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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Book Launch Today on Amazon - FIT FOR FAITH, by Kimberley. Payne

BLOG ANNOUNCEMENT



Kimberley Payne, author and speaker, is launching her book Fit for Faith - 7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical health on
 

Tuesday, October 11th at Amazon.com.  You can help Kimberley achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at Amazon.com TODAY!

About the book

This book unites physical health and spiritual health through a 7-week program to lose weight and develop a deeper relationship with God. It is a reference on cardiovascular exercise, strength training, prayer, healthy eating, Bible study, flexibility exercise and journal writing.

About the Author



Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker and author. Her writings relate raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Through her work, Kimberley hopes to inspire women to live happier, healthier lives that glorify God. Kimberley is a former personal trainer and has worked in the designing and counseling fields of weight control, stress management, self esteem improvement and wellness programs. She enjoys recreational activities with her husband and two children near Peterborough, Ontario. You can visit her website at www.kimberleypayne.com


Bonus!
Buy Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical on Tuesday, October 11th and receive loads of FREE gifts from many generous supporters.

Sample chapters, Bible studies, short stories, and children’s books from acclaimed, best selling and debut Christian authors.

All if you buy your copy of Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical health  at Amazon.com on October 11th 2011! 

These free gifts are valid on Tuesday, October 11th  only.


Disclaimer
This Best Seller book launch has been coordinated with the help of the John 3:16 Marketing Network and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the Internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, Amazon.com 



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Book Launch of Fit For Faith, by Kimberley Payne


Tuesday, October 11, ONE DAY  ONLY! Get FREE gifts when you buy Kimberley Payne's e-book, Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical health. For details see: http://kimberleypayne.wordpress.com




Speaking by Kimberley Payne
Email: withinreach@nexicom.net                   Website: www.kimberleypayne.com
Kimberley has taught workshops in a variety of settings including churches, women's retreats, writers' conferences, and Women Alive conferences. Kimberley's energetic and enthusiastic presentations motivate individuals to reach their goals.
Fit for Prayer
Learn how to fit prayer and physical activity into your daily routine
This workshop unites physical health and spiritual health to lose weight and develop a deeper relationship with God. In this highly interactive session, you will gain insight into how to incorporate prayer and fitness into your daily round.
Food for thought
Find out how to nourish your body and spirit through healthy eating and Bible study
Just as eating healthy foods nourishes your body, Bible study nourishes your spirit. You will learn practical suggestions and scriptural guidance to achieve your goals. Feel the joy of a healthier and more spiritually fit life.
Flex your Spirit
Discover a new way to express yourself with God through journal writing and stretching
Taking care of yourself physically is one way to honor God with your body. Your thoughts and emotions directly influence your physical health. Learn how to recharge your physical and emotional health through stretching activities for your body and spirit.
List of clients:
  • Authentic Women of Canada (AWOC), Burlington
  • Baptist Church, Peterborough
  • Calvary Pentecostal Church, Peterborough
  • Christian Reform Church, Orillia
  • Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, Port Perry
  • Fellowship Baptist Church, Cobourg
  • First Baptist Church, Brampton
  • Good Words, Toronto
  • Lakeshore St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Tecumseh
  • Millbrook Christian Assembly, Millbrook
  • Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), Ottawa
  • St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, King City
  • The Word Guild, Guelph and Toronto
  • Women Alive, Peterborough and Toronto
Custom presentations are available.
Endorsements

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tillson author parents with help from God

I just wanted to share this link with all of you as it was a major breakthrough to get this published in a secular paper here in New York. Tillson author parents with help from God...Now that's quite the headline!Praying for all your launches...Anita Estes

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Book Launch for The Book of Ruth A Story of Love and Redemption

I want to invite you to be a partner in my Book Launch:
The Book of Ruth A Story of Love and Redemption
It is a Daily-Bible-Reading Study of The Book of Ruth from the Bible.
It is an E-Book. I am self-publishing it through Christian Daily Resources. 

