Taking Writing Courses — Yes, Do It!!!

I started writing seriously for publication about six and half years ago. At that time, Harlequin had a free online writing course. I’m not sure if they still offer that course, but one of the smartest things I ever did was take that course. And I was fastidious about it. I took it very seriously and I learned a great deal. I still use a modified version of the character information sheet they offered.

Now online writing courses seem to be in every nook and cranny of the internet. They might be basic courses…a writer’s 101 type thing, or they might be on a very narrow and specific topic. In last several years I’ve taken a course on martial arts fighting techniques geared toward the crime fiction and action-adventure author. In addition I took and online course on historical forensics, as my Sanctuary Point mystery series is set in the 1940s. I took notes, asked questions, took notes, soaked up knowledge the instructor offered. Did I mention I took notes?

I did not use the course to try to slip in mention of my books slyly here and there. I did not try to impress the instructors with my vast knowledge as a multi-published author. If I knew so much, why was it necessary to take the course? Duh!

There are many good courses out there. For Christian authors American Christian Fiction Writers have some of the best. Romance Writers of America offers a wide variety of courses. Gotham Writers Workshop offers fantastic online writing courses for mystery writers. I’m sure there are many other groups offering courses. My local library offered a six-week writing course, and guess what? I took it. Had a lot of fun. Met some nice people and learned a few things.

Dark Days of Promise by Shaunna Gonzales ~ fits in multiple genres

This is a crime fiction blog and I could’ve been in a quandary, but I wasn’t. Should I showcase this novel here or was another blog I’m involved with more appropriate? As you read the interview questions you’ll see DARK DAYS OF PROMISE can fit in the romantic suspense and/or the inspirational romantic suspense category. It can also fit in one or two other categories as well.

So, let’s see what this novel is about…

Thirty-four year old Vicki Laramie must learn to trust before she can love, but she might die trying.

While Vicki’s children grapple with the death of their father — a man whom she’s successfully fabricated as loving, a lie her rebellious teenager recognizes — she must find a way to support her family and find a role model for her boys. She never intends to fall for Staff Sergeant Chase, her best friend’s son, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She’d much rather choose a safer man to love, but her children have a voice in the decision she makes. With two deaths to deal with, a suitor after her money, a rebellious son, and Sergeant Chase’s repeated attacks, she can only hope to survive the danger she faces. If she doesn’t, her children will be left without either parent.

Excerpt

Was he telling me the truth? I wasn’t sure. The reality of whether or not I’d survive the night and claim I’d made the right choice to accept a ride from such a dangerous man was, as of yet, to be determined. A fierce battle raged within me. Although grateful for the ride, and the warmth of his Jeep, a cold shudder of terror slithered up my spine every time he glanced my direction. The locked door added to my apprehension. Cold overwhelmed me again.

He exercised a considerable amount of care in adjusting the army blanket higher across my chest with one hand. His warm hand brushed against my skin. I flinched, wanting to scream, but managed to keep it in check, in all honesty because I couldn’t … The phantom pressure of his hands lingered at my throat.

It seemed incomprehensible. I’d once thought him in need of my comfort, only to have him turn on me, becoming a killer. Never, if I lived forever, would I forget the coldness in his eyes at the moment I knew I’d die. The memory of his eyes, the cold purposeful reflection of them, caused me to shudder. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. Would his seeming gentleness be absent, replaced instead by the killer I knew existed behind the veil of concern for my well-being? Though good-looking, he’d proved beyond dangerous — he’d proven deadly. He’d held my life in his hands. The option of my continued breathing his choice and his alone. I wasn’t at all sure by what fate I continued to breathe and feared it had been a calculated move on his part to heighten my terror. He’d measured me well if such were his intentions.

It required a firm determination on my part to remain calm. In the subconscious recesses of my mind, I considered myself his prisoner. Distrust replaced my calm acceptance of his explanation of finding me with emphatic surety. I tried in vain to calm my instincts to run should the opportunity present itself.

Interview Questions:

Nike:  It seems DARK DAYS OF PROMISE can span several genres. Would you call it women’s fiction, or romantic suspense, or a little of each.

