Dale Harcombe!

Dale, Cynthia will be in touch with you soon regarding your book. Thank you to everyone for entering!

And if you haven’t already,  be sure to enter to win the new contemporary romance from Staci Stallings To Protect and Serve here on my blog at  http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/interview-and-giveaway-with-author-staci-stallings/

Also, I am giving away a copy of the winner’s choice of one of my Montana Skies Historical Romance Novels (McKenzie, Kaydie, or Hailee) and today is the last day to enter! That contest (along with a funny story about what happened once when I was doing an interview) can be found at http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2012/05/humorous-life-of-writer-by-penny-zeller.html

To save others’ lives, they will risk their own…

Houston firefighter, Jeff Taylor is a fireman’s fireman. He’s not afraid of anything, and no situation is too dangerous to keep him on the sideline if lives are at stake.

Lisa Matheson runs a semi-successful ad agency that’s on the brink of falling apart. Her employees are incompetent and her schedule has become exhausting. When she takes on a client with a brilliant idea for a big conference, she thinks that maybe, finally this is her lucky break. However, the fire station wasn’t what she had in mind for finding conference speakers. When she falls for a handsome but shy firefighter, it’s possible that life might just be going her way for a change. The only problem is she can’t control Jeff and the death wish he seems to have…

I haven’t yet read this book, but I have to say it does sound soooooooo good! Let’s take a minute to chat with Staci…

Welcome back, Staci. How did you come to be a writer? Was this something that you always knew you wanted to be or did you arrive at this point later in life? I’ve always loved words.  It fascinates me how you can take 26 letters and 10 numbers and fashion millions of different stories.  Stories fascinate me as well.  Think how many people have inhabited this planet, and every one has a different story–a unique experience not shared by anyone else who has ever been here.

When I was in my teens, I loved the Sweet Dreams series of teen romance novels.  I loved watching two people meet, become friends, get together, fall in love, and go through all the ups and downs life throws at them together.  So when I got older, quit teaching, had my first child, and then found myself at home for HOURS alone, I followed my heart down both paths and began writing my stories.

You have been a huge encouragement to fellow authors and have even started a Grace & Faith blog that features writing tips and guest interviews. Can you share with us a bit about that? I contacted author Karen Baney to see if she might want to form a group of Christian writers.  She was very interested.

Within six hours we had a Facebook group for authors, a Facebook page for readers, and a Twitter account.  Within a week we had 40 authors signed up, and we never looked back.

Over the course of the next couple months, I did things I never would have guessed–setting up two other blogs, learning to use Twitter and Facebook, and watching the group be a connection point for over 120 authors.  During those first few months, I said on many occasions, “God, You’re going to have to do this because I don’t know how.  Please show me what to do.”  And He did.  Over and over, He stepped in to show me exactly the next step at exactly the right time.

The truth is Grace & Faith is God’s group.  I just happen to be the one He told to set things up, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

Very cool! I’m excited about your latest book. What was the inspiration behind it? My newest book is called, “To Protect & Serve.”  It tells the story of a Houston firefighter named Jeff Taylor who is a firefighter’s firefighter.  He’s not afraid of anything, and if there is a chance of pulling a life back, no matter how dangerous the situation, Jeff is going to go in there and do his best to save that life.  Well, he falls for a serious control freak who thinks that if she can control everything, life will be wonderful.  The only problem is… she can’t control Jeff and the death wish he seems to have.

This particular story was so odd in how in came to me.  I had actually started writing another story, and I had chosen a well-known singer from a “boy band” that was popular at the time for the hero of that one.  I had recently hired a young woman to help with my kids, and she had gotten interested in my books enough to be following along in the process as I wrote. 

There are a couple of things I do with each book.  First, I compile a soundtrack.  These are songs that fit the theme or the mood of the book, and I play it as I write.  The second is I find pictures of my characters on the ‘net, put them together, and print them off.  As I write, I study them trying to capture the facial expressions, clothing choices, and body language of the character (I don’t download just any pictures, but specifically the ones I feel LOOK like the character I have in mind). 

Well, I had been doing those two things for this character in this other book, and my babysitter was looking at the pictures and watching the videos of the group singing… and she fell in love with one of the other guys in the band.  She kept saying, “You really should write one about him.”  I tried to explain that I was working on Story 1 and didn’t have time to work on a different one.  But she persisted to the point that one day, I asked God, “Okay. If I did write one about him, what would the story be?”  And almost without pause, the story flooded into my mind.  In a day I had 20 pages written, and that’s how “To Protect & Serve” was born.  (Side note:  I still haven’t finished Story 1, and that was 8 years ago. Funny how God works like that. 