The launch date is November 15th.
There will also be a Book Showcase November 10-14.
Mark your calendars

I will appreciate anything you can do to help with this launch.

Some of the things you might do to help.
Do a post on your site about the Book Launch
Donate a gift or e-gift as a giveaway the day of the launch.
Post messages on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or
any other social network you are affiliated with.
Send out a message to your email list.
Tell your friends and family about my book.

You may ask what is in it for you.
I have many friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-In.
You will get a lot of exposure.
I will also be happy to send any of you a pdf copy that requests it of my book, The Book of Ruth A Story of Love and Redemption.

The mission of this book is “Sharing God’s Word” with the world. I have friends all over the world, some in foreign countries, who are in areas where the word is not freely available as it is here. My desire is to get His word out. I will be an honor if you will commit to join me with this task. If you are interested in partnering with me please send me a message and let me know how you can help. Thank you so much!

May God bless you all!

Deborah H. Bateman
http://www.deborahhbateman.com 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

New Christian Bookstore Open for Submissions

The New Christian Books Online Store is accepting submissions, enabling you to expand into a new sales venue in advance of the holiday buying season. The shop, run in affiliation with the John 3:16 Author Marketing Network, is managed by Author Marketing Network member Cheryl Rogers.

"It is my goal to make this a very large store where the authors and publishers of kingdom-building books can sell their books," says Cheryl, who also publishes the New Christian Books Online Magazine.

New Christian Books gives authors a unique opportunity to both publicize and sell their books on one site. Authors register for free and can submit pre- and post-release book announcements, plus excerpts. Books can be sold directly in the New Christian Books Online Store and through links to online booksellers Amazon and Smashwords.com. Authors can keep their names in front of readers by taking advantage of all three posting opportunities, commenting on other posts, and selling their book in the store.

The magazine was launched last March to accommodate reciprocal blogging agreements with fellow John 3:16 Author Marketing Network members. "My original blog started in 2007 was strictly focused on Bible-based living tips to support my devotions book, Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook," explains Cheryl. "The new magazine includes the Bible blog but also allows me to host blog tours, write about the exploding ebook industry, and share author marketing news."

Posts and products must be approved prior to becoming live. The site is run as a service to the Christian reading and writing communities and will generate revenues through book sales, advertising and potential optional services.

"It is my goal to provide a place where authors with a God-given message can get help publicizing and selling their book, for free," Cheryl explains. "I'm not a fan of book launches, so this is how I have chosen to offer help to fellow authors."

Here are some important things you should know if you want to sell your books in the New Christian Books Online Store:

* You can sell both print and digital books. YOU will be shipping the print books, so you must be available and able to ship when an order is placed. This avoids duplicating shipping charges and handling fees, keeps customer costs down and maximizes the amount you can collect from every sale. Digital books will be available for instant, secure downloading once payment has been made.

* You receive 65 percent of the sales revenue on your book, unless you refer that customer to the store. If you so you will receive an additional 15 percent, or a total of 80 percent.

* You must have the rights to enter into sales agreements before submitting your book. If you have relinquished this right to your publisher, you may want to send them to New Christian Books to submit the book for you. Or perhaps they will consider giving you rights to handle this store agreement since you are a network member.

* The store is set up in self-serve format, but there are instructions available after you register and log in. It uses Wordpress, so posting and product submission follows the basic blogging format.

* Sales are generated through an affiliate program, basically an online sales force who uses New Christian Book-provided sales banners and links to advertise the store through their websites and other means. You need to sign up for the affiliate program to collect your royalties and that means you will have access to the sales tools. You are not required to sell, but it would be great if you did.

"It is my belief that if everyone did just a little bit, posted a couple of banners, we would be able to create a substantial interest in this store," Cheryl says. "This should provide a new sales venue for Christian authors currently shut out of other stores because of unattractive consignment and return agreements, upfront costs, and monthly fees."

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A Summer in Oakville, New Book, Launch Tuesday, September 20!