Shaunna:  It is interesting that you should ask this question. I have submitted this piece in more than one competition both as women’s fiction and romantic suspense. I steered away from women’s fiction and to Romance due to the ending — which I wasn’t sure would be the way it is right up until submitting to the publisher. But, the publisher loved it as a Romantic Suspense so that is what it is. Actually, Desert Breeze Publishing has it as an Inspirational Romantic Suspense. Certainly the issues dealt with could be firmly seated in all of the above categories and I think that was the underlying idea as I don’t consider myself a romantic and I definitely have strong opinions about the typical romance novel.

Nike:  What made you want to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a theme in this novel?

Shaunna:  Honestly? I fell into it, or rather Kelly flipped me! I wrote a scene, and the reader will know which one by my “Flip”, then I had to figure out why he would do such a thing. Every reaction must have a motivation, even if the motivation is not thoroughly explored on the written page. My search for the answer led me, in a roundabout way, to some new friends, veterans in my church group. That was an adventure in and of itself.

Think of a hubby that doesn’t like my talking to men without him at my side (he is slightly jealous of my occasional flirting… he has a right.) I convinced him to step away so the guys would open up and let me in their very tight circle. What I didn’t know at the very beginning was that the one vet was single and that the blond sitting across the room throwing deadly darts at me was his fiancé! Okay, zoom to the present. We are all married to our respective spouses, including me to my wonderful, though protective hubby, and we are all friends occasionally enjoying social gatherings in one another’s homes.

Okay, back to the question. What I learned from these wonderful guys is that every one of them suffers from Post Traumatic Stress in one way or another. I also realized that those of us on the outside go through our daily lives blissfully unaware in most cases. The realization that dropped me like a rock is when one of them smiled, well it wasn’t really a smile but if I were a guy he would have punched my shoulder and added this, “Yeah, you got it. You deal with it too.” Gulp! I experience and deal with Post Traumatic Stress in a very civilian way. 1) I don’t (didn’t) know I dealt with it, 2) My PTSD is very mild, and 3) I go to great lengths to hide it as well as hide from the triggers (unless asked these kinds of questions.)

Nike:  Oh, Shaunna I’m thrilled by your transparency about your own struggle with PTSD . Also, your church experience sounds so much like what I’ve encountered. I do think women should be able to come off as feminine, if that’s what their personality type is. But then do expect the daggers flying from across the sanctuary. Ahem…back to the novel. What would you like your readers to take away with them?

Shaunna:  I’ve been asked this before and at the time had a very eloquent answer. Awareness. PTSD sufferers are not crazy. It is real and in some cases debilitating. An individual doesn’t have to be a war veteran to suffer from it. I have been told of cases where an infant is born with PTSD due to the violence witnessed from inside the womb.

Author Bio

Shaunna currently resides with her family in Western Washington. Once told by her doctors that she would never leave her wheelchair — due to her Multiple sclerosis. It remains unable to climb the stairs so she leaves it in the garage — to collect dust mites. A storyteller in her youth, she endeavored to extend her love of stories to the written word and in 2005 began to write her first novel. Though that manuscript will remain buried, she has continued to learn and is excited to share her latest work. She has lived in many states among people of varying backgrounds. Recently she met a small group of veterans and in doing so became intrigued with the effects of PTSD on their lives and that of their families. She continues to interview veterans with PTSD. You can visit her blog at shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon/Kindle. http://tiny.cc/p123qw

Barnes and Noble/Nook. http://tiny.cc/e323qw

Desert Breeze Publishing Store. http://tiny.cc/9423qw

THE RADICAL RIDE by Lanny Smith

 

I’m thrilled to be showcasing THE RADICAL RIDE, a novel that takes the reader from suspense, to terror, to the demonic. Now let’s find out a bit about this novel…

 

Suspense/Paranormal

Seven strangers become the center of a series of assumed terrorist attacks on Los Angeles, California, that change their lives forever. News anchor Andi Stokes is on her way up in the world of television broadcasting when something she’s reporting gives her more publicity than she could hope for – because she’s the target victim. When she meets Randy White, a California surfer, she knows she’s met the one, but these violent events taunt their relationship. On the other side of town, Andi’s old high school teacher, Jeff, is the target of demonically possessed men out to kill him. Through a series of horrific, violent events, they find themselves deeply embroiled within a demonic terrorist’s plot. ~ With the poser of faith, can they stop this evil in time?