Speaking of books, what is your favorite book in the Bible? I think my favorite book is John.  I love how everything in John is a coming together of the rest of the Bible.  He tells stories that aren’t in the other Gospels like the wedding in Cana and the washing of the feet that are so profound and tie so many other stories in the Bible together. It is clear by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that John understood the history, the message, and the meaning of Christ, fully human, fully divine, and how His life changed everything about everything.

If you suddenly were given one million dollars to start a new charity, what type of charity would you launch and why? That’s funny because in one of my recent books “Deep in the Heart,” that actually happens to my characters.    If it happened to me, I would put the money toward helping children who have dyslexia caused by vision issues, which could be upwards of 90% of what causes dyslexia (having trouble reading). 

My son went through this horrible and frustrating issue.  When he was in kindergarten, we had signs that something was wrong, but we didn’t know what it was.  Then in first grade, he hit a wall. He even started having mini-seizures (didn’t know at it at the time, but his eyes were straining so hard, it actually shut down his brain for seconds to keep it from “overheating”).  We were practicing 10 spelling words for six hours a week, and he’d get a 65 on the test.  And no one could tell me what was wrong or how to fix it!

Finally, in second grade, God got my attention and pointed us toward Vision Therapy.  Turns out my son’s eye muscles were weak and very taut, so he couldn’t sweep them across a page to read.  Instead, they jerked and didn’t go end-to-end on the page.  He also couldn’t take details in  visually so he was either memorizing or guessing in order to “read.”  In fact, he was left trying to memorize every single word as a unit three times for each word–once to read it, once to write it, and once to spell it as if none of them had anything to do with the other. Talk about frustrating.

What I’m learning is just how many kids this issue affects–up to 20% in every classroom, and they, like my son, think it’s THEM.  They are labeled “slow” and sometimes “lazy.”  Homework takes hours, and they can’t get it finished in class because they are so distractible. Moreover, very few teachers know anything about Vision Therapy, so they will keep saying (if the child seems to be trying), “He’s smart.  He’ll get it.”  Except they don’t.

So my charity would help kids with this directly by providing Vision Therapy in schools, and it would help get the word out to parents that if you see these signs, there is help and here’s how to get it. 

I have a nephew who has struggled with that, so I agree, that would definitely be a worthwhile cause. Staci, can you share with us something silly about yourself that your readers might like to know? On the ‘net and in my writing, you might get the impression that I’m some kind of SuperMom/SuperWoman who can do everything well.  Ha!  Ha!  The truth is I’m a terrible cook.  I recently had to look up the word “Yech” for something I was writing, and several of my writing friends said they’d never heard the word.  I told them, “That’s weird because I hear it every night from my kids at suppertime.”  I’m also terrible with keeping my house.  I “organize” in piles.  There’s a pile on my desk that could avalanche at any moment.  Piles of bills and books and school stuff and papers I don’t know what to do with but can’t throw away on my kitchen table. I have three piles of laundry on my freezer, piles of clothes to be washed in both bathrooms and the hallway….

I told my son the other night that although I’m a great Mom, I’m a horrible housekeeper.  He agreed… and he’s nine!

LOL, I love that! What project(s) are you currently working on? Oh, gracious.  (This could explain why my house is a wreck, but here we go…)  I’m writing one story about a dyslexic writer that’s almost finished.  I’ve just started another story about popularity in high school.  I have 16 books out on Kindle and Nook that I’m marketing.  I’m doing cover design for the books coming out in the next six months as well as editing, and formatting those books.  I’m final-editing and finishing covers for three books coming out in print.  I run three blogs and the Grace & Faith Group.  I’m on a retreat team for a retreat that will happen the first week in June, and I’m directing VBS plays for the following week.  I’ve got a big book signing coming up in July.  Then… I have three kids (16, 13, 9) so final school projects and activities, concerts, awards banquets, etc.  My husband and I have two companies that I do all of the finances for both so taxes, bank statements, bills in, bills out.  Oh, and then there’s that house thing…. 

How can readers connect with you?

My Christian living blog, Spirit Light Books is at:  http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com

My Christian Romance Novel site (where you can read the first chapter, an excerpt, and reviews for all of my books):  http://ebookromancestories.com

All of my books can be found at:  http://stacistallings.wordpress.com

Twitter:  @StaciStallings

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-Light-Author-Staci-Stallings/266593276699576

Thanks so much for having me, Penny!  I’m so honored to count you as a friend!

Thank you, Staci, for being my guest. You are an amazing author and such an encouragement to other writers!

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And now my awesome readers, here’s all you do for a chance to win a copy of this awesome ebook…leave an encouraging comment for Staci Stallings,  and yes, anyone can enter, but confirmed subscribers receive two entries, so be sure to sign up to follow this blog, then check your email and confirm your subscription to be added to the subscriber list!) Giveaway ends on June 14, 2012. A winner will be chosen at random.

