Story Behind the Story: Fay Lamb
I’ve brought back the “Story Behind the Story” Series and am happy to share Fay Lamb’s story about her novel – Fay is a fabulous volunteer with ACFW and I’m excited to have her on my blog! – Nicole
I met Michael Hayes one cool autumn day while sitting on my porch. I’d been staring vacantly out at the cedar trees lining the backyard trying to plot a story.
Michael, unshaven, his hair a little scraggly, and his young face filled with tension, began to tell me his story. “There’s a young boy, Cole. I’m not his father, but he’s definitely on this earth because of me. I allowed something horrible to happen to his mother, but I still love her. I despise the kid, though. I’ve forgiven another for so much more, and Cole’s only fault is that his father is the man who took everything from me. How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?”
And as easily as Michael entered my imagination, he turned and walked away.
Michael’s revelation brought forth layer after layer of plot, and my novel, Because of Me was born.
Michael didn’t have to introduce me to the love of his life, Isabel “Issie” Putnam. I knew she had spunk. She’d gone on with her life, living it the best she could in the shadow of condemnation. Michael had been sent to prison for a crime he had not committed, but those who should have loved her best, thought her as guilty as they believed Michael had been. Despite the rumors and accusations, Issie raised her son, a child born of the most unspeakable act—one Michael was forced to watch.
And Issie expects Michael to deal with it. She loves him, but she isn’t about to let a man love her if he cannot love her son.
Michael’s question, “How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?” plagued me.
Michael’s journey is one that leads him and Issie to a full understanding of Christ-like forgiveness and the knowledge that God can use our mistakes and bring about the most wondrous of gifts. After all, God is in every detail of our lives.
For more information about Because of Me, go to www.faylamb.com.
Thank you, Fay!
“And now, the end is near…”
“And now, the end is near, and so I face, the final curtain…”
- Sinatra “My Way”
I’m referring to my latest manuscript, of course.
(not a cover - just me messing around in my graphic programs)
This project that I started for November’s Novel Writing Month has been a roller coaster of sorts – It is a book I began back in high school and have rewritten four times and re-edited another twenty times in between.
Having been so invested in this story and with a long and complicated history, there were times the two of us just didn’t get along. There were moments I contemplated re-writing the whole thing all over again.
But we worked out our differences. We came to compromises without sacrificing the heart of the story.
I’m thrilled and looking forward to typing “the end” – as much as I really don’t want the process to end.
Tell me about a book you read and/or wrote that you didn’t want to end.
Image credit: iStock Photo
Review: A Sound Among the Trees
Description:
For 150 years, Holly Oak, a spacious Southern home, has stood the test of time and wills in historic Fredericksburg with Civil War scars to prove it. Marielle Bishop marries into the family with multi-generational ties to the home, leaving behind her independence and her love of Arizona’s deserts to move to Holly Oak to become a wife and stepmother. But it isn’t long before Marielle is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings trouble and misfortune to all the women who live there. Local folklore has it that Susannah Page, a Yankee spy who housed Union soldiers, haunts Holly Oak because she’s longing for pardon. When Susannah’s great-granddaughter Adelaide McClane tells her that the house is “stuck” because of it’s tumultuous past, Marielle is determined to get past the rumors and uncover the secrets that are buried within its walls. With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must carve her new life out carefully as she sorts out the truth and makes peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.
My Review:
After having reviewed Meissner’s Lady in Waiting and The Shape of Mercy, I was thrilled to get another chance to read her writing. Meissner has a true gift of transporting you into the story and wrapping you into the character’s worlds.
That said, I was a little disappointed with A Sound Among the Trees. It was harder for me to get into and care about the characters, except for Susannah’s story. As a history writer, I knew the historical plot would interest me a little more than the contemporary (it’s just how I’m wired) but I wished the whole book was through Susannah’s perspective.
The details of the life at Holly Oak fascinated me and I loved the way Civil War history mixed with the story of these women. By the end, I was truly delighted and I loved spending time in Meissner’s phenomenal writing. Though the beginning half didn’t connect with me as quickly as her other novels, this is still a unique tale that will appeal to many readers.
Recommended!
Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book by Waterbrook-Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review.
Blog & Pinboard featured on Author Media
Pinterest for authors has been a hot topic these days, and the well respected Author Media group posted 3 Ways Authors can use Pinterest Guilt-Free.
I’m also honored they used my blog and my pinboards as an example!
