Paulette is offering one e-version of her Christian fiction novella LIVING SEPARATE LIVES to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 18th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Here's a blurb of LIVING SEPARATE LIVES:
Four Friends, One Secret and the
Weekend That Changed Their Destiny
Candace Walker, Kaylan Smith, Jordan
Tate, and Tiffany Thomas have their share of sorrows, but neither of them realizes
how deep the sorrow goes. What happens when they agree to meet for a
weekend of relaxation in beautiful Napa County? Which one will leave the same
or worse?
For Candace Walker, life has left her
battered and bruised. Kaylan Smith has struggled with prejudice from her
in-laws. After fifteen years of marriage, bitterness is trying to raise its
ugly head for Jordan Tate, whose husband wants to call it quits. And for
Tiffany Thomas, dealing with rejection has never been one of her greatest
feats.
Although they have been friends for
years, they thought they knew each other well. But will a secret destroy their
relationship and bring the sisterhood to a complete halt? Will they be able to
forgive and allow God to mend that which might be torn?
Seven Ways to Find Inspiration for
Writing by Paulette Harper
Every Writer
needs Inspiration. No matter how many books one has written, there are times
when we need a little inspiration to get us going.
Many times I
sit at my computer, starting at the blank screen, waiting for words to start
flowing. Sometimes they do, sometimes I need a push.
Here are seven
ways you can get inspired:
1. Pictures
Whether you
take them yourself, look through an old photo album, or spend some time searching
through Google, photographs are a great way to find inspiration for your
writing. There is a Facebook group that uses pictures for this purpose.
2. Books
I use this
method a lot. Reading what other people have written may be enough to spark a
few ideas you wouldn’t have otherwise had. Grab a book and mediate and let the
inspiration flow.
3.
Eavesdropping
I know it’s not
polite to do but it does work. Next time you’re at work, the store or the
coffee shop, pay attention to what’s going on around you. Listen to the
conversations people are having. Body language says a lot. Watch the movement
of the people around you. People live interesting lives and those lives are
told in someone’s book, why not yours? Remember always have a pen and tablet with you.
4. Experience
This is the
best teacher. Sitting at home may not be the greatest idea to stir your mind.
Go for a walk, sit at the park, run or ride somewhere, go sit at the beach.
Keep your eyes and ears open while you do it. Through life experiences we can
find plenty of inspiration. We can take what has happened to us or even to
others and that alone can trigger an idea which can easily lead to some
interesting writing.
5. Music
Some people can
write while listening to music. If this is you, grab some of those tunes and go
for it. Playing old tunes can sometime jar memories that can be used to get the
juices flowing. Try finding music that you’ve never listened to and see what
happens.
6. The internet
The internet
has proven to be a great source of inspiration filled with knowledge, gossip
and information—some truth, some lies. There are plenty of topics that can
spark meaningful conversations amongst your friends and family but most
importantly amongst the characters in your head.
7. Interview
someone
Talking to
someone whose story might be similar to yours is a sure way to get inspired.
One word, one idea, one encounter can make all the difference in the world.
Are You
Inspired Yet?
We are
surrounded by information, people, by stories. Things we see, people we hear,
any person you meet can bring the inspiration for your next best seller.
Be Inspired!
Paulette's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Everyone’s
Story: Meet mulit-pubbed Christian novelist Paulette Harper. (Tweet This)
Stumbling on
the blank page? Paulette Harper: Ways to find inspiration for your writing. (Tweet This)
#BookGiveaway
of #ChristianFiction novella by Paulette Harper. (Tweet
This)
Author's Bio:
Paulette Harper
is from Northern California who enjoys the beautiful weather, shopping and
spoiling her two adorable granddaughters. A multi-published, best-selling and
award-winning novelist, she also writes both Christian fiction, Christian nonfiction
and children’s books. She is a blogger and entrepreneur who owns Write Now
Literary Virtual Book Tours.
Places to connect with Paulette:
Really want to read Living Separate Lives! And those are some great tips. I use all but 1--haven't tried looking at old photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Friday evening with us, Pat. Music is a good one for me, especially classical, Irish dance pieces, and show tunes. It frees my thoughts, yet ironically I have to write in silence.
DeleteHi Patricia,
DeleteThanks for stopping by. I'm glad there was a least one you could try.
Today I struggled with writing a blog to go along with a picture I had taken. Perhaps that is backwards, but it was the process I was determined to follow. I used an example of a man and woman in a grocery store. And then read this. Eavesdropping was what I suggested, so I was sort of on the same page as these seven ideas for inspiration. :) I have been very bad about finding something to blog about. Life has taken me for a ride lately. I have fought to get control of things. My father's death last November, his sister's death a couple months later, and the death of a close friend has kept me spinning in circles, trying to decide where I need to be. Do I write? No Mom needs me. Do I clean house? No I have my father's paintings stacked everywhere. Do I run away. No, that's not an option. But now my mother is doing good on her own, and I need to focus in on what keeps pulling me back--urging me to write down the stories in my head. God gave me the desire for some reason. I pray he can use what is produced.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I have been in a similar situation in my life when mom and dad passed away. My family and I were going thru some trying times. And you say to yourself, when will this all end,. I know that life in not a picnic, but it seems like when hard times comes, it
Deletecomes in like a flood. No matter who you talk too, there comes a time when we have to seek our peace the best way we can. I have found that I just start praising the Lord for all the wonderful things I have been blessed with, my family. I thanked the Lord for all those wonderful years I had with mom and dad. They gave and taught me the values of life. I just have asked the Lord to place a peace and a joy on the inside. 'god has done it for me. Yes, there are times when I cry because I do miss my parents. So, I have sat down and asked myself, what do I have a passion for. It was music and writing. So, I took a couple of classes and boy did I have fun. I met young and elderly people that decided to further their dreams in life. You see, I want to show my grandkids and children that we can pursue anything we want to in our lives. So, treat yourself to a nice massage, pedicure, go buy yourself and new outfit. Take a trip, Volunteer, do something that makes you smile. I hope and pray that I have said words of encouragement. Thank you Catalina
(Chattyzoe@mail.com)
Catalina, what a blessing to all of us on Everyone's Story in the encouraging and beautiful words you've shared with us. Thank you. Several people this week have tipped me off that one of the most powerful things one can do during difficult times--and all times, really--is to keep praising our Father. So true!
DeleteHope to see you again.
Sorry, I forgot to leave my contact info. :) kepro01@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Karen, first, thanks so much for visiting this evening. Do check back later or possibly tomorrow for Paulette's reply.
DeleteI love how God words! Always awesome, always amazing, always right-on timing… though it's us humans who get tangled up demanding our own timeline. What I'm getting to is this--here He is, bringing you here. He's planted Paulette's encouragement about writing in your heart. I may hear a bit if angst mixed with wonder, yet Karen, I hear hope in your words as well. And honesty, with yourself and being accountable to others. And that my friend, encourages many others. God is indeed using you to reach others.
Sorry--that's supposed to be: how God works!
DeleteHello Karen,
DeleteNice meeting you. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you found the post inspirational and informational. Karen I do understand how life can pull us from what we are accustomed doing. In spite of life and all the ups and downs, we must find our way back to that brings us some since of comfort and purpose. Our writing no matter what season we find ourselves, it that which God uses to pull out words of encouragement and inspiration. Write on and allow the Holy Spirit to craft words out of your pain and to be a blessing to others.
Nice read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit, C. Hope to see you again.
DeleteHi Cassietta,
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Hi Paulette and Elaine -
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I enjoy looking at photo sites, and a picture has often sparked an idea for a blog post. Old photos remind us of our heritage and bring dust off memories of bygone days.
Blessings,
Susan :)
susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com
And what I enjoy, Susan, are your visits. Blessings, my friend.
DeleteElaine, I so agree with you. Encouraging others is what it's all about, because we all need encouragement. Paulette, your ideas ROCK! Thanks for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteKathy, I appreciate your visit. Always do. I'm so glad Paulette's suggestions resonated with you.
DeleteThanks Kathy,
DeleteSo glad I've sparked some inspiration with you.
Heartfelt thanks & appreciation, Paulette, for guesting on Everyone's Story this past week. You've touched a few hearts, I can tell, and I sense that you've nudged a few sparks to the writers' minds out there. Thanks too for offering your Giveaway of LIVING SEPARATE LIVES. And the winner of Paulette's novella is…
ReplyDeleteKaren. Congratulations, Karen! Both Paulette and I will contact you via direct emails.
Blessings to all.
Greats tips Paulette. Miss Cat
Delete