John 316 Banner
September 20, 2011
Press Release for the John 3:16 Marketing Network
For Immediate Release
John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch
Tuesday, September 27,  2011
Amazon
24 hours ONLY
Free e-gifts with purchase on launch day   
A Summer in Oakville
by
Lisa Lickel and Shellie Neumeier

A Summer in Oakville 
Set in Wisconsin, A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is the story of a family reuniting to save the rural life they once cherished. One magical summer in fictional Oakville, Wisconsin, love finds its way through four entwined lives. Tessa's marriage hangs by a thread; her daughter, Lindsay, takes on the local town board and the developer who threatens to steal not only the farm but her heart. Tessa's widowed brother Art hasn't been home in twenty years; how can he send his out-of-control teenage son, Andy, to his aging parents?

"We set out to tell the story of the changing landscape in rural Wisconsin," Lickel says. "We wanted to try something unique while using our individual strengths as authors. Shellie writes fiction for young adults, and I write older characters."

"Our family, the Hasmers, could be anyone," Neumeier says. "They want to keep their heritage, while at the same time they struggle with the changing times. It's hard to make a living on a family-sized farm, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions."

      "In our story, the adult siblings, Tessa and Art, have their own problems but come together in order to help their parents and their children," Lickel adds.

      "Their children, Lindsay and Andy, are good kids who are also victims of the tough economic times and peer pressure today. But they have good hearts and learn from their grandparents' and parent's good family and faith values," Neumeier says.


Black Lyon Publishing, LLC is an independently owned Oregon-based publishing house producing fiction titles in trade paperback and e-book formats, and the only Romance Writers of America recognized publisher in the state. Black Lyon titles are available at BlackLyonPublishing.com, local bookstores and most major online retailers.




Lisa and Shelley


Shellie Neumeier 

Best-selling author Shellie Neumeier holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a minor in Psychology, Sociology and Social Studies. A devoted mother of four, Shellie previously worked on staff with Northbrook Church as the King's Kids ministry assistant (serving children in grades 2nd through 5th). She is an active member of SCBWI and ACFW as well as a contributing author for various blogs.

Lisa Lickel

Multi-published author Lisa J. Lickel also enjoys writing and performing radio theater, short story-writing, and is an avid book reviewer and blogger. She enjoys teaching writing workshops and working with new writers. She is the editor of both Wisconsin Writers Association's Creative Wisconsin magazine and Written World Communication's OtherSheep Magazine. She lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house in Wisconsin filled with books and dragons. Married to a high school biology teacher, she enjoys travel and quilting.




 Check out A Summer in Oakville Facebook fan page: Click Here

What Others Are Saying

"A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a cleverly-composed novel that addresses issues from the past, affecting four characters' present-day lives. Shellie Neumeier and Lisa Lickel are a dynamic writing duo!"
Andrea Boeshaar, author of Seasons of Redemption

"Like quills of bittersweet devotion that pierce the heart, yet warm with the matchless comfort of forgiveness-A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a beautifully woven series of unforgettable novellas." Tessa Stockton, author of The Unforgivable

"Four sweet novellas combine to tell the charming story of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE in Oakville. Saving your heritage, forgiving the past, and uncovering years of family secrets are weaved through four very different romances to create a delightful read that I looked forward to coming back to each day. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy."
Cherie Burbach, author of Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza and Working Writers

"You'll be hooked from the first page of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE. This novel grabs the senses and doesn't let go."
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning novelist and poet  

Instructor for the renowned UCLA Extension Writers' Program
Author of the multi award-winning series of HowToDoItFrugally books:
The Frugal Book Promoter
The Frugal Editor
The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Great Little Last-Minute Edits  

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sell More Books!: Book Marketing and Publishing for Low Profile and Debut Authors





It’s All in the Name


Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts


When I read the title, Sell More Books! I couldn’t imagine anything that would help ME to sell more books.  After all, I had done nearly everything that had been suggested by marketing gurus and experts. What else was there that I hadn’t already tried?


Originally my marketing plan consisted of a little bit of this and a little bit of that, hoping something might work. I was so afraid that if I didn’t try everything, the one thing I didn’t do would be the difference maker. Why I took this approach, I don’t know, except to acknowledge that marketing is far more overwhelming and complicated than writing a book. 



