How Barbara Bush Inspired Me by Julie Arduini

Posted on April 18, 2018 by juliearduini

It was a shock, even though she was 92, to read that First Lady Barbara Bush was ill and refusing further treatment. Feisty to the very end, she passed away calling the shots for her last days—to be home surrounded by her family.

I admired her for decades and have read quite a bit about her, her marriage, family, and the Bush presidency. I believe it will take us awhile to understand how deep and wide her loss will affect us. She carried such wisdom, wit, and influence. I thought I would share a few ways she inspired me, as well as a flash fiction story from my very early writing days that came from something I had read about the family.

  • She helped me see old fashioned romance carries few regrets. It’s well documented that Barbara married the first man she kissed, something she said nearly made their children want to throw up. At first, it does sound weird, but as a broken teen in search of anything to numb my feelings, her comment shook me. Although I can’t say I married the first person I kissed, I quickly realized girls with a lot of relationships seemed to have a lot of regrets. I didn’t date a lot, and the man I married was God sent.

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  • She embraced literacy. She believed literacy was the cornerstone for success, and I agree. I devoured reading and it came fairly easy for me, but I’ve always believed in the power of reading for all. A fan of Marc Brown’s Arthur, she chose Arthur Meets the President to be included in the National Archives, and invited Brown to tour with her for literacy initiatives. Arthur is my all-time favorite cartoon, so I always loved the partnership.

 

  • She took the hits. Barbara Bush was outspoken and made it clear she’s fine being a target when it came to critics. Off limits were her husband and kids. She not only endured her husband’s presidency, but one of her son’s. Another son was a governor and briefly ran for president. The heckling Jeb received for that, you knew exactly how Barbara felt about it, and the people laughing. Her love for family was fierce.

 

  • She had far more grace than we gave her credit for. Most everyone knows about her famous sons, but not everyone knew that they lost their daughter to leukemia when she was three. I have not lost a child, but we nearly did, and it changes you. I’ve watched parent grief from afar and Mrs. Bush never forgot her daughter, but didn’t allow her life to be bitter. I also didn’t know that she attributed her white hair to the grief. The color changed after their loss. I think that speaks volume to how deeply our bodies respond to trauma, and how difficult that loss was for her and her family.

 

When I first began learning the writing craft, I participated in weekly FaithWriter challenges. I can’t remember the theme that week, but one of my entries was inspired by the Bush family. The entire family, Barbara included, was notorious for their competitiveness. I read an article where Laura described meeting them, and how strong they came across, Barbara included, when it came to their love of sports and winning. Laura had some sass of her own, and her answer to their question won them over immediately. Here’s my own spin to it, a very rough draft called I Read.

“You’re not going to wear those shoes, are you?” I look down at my flat, taupe granny shoes. I know what my college age sister is thinking of me. I’m thirty years old about to meet my boyfriend’s family, and I stay sensible. 

“If there is one evening I want to be comfortable, this is it.” Tracy puts her hands on her hips and makes a sweeping disapproval of my look. It’s what I wear at the library: black dress pants, stockings, granny shoes, solid red shell accessorized with my gold necklace adorned with little book charms. Greg loves me for who I am. A quiet librarian with sensible shoes. What family wouldn’t embrace a reader into her son’s life?

Tracy at least gets me to bring a floral arrangement out of mom and dad’s garden. Although we can’t pick a dandelion from an azalea, mom and dad are local senior center garden winners.

Greg Worthington is the one. Neither of us was looking for love when we separately went to a friend’s barbeque. I watched him play basketball and liked his fun attitude. He strolled up to me with the basketball and a goofy grin.

“John said you work at the library. I think you can make a lot of noise on the basketball court. ” I take the ball and look him straight in the eye. When I’m nervous, I can get sarcastic. It’s a habit, and God’s working on me. That night, I couldn’t help it. I made noise on the court all right, I played like a librarian. I slowly dribbled and shouted out every basketball fact I knew. I had the ball four full minutes. Greg was laughing so hard I knew he was interested.

He gave sparse info on the family but the library is again my resource. The Worthingtons’ are wealthy. Greg’s grandfather founded one of the first cable companies. Greg has an older brother Geoff and a younger sister Ginger. Greg’s mom and dad are active in church, charity and anything competitive. That’s what I got out of Greg. 

Their summer abode is lakefront with all the outdoor fun: pontoon boat, jet skis, tubing, fishing boat, gazebo, and beautiful deck. The yard area is spacious. I see croquet in the side yard and the family is tossing the football as I drive in. Greg smiles and jogs up. I realize my palms are wet. I’m afraid if I touch the flowers they will wilt from a chemical reaction.

“Lauren you’re here, good!” He opens my door and I swing out. He notices my shoes.

“The library shoes? Honey we’re at the lake. I guess I thought you knew that meant.” Greg is cut off by a booming voice of authority shouting a warning,

“Heads up Gregory, I want to see how this girl can catch!” Brown pig skin comes flying right at me. I scream and of course miss the football. It lands with a thud on my flowers. Greg quickly looks at the horror on my face and grabs the ball.

