The Book Nook, a place to relax and read

 I’m so happy to see you’re still visiting Turtle Creek. Wasn’t the café just adorable? Bess serves the most delicious treats in town. You probably noticed that the repurposed old church not only houses the café, but also has a book store. Let’s take a peek inside the Book Nook. I just love the jingle of the bell above the door, don’t you.

The window display looks inviting. I bet Rachel, the student who works on break and in the summer, arranged the pumpkins and mums with the books. Hmm... I wonder if the community garden folks have seen the book about harvesting organic foods.

I see Reed’s helping a student find their textbook. He’s so good about keeping the college section stocked. Did you notice the variety in the local reading section, books by Ohio authors as well as tomes local sites around the state.  Such a friendly soul, Reed seems to love owning and running the book shop. I just can't figure out why some young lady hasn't snatched him up. 

If you want, we can buy a coffee and browse the book offerings or sit in the quiet reading area. I love the overstuffed chairs. A few times Reed’s caught me napping.

Next time you stop by, I’d like to drop by Odell’s and then see what Finn has in stock. If Willow ever does come home, she’s going to be surprised by the changes in Turtle Creek. I just hope she wants to stay.

Turtle Creek Cafe

Welcome to Turtle Creek, the town my imagination calls home. I’m the creator of this lovely town and all the residents who live here. If you have time, I’d like you to meet some of the folks and visit the businesses.

Join me at Turtle Creek Café. Have a seat by the window of this old repurposed church. Looks like the special today is a roasted marshmallow latte and Maggie Mae’s walnut, blueberry scones. I smell the sweet vanilla and coffee. Heavenly, don’t you think?

The young woman behind the counter, she’s Bess. She and her husband, Micah, own the shop. On Saturdays, their pre-teen daughter Bailey Joy washes dishes and wipes tables.

There’s Mr. Collins, a café regular and editor of the local newspaper. Bess loves the customers and wants to serve the best treats in the county. But more than anything, Bess wants her sister Willow to come home. She moved away more than ten years ago, and Bess misses her. But, that’s a story for another day.

I’d like to show you the rest of the town, so I hope you’ll come back in a few days.

Until then…

Writing a Proposal

In college, I wrote several research papers. None of them excited me or scared me more than penning a proposal. When an author writes a fiction book and plans to send the manuscript to an agent or publisher, a proposal needs to be put together that best represents the work. My first question on this mission was "Where do I begin?" I'd just finished typing a 54,000 word manuscript. Wasn't that enough? Apparently not.

I did what every good writer would do. I searched for information that would guide me through the process, and I prayed. God had called me to this and I knew that he had no intention of sending me out into the wilderness to wander alone.

Since I chose to go the agent route first, I matched up agent sites that marketed the genre I’d written. Then I dug in and found what they expected in a proposal. Along the way, I paid attention to who they represented currently and in the past. I’d read several of the authors of the agent I chose to target.

I printed their information, and then I wrote a list of the elements that they wanted from me. As I worked on each one, I checked it off my list.  In the end, I completed fifteen different points of sale.

Here they are:

1.      Cover Letter

2.      Synopsis

3.      Sample Chapters

4.      Chapters Summary

5.      Author Bio

6.      Back Cover Copy

7.      Promotion Sentence

8.      Sales Handle

9.      Purpose of Writing the Novel

10.  Protagonist’s Quest

11.  What’s at Stake?

12.  Take Away Value

13.  Comparison to Published Books

14.  Target Market

15.  Potential Marketing Channels/Platform

By the time I finished, I knew my story well. With each description and every point made, I felt more confident about my story and the impact and value that might be taken away by the reader. If it were possible to write the proposal before writing the manuscript, I’d have a better handle on the story. Instead, the proposal reminds me of the ribbon that completes the package. It ties everything together and reminds me of the gift that God has given me.

What do you enjoy or not enjoy about writing a proposal?

Keep Typing

I read an encouraging post today by Tamela Hancock Murray (http://stevelaube.com/why-do-i-have-to-jump-through-your-hoops/). In it she explains why writing a good book proposal is important to the agent and the author. This week I've been working on the proposal for Peace, Love and Mashed Potatoes. Putting together all the required parts seems overwhelming. But, I think I finally got a handle on it. Having a table of contents to guide my path helps.

Hopefully with one more look through, the proposal will go out sometime in the next week. Then I wait. If (and that is a big if) the agent is interested they'll contact me and let me know that they'd like to read my book. If they're not interested, then back to square one I go. But, this time I will have an arsenal of information so that proposal number two might not be so daunting.

If you are a writer and you are working on the proposal. Hang in there. Pray and keep typing.

My First Novel

What’s it like to write your first novel?

