A TITANIC IDEA...

This year marks the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. It occurred in the waning hours of April 14, 1912, and carried over into the early hours of the fifteenth, as well. Disasters on such a grand scale seem to hold a lot of fascination for the entertainment industry. Between museums, books, and even a cruise ship that will be undertaking the same route at the same time, with exactly the same amount of people on it, there will be a lot going on. So, why am I telling you all this?

The truth is, I've been getting wrapped up in one of those projects, myself. It all started when Janice Hanna Thompson, who is writing a Titanic novel titled QUEEN OF THE WAVES which will be released through Summerside Press, later this year, came up with one of the best ideas, yet. A "virtual voyage" that will begin April 10, and run all the way through the fateful days of the disaster. People are already choosing someone to represent from the original passenger lists, or a famous character out of a novel that was written about it. I have even heard that the person representing the captain, is an actual descendent. But more about all that later, dear readers, because I will be covering the event over the coming weeks, and bringing you interviews and stories of all that's happening.

Meanwhile, I thought I should open the festivities by interviewing Janice Hanna Thompson, herself, so we can find out more about this idea... 

So, hello, Janice, and welcome! First thing I just had to ask: what is it about the TITANIC that made you want to write a book against that backdrop?

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Well, I love stories that are set at the turn-of-the-century. That time period is very special to me. My book HURRICANE (about the Galveston hurricane of 1900) was one of my favorites, and it’s (in part) because of the time period. I’m also fascinated with disaster stories. When I pitched my HURRICANE story back in ’03, I wanted to do a whole series of stories built around disasters. When the offer came to write a book about the Titanic, it met my criteria for the ideal historical: a romantic story set in my favorite time period, focused on a disaster! Voila! 

A perfect match, for sure. You must have been interested in that era for a long time to have written so much about it, already.

Yes. Some might be surprised to learn that all of the historical romances I’ve written take place between 1900 and 1920. I’m just nuts about the Edwardian period. I love the clothing, the surge of industrialism, the manner of speech. I love the independent spirit that gripped America during this season. And I’m crazy about the fact that the old world and the new world merged during this era. What better time and setting to place a story? 

I agree… and you definitely won't be running out of research material any time soon. Speaking of which, have you come across any particular facts or unusual survivor stories that stand out to you more than others during your research?

A couple stand out. When I went to the Titanic museum in Branson Missouri a couple of weeks ago, I was given the boarding pass for a little girl who actually traveled on the Titanic. Her name was Manca Karun (from Slovenia) and she boarded the ship with her father and her uncle. There’s an amazing tale of her survival (climbing down the ship to the lifeboat). Miraculously, her father survived, too. 

I enjoy hearing survivor stories, especially if they have miracles attached. Just out of curiosity, do you like boats in your "real" life, too?

I love to go on cruises. Does that count? 

Definitely.

Well, I’ve always been fascinated with large ships, going back to the original Poseidon Adventure movie. There’s something about a floating palace/hotel that just gets me excited. I’ve been on multiple Caribbean cruises. My favorite was aboard the Voyager on the Royal Caribbean line. Talk about luxurious! I loved every minute, including my excursions in the various ports. I’ve also been on a Norwegian cruise liner, as well as a Princess ship. I’d love to take my whole family on a Disney cruise someday, too! 

I should also mention that my dad owned a yacht several years ago and we traveled from Dana Point to Catalina Island, in California. Had a blast! Oh, and I have a funny story about a 90-pound tuna that my dad caught aboard a fishing boat in the Bahamas when I was seventeen. Spent most of that trip battling sea-sickness!

I would love to hear those stories. I've spent a lot of time between Dana Point and Catalina, myself, and I know there's a lot that can happen in that twenty-six miles of ocean between those two points. And there's nothing like a good fish story, too. 

Janice, I know you've explained how you came up with the idea of the Titanic virtual voyage over on your blog, but I was wondering what your goal for it is, and what you would like participants to take away from it.

