tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109008572024-03-13T22:03:47.227-04:00C.J. DarlingtonThoughts on Writing, Books & PublishingC.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.comBlogger487125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-83835027654799865022012-11-26T10:56:00.001-05:002012-11-26T10:57:35.435-05:00112 Christian Authors and Publishing Professionals Share Their Best Advice for Novelists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6HkSdzrQaCq3jl1utuUatZhCafxcAveGS3x7BFUtMYCFm2HoffDqr2r0YirrXmf7VK8RI-6S0QcXcxT44a7BM6iJ-1pzTHy0hFzE-9W6aDCY1sSdNgeWjSViI_-iurs2QDcnQg/s1600/advice-for-novelists-cover-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6HkSdzrQaCq3jl1utuUatZhCafxcAveGS3x7BFUtMYCFm2HoffDqr2r0YirrXmf7VK8RI-6S0QcXcxT44a7BM6iJ-1pzTHy0hFzE-9W6aDCY1sSdNgeWjSViI_-iurs2QDcnQg/s320/advice-for-novelists-cover-250.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I'm particularly excited this Cyber Monday because I have something pretty special to share. I've just released my first nonfiction ebook for writers! <i>112 Christian Authors and Publishing Professionals Share Their Best Advice for Novelists </i>is available for your <a href="http://ow.ly/fnICj">Kindle</a> or <a href="http://ow.ly/flyAC">Nook</a> for only $2.99 (a deal all year long!)<br />
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If you're an aspiring novelist, or if you know one, this ebook could make a great Christmas present. (It's easy to gift an ebook, btw.) But even if you're a seasoned writer, there's information in the advice these professionals shared that'll encourage and inspire all year long. I know I got a ton out of reading them myself.<br />
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Imagine a coffee shop packed with award-winning Christian novelists, top
editors, literary agents, and publicists. Each one is taking turns
sitting down with you, giving you their best writing advice. Sort of
like speed dating for writers.<br />
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Within these pages the most
recognized names in Christian publishing share their personal answers to
the question, “If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what
would you say?” <br />
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In the ever-changing publishing world, you must
stay on top of your game to succeed. This book will give you a leg up,
with practical tips and advice you can use on your novel writing
journey.<br />
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Includes advice from Karen Kingsbury, Frank Peretti, Ted
Dekker, Jerry B. Jenkins, Josh McDowell, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine
Rivers, James Scott Bell, Terri Blackstock, Randy Alcorn, Melody
Carlson, and many more!<br />
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<b>But bonus just for my blog readers! </b>Here's an extra piece of advice for novelists from Michael Landon Jr. that didn't make it into the book:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz_c8SkSxvxo48l8v3oD4YvH4ifPtF0xxcZ1G6dsa_VeqQIphqAhahlbB7e20IxQ9tEwRa0Mg8i19Rn9zNrQXkQKQ401hsODYaMTYZWSE4fikG5ftKY4jegEFsABy_ry-kFONvQ/s1600/michael+landon+jr+newsletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz_c8SkSxvxo48l8v3oD4YvH4ifPtF0xxcZ1G6dsa_VeqQIphqAhahlbB7e20IxQ9tEwRa0Mg8i19Rn9zNrQXkQKQ401hsODYaMTYZWSE4fikG5ftKY4jegEFsABy_ry-kFONvQ/s1600/michael+landon+jr+newsletter.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3333ff;">Write about what you’re
passionate. Not necessarily what you know, but what you’re passionate
about. You can always learn what you don’t know. But you can’t create
passion.</span>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-67578446755012483632012-09-27T13:28:00.002-04:002012-09-27T13:29:24.900-04:00What I've Read in the Past Two Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Had a little fun on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3092520.C_J_Darlington">Goodreads.com</a> today looking back at the books I've read in the past two years. They have a unique feature that allows you to see what you've read by book covers. I put together the three pages that constitute the past two years of my reading. What a colorful bunch of books! I might not read as much as some, but I've had fun reading what I have. </div>
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<br />C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-67402408210824581712012-07-30T15:02:00.002-04:002012-07-30T16:26:47.194-04:00What is it about Katniss and Tris?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUtlY-W0xa4Jr05QofSvLrgBN8BZm1W8Wy3-yxk9GiLcCi5_ODe8GtMsP-KB9tZw45bcX1iqk-JBIItZeCIbIqgE18tuZEDGFRjaXqM_nrSTNEyhCKSfmsRGy1tG_x_2IR84Dxg/s1600/katniss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUtlY-W0xa4Jr05QofSvLrgBN8BZm1W8Wy3-yxk9GiLcCi5_ODe8GtMsP-KB9tZw45bcX1iqk-JBIItZeCIbIqgE18tuZEDGFRjaXqM_nrSTNEyhCKSfmsRGy1tG_x_2IR84Dxg/s320/katniss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Lately I've become a fan of some of the popular dystopian YA series, namely <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545265355/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0545265355">The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062024035/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062024035">Divergent by Veronica Roth</a> trilogies. I've always had a thing for YA novels, and perhaps I'm late on the bandwagon, but the dystopian genre intrigues me. It's certainly not a new thing, but the two above mentioned authors have hit it big, and as an author I ask myself why. What is it about Katniss Everdeen and Tris Prior that has spawned multi million dollar movie deals, thousand upon thousands of book sales, and rabid fans enthusiastically creating fan art and fan fiction? <br />
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I believe the biggest things these books have going for them are their heroines. We've seen variations of the plots before. But Katniss and Tris spark something in readers. Here are 5 reasons why:<br />
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<b>1. Their Strength </b><br />
Today's readers are looking for strong heroines who can take care of themselves. Katniss & Tris don't necessarily need someone to take care of them, though that doesn't mean there aren't times when people do.<br />
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<b>2. Their Skills</b><br />
Katniss is a skilled archer who can shoot a bow better than anyone else. Tris learns to fight hand to hand effectively. When we read about these girls, we want to be like them, whether it's realistic or not. <br />
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<b>3. They Have Vulnerabilities</b><br />
An error some authors make in creating their heroines (and heroes for that matter) is to write a perfect person without any weakness. While Katniss and Tris are indeed strong, they aren't perfect. This three-dimensional aspect is what allows us to suspend our disbelief easier when reading their stories. Plus we relate even more since who among us is perfect? <b> </b><br />
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<b>4. Their Hearts Aren't Hard</b><br />
Most of the evil in these books happens <i>to</i> the girls. They are thrust into situations against their will. If they kill, it is in self-defense. To survive. And both of them face at least one situation that nearly breaks them. After all, they are girls (both sixteen at the start of their books) thrust into a world most women couldn't handle.<br />
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<b>5. They Don't Have Time for Bull</b><br />
Excuse the language, but these are no-nonsense girls (and keep in mind the novels are general market fare). Katniss and Tris say it like it is. They say the things we wish we could say. It gets them in trouble sometimes, but we cheer them on.<br />
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If you've read these stories, what about the heroines did <i>you</i> like? Why do you think the novels are so popular? <br />
<span id="goog_1563462477"></span><span id="goog_1563462478"></span>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-44000207779399912132012-07-23T11:20:00.001-04:002012-07-23T11:20:13.524-04:00In Memory of Julie - The Best Dog Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHniO6MFy1a3RD2P61RcQF90yD8MJqQ8Duyu4RQSBPtpP0vZfCldSZao4N87uBO4NTI7sCPAUxK4ePeVVkk_3rO-Cr2r5a2ZeSDRw9GX3CZYxVnPHB2XXf-kyJWlqzgQ_sB67aw/s1600/julie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHniO6MFy1a3RD2P61RcQF90yD8MJqQ8Duyu4RQSBPtpP0vZfCldSZao4N87uBO4NTI7sCPAUxK4ePeVVkk_3rO-Cr2r5a2ZeSDRw9GX3CZYxVnPHB2XXf-kyJWlqzgQ_sB67aw/s320/julie+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Julie</b></div>
