GDPR

Chances are you have heard about the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

The GDPR requires companies to update their privacy policy, making clear how they use your data. This also applies to bloggers so I’ve published my Privacy practices on my website here

If you wish to unsubscribe to my posts, simply click "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of this email.

If I make changes to my privacy policy, they will be reflected on my Privacy page (with the date the last changes were made).

Thank you for subscribing to my blog.

Suzanne

SHOW MO!*

*You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine!

SCBWI Southern Breeze presents the first annual Manuscript and Portfolio Critique Event!

June is writing contest month for Southern Breeze and so throughout the month, we’re sponsoring manuscript swap events all over the region. Here’s one I’m hosting:  

JUNE 13, 2017, 1pm-3pm at Niceville Public Library.  email if you need more info spurvis500@embarqmail.com

Find more info on the Southern Breeze website at http://southern-breeze.scbwi.org 

Time to Make Your Synopsis Sizzle

Class runs June 4th - 30th 2017 You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace. But do not fear. This class is here to help you . . .  give your synopsis the attention it deserves. learn what to include and what to avoid in a synopsis.  create a synopsis showcasing your best writing.  add the intriguing emotional twists of your novel to the synopsis. fill your synopsis with your unique writer’s voice. give clarity, succinctness, and pizazz to your synopsis. The goal of this class through lessons, assignments, and plenty of feedback is for you to come away with a sizzling, scintillating synopsis. A synopsis that will get the attention of an agent, editor, contest judge and prove you’re a professional and talented story teller. No more moaning. Sign up.  Learn how to create a stellar synopsis.  Register here:  http://bit.ly/WriteSizzlingSynopsis If you have any questions or concerns regarding the class feel free to email me at spurvis500@embarqmail.com

When the Characters Won't Leave You Alone

Welcome Sandra Tilley and her sometimes outspoken characters in her newest novel, The Ghost and Mrs. Miller published with The Wild Rose Press. 

Here to tell us a little about the journey to publication and her characters that wouldn't leave her alone is Sandra Tilley, creator of her characters Libby Miller, her ghostly husband Neil, and their good friend, Eli.

POP the top and fill the glasses! It's RELEASE DAY for

    

                                                      Amazon and The Wild Rose Press

Libby Miller never expected to celebrate her nineteenth wedding anniversary with a ghost. Nor did she ever expect to catch her husband Neil cheating with his assistant or his BMW flipping over an overpass or his ghost showing up in her dining room. Neil’s ever-present spirit prevents Libby from grieving, and his meddling ethereal presence poisons any attempts to forgive his infidelity. Adding to her anxiety are two men from her past—both of whom want a second chance. In her struggle to build a new life, Libby discovers forgiveness and friendship and passion. And a fondness for lost souls.

Libby: As the protagonist in the Ghost and Mrs. Miller, I'd like to thank our creator, friend, and author, Sandra Tilley.

Sandra Tilley:  Thank you, Libby. And many thanks to all my characters. It's been an amazing journey.

Neil:  An amazing and LONG journey.

Libby:  Kind of like our marriage. But I digress… Besides, you're a ghost. You have no matter. We're the ones squashed into her head for eight years.

Neil:  I may not occupy space, but I was trapped inside her brain with the rest of you. 

Eli:  As spokesman for the rest of the characters, we're all glad to be out. Hard to be cooped up, even with your best buds, right Neil?

Jesse:  Hey, man, don't speak for me--

Sandra Tilley:  Guys, I apologize for taking so long to get you onto the page and your story out into the world. But writing takes time. 

Libby:  We know. There's editing and revision…

Neil:  And more editing and revision.

Jesse:  Don't forget her leaving us in a dark file for a year.

Eli:  Awww, guys. Quit with the hard time. It's not like she didn't have other projects.

Sandra Tilley:  Eli, always the gentleman.

Jesse:  Always a kiss up.

Neil:  I'm a gentleman, too. I just choose not to steal someone's family.

Libby:  It's not stealing if someone throws it away.

Sandra Tilley:  Hold on, guys. Let the readers decide who's throwing and who's stealing. This is a happy day. MY happy day! 

Thank you, Suzanne, for hosting me and my characters on your blog today. Release day, finally. I think I speak for all of us when I say WHEW.  It feels good to put their story out there. It's a story of second chances. It's a story of reconciliation. It's a story of life. 

