The World of the Unagented Part III

I'd like to give a warm welcome to Julie, Jarnigan, newly contracted author! This is her story of how she became published without an agent.
Thanks for visiting today, Julie!
To get to know her better, you can visit her blog.
 

Overcoming the Fear  

by Author Julie Jarnagin


When I finished writing Canyon Walls, an inspirational romance novel, I began submitting my manuscript to agents. Honestly, I was terrified to send the book directly to the publishers I was targeting. If I received a rejection from an agent, I could simply move on to the next one. If I received a rejection from one of the handful of romance lines that I desperately wanted to publish my book, it would seem so final.

Several of the agent rejections I received said that I didn’t need an agent to submit my book and passed. I received the same feedback from an agent at the ACFW national conference. Despite all the words of advice to send it directly to the publisher, I still resisted.

I went through a tough period when I felt God calling me away from my dream of writing. It was difficult, and I struggled to accept it. I eventually handed my writing over to God, which at that point in my life meant to stop writing. I already had one submission ready to be emailed, but I had been too afraid to send it. It was a submission for Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents, the line that I knew would be the best fit for my manuscript. I sent it believing the rejection would give me closure on my life as a writer.

Over the next ten months, I didn’t write, and God taught me so many things about myself and my priorities. One day, I unexpectedly received an email from the editor at Heartsong Presents asking if Canyon Walls was still available and offering me a contract. I was shocked and thrilled! God had reopened the door for me to continue writing. 

Before receiving the actual contract, I asked a few more experienced authors who wrote for Heartsong if I should begin looking for an agent. They reinforced that when you’re working with Heartsong Presents, you don’t necessarily need an agent. They also offered to answer any questions I had about the contract or the process and helped me along the way.

It has been a wonderful experience working with the editor and other staff at Heartsong Presents. My editor has answered any questions I’ve had and the process has been smooth. I’m excited about the upcoming months of editing and looking forward to April when Canyon Walls will be released.

In the beginning of my journey, fear held me back from submitting directly to publishers, but I’ve learned that the process isn’t as intimidating as I once thought. I’m definitely open to working with an agent in the future, but one benefit of being published before finding an agent is that I’m able to take my time. I’m going to wait for the right point in my career and the agent that is the right fit for me.

We have a winner!!

Grace has won the drawing for Sarah Sundin's fantastic book A Distant Melody. Congratulations, Grace!

I was thinking today of how long it's been since I've read any of my classics. I have no idea what happened, except to say that life took over. I haven't touched a classic in two months! There's been little time to read at all with school starting up and Jim leaving. AND there's a fun new project in the works which I can hardly wait to share!!

All in good time...

The World of the Unagented Part II

The Mysteries of Selling a Debut Mystery
By Author Amanda Flower

One of the first questions other writers ask me when I tell them about my debut mystery, Maid of Murder, released from Five Star Mystery in June 2010, is “Who is your agent?” My answer is “Well, I didn’t have one at the time.” This seems to surprise most authors. Honestly, it surprised me too when I sold Maid of Murder without a literary agent. When I was starting on my path to publication, I’d read all the recommended books about selling a novel and most of them sang a similar chorus, “Get an agent, get an agent, get an agent.” 

However while querying agents, I decided to submit to mystery publishers which didn’t require an agent. One of those was Five Star.

Shortly, after sending my proposal to Five Star I received a request for a full manuscript, but I wasn’t jumping out of my seat with joy. I’d been down that road many times. I sent the manuscript and hoped for the best. Months rolled by, and finally, I learned Five Star rejected my novel. I was disappointed of course; what aspiring author wouldn’t be? However, I was no longer bursting into frustrated tears every time I received a rejection.

A year passed and out of the blue, I received an email from a different acquisitions editor at Five Star. She said she found my manuscript and wondered if it was still available. In shock, I immediately replied that it was. She gave me detailed reasons why the publisher rejected my mystery and said if I could fix the problems with the novel, she would reconsider my book. She gave me one month to revise the novel and promised me nothing.

The next month was a blur as I tore the novel apart and put it back together again. In the end, it was a much better book. If a better manuscript was the only thing I would take away from the experience, then I was happy. I didn’t expect anything more. A few short weeks after resubmitting the new version of Maid of Murder, I received another email from Five Star. This one said they wanted to acquire the novel. I was elated. After trying for so hard for so long to sell my novel, the actual moment was surreal.

My sale wasn’t the typical route, as if there is such a thing, and if you an aspiring author, I’m not saying this is how your novel will be sold. But if you really, truly believe in your book, don’t give up on it. You never know what God may have in store.

Buy Maid of Murder now.

Visit Amanda on the web.

Today's the last day to leave a comment and be entered into the drawing for Sarah Sundin's A Distant Melody. Results will be posted tomorrow. Good luck!

The World of the Unagented Part I

As a newly published author, one question frequently put to me is, You have no agent? How did you manage that? It’s usually accompanied by exclamation marks and cyber *gasps*.