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1997-2012</div>
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The Best Dog Ever. We love you so much and miss you terribly! You had a wonderful, full life and gave us so much joy! We're honored we got to have you for as long as we did. </div>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-26910483752661773322012-07-17T11:39:00.002-04:002012-07-17T11:39:17.979-04:00I Can Sign Your E-book!<br />
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<a href="http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/cjdarlington"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTGxRN4n9fwlnY9mdhxTZTK2fbRc4l2WKDcMF5W39CUL_BgvroKL4RA4T98vxdUZxEQ5ki4Ev8ftD_SmY8esVIvn0bFE1Ob2xono0l6iGKHC6NEyV6HtkNAa1cEr1YriDTcjufw/s1600/kindlegraph.jpg" /></a></div>
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You knew it was coming, right?<br />
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I just discovered an awesome new service called <a href="http://www.kindlegraph.com/">Kindlegraph</a>. Basically, it allows authors to personalize/sign an e-book for a reader. If you have a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> account, you can instantly send a request to an author who's signed up (including me), and in a matter of moments the author can send you a personalized pdf bookplate of sorts that can be downloaded to your Kindle. <br />
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My novels <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00310QLEK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00310QLEK"><i>Thicker than Blood</i></a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LB59YQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004LB59YQ"><i>Bound by Guilt</i></a> are on the site. Now if I can just figure out how to make my signature look neater than a five-year-old's when using a mouse to sign... <br />
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Click <a href="http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/cjdarlington">here</a> to go directly to my page.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-18705196582257277132012-07-06T15:53:00.002-04:002012-07-06T15:54:33.692-04:00Evolution of Christian Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FT6-CgXy0aBnTJ_4Le2bw8NrjxiGdxQ5Xeho11cv1O-c_YOJNgVd4PIh9b90ncV-30M7s166fGX29JLzW9T2kQ-ArWFZCkrMwH7UBWyJXXMPF447RKHiYBf5Y8xJRnkhzmRj0g/s1600/books+5b+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FT6-CgXy0aBnTJ_4Le2bw8NrjxiGdxQ5Xeho11cv1O-c_YOJNgVd4PIh9b90ncV-30M7s166fGX29JLzW9T2kQ-ArWFZCkrMwH7UBWyJXXMPF447RKHiYBf5Y8xJRnkhzmRj0g/s1600/books+5b+small.jpg" /></a></div>
I read an <a href="http://www.worldmag.com/articles/19668">interesting article</a> at <a href="http://worldmag.com/">WorldMag.com</a> about how Christian fiction has evolved in the past 20 years. Some people still have misconceptions about how much variety and depth today's Christian fiction truly has. I'm old enough to remember some of its humble beginnings. I've seen it grow up and mature from a time when pretty much all that was out there were prairie romances or Frank Peretti. The first adult Christian novel I ever read was <i>Christy</i> by Catherine Marshall, followed quickly by Frank Peretti's <i>Darkness</i> series. I've re-read all three of them multiple times. <br />
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We owe those trailblazers a big thank you for helping to push open the doors for today's market. Sure, we still have some growing to do. I'd love to see the YA market explode in the CBA like it has in the ABA. And as a lover of suspense novels, it would be neat to see more of them focusing on character development right alongside the thrills.<br />
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How about you? What would you like to see more of in the Christian fiction market, and what was the first CBA novel you ever read?C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-36599194292283085532012-07-03T16:14:00.001-04:002012-07-06T15:34:33.078-04:00Sibella Giorello is Shining BrightCheck out this awesome new trailer for Sibella Giorello's upcoming novel The Stars Shine Bright:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LBwwIigGYNY" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainerreview299987474">Sibella
is one of my all time favorite authors, and she proves why again in this
novel. I love her attention to detail, character development, and
suspense. All told with a deft hand. Poetic at times, heart wrenching at
others, this one is another great addition in the Raleigh Harmon
mystery series. Can't wait for more!</span><br />
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</span>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-64170851031334171042012-06-24T11:37:00.004-04:002012-07-06T15:34:03.383-04:00Are you a real writer?<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVijtsq7bccTVboDxWw36y4yTn3fDlZGHeCEmn6qAI-ImsZfscDOSp7lvgJHN3IovOSlbP2mI4lFB7zidx1U8RerFBzD1YnETVDTcuHBvs2FHuVKzdAR_cOdQaXrAbll-03OHk5g/s320/self-publishing-attack-cover.jpg" width="231" /><span id="goog_1542923400"></span><span id="goog_1542923401"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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I just purchased a Kindle book by bestselling author and writing coach James Scott Bell called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Search-Books/b/?_encoding=UTF8&node=241582011&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Self Publishing Attack!</a> . I've always gotten something from every Bell book I've read, and this one was no exception. But this time, what I took away surprised me.<br />
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I just wrote this blurb on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15720246-self-publishing-attack-the-5-absolutely-unbreakable-laws-for-creating-s">Goodreads</a>:<br />
<div style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<i><span id="reviewTextContainer354641739"><span id="freeTextreview354641739">An
informative primer for any author who's head is spinning from the ebook
revolution and needs some concrete advice for how to take advantage of
this landmark time in history. Bell's book is easy to understand,
straightforward, and encouraging. Mostly aimed for those wanting to
epublish, it does include some insights for self publishing in print
form too. I'll be reading it again!</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">However, it was on the very last page where something hit me hard. Bell's last words in the book are these:</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Are you a real writer?</span><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Then keep writing. </span><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">And don't stop. </span><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: inherit;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Ever.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure exactly why, maybe it's just where I am in my writing journey, but these words hit me hard. Am I a real writer? I want to be. I feel called to be. These words remind me how important it is that I need to make it my constant goal to get the words down on the page. Not talk about doing it, but actually do it. Thanks, Jim, for inspiring me yet again to never give up. </span></div>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-759846861590253292012-06-16T15:00:00.001-04:002012-06-16T15:00:19.152-04:00Features in Honor of Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJifN1a46akpZ7r1g_fhn9-EBoD7DMx7AQ3lsGNQ0TlY-64hP3b47tqdI0fXpQfVZ0PKWftrW1JgFwmERWcYWaySsS6STjg8v2wrKtL_BNz3up6KFRF9qjy4ZsYXQPtxrTeQ-8Yw/s1600/father+1+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJifN1a46akpZ7r1g_fhn9-EBoD7DMx7AQ3lsGNQ0TlY-64hP3b47tqdI0fXpQfVZ0PKWftrW1JgFwmERWcYWaySsS6STjg8v2wrKtL_BNz3up6KFRF9qjy4ZsYXQPtxrTeQ-8Yw/s320/father+1+medium.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
Hi, friends!<br />
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In honor of our dads and Father's Day this Sunday, here are a few links to some features I've written in which authors share great stories and insights from their dads:<br />