“Hey dad, give us a longer warning next time. Say Geoff, catch!” The ball goes sailing over my head to a guy built just like Greg. I feel my knees trembling. I belong in this family like a mouse belongs with a herd of elephants!

Greg gives me a hug and picks up the tousled flowers. By now the family is at our side. I’m hugged, kissed, tapped, high fived, and verbally welcomed. Ginger holds out a tennis racket.

“You play? Oh wait. I guess you can’t in those shoes.” Disappointment fills her voice. Mrs. Worthington puts her arm around me and leads me to the deck. 

“Now you all scoot. I want to get to know Lauren better. I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.” Greg looks for permission to get back to the ball. I nervously nod. His mom seems harmless. She sits across from me and just sighs.

“Lauren it’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re the first girl Greg has ever brought home. Did you know that? Now, you’ve seen us with the football and that we like swimming and boating and tennis and croquet, what dear, is it that you do?” Sweet as the bees going for the flowers, Mrs. Worthington is sizing me up. My answer is immediate but confident.

“I read.” Her cackle echoes over the waters.

“You’re going to do just fine Lauren. Welcome to the family.”

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The Never Ending Story – The Series

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Author Mary Alford

To Be Continued words on a clock to illustrate a movie, tv show,

Have you ever reached the end of a great book and thought, “No! That can’t be it. I’m not ready for it to end…”

I think most of us have had that type of reaction to a book that drew us in from page one and held us captive until the end. I know I certainly have on many occasions.

This is the very reason the series is so appealing to us. The story we fell in love with goes on, just in a different way. We can still catch up with our favorite characters, but in addition, we’re introduced to a whole new story that will hopefully make us fall in love all over again.

Still, not every book is destined to be a series.

So what makes a book series worthy? Well, at the core of every series you have great characters.

Obviously, a key ingredient in creating any great series is having an array of interesting secondary characters to complement the hero and heroine and make the reader want to know what happens to them as well.

But there has to be more to a good series than its characters. You need a fresh storyline that’s different from the first book and one that will set it apart and make the reader want to read it. And you need a great setting to place the series.  

This past year, I wrote a series of contemporary inspirational romances that take place in a fictional town called Second Chance, Montana. It’s a small town with warm and welcoming characters that make you want to come in and stay for a while. The town is true to its name, offering everyone who visits a second chance. I so much enjoyed writing these books because they took place in the same location. I got to come home to Second Chance with each new book I wrote.

So, we have great characters, and intriguing storyline and the perfect setting. Now comes the end?

 I think what makes for a great series is that the ending both surprises and satisfies us. The story ends, but there’s still room for more.

So, what about you? What are some of your favorite series and why did they make you love them so much?

All the best…

Mary Alford

 

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Did I Hear That Right?

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Nancy J. Farrier

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By Nancy J. Farrier

 

I am always a happy camper when my kids visit. I especially enjoy hanging out with my daughters. We talk non-stop, going from one topic to another, and we share a lot of laughs.

 

A couple of weeks ago three of my daughters and I went out shopping and then stopped for tea. While we were in the car, my youngest daughter began telling us about a person she knew who, having never been around animals at all, decided he wanted a cat. He spent a LOT of money to have a certain type of kitten shipped to him, but then knew nothing about how to feed or care for the animal.

 

I had heard this story before but this time she had another episode in cat care to add. When I tuned in to the story, as she talked to her sister, it went something like this:

 

“So, the kitten went in to get neutered because it was the right age, but we are all upset because the vet insisted on keeping the kitten in a coma for two weeks. Nothing we’ve been able to say will convince this man that he shouldn’t do that.”

 

My youngest daughter’s statement elicited outrage from her sisters and from me. I tried to keep from saying much as I pictured this poor kitten in a continual comatose state. Surely, that couldn’t be good for the poor thing.

 

My daughter went on to tell how a mutual friend tried to find out the name of the vet who would allow such treatment, but the kitten’s owner refused to divulge that information. She and her friend were horrified, but couldn’t do anything. She said, “Who keeps a cat in a coma for two weeks just because they’ve been neutered?”

 

When she came to the point in the story where she said they convinced the owner to take the cat out of the coma when he was home and only put it in when he left, I lost my temper. I couldn’t imagine any medical professional allowing this.

 

I turned to look at her from the front passenger seat. “I think he should be reported to the police. This is abuse and the police will be able to find out the vet’s name. How could they ask this man to administer medication at home that would keep the cat in a coma?” I was furious.

 

Silence settled in the car as we pulled into a parking spot. Then one of my daughters laughed and the rest joined her. My youngest said, “Mom, I said they put the kitten in a cone, not a coma.”

 

Embarrassment and relief rushed through me. A cone. Not a coma. The picture in my mind changed from that of a limp kitten to one where an indignant cat glared up at me. While the idea of a cat in a cone for long term is still offensive, since they wouldn’t be able to clean themselves, I didn’t see it as life threatening.