I'm thrilled you and your characters stopped by. Be sure to check out Sandra's newest release and you can connect with her here at SandraTilley.com Like her on Facebook Follow her on Twitter

           Available Now: The Ghost and Mrs. Miller  at Amazon and The Wild Rose Press

If you have any questions for Sandra feel free to comment and/or share your experience with those characters that just won't leave you alone.

Guest Blogging at Write Way Cafe

Check out The Write Way Cafe blog today where I'm guest blogging and share more information on
almost every writer's nemesis--creating a synopsis.

The Write Way Cafe -- Help I need a Synopsis

Hope to see you there!

My Newest Release - Dragon on a High Hill

My short story A Royally Rotten Red Day has been included in Dragon on a High Hill, a collection of Princess and Dragon Stories

a DyslexiAssist Reader

DyslexiAssist is a new initiative from Knowonder! Publishing that makes reading easier for dyslexics.

You can learn more a their website:

www.knowonder.com/dyslexiassist

The book is published in a new font which independent research shows 84% of dyslexics read faster, 77% read with fewer mistakes and 76% recommend the font to others who suffer from dyslexia. There is also extra care taken with the font size, spacing between letters in the words, and number of words on a line and the page layout. 

I'm thrilled to part of this new and exciting initiative from Knowonder Publishing!

You can buy the book on Amazon perfect for all families, but especially for children with dyslixia.

January Another Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class

Beginning this week, I'm teaching another Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis Class at Lawson Writer's Academy. Would love to have you join us.

https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-courses/detail/2-writing/302-jan-2017-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis

The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis

You're in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace.

But do not fear.

This class is here to help you . . .

* give your synopsis the attention it deserves.

* learn what to include and what to avoid in a synopsis.

* create a synopsis showcasing your best writing.

* add the intriguing emotional twists of your novel to the synopsis.

* fill your synopsis with your unique writer‚s voice.

* give clarity, succinctness, and pizazz to your synopsis.

The goal of this class through lessons, assignments, and plenty of feedback is for you to come away with a sizzling, scintillating synopsis. A synopsis that will get the attention of an agent, editor, contest judge and prove you‚re a professional and talented story teller.

No more moaning.

Sign up.

Learn how to create a stellar synopsis.

***

Here's the buzz from previous classes.

Thank you Suzanne for helping me achieve my writing goals and get my synopsis shipshape and Colorado Gold entry in on time!

Suzanne's critiques are positive and professional, and they demonstrate best practices in fiction.

I respect Suzanne's craft knowledge and her skill as a writer, and I will definitely take her class again.

If you have any questions about the class feel free to ask. Look forward to seeing you there.

Writers in the Storm Guest Blogging

I'm over at Writers in the Storm guest blogging on synopsis.

Come and read some excellent tips and see my amazing checklist.

Writers in the Storm Guest Post

See you there.

Another Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class

In August, I ran the first The Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class and the experience was amazing for all who attended.

Here's some of the BUZZ from The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis Grads:

Suzanne helped me break down the synopsis into easily digestible parts, which prevents the overwhelm that so often accompanies writing one. Even just reading the forum responses and watching how she tightens language to achieve maximum impact, has been a godsend. I've waited for this course from Margie's site for over a year, and it was well worth the wait.

Great support, advice re tightening, adding voice and power and emotion. No one likes writing synopses but this class made it not only manageable but fun.

The lessons gave us a step by step blueprint, and the amazing help and personalized instruction made a seeming impossible task doable.

Writing a synopsis can feel overwhelming, but this class transforms a daunting class into a step-by-step highlight of the plot and character growth.

Awesome class. Suzanne is an excellent teacher and guide, very patient, very supportive and always spot-on with her suggestions.

I now have two kick-A synopses (a longer and a shorter one) which make me super-happy.

I'd planned to run the class again in the beginning of 2017, but due to demand, the class is running again in November. Would love to have you join us. 

A synopsis isn't just a summary of your story—and it isn’t just something you need to sell a book to an editor or to get an agent, although that's mostly why we write one. But a synopsis can keep you from getting stuck, it can save you days or weeks of revision. 

In case you're on the fence, here's another testimonial:

"I found the Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis course very helpful.  By the end of the class, I was the proud creator of synopsis of my complicated story which was clear and concise and compelling.  Suzanne was a knowledgable guide and gave very good feedback."

Here's the link http://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-courses/detail/2-writing/295-nov-2016-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis

Would love to have you join us.

If you have any questions feel free to comment here and I'll happily answer. 

Hope to see you in class.

Another Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class

In August, I ran the first The Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class and the experience was amazing for all who attended.

