Rachel Starr Thomson

The wind had a secret.

All across the Seventh World it blew, whispering, shouting, singing its wild way in the far northern mountains and fjords; it danced the new-growing leaves and flowered boughs in Galce and the vineyards of Italya. It whistled through hollows and secret places in the Eastern Lands and skipped across the tops of white waves to the Isles of Bryllan. There it soared over the craggy Highlands, swirled in the meadows of Midland and the valleys of Cryneth, played with the chimney smoke in old Londren.

The earth listened and rose to meet the wind’s blowing. Every blade of grass, every wildflower, every soaring eagle filled with the secret and trembled with it.

High above the wind’s place of singing, the stars over the Seventh World heard the blowing of a far-off hunting horn and shone the brighter at the sound.

The earth quivered as the wind’s words filled it and begged for release.

They may not yet know . . .

. . . it is a secret still . . .

keep it.

(From Chapter 1 of The Advent, Book 3 of the Seventh World Trilogy, work in progress)

Actually, the above title isn’t accurate. Facebook is one of the better uses of my Internet time, as it helps me keep in touch with people I care about, do some business networking, and even market. I like it. But its recent overhaul is driving me crazy because it takes me YEARS (am I exaggerating? ummm, yes) to figure out how to do anything. My friend Josh had to walk me through the process of feeding my blog through Facebook, and even then I took forever to do it right.

At the moment I’m trying to figure out how to set up a page for the Seventh World books. (I am doing this instead of working on The Advent because I’m still finding that just dashed difficult.) I’ve been meaning to do it for a while, and just now I was inspired to get to work on it because I found a page for one of the best Christian fantasy writers I’ve had the privilege of discovering recently. (George Bryan Polivka. Read my review of his Blaggard’s Moon here.)

How in the world does one set up a page?! This is ridiculous.

If Facebook is not wasting all your time, this post probably is. I end it here. Onward to Facebook pages and working on my book . . .

While we’re discussing The Advent, I might as well correct a common (and understandable) misconception: The Advent will not be out for Christmas 2009. It WILL, Lord willing, be out for Christmas 2010.

The good news is that I filled a couple of pages with notes today, and I think they qualify as an official start. Leastwise I hope they do. (“Leastwise” is such a great word.)

I’m considering releasing segments to a list of e-mail subscribers for the low low cost of $2 or $5 or something like that. I would withhold the final segment until the book actually came out in print. However, I’m wondering if that would hurt the final unveiling rather than build up to it. What do you think?

At the end of her last comment, Elisabeth asked,

By the way, how’s The Advent coming?

She’s a very good reader to faithfully hound me :). The sad fact is that The Advent is hardly coming at all. A brief history:

• 2002: Wrote Worlds Unseen.
• 2003: Wrote Burning Light.
• 2004: Wrote The Advent.

“What?” you ask. “You wrote it already? Where is it then?”

I did indeed write a book called The Advent, but I wasn’t happy with it. It was darker than I wanted it to be, and the plot felt forced and needlessly melodramatic (I don’t object to the occasional melodramatic moment, mind, but this was too much). Also really convoluted. AND it left a lot of characters out.

In 2007 or so I reread Worlds and Burning Light and remembered how much fun they were to write, so I decided to scrap The Advent and do it all over again. Starting this summer, if possible. And keeping all those previously ignored characters.

The trouble is that I’m (1) busy, (2) desperately wanting a vacation, and (3) stumped for ideas. So I’m taking time just to mull. I think I’ve got the story’s general direction, form, and atmosphere down — it’s just the actual plot that’s a big blank space :). Kind of a big blank space to have, all things considered.

So thanks for your patience and even more for your impatience. I’ll keep you posted!

Today’s writing tip is cheating because I didn’t write it; I read this article in the Writers Digest newsletter earlier today, and it was so good I had to share it. (I’m also sort of somewhat on vacation, which makes less likely to blog with absolute faithfulness.)