I’m here to tell you, it is possible to be published without an agent, and there are probably more of us unagented authors out there than either you or I realize. One of them is Amanda Flower, who will be with us tomorrow. Her debut novel Maid of Murder released this month, and she did it without an agent. Come back tomorrow to hear her story.

My story? I’d like to take say I’m such a fantastic writer that editors were knocking down my door and stumbling over each other to get to my work first, but I don’t fancy getting struck by lightning. No, it was all God’s doing, and He managed it despite my ignorance and laziness.

Yes, laziness. I think I looked for an agent for all of three days. For real. I did submit to several, but detested that I’d have to spend so much time looking for an agent who would then also have to spend copious amounts of time looking for an editor who might accept my work. The process just stinks. Who has the time, energy, or patience for that? I hear you moaning out there. Probably one of my weary unpub’d writer friends. I know your pain.

There are three basic approaches to landing that first contract.

1. Spend months (and often years) submitting to agents. When you find the right agent, he/she spends months (years? How long until an agent gives up on a writer’s work? Not sure) searching for the perfect publishing house for that painstakingly perfected novel. At long and torturous last, you make into that 1% of authors contracted each year, and within 9 months your book hits the shelves. Utopia.

2. You skip the agent and submit straight to the smaller publishing houses that don’t require writers to be agented. Odds are greater you’ll be accepted, but your books won’t be as widely marketed. In my case, they won’t “hit the shelves” unless I (or one or my loyal readers) asks they be put there. Marketing is tougher and it’s all on you. But you’re published! And that’s huge. NOW the large publishing houses will sit up and take more notice. So will the agents.

3. You become a movie star or NBA idol and think about picking up a pen and putting it to paper. Then you fend off all those editors and agents knocking down your Bellaire door to get to your work first. Option #3 offers much slimmer odds.

You already know I took option 2, but it was really God that paved the way, opened doors, and pushed me through. Yes, pushed me. Can you believe I actually turned down Author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s offer of help to see my novel published? If memory serves, I turned her down twice. But that’s another story for another day.

It was really Suzanne’s recommendation that God used to open the door for me at Vintage Reflections Publishing. Within a few months of submitting, I had the hope of a contract. But I have no guarantee of being published anywhere again, including Vintage. Each new book must be good enough to sell itself. Which means I’m back to square one.

Would I recommend skipping the agent and going small press? I can’t say. That’s something you and God need to work out. Knock on doors and see if He opens them. Take it one day at a time and keep plugging away until He gives you a clear answer.

I don’t regret not having an agent up to this point but believe it would benefit me to have one now. An agent would save me bucket loads of time. Instead of researching publishing houses and writing queries and proposals specific each one, I could let my agent do that and use my time to do what I love--write.

Actually, Vintage is currently accepting romance proposals, so hop on over there, knock on the door, and see if God opens it. You just might be surprised!

Any one who leaves a comment anywhere on my blog this week will be entered in the drawing to receive Sarah Sundin's novel A Distant Melody.

Family + Fun = Future

I'm at Reflections In Hindsight today talking about Family Night Fun.

Reminder--Anyone who leaves a comment anywhere on my blog this week will be entered to win a copy of Sarah Sundin's A Distant Melody.

The Berenstein Bears and A Job Well Done

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Jan and Mike Berenstain

and the book:

The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done

Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

                   ***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.


Visit the authors' website.

Product Details:

List Price: $3.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712548
ISBN-13: 978-0310712541

MY REVIEW:

They just doesn't come much cuter than the Berenstain Bears. And now, Zonderkidz is publishing them!  These little books teach values straight from Scripture. "Whatever your hand find to do, do it with all your might." Ecc. 9:10 This is one we all need to remember around the Gardner household!

While Mama and Papa Bear are busy working hard, the kids get a little distracted and end up playing. In the end, they learn that while they might not enjoy doing it, the results of hard work are always rewarding. If God says it, it must be true!

At the back of the book, the parent will find a list of Activities and Questions from Brother and Sister Bear that you won't want to miss. For just a few dollars at your local Christian bookstore, you can't afford not to collect these adorable, wisdom-filled books.


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Z

Browse Inside

Browse

Info

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Author Sarah Sundin Visits Today!

contact Sarah

We’re delighted to have Sarah Sundin with us today! In honor of her book, A Distant Melody, being my Favorite-So-Far-This-Year Book, I’m giving away a copy to one lucky reader. Anyone who leaves a comment on my blog any time this week will be entered in the drawing that will take place this Friday, August 27th.  (Canadian/US/APO addresses only).

Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval—even marry a man she doesn’t love. While allies has nearly resigned herself to that fate, Lt. Walter Novak—fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women—takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas.
Walt and Allie meet and begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt’s muddy bomber base in England and Allie’s mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

buy this book now!

I have to be honest, Sarah. When I first read this backcover blurb, I thought Letters? Boring! It was the setting that drew me in, and I’m so glad it did. I might have missed a spectacular book.