Here's some of the BUZZ from The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis Grads:

Suzanne helped me break down the synopsis into easily digestible parts, which prevents the overwhelm that so often accompanies writing one. Even just reading the forum responses and watching how she tightens language to achieve maximum impact, has been a godsend. I've waited for this course from Margie's site for over a year, and it was well worth the wait.

Great support, advice re tightening, adding voice and power and emotion. No one likes writing synopses but this class made it not only manageable but fun.

The lessons gave us a step by step blueprint, and the amazing help and personalized instruction made a seeming impossible task doable.

Writing a synopsis can feel overwhelming, but this class transforms a daunting class into a step-by-step highlight of the plot and character growth.

Awesome class. Suzanne is an excellent teacher and guide, very patient, very supportive and always spot-on with her suggestions.

I now have two kick-A synopses (a longer and a shorter one) which make me super-happy.

I'd planned to run the class again in the beginning of 2017, but due to demand, the class is running again in November. Would love to have you join us. 

A synopsis isn't just a summary of your story—and it isn’t just something you need to sell a book to an editor or to get an agent, although that's mostly why we write one. But a synopsis can keep you from getting stuck, it can save you days or weeks of revision. 

In case you're on the fence, here's another testimonial:

"I found the Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis course very helpful.  By the end of the class, I was the proud creator of synopsis of my complicated story which was clear and concise and compelling.  Suzanne was a knowledgable guide and gave very good feedback."

Here's the link http://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-courses/detail/2-writing/295-nov-2016-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis

Would love to have you join us.

If you have any questions feel free to comment here and I'll happily answer. 

Hope to see you in class.

Writers Boot Camp

Another fantastic Writer's Boot Camp is about to begin at Lawson Writer's Academy.
 
It's a supportive group of writers setting goals, working toward goals and sharing tons of writerly information all of us has gleaned through our journeys.

The best part is the Critique Cafe where you can post pages (up to 10 pages at at time, throughout the month) and get a critique from me and others.

You can post pages from your work in progress that is giving you fits :-), your query, your synopsis whatever you're looking for a critique on.

Here's the link. http://bit.ly/SeptRevision

Sept. 1 - Sept 30;  Fee: $50

More information:

Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide
You’ve got that first draft done or almost done. Or maybe you’re on your 2nd, 3rd, or LAST revision and you’re working toward the finish line.

You’re ready for REVISION BOOTCAMP.

Sign up.

Get your marching orders.

Working with other recruits attack your revisions.

Or. . .

 Maybe you’re looking for a REVISION RETREAT.

Sign up and escape.

Be inspired to increase your creativity and productivity.

Engage with other creative souls and watch your revision dreams soar.

You decide.Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat.

Whichever you choose, be ready for daily support, accountability, check-ins, revision lessons, plenty of camaraderie, inspiration, and productivity. No more writer’s solitary confinement.

Set GOALS. For the month, the week, the day. And then. . .

REVISE. REVISE. REVISE.

Novel, short stories, query, synopsis. Your choice. Your goals.

And you can. . .

Visit our virtual Coffee Shop to share accomplishments.
Sit down with a virtual latte. Share your gold star accomplishments, including daily goals achieved, contest entries, contest wins, agent submissions and signings, publications, etc. Join your classmates for a cup o joe and cheer each other’s big and small wins which can spur your own goals and ideas.

 Visit our Martini Mind Bar to brainstorm.

Order a virtual martini. Throw out your questions to your bar mates and brainstorm. Hop onto a stool, share a drink, and help out a writer in need. Creativity feeds creativity.

Visit our Wine Bar to . . .  well . . . whine.

Having a bad day? Not meeting your goals? Your mother-in-law showed up and she’s eating into your revision time?

Sit down, relax, order a chardonnay and whine. Rants are welcome too. No judgment. Grab a glass of merlot and commiserate.

 Visit our Critique Cafe to get help.

Do you have a description that you fear may be too flowery?

Have some dialogue you want to run by someone else’s ear?

Are you re-writing and re-writing and re-writing the same page? Maybe the first page? To help you move on, pop in, order a virtual sandwich, and post a piece of your work for a critique from me and your fellow classmates.

As a critique buddy, come on in and offer a fresh set of eyes. Just remember the Critiquing Golden Rule: critique how you’d like to be critiqued, fair and honest and kind.

So what are you waiting for. Sign up.

Become inspired to focus on your writing and revision.

To commit. To prioritize. To accomplish more. 

