Christian Fiction

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Best Novels Turned Christmas Movies; #4: The Note

I am a big Angela Hunt fan, so of course the Hallmark Channel's movie adaptation of The Note makes the best novels turned Christmas Movies List. I love that it is also Christian Fiction.

Synopsis: Newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder is proud of three things--her immaculate VW Jetta, her status as a strong single woman, and her ability to write fast--until her editor warns that her column is failing. She is given three weeks to change either her approach or her job.

As Peyton considers her future, the unthinkable happens--PanWorld Flight 848, en route from New York to Tampa, bursts into flame and crashes in Tampa Bay. All 261 people aboard are killed. For a week Peyton and her fellow reporters cover the nation's worst air disaster with numbed emotions, then they try to move on.

Peyton is wondering how to attract readers when a woman approaches and hands her a plastic bag that washed up behind her house. It contains a note, almost certainly from the doomed flight, with a simple message-- “T--I love you. All is forgiven. Dad.” Peyton now has the perfect story to attract readers . . . and a tool to uncover lessons about love, forgiveness, and about herself.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Best Novels turned Christmas Movies Countdown: #5: A Dog Named Christmas

We're having fun this week by counting down the best novels turned Christmas movies. I'm pleased to announce that many of these books are Christian Fiction Titles. I welcome any recommendations for this list. Hit me up here or tweet me @deegospel.

#5. A Dog Named Christmas

aired 11/29/09 CBS. A Hallmark Movie.
Novel: A Dog Named Christmas (November 2008)

Author: Greg Kincaid

Publisher: Random House

Synopsis:When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.

But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men—and animals.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

How to Keep your Writing Momentum During the Holidays

If you are a hardworking Master's Writer like me, then I'm sure you are challenged during the holidays. I have to complete two magazine articles, three book reviews, blog maintenance, two editing projects, a devotional, three mag queries to pitch, and an ambitious wish to complete a first novel draft before my birthday in February. I want to lock all those commitments away until after New Year's. However, I have deadlines, personal goals, and promises to keep. So how do you keep your writing momentum up when there are so many reasons roadblocks, entertainment requests, distractions, and family obligations on your plate? Here are three things that I am doing. You are welcome to do them to.

Pray More

As The Master's Artist we need to stay vertical--tapped into our Source. Praying not only keeps us focused it answers our daily challenges, it directs our paths, and sometimes we receive the necessary adjustments we need to make to stay our course. During this time of year I pray more and eat less. I pray more and watch TV less. I pray more and chat online less. Get my drift. I use my church's advent calendar to keep my prayers in perspective during the holidays.

2. Maintain a Writing Schedule

I am a fan of (RTM ) Remember the Milk. This online tool allows me to keep up with my todo tasks and my clients via Google Mail or my Palm smartphone. I never miss a deadline with this. I also plan writing time here. However, I get a slap on the wrist for sometimes ignoring my writing time. Sometimes--oftentimes--I use this time to answer more emails, edit a client's work, anything but write. This reason is why praying more at this time is vital to me. If schedule my writing time immediately after prayer and meditation.

3. Commit to Completing only 3

Do you really think I will complete all that work? Come on now. LOL. I have overachiever syndrome. I double book my ownself. Believe me I'm getting help for this. In fact, this last tip comes from my life coach, Wendy Bailey. Commit to 3 Projects per day. I even go further as to responding to only 3 emails, ,taking only 3 calls a day during this time, and 3 tweets. After all this is a time of glory, reflection, praise, and family time. We have to honor this time with our undevoted time. So I only do 3 a days(one for the father, son, and Holy Spirit.) If you hear from me, then feel special. You are 1 of 3. LOL. Most importantly, it frees of your time to write.

Hey, did you notice I only gave you 3 tips?

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Christmas Kitchen

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Tammy Maltby

and the book:

The Christmas Kitchen

Howard Books (October 6, 2009)

***Special thanks to Jennifer Willingham of Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tammy Maltby is a writer, speaker, and media personality. For eight years, she was the co-host of the Emmy Award-winning television talk show, Aspiring Women. She serves on the board of the National Women’s Ministry Association, Christian Women in Media and Arts, and Women of Courage International. She and her family live in Colorado Springs, CO.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Hardcover: 132 pages
Publisher: Howard Books (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416587659
ISBN-13: 978-1416587651

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Press this picture to browse inside the entire book:

Friday, December 18, 2009

Media Candy Sneak Peak: Your Comments Needed

Media Candy Sneak Peak

I've been compiling notes, blog posts and articles I've written over the past five years to pour them into my book, Media Candy:Yummying Up the Marketplace. Here's a sneak peak. Please give me feedback and suggestions. Thanks!

Dee

Thursday, December 17, 2009

3 Press Release Don’ts for Authors

As a literary business hybrid, I get to see the publishing industry in three dimensional terms. As a writer, I share the same pangs and long hours of marketing my latest writing project or literary event. As a publicist, I spend hours creating the best press release for my clients with hopes that it grabs my media friends attention. As a member of the press, I take great care in scrutinizing author requests to be featured in on my blog or magazine department or radio show in my charge.

All three aspects of me require basic marketing acumen. All further require a brilliant press release(either on the part of me creating one or me receiving one) to help me stay successful.

What I’ve found is that my press release submission ratio is higher than most and my press release acceptance ratio is very high. In short, I’m pretty successful creating press releases, but unsuccessful retrieving good ones to help me satisfy my many writing assignments.

So I thought it would be best if I share the three major guffaws a writer should never take when creating a press release. All three are mistakes I’ve witnessed and/or participated in before I knew any better. Click here to continue.