Charming, engaging, and filled with unforgettable characters, A Distant Melody is my Favorite-So-Far-This-Year Book. Oh, I already said that? Oops! I can’t help it. This is one you can’t pass up in the bookstore!

So, Sarah, before we start with the bookish questions, let us get to know you a bit…

A little writing homework for you--create your setting! Where are you right now? Any sounds in the background? What (if anything) are you drinking/eating?

Okay, this is odd. It’s almost midnight, and I’m sitting at the kitchen table waiting for my last batch of plum jam to finish boiling. The only sounds are the hum of my laptop and the blorps of bubbling jam. I’m drinking generic diet cola. I’m cheap. But why on earth am I drinking caffeine so late? Do I really like insomnia that much?
 

We know you love chatting with us, but if you could be anywhere else at this exact moment, where would it be?
Bed. With no caffeine in my bloodstream. Or in England, exploring an old castle with my family. Caffeine optional.

What’s your most favorite historical novel of all time? You know, the one that still makes you sigh?
Any Jane Austen novel. Technically they were contemporary novels when they were written, but there’s nothing like them. The setting, the characters, the biting humor, and the endings that make you feel all wonderfully gooey inside. Love them.
 

I lived in England for four years only 1.5 hrs from former RAF Thurleigh (thanks, Google Maps!), but I’d never heard of it. What made you choose that air base as the setting for A Distant Melody?
I wanted my hero, Walt, to be present for the early pioneering missions of the U.S. Eighth Air Force. The first bomb groups to arrive in England also spent time in North Africa after the Allied invasion in November 1942, which would have complicated my research. The 306th Bombardment Group was the first group to arrive in England and stay there for the duration, and they were based in Thurleigh. I also chose this group because of the book First over Germany, the official history of the 306th, which offered great details, not just about the combat missions but about experiences in training and daily life on base in England. For the second and third books in the series, I chose the 94th Bomb Group, which my great-uncle flew with. They were based at Bury St. Edmunds in East Anglia—an area you should know well.

Authors of historical fiction can never fit all the history in that they want. Can you share some interesting WWII trivia that maybe didn’t make it into the book?
So much. But I had to keep reminding myself I was writing a novel not a history textbook. If it didn’t relate to the story or contribute to the story, out it went. One thing I couldn’t work in was how the movie Four Jills and a Jeep was filmed in England during this time period and the four actresses spent lots of time at Thurleigh hanging out with the men of the 306th.

Characters Allie and Walt just leapt off the pages at me. I haven’t felt so attached to characters since Twilight. From one writer to another, what’s your secret formula?
Caffeine. No, seriously, I love characterization. My favorite part of writing has to be getting to know my characters. As a rather left-brained writer, I adore character charts. Long, detailed character charts. My master chart for hero & heroine has questions about appearance, health, family, friends, childhood, education, career, romantic history, home, talents, hobbies, religious history, goals, secrets, etc. Then I give the main characters personality tests. On the back of the pages, I scribble down important incidents in their pasts. I’m always amazed how a seemingly mundane question on a chart can open up backstory or motivation that makes the character come to life.

What line and/or paragraph of A Distant Melody are you most proud of? Which scene was the most difficult to write?
Favorite lines? That’s tough. I love the humor that sprang from these characters, but most jokes lose meaning out of context. A line I love is after Walt suffers horrible loss, and he goes off by himself. “He raged and questioned and mourned. Eventually he found peace—not peace like some still pond, but peace like a river, jostling over rocks, hurtling over falls, whirling in eddies. Authentic, rugged peace.”
The scene that turned out to be most difficult to write was late in the book when Walt finds out the nature of his combat injury. I had once received similar news for my son. My first draft of that chapter was short and flat. I realized I didn’t want to delve into his emotions, but I had to—for Walt’s sake and for the story—and for myself.

If you could sum up A Distant Melody in one Bible verse, which would it be?
1 Samuel 15:22: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Thanks for visiting today, Sarah! It's been a pleasure to have you.

To all my readers, don't forget to leave a comment! You don't want to miss a chance to win this wonderful book.

The Gathering Storm by Bodie Thoene

If you have a minute, head over to Title Trakk and read my review of The Gathering Storm. I LOVED this book. It's atypical of the Thoene's writing and took me completely by surprise. It is a Must Read.

Interview with Miralee Ferrell, Author of Finding Jeena

It's Reflections Wednesday. Today, I'm interviewing another great author. Come meet Miralee and enter for a chance to win her book, Finding Jeena.

Trip Around the World--Canada

Today's trip to Canada will be about as brief as the one I took back in--shoot, I can't even remember what year it was. '86? '87? I was little.

My missionary family was on deputation in New England and took a brief side-trip to see Niagara Falls. I wasn't so young that I don't remember the sensations it created in me. When I read Revelation "And his (Christ's) feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters", I think of Niagara and how deafening it was. The roar rumbled in my chest and made the ground tremble. It was terrifying and awe inspiring at the same time. Imagine the voice of God.


We didn't take the Maid of the Mist to the base of the falls, but we did go into a cave behind the falls to watch the water fall by the riverful in front of us. It scared me. And it was rather wet. That much I remember.

I couldn't have been more than four when my sister and I sat on the ground in front of our enormous livingroom radio and listened to our daily kids' program. What was it called...? The Family Hour? Nah, that wasn't it. Anyway, I can still hear the music. It was the best hour of the day. The stories were always amazing. I remember one of them was about a man who walked over the Niagara Falls on a tightrope. It so impressed me that the story has stayed with me ever since. Just now, I was wondering if my memory was correct, so I googled it. This is what I found and it accurately describes what I remember about the story.

That's the extent of my visit into Canada. I hope to see more one day, but for now, it counts as Country #3 on my List.

Canada such a massive country. And so close. It's a shame I don't know more about it.

Have you seen much of Canada? If so, what was your impression?

Guess this post wasn't so short after all...

Meander Scar by Lisa Lickel

I'm so thrilled to have Lisa Lickel with us today. Her latest novel Meander Scar is one my newest favorites. On top of being a sweet, sister in Christ, I've discovered, Lisa's an accomplished writer.



Welcome, Lisa!

I fell in love with your Meander Scar. Ann Ballard’s story is unlike any I’ve read. For the first five chapters, I kept thinking—No way Lisa can make this work. It’s too unusual, too outside-the-box. At the same time I was really hoping you could! I was terrified for Ann and Mark as they worked through their differences. What would happen to them if they made it work? Could I stand it if they didn’t?

By the next morning, I had turned the last page and set the book aside satisfied and impressed. You’d done it. You tackled one of our cultural “taboos” and made me love the characters the entire journey. 

Please take a minute to share where you got your inspiration for Ann Ballard’s story.

I remember kind of being shocked when one of my television idols, Mary Tyler Moore, married a doctor who was a lot younger. Another notable couple is Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Why is it such a big deal? I read a while back about some of the Vietnam MIAs who weren’t actually missing and started toying with a story idea about what it would take to start a whole new life from scratch. There are sure a lot of news stories about people who disappear, and I blended ideas to what it would be like for the ones left behind…and Ann’s predicament was born. If I’m going to write a love story, it has to be equal opportunity, so Mark got his say. I try to make my work appeal across gender and age, so most of my stories have varying viewpoints and characters of different ages.

What writing/publishing goals do you have for the next month? The next year? Do you have a specific system in place to help you stay on track with your goals?

Perfect timing for this thought. After four years of a writing blitz in which I wrote newspaper columns, weekly local features, several magazine articles, two radio plays which I also recorded, fifteen novels, won and lost two agents, and attended half a dozen writers conferences, I’ve been struggling the past year with no proven offers while marketing my last book to great reviews but dismal sales. I need to develop a better schedule and definitely work on goals. My system of coping had degenerated to revamping old stories and sending out queries and answering e-mails. I used the fact that we only can get dial-up Internet out here in the country for taking whole mornings just to network, but that excuse has to go. I need to use one of my days of the week for the social networking stuff, and at least a couple of days for writing. I plotted four books over the past three months, but that’s just an excuse, too, to keep from working on new stuff. So…my goal is to work on getting an agent again since I’m just spinning my wheels without one, and continue to work on craft and building my platform and submitting to indie presses. I’ll be teaching an ACFW on-line course next year, The Nuts and Bolts of Submission, and I’m trying to spread out a little and do things outside my comfort zone to make new contacts. I know I need to do this, and would appreciate any prayers to help me focus.


Congrats on teaching that ACFW class! You'll do great. When the time comes, I must enroll! 

Your fluid style and expertise in writing shines through every page of Meander Scar. How long have you been writing?

Jeepers, you’re making me blush. Thanks! I took the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course 2001-2002, I think; or was it the year after…and that’s really the start of my “real” writing. I wrote some press releases and edited some things before that, and wrote Sunday School material, but nothing professional. I’m learning every day. And I had pretty good editors for this book.

Nicolas Sparks or Jodi Picoult?

Okay, laugh, but when my front-page endorser of Meander compared me to Nicholas Sparks, I decided to pick up one of his books. I’d seen the Notebook movie, but that’s about all I knew of him. The book’s still on my pile; don’t recall the title. The first three Jodi Picoult were great; don’t know if I’ll read any more.


Tell us a little about Reflections in Hindsight.

Thanks for asking! I had waffled about blogging a couple of years ago, and even my then-college-aged son told me he thought it was a fad. I still think it sort of will be proven so, but I heard everywhere that it was one of those necessary evils you should do if you’re serious about selling books. After a couple of years, I took a deeper look at successful blogs and realized that group sites with a variety of material and steady output did much better. I wanted to focus on the positive side of life, share our stories of things that are going right to give other writers and the general public hope and encouragement. I sent out a feeler on a large writer’s group to see if anyone else was interested in trying this venture with me and received a delightful response of mixed ages, experiences, gender, and insight. What a great bunch to inspire and learn from! Come find us at http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com.

