Galavanting Around History

I can hardly ignore the new and wildly popular ABC series Galavant, set somewhere in Europe during some vague time in the Middle Ages. Now mind you this show is pure comedy makes no claims to historical accuracy. It brings to mind Monty Python, The Princess Bride, and Robin Hood Men in Tights. I've certainly gotten some ridiculous laughs from the show, and the music is actually very good. What it lacks in plot, it makes up for in amazing guest stars. The jokes can get a little dark and bawdy, so be warned, although at least that part is in fact historically true.

The funniest part to me so far was the black Jewish knight Sidney, who according to the song, even went on crusade. Being knee deep in crusade and Middle Eastern history for book 3 in the Valiant Heart Series, this struck me as particularly ironic. Jews were an oppressed minority at that time in both Europe and the Middle East. Certainly not eligible for knighthood. And considering the Europeans slaughtered many Jews in Jerusalem during their initial conquest, I'm guessing not many Jews would have signed up for the crusade even if they could. But enjoy the funny video nonetheless.

My Writing Journey

I think I've loved writing ever since I penned a short story in elementary school about an alien from Venus that came to visit earth. But my journey with writing was a little rocky after that. I had some great teachers in my early high school years that encouraged my writing. I even remember writing a class play that we produced for chapel. Then in eleventh and twelfth grade I had a teacher who discouraged me at every turn. I guess I'll never know if her motives were vindictive or if she just really didn't get my creative approach to writing. But when I scored a perfect "5" on the AP Exam she kept telling me I was going to fail, I realized that I shouldn't base my life choices on her opinions.

My first rejection - maybe 1991 or 1992

As I entered college, I kept thinking in the back of my mind that I wanted to minor in English, but it took two years before I found the courage to take an English class again. And of course, I did fine and loved it, especially the creative writing classes. During my senior year I was offered the opportunity to help a professor write his memoirs in place of my senior paper, and thus I finished my first book. By the time my college years drew to a close, I still didn't have a lot of direction for my life, except that I knew that I loved creative writing, and so I decided to go to graduate school for writing.

While I worked on my Master's degree in Professional Writing, I started acquiring a few publishing credits in poetry and script writing. And I worked on my first novel, a YA inspirational romance, which I sent out as a proposal but never ended up finishing. But honestly, I didn't feel like I had much to say about life yet. And I hated sitting still at a desk behind a computer all day. When one of my professors told me I needed a backup plan to support myself as a writer, I informed him I intended to marry and have children and write on the side. He seemed to think that was a perfectly reasonable. Except that neither of us realized how all consuming those early years of marriage and family would be.

As my family grew, I continued writing poetry and some short scripts. I took a few more poetry and literature classes. But it wasn't until 2006 when my youngest was almost four that I finally felt like I had done enough living and learned a few things and decided to work on my first novel (Oh, and I got my first laptop too, so no desk sitting). Then came five more years of studying, developing as a writer, and learning the industry. In 2011 my first novel was published with small press WhiteFire Publishing. Even then I had years and several more novels to go before landing my first "big" contract with Bethany House Publishers. In March of this year, the Valiant Hearts series will release, and a lifelong dream will be fulfilled.

Writing can be a long and twisting path, but if you love it like I do, it's worth it.

A Little Christmas Fun

Yes, it is true, this silly bunch of people is my family. My husband Dani is from Lebanon and works in television production. Christi is in college at Oral Roberts University studying engineering. Jonny, bottom left, is a high school senior who competes in track, loves adrenaline sports, and plans to study business next year in college. Adam in the center is in seventh grade and is involved in music and gymnastics. And the dogs, Scruffy and Bella...well, they like to do dog stuff. Hope you all have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

New Improved Dauntless Cover

Last week I started seeing a new version of the Dauntless cover online. The leaves in the foreground are new. A little birdie told me that someone suggested them to take the focus off of a certain part of Merry's anatomy, which the strap of her bow made all too obvious. LOL. Which is good with me, because Merry is supposed to have a petite, compact gymnast type body. Now Gwendolyn in book 2 is a different story...

So here's the new cover. This version was sent to the printer, so it should be the final one.

What do you think? It's undergone a number of changes from the first version, which I loved, except the model didn't look much like my heroine. Now that the picture has been tweaked numerous times, and I've tweaked my descriptions of Merry as well, I'm completely happy with it. I really think it will hit the target market.

My Writing Process

Often when I am interviewed, I am asked questions about my writing process. So I thought today, I'd give you a glimpse into my writer's world.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than when I can write in a frenzied, blissful fog and lose myself completely in the world of creativity. Once I wrote a 40,000 word memoir in six days. And I wrote the first draft of my second published novel, Love in Three Quarter Time, in six weeks.

But now that I'm a "professional" writer, I rarely get that luxury. These days, my writing process begins with preparing a summary (synopsis) for my publisher. Once it's approved, I pound out about 2,000 words a day, five or so days a week. 2,000 words might sound like a lot, but that usually takes me under two hours. What takes a lot more time each day is getting myself in the mood to write. Usually I begin my day with house chores and errands, so I can feel like everything is in order. I have some quiet time with God. Then I re-read and edit what I wrote in the last few days. If that isn't enough to get my creative juices flowing, I might take a walk or exercise to try to let my mind wander freely to that creative space.