The article, which urges writers to test their novel and short story ideas to see if they have “legs,” is an excerpt from The Constant Art of Being a Writer by N.M. Kelby. It’s got great practical suggestions along with a fascinating analysis of how a story is birthed. Check it out!

Today’s post concludes the interview which began on Thursday with questions about Faith vs. Fear and how Leah came to be a writer. Today, we talk about the business side of writing.

Rachel: I’ve been impressed by your commitment to marketing your book. Did you have a marketing plan before you published Faith vs. Fear, or have you been learning as you go?

Leah: Definetly learning as we go.
This is such a new experience!
Just reading a book you wouldn’t think there would be THAT much to it, but there truly is.
It’s an amazing process to watch and be apart of.
Since I was pretty young when I wrote the book, my Mom and Dad have been so faithful in helping me with the business aspect of the book.
Together we are learning how to promote the book and let people know about it through websites and interviews such as this, and we appreciate people like you so much who help us let other people know about it!
Thank you so much!

Rachel: You’re welcome :). Helping young authors like you is a major reason this blog exists. Can you tell me about your favourite/most unusual experiences in marketing your book?

Leah: I love meeting new people at book signings.
It’s fun to get aquainted with such a wide mesh of personalities and hear the stories that they have to share too!
That is another thing I’m learning through this experience.
Everyone you meet has a story to share!
My favorite book signing was actually held at my friends Christian book store.
My book had just been released, and we really weren’t sure what to expect.
I was astonished and oh so blessed when almost all of the people that attend my Church came to support me!
It was also a very awesome day because the “Girls of Grace” were there to sign the first copies of my book as well.
As far as the “unusual experience” thing goes, I have met a few people that were just a little…too uniqe? LOL.
However, I love and appreciate them too!

Rachel: How much has Tate Publishing been involved in the marketing of your book, and how much have you done on your own?

Leah: Tate has been amazing, but we have to put in a lot of work too.
They distribute and market my book, but we do most of the promoting on our own.
It takes about 70% of our own effort to make sure that my book is promoted and gets “Out there,” but Tate helps a lot to distribute the book.

Rachel: What has surprised you most about the business and marketing aspects of being a writer?

Leah: Everything! (Ha ha!)
It is just amazing to see how much time and effort goes into not only writing the book but also editing, graphing, and marketing the book as well.
It amazed me how many great people were involved in this process.
It also gives me goosebumps to think of all the places my book is going!
We actually had a few friends that were Missionaries in Bosnia.
They used to own a library that provided books where people could learn to speak english.
Can you believe that they mailed a copy of “Girls of Grace”?!

Rachel: Many of my readers are young writers who would love to be where you are now. Can you give them some business advice?

Leah: Well, my favorite part of writing is that it is something that brings me so much cloer to God.
That fills my heart with so much joy!
I suppose the best advice I can offer is to have fun and make sure that God is your top priority.
Write about things you love to write about, and write for people that love the same things you do!
Keep in mind that it’s not about fame or how many people read what you wrote…it’s the hope that at least one person might be touched by what you have to say.
And you don’t need to be published for that!
If you’re excited and want to see if God might want you to go in that direction though, patience is a must.
We sent my book off to several publishing companies, and it takes a VERY long time to hear back.
It is also important to know that rejection letters will come, and it does not mean that you are not a wonderful writer.
It means that one person is not interested.
Try again!

This interview concludes my feature on Leah R. Eads. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Leah’s book and her work as a young writer and now promoter of her own writing — may her journey be an encouragement to you also!

Girls Club has always been just an ordinary club for mothers and daughters who love it, because they grow in their relationship towards each other and in their relationship to God.

The girls are devastated when they find out that the local crisis pregnancy center is shutting down due to lack of money. However, when Ashley, a Girls Club member, gets a secret letter, it changes everything and takes them on an adventure none of them had ever thought possible. Join the girls as they face their deepest and darkest fears, and travel to a far away island all for the sake of a child.