Thirty days filled with writing support, camaraderie, and learning, all to ensure your writing and revision goals become a reality.

Start Date:  Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Cost: 50(USD)

Here's what Margie Lawson has to say. . .

Revision Boot Camp gets your butt in the chair. . . gets you setting writing goals, gets you accomplishing goals and strengthens your revision skills too with the added bonus of support, camaraderie with other writers, and best of all knowledgeable critique.

You can work on new work, plotting, revision, synopsis, query letter whatever your writing goals.

The support and encouragement and shared knowledge is amazing.

Taught by 2-time Immersion-Grad Suzanne Purvis!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ? Here's what others are saying

-- The crit cafe was invaluable. All the knowledge shared too. Fab fab fab.

-- A great supportive environment to share your weekly goals and achievements .

-- A place to spark ideas and discover new resources, plus a forum for giving and receiving feedback on problem areas in your WIP.

-- Suzanne provides excellent tips and links to other resources, and superb critiques, advice and support for everyone in class.

-- I loved getting to read the others work and critique. I really felt valued as a writer.

-- The four week course paired fun and camaraderie with productive learning and writing.

-- High level of craft understanding. Supportive and encouraging.

-- Best bootcamp ever. Suzanne guided, chivvied, encouraged us to go after our goals. The camp exceeded my expectations. I hit my goals and then some!

Sept. 1 - 30 

http://bit.ly/SeptRevision

Hope you'll join us.

Synopsis: Hated and Hurried, but here's HELP!

You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace.

But do not fear.

This class is here to help you . . .

 * give your synopsis the attention it deserves.
* learn what to include and what to avoid in a synopsis.
* create a synopsis showcasing your best writing.
* add the intriguing emotional twists of your novel to the synopsis.
* fill your synopsis with your unique writer’s voice.
* give clarity, succinctness, and pizazz to your synopsis.

The goal of this class through lessons, assignments, and plenty of feedback is for you to come away with a sizzling, scintillating synopsis.

A synopsis that will get the attention of an agent, editor, contest judge and prove you’re a professional and talented story teller.

No more moaning.

Sign up here:   The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis

Learn how to create a stellar synopsis.

August 1 - 31  Fee: $65

Here's what others have said:
                                                                
“Thank you Suzanne for helping me achieve my writing goals and get my synopsis shipshape and Colorado Gold entry in on time!!”

“Suzanne's critiques are positive and professional, and they demonstrate best practices in fiction.”

“I respect Suzanne's craft knowledge and her skill as a writer, and I will definitely take her class again.”

Maybe I'll see you in class. 

If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments here or email me.

Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice

Wishing you all the best of the Season

And warmest of wishes for the New Year

See you in 2016

A Children's Tale of the Christmas Shepherds

Have you ever wondered about the shepherds in the story of Christmas? And what might've happened the night of Christmas when the angel came and spoke to the shepherds and told of a Savior's birth?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos must've have wondered because she has written a whimsical story from the point of a view of the youngest of shepherds, a boy, only five-years-old.

With large and colorful illustrations by Eugene Ruble, readers follow Obed as he tends to his first flock of sheep in the hills outside Bethlehem. When the angel appears and declares
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people,"
the men, including Obed's father, know what they must do. But Obed is reluctant to follow and doesn't want to leave his sheep. He worries of howling wolves and rocks that may trap his sheep and thieves. But it's not in Bethlehem where Obed becomes aware that this is indeed a night of miracles, it's when he returns to his sheep and finds them unharmed, content, and grazing peacefully.

Little Shepherd is a wonderful book for parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers to read during the Christmas holidays to children of all ages. Available here

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author, and editor. A 2005 graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group, Cheryl began her career focusing on article writing. She specializes in time management and organization, but has also written about everyday life in the 1800s, gardening, parenting, and women’s health issues. In 2008, she changed her focus to fiction writing for children. Her first picture book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing (GAP). 

Cheryl also writes under the name of C. C. Gevry. The first chapter reader, A Christmas Kindness, was released by 4RV Publishing in 2012, with a digital version following in 2013.

Ms. Malandrinos has edited numerous manuscripts in a variety of genres and ghostwritten a Christian chapter book. Cheryl has been a panelist at the WriteAngles Conference that takes place each fall at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and offers writing workshops in her local school district. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. Cheryl lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.

You can visit her at her website.

Feel free to comment.

New Release for Children's Author - Donna M. McDine

Dee and Deb Off They Go--Kindergarten First Day Jitters

Award-winning author Donna M. McDine has written an adorable picture book about the first day of kindergarten. She uses her first hand knowledge (having a twin sister of her own) to share what it might be like for separated twins on the first day of kindergarten. 

Many kids have fears regarding the first day of school, but this first day of school is especially worrisome for twins Dee and Deb. 

Deb and Dee head off for their first day of kindergarten together, but become separated when Dee goes to the K1 classroom and Deb goes to K2.

The rest of the book centers on Dee and her fears of being lost and alone without her twin sister for back up. But as usually is the case, Dee makes a friend, and the day flies by. Reunited at the end of the school day, Dee and Deb have so much more to talk about with their own accounts and experience of the day. And Dee can hardly wait for tomorrow.

The colorful and contagious illustrations are provided by Jack Foster.

He shows not just the similarities between the twins (their too-cute pigtails and matching outfits), but also their differences (Dee and Deb must be fraternal twins.) 

A truly entertaining book for any child embarking on the journey to kindergarten.

Donna’s book is available here

http://www.donnamcdine.com/home.html

About the Author: Multi award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine’s creative side laid dormant for many years until her desire to write sparked in 2007. Her latest release Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters joins the four early reader children’s picture books, A Sandy Grave(January 2014), Powder Monkey (May 2013), Hockey Agony (January 2013) and The Golden Pathway (August 2010) all with Guardian Angel Publishing. Join McDine as her adventures continue as she ignites the curiosity of children through reading. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI.

Connect with Donna on the Web!

www.donnamcdine.com

www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMcDineAuthor

As always, feel free to comment. 

Deep in the South

All things Southern:

I'm a transplanted Canadian, who is flourishing in the Deep South. Didn't take long for me to trade my "eh" for "y'all"and to embrace all things Southern. Okay, maybe not all things. I still don't care for grits. 

                                                  photo courtesy of preciseportions.com

But from the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the people, their accents, their long-winded stories, and their unique and hilarious sayings. Every time I hear a new one I about bust a gut. 

Here's a few sayings employing tasty Southern food: 

photo courtesy of pillsbury.com

“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.”

“Well, if that don’t put pepper in the gumbo.”

"Well, that just dills my pickle and frosts my cupcake."

"Can't get blood from a turnip."

"Give me some sugar."

In the South, we love our porches and dogs:

"If you can’t run with the big dogs stay on the porch."
"Looks like somethin’ the dogs been keeping under the porch."                         "You're lyin' like a no-legged dog."

And a few more favorites:

"You could start an argument in an empty house." 

"The engine's running but nobody's driving."

“God love’em cuz' somebody’s got to."

"He squeezes a quarter so tight the eagle screams."

But the following sums up my feelings for the South:

A place where the tea is sweet and accents are sweeter.  Macaroni and cheese is a vegetable.  Front porches are wide and words are long.  Pecan pie is a staple.  Ya’ll is a proper noun.  Biscuits come with gravy.  Everything is darlin’.  And someone’s heart is always being blessed.

And, in case you were wondering. . .

Feel free to share your favorite sayings from the South or from where you live.

A Single Dream Can Launch the Journey

Today, I liked to welcome to my blog, fellow Prism Book Group author, Jewell Tweedt.
She was born and raised in Omaha, the setting for her Nebraska Brides series. She divides her time between writing, teaching American History, and grading papers. Lots of papers.

I've invited Jewell to share with us her writerly inspiration, humor and camaraderie as well as sharing her news of her new release A Bride for the Sheriff.

Tell us, what inspires you, Jewell.

Thank you Suzanne for hosting me today. As a new Prism Book Group author I am excited to announce my book A Bride for the Sheriff released  November 5th. 

I'd like to say I can't believe this is happening so fast but it's not. Actually, I wrote 
the first draft of this story 20 years ago. It sat under my bed through a serious illness, four job changes, a new house, post-graduate work, and  a hectic job as a middle school teacher. 
From time to time I'd pull it out, dust it off and read through it. Finally, four summers ago I decided life was passing too quickly not to go after my dream and I began to submit it to publishers. 

Three rewrites (okay maybe more like 9) later, it is finally available for readers to  enjoy. 
My inspiration through it all has been strong faith, and the following quote. . . 
"A single dream can launch the journey of a lifetime."

I love this quote, and most of my blog posts here deal with the crazy, and sometimes lonely journey following a writerly path.  Share with us some of the writerly camaraderie you've experienced along the way. 

