Join the Sonshine Barn Team! With Christmas at Sonshine Barn in the developmental editor’s desk, I’m working on the marketing plan for a late fall release. I’m like a kid discovering a new sport as I’m learning how to launch a book, but a little unsure how it’ll all play out. I’m praying for guidance, wisdom, and peace. Have you experienced this …
Travel to Amalfi, Italy I’m revising Rescue in Amalfi, a short story about my protagonists, Garrett Bettencourt and Celine Monroe. When they’re twelve years old, they meet for the first time in Amalfi, Italy. You might’ve already read the original version since I emailed it to subscribers. But after hiring someone to copyedit it, I made changes. It’s an important story because it inaugurates …
Thanks for your input! Last month, I asked you to help me settle on a surname for my antagonist by providing a poll of options including suggesting your own. I didn’t expect such a great turnout. I received nine suggestions and others voted on the listed names. Since I wanted the name tied to Jordan’s personality, I looked up each surname’s origin and meaning. Based on the …
A Scholastic Book Order, Circa 2008 If you’re an avid reader like me, you probably remember the excitement of buying new books as a kid. The spring and fall book fairs, the monthly Scholastic book order. As a mom, I enjoyed the experience anew when my boys were in elementary school. Although, I had to temper their enthusiasm when they …
Personal Corner Like my protagonist, Garrett Bettencourt, in my Christmas novella, Robert and I spent Christmas in Northern Michigan. Thankfully, we arrived before the snowstorm and left after it blew over. Similar to a chapter in Christmas at Sonshine Barn, we went snowshoeing. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring warm enough gloves, so Robert let me wear his. He wore a less …
Personal Corner One fall day, I looked outside at the pond behind our house. There, these beautiful birds were gracefully dancing above the waters like a ballet troupe. I hadn’t seen them before and their sweeping aerial flights mesmerized me. My husband looked them up in a field guide and discovered they are a type of gull. They fly south …
Meeting my Goal: Last month, I shared about joining an accountability group for writing. I was slacking on making my morning writing top priority. So, I teamed with my writing group, Lady Lits, and we created an accountability system. My October goal was to write for 25 hours a week and spend additional 10 hours on writing-related activities. Drum roll, …
Appreciate all the helpful feedback on the book cover! We had a three-way tie. The winners were: the stairs close up, the stairs farther away, and the boat. We need another vote, but this time, I included the book title and author name. Thanks to author Mary Felkins for pointing out that the pictures needed space for the book title …
Personal Corner: Robert and I are getting settled into our new home and loving it. We’re enjoying walks in the nearby park, getting acquainted with our neighbors, and beautifying our place. I admit, unpacking has overwhelmed me. It didn’t help I started with the kitchen, the largest area to unpack. I felt as though we’d live with boxes forever. But …
Vote Since I’m wrapping up my short story, “The Amalfi Rescue,” I need a book cover. (It won’t be a print short story but a PDF. Yet, I still need an appealing cover.) To help you select the cover, here’s context for “The Amalfi Rescue.” Twelve-year-old Garrett Bettencourt is vacationing in Italy with his family. He is visiting Amalfi, a …