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<a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/fathers-day-authors-2011.htm">Our Father's Wisdom: 19 Authors Share What Their Dad Taught Them That They'll Never Forget</a> - Includes Jerry Jenkins, Kathy Tyers, Noel Hynd, Julie Lessman, Tosca Lee, and more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/fathers-day-authors-2010.htm">16 Authors Share Memorable Dad Moments</a> - Includes Bodie Thoene, Shawn Grady, Irene Hannon, Lori Copeland, Gina Holmes, and more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/dad-advice-authors.htm">My Dad's Best Advice: 37 Christian Novelists Share</a> - Includes Francine Rivers, Candace Calvert, Tricia Goyer, Sibella Giorello, Tim Downs and more.<br />
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Enjoy! And hug your dad this weekend. :)C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-87015616168997768402012-03-29T11:39:00.004-04:002012-03-29T14:08:05.046-04:00A Chat with Frank Peretti!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSECpZM2q5JVHNXwwTk6ihgBIqPHgzjotaSDMJW89P2m4b_w6SKXg025pXxaKEH9rxNRqIw5q2KCcR9etcuMpE7aLb-6I5AxW0XtdVhyphenhyphenf57qCj_5aoWsC6frg78stwCh0E76rGQ/s1600/frank+peretti+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSECpZM2q5JVHNXwwTk6ihgBIqPHgzjotaSDMJW89P2m4b_w6SKXg025pXxaKEH9rxNRqIw5q2KCcR9etcuMpE7aLb-6I5AxW0XtdVhyphenhyphenf57qCj_5aoWsC6frg78stwCh0E76rGQ/s320/frank+peretti+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725351606688099890" border="0" /></a>It's truly an honor to be able to host Frank Peretti on my blog today as part of the <a href="http://askfrankblogtour.weebly.com/">"Ask Frank" blog tour</a>. It's been six long years since a new Peretti novel hit the shelves, but our wait is now over because <a href="http://frankperetti.com/?p=326">Illusion</a> is here!<br /><br />To celebrate the book's release I'd like to share with you some questions I was able to ask Frank (along with his answers of course) about the book, his writing, and more. Be sure to read to the end for your chance to win a copy of <a href="http://frankperetti.com/?p=326">Illusion</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Before you ever wrote a word in Illusion, you made a thorough outline of the story. Why do you prefer to outline your novels?</span><br /><br />This touches on my admonition to would-be writers to know what they’re doing. I need to plan a book from the foundation up, following the rules of good story structure. I need to know where it’s going to start, where it’s going to end, and how to connect the two in an effective and engaging way. I usually follow a standard three-act structure, with key plot points triggering the beginning of each act. The first act is the setup in which I establish the characters and their situation and then launch them into the adventure; the second act is the adventure, with steadily building suspense and tempo until they reach a crisis point where the final battle must be fought; the third act is the final battle leading up to the climax of the story followed by the resolve. All this stuff has to be planned out and I’m very mechanical and meticulous about it. For me, a major grown-up novel takes about two years to write, and I spend the first year planning and outlining.<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mandy and Dane in some ways reflect your own life with your wife Barbara. How did you decide what to fictionalize and what real life details to include about the couple?</span><br /><br />Dane and Mandy are entirely fictional, but of course I draw upon real-life to fill them in, in this case my sweet wife Barbara and her loving ways and my own journey through life and my transition into my 60s.<br /><br />There is one specific detail where the real Barbara pokes through: Dane is recalling a snapshot from a photo album in which Mandy is cooking their dinner on an outdoor grill in a public park because they are traveling magicians and have no place to live. That is a picture from real life. Barb and I were newlyweds and I was a traveling musician. We had no roof over our heads. Barb made her own clothes, and often had to prepare our evening meal in a park somewhere. We really do have a picture of Barb, in pants and blouse she made herself, standing at an outdoor grill in a public park frying hamburgers, and I really have thought about that picture and marveled at Barb’s tenacious love for me through the hard times and over so many years. With Dane, I have to say that “only the Lord God could have brought me such a woman.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is your mission as a novelist?</span><br /><br />I’ll go ahead and sound religious: I would like to create stories that glorify God and the things He has created, in this case, steadfast love, devotion, the joy of having someone. I would like to convey truth, celebrate beauty, warn against evil, admonish and ennoble.<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?</span><br /><br />Know what you’re doing. It’s not enough to want to write a book. You have to devote yourself to learning the writing craft, knowing all the nuts and bolts, rules and fundamentals of good fiction writing. I’ve often heard would-be writers advised to “never give up,” but that’s the worst thing you can tell somebody who has no skill, no knowledge of how it’s to be done. That person can never give up, and consequently waste his/her whole life producing unmarketable material. Know what you’re doing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYarNVLB9yFeI7Gg-NYkJNyFQl_4t4ugw37Ky2MScS6pZiFNTY17C9rMP_uIl1WLxqQeSI8gw9bgySxP0ighi0CpaxUfeHLolqvYSZr2WGwDzOxq00TT7-De4gcewCDPpOF303fQ/s1600/Illusion+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYarNVLB9yFeI7Gg-NYkJNyFQl_4t4ugw37Ky2MScS6pZiFNTY17C9rMP_uIl1WLxqQeSI8gw9bgySxP0ighi0CpaxUfeHLolqvYSZr2WGwDzOxq00TT7-De4gcewCDPpOF303fQ/s320/Illusion+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725351887677195202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If Illusion were to be made into a movie, who would you want to play the main characters and why?</span><br /><br />I don’t have any specific actors in mind, but it would be fun to provide a description to the casting director to help him/her narrow down the field:<br /><br />The actor portraying Dane would have to pass for a man just turning 60 but still in good shape; he would have to be wise and well mannered and be able to convey a man of depth. I would love to see wisdom in his eyes, but with a disarming twinkle; I would want the actor to be likable, even lovable on-screen, and be able to convey that honor and true, sacrificial love are still manly. He should be the kind of man that every 19-year-old would love to have for a grandpa. He should be able to portray a sharp intelligence and mastery of details even as he guides and corrects with love and gentleness. He comes across as a man, but a real man: he is strong, but his real strength is within; manly, but his power is in his wisdom; he does not master or lord it over his woman, but honors and protects her.<br /><br />The actress portraying Mandy would have to show a “Meg Ryan/Sally Field,” sparkly-eyed spunk, a teasing eye easily filled with wonder. She would have to be playful and fun-loving, optimistic, with a whimsical resolve to tackle life head on and come out a winner. She’d have to be a good dancer and she’d have to learn quite a bit of close-up magic. I would also want an actress who can settle into a quiet mode of deep questioning and, when the time comes, longing devotion. Cuteness is one thing, character is another; she will have to have both. The actress will need a wide range, able to portray the flighty, giggly sparkle of a nineteen year old to the learned and experienced dignity of a woman of 59; quite an acting challenge that would require no small-skilled actress.<br /><br style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Here's your chance to comment and win!</span> Everyone who posts their response to the question, "Who's your favorite Frank Peretti character and why?" will be entered in a drawing to receive a cool advance copy (with the original alternative cover) of <a href="http://frankperetti.com/?p=326">Illusion</a>.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-41974229147620941202012-02-06T17:21:00.004-05:002012-02-06T17:26:38.265-05:00Travis Thrasher's Ghostwriter E-book cover contest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8syx60nwcwXR8Sbg0Ff_otNpDPJAMs5Od_wqk5BIjt2OruvzaW5uoWrz0pX4WNYvYvSEqL1C3P4qL2ZspBkqBuAxz4JjsNb9uCt0UlfD8W6PR8tDxw_chKaupfbT4th8W6GaNg/s1600/travis+thrasher+4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8syx60nwcwXR8Sbg0Ff_otNpDPJAMs5Od_wqk5BIjt2OruvzaW5uoWrz0pX4WNYvYvSEqL1C3P4qL2ZspBkqBuAxz4JjsNb9uCt0UlfD8W6PR8tDxw_chKaupfbT4th8W6GaNg/s320/travis+thrasher+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706151608397891026" border="0" /></a>Author Travis Thrasher has a fun contest going on over at his <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Travis-Thrasher/13427461109">Facebook page</a>. His novel <span style="font-style: italic;">Ghostwriter</span> released in 2009, but he wants to re-release it in e-book form. His plan is to release it for FREE for a limited period. But first he needs a cover!<br /><br />Over at <a href="http://thejourneyiseverything.blogspot.com/2012/01/ghostwriter-cover-design-contest.html">his blog</a> he announced the search for a winning design. Twelve designs were submitted, and he's now asking readers to vote on their favorites. This week he's sharing the first six, next week the rest. The covers with the most comments and "likes" will move onto the final round. Travis picks the final cover, but he needs input to help him make his decision.<br /><br />So head on over to his Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Travis-Thrasher/13427461109">here</a>, and cast your vote!C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-57752789042082204662012-02-05T11:44:00.004-05:002012-02-05T11:51:36.145-05:00Family Fiction Edge - Frank Peretti!<a href="http://www.familyfiction.com/magazines/2012/feb-mar/pageflip.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2hsOr_q3GLebeWDXy4vEOI6INrntvy60QmN4asmrmb33A_5KyuK5HM2vKLT1p17ffCMPiytXv6ShQ9VBxGdyAstp6_13v0cYkRMNgWhyphenhyphenG04BwDFyYkEai4VLFTFLTzKBOFjPuA/s320/family+fiction+edge+feb+mar+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705693957273966514" border="0" /></a>It's here! The debut issue of <a href="http://www.familyfiction.com/magazines/2012/feb-mar/pageflip.aspx">Family Fiction Edge</a> magazine. A spin off of Family Fiction Digital Magazine, this bi-monthly mag focuses on suspense/mystery, YA, speculative, and movies. My kind of magazine! In fact, I'm truly honored to have the chance to write several features in this issue, including the cover story on Frank Peretti as well as pieces on Terri Blackstock, Camy Tang, The Lamp movie, and the October Baby movie!<br /><br />It's been a dream of mine to interview Frank Peretti, and he was incredibly humble, funny and poignant. Be looking for the full interview to be posted on <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com">TitleTrakk.com</a> in the future.<br /><br />Read the Feb/Mar issue of Family Fiction Edge online <a href="http://www.familyfiction.com/magazines/2012/feb-mar/pageflip.aspx">here</a>, or download the pdf <a href="http://ht.salemweb.net/ccm/familyfiction/pdf/20120203.pdf">here</a>.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-89522763475920565892011-12-22T10:15:00.008-05:002011-12-22T11:17:41.982-05:00The Price Point for E-Books<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk7qgsAy2xdI5L0hBRhN9BJAKbGEs2HjLTXfKSAY1fMS06x45Gqi58-qDp63ZXATO13i7kZZDUoDB9V4YNQp9Gj2wGZPslfCGCG5irIhDnfmJVnHsd_h66yP8FH9Wu6w4zYjUEA/s1600/ebook+300.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk7qgsAy2xdI5L0hBRhN9BJAKbGEs2HjLTXfKSAY1fMS06x45Gqi58-qDp63ZXATO13i7kZZDUoDB9V4YNQp9Gj2wGZPslfCGCG5irIhDnfmJVnHsd_h66yP8FH9Wu6w4zYjUEA/s320/ebook+300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688972186855215938" border="0" /></a>It still amazes me how in only a matter of a few years, e-books have become the norm. According to <a href="http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/864/Default.aspx">this breakdown</a> of a Harris poll, 1 in 6 Americans use e-readers (only a year before it was 1 in 10), and another 1 in 6 plan to get one in the next six months. I just got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HZYA6E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004HZYA6E">Kindle</a> myself in November.<br /><br />Let's face it. E-books aren't going away. Will they eventually replace hold-in-your-hand books? Probably not. I've heard them compared to how <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperback_books">paperback books</a> were introduced into the marketplace in 1935 and quickly took up real estate in what used to be almost exclusively a hardcover marketplace. I can see that happening more than I can see e-books actually replacing physical books.<br /><br />Author James Scott Bell had a fascinating post called <a href="http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2011/10/field-report-from-e-book-revolution.html">Field Report From the E-Book Revolution</a> in which he espoused on this subject. Read the comments section too as there's more info there.<br /><br />The biggest "problem" I see (and this is addressed in that post and comments) is the price point for e-books. Most publishers have been charging just about the same price for the e-book version of a book as they are for a trade paperback. Given the choice between electronic and hard copy, I'm always going to go for the hard copy if the price is the same. I think others are too.<br /><br />I believe the only way publishers are going to truly make money off of the e-book revolution is if they charge less for them. And by less I mean much less. $2.99-$4.99 for a full length novel is the current going rate (with some promotions even selling them for $.99). I never understood why publishers haven't figured that out.<br /><br />Now it makes a little more sense. Because most authors signed their contracts before the boon of e-books, their royalty rates are going to be based on what has been the norm---hold-in-your-hand books that generally retail for $12.99 (softcover) or $24.95 (hardcover). Using that standard contract, if an author's royalty rate is say, 15% on the wholesale price, then they'll make a buck or so each book that's sold. But if the book is priced at $4.99, then they make much less.<br /><br />One publisher I've seen jump on the band wagon in a good way is <a href="http://www.marcherlordpress.com/">Marcher Lord Press</a>. I spoke with MLP founder Jeff Gerke about their methods, and he said, "Our model is something like this: New e-books at $9.99 for six months, then down to $6.99 and eventually $2.99. Series/trilogies: First book in the series is lowest ($2.99 or lower), second book is $4.99, third book is $9.99 when new and $6.99 after six months. Our lower selling books, or ones we just want to hook people with, or on short-term promotionals are as low as 99 cents."<br /><br />Not sure how much the authors actually make on these sales, but I would venture to say MLP has taken this into account in their contracts. This methodology is what more publishers need to embrace for them to succeed in the ebook marketplace. That may require new contracts and agreements, but as an author myself I would be happy to make changes along those lines because I know it would end up in more sales overall.<br /><br />The playing field is wide open. Exciting things are on the horizon for authors and publishers alike! No need to fear this new frontier. Everyone's learning and exploring together, and that makes for some interesting times.<br /><br />What do <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> think?C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-79861414036865086072011-10-25T17:27:00.002-04:002011-10-25T17:40:06.190-04:00Update & poll on C.J.'s next book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnAU4ydrz3R5WGW2hE4aSyskqowd4afJV7tcT9IYtnhDFVJ3TsbBvDGz9OEbj-Lfx4RTV1OwhDND7fUa6qaWSZGrQiHz_sXpua1mO8ji_VqbMiLor4G6c6jSal7q-NS_qthsfA/s1600/newspaper+250.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnAU4ydrz3R5WGW2hE4aSyskqowd4afJV7tcT9IYtnhDFVJ3TsbBvDGz9OEbj-Lfx4RTV1OwhDND7fUa6qaWSZGrQiHz_sXpua1mO8ji_VqbMiLor4G6c6jSal7q-NS_qthsfA/s320/newspaper+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667544858475870802" border="0" /></a>Wow, it's been too long since I posted here. Thanks for sticking with me through the dry spell! I'm back, and I want to make posting on this blog more of a regular occurrence. Here's what's new:<br /><br />I'm continuing to write for my website <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/">TitleTrakk.com</a> and also continue to act as a contributing editor to the new kid on the block, <a href="http://www.familyfiction.com/">FamilyFiction.com</a>.<br /><br />It's been fun to interview some amazing folks in the Christian entertainment industry like Beverly Lewis; Michael Landon, Jr.; Steven James; David A.R. White; and Lee Strobel.<br /><br />The writing of my third novel continues too. I'm nearing completion of the latest draft, and it's exciting to see where God's taking this one. More news on that hopefully in the future. Speaking of, why don't we have a little poll to see what you think of my working titles. Without knowing anything about the story, which one grabs you the most?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/5614250.js"></script><br /><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5614250/">Which working title do you like best for C.J.'s third book?</a></noscript><br /></div>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-37075173875218220582011-06-24T10:18:00.011-04:002011-06-26T14:47:59.069-04:00Tyndale's Ebook Initiative - Fiction Titles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNc0AZXCQJtqfRxDa4rTXVAy47zC2qtCN-FOy9tCJS2M3-U7dMDNXjeiRwW6SRvNtITc5EWZE5haJwNAXkCVFFM5fasnVB26sP9zPEqTyMeB-Wm9W-22iVGvW83a0Dp6g5AQunw/s1600/tyndale+house+logo+white+100.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNc0AZXCQJtqfRxDa4rTXVAy47zC2qtCN-FOy9tCJS2M3-U7dMDNXjeiRwW6SRvNtITc5EWZE5haJwNAXkCVFFM5fasnVB26sP9zPEqTyMeB-Wm9W-22iVGvW83a0Dp6g5AQunw/s320/tyndale+house+logo+white+100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621790632180681922" border="0" /></a>By now you've probably heard that my publisher, <a href="http://www.tyndale.com/">Tyndale House</a>, is launching a brand new e-book initiative. In a matter of days we're going to be treated to five books available exclusively as e-books. Four of them are fiction.<br /><br />I'm excited that Tyndale is taking the bull by the horns and jumping into these waters. It's the way of the future! Aspiring authors have much to celebrate in this move, as according to Tyndale's press release, "This pioneering new program will give Tyndale the freedom to publish even more books with exciting authors to serve a broad spectrum of readers."<br /><br />“Fiction is the hottest category in the e-book marketplace. Our challenge is that we see more publish-worthy novels than we can reasonably take to print in a year.” comments Karen Watson, Associate Publisher. “This initiative gives us a way to say yes to books that deserve an opportunity and it helps Tyndale become more agile in serving a wider range of readers.”<br /><br />So ... let's have a look at the just unveiled covers of the novels we can look forward to reading in this initiative, shall we? Which ones catch your eye? I think they're all fantastic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToZnRmy1LtSCGv65mcwg1wDe_yBrQ2GkQVlR6lAlpkgavZZIxy7ERm4NBYtNQSqF7q2w0vozhYum58S7hvirbff-CkRYqrUJrNEFY24LyLOeoF8RHESfJgJ0Pm4C3aDvypkajEQ/s1600/stealing+jake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToZnRmy1LtSCGv65mcwg1wDe_yBrQ2GkQVlR6lAlpkgavZZIxy7ERm4NBYtNQSqF7q2w0vozhYum58S7hvirbff-CkRYqrUJrNEFY24LyLOeoF8RHESfJgJ0Pm4C3aDvypkajEQ/s320/stealing+jake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621792100408266450" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87DK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87DK">Stealing Jake</a><br />by Pam Hillman<br /><br /><p>When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.</p> <p>Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.</p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy <span style="font-style: italic;">Stealing Jake</span> now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87DK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87DK">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkpiMSNfUl9Tn-hLixwwsriXPZbRmrnxdvKgUIUrA7tuPgGUVJaQBjfogIS1isWi4IioOiNtCnQzDU1l0HH5qDYe8WNuc2tlqDoLp_mgJNpAApLI2OFeGEtRYUgc7sa2HMrOy-Q/s1600/delivery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkpiMSNfUl9Tn-hLixwwsriXPZbRmrnxdvKgUIUrA7tuPgGUVJaQBjfogIS1isWi4IioOiNtCnQzDU1l0HH5qDYe8WNuc2tlqDoLp_mgJNpAApLI2OFeGEtRYUgc7sa2HMrOy-Q/s320/delivery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621792380572254450" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057ZA0FI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057ZA0FI">Delivery</a><br />by Diana Prusik<br /><br />Livi finds new purpose in her troubled life when she joins her family’s small-town florist shop. There, the strong and wacky Wilson’s Florist gang monitors the pulse of Mount Helicon, where customers carry stories even the local newspaper does not contain. Tales of birth and death, sickness and sorrow, love and betrayal, and even forgiveness—Livi hears them all. Privy to some of the community’s deepest secrets, she sometimes wishes she didn’t know so much, especially when news arrives that a dear family friend is dead. Faced with servicing his funeral, she is blasted with painful memories she’s struggled for decades to ignore. Soon, guilt and grief over childhood and adult tragedies close in. Instead of turning to loved ones or God for comfort, she leans on alcohol, her long-time clandestine companion--but secrets rarely escape the close-knit flower shop crew, who makes Livi’s business its own. Fumbling through life’s challenges together, the Wilson gang often delivers more than flowers, yet when Livi needs delivery, can the bonds of faith and friendship dissolve her defenses?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy Delivery now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057ZA0FI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057ZA0FI">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbRyPA9Q9iAndzUpOfnOaZMRlvyhYarLJc7RR0VXp9VWsbwj0Re-QvZMLqPopnRwMhQsEKUicVM1CMkq4WERsOjulpKSe44qahYmsHltOKKquEWEpVWyUAGTH1hLE64vwKVw__g/s1600/cash+burn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbRyPA9Q9iAndzUpOfnOaZMRlvyhYarLJc7RR0VXp9VWsbwj0Re-QvZMLqPopnRwMhQsEKUicVM1CMkq4WERsOjulpKSe44qahYmsHltOKKquEWEpVWyUAGTH1hLE64vwKVw__g/s320/cash+burn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621792483311296770" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87JE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87JE">Cash Burn</a><br />by Michael Berrier<br /><br />Billions of dollars flow through Jason Dunn's banking office each year. When he suffers a series of career setbacks and his marriage begins to crumble, he and his attractive new assistant devise a plan to disappear with a slice of the bank's cash flow. The unwelcome appearance of his brother on the scene, just released from prison, threatens to sidetrack Jason's plans. But Jason's brother "Flip" has his own problems with a parole officer who isn't fooled by this dangerous parolee. In the race to the jackpot between Jason and Flip, and the unwinding of their troubled history, the question soon becomes, Who will get burned? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy Cash Burn now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87JE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87JE">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF3w7tMYDpnFjVtotG27P2NHZkWFEBPasWgYUZhtHU3qIRw33mqOxQr5hFiPB1jwp77SfpN78hK_CmPzKI3jlb01iN0nOfc0aDnJZX0ejrBXIUXnp7tpo-DQHRQJRElz09bq-2A/s1600/reinventing+leona.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF3w7tMYDpnFjVtotG27P2NHZkWFEBPasWgYUZhtHU3qIRw33mqOxQr5hFiPB1jwp77SfpN78hK_CmPzKI3jlb01iN0nOfc0aDnJZX0ejrBXIUXnp7tpo-DQHRQJRElz09bq-2A/s320/reinventing+leona.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621792621387446674" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87IK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87IK">Reinventing Leona</a><br />by Lynn Gentry<br /><br /><p>Leona Harper loves being a pastor's wife. Her impressive resume touts thirty years of coaxing hot water from rusty parsonage plumbing, planning church potlucks, and standing beside her husband while members take potshots at his sermons. Except for the little tiff with her grown children, Leona feels her life is right on track with the wishes of the Almighty . . . until her husband drops dead in the pulpit.</p> <p>When the church board decides to fill the Reverend's vacated position, Leona is forced to find a paying job, mend her fractured family, and tackle her fears. With life spiraling out of control, Leona might find the church members' antics comical if she weren't so completely panicked. Can the faith of an overwhelmed widow withstand the added heartache of two resentful children and several underhanded church members? If Leona can't trust God, how will she learn to trust herself?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy Reinventing Leona now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Z87IK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0057Z87IK">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /></p><br /></div>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-55504249940775999802011-06-23T13:33:00.004-04:002011-06-23T13:35:27.057-04:00Favorite novel passage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041T4T1W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0041T4T1W"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RFM7d7PUFPHjvtOQEGJBnWXsYw4pjlD9AcHbVOW_v-I-d6vPBTit4WYKxnDV1Qc9yhghse3Bb__EyV5wfEN9aOJ8n2WOUL4GBOX3pdlSq7R2FfX8dwcl7-icgMfur_K8BvNhaQ/s320/rivers+run+dry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621469756129543186" border="0" /></a>On a writing e-mail loop I subscribe to, we were asked to share our favorite book passages. I shared this one. When I first read this passage, it choked me up. Books rarely have that effect on me, so I think it tells of the power of these words:<br /><br />=====<br />When David Harmon married my mother, he adopted me and my sister, Helen. I was five and Helen was eight, and if people haven't experienced adoptive love, there was little use trying to explain it to them. Description wouldn't help them recognize the territory, since most people couldn't comprehend the depths and heights and wide-open wilderness that appeared whenever a heart transcended desire for its own kind.<br /> <br />Adoptive love was not natural; it was not manufactured within our DNA. No evidence of its existence showed up in our blood types or facial features or the quaint familial traits that ran through generations, the genetic tendencies toward duty or distraction or drink. In scientific terms, adoption meant people were unrelated. Period.<br /><br />But in the aftermath of my father's death, I came to realize, once again, that science never fully explained the world's greatest mysteries. Science was a high calling. It was a noble and wonder-filled endeavor. But science had yet to prove satisfactory answers for our most beautiful unknowns---all the things that transcended understanding, the miracles that pervaded individual lives and stretched back to a majesty spoken into existence, to a sacrifice that continued to resonate within our souls thousands of years later. A sacrifice based on adoption: he chose us, he loved us, then he died for the worst within us."<br /><br />---from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041T4T1W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0041T4T1W"><i>The Rivers Run Dry</i></a> by Sibella Giorello<br />=====<br /><br />How about you? Do you have any favorite passages?C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-58103508931259038222011-06-19T10:01:00.002-04:002011-06-19T10:05:24.298-04:00Happy Father's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil32neDmRG4nhoYzSox5aWnAPOO6ft_e-rdYG7iBnd4VvyDldMFD-CVZ9AWnBrpNJ1VzRvp67xM8qG-ToBzDlO4sr8hUu-_fIHtc087PszEi_oxad6xVhgUkAGhW0PLI7kvnxEOA/s1600/father+5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil32neDmRG4nhoYzSox5aWnAPOO6ft_e-rdYG7iBnd4VvyDldMFD-CVZ9AWnBrpNJ1VzRvp67xM8qG-ToBzDlO4sr8hUu-_fIHtc087PszEi_oxad6xVhgUkAGhW0PLI7kvnxEOA/s320/father+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619930849121487378" border="0" /></a>Happy Father's Day Dads, and those that love them. In today's society, sometimes dads get lost in the shuffle. Or maybe a father makes the news for being less than one. But there are still many good men out there who are examples for their children. I have a feature piece up on TitleTrakk.com today in which 19 authors share the best piece of wisdom their father shared with them, and I think you'll agree after reading it---dads are pretty special fellows! Read it <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/fathers-day-authors-2011.htm">here</a>.<br /><br />My Dad is a man who can have a conversation with anyone, anywhere, about anything. He has a great sense of humor, he's a huge reader (gee, wonder where I got it?), not to mention he can fix just about anything. I love him very much and am very thankful to carry his name. Love you, Papa!C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-67810992994293884802011-06-13T12:04:00.005-04:002011-06-13T12:12:46.507-04:00Win books and a Kindle tonight!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bookfun.org/group/officialtbcnpartyspot"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIngxoxIqOMnPvAoAk05LTp8cueJTPPjIhCntVx5QmUs-vvobdrGsiZKIEl8wyNs8jMlIDxGSXQrBSM5qR21TWd9cnVVz4wuH8ZMorut-OrP7lzccQOLBv2L7gdhivlu-uDwpyg/s320/book+club+network+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617735943278550962" border="0" /></a>Have you heard? <a href="http://www.bookfun.org/">The Book Club Network</a> is celebrating their birthday, and YOU'RE invited! You get to unwrap the gifts, too!<br /><br />To celebrate their anniversary, this cool website is giving away dozens of novels, hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards, and a grand prize of an Amazon Kindle!<br /><br />The fun has been going on all week, but the real fun happens tonight at 9PM EST. Will you join me in chatting and possibly winning tons of great books? I'll be there. I'm giving away signed copies of my novel Bound by Guilt as well as a $30 gift card to <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/">Christianbook.com</a>!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check it all out tonight at </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bookfun.org/group/officialtbcnpartyspot">this link</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-30691608827378895672011-05-09T12:33:00.005-04:002011-05-09T13:05:13.128-04:00Why I Want A Kindle... and Why I Don't<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y27P3M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002Y27P3M"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddi_ga1ZumxzlbIp5s6CB66sJJ3EJOD6SJzEMSf5rXbW62rDNKY1npbf_mCKrjZ-dXHkdekgeei1dpb3dWi-504EKMgNSIT0lZjrFydvOrggcsuJfrOer1nCkS07QD9biH5ED3w/s320/kindle+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604755509724241682" border="0" /></a>You know e-books are all the rage. Just take a look at <a href="http://idpf.org/about-us/industry-statistics">this graph</a>, and you won't be able to deny that the electronic publishing revolution has become a war. I've been watching it with interest both as a consumer and as an author. I've even been asked about it in interviews I've given for my traditionally published novels <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9781414334486&event=AFF&p=1137091">Thicker than Blood</a> and <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9781414340128&event=AFF&p=1137091">Bound by Guilt</a>. The way I see it, e-books are going to become (well, I guess they already have) just another form of a book. The same way you have a paperback and a hardcover. And like in past years when some books aren't ever released in hardcover and only come out in paper, we're now seeing some being released exclusively to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y27P3M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002Y27P3M">Kindle</a> or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nookcolor/">Nook</a> and skipping the paper route altogether.<br /><br />I recently read one of those books. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045JK2PK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0045JK2PK">Here Comes the Ride</a> by Lorena McCourtney is a cozy mystery published by the author. It's available for $2.99. Having enjoyed the first novel in McCourtney's Andi McConnell series <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ELJUPU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B001ELJUPU">Your Chariot Awaits</a> I knew I wanted to read the second. But alas, even though it was contracted to be published traditionally by Thomas Nelson, for some reason the contract was canceled, leaving Andi stranded in her limousine. Thus the reason McCourtney took the bull by the horns and went the e-pubbing route.<br /><br />I don't yet own an e-reader. In order to read this novel (which was fantastic, btw) I had to download a free app for my computer. Easy enough, but it's not the same reading a book off your computer screen. This is why I really want a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y27P3M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002Y27P3M">Kindle</a>. I want to be able to curl up in bed with a cup of tea and read a book like <span style="font-style: italic;">Here Comes the Ride</span>, or James Scott Bell's new writing book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004URTI52/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B004URTI52">Writing Fiction For All You're Worth</a>. I don't like cuddling up with my laptop unless I'm actually working on <span style="font-style: italic;">writing</span> a novel.<br /><br />For now I am resigned to reading off my computer screen. If the book's good enough, I will do it. But here's my big dilemma. When I finished the last page of <span style="font-style: italic;">Here Comes the Ride</span>, I was satisfied and had the strong urge to close the book and set it up on my shelf. I like collecting books, for crying out loud. How in the world am I going to do that with books released exclusively to Kindle? I want to lend my books to my friends too, but unless I bite the bullet and buy an e-reader, and they do too, this isn't happening.<br /><br />Thus my "why I want, why I don't" problem. What about you? Where do you weigh in on this dilemma that's going to be with us for quite some time.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-5269146815120995542011-03-18T18:52:00.004-04:002011-03-18T19:07:06.891-04:00New from Sibella Giorello, a favorite author<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595545352/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595545352"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXTPrXrYJtUU098bRrr5QF2XqmYFyM6W5S_npSjNjl4S9k-tP1g8zYEANJgPQf14m0g00MUsYbjbBroPr0Ipz_uzclr6TjXPU8mbSCsoOo737XN9QNk84RTv1Yk8r3HaL2gWx2w/s320/mountains+bow+down+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585556992252001890" border="0" /></a>Back in 2007, an advance copy of a novel hit my doorstep. For my work with <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/">TitleTrakk.com</a> I receive a lot of books. Many I will send on to our wonderful team of writers for review. Others I'll hang onto and review myself. In order for me to do that, a book really has to capture my attention. <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/stones-cry-out-review-giorello.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Stones Cry Out</span></a> by Sibella Giorello was one of those books. From the first line it captured my interest. But not only did it pull me in, the story delivered to the last page. I had found a new favorite author.<br /><br />Since that time I've eagerly awaited each one of Sibella's new books. <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/rivers-run-dry-review-giorello.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Rivers Run Dry</span></a> is a favorite, and she followed that up with <span style="font-style: italic;">The Clouds Roll Away</span>.<br /><br />Now Sibella's back with another novel, today's featured book, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595545352/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595545352"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Mountains Bow Down</span></a>. I gotta tell you, folks. When I opened the package from Thomas Nelson and saw that my long wait was over to read another Giorello novel, you should've seen the smile on my face. I think I even muttered something like, "Yes!!". Trust me. I don't normally do that.<br /><br />Did <span style="font-style: italic;">Mountains</span> live up to my expectations? You bet. <span id="reviewTextContainer127316885"><span id="freeTextreview127316885" style="">Giorello delved deeper into Raleigh Harmon's character than she has in prior books---her struggles, challenges, and vulnerabilities. She was real before, but this novel has added a depth to her, which makes for a fantastic story. The plot was a page-turner too. Bravo, Ms. Giorello.</span></span><br /><br /><b>Here's the official summary:<br /></b><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better...</span><br /><br />That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, The Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.<br /><br />But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free.<br /><br />Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis-perpetual ladies man Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack-who might not be such a jerk after all.<br /><br />And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QGYURS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004QGYURS"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi_nAeky4XPtX68BVPS2b_2Ee6VWOvvcSK7TKPanq-fbopD0Pno4Y6SoooBTb46pwalFLUQmonmB1-MjkXgRzwL1xj7FOTToejchz4Nq8HC9bG1i9NJTxRnrXk9fc23LYvaoWQA/s320/stones+cry+out+kindle+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585559677880805762" border="0" /></a>Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family.<br /><br />Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a situation so steep and so complex that even the mountains might bow down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More fun news:</span><br /><br />The aforementioned <span style="font-style: italic;">The Stones Cry Out</span> unfortunately went out of print recently (even after winning a Christy award!). But it's now back and even better than ever with previously cut scenes and a complete rewrite by Sibella. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QGYURS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004QGYURS">Purchase it today</a> for your Kindle for only $2.99.<br /><b><br /><br />Sibella’s celebrating the release of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595545352/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595545352"><i>The Mountains Bow Down </i></a>with a blog tour, a Cruise prize pack worth over $500 and a Facebook Party! Don't miss a minute of the fun.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3WGxyxd2ekzFwH2bMLc-5SjM3Zov9OnseegyJCMBKFHt7HRFzhKj6yDsloMcPe4AD1dYPzjspM4_O0GtmJO1FIe9GZr6Xx14FRQg3fTsfHta945C9cAJpaBs8C7J1rwIGaWdVw/s1600/giorello_mtns_300x250+%25282%2529.gif" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><span id="goog_1117826494"></span></div><br /><b>One Grand Prize winner will receive:</b><br /><ul><li>A $500 gift certificate toward the cruise of their choice from Vacations To Go.</li><li>The entire set of the Raleigh Harmon series.</li></ul><b>To enter click one of the icons below. Then tell your friends. And enter soon - the giveaway ends on 4/1! The winner will be announced at Sibella’s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131732776898350">Raleigh Harmon Book Club Party </a>on FB April 5th, 2011! Don’t miss the fun – prizes, books and gab!</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwBxMiBtSbUjIv5YVIwp77E6-tkTfrPfav0NQXjxsKG6Pm5YOWicLYOtdXkx3GEc5tOORTCHdqrsz7YxFCfEq8VCm4VMJ-ipyTdjjRjJNkMCXY0FvVxCG0eRyJj6mkJgGiTR2UA/s1600/email_icon.png" title="Enter via E-mail" width="48" height="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwrfK9iQSl1by2neTny9vnf-TVZs8YUFCERWB7NDsdaWx7gXjOJOCSJRio70G4lbpDFiTC-TMz9Hu0er9JAB3nLIJDMg_mdletuGmvDYbSuVKq-GVKmDE57Lfpt3SlVl4OmoN4w/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" title="Enter via Facebook" width="48" height="48" /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/104339" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8glTZSsrGszCYHXG692UGY_ygcap4NxW79IVdA10_fZfT1cOmswlZHwyiJgjLy82MW4h_jGRaxwx08YLTiGEFWRY_dQ8XJFuXjbrW5ArbMwEBjIvhr4flJgvpqJ1h796n8uWJA/s1600/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" width="48" height="48" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: black;"><b>About the Facebook Party:</b> Join Sibella and fans of the Raleigh Harmon series on April 5th at 5:00 pm PST (6 MST, 7 CST & 8 EST) for a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131732776898350">Facebook Book Club Party</a>. Sibella will be giving away some fun prizes, testing your trivia skills and hosting a book chat about the Raleigh Harmon books. Have questions you'd like to chat about - leave them on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131732776898350">Event page</a>.</div>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-2790669241342267052011-03-03T14:15:00.004-05:002011-03-03T17:40:36.504-05:00New from James Scott Bell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOyNmUqa_X5284ap-kLvcb6cPy_uC5KMIRve5579O-e7MYVO-g6OE7w1nZj4fCeRpn55YZxoAKiQk1zxs5zvhSglaFQ5fsUtZEOX8i8y9bsaJ3KUNs3AZGvxxUb0_WhHuwtYeWw/s1600/watch+your+back.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOyNmUqa_X5284ap-kLvcb6cPy_uC5KMIRve5579O-e7MYVO-g6OE7w1nZj4fCeRpn55YZxoAKiQk1zxs5zvhSglaFQ5fsUtZEOX8i8y9bsaJ3KUNs3AZGvxxUb0_WhHuwtYeWw/s320/watch+your+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579934479528260418" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite authors has just released his first (and definitely not last) e-book exclusively for <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?r=1&isbn=2940012637239&itm=1&usri=watch+your+back+james+scott+bell&if=N&cm_mmc=TitleTrakk.com-_-k217645-_-j34852091k217645-_-Watch%20Your%20Back">Nook</a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MYH0MG?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004MYH0MG">Kindle</a>. Watch Your Back is a collection made up of a novella and three short stories, all for only $2.99! I had the chance to read the novella pre-publication and Jim is on top of his game. It's a cross between his last full length novel <span style="font-style: italic;">Deceived</span> and his popular <span style="font-style: italic;">Ty Buchanan </span>series.<br /><br />Even if you don't have an e-reader, there are apps you can download for free that will enable you to read right off your computer screen, or even print the book out if you prefer reading off of good ol' paper.<br /><br />But here's something else Mr. Bell has cooking: a weekend seminar series for writers! As a popular conference teacher and bestselling author of multiple how-to books you'll be sure to get the best of the best instruction one-on-one with James Scott Bell. For more info on that, click <a href="http://web.me.com/jamesscottbell/Site/The_Seminar.html">here</a>.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-37767516059506508962011-01-28T18:10:00.002-05:002011-01-28T18:12:23.857-05:00Funny cat videoSometimes you just need to laugh. This video did it for me!<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X3iFhLdWjqc" allowfullscreen="" width="500" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe>C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-73868556121276962072011-01-24T20:55:00.004-05:002011-01-24T21:04:27.941-05:00The Biggest Loser<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqlwvQJSj2e5UndWLZSqLiQYY0LKrKWqP4z-nR9HgIzSl31jk1itwJNGU7It95R5ZKEr_GjDh9kMeEcREFBjg7hTe9vDZUlg-tedsi_gjzGzwCL-qlhNEBVBlaVimJ73em1uC4A/s1600/thinker+silhouette+250.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqlwvQJSj2e5UndWLZSqLiQYY0LKrKWqP4z-nR9HgIzSl31jk1itwJNGU7It95R5ZKEr_GjDh9kMeEcREFBjg7hTe9vDZUlg-tedsi_gjzGzwCL-qlhNEBVBlaVimJ73em1uC4A/s320/thinker+silhouette+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565936898428293218" border="0" /></a>It's happened to me twice now, and the solution was the same both times. I was buzzing along in my latest WIP (work in progress), and I started to write an important scene from the perspective of my secondary main character. Everything was going along so so, but I could tell sometimes was missing. It didn't flow right. I couldn't put my finger on it entirely. At first I wondered if maybe I was way off base on the events that unfolded in the scene. But then I asked myself a question I've heard as advice before: "Who has the most to lose in this scene?"<br /><br />For writers, this is a question to ask ourselves when deciding the POV (point of view) in any scene we write. Usually whoever has the most to lose is who's head we need to be in for that scene. (I'm sure there are exceptions, but this is a general rule of thumb.)<br /><br />When I applied this maxim to the above mentioned scene, I realized the other character in the scene, the one who the point of view character was talking to was really the one who had the most to lose. So I decided to start over in <span style="font-style: italic;">her</span> POV. Guess what happened? The scene flowed ten times better, and I no longer felt stuck in how it was to unfold. The words came.<br /><br />So if you're a writer and stuck in a scene, ask yourself who has the most to lose. It just might be a different character than you first imagined.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-1416559137462052452011-01-07T17:44:00.003-05:002011-01-11T18:59:00.387-05:00The GPS of God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn-Km2u9Vwj1Es0pext58hAAk0xR4BZNnl5egkpGJLRWCtMmLK_FPHIBqY8KmA_gtVDtvfPMBfPKIYSsw3QZHAHlJSmmiolMorycg7vZMGrgp5R0GyProqle1v8dAnXcxBH81DA/s1600/map+and+girl+small.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn-Km2u9Vwj1Es0pext58hAAk0xR4BZNnl5egkpGJLRWCtMmLK_FPHIBqY8KmA_gtVDtvfPMBfPKIYSsw3QZHAHlJSmmiolMorycg7vZMGrgp5R0GyProqle1v8dAnXcxBH81DA/s320/map+and+girl+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559578869955332914" border="0" /></a>Have you ever gotten to a place in your life where you felt you were completely off track? Like there was no bringing you back and God couldn't use you anymore?<br /><br />As Christians, I think we inherently believe that God has a plan for our lives. Sometimes we even hear his still small voice give us a picture of what that plan will be---or at least the next step we should take to get us there.<br /><br />But as is often the case, we mess up. We take a direction contrary to what we know in our hearts we should do. What happens then? Are we too far off the path?<br /><br />I believe that God has a perfect plan for our lives. That's His ideal for us. But I also believe that if we veer off course He's more than able to bring us back.<br /><br />It's sort of the way a GPS works. There's a perfect way to get from Point A to Point B, and if we follow the directions the GPS gives, we'll get there. But as often happens, we make a wrong turn somewhere along the way and find ourselves out in the middle of a cornfield wondering where the heck we are. That GPS doesn't give up on us at that point. It recomputes our route and shows us the turns to take that will still get us where we were supposed to end up in the first place. The path might be windier, longer, and crazier, but we still get there.<br /><br />That's the way God works in our lives too. Sure, it would be ideal for us to never make a mistake, or a wrong turn. But we all do. So rather than bemoan this, we can throw ourselves at the feet of the God who loves us dearly, ask for forgiveness and His help in recomputing our way. He'll give it to us. He's a loving Father.<br /><br />I had this experience recently in my writing. I had felt for a long time I was to write a fast rough draft in my latest manuscript. I felt like it was God's leading. But I didn't do it. Instead I spent months laboring over my characters, plot and whatnot. Finally I decided to quit the nonsense and just push through and write my story. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd missed God in a big way. I worried that everything I was writing was off track and not what He wanted me to write.<br /><br />Then I received an e-mail from an author friend that was the answer to my heart's cry. She said some things I'd been needing to hear about writing and following my heart to find the story God gave me. After reading her words I knew the story I needed to write. I began a new draft in the peace I'd desperately craved.<br /><br />A week or two later God gave me a wonderful gift. It was just a little thought, but I felt it. He told me that right now, I was back to where I would have been if I'd followed those early inclinations I'd had about writing the fast rough draft. He'd re-routed my path. He can do the same for you.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10900857.post-25504007578835646042010-12-30T12:06:00.002-05:002010-12-30T12:10:47.572-05:00Have fun with Goodreads!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3092520.C_J_Darlington"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 41px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4IWybCbhoffQLf2pjSCOqRQ1MWTMnc9OaBk2KEXTilqr4YiLYaLdnNo7ZSqJJQljbiTn6Bb1YR-Pm56av9PC8m6A36nc_hAswAuL0Hg7sZdmL1qy_r9B2AOyxWDtQk08Pj35xQ/s320/goodreads+logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556522933658285570" border="0" /></a>Calling all readers! If you haven't checked out the site <a href="http://www.goodreads.com">Goodreads.com</a> yet, it's a fun stop on your literary road trip. Users can share what they're currently reading (there are plenty of widgets to add to your blogs and websites too), rate books, write reviews, and more. I'm enjoying the ability it gives me to go back and see what I read this year, and what I thought of those books. Like its counterpart <a href="http://www.shelfari.com">Shelfari</a>, you can add friends and favorite authors. I used to visit <a href="http://www.shelfari.com">Shelfari</a> regularly but was disappointed with their latest website update that made it harder (I thought) to do things quickly. Then I found <a href="http://www.goodreads.com">Goodreads</a>. So if you're curious what I'm reading on any given day, you can visit my <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3092520.C_J_Darlington">author page</a> and then make a page of your own.C.J. Darlingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.com1