Meander Scar has definitely hit My Favorites List. What is your all-time favorite Christian fiction book?

Oh, my—thank you, thank you! I’m still smarting from all that I had to leave on the cutting room floor, but comments that like make my day. So far, ‘cause I haven’t been able to read Wounded Spirits yet, my favorite book…wow, that’s hard. I was going to go to my automatic response of Tamera Alexander’s From a Distance, then I remembered how much I liked Jill Williamson’s Darkness trilogy. I guess for the moment I have to say To Darkness Fled, but that will probably change – no offense to any of the authors. I’m just sort of passionate in the moment as far as “favorite” anythings go.


I fell in love with Alexander's From a Distance too! Another great one I'll re-read.

Character Mark Roth was amazing. (Can I borrow him for the day?) Never have you heard a reader sigh with greater contentment than I, when a couple of chapters in, the reader at last see the situation from his through his eyes. I had been dying to know what he was thinking. You masterfully held the suspense until just the right moment. Well done!

Mark and Ann’s romance is one I’ll never forget. How does their story compare to your other books?

Meander ScarThanks – and, no – Mark’s mine, as I’ve had to tell others, especially the woman who helped develop his lawyer background. The truth I hate to admit, because you get to see my mean side, is that the more I heard “no” about this story, the more I internalized it. The more publishers and agents said it’ll never sell, the more I thought, heck with it, I’m just to write what I feel like. Surprisingly, more than one indie press was willing to pick up on this book, although the one I settled on asked me to remove a pretty large chunk. My other published books are different: the Gold Standard is a commercial trade cozy mystery, and although romantic, much lighter in tone; Healing Grace was the second book I wrote and very much a practice work for me, so I hadn’t learned as much about writing emotional characters and it’s a bit more plot-driven. The other manuscripts I have to peddle range from light voice to other contemporary issue stories, but none have the depth of passion. I’ll share that Ann’s sister Rachel just started spilling her guts about Maeve’s father, although I’m not sure yet what direction that will head. You may not have heard the end of Ann and Mark. 

I've loved spending part of my day with you, Lisa. Thanks for joining us and for writing fiction that glorifies Christ.

A Trip Around the World--Belgium

It's time for the next leg of our trip around the globe! We started our trip last week in Austria. Today, we're heading to--

BELGIUM

Year: 2003
Time in country: 5 hrs (not counting the times we drove through it to get to other countries)

Jim and I saved our pennies for a good long while to be able to afford a Belgian oak "shrank", as the Germans call their pieced livingroom wall units. They're glorified hutches. We'd heard of one particular store in Belgium that had a lot to choose from, so we decided to go and make a day of it.

With a pocketful of Euros, we packed up our little man and drove the 1.5 hours to MK Möbel, the coolest furniture store EVER. 6,000 square meters of furniture heaven. For someone who can't choose from a restaurant menu without help, this store was a tad overwhelming. We somehow managed to pick out a shrank we liked and had it scheduled for delivery. The Belgian giant has followed us from house to house and country to country these last seven years. It's a bit impractical for all the moves we do, but we still love it.

The same day, we visited a portion of the Battle of the Bulge battlefield. I know. More WWII history, but if you want to hang around me, just know it's part of the package!

With over 89,000 casualties, the Battle of the Bulge was the single largest and bloodiest battle that American forces fought in World War II. If you've watched Band of Brothers "Bastogne", you'll know the site we visited that day.

Today, the Ardennes Forest looks much like it did in 1944, minus the raining shrapnel. Regrown, the trees are planted in perfect rows, as they have been for decades. The day we were there, snow lay on the ground just as it did that awful Christmas. It wasn't difficult to visualize the horrific battle that took place. It left a deep impression on my memory.

I don't remember much about the town of Bastogne, except the church which was decimated during the siege. The below image is a photograph I took of a plaque posted outside the church itself. Pardon the poor quality.

The church as it stands today.

There's more to Belgium than old battle grounds (such as waffles!!), but history is what called to us that day. It usually is--battlegrounds, castles, and well...anything history related. If you stick around, be prepared!

Maybe you've been to Belgium too? What do you remember about it?

Next week on our world tour--Canada.

Bite-sized Renovations

I did it! I painted my kitchen. At Reflections in Hindsight today, I'm sharing pics. Come see!

Author Vickie McDonough

Happy Monday dear friends!

It's the first day of school for many today in Georgia. I think it's rather early. Raise your hand if you remember school starting after Labor Day. September seems a much better month to begin. August is still full-swing summer! Have schools started in your area?

I'm hosting Promotion Monday over at Reflections in Hindsight today. Our featured author is Vickie McDonough. Come have a look-see!

And the Winner Is...

Today was the drawing for the children's book Little Big Chief and the Bear Hunt by author Delores Topliff.


Congratulations, Natalie, you're our winner! You've been notified via email.