Girls of Grace: Faith vs. Fear (Tate Publishing, 2008) is a humour-filled, God-honouring, Babysitters Club-style novel by a 14-year-old author. It’s the story of the Girls of Grace, a group of young teen girls and their mothers, who regularly meet for prayer, Bible study, encouragement, and fun! When the local crisis pregnancy center hits a crisis of its own, the girls volunteer to go on a Christian reality show called Faith vs. Fear (it’s Fear Factor without the devastatingly disgusting stuff), where they face their own fears — cameras, teenage insecurities, going it alone, eating bugs — in a bid to win enough money to keep the center afloat.

While Faith vs. Fear is an unmistakably young novel, it should be enjoyed by its target audience — young teen girls and under. I enjoyed its emphasis on family values and following God, especially in the letters the girls write to God (these are scattered throughout the book). From a technical standpoint, the book could use a good editing — but the overall fun and message come through loud and clear. I look forward to seeing more from Leah Eads in the future.

Leah Eads is the 14-year-old author of Girls of Grace: Faith vs. Fear, the story of a group of girls who go on a Christian reality show in a bid to save their beloved crisis pregnancy center, published by Tate Publishing. I met Leah through her mom, Carol, who got in touch with me several months ago. I was thrilled to hear about Leah’s work — I love to see young authors really pursuing their dreams — so I offered to feature Leah on Inklings. I’m glad I did!

This week’s profile will kick off with an interview. Tomorrow, I hope to post a review of Faith vs. Fear. Today, I want to start by interviewing Leah about her book, the many ways in which it intersects with reality, and what it’s like to be a writer. Part 2 of the interview, coming on Saturday, will examine more of the business aspects of being a young writer.

So, without further ado, I give you Leah Eads!

Rachel: Leah, you were published at age 14. That’s a dream come true for many writers! When did you start writing, and when did you decide to pursue publication seriously? Can you tell us a little about your journey to publication?

Leah: Well, ever since I can remember I have always loved stories.
My Mom had a special knack for telling stories that made you feel like you were right there with the characters.
I never wanted them to end, but when they did I wasted no time asking for another one.
I have always had a special relationship with my family, so the way I viewed it, asking for a story was just another ticket to my Mom’s lap!
Pretty soon, she began to encourage me to tell her stories, and it tickled me to find that she too always asked for “Just one more!” =)
At that age I was still too little to write my thoughts on paper, and bless her heart, my Mom listened to every story that filled my head.
When I learned to read and write on my own, my thoughts and stories had no where else to go.
They found their way to notebooks and napkins.
Then we got our computer and I learned to type them, which was terrific because I have trouble reading my own handwriting!
Shortly after that I entered a few children’s writing contests and nearly burst with excitement when I won my first award! I couldn’t contain myself…I entered almost every year afterwards.

Rachel: The “Girls of Grace” are a group of moms and daughters who meet for prayer, discussion, and fun. Your bio on the book cover says that you and your mother “enjoy spending time with the real-life Girls of Grace” (pictured above at a book signing with you!) How much of this story is fictional, and how much is based on real-life people and events?

Leah: All the “Girls of Grace” mentioned in the book make up a group of very colorful characters.
In real life it is no different–each of them are real, fun, sweet, and wonderful young women that fill my life with joy every day!
I’ve enjoyed growing up with them and seeing how God is using each personality for His glory.
I would say that the only difference between the girls in the book and the real life Girls of Grace is probably that no one could possibly capture their true and unique personalities with words alone!!
The story takes place in a town called Kingman, (where we really live.)
As the story unfolds, we meet additional characters, such as Miss Teresa who owns the Crises Pregnancy Center.
She too is real and full of passion from God for the unborn, and all of us love volunteering at the Crises Center!
The book takes a major twist when the “Girls of Grace” realize that the Crises Center might close its doors if someone doesn’t step up and raise the money it needs to keep it opened, and that is what causes the girls to take a giant leap of faith and journey to an Island far from home and completely step out of their comfort zone to face the unknown.
This part is fictional, but oh so exciting!
There’s a lot more I could say…but I think I might just keep everyone wondering. =)
At this point in the story we meet a young woman named Nancy Quinn with a terrible past and unknown future.
The only thing that is keeping her together is her new found faith in the Lord Jesus.
With this new hope, we follow Nancy in an adventure of her own as she learns to trust God…wherever He leads.
Nancy is also a fictional character, but one many can identify with!
So, with all of this being said, I would say my book is half and half.
Most of the adventure is fictional, but most of the characters are real!

