Just Keep Writing

"If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor."

-Edgar Rice Burroughs

 

This is a truth I keep reminding myself of when I am certain that everything I've ever written is horrible. Just keep writing. And may the odds be ever in your favor!! (Sorry, I couldn't resist). ;)

Blog Tour Kick-off: Olive and the Great Flood

Today I'm thrilled to kick-off Connie Arnold's blog tour for the release of her latest book: OLIVE AND THE GREAT FLOOD.

This is a Noah and the Ark story told from the point of view of the dove:

Olive is a gentle friendly dove who wants to help her friends Noah, his family and the other animals with her on the ark. She tries to soothe them during the rain and has an important assignment, to discover when it’s safe to venture from the ark after the flood.

With fun rhyming verses and bold artwork, kids are sure to love Olive. I appreciated her up-beat outlook (despite the hardships of the ark), and her spirit of serving others. It's not just about enduring the hard stuff, but enduring it well. (Definitely something I strive to do).

Connie agreed to answer a few questions here today. Those who comment will be entered into drawings for two prizes, a signed copy of Connie's first children’s book, ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP, and a gold dove windchime. Just saying, but the windchime is beautiful! Visit her blog for the details.

And here we go!

Me: Congratulations on the publication of Olive and the Great Flood! So what inspired you to tell this story from the perspective of the dove?

Connie: I have read this story many times before, heard it as a small child and was always fascinated about all those animals going onto the ark and surviving the flood. Children always seem to enjoy animals and stories about animals. I see things a little differently now that I have grandchildren and have started writing for young children. It just struck me how important the dove flying out to bring back the olive leaf was to the story, and she suddenly had a personality and a mission!

Me: The dove is essential, for sure! And I love the character you created in Olive. Your readers can see Olive’s efforts to help others and that she takes pride in the important job she is given. Have you ever had an Olive in your life—someone who influenced you by their service and good attitude? Can you tell us about him/her? How did he/she influence you?

Connie: A teacher I had who was always cheerful and seemed to really care about each student influenced me in a positive way. As a shy, quiet child it was hard to express myself to others, and she encouraged me in gentle ways much as Olive gently soothes the animals on the ark.

Me: And now look . . . you are sharing your voice with countless others! My High School English teacher was like that for me. She probably has no idea the impact she made. Hmmm . . . must amend that. Anyway, so now that you have the opportunity to influence others, what do you hope your readers will take away from Olive and the Great Flood?

Connie: I hope a sense that even the small things you do during your life can make a big impact on others. Doing your best and helping others can give your life greater meaning and joy. Also, remember the promise of the rainbow and God’s love!

Me: I completely agree! The small things really add up. We shouldn't be afraid to do what we can because we think it's too small, or wouldn't have a big enough impact. 

So as I writer, I also wanted to talk a little about you and your writing process. It’s such a personal thing for each of us. What inspires you in your writing? Or put another way, how do you develop your ideas?

Connie: My grandchildren and other children inspire my writing for the young ones. Once an idea is born, it grows and blooms into a story or dies a natural death. I think you and other writers can relate to that. When it grows and develops it is worth all the efforts of changing, redoing, editing, cutting and writing again that make it be worth reading and enjoying.

Me: I can definitely relate. Many, many ideas never make it past the idea stage. But the ones that do are without a doubt a labor of love. Even so, I still struggle sometimes getting the story into readable shape. How about you? What has been your biggest struggle as an author?

Connie: My health and energy level have caused a struggle at times. I have lupus and some other issues that leave me very painful and drained at times. It is hard to focus and be productive at those times. I find the promotion of my books much harder than the writing actually. 

Me: My aunt has lupus, so I've seen how draining that can be. It just makes me all the more amazed at your accomplishments and determination. And I can definitely see that about promotion. I feel I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me where promotion is concerned. So with all you are doing, what legacy do you hope to leave as an author?

Connie: Since I feel that my writing ability and being a published author are because of God’s help and blessings, I hope to leave inspiration, joy and a blessing to those who read what I have written.

Me: What a great legacy. If we could all just leave the world with a little more inspiration and joy, this world would be a better place. Okay, and now a fun question or two: If you could get any book signed by the author (alive or dead), what would it be?

Connie: Can I say the Bible? It is one book, but think of all those authors. Wouldn’t that be fantastic!