 

Excerpt:

A few moments later, five men entered the room. Andi gasped underneath that tape covering her mouth at two of them with the bright red eyes. These were the figures on the recording. She did so again when the last man entered, with not only a brighter set of glowing red eyes but also with a reddish luminescence surrounding his head…. He seemed to be embracing the moment, as if in a drug-induced euphoria. He also appeared to be accompanied by the outlines of two, dark shadows behind him, filling the room with a heavy, demonic presence.

 

So, Lanny, tell us what’s so “radical” about THE RADICAL RIDE? 

I think the reader will experience a literal and figurative “ride” of sorts from this story.  In the world of surfing, becoming one with the wave is an example of achieving THE RADICAL RIDE. A skydiver will certainly take a thrill-trip every time he or she jumps from either a plane or a mountain top. A near death experience is the best example of THE RADICAL RIDE. 

I’m speculating that when someone crosses the line of religion to religious fanaticism, then this person is on his or her way to taking a spiritual ride of their own.  When a person loses a loved one and is on the verge of losing hope, I believe that an encounter with Jesus Christ will certainly prepare that person to get up and get back on the road to healing, hope and purpose – which can be considered a radical ride in itself, created by the most radical person who ever walked the earth!

 

 

Lanny Smith is a Christian high school teacher, a former “Class B+” surfer and veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  He currently lives in Florida with his wife and two of his three children.

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon. http://is.gd/Rv1QGF

Barnes and Noble. http://is.gd/9mHfF9

CBN. http://is.gd/KKrSJ3

The Web Store. http://is.gd/UaUdGJ

Tate Publishing. http://is.gd/Laeirl

SUBMERGED ~ Dani Pettrey’s Debut Novel

 

 

 

I’m so jazzed to have Dani Pettrey here to discuss her break out novel SUBMERGED. This novel is full of promise and is such an exciting story…a spell binding romantic suspense novel with action-adventure elements.

 

 

But first let’s take a peek at what SUBMERGED is about…

 

 

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget. She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart… but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he’s not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

 

 

Nike: SUBMERGED is your debut novel and is part of a series. How did you get the idea for this novel and for the series?

Dani: I watched a movie about cave divers and it got me thinking what type of person would pursue such a dangerous job for a living. I find extreme athletes and people who pursue adventurous careers simply fascinating. I began researching extreme sports and adventure professions and the McKenna family was born.

Nike: What made you choose Alaska as a setting? Will the other novels in the series also be set in Alaska?

 

Dani: I wanted a setting that worked well for adventure and suspense. Alaska is a gorgeous state full of adventurous possibilities, and there is an inherent risk of danger if you aren’t prepared properly. All the novels in the Alaskan Courage series will take place in Alaska for at least a portion of the story.

Nike: Faith, Mercy and Forgiveness are major spiritual themes in the story. Can you tell us more about that?

 

Dani: When I came to Christ as an adult, I had a lot of past mistakes that I was very ashamed of much as Bailey did. God has been kind and gentle in helping work past that and to truly accept the new creation I am in Him. I hope Bailey’s journey helps show the truth that we find wholeness and fulfillment in Christ alone. Only He can take what is broken and make it whole again.

 

 

Nike: Our daughter attended a small Christian school and then I homeschooled her for three years. You are a homeschooling mom. What made you chose to homeschool and what would you say are the major benefits of homeschooling?

Dani: I knew from the start that I wanted to homeschool my girls. Giving them a strong spiritual founding as part of their daily education was a key motivator. We always wanted the girls to be able to learn at their own pace whether that meant spending more time on a particular math concept or moving at an accelerated pace in accordance with their strengths. We included a lot of field trips and hands-on learning, and have really enjoyed our homeschooling years.

 

 

Author Bio: Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon. http://is.gd/S6naf3

Barnes and Noble. http://is.gd/YUYatt

Christian Books. http://is.gd/tAygUC

 

 

 

With Every Letter ~ First Novel in Sarah Sundin’s New WWII Series

I’m excited to have Sarah Sundin here to share her love of the World War II era. She’s written quite a few romantic war stories. As my followers know, I write murder mysteries with romance set int the post WWII period in America. So Sarah and I have a lot in common and a lot to talk about. We both love this 1940s  time period.

