Tales from a Family Trip (Part One)

A common habit nowadays is to "blog your trip." I've read some great tales of my friends' road trips, and I don't know how they did it along the way. So now that I've been home, settled, and started vacation withdrawal (and because I don't want to be left out), I'm going to blog about my trip after-the-fact. 

In the hopes of looking at something different than we're used to, we took a family trip to Colorado. I am the planner, and I had planned where we would stay, which would include three nights of "camping." (Meaning: I am not a camper; I only hoped I would become more of one in CO since there is a lack of humidity and mosquitoes; we would be in a cabin with beds; there would be showers nearby; it would save money). Still, I looked online to find "camping lists" so that we could pack properly. The lists I found out there were obviously written by people who planned to spend entire summers in an RV, with lots of little kids, who wanted to be outdoors and also cook a lot. Items like "potato peelers," "Dutch ovens," "musical instruments," and "sidewalk chalk" graced those lists. They also planned for a lot of accidents, because the list for the first aid kit was long enough to open a small emergency room. 
Scratch that list.
I made my own, and started packing a week beforehand. I felt a little like Kate Gosselin, which was weird since I only have two kids. Still, with a full-time job, I had reason to bark at everyone to quit laying around. "There are only six days left to pack!" We wanted to leave at 4 a.m., which is unheard of. "The entire truck has to be loaded and ready to go the night before!" I had to plan almost a week of meals, which was the worst part. I barely accomplish this at home. But we couldn't eat out every meal, and again, camping-- I wanted something other than hot dogs. 

Sunrise!

Anyway, we made it out of the house by 5 a.m. Still, an accomplishment. But wait, at the end of the street, we had to turn around for something. Heading out again, we made it to a gas station. While there, I realized I had left a bag of cash* at home. To my husband's credit, he did not kill me. So delaying us about 20 more minutes, we turned around for that. Finally, on the road to Kansas! That long, lovely state that lay between us and our mountainous destination. (*We do not normally have bags of cash at home. We had sold something on Craigslist and had saved the money for the trip. It was hidden. Too well). 

Art made from fossils

A week before, while looking for my book of Colorado state wildflowers, I came across a brochure advertising a museum in western Kansas. I whipped it out, and we made a stop at this Fick Fossil & History Museum in Oakley. I would highly recommend it to anyone. The massive amounts of fossils and bones, from the days when Kansas was under a giant sea, were found by locals who had donated them. Mrs. Fick created amazing folk art from thousands of shark teeth. (I imagine her sitting with Mr. Fick, saying, "Dear, what should we do with all these teeth?" "Why don't you make a mural of a shark? Or our nation's flag?" "That's a great idea. I'll get started right now.")

Shark teeth and fossils

U.S. Flag made with shark teeth

After picking out some cheap souvenirs (a shark tooth, postcards, and candy sticks), we climbed back into the truck. The battery was dead. This meant: my daughter was forced to play on the dinosaur playground equipment while we waited. (Not saying who forced her). I took pictures because my kids are almost past the playground age. And I had never seen a climbing apparatus like this. Fortunately, the truck battery soon revived itself, and we were on our way. We skipped the Prairie Dog Exhibit at the next exit.

We were almost to the edge of Kansas when we stopped at a little gas station. Inside, the clerk asked if we were heading west. We told him indeed we were. He said there were tornado warnings, and to be careful. He showed us the bright red radar on his little black box tv, we thanked him, then my daughter freaked out outside. ("Are we going in that direction??") Seriously, THANKS FOR THE WARNING, MISTER.

Not one to shy from warnings, my husband drove right on through. I kept an eagle eye on the clouds, sure a twister was going to drop any second. I know I saw swirling in the dust. I tried to keep a calm look on my face, but my exit plan was spinning through my head. Thankfully, we hit some rain, but the worst of it was always ahead and to the north. Once we got to Denver, we heard there had been a touchdown right by the airport. There were news crews right on the highway. Apparently, this was a big event. 