Me: It would be! A worthy choice, for sure! Actually, given the topic of your book, I had a feeling you'd say that. ;) And of course, because this is me, you knew I had to ask this . . . what would Olive’s personalized license plate be? :D 

Connie: COO2U 

Haha! I love it! Thanks so much for letting me be part of your tour. :) And to the rest of ya'll, don't forget to comment for a chance to win the aforementioned prizes!

Have a great week!

Links for OLIVE AND THE GREAT FLOOD:

Amazon

Guardian Angel Publishing

Connie’s blog for tour schedule and prizes

Happy News and Lost Voices

So last month I came down with this nasty cold that not only left me miserable, but completely stole my voice. I could barely even whisper. It was crazy! Alas, a mom's job is never done, so I couldn't just stay home. After dropping my boys off at Tae Kwon Do, I took Girlie to gymnastics and found a spot on the bleachers where I could sit on my own and not have to talk.

 

I pulled out my phone and there it was. An email from my agent.

 

My stomach flip-flopped. I stared at it, debating if I should open it right then or just wait.

 

But I'm a firm believer in ripping bandaids off fast. Just get it over with.

 

Deep breath. I tapped the phone.

 

I read the short note. Read it again.

 

"You have an offer!"

 

I wanted to scream, but of course I couldn't. I texted my husband, and instantly my phone rang. I totally had to decline the call. Stupid monster, voice-stealing cold!

 

But guys!!! That gif up there has been me ever since. Every time I remember the news again.

 

MY BOOK SOLD!!!



 

The Super Bowl and Stinky Endings

So last night was the Super Bowl.

I haven't watched one in years, but I saw last night's game. Confession, I actually really love watching football. I only do it on rare occasions, but when I do, I'm all in. I even yell at the tv and everything.

Yep. I'm one of THOSE people.

And last night's was a great game. Patriots in the lead, then the Seahawks. And middle of the 4th quarter, the Patriot's pull it out and take the lead. All they have to do is hold the Seahawks. Keep them from getting a touchdown. That's all. Because a field goal wouldn't be enough.

But the Seahawks were playing well, and Russell Wilson (their quarterback) was on fire. Mr. Dead Aim himself. THEN, in addition to playing well, the Seahawks caught a long bomb that is the LUCKIEST catch I have ever seen! Ever. Like, I had to watch the re-play more than once to believe it really happened. The Patriot got a hand on the ball and both guys tumble to the ground, except the ball doesn't hit the ground!!! It hits the Seahawk and bounces up! And the guy---I  don't even know how since he just took a huge fall---has enough sense to reach out and catch the thing and jump up and start running again!

Seriously! That catch will be re-played for YEARS to come. Years!

Anyway, so there is 1:30 on the clock. All the Seahawks have to do is move the ball 3 yards to get a touchdown. First down they get a two-and-a-half yards. So second down and all that's standing between them and another Super Bowl win is a measly half yard. A HALF YARD!!

And Tom Brady (the Patriot's quarterback in case you don't know) is watching with his stoic face, and you can practically hear what he's thinking. Like, I did everything I could and it comes to this because of a lucky catch. Unbelievable.

So the ball is snapped, and Wilson launches the short pass for an easy touchdown, except WAIT! A rookie Patriot reads the play and INTERCEPTS!!! With twenty seconds left!

I mean, you can't write this stuff, people. It was amazing! Of course in the last 20 seconds, there was the penalty for illegal motion, and then another for the fight that broke out, but that's all pishtosh. The game was over with the interception. The Patriot's won!!!

So you're probably thinking, why did you tell us all that? This is a writing blog, not a sports blog. Well, of course I have a point.

The thing is, the Seahawks have this amazing running back named Marshawn Lynch. They had been moving the ball really well all night. And I'm only guessing here, but I bet they thought, Let's change things up and throw the ball because they won't be expecting that!

Well, clearly that didn't work out for them. And now I'm just guessing again, but I bet they wish they could just go back and re-write that ending. Go back to what they should have done, and run the ball the mere half-yard that they needed to win.

Stinks for them, because that's not possible . . . BUT it's totally possible for us as writers! We can go back, erase what didn't work, and rewrite a more satisfactory ending, or beginning, or middle, or whatever it is we need.

Rewriting can be hard, but it's SO AWESOME! All the possibilities are open to us. We're never trapped in anything. If a story isn't working, we can fix it.

We can fix it.

And that is my point.

So did you watch the Super Bowl? What did you think?