Author: Betty Owens

Christian writer of historical fiction and general fiction.

Not Alone

On By Betty OwensIn Writing2 Comments

Not Alone

A Literary and Spiritual Companion

for Those Confronted with

Infertility and Miscarriage

 

My friend Jennifer Hallmark is one of several authors featured in this newly-released non-fiction book. I asked her about her involvement with the project.

How did you become involved with the writing of this book?

I saw the “call out” for submissions at Kalos Press by Jessica Snell. As I read the requirements, I felt the essay I’d written several years ago about my experience with miscarriage would fit. I sent it to Jessica and went through a couple rounds of edits before it was accepted.

Oh, edits–how we love those, right? Tell us a little bit about this book.

It could be called an “edgy” Chicken Soup for the Soul. By edgy, I mean the essays, written by men and women who’ve dealt with the pain and emotions that come with miscarriage and/or infertility, are heart cries. These stories are told by broken people who have found hope in the midst of their struggle.

Infertility and miscarriage can be very personal. What do you and the other writers hope to accomplish by sharing your experiences?

We want to let others know they’re not alone. When I went through my miscarriage, I didn’t know of any resources to help me cope, though several years later I found a book by Jack Hayford called I’ll Hold You in Heaven which brought me comfort. In Not Alone, I found hope and empathy as each person shares their experience.

On a more general “writing” note–where do your story ideas come from?

Everywhere. An old green shed I passed once on the side of the road is a major part of the novel I’m working on now. An overheard conversation or story on the news can point me in the direction of a new plot. Writing prompts are important to me to expand my creativity and one reason I co-founded a blog called Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas…Oh My!

What was the most surprising thing you learned while writing one of your books?

I’m not a plotter by nature, and a lot of the storylines and characters are a surprise. One revelation in my latest novel has been that the antagonist, who I didn’t like, had a change of heart and has now become one of my favorite characters. J

What’s next for you? What other projects are you involved in at present?

We’ve just re-released the Heart Seeker series with Write Integrity Press. All four books are now available in one. I helped write two of the novellas, A Dozen Apologies and Unlikely Merger.

I’m also finishing final edits of my southern contemporary novel and then have a couple more novels that need editing so I can search for them a home.

Thanks, Jennifer, always great to hear from you.

Thanks so much for letting me drop by, Betty!

 

Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage

Our society understands how terrible the loss of a child is when that child is out of the womb, but what about when a child dies before birth? Or what about the emptiness that comes when a very-much-wanted child is never even conceived?

These quiet, private losses are hard for those who have not experienced them to understand. And these losses leave those who have suffered them feeling alone in their grief.

Not AloneNot Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage is a resource both for those who have suffered through these experiences and for their friends and relatives, who want to understand what their loved ones are going through.

This collection contains true stories that are:

  • sensitive, and yet honest
  • angry and raw, but not despairing
  • unique, and yet relatable

The contributors to this book are male and female, old and young, some who eventually had children and some who never did, and yet despite their differences, they share a common grief and a common faith.

No experience of miscarriage, infant loss, or infertility is like any other, yet by reading these painful and hope-filled stories, you’ll be comforted by knowing there are others who understand the journey you’re on, the loss you’ve suffered, and you will find that even though your loss is uniquely yours, you are not alone.

IMG_6297-5x7-100resAbout the author–Jennifer Hallmark has published articles, short stories and been part of four book compilations, A Dozen Apologies, Sweet Freedom A La Mode, Unlikely Merger, and Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage. Jennifer’s website and the group blog she co-founded focus on her books, love of the South, and helping writers.

Connect with Jennifer here:

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferhallmark

https://www.facebook.com/authorjenniferhallmark

https://twitter.com/JenHwrites

https://www.pinterest.com/jenlhallmark989/

Jennifer Hallmark Amazon Author Page

 

Stirring Up the Spirit

On By Betty OwensIn Christmas trees1 Comment

Every year, about this time, radio stations start playing Christmas songs and carols. Beautiful, colored lights are twinkling. And stores have long since begun their Christmas sales and advertising. I’m reminded of the hawkers of old, yelling about their wares, trying to woo customers.

ab82d-imgp0386All my friends put up their trees and decorate their houses like showcases then put pictures on Pinterest and Facebook and Instagram.

I try to prod myself into enough of a “Christmas spirit” to prepare a few Christmas cards, and eventually, deck the halls. Right now, almost a week past Thanksgiving, there is nothing in my house that says Christmas. And I’m okay with that.

c7551-shutterstock_165919043I’m not sure where this scrooginess comes from. I’m not really a Grinch, just a procrastinator. Maybe because it doesn’t look like this at our house–

Our grass is still green and there are a few blooms left in our gardens. Winter tends to arrive late, long after our northern friends are snowed in.

But with a family to buy for, I have to eventually get myself out there. I need to finish the shopping to allow plenty of time for cookie baking. And so, around this time, each year, I get out the Christmas coffee mugs. I turn on the music and fill the house with yummy gingery-cinnamon-nutmeg smells. And then I go shopping.

