Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, would you mind giving your opinion as to what makes you return to read yet another post?
And . . .
Is there anything you would like to ask me about myself?
God, here am I. Use me. Apart from you I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Absence of canned interviews
You make my head hurt (ie. you make me think)
Discussions few others will discuss (ie. it doesn’t have to be the most numerically popular view of things) i.e. not status quo
Reviews that are honest and not done in a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” format
Question for you: How come I can’t click on The Famous One as a link to purchase a copy?
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You’ve made my day, Brenda. Thank you.
Wow. Good question. Because I’m a ditz? In order to find The Famous One, you have to type in Nicole Petrino-Salter on Amazon.com or at Christianbooks.com or at Barnes&Noble.com. (Not your kind of story, though, B., and longer than most contemporary novels which is why it’s more expensive. Not yet an e-book either.)Thank you for asking. 😉
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You have a calming presence and are unashamed and unembarrassed by your beliefs. You boldly declare Jesus, and you boldly declare you opinions about publishing. 🙂
Have you considered shopping your manuscripts to independent presses like Port Yonder?
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Aahh, Jess. You’re sweet. Geez. Sounds like I was fishing for compliments, doesn’t it? That wasn’t my objective, believe it or not. I wanted to provide more of what you guys are looking for . . .
Yes. Port Yonder itself doesn’t take kindly to romance. If I could find the right home for a ms., I’d be happy – and relieved – to try to shop it there. Right now I’m working on a mystery set back at the racetrack with less romance, but can’t ever leave it out. 😉
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(Postscript to Brenda J.: If you go down the left column to “My Novels”, you can click on that for a link to them on Amazon.com.)
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I’ll second everything Brenda J & Jessica said and add a few.
1. I love your candor. You’re not afraid to state your opinion, even if it’s unpopular. That’s so refreshing.
2. You have great taste in books. 🙂 It’s so nice to find someone who enjoys the same type of books I do. I love discussing books with you. You’re honest with me & I can be honest with you.
Question for you: When is Breath of Life scheduled to come out?
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Dang. I guess I needed this. Thank you, Bren. Yeah, love discussing novels with you too.
Breath of Life is on its final stretch before typesetting. The cover has been okayed but it must get one more final approval from me. Likewise the completed revisions from proofing. Then off to typesetting. I’m anticipating toward the end of this year which bodes well for the time the story takes place – and for Christmas presents. 😉
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I appreciate your opinion about fiction — you’re well-read and I think that gives your opinion validity. You also have a Bibliocentric worldview which I value.
What would I like to know about you? What you do to continue improving in your craft, how writing fits in with the rest of your life, if you’ve thought about becoming the next Dick Francis! 😉
Becky
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Thanks, Becky. Appreciate so much that you value my opinion even though we embrace different genres. Yes, thank God, Jesus is our center and our whole.
You know, Becky, your first inquiry is a difficult question for me to answer. My simplest answer is I continue to read as many novels as entice me along with my favorite authors who I value as exceptional writers. I’ve read many of the craft books and I’ve been to classes at conferences. To a point they’re helpful, and then they all begin to sound opinionated. So – books and formal “teaching” do not inspire me, and, honestly, do not accomplish the purpose in me for which they’re designed. Reading, absorbing, works best for me. And I have to trust my instincts. Like many of us, I’ve been reading (and writing) since childhood. I have to like what I write. I’m not into trends unless they mesh with my style, voice. That’s not to say I don’t work hard to eliminate dross in my writing and strive to somehow make it valuable, deeper, and even important in some way to someone. Because it’s written from a biblical worldview, I trust that God will make it important to somebody.
Reading and writing consume the bulk of my life nowadays. After over 30 years off and on of 7-days-a week working at the track, I treasure my laid-back life. There was a time when I couldn’t have stopped working if I’d wanted to, so I’m extremely blessed not to have to work outside our home anymore.
Funny you should ask about “the next Dick Francis”. I’ve wanted to write a mystery/suspense for awhile because I love them and read a lot of them plus thrillers. I don’t think I could write a thriller unless I made it a supernatural thriller. So, I’ve begun a new novel and situated it back at the racetrack with a mysterious murder of a popular guy to open the story. It will contain romance, but I’m trying to use restraint – very hard for me – and not make it the focus for this story. Dick Francis covered British/European horse racing, so I’d love to be known as the writer who realistically captures American horse racing.
Sorry for the lengthy answer!
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Into the Fire 
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