Warren Wiersbe's "John: Get to Know the Living Savior"

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Warren Wiersbe

and the book:

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: John: Get to Know the Living Savior

David C. Cook; New edition (July 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, for The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s commentaries and his world-renowned knowledge of God’s Word can now be enjoyed in a format that allows everyone to enjoy spending time getting to know the Savior. David C Cook plans to release additional volumes in the Wiersbe Bible Study Series over the next few years.

Product Details:

List Price: $8.99
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434765075
ISBN-13: 978-1434765079

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Lesson 1

God in the Flesh

(JOHN 1—2)

Before you begin …

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.

• Read John 1—2. This lesson references chapters 1–2 in Be Alive. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.


Getting Started


From the Commentary


Much as our words reveal to others our hearts and minds, so Jesus Christ is God’s “Word” to reveal His heart and mind to us. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). A word is composed of letters, and Jesus Christ is “Alpha and Omega” (Rev. 1:11), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. According to Hebrews 1:1–3, Jesus Christ is God’s last Word to mankind, for He is the climax of divine revelation.

—Be Alive, page 20


1. As you read John 1:1–2, what stands out to you about the description of

“the Word”? What does it mean that the Word was “with” God? That the

Word “was” God? How does this opening contrast with that of the other

three gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, and Luke)? What does this tell us

about John, the writer of this gospel?


More to Consider: Why do you think John refers to Jesus as “the Son

of God” so many times in his gospel? (See John 1:34, 49; 3:18; 5:25;

10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; 20:31.)


2. Choose one verse or phrase from John 1—2 that stands out to you.

This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you

uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with

you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.


Going Deeper


From the Commentary


Life is a key theme in John’s gospel; it is used thirty-six times. What are the essentials for human life? There are at least four: light (if the sun went out, everything would die), air, water, and food. Jesus is all of these! He is the Light of Life and the Light of the World (John 8:12). He is the “Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2). By His Holy Spirit, He gives us the “breath of life” (John 3:8; 20:22), as well as the Water of Life (John 4:10, 13–14; 7:37–39). Finally, Jesus is the Living Bread of Life that came down from heaven (John 6:35ff.). He not only has life and gives life, but He is life (John 14:6).

—Be Alive, page 22


3. As you go through the gospel of John, underline the references to “life.” Why do you think John’s gospel touches on this theme so frequently? How do the themes of “light” and “life” relate to one another in John 1?


From the Commentary


John the Baptist is one of the most important persons in the New Testament. He is mentioned at least eighty-nine times. John had the special privilege of introducing Jesus to the nation of Israel. He also had the difficult task of preparing the nation to receive its Messiah. He called them to repent of their sins and to prove that repentance by being baptized and then living changed lives. John summarized what John the Baptist had to say about Jesus Christ (John 1:15–18).

—Be Alive, page 24


4. What is significant about the gospel writer’s mention of John the Baptist (John 1:6–28)? Why would this have been important to the early believers?


From Today’s World


Although the skepticism of the modern age has diminished their impact, self-proclaimed modern “prophets” continue to speak about the end of the world (or other events) as if they have exclusive insight into “insider information” from a source they often claim is God Himself. Some gain a following as people clamor for wisdom about why the world is in its current state. Whether out of fear or frustration, they look to the so-called prophets for answers.


5. Why are people so fascinated (whether they agree or disagree) with modern prophets? Do you agree that people today are more skeptical about prophets and their reliability? Why or why not? How does today’s culture compare to the culture in which John the Baptist appeared? What does this suggest about the role of prophecy in modern Christianity?


From the Commentary


The people of Israel were familiar with lambs for the sacrifices. At Passover, each family had to have a lamb, and during the year, two lambs a day were sacrificed at the temple altar, plus all the other lambs brought for personal sacrifices. Those lambs were brought by people to people, but here is God’s Lamb, given by God to humankind! Those lambs could not take away sin, but the Lamb of God can take away sin. Those lambs were for Israel alone, but this Lamb would shed His blood for the whole world!

—Be Alive, pages 27–28


6. How might John’s Jewish followers have responded when he announced Jesus as the “Lamb of God”? Why is John the Baptist’s testimony important? How does John’s description of the “Spirit” compare to the coming of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts? What does this teach us about the Holy Spirit?


From the Commentary


“We have found the Messiah!” was the witness Andrew gave to Simon. Messiah is a Hebrew word that means “anointed,” and the Greek equivalent is “Christ.” To the Jews, it was the same as “Son of God” (see Matt. 26:63–64; Mark 14:61–62; Luke 22:67–70). In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed and thereby set apart for special service. Kings were especially called “God’s anointed” (1 Sam. 26:11; Ps. 89:20); so, when the Jews spoke about their Messiah, they were thinking of the king who would come to deliver them and establish the kingdom. There was some confusion among the Jewish teachers as to what the Messiah would do. Some saw Him as a suffering sacrifice (as in Isa. 53), while others saw a splendid king (as in Isa. 9 and 11). Jesus had to explain even to His own followers that the cross had to come before the crown, that He must suffer before He could enter into His glory (Luke 24:13–35).

