2014 Guymon, Oklahoma Pioneer Days Craft Show

 The Pioneer Days 2014 Craft Show was a lot of fun. The main thing was that Terry was off and able to be with me both days. After the show ended we went to eat at Cactus Jacks and then watched the movie, "Heaven is for Real". We had a wonderful time.

The first day, after the parade, we met the queen of the parade. She was 99 and would turn 100 this summer. She was dressed in a long purple satin pioneer dress. Listen, this lady wasn't even using a cane. She was super funny and had a great sense of humor. Her 'little brother' came from Canon, CO. to support her as queen. She was such a sweet lady and her brother was also as healthy as can be. I didn't have my camera with me to get her picture.

Another very special thing happened for me. Many of the readers of my books came to round out their collections. They wanted to be sure they have all 11 of them. (I'm writing book 12.) Two really nice ladies stopped by to make sure I would be at the show on Sunday so that their mother could see me on Sunday afternoon. They had purchased the first 3 books when that was all I had published. Since then, their mother had ordered each book as it was released through the mail.

This is a picture I had to have. She did come to visit with me and be certain that I hadn't released "Restored" yet. (Restored is available in the first 3 segments/episodes via e-book and it will become a completed novel and be released as soon as it is finished. )

 This is Helen Baker. She is super sweet and fun to talk with. I'm glad she allowed me to have a picture with her. She told me to keep writing. It was really interesting that I was sitting in my booth wondering what on earth I am doing by writing these books. Helen and her daughters encouraged me and another lady came by and told me that I must not stop writing. The Lord knew I needed this at this time. Thank you so much!

Terry was wearing this bright blue shirt and things were a little slow so I looked at him and noticed that his eyes were the color of blue that his shirt is. I made him take his glasses off and let me take a picture of him. What a handsome husband! 

He didn't want me to take this picture. lol. It was so good to be able to show "Six Miles from Nashville" to the people of  Guymon because that is where the story of Debbie Williams began. It was a really nice weekend.

Part 3 of Almost 7 years of Publising

This is a non-professional 'selfie' I took this past winter.  Not the best, but it works for this part of my story. I am still writing! I can hardly believe it. Right now I am half-way through book 12.

I decided to add writing contemporary Christian fiction.

This book wasn't particularly going to become the first book of a series, but things changed as I came to the end of it. When I told my sons I was going to write a modern book, they asked me what the time frame of this book was set. I told them 1974. They laughed and told me that was not modern. hmmmm.


The second book in the series is 'Christmas in Nashville'. I thought it would be good to write a book that took on the characteristics of a Christmas movie.

 

 

Right now I am writing book #12. It will be released as a novel when it is completed. As I write it, I have been releasing 'episodes' every 10,000 words in e-book format.

 



Part 2 of Almost 7 Years of Publishing

This picture was taken for the next few books. It was taken in the studio by the same photographer, Terry Peak. My niece, Melanie Hards, did my makeup. She graduated from a professional movie makeup school and has done makeup for some movies made in New Mexico. If I look better in this picture than in most, it is through the skills of Terry Peak and Melanie. This picture is also a few years old.

The next series had to be written because of something that was written in "Elk's Resolve". There were characters who needed their stories told. That is what the series, Rescued...a Series of Hope is all about. It is still in the process of being written. The first 4 books are done. I think there are at least 2 more to round out this one.

Book 1 of Rescued...a Series of Hope- Some Happy Day:

This book begins with a story based on something that happened to my Daddy. He was born in 1909 and was in on the tail-end of wagon travel. When he was little he fell asleep in the back of a wagon while the family was moving from one of the plains states to another. As he slept, he fell out of the wagon and was knocked unconscious. When he came to, he saw the family wagon disappearing from sight. He walked in that direction until he caught up with them at suppertime.

I wrote the basis of this story but changed it up a lot. The outcome was much different. The child was a lot younger and the story took off.


Book 2 of this series is Capture the Wandering Heart:

Capture the Wandering Heart is one of my favorites. Of course, all of them are my favorites. Most of the action takes place in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas when Amarillo wasn't a town yet. Other places in this book are Dodge City, Kansas, Clarendon, TX, and Tascosa, TX. They were hot spots in the 1870s. The canyon picture was taken by a friend I have had since my junior high days, Rhonda Price. This book has a lot of folk medicine cures and history from this part of the United States. It also addresses issues we face in modern days.



Book 3 of the series is Walk Slowly through the Dark

This book addresses some of the difficult times we go through in life. Even when we are supposed to be in the midst of our happiest times, we find ourselves dissatisfied and lonely. This book is not all gloom and doom. I attempted to show how the Presence of God is with us even in hard times. This book packs a surprise for the reader.


Book 4 of the series is "The Restless Kansas Winds"

Our son/mid-kid, Marlin, did this cover for me. He found this cowboy in stock photos and I really liked him, but he was shirtless. Marlin told me he could put a shirt on him. I would have never known!! What do you think? That Mar is talented! I think this is my favorite cover so far. I have entered it into a cover contest. I would love for it to place. That would really look great in his graphic art portfolio. Did I mention that he does this sort of thing for a living?

This book is set in Meade and Liberal, Kansas while the railroad was being built. The towns were also building up. I learned in research for this book, where the term "hell on wheels" originated. I also learned about the Chinese and Irish workers on the railroad. It is my goal that the background of the stories I write inform readers of a little interesting history of our country while they are being entertained. Also the spiritual truths the characters learn will hopefully be a help to the reader also.

Book 5 of this series is yet to be written, but I am researching background things. I strive for those things to be accurate and interesting.

Next time I will tell you a bit about the Nashville series.

Almost 7 Years of Publishing

This is Terry's favorite picture of me as an author. A professional photographer took the photo and it was not taken in his studio. These beautiful flowers and landscape are located on the road to Lake Fryer, a small lake near my home.

I was laughing uncontrollably because my grandchildren were sitting in the car watching the photo shoot. I hadn't had a professional picture taken of me alone since my Senior picture in high school. This one was a different kind of 'senior' picture. I was more comfortable watching my children do this kind of thing. We used a different pose for the back of the cover. I thought I should look a little more composed.

Who knew that a 52 year old woman could start a career as an author? It was beyond my wildest dreams. In fact, I had forgotten how to dream. Now, I dream all the time.

 

This is the first book produced from my efforts. In 2007 it had a different cover. This is the new cover. For years, there wasn't a Kindle version of this book. The price was $2.99 for this format. Yesterday, I changed the price to 99 cents.

 

This book was supposed to be 'the book' that I had in me. (We have all heard that every single person has a book inside them so I decided to write one.) Actually, I figured I would write it, print it out, and leave it in a drawer for my sons to find after I died.

 

 

This book is the one I wrote after I threw caution to the wind and sent my manuscript to a publisher. Who knew that the publisher would take on 'Nan's Journey'? Terry told me I needed to write every day, so I did.

 

I cried more writing 'Luke's Legacy' than any other book I have written. So far, of all my books, it is a sleeper. Sales on this book are good, but not as abundant as the other titles. When people ask me which book is my favorite, I tend to go to this one. Remember, these books are sort of  like children to me so it is difficult to choose just one.

 

 

This one was just plain fun to write.

 

 

 

 

This one has a lot of history. I love this one. It completes the Nan's Heritage Series.

 

That is enough for today. This sounds like a commercial. I'm sorry that it does. Writing has become a huge part of my life now. The work is interesting and I am pleased that the Lord has seen fit to use these books to show how to get through life situations with God's help.

It Is Kitty Time!

The kiddies held still but the kitties didn't. Even though Spring doesn't feel too springy right now, the new kitties are being born. The grands and hubs love holding them. Nothing is sweeter than kids and kittens.

I Love to Meet with Groups and Speak from My Heart

Cowchip Festival????

This is my set up at the Beaver, Oklahoma Cowchip Festival.

The name of this festival evokes many comments on my blog and other places I post on the internet. It is a very nice festival with all sorts of things going on. They had a carnival, a color race, a cow-patty bingo, cowchip throwing, and the craft show. I'm sure I missed something.

 

Just as I was about to open up my booth, the rack collapsed. The back legs were flimsy. Terry is at town purchasing some bulkier stuff to bulk it up. I think he is going to cut it down to tabletop size.

This is the photo of the 'Big Beaver'. It is the town mascot. Do you remember that this is the town I went to for the Christmas Shopping Show? They had carriage rides and all that jazz. This place will also have a county fair in a few months. I will be here because there are so many readers who have become friends to me and some of them are friends who have become readers.

Terry was born here in Beaver and our sons were also. It is an hour away from our home, so it isn't a problem being at all the events. (especially with people who are so kind and friendly)

Since the hubs grew up really close to Beaver, a lot of people know his family. (close and extended) There are always a lot of questions about who, and how, etc. Some folks went to church  or school with some of them. Others are related in some way or another. I take down names and barrage Terry with questions when I get home.

 

There were 6 authors at the craft show. I know 3 of them. I didn't get around to meeting the other 2. Sherrilyn Polf had a booth next to mine. She writes about the home front during WWII and has also written a book for children.

This is Kathryn Fogleman. Her booth was behind mine and separated by a divider. She writes Fantasy. Her mother, Dawnita Fogleman, has written a book called "Star Chronicles, a Bible-Based Study of the Stars."

I really enjoy visiting with my author friends as well. Friday and Saturday was so much fun. I always look forward to events in Beaver, OK.

Pen Pals

A few months ago our oldest granddaughter asked me if I would be her pen pal. She was very excited about the prospect of receiving mail. To tell you the truth...I adore hand-written letters in my mailbox. In fact, before email, sometimes I would write 18 letters in a day to people I love in hopes to get a letter back. A few answered, but most didn't.

With the event of Facebook, I have been able to keep in contact with dear friends and family. I don't have to write letters with pen and paper anymore. I still miss it. Occasionally, I do write a letter. Usually, I don't get an answer. Some things never change.

You can see that the invitation to become a pen pal was right up my alley. Sierra told me that I was required to send the first letter and she would write me back. I was excited. I tried to find some pretty stationary to write on. Nothing. I went to town... no pretty stationary. Hmmmmm. I had to settle with lined notebook paper. I wrote to her. She is in third grade.

I got a letter back from her. One statement she made was to please not write in cursive. She didn't want to have her Mom read it to her. Oh dear. Grandma wasn't thinking. I spoke with her momma and she said that even my grandsons in high school can't read cursive. They don't learn cursive in school anymore. Wow. I didn't know that.

After getting the letter from Sierra I decided to ask my first grade granddaughter if she wanted to be pen pals. I explained what that meant and she was really happy with the idea. We also talked about she and Sierra writing to each other. That made her day! Since then, they have been writing to each other and sending drawings to each other and little handmade gifts. They love mail.

The first grader, Maci, is no stranger to writing letters. Since she was a toddler, she wrote 'notes' to the mailman who delivers to their house. He told her mom that he puts her letters on his fridge next to his grandkid's. That's sweet huh. She is excited to get real letters from far away and she writes a good letter as well.

In Sierra's last letter, she sent me a design for a dress for her Barbie doll. We had discussed this on the phone and I told her I would try to sew it up for her. (I hope I can.) It is quite a cute design. She and Maci had never heard of changing the clothes on their Barbies. Wow, things have changed. I had two Barbie dolls and a bunch of handmade and store bought clothes, hats, and coats for them. I spent more time changing their clothes than playing with them.

I also write to a little girl from Cambodia. She was my first pen pal. Terry and I 'adopted' her years ago. Her writing in her letters are maturing as the years go by. She also sends drawings to me. Some people write me letters telling me about reading the books I write. I love it. I guess that I am finally getting the letters in the mail that I long for.

New Biscuit Recipe from The Pioneer Woman's Cooking Show

Terry and I watched The Pioneer Woman Cooking Show on Sunday afternoon. She was making Sausage and gravy, oven fried potatoes, and Cowboy black pepper and sage biscuits. Today, I decided to try the Cowboy biscuits.

These biscuits have a lot of pepper and sage in them, as well as buttermilk. I never thought of pepper and sage in biscuits, so I decided to try to make them. This is my attempt. They turned out really well.

I have never had much luck in making biscuits from scratch, but these turned out great!!!! They taste really good. (I snuck one.)  Now, the test is how much Terry likes them. I made roast with carrots and potatoes yesterday and we have some left over. These warm biscuits will go nicely with them. I am sure you can get the recipe from her cooking show's website.

Update Video 3/12/14 at OneTrueMedia.com

Update on Serial Drama book.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

My Video 3/12/14 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Viola Ruby Littau

This picture was taken in December of 2013. Terry's Mom, Viola, is pictured here with her former pastor. She is 97 1/2 years old. She is one of the most positive people I know. She does live at home because of the assistance of a 24 hour caretaker. We are all blessed by the tender care that Viola is enjoying.

Yesterday, Terry and I went to see her. I had taken pictures  to post, but somehow when I was downloading them into the computer, they were deleted. Oh well, these smiling faces are a good picture to put here.

The day was beautiful and warm. What a relief after such a crazy few weeks. Terry was his cheerful self and enjoyed sitting on the daybed next to his Mama and talking with Jamie. After a while, Viola grew tired and we decided to leave and go to Beaver to do some business for her. It seems to be more difficult to leave her each time. Although she is very strong for her age, we know that it is a blessing that she is still here.

We drove by the farm on the way to Beaver. The place was the same and different at the same time. I thought of the first time Terry took me there almost 40 years ago. Time changes everything. Terry walked in the pasture and looked at the places he grew up. I thought of him as a child there and all his growing up years. His mother and daddy did a good job raising responsible and loving people.

As I told Viola goodbye, she was laying on the daybed and getting ready to take a nap. I put my hand on her cheek. She seemed so small. I didn't see recognition in her eyes, but I knew she loved me. I wondered if I had blessed her life in any measure as much as she has blessed me. My daddy used to say, "Time don't wait for anybody." It is true. As I looked in her eyes, I wondered if I squandered time in becoming a better friend to her. She has been someone my children and grandchildren can look to and say, "Now there is a woman of God."

Quality Control

This very happy grandpa is part of my 'quality control' team. Look at him...sitting basking in the love of his youngest grandson. (We have 2 teen-aged grandsons who live 500 miles away.) He is wearing a shirt with the first cover for the book, "Elk's Resolve". (We updated the cover a few years ago.) He takes the time to read through my edited manuscripts for things that may have gone unnoticed by the three other sets of eyes that have looked through it.

He reads the manuscripts to me aloud so that I can be sure the story flows in the way I want. In doing this, he also finds typos and other things that may have been missed. I think my 'quality control' guy is pretty cute. 

Today, he read Episode 1 of Restored to me and made the corrections. I submitted it for review to Kindle Direct Publishing. It looks like Episode 1 will be ready for purchase tomorrow sometime. I am very excited to get this writing in your hands and am working steadily on Episode 2 so that it will be ready very soon.

An Interview of little ole me!

An author of books for children asked to do an interview of me! Click here to read it. You will want to read her blog. She is  terrific author and very cool person, Laura Eckroat.

99 cents today-- The e-book version of "The Restless Kansas Wind"

If you enjoy the books I write, please share this information with your friends and get a copy for yourself. Sharing your books with your friends is also a wonderful way to get the word out.

I do appreciate all the encouragement you have already provided for me. Even things you do that you think are small make a big difference. Thank you.

39 Years and Counting

Terry is always so sweet on our anniversary. These are the roses he got for me for our 39th. He did have a small trip planned, but I came down with a terrible cold and our area suffered from an ice storm. You know what? We had a great time. (minus the coughing and stuff) He cooked for me and brought me these roses and a beautiful card.

He usually reads my manuscript after it has gone through editing, but this time he was very busy so I published without his fine tooth come go through. He wanted to be sure "The Restless Kansas Wind" was free of typos  and things, so all Sunday afternoon he read the book (from the spot he left off) aloud to me. He reads it aloud because I catch gimpy phrases that way.

He dog-eared the pages for me to do corrections. There were 12 or so mistakes. They are now corrected. It makes me feel so loved when he does this for me. What a gift! I do love him so much. Next year is a biggie.

Episode 1 will be ready the second week of March 2014.

Episode 2 will be ready 3 to 6 weeks later. (Keep your fingers crossed.)

The question I had when I began writing this book was...Where do I start? How do I get into this character's head? I started on the Internet and Googled some questions. The answers I read were unnerving. I realized that I needed to just begin to write and fill in the pieces as they came up. 

The lead character in this book, didn't intend to break the law. She had taken a two year old boy when it looked like he would end up in the Foster care system. When the law caught up with her, she was charged with kidnapping. While I thought about Debbie, I wondered why this scenario triggered such a strong reaction in her. The result was a satisfying result. I hope you find it entertaining and believable.

Get ready...watch for the release of Restored, Episode 1.

Freedom Realized

     The latest book I have been working on has been way out of my comfort zone. I know the Lord wanted it written, but I felt resistant. It is Book III of the Nashville Series and deals with one of the characters who ended up in prison. I thought I could move on without telling the rest of her story, but I was wrong. The readers requested that I not end her story with the prison sentence. Doing research on prison life and life after prison is somewhat depressing to me so I had to press on.
      I almost fell into the trap of putting a title I thought would catch the most attention, but again, the Lord dealt with my heart. I thought “Jailbird” would be perfect and catchy, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew it wasn’t right. It might wound someone who was trying to begin a new life, like the character I was writing about.
     As I chatted with another author friend, she confirmed what I was thinking. I began to think about the message I wanted this book to convey. The title was clear as day, “Restored”. God will restore the years the locusts have eaten. He restored the prodigal son and the lost soul who calls out to Him.
     I began writing and was reminded of a dream a famous author said he had of a prison. He was in the prison and felt hopeless and afraid. All of a sudden, he realized that there were no locks on the jail cells. Any of the prisoners could leave whenever they wished. He walked out of his cell and began to tell the other prisoners that they were free. Some listened to him, but most believed they had no choice but to stay in prison.
     Isn’t that what God did for us through Jesus Christ? He took the locks off the doors and offers us freedom. We just have to believe him and walk out of our cell and live a life out of the cell of sin and into the freedom of Salvation. Restoration and Freedom are such wonderful words. Thank God that is what He offers to mankind.

News About "Jailbird"

Well, 11 books are now available with my name as the author. I still can hardly believe it. Right now I am working on #12. If you ordered "The Restless Kansas Wind", there is a page that lists all the titles. I have #12 listed under the title, "Jailbird". Since the first 55 copies were printed, I have changed the title to "Restored". The reasoning behind that decision was the negativity "Jailbird" portrayed. There were also come friends who pointed out the fact that a jailbird was someone who spent a lot of their life in prison. Debbie, our character in this book, was sentenced to one year of prison.

Our son, Marlin, of MarOmega Designs, is working on the cover for "Restored" right now. I have already written 4000 words on "Restored". If you have been following my emails, you will remember that I am doing an experiment with this book to try to gather in a few more readers. The trend in publishing is to release 'episodes' while writing a book. The plan is to release Episode 1 after 10,000 words are written and edited in e-book format. Episode 2 would come after the next 10,000 words and so on. After the entire book is written, all the episodes will be joined together and released as a print book and as an e-book novel.

The idea behind this is that a lot of people don't like t commit to the time it takes to read an entire book. They do purchase short stories and episode type books. If they like the writing, they might purchase a novel. If not, they haven't lost much time or money on trying out a new author.

If you are like me, you like to read and ENTIRE book and not have to wait for the next portion. If that is how you like to read, just wait until the entire novel is released to purchase it. I think this will help me get the books written in a more timely manner. (I hope.)

"Restored" is taking form and living in my imagination. I have reached out to several friends who understand or minister to inmates so that I get an accurate picture of the life of a prisoner. I don't want to write it from the vantage point of a movie watcher. I want to know the real story.

Now, most of the action of this book doesn't take place in prison, but the experience colors Debbie's life. (You know it would.) Pray for me as I attempt to put an interesting and heartfelt story together so that it brings understanding and hope for the readers.

I will let you know when Episode 1 is ready. (just in case you want to see how it looks.)

Two of My Favorite Fellows

Here is the Hubs and Eli. Terry is my living billboard. He wears shirts with the covers of my books all the time. This one is out dated because I had a new cover developed for "Elk's Resolve". Eli loves his blankie and still is attached to his thumb. What a kid!