Laying Low…

Sorry for my absence here of late. It has been a busy time, a fun time. Just last weekend I hosted my daughter’s bridal shower. Crazy to think that I have a daughter getting married in just two months time…but there you have it. Of course, immediately afterward, I got hit with the worst cold I’ve had in a long while. I did get my flu shot, but apparently it does not protect against the common cold. So last week I hung out with my daughter and tried to get on with life – we even had a spa day – try going under the steamer for a facial with a head full of cold!! But I enjoyed it anyway. This weekend, I’m hibernating.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m not feeling 100% I like to snuggle under warm blankets and just veg. Not much writing happens when my brain is clogged. And I’m trying not to feel guilty about that. Trying not to think about it in general actually, because I’m not feeling very positive about things right now. I don’t deal well with uncertainty, well, who does, right? I like a plan, I like knowing what’s coming next, what to prepare for and how to move past the obstacles. You can’t exactly do that with the world of publishing. The best I can do is keep writing, keep my eyes focussed on what is in front of me, the tangible, the things I can control, and quit worrying about the things I can’t. Oh, but it’s hard.

Still, I am so grateful for so many things today, even as I sit here coughing up a lung. I have so many wonderful friends who support me, my amazing family, so much to look forward to. Discouragement is easy to give in to, but I’m determined to move past it.

Okay, enough said. We haven’t talked books in a while, so let’s do that! These days I’m reading several great novels -

The Girl in the Gatehouse – Julie Klassen

The Girl in the Gatehouse is a historical, rich in detail with captivating characters – I’ve become a fan of Julie’s over the last couple of years, and I was so thrilled to meet her in person this past September in Monterey! We are with the same agency, so we got to hang out a bit. I recommend all her books, and there are a few of them!

Flight of the Earls - Michael K Reynolds 

Flight of the Earls is Michael’s first novel, and although I’m not very far along with it yet, I’m eager to dive in when I have the time to devote to it. The story is about Irish Immigrants, who leave the shores of Ireland for America, in 1846 – I know I’m going to find this fascinating, as I have always loved these kinds of stories.

Swimming to the Surface - Kristin Billerbeck 

Swimming to the Surface I just happened across the other day. Kristin is known for her YA novels, so when I saw that she’d written an adult fiction, I checked it out. I was even more surprised to discover the author has self-published this book, because that option is always in the back of my mind. It is a different story, but one that any Christian who has struggled within the church can appreciate. I’m looking forward to finishing it.

I still have a ton of books on my TBR pile, but those are three I’m enjoying at the moment. Writing wise, I’m still working on First Harvest, and a new story called Home to Castle Hill. Don’t forget, next month, April – Hidden in the Heart is ACFW Book Club’s pick of the month. I hope you will join in that discussion. And, as always, if you have enjoyed either of my books and would like to post a review, I welcome them! Still haven’t checked out my writing? Visit my website for information about my books and read the excerpts!

What’s on your current reading list? 

Why I Won’t Pretty It Up And Put A Bow On It…

 

It has been an interesting couple of weeks.

I have a lot going on right now, and in the back of my mind is always some thought about my so-called career as a writer. Am I doing enough? What next? Should I be working on this or this?

When I have stuff out on submission, as I do at the moment, I tend to play a lot of mind games. It’s a little tedious, but old habits die hard. I’ve been asking myself the big old ‘What If…’ questions. What if I wrote this for a certain publisher – if it got picked up, I could get a start on getting my ‘name’ out there as a legitimate author. A good thought. And not the first time I’ve considered it. But you see, the problem comes with the kinds of stories I would have to write if I were to submit something to this house. They’re good books, don’t get me wrong, but…the style is just…not me. Could I write that way? Sure. But I think what I really had to ask myself is, “Why would I want to?” Just for the sake of getting another book published? Maybe getting a little more recognition than I have now? Selling a few more books and maybe making a little bit more money than I have in the past?

Really? Is that why I’m doing this?

