert on the Nazi Occupation.

Annie said that Mary Ann never saw herself as a writer. "It was an impediment," Annie said. "A writer was not her."

It was Mary Ann's sister (Annie's mother) who kept after her to write, even starting a writing group that forced Mary Ann to work on something. Every single week, Mary Ann had to turn something in at the writing group.

Keep in mind this was twenty years after Mary Ann had gone to Guernsey. Twenty years after the germ of the idea was planted.

Annie gave credit to the writing group for watering and nourishing and providing sunshine to her aunt's germ of an idea. "The power of the group became her reader," said Annie. "Her community wanted to know how this book was going to end. 'We want more!' they threatened."

So Mary Ann kept at it...if only to satisfy this writing group. She finished the book, found an agent, and continued to work on the manuscript for over a year with the agent.

Finally, the manuscript was polished and was ready to send out: Twelve proposals sent to twelve publishers.

All twelve wanted it.

The book was sold!

By the time the manuscript was ready for re-writes, Mary Ann had become ill so Annie agreed to help. "A family is a club with high dues," she quipped. The manuscript was too short so Annie filled in and expanded the story. She added a character but won't confess his or her identity.

As Mary Ann's illness progressed, Annie realized that re-doing the book helped her spend time with the "old Mary Ann." The witty, quirky aunt whom she obviously adored.

Mary Ann passed away five months before the book debuted.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society has been a runaway bestseller, holding the #1 hard cover novel spot for eight months and is a book club favorite. If you haven't had a chance to read it, add it to your list.

There are so many lessons for writers in this story behind the story:

Nothing is wasted. Find...or start...a writing community. Stay with a project. Make use of everything in your life. Finish something! And the next time you are stuck in an airport...take notes.

Local Elections

So...this week, my son is running for student body president of his high school. At dawn on Monday morning, along with many other groggy, pre-first-cup-of-coffee parents, we will head to the high school to hang posters and tape flyers.

Yesterday, a bunch of Tad's friends came over to paint T-shirts to wear this week...human billboard style.







Now, Tad has been class president for three straight years, and would be (will be! Think positive!) an excellent ASB president (and I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother)...but he also knows the way to reach the heart of a high school student is...through humor. So that's his election strategy.

Here, with a little help from photoshop, is a sampling:

Friday Feature: Author Margaret McGee

Margaret McGee is the author of Stumbling Toward God and Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment.


Welcome, Margaret!

Can you give me a little bit of information about your publishing history?

My first book, Stumbling Toward God, came out in 2001 from Innisfree Press, a small spiritual/religious publishing house that has since gone out of business. Innisfree’s publisher, Marcia Broucek, then became the acquisition editor for SkyLight Paths Publishing. Bless her heart, Marcia took me along with her, and SkyLight Paths published my second book Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment in late 2007. Currently I’m under contract with SkyLight Paths for my third book, which I hope will be published later this year.


What has been the best part about being published?

I love having someone come up to me and say – ‘Until I read your book, I thought I was the only one who felt that way! (about the church … or religion … or faith … or whatever.)’

I think part of my mission is to say out loud what’s hidden in many hearts. At one time or another, we each feel like a heretic, and we’re all afraid that we’re the only heretic in the pews. It’s deeply healing when we realize we’re not alone.

I also like it when someone says, “Your book made me laugh!”

What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your book?

I hope they carry with them that the God of life and love is found in their own ordinary, everyday human lives—warts, wounds, and all.

I also hope they remember the laughs.


What do you wish you had known when you first started out as a writer for publication?

I wish I’d known that persistence is a thousand times more important than talent. I’d been told that many times, but somehow I still hoped that my overflowing talent would make persistence unnecessary . It didn’t.

I also wish I’d known that editors and publishers don’t really hold all the cards. I saw them as all-powerful beings who render judgment on me and my work. But no editor is God, or even a demi-god. They are all working under guidelines too. Given the chance, they’d all rather say “yes” than “no.”

I had to stop seeing myself as a powerless supplicant and instead recognize that, with the help of the real God, I could partner with editors in serving the needs of readers. That’s a hard turn to make when you’re desperate for the validation of being published. But after making the turn, I more easily matched my work to a particular periodical or publishing house and actually got published.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

Bumpy, largely because of that problem of hoping I could avoid the bumps and have smooth sailing. If I’d embraced the hard work and bumpy road from the beginning, I might have had more fun along the way. A bumpy ride can be scary-awful or scary-thrilling, depending on your attitude.

For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

For Sacred Attention, I signed a contract in December, delivered a final manuscript in May, and the book came out that November.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

I would hire people to help me. First a publicist to help me with book promotion, and then a personal assistant to help with the business side of being a professional writer.

Oh—and if money were really no object, I’d hire a housekeeper who’s also a good cook!

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

These days, an author’s efforts to promote her book are as important or more important than the publisher’s. I promote my books on my two web sites, IntheCourtyard.com and margaretdmcgee.com. I work to get speaking engagements and always ask if I can bring books to sell. When I get a gig, I provide images of the book covers to the organization for their event promotion. I’m always happy (and grateful) to do an online interview such as this one.

If I spent a lot more time on promotion, I’d probably sell more books … but then, when would I write those books?

Where can readers find a copy of your book?

My most recent book, Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment, is available through major bookstores, online retailers, and from the publisher, SkyLight Paths (www.skylightpaths.com).

Readers can purchase a signed copy of my first book, Stumbling Toward God, directly from me by going to my author web site, margaretdmcgee.com.

Conversations with Dad

My friend Kathy attends the same church as my brother and his wife--and where my parents go.

Last Sunday, the congregation prayed for Kathy and her husband, Jim, and sixteen-year-old son, Jack, because they're going to Africa on a two-week mission trip. Starting today!



Yesterday, zooming around town on last-minute errands, Kathy called to tell me that when the minister asked people to come up and lay hands on them for prayer, my dad went right up and held Jim's hand.

Touching!

Even as my dad's vocabulary and capabilities and awareness are disappearing, there is a part of him--his soul, perhaps?--that remains safe from Alzheimer's.

Hungry Sharks

Here's a glass half-empty, half full sort of story.

It seems that the sagging economy has reduced the number of shark attacks around the world.

Last year, the number of folks eaten by sharks was at its lowest level in five years, a fact experts attribute to fewer vacations.

Without plump tourists cavorting in the open seas, sharks are reduced to a diet of...normal shark food.

Other fish.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Everybody is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. But did you ever wonder who St. Patrick was?


St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland...but did you know he's not actually Irish?

Born in the late part of the fifth century as Maewyn Succat, son of a Roman-British army officer. Maewyn was growing up like any other kid in Britain. However, one day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped him, along with other boys. They sold him into slavery in Ireland. Imprisoned for six years, it was in Ireland that he had a dream of seeing God.

According to his autobiography, God told him to escape on a getaway ship.

So escape he did. He went to Britain, then France, joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. And when he became a bishop he had another dream: that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God.

So back to Ireland he went.

There are many legends associated with St. Patrick. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity--the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Legend also has it that St. Patrick had put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland. And he drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned.



Tonight, enjoy your corned beef and cabbage!

Our Last Junior Prom

My high school son went to his junior prom on Saturday night...our last junior prom.

It's so much easier having a son go to prom than a daughter. The daughters spend weeks and weeks planning, plotting, shopping, combing through magazines for hairstyles, making pedicure and manicure appointments. Trying out new make-up. Organizing pictures. Organizing limos. Returning dress #1 because dress #2 is so much better.

No...check that...dress #3 is really the one.