 

I know there are other times when I’ve heard someone say something and misinterpreted, or misunderstood. I’ve found it’s best to do the following before spouting off and getting angry.

 

  • Don’t say something you will regret. Take time to consider what you heard to see if it’s worth being upset or offended over.
  • Spend time listening to God and asking His advice. God always hears not only the correct conversation but He also understands the intent of the heart.
  • Forget or Act. Depending on the first two steps, sometimes I’ve realized what I heard didn’t amount to anything. Once in a great while, I have trouble letting something go. Then I find it best to go to the person and talk to them one-on-one if at all possible. Many hurt feelings and disagreements can be avoided using these steps and by approaching a person with humility.

 

I’m hoping the next time I hear something like “they put the cat in a coma for two weeks,” I will ask if I heard that right before I get furious for no reason.

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Welcome Guest Author Nancy Mehl

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Author Mary Alford

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Welcome, Nancy. We’re happy to have you here with us today. Can you tell us a little about how you started your writing career? 

I actually started writing as a kid. My first book was DANNY GOES TO THE CIRCUS. It featured my brother. I even did the illustrations. Unfortunately, DANNY GOES TO THE CIRCUS has been lost over time. I would like to say that it launched my career, but…uh, no.

My interest in writing came from a love of books. When I was young, I read constantly. I’d check out five or six book from the school library and read them in one night, under my covers with a flashlight. Suffice to say that the next day at school I probably wasn’t at my best.

In high school I wrote poetry. Most of it was full of teenage angst and drama. Then my English teacher gave us an assignment. Write three original poems. I did. I thought they were pretty good. My teacher announced she was going to read the poems to our class. I waited nervously for my poems to come up. Finally, they did. She read them. Then she told everyone she was certain she’d heard them before. In other words, she accused me of plagiarism. I was devastated and stopped writing.

I was in my forties before the bug hit me again through a TV showed called “Murder, She Wrote.” I decided to try writing a novel. I haven’t looked back since then. The lesson here? Don’t let other people keep you from your destiny. Wish I’d learned it earlier, but since I can’t go back in time, all I can do is look forward. I love writing, and I hope there are readers out there who are glad I decided to give it another try.

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My latest novel is BLIND BETRAYAL:

 Deputy U.S. Marshal Casey Sloane has worked at the St. Louis Marshals office for two years and is given a routine assignment to help transport a reporter to D.C. to testify before a grand jury. Valerie, the reporter, was writing a story about an up-and-coming environmentalist who suddenly disappeared and, she later discovered, whose backers purportedly have ties to a terrorist.

 When the seemingly ordinary assignment suddenly takes a shocking turn, Casey is forced to put aside her own feelings about the unexpected reappearance of a man from her past as she and two other Marshals take Valerie on the run. And as it becomes dangerously clear Valerie’s testimony has even bigger implications than they knew, they’ll do whatever it takes to make it out alive.

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Bio:

Nancy Mehl is a best-selling, award winning author who lives in Missouri, with her husband, Norman, and her Puggle, Watson. She’s authored thirty books and is currently writing a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The Kaely Quinn Profiler series will kick off with book one, MIND GAMES, in December of 2018. The last book in her Defenders of Justice series, BLIND BETRAYAL, will be released in the spring. She is also working on a new cozy mystery series for Guideposts, The Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard.

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors. She is also very active on Facebook.

Thank you Nancy for joining us today! Your story is an inspirational one.

 

Mary Alford   

 

 

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De-Stressing

Posted on April 14, 2018 by pathwaysoftheheart

By Marilyn Turk

Last year was a very difficult year for me.

A troubling family situation consumed my mind, therefore focus on other things was a challenge.

2018 was also the first year of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat which I direct, and I had never directed a writers’ conference before. I wanted the conference to be successful, so I planned the best selection of classes and speakers I could and prayed people would register. There were a lot of details like marketing and promotion, room assignments, menu planning, etc., to organize. I had no team of people or co-director, so I was basically handling it all myself. Stress began.

Shortly after the conference, one of my book manuscripts was due to the editor. I had not been able to do any writing before the conference, so I basically had to write the whole book afterwards. Even though I knew what the book was about, it was still very difficult to concentrate. The stress mounted.

After I turned in my manuscript, I worked on another book proposal with an editor from a different publisher. Everything seemed to be running smoothly until I lost contact with the editor. Based on my expectations, I had made some significant decisions. Then I found out the editor was no longer with the company I was working with and the project fell flat. Stress increased.

As I approached the end of the year, I had no new contracts and wondered about my writing future. Worry joined the stress.

Finally, I received good news when I was notified that a novella proposal I was part of was accepted by the publisher. That encouragement was what I needed to finish the year.

As a new year began, I looked back and recognized what a mess I had been and wondered how I made it through. And I realized I couldn’t have done it in my own strength. I made it a habit to start the day with God, spending time reading devotions and journaling my prayer requests. I’ve done this for so long that it’s a routine, and even when I don’t know how to express myself, God knows what’s going on and what I need, and I think he honors my commitment to Him for that time.

