Jill Kemerer

Friday, August 19, 2011

I'm a Comma

I'm a comma.

A comma conveys something unfinished. It leaves the reader hanging, safe with the knowledge more is yet to come, that something important, something vital still remains to be read.

I think of my life the same way. The beginning of the sentence, and my life, are fulfilled, but they aren't complete. Not yet.

Since I'm an optimist, I know--deep down know--the comma is signalling another independent clause awaits. The rest of my life will have a complete subject, a complete predicate, and possibly a dependent clause too. I'm not a run-on type of gal, so more commas will fit in somehow.

And since I'm a firm believer in ending the sentence with something big, I believe something grand will continue my life.

I'm hoping the next word in my sentence isn't a "but" or "however." I'd prefer an "and" or "plus." I'm a little selfish that way.

Where do you see the next part of your sentence going? Are you a comma? A question mark?

Have a happy Friday!

5 Easy Questions with Laura Frantz!

Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or best-selling--all have made an impact on my life.

Thank you for joining me in welcoming… Laura Frantz!!

Major gushing alert! I first heard of Laura through my sister-in-law who recommended The Frontiersman's Daughter to me. Instead of that book, I ran across Courting Morrow Little and promptly picked it up. I was instantly smitten. Laura is so gifted in creating complex plots and deep conflicts. Imagine my surprise when I realized we are agency mates! We began e-mailing each other--my messages were, and still are, of the starstruck you're amazing, how do you do it variety, and Laura is so sweet to put up with me. Indeed, she graciously sent me an author copy of her new book, The Colonel's Lady, which made me a very happy woman.

I read it in less than 24 hours. I did not want it to end. I sat on the beach, ignoring the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, eating Pringles with one hand and turning pages with the other. I lost track of how many times I whirled to my patient (God love him) husband with an update. "Ooo, the Indian prisoners sent him a special present and he better not take it," or "Oh, no! Is he going to propose? Will she accept?" and "No wonder he's such a sweetheart to Abby..." and finally, "Tell her your secret!!"

More information and my review of The Colonel's Lady is at the end of this post. But for now... Let's get to it!

1. Beverage of choice?

Sparkling water and cranberry with a twist of lime--I'm trying to wean myself off of Dr. Pepper Cherry!

2. Any pets?

Yes, too many! Our twin black cats just had two litters of four kitties each, and all are black but one. It's a beautiful gray and we think we might keep her. We also have a dog named Digger who made a brief appearance in Courting Morrow Little.

3. Dream vacation?

I love Scotland and its history and heroes so would have to name this first. I'd stay in a Scottish castle or those wayside B&B's and make time for plenty of writing, reading, eating, and historical sites.

4. What are you listening to right now?

Since one of my sons plays violin/fiddle, I listen to a lot of David Garrett. For my next series, I'm loving the soundtrack from The Mission, specifically Gabriel's Oboe. Lots of inspiration there...

5. What's for dinner?

Spaghetti! With lots of garlic, mushrooms, Italian sausage and French bread. I'd love to have you over for dinner, Jill!

***

Thank you so much for being my guest today, Laura! I have an addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper, so I understand your difficulties giving it up. Your baby kitties sound so cute! You should definitely keep the little gray one. I'm such a sucker for cats, I'd probably keep the entire litter! A few years ago, I read a series by Eloisa James, and one of the books was set in Scotland. I've wanted to visit ever since, and a Scottish castle would be my preferred housing too.

As for your invitation to dinner--I'm on my way! Spaghetti is one of my favorite meals, and your description just sent my taste buds into overdrive. Yum! Yum!

***

The Colonel's Lady

In 1779, a search for her father brings Roxanna Rowan to the Kentucky frontier - but she discovers instead a young colonel, a dark secret, and a compelling reason to stay.

Jill's 5 Star Review:
Laura Frantz does it again! I loved The Colonel’s Lady. Ms. Frantz excels at building deep conflicts, layering plot twists, and simmering the romance to a roiling boil, all against an exciting 1780’s Kentucky backdrop. I did not want this book to end!

