Spotlight on Lisa Lickel

Today I want to introduce you to another member of John316marketingnetwork. Lisa is also a member of ACFW, and I met her in person at a writing conference in Chicago a few years ago. Since then, we even did a book proposal together. Here are some questions I asked and her answers.

1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?

I loved The Pokey Little Puppy, and later Judy’s Journey and then Anne McCaffrey, and still think Ray Bradbury is brilliant. Each of the books are journeys of some kind, whether of discovery and exploration, or of self and coming of age.

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
My favorite scripture is Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the faith we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” It reminds me that I’m responsible after I’ve made the profession – responsible for my actions and speech, and writing.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Hmmm…if all the time in the world could pass to research and write without me feeling guilty, I’d love to do an ancient history book about life in Alaska through the ages.

4. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
This may sound funny, but I still prefer to plot and think and set up my books with paper and pen. I have notebooks devoted to this. I feel like I can think more creatively, make notes, draw lines and arrows and jot things that I don’t think come out right in typing. Although I love spell check, it doesn’t catch my missing words or sometimes it helps me by filling in a word I didn’t mean, so it comes out wrong while I’ve just passed it by.

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Always, the marketing. I am so not comfortable with lots of people around me, and having to talk usually gives me the vapors. I’m fine when I’ve begun to teach a workshop, for example, but the time leading up to big events makes me ill. But I have to go back and get my name out there.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
I wish someone had been able to make me understand that publishing is a business and everyone at any time will have a different opinion about what’s going to work one place, one moment, will not work the next time. I got the “try” thing done pretty well, but the practice of rejection is still puzzling.

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?

Thanks, Rose. People can buy my last book, the Grace-award-winning Meander Scar, in either print or electronic form at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. In October, I’ll be releasing a new book with Shellie Neumeier, and next spring I’ll have a new book out that’s the long-awaited sequel to my cozy mystery, The Gold Standard. So please keep an eye on my web site or Facebook author page for updates.
Rose again: I bought The Gold Standard at the conference where I met Lisa and really enjoyed it, so I look forward to reading this sequel. I hope you will check out some of Lisa's links for more info on her and her books.

http://www.lisalickel.com/

http://www.shellieneumeier.com/

Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Meander-Scar-Lisa-J-Lickel/dp/1934912239/ref=sr_1_1_oe_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267452628&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Meander-Scar-ebook/dp/B0037Z6YM8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Meander on BN: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Meander-Scar/Lisa-J-Lickel/e/9781934912232/?itm=1&USRI=Lisa+Lickel

Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Lisa-J-Lickel/92717402338

Monday Spotlight on Tracy Krauss

I am happy to introduce you to another of my John316marketingnetwork pals--Tracy Krauss. I hope you will enjoy learning more about her as I did from these questions. Perhaps you could leave a question for her yourself.
1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
That is a really tough question because I loved reading as a child and it is hard to pick one favorite. I really, really got into Edgar Rice Burrows’ TARZAN series as a kid. I read them all (and there are like 30!) Now that I think of it, this is quite interesting and insightful because my favorite book as an adult is probably MONSTER by Frank Peretti. It’s about a crazy ape-like creature terrorizing the forests. See any connection? Wow. That’s brilliant, Rose!

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages your writing? Psalm 91 is probably my favorite – ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty …’ etc. I also love Ecclesiastes. It is melancholy and encouraging at the same time. It’s good to know that everything has its time, that the best thing I can do is live whole-heartedly for God, and that I should do my best at whatever I put my hand to do. All of these thoughts are from Ecclesiastes.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
That is tough. I’m currently working on a WIP that has some of its locations in Italy. That would be sweet.

4. My husband and I got to visit Italy a couple years ago, Tracy. We spent our 41st anniversary in a gondola in Venice!  I hope you can go someday, too. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing? I started writing before technology. I wrote notebooks full and then I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I borrowed my mom’s old typewriter! In either case, there is so much time spent re-writing and editing it is amazing that people actually got anything written. Imagine Shakespeare or Dickens using a quill and ink! Research is another whole thing, too. I spent hours pouring over encyclopedias, going to the library, and even waiting for information to come by mail. I am so grateful for my computer.
What bugs me is that technology changes so fast. Just when I think I’ve got it figured out, something new comes along. Also, so much of our ‘writing’ time is now spent online doing other related things like promoting etc.

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone? Self promotion is not an easy thing. As well, it is always scary when you put something new ‘out there’ for other people to read.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you? Seek critique sooner. I spent so many years inside my own head, I didn’t see the flaws. If I had had someone available to read and assess my writing sooner, I probably would have gone on to publication sooner. On the other hand, as I said before, I believe everything happens in due time (Read ‘God’s time’) so I’m not sure that would have made any difference.

7. How can people contact you and where can they buy your books? My books are available at all the regular places – Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. You can also visit my website for a link to the publisher or to find other ways to purchase. I’m happy to say that both books are available in e-book as well as physical print editions.

Links and Contact info:

Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com/

Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/

FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TracyKrausswrtr

Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com/

Short bio:
Tracy Krauss is an author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Published works include her debut novel AND THE BEAT GOES ON, a romantic suspense with an archeological and creationist twist, and MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, a contemporary romantic suspense. Tracy is also a published playwright and has several other works in progress.

Back Cover – MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER

What’s a girl to do? Joleen Allen is on the hunt. For a man, that is. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets a prospect, he falls for one of her daughters instead!

Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Harold, is back in the picture after a stint in prison, and he’s looking for revenge. He’ll do anything to see Joleen’s reputation and her relationship with their children ruined. Harold has devised an elaborate plan to slander Joleen and ruin her financially, and will stop at nothing – even murder – to see it through.

At forty-four, Joleen has seen a thing or two. She became a mother at sixteen, and her five highly independent children are now grown. Jasmine is a successful ad executive, but has a drinking problem. Jill is a tough cop, while middle child Jennifer surprises them all with her tenacity. Jinger is a self-centered glamour girl, and the baby of the family, Jade, is utterly spoiled.

All the interesting men they meet get tossed around by this pack of barracudas. Adding to the mix are some drug deals, a kidnapping, insurance fraud, and secrets from the past, making life very complicated, indeed.

With grit, humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man-Eater is a redemptive story about a woman whose search for meaning in life sends her straight into . . . the arms of God.

Wow! That sounds exciting, Tracy!
Hope my readers will hurry on out and buy one or both of Tracy's books.

Today's Spotlight is on Sidney Frost, another member of the John316marketingnetwork.

Good morning, Sid. Thanks for stopping by. Can you tell us about your favorite books as a child and now and any connection you see between the two? 1. My favorite books are Christian fiction. The main connection between the books is that they are clean and usually have happy endings. I like books that are tied to scripture in a subtle way. My favorite authors are Jan Karon and Dee Henderson. I love both of those authors, too, Sid. In fact, I have an 80,000 word novel looking for a home that is written in a small town imaginary setting similar to the Mitford books.

Please share with us your favorite Scriptures both for your life and your writing. 2. My favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. The scripture that got me busy writing is Psalm 37: 4. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. My pastor said something like this one Sunday when I had been debating with myself about taking on the task of writing a first novel. I took it to mean that God would help me achieve my dream. I wrote a prayer and read it every day before I began to write. Six years later, I had published Where Love Once Lived.

Any favorite vacation spots you have been to or would like to visit in researching a book? 3. My wife Celeste grew up spending the summers on a lake and now we have to opportunity to have a place on the lake here in Texas. This is my ideal place to write. The sounds of nature are enhanced and the sounds of industry are non-existent. Cell phones don't work so great there and so far we have no TV or other distractions. However, I should say I can write most anywhere. I wrote most of my first book during office hours at school or in coffee shops all over the world. The only time I can't write is when someone is talking directly to me.

Technology can be both helpful and frustrating to me! Do you feel technology has enhanced or hindered your writing.? 4. I just recently retired from a career working with and teaching about computers and all things technical. In fact, my latest novel, The Vengeance Squad, includes a computer science professor who uses technology to solve crimes. However, it took me a long time to switch from handwriting to typing directly into the computer. I still have a sort of shorthand I use to write, pencil on paper, to get started. I can write fast that way. Sounds like a very interesting concept. Here is a copy of the cover.

How has becoming a writer stretched you? 5. I am, or was, shy. I say was because I've somehow grown out of it. I don't know when it happened actually, but one day I reached an age where I didn't worry so much about what others thought. That freed me up greatly from a certain nervousness I always had in dealing with people. This shyness didn't keep me from teaching, because in the classroom I knew more than anyone about the subject matter. And, it didn't keep me from singing in 45 different musical productions over a number of years, mostly in the opera chorus. The only concern there was doing an audition and they usually held them privately with the chorusmaster. But it is a stretch for me to publicize my books. I do okay with signings, but I prepare for days before I give a talk. It's getting easier.

Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to share with aspiring writers that you wish you had known before you started? 6. The reason it took me six years to finish my first book was because I didn't know how to write a novel. I took online classes and I recommend that to anyone interested in writing. I was lucky to get a great instructor for all my classes. One thing I missed and wished I had known was about genre and what publishers are looking for.

Thank you for allowing me this platform to talk about myself and my books. If anyone is interested in more information, they may go to http://sidneywfrost.com/. Also, I'll be glad to answer any comments and will check in when I can. Thanks, Sid. I have enjoyed getting to know more about you through John316 and through your blog and now your visit to mine. I hope my readers will check out your sites.

Monday Musings pre-empted for the next seven weeks to bring you...

Spotlights on Authors!

The first author I am spotlighting is Amanda Stephan, a fellow member of the John316MarketingNetwork and also ACFW. Amanda's first book, The Price of Trust, a Christian romance/suspense is available now, and she is offering a pdf copy of the book to one commenter so be sure to comment on this post and leave your email addy by Saturday night as she will draw at the end of this week.

Here are some questions I asked her followed by her answers. Be sure to keep reading for the book blurb and more info on Amanda and her new book out this fall.

Thank you, Rose for having me here today! I look forward to meeting your readers!

1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
My favorite book as a child would have to be the Trixie Belden mystery series. I almost devoured those books, and at one time had the entire collection of hardbacks. As an adult, my favorite book is Pride and Prejudice with Jane Eyre at a very close second. I really can't see a connection through those books ~ I guess I just love a good story!

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
My favorite Scripture is 3 John 4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. I look at my children, and realize they are a walking testament to what my husband and I have taught. If they serve the Lord, it doesn't matter what else I've ever done or will do ~ they will be my success. (Rose adds: that's one of my fave verses, too, and I have it three places in my house!) When I'm discouraged--yes, it happens--I turn immediately to the Psalms. To pick a favorite is almost impossible.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose? Scotland or Ireland, hands down!

4. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
One thing I don't like about technology, is how easily it is to get sidetracked. You know it's bad when your husband has to email you to remind you to cook dinner! I actually have stories I wrote in college and high school the hard way. Pen and paper! Boy those were the days... ;)

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Wow, that's a very easy question! When I finished my book, The Price of Trust, I had initially intended it only to be a love letter to our children. A kind of encouragement during times when they thought they had to settle for abuse ~ and when I finished it, my husband asked me to at least try to have it published, and that's the rest of the story. It wasn't easy to let people--strangers, even--read it. Now, we're rounding the corner for my second novel, Lonely Hearts to be released in October, so I guess I could say I'm getting a little used to it! ;) By the way, if any of your readers would like to get a sneak peek and read the first three chapters of The Price of Trust and the first chapter of Lonely Hearts, they can do so by visiting HERE.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
Research potential publishers. Check them out thoroughly, ask questions, ask authors that are with that publisher, and make a list of the pros and cons.

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?
You can purchase The Price of Trust on Amazon.com, ThePriceofTrust.com, Christianbook.com, or BooksByAmanda.com

The Price of Trust - Christian Romance/Suspense
Beaten and betrayed by the one who was supposed to love her...
Carly Richards is on the run.
Forced to live as a fugitive as her ex-fiance stalks her across country, she finds refuge in a small town in Montana. Her emotional scars are reluctant to heal, and Carly resists the friendliness of those around her ~ especially handsome farmer Joe Baird. Caught in the circumstances, the kind people around her begin to creep into her softening heart. God is at work, and she has to trust Him not only to take care of her, but care for the people she is learning to love.

EVERY purchase includes a FREE audio book download (mp3 format)

Lonely Hearts ~ releasing in October, 2011!
One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors and VERY yummy apple pie!
Becky Callis is the widowed mother of two. When they move to a new town, she only intended it to be a safe haven where she didn't have to be reminded of her late husband. Her children had other plans, as well as a variety of men to choose from!
~*~ releases October 2011 ~*~

**follow Amanda's blog, Facebook, or Twitter for exciting release news as well as many opportunities to win great prizes*

Amanda Stephan
Author - The Price of Trust
Lonely Hearts - Coming Fall, 2011
Follow me on Twitter