When I prayed for direction, He led. He made sure the writers retreat went smoothly and successfully.

When I asked Him to write the story with me and through me, asking my prayer partners for prayer, He told me how to finish the story.

When the editor disappeared along with hope for that project, He told me to wait.

But when the novella contract came through, He was telling me He still believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Like the poem “Footprints in the Sand,” God carried me through the year.

However, He had a lesson to teach me. He showed me how important it is to not place too many expectations on myself, which causes stress. Instead, I need to let Him handle everything.

I’m doing a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer about Sabbath in which she focuses on God giving us the Sabbath for rest, and we aren’t to pile so many things on ourselves that we cannot rest. He said to come to Him and He would give us rest.

So this year, I’m resting in Him by refusing to take on too many commitments. I do not know what the future holds, but He does, and I don’t need to worry about it.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Is there something you can let go of to de-stress your life?

 

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The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion by Judy Miller

Posted on April 13, 2018 by judithmccoymiller

During a visit to St. Louis several years ago, one of the unexpected delights was a visit to the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion. This was an unplanned sightseeing tour that came about when I spotted a pamphlet in the hotel. It didn’t take long for me to decide upon a visit the following afternoon.

This beautiful 1863 Late Greek Revival Home was slated for demolition when the interstate was being planned, but, through great effort, was eventually saved. However, you’ll notice in the picture that the frontage of the property was barely saved. Unfortunately, an interstate ramp skirts directly in front of the mansion. Consequently, entry to the mansion is at the rear of the structure and taking pictures of the front of the house means braving an onslaught of cars heading for that ramp, but I was determined.

The house is filled with beautiful antiques. Above is a picture of a lamp that I found particularly interesting and one of the reasons I enjoy visiting old homes. Even though I had no plans to write a book about this particular mansion, you never know what artifacts and/or antiques you’ll see on such a visit—and one of those objects may make it into a later book.

The mansion was constructed in two sections by two different families. When first purchased by Nicolas DeMenil the home was a summer retreat. From many of the windows, there was an exception view of the Mississippi River that afforded the residents cool breezes as well as a pastoral setting.

Unfortunately, that view was lost when the caves beneath the area became the focus of several breweries wanting to produce beer. The caves provided the cool temperatures required to age the beer. Soon, the DeMenil mansion was surrounded by brick buildings that blocked their beautiful view. Distraught that his view had been blocked, DeMenil had an artist paint pictures on the window shades in the dining room so he and his guests wouldn’t be forced to look at the brick buildings while dining. I was intrigued by such an ingenious idea and eventually will use it in one of my books—perhaps the one I’m currently writing.

Each of the plates and serving pieces pictured below has a different floral design and the silver epergne was used to serve delicacies of the day. I’m a visual learner so seeing these beautiful table settings helps me as I write.

And take a gander at this wall safe hidden behind a picture. Now that’s a perfect place to hide those important papers and fancy jewelry—just have to hope the house doesn’t burn down. Each time I visit an historical site, I’m struck by the volume of history each one contains. For those of us who love history, it’s always an adventure and downright fun to discover something new from our past.

If you’re interested, you can find out more about the mansion on their website.

How about you? Have you discovered anything new from the past? If so, I’d love to hear about it.

Blessings, Judy

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This or That Interview by Margaret Daley

Posted on April 12, 2018 by margaretdaley50

This or That Interview by Margaret Daley

#1. Coffee or Tea?
I love tea. I drink it every day. I’ve never liked coffee although I love the scent of it brewing

#2. Print or E-reader? I finally got a Kindle last summer and have enjoyed reading on it, but I also have a lot of print books to read, too.

#3. Chocolate or Vanilla? I’ll take vanilla over chocolate any day. I do love white chocolate.

#4. Early Bird or Night Owl? While I was a teacher, I was an early bird, but now that I’m retired, I’m a night owl.


Me and beach scene

#5. Mountains or Beach?I can’t choose between these two because I love both places for different reasons. A great compromise would be somewhere like Hawaii where you can live on the beach with mountains behind you.

#6. Historical or Suspense?Suspense hands down. It’s my favorite genre to write in and to read.

cats and me

#7. Cats or Dogs? That’s another one I can’t choose between. Right now I have three cats, each very different from the others. But in the past I’ve had dogs as pets.


Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23 line 4

This comforts me at the perilous times we’re facing as a nation. Look to God for guidance.

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On Spring, Glory and Grace

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Maureen Lang

As flowers start peeking up from the hard, dull earth, as buds appear on bare branches, it’s hard not to be reminded that God reveals Himself in two ways: through the Bible and in nature. Both revelations can’t help but point to God’s glory.

The theme of grace abounds in the Bible, culminating in what Christ did for us. But every spring when those buds show up, grace is revealed there, too. No matter what happens throughout the year—all the good and the bad of it—God sustains this earth in a way that is astoundingly miraculous.