Go to Author Media (add them to your Google Reader if you haven’t already) and check out the latest Pinterest post!
Running your dream with a partner
For 2012, I’ve planned on training running a couple 5K races. For no other reason than to motivate myself to exercise more regularly. During the summer, I commuted home on my bicycle, which kept me in good shape and in a good frame of mind. (“Discipline begets discipline.” – Jon Acuff, Quitter)
Part of my “training” has been recruiting people in far better shape than I to use as extra motivation. I’ve asked them to run the 5Ks with me or help me train. Sure, I’m happy to go running with you – even though you’ve played soccer and ran your whole life… (insert my painful whimper.)
But a lovely thing has happened. Even though we’re four weeks into 2012 and my training has been less frequent but still consistent, I’ve risen beyond my own expectations. Having people who hold you accountable, who run alongside you, matter.
This past weekend, I did my first real “trail run” with friend and personal trainer, Julie. (I use the word “run” lightly…It’s more of a jog/walk/limp combination.) Julie is spectacular as an encourager and she both went at my pace but pushed me. She offered helpful stretches and stories from her own running and triathlon experiences. Knowing you’re not alone and hearing where others started is powerful while you’re in the struggle between “is this really worth it?” and “I don’t really need to push myself this hard…”
Push yourself. Go after your dream, whatever it is. Have someone to cheerlead and encourage you. Rely on those with more experience and knowledge.
A few more thoughts on Pinterest
I wrote an overview of Pinterest and it’s potential for businesses, writers and the every-day Joe. But after using it for a while more and discussing it with other authors, social media gurus and friends, I have some more thoughts:
1. For authors, Pinterest needs to be a tool to reach new audiences.
Among writers groups, we can get sucked in to promoting our work to each other. And only each other. Writers hopefully aren’t your target audience if you’re writing science fiction. They are a part of it, sure. But you need to go out and seek other science fiction readers! When you first started reading your favorite genre, did you find it through a writing group that the author belonged to? No, you had a friend recommend the book, perhaps.
So writers need to be out there, immersed in their audience. Marketing to their audience.
The same goes to businesses!
2. When I say I use the “Boards” to plot and brainstorm for my novels, I’m not posting and pinning super-relevant details. I’m pinning whatever image inspires me.
No, we don’t want to “give away” the plot to the novel we’ve spent ten years developing. But if you’re working on a tough scene and need a little visual organization, going to the history boards can help spur you on!
3. You can really tell a lot about people by what they “pin.”
I mean this in a good way. I’ve learned new things about people I’ve known and started following on Pinterest and I love it! We’re visual by nature. First impressions are usually appearances and it is hard to shake those.
On the other hand, Pinterest is completely public and there aren’t any privacy settings. That said, I hope people remember their digital cork-boards shouldn’t be the same as what might be pinned in a private office. Digital information is forever and your digital resume will follow you for years to come. I have not seen an instance among the pinners I follow, but I throw this caution out there.
If you want an invite, leave a comment below and I’ll send you one! Feel free to explore my boards and get a feel for the site. Maybe it’s your cup of tea, maybe it isn’t.
Things I’ve learned in editing my NaNoWriMo Novel…
1. Coming up with good character names in the midst of cranking out 50,000 words in 30 days is not my strongest suit.
My fabulous critique partners were commenting on some of my lesser characters and when I said their names aloud, I just closed my eyes and shook my head. I’d named two of my characters Hans and Leah. (Cue the Star Wars theme music.) How had that even happened? I’m not really sure, and granted “Leah” isn’t exactly “Leia…” Time for me to use that magic “find + replace” feature.
2. If I took out all of the “he nodded” or “she nodded” in the manuscript, I’m pretty sure I’d be a far cry from having reached 50,000 words.
Everyone has pet phrases, sure. But somehow, with this manuscript, my characters were doing so much nodding, I’m sure they’re going to need a chiropractor.
3. Sometimes, leaving “blanks” where I need to finish research and come back to fill in means more work later on. A lot more work.
Needless to say, I’ve had to rework the plot a few times, re-edit the whole manuscript to align details, and I might rethink this strategy in the coming NaNoWriMo. Granted, with this story, there are a lot of little details that aren’t easily discovered, considering the foreign setting for the first half. It is also based on a true story and I wanted to honor the real tale while adding my own twists. It’s all working itself out – slowly, but surely.