Nothing to fear here, right?

Did I mention we could see for MILES?

Just rain?

Sheets and sheets of rain?

What the Bill Paxton is that?

Low, angry clouds

Lord, please get us through this. . .

Ahh, blue skies again. 

The mountains were just ahead of us. On we drove.

The Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West & a Giveaway

Just like this book, I have gone missing from this blog. But I've hopped back in to recommend a fun thriller for your summer reading.

I came across this book when I was looking for ebooks to download one night. It's still 99 cents, so go snatch it up while you can!

Here's the blurb (and yes, the heroine's name is Jameson. . .Interesting!):

Jameson Quinn is sick of trying to find herself in the big city. After a gallery opening ends in a trip to the ER and an argument with her self-involved boyfriend, she decides to take off for the peace and quiet of a small town — Ruth Valley. The small town has everything Brooklyn lacked: simple people, peaceful surroundings, and a feeling of safety. Jameson even finds the perfect house to rent from the town’s most eligible bachelor, Sheriff Jack. Life is finally headed in a promising direction. But something isn't right. A young man is mysteriously injured, then disappears — and Jameson finds he isn't the only person to suddenly vanish. The suspicious behavior of an abrasive nun and a creepy priest set her off on an investigation of what's really happening. Will she figure out the secrets of Ruth Valley before she's the next to go missing?

Here's what I liked:
There was nothing distracting about the writing. 
The story kept me guessing until the end, although there were enough hints to make it satisfying.
The witty banter that goes on between Jameson and the "creepy priest" is great.
In fact, there is quite a bit of humor in the writing, which of course, I love.
Another strong, law-enforcing main character, Sheriff Jack.
I really couldn't put it down at night-- a hallmark of a great book, right?
It was not as dark as this cover makes it look, but it was just eerie enough to keep you reading.
For those who like a lighter romance, this is the book for you. It was definitely a side-plot, and there is nothing here that will make you cringe or hide it from your grandma. Not to spoil anything, but I liked how it all turned out!

You can find Amber West, the author, at her site www.withoutsushi.com or on Twitter (@amberwest). 

I'll give away two digital copies in a random drawing. Readers, tell me: What's been the best thing about your summer so far? 

In Need of a Good Wife & Giveaway with Kelly O'Connor McNees

I love discovering new authors. Kelly O'Connor McNees has made me a fan with her book In Need of a Good Wife. The title and the cover pretty reveal that this is going to be a book about mail-order brides (of which I am very fond). The twist on the plot, though, is that Clara Bixby is the woman who turns this marriage venture into a business. . .

"For Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order brides is a golden business opportunity-- and a desperately needed chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build an independent, new life away from her own loss and grief." 

The book is ultimately the story of Clara and two other women, all willing to take risks and start anew in the year 1866. McNees has a wonderful way with words, and I found myself taking notes on my favorite words and phrases. I enjoyed the little details, the characters, and the romance- which was not overdone and added to "sell" the story. The tension surprised me, and there were nights I could not put it down! The letters that go back and forth between the potential husbands and the New York women are so funny-- definitely a highlight for me.

Yes, I decided I needed to find out a little more about this author. Welcome to A Story Club, Kelly!the journey west is a struggle and the new life that waits for them in Nebraska is far from what they expected. These travelers soon learn that they must leave their pasts behind in order to lay claim to the women they want to become.
or Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order marriages is a golden opportunity—a chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build a new life away from her own loss and grief. Her ambitions are shared by a quiet Bavarian immigrant named Elsa, who hopes to escape servitude and make the most of her remaining years. And by Rowena, a once-wealthy widow who jumps at the chance to marry a humble stranger and repay a heartbreaking debt.

But the journey west is a struggle and the new life that waits for them in Nebraska is far from what they expected. These travelers soon learn that they must leave their pasts behind in order to lay claim to the women they want to become.

What has surprised you most about having a published novel?