My primary purpose is to raise awareness about the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (April 15^th, 2012). I want to make my readers feel that they’re actually traveling aboard the real Titanic. That’s why I asked everyone to choose a passenger name and a first, second or third-class boarding pass. 

What exactly will people be doing during the virtual voyage? Are there activities and events online that people can interact with?

Already the 135 passengers who’ve signed up are choosing their dinner attire (and bathing suits for the pool). We’re chatting about our upcoming trip non-stop! Starting April 1^st I will begin a day-by-day program of sharing with passengers where the real Titanic was on that day, what the workers were doing, where the ship was headed, etc. On the morning of April 10^th, we will all “set sail” together. I will “blow the bugle” to let people know when they can go to dinner, etc. It’s going to be great fun! We’ll talk about the menus aboard the ship, what people did for fun each day, even what the dogs were doing! Then, as we approach that fateful day when the ship struck the iceberg, we will talk through the adventure in “real” time. It should be quite an experience. (And how adventurous!)

I couldn't agree with you more, and I don't mind saying this will be my very first "virtual voyage" ever, and I will look forward to talking more with you over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, can you tell us a bit about QUEEN OF THE WAVES?

Sure! QUEEN OF THE WAVES, is my novel about the Titanic that I am currently writing. It’s a twisted tale about a young woman (Jacquie Abingdon) who, without her parents’ knowledge, convinces a friend (Tessa Bowen) to board the Titanic in her place. The story is really mostly about Tessa (pretending to be Jacquie). While onboard the Titanic she meets and falls in love with a young man who has a few secrets of his own. 

That’s all I’m willing to share at this point, but I will say that this story is quite different from my usual light-hearted romantic comedies. No funny business here! (Not much, anyway.) I think readers will really appreciate the amount of research that has gone into this story and into the details of the clothing, food and so on. I can’t wait to see the book in print!

And neither can I. It's been great visiting with you, today, Janice, and here's wishing you all the best with this exciting interactive adventure you've dreamed up to go along with it. Since I am an advocate of "armchair traveling," myself, I think it's a fabulous idea. 

There you have it, dear readers. If you would like to "sign on" for this passage, yourself, I hear there are still some names on the list that haven't been taken, yet. You can get involved by visiting:  The Queen of the Waves Group. Next Monday, I will begin interviewing passengers who already have "their tickets," so be sure to stop back by and meet them!

About Janice Hanna Thompson...

Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym, Janice Hanna. She has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition, she enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life. You can find out more about her by visiting

 her website.

PLAY IT AGAIN...

What does John 3:16 and a novel called PLAY IT AGAIN have in common? It's all in the launch. I recently came across the John 3:16 Authors while doing one of my favorite things, and that is visiting author blogs. I forget exactly which one, but the thing that caught my eye, that day, was a button that announced, "I'm a John 3:16 Author." Well, having thought highly of John 3:16, myself, for a good many years... I clicked on it.

 After which, I found myself on the site of a marketing network that specializes in launching Christian books with a very aggressive goal: they aim to make all the books they launch a bestseller. Easier said than done, you might say. But I'll tell you something. They have a lot of bestselling authors in that group. But how do they do it? I'll tell you that, too. They do it by giving things away. 

This large group of authors (membership is nearing 200, now) have made a commitment to promote each other's books. They do that by having one specific day when they all help at the same time. The book launch day. They announce the book through their own social networks, turn the spotlights of their blogs in that direction, and give downloadable gifts of their own (many of which are more books) away to anyone who will buy the featured book on that particular day. So, for the price of one book, you could come away with ten, or more, wonderful items that you weren't even expecting. Wonderful items. Many of which have the power to change people's lives in some way. 

I'll tell you, right now, I love John 3:16 people. They are a stellar example of what happens when good people put good ideas and good work together...

Everybody wins.