—Be Alive, page 29


7. Why were the Jews expecting the Messiah to appear as a king? What does this tell us about the culture and circumstance of the Jews at the time? How might the Jewish leaders have received the pronouncement of Jesus as the Messiah? There had been others who claimed messiahship prior to Jesus’ arrival. What argument does John make in chapter 1 to support the fact that Jesus is the One they’ve been waiting for?


From the Commentary


“The third day” means three days after the call of Nathanael (John 1:45–51). Since that was the fourth day

of the week recorded in John (John 1:19, 29, 35, 43), the wedding took place on “the seventh day” of this “new creation week.” Throughout his gospel, John makes it clear that Jesus was on a divine schedule, obeying the will of the Father. Jewish tradition required that virgins be married on a Wednesday, while widows were married on a Thursday. Being the “seventh day” of John’s special week, Jesus would be expected to rest, just as God rested on the seventh day (Gen. 2:1–3). But sin had interrupted God’s Sabbath rest, and it was necessary for both the Father and the Son to work (John 5:17; 9:4). In fact, John recorded two specific miracles that Jesus deliberately performed on Sabbath days (John 5; 9). At this wedding, we see Jesus in three different roles: the Guest, the Son, and the Host.

—Be Alive, pages 35–36


8. Read John 2:1–11. Why do you think the Scriptures record this as Jesus’ first miracle? What is the significance of turning water into wine? Of the timing of the miracle?


More to Consider: Moses’ first miracle was a plague—turning water into blood (Ex. 7:19ff.), which speaks of judgment. How does Jesus’ first miracle speak of grace?


From the Commentary


Jesus revealed His zeal for God first of all by cleansing the temple (John 2:13–17). The priests had established a lucrative business of exchanging foreign money for Jewish currency and also selling the animals needed for the sacrifices. No doubt, this “religious market” began as a convenience for the Jews who came long distances to worship in the temple, but in due time the “convenience” became a business, not a ministry. The tragedy is that this business was carried on in the court of the Gentiles in the temple, the place where the Jews should have been meeting the Gentiles and telling them about the one true God. Any Gentile searching for truth would not likely find it among the religious merchants in the temple.

—Be Alive, page 41


9. Why was Jesus so upset about the money changers? (See John 2:12–16.) What is significant about Jesus’ comment in verse 19? How does this foreshadowing help us to see God’s divine timetable for Jesus’ earthly work?


From the Commentary


While in Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus performed miracles that are not given in detail in any of the Gospels. It must have been these signs that especially attracted Nicodemus (John 3:2). Because of the miracles, many people professed to believe in Him, but Jesus did not accept their profession. No matter what the people themselves said or others said about them. He did not accept human testimony.

—Be Alive, page 44


10. Why didn’t Jesus accept human testimony? What does John mean when he writes, “He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (2:25)? What does this say about Jesus’ feelings toward those who followed Him because of His miracles?


Looking Inward


Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of John 1—2. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.


Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.


11. How do you respond to the different descriptions of Jesus in John 1 (the Word, the Lamb, the Son of God)? In what ways does the father/son imagery connect with you? Why is it important for you to know Jesus was God’s Son and not just a prophet sent to preach good news?


12. In what ways do you see your own life as a “light” to those around you? How have others been light to you? What are some ways you’ve struggled to be a light to others? How can the picture of Jesus as the light inspire you to be a light to others?


13. What sort of “Messiah” do you think you’d be hoping for if you were among the Jewish people before and during Jesus’ time? In what ways might you have been pleasantly surprised by the way the Messiah arrived? In what ways might you have been disappointed? How do you see the Messiah’s role in your life today? In what ways is Jesus’ role like that of a king? Of a servant?


Going Forward


14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try). Do you want to know more about John’s description of Jesus as “the Word”? Do you want to better understand the Jews’ expectation about the Messiah? Be specific. Go back through John 1—2 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.


Real-Life Application Ideas: John the Baptist contrasts his method of baptism with Jesus’ in 1:26–34. How well do you know your church’s stance on water baptism? Learn what your church teaches on this

important topic. Consider what baptism has meant to you. Or, if you haven’t yet been baptized, consider talking with your pastor about being baptized.


Seeking Help


15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.


Notes for Small Groups:

• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.

• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.

• Before you start the next lesson, read John 3—4. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters

3–4, “A Matter of Life and Death” and “The Bad Samaritan,” in Be Alive.

My One-sheet. I'm open to suggestions for improvment!

But Ashes in Eternity

I'm over at Reflections in Hindsight today talking about an old to-list I found tucked inside a library book. Come chat with me!

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A Trip Around the World--Austria

Last week, during geography with the kids, I realized I had been to another country and hadn’t even realized it.

Cyprus.
 

In 2000, my military hop landed in Cyprus on the way to Turkey. Thing is, I assumed Cyprus belonged to Italy—a country I’d already been to. How exciting to be able to add another country to my list! Cyprus brings my total to 24.