Oftentimes we are bombarded with a zillion suggestions from well-meaning marketing folks, and being the newbie that I was, I tried most of them. What I found, however, is that many of those highly touted things didn’t work (and don’t work for most new or low-profile authors). Do you really need a publicist, for instance? What about all those press releases that cost a lot of money? And drawing up a marketing plan? What would that consist of, anyway? Sell More Books! will help.


Once I began reading Sell More Books! I realized what I needed were not new methods or ideas but a strategy to help me evaluate what I had already done. And Sell More Books! did not disappoint. I never thought about incorporating what had worked into a marketing plan that would fit my needs and budget into the future. I think it’s just human nature, like a cow, to think the grass on the other side of the fence is greener. Whatever we haven’t done is what we think we need to do because somebody somewhere says so—and we think they know more than we do.

Sell More Books! made me realize I was not alone, but by following some common sense, inexpensive suggestions, I could resurrect my lagging sales and achieve better results. Simply put, I needed to look at those things that had worked and continue to pursue them. And lastly, but also very important, I was challenged not to sit on those ideas but to put them to good use. When you become discouraged, oftentimes the hardest part is just getting started again. And because Sell More Books! helped me to see the mistakes I had made, I felt I could trust Steve Miller on other aspects of marketing I wasn’t as sure about.


Not everybody sells tons of books from TV and radio appearances—really? I thought I was the only one. What worked for me, I found myself asking? What about all of those wonderful book reviews I have posted on Amazon and other websites? Why not get some more? After all, you can’t have too many.


These are just two ways to market out of dozens outlined in Sell More Books. The suggestions run the gamut for every type of book in print and every type of person. Yes, we are all different. Go with what works for you and throw out the rest. Don’t feel like your book is a failure if something worked for someone else but doesn’t work for you.


In addition, Steve Miller shares many stories from authors he has talked to first-hand regarding marketing—and has concluded, as I did, that many things are a waste of money. I wish I had read Sell More Books two years ago. I could have made better choices in marketing Children of Dreams, saving myself a lot of time, money, and discouragement.


Sell More Books is the best marketing book I have read. Buy yours today and don’t repeat the mistakes others have made. You will be encouraged to keep on keeping on in the difficult world of marketing.


Saturday, September 10, 2011

Fit for Faith - 7 Weeks to Improved Spiritual & Physical Health

John 316 Banner
September 7, 2011
Press Release for the John 3:16 Marketing Network
For Immediate Release
John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Amazon
24 hours ONLY
Free e-gifts with purchase on launch day

Fit for Faith - 7 weeks to Improved Spiritual & Physical Health
by Kimberley J. Payne
Fit for Faith

Do you want to feel better?

This book is for every person who wants a balanced approach to health and weight  loss
while improving his or her spiritual walk with God.


  
You will discover how easy it is to:

Become more physically active
Use the clear advice on goal-planning and exercise guidelines to set up a program for active living.  Apply the plan to your health through a home fitness test and three easy-to-follow strength training programs. 

Improve your prayer life.
Learn the basics to get you started. Follow simple steps to an active prayer life.

Make healthy eating a habit
Learn the secrets of eating well. Discover nutrition guidelines and hands-on, action-oriented strategies.

Read and study the Bible
Rely more on God to help you make changes in your lifestyle.  Learn simple Bible study strategies to apply to your day.

Stretch your body
Find out about proper flexibility exercises and tips on stretching.  Then apply them to your daily health routine.

Write a journal entry
Discover a new way to express yourself and communicate with God on a more intimate level. 

Dispel common myths
Learn the facts surrounding more than 40 health and fitness myths.

This program has shown people how to improve physical and spiritual health.
You can improve your health too!

This book unites physical health and spiritual health through a 7-week program for weight loss and to develop a deeper relationship with God. It is a reference on cardiovascular exercise, strength training, prayer, healthy eating, Bible study, flexibility exercise and journal writing.
    