Today is the official John 3:16 launch day for a novel called PLAY IT AGAIN, by Tracy Krauss. It is the first time I will get to see a John 3:16 book launch in action, and here are some of the gifts authors are giving away:

• An e-copy of Lisa Lickel’s award winning novel Meander Scar
•  Sample chapters from The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper, Warring Spirits by April Gardner, and The Right Person by Stacy Padula
• Beautiful downloadable art cards by author and artist Brenda Hendricks
• A free subscription to ‘PixApple’
• Your copy of Frazzled No More by Shelley Hitz
• A cool ‘Daily Scheduler’ developed by author Janalyn Voigt
• And much more!

About the book:

An unlikely duo meet in Play It Again, a story of love, life and faith. Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy’s debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham’s journey began in this, the story of his parents. 

About Tracy Krauss:

Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011. 

If you would like to check out this John 3:16 book launch for yourself, you can do so by going to Tracy's landing page, where she gives instructions on how to participate in her special day. I guarantee you will run into some very wonderful books and people there. When you do, let me know what you think!

And the winners of GOLD TRAP are...

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers, and many thanks to everyone who put their names in the hat to enter my Valentine Blog Hop Contest. The winners are Cherio1, Crystal Young, Anne M. and Theres just life. If you ladies will drop me an email at lillymaytree (at) msn.com and let me know what email address you would like me to send your ebook copy of GOLD TRAP, I will do that. Not to mention I will also enter your names over at the Valentine Blog Hop Site for a chance at the two Grand Prizes.

How did I arrive at these conclusions? Well, if it were up to me, I would choose everyone, so I turned that matter over to the Captain, who is an honest man (you can be sure). Besides that, he has a better hat for such things. In the meantime, I wish all of you an adventure of a lifetime in your near future, and if you can't manage one of those any time soon, please come back and join me in mine!

Like to know where we're headed next? You can find out on my  Travels With Lilly page.

At the Hop...

It's a fun time to meet new authors (25 in all) and discover many enjoyable books you may never have otherwise heard about.

From February 1-14 the authors will be showcasing their books with various contests (I'll be giving away 2 copies of GOLD TRAP) that will end in a drawing for two wonderful Grand Prizes. Click on my Valentine Blog Hop page to find out what they are, and see how you can enter to win. 

Then hop around and enter as many times as you like. So, have fun, dear readers, and many thanks for stopping by!

Writing is hard…

It's easy to think up plots and come up with good characters. I could do that all day long. But getting it down on paper in a way that lets a reader imagine the same thing you see in your own brain… well, that's something else, again. Because words don't always mean the same things to people.

I admit I often piggyback on things I already know people feel strongly about. It's sort of a shortcut to their feelings, and once you start using shortcuts, it's hard to go back to taking the long way round, again. Thing is, you miss a lot of refreshing scenery by skipping that. Like a new way to describe how ocean air feels against your face in a fog. Or that horrible lurch in the pit of your stomach when you realize you've said something you can never take back, again. But there can be misunderstandings when you're trying on phrases, or describing things in new ways, too.

Like the blind men describing the elephant, every one of them was convinced what an elephant was like (a tree, a wall, a rope, a snake…) it had to be true because they could feel it. They were all right and they were all wrong. And while everyone will tell you that writing is so subjective you can't expect to please everybody, it seems to me that every once in a while, a writer comes along who manages to touch some universal chord in human hearts. And suddenly you find yourself loving it, too, even though you didn't even know you were interested in that subject before. Somehow, they figured out how to transfer that perfect picture from one brain to another. 

They took the long way, and described so well what it was like over there that we felt like we had been there, too. But of course, we first had to be convinced to go along on the journey in the first place. Which takes a whole lot of persuasive skill all by itself, not to mention a good handle on which tools one might use to accomplish that. A real in-depth knowledge of the craft. 

So, a writer sits there day after day, night after night, working over and over working… all without any guarantee that so much as a monkey would even give a blip what they just poured a year of their life into. Sometimes I wonder what keeps writers writing. Especially when it's hard.

For me, it's because I love it.

Go figure.

