 |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| WordVessel |
| This blog chronicles my journey into the world of writing. It includes posts on the craft of writing, book reviews & giveaways, author interviews, and devotional posts. |
| Language: English |
| RSS Feeds for this Blog |
|
Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 0 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 161145 |
| Visitors Out: 539 |
| Total Visitors Out: 8995 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| How To Build A Story - Part 4 |
| 2009-12-30 06:00:01 |
So far in this series on story building, we've covered characterization, Act 1, and Act 2. Today we'll finish off the series with Act 3.
This part of the story is also known as The Resolution, Final Push, or the Last Battle. It can include the following:
Some sort of thematic representation of the Big Lie or Greatest Fear. (My second novel is at the forefront of my mind, so I'll use it as an example. My main character, Trish, feels incompetent since her family seems to always step in to rescue her. As you can imagine, she tries to do things on her own rather than ask for help. The result? At the beginning of Act 3, she's on the verge of destitution. Desperately attempting to hold on to her rat-infested apartment becomes a symbol for trying to pridefully handle the challenges of being a single parent without the help of her loving and supportive family.)
Character change ~ The reader must be shown how the character has undergone significant change since the beginning of the novel. Thi...
|
| |
|
| BOOK REVIEW: "Powers" by John B. Olson |
| 2009-12-29 10:55:34 |
"Bury me standing. I must be buried standing."
This neck-hair-standing-on-end type of book is not my usual read, but every once in a while I try to venture outside my comfort zone to read other genres. This venture was well worth the trip.
Powers by John B. Olson tells the story of a young woman who has lived her entire life in the creepy swamps of Louisiana, entertained by her grandfather with stories of a legendary prophet.
One night, surrounded by an ominous darkness known as The Badness, Mariutza cradles her dying grandfather in her arms as he breathes his last request.
Now she must brave the world she has never known in an attempt to find Jaaziniah the Prophet.
Meanwhile, down-and-out musician Jazz Rechabson is hounded by persistent and terrifying dreams. To make matters worse, he is hunted by government officials, policemen, and hooded men.
Will this backwoods girl and life-hardened man be able to stand together to overcome The Badness?
If you're a fan of Frank Peretti,...
|
| |
|
| How To Leave a Comment |
| 2009-12-28 11:16:46 |
I've had a lot of people ask how to leave a comment on a book giveaway, so I thought I'd write a how-to post for those of you who would like to enter book drawings, but find it tricky to navigate through the process.
First of all, if you're reading this on Facebook, you'll need to come directly to the blog to comment. The web address is http://WordVessel.blogspot.com.
Once you've made it to the blog, look directly underneath the title of the post. You'll see my name as the author of the post, as well as the date and time the article was posted. Next you'll see a number followed by the word "comments." Click on that, and another screen will pop up. This is the comment screen.
Scroll down to the bottom of that screen, and you'll find a rectangular box. This is the comment box. Put your cursor in that box and click. Now you can type in the box. For all the drawings, I ask commenters to leave their e-mail address so I can contact them if their name is drawn in the book giveaways. To pre...
|
| |
|
| Don't Forget to Remember |
| 2009-12-27 06:00:00 |
Sometimes in our haste to begin the New Year, to start over with a blank canvas, to get rid of the old in favor of the new, we forget to remember.
Several times throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses exhorted the people of God to "not forget" and to "remember" all that God had done for them. Why?
Because when we fail to remember all that God has done, we become selfish and discontent ingrates, seeking our way instead of God.
So I hope you'll join me this week (as we usher out the old and usher in the new) in remembering all that God has done.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing priase to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, O descendants of Israel His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones." ~1 ...
|
| |
|
| Winners & Links |
| 2009-12-26 06:00:01 |
LINKS
I found this post about not giving up so very touching: On Dying, Mothers, & Fighting For Your Ideas at CopyBlogger.
WINNERS:
The winner of The Glassblower by Laurie Alice Eakes is...Edwina!
The winner of The Stones by Eleanor Gustafson is...Glynn!
