Strong and Courageous: Am I Good Enough to Write This Story? by Marie Wells Coutu

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Creating Characters, Creativity, Marie Wells Coutu, Sandra Ardoin, Strong and Courageous, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Today, Marie Coutu shares the fear writing can instill when we choose to do something different with our stories. Welcome, Marie!

Am I Good Enough to Write This Story?

I have a great idea for a novel. Or is it?

While trying to come up with an idea for a third novel in the historical series I’m working on, I thought of a possible plot. Then I envisioned a heroine who holds the key to resolving the hero’s troubles. She saw something, but she won’t say anything. Why not?

What if she is mute?

The idea seemed so good, I had to get up and write it down. (Some of my best ideas come when I’m in bed trying to fall asleep. Good for my writing, but not so good for my sleep patterns.)

Fast forward a day. The next night, as I lay awake, I realized how hard it might be to write a heroine who can’t talk. Especially in a romance. I mean, you can’t have juicy dialogue if one of your main characters doesn’t speak. So much for having your best parts of the story “between the quotes.”

Other writers have published successful novels with mute characters. Ginny Yttrup’s fabulous Words features a young girl who doesn’t talk. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin includes a small boy who remains silent, and the other characters don’t know if he can’t or simply won’t speak. And apparently The Stand by Steven King has a mute character. (I don’t read horror, so I’m going on what I found online.)

Those authors, however, already excel at the craft and in sales. I have only three published novels and this would be only my sixth full-length book. (Actually, I just discovered Words was Yttrup’s debut novel. That’s reassuring.) But am I ready to tackle such a challenge, to include a handicapped character as my heroine?

Writing is all about improving our craft, expanding our horizons, stretching ourselves. If this were my first novel, I could make the attempt, then discard the whole idea if I found I couldn’t do it justice. But I need to include blurbs for three books in the proposal I’ll be pitching in a few weeks. My critique partner likes this idea, and the character is beginning to come to life in my head. (She’s not talking to me yet, though.)

Will I let fear reign, decide I’m not good enough as a writer yet, and search my files and my brain for a different idea? Or should I rise to the challenge and tackle this story, stretching my ability as a novelist? Dare I claim the same promise David made to his son Solomon: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or terrified. The Lord God, my God, will be with you” (1 Chronicles 28:20, GW)?

If I can pull it off with excellence, with God’s help the story could be one of my best books yet.

I’d love to hear what readers of this post think.

******

Marie Wells Coutu began making up stories soon after she learned to talk. At age seven, she convinced neighborhood kids to perform a play she had written. A native of Hopkinsville, she received BA and MA degrees from Murray State University where she majored in journalism and drama. After a career working in journalism and public relations, she returned to her first love—writing fiction—at the age of fifty-five.

Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the 2016 Selah Awards Contest and a semi-finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards sponsored by Florida Writers Association. Her newest novel, The Secret Heart, from Write Integrity Press is set in Tennessee and Kentucky. An unpublished historical novel set near Golden Pond has been a finalist in five contests.

You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook page (Author Marie Wells Coutu), at her website (MarieWellsCoutu.com), or follow her on Twitter (@mwcoutu) or on Amazon.com.

Marie’s second book, Thirsting for More, which was a finalist in the 2016 Selah Awards, will be on sale for 99 cents April 15-21 (Kindle version). Check her website, MarieWellsCoutu.com, for more information.

 

 

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Book Review: Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington by Annette M. Irby

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Annette Irby, Book Reviews, Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island Washington, Sandra Ardoin

@SandraArdoin

Preorder on Amazon

Bainbridge Island is the second book by Annette M. Irby in the Finding Love on… series. Jenna-Shea Brown, its heroine,  is a character from the first book. Read my review for Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington here.

Shea Brown is a therapist who suffers from PTSD and, frankly, a mistrust of long-ago boyfriend, Liam Barrett. When circumstances throw them back together and they rediscover lost love, Liam distrusts his own ability to be reliable—a flaw he believes he inherited.