The Courage of Linda Wood Rondeau (part two)

We're back, again, with Linda Wood Rondeau, today...

author of

THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS

(see Lilly's Book Club page for info and review)

and ready to talk about her experiences in theater, and how it has helped her writing career. Welcome back, Linda. First of all, what kind of productions have you been involved in?

I love this question since I met my husband doing a community theater production of the play Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey. I have played a wide variety of roles from the elderly mystery writer/murderer in A Talent for Murder, to a madam, a transsexual, a mother, a ghost, a very evil witch, and very confused wife. A few of the plays I have done are: Steel Magnolias,  Under the Brooklyn Bridge, Night Mother, God's Favorite, Blythe Spirit, The Rutherford House, The Canterbury Ghost, and The Wizard of Oz. 

I have also directed plays such as Bleacher Bums, You Can't Take it With You, and Babes in Toyland  just to name a few. Over my thirty plus years in Community Theater, I have found acting to greatly enhance my ability to create believable characters. When I write, I "become" that character, much as I would if I were portraying the character on stage. 

That's amazing, and quite the literal version of "jumping into a character's skin." You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of yourself in costume, would you?

I did bring a couple along to share, because as I say over at my website, if I were not a writer, I'd be an actress. Here's one of me on stage as Sister Hubert (on the left) in Nunsense, during my solo, "The Biggest Ain't the Best." And the other  is one of me as a Temperance missionary in a Western spoof called Scorching Saddles, that I did for a dinner theater. 

I can see how much fun that would be, and it looks like a great time. However, I am very glad that you decided on being a writer! Now that THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS has been released, are you working on any new manuscripts right now?  

The Other Side of Darkness is actually novel number eight for me, and my ninth book, overall. I recently revised my first novel and that is currently being looked at, as well as my current manuscript, which is a romantic comedy. I am also working on another romantic suspense set in the Adirondack Mountains. It is not a sequel, but will have similar elements. 

All of those sound good, and I will really be looking forward to reading them. When you read for pleasure, what is your favorite type of reading material? 

I read most genres. What I look for in a book is a story that is character driven rather than plot driven. I am more interested in people rather than exotic setting or exciting plot.

Which definitely shows, considering the amount of people you are involved with in your "real" life. Not to mention the social networks. Last time I looked, you had over three thousand friends on Facebook alone. Even so, you jumped out and started a very active writer's group of your own (there's that courageous stuff working for you, again, Linda). What gave you the idea of starting Pentalk Community? 

 I have a dear friend from Malone who is not a Christian but was hungry for a writing community to help him develop his writing skills. He attended the local writers group comprised of mostly Christians. In the meantime, I noticed that most of the on-line writing communities were specialized either by belief system or genre or even sub-genre. It seemed that the Lord directed me to start a group that would encompass all belief systems and writing backgrounds as well as experiential level so that people like my Malone friend could find a safe and loving support group in which to learn their craft. 

That's a wonderful idea, and I have really enjoyed being a part of it over the last couple of months, myself, and met some very interesting people there, too. Social networking on such a large scale seems to take an amazing amount of time. How did you handle it all, especially having a job that entailed so much paperwork every day?

 I retired on the day God called me to write professionally. I started my website a few months later and a few years later I started blogging. I joined Facebook about two years ago.  It certainly has been a process and a lot of hard work. I'm the sort of person that learns as I go...sort of on-the-job training.  

Which seems to be working great for you. I have to say you have a tendency to leap into new things in ways that would scare the socks of most of the rest of that. Take your recent move to Florida, for instance. What a drastic change that had to be. How has it effected your writing life? Have you noticed a drastic culture change? What do you like best about it, now that you've been there for awhile? 

Culture shock? Big time. My former town of Malone had a population of 17,000. Jacksonville is a city of nearly one million.  But it is energizing. I don't miss the cold climate at all, however, and I find the warmer climate has energized me as well. With improved health, my writing stamina has also improved. The larger population base provides a multi-ethnic base in which to study characterization, too.  

Find out more and read the review
over on Lilly's Book Club Page.

Well, you definitely seem to have never let change scare you off from anything you truly wanted to do. I call that the spirit of adventure, myself. But whatever it's called, it takes courage to take those kinds of a "leaps of faith" in the first place. Which in turn makes you an encouraging example to others who also dream those kind of dreams. 

Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us this week, Linda. It's been a real inspiration. Here's wishing you all the best with THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS, as well as your new books we will be watching for in your future!

The Courage of Linda Wood Rondeau...

Today, I'm visiting with Linda Wood Rondeau, author of: 

THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS

(see Lilly's Book Club page for my review) 

and what a woman of adventure she is, as you will shortly find out. So glad to have you here, Linda… welcome! 

Happy to be here, Lilly.

Well, let's see. One of the first things I noticed about your writing is that it was rich. Multi-layered, well-crafted, and well thought out. How did you get to this point? Have you done a lot of writing in your life? And how long have you been writing fiction?

I have been writing my whole life in some form or another. As a hobbyist I wrote newsletters, stories, and plays for our church.  On June 21, 2000, I received an unmistakable call from God to write professionally. I composed a poem called The Song of Peace* that includes a line, "there is light on the other side of darkness."

I managed to publish in anthologies, periodicals, and church papers, as well as a regular newspaper column. I received notice of my first contract on June 21, 2011 on my manuscript with the working title, Dawn's Hope. The editor, unaware of the poem I wrote eleven years before, changed the title to THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS. 

My goodness, if that wasn't a sign from heaven, I don't know what is. What made you want to write this particular story?  

I have always been intrigued with the Southern Adirondack area for it's beauty and historical importance. I also wanted to write a story about overcoming childhood trauma. 

Why is that? Are there experiences in your own childhood that contributed to this desire, maybe had some effect on who you are today? 

Well, my mother suffered from depressive symptoms...never diagnosed and never treated until late in life. She expected things from me I could not comprehend or provide. We had a troubled relationship, and I suffered from severe poor self esteem. But as I have grown in my faith, I believe God has used those childhood experiences to make me more sensitive toward others while He has affirmed me in His grace, a child He loves. I think that is why God has called me to encourage. 

Interesting that you use the word encourage, as personally, I believe one must first have a certain amount of courage before they can pass any on to others. Which you do! And I find it so interesting that THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS deals with this very theme in so many ways. How did you come up with the character Samantha Knowles, and her own particular situation?

I imagined a citified professional who becomes stranded in a secluded town, and who must confront their childhood nightmares.  Then when a friend of mine showed me pictures of her daughter's accident involving a collision with a moose, the story took shape. I wrote an outline and first chapter for the 2008 Genesis contest. After the book was listed as a finalist, I completed the manuscript, hired a professional editor, and the rest is history.

Yes, and a great example of how you seem to take such giant, courageous steps toward whatever you decide to tackle! Wonderful the way so many doors opened up for you after that. I really enjoyed reading THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS, and can see why it was a finalist in the Genesis contest. Which makes me wonder if you've ever been to any writer's conferences along the way. 

I have a fortune invested in writer's conferences. I've attended at least fifteen over the years, such as, The Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, ACFW conferences, and Montrose… just to name a few. 

Do you feel they were beneficial? 

Absolutely. With each conference I gained in the knowledge of the craft, made valuable connections, and even some life-long friendships. Yes, they are worth the investment. I have never come away wishing I'd never gone. 

Well, however it came about, you sure have developed a wonderful knack for creating vivid scenes. Is that something you work especially hard at, or is it just sort of a gift? 

Thank you for the compliment. I think I am a visual person by nature. For instance, when I produce a play, I see my characters moving from place to place. I think I bring that to my writing, as well. It is as if I see a snapshot in my mind and want to recreate that scene. 

When you produce a play… good heavens, Linda, that's something I find incredibly fascinating, and would love to talk about in depth. Especially the characterization aspect. Will you come back tomorrow, so we can really enjoy ourselves, with it?

Love to Lilly, that would be a pleasure. Maybe I'll even bring a few of my favorite props with me...