I pray you’ll notice a miracle today. For me, that’s looking no farther than right out my window. Even in a tamed and cultivated suburban landscape, I can see birds that have returned from warmer winter climates. They’ve flown back up here out of an instinct put in them by God. Plus, my favorite tree in the parkway is budding. Daffodils will soon wave at me from the yard, too, even after sitting under months of snow and ice.

All this reminds me that God’s grace is around me. As I read this morning from the Puritan’s Prayer book, “Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess, but not more than is found in thee…”

My prayer is already answered. I may not have enough grace on my own, but God’s grace is there to fill me—all I have to do is ask His help to share it!

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Binge Much? (by Hannah Alexander)

Posted on April 10, 2018 by alexanderhodde

I’ve been seeing this term more often lately–binge watching. We binge on television shows, watching half a season of our favorite TV shows in one sitting just because we have the technology. Because it’s available now. Maybe there are other reasons. Maybe we lose ourselves in a fictitious world to escape the escalating stressors of our lives. Stressor–that’s a word I learned binge-watching Criminal Minds. How bad does it have to be for me to binge-watch Criminal Minds to escape the stressors of my world? That show used to give me nightmares. Now it’s an escape? Wow. Maybe things will get better once the flowers start blooming and I can get out on the hiking trail again.

I’ve also learned recently that people are binge-reading. They wait until their favorite series is completed before they begin. That isn’t something I’ve begun to do yet. I can’t wait forever to read the whole series of a favorite author. Note to my favorite authors–don’t leave cliff-hangers at the end of your novels.

I know a lot of us have trouble with binge eating. To me, that’s just as much of an escape as watching TV or reading book after book after book by my favorite author. But it’s certainly as bad as, or worse than, binge-watching or reading, when it comes to health. Couch potatoes are not that healthy. I have my exercise machine in front of the TV. The trick is to actually get on it and move.

As we binge, we need to move. Exercise. Even get outdoors sometimes and walk, enjoy nature, take our minds away from the fictive world–and food–and focus on the beauty of God’s creation.

Mel is a doctor of osteopathy. Osteopaths have a saying–Mobility is life. Death is the lack of mobility. Others have another saying–Sitting is the new smoking.

When I’m doing a binge at my computer with Facebook or email, or when I’m watching too much TV, I have to remind myself to run up and down the stairs a few times. Maybe even step outside and get some fresh air. Or how about this: Binge hiking?

I don’t know why we’ve developed this craze for the binge. It doesn’t matter why. It matters what we do with it when we realize what we’re doing.

 

 

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THE THREE C’S OF WRITING

Posted on April 6, 2018 by yvon63

CRAFT, CREATIVITY, and COMMITMENT

I read about a young man who emailed his seminary professor asking for a good reason why so many trite and meaningless rules in the Bible were of any importance.

A week later, he emailed the professor again, gloating. “I didn’t hear from you, so my question must have stumped you.”

The professor responded, “I replied but didn’t bother to put the dot before com in your email address. After all, it’s only an insignificant period.”

THE CRAFT OF WRITING SHOULD BE LEARNED AND APPLIED.

Rules are important in traffic, life, and yes, in writing, whether it’s the placement of a period or capturing the theme of the entire story. When we need a doctor, employ a mechanic, or send our children to school, we want skilled, able people in those positions. Editors, agents, and readers want the same from authors. We may be called to the profession and visualize publication, but first must come the training.

We are blessed in having access to expert, experienced, and knowledgeable teachers through writers conferences, books, college courses, internet courses, DVDs, critique groups, and email loops.

But it was Albert Einstein who made famous the idea that “imagination is more important than knowledge.”

CREATIVITY MUST BE DEVELOPED AND PRACTICED.

Twenty-one published writers decided to show other writers something about the combination of craft and creativity. Each would write a short story, incorporating the same five elements.

First line: The wind was picking up.
Mistaken identity
Pursuit at a noted landmark
Unusual form of transportation
Last line: So that’s exactly what she did.

The book is titled What the Wind Picked Up (iUniverse) and showed that a story can be told many times and include the same elements yet be different because each writer has his own unique style and voice.

When a talent or special ability or inclination is discovered in persons, they’re encouraged to work harder at it, learn more, and practice more. Our imagination (creativity) makes our stories unique and original.

COMMITMENT BRINGS SUCCESS.

Those who succeed are those who don’t give up but continue to study craft, practice creativity, and work through challenges because it leads to the joy of reaching the world, whether that’s one person or many.

But don’t forget: if reaching the world requires an email, it won’t happen if you type com without the period.

Learn more about the Three C’s of writing at the Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat – October 7-10, 2018 – Would love for you to join us!