I began thinking about all the places I’ve been and how many unique memories I have because of it. The kids often ask us for stories. They name a country or a state and we tell them a story of something that happened to us there.

Over the next weeks and months, I’ll be chatting about each country on my list. Some of them have years of memories and others, just hours. I know there are loads of you out there who’ve visited the same countries. As I go through my list from A-V, I’d love for you to share your own travel memories with us.

AUSTRIA

Year—1999
Time in Country—8 hrs

We visited Austria with my parents and brother when they drove up to Germany from Spain. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that trip is the Salzburg salt mines. I grew up reading Brock and Bodie Thoene’s books, so whenever I travel through Europe all the history I’ve learned through their work comes pouring back.

I’m trying to remember which book of theirs was it that takes their characters into the bowels of the Austrian Alps in order to escape Hitler’s Germany. Was it Munich Signature? Anyway, I lived every moment of their harrowing journey through the maze of salt mines, so when the chance came to go to Austria, that was first on my must-see agenda. Actually, it was the only thing on agenda. We just didn’t have time for more.

It was a short stint in Austria, but well worth the dizzying drive through the Alps to get there.
The mines were cold, dark, and yes, salty. The air tasted of salt and if you licked your finger, swiped the wall with it, then put your finger to your tongue, you’d taste salt. The trick was not to think about how many other people had done the same thing.

To get into the depths of the mines, the miners (and now tourists) took a series of wooden slides, only they’re not like any slide you’ve seen or ridden on. They were FUN. I think I remember taking a boat across an underground lake that was, you guessed it, salt water.

If you’d like to live the experience yourself, just pick up the Thoene’s Zion Covenant Series. It’s almost as good as being there yourself.

 

As far as the countryside, there just isn’t much that can compete with the Alps. They’re breath-taking.
The churches stood out to me as different from other European churches I’d come across. It’s interesting how every country has a distinct look to their churches.

 

It’s hard to pull any more memories out of an eight hour blip eleven years ago in time.

Does anyone else have anything to share about Austria? Even if you haven’t been there, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Austria?

Chatting About the ACFW Conference Blog Tour

I’m pleased to be part of the ACFW conference blog tour today. Welcome, Friends!

For the longest time I put off writing this blog, because I felt I had nothing of any value to say. No brilliant advice to give, no “what-not-to-do” experiences to share, no experiences—period.

This won’t be my first writer’s conference, but it may as well be. The only other one I’ve been to was a one-day Christian writer’s conference in London. It was small, and although the company was awesome, I came away with very little.

So here I am, little ole me, blogging about nothing in particular and everything at the same time. I feel like a giant empty vessel waiting to be filled. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my writing journey it’s this:

1. I know nothing.
2 Admitting it is extremely liberating.

Via the First Timers Orientation loop, Cara Putman is doing a superb job of putting my newbie fears to rest. (Thanks, Cara!! You’re so patient with us.) Aren’t all you old-timers glad our endless, pesky newbie questions aren’t on the main loop?

More than having my empty vessel filled, I hope to give back, if even in some tiny way. I’ve signed up to volunteer in the book store on Sunday from 11-1:30, so stop on by and say howdy! AND I just found out there’s a choir. How totally cool is THAT?! It took me all of three jigawatts to volunteer to participate, and after listening to a youtube clip of the piece we’ll sing, I’m giddy with anticipation.

There’s tons to consider in preparation for the conference. One-sheets, appropriate clothing, elevator pitches (Yeah, right. I’ll SO chicken out). Remembering everyone’s name and where I know them from! (Please, someone tell me there will be name tags.) My head is already spinning.

Getting to the conference will be an achievement by itself.

With my husband deployed, I find myself needing childcare. So the kiddos and I will drive to Alabama where we plan to hitch a ride with my awesome friend, Melanie Dickerson, and my awesome roomie, Sue Williams. From there we’ll hop on I65 northbound, drop the kids off at my (super) awesome in-laws, then keep trucking up the interstate to Indy.

Almost as much as the conference, I’m looking forward to all those hours in the car to talk BOOKS and everything book related!

Isn’t God the best? He has every detail worked out to perfection. What? You didn’t know the conference was scheduled in Indianapolis just to make it easy on me to drop the kids off? Well, God knew, and that’s all that matters.  :-)

I have no specific goals in mind for the outcome of the conference except to spend quality time with godly writers, sharing and gleaning. Mind you, I do have a couple of novels that wouldn’t mind finding homes…

My only real fear (besides the “elevator” pitch!) is to be found useless. Despite being a published author (albeit newly), my self-confidence rots. The Lord continues to build me up in Him, but it’s a slow process. I’d hate to allow fear to rule my heart to the point of becoming useless.

If you’re interested in attending the conference, it’s not too late to sign up. So hurry on over to ACFW and join the fun!

If you plan to find me at the conference, just look for the bug-eyed woman with the gaping mouth. That’ll be me.

Can’t wait to see you there!!