I want to let everyone know that Desert Breeze Publishing has offered me a contract for No Other. I've reviewed the terms and it's my intention to sign as soon as the hard copy arrives by mail. This is a young publishing house, but I've been very impressed with the quality of their books, their aggressiveness in marketing, and the relationship between the editors and authors. DBP has also expressed interest in publishing In All Things, the continuation of Jakob and Meri's story.
No Other is scheduled for release in May 2010, and In All Things tentative release is November of that same year. I'm excited, and a little nervous, but mostly excited. I'll keep you guys informed and let you know as soon as I put pen to paper. (Update: In All Things is under contract as well and its release IS scheduled for November. Hehe.)
Oh, and I have a website up. Please check it out and sign the guest book. I'd love to get some good discussions going on the forum too. At this stage they can be about anything...well almost anything.:) Here's the link.
http://shawnakwilliams.com/
The Story Behind My Blog's Title
Why is my blog named "My Father's Oldsmobile"? Click on the car and find out.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Congratulations to Kat Heckenbach
Kat's story, "Willing Blood," won Editor's Choice for September in The Absent Willow Review. Congratulations Kat! It's an awesome story. Here's the link again incase you haven't read it.
http://absentwillowreview.com/archives/willing-blood
http://absentwillowreview.com/archives/willing-blood
Monday, August 24, 2009
Book Review: Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton
Laney Cooper’s life is controlled by grief and fear. And it’s not without reason. She’s lost everyone she ever loved. As a result, Laney clings to the safety of her home, refusing to set foot outside. The thought of riding in an automobile sends her into shear panic, and the idea of entering into a relationship seems even more hazardous. What if tragedy were to strike again?
Bojan, the heavily accented, charming restaurateur, won’t be deterred. He senses in his heart that God has brought Laney into his life; and ever so gently, through kindness and prayer, Bojan helps Laney to conquer her fears one at a time.
But terror is lurking that neither Bojan nor Laney knows exist. Laney must rise above her fears, and Bojan must trust that God will give her the strength to do so.
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton is a suspenseful romance with all the elements thereof; a heroine in need, a mysterious hero, and a wacked out bad guy. There’s even a bonus doggie romance I’m compelled to mention since I am a Chihuahua owner.
What I liked best about the book was the message of conquering fear through Christ. Michelle weaved this throughout the story using scripture and prayer. Bojan was unique as a hero because his strength came from his relationship with Christ. Because of this, his character showed compassion toward Laney’s overwhelming fear, and his response was always prayer first — except for once, when she was really freaking out and he had to kiss her so she’d calm down. And that’s all I’m going to say about that. If you want to know more you’ll have to read the book.
Bojan, the heavily accented, charming restaurateur, won’t be deterred. He senses in his heart that God has brought Laney into his life; and ever so gently, through kindness and prayer, Bojan helps Laney to conquer her fears one at a time.
But terror is lurking that neither Bojan nor Laney knows exist. Laney must rise above her fears, and Bojan must trust that God will give her the strength to do so.
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton is a suspenseful romance with all the elements thereof; a heroine in need, a mysterious hero, and a wacked out bad guy. There’s even a bonus doggie romance I’m compelled to mention since I am a Chihuahua owner.
What I liked best about the book was the message of conquering fear through Christ. Michelle weaved this throughout the story using scripture and prayer. Bojan was unique as a hero because his strength came from his relationship with Christ. Because of this, his character showed compassion toward Laney’s overwhelming fear, and his response was always prayer first — except for once, when she was really freaking out and he had to kiss her so she’d calm down. And that’s all I’m going to say about that. If you want to know more you’ll have to read the book.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A Whistling Heart (and a disclaimer)
Here’s the thing with my blog. I’m a writer -- well a wannabe writer anyway -- but as of yet, all I have to my credentials are a few published short stories and a couple of manuscripts under consideration (meaning they haven’t been accepted yet, so they aren’t really credentials). But hey! I’m hopeful. Still need an agent (Anyone? Anyone?)
Since I don’t have the experience to convey profound words of wisdom on how to make it as a writer, I’ll just do what I do best: blab. I will confess though, my blabbering stories aren’t without purpose in mind. My hope is that you will find them so endearing that if I’m ever published, you’ll rush out and buy my book.
And that’s my disclaimer. Now on to the story.