My sons got their tuxes ordered, about two weeks prior, under the panic of a deadline by their mother. Then, on the Saturday of the prom, they remember that they needed to order a corsage. Then, they have this tradition where they get a dozen roses (read: Mom and Dad pay...but still, a nice touch) for their date's mother.

Other than that, the grooming preparation on Saturday for my son consisted of: bursting in the door at 4pm, hopping in the shower, throwing on the tux, and heading out the door by 4:30pm.

It worked.

Friday Feature: Author Tim Shoemaker

Today's interview features Tim Shoemaker, author of Dangerous Devotions for Guys.Welcome, Tim!
Can you give me a little bit of information about your publishing history?

I have seven books published. Five of them are still in print. The latest, Dangerous Devotions for Guys, is aimed at small group leaders of high school guys. It has 24 object lessons on essential topics for guys.






When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?

Far too early! Initially I worked on fiction for 8-12-year-old boys. I showed that to a publisher long before it was ready. I’ve learned to get input from other writers and do a lot of polishing before I would consider showing a project now.

With the most recent book, a publisher I met at a writer’s conference asked if I’d be interested in writing a proposal for a book project. They accepted the proposal and Dangerous Devotions for Guys was born.

What struggles have you had on the road to being published?

I’ve seen publishers go through editor changes mid-project. Your book can become an orphan really easy that way. I’ve seen plenty of struggles I could note, but I think fighting discouragement is the one that has the most toxic effect.

What has been the best part about being published?

There is a heady feeling that comes with it—but that doesn’t last long at all. You can measure it in days. Beyond that, a published book gives you an element of credibility with people. It can help open doors to speak. But the best part comes down to faith. It has to do with believing God will use the book or article to help others in ways I’ll probably never know about.

Will you share with us how you come up with ideas for your books?

The non-fiction devotionals for families were born out of my own frustration. I was trying to lead family devotions at home with my wife and three sons, and I just couldn’t find books that held the boys attention for long. I started writing my own material using object lessons and activities. I found it worked like nothing I had tried before. When I’d pray for ideas, they always came. I didn’t start out trying to write a book. I think that is important. I wrote so I could teach my boys about God and the principles he’s given us to live by. It came as a surprise sometime later when a publisher showed interest and eventually had me write three books for them.

Coming up with the ideas for Dangerous Devotions for Guys was similar. As I prayed, God always gave me ideas. And I wrote for my boys, now involved in ministry at our local church themselves, and for others that my heart went out to.

Fiction is a little different. Again, I start with praying. And then ideas come from all over. Out of my imagination, certainly. But often there is an element of truth in everything. Some experience I had or heard about will end up in my fiction.
Do you plan your stories first with an outline or does it come to you as write it?

When writing fiction, I always start with a loose outline. It isn’t a detailed one. I have a general idea of where I want to go and modify it as I write.

What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your book?

If we’re talking non-fiction, I want the readers to take the tools I give them and use them to teach their kids about God. I want them to remember how important it is to genuinely live the faith and to pass it on to the next generation.

With fiction, there is always a principle there, a life lesson I’m hoping the reader will learn right along with the protagonist. I want my fiction to entertain, absolutely. But I want it to help 8-12-year-olds to avoid the traps in life and to become men and women of God.

What are your dreams for your writing?

I’d like to have a fiction series for 8-12-year-old boys. Writing that will help them grow to be Godly men.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given/learned in your life as a writer?

The whole process of writing and getting published takes time. You need to persevere. It isn’t always the best writers that get published, but the ones that stick to it.

What do you wish you had known when you first started out as a writer for publication?

Nothing more than I knew at the time. Not that I was so smart. The fact was I was really naïve. I thought editors would see potential and be happy to work with me to polish my writing. Like I said . . . naïve. But I’m glad I didn’t know how long and frustrating the journey could be. If I had known up front, maybe I wouldn’t have kept going. Thankfully I only knew enough to take the next step.

Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?