Mild-mannered, moral Roxanna bravely journeys from Virginia to Kentucky’s Fort Endeavor, where her father works as a scrivener for the American army. Charismatic, lapsed-faith Cass is the colonel in charge of the fort and is honor bound to protect Roxanna at the request of her father before her father’s death. Roxanna takes her late father’s place as scrivener, just until spring when it’s safer to travel, and soon can’t get the handsome Cass off her mind, but Cass has a terrible secret—one that threatens their new love.

I enjoyed the struggles both characters dealt with. My heart sighed as Cass wrestled with guilt, and I related to Roxanna’s feelings of humility. The threads of faith throughout the book left me with a deeper understanding of God’s grace.

With meticulous historical details, a lyrical writing style like a breath of fresh air, and a fascinating plot, The Colonel’s Lady is a treat to be savored and shared with friends.

***

Laura Frantz credits her grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Her family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in the late 18th-century and settled in Madison County where they still reside. She's the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little. Her newest novel, The Colonel's Lady, releases August 1. Currently she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons and loves to hear from readers at http://laurafrantz.net and on Facebook.

So tell me, are you a fast reader or a slow reader?

Have a terrific Wednesday!!

4 Steps for a Fabulous Fallow Time

Each step in a book requires a different set of skills, and for me, completing a project--performing the final round of revisions and polishing the proposal--demands the most. Just over a week ago, I finished a much-loved book. The exhilaration, I did it! I gave this book everything I have, and it's the best I could do, soon gave way to exhaustion. I knew a fallow time was in order.

4 Steps for a Fabulous Fallow Time

Step 1: Get Away (if only to your bedroom)

We spent most of last week tent camping in gorgeous Holland, Michigan near the shores of Lake Michigan. Camping takes more work than a hotel, but I find it nurturing to the soul. We spent almost all of our time outdoors, either on the beach, hiking, or sitting by a campfire. Our meals were simple. We happily lived without television, computers, and other technical gadgets. We did NOT live without coffee, though. That would be cruel. :)

Step 2: Rest

One thing I noticed from day one was how physically tired I was. Non-writers may not realize how draining it is to pour every iota of brain power into honing a book. The cool, fresh night air lulled me into a deep sleep, and during the day I fought to stay awake in the sun's warm embrace as we listened to the rhythm of the waves.

Step 3: Zone Out and Snack

I leafed through one magazine and read one book (which you will be hearing all about on Wednesday because it was awesome!!). My brain was too tired to read more than that. And after we returned home on Friday, I spent most of the weekend reclining on the couch, watching pre-season football and snacking on bagel chips and chocolate-covered raisins. For the record, I'm pumped about the Lions and sporting at least three extra pounds.

Step 4: Be Productive in Other Areas Until Your Creativity is Primed

Just as God commanded us to rest on the seventh day, He also commanded us to let our land lie unplowed and unused every seventh year. As a writer, I know the necessity, the value, in giving myself time off between projects. I will rest more, read more, spend time on the other needs of my business, such as continuing the design of my new website and fleshing out plot points for potential books. Regular exercise and a lighter diet will be my friends. And I'll do a big cannonball of joy back into the social media pool--I love interacting with everyone! Slowly, the tiredness will ebb, and ideas will pelt me until I'm ready to plunge into my next project.

Do you take time off between projects? What are your tips for a successful fallow time?

Have a magnificent Monday!

See You In a Week!

I'm unplugging for a week. There will be coffee, chocolate, relaxing, several books, hoards of magazines, and a beach involved.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

See you next Monday!

My Guilty Pleasure: The Target Ad

One of my favorite activities is to pick up the Sunday paper and read all of the ads. The Target flyer tops my list.

First of all, it's instantly recognizable with its red and white bullseye. The front page, never cluttered, features half a dozen items all with large, bold prices. The next pages usually sell items similar to the front page. The middle shows household items and electronics. The back displays grocery, beauty and baby items. I like that it's predictable. I like knowing what to expect.

But beyond the nice, bright colors and fun sale items, the Target ad satisfies the little girl in me who grew up on thick J.C.Penney and Sears catalogs. It's fun to dream even when I don't plan on buying anything.

Do you have a catalog or flyer you look forward to? What about it makes you happy?