What Others Are Saying
  
"If there are books you must have at all times, this is sure to be one of them, not as a casual read but as a guide to achieving spiritual and physical well being and a ready reckoner for maintenance at the end of the seven week programme. "
Y. P. Wright, Author

"Fit for Faith inspired me on many levels. I have incorporated many of Kim's practical suggestions into my own life routine. I especially liked the honesty of her faith in the "Reflection" portions. Her interactions with God are as natural as they are supernatural - very refreshing. This workbook is a great catalyst to recharging one's life."
Rev. R. Keyzers, Minister

"This program was not only a lot of fun, it was supportive and very well put together. This time I met my usual roadblocks with ease and satisfaction." J. Lancaster, Therapist

"In Fit for Faith, Kimberley Payne offered me no quick fixes or tricks for weight loss. Instead, this program caused me to consider my lifestyle and apply godly principles, nutritional wisdom and scriptural guidance to achieve my goals. Fit for Faith gave me the freedom to experience the joy of a healthier and more spiritually fit life."
G. Belec Freelance Writer, Children's Author & Private Tutor

"It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Kimberley's programs. Kimberley clearly demonstrated her skill in motivating people, encouraging participation and always leading by example. Kimberley has the ability to make fitness programs both fun and educational."
C. Wakeford, Owner Wakeford & Associates

"This program is so much more than just exercise. It's giving me the tools I need to enrich my life and my energy level."
M. Condon, Health Canada

"Most people come to lose weight, but they go away with so much more. It's a real ministry in people's lives."
N. Nelder, Pastor's wife

"I find that writing down how much and what exercise I am doing is helpful and motivating. It is helping me to be more conscious of what I am eating. I am also more conscious about asking God for strength and focus and this of course can only be good. I am seeing slow, small progress."
S. Stinson, participant  

  
  
           
Health/Diet/Christian Living
  
  
 
About the Author:                 

Kimberley J. Payne is a motivational speaker, writer and author. Through her work, Kimberley inspires people to live happier, healthier lives that glorify God. Kimberley is a former Certified Personal Trainer and has worked for 10 years counselling individuals on weight control, stress management, self-esteem improvement and overall wellness. She enjoys recreational activities with her husband and two children in Ontario, Canada.

Whether you are trying to lose weight or improve your spiritual life, you will refer to this program again and again. This book will empower you to be a healthier, happier you.


You can visit Kimberley's website at Kimberleypayne.com


 

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Testimonial From Janet Perez Eckles




Check out this very kind testimonial from Janet Perez Eckles and her successful Amazon Best Seller book launch. I saw her book reach as high as #274 in overall books (out of 8 million books that's not too shabby :)) @ approx. 10:30 p.m. PST on the evening of her launch. I am very proud of her and her creative work on this launch!

"We cheered, we were amazed when my book Simply Salsa reached #1 in the Spirituality category on Amazon.com. But the journey wasn't simple. We had to be on our knees, asking for prayer, direction as we sought the knowledge of those who had walked on that path before. That's when Scott Shafer came along. His expertise, his knowledge, amazing support, his detailed crafting of the landing page, his coaching and patience in addition to his prayers were tools that God used to bring such stunning success. Scott's genuine commitment to help is a gem for any author. Because he took care of the details, I was able to concentrate on other aspects of the launch. He was a valuable partner in the project, which merits the highest recommendations. More questions: Contact me: janet@simplysalsathebook.com"

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Book Launch for Letters to God: NOVEMBER 8th

I hope by now all of you know that I have postoponed the book launch for Letters to God, on a Prodigal Son to Nov. 8th. This was at the request of my new publisher. Please mark your calenders if you are going to participate. I emailed everyone a personal invitation this summer, except for a few new members.