Incase you’re wondering, the answer is no.

From the time I started writing, I knew I wanted to convey a particular message. I knew that my style of writing would get down and dirty and probably not be considered wholesome enough for a vast majority of church goers. This was confirmed when Yesterday’s Tomorrow came out, and I was questioned, quite seriously, about the fact that my characters did and said things that this particular reader did not approve of or think should appear in a ‘Christian’ novel. And she had a point. My characters were lost. They were in the middle of a war zone for one thing…and yes, they did and said things that might make some little old lady’s hair curl. Before anyone freaks out and wonders what exactly is in that book, it’s quite acceptable I assure you. Obviously not acceptable for everyone, but that’s okay with me. I could not write that story any other way. And, yes, I prayed about it. I knew without a doubt, when that book was accepted for publication, that I had not sold out.I hadn’t prettied it up and made it into something it wasn’t. It was good the way it was. Thankfully, more than a few people agreed with me, but even if they hadn’t, I knew I’d written it the way I was supposed to.

So here’s my question:

Can we sanitize sin?

Can we take our ugly, brush off the dirt, wrap it in shiny paper, stick a pretty bow on it and call it beautiful? I don’t believe we can. We can leave it the way it is, step around it, ignore it, let someone else deal with it, but it’s still going to be there an hour later. Or the next day. And the next. At some point, we have to deal with it ourselves.

The real world is not pretty. People make poor choices. Devastating choices. Turn on the television for five minutes and get a load of the crap that we’re being fed on a daily basis. Is there no hope for a world that desperately needs it? I think there is. But I don’t think we can ignore what’s happening around us. I don’t think we can ignore the disintegration of the family. The anger in a teenager’s eyes. The lack of self-worth and self-respect found in our young women, and young men too. Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, gambling…you name it, it’s out there in some way shape or form in at least one of your neighbors homes. Maybe even in yours. I don’t think we can ignore these things. I don’t think we should. I think we should talk about them, write about them, pray about them.

But don’t ignore them.

Yes, I understand that we all love a happy, sweet story. I’ve read them and enjoyed them. I love my HEA (Happily Ever After) just as much as the next person. There’s a market for these books. But it’s not the market for me. I have things to say in my own way. And I might offend some people in the process. But I think it’s important to realize that everyone has a different way of telling a story. You may not like mine. But I won’t pretty it up for you. If you want to talk salvation, let’s talk sin. You can’t have one without the other.

This past Friday, after a wonderful eye-opening conversation with a dear writer-friend, I posted the following on Facebook:

I will not write words I think the world wants to hear. I will write words I know the world NEEDS to hear. I will keep it real and not sanitize it – because the real world is ugly and dirty and desperate and in need of HOPE. Today, I give myself the freedom to express my heart the way God intended me to, and the faith to trust Him for the outcome. 

Where that will take me in the publishing world is a big unknown. But if I’m trusting, then I also need to start believing. My stories will be written, and somehow, in some way, shape or form, I will share them.

And maybe you, in turn, will share yours with me.

Marketing Or A Root Canal?

 I’ve never had a root canal and I pray I never have to, but when I’m faced with marketing my books, I sometimes think I’d rather face down the dentist’s drill.

This is not for the faint of heart, folks.

To be honest, I think I suck at it. For one thing, I’m kinda introverted. The idea of shouting about myself from the rooftops makes me shudder. I’m also not terribly organized, so it’s been hard to formulate a great marketing strategy that actually works. And there’s the kicker. What works and what doesn’t? What should I spend my time on that will really help promote my books? Who do I talk to? Who do I ask to help influence my writing? Who will get up on the rooftop with me, and tell the world they’re missing out if they haven’t read a Catherine West novel yet?

Well, seems I’ve exhausted my list of family and friends already…

I’m asking all these questions because I have no answers. I don’t know why some books just seem to take off and some don’t. Is it better marketing, better writing, a bigger network? There are so many avenues these days, an author must choose wisely where she hangs out.

I enjoy GoodReads and spend a bit of time trying to interact there. I like the fact that readers can post reviews, and I encourage this, as I do think the number of positive reviews of a book can influence a purchase.

Twitter is a phenomenon unto itself and I’m not sure I quite get it. I have over a thousand followers, but do they all really see my tweets? Do they care? Probably not. I’m not convinced you can sell anything through Twitter, but you can promote. Same goes for Facebook. I have a personal page and an Author Page (if you haven’t Liked it yet, please do!), but there again, I’m always asking myself how much is too much? Should I really be pushing my books over Facebook? Do people think I’m a pain in the rear if I do? Do they think I’m dumb if I don’t?

Social media, for me anyway, has always been fun. I love Facebook (hi, I’m Cathy and I’m a Facebookalohic…) I love the interactions with family and friends on both my pages, so I’m hesitant to take advantage of that. I’ve seen the barrage of updates and tweets from authors promoting their books daily, sometimes several times a day. Frankly it turns me off more than anything. It’s like those telemarketers that call the minute you sit down to dinner…nobody wants that kind of reputation. I sure don’t. I’d rather create a community where I can get to know my readers and they can get to know me, and let the marketing evolve naturally. But how do I create that community without letting people know about my books? It’s a conundrum I haven’t quite come to grips with.

So what’s the answer?

If you’re an author wading through marketing waters, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What works for you and what doesn’t? 

If you’re a reader, tell me what might work for you? What gets you to take another look at a book you hear about through social media? Why do you hit that ‘purchase’ button?

Why wouldn’t you? 

To discover Catherine’s novels, Hidden in the Heart and Yesterday’s Tomorrow, please visit her website. You can read the first chapter of both books HERE.

 

 

Ain’t Nobody Got Time For Dat!

Right?
If you have no idea what the title of this post means, you’re excused. Maybe you don’t have kids, YouTube or the Internet at all. It’s okay. It happens. Believe me, I wouldn’t know anything about Sweet Brown and her quest for a cold pop gone wrong either if it weren’t for my kids rolling around on the kitchen floor one night, laughing hysterically over something they’d just watched on YouTube. And watched again. And again. And again.

So, I was curious. I sat down with them  and watched, and this is what I saw:

Okay, I admit it. I laughed. And I watched it again. And a few times the next day. And I laughed harder.

Then this came along:

Iconic stuff in the making.

What, you think I’m kidding?

Sweet Brown is now doing commercials, yes, she’s got time for dat…and I’ll bet she has more money now than she did when she went in search of a cold pop one night and found her apartment complex on fire.

Life is funny.

Sweet Brown didn’t set out to be famous. She just opened her mouth and told her story. In her own way. She kept it real. And we related. Something about the woman just draws us, makes us laugh. For whatever reason, she’s a likable character.

All too often we fool ourselves into thinking we need to be so much more than who we are. We need to be thinner, richer, more successful. We need more friends. More this, more that.

Ain’t Nobody Got Time For Dat! It’s exhausting for one thing. Take it from me. I’ve been there.

A long time ago I used to think certain things were important. That they made me who I am. That if I didn’t have the right clothes, the right friends, the perfect marriage, well-behaved kids…then somehow I was failing. So I worked really hard to make it look like my world was perfect. And it was far from it. I might have fooled a few folks here and there, maybe even friends who knew me well, but I couldn’t fool God. I finally faced the music and fessed up, and started to get real. It’s amazing really, the freedom that comes with authenticity.

Today, I’m not perfect, but I’m not trying to be. I look back on those early years of married life and raising kids without a clue, and I smile. I even thank God for those days when I felt like I just couldn’t breathe, couldn’t take one more step. Because they taught me to lean on Him. The lessons I learned to get to where I am today have become invaluable. I will continue to make mistakes, but I won’t hide behind them. With me, what you see is what you get, like it or not.

Authenticity is a rare gift these days, and one I value highly. I strive to keep it real, not only in life, but in my writing. I want to create characters that my readers will relate to, because they see something of themselves in that story, and they want to go along for the ride. I keep it real because I know that true healing comes in the honest moments. I keep it real because I know from bittersweet experience, that sometimes the only way up is down. I keep it real, because, well…because it’s no fun being fake.

Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That!

Tell me about it. Are you struggling to keep it real or have you found the joy in authenticity? 

Like authentic characters who struggle through their daily lives just like you? Then you’ll enjoy Yesterday’s Tomorrow, and Hidden in the Heart. Give them a try today! Available in paperback and Kindle.

Up For Another Round?

So this is me, being me, being real.

It’s that time again. Time to get out the old paper bag and start breathing. Nice and slow.

An author’s life is cyclical. At least this has been my experience. It looks largely this:

Idea for book is born. Research. Write. Edit. Write. More research. More editing. Write. Edit.

Hyperventilate.

Submit to Agent.

Hyperventilate some more.

Work on next book while waiting for word from agent.

Consume copious amounts of coffee, wine or whatever floats your boat.

Write. Breathe. Spend copious amounts of time on Facebook as therapy.

Agent wants to talk.

Hyperventilate….

Get the picture? This goes on and on and on…and it’s fun. Really. I mean it. I LOVE writing. I just love it. I have so much fun with my characters and their stories. And I LOVE my agent. I love that we can chat, even though we are in different countries…it’s cool to touch base over skype. I LOVE that so far I have two published books to my name. I LOVE my readers, and I really love hearing when they’ve enjoyed one of my books. And of course I LOVE all my writer friends, without whom I would be completely bereft. They are great at talking me down off those ledges.

What ledges? 

Oh, yah. Those. You see, in the midst of all this fun I’m apparently having, a tiny part of me lies curled up in a fetal position with her hands over her ears ignoring the fact that, despite my resolve to ‘stay calm’ and not let things bother me as much, they still do.

When I allow myself to think about the fact that there are two projects out on submission right now, I stress. My neck stiffens. My shoulders knot. My breathing quickens and I want to reach for that brown paper bag.

It scares me. 

Because honestly, I don’t know what’s coming for me and my writing. I already know that one of the houses I would really love to write for said no. And that’s discouraging. That jacks my pulse up and gets me going with all those what ifs…

If I get a bunch of rejections (again) from the bigger publishers, how am I going to take that? What is that going to look like for me and my future career? Do I have options? Do I want the options? And so on and so forth. While I know that working myself up into a state of sheer panic is probably not the wisest move, I’m still vulnerable. When I allow my mind to go places it shouldn’t, I freak out a bit.

But then I stop, breathe. Pray. And remember some very wise words.

All It Takes is One.

One yes. One yes in a bunch of nos can make or break this whole thing. I’ve been there. I’ve had those yes moments, and I know how good they feel. But sometimes you have to wait for them. Sometimes they don’t come. But when they do, you know it’s the best thing for you.

I forget this because I’m prone to ledge walking. I see the glass half empty instead of half full. I get a cold and envision double pneumonia. I’m just one of those people. But I’m trying very hard not to be.

And maybe that’s why I’m sharing this today. Maybe I need a little boost of encouragement. Someone to say it’ll all work out or you know, whatever happens, you’ll be fine. Maybe I’m just telling myself all this because I know if I don’t, I’ll be headed for that ledge. Maybe someone else, maybe you, need to hear it too.

It’s not easy. Whether you’re waiting for news about a book or a job offer or a medical diagnoses, walking through the unknown is tougher than stink. I wish I could say I’ve discovered a magic potion we can all down together and poof, all our dreams come true in the next instant, but life doesn’t work that way. We’re in these moments for a reason. Reasons we might not comprehend or appreciate for years to come.  But here we are. And so I’m choosing to walk through it, taking my baby steps, one foot in front of the other, knowing that I’ll get to wherever it is I’m going, because I know the way. I’ve traveled this road before. And each time I head down it, I take a few more friends with me.

Thank you for being one of them today.

Testing, testing…

Well, I tried to post several times yesterday, but for some reason my new page wasn’t showing up.

I think and hope it is now!

Anyway, I thought I’d share a snippet of what I’m working on – no idea when this might get done, but if you want to check it out, head up to In The Works, and the top of this main page and click on that page.

Enter a comment, follow this blog if you’re not already, sign up for my newsletter, and tell me what you think the book is that I’m working on, and I’ll one lucky winner a copy of Hidden in the Heart! Hint, you will have a better chance if you’ve read Yesterday’s Tomorrow!

So that’s it. I apologize if you already saw this yesterday…sometimes computers are just really annoying!

Friday Funny…

Bad Lip Reading. You either love it or hate it. I’m undecided. Some of them are pretty funny and some are just downright atrocious. But this week I watched this…

If you’re not laughing now, you’re beyond help.

Have a great weekend!
By the way, what are you reading? I am currently halfway through Olivia Newport‘s soon to be released The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow. Really good! Oh, and I should share that awesome author Sarah Sundin featured Hidden in the Heart on her blog the other day! So cool!

Are We Having Fun Already?

Truth – I woke up discouraged today. There’s nothing funny about that.

I immediately began to asses the reasons behind my discouragement, and, as usual, it comes right back around to the fact, true or untrue, that I feel like I’m failing as an author. Failing to market my books effectively. Failing to continue to spread the word, to find innovative ways that will have people picking up my books like they were the last bars of chocolate on the shelf. Failing to live up to my own dreams of what having not one, but two books out there might look like.

Dang. The list is longer, but I won’t bore you.

When I have a problem, I try to fix it. So I immediately sent my brain on overdrive as I sipped my coffee, coming up with all sorts of ideas that I could implement to boost interest in my books. But then I thought, to heck with it. This is exactly how you drive yourself crazy. This is why you swore that this year would be different. Less stressful. More fun.

So get over yourself already.

You see the abuse I put up with?

But she’s right. I mean, I’m right.

A wise person once said, “When it’s not fun anymore, stop.” Oh, wait. That was me. Well, writing is still fun for me, so I’m not stopping. I may have absolutely no idea where I’m going with it at this point, but hey, who doesn’t love a little mystery?

Feeling like a failure is no fun. It’s crappy actually. And not necessarily true. SO I am going to laugh it off. And if you’d like to help me, that’d be cool. Every Friday, or thereabouts, I’ll try to post something that gave me a giggle. You can do the same in the comments. Tell me a joke. Tell me about your Mom. Whatever.

I do have a slightly strange sense of humor though, you have been warned.

This is something that recently made me laugh. (Warning: There is some language toward the end that may not be allowed in your house, and I can’t bleep it out…sorry).

How about you? What’s made you laugh lately? 

Baby Steps…

 

The decorations are almost put away. The house is almost quiet. My heart is almost beating at an acceptable rate again after watching two hours of Downton Abbey last night…

Oh, my. What a show. I love it. I love being transported into that fictional world of splendour, hanging out with characters whose lives I have come to find fascinating, waiting to see what will happen next. Television, when done right, can be quite entertaining. As should be the pull of a good book. Whenever I find myself enthralled the way I am with Downton, by a movie or tv series, I always come away thinking, “How can I do that?” “Am I doing that with my books?” or of course, “Why aren’t I doing that with my books?”

We are at the start of a new year. One thing I want to accomplish is to quit comparing myself to other people. To other authors. Last time, I talked about simply being in the moment, enjoying the journey. How can I do that if I’m always checking those blasted Amazon rankings or drooling over another’s success? I know, I know, I know…this is a trap that I have been snared by since my first novel released. I swore I’d do things differently with the second. Yet, here I sit, still banging my head against the wall, wishing I could figure out a way to make those sales numbers go up. Wishing I knew how others did it. Wishing for things I do not yet have.

What a complete waste of time.