Rachel: Your book has a great sense of humour, and I noticed that you poked the most fun at the character you based on yourself — “Leah” in the book is funny, quirky, and never one to shy away from an embarrassing situation! Again, how much is Leah based on you?

Leah: The funny part is that I’m really much more like my character in the book now than I was then!!
I used to be very shy…but the real life “Girls of Grace” worked on that. =)
God really helped me to come out of my shell by spending time with them, and I learn every day that there’s simply too many great opportunities in this life to hide or shy away from!
However I am very much a goof ball, as seen all throughout the book.
We all love to poke fun and laugh with each other, and sometimes I just so happen to accidentally do things worth laughing at!
Each girl has a special and definite sense of humor…and there simply is no way that we could spend a day together without a giggle or two.

Rachel: I’ve enjoyed getting to know your mom, Carol, over e-mail. How great a role did she play in the writing and publishing of Faith vs. Fear?

Leah: On a scale of one to ten, I’d say she played a role of at least eleven. =)
My Mom is an amazing person, and I am so glad that God blessed me with her.
As far as inspiration goes, my Mom was actually one of the main reasons I started writing.
She was the one that wrote and told me stories, and read as well as listened to the ones I wrote for her.
She and my family were constantly encouraging me, and had it not been for their support, I probably wouldn’t have started this journey.
My Mom mailed my book off to several publishing companies, and together we prayed that even though I was young and didn’t have the experience of other writers, that it might at least be looked over.
She was also the one that screamed and jumped up and down with me the day my acceptance letter came from Tate Publishing!
From then on she helped me understand everything that was happening since most Publishing Companies don’t usually work with kids.
She spent long hours proof reading, re-reading, editing and an re-reading again, and I am so, so thankful for her and my fantastic family.
And, might I add that I am also so thankful for the outstanding God I serve…He has never let me down, and to have His friendship love and support means everything to me.

Rachel: Are you working on any other books at the moment? What are your future dreams as a writer?

Leah: I am working on several books right now!
A few months ago I finished a second “Girls of Grace,” and I am half way through the third one.
However, I am still praying and waiting to see what God has in store.
I have taken a break from writing “Girls of Grace” books for a season to work on some other books, which are coming along wonderfully!
The one I am working on the most right now is called “Stormy Seasons,” and I am amazed at the direction God is taking it.
It is so much more different than anything I have ever written, and it’s neat seeing God take over.
I have so many dreams, but the biggest one of all is that I might write in a way that honors God.
In a way that excites readers to turn the next page, and in a way that brings each person closer to Jesus.

Rachel: Finally, if you could leave your readers with any message, what would it be?

Leah: That it doesn’t matter who you are, but who He is.
You can do anything through Christ who gives you strength.
That God didn’t make you like anyone else, you are special and uniqely designed in His image, and He loves you very much.
God has a plan for your life!
I never would have imagined that God could use someone like me.
But I’m learning that He uses the unusable people the most to show just how fantastic HE is!

Coming tomorrow, my review of Leah’s book. On Saturday, I’ll post Part 2 of Leah’s interview — it’s just as good as Part 1, so check back!

Back in May I received a letter from Brennan Cain, a reader and fellow writer who was struggling with writer’s block. I asked her permission to share her e-mail and my reply, since she really got me thinking about how to kick writer’s block!

Hello, Rachel,

Thank you very much for your prompt reply.  I enjoyed Worlds Unseen and, thus far, Burning Light appears to be just as engaging.