 

 

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Step Seven on our Journey by Louise M. Gouge

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Louise M. Gouge

Thank you for sticking with me on this journey. Today, I’m posting an opinion piece titled:

Ahab’s Bride Versus Ahab’s Wife

A woman with brown hair, wearing a teal shirt, pale pink leggings and gray shoes, closes her eyes and opens her mouth to weep and cry out loudWhen a writer completes a novel and begins the arduous task of finding a publisher, or better still, finding an agent who will find a publisher and wrangle the best deal for the author, there can be no more disheartening discovery than to find that one’s clever, unique, brilliantly created work has already been “done” by someone else. (Crying woman is a free images from pixabay.com.)

How did this happen?

No, this is not a case of plagiarism, but rather simply a case of two writers, who do not know of each other’s existence or work, selecting the same subject at the same time and each pouring her heart into the story of a lifetime. Thus, in the spring of 1999, when I completed my master’s thesis, titled Ahab’s Bride, submitted it to my thesis advisor at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, received an A on the project, and set about finding an agent to sell it for me, I was appalled to discover that in only a matter of months, another author’s version of the story of Captain Ahab’s “young girl-wife,” also based on one obscure line from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, would make its appearance in bookstores everywhere. That book is Sena Jeter Naslund’s Ahab’s Wife.

Moving forward

After partially recovering from the initial shock, I continued my search and eventually was accepted as a client by an agent who believed with me that, despite the apparent success of Naslund’s novel, a publisher and an audience could still be found for my book. Finding those two essentials has become a lengthy quest that eventually succeeded. In the process, however, I realized how important it would be to show a potential publisher–and, subsequently, readers, why my novel is different from Naslund’s and every bit as worthy of publication and being read. With that in mind, I offer this comparison.

Themes

As in Moby Dick, the dominant theme of each of these sequel novels is the central character’s belief system. Naslund’s Una Spenser and my Hannah Oldweiler are both independent women who question the faith of their fathers, but their spiritual odysseys lead them to very different conclusions.

Characters

Una travels through many adventures and trials, suffering abuse from her father (physical) and first husband (physical and sexual) and being forced by circumstances into a variety of controversial behaviors. Through all events, Una’s childhood rejection of religion is reinforced. In fact, Naslund’s strongest, most sympathetic characters are those who are non-religious humanists. Una seems to regard people of the Christian faith as somewhat simple-minded and/or foolish, and even evil. For two examples: her father is stereotypical in his evangelical fanaticism until his confusion about his faith leads him to commit suicide Then Una has a bizarre meeting in a forest with a sadly misrepresented, excessively Puritanical Nathaniel Hawthorne. Ultimately, she ends up with Ishmael, the narrator of Moby Dick, with whom she shares a feeling of oneness with the universe rather than a traditional faith in a higher being, i.e., God. This interesting interpretation is certainly the author’s prerogative, and her book has garnered much success. As a fellow author, I applaud her.

Initially, my Hannah suffers more conventional trials for a woman of her time. She loses her mother at birth, experiences a smallpox epidemic, and almost dies when her son is born. While her husband, Ahab, is at sea, Hannah’s father dies, and she is left nearly penniless. Then she must endure years of loneliness after Ahab goes whaling again instead of taking her on a promised sightseeing trip to Europe. When he returns from the voyage with one leg missing, she must cope with his bitterness and insanity. But despite her disappointment in organized religion and hypocritical Christians, Hannah finds a faith that sustains her because of the example of other suffering believers. In the end, she weeps over Ahab’s misunderstanding of the good and loving Father God she has found.

Different Interpretations

My interpretation of Ahab is different from Naslund’s. She changes some of the history Melville created for Ahab, sending him to sea at thirteen rather than eighteen and having him raised by his mother, who Melville tells us died when Ahab was twelve months old. Rather than give us Melville’s Ahab, whose great struggle is against a God Whom he sees as evil and unjust, she makes him an agnostic. Further, he is essentially the same moody and “smoldering” man before and after he loses his leg rather than being dramatically changed by the tragedy.

My Ahab embraces the Puritan concept of God but thinks Him unjust and refuses to worship Him. I believe Melville intended that Ahab wouldn’t actually rage against God until after he loses his leg. Then he actually tries to kill Him by killing that which he views as His instrument of unfair judgment, a “pasteboard mask” behind which God hides: the White Whale.

The Love Story

In Ahab’s Bride, the love of Hannah and Ahab is at center stage. Although Ahab sails away on three voyages during the course of the narrative, he is always a part of Hannah’s thoughts and decisions, as is true in loving marriages. She is his antithesis; therefore, when she suffers tragedies that parallel his, her response is exactly the opposite.

Una’s relationship with Ahab is limited and her marriage takes up less than a third of the book. Una and Ahab see themselves as female and male of the same person, though the reader may not. Further, although she is a loving person and truly loves Ahab, her life is in no way defined by her relationship to him. She could have been married to any wealthy, moody whaling captain who died at sea, and still have come to the same conclusions about faith, religion, God, and the universe.

Differences

Without a doubt, Ahab’s Wife is an engaging book. It is a huge work, and many of its elements will satisfy academic, feminist, and humanist critics. However, while realizing I am somewhat biased, I feel strongly that Naslund’s use of Melville’s character was simply a hook to draw an audience, making that connection clever but suspect. But again, we authors use many such devices, so I applaud her success.