I’m asking myself this question. Over two years ago, with a nudge from God, I put pen to paper and interviewed the characters who danced in my mind. I found out where they lived, why they lived there, the books they like to read, and what they looked like. As I dug deeper, they told me their story. Just like real people, they each have a story to tell. My fictional characters shared heartache and joy. They told me secrets and made me guess at a few. One personality learned to forgive, another finds her family. A man loves and a mother shares.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve learned great lessons from them and from writing a novel. In carving out the story, I’ve learned to let go of the phrases I thought were so perfect. The journey’s taught me to listen to others who provide feedback and not take personally the critiquing the words need. I’m working on the proposal that I plan to send to an agent. That takes as much care as the novel itself.

Until next time—

What part of novel writing do you enjoy the most? If you are not a writer, what part do you enjoy reading the most?

All New

Thanks to some great ladies at ACFW I have a new look to my blog. I just had to ask for advise and they shared some great information. I hope you continue to stop by as the blog is updated. With most of the work done on this site, I am turning my concentration to the proposal for my novel. I ask for prayer as I pursue my dream.

I'd like to hear from you. What do you enjoy reading?

A Process

As I prepare to write a proposal for my novel, I find that I need a web presence. I am transforming my blog, After 50, into Penny Frost McGinnis, Writing to Encourage and Entertain. Thanks to my daughter, photographer, Maggie Wickline for the beautiful photo of pure encouragement.

My plan is to continue this work in progress as I prepare my proposal. With some prayer and hope, the two will work together.

Now-I have a question for you:
What do you like to read?

Am I There Yet?

Almost there. I've finished edits on my novel and now I just need to get them into the computer, wait for my critic partners thoughts, edit a bit more, write up the proposal, send that to agents and then...wait.

For over two years, God and I have worked to create a story that hopefully touches the lives of the readers. I never imagined how overwhelming writing a book might be. One thing I've learned is to let go. I could edit forever. Tweak, tweak, tweak could be my motto. But instead, I have to turn the chapters over to God and ask what he wants and stop when he says, that's it.

As I attempt to finish the writing, I pray that God continues to walk beside me as I work on the proposal.
Now-I better get back to the story. Can't wait to write THE END!

Happy Birthday!

I can now officially eat off of the 55+ menus at Frisches and Bob Evans. I am closer to 60 than 50. I am closer to retirement than than I was :) I am wiser (I hope), more confident (I think) and closer to heaven (I'm sure). Getting older just means I've wracked up more experiences to draw from, met more interesting people and lived more life.

I've set a goal as I turned 55. To finish the novel I'm writing and get it published before I hit 60. So here I go-on to the next great wave.

Happy Birthday!

Mayberry's Andy

Rarely does a character crawl into the imagination and linger for a lifetime.

Last week, we lost a television icon. One who enriched my life with wisdom and humor. Andy Griffith lived a long life that he shared with the world. As Opie's dad he taught us how to parent, as Barney's friend, he showed us to be accepting and tolerant, as Mayberry's town sheriff he taught fairness and compassion. The one thing I loved most about Andy and his friends was that I could invite them into my living room and enjoy the camaraderie no matter how my day unfolded. They added a bright spot and made me laugh. I'll not long forget the funny stories and even the little white lies Andy told to make everything work out.

So I say thanks to the writers who inspired the show and the warmth that still exudes from every episode. Thanks to Andy for giving us a character enveloped in goodness. While his loved ones will miss him, he lives on in the hearts of his fans and the reruns that will hopefully continue to roll on in to a new generation.

Technology

I've often said, that I love technology as long as it works. At my job, I spend most of my time in some sort of software program. I use the software for the catalog. I make purchases on Amazon, and search academic databases as well as Google. 


Then I get home and practically live in Microsoft Word when I'm writing a devotion or story. Word has these wonderful tools that help me write with more accuracy and less mistakes. That is, as long as I use the tools properly.  I can use "find and replace" to search for a word or phrase and replace it with another word or phrase. That sounds nice and easy, until I accidentally ask it to replace every occurrence of the main characters name, Willow,  with the word "She". Yes, I did that. I replaced Willow's name with "She" throughout the entire 200+ page novel. And I hit save instead of reverse. 


You guessed it. I had to go through the entire document and find every place that should say Willow instead of "She". I think the funniest one I found was her niece calling to her "Aunt She, Aunt She!". 


Instead of getting grumpy and  frustrated, I took my mistake in stride and saw it as one more way to reread and revise my book. I'll know soon enough if I found them all. I just finished editing chapter seven for hopefully the last time. Just 19 or 20 more chapters to go. 


That seems like an eternal job, but for someone over fifty who's lived to tell about it, it's just a drop in the bucket.


What crazy computer mistakes have you made?

The Joy of Camaraderie

This week I met some lovely ladies who also write. I attended my first cluster meeting of the ACFW in Ohio. We ate lunch-food is always a plus, and Patty fed us drum sticks-good chocolate ones. Once our appetites were satisfied, the group moved the discussion to our stories. All of us write some genre of fiction. The ladies represented women's fiction, suspense, fantasy, apocalyptic, and children's fiction. Quite a variety with one purpose in mind. We all write for God. He's led us to our stories, and he works through our words.

