What's Up the Street Next Week - Retreat Edition

 

There are times in life when words are not enough.

When our hearts are so filled with wonder and amazement, our brains haven’t the capacity of forming the experience into human sounds and meaning.

It’s beyond our mortal abilities to grasp the vastness of it – so we sit back or kneel down in complete awe and marvel at God’s great goodness. It's one way the Spirit intercedes for us - when words are not enough, He takes those feelings and spills them out into prayer and praise to the Father in a

language He understands.

From the heart.

Another thing? God loves relationships! The Father, Son, and Spirit are in continual relationship. And the first 'not good' of the Bible is when Adam is alone - so God made Eve.

When God builds the relationships it's not just good - it's VERY GOOD!

And we gals at The Alley say - 'It's AMAZING!!!!"

Last weekend, 7 of our 10 AlleyCats had opportunity to spend time with each other at Angie’s house. 2 other AlleyCats were able to join us via Skype (praise God for cybermiracles).  Several things glowed from this meeting-of-the-minds.

1.       Seeing each other was a natural extension of our deep friendship. There was no awkwardness.

2.       God has forged this bond between us in a way that is fairly mind-boggling.

3.       We all REALLY like each other, but more than that we trust in each other’s unconditional positive regard. It’s a great example of how Believers ought to be with each other. Authentic, transparent, and founded in a beautifully divine love.

4.       God blessed our weekend by deepening bonds, rerouting tragedies and beginning new relationships.

5.       We like to talk – and eat – and talk some more.

6.       We have some great visual changes in store for the Alley

7.       We love bringing God’s truth to light through story.

 

So as we embark on what God has in store for The Writers Alley in the coming months and years – we want to give a hearty and ecstatic shout of pure joy and gratitude. He is the author of this blog in the inspiration of each of these crazy Cats – and we are a proud group of thankful heroines in His story!!!

We hope that you will benefit from The Alley and continue to glean from our tips, trials, and treasures along the writing journey,

because the road to a story is paved with possibilities.

Tips to Treasure with Jody Hedlund

Well, after gushing about the hero in Jody Hedlund's newest release, A Noble Groom, I thought it might be worthwhile to ask her some hero questions. Without a doubt, Jody's most recent historical romance goes on my keeper shelf for repeat-reading-purposes.

Let's see what Jody has to say about heroes.

Who has been one of your favorite heroes to read?

Recently, one of my favorite heroes was Bo from Becky Wade's Undeniably Yours. Not only was Bo a strong, handsome, Texan cowboy, but he's sweet, considerate, and protective of Meg (the heroine). More than that, I really liked his integrity, his desire to do the right thing even though that meant he had to sacrifice his personal desires.

 

Sacrifice keeps coming up at a hero trait! Hmm, there's a reason why we call rescue workers 'heroes'. They are willing to make sacrifices. The ultimate hero is willing to sacrifice (Jesus is our ultimate example)

Who has been your favorite hero to write?

I think that I fall in love with each of my heroes every time that I write a book! But I'd have to say that one of my all time favorites has been Carl from A Noble Groom.

 

I'd DEFINITELY agree with you here, Jody!

And WHY was he your favorite to write?

I love heroes who are slightly humorous (or at least can laugh at themselves). And even though I was continually throwing Carl into difficult situations, he was the kind of hero who didn't take things too seriously. He could bumble through learning how to work on the farm, make mistakes, and still keep smiling.

I also love heroes who are tender with children–that makes them even more heroic in my mind. And Carl stood out from the other men in his culture in that he wasn't too manly to hold a baby or give pony-rides to toddlers.

Finally, I love heroes who are self-sacrificial. Carl was willing to give up his own plans to teach in order to stay and help Annalisa. He was even willing to give up all of his money to help pay off the loan on her farm. And in the end, he was still thinking about her when he bought her a new crock and filled it with his invention money.

 

Oh my! YES! You just listed my top THREE hero qualities.

1. Self-sacrificial

2. Tender/Gentle

3. Funny

No wonder I liked Carl so much! :-)

 

So AlleyPals, lets hear from you. Have you made the hero in your WIP self- sacrificing? What is something he sacrifices? How does this influence your story? (You guys go ahead and discuss this while I continue to stare at the cover of Jody's book)

Tips to Treasure with Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson has made a name for herself in YA as well as with many adult readers. Her fantastic retellings of fairytales bring realistic heartwarming details to our childhood imaginations. (Not to mention her bookcovers are phenomenal!!!! Absolutely stellar)

So lets hear from Melanie.

Who has been one of your favorite heroines to read?

 

I would have to go with Elizabeth Bennet. She was fun and confident and Mr. Darcy’s perfect match. I also love India Opal from Because of Winn-Dixie. She was delightfully quirky, and she made me cry and wasn’t even trying.

Who has been one of your favorite heroines to write?

 

You sure know how to ask a hard question. But I do believe my favorite heroines to write are the two I’m writing now. One is Leorah

Gilchrist, the heroine in my second Regency, because she’s so confident and doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, and she’s really sweet. The second one is Lady Margaretha from my Frog Prince story, my 5th Medieval fairy tale retelling, because she’s funny and doesn’t know it. She talks too much, and she misunderstands a lot of things. She’s just fun to write.

 

Sounds to me like the day is full of humor - so let's hear your take on it.

What is one humorous character you've enjoyed reading and what made them so funny or likeable? 

Tips to Treasure - Verses of Inspiration

Today I'm going to draw from the archives with a specific purpose in mind. Bible verses. As writers who are Christians, our worldview and inspiration is shaped by our faith.

I hope these verses and comments will bring inspiration and encouragement to you.