I think when you’re writing from your heart, out of your passions, the ride is always going to be a little bumpy. Tough times teach us priorities in life. They humble us. Strengthen us. Drive us to hang onto God tighter. Without some tough times helping to conform us more to Christ, I’m not sure we’d have anything much of eternal value to share in our writing.

For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its release?

About 18 months.
Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/she is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?
Yes, I have an agent. His name is Terry Burns and he is with the Hartline Literary Agency. Terry represents me in the fiction work I do. Having an agent is a good thing. Some publishers won’t take a proposal unless it comes from an agent. They probably feel the agent has already screened the project, insuring a higher caliber of writing.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?

I’d like to buy a boat. I could paint the title on the side of it so it would advertise the book as I drive around. Okay, you said if money was no object. Right? I know, I know. This wouldn’t exactly be a successful promotion—but it would be fun!

How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?

Self-promotion is really important, in most cases. Now, I don’t like the idea of just going out there and beating your own drum. I feel uncomfortable with that. But I do believe if you are really passionate about your book, the message it carries, you can promote that. I go to churches and teach parents how to do family devotions in a way that works, even as the kids go through their teen years. I am passionate about helping equip parents, opening their eyes as to what is happening and how they can make a real difference in the lives of their kids.

I hadn’t planned to do workshops like this. When my first book came out I felt like I had really accomplished my mission. Parents would be able to connect spiritually with their kids in a way they hadn’t been able to before. Lives would be changed. Trouble was many of the people who needed the message wouldn’t pick up the book. They felt family devotions couldn’t work and avoided the topic.



I found myself commenting to a pastor that I was confident I could get parents over the hurdles that held them back if I could just get them in a room and talk to them. He turned to me and invited me to come to his church. The Family Devotions Workshop was born—and I’ve been at it ever since. It isn’t that I had to come up with some way to promote my books. The key was the speaking came as a direct result of a need. I think that is a pretty important distinction.

Where can readers find a copy of your book?

Purchase or order it through a Christian book store. Hey, they need our support. If that is out of the question, you can get any of the books on Amazon.

Thanks for taking time to answer these questions, Tim. I wish you great success!

Conversations with Dad

Yesterday, a friend asked me how my dad was doing...and as much as I appreciated her concern, I don't know how to answer that question. There's no good answer!

Alzheimer's disease has taken more and more of Dad's verbal skills and life skills. He's very healthy, though...which is a mixed blessing.



(My sister found this picture recently of Dad and me--taken in Hong Kong.)


But last weekend, Dad was over at my brother's house for lunch on Sunday. My brother had a job for him to do: sticking address labels onto envelopes. Dad had owned a construction trade journal and had stuck many such address labels onto many envelopes over the years.

He was doing a very good job, then suddenly looked up...he happened to notice one address label wasn't complete.

Everyone got excited and praised Dad for his keen observation! Mom said he just looked so darned pleased.

She said watching him that afternoon...it just felt as if he was normal, doing a task while watching a ball game on tv. In a way, those moments are worth cherishing, because they remind us of how Dad used to be. He's had this disease for so long that we're starting to forget.

But every now and then...there's a glimmer of the old Dad. Sweet, sweet memories.

Interview with the "Don't" Singers

Maybe this is just funny to a writer whose books get reviewed...and thankfully, I have never had a bad review (yet!)...but if I ever do...I plan to have this kind of teflon response to it:

(My favorite part is about the sister, who wrote the only good review they've received, and she's in jail for perjury.)

Yesterday's News

I usually stay away from political topics on my blog...but yesterday's news really troubled me. President Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research. The scientific world celebrated...insisting that new breakthroughs in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's were now on the horizon through stem cell research.

Now, my dad has Alzheimer's and I wish there were a cure. The last decade of Dad's life has been incredibly difficult and sad and it's only going to get worse.

But I'm pretty sure I know what he would say about stem cell research.