On the other hand, I feel that I have responded to Melville’s clear message in Moby Dick: Ahab’s rage against God was both needless and futile. Ahab’s Bride further reveals that Ahab fought against a God he did not understand, to his own destruction. People of faith, and seekers as well, will find my version of Ahab’s “young girl-wife” eminently more satisfying than Una because Hannah rejects a faulty concept of God and instead responds to and accepts His love. Academics will acknowledge the validity of my research and interpretation. My thesis defense, a detailed exposition of my novel’s research and development, has been offered in my previous posts on this blog.

Concerning style

Naslund’s approach seems quite cerebral to me, while my narrative is more direct. A tale of Ahab’s wife can be told effectively through either method. To my way of thinking, we each chose the most appropriate style for our novels.

In My Defense

Finally, it is important to note that I found no overlaps in our story lines that might suggest I have copied her work. My novel was submitted as my master’s thesis in May 1999 and is archived from that date in the Rollins College Olin Library in Winter Park, Florida. I did not learn about the existence of Naslund’s novel until June 1999 and did not read it until late October of that same year.

My publisher, RiverOak Publishing, a now-defunct imprint of David C. Cook, showed sufficient faith in Ahab’s Bride (first published March 2004, released on Kindle 2013) to sign me to a three-book contract for my Ahab’s Legacy trilogy, which continues the story of Hannah Ahab as she struggles to raise her son alone in the 1840s. Book Two in the series, Hannah Rose, was released in February 2005 and on Kindle in 2013, and Book Three, Son of Perdition, was released in the spring of 2006, on Kindle in 2013. All are available at Amazon.com in ebook or print.

You Are the Final Judge

gray_lady_downUltimately, it is readers who decide the financial success of any novel. Naslund’s Ahab’s Wife was a bestseller. (NYT bestseller list https://is.gd/EdNR1d)Ahab’s Bride was not. A failure of  empty pocketsmarketing? Who knows. I must content myself with knowing I wrote the book of my heart, and a Christian publisher saw fit to publish it. While every author wants to make a living doing her art, I take great satisfaction in a project well done. (Woman with empty pockets from pinterest.com)

If you’re still with me on this journey, please stay tuned for my next post about the second book in my Legacy of Ahab series, in which Hannah struggles to rear her son…and perhaps even find God’s will for her own life.

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Keeping Easter In Our Hearts All Year Long…

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Author Mary Alford

Easter

As I write this, my family celebrated Easter yesterday and it was a wonderful day, filled with remembering what sacrifice was made for us so that we can have eternal life.

Normally, we have a party for the grandkids, but this year, some of my grandkids were not able to make it on Easter due to conflicts with their schedules, so my husband and I decided to postpone the children’s Easter party until next Sunday, so we get an extra day to celebrate.

We go all out on our party with a Walking with Jesus walk that takes us through the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, from the triumphant entry, to the crucifixion, to the empty tomb. That’s the highlight of the party. Then we do fishing with Paw Paw, real life Candy land, and many other games. But through  it all, we remind the girls why we celebrate Easter.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could keep that special Easter feeling all year long? Well, maybe we can. We just have to keep remembering the amazing sacrifice that was made for us that day when Jesus defeated death, the grave lost its power, and for those who put their trust in Jesus, heaven is certain.

So as the Easter decorations get put away for another year, let’s not put the gift that was given to us away as well. Let’s keep Easter there in our hearts all year long.

The latest from Mary

Layers Of The Truth – Available at Amazon

Layers of the Truth

Blurb:

When Cady Russell receives a heartbreaking call from Deputy Sheriff Aamon Lone Elk telling her that her sister has died in a fire that mimics the one that took her parents’ lives twenty years earlier, Cady knows she has to return to Wyoming to find out what really happened to Samantha.

Deputy Sheriff Aamon Lone Elk knows a little about grief himself. He lost his wife to a drunk driver five years earlier. Aamon still isn’t able to move beyond the pain. Yet meeting Cady Russell throws him. She is both beautiful and strong, and he is attracted to her right away.

Cady has been lost in the past as well, unable to move beyond the tragedy that claimed her parents. Now her sister is dead by the same means, and she is convinced the two fires are related.

As the attraction between then continues to grow, can Aamon keep Cady safe as they peel back the layers of lies connected to the two fires? Or will a killer bent on keeping his deadly acts secret send them both to their graves?

All the best…

Mary Alford

http://www.maryalford.net

 

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A Day to Rejoice by Tara Randel

Posted on April 2, 2018 by tararandel

Spring is here!

 

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.  And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”  Matt 28:1-10

Don’t be afraid. Words spoken by Jesus that are as powerful today as when spoken to His followers when they discovered He was indeed alive. I can imagine the shock, slowly morphing into joy, when they saw Jesus after two days of pain and confusion, thinking He was not coming back. We are connected by the very same joy, sharing the knowledge with those early believers that Jesus was true to His word and did come back to them. To us.