One unique thing about my writing process is that I never just sit and stare at a blank page. I don't believe in doing that. In fact, I "just say no" to writer's block. Occasionally I'll force myself to get some words down even if my imaginary friends aren't talking in my head that day. If after a few pages I haven't found my flow, I stop, because my writing won't be any good anyway. However, I always stay well ahead of deadlines so that I can afford to do that. In general, I find that a lack of creativity means I've hit a snag. Usually after a day or two of letting my subconscious work on things, I figure out where the story went wrong, fix it, and then I'm able to move forward again.

I don't use any fancy systems, outlines, or software to write. I don't listen to music, write on my walls, make bulletin boards, or follow any weird rituals. I usually have two Microsoft Word documents. One for notes and research, and the other which includes the manuscript, plans for upcoming scenes, and occasionally complete random scenes that come to me out of order or even just cool lines that pop into my head.  I guess that means I'm pretty good at staying mentally organized. For one of my books, Dance from Deep Within, I did chart out my three protagonists journeys and how they would overlap and intertwine, but I was still pretty new to novel writing at the time.

Dina's Writing Space

Writing is a solitary activity for me. I usually come up with my ideas completely on my own. Although, for the Valiant Hearts series, I did some brainstorming with my kids to devise lots of unique story premises once the general concept was solid in my mind. Most of the time, I need privacy and silence to write. On the other hand, I do stay surrounded by writer friends--both online and through a local group--for encouragement, help with snags, and critiquing purposes.

The other aspect of my process that is a little unique is where I write. Often, I see posts about writing spaces, and the writer talks about a desk in a quiet little nook surrounded by supplies. That's not me. My writing is all about my laptop--on my lap. In fact, it wasn't until I received my first laptop that I got serious about writing. I hate sitting at a desk. Ninety-five percent of the time I write curled up on my bed. Occasionally on a couch. And sometimes when I'm really in the writing mood, I sit at the kitchen table and continue writing while cooking dinner, although that method is likely to result in culinary mishaps.

So that's my writing process. Mostly just me, my imagination, and my laptop. Any questions?

My Other Hat

Did you know that in addition to being an author with Bethany House Publishers, I also serve as an editor for WhiteFire Publishing? WhiteFire is a small, new press with a vision to release books for the upcoming generations. They focus on high quality, cross-genre novels and books that are sometimes hard to market, as well as cutting edge inspirational nonfiction. Their motto is, Where Spirit Meets Page, and I truly believe that each book they publish has the ability to touch readers on a very deep level.

Years ago my writing career began with Dance of the Dandelion, a medieval novel which was deemed good but unmarketable by many of the large Christian publishing houses. WhiteFire took a chance on me anyway. And I knew I wanted to be a part of their mission. I volunteered to help out in any way they needed me and ended up representing them as an acquisitions editor at conferences. Since then, my role has evolved into a paid, part-time member of the editorial team. I acquire, serve as a member of our publishing committee, content edit, and sometimes even line edit.

Getting involved with WhiteFire was one of the best decisions I've ever made because I learned to think like a publisher. Of the hundreds of novel ideas rolling around in my head, I can now pinpoint the ones that publishers will want and write a stellar proposal to catch their attention. I can content and line edit my own novels to the point where they will stand above the crowd. And I know how to communicate with editors in the right way.

My writing and editing support and inform one another. I'm a better editor for being a writer, and I'm a better writer for being an editor. It's a delicious cycle that I'm very happy to be a part of.

For more about WhiteFire Publishing please visit their website here.

The Woman of Valor

I learned something really cool last week! You might or might not be familiar with a poem from Proverbs 31 about a "Virtuous Woman." In church circles, this chapter is often used as an example of  perfect Biblical womanhood. Sometimes, it even becomes a checklist to bang over women's heads, which can lead to a lot of guilt, shame, and inferiority. But I think this poem was meant to do the opposite. A woman clothed with strength and dignity... A woman who laughs without fear of the future...

Years ago I figured out a few things about this passage. 1) The woman was rich and had servants, so not many of us these days can hope to accomplish as much as she did. 2) The woman clearly does not have small children, so those struggling through that exciting yet exhausting stage of life need not expect to live up to her esteemed standards. 3) She was a business woman who had her own mind and made her own decisions, so in many ways she is an example for a more liberated woman than some Christian denominations advocate. 

http://www.yontifications.com/Aishet_Chayel-Woman_of_Valor

But last week I learned the coolest thing ever. I was reading a book examining Biblical womanhood, and the author examined a variety of Biblical traditions including Jewish, Catholic, Amish, etc... Jews do not translate the Hebrew term "eshet chayil" in Proverbs 31 as "virtuous woman," they translate it as "woman of valor." I love that! Don't you? And they understand that it is a poem in praise of the type of woman who should be honored, not a to-do list. Jewish husband's quote this poem in praise of their wives, they don't use it to show them how they're falling short. Jewish women use the term eshet chayil to celebrate each other's accomplishments. 

The author decided to pick up that habit, and I think I will too. As I googled "woman of valor" to find an image for this post, I realized that this idea is more popular and wide-spread than I had realized. And, of course, eshet chayil, goes perfectly with my Valiant Hearts series. So I encourage you all to be strong and courageous women, worthy of the title eshet chayil, and to honor other valorous women in your lives as well.

Are you a woman of valor? What valorous things have you done? If not, how could you move toward becoming a woman of valor?