My youngest child is a whistler. I can always tell when she’s happy because I hear her whistling—unknowingly--as she goes about her daily activities.
Now, she’s also stubborn. So when she has her mind set to do a thing, or be a certain way, you better just accept it and stand back.
Our family had talked about moving from the city to the country for about two years before we finally took the plunge. During that time the kids anticipated the change with excitement—especially my youngest.
“Can I get a horse?”
“Yes.”
“Can we have cows?”
“Yes.”
“Rabbits?”
“Sure.”
She even amassed a collection of colorful, stuffed representations of all her future pets. But once we made the move her attitude took a sudden change. And she wanted everyone to know it! She’d walk about with a scowl, announcing in a disgruntled voice how much she disliked, or missed, the most peculiar things.
“I miss our stairs! I miss carpet. I don’t like all of the trees. The mountains are too small. The pastures are kind of boring to look at….”
A bit of remorse was understandable. Moves are a huge change, and we all missed a part of our old life. But with Kaylee, I really began to worry. Not one positive remark escaped her lips. So I tried to coax a few; first, by commenting on the taste of fresh spring water.
“I liked our old water better.”
“The cool mountain air feels so good. It’s a nice change from Houston’s humidity.”
“Humidity makes me want to swim. I miss swimming.”
“The changing fall colors are just beautiful.”
“Green’s prettier.”
Had we made a terrible mistake? We’d only been in our new house for a week, and already our seven year old had decided, no how, no way, was she going to like it. Being the stubborn little angel that she was, changing her mind would take a miracle.
That evening my husband and I took a walk down to the creek that runs next to the house, and I voiced my concerns. Mid-sentence I looked up and witnessed something amazing. Our baby was walking down the hill toward us. As she closed the distance, her walk turned into a skip; her little lips puckered and she began to whistle.
Sudden joy filled my heart and I knew we’d done the right thing. I didn’t dare tell her she’d been whistling for fear of rousing her stubborn side. No, I just let God do what He does best: changing hearts so gently, so soothingly, that we don’t know it’s happened until He’s done.
Fast forward a few years and you’ll find that same child hanging from the gate in our pasture, proclaiming to all of the world, “I was made for this farm!”
Since I don’t have the experience to convey profound words of wisdom on how to make it as a writer, I’ll just do what I do best: blab. I will confess though, my blabbering stories aren’t without purpose in mind. My hope is that you will find them so endearing that if I’m ever published, you’ll rush out and buy my book.
And that’s my disclaimer. Now on to the story.
My youngest child is a whistler. I can always tell when she’s happy because I hear her whistling—unknowingly--as she goes about her daily activities.
Now, she’s also stubborn. So when she has her mind set to do a thing, or be a certain way, you better just accept it and stand back.
Our family had talked about moving from the city to the country for about two years before we finally took the plunge. During that time the kids anticipated the change with excitement—especially my youngest.
“Can I get a horse?”
“Yes.”
“Can we have cows?”
“Yes.”
“Rabbits?”
“Sure.”
She even amassed a collection of colorful, stuffed representations of all her future pets. But once we made the move her attitude took a sudden change. And she wanted everyone to know it! She’d walk about with a scowl, announcing in a disgruntled voice how much she disliked, or missed, the most peculiar things.
“I miss our stairs! I miss carpet. I don’t like all of the trees. The mountains are too small. The pastures are kind of boring to look at….”
A bit of remorse was understandable. Moves are a huge change, and we all missed a part of our old life. But with Kaylee, I really began to worry. Not one positive remark escaped her lips. So I tried to coax a few; first, by commenting on the taste of fresh spring water.
“I liked our old water better.”
“The cool mountain air feels so good. It’s a nice change from Houston’s humidity.”
“Humidity makes me want to swim. I miss swimming.”
“The changing fall colors are just beautiful.”
“Green’s prettier.”
Had we made a terrible mistake? We’d only been in our new house for a week, and already our seven year old had decided, no how, no way, was she going to like it. Being the stubborn little angel that she was, changing her mind would take a miracle.
That evening my husband and I took a walk down to the creek that runs next to the house, and I voiced my concerns. Mid-sentence I looked up and witnessed something amazing. Our baby was walking down the hill toward us. As she closed the distance, her walk turned into a skip; her little lips puckered and she began to whistle.
Sudden joy filled my heart and I knew we’d done the right thing. I didn’t dare tell her she’d been whistling for fear of rousing her stubborn side. No, I just let God do what He does best: changing hearts so gently, so soothingly, that we don’t know it’s happened until He’s done.
Fast forward a few years and you’ll find that same child hanging from the gate in our pasture, proclaiming to all of the world, “I was made for this farm!”
Monday, August 17, 2009
Kat Hechenbach's story
Hey guys,
Kat Hechenbach has a short story running in the Absent Willow Review. It's awesome! Kinda scary too. She wants everyone to know that it's an allegory, so check it out. Here's the link.
http://absentwillowreview.com/archives/willing-blood
Kat Hechenbach has a short story running in the Absent Willow Review. It's awesome! Kinda scary too. She wants everyone to know that it's an allegory, so check it out. Here's the link.
http://absentwillowreview.com/archives/willing-blood
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Another 2 am Post
I'm too lazy to think of a real title tonight, and I"m leaving town to attend my twentieth highschool reunion tomorrow. (I"ll have stories when I get beck. I'm sure of it!) Before I left, I wanted to share this.
When some friends of ours first moved into a 100+ year-old house, there was a lot of work to be done. It wasn't long before the man across the street started showing up and asking if they'd hire him to do it. Our friend, Rob--having had a colorful past--took a liking to this man, as well as a warning. There were things about him that were a little too familiar. My friend knew that he needed to be careful, but he also knew that the guy needed help. So, he gave him a job and set about visiting with the man everytime he came over to work.
Pretty soon he discovered that the man was a recovering alchoholic, living with a substance abusing wife. To top off the not-so-good situation, the man had been diagnosed with cancer and was also caring for his ailing father. So Rob, with his giant heart, set in to help out. He kept the man employed until he could no longer work. Either Rob, or his wife, took him to his doctor's appointments when he could no longer drive. They managed his finances to the dismay, and tantrums, of his wife, and they looked after his dad. The man was deeply touched by their love. And curious. He began studying the Bible with Rob, and eventually he gave his life to Christ.
Rob's friend grew weaker and weaker. Finances were a huge problem. So, even though the friend didn't ask, Rob offered what he could to help cover expenses. Rob isn't rich, not by a long shot, and sometimes he wasn't sure where he'd get the money to help. Somehow it always seemed to show up.
One night at a Bible study, Rob requested prayers for his friend. At the end of the study, a gentleman Rob didn't know very well approached him with an envelope and said, "This is for your friend." It was thick. Rob figured there must have been fifty one dollar bills or something in it. He tucked it away in his pocket and went home.
When he arrived home, his friend was at his house. He was greatly distressed over some unexpected financial concerns. Rob's wife was equally distressed, because the man needed $1000 dollars and they didn't have it to give. When Rob heard this, he pulled the envlope from his back pocket, suddenly feeling fairly sure that those bills weren't all ones. The three proceeded to count out $1500 dollars.
At the next Bible study Rob told the man who'd given him the money about what had happened. The man then said, "Rob, I never carry cash on me. Right now my wallet is completely empty. But last Thursday, when I was in the bank, I felt the Lord urge me to pull out fifteen hundred dollars and just carry it around. So I did. I didn't know who it was for until you asked me to pray for your friend."
The story struck a cord with me, because the reason we were at Rob's house was to help his wife. She'd recently had shoulder surgery. My daughter had spent the night several days before, and as I drove home, I felt an urge--some small thing saying, "You need to clean her house." I HATE cleaning house. You know what I almost did? I almost ignored it. I'm glad I didn't because, while it helped her, it ended up blessing me more--if for no other reason than to hear that story. I'm afraid if God had told me to give away $1500, I would've pretended to hear static. I hope not though.
Maybe now, when he asks me to do something seemingly outrageous ,I'll remember this story. Then turn up the volume, take notes and get after it.
When some friends of ours first moved into a 100+ year-old house, there was a lot of work to be done. It wasn't long before the man across the street started showing up and asking if they'd hire him to do it. Our friend, Rob--having had a colorful past--took a liking to this man, as well as a warning. There were things about him that were a little too familiar. My friend knew that he needed to be careful, but he also knew that the guy needed help. So, he gave him a job and set about visiting with the man everytime he came over to work.
Pretty soon he discovered that the man was a recovering alchoholic, living with a substance abusing wife. To top off the not-so-good situation, the man had been diagnosed with cancer and was also caring for his ailing father. So Rob, with his giant heart, set in to help out. He kept the man employed until he could no longer work. Either Rob, or his wife, took him to his doctor's appointments when he could no longer drive. They managed his finances to the dismay, and tantrums, of his wife, and they looked after his dad. The man was deeply touched by their love. And curious. He began studying the Bible with Rob, and eventually he gave his life to Christ.
Rob's friend grew weaker and weaker. Finances were a huge problem. So, even though the friend didn't ask, Rob offered what he could to help cover expenses. Rob isn't rich, not by a long shot, and sometimes he wasn't sure where he'd get the money to help. Somehow it always seemed to show up.
One night at a Bible study, Rob requested prayers for his friend. At the end of the study, a gentleman Rob didn't know very well approached him with an envelope and said, "This is for your friend." It was thick. Rob figured there must have been fifty one dollar bills or something in it. He tucked it away in his pocket and went home.
When he arrived home, his friend was at his house. He was greatly distressed over some unexpected financial concerns. Rob's wife was equally distressed, because the man needed $1000 dollars and they didn't have it to give. When Rob heard this, he pulled the envlope from his back pocket, suddenly feeling fairly sure that those bills weren't all ones. The three proceeded to count out $1500 dollars.
At the next Bible study Rob told the man who'd given him the money about what had happened. The man then said, "Rob, I never carry cash on me. Right now my wallet is completely empty. But last Thursday, when I was in the bank, I felt the Lord urge me to pull out fifteen hundred dollars and just carry it around. So I did. I didn't know who it was for until you asked me to pray for your friend."
The story struck a cord with me, because the reason we were at Rob's house was to help his wife. She'd recently had shoulder surgery. My daughter had spent the night several days before, and as I drove home, I felt an urge--some small thing saying, "You need to clean her house." I HATE cleaning house. You know what I almost did? I almost ignored it. I'm glad I didn't because, while it helped her, it ended up blessing me more--if for no other reason than to hear that story. I'm afraid if God had told me to give away $1500, I would've pretended to hear static. I hope not though.
Maybe now, when he asks me to do something seemingly outrageous ,I'll remember this story. Then turn up the volume, take notes and get after it.
Monday, August 3, 2009
One Real Hope
Recently I've had an agent request a partial for, No Other, and I've also had a small publisher request the manuscript of my smaller project, The Orphan's Home. This is exciting stuff, right? It is, but it's testing too. And I'm not too impressed with what it's revealed about me; first, I'm extremely impatient; and second, I'm a whimp. A scaredy, little fraidy cat whimp. All day I'm telling myself, "She primarily works with published writers, no way she's gonna take a risk on puny, untalented me." Or, "The main conflict is between the MC and himself, not between the two MC's, like their guidelines stated. They're not gonna take it."
Yes...whine...whine...whine. Enough already!
You know what I'm most scared of? Hope. I'm terrified that if I let myself believe it could happen, being told it won't will hurt all the more. Might as well torture myself ahead of time. It's insane. It's stupid, and it's a waste of energy.
So, tonight as I confess this crazy state of mind I've dwelt in for all of two weeks, the Lord cradles me in His arms, and reminds me of an unfailing hope - a hope that will never disappoint. And strangely enough, He whispers the same verse He gave me for my book. While the words are the same, it's meaning has an entirely different application--one meant for me, at this very moment.
Psalms 146:4-6
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
What it means to you may be a little different, but it's still truth.
Thank you, Lord.
Yes...whine...whine...whine. Enough already!
You know what I'm most scared of? Hope. I'm terrified that if I let myself believe it could happen, being told it won't will hurt all the more. Might as well torture myself ahead of time. It's insane. It's stupid, and it's a waste of energy.
So, tonight as I confess this crazy state of mind I've dwelt in for all of two weeks, the Lord cradles me in His arms, and reminds me of an unfailing hope - a hope that will never disappoint. And strangely enough, He whispers the same verse He gave me for my book. While the words are the same, it's meaning has an entirely different application--one meant for me, at this very moment.
Psalms 146:4-6
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
What it means to you may be a little different, but it's still truth.
Thank you, Lord.
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