WITH EVERY LETTER, September 2012. “A well-researched and absorbing tale”—Publishers Weekly

First let’s get a few particulars about WITH EVERY LETTER…

As part of a morale-building program, World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, they develop a deep friendship. But when they’re both transferred to Algeria, will their future be held hostage by the past—or will they reveal their identities?

With Every Letter is the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, in which three World War II flight nurses discover friendship, love, and peril in the skies and on the shores of the Mediterranean.

EXCERPT:

Chapter 1

Walter Reed General Hospital

Army Medical Center

Washington, D.C.

October 2, 1942

Lt. Philomela Blake believed mornings should start gently, with the nighttime melting into golden sunshine and birdsong luring to wakefulness.

Most nurses on the morning shift assaulted the patients with electric light and harsh voices, but not Mellie.

She pulled the cord of the blackout curtain and sang “At Last,” and the volume of her tune built with the intensity of light. Hurting and healing men deserved a soft hand.

On the nearest bed, Corporal Sloan shifted under the blankets. He’d undergone an appendectomy late last night. “Any dame . . .” He cleared his throat, his voice raspy from the ether. “Any dame with the voice of an angel must have a face to match.”

Mellie’s song and her hands stilled. How many soldiers dreamed of a beautiful nurse who might fall in love with him?

He rubbed his eyes, looked at her, and his smile flickered.

Papa called Mellie his exotic orchid, but American men seemed to prefer roses.

Nike: Your new release, WITH EVERY LETTER, has such an interesting premise with the exchange of letters, which is so 1940s. How did you come up with this idea for a story?

Sarah: The idea came to me while watching the Jimmy Stewart classic The Shop Around the Corner (which inspired You’ve Got Mail). The anonymous correspondence piqued my curiosity. What kind of person would be drawn to an anonymous correspondence? How about a shy nurse who has never fit in? How about the son of a notorious murderer who longs to be free of the prison of his name?

Nike: What first got you interested in the WWII era? You already have one WWII series (Wings of Glory) out. What is that one like and how is it different from your new series?

Sarah: I’ve always been interested in the WWII era. I loved hearing my grandparents’ stories and was always drawn to novels and movies set in that time period. When I had the idea for my first published novel, A DISTANT MELODY, I knew it had to be historical rather than contemporary, and World War II was the only time period I considered.

The Wings of Glory series followed three brothers who were B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force based in England, while the new Wings of the Nightingale series follows three friends who serve as flight nurses in the Mediterranean. Both series combine romance and action, and both involve WWII aviation, but the settings are different. Also, in Wings of Glory, the men had the “glamorous” jobs, but in Wings of the Nightingale, the men fill less glamorous but vital jobs—as an Army engineer, an Army pharmacist, and a C-47 cargo plane pilot.

Nike:  What has your personal writing journey been like? How long have you been seriously writing for publication?

Sarah: I started writing seriously in 2000 and started submitting to editors and agents in 2003. At that time, historical fiction wasn’t selling. For the next five years, I accumulated “good” rejection letters—they liked my story, characters, and writing—but not the genre. I kept praying, kept writing, and kept learning about the writing craft and the publishing industry. In 2008, the market flipped and publishers actively sought historicals. By then, the first two novels in Wings of Glory were complete and polished, and the third book was completely outlined. I submitted to Revell at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and they offered me a three-book contract a few months later.

My road to publication was long and rocky, but I wouldn’t change it for a thing. I learned so much about God and about myself through the process. The lessons I learned about obedience, faithfulness, and trusting God’s perfect timing were even more valuable than that contract.

PURCHASE LINKS for WITH EVERY LETTER:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Every-Letter-Novel-Wings-Nightingale/dp/0800720814

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/with-every-letter-sarah-sundin/1108612393

ChristianBook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/with-every-letter-wings-the-nightingale/sarah-sundin/9780800720810/pd/720810

Wings of Glory Series:

BLUE SKIES TOMORROW, 2011. Four and a half stars, RT Book Reviews.

A MEMORY BETWEEN US, 2010. Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalist.

A DISTANT MELODY, Revell, 2010. Editor’s Choice from Historical Novels Review.

To obtain purchase information for the Wings of Glory series. http://www.sarahsundin.com

AUTHOR BIO:

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series from Revell, and also the Wings of Glory series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn’t ferrying kids to tennis and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. Please visit her at http://www.sarahsundin.com