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!
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Recycling Week – Best of Author Interviews
I’ve been blessed to interview a lot of authors over the past two years – here is a blogroll of my favorites!
The incredible Sarah Sundin helped me navigate my way into the real world of writing. She encouraged me and offered her advice without hesitation. All through email and Facebook. One day, I hope to meet her in person and truly thank her. 
Her interview on my blog (my first author interview!) is in two parts and shares a bit about her own journey to publication! Part 1, Part 2
Cara Putman is ever-talented and author of many books – She shares her inspiration and why she loves historical fiction.
Tiffany Amber Stockton writes a variety of historical novels as well and offers some of her favorite resources for historical research, and in part two, she offers some advice to newbies.
I had the pleasure of working with Jillian Kent in a critique group for a short time and I am ever awed at her fantastic writing. In her interview on my blog, she shares why accuracy is important in historical novels, and in part two, she describes a few of the bumps along her writing road.
Of course, dozens of authors contributed to my Story Behind the Story series – where we learned the history that sparked an idea enough to grow into a full flame.
Read MoreTelling the story of your life…through Social Media
A Screenshot of my Timeline (viewable to developers only)
The new Timeline feature and enhanced News Feed have caused a stir in the past months. (Some might say it’s a bit more than a stir…)
Change is inevitable. Change is necessary. If Facebook didn’t change and adapt, they’d be left behind. (Even though many users complain at any inconvenience to their user experience.)
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, announced this Timeline would become a virtual scrapbook that would “tell the story of your life.” The Facebook mission has always been to “make the world more open and connected.” With 800 million, the social network is well on it’s way.
The idea of sharing the story of your life caught my attention. As a chronic scrap-booker, having this information and images on one page, available to share, rather than stuck on a dusty shelf, is divine. You can control what people see in your timeline (so you can hide rather embarrassing music choices, etc., from past years) and you can add photos and information into the years before you joined Facebook.
I’ve played around with this and it is all too engaging. It might even suck you in more than you have the time for.
All for the sake of a story.
We all have a unique story. We all have high and low points. We all have lessons learned. To be frank, some lives will be more interesting than others. But that level of interest is in the eye of the beholder. Family can see all you’ve done. Friends. Beaus. (Be careful of that one!)
What are your thoughts on this twist of social media focus? Do you want to share your story or did you like things as they were?
Note: I’m not so naive to not realize the benefits of everyone’s lives stored on one central location and what that means for advertisers, etc. But you only put what you want seen. You also are under no obligation to participate in Facebook, so if you have a problem with it, you can put your energies into another activity or site.
Read MoreStory Behind the Story: Staci Stallings
In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have named the book “A Work in Progress.” Maybe that was my first clue of how long this particular book would take to write.
The planting of the seed happened over a message board about 10 years ago. Remember message boards? You posted something, then other people responded, and you had a nice little conversation about a certain topic. Well, I started posting about this show that I really liked on TV at the time. Another young lady was posting as well, and we got into this big (but good-natured) argument about which guy on the show was our favorite.
She liked one of the guys that I would never in a million years have ever thought about dating. In the midst of this conversation, I wrote two different books featuring the guy I liked from the show. Then she emailed one day (after the message boards had shut down and we had remained friends despite our different tastes in guys) and said she thought I should write one about the guy she liked.
That sparked a long conversation with myself about why anyone would like this guy. Strangely, the more I asked the question, the more I realized how much he had to offer the right girl. I realized there were things about him that no one probably knew because although part of him was the comedy guy often claiming the center of attention, there was a lot about the other sides of who he really was that got looked over and even sometimes trampled upon.
So I started this story “A Work in Progress” about Rebecca Avery, a college student who would never be one of the popular kids. She watches them, envies them, and hates them. Then one day she literally runs into Eric Barnett in one of the all-time classic scenes I have ever been given the honor of writing. In fact, one of my problems over the seven years it took to write this one was that each time I pulled it up, I thought I just had to start reading it from the beginning to know where I was again.
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. (Pick up the Price of Silence now for only $0.99!) Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including: Books In Print, Kindle, & FREE on Spirit Light Works: http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/, Staci’s website http://www.stacistallings.com.
Story Behind the Story: Mary Moore
I’m a Regency fanatic. I fell in love with the time period when I read my first one at age 15. As the years went by, however, the stories became more and more predictable (given the fact that the Regency period only encompasses about 15 years in England’s history, it did limit the story lines). But 15 years ago I came up with my own idea for a story, different than I’d ever read, and I wrote it. Basically, I wrote it for me. I was experiencing medical problems and it took doctors two years to diagnose me with Lupus. In my story, the heroine faces struggles in her life due to a physical problem, and I could incorporate real feelings and real frustration dealing with the medical profession.
In 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
At the end of that two-year ordeal, I pulled that story out and revised it to reflect more of the personal experiences I faced. I incorporated, most importantly, that the hero and heroine would begin their story as friends. My husband and I started as friends and when we married, we had more than a husband and wife relationship, we had a “stand by you” kind of friendship on top of our “for better or worse” vows. My husband was there for me every step of the way and I wanted the hero to be there through the heroine’s struggles so their bond would be stronger because of it.
Read MoreStory Behind the Story: Lynn Squire
How did you come up with the plot and characters for your novel?
I was studying the book of Job and developed the plot from it. Since I wanted it to be set in Alberta, I pictured a North West Mounted Police Officer, Sergeant Dixon, and a farmer, Joab Black. Over the course of time, Dixon informed me who he was. Not at all whom I sketched out originally. I didn’t think he’d be so prominent in the book. Then Joab slipped to the background more. His story being Job’s story, he felt that the readers might feel depressed if he played center stage.
What inspired you the most about this story that you had to write it down?
The need to keep your focus on eternity and not on the hardships of today. Dixon kept telling me how miserable he was and revealed to me how important it was to humble ourselves before God. As I got to know him, I found he asked big questions that demanded I didn’t give a simple response. I think I wrote to him, or people like him, who wouldn’t settle for a pat answer.
Joab’s Fire released in June – check it out and more about Lynn on her website!
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