Let us take the example of Jesus, His life, His death and resurrection, and become a people who walk daily with a mighty Savior. The man who conquered death and the grave for us. Let the joy of that long ago morning fill us every day as we rejoice in His glory.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance coming in August 2018.  Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.

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All About the “Like” by Julie Arduini

Posted on March 28, 2018 by juliearduini

My husband jokes that I am the definition of the marriage book we highly recommend, Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti by Bill and Pam Farrel. Where men compartmentalize, women tend to start talking on one topic, switch to another, and another, and before you can stop her, she’s asking you what you thought of her wedding day.

He’s not wrong, and I try not to take him on a journey too crazy when I talk, but my mind tends to be jump around with all tabs open. Today is such a day, and the thing in common is “like.” I thought I’d share those thoughts with you.

  • The book I mentioned above. That helped start and keep our marriage. Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti. See, the word like. 🙂51ENkqaZmML._SX325_BO1,204,203,200_

 

  • As I write this, it’s my birthday, and our son noted that there were a lot of birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. I told him it’s probably because I have a wide selection of friends there. People I truly know, family, online friends, authors, readers. He joked that he’s going to become an author and when someone asks why, he would confess he’d want to be liked and have a lot of birthday wishes. We’re a silly family that likes to laugh.

 

  • I critique work as well as send my own chapters in to groups for their review. I also review books when I’m able. A romance I recently finished had a flaw that I’m on the lookout for when I critique—unlikable characters. If you have a hero/heroine that isn’t likable in the beginning, there needs to be something vulnerable there with a heart to change throughout the story. When there’s no change, the reader won’t want to keep reading. Who wants to read a romance with a whiny, obnoxious character that never evolves? The character can be troubled, but if they are straight-up mean with no backstory, I’m done. My favorite villain is Lex Luthor from Smallville. He was written with a brilliant backstory that explained why he became the criminal he did. It was so well done that I felt sorry for him. His path was laid out, but still, a part of me was rooting for him. I liked him despite his evil schemes. That’s a “like” I think about a lot as an author, and a reader.

 

  • The last like on my mind deals with my author page on Facebook. I am so close to 1000 likes. Crazy. Awesome. For the 1000th person who likes the page (not a post,) I plan to bless them with my Surrendering Time series and my latest release, You’re Beautiful. If it is an international winner, it will be eBooks. If US winner, they can choose between eBooks or softcover. facebook-box-1334045_960_720

 

There you have it. What things are on your mind that you like? It can be totally random, I love reading what you’re thinking about.

 

 

 

 

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The Wedding Kiss (by Hannah Alexander)

Posted on March 27, 2018 by alexanderhodde

At long last, I have uploaded my newly rewritten novel, The Wedding Kiss, to Kindle. If you belong to Kindle Unlimited, it’s there, too. I’m particularly excited about the cover, designed by a very good friend, Angela Hunt.

This book holds special meaning for me because it’s set in a place I’ve visited dozens of times over the years. Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was the setting for my very first novel in 1998, when the Great Passion Play was still being held. In fact I was allowed to be one of the actors in the play in order to get a better feel for what my character might experience, and I was allowed backstage with another novelist, Barbara Warren. Together we plotted the death of one of my antagonists.

Little did we know that someone else was working on the set that day. She overheard us plotting to kill, and she came storming through a door, demanding at the top of her lungs, “What’s going on out here!?” Once we got her settled down and explained what we were doing, she was very helpful and gave us inside information about the play, things I never would have discovered any other way.

We novelists get that a lot when we’re plotting–the shocked reactions when people think we’re actually plotting a death of a living human being.  It comes with the territory, and we’ve learned to take our plotting behind closed doors in order not to traumatize poor innocent bystanders.

Fast forward to today, and you won’t find my long-forgotten novel–The Healing Promise–for sale except maybe in some used book stores, and please remember it’s my first novel. I really would like to think my writing has improved since then.  The Great Passion Play has closed down. But I still enjoyed using the setting of Eureka Springs for my historical.

Here’s a blurb in case you’re interested:

Against the charming backdrop of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, one simple kiss draws two people into a discovery that will forever change their lives.

Marriage seems the only option for Keara McBride and Elam Jensen when Keara’s father gambles her home away and ends up in jail. Elam’s children need a mother’s care after the death of their mother less than a year ago. Keara loves the children and she misses her best friend.

But when Elam and Keara seal their vows at the altar with a kiss, their marriage of convenience suddenly becomes far less convenient. Their first kiss ignites sparks of attraction that leave them feeling guilty for betraying Gloria Jensen’s memory.

Everything becomes more complicated when a mysteriously injured visitor shows up on their wedding night, threatening to draw them and the children into deadly danger. But does she also hold a key to their future happiness?

The Wedding Kiss is being offered at a special price of 2.99. But don’t faint when you see hard copies of the first edition for sale for much more. Just click on the title with the picture you see above. Have a wonderful week.

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