If you missed last week’s humor post Why I’m Not a Cowgirl, Part 1, you’ll want to go here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/why-im-not-a-cowgirl-part-1/

We continue riding through some of God’s most gorgeous Creation. Ace and I are getting along fine when Ace stops for a long drink and refuses to start walking again.  For what seemed like forever, there was nothing I could do to make Ace budge. I began to wonder if perhaps Ace wasn’t a Buckskin, but a mule.

“Don’t worry,” I tell my nervous self as the rest of family disappears into the sunset.  “Ace is only stopping for a quick drink of water.”

The minutes grow longer…

And longer…

Uh…where did everybody go?

Finally, just when I was giving up all hope, Ace begins to walk again. And I heave a sigh of relief.  That’s when Ace decided that he would show me who was the boss.

Why is it that when you’ve let your guard down that the unexpected happens?

Ace stopped, backed up, then with lightening speed, jumped over a log railing. It was like in those horse movies with the “jumper horses.”

Unprepared, I screamed with a scream that echoed through the entire forest.

Ace came back down to the ground with a thud. Lon looked behind him to see me with my sunglasses off my face, my hair disheveled, and my demeanor anything but calm. He told me he wished he’d had the camera as it was truly a Kodak moment.

But, that was all right. I am a cowgirl, right?

Wrong.

We came to another stream and again Ace decided to take a drink. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw my youngest daughter’s horse, Betsy Hombre, stop to take a drink too and that’s when he lost his temper. Rearing his head back, he bit my daughter’s horse in the ear, causing me to fear my daughter would be bucked off her horse.

So not only did I have a horse who liked water and loved to scare me to death by jumping over log railings, but I also was riding a horse who was a territorial grump.

Later, Ace decided to have another fit. His ears went back and the next thing I knew, he was bucking and kicking his legs behind him. I prayed and hung on for dear life.

Many thoughts went through my head as Ace pretended to be a rodeo horse, one of which was the fact that my eight seconds was almost up.

After that brief break, we return to the real story. For the record, I was scared, I’ve never been to a cowgirl school, and my parents never worked 16 jobs at once.

I began to dream of a more relaxing time…

Several times, Ace would spontaneously take off into a bumpy gallop. Clutching the reigns, I hung on the best I could. I tried to relax and let the wind blow through my hair, but the ride was too bumpy and too fast for this novice.

When we returned to camp later that afternoon, I was more than thankful to be done with my horseback riding experience. My daughters could talk of nothing else the rest of the day other than their wonderful and exciting horseback rides. I wanted to talk about anything else except my day as a cowgirl.

The next morning, I awoke with welts on my behind and aches and pains everywhere else.

If you find yourself in a similar circumstance, rest assured you’ll know right away, as I did, that you’re not a cowgirl!

From here on out, this girl is sticking to a safer mode of transportation!

I’m excited to announce some winners from my past giveaways. First off, the winner of Stephen Bly’s Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot novel is…

Faith hope & cherry tea!

Congratulations and Janet Bly will be in touch with you soon!

Secondly, the two winners of my Starbucks giftcard and a choice of one of my books are…

(drumroll please…)

Ladette Collins Kerr!

and

Abigail Richmond!

Congratulations, Ladette and Abigail! I will be contacting you shortly for your snail mail addresses.

Thank you everyone who entered. I am so thankful to all of you, my blog readers. I appreciate you more than you know! Stay tuned for more wonderful giveaways.

If you haven’t already, be sure to enter the giveaway for Cynthia Simmons’ fantastic Bible Study workbook here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/guest-post-and-giveaway-with-author-cynthia-simmons/ The giveaway ends on Thursday and this really is a fantastic book! Then, join me this Thursday when I’ll be hosting one of my favorite author friends – a writer of contemporary Christian romance.

Next up, Part 2 of Why I’m Not a Cowgirl. If you haven’t read my humor post, Why I’m Not a Cowgirl – Part 1 yet, it’s here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/why-im-not-a-cowgirl-part-1/

Have a blessed week!

My husband and I raised five wonderful kids. But being a parent is tough, especially if you homeschool like I did. I’d pass out school assignments and chores to each child. Then I juggled housework while monitoring their progress. By the end of the day, I would be so tired I wanted to stare off into space. It didn’t take much for me to lose my temper at that point. Perhaps the boys would scuffle and knock over one of my orchids. Sometimes the kids would quarrel and call each other names. I’d long to explode, but wanted to please God. So, I couldn’t say or do the things that popped into my head. Here’s what I learned about responding the right way.

In Ephesians 4:26 the Apostle Paul said, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” This verse contains three commands. The first one is to be angry. That’s passive tense, meaning something happens to you. It could be translated ‘allow yourself to be angry.’ Let me explain why. In the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers wrote “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”These men understood the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament passages teach us respect for people and their property. When a child overturns one of my orchids, he wrongs me, creating a debt. Something needs to be done, and anger supplies the energy surge.

 I learned it’s important to let anger rise, but we can’t stop there. The second command is “do not sin.” Ouch! This part is hard because I wanted to lash out. However, God calls us to rise above our human tendencies. That person bears the images of God, so I must measure my words. Self control comes into play. I think of moving away and looking at the situation from a high mountain to get some perspective. Rather than unload insults, I must treat that individual with respect. I remember talking until I got myself out of a jamb. If my first words were, “How childish,” then I’d say, “But I know you want to grow up to be a godly man. So when you mature, you’ll make better choices.”

Now I’ll tackle the third command. “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” This is a metaphor which means not to harbor anger. When the sun sets we all know a new day is coming and yesterday is left behind. In order to keep anger alive, you must feed it by reliving the event over and over. Just like food left in the refrigerator too long, anger turns to bitterness when stored. Instead, I need to put it aside and choose not to even the score. Ephesians 4: 32 says “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Follow the example Jesus set, and let go of anger.

I wanted to be a good parent and instill godly values in my children. That meant I had to handle anger God’s way when my kids upset me. If I blew up that would hurt them, and that’s not what I wanted.  Instead, I learned to channel the extra energy with God’s help and lots of prayer.

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Wow! I love the Godly wisdom that Cynthia has shared with us. And now, let’s find out a bit about her  Bible Study that deals with that very topic…

What’s wrong with our world? Shouldn’t a God who claims to be all powerful and flawless prevent suffering? How can we continue to believe when storms rage on in our lives? If you’ve ever had tough questions like these Struggles and Triumphs Study Guide is the book for you. Author Cynthia L. Simmons will guide you toward answers with her unique and enlightening approach. Her twelve-week Bible study for ladies comes from stories of real women as told in Struggles and Triumphs: Women in History Who Overcame. As you study, you’ll come to understand God’s perspective on timeless issues that impact your life. The carefully chosen Scriptures combined with interesting historical information will challenge and encourage you.

Watch the trailer at: http://youtu.be/HOP9HY7xTXU

Purchase the book at: http://www.lulu.com/shop/cynthia-simmons/struggles-and-triumphs-workbook/paperback/product-20038687.html

About Cynthia: Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over twenty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. Active in Christian Authors Guild (CAG), she conducts writing workshops and has served as president, vice president, and conference director. In December 2009 the membership granted her Life Time Membership for her numerous contributions to writers.  “Cindy” is fond of history and writes both historical fiction and nonfiction. Her writing appeared in CAG publications, NATHHAN NEWS, Chattanooga Regional Historical Magazine, Georgia Right to Life Newsletter, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Catholic Exchange, and Christian Devotions.us. Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, came out in 2008. While promoting her book, she had interviews on radio and TV across the nation and was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the year. She also conducts monthly podcasts called CAG Spotlight in which she interviews authors and VIPs in the writing industry. At present she is completing a twelve week Bible study using the stories in Struggles and Triumphs.

And now, here’s all you have to do to enter! Leave an encouraging comment for Cynthia and yes, anyone can enter, but confirmed subscribers receive two entries, so be sure to sign up to follow this blog, then check your email and confirm your subscription to be added to the subscriber list!) Giveaway ends on May 24, 2012. A winner will be chosen at random.

I will be announcing the winners of the Stephen Bly book and the Starbucks giftcard/choice of one of my books giveaway soon, so stay tuned!

The day couldn’t get any better. Not a cloud in the vivid blue sky and the forested landscape was like none I’d ever seen before. I was in the company of those I love most in this world. So what could possibly go wrong on such a perfect day?

I suppose I should give a bit of background here…my family and I were on an extended RV road trip across four states. It was going to be a relaxing trip with fun activities planned in between days of traveling down the interstate.

Ready for a relaxing adventure…

On the second day of our trip, we decided to go horseback riding in the mountains. Yes, I’ve been on a horse many times before.

As a matter of fact, I’m not new to the horse world. I rode horses a couple of times – you know those ones that go around in circles at fairs? Yes, I rode those quite often as a kid.

I also rode a horse once at the age of 16 and (un)fortunately fell into the arms of a helpful (and handsome) teenage cowboy in an attempt to climb into the saddle.

My not-so-expert horseriding adventure as a teenager…

In addition, I grew up riding motorcycles and go-carts. That counts for something, doesn’t it?

So by all standards, I am a cowgirl, right?

Wrong.

When I first saw the horse I was to ride, I thought I’d never seen a finer animal. He was big, strong, and had a light golden coat with a dark mane and tail. My oldest daughter, who professes to be a true horsewoman, told me he was a Buckskin.

My family members each had their own horses to ride, yet none of them were as beautiful and peaceful looking as the one I’d been loaned. His name was Ace.

I quickly convinced myself and everyone else that I was an experienced cowgirl and that riding Ace would be no problem at all. After all, he seemed so peaceful, so…

I climbed on the back of Ace and, and with Lon and our two daughters, set out for our ride in the mountains.

Lon’s horse was named Moose – a very large horse with even larger buns. As a matter of fact, I’d never seen such large buns on an animal!

Of course, Lon couldn’t be given a Shetland Pony – it just wouldn’t be right. No, Lon was thankful they’d given him a large animal to hold his own large muscular frame – and Moose was a lot of horse.

Lon and his horse named Moose

How could anything go wrong in these gorgeous surroundings? Especially for a top-champion horsewoman?

This week’s family movie suggestion is The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry…

Our entire family enjoyed this movie, and I found it to be one of the best family movies of all time.

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry takes us back to 1970 when times were simpler, but forever a need to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The characters are very likeable and there are humorous parts dotted throughout.  Here is a quick look at the main characters:

Dustin is raised by his mom after his father dies. He’s thoughtful and kind and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Albert is a silly boy who struggles with keeping a tight reign on his tongue. He provides much comedic relief.

Mark is the braniac who seems to have knowledge far beyond his years.

Nick is a bully who is also being raised by his mom and who has no qualms about picking on Dustin and his friends.

We also meet Bailey, a girl whose father owns the cafe and whom Dustin has a crush.

Jonathan Sperry is a 75-year-old man who is active in his church and taught Mark’s brother in Sunday School. He lives out his faith and allows God to use him to make an impact on the lives around him.

One of the things I loved most about Jonathan Sperry’s character was that he actively lived out his faith. He wasn’t preachy, yet he showed real-life examples for each lesson. I especially loved the lesson where the boys had to reach the $5 bill on the picnic table. The graveyard scene is also a scene full of impact that depicts the urgency in telling others about Christ.

Two of the boys in the movie grew up without fathers. What a wonderful example and mentor Jonathan Sperry was especially to those two boys.  This movie had strong themes of redemption, faith, forgiveness, and kindness.

This is a heartwarming film for the entire family. While not preachy, it does share an important message. There is also nothing objectionable in the movie, and I highly recommend it! For more information, you can visit the Jonathan Sperry website here: http://www.sperrymovie.com/the-film/the-story/

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For a listing of movie suggestions, followed by archived movie reviews, please see http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/mom-approved-movies-for-families/

Join me each week for a new movie suggestion of recommended movies suitable for the entire family with reviews written from a Christian worldview.

MaryAnn!

Congratulations MaryAnn! Jennifer will be in touch with you shortly.

If you didn’t win, Jennifer’s book is available at bookstores everywhere including at Amazon.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I appreciate you all SO much and thank you for all the encouraging comments you leave for my fellow authors. We appreciate that more than you know!

I have a brand new giveaway this week that you won’t want to miss! Stephen Bly’s family is my guest and they’re giving away a copy of his final book Stuart Brannon: The Final Shot. Be sure to leave a comment to enter at http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/special-giveaway-of-stuart-brannons-final-shot-by-stephen-bly/

Stephen Bly was a phenomenal author who inspired writers everywhere to put their words on paper. He passed away on June 9, 2011. His wife, Janet Chester Bly, and his sons, Michael, Aaron, and Russell completed his book Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot. I am excited to chat with the four of them about this writing adventure, but first, let’s find out a bit about the book…

Finishing Dad’s novel was a family affair. Can a committee create fiction? We had the passion and four months to find out.

It’s 1905. Two orphans flee from Oregon’s Tillamook Head. One of them is branded a hero. Dare they tell the truth and risk the wrath of a dangerous man? Meanwhile, a retired lawman searches for his missing U.S. Marshal friend while he grapples with the game of golf on behalf of a celebrity tournament.

And now for our interview with Janet, Michael, Aaron, and Russell…

What did you like the most about Stuart Brannon: The Final Shot ?

Russell: Being part of the process of writing a book is exciting.

Michael: I love that Brannon has stuck to his principles and is still ‘fighting the good fight’ and ‘keeping the faith.’ His methods may be a little out of place in the modern world of the 20^th Century, but the same guiding principles apply. And, he golfs!

Aaron: I really enjoyed getting to not only re-introduce myself to the characters of the original novels but to also be a part of creating additional stories for them. It was empowering.

Janet: Getting Steve into the book through his sons, through using as much of his own writing as we could. Getting a more intimate look into Steve’s favorite character. The journey along the frontier of this man’s soul was like peering into my husband’s.

Any frustrations over the doing of it?

Russell: Of course the obvious one, not having Dad there.

Michael: I would have liked to be able to spend more time during the process (I’m pretty sure I’m not the first person to want more time!). With jobs and families and responsibilities, it isn’t easy to dedicate all the time you’d like to a project, even one as important as this.

Aaron: Only frustration was the fear that we wouldn’t be able to match the story writing ability that my dad possessed — that we’d let him down somehow. But I think we gave it our best.