Have a fantastic weekend!

5 Easy Questions with Jillian Hart!

It is such a thrill to host Love Inspired author, Jillian Hart, today! The first book I read of Jill's was one of her McKaslin clan contemporaries, A Soldier for Keeps. I couldn't put it down and had to e-mail her and gush. To my surprise, she e-mailed me back! I always have one of her latest books on my to-be-read pile, and the last time I counted, she had close to fifty books published! Jill writes both contemporary and historical romance, and her new book, Wyoming Sweethearts, is available now. You cannot go wrong picking up one of her books. Trust me on this!

Let's get to it!

1. Beverage of choice?

Coffee first thing--decaf, with Coffeemate. That fuels my writing, if it's a work day, or my reading, if it's a weekend morning. In the afternoon, I love sparkling water. My favorite is Talking Rain's Pomegranate Lime. Yum.

2. Any pets?

Not currently. One day I will get another blond cocker spaniel. : )

3. Dream vacation?

A sunny Maui beach where I can do nothing but relax, watch the water and read, read, read.

4. What are you listening to right now?

The Band Perry.

5. What's for dinner?

If I'm on deadline and late on a book, it's mac and cheese. It's easy and it takes little effort to cook and clean up. If I've got time, I like to bake chicken, steam rice and vegetables. Or make a big pan of chicken enchiladas with a scoop of sour cream on top and a sprinkling of cilantro.

***

Jillian, I am so with you on the coffee. Every morning, I anticipate my fresh brew swirling with cream. Sparkling water is lovely, too. We have La Croix around here, and I'm partial to the pink cans. Oh, and my parents had the sweetest black cocker spaniel. She passed on a few years ago, but we loved her. As for Maui, I can only say sign me up too! Water, reading, and maybe a pan of your chicken enchiladas sounds like the perfect getaway.

Thanks so much for being my guest today, Jill. Your encouragement means the world to me, and your books do too!

***

Wyoming Sweethearts

Where do lonely hearts go?

The chance to rescue abandoned horses has given Eloise Tipple the fresh start she needs. After losing her skating career and fiance, she returns home to Wild Horse, Wyoming to work at a beautiful inn and man the stables.

Sean Granger has also come home to nurse some emotional wounds and would like nothing more than to pursue life as a lone wolf. Both say they want nothing more than friendship.

But while saving homeless horses, can Sean and Eloise save each other and heal their wounds?

***

Jill grew up on her family's homestead in Washington State, where she raised cattle to pay for her college tuition, rode horses through the pristine foothills of the Cascade Mountain range and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning an English degree from Whitman College (what better way to go through college than to constantly read books?), she traveled, worked in advertising, taught Sunday school and volunteered before becoming a writer. When she's not hard at work on her next story, Jill can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand, and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.

To learn more about Jill's books, check out her website, and follow her on Facebook.

So, August is here! Do you buy back-to-school supplies for yourself? (I'm guilty!)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Three Tricks to Keep Your Eyes Fresh When Revising

The problem with revising? Keeping our eyes fresh when reading our manuscripts each time. After the third or fourth read-through, we can't help but skim problem areas. They become all but invisible. And while I always advise waiting a minimum of two weeks between finishing the first draft and starting revisions, we don't have the luxury to wait weeks between each revision pass.

The tricks I use aren't new. I found them from other writers. But they're worth repeating because they work.

Three Tricks to Keep Your Eyes Fresh When Revising:

1. Save your manuscript in a new file, single-space it, choose a new font, and change the size of the font. Print it out and read it.

2. Mentally read the book in first person if you wrote it in third person or vice-versa. This helps with point of view. You'll notice where characters see things they shouldn't, and it will help you find holes in your writing.

3. Read the manuscript out loud.

After I work through the major revisions (plot, character, pacing, and so forth), I use all three tricks, in order, with every manuscript. Sure, it takes extra hours, but by the time I'm reading the book out loud, I've eliminated most of my repeat words/phrases, tackled point-of-view issues, and am confident the book is ready to submit.

What tricks do you use to keep your manuscript fresh when revising?

Have a fabulous Monday!