Far more profitable for me to take stock of what I do have, and be grateful for it. So, here goes…

Here’s what I do have:

The ability to craft a story. To tell it well and love doing so. To enjoy the process, because I am living my dream.

I can reach out to and connect with my readers, most of whom I am privileged to call friends. You’ve invited me into your lives and you’ve shared mine, and I have the blessing of being able to share the desires, joys and sorrows of my heart with you.

I am able to stay home and continue to craft new stories that, God willing, will one day become new books. For that, I am so grateful.

Here’s what I don’t have:

The ability to control what people like or don’t like.

That’s it. Oh, sure, I don’t have a three book deal at a major publishing house, but so what? In the end, however my books reach the public, big house, small press or self-publishing, this is pretty much what it comes down to.

I’ve known for a long time that not everyone will appreciate my writing style. Not everyone will want to read the kind of books I like to write, or want to hear the stories I have to tell. And I’m okay with that. I’m growing my audience.

I’m taking baby steps.

Today, I sent out my first ever Author Newsletter. And it was fun! (Once I figured out what I was doing…) Sure, I only have two dozen subscribers right now, but that’s better than none. Right?

It’s soooo easy to get sucked into that whirling vortex of pressure to do this and this and this…always pushing, taking great big giant steps in shoes that don’t fit. It’s exhausting, soul-sucking, and oh, so not worth it.

I’m smiling now, because I think sub-consciously, I’ve been searching for my theme for this year. You know, sometimes people choose a life verse of Scripture or a particular word that means something to them, and try to live that out over the coming year. It’s not a practice I’ve adopted. But maybe I just did. Maybe this is the year for me.

Baby Steps. 

One foot in front of the other. Walking on wobbly legs. Sometimes taking a fall. Finding joy in the journey. And always, always, always, having a hand to hold when I need one.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Meet Author Lillian Duncan!

Writing Stories of Faith…Mingled With Murder And Mayhem

Really? Christian Fiction and murder/suspense novels. On the surface the two don’t seem to go together. After all, how can a book where murders, mayhem, and bad guys abound promote Christian values?

Can a writer of suspense novels make a difference in a life? Surely not, you say. It might be good entertainment but that’s where it ends. Not so, I say.

Jesus used stories to teach a point—He called them parables.

People love stories. Stories can touch our hearts, stir our imagination, and teach us. Stories allow us to see the truth without the actual experience. Stories give us the opportunity to learn, change, and grow without all the growing pains.

As a writer of Christian fiction, I have two goals with every story I write. The first goal is to create an entertaining story. And the second goal is to further God’s Kingdom in some way. It may be as simple as portraying Christian characters in a positive light to an all out salvation scene. It varies from book to book.

The Christmas Stalking, my latest novel—actually, it’s a novella-had even more of a challenge. I had to make it suspenseful, have a Christian message, and a Christmas theme. And I had to do it all with less than 25,000 words according to my publisher!

I guess I succeeded since The Christmas Stalking is being released this holiday season! The cover is awesome, you should take a look at it at www.lillianduncan.net

The Christmas Stalking is a romantic suspense novella that features Destiny-a very famous country music star. She has everything she dreamed of and more. Fame. Wealth. Beauty. Adoring fans. Oh, yeah and a stalker.

So, what’s the Christian message in The Christmas Stalking? I’m so glad you asked that! It’s a theme I think most of us can relate to, especially parents of minor children. It’s about being too busy for God. Destiny never made a conscious choice to stop living a Christian life, but as she became a star, her life became so busy. More and more, she let her schedule push God out of her life.

And oddly enough, I think the Christmas season may be the time of the year we do this the most. Just when we should be focusing on the wonderful gift of Jesus’s birth, we’re too busy shopping, cooking, baking, shopping, going to parties, going to school programs and shopping!

So, I hope everyone slows down a bit this holiday season and take the time to enjoy the season. And, of course, a great way to do that would be to enjoy an evening reading The Christmas Stalking.

Lillian Duncan writes stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. She writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net.  She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com