Being a writer is a solitary endeavor so whenever I can connect with other writers I do. I belong to The Romance Authors of the Heartland in Omaha, Nebraska and we meet once a month to share encouragement and a few laughs. From this group, I've learned that failure is only when you give up. 

I also learned to celebrate rejection letters. Those letters mean I am practicing my craft. The camaraderie is so important that even when I can't make a meeting I'll still keep in touch with the other members.

And for a touch of Jewell's humor here's an excerpt from A Bride for the Sheriff

    “Now it’s beginning to make sense. Why, you’re just a little sharpshooter,” Tom said.

    Claire sidled up to him and hugged him close. “What better qualifications for the wife of a sheriff to have. We’ll be a terrific team.” 

Here'a a bit about Jewell's new release A Bride for the Sheriff

Claire Secord is a prim school teacher whose life changes when she moves to the wild town of  Omaha. Her secret- she's a sharpshooter. But will her skills with a pistol be enough to save her when she is kidnapped to become a thug's 'mail-order' bride? 

Sounds intriguing. Thanks so much for sharing a little of your writerly humor, camaraderie, and inspiration. Good luck with your new release.

You can learn more and where to buy at Jewel's blog:  http://tweedtjewell.blogspot.com/

As always, feel free to comment or ask Jewell a question.

A Forgotten Princess

Today, I'd like to welcome Rachel James to my blog. She's been coerced, I mean, invited to share her writerly thoughts on inspiration, camaraderie, and humor.  Take it away, Rachel.

          Humor:

When I first made the decision to write The Forgotten Princess of Elmetia, I knew I would need some kind of target to ensure I finished writing it. I opted to enter the Operation First Novel Contest to give me a deadline, as well as an opportunity to receive professional feedback. The night before I submitted, I asked my eldest daughter, Abigail, who at the time was just 7, to pray for me. 

She looked at me with an excited face. “A competition? Do you get a prize?”

“Yes,” I said, “The winner gets published.”

She drew a blanked expression. “What does that mean?”

“Er, well, they would take the story I’ve written, and put it in a book, so that people can buy it.”

Abigail pulled a face. “The prize is… you get to buy your own book?” she flung her arms in the air. “You don’t even get a trophy?”

Whilst attempting to contain my laughter, I tried to explain to her that getting published is better than any trophy, however, she is yet to be convinced.  

       Camaraderie:

Living in the UK, there are not that many opportunities to link and network with other Christian romance writers, so I decided early on this year to take a trip over to Colorado to attend the Christian Writers Guild conference. The experience was amazing, to be able to meet like-minded people who ‘get you’. I just love the ‘buzz’ of mixing with fellow writers who encourage and inspire each other to continue to fulfil their calling as authors. 

Since coming back to the UK, and becoming a Prism author, I can honestly say the camaraderie I find with fellow Prism writers to be totally unique, and I thank God for them. I find it so amazing that through the wonders of technology I can connect with authors across the other side of the world.

          Inspiration:

As I write medieval romance, I love visiting historical sites to glean inspiration. I’ve been doing this since I was a child, and now at every opportunity I do the same with my own children. 

The Forgotten Princess of Elmetia 

It is 616AD, and one fatal night the ancient Kingdom of Elmetia falls. Saxons kill the Elmetian King, and capture Princess Teagen. Teagen poses as a slave girl and works for the Saxons in the Kingdom of Deira, until she discovers her brother is alive. She finds a way to escape, and her path crosses with Ryce the Warrior.

Struggling with his past, and angry against the tyrant Saxon king, Ryce helps the princess in pursuit of her brother. But just as the connection between them intensifies, obstacles get in their way. The Saxon king now wants vengeance, and will stop at nothing to get it. 

Book Trailer

Buy on  Amazon
Connect with Rachel through her Website or on Facebook

More about Rachel:

Rachel grew fascinated with the medieval time period as a child. Dubbed a bookworm from a young age, Rachel found herself surrounded by places steeped in history and adventure. She enjoyed trips with her family to visit nearby derelict castles and Roman ruins, and that coupled with a zealous imagination and love for stories, sparked her interest in knights, fortresses and ancient kingdoms.  

Born and bred in England, Rachel writes adventure driven historical romance, she is also a pastor’s wife, and has three beautiful little princesses. She minored in creative writing at university and strives to entertain, inspire and encourage others in their own spiritual journey. She’s also captivated by romantic tales… combine it with a little history and a hot cup of tea, and she’s smitten! 

Thanks so much, Rachel for being here on my blog, and good luck with your new release.

As always feel free to comment or ask a question.