My First Novel's Inspirations ~ Part 2

Hello and happy Monday. I'm glad you could stop by for a visit. I hope all you Mother's out there had a special day yesterday. I know I did. I feel so blessed to have the family I have and I am thankful for the extra effort they put into making me feel special on Mother's Day.

Today, I am continuing my series on my novel Hope for Charity and the things that inspired me as I wrote. Last week I talked about the process of choosing a starting point for my story, Husthwaite, North Yorkshire, England. I also talked about why I chose that particular time period. If you missed that post, make sure you click here to see it. 

This week, I want to talk about the season in which my novel takes place, spring. I love springtime. New leaves, flowers, plant life, baby birds and animals beginning life. It's a time of newness, freshness, hope. Especially after a hard winter, springtime can feel like a new start. 

That's what I wanted my book to encapsulate...hope. The title of my novel Hope for Charity, has two meanings. Charity is the name of my main female character, but charity also means love. So the title could mean, Hope for Charity the person or Hope for Charity or Love. I think either way, it's true for my story.

Since I wanted my story to take place in the spring, or more accurately the beginning of spring, I wanted to know what springtime in North Yorkshire looked like. What type of flowers, trees and birds would I see? What would be happening on a farm in the spring? Today, I'll focus on some of the flowers, trees and birds you may see if you were in Charity's world in the springtime.

English Oak

"English oak is a large deciduous tree up to 20-40m tall. In England, the English oak has assumed the status of a national emblem. As common oaks mature they form a broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath. Their open canopy enables light to penetrate through to the woodland floor, allowing bluebells and primroses to grow below. Their smooth and silvery brown bark becomes rugged and deeply fissured with age. Oak tree growth is particularly rapid in youth but gradually slows at around 120 years. Oaks even shorten with age in order to extend their lifespan." 

Ash Tree 

"When fully grown, ash trees can reach a height of 35m. Tall and graceful, they often grow together, forming a domed canopy. The bark is pale brown to grey, which fissures as the tree ages. Easily identified in winter by smooth twigs that have distinctively black, velvety leaf buds arranged opposite each other."

Blue Bells

Primrose

             

The Blue bell and Primose are flowers I chose to put in my novel, because of their beautiful colors and designs. The variety and beauty of the flowers in England in the springtime is something worth seeing. If you love flowers, you may want to do your own search. 

Chaffinch

            

The pretty little Chaffinch made it into my story. I love birds, so if I'd have had more words to spare, I could have written about many more bird varieties.

There you have it, a taste of spring in the English countryside. Looking at all this beauty and new life, I can't help but have hope. Did Charity feel the same? We'll see...

Look around. You don't have to go to England to see the beauty and hope of spring. God reveals Himself in nature, everywhere. He created it all to reveal His glory to us, to reveal Himself to us. Don't get it backwards, though. Don't worship the creation. Worship the Creator, The Lord God.

May God bless you and your family, as you enjoy Him through His creation this spring.

In Christ,

Sandy

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Footnotes: Image 1, Image 2

My First Novel's Inspirations ~ Part 1

Good morning and happy Monday! I hope y'all had a great weekend. Mine went along as normal for the most part, but yesterday ended with tears. Stick around to the end and I'll tell you a little about that.

Today, I am starting a series (not sure how many parts it will take yet) about my first novel's inspirations. Some of the things I started out searching for, because they were already on my mind and others I found along the way as my story went progressed or during my research.  

This is a fiction novel, so although I used these different places, people, things, etc. as inspirations, they may have been changed  to fit my imagination as I saw fit. It's called Creative License. So, if you see this and then read my book one day, don't expect exact representations. 

Husthwaite, North Yorkshire, England 1747

This is where and when my novel Hope for Charity begins. I had in my mind from the very beginning, the type of place I wanted my main female character to live. I wanted her to be a farmer's daughter in rural England. (I'll plan to talk about the farm in a later post.) It took awhile for me to find the perfect place, at least in my mind. I needed her home to be in a location that would work with the various scenes transpiring in my story. I wanted the farm to be near a village, not a town. I felt the lower population, would suit her situation better. My story also leads us to other locations in England. The roads, waterways, travel times and so on, all needed to be considered. While writing my novel, I tried to be as accurate as I could. I am still learning how to research and where to do my research. I'm sure with each new book I write (Lord Willing), I will have found new and better ways to hunt down the information I need. 

Find the painters information here.

Why 1747?

I didn't want my story to revolve around wars. The two wars my story is squeezed between, are the Jacobite rebellion and the Revolutionary war. Although, those would make for great stories. It wasn't the story I had to write this time. I also wanted my novel to be set in a time period that would severely restrict my female character's options. Choosing this time period, didn't come easy. I had to take many things into consideration. I spent many times with my calculator, trying to do the math to see if my tale would work with the real historic information I found. If you know me at all, you know that I am not a math person. So, for all the history buffs or math geniuses out there, give me a break. I don't claim to be either and again I do claim Creative License. 😁 

18th century map of England

Husthwaite Today

Husthwaite is still a village today. It's population is around 400. They are known for their apple orchards and sheep farms. When looking at recent pictures of the area, I imagine, that things probably don't look a whole lot different from the area in the 18th century. Of course roads would be better and modern conveniences would be available now, but the land and at least some of the buildings, probably look much the same. Trip Advisor will even tell you the best things to do in Husthwaite. Another site touts it as "The Best Village in The North of England". I already know that. 😊 But I really would love to go visit it someday. 

In my novel, I don't have time to talk about all the places and things to see and do around Husthwaite. If I wrote a sequel, I might could get more of them in there, but that's not in my immediate plans. So, check out some of the sites linked above and see what you think of the place my story begins...Husthwaite.

A little bit personal...

My weekend went sour, when our family dog of 10 years passed away yesterday. We knew for the last few days, that it could happen, but I really hoped she would rally and be ok. She lived a good long life and she will be missed. She was a sweet dog, who happily greeted us anytime we came near. I'm glad she didn't seem to suffer and went peacefully. I'm thankful for the years the Lord gave her to us to enjoy and love. Goodbye, Taffy. 

                            

Housekeeping: 

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April Showers

I know I'm dragging in this Monday later than normal, but I tell you, I thought I might not make it at all. But, I said I'd be back today, so here I am. I couldn't let you down. 😉

This month has been ultra busy for me. I'm beginning to wonder why Camp NaNoWriMo has to come in April. Why not January or September? They are usually slow months, aren't they? Awww, nevermind. I'm just spouting off.



Seriously, though, today's blog is simply sharing some of the things that have been going on in my life this month. So, stick around. I'd love your feedback, comments and questions. Don't be a stranger! Subscribe and join my tribe. Let me get to know you, too.

Camp NaNoWriMo, has been a huge part of my month. This is where I am right now:

sandykayslawsonWriter

Project: Hope for Charity

Progress: 46 hours

Goal: 50 hours

Tomorrow at 11:59pm is the deadline. As you can see, I have 4 more hours to reach my goal. I'm confident I can finish in plenty of time. That is if the creek don't rise, the Lord doesn't come back and an unforeseen calamity doesn't take place. Let me just say, though. If the Lord comes back first, I will be alright with that. Come Lord Jesus!

Anyway, I have been editing, editing, editing. I've been taking what I learned from my first three chapters through the rest of my manuscript. I'm on chapter 11 now. You may ask, "How many times are you going to go through that thing?" Well, until I'm satisfied I've done my best.

I've also been studying fiction proposals. Researching market analysis and competitive analysis. Did you know that writers don't just need to know how to write? Evidently, they need business degrees...JK. It sure seems that way, though. An English degree, business degree, communications degree, marketing degree...all would be pretty helpful about now. My psychology degree, may help with my writing at some point, but its pretty useless for the rest of this. 😄

My husband and I spent four days in Arizona. He at his conference and me on the patio of our hotel room working. At night we did most of our sightseeing and enjoying the Arizona atmosphere. It was a beautiful place. The plant life, so different from any I'm familiar with. 

When we came back, we had family visiting so my work slowed down, but how could I resist a chance to visit with my loved ones?

Guess what came next? A surprise birthday party for me!!! I admit it. I hit a big one. 50. I can hardly believe it. I use to think 50 year olds were...old. But now that I am here, I can attest to the fact, we are not old. We've just experienced a little more and know a little more. Ok, maybe my body tries to convince me I am old now, but my mind refuses to believe it. Anyway, my husband and kids had evidently been planning this surprise since February. Somehow, I remained clueless until the SURPRISE, threw me into shock. I can't even explain all they did to make my birthday special. I am so blessed to have the family I have. Thank you, to all those who made my surprise party so awesome. Those who planned it and paid for it. Those who came, from near and far and those who sent notes and letters now memorialized in a shutterfly book for me. I am so thankful for each of you. 

One other thing some of them did, you know who you are, they printed out my first year of blog posts and put them in a nice folder for me. How cool is that? I love my family. They are awesome!

One more present, I have to mention because you may see them more in the future. I got baby chicks! 🐣🐤🐥 I had chickens before, but about 2 years ago, they were all killed by what we think were coyotes. 😭 I am thrilled to start my chicken adventures again, though. 

Then came Easter. More family and more fun. Easter services, celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, hiding eggs, baskets of candy, new clothes, pictures, playing outside in the beautiful weather, etc., etc. All play and no work...

My real birthday came after that. Most of the family were gone, but a few still helped me with a little more celebrating. Fifty deserves more than one party doesn't it? 

Believe it or not, I haven't even told you everything going on with me. Appointments, work on our hobby farm, cleaning, organizing...trying to find balance as usual. This month has been a pretty hard month to balance it all, but it's been good nevertheless. 

Now, here I am. The day before my last day of Camp NaNoWriMo. Maybe 50 hours was a little too optimistic for such a busy month, but I think I'm gonna do it and I have to thank my husband for that. He has encouraged me, pushed me, gave up time for himself for me and even did some of my chores to give me extra time. Thanks, Sweet Hubby! You are the best and I love you dearly.

If you are like me, pushing to reach a goal. Keep at it. If it's a good goal, then it's worth the effort. I hope you are trusting the Lord to lead you, whatever it is. May God bless you and your family.

In Christ,

Sandy

P.S.

A reminder: May's Read&Review is, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Celebrating Easter

Hello again and happy Monday! I'm glad you made the effort to come for a visit, whether you are new to my blog or a regular. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to be here.

Easter is right around the corner. From Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday (Easter), it is the most sobering and hope filled time of the year for Christians everywhere. It is the celebration of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate His death, because He died for us and we celebrate His life, for one because it gives us the hope of our own resurrection, but there are many more reasons. The Bible is filled with promises from God that hinge on the resurrection of Christ.

John 11:25-26(ESV) 

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

So, in honor of the Lord Jesus, I want to focus this post on Him and the Easter celebration. Even if you aren't a Christian, keep an open mind and read on. God may have a reason for you reading this today, so stay put and see.

Quotes:

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time." 

-Martin Luther 

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there." 

-Clarence W. Hall 

"Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life."

-Ravi Zacharias 

"The happy ending of the Resurrection is so enormous that it swallows up even the sorrow of the Cross." 

-Timothy Keller  

Poems:

"An Easter Carol"

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;

Death is strong, but Life is stronger;

Stronger than the dark, the light;

Stronger than the wrong, the right... 

-Phillips Brooks 

"Easter" 

Most glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day,

Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin;

And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away

Captivity thence captive, us to win:

This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin;

And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye,

Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin,

May live for ever in felicity!

And that Thy love we weighing worthily,

May likewise love Thee for the same againe;

And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,

With love may one another entertayne!

So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought,

Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

- Edmund Spenser 

"O Savior"

O Savior, Divine God takes on flesh,

A plan from the beginning, prophesied Christ,

O Savior, such sorrow brought great sweat drops of Blood,

A prayer Not my Will, but Thine be done,

O Savior, what Passion for Thy Glory and Thy Sheep,

Whipped, beaten, pierced through Thy hands and Thy feet, 

A crown of thorns, a Cross of death, carried to Calvary,

O Savior, lifted up like the serpent of old,

Look to Me and be saved, You say, a Grace more precious than gold,

What Mercy, what Love, too amazing to comprehend,

O Savior, Your Blood poured out, Your life given, my sins forgiven, You bore them all on the Cross,

From the Father separated, the price of sin owed, the price of sin paid,

You cried out "It is finished" and the Victory was won,

O Savior, the Veil was from top to bottom torn, 

O Savior, my Mediator, to the Father I come.

Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit, Amen,

O Savior, my Savior, the Victory won.

-Sandy Kay Slawson

Favorite Easter Songs:

"Because He Lives"

"How Deep The Father's Love For Us" 

"In Christ Alone" 

Short Gospel Message:

 "The Goal of the Gospel" - John Piper

"What is the Gospel" - Dr. Ravi Zacharias

I hope you have a Happy Easter, but most of all, I hope you will think about the reason we are celebrating. Bunnies, Easter egg hunts, candy filled baskets are all fun, but if that's all Easter is to you, then you are missing out on the greatest joy of Easter. May God bless you and your family this Easter with true joy that can only be found in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Housekeeping:
The next couple of Monday's I will be taking an Easter blogging break, not to mention it is Camp NaNoWriMo month and so far I haven't made much progress. Last week I had appointments and obligations every day, so I really need time to focus on my writing/editing AND there is still my proposals to finish. I won't be able to relax and enjoy my editing and writing until I get those sent in. So, I'll plan to put out another blog on Monday the 29th. Take care and don't forget to subscribe and join my email list, so you don't miss out.

**I have chosen the book for my May Read&Review, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. If you want to get a head start, you can follow this link. 

Fiction Proposal Lessons

Good morning and happy Monday! I'm so glad you made the trip over to my blog. Welcome to any new visitors today. Remember everyone, I NEED for you to subscribe to my blog AND email list, if you read last week's blog, you know why. 

Last week I told you, I hoped to get my proposal out by the end of March. That didn't happen. I went to the website of one of the Literary Agents, that I plan to submit my proposal to and found that there are still a couple things I need to get together. I don't think it will take long to do, but there is one thing that will slow me down most. I need a professional head shot to send in with my proposal. I hope to go get that taken this week, but I am not sure how soon I will be able to get the picture to submit it. So, I am disappointed about this delay, but it shouldn't be too bad. 

                                    

What is a Fiction Proposal? 

Good question... 

"A book proposal helps an agent or an editor learn more about an author than a two-sentence bio. It gives them insight into marketing opportunities. And it provides a snapshot of the project that saves hours of work when someone preparing to evaluate a project for potential representation or publication."-Jillian Bergsma Manning a contributing editor for Independent Publisher. 

The Hartline Agency website says:

"We evaluate a proposal almost as closely as we do the writing to see if it gives us all the information we need to effectively represent a project." 

You can probably see, why I am trying so hard to do this proposal right. I don't want my work to be rejected, because I sent in a sub par proposal. 





What should a Fiction Proposal include? 

According to some leading Christian Literary Agent sites, the following may or may not be required in your fiction proposal depending on the agency. So, if you are also preparing a proposal, make sure you check the relevant agency website to make sure you are sending what they want.

• Cover Letter                     
• First 3 Chapters
• Promo Sentence
• Sales Handles
• Back Cover Copy
• One Page Sell Sheet
• Biographical Sketch
• Story Synopsis
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Strategies 
• History of Manuscript

The Steve Laube Agency also suggests answering the following questions:

"In a single sentence, state your purpose for writing this novel. Why did you write (are you writing) this story? What are you trying to prove about life with this story?

Describe your protagonist’s quest. What does he want or need? What is his goal? For what does he yearn?

What is at stake in this story? If your protagonist doesn’t attain his goal, so what? Why does it matter and why should the reader care? What are the consequences?

What is the “takeaway value” of the story. How will the reader be changed for having read it?"

One thing I have realized, is that instead of making one proposal and sending it out to the three places, I will need to tailor each one according to the agency's particular requirements. 😰 When I get one done, though, I plan to send it out and then others can follow as they get done. 

Last Weekend:

I have to admit that this last weekend I didn't work at all. My husband and I needed some quality family time. We missed our kids and grandkids. So, we took the weekend off to have some fun with family. Here are a few snapshots from our weekend...

It was a great weekend and much needed time with my kids and grandkids. I am ready now to tackle this proposal challenge and the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge. Thanks again for stopping by! Don't forget, Subscribes, Shares, Likes, Comments, Joining my Email lists...will all help me to reach my dream of becoming a published author and I appreciate all of your help. May God bless you and your family as you try to live the life He created you for.

In Christ,
Sandy