However, I have another question of a different nature.  I understand that you are a writing coach.  I truly desire to write Christian fiction, but it seems that the moment I decided it was ‘what I wanted to do with my life,’ I begun to have a great deal of trouble writing consisently and finishing my projects.  I have started a number of short stories, books and even a serial that I intended to use for a website.  However, I just can’t seem to make myself do the writing.

I never had this problem before.  I used to keep notebooks with me because when inspiration hit, I simply had to put it down right away.  I was full of excitement about the gift that God gave me and I delighted just to use it.  Now, it feels like I have to force myself to do the thing that I used to love doing.  I can’t say that I don’t still enjoy writing, because I still do; it’s just that it has suddenly become a chore.

I am not sure what to do.  Do your services cover such a problem?  If so, how much would such assistance cost?

Thank you, again for your time and have a blessed day.

P.S.  Reading works such as yours helps to keep me motivated not to simply throw my hands up and give up my dream.  Thank you for your dedication to allowing God to use the gifts He has blessed you with.

Here’s how I answered Brennan’s letter. I’d love to hear frm you on this topic, too. How have you tried to overcome writer’s block? What works for you?

Hi Brennan,

Thanks for your e-mail! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my books–and that they’ve helped to inspire you to pursue your own dreams.

I am indeed a writing coach, but I’m not sure I could help you with your problem. It sounds like what you’re facing is good old-fashioned writer’s block. All writers face it at one point or another, and it can last for varying lengths of time. The thing about writing as a profession, of course, is that it’s a discipline; you have to do it whether you’re feeling inspired or not. With that said, here are some thoughts for you:

1. Don’t take it too seriously. It sounds like your troubles began when you decided that you wanted to do this as a profession. You may be experiencing “this is too important syndrome,” in which case you want to give yourself permission to play and have fun with your writing, realizing that you don’t always have to write things that are brilliant or of great significance. Sometimes just that mental permission can make a big difference!

2. Take it more seriously. That is to say, treat it like a discipline. Set yourself time or word count or page count goals, and make yourself write something every day.

3. Break out of your box. If you usually write fiction, try some nonfiction. If you usually write from a guy’s perspective, try writing from a girl’s :). Just do something different to help yourself be creative and perhaps discover new inspiration.

4. Read or watch movies in your genre that will inspire you to keep contributing your own work.

5. Exercise. Seriously. In the sun, if at all possible.

6. If you must, take a break. But schedule it. Give yourself a week or two off, use that time to recharge your creative batteries, and get back to work when the break is over.

I hope that helps! If you have a manuscript or more than one and you feel that detailed feedback would be helpful to you, I am available for coaching, critiquing, and editing. Let me know if you want to pursue any of those avenues :).

Blessings,
Rachel

By the way, if you haven’t yet read Worlds Unseen or Burning Light, be sure to check them out — and don’t forget to pick up your free download of Worlds Unseen!

So, I did it. I signed up for that writer’s conference and booked a hotel room. Freaked out just a little bit as I did it — it’s not a small price tag. But I’m fairly sure it’s going to be worth it. I’m hoping my dad can come with me, both to attend the conference and to enjoy the view with me:

Gracious sakes.

On another topic, this week I hope to feature Leah R. Eads, a 14-year-old author who’s working hard to market her book, Girls of Grace: Faith vs. Fear. Leah’s mom got in touch with me a while back, and I’m excited to be talking to them. I’ll be doing an interview and a book review. Stay tuned :).

(On another topic, today I received a copy of Enclave by Karen Hancock for giveaway on this here blog. I’m kind of jealous because the copy I got for review was an Advanced Review Copy, which is really cool because it means I’m reading the book before most people but is less cool because ARCs don’t have the physical quality of “real” books. And I liked this one, so I’d like to own the real one. Too bad I can’t give the book away to myself, but that would not be acting with integrity, and integrity is one of my core values.)