Laura Hilton: Touching A Reader's Heart In Today's Market

Everyone's Story welcomes back author Laura Hilton. Without fail, whenever I read anything by Laura, her words stir me and I want to shout a "yes!" in agreement. I hope you will find this also true when you read Laura's encouraging words she shares with us this week. Please check out her lovely BookGiveaway. Both Laura and I look forward to hearing from you.

BookGiveaway:

Laura is generously offering 1 copy of any her novels, including the recently released THE POSTCARD to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 17th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.

Writing A Faith-filled Novel In Today’s Market 
by Laura Hilton

We live in a rapidly changing world. We’re used to the internet and instantaneous gratification. You want something, you can stay in your pajamas, go online, and order it. With one-click purchase, it’s super easy to buy what you need and it’ll be in your mailbox in two or three days. Or in the case of e-books, instantly available to read on your device.

With this kind of service, gone are the days of planning a trip to a bookstore, and browsing shelves, wondering if your favorite author has a new book out. The joy of finding out there is, and pulling this crisp, new paperback book off the shelf, hugging it, and reading the back cover. Then opening it up and reading the first chapter before you either continue shopping for another new book—and maybe discovering a new author—or take your treasure and going to the checkout counter.

One winter a book I really wanted to read came out. It was titled “Snow.” I lived in Michigan at the time, and we had braved the icy, messy road conditions in Grand Rapids to go to Alpine Avenue to do some needed shopping. I asked my husband to stop at the Christian bookstore for a moment. I went running into the store and startled the employees who probably had planned for a quiet evening with no customers. The man working asked me, “May I help you?” And I said, “I’m looking for Snow.” He looked outside, at the white flakes falling, the messy parking lot. “Don’t we have enough already?” The store did carry the book. I grabbed it, hugged it, read the back cover, paid, and went home happy.

With bookstores closing faster than most people change their sheets, it’s a challenge for new authors to try to break into the traditional market. Publishers don’t want to take a chance on a newby. They want tried and true. They know what is selling (and it may not be your favorite genre.) And with so many established authors out there who’ve already been proved to sell, how is a Christian author supposed to get their work out there in a rapidly diminishing market.

The professionals will tell you, story matters. Make your story sing, the characters alive, the words so gripping the acquisitions editor won’t be able to put it down. And they are right. But I’m not here to tell you that good advice or even how to do it. Your way isn’t my way. Your favorite reading material is different than mine. I’m here to tell you to give your writing to God and write the story for Him and Him alone.

Pray, before writing any words. Write the story He tells you to write, even if it’s too preachy, or addresses tough issues. He knows who He wants that story to reach. It may not be millions; it may be one of your critique partners. If the story changes even one life for God, it’s worth it, even if it doesn’t get a second look by one of the top five Christian publishers.

Once your story is written, edited, and told the way you feel God intended, there are plenty of other options for publication. Small press – and I don’t mean vanity press – that sell books mostly online. Or you can self-publish. Write a good story and readers will find you. Word of mouth works the best of any marketing plan out there. If a reader is touched by your story, they will tell a friend, “I just read this amazing story. You’ve got to read it.”

To quote a well-known writing coach, pray and then “go, write something brilliant.”

Laura's previous Everyone's Story's blog feature: Amish Fiction Author and Advice On Your Passion and God's Permission

Laura's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Author Laura Hilton @Laura_V_Hilton: Writing A Faith-filled Novel In Today’s Market (Tweet This)

Everyone’s Story: Visit with #AmishFiction author Laura Hilton @Laura_V_Hilton (Tweet This) 

Like #AmishFiction? Check out Laura Hilton @Laura_V_Hilton’s #BookGiveaway! (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard,  and The Birdhouse in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Places to connect with Laura:

Blog

Book Review

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

****Please take a moment to take this month's new Poll: When the first paragraph of a novel loses its grip on you. (found on the right-hand sidebar) Thanks so much!

Ace Collins: What Wyle E. Coyote And A Muti-Award-Winning Author Have In Common

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes back Ace Collins. Since the time I've become acquainted with Ace I've watched his writing career grow even bigger with not only additional novels in a relatively short time, but now several awards. Yet, what I personally find the most admirable about Ace is his willingness to respect others and his humility. I hope you enjoy this special presentation with Ace this week. Please check out his special BookGiveaway. Both Ace and I look forward to hearing from you!

BookGiveaway:

Ace is offering 1 copy of  HOLLYWOOD LOST to one randomly chosen commenter and 1 copy of THE COLOR OF JUSTICE to a 2nd randomly chosen commenter. Winners will be announced here on Friday, July 17th between 5-6 PM EST. To enter the Giveaway, please include contact information within your comment.

Questions for Ace Collins

Let’s start with a quote you’re fond of: “An author must have the positive characteristics found in Wyle E. Coyote…imagination, desire and a never give up attitude in the face of constant rejection.” With hindsight, have you built your successive writing career based upon these attributes? Was there a time you almost gave up?

I think my whole life has been built on that philosophy. Wyle E. is actually a very positive creature. No matter what happens he believes the next time he will succeed. He never gives up. That is pretty much the way I am, I never give up on ideas or people. My bestselling book got rejected 27 times over ten years before it found a home.

On giving up…I never really have. I’ve been discouraged, but I seem to snap out of that pretty quickly. I just keep plugging along trying to figure out what the trends are and what the market wants.

Between the spotlights on the 1960s in your novel THE COLOR OF JUSTICE, the movie era of 1936 in HOLLYWOOD LOST, and post-WWII in THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS, among many of your other novels, you seem to have a twinkling for these nostalgic eras. What is it about these time periods that capture your interest?

I love history, always have. After all, what happened in the past really determines what is happening right now. Thus, getting to do a bit of time travel allows me to “live” in various eras and still come home to our modern technology at the end of the day. When I am writing about a specific time period, I try to surround myself with things from that time. That includes magazines, newspapers, radio shows or TV programs and especially the music. I also watch movies from that era to get a handle of word usage and speech patterns.

Would you say you have an “author’s theme” and how does it pop up in your novels?

I think I do, though it is not really intention. My lead characters seem to always be searching for a calling and when they are given it, they almost always try to run from it rather than jumping into it. So I guess you could say that my leads are reluctant heroes.

I also think you will find me trying to tackle a few hot button issues for today, such as racism in THE COLOR OF JUSTICE or when morality collides with the law in THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS, in each of my books. In the past I’ve hit on youth rebellion, assault, abortion, and an unfair court system. So, even if the books are set in a different time, they carry an undercurrent of issues from today.

As of the writing of these questions—two days before the Christy Awards—what life lessons has being nominated the “2015 Suspense Finalist” for THE COLOR OF JUSTICE, as well as a 2015 finalist in the Christian Retailing’s Best Awards for MAN’S BEST HERO: TRUE STORIES OF GREAT AMERICAN DOGS unexpectedly taught you?

Winning a Christy for THE COLOR OF JUSTICE was amazing. I was humbled and stunned. The fact that within a day we added the INDIEFAB Book of the Year (Pets) and Christian Retailing’s Best Award for MAN’S BEST HERO made the first part of the last week in June unbelievable. I will be honest: I didn’t learn anything as much as I had something reinforced. Writing is a team effort. The three awards “we” won were because of not just what I wrote, but because of my agent, the editors, the publicist, sales reps and so many other people. Thus, the better your team the greater your chances are for success. So these awards are really Abingdon’s.

Which comes first to you: plot or character?

It is always plot. I come up with the idea and then create the characters that fit into that situation. An interesting note, I usually come up with book concepts while driving or when I am in church. In the case of the latter that means I have a lot of bulletins in my file cabinet with ideas scribbled on them.

Those cars! Tell us about your amazing car collection.

1934 Auburn

I love classic cars from all eras and used to have more than I have now. I’m down to two. I have a 1934 Auburn 652Y sedan that drives like new. The most amazing thing about this car is that it has never been restored. 

I am current restoring a 1965 Mustang 2+2 (Fastback) that we have had for decades. It was our second car for years and both of our sons drove it in high school. Naturally it is red. A bit of trivia, I think we have owned 14 Mustangs as a family. My wife drives a 2014 right now.

And those pets! Tell us about a fond memory you have of either your dogs or cats.

Ace with Sammy

We have one cat, Tiger, we rescued him when he was abandoned in a culvert when he was about 2 weeks old, a collie that is sister to the current Lassie and another collie who is a rescue dog. Sammy was born blind and has taught me more about sight that anyone I’ve ever known. He is a remarkable dog, always upbeat, always happy and always ready for adventure. People who are around him don’t even realize he can’t see until we tell them.

So many memories that it is hard to choose just one. Hmmm. I think I will go with coming in one night two years ago and seeing our 14 foot Christmas tree dancing. I looked two-thirds of the way up and our cat was swatting at the decorations. I guess I should have filmed it, put it on YouTube and had it go viral.

Without giving this much hard thinking: if you were trapped on a desert island, which three books would you hope you’d packed in your suitcase and why?

You might expect the Bible, but I know it so well I think I can apply its principles without having to take it with me. So here are the other three. I’ve never had the time to read WAR AND PEACE, so why not take it? I love to laugh, so I guess I would pack the complete Mark Twain. And then as my other book I would choose one written in 2009 by Tim O’Shei. It’s called, and I’m not kidding, HOW TO SURVIVE ON A DESERT ISLAND.

Ace's other appearances on Everyone's Story:

The One Thing We Don't Want An Editor To Say

When The Dedication Page Inscribes The Heart

Ace's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

#Writers & #Readers: Visit with #ChristyAward Winner @AceCollins on Everyone’s Story (Tweet This)

A good lesson for all: What does Wyle E. Coyote & @AceCollins have in common? (Tweet This) 

@AceCollins: Lessons from a #ChristyAward author. #BookGiveaway
(Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winning author Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Ace has authored more than seventy books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play.

In 2015, Ace released a new novel, Hollywood Lost, a mystery from Abingdon Fiction set against the backdrop of the motion picture business in 1936. Coming in October is The Fruitcake Murders, a comedy/whodunit set in Chicago in the days just after World War II. Elk Lake continues to release new episodes of In The President’s Service, a groundbreaking series that first hit the market in 2014.

One of Ace’s most talked about books was released in late 2015. The Color of Justice earned the Christy Award winner for Best Suspense Book. This novel is a courtroom drama examining racial prejudice in 1964. Also in 2014, Abingdon released Ace’s Man’s Best Hero at the Book Explo of America. This nonfiction book earned the IndieFab Book of the Year Winner and has generated interest well beyond the dog community.

Ace’s first devotional book, Music For Your Heart, was released in late 2013 and earned numerous five star reviews. A fall novel from the same year, The Cutting Edge, mixed suspense, romance and intrigue in a tale of survival and victory. In the summer of 2013, Ace’s novel, Darkness Before Dawn, was chosen by several different book clubs and publications as one of the top reads of 2013. This novel also made the most inspiring book list on iTunes in July and Hope For Women’s “Top Five Summer Reads.”

In nonfiction, Ace has scored bestsellers with The Cathedrals, Lassie A Dog’s Life, Turn Your Radio On, The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Father Does Know Best, and The Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas. His books have been made into two network television specials and a CBS movie.

Beyond books, Ace has penned more than 2000 magazine features, appeared on every network morning television show, as well as CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox. He also does scores of radio interviews each year.

Ace is married to the Chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University, Dr. Kathy Collins. The couple lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and has two sons.

Places to connect with Ace:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon

****Please take a moment to take this month's new Poll: When the first paragraph of a novel loses its grip on you. (found on the right-hand sidebar) Thanks so much!

Patricia Bradley: The Other Side Of The Publishing Contract

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes back author Patricia Bradley, a 3rd-time guest and weekly viewer! Ever wonder when or if God will answer a prayer? This week Patricia addresses the topic of what happens when He does, and what changes we may have to accommodate blessings when they happen because they DO happen! Patricia reflects on writing, yet her message reaches out to all aspects of daily life. Please check out Patricia's BookGiveaway of her current release, GONE WITHOUT A TRACE (a great read!), as well as the back cover blurb. Both Patricia and I look forward to hearing from you.

BookGiveaway:

Patricia is offering 1 copy of her just released novel GONE WITHOUT A TRACE to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 10th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.

Back cover blurb for GONE WITHOUT A TRACE:

The past is repeating itself—and time is running out

It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case—and a relationship—that is anything but certain.

Wanting And Getting That Special Desire

by Patricia Bradley

This is my third visit to Elaine’s blog and I love interacting with her readers. Actually, I’m one of them. Reading the weekly posts where everyone is encouraged is one of the bright spots of my week. And sometimes I really need those bright spots.

Have you ever really wanted something so badly that you would almost sell your right arm to get it? I have, even prayed the Jabez prayer. You know the one found in 1 Chronicles 4:10—

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.”

When God answered my prayer to be published, I quickly learned that blessing me and enlarging my territory was wonderful, but it also meant a lot of hard work. Everything changed when I received a contract. Writing quit being something I did when I had time. I now had to make time to write. It was my career, and I had just signed a contract to write three books. The realization almost overwhelmed me, and a mountain of doubt overshadowed me. Who was I to think I could write two more books in a year and a half?

A few things had to go. Good things. Like the knitting ministry I started at our church, and a couple more ministries I was involved in. But I learned something—sometimes the good things in life get in the way of God’s best for us. I also learned I’m not indispensable. To remain in a position that I don’t have time for and that God has no longer called me to do, robs someone else of the opportunity to serve Him.

Something else I discovered—writing under an editor’s deadline is much different than writing under my own self-imposed deadlines. If I didn’t meet my deadlines, no big deal. I could just extend them. Not so much with an editor’s deadline.

There is a plus to that, though. Since my first book came out, when I tell someone I can’t do something because I have a deadline, they actually accept my “no”. Before, it was like, you’re home all day, you have the time. And when you say, “but I’m writing”, it was like—but it’s only writing…like it wasn’t anything important. Ever had that to happen to you? It is important to make people realize it’s not just writing, even if you don’t have a contract. It’s something God has given you to do.

One last thing. I am now on the other side of that contract that went on to include a fourth book, and that mountain of doubt I faced is behind me. Some days words flowed like a river. Others were more like pulling teeth, and believe me—there were more teeth-pulling days than river-flowing. But I learned to rely totally on God. Every word I write comes from Him.

So go ahead and dream big. What God brings to you, He will bring you through.

Patricia's past Everyone's Story's features:

God's Take on Quitting

An Interview With An Amazing Debut Author

And, if you like to know anything more about me (Elaine speaking here), here's a link to when Patricia hosted me on her blog in an interview.

Patricia's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

A fave Everyone’s Story’s guest: #Suspense author Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

Authors: Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 on What’s On The Other Side of the Book Contract (Tweet This)

What happens when God answers prayers for #publication? Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 shares story (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and loves to write suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone Without a Trace. She has also written two sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, Matthew’s Choice which is available on Amazon and The Christmas Campaign, available in November. Her workshops on writing include two online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.


Places to connect with Patricia:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

****Please take a moment to take this month's new Poll: When the first paragraph of a novel loses its grip on you. (found on the right-hand sidebar) Thanks so much!