Janet Dean
Matthew 7:7–Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

When I’m doing what I believe is God’s will for me, this verse tells me to ask for what I need to accomplish that purpose. That God will give those things to me and will open doors. The promises of this verse are conditional. I must ask, seek and knock first. The verse doesn’t say how long I must ask, seek and knock, but when I do, he will answer in his perfect timing. I’ve seen the promises of this verse fulfilled in my life and specifically with my writing. Now that I’m published, I claim that promise when the words aren’t coming but my deadline is. I ask God for strength, wisdom and peace to create stories that will bring him glory. He’s never failed to answer. When I ask, seek and knock.

Erica Vetsch

The Bible verse that helps me when I’m stymied? The same one that helps me in so many ways. Often when I’m blocked or stuck or procrastinating, it’s because I’m afraid. Afraid I won’t be able to give life to the vision in my head, that I won’t live up to my and readers’ expectations.

That’s when I need to remind myself of a profound truth.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

 

Mary Connealy

 

The one that comes to mind right now is Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?

To me, in many ways, the whole Bible is almost summed up in this one sentence (I know it’s not…but there is so much in this one sentence). If we could just remember that God will be with us, even in death, we could face everything. Fear nothing. I think the whole world would change and our whole outlook would change if we could just feel the depth of God’s protection–the beauty of His salvation. It’s a part of His love, and key to remembering He’s always with us.

 

Audra Harders

 

Frustrations lay around every corner of the writing process. If I gave in to them, I’d probably still be writing “See Spot run” or something like that. My favorite verses for not only frustration and slumps, but for all the mysteries of life is from Proverbs:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

If it’s important to me, I’ve got to let it go. Easy to say; difficult to do.

Rachel Hauck

When writing Diva Nashvegas I was struggling so much and while at prayer one day, the Lord lead me to Isaiah 41:13, “… do not fear, I will help you.”

I knew He was with me. I pray that verse from time to time. Reminding the Lord, reminding myself.

Did you catch the theme of these verses? As writers we FEAR? But GOD has arrived to OVERCOME our fear!
1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear

Remember that as you write - and as you live, and may His perfect love encourage you to find peace in the storm of writing.

Tips to Treasure with Laura Frantz

If you've never had opportunity to delve into the lyrical beauty of Laura Frantz's historical romances, you MUST try to get your hands on one ASAP. Laura's novels carry with them a poetic and descriptive elegance which draws the readers into the throes of history and a passion of intertwined lives.

 

Laura's heroines are written with three dimensional depth, each growing through the stories and with the powerful heroes she writes.

 

So - with that in mind, let's see what Laura has to say about heroines.

 

Who has been one of your favorite heroines to read?

Oh, this is like asking me to choose between Reese’s Cups and Hershey’s Almond Bars! Can I name two favorite heroines? Christy in Catherine Marshall’s Christy is a fav because she went into the wild woods and fell for a handsome if cantankerous Scottish doctor and carved out a meaningful, if often uncomfortable, life for herself in Tennessee. And then there is Valancy Stirling of L. M. Montgomery’s The Blue Castle and her handsome Barney Snaith aka John Foster and their little cabin in the woods. Barney is not a Scotsman (not that I remember) but he’ll do. Lots of wooing and angst in that one...

 

Oh Laura, I LOVE Christy!! what a great choice. (and how can you go wrong with a Scot, right?)

Who has been one of your favorite heroines to write?

 

I have to say Roxanna Rowan – or Roxie as I think of her.

And WHY was she your favorite to write?

 

Because she was brave enough to take on Colonel McLinn despite his being a tormented, intimidating soul.And also because she was a blend of gentleness and strength despite having T.S.T.L. moments. Of all my heroes, I think the colonel would have been the most tempting to kiss, cribbage game or no! So Roxie wins, hands down.

Tips to Treasure with Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter captured readers with her novels, Surrender Bay and A Convenient Groom. She's been wooing them to the coast with her tender love stories since last year - when she introduced cowboys and Moose Creek.

She's going to chat with us today about heroes. ( a 'hot' topic)

Who has been one of your favorite heroes to read? So many great heroes out there! But if pressed, I think I'd have to go with Michael Hosea from Redeeming Love. Francine Rivers knows how to write a Godly man with all the yummy characteristics women love.

 

Oh my, yes! There is a reason why Michael Hosea turns our hearts as readers. I think it's a healthy mixture of strength and tenderness.

Who has been one of your favorite heroes to write? They're all so fun to write and so different. I'd say it was probably Dylan Taylor from The Trouble with Cowboys.

And WHY was he your favorite to write?

Hmmm. Texas drawl, blue eyes, dimples. All that and a cowboy too. :) I love his flirty, playful ways and the way he's so much deeper than first meets the eye-which Annie eventually discovered. There's something about a wounded cowboy . . .

There definitely is! Whew...

 

Leave a comment about 2 characteristics you think are a MUST for a good hero and have your name placed into a drawing for Denise's book, The Trouble with Cowboys.

What's Up the Street Next Week?

It's a fabulous weekend in Iowa as the AlleyCats have their FIRST annual Alley Cat retreat!!


In celebration of our fun, we're offering another fabulous week of giveaways and guests for you.


Monday - Denise Hunter chats about Writing Heroes.


Tuesday - Laura Frantz gives us some tips on writing spell-binding heroines


Wednesday - Verses to encourage your writing - from various authors


Thursday - Melanie Dickerson brings us tips on how to write heroines.


Friday - We end with more Hero Talk from Jody Hedlund

Make sure to stop by for chances to win fabulous books and enjoy some healthy encouragement along the way!