I've sent you both an e-mail. If you'll reply with your mailing addresses, I'll make sure the addresses are forwarded, so you can get your books!
Thanks to everyone for participating, and for our awesome authors!
Happy New Year!
Cathy
...
|
| |
|
| The Greatest Gift |
| 2009-12-25 06:00:00 |
Click on the picture above to see my Christmas card to you.
Wrapped in the cover of angel song and star-lit night
came the greatest gift the world has ever known.
JESUS!
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."
~Luke 2:10-11
May the joy of His coming and the light of His love
be yours this Christmas!
...
|
| |
|
| AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Laurie Alice Eakes (& Book Giveaway!) |
| 2009-12-22 06:00:06 |
I'm delighted to welcome author Laurie Alice Eakes to WordVessel. Tell us a little about yourself.
Stories are important to me. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of being read to or having a story told to me. So becoming a writer seemed like a natural progression from there. My Master’s degree is in writing, and I love teaching writing courses. Besides a writer, I am a wife and mother of four four-footed children in the form of two dogs and two cats.
How long have you been writing and when was your first book published?
How long is really difficult, since I had a lot of fits and starts. I say four years to make it simple, before I had my first book published in 2006.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Watching movies, esp. old ones, listening to music, going to the beach, spending time with my husband, reading all sorts of things.
Tell us how you come up with characters.
Story comes to me first, then figure out the kind of people who need to belong in that ...
|
| |
|
| Writing For Him (Novel Update) |
| 2009-12-21 08:47:38 |
First, I must begin this letter with heartfelt gratitude to so many people, old friends and new, who have joined me in this journey of birthing a book. God has provided so many mentors, friends, and encouragers who have allowed themselves to be used by God in my life. Some are readers, some are writers, some are family members, all are part of God's family. Because of you, my life is blessed and enriched.
Even as I write these words, my eyes are filled with tears at your generous hearts. Our God is so incredibly good, isn't He? He provides all we need and so much more!
The past two months have been difficult for me on many levels, but one of the things I've struggled with most is knowing what God would have me do with my writing. My heart's desire is to know Him and make Him known in whatever avenues He sees fit to open for me. I believe one way I can make Him known is through my stories.
I've labored over my first novel, Texas Roads (originally titled These Roads Lead Home). I've ...
|
| |
|
| Light Has Dawned |
| 2009-12-20 09:19:02 |
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." ~Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
An oppressive darkness engulfed the cavernous and cold room where we were to sing. Our team had been in southeast Asia almost an entire week and were exhausted beyond belief. How could we be a light to these people?
I remember trying to pray, and having the distinct impression my prayers couldn't penetrate the low ceiling or the darkness. Our group did the best we could, singing with all the strength we could muster. We could only trust that the slide presentation and our facial expressions would overcome the language barrier with the message of hope we'd come to deliver.
After our portion of the program, I sat off to one side, a leaden weight on my heart, and tried once more to pray. I peered across the sea of factory workers' faces, their lives so different than my own. Could they possibly comprehend the message we shared?
Then a sm...
|
| |
|
| Updates, Blog Award, Links & Winners |
| 2009-12-19 06:00:01 |
This past Monday night I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Pulpwood Queens' Book Club Christmas party. (Don't you just love the name of their book club?) These wonderful ladies made me feel right at home, and even made me an honorary queen for the night. Check out the tiara! =)
Good food, talking books, and great company--what's not to love? Thanks, ladies!
BLOG AWARD:
My awesome crit partner, Ralene, bestowed the Superior Scribbler Award on me at her blog, Faith, Hope, and Suspense.
Now to pass it on to awesome writers. (Okay, this is NOT easy. I know tons of awesome writers.)
Candee at Encouragement for the Journey
Eileen at A Christian Romance Writer's Journey
Lisa at Musings
Christy at At Split Ends
Jeannie at Where Romance Meets Therapy
LINKS:
Here's an interesting article from Business Week that compares and contrast the Kindle (Amazon eReader) and the Nook (Barnes & Noble eReader).
Love, love, LOVE this simple, yet handy take on the To Do List at www.T...
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