4. Once you lose the NaNoWriMo momentum, it is hard to get it back.
This year, I’m focusing on discipline and setting up better daily routines. Because I have so many things I want to accomplish, this is just a reality. While I’ve succeeded so far in some areas, my writing hasn’t maintained the same level of discipline. I’m working on that. Deadlines for critique groups are my saving grace.
5. Thank goodness for revision and editing.
I cringe at the thought of my rough drafts ever being seen by anyone aside from me or a select writing partner. If anyone ever stumbles upon my rough drafts after my death and feels so inclined to publish said drafts, don’t. I’ll come and haunt you in your sleep.
I saw a quote the other day about every good novel you’ve enjoyed is a result of that writer cutting mercilessly – and it is true. Writing is more about careful revision than anything else.
Anyone else editing their NaNoWriMo novel? Or any manuscript? Do you discover something new about your writing every time you go through the process?
Through the eyes of animals: perspective and effect
“…a horse’s life is maybe even more important than a man’s, ’cause a horse hasn’t got no evil in him except any that’s put there by men…”
- War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
After seeing War Horse in a pre-screening and blogging about it, I’ve been thrilled to watch the responses of others who have gone to see “War Horse” or who have read the book, which is sitting high on the Kindle Bestseller list (even though the book was published back in the 80s.)
What is it about this story that is so gripping?
What is it that has touched so many people?
What is it that keeps people from even going to see it?
The animals. Seeing the war through the eyes of a horse, taken from his serene country home to enter the torrent of slaughter and death in the Great War battlefields.
I have friends who can watch violent movies without flinching. Human-on-human violence is almost overdone that we’re immune to it (cue the Hunger Games reference). But at the thought of going to see “War Horse,” they balk and say, “I couldn’t handle watching that…”
Think Old Yeller. Where the Red Fern Grows. Bambi. These movies all deeply touch their viewers. And for most people, watching them once is more than enough.
As a long-time animal lover, horse owner and advocate, these movies and books all deeply touch me as well. What touches me more is the bringing to light of issues that the public largely ignores. Animal abuse and abandonment, shown even through snips and scenes of this powerful movie, are even more real today than they were in 1914.
War Horse has earned some award nominations and mixed reviews but still ranked well among box offices. But if telling these stories by focusing on these animals is “too hard” for some viewers, does it accomplish it’s goal?
Have you seen War Horse yet? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments, please!
The flood of January 2012
January 2012 is not yet over, but in the past five days, there has been a flood of epic proportions. I’m not only talking about rain.
This is the flooded creek in my neighborhood. Normally it is only around three or four feet wide and a foot or two deep. All over Oregon, there are flooding streets, backed up drains and even closed schools.
Earlier this week, Washington and Oregon were hit with ice and snow.
But the flood I’m referring to is less literal. Two of my dear friends received exciting news and I’ve been really happy for them. It’s been a true flood of emotions this week and as it is only the first month of 2012, I’m so excited to see what the rest of the year will bring.
Have you ever had days, weeks, months where there was a torrent of emotions and experiences that left you breathless?
Pulling words and thoughts out of the air
Ever have those days where you just aren’t sure where your words and thoughts are even coming from?
I’ve been struggling a bit with coming up with blog topics for this week, yet I’ve been sending others handfuls of ideas for them to write in other areas. Why is my well of creativity overflowing in some areas and not others?
So, I decided the one thing to do when you don’t know what to blog about…is blogging about not knowing what to blog about.
Make sense?
Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to pull an idea out of nothing and putting that idea on paper. As a freelancer, I had no problem going after a story I was assigned. When it came to coming up with my own story idea, I faltered.
But then, ideas are everywhere. Headlines in the news. A conversation you overhear. An intriguing image. A scene you dreamt last night. A spin-off from another blog you read…
Endless possibilities. So why can’t you grasp onto just one and run with it?
I wouldn’t call it writer’s block or even a creativity block. Perhaps it is just that there is too much. Too much dammed up and waiting to overflow. That could leave you paralyzed with indecision above anything else.
So how do you overcome this?
- Just start writing. Open a notebook, a word document, a blank blog post. Write whatever comes into that little brain of yours.
- Absorb more inspiration. If you expose yourself to even more blogs, articles, topics that fill you will even more ideas, you’re bound to overflow and end up with something on the page. (Hypothetically.)
- Give in and move onto something else. But come back to it later and work through it. Sometimes you just can’t force it.
My other freebie – have a friend you can rant to and let that spill over and inspire you to get back to that typing. Skype is invaluable for said rants.
Onward, my friends. Hang in there.
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