Plese feel free to partcipate. November is going to a busy book launch month, so it would be wise to gear up now. I could still use a few more participants. Please leave your name in the comments below. Also, thank you for your prayers. Satan doesn't like that I'm exposing his tactics of addiction and my husband and I have been under attack. So once again remember TUES, NOVEMBER 8TH LETTERS TO GOD, ON A PRODIGAL SON BOOK LAUNCH.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta, a Book Review


by Lorilyn Roberts



Janet Eckles lost her eyesight at thirty, became the victim of an unfaithful husband, and endured the horrendous murder of her precious 19-year-old son. Who could endure all of that and not be bitter, angry, and hopeless? How could a loving God allow this to happen?

In Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta, Janet Eckles shares her very personal story and tackles these probing questions—and many more that we have all asked when going through unimaginable crises. With Biblical insight, rare sensitivity, appropriate humor and Latino wit, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta will help you to know God’s perfect love in the quagmire of tragic circumstances. 

Some of my favorite quotes included: 

“But amigas, joy has nothing to do with a trouble-free life. Joy has everything to do with the absence of fear.”

“In all areas of life, unfairness abounds. And justice may be blind. But injustice allows us to discover the beauty of forgiveness.”

“No amount of fear can increase our bank accounts, and no amount of losses can decrease God’s provision.”

“Those bumps aren’t all bad. If they jostle us, that means we’re moving ahead. And we’re not broken down on the side of the road of grief.”

“And with the same strength we use to remove the cheese stuck at the bottom of the tamale casserole, we must scrape away the “loves” that give us a false sense of purpose and satisfaction.”

Are you a woman who longs for a deeper relationship with God? Are you a desperate wife who has been spurned, suffering in silence, or groping through the nightmare of abandonment? Are you reeling from the bruises of broken dreams, shattered goals, financial ruin, or strained family relationships? Are you on the road of dead ends, confusion, and personal mistakes?  Have you dug your own grave of despair? Is hopelessness your middle name?

Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta will help you to learn the power of forgiveness and the secret to being made whole. Janet Eckles, through her physical blindness, has given those of us who see an uncanny spiritual vision into God’s redemptive love in a fallen world.


Saturday, July 16, 2011

John 3:16 Marketing Manual, How to Launch a Christian Best Seller Book


NOW AVAILABLE!




Get your copy of the John 3:16 Marketing Manual, How to Launch a Christian Best Seller Book, at this link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72306



You will need this book to tell you all about the concept, how the Network works, how to set up your forum settings, links to all parts of the Network, how to use Amazon to market your book, and how to launch a best-seller book.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Book Launch of Montezuma's Revenge by Linda Weaver Clark





In celebration of our country’s “Freedom” and my Official Book Launch for Montezuma Intrigue, I’m having a Book Give-Away from June 27 – July 7: Win a mystery/adventure novel with a touch of romance, at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/.


Adventure...Suspense...Romance...Intrigue...Humor! The search for Montezuma's treasure, mysterious events, family secrets, and a good-looking rogue!




When a leather parchment of Montezuma’s map is found in great-grandfather Evans’ old chest, April and the twins know this summer is going to be a memorable one. The girls want to search for it but their father is against it for some mysterious reason. With Julia’s help, she and the girls convince John to go on a treasure hunt. Is Montezuma’s treasure a legend or reality? Whatever the case, John insists on keeping their little treasure hunt a secret. If certain people find out about it, the family could be in danger.

But that’s not all! I have more gifts for you! I will be having a drawing for 2 children’s books: The Magic Word by Sherrill S. Cannon and The Donkey and the King by Lorilyn Roberts. If you have already bought Montezuma Intrigue, I will email you 4 free e-books (pdf):

1. The Treasure of Isian by Serena Clarke. This is a fantasy/adventure novel with a touch of romance. This story is full of intrigue as you watch Garin and Elani search for the treasure of Isian.

2. Reflections of the Heart, which has 13 chapters of inspirational writings such as: The secret of Happiness, Laughter is the Best Medicine, Parenthood – A Great Responsibility, Equal Partners in Marriage, and Music Soothes the Soul.

3. Writing Your Family Legacy, in which I teach you how to write your family history or autobiography. I travel all over the U.S., teaching this class.