He would say that he has had a good, long, blessed life. He's had his turn. Those stem cell embryos aren't even given a chance at life. They're going to be sacrificed to postpone death for someone...who is still going to die.

When President Obama said that "this issue will no longer be decided by dogma"...all I could think was to replace the word 'dogma' with 'God's moral laws'.



"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139: 13-16, niv).

More on Fly Fishing

Isn't it strange how you learn something new--like a vocab word--and suddenly you hear it everywhere? That's what fly fishing has been for me lately.

In the sermon at church yesterday, fly fishing was brought up as a parallel to raising children: if the line is too loose, the fish gets away. If it's too tight, the fish fights. The line is supposed to be cast with just the right amount of tension...enough so that the fish is aware of its weight at the end of the line.

So, as my interest in fly fishing is starting to develop, I ordered A River Runs Through It from Netflix.



Brad Pitt was very cute in it but that movie has absolutely no plot. Won an Oscar, too.


The scenery of Montana was gorgeous...which is what earned its Oscar, I think. And now I want to try out fly fishing someday.

Only snag is I just don't like fish.

And it's the great cosmic joke on me that I married a man named Fisher.

Day Light Savings

Don't forget that Day Light Savings starts at midnight tonight....a couple of weeks earlier than usual.




Remember...fall back, spring forward. Which means you're waking up an hour earlier. Ouch.

I have a feeling the earliest church service will be sparsely populated tomorrow.

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength

My friend Nyna sent this to me yesterday...it's an essay written and read by best selling author Kelly Corrigan, a cancer survivor. Such a beautiful verbal snapshot of friendships among women. Now I've added her book, The Middle Place, to my long list of must-reads.

Literary Awards!

I've been spending hours every day, working on this second novel for Revell. I'm up to 64,000 words...on the home stretch to 75,000. All of the rain we've been having in Northern California has helped (tennis keeps getting canceled), but there is at least one moment every day when my brain feels fried and I'm convinced I'm the world's worst writer.

So today, when I received the news by Reader Views that Copper Fire won a
2nd place Literary Award for Best 2008 Fiction Book for Religion/Spirituality...and Grit for the Oyster won two 2nd place awards for Best 2008 Non-Fiction for Writing/Publishing and Best 2008 Non-Fiction for How-To...

well, I felt that fresh wind of writing again!

Norwegian-style Guide Dog Commercial

Flying Fishing

Very, very early on Sunday morning, my husband and I were having coffee at a local coffee shop.

One fellow came in and said to me, "Hey, Suzanne! I saw you walking your dog yesterday. I was coming home from the Fly Fishing Convention and passed you."

Not two minutes later, another man came up and said, "Hey! Saw you walking your dog yesterday. I was just back from the Fly Fishing Convention."



Okay, first of all, I walk my dog every single day, rain or shine. A long walk, too. So why did they suddenly notice me?

And what is up with the Fly Fishing Convention? I didn't even know this "sport" had conventions?!

A clearly well-attended convention, too!




The second man felt the need to expand on the convention, too, telling us that there are hundreds of thousands of flies, and they come in varied sizes.

Who knew? I sure didn't. Especially at seven am, when I was trying to be nice and polite with only a few sips of coffee.

But all of this excitement over fly fishing got me curious enough to put A River Runs Through It on my Netflix list.

Get Your Hanky for this One

My son, Tad, finished up his Varsity basketball season last week. The team went to the championships but lost in the first game. When Tad was pulled toward the end of the game and sat on the bench, I knew that was a wrap for his junior year of b-ball. Next year, when he's a senior, I'm going to have to take a few large boxes of Kleenex to every game, knowing each one gets closer to the last one.

Tad is my youngest of four kids--two boys and two girls--and sports have been a huge part of my boys' life. I have spent many, many hours on cold, hard bleachers, in gyms, on baseball fields, by swimming pools.

Worth every moment!

So here's a three-hanky story for you. I can't even imagine how these parents felt after this game.