What a joy to meet with other writers who strive to do their best and give their all. I appreciated the encouragement and the camaraderie. Best of all, I got to put faces with names. I'd had the privilege of meeting some of these fine ladies online. Now I can picture them typing their words and telling their stories. I have been blessed with one more connection to the writing world.

The Joy of Writing

Revise, revise, revise. I am rewriting my fiction manuscript. One of ACFW's offerings is their wonderful critique group. And I say wonderful with some trepidation. I love the group and I enjoy reading and making suggestions on other people's work. I especially appreciate the comments and suggestions that they give me. But my goodness, revising works my brain and fingers into a tired puddle by the end of the day. 


That said, with any writing that I do, even a short devotion, I reword it at least four or five times. One of the joys of writing involves playing with the words and images until I find the perfect combination. I aim to paint a picture for the reader and help them discover what I see. So I continue to write, rewrite and revise. 

The Freshness of Spring

As I walked around the lake at Look Up Lodge yesterday, I watched a blue heron sail across the lake. A snake raised its head to the sun, and the fern fronds prepared to unfold. The azaleas bloomed shades of blushing pink. What a beautiful place to talk to God and sing his praises. I'm spending a week with my daughter, Hannah, at the camp where she works.

I am at home in the woods and at camp. I spent at least one week every summer at church camp, and I loved every minute of it.

Yesterday we visited Carl Sandburg's home in Flat Rock, NC. After Mr. Sandburg passed away, his wife and family made sure the estate got into the hands of the National Park Services. The home looked like the family had just gone out for a walk. All of their possessions lay right where they left them. He owned more than 117,000 books. The shelves filled with tomes lined every room. I loved it!!!

Mrs. Sandburg raised goats. In the field behind the house, we visited her farm. Two babies, less than twenty-four months old hobbled on their little legs. What a delight to see them and to watch their mama. She protected them from the other goats, but she let us pet them. So sweet!

Today more adventure-off to Asheville to see Jason, Missy and Scout.

ACFW

This week I joined the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) organization at the recommendation of two authors that I respect. With that comes responsibility and action. God blessed me with this story he's given me and now he is leading me into a group of folks who also write for him. I pray that I can keep up with the task he set before me and that I continue to have a heart for the story.


I've already met some interesting people online and hope to get connected with a critique group. I want to help another author along this journey as they in turn help me. God has great things in store-I just know it!


Pray for my journey. I'll keep you posted.


Currently revising,
Penny

Edit, Edit, Edit!

Wow, I am so thankful for the people God provided me who have been willing to read my book. You all know who you are. Thank you sooooooo... much! Edit, edit edit. That's where the story met the cursor, and the tweaks, deletes and corrections rolled from page to page. I enjoyed this whole process. Although  I experienced trepidation with each step, my desire to dive in and move forward won.


I have often heard writers say that they write because they cannot not write. I understand what they mean. Ink flows in my blood, and I have to put it on paper.


Now to write the query letter, synopsis and bio. Yikes!
I'd appreciate your prayers as I continue this journey with God.

The Printed Word

Today, I printed 215 pages of double spaced, Times Roman pt. 12 font. That's right, I printed my first novel. Granted it is not finished until all edits are complete and I know in my heart that I cannot add or subtract anything without changing the story. But it is at this moment all in one place with a new title, Peace, Love and Mashed Potatoes.


As I've worked side-by-side with God to complete this work of fiction, I've understood the meaning of submission on a much different level. I've been obedient and accepting of God's input and appreciative that he chose me to write this book. He has fed me ideas and guidance as I've typed along. I continue to be amazed at how God has placed the people I need into my life at just the right moment. This week one of my friends at work, an English Professor, offered to read and edit my story. I also have family members and another dear friend who are readers. I am blessed.


I pray that He uses Willow's story for whatever purpose he intends and that those who read it will be blessed.  And I pray that he continues to give me insight as I prepare this written work for market. Please pray with me that God's will is done in where this book ends up.

Fiction---Me?

Wow, I have not been on here for several months. Life gets so busy and I've been spending my writing time working on a novel. Yes, a novel. I have officially written more than 50,000 words and am working toward the end of the story. 


I never dreamed that God would call me to write fiction. I've written many poems and hundreds of devotions. I've even penned ideas for a nonfiction book. But, now I am working on a story about a young woman who chooses to return home to help her mother and in the process she learns to forgive her deceased father. But that's not all, she meets Reed and Claire and a mystery unfolds that surprises them all. 


My working title Unexpected Joy came to me at about 40,000 words. I plan to finish the writing in January and then the real work begins, editing and creating a sales pitch. I'm praying God leads me in every step.


I may share my woes and joy here as I travel this writing journey.


Happy New Year!