Kelly O'Connor McNees (photo by Kate Emerson)

I'm still surprised that it happened! I really never dared to think it might. In some ways, getting published changes everything. Of course it is wonderful to get that validation from the world--a few people like the thing you made. But in other more important ways, it doesn't change much. It doesn't make the writing itself any easier. Each day you still have to sit down and type one word after another. You still feel all the same doubt and anxiety about how the novel is going.

Was there anything you learned from your first novel that helped you when writing the next?

I learned that outlining really helps me piece a first draft together. Somehow I had gotten the idea (maybe from creative writing classes) that outlining was cheating somehow. That if you were a real writer, the novel would just spill forth fully formed. Maybe that's how it works for some writers, but I found that a rough outline (which I was free to deviate from at any point) helped me get past that blank-page terror each morning: I knew what was coming next. 

Where and when do you write?

My most productive time of day is first thing in the morning, and the earlier I can get started, the better. I wrote my first novel between 5:30 and 8:30 am, before I went to work. I was a little more relaxed about the schedule for my second, sometimes writing in the afternoons when I had time. Then I had a baby. Needless to say, I now write whenever the hell I can! I almost always work in my little alcove office off our bedroom. I have a secondhand table that came from a school--it still has petrified gum stuck to the bottom. 

What are your dreams for the future?

Most of my dreams involve things I look forward to doing with my daughter, who is just ten months old. I can't wait to swim in Lake Michigan together. When I was pregnant I bought this beautiful illustrated edition of The Secret Garden. I can't wait to read that with her. When she's big enough to enjoy them, I look forward to going to the museums and out for her first grown-up lunch, to riding the train, going to the movies. Every fun "first" is ahead of her.

What have been the best books you've read lately?

Kelly's debut book- on my TBR list!

Stephen King says that if you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write. I really believe that. Reading is very important to me--it's why I started writing in the first place, because I love stories and language. I recently read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and loved it. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is wonderful. The Flight of Gemma Hardy was really good. Everything by Barbara Kingsolver and Alice Munro...

Three random facts about you?

I am from a huge family that includes about seventy first cousins, and endless stories.

If I could live anywhere, it would be northern Michigan.

I moved eight times in nine years before settling in Chicago, and I never want to move again!

What is your advice for aspiring authors?

Read, read, read, read.

Thank you, Kelly! Thank you to everyone for stopping by A Story Club today. Questions for readers: Do you have a favorite period in history? Or what do you like about mail-order bride stories? The author is generously giving away a signed copy of In Need of a Good Wife. It could be you! (Winner drawn randomly on 1/19. US only).
The winner is Hallie! Thank you to everyone who took time to read this interview, and to those who commented. 

Go visit Kelly and become a fan!

Website: www.kellyoconnormcnees.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyoconnormcnees

Twitter: @komcnees

Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner & a Giveaway

 Read an excerpt here!

Kaki's back! This time, with an e-novella just in time for the holidays. I can't wait to snuggle up with this book and a cup of tea. Cookies too. This e-book will be released on Dec. 11, but you can pre-order it now! Imagine, a Kaki Warner story sent straight to you on Dec. 11 without you lifting a finger! Oh, the technology!
Check out this blurb:

Amidst the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains in 1871, Daniel Hobart keeps to himself—a man with a hole in his heart that matches the scar on his face. But when Daniel starts having visions of a young girl crying out for help, he begins to fear that solitude may have caused him to lose his mind. Determined to find out the truth about the mysterious girl, Daniel travels into New Hope and learns that she’s the missing daughter of widow Lacy Ellis. 
After a year of heartbreak, Lacy isn’t sure what to make of Daniel’s claims of seeing her daughter. But when he sets out to find Hannah on his own, Lacy decides to join him, allowing herself one last chance to hope. And as they retrace the long-cold trail of Hannah’s disappearance, two broken people manage to take some small comfort in each other, and in the possibility of a miracle… 
So enticing! Naturally, I had to ask our author a few more questions. Welcome, Kaki! 

What exactly is a novella, and how was the writing process different for you?

A novella is a work of fiction that’s longer and more complex than a short story, and shorter than a full novel. It usually runs 15,000 to 40,000 words and often covers a shorter time span. Since most novels range from 80,000 to 130,000 words, you have to limit description, backstory, and long narration or introspection. You’ve probably heard how in a novel every scene must move the story forward? In a novella, every word must do that. You still have to introduce the setting and characters, establish a conflict, and build toward a crisis that leads to a climax and satisfying ending, but you have to do it by using fewer adjectives and adverbs, and with less extraneous dialogue and more precise description. Gads.

MIRACLE IN NEW HOPE came in just under 40,000 words, and it was a battle to keep it that short. In my full-length novels, I take a long time to develop the characters and relationships, and I also add a host of secondary characters—including the setting, which I think of as a character, too, but one that necessitates a lot of description. I had to pick my scenes carefully, make sure each drove the story where I wanted it to go, yet showed my characters in varied situations. Since MIRACLE is a Christmas novella, I also had to keep that foremost, too. Sound daunting?  It isn’t. Just start with a single event (in my case, an avalanche) and build the story from there. Try it. It’s fun.

Are there plans for more novellas?

I hope so. I had a great time writing MIRACLE. That’s not to say it was easy—it still had to have all the elements needed to create a good story and compelling characters—but it was a nice break for me, and certainly taught me discipline. But right now I’m contracted for three more Heartbreak Creek novels, and a short story for an anthology, so I’m pretty busy. That said, I’ve long thought it would be great fun to go back for a Christmas visit with the Wilkins clan. We’ll see.

Which characters or scenes did you particularly enjoy writing in this new story?

I love these characters, especially Daniel, the hero. Here’s a man who has lost everything—his family, his looks, his purpose. He’s content to live the rest of his life as a recluse, making furniture for rich folks, and talking with his loyal companions, a hound and an escape-artist horse. Don’t worry. They don’t talk back. Not really. Yet Daniel hasn’t let bitterness or loss rob him of his sense of humor and determination to do what he thinks is right, which is what leads him on a desperate search for a child lost in the Colorado Rockies. Sounds like a downer, doesn’t it—a scarred man, a grieving mother, and child who was presumed dead a year ago? But it’s not. It’s about hope, second chances, and the courage to believe in the impossible. I guarantee a tear and a giggle.

Do many of your real-life experiences find their way into your books?

Some. I’ve never been in an avalanche or tunnel explosion, thank God, but I have been within coughing distance of a forest fire, raised horses, children, dogs, lived in snowy mountains, chased cattle, watched loved ones die, and laughed a lot. But the drama and angst you find in a romance novel? Not really. I’ve had a charmed life. So I guess it’s a good thing I have a vivid imagination, right?

If you had to write a book in a completely different genre or set in a different part of the world, what would you write?

Since the settings in my books are like secondary characters, I’m reluctant to write about places I’ve never been. The American west is where my heart and imagination reside, even though I’ve lived in cities (under duress). So I’m content to write about what’s most familiar. Yet I’ve also thought it would be fun to use the historical west as a setting, but add a touch of the paranormal to it. MIRACLE has a tiny element of that in the psychic connection between Daniel and the lost child. But I’ve left it to the reader to decide if it’s something paranormal, or miraculous, or simple faith and hope at work. And no matter what my sissy daughter says, it’s not creepy.

How will you be spending your holidays? 

Lucky me! A road trip to Texas and a long visit with the prince. Oh yeah, and his parents, too.  A hot, snow-less Christmas. What a treat. No, really. We’re looking forward to it. Beats sliding around on icy roads and having to plow our steep, quarter-mile driveway all the time (or so my husband says). But we’ll sure miss the princesses, who live up here. Oh yeah, and their parents.

Readers, we would like to know how YOU will be spending your holidays? What do you have planned? Whom will you see? Two random winners will be selected on Dec. 9 to receive Miracle in New Hope for your e-reader. Please include your e-mail.

(Don't forget: if you don't have an e-reader, you can still download the free app for reading on your phone or PC.)  Congratulations to winners, Christi and Kim! Thank you to all who commented. 

Thankful For You & a Giveaway

I am so thankful this year for friends and readers who have taken a minute out of their day to support A Story Club! I started this blog as a way to share the great books I've read, with a few writerly thoughts along the way, and I still strive to do just that. I've even had some gracious authors give of their time and resources, answering questions and offering advice. Each of those interviews has meant so much to me.

Your comments and thoughts have blessed me, your love for reading has encouraged me, and your interest in my writing has motivated me. 

Never fear, the year is not over and I have some great interviews still in store. . .stay tuned! Subscribe by e-mail so you'll never miss a post-- or go like my Writer Facebook page, where I always announce my newest post. My page focuses on writing, reading, and fabulous authors I want you to know about, plus a few silly comments thrown in now and then. I would love to chat with you there!


As a way of saying 'thank you,' I would like to give away a collection of a few of my favorite Trader Joe's products. These will be hand-selected and shipped to one commenter (U.S. only). I'm just telling you, you'll like this-- I think I have good taste. And it's a unique, great store. 

So I would like to know: What is the best book you have read this year? What makes it the best? 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
(Random drawing held on Nov. 28- please put your e-mail in your comment!)

The winner is. . .eyeballlucy! Congrats and thank you to all who gave great recommendations!

Minecrafting a Story: A Ten-Year-Old Writer Shares Advice

In his Free Writing time at school, my son has been crafting a story which has caused quite a stir around the fifth grade classroom.

He agreed to an interview for A Story Club. Maybe we can all get a glimpse into the creative mind of a ten-year-old. Welcome, Matthew!

So I hear you've been writing a story based on one of your favorite games, Minecraft. What exactly is this game, and why is it so popular?

Minecraft is a game about placing, destroying, and mining blocks. The goal is to mine diamonds, which are found in caves. They're very rare. Once you get them, you can make tools and armor. Then you have to kill Ender men and collect Ender pearls. You also have to go into the Nether, kill Blazes, get Blaze powder, and then craft Eye of Ender. Then you release them into the air and follow them to the stronghold. You go through the portal into the end, and fight the Ender dragon. 

Then there is also a free-play mode, where you have unlimited resources and unlimited health.

How is your story based on the game?

My story is the journal of a guy who appeared in a Minecraft world and had to survive. He invited his friends in. There is an evil guy named Herobrine, and he is trying to steal their stuff. They have to kill him. 

What made you decide to write it as a journal?

It just sounded better.

I heard that when you traded stories at school, some kids did not want to give you your notebook back.

Yea, they didn't want to stop reading it, and they were begging me to write more.

Do you think that people need to know about Minecraft in order to enjoy the story?

No, some kids did not know anything about the game and they still understood the story. I think it would make a lot more sense if you did know the game.

How much have you written?

Part 1 is complete. I've started Part 2, and there is a sequel planned.

What is your advice for other young writers?

Write about what you really like, and it will turn into a good story.

We have an excerpt! Sit back and enjoy.

(From Minecraft. . .)

Day: 13

     I've been up all ni. . .*snore . . . . . . . . .Ugh, Ugh! was the sound I awoke to. It was Herobrine! He fell for my trap. I attacked him and Rueben came running. The next thing I knew Herobrine dropped the diamond sword and ran.

Day: 14

    I've been up all night partying. I still want to kill Herobrine. Rueben had a close encounter with a Creeper last night. It was about 11:00 p.m. and he was barking at me, so I figured he wanted to kill a sheep. I let him out. About 10-20 minutes later I started to get suspicious. I went outside to see what he was doing and this is what I saw: Rueben cornered by a Creeper. I attacked the Creeper and killed him. Rueben is grounded from sheep-killing now.

Day: 15

    Today was just a normal day. I did some mining and found some coal.

Day: 16

    Guess what?! I found out how to join a multiplayer server! I'm switching to a LAN world right now! Really *click* I think I will allow 1 person in for now. A message appeared on my screen-"JoeGuy61" appeared in your world! I think I'll send him my coordinates.

Well, there you have it! Very exciting stuff. I can see why the other kids were hooked. 

What do you love about young people's stories?

Story Tips from Vampires

It was a rare event. I was home alone on a Friday night, with the tv and Netflix to myself. Feeling the urge to get lost in something good, I happened across The Vampire Diaries. Hey, I thought, I'll just give it a try. I never did watch Twilight, and only read the first book. (Sorry, people!)  And just like that, I was hooked. By the way, there are articles out there contrasting TVD with Twilight, in case you're interested. They're quite different.

Now I have to admit that my book writing has been derailed by this drama. As soon as one episode ends on Netflix, the next one begins in 15 seconds. I have 15 seconds to listen to this eerie music and decide whether to close it or watch "just one more."

In order to justify this habit, I began to wonder what these vampires could teach me. What can I use in real life, other than knowing how to keep an original vampire dead? Surprisingly, I did find a few useful ideas.

To begin with: Every episode has a resolution of at least one problem, and then more mysteries open up. Every episode also moves the plot forward. Each one is building up to the next, which are all building up to some end. In book chapters, we need to build and keep the suspense running. Resolving now and then, to satisfy the reader-- but then starve them again to keep pages turning.

There are two vampire brothers, one "good" and one "evil." Except that later, the bad one turns good, and the good one turns bad (or does he?) The bad one begins to show a lot of "boy scout" moments that make you really like him. Plus, he's laugh-out-loud funny. We need characters like this- with faults, but boy scout actions. Make us laugh. Show a little vulnerability. It wins us over.

Klaus is the name of the villain who causes shivers. I absolutely hate him. So I studied him to figure out why. First of all, he's done BAD things like kill off almost all of his family. Secondly, he's selfish. He's bent on breaking this curse that will hurt a lot of people in the process, but will give him a ton of power. Third, he's already very powerful physically, and not much can defeat him. And last-- this is the part I can really use-- he's unpredictable. Which makes him very, very scary. You just can't tell what he'll do. However, I've now seen a tiny glimpse into his loneliness and disappointment when his plan doesn't work. So, he's vulnerable too. But this is just a ploy to see inside his bad deed-doing, and make him more three-dimensional. It's not working, Klaus. I still despise you.

The heroine is strong-willed, independent, and a little stubborn. But she's brave, and a good friend, even willing to die for those she loves.

The hero is brooding, moody (hey, he's a vampire), and self-sacrificing. He has values and lives by them. And he looks into his heroine's eyes and LISTENS to her. Sigh.

source: freepixels.com

All the supporting characters are really well-developed and have their own plot-lines and issues going on. There isn't really one of them I dislike-- they're all interesting.

Sometimes people and vampires die. But then again, in this show, sometimes they can come back. I guess in writing, you have to keep it real if you're not writing fantasy, but you can still draw on those emotions.

The setting is pretty cool-- Mystic Falls, a small town in Virginia. The town has a historical society, with "founding families" who are on a council. They're constantly throwing "Founder's Day" parties and all-school car washes, and "Miss Mystic Falls" pageants, and masquerade balls, and campfire nights, and a myriad of other community events where everyone participates. A little too ideal, but it gives great opportunities for Very Mysterious Things to happen. What opportunities can we create for our characters?

source: freepixels.com

Finally, I like the historical flashbacks. These vamps have lived a LONG time. We don't get the backstory except in bits and pieces here and there, as the characters reveal them. This should be obvious in writing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must watch Season 3, Episode 4 before the sunrise.

Any other fans out there? They're just about to start Season 4 on tv, so pretty soon, I'll be out of episodes to watch. That's probably good news for my novel.