Janet: The short length of time. We didn’t have ‘rest’ time to see the manuscript fresh. Had to turn it in after a frantic few days of critique and re-write. I was thankful that we were able to include some changes before the final print stage.

What were some of the surprises?

Russell: Finding out how much of a ‘team’ that my parents were while writing.

Michael: It was great to see Mom in action! I’ve never seen her take charge of a writing project first hand or had the chance to witness her process. Maybe not a surprise that she could do it, but happy to see her go about it with such skill and determination.

Aaron: Given the circumstances and the time constraints, I think we did a pretty good job. I’m especially proud of some of the plot elements that presented themselves as the story unfolded.

Janet: I’m still astounded we actually got it done. All three sons stayed engaged with the project though they all had different areas of input. Also, am grateful I didn’t obsess over or get overwhelmed by the impossibilities of the task or the inevitable judgments on the quality of the finished project by our peer group. I only knew without a doubt that this was our appointed task.

What was the most enjoyable or satisfying part of the process of this project?

Russell: The most enjoyable part was hearing Mom talk about how Dad would think, process and write the stories. The most satisfying was seeing her take over and continue it as a Stephen Bly novel.

Michael: It was a family project, so it was great to spend time with family. . .especially as we were mourning the loss of Dad. Stuart Brannon was Dad writ large in a cowboy western landscape; at least, Brannon was who Dad would have wanted to be if he had lived in those times. As we witnessed Dad’s final chapter on earth, it was fitting to then write Stuart Brannon’s final chapter.

Aaron: Finishing it and knowing that our dad would have been proud (even if he would have done it differently).

Janet: Working with my sons. Knowing I was laboring on behalf of someone I dearly loved and missed. Doing the actual prime writing of fiction after so many years of coming alongside my husband as partner, editor, co-author and marketer. Knowing we’d complete an unfinished task, his 106^th book. Also, some welcome healing took place in the midst of all the creating, the laughter and the occasional stab of tears.

If you had to do the whole procedure over again, what would you do different?

Russell: Finishing the book so soon after losing Dad made it a little hard for me to offer as much input as I would have liked. I think if there were a next time, I would like to get more involved in the actual writing.

Michael: I can second-guess a hundred things, but ultimately we wrote the novel we set out to write. If Brannon fans enjoy the book and feel like it closes out the series well, then it was done the right way.

Aaron: Given the same amount of time, I wouldn’t have changed anything. But if we had unlimited time, we could have ‘tweaked’ some story elements and characters a little further and tightened things up a bit.

Janet: Though we didn’t do it perfectly, I believe we did the best that we could. I don’t regret any part of how the book evolved.

What did you gain the most from being part of crafting this novel?

Russell: An insight into the life of a writer. In this case, the life of a very special writer. I am continually amazed at the hard work and dedication to this project that Mom has shown throughout this project. The tough circumstances and potential roadblocks have shown me and my brothers not only how important she was to Dad’s books, but that she will have no problem with her career going forward.

Michael: I gained confidence as a writer, but also had the great learning experience of being closely involved in the complete novel writing process. On a deeper level, it helped as we mourned Dad’s death. Coming together as a family, remaining dedicated, and getting the job done. That’s what Stuart Brannon would have done and that’s what Steve Bly would have done. It was gratifying to be given a chance to play a part in a family tradition. In addition, I wish I was more like Stuart Brannon. Not surprisingly, my wife wishes the same thing. But I hope to someday be the kind of man who ‘will do to ride the river with.’ Don’t we all?

Aaron: For me, it was very therapeutic in dealing with the loss of my father, who was also my best friend. I was able to come together with my mom and my brothers and discuss something that was intrinsically my dad’s and take it as our own, both in a figurative and literal sense. I think we all benefited from this experience.

Janet: The satisfaction of taking on an incredible challenge and completing it on time. We’re so grateful to the publisher for extending Steve’s original deadline so we had some months to work on it. It was a bitter-sweet experience to do the research trip to Gearhart, Oregon, to retrace the steps Steve and I had taken together. This time I had to pay attention to details, rather than take a vacation. Sunsets over the ocean. Fish dinners. Visiting the old golf course Steve had played. Driving along the beach. These weren’t moments to relax and refresh. In the crush to create, to write in a flurry, I had to play catch-up to my prolific husband who knew the geography and history so well.

Thank you so much, Janet, Russell, Michael, and Aaron for being my guests. I have great admiration for your family.

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Bios: Janet Chester Bly has authored and co-authored with Stephen Bly thirty nonfiction and fiction books, including Awakening Your Sense of Wonder, Hope Lives Here, The Heart of a Runaway, The Hidden West Series and The Carson City Chronicles. She lives at 4,000 ft. elev. in Winchester, Idaho. Find out more at http://www.blybooks.com/ or http://www.blybooks.blogspot.com/

Russell Bly is married to Lois, father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross), and grandfather of 1-year-old Alayah. He is manager of Deranleau’s department store in Moscow, Idaho.

Michael Bly is married to Michelle and is Director of Business Operations for Inland Cellular in Lewiston, Idaho.

Aaron Bly is married to Rina, father of Keaton and Deckard. He’s Manufacturing Supervisor for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Lewiston, Idaho.

Stuart Brannon: The Final Shot by Stephen Bly was released March 1, 2012 in hardback and ebook format and can be ordered through your local bookstore or online bookstore such as http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ or http://www.blybooks.com/.

Paperback edition available August 2012.

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I love the fact that this book was written by the Stephen Bly Family Writing team. It truly is an honor to have them as guests on my blog. They’re giving away a copy of the book to one lucky commenter. Here’s all you do…leave an encouraging comment for The Bly Family Writing Team, and yes, anyone can enter, but confirmed subscribers receive two entries, so be sure to sign up to follow this blog, then check your email and confirm your subscription to be added to the subscriber list!) Giveaway ends on May 17, 2012. A winner will be chosen at random.

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The biggest blessing God has given me is the blessing of being a mom! I am honored and humbled that God allowed me to be a mom and I strive to raise my children for Him.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of being a mom!

I am also blessed to have a wonderful mom. One of the things I love most about my own mom is that she has always worked hard to care for her family and we always knew she loved us by her actions and her words. Thoughtful and compassionate, she taught us to put others first by modeling that herself.

My mom and dad holding me when I was a baby….

Since it’s almost Mother’s Day, I asked what others love most about their moms. I loved all of these wonderful responses  – and what a tribute to moms!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who allowed me to use their quotes here. I enjoyed reading your responses. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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I’ve always felt a special kinship to my mom. In fact, I guess I’m unashamedly a momma’s boy still at age 40. I’ve always loved and appreciated my mom (and dad), but over the last year they’ve both been a shoulder to cry on and offered a hand to hold while my wife and I watched our eldest son battle cancer. I can’t imagine what the past year would have been like without their love and amazing support. ~ Bryan Ridenhour, pastor and blogger at brvan.com

I love that my mom has always been encouraging and supportive. She always sees the positive and forgets the negative. She has never not believed in me. Even when I feel I am failing to please her, she always says she’s proud of me and what I have accomplished. She tells me to forget what I haven’t accomplished, and that I’ll get there one day, when I’m supposed to be. I am where I am because I need to be. My mom has always been the light at the end of the day that I need the most ~ Taryn

What I love most about my mom is…. that she prays for me, everyday! ~ Anna Leibke

A fiery redhead with spunk, Mama raised eight children with patience, wisdom and love. She planted in us a drive to work, achieve, and serve the Lord. She’s been gone 50 years, yet I can hear her quoting, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath.” ~ Ada Brownell, author of Swallowed by LIFE : Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal

I love my mom because she gets me when nobody else does. I’m alot like her so that helps! We also share a lot of the same reading tastes so I can share most of my books with her. I’m also super thankful that she took the time, and was patient enough to homeschool me and my younger brother! ~ Faye Oygard

I love my mom for just being such a great listener and supporter. She’s my source of encouragement and a real go-getter. She’s fearless and I love that about her! ~ Dee

love my mom for persevering. She had a hard childhood, and has struggled most of her life. Yet she keeps going! AND she would do anything for her kids! ~ Carrie Chwierut media designer at Carrie’s Social

She sacrificed every day to make my life as normal as possible. ~ Ginger Solomon, blogger at A Bed of Roses, Thorns Included

My mom has been gone for 12 years now, but what I remember most about her, is her love of all living things! She loved people, animals and her amazing flower garden. ~ Cindi Hoppes

I lost my mom 4 years ago next month. She was 92. She was a hard working, lovely, sweet, Christ-like woman. As a child she lost her father when only 8 and her mother could not afford to finish raising Mom and her younger brother so they were placed in a Methodist orphanage. She looked back on that experience without harshness though life there was hard. She accepted it and was glad for the provision it afforded her. Mom was always a servant to us and always such a giving and loving person. And man could she cook and could she sew! ~ Vera Godley

She has always stuck by me even at my ugliest she never gave up on me. ~ Lourdes Montes

My mom has spent her entire 88 years giving to others – she was always there when I needed to talk or just needed a hug. ~ Kim Ferland

My mother died one day after her 76th birthday. Happily, she was able to talk to all of us on her birthday–my sister, brother, and me–who were living far from her Florida home. We were able to laugh and tell her we loved her. Her death was following day was totally unexpected. It’ll be ten years this August 11th and I still reach for the phone to call her or say to one of my kids, “I’m not sure about that, but Mother’ll know. Let me…” Then I remember. My favorite thing about her was her gentleness. She mellowed more and more each year. She lived her life in horrible pain (twisted spine as a result of a childhood illness), but never complained, just quietly went about her business, doing what she had to do. I’ll miss her horribly until I can hug her in Heaven one day. ~ Deborah Dee Harper

My mom taught me to love reading. Thanks, Mom! ~ Joy Isley

My Mama is in heaven now, but the thing she taught me I am most grateful for is to trust in God. She taught me there was nothing too big for God to handle. She taught me to put my complete faith and trust in Him. She taught me to be strong and courageous and to never give up. We went through some tough times in our life and in our relationship, but all in all she was my best friend and I miss her greatly. She became very humble in her last days. I always knew when I walked in the room she was glad to see me and I was special to her. I knew she loved me. ~Deborah H. Bateman, Author of: The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption and The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

My mom has guts when it counts. After my dad was killed by a drunk driver when he was 40-years old, she moved our family cross-country — from Oregon to Georgia to start a new beginning for us. She felt it to be the best choice for her kids (1 in college, 1 in high school, and me in elementary school.) It wasn’t a popular choice — especially with my dad’s family, but in hindsight it was the right choice. Would I have done the same thing? I don’t know. She turns 75 this year and I look back and think, “Wow! What a gutsy thing that woman did for us ALL those years ago!” ~ Susan Ferrell

I love my mom because she’s always been so supportive of me and always believed in me even when I didn’t! ~ Liz R.

I was raised at a time when women weren’t seen in church alone. My Mom was a believer. A precious woman who had received Christ as a young teenager but never had the opportunity to be discipled. She was married at 16 and a Mom to twins at 17. My Dad wasn’t a believer. However, my Mom even at that young age new the importance of taking my sister and I to church. She was so brave. I’ve had the privilege to be in full time ministry for 40 years. I will be in her debt always ~ Donna Feddick Fagerstrom

The thing I love most about my Mom is how far she has come in her life. Her childhood was not the best, but she overcame and has been an amazing Mom to my brother and me for the last 35 years! She is a wonderful example to follow as a christian mom now that I have a child of my own. ~ Heather Bergman

She’s there when you need her, there’s never any doubt where help will come from ~ Theresa N.

I love my Mom for who she is. When I was younger and a teenager I really didn’t understand her. Now that I have children of my own I really understand. She is my best friend and she is always there for our family. I hope that someday my children will look back and appreciate me as much as I appreciate my Mom. ~ Amy

I love everything about my Mom.She has always been here for me…she will do anything to help me.I have health problems and she is one of the few people who truly understands what I go through.She has had to deal with so much heartbreak over the years…she lost her only son(my brother)to pancreatis and she has lost two sisters that she loved dearly over the last year….and so much more she has had to go through,but she has kept her faith and continues on.She is getting up in age and I just can’t imagine what my life would be like without her in it…I love her so much….Thanks Mom for all you do. ~ Jackie Tessnair

Honestly, I love my mom most when I am sick. My mom doesn’t show affection often, I think I can count all the times she’s hugged me on one hand. (I think it might also be a culture thing? I guess Chinese people don’t really like skinship?) I am already eighteen, but nothing makes me feel better in the middle of a fever and extreme nausea like a bowl of my mom’s homemade soup. She will never tell me, but she will sneak it on the dining room table so that I can see it…it’s times like these that I feel warm and cuddly inside ~ Lillian, blogger at A Novel Toolbox

It’s impossible to pick what I love most about my mom – she’s seriously one of my favorite people on the planet and everything I aspire to be as a wife & mother. I have so many memories of the special things she would do for us as we were growing up – even the simple things like warming our clothes up in front of the space heater before waking us up for school. And today she is one of my best friends and the #1 reason I miss living in Florida is getting to see her every day. I love that I can always turn to her for advice – be it a disaster in the kitchen or frustration with my husband. I consider myself supremely blessed to have wonderful parents. ~ Kat Vinson

What I love most about my mom is that no matter how she is feeling, she is always there for my sister and me. My mom suffers from a lot of pain due to complications from lupus, but when my older sister, who is also a brittle diabetic, suffered a series of massive strokes at the young age of 27 due to a rare brain disease and was subsequently abandoned by her husband, my mom (and dad) dropped everything to take care of her. I went from looking after my mother to watching her care for my sister even on the days when she felt her absolute worst. No one will ever know just how much my mother has given of herself and sacrificed her own health to ensure that my sister has the best chance of survival day to day. ~ Mallorie

My mama is almost 74 but in poor health. We have almost lost her about 4 times in the past 2 years. What I love about my Mama is that she is the best cook in town. She can definitely do some down home cooking. ~ Vicki Lynch

What I loved about my Mom is that I could pick up the phone and call her anytime of the day or night and share with her what was going on at that moment. I lost my Mom in (99). I miss her so. ~ Terri Clark

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