Pre-prep

The following information comes from the Avon Books Submission Guidelines.

INSPIRE

(60,000—90,000 words)

Inspire is a new line of inspirational romances from Avon Books. These stories and their characters are primarily Christian, and promote traditional values and beliefs. They also are first and foremost stories of the heart, romantic novels about learning to trust; to open ourselves to love, not only to the men in our lives, but ultimately to God. Set in America, both contemporary and historical settings will be considered, as will romantic suspense and romantic comedy. There should be no alcohol, drug use, or premarital sex for the main characters. For non-Christian characters, these subjects can be explored but primarily to show their destructive nature and how a virtuous life is the better path. Foul language should be avoided at all costs.

 

Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Historical is pretty much the same, except for the word count (70,000-75,000). 

 

I’ve learned that when I begin a new manuscript it helps me greatly if I have some sort of guidelines to go by. Since I’m currently working on a few inspirationals, I thought it would be good to know what I’m looking at. The best way for me to go about this is to hit a target word count that would broaden my options-70,000-75,000. 

 

Having this starting point gives me an idea at about how many chapters I’m shooting for, which helps me in the plotting process. And while I’m writing, I know that I am shooting for a certain word count for each chapter.

For my work-in-progress Hope, I am aiming for 3,000-4000 words per a chapter, which means 18-25 chapters.

 

As for Priest, it’s a bit different. Right now in the first draft it’s sitting at 63,190 word and thirty chapters. Most likely the chapters will stay the same but I want to increase my word count.

A Gluten-Free Recipe

For almost a year now, my diet has consisted of Tacos, Chicken Alfredo over rice, and soup. Occasionally I’d roast a whole chicken. Two weeks ago I added pizza back in, thanks to my mother and Namaste Foods. Not that I didn’t know about the gluten-free pizza crust because I did, but at $7.00 a bag and the high probability of an icky taste, I just didn’t think it was worth the try. My mother, however, did. On Christmas, she gifted me with a pizza crust mix. I guess you could say I was totally shocked. At first I thought I enjoyed it because I had only had two personal pan pizzas from a local pizzeria, Via’s, over the last few years. And although I did like those take outs personal pans, I could definitely taste the rice flour, which is something I’ve become accustomed to and would have been all right if the crust hadn’t been soggy as well. Surprisingly, it was absolutely delicious. I even made the family try just to make sure, and they loved it too.

So this week, I stepped out of my tried and true norm. When I went to the grocery to purchase my pizza mix, I found a tortilla crumb mix (I can see some of you rolling your eye, why didn’t I just buy milled corn) with two interesting recipes on the back.

Here is the first:

 

Breaded Ranch Chicken              

1 cup Tortilla Crumbs*            

3/4 cup grated Pepper Jack Cheese

1 egg                                        

1/2 cup melted butter               

1-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

In a shallow bowl, combine Tortilla Crumbs, cheese and melted butter. Dip chicken pieces in egg that has been lightly beaten. Roll in Tortilla Crumb mixture to coat (this didn’t look like any coating I’ve ever seen and it didn’t stick to the chicken real well). Place in greased, shallow baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes until done (I baked at 375 for 1 hour).

I think corn is an acquired taste, one that I am still working on. But I have to say this wasn’t too bad. Although two of the kids didn’t like it (they’re picky eaters) hubs and the youngest did like it. I’d eat it again, and it wasn’t too hard to make.

As to why I didn’t buy milled corn, uh, it didn’t cross my. I think next time I just might give it a try and add my own seasonings. This whole thing of learning how to cook outside of boxed dinners is taking some getting used to.

Gluten Free Post The picture of the pizza crust mix was taken from the Gluten Free Post, with their review of the pizza crust, which I’ll tell you they didn’t like. 

*Tortilla Crumbs is a product made by the Soynut Butter Company

 

Sunday Confession

Over the past few weeks the family has been going to a new church after a three year hiatus. As some of you know, finding the right church is like finding the right pair of jeans. With so many different schools of theology out there it’s not easy to find the perfect fit, or even one that fits the best. You know, it might be tight around the waist however the length is right (I was going to say fits well in the butt, but I think you understand).

Anyway sometime we go for comfort over that of looks (a whole different sermon in itself). I’m not saying that we should go for either or, but we are humans of habit and we tend to go back to the things we know, whether it’s in a church, relationships (abusive), comfort food, or as readers we have our go to authors.

Well, today, we’ve decided to go back to a church that has caused us a lot of pain. Whether it’s to go back for good because it’s home, or to go back to let it go (to forgive), who knows. Hopefully, we’ll find out when we get there.

So, here is my confession, for the first time in a very long time, I’m going to church and I’m scared. My prayer is that God will pave the way for us.

Technical difficulties

I’m having some difficulties with the background. And I’ve lost all the links to blogs I had in my following list. I’ll try and get it up and running as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Renee

Whew!

I made it through the revisions on the first 3 chapters of Cherish Me. There is a bit at the end of Chapter 3 that may need to be cut, but for this round I’m keeping. 58 pages down 200+ to go.

Blogging Elsewhere

I’m blogging at Kansas Word Warriors today. I’d appreciate it if y’all stop by and say hi.

I’m also working on a book review. I’m not real comfortable with them, but I wanted to give it a go.

Sunday Sermon

I recently talked about gifts over at Romance Roundtable. In my discussion it kind of came out that for many years I didn’t know what my gifts were, or if I had any at all. But that didn’t mean the desire wasn’t there.

I seems for as long as I can remember that I’ve wanted to write. I wrote poems and songs in high school (but did’t most girls). As I became an adult and looked back at my desire I shoved it aside as a ‘normal’ teenage activity.

There are many things I desired over the course of my lifetime, writing was just one of many. Once, when I was in Arizona, I saw a person hang-glide off a mountain, and thought wow! I want to do that. It was no different with sky diving, and white river rafting. I guess my desires were all about adventure. I’ve since decided I’d like to keep my feet firm on the ground, although I wouldn’t mind the white river rafting. One desire that has never changed is the desire to see the majestic beauty God has given us throughout the world. I use to think that God had a twisted sense of humor when it came to me. You see, I love the ocean. The rolling waves soothing my nerves, the salty spray bathing my skin, yada, yada. . . But I am landlocked. I began to think my desires were outside of the will of God. I’ve since started looking at the landscape around me. This non-descript, so-called, flatland that I live in is filled with wondrous characteristics. I’ve spent a long time looking outward, wanting something outside my boundaries, that I never saw the beauty in my own back yard. Somewhere along the way that all changed.

And let me tell you, the characteristics of my own backyard are indescribable. I can only imagine what went through the minds of those settlers as they halted their wagons and pitched their tents, at least that is the romantic in me. The realistic in me knows it had to be hard to enter into a wild, untamed land full of unknowns. The realistic in me knows that although many came with a specific reason to settle here, many too, just could not continue on the road west.

The weary traveler looking upon this wide open space, may have said, “Will this do, Martha?” And she may have wiped the sweat from her brow as she bobbled one of her many young children on her hip. “Looks as good as any, Fred.”

These weary travelers had a desire in their hearts, not so much for a better life, but for a life of their own. They knew the realities, or at least some of them, of toiling the land, but that didn’t change that they had the desire to be land owners. Others had no idea what lay in store for them.

But when they looked up from their hard labors and saw God’s wondrous canvas. . . . can you imagine the abundant joy that filled their hearts knowing God cared enough to paint a picture just for them?

Yes, I’ve seen many an evening like this when the landscape comes alive. As beautiful as the photograph is, it doesn’t show how the grasses are colored with the multi-hued purples, greens, and golds. Or how the prairies seem to come alive with their dots of pinks and yellows and swatches of browns.

I wanted to experience the beauty of God’s world, but I had ignored the very gift given me in my own backyard. Now, I can’t seem to take my eyes from it.

I love the Psalms, perhaps because they seem to be written by man seeking out a relationship with God in all ways, not just as Lord and his servant, but as companions. It’s like a walk through the flower-scented garden on a warm peaceful evening with a beloved friend.

Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

For me, this is saying that the desires in my heart were given by the Lord himself. If I trust in him, if I commune with him, He’ll bless me, even if it is only for my eyes to be opened to see what has been in front of me for so long.

That second, lovely, photograph was taken by Judd Patterson, if you’d like to see more of his work go here.

Sorry, I’ve once again been absent. It seems the days creep by and before you know it the week is over. I’ve been blogging a lot this week over at Romance Roundtable. If you’re not following us over there, you’re missing out.

The days here, like most of the U.S. have been bitterly cold. I believe we are expected to meet some records. We had a heat wave on Wednesday but we also gained almost 5 inches of snow too. I keep teasing that I should go buy some boots, once I do winter will be over with.

I’ve been working on my western and have made progress, not as much as I’d like but I’m getting there. What is that saying about well laid plans? Mine keep flying out the window.

In the news: Out of all the things that have been going on this past week you would think I’d find something else to point out. But I just couldn’t help but feel for all those iguanas in Florida falling from the trees because they’re too cold. The poor, things. I hope people are picking them up and at least moving them from the roadways and swimming pools.

I’m out for now, my life as an office manager is screaming loud. I’ve put it off way too long.

Blessings!

Non-Existent Sense of Fashion

I hate the intricacies of fashion. I really do. I want to write a story not a 19th century fashion review. And I’ve seen too many critiques of other peoples works to know that there are plenty of experts in the field of 19th century fashion. I even knew of a guy once who majored in something similar. It boggles my mind.

Since I’m working on revisions, I really can’t let paragraphs slide without at least making a good attempt at clothing. grrrr

She stepped onto the box. A quick look around didn’t help her any. The travelers were all dressed in their big city, fancy attire. A few women on board with their curls in place could not keep the look of disgust from their faces. Obviously, her guns weren’t intimidating enough.

It’s not bad for just getting words down, but it’s not good enough.

Dee stepped onto the black metal platform causing the railcar to sway back and forth beneath her weight. Lord, she never thought in a million years she’d set foot on this contraption of evil, but here she was. Best to get this business done with.

She held her pistols out in front of her like a shield and swept her gaze over each of the passengers. Sixteen white painted benches, eight on the left, eight on the right. Each seat held two travelers. Mostly men. Although there were a few heads with bouncing ringlets doing their best to hide behind the gentlemen’s top hats. Fortunately for her, Mr. Hollings was of the working class, which meant the cut of his suit wouldn’t be nearly as fine as the gentleman, in the dark double-vested frock coat and pristine white shirt.  Who, seemingly, was currently assessing her in turn, as he ran his long fingers over his mustache.  Lord, the man had more layers of clothes on than any one person in their right mind should in this damnable heat. As if she were covered in all that wool, perspiration began to slide down from her temples.

Before she could fall prey to temptation and swipe away the trail of droplets, which might make one thing she was nervous, she averted her gaze to the next man. And then to another, squinting at her through his quizzing glass as if he was waiting for her to kick up her legs and sing a bawdy tune. Obviously, her guns weren’t intimidating enough.

So you see, I really dislike clothing. My sense of fashion is non-existent. My clothing vocabulary consists of jeans, t-shirts, shorts, sweats, sandals, and tennis shoes. I was, however, tempted to use the term sponge-bags, just to see what kind of comments I’d receive.

I do have a question for those of you who read this. I’m hoping someone will know the answer. I have a book called Costume & Fashion by James Laver, much of the clothing beyond the 10th century seems to be from Paris and London. My question is, how different was American clothing, or did America follow European fashion?

*There is a new post @ Historic Kansas
*I posed the question of the day @ Romance Roundtable

Sunday Serm-Serendipity

Although I’ve been working on Cherish Me while I have been letting Priest cool a bit, I was still tossing my options around. I have so many irons in the fire, but I don’t feel as if I must work on the one with a manner of urgency.

To me, it’s just another step in learning about myself and my process when it comes to writing. I don’t feel in limbo. I don’t feel anything really. It took me a few days to get back into the idea of working on a Western instead of an Ancient, other than that there were no hiccups.

But I still wasn’t for sure if that is what I should be working on, or if I should be picking up one of my other projects. I have three that are so close to the submission stage. So what I did know was that I needed to complete one 180%.

Yesterday morning while hubs was using the computer, I decided to, uh, start getting rid of stuff. I’m a hoarder. I terrible hoarder. It’s genetics, I know this because when my mother decides to get rid of stuff she sends it to me instead of Goodwill. It’s her way of assuaging her guilt.

Anyway, (I know I’m good at rabbit trailing, aren’t I?) as I was tossing clothes in a give-away bag, and throwing away papers, I came across some notes. Notes from 2000! Ten years ago. They were notes from a bible study hubs had gone to way back when, yeah 10 years ago.

I wish I could scan in a drawing of the Golden Altar of Incense, if you’re curious click here and you’ll see a decent drawing along with the significance of the Golden Altar of Incense.

I guess you’re wondering how I got serendipity from a drawing. Well, it wasn’t just a picture of an item that appears in Priest, but it was also a list of names with meanings. Names, which I use quite often in my manuscript.

Adonai= The Master and Sovereign God
Elohim= The Strong Covenant Keeping God
El Elyon= The Most High God

And mostly I use:

YHWH (Jehovah)= The Holy, Righteous, Self-Existent God

I have not decided whether or not to use Ha-Shem=The Name, since I’m not sure when it came into use. There are so many intricacies in the Hebrew language. It really is amazing.

Knowing when and how to use each name is important to my story. Since my hero and heroine are Hebrew people, they would know when to use which name. That bit I am very adamant in getting historically correct. If there are any Hebrew scholars reading this, forgive me if I’ve mangled anything. I’ll do my best to get it all right by the time my manuscript is ready to submit. *smiles*

I’ve been praying for a sign for a few days, and I believe finding these notes that are 10 years old is God’s way of saying Priest is ready when I am.

I leave you with a proverb (wow, there’s a sermon there, too).

Proverbs 3:3-4

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.