4. The Donkey and the King by Lorilyn Roberts, a beautifully illustrated children’s book about a donkey named Baruch who longs for an easier life beyond the stable.

Friday, June 17, 2011

More Thoughts on Creative Writing - Freedom of Chaos

by Lorilyn Roberts
We want freedom in writing within a framework of orderliness. A house can have many different looks, but without a solid foundation, it won’t stand. I home school my younger daughter Joy and the first chapter in her English book is about how to construct a sentence. The topic is covered in detail, beginning with the definition


of a subject and a predicate.


The foundation of a good story must have good sentence structure. The sentences need to be woven together to form a well-written paragraph with a main idea. The paragraphs build over a page, and eventually the pages come together to make chapters. An entire book emerges from one sentence. But if you don’t have structure, usually built from the skeleton of good grammar and an outline, you will end up with chaos.


God is a God of order. But we don’t need to be legalistic or rigid. Once we understand structure, we have the freedom to build on that structure and create fabulous stories.

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Art of Conflict in Writing Conflict

 DSC00576.10.jpg
The Art of Conflict in Writing Conflict
By Lorilyn Roberts


I should be an expert in writing conflict. After all, I was on the debate team in high school, and a seventh grade boy wrote in my yearbook, "You would argue with a sign post if you could." I've had my share of personal conflict--family problems, ex-husband, relationship disappointments, and yes, my own report card of failures.

As if that wasn't enough, I've had a first-class seat to some of the most spectacular conflicts on the planet. I worked for twenty years as a court reporter. The adversarial nature of the job left me exhausted. I would sit at my stenograph machine for long hours each day, between attorneys and hostile witnesses, recording the barrage of questions about lost reputations, cheating husbands, financial ruin, and hearts broken--high-powered lawyers bent on winning at all cost.

Conflict raged within me as I hated being at the center of it all. The louder they argued, the more nervous I became. Please don't ask me to read this back. It's hard to write well when everyone is yelling at each other. If I could count the number of strokes hit on my stenograph machine, the amount would not be measurable. Conflict abounds and sometimes borders on murder in a courtroom, where truth isn't always the ultimate goal. Because experience and memories shape our worldview, to this day I cringe at the thought of going back to that life--please God, never again. I don't want that conflict.

Today I work as a broadcast captioner for television and write as little news as possible. Very few upbeat stories get reported and I have grown weary of captioning sensational beats about kidnapped children, victims of abuse, Washington bureaucracy, and a world at war--at the gas pump, in the Middle East, and a host of ideologies that scare me. I cherish my freedom and don't want it taken from me. (Yes, I do feel much of what I love about my country is eroding). But most of all, I hate captioning tragedies that could have been avoided. Life can be very depressing and steeped in conflict.

As much as I hate conflict, as an author, how do I use it in fiction? Or do I even want to create painful conflict for my protagonist? Do I shy away from building a story that needs high-stakes conflict to create a fabulous, climatic ending? Or can I use conflict to remind me of a nobler purpose in God's eternal plan?

Put into the context of life, is there a reason behind the conflict which we encounter every single waking moment of our lives? Is it not the result of the stinking sin in myself and others? How do I resolve this paradox in my writing?

Fortunately, as writers, we have the freedom to go where our heart and art takes us. Unless I write poetry, however, I won't have a story without conflict. Acknowledging that the dénouement is what makes a story remarkable, I can set the scene for redemption before I begin the first page.

In the 1990's, Hollywood released a lot of box-office films that had downer endings; the bad guy won, the problem wasn't resolved the way I wanted, or the main character died. I quit going to the movies.

My mantra now is I refuse to write, read, or see movies where there is no redemption. If I feel stuck without a good moral choice in life, I will search for it. God can bring redemption out of the worst possible circumstance. There is good in the world if we look for it.

In writing a great book, there should be something in the dénouement that causes the reader to grapple with the story's action-idea. The unraveling of the conflict must result in a satisfying conclusion.  I don't want the reader to feel as though he has been cheated by mediocre creativity or immorality that wins.

While our stories imitate life, the climax needs to reach a higher level of "being." When I read a story, give me more. Give me excitement worth remembering, knowledge extraordinaire, and thought-provoking ideas. I want to relate to a protagonist that overcomes incredible odds and wins. Beauty, love, peace--we are not sufficiently redeemed to appreciate this trilogy of goodness in all its meaning, but because writing imitates life, we can catch glimpses of it in a redemptive ending.

As an author, my passion is to bring a "taste of heaven" to this earthly kingdom inhabited by kings and peasants, and all of us in between. That means what I write must linger. I must create meaningful connections in the reader's mind after his eyes have read the last page. I wield incredible power--to bless or curse. As a Christian, I want to captivate the reader with words that are uplifting, powerful, thought-provoking, and life-changing. That might seem impossible, but the greatest stories ever written have those qualities; unique characters engaged in mortal conflict, either internal, physical, or both.

I write where my heart takes me, digging into my past, and seeing what God stirs up from within. I write for myself first and then for others. It's up to each of us to decide how we use the "rules of writing," acknowledging that those words will live on long after we are gone--for good or evil. History is replete with both.

I can't dilute the plot to avoid conflict. I want redemption to reign supreme in the last chapter. I must weave the nature of fallen man into the story through conflict, knowing that I have the answers that a sinful world craves. I can do it subtly or not so subtly, but if I compromise on either, I will weaken the story that God has given me. Great conflict deserves great redemption.

How does conflict work in writing? The conflict must propel the story forward and relate in some way to the protagonist's nearly unreachable goal. There must be clear turning points (three-act structure works well), and there should be a main goal and at least one minor goal. Often the minor goal relates to character development (so the protagonist can reach his main goal).

With "up" endings, the protagonist wildly succeeds and goes through a metamorphosis in the process. He is not the same at the end as he was in the beginning. Despite his character flaws and numerous obstacles, he overcomes the odds and achieves his dream or even something better. Surprise endings are always the best

I have wondered if there is a higher standard for writing novels than the Aristotle tradition of dealing with conflict, but for a different reason. I want to write great stories in heaven, and in heaven, there is no conflict. What shall I write? Maybe I will become a poet. If you are one of those saints, pursue your calling with passion; keep writing those beautiful sonnets and songs. When my world becomes steeped in shadows, I turn to the Psalms and relish those soothing words of comfort and security.

In the Bible, Jesus knew the evil tentacles of life would strangle his listeners if they succumbed to their base nature, so he told amazing, redemptive stories, steeped in conflict, to reveal profound truths. If I follow that example, perhaps I can conquer my inner conflict of wanting to avoid conflict and write a great redemptive story--which must abound in conflict to end in perfect redemption. 

Saturday, June 4, 2011

An original skit encouraging youngsters to seek God and stay connected to his word is now available at New Christian Books Online Magazine. Called "I Can See God's Word," the skit is derived from the story of the name. It is intended to be used by church and youth groups.

"It is my desire to encourage young people to realize the importance of having a relationship with God," says author Cheryl Rogers. "This story is especially important because it teaches, in a fun way, that Jesus is the Word of God. And Jesus is our Savior. So we need to spend time with him reading and studying his Word."

"I Can See God's Word" is about a young man named Jake who is discovered cheating at school. In the ensuing crisis, Jake pulls out the old worn Bible left to him by his grandpa five years ago. Jake learns the importance of studying the Bible and helping God to help us change.

The skit can be performed with a cast of seven, four chairs, a Bible and a math book, if available. Two roles are non-speaking, another - the grandpa - speaks from behind stage in an old man's voice. The target audience is middle through high schoolers who are to be encouraged to seek God and get serious about their relationship with him.

The skit was adapted from the story "I Can See God's Word," which is part of Cheryl's new book, the I Can See Christian Storybook Treasury. This unique book contains a collection of stories targeting toddlers through teens. Each story deals with the increasingly complex issues of faith that arise as a child grows.

The skit is available for free at http://www.songsfromtheword.com/NewChristianBooks/?p=1518