Shea is terrified that her new boss will find out how broken she is. After being frightened by a cockatiel while talking on the phone to her dad, Shea must get herself together:

She felt her blood pressure ease back toward normal. ‘It’s fine, Dad.’ Her voice shook. ‘Just a talkative bird.’

‘Well, good grief.’ You scared me there. He didn’t say it, but she heard the additional words in her mind. ‘Are you okay?’

Her breathing was still staggered on her long sigh, but yes. She’d be fine. ‘Better now. Thanks, Dad.’ No need to worry him. In truth, she’d need a good half hour to bring her heart rate all the way back to normal. With Dad on the phone at least she hadn’t dissociated this time. That was a victory.

Dad went quiet. The bird stayed where it was—perched on a skinny slab of wood that wouldn’t support her collection of fat candles. That mantel would have to go. Dad took a deep breath. “You’re still being triggered.”

She tried so hard to hide this broken part of herself.

The talkative bird belongs to Liam’s great aunt. Auntie Mat is a charmer with her theatrical gift for bursting into various accents on a moment’s notice and the way she dotes on Liam, treating the man she raised as if he were her own son. At one point, I found her laugh-out-loud funny. Except, Auntie Mat has a secret.

The story is peopled with numerous characters to grab the sympathy and caring of the reader. Besides the love story and Shea’s issue, a subplot involves Liam’s AWOL father, Jack, the man he hasn’t seen since he was a child—the man who now wants to make contact.

Then there’s Liam’s frenemy Burr. Dylan Burgess’s nickname fits as he’s like a sand burr in Liam’s shoe. But, oh my, his story really made me long for a happy life for him.

While I thought Shea’s mistrust of Liam’s reliability (and the reason for it) wasn’t as developed as it could have been, I didn’t find this book to be a sappy romance. It struck a chord of reality and moved at a good pace. Forgiveness and envy are major themes.

I’m giving the story 4.5 stars for the writing, the characterization, humor, and the genuineness of the relationships.

Do you have a favorite book set in a beach community?

April 2018 ACFW New Fiction Releases

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ACFW, Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, New Fiction Releases, Reading, Romantic Suspense, Sandra Ardoin, Young Adult

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

We have some lovely covers this month and lots of historicals. Yay!

Contemporary Romance:

Pelican Point by Irene Hannon — After inheriting a crumbling lighthouse, ex-Army doctor Ben Garrison wants to sell it. But Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber is determined to save the town landmark. Can these two romance-wary souls find a meeting of the minds…and hearts? (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing)

An Amish Heirloom by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, and Beth Wiseman — From bestselling Amish authors come four novellas about the meaning and tradition found behind every family heirloom. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Historical Romance:

This Wilderness Journey by Misty Beller — He’s been sent to retrieve the new missionary… But she’s not at all who he expects to find. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy — Deborah and her sister and two little children survive a wagon train massacre. Trace finds them and takes them home. He finds himself their accidental guardian. He must protect them all and gain justice. When he does, all these friendly visitors–especially Deborah–will leave him forever. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

First Love Forever Romance Collection by Susanne Dietze, Marcia Gruver, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancette Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad, Connie Stevens, Erica Vetsch, and Jennifer Uhlarik — Coming face to face with a lost love can be awkward when the heartstrings are still holding on to the “what ifs.” In settings from 1865 to 1910, nine couples are thrown back on the same path by life’s changes and challenges. Can love rekindle despite the separation of time and space? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

All Things Beautiful by Keely Brooke Keith — It’s 1868 in the settlement of Good Springs, and Hannah Vestal is passionate about writing fiction and keeping her stories to herself. When her father asks to read her work, she decides to have it printed secretly for his 50th birthday. Hannah tries to arrange the printing with the settlement’s pressman, but the witty and dapper Henry Roberts has better things to do with his ink. In order to secure settlement support for his printing press, the elder council says Henry must print an error-free copy of the New Testament before the settlement’s 8th anniversary celebration. He is determined to meet their challenge, but when the enigmatic Hannah proves to be a beguiling distraction, Henry longs for something more than a life at the letterpress. (Historical Romance from Edenbrooke Press)

Adoration by Olivia Rae — Sir Darrin de Longue is desperate to get his lands back from Lady Faith de Sainte-Marie, the woman who betrayed him and may have had a hand in his father’s murder. But King Richard discloses on his deathbed that Lady Faith is the king’s daughter and then issues an ultimatum Darrin must obey. In order to reclaim his lands, he must marry Lady Faith and get her with child in a year’s time. Lady Faith has loved the rowdy and bold Sir Darrin since childhood, but cannot be a true wife to the bitter, angry man whom she has wed. In order to gain his trust and love, she vows to find the truth about his father’s murder. But when she stumbles upon deadly secrets, will she be able to prove her innocence–and his–to erase the past and win Darrin’s heart? (Historical Romance from HopeKnight Press)

Under Prairie Skies by Cynthia Roemer — Illinois prairie, 1855. Unsettled by the news that her estranged cousin and uncle are returning home after a year away, Charlotte Stanton goes to ready their cabin and finds a handsome stranger has taken up residence. Convinced he’s a squatter, she throws him off the property before learning his full identity. Little does she know, their paths are destined to cross again. Quiet and ruggedly handsome, Chad Avery’s uncanny ability to see through Charlotte’s feisty exterior and expose her inner weaknesses both infuriates and intrigues her. When a tragic accident incites her family to move east, Charlotte stays behind in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the elusive cattleman. Yet Chad’s unwillingness to divulge his hidden past, along with his vow not to love again, threatens to keep them apart forever. (Historical Romance from Mantle Rock Publishing)

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo — The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

General Contemporary:

Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels — Crisis pregnancy worker Marissa Moreau suspects her husband is cheating, but little does she know how close to home her husband’s infidelity hits. College student Kaitlyn Farrows is floundering after a relationship with her professor leaves her pregnant. Soon she lands a job and a support system at the local pregnancy resource center and things seem to be turning around. But when Marissa and Kaitlyn become friends, neither one knows they share a connection—Colin, Marissa’s husband and Kaitlyn’s former professor. When their private lives collide, the two women must face the ultimate test of their faith and choose how to move forward as they live in the shadows of hope. (General Contemporary from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Secret Past by Sharee Stover — With gunmen at her doorstep, Katie Tribani learns her true identity. She’s been in witness protection since childhood, and now her crime-lord father has found her. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

 

Young Adult:

Chase by Glenn Haggerty — Tyler, a middle school newbie, shadows drug runners to rat out the methamphetamine dealer before his friend turns into a brain-dead druggie. (Young Adult, Independently Published)

 

 

For you, how important is the cover when choosing a book to read?

 

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Note: This list is compiled from those books registered by ACFW member authors on Fiction Finder and reprinted with permission of ACFW.

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

March 2018 Around the Web

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Around the Web, Blogging, Faith, Inspiration, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing, Writing Tips

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I read many blog posts every month. Some stand out to me, and I include them here. Others stand out, but I can’t include them all. 🙂 I hope you’ll find inspiration from the ones below.

INSPIRATION

“The finished work of Christ has provided for my son and his safety.” Are you facing a fearful situation? What a great testimony to throw into the face of worry. “We Face It; He Graces It” by Ann Cooper McCauley

Seven reasons “Why We Need to Sing in Worship Even When We Don’t Know—Or Like—the Song” by Chuck Lawless. Yep!

“God isn’t looking for perfect people with perfect children, perfect marriages, and perfect lives.” What an inspiring story of “How to Be Enough, When It Feels Like All Eyes Are on You” by Sharon Jaynes on Ann Voskamp’s blog.

READING

I’m fascinated by the process in designing book covers, so I enjoyed “Ask BHP: How Do You Decide on Covers?“. It outlines the procedure Bethany House uses to come up with their gorgeous covers.

I loved this creative way of showing off book covers in a post! “Top Ten Tuesday: Cover Love, Spring Edition” on the Reading is My Superpower blog. Which color…uh…cover contains the story you can’t wait to read? For me? It’s the second book in Elizabeth Camden’s series—all the way, baby!

Audiobooks are on the rise. For those of you who love statistics, check out this Pew Research study into the ways people read. When it comes to your method of consuming a story, is it digital, audio, print, or a combination?

WRITING

“Christian publishing, like the rest of life, is all about relationships.” From Bob Hostetler’s post on the Steve Laube Agency blog, “It’s Not What You Know; It’s Who You Know.” 

Peter Leavell, a regular contributor to the Seriously Write blog, always has inspiring and challenging things to say in his posts. “Encouragement for the Downtrodden” will get you thinking about how, “[w]e write our pain, knowing our readers can never exhaust the story’s wisdom.”

As writers, we want our work to appeal to as many people as possible, don’t we? In fact, having a large platform is preached to us over and over. Well, what if our stories are meant for only one? I’ve often considered that question, so Marcia Lee Laycock’s post “Swimming in a Small Pond” on Novel Rocket spoke to me.

What post topic has inspired you the most this month?

Book Review: Loose Ends by Jennifer Haynie

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Book Reviews, Christian Fiction, Jennifer Haynie, Loose Ends, New Novel Releases, Romantic Suspense, Sandra Ardoin, Unit 28 Series

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Amazon

I went with reviewing another indie book this month. Loose Ends by Jennifer Haynie is the second in the Unit 28 series (Panama Deception being the first). For background, this is a continuing series, so I would recommend reading the first book, as well as the short story available on Amazon. However, it’s not too hard to get your bearings if you don’t. 

Alex Thornton and Jabir al-Omri, a team both personally and professionally, are contractors working for Unit 28, an organization whose agents are directed to “observe, collect, and protect.” They soon find themselves drawn into a mission that revives issues from Alex’s and her parents’ pasts and endangers her. All the while, Jabir is strong-armed into keeping a secret that could tear Alex’s family apart.

‘Sometimes, I wish we didn’t have boundaries,’ she murmured.

‘I know.’ Oh, did he ever. Once more, he [Jabir] envisioned that massive king bed, the shower large enough to accommodate two, and the hot tub outside with privacy latticework. Perfect for honeymooners.

Too bad they weren’t. …

He seriously considered cajoling her into crossing those boundaries.

Some might consider this book a little edgy for the Christian market for several reasons. Its scenes of sexual tension between the unmarried couple are mentioned more than once. Although things get slightly more descriptive than the above (but not offensive), they never cross those boundaries. The violence is much the same. It can be stomach-twisting, but not graphic.

Also, let me say that if you object to Christian fiction that includes drinking and smoking by the main characters, this book is not for you. If you don’t find it an issue and want something a bit grittier than an Irene Hannon or Lynette Eason romantic suspense, I think you’ll like it. 

All that gotten out of the way…

Romantic Suspense is probably the best category to put this in, though it has elements of a thriller. I liked Jabir. He’s a guy who wants to do the right thing. He’s put in a tough spot, not wanting to hurt anyone, yet not comfortable with the information he must keep secret. There were times when I found Alex a bit immature in her treatment of Jabir, however, the exciting climax brought out her worthy traits. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and give it a 4.5 in the star department. The tension stays high and the bad guy is a bit cliché, but creepy BAD. It also contains some twists that send the plot in new directions.

So, if you’re looking for an absorbing read, one that takes you to various spots around the world…that provides a more personal glimpse into the lives of spies, check out Unit 28 and, in particular, Loose Ends.

For fun…I found the trailer for the book: