Kid + Marker = Mess

by Rebecca Talley





At least he found my missing markers for me!

My Current Work-in-Progress

by Rebecca Talley

I'm working on my next novel--I do realize the characters are not real people and do not age :).

I've decided to try a new method for organizing what I want to include in the novel. A friend of mine suggested using a long strip of craft paper and laying out all the details on that paper. I took my butcher paper, cut off a long piece, and started placing post-it notes all over the paper in a somewhat linear fashion. I've already replaced several post-it notes and changed them around, which is what's so nice about this method. I need to see the whole story from beginning to end.

I know the ending and I know what I want to happen within the story. But, I haven't been sure how to begin it or how to move from one event to another. The story in my head is beautiful. It's emotionally moving and has such an important overall theme. Yet, I'm not sure I can translate the beauty of the story to the page. This particular story is very close to my heart and very important to me and I want to write it in such a way that it touches people.

I'm hoping that this new method will allow me to see the story in a different way and know how to get from point A to point B. Once I start writing it, I want to write the first draft all the way through without a long pause to figure things out.

My first book was a work-in-progress for years. My second book, due out later this year, is a fun, and hopefully funny, romance and I knew the story in my head so well it was easy to write. I thought I'd try this new method to see how it works for my current WIP and see if once I know the linear events, my mind will feel free enough to truly tell this story in the best way that I know how.

The Power of Hope

By Sidne O'Reilly

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

It has been a long time since I have put fingers to keyboard. Forgive my long absence. My book was published a year and a month ago. It seems like a lifetime ago now. So much can happen in one year. So many blessings and with them some challenges. It is almost as if the world has shifted in that year, and not just for me.

How grateful I am that we have prophets to lead us and bless our lives with hope, direction and encouragement. President Uchtdorf’s talk on “The Infinite Power of Hope” in the last conference is lifeline. He instructs us on how to engender hope by reading the scriptures and praying daily. He also talks about keeping the Word of Wisdom, paying a full tithe and obeying the commandments. I have a personal testimony of the importance of daily scripture study and prayer. How we need this anchor in our lives to keep us afloat, particularly in these uncertain times.

Let’s make a promise to ourselves and keep it. Let's challenge each other to pray and read the scriptures daily.

Know that I am cheering for you!

Sidne

Am I Nuts?

I'm working on my new LDS novel. I outlined it some time ago and recently went back to reread my notes. I'd listed the ages of all the characters and as I looked at their ages I thought, "Oh, but they're older now." I then tried to figure out how old they are now that some time has passed. I had to stop and remind myself that characters don't age like real people do because they aren't actually real people. For a moment, I forgot they weren't real and thought they'd aged just like I have. Either I'm a writer, or I'm nuts. Hopefully, it's the former and not the latter.

I love the process of writing and delving into the minds and hearts of my characters. I love seeing the story take shape, even if it veers away from my outline. It's exciting to write a story and get to know my characters so well. I guess now I just have to keep reminding myself that they are characters, not real people (at least not to anyone else but me).

LDStorymakers Writers Conference Announced

LDStorymakers Writers Conference
http://www.ldstorymakers.com/conference.html

April 24-25, 2009
Provo Marriott, Provo, Utah
One day registration: $75
Two day registration: $150

Keynote speaker: Dean Lorey
National agent: Amy Jameson of A+B Literary
National Editor: Stacy Whitman (Tor)

Editors from publishers: Deseret Book, Covenant, CFI, etc.

Add-ons:
Schedule your one-on-one appointment with agent or editor
Enter the writing conference
Sign up for writers boot camp

Early bird discount available through Jan. 31

Up close and personal with my reconstructed foot . . .

And now I start physical therapy. I'll get a lot of reading done there - - and when the assistants come in to set the machines, etc. they always ask me what I do, and I tell them about my book and give them a business card. Many say, "oh, that sounds like a book my mother would like to read." Whatever!

So.........here's to making the newly remodeled foot functional!

Janet

Advertising opportunity!

By Brittany MangusFrom February 1-14th I will be doing a Valentine's Day giveaway on my blog and am looking for interested participants. I would like to give away signed copies of LDS books that contain a love story, however other books will do.

On Feb. 1st I will run a blog entry announcing the giveaway. It will have a jpg of your book, a link to your blog (or to your book's Amazon or Deseret Book page) and if there is room, a short summary.

After the drawing, I will email you the winner's address and you would then mail them an autographed copy of your book.

If you are interested in donating a book, please email me at mrsmangus@yahoo.com.

The Curse of Having Older Sisters

by Rebecca Talley

This is what happens when your older sisters get a comb and have too much time on their hands.

It's about Love

By Brittany Mangus

My husband and I were recently approved to be an adoptive couple through LDS Family Services! LDSFS is currently getting ready to bring up a new (and improved!) website which will have our profile on it. That will come up in a few weeks.


Currently the average waiting time for adoptive couples is almost 4 years (if we are chosen by a birth mother at all). If you would like to help us get the word out, please add this button to your blog and link it to our adoption blog. Here is how:

1. Right click the above button and choose "Save Image As" and save it to your computer.
2. In Blogger, choose "add a gadget" and then "picture".
3. Download the button, click "shrink to fit".
4. In the link box, put "http://queandbrittanysblog.blogspot.com/"

Thank you for your support!

Listed in Carolyn's Top Ten

Carolyn Howard Johnson has listed Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys as one of her Top Ten Reads at MyShelf. Read about it here:

http://janetkayjensen2.blogspot.com/2009/01/mormon-boys-listed-in-carolyns-top-ten.html

I heartily recommend any of Carolyn's books. She is an editor/promotor/writer extraordinaire, and a very classy lady.

Janet J