I shop early on weekday mornings, to avoid the crowds. So that’s where I’m off to today, probably about the time this post goes up. But I’m wondering, am I the only one? Do you find yourself fighting similar battles each year? Perhaps you do, and you know the reason why. Maybe you lost a loved one, or are estranged from family. If this is the case, I’ll say a prayer for you as the holiday approaches.

But if you, like me, don’t really know the reason, I hope this helps you realize you’re not alone. And I guess there’s nothing wrong with us–it’s our normal.

So here’s a little something to help you put on your Christmas spirit. Happy shopping!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

On By Betty OwensIn Thanksgiving3 Comments

Are you already listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies? Ha ha! I thought so. You can hardly get away from it these days, when the stores bring out the Christmas merchandise before Halloween. Dozens of my friends have already put up their tree and decorated their homes.

Me?

No. I’m a purist. I celebrate one holiday at a time. And I’m slightly embarrassed to admit, I’m challenged as a decorator. But I make the effort, each year…after Thanksgiving.

For those who celebrate them, the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving, provide a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to gather and spend time together. I tend to be the cook at those gatherings. I enjoy the preparation, the time, the company. I’m thankful for my family, and for the energy to prepare the feast.

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, may your holiday be filled with blessings, good food, and happy moments with those you love.

Ribbet Edit

Amy Blake and The Trojan Horse Traitor

On By Betty OwensIn #amreading, Amy C. Blake, fantasy

Amy Blake and I spent a couple of years on a small critique loop, hashing out each others’ stories and commiserating over our unpublished state of being. I was intrigued by Amy’s fantasy series starring a brilliant young boy named Levi Prince, who happened to be homeschooled. Though the story was a good one, she faced an uphill battle, simply because of who it was written for…young adult boys.

read-316508_1280I was puzzled. Do they not read? Mine did, and they loved fantasy, especially magical ones. But Amy Blake was not a quitter. She would not give up. And now her dream is a reality. The Trojan Horse Traitor, the first book in the Levi Prince series is now available! As soon as Amy contacted me, I set a date for an interview so I could share her story with you.

Amy, tell us a bit about The Trojan Horse Traitor.

The Trojan Horse Traitor is a young adult fantasy novel about 13-year-old homeschooled pastor’s kid Levi Prince. He heads off to summer camp on Castle Island in the middle of Lake Superior and instead finds himself in Terracaelum, a haven for mythical creatures that’s suspended above the lake.

How did you come up with your idea for this series?

I’m a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. My kids and I all love fantasy novels, but none of the books we read have homeschooled heroes. When Levi and Terracaelum entered my mind (no, I don’t remember exactly what made me dream them up), it was only natural that Levi be a redheaded, homeschooled pastor’s kid like my own children. Camp Classic came into being because we follow a Classical Christian educational system for our homeschool, and I thought it’d be intriguing to incorporate a story from Classical mythology into my plotline. I also thought it’d be fun to make my runty main character tackle archery, fencing, canoeing, and wrestling, along with the torment of Latin verbs and History dates during summer break.

What is your target audience?

My primary audience is 9- to 14-year-old boys and girls, though older teens and adults who like YA fantasy would enjoy the story too. It can also be read aloud to younger children.

I think girls will definitely like it as well as boys. Any main themes or special interests you highlighted in this story?

The overarching theme is how God displays his strength in our weakness. I chose a main character who is skinny and short, redheaded and freckled, and doesn’t excel at any of the activities at camp–fencing, archery, canoeing, even art class. In his weakness, Levi knows he’s not the strong hero type, so when he and his friends face death at the hands of Deceptor, a shape-shifting demon sorcerer, he must depend on God’s strength to get them out of the encounter alive.

What’s up next for your main character?

In book 2 of the Levi Prince series, The Fall of Thor’s Hammer, Levi returns to Camp Classic the next summer. On his first night at the castle, he hears someone banging on the cellar door. He knows one of the camp’s firmest rules is, “Stay out of the cellar,” but Albert lets it slip that a storm may have driven a Lake Superior sailor into Terracaelum’s underbelly, and that he could be trying to get out through the cellar door. On the other hand, Albert tells him, it could be one of the Dvergar trying to lure some fool to his death. Levi has to choose—obey Mr. Dominic, possibly leaving some poor sailor to wander in darkness until he starves, or disobey and take the consequences if he opens the door to a Dvergar instead.

Tell us about your favorite place to write.

One summer I was able to do a Writer’s Retreat at St. Davids’ Christian Writers Conference. For five days, I had a dorm room to myself and unlimited writing time on the gorgeous campus of Grove City College in Pennsylvania. I wrote more in those few days than I’d been able to write at home that whole year. It was a treat.

Why do you write?

I write because I love to put the stories in my head onto paper (or computer screen). Through my books, I’m able to share enjoyable plots with my readers while also showcasing truths about God.

Do you have any other works (or ideas) in process you can tell us about?

I just finished a draft of The Fey’s Apprentice (the third book in the Levi Prince series). I’ve also done some work recently on my Women’s Fiction, Gabriel’s Gift. My top priority for the next few weeks is working on edits for my upcoming release, Colorblind (the second book in my On the Brink suspense series).

Who is your favorite author and/or genre, and how has reading (those) affected your writing?

My favorite genres are YA fantasy and mystery/suspense. In the YA fantasy genre, some of my favorite authors include Brandon Mull and Rick Riordan, mostly because they don’t write confusing “high” fantasy but engaging stories in a fantasy setting with relatable characters and lots of humor. My Levi Prince series is similar in that I’ve tried to make it fun and I’ve include some mythical elements without having too complex of a fantasy world. Unlike Mull’s and Riordan’s books, mine emphasize God’s sovereignty in all things.

My favorite suspense authors include Terri Blackstock and Brandilyn Collins. I love the way they develop their characters spiritually while providing edge-of-the-seat plot twists that make me want to keep reading to the end. I strive to maintain the same balance in my suspense novels. In fact, one of my favorite reviews for Whitewashed, my suspense novel that released in February of this year, favorably compared my writing to Terri Blackstock’s. Yay!

That’s wonderful. Nothing buoys our self-esteem like a good review. I really appreciate you taking the time from a busy book release schedule to answer my questions.

Readers, with Christmas rushing at us full speed, maybe you could use a gift for a boy or girl on your list. If you’re a parent or grandparent, Trojan Horse Traitor would make a great night-time read for the children in your life. See below for more information and where you can buy the book.

TrojanHorseTraitor_FlatforeBooksLeft on Castle Island to attend Camp Classic, thirteen-year-old, scrawny, redheaded, homeschooler Levi Prince finds himself at the center of an enchanted world of amazing abilities, cloudy motives, and wicked beings that will challenge his very spirit. He begins to form friendships, but life at camp becomes more confusing as questionable activities and uncertain agendas bring about conflict that tests his character in ways he never expected. Finally, faced with a friend’s betrayal, Levi is forced to confront true evil. Will he find the courage to stand his ground, and to become the hero he was always meant to be?

The Trojan Horse Traitor is now available in both e-book and paperback formats. Amy is hosting a giveaway of two paperback copies of The Trojan Horse Traitor on Goodreads. You can enter now through December 14th.

IMG_2793-2Award-winning author Amy C. Blake is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. She has an M.A. in English from Mississippi College and has written articles, devotionals, and short stories for a number of publications. She’d love for you to visit her website at amycblake.com for tips on homeschooling, advice for the rookie pastor’s wife, and helps for the Christian life. You can also find more information on her website about her novels–Whitewashed, Colorblind, and The Trojan Horse Traitor.

Trojan Horse Traitor is available at the following locations:

Amazon         ♦        Barnes & Noble       ♦          Booksamillion

Are You a Fixer-Upper?

On By Betty OwensIn Refurbished

683c5-majorca-85448_1280I watched a home improvement show the other day, in awe as the host “re-purposed” several ordinary items and made them beautiful. A couple of those things definitely belonged on the trash heap, in my humble opinion. But when she’d finished, those items became a focal point of great interest, on the walls of the home she was redecorating. The total effect–beautiful.

That set me thinking again about purpose. Earlier this year, I wrote about purpose in our lives. Purpose gives you direction. Purpose gets you out of bed in the morning, dressed, and on the road. Sometimes that purpose is earning an income. Other times, that purpose is serving others.

Re-purposing your life can mean a course-correction. The day comes, when we may have to reevaluate our lives, because we sense that something’s “just not right.” Maybe it involves a job loss or people leaving our lives. These are moments of conflict that require concentration and planning. Jump too quickly, and you could make a disastrous mistake. A knee-jerk reaction isn’t the answer.

My first step is to pray. I spend time in quiet meditation and ask God to show me my purpose. Am I on the right track, or have I veered too far from the original plan?

A course correction can be painful. Re-purposing that ordinary junk took some pretty intensive labor, but in the end, the beauty of the object was undeniable. It was worth the labor and the time. What is required to re-purpose our lives? Time–in prayer, meditation, study, training–sometimes, a complete overhaul. Work those muscles. Clean the house. Get rid of all the junk that weighs down your life.

old-stove-896285_1920With a clean slate, redecorate. Find what is salvageable and re-purpose it. It’s amazing how energized I feel when my house is freshly cleaned.

If you’re feeling “stuck” — make a change that will freshen your spirit and strengthen your heart. Go for a long walk. Don’t rush, just take your time and use that time to reevaluate your purpose. Pray and ask God to show you what to do to bring about a change in your life. Then listen. Don’t talk, just listen.

Sometimes re-purposing is laborious. It’s uncomfortable. You have to change position, or even move your residence. Other times, you can take whatever life has brought your way and turn it into something truly beautiful and cherished. Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” will take something that looks like junk, clean it up, display it on the mantle, and it becomes a focal point. A treasure. It’s been re-purposed. It has worth.

Whatever you do, don’t give up. Sit still and wait, or keep moving forward, but don’t stop. God has a purpose for you. Maybe you just need to clean yourself up and find a new purpose, so you can “shine…like stars in the sky…” (Philippians 2:16).

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. — Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV